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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

The Independence Parade is winding down
After hours of dancing in the streets! A great parade as usual, well done San Pedro!

More fun at the parade!

Wolve’s Woofer: The Inheritance
“Dennis, do you mind if I join you?” “John?” I said. “Is it really you? You haven’t been down to Belize for at least three years. Where have you been?” I was sitting at a table on the deck of the Holiday Hotel sipping my coffee and reading my book when John came up. “Pull up a chair,” I told him. “Catch me up on life in the U.S.” “I’ve been through a hard time in the last couple of years,” he said. “A hard time? As rich as you are you shouldn’t be going through any hard times. I know you don’t have to work.” [...]

Letter to the Editor: Use of local Languages in public space
Please allow me to publicly express support to the use of Garifuna and other local languages in public spaces. Above all, right now, kwik, fast and hurry—APOLOGIZE! Yes, you, First Caribbean Bank … you who have, admittedly, sponsored numbers of Kriol, Garifuna, and other local cultural functions in the 17 or so territories you operate in. But that just does not matter anymore. Why did you allow this linguistic hurricane to bubble and boil from what, perhaps up until your reaction you could have handled with far more sensitivity, humility, and, well, just good manners, man! You see, me, Silvaana Maree Udz (nee Woods), avid radio, newspaper, and local TV news viewer, can only critically respond to media reports, as I was not in Ms. Martinez’s shoes when you—First Caribbean Bank—were threading upon her dignity as a human being and when you were mashing up her right—her inalienable, fundamental, constitutional right—to use her language in public spaces. At the very, very least, publicly apologize to Ms. Martinez, to the Garifuna community, and to ALL Belizeans. Whether or not you feel culpable, or whether or not you feel protected by your own self-acclaimed inadequately-defined language policy, the reality is you have, whether advertently or not, hurt us. Not just “us” as your Belizean clients, but “us” as your Caribbean folk.

Ambergris Today

Independence Day Parade in San Pedro
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye knows how to celebrate Belize's Independence Day. Super hyped up parade!!! Celebration continues.

Perfect way to kick off Belize's Independence Day
Island sailors participating in Bart' Dash, worlds largest sailing event and Guinness Book of World Record attempt.

Happy Birthday Belize!
Happy Birthday Belize! Wishing everybody a festive day of patriotic celebrations- Pictured here are Miss San Pedro, Michelle Estrella Nunez and town officials celebrating along with island residents on the eve of Independence Day at Central Park.

Misc Belizean Sources

The Prime Minister's 2014 Independence Day Speech Once more we come together to hymn our country in this most important of national rituals: the celebration of the anniversary of Belize's independence. This year the huzzahs and the hosannas, the alleluias and the amens, are anchored by the theme "Industrious Minds, Intelligent Hands, Together for Belize". Well, it is indubitable, as we begin the thirty fourth stanza of our existence as a nation, that this is a land peopled by industrious minds and intelligent hands. But that "together for Belize" might give the dispassionate observer some pause for thought. If it is merely aspirational, a plea, then we are ok. But if it is stated as accomplished fact, some might beg to differ. And there are several things such contrarians might offer in evidence. Certainly, the often fractious nature of engagement in our public square would be one. The bewailment of an assortment of activists and local Jeremiahs, is a daily staple. And the picture their Lamentations might convey to the uninformed is the obverse of the togetherness this year's theme is either describing or mandating.

The Reporter

Traffic accident reported near Burrell Boom
details coming soon

Orange Walk carnival ends in accidental death
The Reporter has learned that a person has died during an accident in the Orange Walk Town carnival on Saturday. The incident happened just before 6 p.m. and sketchy information indicate that the victim fell off a trailer truck and was run over by a vehicle immediately behind in the parade.

Independence day parade ends in several people suffering injuries in attack
Unconfirmed reports are that several persons were injured after they came under attack during the Independence Day parade in Belize City. The Weekend Reporter Online understands that when the parade reached North Front Street near its junction with Victoria Street some people suffered injuries from pint bottles and rocks hurled at them, reportedly by people who were on top of a building.

Police say robber who was shot dead in armed robbery was ex-policeman
Leslie Logan, Jr., a former police constable, was shot dead at around 2:45 p.m. on Friday, just after he allegedly robbed a store in Orange Walk Town. Orange Walk police say that Logan was the man who robbed Hung Yun Supermarket in front of the Northern Regional Hospital. Logan was reportedly one of two men who entered the store. One of the robbers who was armed with a gun held up the store attendant and stole money from the cash register, then handed it to his partner, who ran off. The gunman, however, was not so lucky. He was shot in his right side below his armpit as he tried to escape. The shooter, police say was the store’s proprietor.

Countrywide power outage
A countrywide power outage on Independence Eve took roughly two hours before it was restored. The power outage was reportedly caused by a break in supply from Comercial Federal Electricidad, Belize’s main provider of energy in Mexico.

Man murdered in Belize City
Glenmore Stevens, 38, was reportedly shot dead on Saturday night in Belize City. The incident happened near the Charles Bartlet Hyde Building in the Lake Independence area and reports are that Stevens was shot in the head. Police have not yet released and details of the incident.

Prime Minister announces cheaper internet rates

US security forces step up security at White House following two breaches
Following two security breaches in 24 hours, the US Secret Service says it has stepped up security at the White House and begun a “comprehensive review” of procedures. The more serious incident saw a man wielding a knife enter the building on Friday, prompting a partial evacuation. US President, Barack Obama was not present at the time of the incident. The following day, another man drove up to a security gate. Both men have since been arrested. President Obama said he still had “full confidence” in the Secret Service, which is tasked with protecting senior American officials and visiting leaders.

Patrick Jones

Belize celebrates 33rd anniversary of Independence
The nation of Belize welcomed its 33rd anniversary of Independence with a renewed focus on national unity and development, though as always there were differing views on display at Independence Plaza below the National Assembly on this Sunday morning. In his final address in that capacity, Mayor of the national capital, Simeon Lopez, welcomed visitors to a city that had grown “by leaps and bounds” from its original plan when designed in the 1960’s as a replacement for Belize City. Belmopan, said Mayor Lopez, as do all municipalities, must be prepared to establish its growth in the next 30 years through formal planning and expressed his hope that the incoming administration would continue that growth agenda. Co-Chair of the National Celebrations Commission, Diane Haylock, who stood in for Minister of Tourism and Culture Manuel Heredia, Jr., challenged those present to look within themselves, as called on in the national theme “Industrious Hands, Intelligent Minds, Together for Belize” to be agents of change.

Man crushed to death during Orange Walk carnival
The Carnival parade in Orange Walk town ended in tragedy this evening when a man was crushed to death by a truck. According to reports from Orange Walk, the tragic incident happened on Dunn Street. The name of the victim has not yet been confirmed; but multiple sources say that the man was in the process of reaching for something that was being handed to him from the truck when the unfortunate incident happened. Reports are that the man jumped to try and get what was being handed to him, and then he slipped and fell, right into the path of the truck’s wheels which crushed him from head to toe. The body has been taken to the morgue at the Northern Regional Hospital. Police have since taken the driver of the truck into custody pending investigations.

Malfunctioning reactor in Mexico plunges Belize into darkness
The nation of Belize was plunged into blackout on Saturday night, just hours shy of celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Independence. At 8:18 pm on Saturday, Belize’s supply of electricity from Mexico went down when there was “a system trip” on the 230 kV line. A brief statement from the state-owned Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), said that the company relied on local generation sources to restore power to some of its customers. Just under an hour after the blackout hit, BEL was able to restore the supply of electricity to the Stann Creek and Toledo districts by tapping into the Blair Athol Power Company Limited’s supply.

Blogs

Bart’s Bash Sail on Ambergris Caye Helps to (Hopefully) Beat A Guinness World Record
TODAY, September 21st – also coincidentally Belize’s Independence Day – was the first Bart’s Bash. A huge global sailing race and fundraiser in the name of Andrew “Bart” Simpson – a professional sailor who lost his life while sailing in preparation for the America’s Cup. Sailing clubs and teams from around the world, raising money, celebrating sailing and trying to break a Guinness World Record. “The Largest Sailing Race in 24 Hours (Multiple Venues)” Guinness World Record attempt. Witnesses, stewards, official videos and photos must be sent. This is the real deal. And the coolest part? One of our clubs here in San Pedro, Belize (don’t even ask why there is more than one)…as well as the clubs in Corozal and Belize City…are participating.

“Freedom” – Independence Day Parade in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
When I went out earlier this morning to witness the San Pedro Sailing Club’s involvement in an attempt (I’m sure it will be successful) to set a Guinness World Record I thought that my account of the event would be my one edition of the day. I mean I’m getting older. The stamina is starting to wane. And is the appetite still there? By the time I got home from Bart’s Bash at around 12.30 hours I was feeing slightly tired. I’d been out since before 07.00 hours (and this after watching the firework display the previous evening !) and had “knocked out” an edition (the first to “hit” the Internet – I think). Oh, and I’d drunk four Belikins. Regular if you need to know. But you can’t keep an old dog down and Ziggy (OK he’s a young dog) as a Belizean was insistent that we went to watch the San Pedro Independence Day Parade. So we did. We positioned ourselves in Angel Coral Street (back street) around 13.10 hours (yes I know the parade was scheduled to start at one but this is Belize and …) and sat there and waited patiently. We chose Angel Coral Street because it’s fairly early on in the parade and the participants are fresh and lively. Oh, and you can get some fairly good photos (but I’ll let you be the judge of that).

“Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” – Bart’s Bash in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Bart’s Bash, I now know, is a global sailing and fund raising event set up by The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation to join together sailors across the world to set a Guinness World Record and, more importantly, raise money for charity. For those of you not aware, Andrew “Bart” (nicknamed after THE Simpsons’ character) Simpson, MBE was an English sailor who won a gold medal for Great Britain in the Star class in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was tragically cut down in his prime at only thirty-seven years of age when the catamaran he was training on for the America’s Cup capsized. So what’s this got to do with San Pedro you’re thinking. Well, quite a lot actually because the San Pedro Sailing Club was one of the 754 clubs from 65 countries around the world taking part in this momentous event today.

Maya Culture in Belize
The earliest record known of Maya culture in Belize was back in 2500 BC when they inhabited the area now called Cuello in northern Belize. The peak of Maya civilization was during the Classic Period, which extended from AD 250 to AD 1000. Shortly after this, many Maya societies declined because of a variety of reasons, including disease, soil exhaustion or peasants revolting and massacring priests. Many Maya were living in Belize when the Spanish and the British came in the 16th and 17th centuries. Defeated by the British in 1867 and 1872, they later became integrated into the Belizean society as dispossessed and dependent people. Today, there are only a few Maya who are direct descendants of those ancient people. There are presently three groups of Maya living in various areas of Belize: Yucatec Maya in Corozal and Orange Walk, Mopan Maya in San Antonio, Toledo, and Kekchi Maya in 8 villages in the Toledo District. Although the Maya language group includes 20 diverse dialects, the Maya in the north speak Yucateco, while those in the Toledo District speak Mopanero and Kekchi. Many Maya speak English along with their mother tongue, and many because of long contact with the Spanish culture of Mexico and Guatemala speak Spanish as well.

International Sources

Belize reiterates support for struggle of Saharawi people to self-determination
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize, Wilfred Peter Erlington, reiterated his country's support to the struggle of the Saharawi people to self-determination, indicated a Sahrawi diplomatic sources in Nicaragua. The Foreign Minister of Belize, speaking on the occasion of the celebration of the XXXIII anniversary of independence of Belize in the presence of the Saharawi Ambassador in Nicaragua, Suleiman Hennan Tayeb, expressed the willingness of his Government to strengthen bilateral relations with the SADR. For his part, the Saharawi diplomat conveyed the congratulations of President Mohamed Abdelaziz and the Saharawi Government to the Government of Belize, wishing peace and prosperity for the people of Belize.

Liftend naar een peacefull stukje Belize
Soms kom je door allerlei toevalligheden op een plek terecht die je altijd bij zal blijven. En één daarvan is Hopkins in Belize. Veel onbekender dan het eiland Caye Caulker en ook niet zo gemakkelijk bereikbaar, maar zeker de moeite waard om een paar dagen door te brengen. Met een bus van Belmopan naar Dangriga kun je de buschauffeur vragen je onderweg richting Hopkins af te zetten. Misschien een beetje gek om ergens in the middle of nowhere langs de weg uit te stappen waar geen ‘officiele’ busstop is, maar in veel landen blijkt dit altijd prima te werken en zo ook in Belize. Vanaf daar is de weg naar Hopkins lang en stoffig en met de brandende zon boven je niet te doen om te voet verder te gaan. Don’t worry, er komen voldoende auto’s en trucks met vriendelijke mensen langs, die je met alle plezier een lift geven.

The Alluring Garifuna Sounds of Aurelio
Guitarist and singer-songwriter Aurelio Martinez is the most significant artist in the current Garifuna music scene. Even though some of the first international Garifuna music releases features artists from Belize, Honduras has the largest Garifuna community in Central America. Aurelio grew up in a traditional Garifuna village on the Caribbean coast of Honduras called Plaplaya. Lándini means landing in Garifuna, the place where small boats disembark by the bank of the river when they come back from the sea. On this new album, Aurelio departs from cross-cultural explorations and returns to his musical roots, with an entirely Garifuna album. It’s a touching tribute to the Garifuna people. “I consider this album to be the sound of my Garifuna people,” says Aurelio. “On the previous album [Laru Beya] we experimented and collaborated with other artists to reconnect what was lost between Africa and America. This album is purely Garifuna, and the entire spirit of the music reflects the Garifuna experience.”

Videos

Video: 18th Annual Central American Independence Parade and Festival 2014, 2min.
Commemorating the 193rd anniversary of Central America's independence. Parade from East Tremont Avenue and Southern Boulevard down Boston Road to Charlotte Street and Crotona Park East, followed by festival in Crotona Park between Crotona Avenue and Claremont Parkway

Video: Hasta Alaska - Jungle Life, Belize, 15min.
Talk about off the beaten path...In this episode we follow Eli into the jungle for a day in the life of a local Belizian man....and what an experience it was. We are so glad that we get to share this with you, we hope you like it.

Video: You Betta Belize It, 19min.
Its my first documentary went to the beautiful country of Belize and captured my home church's first mission trip. My weapons of choice are GH4 and C100.

Video: WALADING AKA KING OF BELIZE - NUMBER ONE (ANIMAL INSTINCT RIDDIM), min.
WALADING AKA KING OF BELIZE NUMBER ONE - DANCEHALL REGGAE MIX

Video: Kate Upton Beach Bunny Swimwear Shoot Sanctuary Belize, 2min.

Video: Belize Dance Festival Latino 2014, 12min.

Video: Belizean Artist Preachaman Live Ina sin, 3min.
Promoting his first CD, the Preachaman made his debut on the big stage at Hollywood Park Casino at the 2014 Belize Interdependence Day celebrations. SHOW MORE

Video: Belize People's Front Independence Message, 11min.
Independence day Message from the Leader of The Belize People's Front, Nefretery Nancy Marin

Video: Mike's thoughts while in Belize Sept 2014, 28min.
I talk about what I've seen and learned as I tour the northern part of Belize.

Video: Belize to Xela Sept 2014 part 1, 46min.
The road trip back ends up with on of the many hazards that can happen when in on the road.

Video: Belize to Xela Sept 2014 part 2, 24min.
Join me on my way back from Belize going to Xela, Guatemala.

Video: Visiting The Land In Tropical Belize, 8min.

Video: San Pedro Belize, 2min.
La chiamano la Isla Bonita, Ambergris Caye , meglio nota come San Pedro, il posto ideale per rilassarsi in Belize e da dove partire per le più belle immersioni del Belize. Ringrazio Portofino Resort

Video: BELIZE Pepe Esteban Infantes, 5min.