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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Toucan Gift Shops donates motorcycle to San Pedro Police Department
The San Pedro Town Council continues working hand in hand with the business community as it aims to further assist the San Pedro Police Department. On Tuesday, August 9th, another business establishment contributed towards this effort. Gus Tabony along with his staff of Toucan Gift Shops presented a new Honda motorcycle to Mayor Daniel Guerrero. Guerrero welcomed the valuable donation and also indicated that the motorcycle will be handed over to the police to assist them in their patrolling duties on the island.

Guest Editorial: Section 53 ruling – What does it truly mean?
By Colette Kase. If you have been reading or watching the news or social media, you will have heard that there was a case ruled in the Belize Supreme Court on the 10th of August 2016. You probably know it is something to do with ‘gays’ and you may or may not have an opinion on that. In fact, you probably are not even sure what the case was about. Please allow me to assist. Several years ago I met a young man called Caleb. He was shy, geeky and always just a little bit nervous. He grew up with little or nothing, just like so many other young men, in the south side of Belize City. He also happened to be a gay man. This is where his life differed greatly from many of his peers. You see, Belize was, until the 10th of August, one of 76 countries that criminalise homosexuality in one way or another.

Wolfe’s Woofer: World’s Greatest Fisherman
“I signed up for that fishing seminar with Professor Bob Englehart, the guy from that TV fishing show called World’s Greatest Fisherman.” “What?!” Sherry said. “I’ve never known you to catch a fish. Oh, and that seminar costs a hundred and twenty five dollars.” “Hey, I’m retired and I’m on vacation,” I said. “It’s money well spent.” On our extended Mexican vacation we were at a hotel in Cozumel when I saw the sign in the lobby advertising Professor Bob’s class. I always wanted to be a good fisherman so I went down to the hotel lobby and paid the fee. I was directed to a room where the class was just starting. There were fifteen tables in the room and each table had a grouper lying on it along with several knives

Letter to the Editor: Blackadore Caye addresses Hurricane Earl
Dear Editor: The Blackadore Development Group is saddened by the devastation left behind by Hurricane Earl. We know that many people, including some of our own workers, lost so much, including homes and that flooding continues to be a threat for many of our local brothers and sisters who live along the coast. Nonetheless, we are glad that there were no lives lost and proud to see how everyone has been working around the clock to do all that can be done to restore a sense of normalcy. As well, we are pleased to see the resiliency of the Belizean populace and the camaraderie and bravery shown as everyone continues to work together. We look forward to working with the local community the help to build back our nation as we too, continue to assess the damages to Blackadore Caye. As always, the Blackadore Development Group remains ready and willing to assist however possible.

Doctor Love: BFF and Going Crazy
Dear Doctor Love, Six months ago my friend married a man that she knew for a year and a half. They got married and now she tells me she wants a divorce. Her reasons are that her husband never does anything and is out of work most of the time. With the next breath she told me she is having an affair. I was so shocked that I did not even have a reply. What should I do about it? /s/ BFF

Misc Belizean Sources

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of August 1st – August 13th, 2016
Robert was married here at EL Pescador, he has two lovely children who came to visit this year and they both slammed!!! Elise’s was a super slam, and Emily was the normal run of the mill grand slam. Wow! John G. and John L both slammed the same week, Stephen – Grand Slam, Eric grand Slam times 2!! Almost had a double grand slam one day on his boat. Mike got a tarpon (a big one) and came back and caught a permit off the dock but couldn’t manage a bonefish off the dock… heartbreak! I am still waiting for someone to do a grandslam unguided in our back lagoon or Oceanside flats. Anyone up for the challenge?

Young Belizean Sails into a Top-Ten finish in Canada's International Optimist Dinghy Championship Regatta
Kevin's Belize Sailing School team-mate, Caroline Sersland, who just turned 12, made her last race-day here her best and finished 10th in her fleet. What happens in big international youth regattas like this is the race committee uses the results of the first several days to determine fleets. After those results, Caroline was placed in the fleet comprised of sailors who had not made the top half in the previous days' races. Since Caroline was 16th overall after the first day, it appears too bad she could not hold that. She has 3 more years in Optimists before she becomes too old to compete in them. Her coaches say, "2 yrs. from now - watch out."

Congratulations to Team One Shot - One Kill
They will be representing Ambergris Caye at the upcoming National Belikin 8-Ball Pool Tournament to be held in Orange Walk Town on August 20th and 21st!

Great first farmers market on Caye Caulker!!!
So many thanks to the staff at Farm Fresh Deli - you guys rock!!!

What made woman drive Minister's vehicle into the sea?
Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber says his vehicle was stolen. "I have been made aware that my vehicle was stolen and driven into the sea by Marine Parade in Belize City tonight. Please be assured that I am safe and that I or any authorized driver of the vehicle was not involved. The police is now investigating the theft of the vehicle and I await further details." The driver of the vehicle is well known to the DPM. The original post indicated that the license Plates were removed.

Letter: Belize prime minister's latest moves
Given the untenable socio-economic, financial and moral quagmire in which Belize finds itself, the move by PM Barrow to appoint Dr Carla Barnett as minister of state in the ministry of finance comes as no surprise. In effect, her acknowledged credentials among the multilateral funding agencies, such as the World Bank and IMF, cannot be questioned. Yet it is not lost on the Belize Progressive Party (BPP) that the lack of goodwill the Barrow administration has incurred with the international community is real and in effect, as in all instances the PM seeks to use the new minister of state’s qualifications, for the benefit of his political fiefdom. In keeping with our fundamental philosophy of applying a holistic approach to matters of importance, the BPP highlights the fact that, beyond the impacts of Hurricane Earl, Belize is suffering from a gross case of ineffective leadership, which has done absolutely nothing to address the systemic corruption that is par for the course.

Freak storm in Spanish Lookout
Sunday August 14th. Lots of roofs were damaged and the power lines were down.

Someone wanted a drive Thru Tortilla Shop in Cayo
Hopefully they had insurance.

Griga Youths Summer Basketball Camp
On Saturday, the Future Warriors basketball camp concluded. Children between the ages of 6-15 participated in a one week camp where they learned the basics of dribbling, shooting and defensive stands. The interest and enthusiasm shown by the kids gives us hope that the sport of basketball will continue to develop in Griga. The sponsors who made this camp possible: Nsc Belize, CPBL, Bowen & Bowen Ltd., Isaac Rhys, Tarina Wesby for the delicious sandwiches and the coaches/coordinators who took the time out to make the camp success. Last but not least to the little campers, it would have never been a great success without them.

Flowers Bank Road flooded
Pics taken Friday night into Saturday morning. It is flowing under homes that are along the road.

Rony Jovel Abstract Art Exhibit
The Rony Jovel art exhibit starts this week at the Wildfire Artz Gallery. The opening reception is Sunday, August 21st, starting at 5:00pm. "We are hanging a new art show, erasing all the writings on the wall... we enjoyed a wonderful month of performance art at Wildfire. Stop by and see what's new! "

BTB Strikes Gold with Simone Biles Tweet
The BTB offered Simone Biles and her olympic team to come to Belize, and she accepted. Great marketing there! Congratulations, Simone! "The Belize Tourism Board struck gold when Simone Biles retweeted its offer of a vacation to the Central American country shortly after she won a gold medal in the women’s gymnastics all-around program on Thursday... Biles, whose adoptive mother emigrated from Belize, is a dual citizen of the country and the U.S. and vacations there regularly. The tourism board is offering a five day, all-expenses-paid vacation."

National Garifuna Council Family Day
It's all about the National Garifuna Council Family Day. Alejo Beni Park. Come learn more about your Stann Creek House of Culture.

Soap making workshop starts on Tuesday
Stann Creek House of Culture

The Reporter

UNAIDS says Belize did the right thing with Section 53 ruling
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), applauded Belize this week for striking down its sodomy laws which criminalized homosexual relationships. UNAIDS said that by striking down Section 53 of the Criminal Code, which made gay sex punishable by imprisonment for a period of 10 years, Belize is in a better position to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “This ruling removes a key stumbling block to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men accessing HIV testing and treatment services,” the organization said. The organization added that because of laws like Section 53, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in most of the English-speaking Caribbean are hesitant to reveal their sexual preferences for fear of coming under the force of the law for their preferences. This fear hampers the regional response, because those men are less likely to access HIV testing services.

‘Cocono Bwai’ wins National Song competition
Cecil Jenkins, known on stage as “Cocono Bwai”, is the first place winner of the National Song competition 2016. The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), held the competition at the Fort George Memorial Park on Saturday night, gathering 19 competitors in two categories: National Song, and Carnival Song. A panel of five judges chose Jenkins for his song “Border to Border” which addresses the issue of the Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute. “I’m just going to continue pushing,” Jenkins said, “pushing and promoting ‘Brukdown’ music, which is truly Belizean cultural music.” Jenkins recently released Border to Border on his first studio album entitled “The Prince of Brukdown.” Other winners of the competition included Wilson Grinage, first place in the Carnival Song competition, and Jean Brooks, second place winner of the National Song competition and Breakout Artist of the Year.

Inspirational Promotions preparing for 6th annual back to school trimming drive
Inspirational Promotions, a Belize City-based community organization, is calling on Belizeans to support its sixth annual Back-to-School Haircut Drive. Through the initiative, which will be held at #40 Faber’s Road on September 3 and 4, the organization will provide free haircuts for boys and hair braiding for girls, in preparation for the new school year. As a part of the program, the organization also provides attendees with school supplies, which is what the Inspirational Promotions is reaching out to the community for. Coordinator of the event, Edmund Staine, explained that since many people were affected by Hurricane Earl, a lot of children have lost their supplies for the upcoming year. Staine said that through partnerships, the organization is hoping to assist in making the return to school a little easier for the students.

Breaking Belize News

Simone Biles wins 3rd gold medal
Simone Biles, the 19-year-old American Olympian with ties to Belize, won her 3rd gold medal in the women’s vault final gymnastic category at the Rio Olympics today. Biles, who has said she hopes to win five gold medals, took first place with a 15.966 […]

A bar in the Cayo District sees second murder in three months
A bar in the vicinity of Buena Vista on the road to Spanish Lookout has seen its second death in three months after a murder in which two weapons were used. Police have confirmed that around 5:00 a.m. a man identified as 37 year […]

CNN teaming up with Breaking Belize News for feature on Simone Biles
CNN, one of the world’s largest and leading media houses, will be visiting Belize and teaming up with Breaking Belize News to film a documentary on Simone Biles and the place she considers her second home, Belize. CNN’s documentary follows an article written by […]

PUP leaders calls for Belizeans to respect Chief Justice decision in gay-rights ruling
People’s United Party (PUP) leader John Briceno, via a Facebook post last night, called on Belizeans to “respect each other, and never forget that it is our diversity which makes us strong”. Briceno’s post was prompted by what he described as “disturbing threats and […]

Blogs

A Week in Snapshots Around Belize: Things Getting Back to Normal
Man…what a week! The post Hurricane Earl clean-up and life getting back to normal, the Supreme Court ruling in Belize against the illegality of homosexuality, the Olympics (with Simone Biles who is a US AND Belize citizen) and HOT beautiful weather. I MEAN HOT. I had about 2 and a half minutes to eat this ice cold paleta. Here are some of the photos that I have been posting on my Instagram account along with some others from around the country. A Week in Belize. Just over a week ago, waiting with the cows at San Ignacio’s pretty airstrip to GET BACK TO THE ISLAND after the hurricane. Just two days before I had been evacuated from the Chiquibul Forest where I had been baby-sitting scarlet macaws (this blog is coming tomorrow) – WHAT A GORGEOUS LANDSCAPE.

International Sources

Belize gets IDB funding for hurricane relief
The Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) is providing a grant of US$200,000 to Belize to help in the rehabilitation efforts following the passage of Hurricane Earl earlier this month. The Washington-based financial institution said that the objective of the grant is to support the National Emergency Management Organization’s (NEMO) efforts to assist vulnerable populations in communities damaged by high winds and floods in various parts of the country. It said that based on NEMO’s initial assessment of the most immediate needs, the assistance will support the Belize Government’s efforts to provide the required relief in the “hardest hit communities” in Cayo, Orange Walk and Stann Creek Districts. The funds will be used for food supplies, potable water, materials for temporary shelters, transportation costs, and medicine, among other emergency relief items, the IDB said.

Belize acknowledges tough road ahead in talks with Guatemala
Belize says it is preparing for tough negotiations with the government in Guatemala over the border dispute between them with Belmopan indicating that the “new administration is taking a very different attitude towards the claim than the other administrations”. Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington, speaking on News 5 television on Friday night, said that Belize is maintaining its position that the border dispute, dating back to several decades must be an issue settled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Belize said that as far back as 1939, the Guatemalans had written to the British indicating their intention to repudiate the 1859 treaty regarding the border issue. “Let me make it very, very clear that our most important and most difficult problem is the Guatemalan claim. That is a matter that we should all know everything we can about it and it is imperative that we be completely unity on it because any disunity is going to be exploited by the Guatemalans,” Elrington told television viewers.

Rise Up Belize! Aspires to Help Children
It may seem odd that a nonprofit named Rise Up Belize! would be based out of Sacramento, California. But spend some time with founder Joey Garcia, and it’ll all make sense. At once a U.S. youth mentorship program and Belizean education initiative for impoverished communities, Rise Up Belize! aspires to achieve a lot. Each year Garcia — who was born in Belize but grew up in Northern California — selects a group of 10 high school girls and guides them through an intensive, three- to six-month leadership program. “They learn curriculum development, classroom management, cultural sensitivity, presentation skills, fundraising and how to run a nonprofit,” Garcia says. “Then we take them to Belize.” Depending on the year, Garcia may take her students to Belize City, a rural town like Sandhill Village or the small island of Caye Caulker. Once there, the girls put their newly-acquired skills to work, applying a classroom curriculum they’ve developed into a five-day summer camp they run free-of-charge for the impoverished Belizean children, eager to learn.

Riding out Hurricane Earl
Kevin Chaffee not only traveled to Belize for the first time recently, he got to weather his first hurricane there. "I’ve never experienced wind and rain like that before," he reports. The engineer explains, "My company, Earthtek Environmental, Batesville, designs and builds advanced package wastewater treatment plants." A Florida engineer with whom he had previously worked invited Chaffee to install a treatment plant at Harvest Caye, an island off the Belize coast that Norwegian Cruise Line had purchased for passengers' day trips. There will be a beach, dive shops and restaurants built there. Now wilderness, "It’s (going to be) really nice. I’d like to see it once it’s all finished." The Batesville City Council president flew to Miami July 31, then after a plane delay arrived in Belize City. He took a small plane to Placencia late Aug. 1. The next day, he and two Florida consultants boated out to the island about 10 miles off the coast and worked all day. That night Chaffee learned a tropical storm might be brewing. There was "just a chance it could hit Belize and a chance it could turn into a hurricane. We went out to work Wednesday and at noon the people who were running the island said the storm was coming. It was supposed to hit dead-on in Belize and chances were good it was going to become a hurricane." The Americans boated back to Placencia. Chaffee's first inclination was to seek higher ground, but the Floridians, who had survived hurricanes before, were concerned "once the rain hits the mountains, the roads would become mudslides" and become unsafe.

Missoula's Reneau remembers Olympic experiences
Paul Reneau of Missoula is a former University of Montana sprinter who now spends his days helping young Montanans accomplish their athletic goals through his very own Athletic Development Academy. "I had those basic fundamentals," explained Reneau. "I was just naturally born with them. Not everybody is born with this so my goal is to prepare you for whatever athletics you do." Spend five minutes with Paul Reneau and it's clear he's a master of his craft when it comes to the sprints. But what you might not ever know just from talking to him is that he's actually a former Olympian. Reneau competed in the 1984 summer games and the 1988 summer games for his home country of Belize. In the 1984 Los Angeles games Reneau competed in the 100 meters. He didn't advance past the preliminaries but still had a memorable day running in the lane next to sprinting icon Carl Lewis. "How I got in lane four I have no idea. I beat him out of the blocks. I led him for about 20 or 30 meters or so and then that was it right," laughed Reneau. "Yeah he ended up winning four gold medals that year."

Opposing Corporate Theft of Mayan Textiles, Weavers Appeal to Guatemala's High Court
Guatemala's Indigenous Mayan communities are doubling down in their struggle against the corporations that are increasingly seeking to turn aspects of their culture into commodities promoted to tourists. The struggle is just the latest front in their centuries-long resistance against the forces of conquest, imperialism and genocide. Hundreds gathered outside the Guatemalan Congress and the Supreme Court on May 6 to demand that the government act to protect their sacred textiles from appropriation by both national and transnational companies, and on June 28, Indigenous activists testified at a public hearing in the Constitutional Court in Guatemala City. "There is a strong appropriation of our designs and textiles," Angelina Aspuac of the Women's Association for the Development of Sacatepéquez (AFEDES), the organization spearheading this campaign, told Truthout. "This isn't only the government, but more so, it is the companies that make bags, shoes, and belts with our designs without respecting how we see these pieces within our communities, or their significance in our communities. There are elements of our clothing that are sacred, that have a spiritual significance, and others that are only used in ceremonies or by the spiritual leaders in our communities."

Videos

Belize Mission Trip, 5min. Mission Trip Location: Dangriga, Belize, Central America Date of Trip: June 18-25,

HEFY 2016 Belize 4, 9min.

Belize Sunsail Catamaran July 2016, 10min.

Belize Trip:Hurricane Earl 2016, 4min.

A Spice of Belize - Caye Caulker Lobster Festival | Jack's Jaunts, 2.5min. A long weekend on the island of Caye Caulker in Belize for the yearly lobster festival at the start of July.