AICPA to share content and educational resources with the Cayman Islands Society of Professional Accountants

Goal is to Spur Growth and Build Expertise within the Caribbean Professional Organization
NEW YORK (Jan. 14, 2016) – The American Institute of CPAs has entered into an agreement with the Cayman Islands Society of Professional Accountants (CISPA) to share Institute resources on professional development and organizational outreach.
“CISPA has expressed a desire to increase membership and build professional expertise within their organization,” said Mark Koziel, the AICPA’s vice president of firm services and global alliances. “The AICPA has many resources that can support this initiative, and we’re excited about building a closer relationship with our colleagues in the Cayman Islands.”
As part of the agreement, CISPA will be able to:
Offer some AICPA continuing professional education courses, both live and online, to its members
Post certain AICPA whitepapers, magazine articles, blog items and other content to its website
Conduct a joint conference with the AICPA in the Cayman Islands later this year
“One of our goals this year is to strengthen and promote high-quality practices by the accounting profession locally, and this is an important step in that overall effort,” said Sheree Ebanks, the chief executive of CISPA.
The agreement was finalized last week. The AICPA has entered into similar content-sharing agreements in the past year with professional accounting organizations in Colombia and Lebanon.

 

Heritage Bank gets ready to replace FCIB in Belize

From Ambergris Caye

First Caribbean International Bank is two weeks away from closing operations in Belize after several decades dating back to its days as Barclays Bank. The Bank sold its assets to Heritage Bank subject to approval by the Central Bank, which it received on December 21, 2015 and said at the time that the completion of the transition to Heritage Bank is due by January 31st, 2016. However, branches in Dangriga and at the San Cas Plaza will be closed. Today Stephen Duncan, Managing Director of Heritage Bank, told us that the transition is well underway. Duncan also noted that they are making arrangements to use the remaining properties they purchased, which will see Heritage Bank join its banking rivals in the center of the Old Capital. The former Alliance Bank already has established locations across the country from Corozal to Independence.
For more: http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/510645/first-caribbean-intl-bank-sells-to-heritage-bank.html

 

Emmis sues insurer for not covering costs of defending shareholder suit

From All Access Music Group
EMMIS has sued its insurer for refusing to cover its legal fees in the recently-settled case brought by dissident preferred shareholders.
The company sued ILLINOIS NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY for breach of contract in the Southern District of INDIANA on MONDAY (1/11), complaining that the insurer denied coverage under the sole explanation that the suit arose from the separate 2010 attempt by CEO JEFF SMULYAN to take the company private and should therefore be covered by CHUBB INSURANCE COMPANIES, which covered that incident.
ILLINOIS NATIONAL pointed to allegations by the shareholders (the “Lockup Group”) that the preferred share buyback plan was motivated by the failure of the 2010 case, but EMMIS termed those allegations “superfluous and irrelevant to the actual claims asserted against EMMIS, its officers and directors.”
For more: http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/149466/emmis-sues-insurer-for-not-covering-costs-of-defen?ref=mail_recap#sthash.dVPlRAFO.dpuf

 

National Heroes Day Celebrations (Official Parade and Ceremony)

Government, in conjunction with the Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP and the Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, OBE, JP.

WHAT: National Heroes Day Celebrations (Official Parade and Ceremony)

WHEN: Monday, 25 January, 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Heroes Square, George Town (in front of the Courts building) Participants: Ministers, parade contingent, honourees, National Heroes, guests

For your reference on current Cayman Islands National Heroes please refer to the below web link. http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome/cayman/thepeople/heroes

 

COME AND GET YOUR ‘STRETCH’ ON! with Miss Jackie Starting Wednesday  Jan 20

Who: Anyone but classes will be focused for the more ‘mature’ student

When: Wednesdays 5:15pm

Where: Miss Jackie’s School of Dance Studio, Pasadora Place, Smith Road

Why: Because you care about your health

STRETCHING has a myriad of health benefits however here are few of notable mention:

� Pain relief � Increased energy levels � Increased flexibility � Decrease of risk of injury � Better range of joint motion � Enhances blood circulation � Encourages more restful sleep � Improved posture � Enhances muscular coordination � Greater sense of well-being

Sessions will be 45 minutes long. Fees are $50.00 a month [membership] or drop-in $15.00 Come and try a free intro class.

MOTION IS LIFE. BREATHE TO LIVE AND LIVE TO BREATHE.

Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels Annual Coin Collection Drive

Please note that the Meals on wheels Coin Collection drive will be held this year a little later on May 27th and 28th. volunteers will be outside all supermarkets on the island as well as Kirks Home Centre and AL Thompsons hardware. for those companies that see heavy traffic i.e. banks, collection boxes will be available for that week.

For more information please don’t hesitate to call

Pat Bazell-Taylor

916-6249

British Airways Nassau / Grand Cayman Aircraft Changes from July 2016

By JL From Airline Route

British Airways starting 01JUL16 is increasing capacity on London Heathrow – Nassau – Grand Cayman route, as the airline plans to operate 3-class Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, instead of 767-300ER.

The airline operates this route 4 times a week.

BA253 LHR1030 – 1450NAS1605 – 1640GCM 777 57

BA253 LHR1035 – 1450NAS1605 – 1640GCM 777 1

BA253 LHR1045 – 1505NAS1605 – 1640GCM 777 3

BA252 GCM1830 – 2100NAS2225 – 1200+1LHR 777 57

BA252 GCM1830 – 2100NAS2230 – 1205+1LHR 777 13

For more: http://airlineroute.net/2015/11/23/ba-nasgcm-jul16/

Cayman Islands Meals on Wheels Orange you Glad annual Gala

19th March

“Orange you Glad” will be held this year on the 19th March, 2016 at the Marriott. This Gala includes a sumptuous dinner, a Live and Silent auction, live music. We will be sending out full details in the next few days.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

TUE & WED JAN 19 & 20

Basics of Budgeting

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Basics of Budgeting by Terry Carson on Tuesday and Wednesday (19 & 20 Jan) from 9:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. at their office in Governors Square. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky/events.

 

WED JAN 20

Floetry

Floetry is Wednesday (20 Jan) at 630pm at Books and Books.

THU JAN 21

Time Management & Productivity

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a course on Time Management & Productivity by Catherine Tyson on Thursday (21 Jan) from 9:00a.m. — 4:30p.m. at their office in Governors Square. Register online at www.caymanchamber.ky/events.

 

FRI & SAT JAN 22 & 23

4th Annual Arbitration and Investment Summit – Caribbean, Latin America and Other Emerging Markets

Cutting Edge, Local, Regional and International Speakers.

January 22nd – 23rd, 2016 8:00AM – 1:00PM

Auditorium of The Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre College of the Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas

Early Bird Registration Ends January 8th, 2016

International – $350.00 Local – Adults $100, One Day – $60, Students – $25

At the door – Adults – $150, One Day – $75, Students – $30

 

SAT JAN 23

Cayman Brac Full Moon Sock Hop

The District Committee of Cayman Brac presents the Full Moon Sock Hop on Saturday (23 Jan) on public beach from 630pm until midnight. Call 916.3960 for tickets, tables and reservations.

 Taste of Cayman

Taste of Cayman is Saturday (23 Jan) at 5:30pm on the Festival Green in Camana Bay.

SUN JAN 24

Family Fun Day  at Botanic Park

You’re invited to a Family Fun Day at Botanic Park on Sunday (24 Jan) from 10am until 3pm.

 

MON JAN 25 (Public Holiday)

National Heroes Day 2016

You’re invited to the National Heroes Day 2016 parade and awards ceremony on Monday (25 Jan) at 830am at Heroes Square.

 

WED JAN 27 – SAT JAN 30

Road Closure Notice

Please be advised that Cardinal Ave in central George Town will be closed from Wednesday, 27 January at 10PM to Saturday, 30 January at 3AM for the Poinciana Festival. Part of Albert Panton Avenue (between Cardinal Avenue and Scotia Bank parking lot) will also be closed for the festivities.

January Events at Camana Bay

The New Year starts off on an exciting note with a carnival launch celebration and this month also features Cayman’s biggest culinary event, Taste of Cayman. There are many enrichment activities, including a free juicing demonstration and a chance to express your creativity with an open mic night of poetry and readings. Let’s not forget, this is the month to get back on the healthy track and we have two exciting fitness challenges happening at Camana Bay.

Here is a quick look at our special events:

Floetry

Wednesday 20 January

6:30-7:30pm

Books & Books

Taste of Cayman

Saturday 23 January

5:30pm

The Festival Green

Cuisine of the Sun Dinner

Thursday 28 January

7pm

Ortanique

Culture at the Cinema: Behind Beautiful Forevers

Saturday 30 January

7pm

Regal Cinemas