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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, and other specials
The San Pedro Sun
Love FM Christmas Parade brings joy to Ambergris Caye
On Sunday, December 11th, Love FM hosted their annual Christmas Parade in San Pedro Town, bringing a festive parade full of colour, music and much Christmas cheer to the island. This year, the main streets of town were filled with brightly lit floats and participants in themed costumes, while hundreds of residents lined the side of the streets for a prime view of the event.
The spectacular show saw elaborate and creative floats from the following organizations: The Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye, Foreva Fancy Boutique, Wings Department Store, ABC Pre-School, the Garifuna Council San Pedro Branch, The Saints Dance Crew, The San Pedro Town Council, Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr., San Pedro Leo’s Club, San Pedro Roman Catholic Marching Band, Isla Bonita Elementary School, San Pedro Walkaholics, Rasta Rentals, and Social Security.
Elvi’s Kitchen celebrates 40 years of great food and service!
Forty years of service is a momentous achievement for any business, and on Saturday, December 10th Elvi’s Kitchen celebrated just such an occasion. Among family and friends, the iconic San Pedro restaurant commemorated four decades of providing excellent food and genuine Belizean hospitality to the community. The event also served as a celebration of the accomplishments of Mrs. Elvia Staines, the pioneer of Elvi’s Kitchen.
Assuming the role of Mistress of Ceremonies was Mrs. Elvia’s granddaughter, Amber Edwards. The event included several speeches from family members, as well as a special meal inspired by the restaurant’s years of service. Officially welcoming those in attendance was another granddaughter, Cindy Staines. Executive Chef of Elvi’s Kitchen, Jennie Staines then took to the podium to share a few words on the importance of this anniversary.
ABC Preschool Christmas Show brings entertainment to Ambergris Caye
The annual ABC preschool Christmas extravaganza brought much joy and laughter to island children on Saturday, December 10th. The children’s show took place at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium featuring a host of animated characters on stage delighting parents and children with another show to remember. Artists from Merida Yucatan, Mexico took on the role of characters from The Descendants, Super Heroes, the Paw Patrol and even Santa Claus, Frosty the Snow Man, Rudolph and the Red Nosed Reindeer!
During each segment of the show children sang and danced along to their favorite musical presentations. Some of the characters even came off the stage to meet and hug their little fans while posing for photos. The show ended with the appearance of Santa Claus, who along with the whole cast, brought gifts for everyone. The ABC Christmas show is a fundraiser held by the school every year, with all proceeds benefiting the educational institution. Lots to eat and drink were on sale, adding to an enjoyable family night out.
Hungarian National arrested in San Pedro for fraud
On Wednesday, December 7th at around 4PM, San Pedro Police detained 62-year-old Nagy Maria Sandorne Dobrai on suspicion of embezzlement. According to San Pedro Special Branch information, there was an international warrant for the Hungarian National on the crimes of fraud and unauthorized financial activities. She was arrested at her residence at a resort in North Ambergris Caye.
According to reports, the warrant for Sandorne Dobrai’s arrest was issued back in April of 2015, following Hungarian police’s raid of her home in Karcag, Eastern Hungary. Sandarne Dobria was the managing director of the travel agency Kun-Mediator, and the raid led to the seizure of 800 fraudulent contracts. According to a report by Daily Nes Hungary “István Dobrossy, who is the lawyer representing the Kun-Mediator clients connected with the embezzlement, the losses caused by the travel agency can be between 5 and 20 billion forints (1 forints = 0.0067BZ), depending on how many clients decide to lodge a complaint, and how many of them would exercise the creditors’ claim.
Ambergris Today
A Starry Night, a cocktail holiday party supporting SHINE ministry was held on Friday December 9, 2016, at Hidden Treasure Restaurant. Proceeds from this event will go toward the SHINE program for girls, Thrive - a high school empowerment program at San Pedro High School, and the SHINE Artisan Project, which will help give business skills and opportunity to women.
Michelle Nuñez’s SHINE Girl’s Club is a youth enrichment program for young girls that stands for Shaping Healthy Identities through Nurturing & Empowerment. The club encourages young people and women in the community by provide resources for them to become who they are meant to be. It is a branch of the On Eagles Wings Ministries (OEWM). Workshops and programs target issues of self-esteem/self-confidence, body image, sexual risk behavior, drugs and alcohol, decision making and communication skills/future goals and ambitions.
Love FM Christmas Parade Lights Up San Pedro
The Love FM Christmas Parade is a much anticipated event during the season in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Hundreds of residents flock to the streets early enough to obtain a great viewing spot in which to enjoy the parade. This year the streets of downtown were jam packed.
Love FM gathers groups, organizations and businesses that wish to participate in the fun and puts together a fun-filled parade full of lights, music and entertainment. This year saw the participation of the Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye, ABC Pre School, Foreva Fancy Boutique, Wings Department Store, the Garifuna Council of San Pedro, the Saints Dance Crew, the San Pedro Town Council, Hon Manuel Heredia, the San Pedro Leo’s Club, San Pedro RC School Marching Band, Isla Bonita Elementary School, Social Security Board, San Pedro Walkaholics and Rasta Rentals.
Misc Belizean Sources
Christmas Tree Lighting
That was a fun Christmas Tree Lighting at the Cayo Welcome Center. The SISE Town Council really had a great celebration this year.
"It was a spectacular night Down Town San Ignacio at the Cayo Welcome Center on the 10th December, 2016, where the official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place. Mayor Earl Trapp Jr. and the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council has joined the caused to share the spirit of Christmas and love for the children of the Twin Town who are the future of our beloved Country Belize. This is indeed a promise kept by empowering our children so that they too can feel the spirit of christmas. Special thank to all the staff who worked tirelessly to make this event a success, especially to Ms. Melonie Usher, Ms. Lisa Gordon, Mr. Jaime Garcia, Ms. Karen Fernandez and Ms. Minnett Zetina who were behind the scene ensuring that all activities for the event were properly organized. Thanks a million to the Business Community who contributed toys. Thank you and may God Bless you all. Merry Christmas!!!"
Krismus Eena Di Paak
Combine “Krimus Bram” with “KREM Krismus” and an array of entertainment and delicious food, and what do you get? A new event called “Krismus Eena di Paak,” a four-day holiday party in downtown Belize City.
Brought to you by The Ministory of Tourism & Civil Aviation; KREM; NICH; and the Belize City Downtown Rejuvenation Project.
December 15 – December 18.
Dec 15 at 12 PM to Dec 18 at 10 PM,
Battlefield Park, Belize City.
The Image Factory Art Foundation announces the public presentation of BAFFU printed magazine
BAFFU printed is an independent magazine published by The Image Factory Art Foundation in Belize. Since June 2014 a small team of five art activists have collaborated to produce nine electronic editions featuring the works of over 300 artists, writers and poets. This effort has accumulated over 900 pages of an unprecedented art record for the country Belize.
The 1st printed publication is a careful compilation of the 9 electronic editions.
BAFFUprinted publication is edited by Katie Usher, Kyraan Gabourel, Briheda Haylock, Rasheed Palacio and Yasser Musa
The magazine is a 48 page (9 x 12 inches) full color document and is for sale at $20BZ.
What the editors say:
It matters to me, that young Belizean artists know that they have a place, that it is ok, normal and even applauded that they want to be artists. (Katie Usher)
Day in, day out, creativity is being beaten out of those who dream by gate keepers who maintain the status quo. Baffu is the freedom we breathe. (Kyraan Gabourel)
Free Dental Services this week at Polyclinic II
Dr. Pierre Boumerhi and a team of dental volunteers from Pennsylvania, USA are back on La Isla Bonita on a quest to provide a week of free dental services at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II from Monday, December 12th to Friday, December 16th.
The dental group of volunteers will dedicate a full week starting from 8AM to 11:45AM and 1 to 5 PM; providing the community of San Pedro with dental services such as cleaning, cavity fillings, fluoride applications and tooth extractions.
Anyone in need of dental services can head to the polyclinic to make their appointments during the hours listed above.
Looking for reliable internet on Caye Caulker?
Looking for reliable internet? Today Tuesday December 13th Smart will here signing up customers. Look out for them right beside Purple Passion. For any questions call 280-2069 or 280-2071 and ask for Magali.
Chief Executive Officer for Education Resigns
Mr. David Leacock, Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for Education, in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture will be leaving this post effective December 31, 2016. In a letter dated September 7, 2016, Mr. Leacock gave notice to the Prime Minister of his intention to resign after he had verbally informed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.
Mrs. Debbie Domingo, current General Manager of Anglican Primary Schools, will succeed Mr. Leacock as Chief Executive Officer, with responsibility for Education, in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture. Mrs. Domingo holds a Masters in Education in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida and Bachelor of Science in Biology Education. Mrs. Domingo has served as a teacher at Wesley College (1987-1984), Vice Principal of the Anglican Cathedral College (1994-2000), Principal of Sadie Vernon High School (2000-2005), Dean for St. John’s College Junior College School of Professional Studies (2006-2011) and General Manager of Anglican Schools (2011-2016). She is the current Chair of the Association of General Managers of Primary Schools and the Vice Chair of the Belize Board of Teacher Education. Her knowledge and experience therefore spans leadership at several levels of the education system.
Environmental Clearance Process Validation Workshop
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change is currently implementing a five-year project entitled, “Management and Protection of Key Biodiversity Areas Project” with funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
The project goal is to support the Government of Belize to achieve inclusive and sustainable natural resource-based growth and to enhance climate change resilience. One of the key components of the project is to support the Department of Environment in institutional strengthening and capacity building for enhanced enforcement of environmental regulations. As part of the Environmental Clearance Process the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has gained widespread acceptance internationally as a tool for sound decision-making for developmental projects. The Environmental Clearance Process is precautionary in its approach to environmental management. It is designed such that potential problems can be identified in time and prevented before they occur, thus the negative effects are eliminated or mitigated. The preferred route in mitigating negative impacts is to identify alternative actions or technologies.
Belizean Entrepreneurs Receive Seed Funding to Expand their Business
Thirty-six young Belizean entrepreneurs were recognized for their hard work during an award ceremony of the EMPRENDE Belize Fund, which was held this morning in the IVET Dining Room, ITVET Campus on Freetown Road, Belize City.
During the award ceremony, His Excellency Charles Liu, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton, Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade & Commerce, presented a cheque for the total sum of US$200,000 to the recipients as part of the EMPRENDE Belize Fund.
The entrepreneurs will receive grant funding of up to US$5,555 each to establish or expand their businesses and will execute their investment plans as approved by the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and the Regional Centre for the Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CENPROMYPE).
The funds are being distributed through the EMPRENDE Belize Fund, under the Regional Programme of Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Financing, which is being funded by the Government of China (Taiwan) and implemented in Central American territories as well as the Dominican Republic to strengthen the MSME sector in these countries. BELTRAIDE is the executing body in Belize.
Cayo Posadas 2016
The Benque and SISE Houses of Culture will be having Posadas, which run from Thursday the 15th to Christmas Eve. The SISE HoC will be open for the 2nd night of Posadas. The Benque HoC usually does something every day.
"Save the date for the Annual Community Posadas in Benque December 15 to the 24th, 2016. Candle light street procession will commence at Our Lady of Mount Carmel accompanied by live marimba music will lead to Benque House of Culture on December 15th, 2016"
Marine conservation Photography in Belize
Here is an excellent chance for Belizean photographers to learn some new skills for a price that will not be offered again anytime soon! For only $1600 or BZ $320/day, take advantage of what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Kindly share with your friends!
Channel 7
BNTU Tells Teachers: Ignore Ministry's Make Up Days, Stay Home, Enjoy Christmas Holiday
Your kids are going back to school early after the Christmas holidays, right? The Ministry of Education has already made it official: school starts on January third, not the ninth. That's to make up in part for the 11 days lost to the October 2016 strike.
But today the Teachers Union sent out a release telling its members - and by extension, parents - basically to ignore that directive.
The BNTU release says that school managements should decide on the formula to make up days - and the six "make - up" days currently on the calendar were planned by the Ministry along with school managers.
The union rejects that model: they say the teachers and the managers should work it out.
So, even though the managers agreed to the Ministry's current plan, the BNTU doesn't. Its release underscores the Education Rule which speaks to a teacher's entitlement to vacation days during Christmas, Easter and July. And the union says the majority of its members plan, quote, "to proceed with the original calendar of vacation days," end quote. That means basically that they plan to ignore the Ministry's makeup days.
Girls Caught Late Night Socializing Taken In, Mother Charged
On Friday police brought in two girls ages fifteen and sixteen after finding them out socializing on Glenn Street in Belize City after curfew hours. After their parents were contacted, the girls' 48 year old mother was arrested and charged for allowing a child to be in a public place between the hours of 8 pm to 6 am. This curfew for underage city residents started when Chester Williams took over as Commander of Southside Police and he told us more about why its enforcement is important...
ACP. Chester Williams, Commander. Southside Police:
"Well you will know that since I took over the division in July of last year, we have been saying that the issue of children roaming the streets of Belize City is an issue and it was one that we had been addressing. First we began with the issuance of a warning letter to parents whose children were found on the streets between the hours of 9pm and 6am. As time progressed, we did pick up a number of children an issued a number of warnings, but it seemed as if some parents are still in the habits of wanting the streets to raise their children. When things go wrong with the kids on the streets, then they began to point fingers at the police, the government, social department, everywhere but themselves."
Off Duty Officer Tried To Help, But Got Stabbed
Late last night an off duty cop was stabbed in the back while intervening in a domestic dispute. PC Raul Juchim was visiting a family friend when two men showed up looking for the family's daughter. After they were denied entry into the home, the daughter went out into the street after them, and her mother followed. When the altercation began to get rough, Juchim intervened and that's when he was stabbed. We heard more about what happened from Southside Police Commander Chester Williams and an eye witness to the dispute.
ACP Chester Williams - Commander Southside Police:
"Police Constable Juchim, who is attached to precinct 2 was socializing in Ordonez Street in the St. Martin's De Porres area when there was a domestic dispute within the area where he was socializing, not involving him. He intervene in the domestic dispute during which the male person who was a part of that dispute inflicted a small stab wound on the police constable. He was taken to the hospital where we was treated and release. The injury sustained is minor, not life threatening, he is currently at home recovering."
13 Year Old Stabbed
Juchim has been treated and released. The weekend saw another stabbing victim, this one a minor. A thirteen-year-old male was socializing with his friends in alley on Dolphin Street in Belize City when they were approached by a person known to them as Winston Staine. An argument between the two parties soon began, which is when the minor was stabbed. Southside Police Commander Chester Williams told us more...
ACP Chester Williams - Commander Southside Police:
"Yesterday, the first incident occurred around 5:30pm thereabout, where a 13 year old was socializing on Dolphin Street in the vicinity of Wesley Upper School when he was accosted by one, Winston Staine with whom him and two other minors had a disagreement, during which Mr. Staine inflicted the stab wounds to the minor. The minor was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he is currently admitted in a stable condition undergoing treatment."
Man Charged For Chopping Stepmom
Last week we told you about nineteen year old Linsdale Flowers who was arrested for attacking his stepmother Consuelo Lopez with a machete. Lopez sustained serious wounds to her arms and head before police arrived on the scene and detained him. Flowers has been in police custody since then, and appeared in court today where he was charged with attempted murder, dangerous harm and deadly means of harm. He was remanded into custody until February 11, 2017.
Flowers' motives are still unknown, but police think that some sort of misunderstanding between the two caused him to get violent. We spoke to Lopez's daughter earlier today, and she told us that her mother is now conscious and is doing much better.
Police Say Corozal Murder Vitim Was Getting Threats
Last week Thursday, we told you about the mysterious early morning murder of Corozal Resident Armando Pelayo. The 36 year-old was shot and chopped multiple times. The cops found him by following a suspicious car, which drove up to his home.
Police wanted to question Pelayo's common-law wife. She was seen leaving the house in tears when the cops found Pelayo in a near-death state at his neighbour's yard.
Police say she left with her mother, who accompanied a driver to pick her up. On Thursday, the Corozal Commander, Sr. Superintendent Dennis Arnold, publicly asked them to come in and speak with the police. After hearing of it on the news, all 3 showed up to be questioned by police, and sources tell us that they were initially not cooperating with the investigators.
A Killing In Cayo
There was another murder over the weekend - this one happened in a remote village in the Cayo District last night at 8:30. It appears to have been the product of a drunken altercation. Courtney Weatherburne went to Yalbac Village today and here's her story:...
Courtney Weatherburne reporting:
Melecio Gonzalez lived in Yalbac Village with his wife and 3 kids. He was the caretaker of this cabbage farm right at the foot of his humble hilltop home.
He would normally be here working on the farm with his co-worker but instead he was found dead last night, his body thrown among the same crops he once kept.
Supt. Richard Rosado, OC, San Ignacio:
"Police visited the scene where a the lifeless body of a male Hispanic person was seen in a lateral position on the roadside next to a farm land with an apparent injury to the right side of his head."
Courtney Weatherburne, 7News:
"And at this point police believe that, he was hit in the head with a rock?"
Richard Rosado, OC, San Ignacio:
"Yes, based on the initial investigation we believe he was hit in the head by one person by the name of Williams with a rock."
Cop Charged For Human Trafficking Related Offences
A police officer has been charged with offences related to human trafficking. On Saturday night after 9:00 a San Ignacio police patrol chased after a heavily tinted SUV. When they caught up with the vehicle, they found PC Edif Alex Sierra at the wheel and 8 undocumented Salvadorans crammed in the back seat - 4 adults and 4 minors under the age of 16. Now, we have heard reports or allegations of police involvement in these kinds of operations but this is the first time a police officer has been directly criminally charged for trafficking related offences. Today police told us more about this major bust and expressed his disappointment with the PC's direct involvement.
Supt. Richard Rosado, OC, San Ignacio:
"Police and a team of volunteer special constable were conducting anti-crime patrols within the Santa Elena Town area and upon reaching in front of the Ministry of Works compound on the George Price Highway, the police attention was drawn to a black in color heavily tinted SUV vehicle bearing no license plates. The said vehicle then overtook the police mobile and the police subsequently intercepted the vehicle. Police subsequently approach the said vehicle and notice that there were 8 persons in the vehicle with the driver."
PM Returns Restored
Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned to the country on Saturday after visiting specialists in New York. A press release says, quote, "He expressed how happy he was to be back home and that he was 'feeling fully recovered'."
The Prime Minister had to extend an official trip last week after he experienced persisting symptoms of gastro-enteritis. He had been hospitalized overnight in Belize before he left.
Things took a more serious turn when the PM went to visit a gastroenterologist in New York and he found a lesion on Prime Minister Barrow's colon. A biopsy was taken, but according to a government press release, the New York specialist is very confident that it is a colonic ulcer and nothing cancerous. The biopsy result will be known at the end of this week.
The Prime Minister was forced to miss Friday's House Meeting and the signing of the UNCAC convention while seeking treatment.
Is Hon. Retreage Rolling Out?
And the PM will need all the strength he can muster because there are challenging days ahead. Persistent reports which we've been hearing from last week suggest that Attorney General and Minister of Natural Resources Vanessa Retreage may be headed for the exit, as in leaving the Government. It is an unconfirmed report at this point, and Retreage wouldn't comment today. But, if she departs, it would be seen as a major blow for the Barrow administration since Retreage has been praised for her integrity and incorruptibility. We're told she has pressing personal issues which are influencing a decision to leave. We'll keep following this story - which we stress is unconfirmed.
Help Him Find His Grandma
Last week we told you about 70 year old Gabriella Mendez, the Maskall village resident who went missing. Well, she still has not been found. Her family and police have searched the surrounding area, but haven't come up with any leads. Now, her family is asking the public to help in locating her. Grandson Luis Payes gave us more details...
Alex Courtenay, 7News:
"Can you please tell us where's the last time you saw your grandmother was and how long has she been missing?"
Luis Armando Payes, Grandson of Missing Woman:
"I saw her since Friday but on Monday my uncle was with her and he went back to the island but we gave her a phone whereby we can contact her everyday as she lives alone. We tried to call her and there was no answer so my uncle said 'Luis go and check up on your grandmother'. When we went there, we saw no sign of her and that became a concern for us so I said 'well I'm going to start looking around the village to see whether she's around a friend or relative'. We made checks and from since then up to now which makes it 8 days we have nothing, no kind of news at all, no signs. We received two instances where two different persons said they saw her in the Maruba Resort area because she's from Maskall Village. We've arranged search parties, the same village members have checked in the forest and all over the place, there's still no sign at this time."
Carl Ramos Ready
All across the country, the Belize Infrastructure Limited has been constructing major sporting facilities in the different municipalities. And this weekend, Dangriga's Carl Ramos Stadium officially opened with their first football match in the new facility.
It is a multi-million dollar stadium which the footballers of that Southern Town had been waiting for, but probably didn't think would arrive any time soon. And, the UDP ministers were certainly enjoying a bit of chest beating; that's after Patrick Faber, John Saldivar and Frank "Pawpa" Mena each made an attempt at a penalty kick.
Here's how that opening in Dangriga looked this weekend:
Francis Humphreys, Mayor - Dangriga Town:
"Carl Ramos Stadium, the only one of its kind in the country of Belize and I say that with all due respect to Minister Saldivar, Isidoro Beaton is a jem, but no other stadium has this kind of location, ambience and the history on which it has been built. So we have a spectacular view, we have a history that is second to none and now we have a facility of which every person in Dangriga and in the country of Belize can be proud. This is value for money."
A Few Good Parcels For Good Folks
On Friday's news, we showed you the big reveal by PUP Parliamentarian Cordel Hyde. He outlined a scheme where 50 adjoining plots of land in Carmelita Village, totalling some 1,600 acres, were acquired by persons related to former Minister Gaspar Vega.
We'll, we've managed to get copies of those documents he was reading from, and our brief review of them reveals a consistent pattern. Take for Example Angelita Cruz. On September 2, 2013, the Ministry of Natural Resources approved the transfer of a parcel of land to her for just under $2,500. Then on August 27, 2013, she then turned around and sold it to the company belonging to Gaspar Vega's brother, German Vega. His company, German Vega and Sons Imports Limited, paid her $12,000 for the purchase, and she made just over 10 thousand dollars profit.
Here in this document, we see that on September 2, 2013, once again, the Ministry of Natural Resources then approved Faviola Cruz for purchase an adjoining parcel of land for a little more than 2,300 dollars. Again on August 27, 2013, she then turned around and sold it for $12,000 to German Vega and Sons Imports, making over $10,000 profit.
One More Well Meant Earl Donation
Hurricane Earl…with all that has happened in the 4 months after that storm hit Belize, it might be just a faint memory to you. But for some, it is still a healing wound that is only just scabbing over.
Well, this morning, the Special Envoy for Women and Children, and a representative from the Inter-American Development handed over donations of $18,425 to 4 four institutions in Belize.
The recipients include the Liberty Children's Home, the Hand in Hand Ministries, the Belize Red Cross, and the Forest and Marine Reserves Association of Caye Caulker. Here's more:
Liberty Children's Home received $8,000 to assist with roof repairs and a greenhouse to provide the children with fruits and vegetables. Hand in Hand Ministries will use their over $7,000 to build a home for a Belize City family of 4 which has been affected by the hurricane.
CDB Gives to SIF
Last Thursday the Caribbean Development Bank approved a loan of US$10 million dollars to Belize. The money will be used by the Social Investment Fund to finance social and economic projects in rural and under-served areas. The aim of the project is to provide these communities with climate resilient infrastructure, basic social services and increase gender equity.
The project is estimated to cost about US$12.5 million, $2.5 million of which is being provided by the Government of Belize.
Elvi's Kitchen: 40 Going On Forever
When we think about the longest established restaurants in Belize, Dit's here in the City is the first that comes to mind: it's been opened for 60 years and counting. After that you might think of Chon Saan which opened up in 1974, and is 40 years old and counting. We're sure there are others across the country who've been holding up for a few decades, but certainly Elvi's Kitchen on San Pedro is one of the most famous. It's the flagship restaurant of that island town which probably has more restaurants per square foot than any other part of the country. But, while so many restaurants on the fickle island paradise come and go, Elvi's just keeps going, getting bigger, more popular and more specialised. We visited for their 40th anniversary celebration on Saturday:..
Jules Vasquez reporting:
San Pedro's restaurant business is probably the most competitive in Belize, every delicate gesture is finely tuned, from presentation, to plating, to service, and, of course, to taste, and on San Pedro no one has done it better, for longer than Elvi's Kitchen.
Baffu's Greatest Misses
Since June 2014, the Image Factory Art Foundation has been publishing an electronic magazine called BAFFU. The independent publication showcases a dazzling array of visual works, poems and stories from visual artists, writers and poets from all across the region.
And this is no newsletter; it's a major production: in fact, since its start two and a half years ago there have been nine electronic editions featuring works from over 300 contributors and a total of over 900 published pages.
Today, was the launch of BAFFU's tenth edition, and this time it's in print. This edition is a compilation of pieces from previous editions. We spoke the three of BAFFU's editors and contributors about the latest installment and where their inspiration comes from...
The publication is available at the image factory bookstore..
Marie Sharp Recognized Again
And another Belizean product has been celebrated in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Export Development Agency has recognized Marie Sharp's Fine Foods as the "number one export success story" in its Exporter Of The Year awards. Caribbean Export put together a video celebrating Ms Marie, and we have a portion of that for you tonight. She talks about her struggles of having her brand name stolen, only to persevere and re-establish her company as a global brand:..
AmbergrisCaye.com 
