Petapalooza 2010 is an all-day music festival, scheduled to take place, rain or shine, on Saturday June 5th, 2010 at the Dog House/Brick House area of Grand Harbour from 2 pm until closing time. Read more after the video for further details.

In 2007, Petapalooza raised over CI$ 8,000, which was used for the Broward Puppy Airlift Program. Last year, we raised over CI$17,000 helped with ongoing renovations and the purchase of new stainless steel cages for the Quarantine Room and the new Puppy Room.

This year our goal is to raise over CI$ 20,000.00 to help with the CIHS Shelter Expansion Project.

Petapalooza 2010 will also seek to increase public awareness, to promote the CIHS Spay and Neuter Program, showcase pets available for adoption while featuring local entertainment and encouraging participants to have a fun day out with their pets. Attendance is expected to exceed 1500 people throughout the day.

We would be honored to have your company be a part of this exciting event and anyone wishing to donate to this cause please contact Alysha at 345-926-1834 or via e-mail xandria_14@hotmail.com.
Facebook Group: Petapalooza is a great place for updates.
Location:

Stingray City - Grand Cayman

In recent years the area has not only become a marine park protected area but also new legislation made the area become a WIZ (Wildlife Interaction Zone) Some of the items in this regulation are as follows:

• Wildlife Interaction Zones under the Marine Parks Regulations address three main areas – (i) protection of the rays through controlling the way that people interact with them
• “All tourist boats entering designated Wildlife Interaction Zones will be required to have a licence granted by the Marine Conservation Board. “

I do not believe that allowing a boat to serve alcohol at the sandbar is helping to protect the rays through the way the people will be interacting with them. If the license to sell liquor has been granted then statement two could prevent them from operating in the designated area if the Marine Conservation Board was to deny them a WIZ license.

Near the end of the press release regarding the WIZ areas the Hon. Charles Clifford, Minister of Environment sad “For 10 years we have tried the route of self regulation and it is now abundantly clear that in this absence of legislation there is little that can be done to properly regulate activities at this and other similar locations.” Lets hope that the new legislation allows this proposed new activity to be regulated and stopped.

There are safety issue with intoxicated customers being in the water with stingrays. Yes we all know them to be lovely playful creatures that when dealt with correctly are of no hard and enjoy a cuddle as much as we do. However a guest of the Cayman Islands who has not been to stingray city before and does not know how to handle them and then has some alcoholic beverages as well may not be in the best position to enjoy the area and these lovely creatures.

Other environmental issues to think about are mess, be it from cups, bottles, cans and even effluent must be thought about and realistically cannot be controlled as well as one would want to.

The last area to take into consideration is Tourism and the effect it will have on the numbers and the brand name of Cayman. It certainly is not heading in the direction the rest of the world is going; towards sustainable and or green tourism. In fact a floating bar at stingray city would be te exact opposite and probably turn off new and return vistors alike. Stingray City as a product is already everything it needs to be, nothing needs to be added to the mix.

Whilst my personal feelings are strong about this a recent letter to the editor from Natasha Kozaily is a perfect way to end this article.

“While I do not agree with everything that was said, I think some valuable points were made, especially concerning the rent and fees that accompany a floating bar at Stingray City. Is there any rent or fees for a floating bar? Does this open the doors for competition and more floating bars or shops at Stingray City? And to my next question…where is the line drawn?

Just because people already anchor at Stingray City in their private boats with coolers full of alcoholic beverages, does that really justify making alcohol available to those who it wouldn’t be available to in the first place? Does it make it right? Is it now OK to give everyone the opportunity to get intoxicated in the water with no thought to the many negative consequences?

Secondly, the floating bar should not only make us stop and think about its impact on Stingray City, but it should also wake us up to the bigger questions at hand. Is Stingray City being operated with the care and concern it should be handled with right now? Are we planning our future with the next seven generations in mind? I do agree that we should be thinking about the wider issues, concerning our environment and tourism. Maybe the floating bar was exactly what we needed to wake us up to the problems!

I applaud everyone who joined the protest on Monday, signed the petition, honked their horns against the floating bar and took part in the debate. Whatever the outcome may be, it’s comforting to know that there are people who want to stand up and make a difference. I hope that we don’t stop at the problem of the floating bar, but continue to fight for the protection and preservation of our seas and environment. We need to accept the things we cannot change but always…always try to change the things we can.”

Reefathlon - Bike, Swim & Run

Join us for the very first Reefathlon event!
19 mile Time Trial Cycle on Sunday September 27th

The Reef is a great destination for relaxation, so when cycling friends asked us to let the world know about our perfect cycling roads, our first thought was “that doesn’t sound relaxing”. Still, cyclists can be very dedicated to their cause, so they persisted, but how best bring together cyclists from Cayman and overseas together to compete, but, more importantly, to relax, have fun and make new friends? We thought about how Cayman is known for “multi-sports” events, but have you seen those crazy triathletes? That “swim, bike, run” idea of one tough event after another? Sure seems like too much work for a vacation to us.

Reefathlon then, is simply cycling wrapped in a beach break, where you can replace the “swim” and “run” segments of the “-athlon” with some lazy snorkeling and a leisurely stroll on the beach.

Now, as we say at The Reef, “we make relaxing look easy, as we practice hard at it every day”, and we think we are onto a great idea with Reefathlon, so we are taking it very seriously. How seriously? Our race manager is a three time Olympic cyclist and first Caymanian cyclist to win a Gold & Silver medal at the CARFITA Games Caribbean cycling legend, Craig Merren.

Sunday September 27th 2009 - 19 mile time trial, East End (counter?clockwise) loop
Start/finish at theReef -Registration 6:30am, first rider starts 7am

• Ride 27mph on Sep 27th and win US$1000 (fastest rider under 42’13” (27mph for 19 miles) wins US$1000!)
• All division winners win a free stay at theReef

For more information including travel and stay packages
for both overseas visitors and local entrants,
visit www.reefathlon.com

Pirates Week Tshirt 2009

Support the National Festival, Pirates Week Cayman Islands. Purchase a t-shirt. Call 949.5078 or email pirates@candw.ky

I think they look awesome and will definitely be getting myself one.

Right now as far as I know they are available on advance order but I am sure they will be for sale in the Pirates Week shop soon. (The Pirates Week shop is still around yes ?)

Please support Pirates Week and all the good people that put a lot of hard work and effort into making it happen every year. If you also don’t want Pirates Week to change then support it at the Save Pirates Week Facebook group.

PRESS RELEASE

SUPPORT PIRATES WEEK!

George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – September 2, 2009:

The National Festival of the Cayman Islands, Pirates Week, taking place on November 12-22 is fast approaching and the office is asking for your support.

The Pirates Week Festival is a not-for-profit event that is funded solely by community minded companies and individuals in the Cayman Islands through sponsorships and fundraisers.

“We thank our faithful sponsors for continuing to support this not-for-profit event; this event is funded solely by community and corporate sponsorships so without them it won’t be possible” says Casandra Hibbert, Director for Pirates Week.

Not many people in the community realize that the Pirates Week Event is not funded by the government. Each year, the Office goes out into the community seeking sponsorships and assistance to cover all the events, majority of which are free to the public.

Support of the Pirates Week Festival can be made in different ways:

• Sponsoring an event
• Purchasing the Pirates Week T-shirts
• Donations to the event via the Pirates Week Office
• Taking out an ad in the Pirates Week Magazine
• Volunteering on committees/ or events

For more information on how you can support the National Festival, please call the Pirates Week Office at 949.5078 or email us at pirates@candw.ky.

Pirates Week Office Team wearing the 2009 PiratePirates Week Office Team wearing the 2009 Pirates Week T-shirts (l-r) Casandra Hibbert – Director, Bernie Bush – Deputy Director, Pat Bazell-Taylor – Chief Administrative Officer.s Week T-shirts (l-r) Casandra Hibbert – Director, Bernie Bush – Deputy Director, Pat Bazell-Taylor – Chief Administrative Officer.

ABOUT PIRATES WEEK FESTIVAL

The Pirates Week Festival is a not-for-profit event that is funded solely by community minded companies and individuals in the Cayman Islands through sponsorships and fundraisers. The event is normally scheduled in November and is a celebration of the Cayman Islands history and culture. It is a fun filled fourteen days with fireworks, street dances, teenage party, song contest, costume competitions, landing pageant, pirate invasion, float parade, road races, kids fun day, golf tournament, and district heritage celebration days. Visit our website at www.piratesweekfestival.com for the most updated information.

Selita Ebanks on Grand Cayman's Jolly Roger

“Whatever you do, remember we drive on the left!” Is Selita Ebanks’ final piece of advice from an article written by Bianca Posterli over at Modelinia. The article entitled Secret Address: Selita Ebanks’ Cayman Islands is a nice overview from one of Caymans most beautiful exports Selita Ebanks. She gives us the low down on everything she loves to enjoy when she comes back for a visit. I have seen her having a few cocktails at Rackams and Calico Jacks after a day out on cruising the Caribbean sea in style with freinds and family on a boat, all of which is a great sign someone knows how to enjoy themselves in Cayman.

Here is how the article begins:

“Between its pristine beaches, eccentric nightlife, and delicious cuisine, the Cayman Islands is really a must-stop vacation spot. Lucky Selita Ebanks was not only raised in the British overseas territory of the Caribbean, but often returns to visit her extended family. If you’re looking for adventure, head down in November during Pirates Week to dress up like Blackbeard or a wench, or simply relax in the crystal clear waters. But whenever you go, here are some spots Selita highly recommends.”

If you want to read her recommendations then go ahead and read it over at Modelinia.com

Emotional Baggage, every girls needs a bag!

If you’re looking for a gift for someone you love, or simply to spoil yourself check out Emotional Baggage. These beautiful, one of a kind bags are handmade in Grand Cayman and spring straight from the creative genius of Katie Alpers. You can choose from a selection off the peg or can work with the Kate in her fabulous studio and come up with your own, individual masterpiece. Whether you are looking for eccentric or professional, beach wear or evening wear you will find exactly what you want at Emotional Baggage.

Each bag is made to the highest quality – ask any proud owner – and finished off with a fun name tag, enabling you to flatter, tease or just say it as it is. Emotional Baggage, bags of character, bags of fun, bags of quality and style, every girl needs at least one!

www.emotionalbaggage.org

So it is only a month and a bit away. Pirates week is still to happen (and I intend on pulling in photographs of Pirates Week to a post on this site when it happens !). In a lot of places around the world Christmas lights are probably already starting to go up in highstreets and downtoan areas in preparation for the anuual event. Stores are decorating their front windows with snow, holly, flashing lights and other festive ornaments.
In Grand Cayman the time honored tradition of rasing our electricity bills in Cayman. Everyone loves their lights here. The tradition is the group of houses that everyyear go overboard in collecting some of the best displays around and leave them on for everyone to come and view throughout the season. I used to be told that CUC had a competition for who had the best lights and the winner got a free bill that month ? I am not sure if this is true any longer but it certainly could make investing in a few lights worth your while nowadays!

So, if you are out and about and taking photos of the xmas decorations around in Grand Cayman, please feel free to share them with us all here, contact us or leave a comment below and we can arrange to post your images on Caymaniac.ky

[last years post]

Jimmy Arias playing hard and hitting hard at the Ritz, Outback Series.

The Residences at the Ritz Carlton hosted Caymans first ever involvement with the Outback Championship Series. I imagine this to be a smaller leg of the whole tour, however it is quite a big event for Grand Cayman. A huge mixture of people showed up for all the days of the event, and the players put on some great shows of not just great Tennis but also showmanship.

The event is a Sand / Clay tennis event, which I personally always enjoy to watch. There was plenty of stadium seats, however it did get a little crowded towards the final match. Jim Courier, United States, defeated Wayne Ferreira, South Africa, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (1). It was a great match preceeded by Jimmy Arias, United States, claiming third by defeating Paul Haarhuis, Netherlands, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 10-8 tiebreak.

The VIP tent was fully stocked with some amazing buffet food and local Beer Caybrew and Champagne from Veuve Clicquot along with other assorted wines and soft drinks. Outside in the main area there was plenty of souvenir shops with Championship Series merchandise, Ritz Carlton tennis gear to super sized tennis balls and some food and drink vendors.

The event is well worth checking out even if just for one day, but if you choose to go in the future my advice is take a big hat for shade and lots of sunscreen as the seating provided no shading whatsoever and it was perfect Caribbean weather !

Make yourself a Classic Margarita

Method
1. Pour the Tequila, Cointreau and lime juice into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add a handful of ice cubes and shake vigorously for a bit of flair.
3. Strain into a Martini glass with half the rim rubbed with lime, then dipped in salt.
4. Add a lime wedge on the rim by way of garnish.

Christmas Lights in Cayman

Christmas Lights are always a fairly big deal in Cayman. It’s not something I grew up with being British; it is most definitely the American influence on the island mixed in with a general island thing for festivities. I haven’t yet gotten out to take any photos of the lights myself and I suspect they will either be taken down today (bad luck to keep them up after 12 days from xmas) but I may have a last minute go at it as the only photos I could find online were from years gone by.

By far and away the Most excessive is always the Chrighton House in Spotts. However my personal favourite is the Thompson house down in South Sound which is also just my favourite house on the island (not that I have been in but from the outside.

If anyone has some Cayman Christmas Light photos from 2007 then please feel free to contact me and we may even have a little showcase.
(mosts photo found on Simon T’s Flickr)

[2008 Cayman Xmas post]