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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
2014 Public and Bank Holidays
The Government of Belize Press Office has sent out a press release informing about the Public and Bank holidays for 2014. It is notified for general information that public and bank holidays specified in the First and the Second Schedules to the Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2003, will be observed on the following days during the year 2014 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act:-
Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit disrespected by Coast Guard personnel
Lions Quest influencing better behavior in students on Caye Caulker
The Belize Lion Zone 59 handed out Lions Quest textbooks to the Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School students on Thursday September 19th. The donation is the organization's continued support to the Lion's Quest Program that has been adopted by the school since its inception in Belize. Generally, the programs are comprehensive, positive youth development and prevention curricula that unite the home, school and community to cultivate capable and healthy young people of strong character.
On hand to deliver the textbooks was the Chairperson of Belize Lion Zone 59 Melanie Paz and the Lions Quest Director Robert "Bobby" Lopez. Speaking to the kids, Paz took the opportunity to share with the students, the Lion's commitment to the program as well as the importance of Lions Quest in molding good, productive citizens.
ACES and BFD collaborate to train police officers
Following Garcia's presentation Cherie Chenot- Rose of ACES gave an oversight of the decreasing crocodile population on Ambergris Caye, and just how the different aspects of human interaction have contributed to this decline. According to Rose, the population of American crocodiles on Ambergris Caye has declined from a record 5,000 in 2005 to a current estimated 1,000. Rose shared the activities imposing threats upon the declining population, the most major being poaching and feeding crocodiles. The American crocodile is a protected species but is illegally poached for meat , teeth, skulls, skin and for torture. Feeding crocodiles has also desensitized the species from its natural instinct to stay away from man. However crocodiles are very territorial and feeding them gives them grounds over a new territory in which they won't hesitate to attack and defend if they associate humans with food. Later that evening, the officers led by Officer in Command Luis Castellanos, accompanied by the BFD officers had a chance to get some hands-on experience in handling crocs with the ACES team. The crews of police and forest officers were escorted to the ACES crocodile holding facility in San Mateo. At the facility ACES croc wrangler and animal behaviorist Vince Rose along with the ACES team demonstrated essential techniques in handling these aggressive reptiles. The officers got a chance to practice those techniques and were later carried on an eye-shine expedition via boat on the lagoon to learn how to spot crocodiles in their natural environment.
Ambergris Today
Video Pick: Beach Bunny Swimwear Loves Belize
She is a Russian model known for her 2007 through 2013 appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and cover model for the 2011 issue. She is Irina Shayk who has has been featured in a batch of just-released, sizzling hot Beach Bunny Swimwear that were shot, where else, but in BELIZE!
Check out sexy Sports Illustrated beauty Irina as she flaunts her perfect figure in a variety of bikinis while frolicking in the tropical waters of Belize, Sanctuary Island, Turneffe Atolls to be exact. Beach Bunny's favorite Russian beauty stuns again with the release of her very own collection, Irina Shayk for Beach Bunny.
Dorian's Angels 'In Love' with the New Frozen Treats in Town
Belizean 'Pops' - it's a Belizean frozen treat similar to a popsicle, 'ideal' or push pop. What makes the Pops such a great frozen treat is that it's usually made with condensed milk and is very sweet, packed with flavor. Well let me tell you more about the delicious POPS and how the Angels have gotten addicted to them.
Zinnia Gomez has found the golden mixture of ingredients and producing some delicious POPS. Of course she has the regular fruit flavors that everybody loves, but because she is inventive and creative, Zinnia's POPS have become very popular. Besides the regular flavors like Chocolate, Strawberry, Coconut, Orange, Sugar Corn she is making Soursop, Rasberry, Mango, Peanut Butter, Oreo Cookie, Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Lemon Iced Tea, Tamarind, Jamaica and Horchata Frappe! So the Angels are inviting you to visit Zinnia at Mash Company Ltd. located on Pescador Drive because her Belizean POPS are a must have treat. Once you find your favorite flavor, trust us, you will be going back for more and even making special orders. Her POPS go for a reasonable $1 ($1.25 for the Rum POPS) but are available in pints for $6 and quarts for $12. You can call 226-2089 for orders or special flavor requests. We are sure Zinnia is capable of pleasing your cravings for Belizean POPS! - By Perlita Zapata
Misc Belizean Sources
Bathrooms, Books, Blackboards & Basic Supplies: Help us provide them to students in Punta Negra, Belize.
After years of work the Punta Negra Village Council has won the support of the Government of Belize to replace the old condemned school building in our village. Construction on the new building started in August 2013 and will be completed in October 2013.
We are truly grateful for this investment in our children but it has been left to the community to supply everything beyond the shell of a one room wooden school house measuring 24 x 30 feet.
The children here are used to doing without but we are hoping to augment the structure with basics like a bathroom, electricity (we are an off-grid community), a rainwater collection system, a basic library, blackboards, desks, school supplies, etc.
The children of Punta Negra have a true love of life and remain as yet untainted by consumerism. We do not want to change this but hope to be able to equip them with the skills to contribute in the future.
Your contribuition WILL make a huge difference in the lives of not only the current students but those to come in future generations. Thank you for reading about our campaign and please help us reach our goal.
Belizean Nationalist Philip Goldson-The Ardent Revolutionary To The Expanionist Guatemalan Claim
A documentary on one of the most celebrated Belizean nationalist, the late Philip Wilboforce Goldson, and the struggle he waged against the expansionist Guatemalan Claim since 1948. Goldson was also the architect of the National Independence Party (NIP), the opposition party that opposed the policies of the Peoples United Party (PUP) led by the popular Belizean leader and Prime Minister George Cadle Price. Minister Goldson, as he is referred to in Belizean political circles, was also one of the founding members of the PUP before leaving the party in the 1950's. To date, he remains the most ardent revolutionary to the insidious Guatemalan Claim that remains unsettled up to today. The body of political work in which he has laid down for future generations of Belizeans in resistance to the Guatemalan government aggression to Belizean sovereignty and territorial integrity has today become a revolutionary force that Belizean activist and nationalist continue to use to resist. In tribute to his great political brilliance and resistance for some 46 years, he remains the ardent Belizean nationalist for Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Today, Belizeans at home and abroad continue to resist the present Compromis signed between Belize and Guatemala on December 2008 that the Organization of American States has orchestrated to get both countries to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The historical presentation in the documentary was aired in 1991 on the popular Dickie Bradley Show on the revolutionary KREM radio.
Belize Guatemalan Dispute
The podcast highlights the escalating crisis about the Belize Guatemalan Dispute and how a 2008 signed Compromis between the Belize and Guatemalan government in Washington sparked tension between the Belizean people and the Belizean government. The Belizean Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrignton, who referred to Belize's border with Guatemala as artificial has been criticized by Belizeans at home and abroad for misrepresenting the Belizean people in negotiations with the Guatemalan government. As the crisis escalates, the diaspora based organization BREDAA aired a radio program on the issue, and its spokesman, Nuri Akbar Estrada articulated a resistance position against taking the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
A Tribute To The Late Belizean Mayan Activist Julian Cho
In 1996, Belizean Mayan activist Julian Cho visited Washington in the United States to draw attention to the plight of the Belizean Mayans and to stop 17 logging concessions that that the Belize government under the Esquivel Administration had granted to international logging companies, one in particular, the Malaysian logging giant Atlantic Industries, to log on Mayan ancestral lands. A law suit was filed against the Belizean government to stop the logging but Cho who died mysteriously afterwards did not live to see the fruits of his struggle as the Belizean Mayas won an unprecedented victory against government in the Belize supreme court a few years later. Today illegal logging continues to plague Belize's Ministry of Natural Resources and its forestry department under the Barrow administration. The documentary celebrates the struggle of this Belizean revolutionary.
Breaking Free! (Part II)
This past week I received very many emails and Facebook messages with readers' comments regarding my thoughts on Belize's September celebrations of Independence, and on its "Breaking Free". Since this topic resonated with many readers, especially Belizeans who shared their many thoughts on the subject with me, this week I offer more ideas along these lines.
To break oneself free of a habit or custom, whether it's positive or negative, is by far much easier said than done. Adapting to change is never easy for anyone, especially when he/she is set in his/her ways. (To both my young adult sons, I humbly and publicly offer my "mea culpa".) Painful examples of peoples and countries throughout history that chose to break free of domineering rulers show that they went to great lengths, including fighting (civil) wars that incurred many deaths and great suffering, before being able to freely choose their very own path(s). Moreover, people throughout the world who were once enslaved also had to fight and suffer greatly for long periods of time, both physically and emotionally, before finally gaining their emancipation and freedom.
Delicious Sweets of Belize
Belize has some unique, yet very delicious sweets that you "must try" when visiting. These sticky, sweet, bite sized delicious sweets are locally handmade and perfected through generations of sweet makers. These delicious, heavenly sweets can be found on food carts, markets and street stalls throughout the country. Here are our favorites..
Starting A Business In Belize
Whether it's large or small, starting a business in Belize is a great idea. The type and size of your business all depends on your target market. If you're catering to local Belizeans, bear in mind that the country has a small population of around 330,000. However, the country is a major tourist destination, thus if that's your primary interest, your target market is much larger.
Belize is close to the USA, which means it's easy to travel to, having direct flights from, New York, California, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. The main language in Belize is English/ Kriol however, most locals speak English and/or Spanish, two of the most common languages in the world. The country has links to both Central America and the Caribbean, which allows us to benefit from trade agreements within both regions.
Rompe Rajas at Cayo Welcome Center
Video from the Rompe Rajas Band playing last week at the Cayo Welcome Center for Music in the Park. They'll be playing at Benque's Art Fiesta, which starts at 2:00pm this Saturday. This will be the Rompe Rajas Band's first time playing at Centennial Park in Benque.
In related news, the Arthur Guinness concert in Jamaica will be televised tomorrow at the Cayo Welcome Center.
Lonely Planet Features Make-Belize Films
Kurse a di Xtabai is mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide for Belize, with the heading, 'Creating Hollywood in Cayo.' They interviewed Matthiew Klinck, and asked, 'why Cayo?' The answer mentions the 'pristine jungle' and how they needed caves and a river, and that they were all found in Elijio Panti National Park. San Antonio and Actun Tunichil Muknal are mentioned too.
ISCR Independence Day Pictures
The Institute for Social and Cultural Research got some cool Independence Day Parade pictures.
Channel 5
PSU calls for passport investigation to include nationality certificate
There has been very loud silence from the Ministry of Immigration in the wake of the recent passport scandal. The only slight murmur came when a press release offered that [...]
Minister Hulse says there will be no attempt to whitewash crime under his watch
And while the PSU draws attention to the nationality process, Minister of Immigration Godwin Hulse today asked for patience. He offered no new information, only proclaiming that there will be [...]
Coastguard Officer demoted for detaining PM Roosevelt Skerrit
The Coastguard this morning confirmed what has turned out to be quite an embarrassing incident on Independence Day. It involves Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, a guest of honor during this [...]
Social Investment Fund officially take over the Dangriga Market project
There is another scandal that has remained in the headlines since it first broke. We are referring to the million dollar Dangriga Municipal Market Project which was being rehabilitated through [...]
3 persons detained for the fatal stabbing of student, Darrel Wade
Orange Walk Police believe that they have solved the vicious murder of a high school student that happened in broad daylight on Tuesday. Eighteen year old Darrel Wade, originally from [...]
2 weeks after cop was slain criminal file is forwarded to D.P.P.
Detective Constable Dean Yearwood was shot and killed by a fellow officer in the early hours of September eighth while pursuing a pair of robbers who attacked him, as he [...]
Major flooding in the north; San Antonio Village cut off from Orange Walk Town
The waters of the Rio Hondo continue to rise, creating serious problems for communities along its banks. In the rural community of San Antonio, located just twenty minutes from Orange [...]
Meet the new SEALS of the Belize National Coast Guard
While the coastguard is under scrutiny for the shameful incident involving the detention of a boat carrying the Dominican Prime Minister, a team of eight operators attached to the Coastguard [...]
Dangriga resident says he was robbed of $6,000 after he was brutalized by the police
On the heels of one allegation of police brutality in Belmopan, there is another claim of excessive use of force by the police. This time around, a Dangriga resident says [...]
2 cruise ship passengers fined for possession of controlled drug
Two cruise ship passengers, who came into Belize City on Tuesday, got themselves in big trouble with the law when they were found in possession of marijuana. They are American [...]
Man charged for attempting to use forged Bowen & Bowen voucher
A Belize City man who attempted to swindle Bowen and Bowen Limited out of three hundred dollars and lied about his identity was arraigned today in the Belize City Magistrate's [...]
3 environmental N.G.O.s awarded grants from Belize Nature Conservation Foundation
The sixth grant award ceremony of the Belize Nature Conservation Foundation, formerly known as the PACT Foundation, was held today at the Coastal Zone Management Training Room on Princess Margaret [...]
The P.U.P. celebrate 63rd birthday of party with exhibition
This Sunday, September twenty-ninth will mark some sixty-three years since the establishment of the People's United Party. It's a big moment for members and supporters of the P.U.P. as they [...]
Chamber of Commerce calls on House members to exercise respect at house meetings
The House of Representatives meets this Friday in Belmopan. As we understand, a number of bills will come back for second and third readings and passage, including the Trusts (Amendment) [...]
LOVE FM
Second Round of Hearings for Public Accounts Committee
Today the Public Accounts Committee held its second round of public hearings for revision of the auditor general reports. Once again, Chairman of the committee, Julius Espat, along with opposition member, Rodwell Robinson was a no-show. So, John Saldivar was elected as pro-tem chairman once again and the revision of the annual report of the Auditor General for April 1st 2008 to March 31st 2009. That report was not handed in until September 23rd, 2009, six months after the period ended. The first witness in the form of former auditor general for that period, Edmund Zuniga, was called and the questions began. Committee member, Patrick Faber, pointed out what can be considered a flaw in the process; several of Zuniga's answers were simply that he could not recall and that key information was not passed unto him by the accountant general.
EDMUND ZUNIGA
"During the course of the audits there is regular communication with the Accountant General office via memoranda; in this case we would have sent memoranda to the Accountant General outlining those differences that we observe during the audit."
Immigration Minister Backs Out of Scheduled Meeting With Reporter; Many Questions Remain
A number of questions remain as to how South Korean national, Kim Won Hong ended up with a Belizean passport. Three employees from the Immigration Department have been recommended for suspension in connection with the incident. Love News made attempts to get answers from Minister Godwin Hulse however despite agreeing to an early afternoon interview, Minister Hulse proved to be unavailable to answer our questions. Love News obtained a copy of the nationality document signed by former Minister of State Elvin Penner dated April 22, 2013. On the document the address listed as permanent address for the South Korean is Piccini area Belmopan even though all indications are that he never entered Belize and given the rigorous process of obtaining nationality, could not have qualified.
Petty Officer to Seaman; Harsh Lesson for Officer
A member of the Belize Coast Guard has been demoted following an incident offshore Belize in which he reportedly disrespected and humiliated Dominica's Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, who was in Belize on the occasion of our Independence. The incident happened on Independence Day, when Skerrit, was taken to San Pedro for a stay at Victoria House. Dominica News Online is reporting that on Saturday afternoon Skerrit was taken by boat to see the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, escorted by a representative of the Tourism Board, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a police escort from Special Branch and Skerrit's own security. The article goes that the Coast Guard was supposed to have trailed the vessel, which is standard for VIP's - but the coast Guard vessel showed up late. When the Coast Guard vessel eventually showed up with four officers on board Skerrit and the delegation were heading back to Victoria House and were near their destination when the Coast Guard reportedly stopped the boat and detain it by tying it to their vessel. Local escorts informed the Coast Guard that the prime minister of Dominica was on board the boat, to which the officer in question, Petty Officer, Richard Ogaldez, gave no acknowledgement and only asked, "Who is the prime minister?" When Skerrit responded that he was, Ogaldez reportedly ignored him. It took the Minister of Tourism's Secretary who finally got Ogaldez to stand down and let Skerrit and his entourage through. Today Rear Admiral John Borland explained to reporters that the incident that unfolded was the result of a lack of communication and that the Coast Guard received the request to accompany the VIP vessel very late. He added that Ogaldez has already been penalized following a meeting.
House Meeting Comes Up; Chamber of Commerce Pleads For Better Conduct
A meeting of the House of Representatives has been called for this Friday, September 27. About a month ago there were some concerns being raised about the behavior of the members of the House by members of the community and various organizations as well. This time the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling on the Members of the House to conduct themselves with dignity. According to the BCCI this call is in light of the impending meeting. The release says that the BCCI has quote "noted with concern the continued and unchecked practice of members of the House of Representatives of displaying behavior during meetings of Parliament that is shameful, disrespectful and unbecoming of leaders of our thirty two year old democracy. The release further states that the members of the house are expected by the nation, to conduct themselves with decorum and maturity implicit in the title Honorable. The BCCI closes with calling on the speaker of the house to quote "maintain order in the House so that the real business of the day can indeed be carried out in exemplary fashion and to ensure that the lewd behavior displayed at the last House Meeting is never again repeated" end quote.