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City Emergency Organisation Is Ready for Hurricane Season
City Hall was the venue for a press conference called by Mayor Darrell Bradley in his capacity as the Chairman of the City Emergency Management Organisation. While the conference discussed a wide range of issues including the City's evacuation strategy, hurricane shelters and CEMO's collaborations with several stakeholders, it basically was called to inform the media that CEMO is prepared and that their plan has been fine-tuned and is detailed in terms of time, transportation, drivers, shelter management and the likes. Addressing the media houses today was Councillor Phillip Willoughby, whose portfolio at the council includes CEMO.
PHILLIP WILLOUGHBY
CITY COUNCILLOR
"We are prepared as we normally do at this time of year as we open the hurricane season. We're looking at any other natural disasters, manmade or otherwise but one of our marked accomplishment and feature that in partnering with the Belize Red Cross is the signage that is around the city. If you were to look at where the post office is, the old plaza building, the overpass at the roundabout connecting the Phillip Goldson Highway, you would see outlined, the name of hurricane shelters, other minor details that directs the residents of Belize city and others as to where to go and how to reach where you need to go and as I said, other minor details. The second minor accomplishment to that is the evacuation route; we've been speaking to this evacuation route for some time.
Three Cops Granted Bail; One on Remand at Belize Central Prison
Four police officers of San Ignacio Police Station faced criminal charges today in the Magistrate's Court of that municipality. Elaine Berry gives us the details.
ELAINE BERRY
Cayo Correspondent
"The four officers who were involved in an incident on Monday, May 26 at about 12:30am in Unitedville Village, Cayo District with four men who were retuning back from a wake in Ontario Village and who stated that they were assaulted by the officers and during the assault one of the men was fired at after walking away and was shot in his back. They were all arraigned this morning in front of Magistrate Morgan and their charges were read. 3 of the officers met bail of $800 and they are: Corporal Ricky Valencia, P.C Maxwell Valerio and Special Constable Ernesto Budna. While the other officer, P.C Jesus Marroquin was remanded to the Kolbe Foundation in Hattieville until July 31, 2014. Marroquin was charged for deadly means of harm, committing the crime of wounding and attempted murder upon 19 year old Elston Arnold."
Estranged Spouse Causes Harm to School Warden
Twenty-eight year old Kearney Thompson, charged with theft and harm, became an inmate of Belize Central Prison today when he appeared before the Chief magistrate, Anne Marie Smith and pled guilty to the charges. Thompson was remanded into custody until Monday, June 16, for sentencing. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 1. Stephanie Reynolds, a 27 year old school warden who is the ex-girlfriend of Thompson, reported to the police that she was walking on Antelope Street when she was approached by Thompson who beat her then stole her purse which contained her cell phone and 50 dollars . Reynolds was given a medico-legal form and she was taken to Karl Heusner Hospital. The doctor who examined and treated her classified her injuries as harm. She had injuries to her elbow, her finger and the side of her face.
Police Nabs Suspected Robber
Trevor Guy, one of three persons who police believe attempted to rob Delcid Store at mile 8 on George Price Highway, was charged with attempted robbery and aggravated assault when he appeared today before the chief magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Guy pled not guilty to the charges. He was remanded into custody until July 30. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4. Julio Delcid, the owner of the store, reported to the police that while he was in his store, three persons entered, one of them armed with a firearm. Delcid said the gunman pointed a pistol at him and he drew his licensed firearm and fired several shots. The culprits fled and Delcid made a report. The police responded quickly and located the suspects in the cemetery at mile 8. The police reported that as they approached one of the suspects fired shots at them and they returned fire. As a result, they apprehended Guy but the other two suspects managed to escape.
Guatemalans with Fake Nationality Documents Surrender to Police
Two Guatemalans, who were allegedly furnished with Belizean birth certificates by Marleny Castellanos, were charged with two counts of using a document that they are not entitled to use when they appeared today before Magistrate Dale Cayetano. They are 27 year old Wendy Perez and 39 year old Abel Reyes. They pled guilty to the charges and they were fined one thousand dollars for each offence. They were ordered to pay forthwith. If they default on payment they will serve three months for each offence. The sentences are to run concurrently. On Friday, June 6, Perez and Reyes, both of them residents of Caye Caulker, went to the immigration Department in Belize City and handed themselves. They both had Belizean birth certificates and Belizean nationality certificates. When immigration officers checked they discovered that they discovered that the names of the persons on the birth certificates were not the name of the biological mothers of Perez and Reyes. As a result, their Belizean nationality certificates were cancelled. Castellanos , who is believed to the supplier of the birth certificates, is currently remanded to prison on several immigration charges and more charges are expected to follow.
Director of Public Prosecutions Wins Appeal Against Accused Murderer
An appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lyn Vidal, of the case of 25 year old Krismar Espinosa, who was acquitted of the murder of Keon Swasey, was allowed today by Belize Court of Appeal. The judges of Belize Court of Appeal ruled that the ruling of the trial judge, Justice John Gonzalez, and the acquittal be set aside and a retrial on a charge of murder be before a judge other than Justice Gonzalez. The judges of Belize Court of Appeal will give their reasons in writing at a later date. Espinosa, a resident of Orange Walk, was charged with murder after Swasey was fatally stabbed on December 24, 2009, at Belize Central Prison. At the time Espinosa was remanded on a charge of murder for the death of his girlfriend. At the trial which began on November 26, 2012 and ended on December 5, 2012, Espinosa's attorney, Rachel Montejo, had submitted that Espinosa did not have a case to answer due to insufficient evidence. Justice Gonzalez upheld the submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. The DPP had appealed on the ground that the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to go to the jury.
NGOs and Unions Join Hands Against Government of Belize
BGYEA: The Belize Grass roots Empowerment Association is currently fighting an injunction brought by the Government of Belize to prohibit them from disturbing the buffer area of Harmonyville. That's a problem for BGYEA and Nigel Petillo because he was planning to plant corn in the buffer through an agreement with investor Sam Patten. The facts are that Petillo requested that the Lands and Survey Department removed squatting immigrants from the buffer zone. But when the Land Commissioner found out that Petillo had entered in a private agreement with Sam Patten, an order of cease and decease was issued. Petillo made his media runs stating that the idea was to plant corn in the buffer zone in order to raise funds for infrastructural works in Harmonyville. However, the Lands and Survey Department didn't buy it and so an injunction was obtain to prohibit BGYEA from planting corn. On Saturday, BGYEA held their "Plant DI Corn" Rally at Battle Field Park and since they became a member of the newly form Rod of Correction, BGYEA was not alone. Love News was out there and here is the story.
GEOVANNI BRACKETT
President
Citizens Organized for Liberty Through Action
"You ask yourself the question, why isn't the government going after the Guatemalans who are illegally farming our land in the buffer zone, in the thousands of acres. "
University Students Benefit from Workshop on Intellectual Property Law
A three week workshop focusing on intellectual property rights began today in Belmopan. Correspondent Angelica Cruz reports:
ANGELICA CRUZ
Western Correspondent
Love News
"The University of Belize in collaboration with a team of girls from Middleton Tennessee State University is having a 3-week workshop at the UB Jaguar Auditorium in Belmopan. This workshop is based on intellectual property law and global entertainment transaction. Deborah Watson, Attorney and university Professor spoke to Love News and told us how it will benefit our country."
DEBORAH WATSON
Professor
Middleton Tennessee State University
"The purpose of the international classroom initiative is to join forces between the creative community and Belize and Central America and the United States program where I am a professor at Middleton State University and our department of recording industry within the college of mass communication. What we hope to do is to bring what strengths and knowledge we have to the incredible talent within the Belizean community. To help foster a greater infrastructure for exploitation in the best use of the word and opportunity to have a professional life as a musician, or as a film maker, or as a book writer, or anyone in the art to assist in the process of bringing knowledge and a more mature market skills that the US has developed into this incredible opportunity with very talented young people in Belize. So I am very grateful to Stone Tree Records, who is our partner in the memorandum of understanding, Ivan Duran in particular and also the University of Belize."
PlusTV
God Gives Away Salvation to a Repented Soul
This week's Bible verse is taken from Psalm 32: 5 “I have acknowledged my sin to you and my injustice I have not concealed. …and you have forgiven the wickedness of my sin”.
Elvin Penner's Replacement as Standard Bearer is John August
Former Minister of State Elvin Penner will be replaced by the current Mayor of San Ignacio John August Jr. as the UDP Standard Bearer for the Cayo North East Constituency in the next general elections. On Sunday, June 8th, more than a thousand UDP supporters came out to vote...
Three Shootings in Belize City Over the Weekend
Police are investigating three separate shooting incidents in the Old Capital this weekend, which left eight persons injured, two critically. We begin on Saturday night around 9:45 p.m., when 28 year old Sigmund Trapp and 25 year old Anthony Scott, both residents of Belize City, were walking on Kut...
Two Teenagers Detained for Stabbing a Man
In other police news, Gumercindo Pop is receiving treatment at the Western Regional Hospital, in Belmopan after a stabbing incident at Billy White Village, Cayo District, which involved 18 year old Santos Angel Chacon and a 15 year old minor. According to reports, on Saturday, June 7th, at about...
Krismar Espinoza to be Retried for Murder
The Court of Appeal began its second session for 2014 this morning with criminal appeals. This afternoon, it ordered ]25 year old Krismar Espinoza of Orange Walk Town to be retried at the Supreme Court before a different judge for murder. Espinoza was accused of the stabbing death of...
Money Gram Robbed in Orange Walk
There was an armed robbery in Orange Walk earlier today. According to police at about 8:35 pm two armed men of Creole descent, wearing masks, broke into the office of Money Gram located in Otro Benque, Orange Walk Town and stole an estimated $6,000 and a cell phone. The...
Image Store Robbed on Albert Street
In Belize there was another armed robbery. According to police reports on Sunday afternoon, Indian Supervisor for Image Store located on Albert Street, Belize City was inside his work place along with two other co-workers when two male persons entered the business establishment; one armed with a handgun. They...
Trevor Guy Charged with Attempted Robbery of Store
A shopkeeper had to fight fire with fire last week and as a result police have charged Trevor Guy with attempted robbery and aggravated assault on Julio del Cid, the owner of the Del Cid Store at Mile 8 on the George Price Highway. Guy is alleged, along with...
More Illegal Certificates Uncovered in Caye Caulker
Two individuals who say they were assisted by Marleny Castellanos to illegally obtain Belizean documentation came forward and turned themselves in to police last week. They are Caye Caulker residents and Guatemalan citizens Wendy Perez, 27, and Abel Ruiz Reyes, 39. They both appeared in Magistrate’s Court today before...
Arson Suspected in Corozal
There are reports of a possible arson in the Northern District of Corozal. According to woman Police Constable Rosario Romero, Resident of Libertad village, at about 3:30 a.m. she was awaken by her one month old son and when she got up she saw flames outside her house. Upon...
Penner Recall Petitioners Not Allowed to Vote?
But while over a thousand supporters came out to vote during Sunday’s UDP convention, several voters were denied that privilege. Rejected Voter of Cayo Northeast UDP Convention "They refused me.� Dehn no waa mek ah vote.� Dehn seh that da becaw dehn she me gawn sign the PUP ballaet.�...
Thousands Attend Global Day of Prayer Nationwide
This past�Sunday�was celebrated on the Christian calendar “Pentecost�Sunday” the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as they were gathered together in the upper room for prayer. Since the year 2000, a movement of prayer which started in South Africa, has seen millions of Christians from different...
Caye Caulker Chronicles
20 Kids Receive Holy Communion
On Sunday, June 8, 2014, twenty children from the Caye Caulker R.C. School received their First Holy Communion.
Holy Communion is one of the seven sacraments ascribed to by the Catholic church.
Congratulations to all the children on this religious milestone.
More Caye Caulker Residents Are Caught With Fake Nationality Documents
In May of this year (2014), over 10 persons were rounded up in Caye Caulker for being in possession of fake nationality documents.
According to the ten persons, the person who helped them acquire the fake documents are one Marleny Castellanos and one
Well, the immigration net did not end there. Two other Guatemalan residents living in Caye Caulker have surrendered themselves to police. They are claiming they did not know that the documents provided to them by the said Castellanos were bogus.
27 year old Wendy Perez and 39 year old Abel Reyes were formally charged with two counts of using a document which they were not entitled to.
They pled guilty to the charges and were fined one thousand dollars each. The fines are payable forthwith, or in default they face three months imprisonment.
Patrick Jones
Krismar Espinoza to be retried for murder
The Court of Appeal began its second session for 2014 this morning with criminal appeals. This afternoon, it ordered 25 year old Krismar Espinoza of Orange Walk Town to be retried at the Supreme Court before a different judge for murder. Espinoza was accused of the stabbing death [�]
Trevor Guy charged with attempted robbery of store
A shopkeeper had to fight fire with fire last week and as a result police have charged Trevor Guy with attempted robbery and aggravated assault on Julio del Cid, the owner of the Del Cid Store at Mile 8 on the George Price Highway. Guy is alleged, along [�]
More illegal nationality certificates uncovered on Caye Caulker
Two individuals who say they were assisted by Marleny Castellanos to illegally obtain Belizean documentation came forward and turned themselves in to police last week. They are Caye Caulker residents and Guatemalan citizens Wendy Perez, 27, and Abel Ruiz Reyes, 39. They both appeared in Magistrate's Court today [�]
School warden attacked on street by ex-partner
28 year old Kearney Thompson of Belize City pleaded guilty to stealing his former girlfriend's purse and attacking her on the street on June 1, 2014. He will be sentenced next Monday, June 16, by Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith on charges of theft and harm. 27 year old school [�]
Maya Leaders Alliance wants to know what happened to Toledo rosewood
The Maya of Medina Bank in the Toledo District say a large batch of rosewood which they held under protection was illegally confiscated by the Forest Department and has subsequently disappeared. We spoke to Cristina Coc of the Maya Leaders Alliance on Saturday during the Plant Di Corn [�]
City gets ready for hurricane season
The 2014 hurricane season has begun. Are you ready? The Belize City Council and its Central Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) say they are, and want residents to be as well. Today Belize City Mayor and CEMO chairperson Darrell Bradley and City Councilor with responsibility for emergency management Philip [�]
A bloody weekend in Belize City leaves two people in critical condition
Between Friday night and 12:30 this morning, gun violence in Belize City sent no less than 8 people to the emergency room. Two of the shooting victims are listed in critical condition. Starting with the most recent � five people were injured in a shooting incident late [�]
Teenage girl commits suicide in Corozal
A Corozal family is going through immense grief after a 14 year old girl committed suicide over the weekend. Vianney Vasquez, according to reports, ended her life on Sunday afternoon by hanging herself from a beam in a house in her parents' yard in Ranchito Village, Corozal. [�]
New ambassadors from Switzerland and Argentina
Two new diplomats have been welcomed to the ranks Belize's Diplomatic Corps.
They are Patricia Vaca Narvaja and Louis-Jose Touron.
According to a brief statement from the Government Press Office, Ambassador Touron is the new representative of Switzerland in Belize, while Ambassador Narvaja is Argentina's new top diplomat in Belmopan.
Both ambassadors presented their credentials to Governor General Sir Colville Young t Belize House in Belmopan, expressing their desire to continue and develop strong diplomatic and bilateral relations between their respective nations and Belize.
Dangriga celebrates World Day of Prayer
Approximately 500 people made their statement for the Lord Jesus Christ during a powerful Christian Parade in beautiful Dangriga on June 8th to pray against corruption, racism, discrimination, hate, and un-Godly behaviour.
The faithful gathered near the Drums of Our Fathers Monument on the southern end of the town and paraded through the principal streets ending at Princess Royal Telemedia Park.
The energetic crowd joined their voices in hymns and spiritual songs along with prayers and blessings.
The organizers were very pleased with the turn out and enjoyed everyone to continue praying for the nation, Education Leaders, Prime Minister and Government leaders.
One of the organizers Pastor Evans said that the celebration is to pray against all forms of corruption, evil, and unacceptable behaviours.
Toledo celebrates World Day of Prayer
Hundreds of Belizeans turned out on Sunday at the Julian Cho Technical High School auditorium for the 2014 World Day of Prayer.
During the course of the two-hour long church service, the congregation sang, worshipped and prayed for the nation of Belize.
Organizer of the event Pastor Victor Hernandez says the Day of Prayer activity served to strengthen the church and believers stand firm in spite of prevailing challenges.
The 33 church leaders and their congregations took time out to pray for Belize and its leaders and affirmed that God is supreme over Belize.
A Cruise to Belize: AMAZING Excursions from Cave Tubing to Mayan Sites
Or: Planning ahead- what to do with 8-10 hours in Belize?
As I mentioned in my previous post, before my honeymoon I visited Belize 3 times on a cruise ship. This was never part of the plan; actually, taking 3 cruises within 10 years was unlikely, much less visiting the same port each time. As it turned out, each of my 3 visits showed me something Belize did well, and gave me enough of a taste for the country that my husband and I decided to return for 10 nights. So what were these great experiences?
First visit: Ruins, wildlife and a change of plans
My first trip was on a cruise with friends when I was 22ish. We split up - my friend Zac and I planning to visit the ruins at Lamanai while the other two headed off to Caye Caulker and Shark Ray Alley. Lamanai had captured my imagination as soon as I read about it, from the boat trip down a jungle river to exploring- and climbing- the partially-excavated ruins. My Indiana Jones fantasies were about to come true! (No� not that kind�)
Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. Two weeks before our trip, the excursion was cancelled. The ship had a mechanical issue which meant slowing down its travel speed, thus shortening our time in port. We wouldn't be there long enough to make it to Lamanai and back again.
"What a Fool Believes" in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Up bright and early yesterday morning and out on the veranda - the western, lagoon facing one on the first floor- with a mug of black coffee (no sugar) and my iPad (the old one, not my iPad Air).
I sat out there for around ninety minutes , reading The Times online and catching up on emails and Facebook and then shortly before 07.00 hours I wandered down to the front gate to unlock it so Lloyd and his boys could get in for their day in the garden!
With the guys spreading the gravel I then showered, shaved, brushed my teeth, got dressed and headed to 'Town for breakfast at Estel's Dine By the Sea where I knew that I could tick off a few of Julian's photo challenges.
Julian's photo.
The best little Zoo in the World
I have a story to share with you about something incredible that happened in Belize, some might even consider it something straight out of a fairytale book. I'm referring to the Belize Zoo and the tale of its happy ending.
Did you know�
The latest estimate of species on earth is about 8.7 million species. That's an amazing number. Some species are still not found yet, now that thought is even more amazing! Unfortunately, many species are not free to live in the wild; to live in the unbridled forests and deserts where the survival of the fittest is the law. Many animals have not been given the chance to defend themselves and win or lose the Darwin challenge. Many animals are taken from their natural places of dwelling to put into cages and exhibits in menageries.
In 1982 a National Geographic Animals of Central America filming session happened in Belize. People had some wild animals as pets and they got permission from their owners to be filmed, others were filmed in the wild. After the shooting, the film crew could not get the owners of these animals to take them back - so, then what? Enter Sharon Matola a tall, beautiful and strong intern working on the film. She and her team, with the support of grants, transformed the only way any other zoo in the world should be given a license to exist.
The feeding trough!
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez
I expected better!
From Genitty, Caritas, Aird, Carol and Brenda
Who have been in the school system forever!
More so, in the capacity of administrators
So they know the constraints as managers
But have miraculously forgotten, now that their bread has butter
Now that most of them are doctors, sitting at the table of their master
They now think they are better because they are now the decision makers
We have schools refusing kids
You trying to tell me they can't find space
Majority of these parents are single parents
Many of the children are truants
Pick them up and put them in school
Some kids honestly want to go
Put 50% of them in school and the other 50% in the army
Our children need a structured system
We have to find ways to engage them
Invest in the army for those who do not want to go to school
All the doctors in the ministry of education
Are looking to pad up and help their alma maters
They do not look at the extenuating and overarching factors
They are about helping the Anglicans, the Methodists and the Catholics
They are there for their own self interests
Hence the reason that it is nonsense what they now suggest
Then they are forcing the masses to ingest and digest
The Jungle's "Elmer's Glue"
The Belizean jungle provides, like all jungles, special treats to all animals. There are wild berries, cohune nuts, water vines and a Mayan spice called culantro (not cilantro that you know), to name a few. Birds and mammals have a fanatical appreciation for the jungle of Belize. Sure, after all it is their source of food and certainly their home. Every so often, the jungle offers something very different to the universe. An example is the stemadaemia fruit.
If we ask anyone to remember the name of this wild fruit for a test, they would, at best take a wild guess on the true or false question or a wild guess on a multiple choice question. However, things change when the local name flavour start enriching one's vocabulary. The local names give to this particular wild fruit are "horses nuts", or "Grandfather's nuts" or the Spanish name "cojotones". Now, try forgetting those! Whatever name you can remember, we know that toucans and parrots love this fruit which splits in half when ripened exposing a bright orange/red inside with a centre of yellow seeds. Its beautiful and it definitely will get your attention. While we do not consume this nut, we certainly have had much experience as kids using it as a tool.
FIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANCIENT MAYA
1. Did the abandonment of ancient Maya cities occur because, simply, the people disappeared into thin air?
Answer:
No, the ancient cities were not abandoned because of the ancient Maya disappearance. The Maya (descendants) still live in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize. The ancient cities, were abandoned for the most part by 900AD which is at least 600 years before the European conquest began. The abandonment of the cities was perhaps one of the most amazing decisions they made, but after the royalty left these cities, the engineers, architects and mathematicians among them basically left too. There was no one left who knew how to maintain these cities infrastructure. To further fuel the abandonment, these cities were sacred spaces which tremored powerful spirituality that which the peasantry who remained respected with fear, hence it was easier to walk away.
2. Why did the Maya have so many gods?
Answer:
Ancient people throughout the world created gods out of phenomenon they could not understand. For example, Ra was the Egyptian sun god. Every ancient civilisation celebrated the sun. The Maya sun god was K'inich Ahau (Lord of the the day). The rain god was Cha'ac and K'awil was the god or royal lineage. All the phenomena needed answers. When their science couldn't explain it, they deified it.
International Sources
World's Largest Artificial Reef is being built in Quintana Roo
A team of expert engineers, environmentalists, architects and specialized divers embarked upon the greatest adventure of their lives and took on their hands a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: Building the world's largest artificial reef.
The purpose? Diverting the attention and negative impact of time on the natural ecosystem, and fight against climate changes to preserve the Mexican Caribbean's splendor, by regenerating the marine ecosystem with an enormous labor. Kan-Kan�n is an environmental project never-seen before! It means to turn into the new habitat of thousands of sea species, and will protect the coast from natural erosion.
Consisting of a mega project, we currently stand before a fascinating and interesting solution to a strong problem: the deterioration of marine systems, product of climate changes.
This monumental artificial reef will be built using over 1,000 hollow pyramidal structures created on a concrete and micro silica base. Each one of them approximately weighs ten tons, and must be placed with extreme precision over the seabed by very powerful cranes and a team of specialized divers.
Stewart's documentary does Belize festival
Journey Through Music - Rhythms of Africa, a documentary conceptualised by former Third World drummer Willie Stewart, will be screened at the July 16-21 Belize International Film Festival.
Stewart is executive producer of the film through his Embrace Music Foundation, based in South Florida. Journey Through Music was produced by SteadyImage Digital Media.
It looks at 'at-risk' or disadvantaged teens of Caribbean and Cuban descent, as well as Americans, living in South Florida.
The documentary shows the positive impact music has on youth with societal challenges.
"We produced the documentary because there was a need to engage in the conversation of bringing music and the arts back into the schools globally. There was no message being promoted and we thought the mission and task that Willie had before him was the best story to be told," Adrian Allen, CEO of SteadyImage told the Jamaica Observer.
At Belize Lodge, Lessons in Coffee and Cocktails
Aspiring chocolatiers, baristas and mixologists may find inspiration in Belize this summer.
Belcampo, a 16-room luxury lodge and 3,000-acre organic farm in southern Belize, is offering an artisan-in-residence program related to sustainable food production.
The program includes a series of half-day workshops, starting with coffee roasting and brewing classes led by James Freeman, the founder of California's Blue Bottle Coffee company.
Mr. Freeman has been an advisor to Belcampo, helping it find agricultural partners with the skills needed to develop plantations at low altitudes.
The classes, scheduled from June 4 to 9, include "cuppings," or coffee tastings, to teach students about aroma, mouthfeel and flavor.
Next in the lineup, in July, are hands-on seminars dedicated to chocolate. Taught by Katrina Markoff, the award-winning chocolatier behind Vosges Haut-Chocolat, the course will begin with a flight of drinking chocolates to teach guests the difference between the original Aztec drink and the milky, often sweetened European version.
Humanitarian's meet in the Caribbean to review and update contingency plans for Hurricane season
The 2014 Hurricane season is now in session as Hurricane Amanda has now passed and Tropical Depression 2-E is now churning off the coast of Mexico unleashing heavy rains, prompting Red Cross National Societies across Latin America and the Caribbean to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In order to support these preparations, the Red Cross convened its annual preparedness meeting, held in Belize and hosted by the Belize Red Cross, this past 20 to 21 of May, 2014.
Contingency Disaster and Preparedness meetings offer a unique spaces for humanitarian actors and government authorities to come together and discuss several of issues pertaining to improving coordination and contingency planning for disaster response and relief operations, key factors in ensuring rapid and effective response.
Jan Gelfand, Head of Programmes and Operations for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the Americas explained "if a hurricane or disaster should impact a given country, the government and civil society capacity to respond is quite limited, therefore we have decided to partner with others through our Red Cross network in order to improve humanitarian response, save more lives, and accelerate recovery efforts".
More underwater maps to explore in Street View
Back in 2012, Google released some amazing underwater Street View imagery from a few areas around the world. As part of World Oceans Day last Sunday, Google has released some additional underwater Street View imagery that is equally stunning. In partnership with the Catlin Seaview Survey, you can now dive and explore some additional locations in Belize and the Philippines including the Belize Barrier Reef and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
The Catlin Seaview Survey team has documented many underwater locales around the world using their 360-degree panoramic SVII cameras, including a growing number of UNESCO Marine World Heritage Sites. We'll continue to add this imagery to Street View in Google Maps as it's collected. In the spirit of World Oceans Day, the goal of this project is to expose the world to the beauty of these marine habitats, and to create a scientific baseline record so that their changing health can be monitored over time.
Notes From Caribbean Week: What's New in Paradise?
Overall Caribbean tourism growth is modestly higher in 2014 with visitor arrivals up by a little more than two percent, according to tourism and government officials gathered at this week's Caribbean Week New York conference, sponsored by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Nevertheless there are some clear winners among the 30 destinations that comprise the Caribbean hospitality group's membership.
"The region is up by almost two percent year-over year," said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, chairman of the CTO and tourism commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands, at a meeting with media during the conference. "And as a hotelier myself I know how important RevPAR [revenue per available room] is and that is increasing as well. We really are very positive about the forecast."
Indeed, several destinations report tourist arrival growth of more than five percent year-over-year for the first quarter of 2014 according to CTO Tourist data released this week show. The winners include Antigua and Barbuda (up 5.8 percent), Belize (9 percent), the British Virgin Islands (10.7 percent), the Cayman Islands (9 percent), the Dominican Republic (6.1 percent), Montserrat (24.9 percent) and St. Lucia (5.4 percent). In negative territory are Curacao (down 4.3 percent) and surprisingly, Grenada (down 5.5 percent).
35 Clearest Waters In The World To Swim In Before You Die - Readers Choice
Ambergris Caye Belize is not only the most popular island in the world but also one of the top places to swim in clear waters according to Daily News Dig, a popular website on the Internet.
The article states:
Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, and the main destination for travelers to this western Caribbean nation. The weather is mild, the beaches are beautiful, and the history is rich, Belize is a land of swaying palm trees and colorful sunsets.
Videos
Video: Kan Kan�n: The Guardian of the Caribbean, 3min.
Video: Golf Cart Crashes into Utility Pole, 1min.
A security camera of a private business/home captured this video footage of a golf cart slamming into a utility pole on Seagrape Drive just south of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The driver of the cart was flung out into the street and the passenger slammed into the front windshield of the vehicle.
Video: Best of America by Horse Back Interviews with Tom Seay and John Carr, 20min.
Lively interviews with Tom Seay host of Best of America by Horseback and John Carr from Banana Bank in Belize bananabank.com
Video: Best of Amercia by Horseback interviews with Tom Seay and John Carr, 30min.
Lively and fun interviews with Tom Seay the host of Best of America by Horseback and John Carr from Banana Bank in Belize.
Video: Belize Fisheries authorites launch drones, 4min.
Chief Coxswain Michael Sabal and Assistant Coxswain Calman Hall explain use of the technology
Video: Belize Medley, 4min.
Brief visit to Caye Caulker and Hol Chan Marine Reserve, followed by ten days of camping on Half Moon Caye at Belize's Lighthouse Reef. Activities included: snorkelling, sea kayaking, kayak sailing, fishing, and standup paddleboarding.
Video: Belize Trip Part 1, 6min.
Kyle Liaw
Video: Arrow Blenny Belize, 1min.
This video is shows an Arrow Blenny in Belize in August 2013
Video: WCUOC BELIZE 2014, 11min.
West Coast University - Orange County
Global Public Health Initiative
Punta Gorda, Belize 2014
Video: Video, Ambergris Caye 1990, 20min.
Video: FLORIDA AND BELIZE, 57min.
BELIZE STARTS AT 39:00. STARING DESHLER AND MOLLY
Video: Belize Mission Trip June 2014, 9min.
Video: Blue hole, Belize 2014, 21min.
Diving Blue hole, Half moon, Aquarium. May 19 2014
Video: James Le Lacheur (as Matt Berry) on the Belize Rainforest, 7min.