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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

The Belize Red Cross initiates activities to celebrate 30 years of service to Belize
Its celebrations will span from August 2013 to August of 2014 incorporating next year as the 30th year of having been accepted in the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent in Geneva. The Belize Red Cross Society was legally recognized in Belize as a voluntary aid organization, auxiliary to the Government in all humanitarian fields, on August 18th 1983. However history documents activities in Belize began when the known British Honduras Branch of the British Red Cross began work in 1914 as part of World War one support from western hemispheric countries and territories. In April 1950 the Belize Red Cross Movement was under the leadership of the President of 20 years, Belizean Sir Wilson McMillan.

San Pedro Resident Shocked by High Tension Electrical Wire
Electricity was briefly interrupted in the downtown area of San Pedro Town after a man was shocked by a high tension electrical wire. The incident occurred shortly after 4PM on Monday, August 19th on Barrier Reef Drive. The victim, 42 year old Alberto Tamai, had to be airlifted for further medical attention in Belize City. According to police, Tamai was doing some work on the roof of Sunbreeze Suites located on Barrier Reef Drive when a metal zinc came in contact with a high tension electricity wire from the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). People in the neighborhood assisted Tamai and rushed him to a medical facility on the island where he was later transferred to Belize City for further medical attention.

Students continue to receive educational assistance
On Friday, August 9th, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. and Mayor Daniel Guerrero handed over financial assistance checks to the second group of students who were selected to receive educational subsidies from the Government of Belize's commitment to education program. A total of 100 subsidies were issued to Belize Rural South Area by the government. The subsidies ranged from $300-$500 for high school students, $800-$1000 for 6th form students and a maximum of $1,500 for students attending university studies in the country. Minister Heredia, through the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), will also be giving out subsidies to an additional 150 students of the area to aid with educational expenses.

Amigos Jungle Tours: Tikal Temple
Amigos Del Mar Dive Shop has been defying great expectations since 1987. Proven not only to be the largest dive shop on Ambergris Caye but one of the best in snorkeling and diving, Amigos Del Mar has now taken to the jungle in order to bring people as close to mother nature and adventure as possible. Amigos Jungle Tours offer a unique experience in mainland Belize. Away from the coral reef and sparkling Caribbean waters, Amigos is feeding adventure junkies great trips such as cave tubing, zip lining, ATV tour and even trips to the ancient Maya temples of Xunantunich, Lamani and Tikal in nearby Guatemala. The San Pedro Sun crew was luckily invited to a tour of Tikal Temple which proved not only to be culturally enriching but also adventurous and exciting. The trip start at the break of dawn; being a morning person I indulged in the fresh coffee offered at Amigos del Mar Dive Shop to wake me up and prepare me for the great trip ahead. The boat departed at 6AM destined to Belize City. Our captain and tour guide, Edgar Munguia, maneuvers the "Another Princess"(name of our vessel) through various channels as we watch the sun rise in the horizon.

Ambergris Today

Belize Taking Lead in Implementing First CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Project
Belize became the first of five Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to begin implementation of a multi-million dollar regional energy efficiency project, the Energy for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Caribbean Buildings Project, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and making the energy sectors in the participating countries of Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago more efficient while increasing their use of renewable energy. The project was officially launched on 13 August 2013, at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel, and was attended by approximately 30 key stakeholders involved in the project.

Pic of the Week: Inside Out Bodega at Akbol Retreat
Maybe the people at Ak'Bol Retreat in North Ambergris Caye, Belize have the right idea - easy access. Why put everything inside the bodega for storage when you can have everything hanging outside for ease of use. LOL! Well we figured the outside 'accessories' of the bodega at Ak'Bol are more for esthetics rather than for anything else. It just caught our attention as we visited the Retreat this past week; it adds some charm to the place, we think.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize Archaeological diving feature
A feature about the archaeological work being done at Cara Blanca pools in Belize. shown on Belmopan Weekly. Thanks to everyone interviewed in addition to Marty O'Farrell who also provided video footage that was unfortunately never used. well check it out and see for yourself.

King of the Hills Bike Race in Belize - photos
King of the Hills, Hosted by Western Region Cycling Association, August 18, 2013

VIDEO: Tour of Carrie Bow Cay Field Station
Follow along as station manager Zach Foltz takes you on a tour of the Smithsonian's Carrie Bow Cay Field Station in Belize, Central America. www.ccre.si.edu

Fallet A. Young Environmental Summer Program at CBS
The Community Baboon Sanctuary's Environmental Summer Program finished last week. "The Fallet A. Young Environmental Summer Program came to an end on the 17th August, 2013. The first week was form 5-9 of August for 7 to 11 years of age. The Second week was from 12-16 of August for 12-16 years of age. The camp ended with a visit to Mayflower Bocawina National Park. We had a total of 136 children that atteded this years camp. A special thanks goes out to everyone who assisted or help in anyway to make this camp successful."

King of the Hills Pictures
Isaac Rhys captured some vivid pictures of the King of the Hills bicycle race that wound through Cayo Sunday. Great pictures, Isaac!

Joris Hendrik at Grandeur Fashion Show
Joris Hendrik represented Belize at the Grandeur Fashion Show at Carifesta XI in Suriname. Tanya Carter will be performing, and she'll be wearing his designs. Well done, Joris!

Guava Limb Caf� Launch Party
Cayo is getting another great caf� downtown. The Guava Limb Cafe will be on Burns avenue, overlooking the Macal River Park. The launch party is this Saturday. You can check out their delicious menu on their page. 'Slim and trim, like a guava limb.' "Join us at our official Launching this Saturday, August 24th 2013!! Come & have a taste of something different...tasty & healthy - 'Slim & Trim like Guava Limb.' There will be surprise giveaways and promotional discounts on selected food items. We invite you to experience a little Jungle Paradise in town....we're doing things different for your enjoyment!! "

Galen Eagles Band Plays Suriname
The Galen Eagles Band played at the Thalia theatre during Carifesta XI in Suriname. Joris Hendrik was there to get the video of some of their great performance. In related news, Joris Hendrik got to show off his designs last night.

Channel 7

Menzies Marches, Stirm Stays Put
It's been almost a month since we've heard from the marches organized by members of the Belize Evangelical Association of Churches. They've been leading what they've dubbed "Pro-Constitution Marches" all across the country to raise awareness on the Gender Policy, and the sections they want removed. The marches have been a joint effort between Belize Can's Patrick Menzies, Belize Action's Pastor Scott Stirm, and Plus TV's Louis Wade to mobilize church leaders across the country to show just how much of the population share their sentiments. But today, Belize Can moved alone, with no support from Wade and Stirm, when he organized a march in Belmopan. 7News was there, and Daniel Ortiz found out why: Daniel Ortiz reporting At around 9:30 this morning, 100 members of the Spanish-speaking churches gathered to demonstrate in front of the House of Representatives.

Menzies Looking For A Fight With UB
As you heard in our interview with Menzies, he intended to protest against UB for this alleged Gender Department which is supposedly being established at the national University. That was the second part of his demonstration, and which goes hand in hand with his anti-victimization campaign. Viewers may remember that Menzies also insists that UB terminated him without just cause. We followed him to UB, where he staged a mini sermon at the front gate of the campus. Daniel Ortiz challenged him on his latest allegation against the University, and on his victimization issues. Here's how that went:� Daniel Ortiz reporting About 45 minutes after Patrick Menzies and members of the Spanish Speaking Churches left Independence Hill, they arrived in front of the UB Campus. Fresh from their march through the rain, the crowd gathered to listen to his stinging remarks aimed at the University on loudspeaker.

Nearly Ran Over A Cop, Businessman Gets A Year In Jail
50 year-old Orange Walk businessman David Carrillo is spending the first night of 1 year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to intentionally trying to run over a police officer. According to police Constable Yann Chin, he was manning a police checkpoint in Hattieville last night just after 9:30 when a white vehicle approached. PC Chinn said that instead of stopping the vehicle, the driver cut into another lane and ran through the checkpoint, forcing him to jump out of the way at the last minute to avoid getting hit. Police chased down the vehicle, detained Carrillo who was driving, and they charged him with aggravated assault.

Molestor Sentenced to 64 Years, Will Serve 18
And while he will spend 1 year, 41 year-old Niccanor Fermin will spend a total of 18 years in prison. That's the sentence which Justice Troadio Gonzalez handed him on Friday. Viewers may remember that Fermin was convicted by a jury of 6 count of carnal knowledge 3 weeks ago where he sexually abused a 9 year-old female over a span of 5 years with the threat of withholding money for school fees if she reported him.
 Fermin was allowed to present a mitigation plea in which he called 5 of his relatives to testify on his behalf, begging for leniency because he is a father of 3.

Taiwan Donates Major Money For Tilapia
Tilapia production in Belize got a major shot in the arm today when Taiwan donated 1.3 million Belize dollars to the Ministry of Agriculture. It's for a joint project with the Taiwanese and Ambassador David Wu handed it over to Minister of Agriculture Gaspar Vega. This was the second donation for the five-year, five million dollar Tilapia hatchery project which aims to provide male tilapia fingerlings to small- scale farmers around the country. So far, over 60 farmers have benefited and they hope to triple that over the next few years. The centre hopes to produce one million fingerlings to be supplied to fish farmers.

Battle Park Ready To Open, Taxi-Men Battling For Space
The Battlefield Park is at the heart of Belize City and for the past four months - it's been getting a complete re-design, and the news tonight is that it's nearing completion. The park is expected to be opened by the Mayor next week - but today we got a preview of the finishing touches from the councilor with responsibility for parks, Kevin Singh:� Kevin Singh - City Councilor "The final touches that we're putting in is a sprinkler that is going to be set up - water will be timed, it won't run all day; every hour water shoots up and it's going to come up. I was asking if we could put several more benches because as you can see it's a lot of space and we need to put more benches. We're getting dirt bins made so that we can put them out and a few railings to go around and that's about it." Jules Vasquez "Now, one of the main things you guys have done is try and move the homeless out of the park." Kevin Singh "Well as far as you can see they are not here. What we have done is that we got a Park Warden and acts as a security and he has done a great job. He talks to them and some of them don't like the situation and one of them was really behaving rudely and he told them that he needed a bath and that the lady and her children out there don't want to sit down there if you sit there, he's just trying to do his job to keep them out."

Why Amin Hegar Is Still In the Game In Belmopan
In the 2012 General Election PUP Candidate for Belmopan Amin Hegar lost by 218 votes to John Saldivar. It was surprisingly close considering Hegar - who is a former one-term Cayo West Representative - was a relative newcomer in Belmopan. And while the pundits may have thought that the scrappy Hegar had another run left in him - in July, he surprised observers when he came out endorsing PUP newcomer Jason Patrick Andrews. But like new love that fades fast, Hegar has "un-endorsed" Andrews and has officially thrown in his hat to what it appears could be a four way race: Hegar versus three newcomers to electoral politics, Andrews included. Today, we asked him why he backed out of the Andrews endorsement; he said the people were calling his name:� Dr. Amin Hegar - Plans to Contest PUP convention, Belmopan "There were people from the party that wanted to push me one side and then other people so I decided to step down with the condition that if Belmopan is divided then I would go back immediately. They said Doc it won't be divided, you have to come in and they kept calling at home and my wife said they are calling you again and they want you to run. That clamor of the people made me come into the race again."

Belize u-15 Football Plays Well, But Misses The Second Round
Belize's under 15 football team, affectionately known as the Junior Jaguars, had another dominant performance today in Cayman, crushing Grenada 6 - 1, in a game that finished 40 minutes ago. But, the bad news is, it won't be enough. That's because Guatemala edged out Jamaica one to nil, to emerge with an undefeated record, making them the only team to advance to the next round in the CONCACAF Cayman Islands 2013 Under-15 Championship. Overall, the Belize team had a more than respectable performance, with three wins, one loss, scoring 11 goals and only giving up three.

Female Volleyballers Off to A Good Start In Honduras
And while the juniour male footballers just wrapped up their tournament at around 6:40 in Cayman, simultaneously in Honduras the junior female volleyballers had a major win. That game finished up about half hour ago and Belize beat El Salvador in four sets, 25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23. Top scorer was Sherika Burton with 17 points while Jahshema Saunders had 13 points. Team Belize returns to the court tomorrow again at 5 pm against Nicaragua. So now Belize's under 18 team has a two and 0 record, after defeating the home team Honduras in the opening game. That was over 3 sets 25-17, 25-13, 25-20.

Female Footballers Leave For World Cup Qualifier In Honduras
And while they are in the thick of a tight competition in Copan, Honduras, Belize's Female football under 20 team is also in Honduras tonight - but they are in Comayagua. They are participating in the UNCAF U-20 Female Championship - which is a world cup qualifier. We spoke to the team at the airport today where they told us, this is their time:� Gina Zabaneh -FFB Women's Director "It's about time that Belize knows that the women are in their finding a place in the federation as footballers as well as the males. They are all strong as the males, they just need the exposure that they have not gotten. We're trying to expose them to the media and to the country. " Beatrice Alfaro "Well I am confident in my team that they will perform to the best of their abilities so I am confident with my players. I'll always keep hopes and boost them up."

Making Medical Tourism Work
BELTRAIDE is determined to make medical tourism a reality in Belize as soon as possible. They completed a strategy a year ago, and now they are trying to fill in some of the pieces that will be necessary to make medical tourism a practical reality in Belize. One key piece is a Belize Medical Tourism Association. Today at ITVET in Belize City they started a two day working session with Belizean doctors to come up with a vision for this new association. BELTRAIDE's Nick Ruiz told us more: Nicolas Ruiz - Director, BELTRAIDE "The Medical Tourism Association will allow for that lobbying force and that lobbying presence and influence to interact with government to bring all the stakeholders together - doctors, banking institutions, insurance institutions, medical practitioners - all of the players in the sector are coming together to work with us to develop the sector. We view that in dialoguing with the stakeholders through the association, centralizing everybody and bringing everyone together - we can have a closer interaction with them knowing that the incentive packages need to be placed. I believe that the association will certainly be heard once they organize themselves - I will be lobbying for the sector with government and other entities ensuring that it is growing. For our part - we are very committed and we want to be absolutely transparent about it - it's not a waste of time, we don't get people here to dwell on where we have been fallen short but to work on what needs to be done. The main goal here is to make sure that whatever medical facilities that will be catering to medical tourism are in place and that they are certified, that they are up to standard and that they can attract medical tourist to Belize and get good quality services."

Channel 5

Belize Can protests Gender Policy in front of National Assembly
This morning, a group of about one hundred persons held a twin protest in the nation's capital - against the government and against the University of Belize. The group included [...]

Protest taken to UB because of rumored gender studies department
Earlier in the newscast, we told you about the protest in Belmopan.� At eleven this morning, the group prepared to march from the National Assembly Building on the Ring Road [...]

Oceana still hasn't found a VP for Belize
OCEANA Belize has been one of the most fervent and active environmental groups. It has challenged offshore drilling concessions and made waves when it tried to push for a referendum [...]

Firebrand Audrey Matura Shepherd returns to activism private practice
Four years ago, Matura Shepherd was planning to go into private practice as an attorney. But that's when the call to champion OCEANA's cause sent her on a different path. [...]

Shooting victim taken to hospital and shooter escapes through the same hospital
San Ignacio Police are looking for one man in connection with a shooting incident on Monday night. Just before nine pm Police were called to the emergency ward of the [...]

Not only for sandy beaches, but visitors will come for medical tourism
Living in a developed country has appeal because of the availability of most amenities known to man. However, there is also a price that comes with a developed nation's quality [...]

Woman pleads for help for ailing friend
And in a reversal of that story, a Belizean woman is in urgent need of medical assistance outside of Belie. Rosita Williams is in need of urgent medical assistance aboard [...]

House keeper steals from home
A housekeeper and her common-law husband are in trouble with the Police after the woman allegedly suffered a severe case of sticky-fingers syndrome. Reports are that thirty-one year old Sylvia [...]

Electrician steals car battery
A Belize City electrician is out on bail after being charged for the theft of a car battery from inside a vehicle belonging to Errol Garbutt.� The grey Chevy Tracker [...]

Motorist gets one year in prison for knocking down a cop
Orange Walk businessman, fifty year old David Carrillo, was sentenced to one year behind bars for the aggravated assault with his vehicle of a cop. The Trial Farm resident today [...]

Former Benque Mayor complains about condition of a park
Former Mayor of Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Moises Martinez is up in arms about the deplorable condition of the Edison Coleman Park. Built on the twenty-eighth of March 1993, it [...]

Belize Red Cross Celebrate a milestone
Ninety seven million volunteers worldwide belong to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Cross was founded to protect human life and health, and to prevent and [...]

Taiwan donates over a million dollars for a Tilapia project
There will soon be a hatchery center for tilapia farming located in Central Farm in the Cayo district. That center will come courtesy of the Republic of China/Taiwan which today [...]

Oceana launches new Website
Earlier in the news we told you about the departure of Oceana Belize Vice President Audrey Matura Shepherd. A team from Oceana's headquarters will come to Belize to conduct interviews [...]

Female Volleyball team performs well in Honduras
The Belize Volley Ball Association has sent the Female Junior National team to Santa Rosa de Copan Honduras, to participate in the Central American Championship. In its first game on [...]

Female Football Team heads to UNCAF tournament
Volleyball is not the only team sport that Belizean women are taking to international tournaments. The National Under Twenty Female Football team departed the country earlier today for Honduras to [...]

Final performances will determine who will be the next Superstar
There is exactly one competing show left in season two of Be the Next Superstar�.and that show is tonight. For the last time, four participants will try to receive maximum [...]

LOVE FM

Tenant Says They Are Not As Safe As They Thought
Yesterday we brought you the story of a young girl recovering after being mauled by a pit-bull. Reporter Marion Ali revisited the story and here is that report. "Pit-bull mauling is becoming commonplace in Belize, particularly because of the clandestine pit-bull fights that dog owners have been reported to engage in as a betting sport. Some dog owners train their pit bulls to attack for the kill, and target small animals such as cats and other smaller dogs - even each other. Since the weekend alone, there have been two reported pit-bull mauling. One left three year old Alicia Guardado and her mother, Maria Guerra recovering from bite wounds inflicted by a dog that belongs to their landlord. The dog, according to eyewitnesses, charged at the child when she began to cry. Her father, Edwardo Guardado, he moved along with his common-law wife, Maria Guerra, and children to 56 Iguana Street Extension two months ago and thought they were safe at the location because the yard has a high fence and gate. But little did they know that their biggest threat was right amidst their surroundings. Both mother and child suffered bite wounds to mostly their lower body on the legs and thighs. Alicia Guardado, had to be rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital bleeding profusely with bite wounds on her right upper thigh while Maria Guerra was suffered wounds to her left leg. The injuries have confined Guerra to her house and Guardado says that has put a dent in the family's income. He is not pleased with the way the dog owner, Ricardo Velasquez, has addressed the situation. The men argued momentarily while we visited the family on Monday. After a few minutes, they seemed to reach an agreement. The dog owner, Ricardo Velasquez told us right off that he has purchased the medicine that the child and her mother need and on Monday, he agreed to pay the family for the time that Maria Guerra has to stay away from work.

Oceana Belize Launches New Website for Students and Educators
It has been four years since Oceana opened its doors in Belize and today the office introduced its own website to share and promote the work that it does. The user-friendly website, www.oceanateachbz.com is designed to assist students and educators with environmental information. Outgoing Vice President of Oceana in Belize, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, explained to reporters today how it came about. AUDREY MATURA SHEPHERD "What we did instead of trying to respond to everyone, we had a marine scientist here by the name of Leah Berry, she came here on a consultation, she did her work and left but she saw the demands we were having for information. Having worked at another institution in the US and them having developed a website that would address some of the very same questions people ask us, she suggested we do the same. So, she had to write them since they had the rights over this idea and how it is laid out and she contacted them and asked if we could use some of their information and localize it and she said the best way Oceana can do it is to launch the website that would be very educational and very informative; of course, none of us here had the capacity; we loved the idea; then Miss Idalia Machuca who is studying abroad in Canada had written us and asked if she could do an internship with us and Leah, having read her qualifications that we can ask her to take on this challenge; it was amazing because she has never built a website but she knew how to do research, she knew how to put information together, she had very important skills and so, we approached her and told her that she can do an internship with us but we asked her if she was prepared to take on this challenge."

Belize Works At Formalizing Medical Tourism Association
Stakeholders in tourism are meeting to discuss the development of Belize's Medical Tourism Association. This is an initiative which the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service, BELTRAIDE, has had in the making for some time now. According to the Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, Nicholas Ruiz, Medical Tourism simply refers to tourists visiting the country for a two- fold experience, namely to get medical attention and experience the wonders that Belize has to offer. Today Ruiz gave us an overview of why there is a need to establish such Association in the country. NICHOLAS RUIZ "Last year we were formalizing the strategy to develop and promote the sector; one of the things that came out is that we believe and we know that we want an association that will bring all the medical providers, the nurses, doctors, tour guide operators and all the people who comprise this sector, this industry, together so that they can lobby and advocate for the things that need to be in place in terms of policy and regulations and they are very excited about it. Our consultant will be back in September with a draft of the document that will seek to form and govern the association; so, we will have its mission, vision, its objectives, its plan of action and its composition; all those things we hope to have by the end of September.

Domestic Worker and Spouse Go To Court For Stealing From Employer
A 31 year old woman who stole from her employer, was spared a custodial sentence when she appeared in court today and pled guilty to theft and handling stolen goods. She is Sylvia Augustine, a resident of 7146 Kraal Road. Magistrate Leslie Hamilton fined her one thousand dollars and gave her until November 30 to pay. If she defaults on payment she will serve nine months. Magistrate Hamilton told her that she was given a certain amount of trust when she was employed as a maid and she betrayed that trust. He told her that the only reason he will not send her to prison is because it is her first offence. The incident occurred yesterday. The complainant, Asarco Solis, a resident of 6181 Dolphin Drive, reported to police that when Augustine was leaving her house to go home she noticed that Augustine's purse was bulky and she became suspicious. She said she escorted Augustine to Belama Police Station and when a police officer searched Augustine's purse he found several items that was her property. The stolen items included a cellular phone, a head phone, key chains an Mp3 player and some pens. Augustine and her common-law husband, 47 year old taxi driver Carlos Richards, were charged with handling stolen goods for a GPS and an AM/FM transmitter that were stolen from Solis' residence. That charge was withdrawn from Augustine after her guilty plea for theft was accepted. Richards pled guilty to the charge. But Magistrate Hamilton entered an equivocal plea of not guilty after Richards said that he did not know that stolen items were in the house when the police came to conduct a search. Richards was released on a bail of one thousand. His case was adjourned until September 26.

Taiwanese Ambassador Hands Over Cheque For Aquaculture Project
The Republic of China Taiwan today donated over six hundred thousand U.S dollars to the Ministry of Agriculture. The donation went toward the Government of Belize-Taiwan Aquaculture Project to construct a hatchery center for tilapia farming at Central Farm, in order to provide male tilapia fingerlings to small-scale farmers around the country. This is the second donation toward the tilapia project which is to be a five-year long project costing approximately five million Belize dollars. The six hundred and fifty one thousand, seven hundred and twenty five US Dollar cheque was presented by Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize, David Wu, to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture, Gaspar Vega who speaking on behalf of the Government of Belize and the tilapia farmers, expressed his gratitude for the donation, as it serves to enhance the tilapia hatchery and farming. Ambassador Wu stated that the hope for the centre is to produce one million fingerlings to be supplied to farmers. Over sixty farmers have benefitted from the project and the long term goal is to assist around two hundred farmers.

Teenage Boy Succumbs Following Hit and Run Incident In Western Belize
On July 27 two teenagers from Valley of Peace Village were the victims of a hit and run accident in the village. On Monday morning 17-year-old Jorge Orellano succumbed to injuries he suffered in the incident. According to reports Orellano was along with 15-year-old Ernesto Guardado sitting on the roadside in Valley of Peace when they were hit by a red Mazda pickup truck. The two were dragged for a couple yards. The driver of the vehicle did not stop to render assistance. A passerby assisted and transported the two injured teenagers to the Western Regional Hospital. Orellano was suffering from head injuries and abrasions to the body. The driver of the pickup truck was later identified as 45-year-old Julio Echeverria, a farmer from Valley of Peace. Echeverria was charged with driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention and driving with alcohol concentration above the prescribed level. It is expected that those charges will now be elevated.

One Year In Prison for Eluding Police Checkpoint
Forty-nine year old David Carrillo, a businessman of Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk, was sentenced to one year imprisonment today when he appeared before Magistrate Dale Cayetano and pled guilty to aggravated assault. When Magistrate Cayetano asked Carrillo if he had anything to say before sentence was passed, Carrillo said that while he was waiting in line at the check point he suffered a "blackout" and when he regained consciousness he found that the car was moving and he pulled to the side of the road. He said he had no intention of hitting anyone. The incident occurred shortly after nine o'clock last night. Police constables Yan and Chin reported that they were at a check point in Hattieville when a Grand Marquis car pulled up and was waiting in line. They said after a few minutes the driver of the car cut the line and proceeded to drive through the check point. They said they indicated to the driver to stop and he refused to do so. Yan and chin said the driver drove directly in their path and they had to move out of the way to avoid being hit by the car. The police pursued the car and forced the driver to stop. They then apprehended him and took him into custody. They then learned that his name was David Carrillo.


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CTV3

Sabido's Attackers Are Taken To Court
While Sabido recuperates from his injuries, this morning his accused attackers were escorted to the Orange Walk Magistrates Court where they were charged for aggravated assault and robbery. Both 27 year old Najirie Quiroja, better known as (white puss), and 18 year Edwin Cruz, were offered bailed of $3,000 each and a surety of the same amount which they met. But as was expected, the victim's family was dissatisfied with the ruling. Carmela Sabido - Daughter "Yo lo �nico que pido es que hagan justicia porque esos dos muchachos que lo hicieron est�n jóvenes ellos pueden trabajar y mi papa no puede �l estaba en perfectas condiciones y yo lo lleve al doctor y �l me dijo que estaba en perfectas condiciones que solo necesitaba vitaminas y ahorita mi papa no puede ni comer o sentarse porque lo est� vomitando, todo lo que come o lo que bebe los est� vomitando y yo creo que esto no es justo, todos conocen a don Waco el primer taquero en Orange Walk �l no se mete con nadie por favor que la gente me ayude para que esto no quede impune porque todo el tiempo matan y no buscan quien lo hace pero esta vez s� tenemos testigos que si fueron ellos porque est�n saliendo libre."

Elderly Man Ruthlessly Attacked and Robbed Of Cash
Tonight the community of San Jose Nuevo Palmar in Orange Walk is in shock after one of their own was brutally attacked and robbed by two men from the village. The good news is that 78 year old Onofre Sabido is slowly recuperating from his injuries and police have been able to detain the two men believed to be responsible for the attack. Reporter Victor Castillo files the following report. Victor Castillo - Reporting Seventy nine year old Onofre Sabido, better known as Don Waco, lives by himself in the Village of San Jose Nuevo Palmar, Orange Walk Town. Despite his age and the fact that he is confined to wheel chair, Sabido buys and resells empty bottles for a living. On Sunday evening the senior citizen was inside his home resting when he was brutally attacked and robbed by two young men of the same village. According to Sabido, while one of the men guarded the entrance door, the second individual proceeded to attack him.

Doctor Amin Hegar Is Back In Political Race
Tonight, all indications are that a convention will take place in Belmopan to elect a PUP Standard Bearer for the area. A few weeks ago the Belmopan branch of the People's United Party announced that Doctor Amin Hegar, the party's point man in Belmopan, who was defeated by UDP's John Saldivar in the 2012 General Elections, was stepping aside and throwing his full support behind the candidacy of Patrick Andrews, the former co-host of the Rise and Shine Morning Show on Plus T.V who announced his candidacy in the month of July. However, it seems that Hegar had a change of heart because word coming out of Belmopan indicates that the doctor is back in the race. Apparently, the PUP in Belmopan is divided hence why Hegar decided to contest the convention. Also seeking to form part of the race is Ruth Logan. No date for the convention has been set as yet.

Will It Be Welcome To The PUP Party For Cordel Hyde?
Will the former Area Representative for Lake I, Cordel Hyde return to the PUP? That's a question that many are asking, one that only the hierarchy of the party can answer. In the month of August, Party Leader Francis Fonseca revealed that Hyde has met with a number of members of the PUP. Honorable Fonseca stated and we quote "He, (meaning Cordel Hyde), has indicated in very clear terms to me that he is very keen and enthusiastic about rejoining the party and helping the party to become the government of Belize in the future election." unquote. While the Party Leader, it seems, has accepted Hyde with open arms, the same cannot be said for other members of the executive who will be meeting tomorrow to discuss the future of Hyde in the party. Viewers might recall that Hyde won three consecutive elections in Lake Independence before he decided not to contest the 2012 General Elections. Hyde announced his decision approximately two months before the elections putting the PUP in the hot seat and scampering for a new Standard Bearer for the division.

Orange Walk Business Man Sentenced To One Year In Prison For Trying to Run Over A Cop
50 year-old Orange Walk businessman David Carrillo is spending the first night of a 1 year prison sentence at the Kolbe Correctional Facility after he pleaded guilty to intentionally trying to run over a police officer. According to police, Constable Yann Chin, was manning a checkpoint on Monday night just after 9:30 near Hattieville when a white Grand Marquis vehicle approached the area. But instead of stopping, the driver of the vehicle cut into another lane and drove through the checkpoint, forcing Chin to jump out of the way so as not to get hit. Police chased the vehicle and detained Carrillo who was behind the wheel. He was charged with aggravated assault and arraigned today before Magistrate Dale Cayetano, where he pleaded guilty. Carrillo explained that when he was approaching the checkpoint, his mind went blank.

PlusTV

United Christian Women's Alliance Belize is launched at Conference for Life
Over 130 adolescent girls and women from across the country came together for a Conference For Life. The first time event hosted by the newly formed United Christian Women's Alliance Belize underscored on the topic of abortion. Speakers presented on the legal, spiritual, medical, social...

CWU President to leave office
A meeting Monday afternoon between disaffected stevedores and the two-man executive of the Christian Worker's Union (CWU) resulted in roadmap of the way forward. At the Labour Department office Monday afternoon, CWU president Antonio Gonzalez confirmed that he would not seek reelection to his...

PUP Belmopan Area Representative Seat to be hotly contested
It was not too long ago that Patrick Jason Andrews announced his candidacy for PUP Standard Bearer for the Belmopan Constituency. Shortly after that, the PUP issued a press release stating that current Standard Bearer Dr. Amin Hegar had declared his full support of Andrews. This caused some confusion...

Man in custody after alleged standoff with Police
A man is in custody after an alleged standoff with Police. On Saturday night, just before 6:30pm, authorities were called to a shooting in Camalote Village. Preliminary information was that the detainee reportedly fired several shots at his ex-common law wife's bar. When they arrived at the scene, Police...

Belize's U-15 Male National Football Team lose to Guatemala
Belize's U-15 Male National Team is "kicking up dust" in the inaugural regional tournament, having won its first two matches over St. Lucia, 1-0, and Jamaica, 3-1. But against arch-nemesis Guatemala last night at Georgetown's The Annex Stadium, we lost 1-0 on a 33rd...

National Bank of Belize due to open in September
The National Bank of Belize is one of the latest major projects being undertaken by the Government of Belize. The bank will seek to provide an affordable credit system to lower and middle income Belizeans and particularly public officers, teachers and other needy Belizeans. The Bank will have a...

Carolee Jean Rhaburn remanded to prison for drug and firearm charges
39-year-old Belize City woman, Carolee Jean Rhaburn, was remanded to prison on charges of drug trafficking, kept firearm and ammunition offenses. This morning, the unrepresented woman was read the three criminal offenses in the courtroom of Magistrate Hamilton. According to police, on Friday, August 16, Rhaburn was walking on...

Police looking for thief following San Ignacio break-in
A sales manager in San Ignacio woke up to a burglar attempting to clean out his establishment. According to the complainant, shortly before 3:30 on Friday morning, he was awoken by noise coming from his yard and when he got up to make checks, he noticed that the door...

UWI holds Scholarship Fundraising Banquet
Finding financing for college can sometimes be a difficult task, but one accredited university plans to provide a more feasible way for students to pursue their studies. The University of the West Indies Open Campus will be hosting its first ever Scholarship Gala Fundraising Banquet on August 31st. All...

Belizeans travel to Suriname for CARIFESTA
Last week Wednesday over thirty young Belizean performers, visual artists, fashion designers and writers were geared up and ready to board a plane to Suriname to participate in the 11th annual CARIFESTA. A total of 24 countries are expected to participate in...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Bicycle parade set for September 10th.
Sept 10th.

Flying High on Caye Caulker
For over 6 months now Caye Caulker and our surrounding waters have been aware of Belize's first ultra light plane as on calm afternoons we cannot but help notice it buzzing around our island, seemingly just above our heads!! The plane is amphibious ie can move on water and in the air (oh very James Bond I hear you cry) and indeed it has become quite a spectacle for us locals. The plane's owner and Captain is Walter Martin, a resident here in Caye Caulker, who moved here with his wife Christine (both of Bavarian decent) from Canada. Walter, a self proclaimed Bush Man, found his small heaven here in Caye Caulker where the warmth of the sun and the simplicity of life can be combined in one sweet spot - Caye Caulker. Walter has been flying for over 7 years has been through loop holes in order to obtain the correct licenses/ insurances in order to make his flying here very much above board, at this stage is merely enjoying his hobby/ passion at a 'Go Slow' pace.

Caribbean Colors has sushi!
Craving sushi? California Roll BZD$ 12, Spicy Lobster BZ$ 12, Spicy Shrimp Roll BZD$ 12, Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese BZD$ 17, Vegan Roll BZD$ 10. Call your order into 668-7205 or stop by Caribbean Colors Art Caf� and we will roll it fresh for you. Eat in or takeaway. Open until 3 pm.

Amandala

NGC CONDEMNS NCL D�G�!
"The d�g� is a sacred ceremony and is not performed as entertainment for any audience. We find the announcement insulting �" The Garifuna community is up in arms over what they say is the lack of consultation and inclusion of community leaders in a proposed project by Norwegian Cruise Line to set up a cruise port and destination island on Harvest Caye, a few miles from Placencia, Stann Creek. Not only are they decrying the fact that they have not been consulted on a decision to use the Garifuna theme for the destination island - they are also outraged over a proposal to use the d�g� ritual for daily entertainment. Robert Mariano, Senior Superintendent of Police and Southern Regional Commander, and National Garifuna Council (NGC) president, issued a short statement today saying, "The National Garifuna Council condemns the announcement by Norwegian Cruise Line and their agents to highlight the Garifuna culture, particularly our sacred ceremony, the d�g�, as an attraction for tourists without as much as the courtesy of consulting with the leadership of our community."

NICANNOR FERMIN, 41, GETS 18 YEARS FOR SEX WITH CHILD, 9
Fermin was sentenced to 64 years, but he will only serve 18 years; the sentences are to run concurrently On July 31, 2013, Nicannor Fermin, 41, was convicted of six counts of carnal knowledge after a 9- member jury found him guilty on all six counts. Fermin was accused of having sexual intercourse with a child from the time she was 9 years old, up until she entered high school. The girl was finally brave enough to report the matter to a teacher in January of 2010. During the trial, the minor gave detailed accounts of the occasions when Fermin engaged in sexual intercourse with her, and also testified about the threats he made to prevent her from refusing his sexual advances. In his defense, Fermin testified that he was only trying to steer the child in the right direction, and that she was having a relationship with someone who was too old for her. He said that it's because he tried to deter her from seeing that person that she made up the lies about him, and that it was the person with whom she had had the relationship, that had committed the crime.

GOB "STRONGS" ASHCROFT'S COMMERCE BIGHT PORT
The lease for the port has been revoked. Michael Ashcroft's Private Investment Limited (PIL), a financial institution in the Turks and Caicos, is expected to challenge the recent decision by the Barrow administration to assume control of the Commerce Bight Port, a few miles south of Dangriga. The clash comes after Government moved recently to revoke the lease for the port, which was held by Port of Belize Limited (PBL) - a company which PIL had put in receivership last January. With Cabinet authorization, Minister of Works and Transport Rene Montero signed an order on Thursday, August 15, 2013, revoking the lease granted to Port of Belize Limited. As a result of the order, Montero arranged for Government to assume immediate control of the Commerce Bight Port. Errol Gentle, the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Works & Transport, told Amandala that he served the notice at 10:00 a.m. this morning on the receivers. Gentle said that the Commerce Bight Port has not been in operation; he is not certain for how long.

SPURNED CAMALOTE HUSBAND "GOES CRAZY" WITH 16-GAUGE!
A man who was rejected by his common-law wife for a younger man fired several shotgun blasts in her bar, named La Serenita, in Camalote, and when police came, engaged them in a shootout three different times after shooting up the bar. The culprit, however, was later arrested, taken to the Belmopan Police Station, and afterwards charged in court. Roberto Castellanos, 56, of Camalote Village, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison today after he was taken to the Belmopan Magistrate's Court on charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm in public and use of a firearm under the influence of alcohol. He has been remanded until October 25, when he will be returned to court. Castellanos went to the business place of his common-law wife, Veronica Sarcenio, 40, of Camalote, with whom he had been living for about 20 years, to reconcile with her, but he was rebuffed. He then began firing his weapon in the bar. According to a police report dated today, Monday, "On 17.08.13 at about 6:30 p.m., police officers responded to a shooting in Camalote Village. Initial investigation revealed that Roberto Castellanos had reportedly fired several shots at Serenita Bar owned by Veronica Sarcenio (Castellano's ex-common-law wife).

JERIMIAS PICHINTE, 44, GETS 6 YEARS FOR 85 � LBS. OF WEED
Pichinte pleaded guilty to the two counts of drug trafficking after police found the weed in his house. Jerimias Pichinte, 44, a Salvadoran national with Belizean residency, was taken before Magistrate Clive Lino, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of drug trafficking. According to police, at 11:00 this morning, members of the Gang Suppression Unit went to Pichinte's home, located at #5 Princess Margaret Drive, to conduct a search for illegal firearms and ammunition. But according to police, what they found were two amounts of cannabis in separate large black plastic bags. Police said that when they visited the house and the door was opened for them, they saw a Hispanic man, later identified as Pichinte, holding a plastic bag in his hands. They said that when Pichinte saw them, he ran and threw the bag over an adjoining fence.

14-YEAR-OLD STUDENT PREGNANT
Evyn Pe�a, 18, remanded for four counts of carnal knowledge. Evyn Adalid Membreno Ardon Pe�a, 18, a construction worker of #86 Antelope Street, appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Clive Lino today, where he was read four counts of carnal knowledge. According to police, at 4:43 p.m. on Wednesday August 14, a minor and her mother visited the police station and reported that on March 10, 2013, she engaged in sexual intercourse with Pe�a when she visited his home on Antelope Street. The minor also told police that in the months of April and May, he again engaged in sexual intercourse with her, and that it occurred a fourth time in this month. According to the minor, after a doctor examined her, he confirmed that she was carnally known and also that she was pregnant. The minor told police that Pe�a was the only person with whom she had had sexual intercourse.

PACKAGE CONTAINING THREATENING NOTE AND BULLET SENT TO TOP BRASS AT NATURAL RESOURCES?
Police in Belmopan are reportedly investigating an alarming report from the Ministry of Natural Resources concerning a threat received in the mail, but would not confirm this to Amandala. Details at this time are still sketchy, but media reports say that an envelope was delivered to the Ministry last Thursday and found inside were a bullet and a note. The package was allegedly addressed to one of the top three ranking public servants within the ministry. The specific content of that note is not known at this time, but it is reportedly of a threatening nature. Amandala understands that the CIB Branch in Belmopan has been tasked to investigate the matter. We have been attempting to confirm the report with the authorities from the police department; however, when we contacted the O.C. Belmopan Police, ASP Sinquest Martinez, he referred us to Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez, who told us that he is not aware of the incident because he is not in office this week.

BELIZE FEMALE VOLLEYBALL TEAM WINS OPENER AT CENTRAL AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN HONDURAS
The Belize Female Junior National Volleyball Team wins its opening match at the U-20 (which is actually U-18) Central American Championship against Honduras in impressive fashion, 3 sets to 0, 25-17, 25-13, 25-20. Top scorer was Sherika Burton with 14 points (10 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces) and followed closely by Jahshema Saunders with 13 points (6 kills and 7 aces). Maurissa Williams also contributed with 8 points (4 kills, 4 blocks), Xiomara Quan with 4 aces, Leandra Betson and Kandyce Burn with 2 points each. Libero Nayala Tun also had an outstanding game with her serve receive and defense. Other players of the team are: Leyia Hernandez, Gianna Brown, Balyn Gordon, and Kevanna Sebastian. The team is led by head coach Lupita Quan and assisted by Sherlene Johnson and Shelmadine Cacho and the manager Mrs. Sharon Tun. Belize plays their second match tomorrow, Tuesday, at 5 p.m. against El Salvador.

BDBA FIRMS BASKETBALL CONTINUES AT BIRDS ISLE
It was another active weekend of basketball in the Belize District Basketball Association's (BDBA) Firms Basketball Tournament at Birds Isle. This one is apparently living up to the name of "Firms," as, according to reports, only employees of the respective firms, which include some partnerships, are represented on the court. In game 1 on Friday night, August 16, Heritage Bank won a close one, 68-64, over Ready Call. Top scorers for Heritage were Felix Martinez 25 pts 10 rebs, Kurt Burgess 22 pts 14 rebs, and Jaleel Arnold 11 pts 5 rebs; while Ready Call was led by Hubert Baptist 17 pts 5 rebs 5 assts, Aaron Baptist 14 pts 4 stls, and George Smith 12 pts. In game 2, Port of Belize put down Digicell, 68-55, behind Earl Johnson 34 pts 4 rebs 3 assts 3 stls, Angus Cherrington 11 pts 12 rebs, and Lennox Bowman 11 pts 7 rebs; while for Digicell, Devon Lozano had 15 pts 4 rebs, and Jordan Santos 14 pts 3 rebs. There was no third game played, as Customs & Excise Dept./MoE won by default over Bowen & Bowen, who were unable to field a team.

WHERE ARE WE, BELIZE? Editorial
The Opposition PUP is upset by the PUDP model, but where the biggest news of the day is concerned - the US$ 50 million Norwegian Cruise Lines' investment at Harvest Caye, their four Toledo and Stann Creek area representatives are supportive of the investment, and the PUP on a whole seems unable to mount serious criticism of same. Neoliberalism is an extreme form of capitalism, and at this newspaper recently we have been trying to give you a sense of what it is by publishing excerpts from a book by Naomi Klein. We have described the PUP government years from 1998 to 2004 as a neoliberal era in Belize. What we mean is that there was a lot of privatization, large government loans taken out abroad at commercial rates, excessively concessionary arrangements for big foreign investment deals, and a mood of supply-side economics. Supply-side economics believes that if the wealthy people are doing well and don't have to pay a lot of taxes, their prosperity will trickle down to the poor masses and everyone will be happy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER
Thousands of Egyptians were killed and injured between Wednesday and Friday last week because of a decision made by U.S. president Barack Obama. When the Egyptian military overthrew democratically-elected Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, a few weeks ago and confined him no one knows where, Obama refused to describe the Egyptian military action as a "coup." The reason he refused to call the coup a coup is because United States' law would have then compelled him to suspend the US$ 1.6 billion in annual military aid the United States is giving Egypt. If this U.S. aid had been cut off, the Egyptian generals would not have been so eager to start shooting their own people demonstrating for a return to civilian, democratic rule. By refusing to call a spade a spade, Obama gave the green light to the generals to do whatever they felt like doing. A lot of Egyptian blood is on Barack's hands. In a few weeks in Belize we will be celebrating a battle where no one died. We Belizeans owe it to all those thousands of Egyptians who gave their lives and limbs for democracy to examine what it is that they believe in to the point that they became martyrs in the streets. We should join our insignificant voices to those worldwide which are condemning these massacres.

IAN GAYNAIR AND WOODROW WEST RECOGNIZED BY GALEN UNIVERSITY
The two National Team players rejected the advances of a "match fixer" who approached them during the recently-concluded CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament held in the US. National Team football players Ian Gaynair and Woodrow West have been recognized by Galen University, who presented them with the Galen Eagle Award at the university's graduation ceremonies held at the Princess Hotel and Casino yesterday, Sunday, August 18. In presenting the awards, Dr. Louis Zabaneh, president of Galen University, told the audience that the award recognized the men for refusing to take a bribe offered by an individual known as a "match fixer" while representing the country at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup football tournament played in the United States. After the men were given the awards, they received a standing ovation from the audience.

BEAT HIM UP? NOT EXACTLY TRUE
The ad has been on Krem Radio for months now. This morning, my daughter finally accosted me, "Daddy, is that true? Did you guys really want somebody to beat up your little brother?" She was referring to the oft repeated ad for "Colin B. Hyde's book." My immediate response was, "Well, not really. Of course not; but you know, sometimes there are angles to a story." I later dug up a few lines I had scribbled privately on the matter a while back. See below: Thurs. June 13, 2013 In the advertisement promotion for Colin B. Hyde's book, "Growing up in Old Belize," they say his big brothers "wanted to find a boy to beat him up."

PROTEST MARCH ON BELMOPAN TUESDAY
Belize Can Patriot, along with the Alliance of Ministers & Leaders of Belize and Social Partners, has organized peaceful demonstrations for today, Tuesday, August 20, in its calls for 1) retraction of the Gender Policy 2013; 2) a declaration that gender equals male and female ONLY; 3) stiffer punishment for authors and/or instigators of victimization in Belize; 4) the guarding of the preamble of the Belize Constitution - as it currently is. The first protest will be staged in front of the National Assembly at 8:30 a.m., and the second in front of the University of Belize in Belmopan at 11:00 a.m. Organizers note that "�the Government of Belize has continued to implement its plans in the 2013 Gender Policy, adding a Gender Department at the University of Belize BMP, although they claim to be awaiting the requested changes by members of the Clergy�." They also contend that "�The Gender Policy: would force changes to our Constitution, since it protects homosexuality - which is a VIOLATION of Section 53 of the Criminal Code of Belize�" In the view of the protestors, the promotion of the new gender policy attempts to also "use our children to accept that lifestyle," and "violates the moral and spiritual values in our nation, and much, much more�."

IN ANSWER TO NATHANIEL WANDER Letters
Dear Editor, I am responding to the letter from Mr. Nathaniel Wander, printed in your August 9, 2013 issue, in which he commented on the subject raised by Evan X Hyde ON JEWS AND CREOLES and these two peoples' different views on money. Mr. Wander's letter, albeit well- intentioned, is full of broad statements that can only give the wrong impressions. I cannot address all I would want to in this letter, namely, by inference on Mr. Wander's part, the African's lack of a "Book," lack of a "communitarian ethos," lack of value of family as publicly created via marriage, and failure to give great weight to the training and education of offspring. I'll just concentrate on what irks me most. In my opinion, Mr. Wander was disappointingly disingenuous in his summation of the Jewish attitude towards money, Creole term for finance; was at best condescending towards Creoles and is evidently misinformed about African history and the slave trade. Rather than addressing the Creole "attitude" towards money, which I believe was Mr. Hyde's point, Mr. Wander pointedly inferred what could only be interpreted by this reader as Creole "ineptitude."

FELDMAN WRITES BELIZE'S LEADERS Letters
BABE Honorable Leaders of the Government of Belize, I have no doubt that in your hearts you love Belize and all that she stands for. My wife, grown children, friends and I have been so fortunate to enjoy this wonderful country, its people, cultures and physical treasures. Our hope is to see future generations be as blessed as we have been. So what could be the problem with those who claim that the signing of a MOU between the Government of Belize and Norwegian Cruise Lines is a bad decision? The answer lies in what my father (deceased: attorney and Senior Judge in New Jersey) told me many years ago. He said you can change most anything except human nature. Therein lies the rub. What seems to be at work here is letting human nature's greed and power glands run amuck. They tend to override intellect and vision in similar ways to what we've witnessed here in the USA with politicians and sex. Of course one knows what they are doing is wrong, but they do it anyway because of the power of, and inability to effectively manage, the present forces of human nature.

DUGU IS GARIFUNA RELIGION Letters
Dear Friends, When I first saw the headline "Dugu dancing on Harvest Caye," I was shocked, angry and confused. What came to my mind immediately was which Garifuna family is going all the way to Harvest Caye to do their Dugu ceremony? Or, there will be several Dugu ceremonies to be held at Harvest Caye as of now? For those who do not know anything about the Garifuna culture, Dugu is the religion of the Garifuna people and it is not something to play around with or joke about. Many Christians in the past and present, including some Garifuna people, are against the practice. However, a majority of these people know very little about this religion, made no attempt to learn about it and just want to condemn it. This religion has played and continues to play a vital and integral role in the preservation of the Garifuna culture. It is so unfortunate that some individuals continue to display their ignorance to one of the essences of the Garifuna culture.

PLEASE DO NOT BRING NCL: LAURA HOWARD Letters
Dear Editor, I bring small amounts of people at a time to Belize. I sell Belize as an eco-destination, not a MASS TOURISM destination. We make more money and bring quality people WHO CARE about Belize as overnight tourists; we do not make money (any substantial amount that everyone can share in) with cruise ship passengers. Overnight people spend an average of $150-350 US per person PER DAY in the country; many return to Belize, many help with student scholarships, libraries, donations and many other things we need. Please do NOT bring NCL in the southern part of Belize.

TONCHO AND RAS PITTA SHAKE HANDS
The CWU prez and his general secretary will stay on for a few more months. The schism between stevedores and the Christian Workers Union (CWU), which represents them at the bargaining table, cooled several degrees today after an extensive meeting that lasted most of the afternoon in which, CWU president Antonio "Toncho" Gonzalez said, the parties "trashed out one another," but were evidently able to come to an acceptable compromise. Last week, the stevedores called for the resignation of Gonzalez and CWU General Secretary James McFoy by Friday, August 16; however, coming out of today's meeting, mediated by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), the parties agreed that Gonzalez and McFoy would stay on two more months, until October - by which time an audit should be completed and the election of a new executive should be convened. "We will clean up house now�" said Deon Pitter, aka "Ras Pitta," one of the 150 stevedores registered with the CWU. Pitter said he does not consider today a victory, per se, but he is grateful that the CWU is able to write a new chapter going forward.

Blogs

Belize Medical Tourism Council/Association
In August of 2012, BELTRAIDE with funding from Compete Caribbean facilitated the development of a Medical Tourism Strategy for Belize. With the strategy completed, BELTRAIDE will be venturing in the formalization of a Medical Tourism Association/ Council via the facilitation of a two day working session. The work sessions will be held today, August 20, 2013 and Friday, August 23, 2013, at the Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET) Facility in Belize City from 8:30a.m.-12:00p.m. The objectives of the working session are: To develop a name, mission, vision, objectives, and function of the association. To identify sources of finance for the association To designate Members of the Board To outline the rules of engagement for members and develop organizational structure

Break Point
Break Point seeks to empower Caribbean businesses to take on European markets and introduces them to alternative funding sources such as private investors in the form of venture capitalists and Angel investors. It highlights the journey of dedicated regional businesses and entrepreneurs as they vie to become one of the 12 finalists who will travel to London to make their final pitches to a panel of investors, venture capitalists and distributors. In April 2012, CARIFORUM firms and entrepreneurs throughout the 15 CARIFORUM Member States had the opportunity to participate in Break Point by first submitting a 2-3 minute video pitch, along with a 1 page executive summary of their business plan and a short application form to help the Agency capture some pertinent company data.

"Our Day Will Come" in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
After an extremely lazy day on Sunday it's surprising that I went to bed as early as I did (around 21.30 hours). Perhaps caused by eye strain from watching what seemed like continuous football (soccer for readers from the States) - Spurs followed by Chelsea and topped off with Barcelona. Or is it just advancing age? I prefer to put it down to tired eyes. I would, wouldn't I. With such an early 'to bed' it was no wonder yesterday morning I found myself awake at around 03.00 hours and that no matter how hard I tried I could not force myself to go back to sleep. With time on my hands (nothing new since moving here really) I decided to start 'revisiting' (basically checking prices) of the items we plan to buy in the States and ship for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize. I don't why but when I started adding up the cost of the various items something made me wonder about the validity of the US$ 15,000 duty and tax exemptions allowance that I have been working to all along. Was this correct? I was convinced I had read it somewhere. Or had I imagined it?

Miss Belize Wins The Reina De La Costa Maya 2013
The 21st edition of the International Costa Maya Festival took place on Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4, 2013. This event took place in San Pedro and one of the main attractions was the Reina de la Costa Maya pageant. Since I was the official photographer of the event, I would love to share the event with you. Every year, eight delegates from the Mundo Maya region showcase their beauty and talent as they compete for the crown. The women are from Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Here are the lovely ladies.

A Visitor 2:30 a.m. in the Morning at Tom Owens!!
Turtle photos...

Island Beach Clean Up
Photos....

Fun time was had by all at Tom Owens Island
Photos....

International Sources

Norwegian: Belize not like Great Stirrup Cay
I goofed in Monday's blog. I inferred that Norwegian's new Belize port was tied to its current Great Stirrup Cay, which is the cruise line's private island and a stop on may of Norwegian cruises. I should have known better. The latest arrangement is more a partnership with the Belize government to build a port to create a new cruise destination. It is not, as Norwegian noted, an exclusive private-island destination like Great Stirrup Cay. "Visitors to the port of call will have an authentic Belize experience, as the destination is being carefully developed to retain the land's natural beauty and local culture," said a Norwegian spokesperson. "The goal is to design an authentic experience grounded in the storyline of nature, ancient culture, art, adventure and music that celebrates Belizean, Mayan and Garifuna history and culture." Duly noted. I got it wrong and I apologize to both Norwegian and the Government of Belize. Knuckles deservedly rapped.

Student volunteers at health clinic in Belize
McKenzie Carda, 21, grew up in Sidney and is currently a junior at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. This past summer, she took a nine-day trip to Patchakan, Belize where she volunteered at a rural, non-profit health clinic. Carda describes the experience as hands on, rewarding and "eye opening." On her first day volunteering at the clinic, there were not enough chairs and tables set up yet, so the clinic was running an hour and a half behind schedule. Expecting patients to get upset and leave, Carda was pleasantly surprised. A family with two boys came in and she played ball with them as they waited, which was an activity where the language barrier did not matter. "The family as a whole ended up having something pretty serious with them, but they were so cute and they were so understanding. Everyone down there was pretty relaxed and understanding," she said.

Ole Miss students win Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award
The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights awards the RFK Journalism Award to recognize outstanding reporting on issues that reflect Robert Kennedy's dedication to human rights and social issues. The winning project, "M-Powered: University of Mississippi students learn through service in Belize," was led and edited by Patricia Thompson, director of student media and assistant professor, who created the "Multimedia Storytelling" study abroad course. The multimedia course was a partnership with the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education. Five students - Margaret Ann Morgan, Jajuan McNeil, Aubry Killion, Cain Madden and Katie Williamson - traveled with Thompson and assistant professor Mikki Harris to Belize during the 2012 winter intersession to report on the interdisciplinary service learning projects of Ole Miss Study Abroad students. Thompson says she received news of the award in a phone call from Ethel Kennedy.

The hidden beauty of Garifuna Belize
Drumming on the beach, moving in time with junkanu dancers and eating heaping plates of mashed plantain soaked in coconut stew -- more than likely these aren't the experiences you imagine while planning a trip to Belize. In fact, you have to venture off the newbie trail, and head to the southern Stann Creek and Toledo Districts to experience Belize's unique Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture. The Garifuna live along the coast, in the most scenic areas of Belize, where miles of beaches run east to south. One of the smallest groups in the country, they make up just 4% of a total population of around 325,000.

The One Comic That Explains Just How Screwed America Is
Cartoon....

Bible Visualized: Contradictions, Misogyny, Violence, Innacuracies
A beautiful and interactive resource to explore negative aspects of the Bible.

The Garifuna Collective Preserves the Rich Culture of Belize
The Garifuna culture of Belize has been a fascination of mine for over a decade now: It's one of my primary reasons for ranking the country so highly on my "Dream Trips" wish list. Located south of Belize City near Dandriga, the small fishing community of Hopkins Village has preserved this remarkably rich culture for hundreds of years. The Garinagu people, whose language and culture is called Garifuna, descend from shipwrecked Africans whose ancestry can be traced back to the Yoruba, Ibo, and Ashanti tribes of Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. After making their way to Central America, they intermarried with Carib and Arawak Amerindians, and came to be known by the British as "Black Caribs." Their music, dance, food and clothing offers a mixture of African, Amerindian and Spanish influences that is unique to Central America.



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