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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
Wolfe's Woofers: Crime Is Out Of Control Everywhere
Dennis-Wolfe-Wolfes-Woofers"Charlie, I need to find a bank and get a check cashed," I said. "Do you want to go?"
"No, I'm just going to hang around the motel and watch TV," Charlie said.
Charlie and I were on our road trip to the U.S. and we had spent the night in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I took the rental car and drove around until I found a branch of the bank that I use in the U.S.
"George, you let that man get right in line in front of you," said the lady directly behind me.
"Well, I was hurrying as fast as I could," George said.
"Friends of Belize" host benefit party in the US
Ken and Jenny Osterman recently had a Friends of Belize (FOB) Party to benefit the San Pedro Foundation (SPF). The event was held at their neighborhood swimming pool and caba�a in Martinsville, New Jersey USA.
Ken and Jenny invited all their friends who had visited them in Belize since 1991. They also invited friends who have had to listen to them talk about Belize for the past 22 years. Almost 60 people attended.
Kelly McGuire attended the party and provided the entertainment. Kelly donated 20% of the sales of CDs and shirts to the SPF. He also auctioned off a collection of CDs, shirts and hats to raise more money for the SPF.
1st Marine Expeditionary Force Civil Affairs Team wrap up work on Caye Caulker
The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Civil Affairs Team comprising of four Marines from the United States Marine Corps and one Medic from the US Navy were on Caye Caulker Village to finalize the first stage of their partnership mission in Belize. The team of five's last mission to Caye Caulker was on Thursday October 10th, when they met with the principal of the primary school and other stakeholders to wrap up their work in the area. The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Civil Affairs Team partnered with the Belize National Coast Guard who introduced them to the various Caye Caulker authorities. Currently the Coast Guard is completing their last phase of their northernmost base situated on Ambergris Caye, and as such, the coast guard will have a permanent presence in the area. According to Ensign Glen Noh, the Belize Coast Guard meeting with the various entities on Caye Caulker will help foster a better relationship with the community.
Sartenja Stars shine at weekend football marathon
A large crowd of spectators gathered at the Ambergris Stadium on Saturday, October 12th to cheer on player as they competed in a one day football marathon organized by Ernildo Jones in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC). The games commenced around 10AM and by 4PM the winning teams were awarded a trophy and prizes. The first game was between the San Mateo Strikers and San Pedro FC. The boys played like professionals, but in the end the San Mateo Strikers defeated San Pedro FC in a 2-1 game. The second male game was between team Under 20 and Team Rest of the World. This game was extra fierce, but once again it ended in a 2-1 game in favor for Under 20.
San Pedro Darts Team retains national championship for three consecutive years
The San Pedro Darts Team is the defending champion of the 19th annual National Darts Tournament which was held from the 11th to the 13th of October at the San Pedro Lions Den. The event, organized by the Belize National Darts Federation, saw Belize's best darts players from Cayo, Belize City, Caye Caulker and San Pedro Town compete for three days. The vigorous competition was hosted by the San Pedro Darts Team who were intent on retaining the championship on their home turf. The tournament ended with the Men's double late in the night of Sunday October 13th, and following the event, the organizers announced the results and handed out trophies and prizes. The results are as follows:
Men's Singles: 1st place - Omar Guerrero (San Pedro Town), 2nd place - Elias Castillo (Caye Caulker)
Ladies Singles: 1st place - Cecilia Joseph (Caye Caulker), 2nd place - Emerita Marin (Cayo)
Mixed Trio: 1st place - Melanie Paz, Ricardo Manzano and Omar Guerrero (San Pedro Town); 2nd place - Felicia Richards, Orlando "Tuki" Depaz and Geovanni Mai (Cayo)
Mixed Doubles: 1st - Cecilia Joseph and George Requena (Caye Caulker), 2nd place - Marie Osmon and Valentin Marin (Caye Caulker)
Men's Doubles: 1st place - Omar Guerrero and Ricardo Manzano (San Pedro Town), 2nd place - Valentin Marin and Wilbur Perez (Caye Caulker)
Ladies Double: 1st place - Maria Allen and Steffany Garica(Poison Arrow - Belize City), 2nd place - Lorraine "Mailu" Leslie and Gaby (Jolly Rogers - Belize City)
Team event: 1st place - San Pedro Darts Team, 2nd place - Caye Caulker Darts Team.
Misc Belizean Sources
Arenal Village Website
Arenal has a website. The village is planning for tourism, and has a tourism strategy. They don't mention the football field that is in both Belize and Guatemala, or the wide selection of beers...yet. Check out the site for more information.
"We could now do this with your help, would love to implement a first step to bring tourism into our village - a soft, natural and authentic way of tourism - built small structures into single citizen's properties - cabanas with thatched roof or apartments with a concrete roof - rent these accommodations to our visitors, offer full meal plan within the families - eating the ordinary daily food with the hosts, cooked on open wood fire - delicious Central American food - tortillas, fajitas, empanadas, chicken rice & beans, escabeche, salsas, spices and much more and carefully set our village up to a natural tourist place. "
Belize Audubon Society in Benque
The BAS will be doing an Urban Bird Watch in Benque this morning.
"Thank You BTB for this wonderful flyer and participation in our Urban Bird Watch. Join us FB fans, bring your family and friends and lets go birding in Benque Viejo Del Carmen on October 20th, 2013. Share! Share! Share!"
Cristo Rey Family Day
Cristo Rey is having a Family Fun Day tomorrow, from 9:00am until 5:00pm. It'll be a mini-fair, and they'll have food, drinks, games, music, sales, and many other fun events. The Cristo Rey Neighborhood Watch, Cristo Rey Women's Group, and Village Council are sponsoring the festivities.
Cayo and Benque Celebrate 109 Years
Happy birthday Cayo and Benque! Both towns celebrated 109 years yesterday. Check out the small article in the old Government Gazette. In Benque, there will be a thanksgiving mass this evening at Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 7:00pm.
"A day like this in history Benque Viejo & former El Cayo, now San Ignacio & Santa Elena were given Township status. Happy 109 years to our beloved Benque Viejo. Tonight a Thanks giving mass will be offered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in celebration of our municipal anniversary at 7:00 p.m"
Curious!
A rare site of a Russian plane landing at the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize.
LOVE FM
American Fugitive Awaits Deportation From Belize
Tonight forty seven year old American National Kenneth Gibbs is behind bars waiting to be deported to his country of origin. Gibbs was arrested in San Ignacio Town yesterday and according to Deputy Commander of the San Ignacio Police Department, Inspector Reymudo Reyes, Gibbs is wanted in the United States.
INSPECTOR REYMUNDO REYES
"Yesterday sometime around 11 o' clock in the morning information was received about a Caucasian male person causing a disturbance on Burns Avenue. As a result police visited the area. They came in contact with the person where he was approached. He was asked for his particulars such as name, address and age. At the time he refused to cooperate with the police. He gave no information. He was searched; no sort of document for identification purposes was obtained from him so as a result he was escorted to the station. He was processed by special branch officer where his photograph was taken and fingerprint. It was forwarded to the Special Branch in Belmopan for verification purpose, and through the embassy checks were made and so forth. Later in the evening it was established that this was a person who was wanted in the States for parole violation and theft of motor vehicle.
Mexican Authorities Detain Belizean Woman For Shoplifting
A Belizean woman has been detained by Mexican police after she was caught shoplifting. Mexican police have identified the woman as 34 year old Shirley Adeth Arnold. Reports indicate that while Arnold was inside Chedraui supermarket at the Mall in Chetumal, store security personnel noticed through the security cameras that Arnold placed four liquor bottles inside her hand bag. Arnold then made her way to exit the store at which time the security personnel requested her to show the content of her hand bag which she did. According to the reports the security personnel found the four bottles in the bag and subsequently called the police. Late yesterday afternoon personnel from Melody clothing store, also in Chetumal, informed the police that a woman fitting the description of Arnold was also noticed shoplifting various blouses from inside the store. The police proceeded to check Arnold's hand bag and found the blouses. According to reports Arnold remains under state police detention and will be charged for stealing.
Caye Caulker Chronicles
Caye Caulker Sailing Club
The Caye Caulker Sailing Club has kicked off preparations for the official launch of the club by sending kids off to San Pedro on October 19th 2013. They have started training using the Optimist Dinghys. The kids who attended the training are Cody, Mario, Harrison and Malik (missing). Mr. Neil Bradley, Chairman of the club, took the kids. The Club would like to thank San Pedro Belize Express for providing the transportation to San Pedro.
There will be a meeting at the Caye Caulker Village Council on Sunday, October 20th at 10AM. Everyone is invited!
The Belize Times
Penner Gaan�UDP Next!!
Prime Minister Dean Barrow was forced to "wheel and come again" in a desperate attempt to do damage control in the face of the reins of Government slipping away fast. This week, two major factors landed like bombshells for the UDP, first the outright rejection from residents of Cayo North East, and second the sudden flight of Elvin Penner.
Barrow expected to be welcomed as some kind of royal messiah by residents of Cayo North East during his urgent three-day "tour" of the constituency on which the UDP's Elvin Penner has brought shame upon. But the Penner Nationality and Passport scandal and new revelations of massive corruption at the Immigration Department involving UDP Ministers and the illegal sale of visas has hit a nerve in every right-thinking Belizean.
Instead, Barrow was shunned and embarrassed. As the UDP caravan that included dozens of Government vehicles fuelled with tax dollars passed through Cayo North East, residents thumbed their noses, rolled their eyes and closed their windows and doors until the scent of death passed.
UB Faculty Outraged - UB Board forcing illegal contracts on lecturers?
Trouble is brewing at the national university, University of Belize, over the imposition of new employment terms for lecturers. On October 1st, letters signed by the Director of Human Resources Hertha Gentle were sent to 20 lecturers advising them to appear at the Human Resources Department to ...
UDP Induces with "millions and millions"
According to sections 32 (1) (a) and (c) of the Representation of People Act, "The following persons shall be deemed guilty of bribery within the meaning of this Act: (a) every person who directly or indirectly, ...
PUP Leader Demands Answers & Action!
Opposition Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca took Prime Minister Dean Barrow and the UDP to task, calling for answers and action at a press conference on the Immigration Scandal on Tuesday, October 13th.
Independence Hall was filled to capacity as energized supporters flooded into its halls to listen to the Prime Minister in waiting take a stand for Belize.
Hon. Francis said that the people of Belize deserved proper accountability from the Barrow Administration of what has really taken place at the Ministry of Immigration. He laid out seven points that must be addressed by the Government.
THINK ABOUT IT
CABINET IS A CRIMINAL GANG For some time now, the Cabinet has been behaving like a gang of criminals. The issue with Toledo Rosewood was one of the worst cases of gangster behavior. Then the death of 13 babies and S.I.F. added fuel to the fire. The passing of a law ...
Pennergate
By G. Michael Reid The pressure continues to mount on the Dean Barrow government to do more than just talk about the endemic corruption that exists within its midst. The long weekend did little to quell the flustering ruckus surrounding Pennergate and to their credit, "the media nuh dih play fuh ...
FOR GOD'S SAKE: STOP IT
This is the worst we have seen Dean Barrow. Really, it is the first time we have seen him this bad. Normally he swoops down and tries to polish and absorb the wrongs, inadequacies and failures of his ministers. The last time he slipped was at Old Belize on November 23, 2011 ...
Hattieville United, Rising Stars, Young Stars & Brown Bombers win in SMART Mundialito
The Hattieville Youth United Sports Club, Ladyville Rising Stars, Young Stars and Brown Bombers all enjoyed big wins in the 2nd week of the 2013 SMART Mundialito football tournament held at ...
Byron Pope wins Orange Walk bypass criterium
Byron Pope won the Belize Cycling Association's annual Orange Walk bypass criterium on Sunday, October 13. Pope clocked 2:26:24 to win the $700 1st prize and a ...
Ports & Customs clash in interoffice basketball finals
Undefeated Ports Belize Limited will take on the Customs Department in the Belize District firms' basketball finals, beginning at Bird's Isle in Belize City on Thursday and Friday night, October ...
G.G. - victim of passport scandal?
A series of negative implications, regional and international, as a result of the UDP's passport scandal has begun to unfold, and Belizeans are already feeling the effects. The BELIZE TIMES has learnt that the Governor General Sir Colville Young, on one of his recent travels, was sort ...
AMAZING GRACE - Little is much
I read an email a few years ago, and it changed the way I operated in life. The message was from one of those friends who believes they were placed on this earth for the sole purpose of forwarding 'feel good' emails. You know the type. Every five texts of ...
Hon. Jose Mai & SMART partner in support of education
The Hon. Jose Mai continues to provide education assistance to students of Orange Walk South. Six students from the Belize High School of Agriculture and one student from New Hope High School received education grants today ...
What would happen if fuel was $7.00 per gallon?
By Richard Harrison The pump price of fuel could be $7.00/gallon if the government would remove all taxes (except 10% GST) from the fuel that is imported. What would be the effects in the economy if the pump price was $7.00/gal? 1. A normal bus run from Benque to Belize City would cost ...
Barrow - the Real Economic Dunce
Since 2008 the Belizean economy has been experiencing consistent recessions. The downward slide began in 2008 and was officially acknowledged by the government in October 2009 - exactly two weeks after PM Barrow had claimed that Belize's economy was doing great, puffing his chest, holding his ...
SCALES OF JUSTICE - Irreparable Damage!
by Anthony Sylvestre. Mr. Al-Jedda was born in Iraq in 1957. In 1992, Mr. Al-Jedda left Iraq and went to live in the United Kingdom. He subsequently, in June 2000, acquired British nationality. But Iraqi law did not permit dual nationality so Mr. Al-Jedda lost his Iraqi nationality automatically on acquiring British ...
Social Justice and the New Revolution - A Mantra from the Beginning� A Mantra that Must Continue�
From the onset, the mantra of the peaceful constructive Belizean revolution was social justice. For many, these are simply two words coined and perhaps conveniently repeated by our party members at our functions, and by many in the public domain, possibly understood and believed by some, maybe ...
WOMAN IN THE HOUSE - CONFLICT OF INTEREST!!!
By Dolores Balderamos Garcia There is a very famous quote from John Emerich Edward Dalberg ACTON, the first Baron Acton, who lived from 1834 to 1902. It is from Lord Acton's Letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton and is the first entry in a Dictionary of Famous Quotations compiled by Robin Hyman ...
REFLECTIONS OF THE PUBLIC SQUARE - 3 LESSONS FROM PENNER
By Francis W. Fonseca The International Immigration and Nationality corruption scandal which has rocked this UDP government and ended the political career of the first elected Mennonite politician, Hon. Elvin Penner, has sparked unprecedented public outrage and offers us important lessons moving forward. I highlight just three of those lessons in ...
PUP Leader Francis Fonseca: Let's fix a broken system!
Opposition Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca said that the next PUP Government will introduce sweeping reforms to fix the broken system under which the country is being managed. The Immigration scandal has, once more, brought focus on a system all too easy to corrupt if left unchecked in ...
PM Confirms Castro's Scandal
One UDP politician glad for the Penner passport scandal is surely Edmond "Clear the Land" Castro. Three weeks ago, Castro was close to being stripped of his Ministerial portfolio as Minister of State in the Ministry of ...
Our pension in trouble?
Sisters and brothers, Running the risk of being irresponsible but ensuring we are all well informed we write to you today. I logged into my personal payment information in the intranet today and it finally struck me what the proverb "a bird in hand is worth two in the bush" really ...
Who is Ali Baba? And who are the thieves?
Dear Editor, It was quite interesting that Barrow used the analogy of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves in his last press conference. I was waiting for the press to pick up on it because if Barrow publicly called out Penner, and is publicly saying that he hopes his Ministers who ...
Removed from the list?
Editor Sir: Ever since the public announcement of the First Lady's affliction she has been on my list for consideration for greatness. If a person uses her own tragedy to ameliorate the human condition, this is the stuff of which historical greatness is made. But we all somehow believe that the ...
"Some Girls" in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Up before 05.00 yesterday for what I knew was going to be a very busy day. Not so busy though that I couldn't spend some time on the veranda. I had to drink my coffee somewhere and obviously I had yesterday's edition of the blog to produce.
Not enough time though to let things distract me. No stopping to 'people watch' the locals and tourists out on the beach for their early morning exercise. No gazing out at the 'Sea watching the fisherman trawling for bait. Or the dive boats loading up with tanks of air. No, this was a day for action.
With the blog completed and published I made and ate breakfast and then Rose and I focused on assembling and packing the remainder of the stuff for our move. We had already decided that although we had arranged for Tony 'Brown' to move our stuff for us we would move anything of a fragile/easily breakable nature ourselves.
Flying From Cancun to San Pedro, Belize on Tropic Air - Ahhhh The Views
So, here's how it all works. The Tropic Air flight leaves from Cancun at 3pm Mexico time. You are advised to get there 1 hour ahead of time. One hour for an international flight? I am liking this already.
You arrive at the Cancun airport to Terminal One. Erase from your mind visions of duty-free shopping and gorging at Starbucks. This is the terminal you didn't know existed. Private planes and Maya Air (a tiny airline that flies around the Yucatan - mainly to Cozumel only).
Tropic Air is in a tiny tiny tiny check in area/storage room. The world's loveliest do-everything employee greets you. You find out later that he is the guy at the counter, the guy at security and the guy that helps you on the plane. I was almost ready for him to be the co-pilot.
Harvest 4 Kids Brings Out the Best in Belize
And it's not just the corn�.
Maize Harvest celebrations have been big in Belize for thousands of years� literally.
Ever since our ancient Maya forbearers have thanked the gods for great rain and all the other essentials to get that mainstay of life, corn to grow, harvest festivals have been a big thing.
But last weekend a new harvest festival celebrated a unique crop that was planted, maintained and harvested by 1000 mostly Belize City kids and this was one of our favourites harvests of all time� The novelty was that these were 1000 city kids who were part of an innovative program that pulled them out of the daily grind of city life and exposure to crime and gang violence that unfortunately gets so much media attention in Belize City, and gave them an opportunity to spend the summer camping, working, and experiencing a different way of life.
International Sources
BELIZE AND SAN IGNACIO RESORT HOTEL IN BRICKELL MAGAZINE
"Regardless of who you make the trip with, Belize has something to offer everyone".
That was the opening sentence to an article in Brickell Magazine that features Belize and The San Ignacio Resort.
The article, aptly titled "Breathtakingly Belize", details Jorge Arauz's first trip to Belize where he spends half his time having an adventure in Cayo (and at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel) and the other half relaxing in San Pedro.
Why choose Belize for an adventure holiday?
If you've got a taste for adventure and like trying your hand at exciting outdoor activities, you'll probably be keen to go on holiday to somewhere that enables you to realise your passions while also enjoying great weather. One place where I think you can certainly do this is Belize.
If you've got a taste for adventure and like trying your hand at exciting outdoor activities, you'll probably be keen to go on holiday to somewhere that enables you to realise your passions while also enjoying great weather. One place where I think you can certainly do this is Belize.
As such, you can be confident that whenever you decide to visit the country the climate should be more than pleasant enough for you to enjoy a wide variety of pursuits, both on dry land and in the water.