Recent Belize News, 11/11/2013 to 11/20/2013, BelizeNews.com

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

National Garifuna Awareness Day observed in San Pedro
This year marks the 181st anniversary of the official arrival of the Garifuna to the coast of south Belize. Thus, November is marked as the month to honor and celebrate the country’s vibrant Garifuna Culture. On Monday, November 18th, schools at all levels throughout Belize held activities to observe National Garifuna Awareness Day. In San Pedro Town, schools and other organizations held separate events encouraging students and local residents to dress in typical Garifuna outfits. At the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS), a Garifuna exposition was held as part of the school’s activities. Featuring music, dance, food, clothing and history presented by the students of the upper division, the expo was colorful and entertaining. Several students were also dressed in traditional Garifuna attire, while different aspects of the Garifuna culture were on display at several booths. From food and their methods of preparation, to musical instruments; the entire atmosphere was filled a fun cultural experience.

Misc Belizean Sources

Garifuna
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez I am a West African With a proud heritage of Islam That was brought by Mansa Musa to the Caribbean My history did not start in 1491-1493 But dates all the way back to dynasties But let’s start with the 13th century I’m saying this publicly To the NGC, who has been labelling we as a minority When in fact we are a majority Joined together by the Caribbean Sea For years it was thought That African and Amerindian was my ancestry by the NGC Until uncles Van Sertima and Theodore Aranda set me free And taught me my real ancestry Of the Gwanini people from Mali Who were conquerors of the sea? Who came to the Caribbean in the 13th Century? Long before Chris-teef-us Com-bus-us Got lost in the Caribbean Sea

LEMESI GARIFUNA
with QueenAl FirstLady at Belmopan City, Belize. (16 photos)

HAPPY GARIFUNA SETTLEMENT DAY
Though commonly referred to as "Garifuna", the people are properly called "Garinagu" and the culture and language are "Garifuna". The Garinagu are recent arrivals to Belize, settling the southern coast of Belize in the early 19th century. The epic story of the Garinagu begins in the early 1600's on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. The Landing by Benjamin Nicholas In 1635, two Spanish ships carrying Nigerian slaves floundered and sank off the coast of St. Vincent. The slaves that survived and swam ashore found shelter in the existing Carib Indian settlements. Over the next century and a half, the two peoples intermixed, intermarried and eventually fused into a single culture, the Black Caribs or Garinagu. By 1773, the Black Carib was the dominant population of St. Vincent. But, European politics began to exert its influence throughout the Caribbean. A series of wars between the French and British on St. Vincent culminated in a final battle on June 10th, 1796, where the French and their Carib allies where forced to surrender and leave the island. Thus would start a journey by the exiled Caribs in search of a home.

SERRE
2-3 fresh fish (about 2 pounds) 2 ounces salt beef, cut in small pieces and trim excess fat 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon thyme 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 large coconut, grated 1 small carrot, diced 1 green plantain or 2 green bananas 1 bell pepper, chopped Lime juice or vinegar (to clean fish) Boil salt beef in 2 cups water until tender. Clean fish, wash with lime juice or vinegar. Cut each fish in serving pieces and season with salt and pepper. Grate coconut. Add 2 cups water and squeeze to get thick milk. Set aside. Prepare vegetables. Cover and set aside. Put milk in sauce pan. Stir constantly until milk reaches boiling point. Add salt meat, onion, plantain or bananas. Cook until tender. Add carrots and fish. Simmer until fish is tender. Taste for seasoning. ENJOY!!

Rotaract Toy Drive
Rotaract is having their 5th annual Toy Drive over the next month. The big night is Saturday, December 21st, at Hode's. They'll be putting drop-off boxes around, so if you want one, or can donate in any way, let them know. Thanks, Rotaract! "This Christmas season help us bring smiles to deserving children of San Ignacio/Santa Elena and surrounding communities!"

Sweet Belize Official Video
Happy Garifuna Settlement Day! David Smith released the official music video for Sweet Belize yesterday to celebrate the holiday. Not only is It a beautiful song, but the video complements it perfectly, and starts off with some Garifuna drumming. Keep up the great work, David Smith! "SWEET BELIZE MUSIC VIDEO BY David Smith Ft. Verlie Lamb, Dale Kevan Guzmand & BAY drummers. Directed by David Smith Produced by Roots and Honor Records Executive Producer: David Daniel Smith Filmed by Trey Cabb Edited by Trey Cabb & David Smith Music by Mervin Budram - MD Lights by Desmond & Shalwa Leslie SPECIAL THANKS to George Price Centre for Peace and Development, Belmopan Active Youth, Carolyn Williams, Roots and Honor Records, Technological Advancement Services, Belmopan public."

Cornerstone Jewelry Making
Feelgood news of the day. The Cornerstone Foundation has a new volunteer, and she came up with some great ideas for lunchtime activities: jewelry making. Thanks, Cornerstone, for making the community a better and brighter place. In related news, Cornerstone's new base of operations is coming along nicely, and will be finished in January. They are having their 80's Splash Down fundraiser on December 7th at JJ's. "Thanks to new volunteer, Jackie, the kids are making bracelets, rings, and necklaces with beads! Great lunchtime activity and amazingly beautiful creations!"

CTV3

O/W East Area Rep. And Town Council Join Hands To Assist Flooded Victims
Last week we aired the story of flooding in the Louisiana Area. With the constant torrential rains, several families living in the area were preoccupied that the flooded waters would enter their homes since their yard was already saturated. As we spoke to a few residents they raised several concerns and pleaded for assistance. Tonight we are happy to report that Orange Walk East Area Representative, Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, joined forces with the Orange Walk Town Council to assess the situation and find a remedial solution to the problem of flooding in the affected areas. Here’s what they told us today. DR. TULIO MENDEZ – Area representative, OW East “I could see that areas of Orange Walk East have been affected, specially the street, not only here the ones that are close to the riverside but also Juventus, Cuello Street, Father Larry Street that are over to the next side and we are just making an assessment to see which ones we are going to be dealing with first, but of course even dreamed this bad weather I would say within there was time that it looked like the un was going to come up and you could see that there are some areas that they had already been putting some of the white material to try to improve the street, but of course we had more rain and you could see that all the street are all muddy for the vehicles to pass through but this area here very close to the river the flooding has really affected many of the areas as you could see this street here we had to elevated a little bit more to make it more accessible to the children that are going to school and to the parents that are being affected.”

Another Hike In The Price Of Butance Gas
The price per a hundred pound cylinder of butane changed again on Saturday. The good news is that consumers now have a choice as to which butane they want to use: the expensive one or the cheap one. The new controlled price per 100 pound cylinder for LPG imported by Belize Gas Limited and Western Gas Company Limited from Pemex in Mexico will be sold here in Orange Walk for $122.00 instead of $119.00. In Corozal the price stands at $121.00. While the LPG imported from Mexico saw an increase of $3.00, the 100 pound cylinder of butane imported from within Central America by Belize Western Energy Limited, Southern Choice Butane, Zeta Gas and Gas Tomza Limited, now sells for $117.00 in Orange Walk and $116.00 in Corozal as it saw a reduction of $2.00. The prices established for LPG are based on the mixtures of 60:40 propane/butane and 90:10 propane butane respectively. The difference on the prices is attributed to the scarce supply of butane during the winter months which has an effect on the Belizean Market.

Full Gospel Church Holds Dental Clinic
The International Health Outreach volunteer dentists are back in Belize and this time around, they are screening and treating children and adults in San Jose Village. CTV3 News’ Maria Novelo was at the Full Gospel Church where the dental clinics are being held and filed this report. Maria Novelo- - Reporting More than a hundred villagers from the community of San Jose took advantage of the visiting teams dental clinics that opened today. A total of 4 Dentists, 2 General Hygienists and other volunteers make up the International health Outreach team that is visiting from the US and providing free dental care to those in need. ERIC SEREMSKI – General Dentist “Primarily we came down here to teach other dentist from the United States, how to treat children in a better way without having to take their teeth out, without using drill, we use a mini sand blaster and we use ozone which kills bacteria that caused cavities so it is easier than using drills and shots, so that is why we came down her to try to teach these dentists how to use that.”

Man Detained Pending Charge For Indecent Exposure
Man from the village of Concepcion in the Corozal District is tonight detained pending charges of exposure in public and out of all places at the Catholic Church. A 64 year old female Mexican National, residing in Corozal Town, reported to police that at about 8:00am on Saturday, she was at the Corozal Town Catholic Church compound situated on 1st Street South, when a male person unknown to her approached her and uttered the following words in Spanish “I do not want any kind of help what I want is to rape you”. The individual, described as being of clear complexion, then brought down his pants, held his private part and told the woman that he was “ready”. The woman ran into the church and locked the door. Even though he tried, the individual was unable to open the door. Police have detained 40 year old Eduardo Grant, Belizean laborer of Concepcion Village, pending investigations.

BSCFA Gets Tough With BSI
Will there be a meeting between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the Belize Sugar Industries Limited in Belize City tomorrow? Our best guess is there won’t. In a response letter sent to BSI today and made public to the media, the BSCFA states that the only way the meeting will take place in Belize City tomorrow is providing that the agenda for the meeting deals solely with the conclusion of the negotiation of the new commercial agreement including the payment for Bagasse. Now, viewers might recall that in their letter sent to the BSCFA on Friday, BSI categorically stated that when it comes to the Bagasse issue, all that will be discussed is the basis on how the dispute between the parties on the matter of the claimed payment for Bagasse can be dealt with. With both parties playing hard ball, there is no telling when a compromise will be reached. In the meanwhile, what we can tell you is that the opening of the 2013/2014 crop season, tentative for November 25th is in jeopardy and the stability of the Sugar Industry is at stake. As previously mentioned, the BSCFA is asking BSI to pay cane farmers $10.00 per every ton of Bagasse used by BELGOGEN to produce electricity which is sold to the national grid. BSI, on the other hand, maintains that cane farmers have made no investment in BELGOGEN hence there should be no revenue sharing. We understand that up to news time BSI has not responded to the BSCFA if included in tomorrow’s agenda will be the payment for Bagasse.

LOVE TV

BTL Park Will Be Done By the Christmas
Exactly three weeks ago Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley updated the media that the renovation of BTL Park would be completed in 41 days and that the newly refurbished park would be officially opened on December 7th. Well the rains have been almost constant since then so we took the opportunity to ask Bradley if this has affected the scheduled re-launch of the park. DARRELL BRADLEY “In relation to BTL Park, we have noticed that there has been a setback. The date that we have set, 7th December to launch the park has been forecasted, all things being even, including the weather. The three weeks have really held us back. One of the things that we are looking at is that the contractors are really working well, they worked on the weekends; they worked this weekend, I did an inspection out there and so we are going to make a final decision as it relates to the launch but even if there is to be a delay, I don’t expect that it will be more than a week or so and we are expecting that the park will be opened before the Christmas holidays.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Tour company in SP looking for catamaran (E2) captains
New tour company in San Pedro is searching CAPTAINS with E2-license (CATAMARAN LICENSE), please apply to [email protected] or call 6217245

Blogs

A Beautiful Morning for The Garifuna Landing, Music and Dancing in Punta Gorda, Belize
Today is a holiday in Belize – Garifuna Settlement Day to commemorate the landing of the Garifuna people in Belize. This morning we woke up EARLY to join the dawn re-enactment and parade to the Catholic church in Punta Gorda. It was pretty special. But since I am off in just 20 minutes, I’ll keep it short for now and fill in the details. Here are some pictures.

Aji Tapa Bar and Restaurant opening party
Aji is ambient any time, the pathways and tropical jungle feel are great for daytime dining, at night the trees are all lit up and it looks beautiful. I love how even though there is room for lots of people, it feels so private, like you have entered a secret garden with a great DJ. The surroundings are not the only thing that is amazing, Chef Hugo, Victoria, Susan and their staff always make us feel welcome, full and content. Aji Restaurant is open daily 8:00am – 10:00pm and it is worth dropping by in the afternoon, Aji offers great food and drink specials with their a daily tapas happy hour from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Follow link the full Aji menu including breakfast, lunch, dinner and Tapas. Info for fist time visitors – Aji Tapa Bar and Restaurant is located 2.5 miles north of the Boca del Rio Bridge and bike-able for the more adventurous. If you are driving a cart to Aji it will cost you $10 BZE to cross the bridge and $2 by bike, there is no guarantee what the roads will be like. If you are taking the Coastal Xpress water taxi, the dock to get off at is Grand Caribe and walk a minute down the beach. Any way you choose get there, Aji is well worth the trip.

Feeling like an “Englishman in New York” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Not a great deal to ‘report’ on about yesterday. Goes without saying (so why am I saying you are probably thinking) that I got up (early – think it was around 04.45 hours. Must get batteries for that clock and fix it on the wall!), made the mug of black coffee, unplugged the iPad, grabbed the chair (how do I manage so many things at virtually the same time?) and ‘hit’ the veranda. Spent some time looking at the lists (and I mean LISTS given the number of times we have attempted to place orders with Walmart) of stuff we are going to ship from Miami for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize to make certain that we hadn’t overlooked (a kind way of saying forgotten) anything. And we had! What about the folding chairs for when we want to fish from the sea wall at the end of the garden? Oh, and the wrench and ratchet set so that I can easily remove (and replace) the cargo box on the golf cart. And the projecting alarm clock (don’t need it to wake me up but it would be good to know when I wake up if it is tomorrow or yesterday, if you understand what I mean. No? Well have a few mugs of black coffee and you might!).

The Big Cats of Belize
Of the five native species of big cats prowling the Belizean jungle, it is the elusive and magnificent jaguar that everyone touring Belize wants to see. It is only a very lucky few who have actually seen any of these beautiful feline predators in the wild. Jaguar – - – Felis onca coati One of the largest of the Central American carnivores, it was once fairly common in coastal mangroves, lowland savannas, and wet and dry shrub lands and forest up to about 3000 ft. elevation. But because its conspicuous tracks, the high value of its pelt, its reputation as a stock killer, and its vulnerability to hound pursuit and still hunting, this cat is now rare except in parts of large unhunted reserves.

Settlement Day '87
Garinagu Settlement Day 1987 in Dangriga, Stann Creek, Belize. A segment on Belize All Over, Great Belize Productions.

Garifuna Settlement Day 2013, Seine Bight
The holiday celebrates the settlement of the Garifuna people in Belize after being exiled from the Grenadines by the British army. I was particularly impressed with the guys that pulled the boats the whole way- about 1 mile.

International Sources

Shyne Shows Off His New Wife
Former Bad Boy rapper Shyne is now a married man. The Belizean rapper became an orthodox Jew after his released from prison in 2009. He was deported to Belize and later immigrated to Israel. Shyne posted these photos on his Instagram of his wife.

New World Oil & Gas Says Continuing To Work On 75% Share Subscription
New World Oil & Gas PLC Wednesday said it is continuing to work with Niel Petroleum SA to finalise its proposed subscription for over 75% of New World's shares. The oil and gas exploration and development company, with operations on Belize and Denmark, said it will make a further announcement when all matters have been resolved and it expects to be able to do so later this month. New World Oil and Gas has repeatedly announced delays to the investment, approved by New World shareholders on September 12. Niel Petroleum is buying 2.19 billion shares in New World for USD25 million, while also providing a USD25 million debt facility.

The Moroccan-EU plan for sustainable fishing exposed
Watch how the fishing vessel, the Moroccan fishing vessel, Adrar, flying the Belize flag, sucks up literally tonnes of fish, then sprays them all overboard back into the sea, without using them, steeped in their own blood and guts. These photographs were taken, as you can see in the document scanned below, at 24º South, meaning inside Western Sahara waters. In these photographs it is estimated that sixty tonnes of Saharawi fish were literally wasted by Morocco. Why did the Moroccan's do this?

Jaguars Obsessed with Calvin Klein Fragrance
Calvin Klein Obsession for Men doesn’t just attract cougars...it also works on jaguars (actual jaguars). Rather than paying an army of field assistants to observe the elusive cats, wiildlife biologists often deploy cameras in jungles from Guatemala to Nicaragua to capture images when these solitary, nocturnal cats pass by. But how do they lure the big cats in front of the camera? After testing many different fragrances, one researcher now swears by Obsession, which, according to The Guardian, contains synthetic "animal notes" similar to those secreted by cats. Every bottle of Obsession is made with a chemical called civetone, which is derived from the scent glands of the cat-like civet, Miguel Ordenana, a biologist with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, told Scientific American. “What we think is that civetone resembles some sort of territorial marking to the jaguar, and so it responds by rubbing its own scent on it.”

You’ll Never Guess How Biologists Lure Jaguars To Camera Traps
Field biologists are increasingly turning to camera traps to collect data. The set-up is really simple: when an animal passes in front of a camera, an infrared sensor becomes activated, and the camera silently snaps a photo. Sometimes – especially for camera traps designed to detect nocturnal species – an infrared flash, invisible to most mammals and birds, is used. The photographs generated from camera traps can then provide researchers with far more data than they would be able to collect themselves with more traditional field observations. Often, this allows them to generate photographic evidence of a species’ natural behaviors without the confounding effects of direct human observation. It allows them to collect data continuously, throughout the day and night. And a camera trap can help researchers collect evidence of rare species or rare behaviors, as was demonstrated last week when a camera trap captured a golden eagle preying upon a sika deer. Or they could help researchers come face-to-face with an animal that might otherwise be dangerous or harmful. An array of camera traps is also more cost efficient than paying an army of field assistants to observe animal behavio or to conduct a census.

You Can Have Either Climate Justice or a Climate Treaty
In the wake of the devastation to the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan, a long-standing claim for “climate justice” has re-emerged with new force. Countries vulnerable to more devastation, as temperatures rise, want rich countries that have benefited from industry that produces greenhouse gas emissions to pay them reparations. Advocates argue that climate change negotiations, currently being held in Warsaw, should aim for a climate treaty that forces the climate wrongdoers to pay the climate victims. This would mean countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Kenya getting money from countries like the United States so that they don’t alone bear the cost of a global carbon dioxide overload that they did little to cause. It sounds great—but such an approach would doom the prospects of a climate treaty, and the argument for it doesn’t add up. Climate justice trades on a powerful moral intuition, embodied long ago in Aristotle’s principle of corrective justice: A person who wrongfully harms another person owes compensation to the victim. The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere today are mostly the result of fossil fuel consumption that goes back more than a century, most of which took place in the United States and Europe. These countries are thus disproportionately responsible for the harm being visited on poor countries. But there is less to this argument than meets the eye.

The Effect of Cannabis on Pregnant Women & Newborn
It’s almost too taboo to discuss: pregnant women smoking marijuana. It’s a dirty little secret for women, particularly during the harrowing first trimester, who turn to cannabis for relief from nausea and stress. If you were to inquire about pot and pregnancy on the Web, Baby Center offers a strongly worded warning from Gerald Briggs, pharmacist clinical specialist. Briggs says that pot affects the baby’s growth and development and—gasp!—may even cause childhood leukemia. But there are no facts or studies attributed to back up the claims. More than 50 pages of comments were posted to the site about Briggs’ statements. Some proclaimed the virtues of smoking marijuana while pregnant, offering proof of healthy children and stories of functioning during pregnancy thanks to cannabis. Other comments viciously showed disdain for pregnant patients, resorting to name-calling. Pregnant women in Jamaica use marijuana regularly to relieve nausea, as well as to relieve stress and depression, often in the form of a tea or tonic.

Go Wall Diving in Belize on the Sun Dancer II Liveaboard
Associate Publisher David Benz traveled to Belize to dive Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Atoll aboard the luxury live-aboard Sun Dancer II during an owner's trip/wine appreciation week. And he made the most of it! See his trip in a stunning photo gallery. DIVING IN BELIZE ABOARD SUN DANCER II Three of the four only true atolls in the hemisphere, Turneffe, Lighthouse and Glover's Reef lie just over the horizon from Belize's mainland, beyond the barrier reef. These living rings of mangroves and reefs aren't volcanic like Pacific atolls; they're the result of thousands of years of coral building upon coral. Because of this buildup, Belize is a wall diver's paradise. Sheer walls like Painted Wall, Half Moon Caye Wall and Quebrada are adorned with huge crimson gorgonians and giant orange elephant ear sponges. Moray eels, spiny lobsters and tiny arrow crabs hide in every crack, crevice, cave and tunnels of these beautiful coral formations. The five-and-a-half diving days aboard the Sun Dancer II are spent along sheer walls interrupted by sand channels, where you'll encounter cruising pelagics — eagle rays, Caribbean reef sharks and more. At Half Moon Caye, you can go ashore to see one of the world's largest red-footed booby colonies.

KUBULI Belize/ Garifuna Drummers Commercial 2013
Kubuli Belize_ This November, Enjoy Belize's Unique Garifuna Culture & Music and Celebrate with Kubuli ! Kubuli is the NEW Up and Coming Beer in Belize! Directed by Richard Holder. Filmed & Edited by Richard Holder & Kenneth Grant. Kubuli Lager is Distributed in Belize exclusively by RC Imports Ltd.

November 19, 2013

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

One injured in shootout between Coast Guard and civilians
San Pedro Police are reporting that there was a shooting incident between members of the Belize Coast Guard and civilians. The incident occurred on Saturday, November 16th, on northern Ambergris Caye and resulted in one person shot. According to San Pedro Police, Belize Coast Guard Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis visited the San Pedro Police Station and reported that a team of Coast Guard officials went on a boat operation just South of Mexico’s Border sometime around 7:30 AM. Upon reaching the old Fisheries Department base on the north-eastern side of the island, they saw six males one of whom was a distinguished by his dread locks) who, upon seeing them, opened fire at the Coast Guard vessel. The Coast Guard team, returned fire injuring a male person. That person was identified as 24-year-old Frank Edwards, a Belizean fisherman of San Mateo area of San Pedro Town. Also captured were two males, 20-year-old Leonard Williams, a Belizean fisherman, and 22-year-old Guillermo Salazar, a Belizean fisherman, both of San Mateo area of San Pedro Town.

Over 13% of Belize’s population living with diabetes
Rice and beans, stewed chicken, potato salad and a couple slices of fried plantain is the traditional dish that most Belizeans enjoy. This is a dish completely packed with carbohydrates that, when broken down in the body, turns into sugar. It is considered one of the many unbalanced meals of Belizean society, something that was given highlighted during International World Diabetes Awareness Day on November 14th. To mark the occasion, the San Pedro Diabetes Association teamed up with local San Pedro Town medical doctor Giovanni Solorzano and a few medical students to conduct a public awareness day on the island. Free screenings for diabetes and hypertension were done at three locations – San Mateo, Escalante/DFC area and outside of the San Carlos Medical Clinic in the downtown area. “The purpose of the screenings was to identify people living with diabetes, give them a plan, teach them how to eat properly and refer them to a medical doctor.”

Follow Up Workshop on Utilization of IBIS
An expert from Canada was in Belize over the past week conducting a three-day workshop with personnel from the National Forensic Science Service who operate the Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) donated to Belize by the Canadian Government. Mr. Zencovich, who has been coaching IBIS operators for over 13 years, said he is very impressed with the progress made thus far by personnel at the National Forensic Science Service in applying the training they receive to operate the system. He noted that they have succeeded in creating a healthy database and establishing precise protocols in order to fully integrate the system into their daily tasks and overall function. He said he is very pleased with the extraordinary effort being put in by the entire management and staff to make the system and the program work for Belize.

The Police Drama Club raises awareness through skits
The Police Drama Club is a group comprised of several police officers that together raise awareness on various social issues affecting our communities. The club was started in 2011, and began actively performing in 2012. On Friday November 16th, The Police Drama Club traveled to San Pedro Town to perform two skits for San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School and San Pedro High School. The first of the two skits focused on domestic violence while the second focused on peer pressure. Both skits portrayed cases that are relative to our communities such as domestic violence among spouses and how youth can become involved in delinquent behavior as a result of peer pressure. The skits incorporated the portrayal of the various cases along with the proper legal procedures that could be taken in such instances. Sergeant Stephanie Grinage of the Belmopan Police Unit also recited original poems at the end of each performance.

Ambergris Today

Belizean Culture at its Best at School Presentations
Schools on the island take pride in putting on some great cultural presentations for their students and for the community to enjoy. Students are asked to participate on such activities, make poster presentations, dress in cultural attire and even prepare samples of food. On Friday, November 15, 2013, Holy Cross Anglican School held its annual cultural day where displays of various ethnic groups found in our beautiful Belize were exhibited. Students were dressed as Maya, Mestizo, Garifuna, Creole, East Indians and Mennonites. Music, traditions and food were on display for all to enjoy!

Pic of the Week: Garifuna Settlement Day National Holiday in Belize
A young Garifuna Jankunu dancer prepares his costume before his dance performance on the beach at Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District, Belize. He is part of the Garifuna group that performs at the Lebeha Drumming School in the village. (Click here for Lebeha Drumming School article, pictures and video) Belize observes Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19 in honor of the rich culture, heritage and history of the Garifuna people of the country. Festivities take place around the country under the theme "Let us progress in unity with God's goodness and the protection of our ancestors". In San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro Town Council, in collaboration with the San Pedro Branch of the National Garifuna Council, Ministry of Tourism & Culture and the San Pedro Cultural Committee have prepared the following two events:

Misc Belizean Sources

CANNABIS WARS
I actually wrote some of this letter back in September this year, but nobody would print it for whatever reason. Now, I see on TV ch7, the BDF acknowledging this secret operation against the people of Belize, in which they claim to have destroyed 30 million dollars worth of weed with the help of the US military. What is up with the US? Last year in the US the voters approved legalization for all uses, including medical, recreational and industrial uses at state levels. Many who opposed the legalization made great predictions of doom and gloom if the people voted for legalization. Well guess what, a little over a year has gone by and the sky did not fall. To the contrary, it is creating an uplifting of the spirits, of millions of people and their families who have lived for decades under these unjust laws with the constant fear of being caught, and is creating a financial tsunami, for the people and the government. While 20+ states in the US have currently legalized cannabis in one form or another, the federal government after having great pressure applied by the voters, is now paying attention to the people and allowing state law to prevail. The people have spoken so loud to the government through the initiative process and current science, that the elected officials in most states and the federal government are now drafting laws to legalize cannabis on their own. Throughout the world today governments have lost all credibility involving the war against cannabis. The dominos are falling at a far greater rate than anyone could have anticipated just one year ago. It is a failed policy and subject to doom soon.

GARIFUNA SETTLEMENT EVE (15 photos)
The San Pedro Town Counil in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, the San Pedro Garifuna Council and the San Pedro Cultural Committee put together a line up of entertainment to celebrate the eve of Garifuna Settlement Day. At the event, we witnessed various remarks from Mr. Elroy Castillo, Deputy Mayor Mr. Guillermo Paz, Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Mrs. Julia Martinez and Mr. Francis Arana. The event followed with cultural presentations by a few local dance groups.

CELEBRATING GARIFUNA SETTLEMENT DAY (20 photos)
Members of the Garifuna Council of San Pedro visited the San Pedro Town Council and gave an outstanding performance.

COME OUT AND AND LIVE THE VIBRANT AND COLORFUL CULTURE AND PEOPLE OF THE GARINAGUS! An Event you don't want to miss!
Starting 11am at the Central Park

A Feast for Forests
A Feast for Forests, a fundraiser for the International Forestry Student Association, will be next Tuesday, November 26th, at the Kerasi Lounge in Belmopan. P42 Designz did a great job on the fliers. "We are proud, and extremely excited, to to announce that IFSA -UB is the newest member of this burgeoning community. We are thrilled to be able to invite you to our first official fundraiser which will help send a number of students abroad, and will help us develop the first IFSA Forest Corps., a functioning natural disaster response unit, and student research vessel. So please, come out and support us, help strengthen the education of today's youth."

Tabby Johnson Coming to Cayo
Tabby Johnson, the Canadian Jazz, Blues, and Gospel singer, will be performing at the Soul Project on December 14th. She is performing to help the Winsom Foundation raise funds to provide scholarships for students from Cristo Rey.

Cayo Family Day
The Cayo Youth Movement is having a family day today to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day. The festivities will take place at Falcon Field, starting at 9:00am. There will be games, food, drinks, a raffle, a basketball marathon, and live music too. Have a great Garifuna Settlement Day!

Through Caity's Eyes Exhibition
The George Price Centre is launching a new art exhibit today, starting at 6:00pm. It's entitled 'Through Caity's Eyes,' and it sketches and drwaing from young Belizean, Caitlyn Tillett.

Belize Hosts UNCAF Football
The UNCAF U-16 matches are this week, at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, and Belize plays every night at 7:00pm. Nicaragua tonight, then El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica on Friday night. If you can't make it to the games, you can see them on most TV stations. Go, Jaguars! In related news, they have some cool t-shirts for sale. http://donatebelizefootball.org/merchandise.html "Don't forget to come out and support our Baby Jaguars as they participate in the UNCAF U-16 Tournament. Venue: FFB Project Stadium in Belmopan."

Consejo roads, dump a mess
Residents of Consejo area are pleading to the relevant authorities to mitigate their current road and dump site conditions. Many Villagers and residents today have been unable to drive to town on small vehicles. The garbage dump site is a serious health problem and concern. Some residents made their way to town today by chartering a boat at approx. $150.00 R/T.

Corozal history
This Friday, November 22, Mr. Jesus Ken will speak on Corozal history growing with the political movement. We are kindly requesting your presence. Lecture will commence at 7:00 P.M. at the Corozal House of Culture. The Corozal House of Culture values the importance of oral historical retrieval and is pleased to present the final lecture in the ‘Perspectives of our Past’ Historical Lecture Series. The lecture series is a vital link into Corozal’s distant and not so distant past. Corozal's rich history will be exposed through the words of our elders.

Channel 7

Mayor Says Councilor Elrington Must Learn to “Comport Herself”
On Friday we told you about Thursday evening's ugly spat between Mayor Darrell Bradley, City Administrator Candice Burke and Councilor Alifah Elrington-Hyde. According to our reports it ended when the mayor called for city constables to eject Elrington-Hyde from the building. Today the mayor confirmed that what should have been a simple problem got very heated when councilor Elrington-Hyde started yelling at the city administrator. And what was it all about? As we reported, it started with a ticket that the City's traffic Department put on the pickup truck used by the city's Special Constables. On Thursday afternoon, the pickup was parked in front of the Commercial Center when the traffic manager ordered his warden to give it a ticket. From there it became an issue between the City Administrator and Councilor with responsibility for traffic Alifah Elrington-Hyde. Elrington-Hyde went to see the City Administrator in person, and that's when things got turned up! The City Admin's office is right next to the mayor's, who happened to be babysitting his infant child that day - the baby's nap ended when the shouting started. The mayor told us he heard a ruckus starting and went to see what it was about:...

Coast Guard Caught In Rocky Point Shootout
Rocky Point on Northern Ambergris Caye is a known drug hotspot. The remote area is close to Mexico and many lives have come to a violent end there over the years. This weekend, that reputation for violence was re-confirmed when the Coast Guard came under fire and shot a man there. Around 7:30 on Saturday morning, the Coast Guard was on an operation around 7:30a.m. when they came upon a camp near Rocky Point. 7News spoke to Commander Elton Bennette, the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, and he told us that when the Coast Guard approached the old fisheries base, they saw about 5 men, one of whom fired at them. The Coast Guard returned fire, hitting 24-year-old Frank Edwards to the buttocks with the bullet exiting the left hip. Edwards along with 20-year-old Leonardo Williams and 22-year-old Guillermo Salazar, all fishermen from San Pedro, were detained. The gunman and a fifth persons escaped. Still, the men will be charged for 270 grams of marijuana found in the area.

City Man Shot, Same Time, Same Place 10 Months Later
On Friday night, Belize City resident Paul Alvarez was shot for the second time this year, at almost the same time and same place and same night that he got shot 10 months ago. He was shot at 7:35 pm in January of 2013 on Lovely Lane - that was a Friday night. Well, again, last Friday night November 15, he was on Lovely lane when he was shot at about 7:40 pm. He survived again, but we understand his condition is considered quite serious as he was hit to the jaw and throat. Police have not issued a report, but his family told us that shortly before the shooting, the 21 year old was talking to his mother who warned him that she saw some suspicious characters in the area. He crossed the street to stand at the corner of Lovely Lane and Victoria Street when a gunman rode up and shot him once to the face. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was on life support up until yesterday. He is now critical but stable but doctors are saying that he may never speak again because of the damage to his vocal chords.

Cane Farmers Tell BSI They Will Meet, But only On One Condition
When we left you on Friday, it was with the news that BSI had capitulated and agreed to table the discussion of bagasse for a special meeting tomorrow. The BSI letter said, they are willing to discuss, in non-prejudicial talks, quote, "how the dispute between the parties on the matter of…payment for bagasse can be dealt with," end quote. Well, the cane farmers sent their response to that invitation this evening, and it is not encouraging. The letter says, quote, "we are prepared to meet with your at the time, date and venue proposed…provided that the agenda for the meeting deals solely with the conclusion of the negotiation of a new commercial agreement including the payment for bagasse. Now, the BSI meeting as proposed is not to discuss a new commercial agreement; and the bagasse subject is only being added as a non-binding sidebar. So where do things go next? Well, in their letter today, the Cane farmers tell BSI "Kindly confirm your agreement to our response." Up to newstime, no response was forthcoming, which likely means no meeting will be held as planned tomorrow. That means - with a week to go before the harvest is scheduled to be opened, the standoff over bagasse continues and this vital industry remains imperiled.

Mayor Says Council fixing 17 Streets After Rains
The rains have been unusually heavy for the last three weeks - and it has left streets and roads all over the country in a state of ruin. And even in Belize City - where 93 streets have been cement-paved, dozens of the older roads have been run to ruin by the rains. The city has 520 streets - to fix all of them would have cost about 90 million dollars - and so even though we're coming up on 100 new streets for 18 million dollars, that's only about 20% of the entire picture. And so tonight, those that were cement paved remain in good condition, while the older streets are a disaster. The mayor told us about City Council's plan to remedy the situation as soon as possible:... Mayor Darrell Bradley "We are going to put hard core material on 17 streets that we had already identified and we did that as a result of these heavy rains. In the south side our people are out during the course of this week to do the kind of remedial work in terms of patching of streets and trying to get it at least bearable."

City Councilor Samuels Has Big Plans For Politics
And while the mayor is holding things down in the city, he and two of his councilors have bigger things in mind. Mayor Bradley, and councilors Phillip Willoughby and Dean Samuels are interested in running as candidates in the next general elections. As has been well publicized, Bradley wants to run in Caribbean Shores, while last week Willoughby put his name in to run in the Albert division while Dean Samuels did the same in Belize rural Central. The cases of Bradley and Willoughby are a little complicated since they want to challenge sitting UDP representatives, but Samuels is challenging a caretaker, Michael Hutchinson. Today Samuels, who lives in Rural central told us why he is interested in vying for that office:... Dean Samuels, Councilor "I've sent in my application last week. Now, I am publicly declaring my intention and one good thing I can say for myself basically is that I come with a little name recognition, I have been proven when it comes to hard work. I have been supported overwhelmingly by the Belize City residents, so I bank of that personally - that work that I bring forward. I personally believe that as a politician if we know what is our job description and that is service to people and people just want a better way of life and I think Belize Rural Central has been neglected. It hasn't been shown the kind of love that is needed and people in this area deserve better and I think personally with my work ethics I definitely can be a difference and make a change."

UDP Has Willoughby and Bradley In Holding Pattern
The Rural Central convention will be held sometime before March of 2014. That's the timeframe the UDP has set for all 14 conventions where they have caretakers. No timeline has been announced for the other 17 areas, where they have standard bearers who are currently area representatives sitting in the National Assembly. And that puts Councilor Phillip Willoughby and Mayor Darrell Bradley at a disadvantage. Willoughby wants to challenge the UDP Albert Representative Herman Longsworth while Bradley wants to challenge Santino Castillo. But right now they are in a holding pattern - because rumours are that the party may hold off on those conventions until closer to the general election. That until 2017, while the next municipal election is in 2015. So will the mayor have to offer himself for municipal office again - while he's waiting. He said he wouldn't do it, but we asked him today if he might have to. Here's what he said:... Mayor Darrell Bradley "Whatever decision that I make will be in the best interest of residents of Belize City and will be in the best interest of the United Democratic Party and will be in the best interest of what I think I can offer to members of the public. It's a difficult situation at this present moment because I'm not aware what all of these dates are. I know that what was told to me in terms of my priorities right now, my chief priority is being an effective mayor. I am looking at completing my term. I had made certain indications to members of the public as it relates to wanting to finish this term on a high note wanting to deliver in terms of the hundred streets."

The Details Of A Departure
Last week Thursday, 7News told you about the press conference which the Board of Trustees of the University of Belize held to clear the air around the sudden departure of the President, Dr. Cary Frazer. He is expected to stay on until the end of this current school year, which ends May 2014, but during that time, the Board will be going through a rigorous process to find a suitable replacement for him. It sounds like a situation where relations between the board and Dr. Frazer could get strained, given that he has already complained to the Prime Minister in a letter that they've micromanaged the university, which he believes restricted his leadership. That question came up at the press conference where the chairman of the board addressed it directly. Here's how he responded: Lynette Canto, Reporter LOVE FM "The President as you said is still effective, his position is still in effect and we are wondering how as the board of the university - how that relationship will be maintained, if he has already effective his resignation and we know that it seems his heart as already left. How will you continue to work with him in the interim and what will this mean for the university?"

Belize Recovering From Floods
At the beginning of the weekend, the seemingly unending rains which caused flooding all over the country started to lift, but there were some aspects of the flooding which we didn't manage to deal with. One area which we didn't touch on is the damage done to the Bullet Tree Road where one of the culverts of Paslow falls area was washed away. The Village Council started repairs as soon as the rains held up. In Santa Elena, the flash flood tore off a part of a part of the fencing for the football field, something the residents told us was very unusual, and indicated the strength of the waters which passed through. v Also, we reported that Cristo Rey Bridge was washed away; that was an error, and it was only the approaches to the bridge were washed away. As we showed you, the Ministry of Works got into gear to fix those approaches as soon as was possible. The Belize Red Cross is also reporting that 200 families in the Cayo District and the Belize River Valley are in desperate need of help from the public. Red Cross is asking if donations can be made of money, canned food, toiletries, and clean clothes for men, women, boys and girls ages 2 to 14 year's old.

Regional U-16 Tourney Begins In Belmopan
Tonight the UNCAF under - 16 football tournament has started in Belmopan at the FFB stadium. Right now, Belize is playing Nicaragua in the third match of the night and our national team is in the first half and the score is one to nil for Belize on a penalty kick. In games so far today, Guatemala Beat Salvador 2 to nil and Costa Rica beat Honduras, two to one in the second game. Today, before the games commenced, Daniel Ortiz visited Belmopan for a preview: The Belize game will be shown right after the news tonight - on a 40 minute tape delay. On Wednesday, we will air the game live at 7:00 and to accommodate that, the news will start at 6:00 pm. That's right, not 6:30 as usual, but at 6:00 - so make sure ot tune in early. Tomorrow, since it is a holiday, we'll show all three games live from the FFB stadium in Belmopan starting at two. The liver coverage is made possible through a joint effort of CCV Cable, Channel 7, KREM Radio and TV, Plus TV Channel 5, and LOVE TV.

A Debate On Oil
The Belize Coalition to save Our Natural Heritage held its first national secondary school debate this morning. The debate which was held at the Bliss Center focused on oil in Belize; it's impact, benefits and risks. The Belize Rural High School we went up against Belize High School and 7 news was there. Julie Waight, Education Outreach Officer "This morning the Belize Coalition to Save of Natural Heritage is hosting its first national secondary oil debate competition, This morning we are doing the central region, we have two schools debating; Belize Rural High School versus the Belize High School." "The Belize Coalition wanted to start the discussion on oil and so this is a good way to start through the high schools, having them do extensive research in terms of oil in Belize. We are hoping that after this more schools will be more inclined into doing research and more debating and also to take it up to a higher level next year hopefully at the tertiary level." "It is a critical issue, we hear it on the news every other week, so its a good way for people to actually start learning more about the whole discussion about oil in Belize."

Village Wants In As NCL Bus Provider
We've heard a lot of criticism about the project Norwegian Cruise Line has planned for Harvest Caye in the Stann Creek District. But you won't hear any of that from the Independence Village Council. Matter of fact, they're trying to figure out how best to position themselves to capitalize on the cruise line commerce. Village council member Emilio Zabaneh told us that the council is planning on forming a co-operative to become a transport services contractor for Norwegian. He says they have already convened a meeting of transportation stakeholders in the area and the next step if to form the co-op. He says after that they will seek out financing and put out a tender to Norwegian in about 18 months. Norwegian is requiring the conversion school buses that can travel on rough roads, and not the premier type buses.

Scenes From A Settlement
Tomorrow is Garifuna Settlement Day - a public and bank holiday and the richest cultural celebration on the calendar. To set the mood, we close tonight with some clips from the Chief Joseph Chatoyer Garifuna Folkloric Ballet of New York as they performed on Friday night at the Bliss Center. Enjoy and Remember to join us tomorrow for live under 16 UNCAFD football starting at 2:00 in the afternoon, and on Wednesday night join us for an early start of the news at 6:00 pm. Until then, have a great and culturally rich settlement day.

Channel 5

Paul Alvarez shot for a second time in less than a year
A Belize City man is tonight recovering after being shot in the face. Paul Alvarez Jr., aka “Paulie”, became the latest shooting victim on Friday night after he was injured [...]

Anti-drug operation on La Isla Bonita; Coast Guard officers shoot a civilian
A man is at the K.H.M.H. recovering from a gunshot wound he received during a Coast Guard operation on Northern Ambergris Caye. Acting on information received, on Saturday the Coast [...]

Allegation of unnecessary force by Coast Guard a hoax
There is a serious allegation arising from the Coast Guard operation on Ambergris Caye over the weekend. As officers transported the injured Frank Edwards to the San Pedro Polyclinic, they [...]

BSCFA and B.S.I. planned meeting…will it happen?
Late Friday evening, a letter was sent out by the Belize Sugar Industries Limited in reference to the ongoing negotiation with the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association on a new [...]

The art of drum making and its significance to the Garifuna people
Garifuna Settlement Day will be celebrated on Tuesday and residents across the country have begun their annual pilgrimage to the Culture Capital, where they will indulge in plenty of food [...]

The first National Secondary School Oil Debate Competition in Belize
The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage is hosting the first National Secondary School Oil Debate Competition in Belize. Nine schools from across the country are going up against [...]

2 men sentenced for gun and ammunition offences; 18 year old incarecerated
Eighteen-year-old Shane Godoy, charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license, was sentenced to five years for each count today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, after she found [...]

20 year old John Faber sentenced to 5 years for ammo offences
Twenty-year-old John Faber, charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license, was also sentenced to five years for each count today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser after she [...]

Workshop held to improve the use of IBIS
The introduction of the Integrated Ballistics Identification System, IBIS, in October 2012 provided the National Forensic Science Service a new means of solving gun-related crimes at a crucial time when [...]

UNCAF U-16 competition gets underway in Belmopan
The Central American Under-sixteen Football Tournament gets underway tonight in Belmopan with an impressive line-up of inaugural matches, including the much anticipated Belize/Nicaragua face-off. That opening game will be aired [...]

Sorrel Stout back on the shelves
Beer drinkers are in for a special treat, as the Belize Brewing Company is once again putting to market a unique stout for the season. The product is spiced with [...]

Weekend sporting highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, Iâ€™m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. Week 8 in the Belikin Cup was a bit iffy because of the rains but at best 2 of [...]

LOVE FM

Schools Debate: To Drill or Not to Drill for Oil
The first ever debate on offshore oil drilling kicked off today at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts with the semi-finals between the Belize High School of Belize City and the Belize Rural High School of Double Head Cabbage Village. The event was the brainchild of the Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage, which has been vocal in its stance against offshore oil drilling. At the end of 40 minutes of arguments for and against, Belize High School, which argued against, edged out its rural competitor, which argued for offshore oil drilling. While some say that the arguments were on point, both Jordanny Williams of Belize High School and James Pollard of Belize Rural High School believe that public opinion had some bearing on the today’s results. JORDANNY WILLIAMS “It is much easier to say that we should not nationalize because most of the statistics point towards going away from that because if you take it on it will be another problem you have to deal with and it’s very informative if you look it up; it’s discussed more than you believe. I thought it was a small topic but when you research it, it’s very broad and it has many different aspects towards it. So, yea it’s not that difficult but it’s very helpful.”

Armed Heist Leaves Police Seeking Two Suspects
Corozal Police are looking for two persons believed to be involved in an armed heist over the weekend. According to Corozal Police, on Saturday they received word of a robbery in progress at Chong Sang Supermarket located on College Road. Upon arrival forty year old Chinese business man Jian Chang, informed police that about 1:25 in the afternoon two male persons entered the store. Chang described one of the men as being of Hispanic descent and the other of dark complexion and both were wearing caps. He adds that both men wielded firearms which they pointed at his worker twenty-four year old Yan Chao Wu who was behind the counter at the time.

BTL Park will Launch with A Huge Bang, Says Mayor
Exactly three weeks ago Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley updated the media that the renovation of BTL Park would be completed in 41 days and that the newly refurbished park would be officially opened on December 7th. Well the rains have been almost constant since then so we took the opportunity to ask Bradley if this has affected the scheduled re-launch of the park. DARRELL BRADLEY “In relation to BTL Park, we have noticed that there has been a setback. The date that we have set, 7th December to launch the park has been forecasted, all things being even, including the weather. The three weeks have really held us back. One of the things that we are looking at is that the contractors are really working well, they worked on the weekends; they worked this weekend, I did an inspection out there and so we are going to make a final decision as it relates to the launch but even if there is to be a delay, I don’t expect that it will be more than a week or so and we are expecting that the park will be opened before the Christmas holidays.

Love FMâ€™s Annual Southern Tour Ends Tomorrow
The Southern Tour is approaching its peak tonight and Tuesday from Garifuna communities in the south. Before leaving Belize City, Coordinator of the Tour, Armin Arana, told Love News that to help keep the colorful Garifuna culture alive, those at the helm of its success plan to take its popularity to another level. ARMIN ARANA “There is something about this culture; the vibrancy of it, to the extent that there is this day to highlight this culture. I don’t think there is a day for any other culture in Belize per se that there is a public and bank holiday; compared to that of other cultures, we say that there must be something about this culture for them to put aside a special day that we can highlight this. I know most Garinagu look forward to celebrate and be proud of who they are on this day. One of the things though is that it’s more highlighted around November 19 and they would like to change that. I do believe that the National Garifuna Council would like to change that that their different activities are held more throughout the year than just on the 19. It’s not only on a date; it is who we are and we should be proud of whom we are not only on the 19th but all year round.”

Faber Guilty of Firearm Charges
23-year-old, John Faber charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license, was found guilty of both offences and was sentenced to five years for each count today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Faber’s sentences are to run concurrently. The incident occurred on July 16, 2011 on Faber’s Road when two police officers testified that they were trailing a gold color Ford Ranger pick-up truck driven by Faber because they had received certain information. They said that when the Ford Ranger came to a stop, a man and a woman got out then Faber alighted from the vehicle.

Man Gets Bullet to the Face Behind Courthouse
20-year-old, Albert Robinson, a construction worker of Berry Street was charged with attempted murder when he appeared in court today. Robinson was also charged with dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser did not take a plea from him because the offences are indictable and neither could she offer him bail because of the nature of the offences. She remanded him into custody until December 30. The charges are in connection with a shooting incident which occurred on Friday, November 15, on Victoria Street in Belize City. In the incident 21-year-old, Paul Alvarez Jr, a car washer who worked in the parking lot behind the Magistrate Court Building, was shot in his face. Alvarez is reported to be in a critical condition at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Robinson was represented by attorney Anthony Sylvestre.

Coast Guard Explains Shooting Incident and Allegations of Assault
A shootout between the Belize National Coast Guard and five civilians resulted in one man being shot. The incident happened in the Rocky Point Area in Ambergris Caye on Saturday morning at about 7:30am when the Coast Guard was on patrol. Love News has confirmed that that three of the five men are currently detained by Police while the other two are believed to have escaped across the border. Vice Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Lieutenant Commander Elton Bennett, told Love News what transpired and that the presence of the coast guard in that area may have prevented a drug trade. LT. CMMDR. ELTON BENNETT “The Coast Guard was conducting special operations in the area of North Ambergris Caye; this is about one mile south of the Belize/Mexican Border where the patrol was conducting foot patrol and we spotted 5 men in an area near the old Fisheries Station. We approached the area and one of the five men fired shots at the patrol. The patrol returned fire and secure the area and whilst we were returning one of the men got shot. We were able to detain three of the five individuals. The one individual who got shot was taken to San Pedro Polyclinic. We found a small amount of marijuana and some information that we determined to be useful for follow up Operations.”

Reports of Demonic Possession in Northern Belize
Stories of demonic spirits possessing children are mostly things in movies but for the past week we have been receiving reports that students at two high schools in Orange Walk showed signs of being possessed. Arturo Cantun reports. ARTURO CANTUN REPORTS “Reports to LOVE NEWS are that up to six young females who attend two prominent high schools, one in Orange Walk Town and one in rural Orange Walk have been showing signs that some supernatural spirit had taken over their body. We have been investigating the reports and no one from either educational institution would comment on the matter, to deny it or confirm the reports. Our sources have told us however that last week a charismatic priest visited three high schools in the Orange Walk as part of a tour that been organized by the catholic bishops’ commission. It was during the priest’s visit that these young girls showed signs that something supernatural had over taken their body. We have received different accounts from different individuals.

PlusTV

Public Accounts Committee Needs Changes for Future Excellent Governments: Hon. Julius Espat
The Public Accounts Committee – an agency that has been lying dormant for decades, but, have in the recent months, been dominating headlines. The Chairman of that committee, the Hon. Julius Espat, set fire to a countrywide dialogue that eventually led to the re-activation of the PAC. The Chair...

UB’s Board of Trustees Meets Urgently Pending the President’s Resignation
Tonight, the leadership of the University of Belize hangs in the balance. In a letter, dated November 6th, President Dr. Cary Fraser wrote to the Prime Minister expressing his intent to leave his post next year. The letter reads in part “Dear Prime Minister Barrow, I have made the...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Primary school celebrates Children’s week
Children’s week started off by praising The Lord! Then the teachers entertained the kids. Last but not least there was Garifuna drumming.

Belize celebrates Garifuna Settlement Day!
Garifuna Settlement Day is a public holiday in Belize, celebrated each year on November 19. The holiday was created by Belizean civil rights activist, Thomas Vincent Ramos, in 1941. It was recognized as a public holiday in the southern districts of Belize in 1943, and declared a national holiday in 1977. The holiday celebrates the settlement of the Garifuna people in Belize after being exiled from the Grenadines by the British army. The major festivities for the holiday occur in the town of Dangriga, including parades, street music, and traditional dancing. Caye Caulker also has an influential Garifuna community who celebrate the festivities with merrymaking and drumming. We wish our Garifuna brothers and sisters a happy Garifuna Settlement Day.

The Belize Red Cross is appealing for donations
The Belize Red Cross is a making a special appeal to aide families affected by the recent floods in communities in the Cayo District and the Belize River Valley. Some 200 families in these areas are in great need and we ask for monetary donations, canned food, and toiletries. We are also asking for help with clean clothes for men, women, and boys and girls ages 2 to 14 years old. We ask that ONLY properly laundered clothes be delivered to us. The Belize Red Cross does not have laundry facilities. Local rivers, their tributaries and lagoons spilled their banks during two weeks of continuous rains caused by tropical depressions that affected Belize. Villagers in some areas have endured up to four feet of water in their neighborhoods. The Belize Red Cross has begun assessing the needs of communities most affected in these areas.

Blogs

“A House is Not a Home” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
No editions of the blog published over the last few days. Been a bit tardy I suppose. Not lazy, just tardy. Obviously I got up , had the ‘must have’ mug (it can’t be a cup, it just has to be a mug) of black coffee and spent my ‘quality’ (well I consider it to be quality time) on the veranda (first floor, western side) with my iPad which provides me with access to the rest of the world. You can travel wherever you want without getting out of your seat! So whatI have been doing to occupy so much of my time that I couldn’t spare some time to publish an edition or two I hear you thinking (really stupid expression that isn’t it. How can you hear someone thinking?). Well, I had intended to spend some time clearing some of the debris from the around the house ((the guys had cleared a lot of rubbish (garbage for non UK readers) before Daniel Camal, the building contractor for our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize, ‘handed’ the house over to us)) but we are still coming across bits of PVC piping, off-cuts of tiles, empty plastic bottles, polystyrene food containers, bits of wood, etc. But the rain put a stop to that. Every time I felt the urge to start the clean-up the rain came down. And down. And down (is it really necessary to point out that the rain comes down? I’ve never heard of it going up!).

30 ways to save money on a Belize vacation
Money saving tips are always handy, especially when you’re on vacation. And since travel to Belize isn’t cheap, I’m sure you’ll appreciate my list of 30 ways you can save money on a Belize vacation. However, if you’re too frugal, it might dampen your experience; so browse through the recommendations below and decide which are best for you. Before Belize 1. Research and plan your vacay well Planning your vacation right can save you a ton of money. This involves researching for the best tips and ideas. For example, a good itinerary will allow you to enjoy the best of Belize and also minimize time and money wastage. 2. Browse the internet for deals After doing your research on where you want to stay and the things you want to do, browse for the best deals offered by the different suppliers. Look far in advance so that you can possibly take advantage of promotions. 3. Follow hotels and tour operators on social media As a marketing tactic to grow a wide fan base, many hotels and tour operators offer discounts that are only for social media users.

Mennonite Gurls A'ken Cook: Pistachio Cranberry Cookies
A'lookin out t'winder I see a beeyootiful coverin o'snoe un t'rees, an' so at turns my thoughts ta Christmus. I luv ta bake cookies an' will share a festif' cookie recipe today. I usual make quite a varietee fer Christmus an' I like ta fill plates wit cookies an' gif' 'um away ta fambly an' friens. If'n y'all want less sweetness n' thishere cookie y'all a'ken omit t'white chocolate chips an' doubull t'amount o'pistachios.

Lessons from the experiences of our Garifuna ancestors
This piece offers a compelling story of the journey of the Garinagu people. In my opinion It also reflects a common history of the Creoles and Garinagu of Belize. The realities are that parents, brothers, sisters and cousins were likely on different ships, all enslaved in Africa and taken across the Atlantic Ocean in an arduous voyage, however a shipwreck sets a different path for the Garinagus. Jeremy offers an uncensored view of the realities of slavery and oppression in the Caribbean. The annual Garifuna Settlement Day celebration, which was founded in 1942 by visionary Garifuna leader Thomas Vincent Ramos, is the foremost event to remind Garinagu about their genesis, exodus, and survival against historical odds that were meant to exterminate their existence and identity as a people. The celebration also occurs in the Garifuna diaspora and on different dates at Garifuna communities in Honduras (April 12), Guatemala (Nov. 26) and Nicaragua. This year’s celebration theme is: – “Awanse wamá lidan aban lau lareini bungiu luma habayarahan áhari. (Let us progress in unity with God’s goodness and the protection of our ancestors.”

Nine Layer Salad
Just in time for Thanksgiving, here's an exciting salad. I used the items I like, but you can absolutely use what you love.

Amazing Fun in Roatan: Gumba Limba Park
There are lots of activities in Roatan. At over 35 miles in length and a population of about 150,000, it’s a good sized island plus, they get some serious cruise ship activity. And cruise shippers like to get off the ships and…do things. There are dune buggies, zip lines, animals to see, shopping to do, dolphin shows and plenty of snorkeling and diving along the reef. We decided to head to an area between West End and West Bay about a 10 minute taxi drive ($6USD) up a very steep road called Gumba Limba Park. Monkeys? Zip lines? 5 minutes to a gorgeous beach? Yes please. And on Friday? No cruise ships in port. We had the place literally to ourselves. All the guides, all the zip lines, ALL THE MONKEYS!

International Sources

Venezuela's PetroCaribe energy programme may be in trouble
Following Guatemala’s announcement in early November that it was pulling out of Venezuela's PetroCaribe alliance, the Hugo Chavez-era oil-for-regional-influence program could be on its last legs, the Christian Science Monitor (CSM) reports.

Retirees Skip Settling Down to Travel World Instead
Anyone can do the same. Spend two months in Paris, six weeks in Portugal, then try Latin America. Start with the beaches of Belize, move south to the mountains of Ecuador. "Beyond the adventure, the true beauty of this way of life is the flexibility," Stevens says. "A roving retirement like this can be as fast- or slow-paced as you like. Having discovered an enchanting Italian hilltop town, you can linger. If a place appeals, stay longer…if not, move on." Lynne and Tim Martin have lived in nine countries—including France three times—since 2011, when they sold their comfortable California house, put a few small treasures in storage, and kissed their daughters and grandchildren goodbye.

November 18, 2013

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

Doctor Love: Rumors
Readers, please send your letters. They can be emails, formal letters or handwritten notes. They are edited solely for grammar and spelling. Also, they are sometimes edited for length. Dear Doctor Love, This very good friend of mine has a problem with his wife. They had been married for five years and the marriage was […]

Saga Humane Society say Thanks
Dear Editor, Saga Humane Society would like to give our sincere Thanks to all of our supporters in the San Pedro Town community for helping to make our 10th Annual Halloween Party a fantastic success. Thank you to our gracious hostess Charlene Woods and the amazing staff at BC’s Beach Bar for their hospitality. The beach was alive with the dynamic sounds of Valentino, aroma of delicious food and the sounds of giggling children. It was a great day, despite the downpour and hurricane winds that blew the tents down. Eventually the rain stopped, the sun came out and everyone had a howling good time. Our honored judges this year were Tamara Sniffin, Jan Brown, and Allen Soto. They had a hard time deciding on the winners of the various Costume Contests. After much discussion the winners were announced. There was a tie for Cutest! 1st Cutest – Yankee as Pupcake – Tula; 1st Cutest – Bella as a Witch – David and Benjamin, 2nd Cutest – Pumpkin Princess – Elsa, Scariest – Voshi as Zombie Dog – Siomarie, Best Team – Monsterish Dogs – Monster High.

Wolfe’s Woofers: The Complete Physical Exam
At the clinic I had to endure all kinds of humiliation while the doctor poked at me and prodded me. Finally, he said, “All right, the only thing left is the physical exam.” “What psychiatric test? Why do I need a psychiatric test?” “Mr. Wolfe, you are recovering from a very serious illness. That is […]

Misc Belizean Sources

Fishing Report, Week of November 9 – 16th, 2013
Wow. Montana showed up in a big way, as Montana people do. Anderson and Platt brought 38 of their angling buddies – actually not all of them from Montana, but it felt like it, which is a good thing. We all were so happy to see our repeat friends and excited to know new friends. Kevin and Kelly – the brothers from Colorado, are always so much fun. Jon and Brad are some of the best trip leaders in the business. Thank you boys! Tammy and Eric we hope to see you back soon. Thank you to Ed and also Tammy for letting us celebrate your birthdays with you this week. And most importantly, thank you to all of our guests this week. You all deserve the “Best Sport” award. You had some real live tropical weather this week and you kept smiling and laughing. All the time reporting how thankful you were to be in such a great place. Well, we were darn lucky to have such a great group of friends. Thank you and come back soon!

The Belize Volleyball Association General Congress 2013 Notice
The Belize Volleyball Association (BVA) announces, invites and gives notice to its members of its 2013 General Congress to be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 30th, 2013, at the Caracol Room, Radisson Fort George Hotel. In addition to the reports of activities of the past two years and opportunities for the future, elections will be held for the members of the Board of Administration. As per constitution, “Any person desirous of seeking elected office at the General Congress must be an affiliated member; must be a Belizean; and, must submit their name in writing [nominated by at least three (3) other affiliated members] to the Secretary General seventy-two (72) hours prior to the holding of such General Congress.” “In the event there are no nominations received by the Secretary General the floor shall be opened for nominations from those members present at the General Congress.” The Secretary General, Mrs. Sherylee Young-Thurton, can be reached at Santiago Castillo Ltd., San Cas Plaza, Belize City.

Maya First Donates Computers
Feelgood news of the day. The Maya First Organization donated computers to the primary schools in San Antonio. "Maya First Organization donates #DELL computers to both schools of the village of San Antonio Village, Cayo Dist, Belize."

Juried Photographic Exhibition Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the Juried Photographic Exhibition! It must've been difficult for the judges to decide, although the Chiquibul Sunrise from Roni Martinez is very impressive. Color 1st Place: Chiquibul Sunrise by Ronaldi Martinez Color 2nd Place: Girls on a bicycle by Miriam Ochaeta-Serrut Color 3rd Place: The eyes of color by Jenny Guerra Ruiz Black/White 1st Place: A time to reflect by Fernando Cruz Black/White 2nd Place: Hummingbird at Sunset by Sandrina Svetlana DePaz Black/White 3rd Place: El Chichlero by Elvis Avila

The Garifuna Legacy
The SISE House of Culture is having Joshua Arana play tomorrow, Monday, November 18th, to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day. The festivities start at 9:30am. "Join us in the celebration of the living culture and Garifuna Legacy in Belize.. Live drum's by one of our greatest drummers in Belize, Joshua Arana... Live the momentum with us at SISE HOC"

Rotary 'Educate Our Youth' Fundraiser
Pictures of Rotary's 'Educate Our Youth' fundraiser that was catered by SHJC's Food and Beverage students, Shabla Event Planning and Catering, and CET. "The Rotary Club of San Ignacio had their 'Educate Our Youth' fundraiser at CET. It was a lot of fun, and the Sacred Heart Junior College Food and Beverage students did a great job. They raised money to send 25 students to school. Thanks, Rotary Club of San Ignacio!"

CTV3

Things Between BSCFA And BSI Get Nasty
Yesterday we told you about the BSCFA’s rejection to meet with officials of the Belize Sugar Industries Limited in Belize City on November 19th to resume renegotiations on the new agreement if the payment per ton of Bagasse to cane famers does not form part of the discussion. Since BSI stated that the issue can be dealt with at unspecified date, the BSCFA continues with its threat not to commence the 2013/2014 crops on November 25th. And tonight the back and forth continues with BSI responding not too keen on the threats made by the BSCFA’s top brass on delaying the start of the new crop season. What we can tell you is that the situation is getting nasty because BSI made public a letter sent to Chairman of the BSCFA Committee of Management, Leonardo Cano.

So Does Corozal
In the Corozal District residents living in Potzal Area, Chula Vista, and other flood prone areas have been experiencing localize flooding. But while they remain at home, the same cannot be said for two families who had to evacuate their home and are presently housed at the San Andres Community Center. “We have some flood prone areas in Corozal Town and everybody knows, Potzal Areas is one of the flood areas apart from the Chula Vista, we haven’t had any flood treats from Chula Vista area as yet but the other area Potzal we have two families that have already reported, they have been flooded into their homes, at this point I have already made arrangements to relocate them to one of our shelters and that is the San Andres community shelter and they will be relocated to that area until the water recedes.”

O/W Records Localize Flooding
Several families in the Lousiana Area here in Orange Walk have fallen victim to flooding due to the incessant rains. Water is threatening to enter their homes as their yard is already saturated. This makes it difficult for the affected families to lead normal lives as children are falling ill and missing out on classes. Our newsteam was dispatched to the area and here’s what we found out. The torrential rains have been relentless over the past few weeks and for several families in the Louisiana Area this spells problems as the flooded waters are threatening to enter their homes. We spoke to a few residents who are pleading for assistance. Aaron Miller - Resident “We got a problem with the street, if we had this street we wouldn’t have had this amount of flood, because when I was working with Mr. Burns he gave me a little access with the material, so we were filling up here and so if you notice all the water just cut all the way into my land and we are filling up but so much truck has come here with Mr. Burns gave me a little hand and thank to him we get a little opportunity now if the government would only help us on the street then we got access out but right now we have no access, we got this neighbor back here and that one there, the people who sell and so and then the kids cannot go to school and if it get higher it will be a problem. Back ya da four families and Mr. Popper here, and this next gentleman back here we get flood out and then over the next street flood out too, like the people over there they flood out too, it is a problem and I will have to evacuate if it continues but where we will go, rent expensive we cannot afford that, we have one job and the kids go to school and we cannot afford that, that is the only problem we have right now.”

Sartenja Road Remains Impassable
As we speak more than half a mile of the road between Chunox and Sarteneja is under water. Last night we reported three feet but due to the constant rains the water has risen making it more difficult for residents of Sarteneja to make it in and out of the village. In order to reach the village residents, including children have to walk more than a mile in murky waters thus putting their health at risk. Yesterday, Secretary of the Sarteneja Village Council Darnell Cruz pleaded for assistance. When we spoke to NEMO Coordinator for Corozal Willard Levy he told us that engineers would travel to the area to access the situation and while the assessment is carried out personnel of the Belize Defense Force would be deployed to the area to assist villagers in moving from one to the other. We understand that early this morning a BDF truck was sent to the location but the vehicle was unable to make it across the flooded waters.

Man Shot In Sarteneja Corozal
While Ramirez, Habet and Tzul wait to be prosecuted in the Mexican Courts, here in Belize one from the Village of Sarteneja has been charged for dangerous harm and deadly means of harm. Forty two year old Romaldo Catzim was arrested and charged after he shot 29 year old Belizean Fisherman of Sarteneja Village Darwin Ortega. Reports are that yesterday at about 1:00am Catzim and one Darwin Ortega became engaged in a fist fight. Fifty year old Indalicio Ortega, Darwin’s father arrived at the scene and separated the fight. As he pushed his son away he heard Catzim mention that he will go and get his shotgun to shoot both of them.

Names Of Belizeans Charged For Drug Trafficking In Mexico Released
Last night we told you about the three Belizeans and Mexican National that were detained by Mexican Authorities in Subteniente Lopez, located near the Belize Mexico Border, for drug trafficking. Since investigations were fresh the three Belizeans were only identified as El Michel, El Ardelfo and Orlando while the Mexican was identified only as Freddy. Tonight we have the complete name of all individuals. They are Michael Ashton Ramirez, Orlando Habet and Ruperto Adolphus Tzul of Belizean Nationality and Mexican National Freddy Andrés Lagos Vargas. As mentioned last night the four men were detained on Wednesday after the vehicle they were traveling in, bearing license plate C-45188, was in intercepted on Cuauhtémoc Street in Subteniente Lopez.

U.S Embassy Denies Listening In On Phone Conversations
Whistleblower Alverine Burgess surprised the nation when she made it on the Dickie Bradley Show aired on Channel Five on Monday and went into details on the visa facilitated procedure which according to her saw Belize Rural North Representative Edmund Castro collecting thousands of dollars. Burgess also revealed that when she when she was interrogated by the US Embassy, an employee played back conversations that she'd had with Castro and another person on the sale of visa. It’s a story that has raised many eyebrows and one that questioned the credibility of Burgess. It also brought to light that there may be a possibility that the US is engage in electronic surveillance or wire tapping activities in Belize. Well, today Belize City media spoke with a spokesperson at the US Embassy who said that while they are deeply concerned about allegations about VISA or Passport fraud, they categorically denied recording anyone in connection to this matter. “We are of course very concern about the allegations of visa or passport fraud really anywhere in the world but because it concerns us when something like this is happening so we are following this matter very closely, what I can say is that person you mention as the informant came into the embassy for a visa interview at her own, I am not at liberty to talk about what was discussed during that interview because U.S law does not allows us to do that but I can say that her statements has been inaccurate and that I can assure you that the U.S embassy has no recorded anyone included any government officials in connection with this matter with what is going on here, that is not correct.”

Caye Caulker Chronicles

NEW COUNCIL HOSTS MEETING – RABBLE TURN OUT
This was a disorganized disrespectful rabble of a meeting, the first of what we all hope will be regular meetings from this Village Council, and was attended by approximately 50 people and as the meeting went on, many more people outside. There was a certain faction that were inebriated, and impolite. Mr Miller opened the meeting only a few mins after 7pm, which was a great start. He told us what he thought the accomplishments were over the short time period since middle of July and brought us up to date on the sorry state of the finances. When questioned directly later in the meeting he did tell us that there is almost $500,000.00 in tax arrears, and that although 90% of the foreign population was up to date with taxes, only 28% of the local population was. He said that in order for this village council to succeed, taxes needed to be paid and reminded us all that paying taxes was an obligation, not a choice. Some member of the community commented that nobody in Belize pays taxes, at which point another member pointed out that that person did not have a say in the meeting if he chose not to pay tax.

Blogs

Lisa’s life changing first trip to Ambergris Caye
Today’s post was sent in by Lisa Still who made her first trip to Belize this past summer. While here, she felt like she had found her new home. She felt at peace a feeling she had have never experienced before and something she wanted to share with you. I know her words will ring true for many of you as far as first visits past or future and the island capturing your hearts. Hi, my name is Lisa. I came to Ambergris Caye in Aug of this year, for the first time. The trip was life changing! Like many of you, I have dreamed of living on the ocean, in a small town, where the way of life is laid back like in the 1960's and 1970's. Where you go to town to shop and you know your grocery store owner personally. You know the owner of the vegetable stand and you stop and talk about whats going on in your lives and the community. A place where going to town is not just to take care of your business, you know you will run into old friends or possibly make a new one. I started my quest in 2006, looking for my country and city. I also started praying about my dream to move. I looked at different places to see what they had to offer, countries with tropical weather and blue Caribbean waters. I went on many message boards and asked lots of questions. Every waking hour that I wasn’t working, I was on the internet searching. I had even briefly looked at Belize.

Why Expats Are Living in Belize
Once the decision to move down to a gorgeous tropical destination to live out your retirement years has been made, the real work can begin. And of course, this work begins with one major question, where should I move? Consider living in Belize. With a plethora of unbelievable choices out there, what is it about the little country of Belize that has so many expats packing their bags and heading down to its sandy shores? Positioned between Mexico, Guatemala and the clear blue Caribbean Sea, living in Belize will provide you with things that you could only dream of back in the States, and above all, it will offer you the chance to truly slow down. Tropical beauty As is the case with most Central American countries, many expats are lured down to Belize simply due to its stunning natural beauty, and because of this unspoiled beauty, Belize has been dubbed by some as “mother nature’s best kept secret.”

International Sources

Old X-ray equipment donated to a wildlife clinic in Belize
The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic was until recently in desperate need of an X-ray machine. Diagnosing animals can be difficult at the best of times due to their inability to provide veterinarians with insight into how they feel and what their symptoms are, but without the ability to examine an animal’s internal anatomy it becomes nearly impossible. We were able to donate our old equipment to the Belize clinic, and we hope the wildlife of Belize will now be better off. X-ray machines are used to show the insides of an animal in terms of relative density. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation like visible light, but unlike visible light they have enough energy to pass through most materials found in an animal’s body. They are still absorbed to some degree however, and the more dense the material they are hitting the more they will be absorbed by it.

The Caribbean’s Fastest and Slowest-Growing Populations
We continue our series on the World Bank’s Caribbean data by looking at another statistic: population growth. We’ve already looked at the Caribbean’s richest countries by GDP per capita, by population density, by life expectancy and by age of population. So what are the Caribbean’s fastest-growing populations? According to the World Bank, the fastest-growing population in the region is one of the tiniest: the Turks and Caicos Islands, which has seen an average annual growth of 4.5 percent from 2000 to 2012. Second was the Cayman Islands, which saw an average annual growth rate of 2.7 percent from 2000 to 2012.

EU joins US in Effort to Strengthen Shark Finning Ban Atlantic Tuna Body
The Shark Trust and Shark Advocates International are heralding news that the EU will join an effort spearheaded by the US and Brazil to strengthen the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) ban on shark finning (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea). Officials from dozens of countries will discuss this and other high seas fishing measures at the annual ICCAT meeting next week in Cape Town, South Africa. “We are pleased and excited that the European Union has embraced the best practice for preventing the wasteful practice of shark finning, and is now placing its considerable influence behind the growing effort to make fins-attached the rule around the globe,” said Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust. Shark fins are used in a celebratory Asian soup. High demand for fins is a key driver in many shark fisheries and provides the incentive for finning. ICCAT was the first international fisheries body to ban shark finning (in 2004), but implementation is based on a complicated fin-to-body weight ratio that is difficult to enforce and hinders the collection of accurate information on shark catches. Scientists recommend that sharks be landed with their fins still naturally attached, as this is the most reliable method for ensuring that finning did not occur while also facilitating species-specific data collection. The US, Brazil, and the EU have offered a proposal for next week’s meeting that would require that shark fins remain naturally attached to shark bodies until after they are landed on shore. The US and Brazil – along with Belize – proposed the beneficial change at the last four ICCAT meetings. In past years, Japan and China have led the effort to defeat the measure.

Artisan chocolates pair with sparklers, whites, and reds
When pairing a beverage with chocolate treats, many brew a French press of coffee rather than uncork a bottle. But if the folks at Taza Chocolate have their way, we might be trading in our favorite mugs for glasses of sparklers, whites, or reds. Taza, whose artisan chocolates are made in a stone-ground style, offers a two-hour evening tasting with wines supplied by the North End's Taranta Restaurant. Joshua Mamaclay, Taza store and tour manager, explains to the 14 attendees how the company, founded in 2006, has a direct trade relationship with each of its producers, who farm organically in the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, and Belize and supply the cacao beans. The $50 tasting includes six wines and six confections.

After Biden’s trade talks with Caricom: US and Caribbean forge stronger relationship
The United States and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) are forging a stronger relationship, the US Trade Representative (USTR) office said in a statement issued after the first US-Caricom meeting since May when US Vice President Joe Biden signed into existence a US-Caricom Council on Trade and Investment. Together with then Caricom Chairman, Haitian President Michel Martelly, Biden signed a revised Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which gave life to the council, the mandate of which is to deal with what the USTR described in its statement as “important trade and investment issues”. The USTR said: “Bilateral trade, intellectual property, e-commerce, (and) regulatory cooperation (were) discussed at the first meeting under the US-Caricom TIFA.” The leading categories of Caricom exports to the US in 2012 were mineral fuel, chemicals, and iron and steel, the largest producer of which, in the Caribbean, is T&T.; Caricom is comprised of 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Barely half of Commonwealth heads attended summit
Of the 50 countries that attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 15 to 17 November 2013, on the theme Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development, just 27 were represented by their heads of state or government. The leaders of India and Canada boycotted the summit over alleged human rights abuse of Tamils by the Sri Lankan government. The territorial disputes between Belize and Guatemala, and Guyana and Venezuela were addressed by the heads of government. In relation to Belize, heads expressed disappointment that the simultaneous referendums scheduled for 6 October 2013 were not held, due to Guatemala’s decision to postpone. Heads emphasised the importance of preserving the 2008 Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala, which commits both parties to holding simultaneous referendums on submitting Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime claim to the International Court of Justice. Heads urged both parties to agree on a new date for the simultaneous referendums to take place within the shortest possible time.

Best Places In Belize To Chill Out
Lying along the southern coast of the Caribbean Sea in Central America, Belize has many places where one can relax with a fruity alcohol-spiked beverage and chill out under the blazing tropical sun. Despite this countries’ small size though, it can be hard to pick a beach resort that meets ones needs. Where should you go in Belize for your winter getaway? That depends a great deal on who you are, and the activities that you enjoy.

November 17, 2013

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

Belize to Prepare a Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy for 2014- 2017
The Government of Belize is pleased to announce that in partnership with the United Nations Development Program, through financial and technical assistance, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has commenced preparation of a Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy for the Period 2014 to 2017. The strategy will be one of a series of medium-term strategies that will need to be prepared and implemented towards realizing the vision put forward in Horizon 2030. This vision reads: “Belize is a country of peace and tranquility, where citizens live in harmony with the natural environment and enjoy a high quality of life. Belizeans are an energetic, resourceful and independent people looking after their own development in a sustainable way.” Achieving this vision requires effective planning which involves developing good medium-term strategic plans, linking these plans to successive operational multi-year budgets and putting in place an appropriate monitoring and evaluation framework. This first Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy will therefore complement efforts already under way to improve Government’s budgeting process through the adoption of programme budgeting. Programme budgeting is expected to result in much improved management of public resources.

Renovations completed at the Boca del Rio Park
The renovation of the Boca del Rio Park is now complete thanks to the generous donation of Don Listwin of Canary Cove. Supervised by Gil Nunez, the park renovation involved the construction of four gazebo style palapas, each with its own picnic table, a new and complete playground set, the painting of the basketball court, installation of basketball nets and the planting of several flowers and shrubs. According to Mayor Daniel Guerrero, this is part of a bigger plan from the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) to provide better recreational spaces for residents. “We believe that people need a place where they can go as a family, a place that the children can play safely. That is what we have created here at the Boca del Rio Park, a place for the whole family to have fun and enjoy the beach,” said Guerrero.

What’s New? Wahoo’s Lounge has new owners!
The San Pedro Sun is pleased to introduce Cindy and Mike Gonkowicz. Cindy and Mike are the new owners of Wahoo’s Lounge, Home of the World Famous Chicken Drop. Originally from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada, the couple has only recently moved to Ambergris Caye to get started on their new business venture. Cindy and Mike look forward to becoming a part of the community, especially supporting the Saga Humane Society and enjoying the weather in paradise. They assure all patrons that Wahoo’s will remain the same place you know and love. So if you’re out in town, stop in to have a cold one and say hi!

San Pedro’s Oldest Resident celebrates 99th birthday
Many residents may not be aware, but over the weekend, the San Pedro’s Oldest Resident celebrated her 99th birthday. Cecelia Guerrero Lara, the oldest born islander celebrated her birthday on Sunday November 9th. The mother of five children was given a surprise visit by members of the San Pedro Cultural Committee, who spent some time over the weekend with the longest living islander. A happy Cecelia Lara expressed her gratitude to the committee for remembering and spending time with her on her birthday. Even though she has sight problems, she can still move around with minimal assistance. “Thank God for living this long,” she commented. Cecelia explained that her parents and their family were amongst the early settlers of the island.

Misc Belizean Sources

'Belize: Through My Eyes' Launch
The Benque House of Culture had their new exhibit launch last night, and they got some great pictures from the event. The launch kicked off the Benque Festival of Culture, which is happening now, and continues through Monday. This weekend, there will be performances from the Benque Marimba Academy, Pablo Collado, and Panerrifix, just to name a few. "Belize: through my eyes a juried photographic exhibition was launched today for the 5th International Cultural Festival. It was unveiled by the NICH President Ms.Diane Haylock. We all thank the 16 Artist from all over Belize for sharing their personal images. We will share their names soon.. Some of this images will be showcased in Argentina at the Belize Consul...in 2014" More picture albums: 1 - 2

Cayo Coaches Clear CONCACAF Course
Congratulatoins to the Cayo coaches that have obtained their CONCACAF 'D' License certification! Johnny Medina, one of the SI United's Coaches, was one of the recipients. Great job! "Congratulations to one of San Ignacio United's coach in obtaining his CONCACAF Coaching License."

Sarteneja residents cry for help
After incessant rains yesterday, the road turns to a river. The BDF truck provided for emergency can no longer drive in the rising flooded waters! Residents of the Village in the Corozal District continue to face serious difficulties in traversing the Sarteneja Road. More than half a mile of the road between Chunox Village and Sarteneja Village has been inundated by water overflowing from a lagoon that is adjacent to that section of the road. This new obstacle has been affecting everyone and up to last week Saturday, the Sarteneja Bus Line Company had stopped picking up residents who would usually board the bus at the village. But now the villagers, including children have to walk more than a mile in the murky waters to meet the bus which is waiting for them at the other end. According to bus driver, Joel Diaz, the company made the decision to have the villagers walk after the flood damaged three of their buses.

Video of the road recorded on Thursday
Yesterday, things went from bad to really bad! Our people should never have to be going through something like this. Mitigation should have been done a long time ago. Sarteneja Road now a river.

The Belize Times

Coming For Castro – Whistleblower: U.S. has Castro on tape!!!
“Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do when they come for you”… goes a popular song used in American movies before the cops make a sensational arrest of a criminal. For UDP representative Edmund Castro, the lyrics to this song must be ringing in his ears after it was alleged on Monday that special agents of the United States in Belize have a secret audio recording of him engaged in one of his many dealings. The revelation was made by whistleblower Alverine Burgess, who has made serious allegations against Castro, a UDP Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport. Mrs. Burgess, who has known Castro for many years, has alleged that the UDP Minister personally benefitted from the processing of visas for Chinese nationals through his Belmopan office. She said the price for each visa was $2,000. While appearing on Channel 5’s Dickie Bradley Special on Monday of this week, Mrs. Burgess dropped a bombshell revealing that after going public with the allegations, she was called in by the United States Embassy located in the City of Belmopan and was interrogated by agents for over three hours. During the many hours of interrogation, the agents, according to Burgess, showed her a computer which contained an audio file of a conversation she had with Castro and another individual. The conversation is said to be related to the allegations and is part of the U.S. Embassy’s own investigations into the scandal. The agents were thorough with their questioning about the visa and passport scandal. They took down notes and reviewed the information given, at times asking Mrs. Burgess to repeat and clarify her accounts in order to tie pieces together. At one point, said the brave whistleblower, the agents showed her files of dozens of photos and asked her to verify whether any of them had been facilitated with visas or passports.

UB in Crisis!
The Barrow Administration has found a way to drag down Belize’s national university, the University of Belize, into chaos and a crisis of leadership. The University’s President Guyanese national Dr. Cary Fraser, has submitted his resignation letter to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, informing that he will not return to the University after the current academic year ends in December. In the letter, dated November 6, 2013, Dr. Fraser signals his total discontent and frustration with the Barrow Administration’s poor support for the University. He accuses the Ministry of Education of treating the national university as a “low priority”, when he had hoped that his appointment would have paved the way for needed systematic changes. Dr. Fraser points that the recent negotiations over the University’s upcoming 2013-2014 budget have not given him any assurances that the Government is prepared to treat the institution with greater interest.

UDP Hotbed of Corruption! – Government steals land from US national, then rewards culprits
As the massive fire of corruption continues to gut the Ministry of Immigration and Godwin Hulse’s integrity, an equally devastating fire is now raging at the Ministry of Natural Resources. If, as Dean Barrow predicted, visa hustling would bring down his government, the next story is set to nosedive our country right down to the very bottom of the corruption index charts. Frederick Dow, a US national, was the proud owner of 1.3 acres of prime beachfront property on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. In 1995 he, along with his siblings, received the property as a gift from their late father. The approximate value of the property is Two Million Belize Dollars. In what can only be described as an elaborately orchestrated heist, in October of 2011, the Ministry of Natural Resources did the unthinkable. They issued a second title over Mr. Dow’s property to a UDP crony, on the recommendation of the Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia.

PUP Leader proposes solution to BSI/BSCFA Impasse – Delay in Crop Season could cripple industry
Opposition Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca has proposed a solution to the ongoing impasse between the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) over whether cane farmers should or should not collect payments for the waste material known as bagasse which is produced by the sugar cane delivered to the mill. Hon. Fonseca has said that the parties must agree to an equitable formula which would see BSI recover the substantial investment it has made into establishing the cogeneration plant, but also that cane farmers should be awarded payments on a graduated scale for their stake in the industry. The Opposition Leader urged both BSI and the BSCFA to come to the table to discuss the matter. Otherwise, he warned, “the repercussions of any delay or interruption to the start of the crop season could be devastating to an already challenged industry”.

Constitutional Confusion
By G. Michael Reid Last Friday’s Senate hearing was quite telling in more ways than one. First it exposed the type of dictatorial system under which we live and secondly it exposed the hypocrisy of the once saintly Godwin Hulse. It also exposed a serious flaw in our Constitution and leaves us wondering if this Constitution is really only considered the supreme law of the land when it becomes convenient to those in power. The main focus of Friday’s meeting was a motion presented by Lisa Shoman, a Senator for the Opposition who issued a call for a Senate Inquiry into the lingering scandal at the Immigration Department. After some debate, the matter was put to a vote and that is where the situation got most interesting. As expected, the six senators for the government side all voted no. This I believe is solid proof that we are living in a dictatorship. Had this been a real democracy, members would be allowed to vote their minds. Anyone of sound mind (which is a requirement for either House), would certainly recognize the need for an objective, impartial or at least bipartisan investigation into this very substantial matter. It seems that no one in either House is ever allowed to go against the whim of the Prime Minister. The biggest surprise of all is Godwin Hulse. For years, Godwin Hulse, who has served in the Senate since 2003, was considered a champion of the people. During the last administration, Hulse was on the radio on a daily basis, condemning anything that remotely resembled corruption. He was a founding member and integral part of the Association of Concerned Belizeans (ACB) which helped to bring down the previous government and install the present government. Even during the first UDP term of office, Godwin was on the air criticizing anything that seemed out of place.

PUP MEANS LOVE IN ANY LANGUAGE
“Continuing to proudly empower our children in their Garifuna language” Theme – GSD 2013 Language is the art of communicating. This year there is something explosive about the thirty-sixth celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize. The holiday celebrates the settlement of the Garifuna people in Belize after being exiled from the Grenadines by the British army. The Garifuna culture in Belize is a vibrant and colorful one and will be on full display all around the country with special attention in villages and towns in southern Belize, like Hopkins, Seine Bight, Barranco, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. The holiday is one thing. But the fact is that the UDP have acted like “one day Christians” to us as Garifuna people. Imagine, that the culture capital of Belize is said to be Dangriga. Yet, Dean Barrow over looked and snubbed all the talent and competence of us Garinagu The UDP chose a cultural ambassador that is not a Garifuna. The insult to us Garinagu is that he chose his son who is a convicted criminal. What happened to Adrian the Doc Martinez? What happened to Pen Cayetano? What happened to Roy Cayetano? The BELIZE TIMES could go on with a long list.

Gwen Liz girls & boys lead basketball competition
The Gwen Liz girls blew out the Ladyville Technical High School girls: 34 – 27 in the high school basketball competition last Tuesday. Gwen Liz’s Ann Ma Chang top-scored with 14 points, and KeKee Requeña scored 10 points. Ladyville Tech’s Dejeanne Noralez scored 24 points. The Wesley College girls posted their first win – a 31-9 blowout of the Pallotti High School girls last Tuesday. Wesley’s Breanne Meighan scored 13 points and Shanice Neal added 9 pts. The ACC boys bombed the Excelsior High School boys: 76 – 40 last Wednesday. Douglas Valley top-scored with 19 points.

San Pedro wins male volleyball champs San Pedro wins male volleyball champs
The San Pedro High School boys are the 2013 volleyball male championship after they defeated the Mopan Technical volleyball team for the title. The Mopan Tech boys were no easy contest. They took the game to 4 sets. MVP Gabriel Eduardo Nunez, Damien Pollard, Alex Roache and Alfrie Black led the island team with attacks, spiking home points on plays set by Joshua Marin and Giomar Marin. San Pedro won the 1st set 25-15. The Mopan boys recovered to win the 2nd set: 26-24, powered by Denver Chan, Justin Alas, Luis Chan and Christian Lopez who hammered kills at the net on plays set by Denny Can and Justin Aguirre. San Pedro won the next two sets: 25-19 and 25-20. SCA principal Mrs. Tillett presented medals to the champs, 2nd and 3rd place winners; but the team trophies will be presented at a later date. The Most Valuable Player award went to San Pedro’s Gabriel

SCA wins 2013 volleyball champs
The St. Catherine’s Academy volleyball team won their 6th consecutive high school volleyball championship and 20th title when the national tournament was hosted by their school at the St. John’s College gym over the weekend. SCA girls crushed the Ecumenical girls in 3 sets in the championship final on Saturday afternoon. SCA’s star hitters: Sherika Burton, Leandra Betson and Gianna Brown led the attacks, spiking on plays set by Xiomara Quan and Karine Bernard, with Nayala Tun serving to win the 1st set: 25-10. Ecumenical’s Avery Sanchez, Tyler Williams and Trinity Caliz counterattacked, while Yorleni Robinson, Trycelin Choc and libero Leann Gongora received and kept the ball in play. Mya Musa, Alexis Burns and Hanna Diskin came off the SCA bench to help win the 2nd set: 25-20, and Juel Lewis, Karen Quan and Zakiyah Young reinforced the SCA offensive in the 3rd set to win: 25-4.

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE – PLEASE CALL ME MISTER
The man of the hour seems to be Senator/Minister Godwin Hulse. But when I say this you know that I mean it in an ironic way. Yes, he is the notorious man of the hour, the man of the hour of infamy that transpired in the Senate last week Wednesday. Of course everyone knows by now that this was when Senator Lisa Shoman presented the motion to the Senate for there to be appointed a Special Select Committee to investigate all the goings on surrounding the immigration/passport/visa scandals Eight of us elected representatives of the Opposition, accompanied by Secretary General Myrtle Palacio attended the Senate Meeting in a show of solidarity towards Lisa and towards our other two Senators Karen Bodden and Collet Montejo, as well as the social partners – the Churches, the Trade Unions and the Business Sector. It was a good experience, observing a meeting in the National Assembly, as opposed to being in a meeting in the National Assembly.

REFLECTION ON A PUBLIC SQUARE – SENATE DISGRACE
By Francis W. Fonseca On Wednesday, November 6th, 2013 the Senate met in Belmopan. The highlight of the meeting was the tabling of a Motion by Opposition Senator Lisa Shoman seeking approval for the appointment, pursuant to Standing Order 69, of a Special Select Committee of the Senate “to investigate and inquire into all policies, processes, procedures and the issuance of nationality certificates, passports and visas in the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality and to investigate any and all wrongdoing, mismanagement or corruption in the issuance of Belizean nationality certificates, passports and visas”. The Special Select Committee was to be comprised of 5 Senators being one from the Government, one from the opposition, and the three senators appointed by the social partners. The Motion was presented and debated and then voted upon. The three opposition Senators and the three social partner Senators all spoke in strong support of the Motion and voted in favor of it. All six Government senators towed the UDP line and voted against the Motion, including the Leader of Government Business Senator Godwin Hulse, himself once a champion of transparency and accountability.

Party Leader’s Message on 2013 Garifuna Settlement Day
The contributions of the Garifuna people to the building of this nation Belize are many. One very distinguishing mark on Belize has been in the area of education from the remote villages of yester-year to present day local education institutions. The journey has been an arduous one. History has distinguished them as among all Belizeans, the Garifuna people have been the ones whose immediate ancestors confronted their own death through the genocidal efforts of the British against them in St. Vincent during the late 18th century. Such extreme trauma has generated a deep faith in God among the present day people. There is also a trust in the goodwill of Ancestors. Garifuna spiritualism whose distinguishing feature is the faith in the Ancestral Spirits is a belief system that is based on lineal kinship and hinges on cultural practices of re-affirming obligatory social ties. These are the underlying topics covered in the theme of this year’s celebrations, which reads as follows: “Awanse wamá lidan aban lau lareini bungiu luma habayarahan áhari. Let us progress in unity with God’s goodness and the protection of our ancestor”.

Blogs

Roatan’s West End Part 2: Toppled Turtles, An Out of Place Night Club and My Favorite Restaurants
So where was I with my last post about Roatan’s West End… I showed you around our beautiful hotel, The Beach House, had a delicious breakfast at Earth Mama’s, posted some pictures around town and of the coolest rope swing ever off a old sail boat in the bay and then I stopped at a truly intriguing sign above a man of indeterminate age snoozing… $1US? Little higitees? This I can’t resist. Hickatees (the real way to spell it) are Central American river turtles that have been hunted almost to extinction for food. I WOULD be so happy to see so many. I tapped him on the shoulder…wakie wakie. He led me into his backyard and I saw this.

The Perfect Proposal on Caye Caulker, Belize
For the majority of you who follow me on Twitter, then you will know that I got engaged recently whilst exploring the island of Caye Caulker in Belize. I've been with my fiancée for over eight years now and I couldn't be happier. He's been the person I have done the majority of my travelling with and is the one who alway pushes me to try new and crazy things when on our travel adventures. He's my world and the main reason I love to travel. So when he popped the question whilst we lay in the hammocks watching the pink and purple sunset over Caye Caulker, I immediately said yes. I thought I would share some of the stunning pictures of that sunset with you all.

International Sources

INTERACTIVE: A timid traveler's trip to Belize
This is my first time. I have never done it before and I have to confess I am nervous and a little scared. I am told it gets easier after the first time, I sure hope so. So here it is, I confess, I am 56 years old and a virgin traveler. I have never been outside the confines of the continental 48 states. The idea of crossing the border and stepping outside the U.S. and my comfort zone has been a huge challenge. I have bounced around the continental U.S. for work and sometimes vacations, but never crossing the big borders. Turns out that once you get your passports, all it takes is a click of a mouse and you are set to go. My wife found the best flight and a nice little place on the beach in the heart of San Pedro town, which is on Ambergris Cay about 35 miles from Belize City.

For virgin traveler, ease into Belize
The water taxi revved its outboard motors, spitting the scent of gasoline into the tropical air, and then took off, headed from Belize City to San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, 35 miles away. Onboard, airplane-weary tourists, commuting locals, boxes destined for island businesses — and my wife and I with our luggage — crowded on wooden benches for the hour-plus trip. Once the boat took off, we quickly lost sight of the onboard chaos and instead became absorbed in the tranquil view. To call the waters of the Caribbean turquoise is to sell them short. There is an underpinning of deep ultramarine, topped by intricate cerulean waves shimmering across the surface. When the sun casts a certain light, the water seems lit from below and downright otherworldly. That’s what I’d come for: to dive into a whole other world. It took me decades to get a passport, and not because of some State Department mistake. When I landed last winter in Belize, I was a 56-year-old virgin traveler. I had never been outside the continental United States — or my own travel comfort zone. It’s not that I fear planes or other modes of travel. I simply prefer to vacation in places I have been before, where I know what to expect — places I consider emotionally safe. And I bet I’m not alone.

Fishin' Magician: Dave Graybill
I just me with my travel partners at Journey Travel and Tours and we have the dates for the next trip to Belize. This will be my fourth trip to Ambergris Caye, and the reason I keep going back is that I have a blast every time I go. Last year my wife, Eileen, and I took eight people along and everyone enjoyed the experience. We will be staying at the Belizean Shores Resort again, as everyone loved the place. The same folks at Go Fish Belize will be providing the guide services, as they continue to a great job. The trip is structured a little differently than last year, adding another free day for people to enjoy the area on their own. Once more I have planned the trip for the ideal time for the best fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit. We will be leaving on the 22nd of May and returning on the 31st. If you have ever considered visiting Belize and try the fishing and other activities it offers, this would be a great way to do it. If you want to learn more about the trip, contact Sandy at Journey Travel Tours toll free at 877-335-1153.

Monty Halls underwater mysteries: It was the scariest and most exhilarating experience
Explorer and marine biologist Monty Halls dives into a fascinating documentary series about the depths of the sea. Rolling around on fishing boats in force nine gales, photographing a dangerous and rare crocodile in Belize, and surviving temperatures of 52°C in a Californian desert are just some of his impressive tales of derring–do. Now he's back for more, fronting one of his most extreme documentary shows to date. The former Royal Marines officer and trained marine biologist, who is best known for BBC2's Monty Halls' Great Escape, sets of in search of the real story behind some of the greatest underwater mysteries for a new Channel 5 series. The four–parter, simply named Monty Halls..., and beginning this week with Monty Halls And The Kaiser's Gold, will see him pushing himself to the limit on deep–sea dives – many taking him to the edge of survivable depth.

College students serve in Central America
Two dozen Catholic students from Oregon State and Portland State universities went on a two-week mission trip this year to the Central American country of Belize. Stationed in the town of San Ignacio with 15,000 residents, the Oregon group offered two Bible school programs to more than 120 kids, led a day retreat for 40 high school students and helped with the organization of a four-night retreat for adults who had not been active in the church for years. The students woke at 7 a.m., attended prayer and meditation, ate breakfast and cleaned the rooms before heading out to daily mission tasks, which included house visits. They prayed a rosary before lunch and the afternoon mission, then had Mass before dinner. They said night prayer before bed. "I was afraid of doing something out of my comfort zone," says Megan Angstrom, explaining that the trip turned out to be one of the most important phases of her life. Among her most meaningful moments was helping a sad girl pray for her sick sister.

Why I refused to submit to questioning by the Belizean authorities
by: John McAfee , November 16, 2013. Now that a civil suit has been initiated against me for the death of my neighbour Mr. Faull in Belize, I feel that it is important to explain the single factor that makes me look suspicious — that is: why did I refuse to submit to questioning by the Belizean authorities. The following video shows the GSU (Gang Suppression Unit) of Belize which was dispatched to my jungle compound on the 1st of May 2012 – 6 months prior to the death of my neighbour Mr. Faull. They were dispatched to my residence because I refused to pay a bribe. They killed my dog (view picture), destroyed my property and kept me kneeling for 14 hours with my hands handcuffed behind my back – a common torture technique used throughout Central America. After the assault on my compound on the 1st of May I went public with information about corruption in Belize to the International Press, including allegations that the Belizean government was selling passports to the Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations. No one at that time believed me. However, as the following news report from Belize will show, this was really happening been happening and is still happening today.

Our favorite destinations for snorkeling (so far)
Ever since we were tiny we have loved water and somewhere in our early twenties we both began to try snorkeling. That minor change in our water sport interests has entailed a fortune in travel expenses and “resort wear”necessities and massive grumbling around about it by Brunette’s husband, but we have snorkeled on regardless! We have a previous post which (surprisingly) has good advice for anyone considering just starting to explore snorkeling. You may want to check it out. If you are considering trying snorkeling, already enjoy it occasionally or are an experienced snorkeler we think you will be tempted to visit our favorite snorkel spots if you have not yet done so. For an extremely unreasonable fee we will accompany you and be virtually useless to you but happy to share your enthusiasm if you spot a good fish or ride a shark across a reef! Our favorite spots to date are: Ambergris Caye, Belize, Honduras Belize has hundreds of islands (cayes) and Ambergris is the largest and the Belize Barrier Reef runs the length of it. We stayed at Xanadu Island Resort and really enjoyed their eco-friendly luxury and the pleasant walk along the beach to get dinner in town each evening. One thing to keep in mind for this destination is that you cannot snorkel very successfully from shore – on Ambergris Caye, not only the Xanadu property. This is because the reef is a ways out and also because they are mindful of not destroying the area by making beaches and destroying the natural seafront beach grasses. You need to go out on boat trips which are a lot of fun but add to your trip costs. We had a very fresh bit of fish ceviche on one of our trips as you can see below!

Garifuna Flavor: Belize’s Battle of the Drums
Although Nick Cannon may have convinced some people that competitive drumming is a uniquely American institution, we’d like to show that you’ve been seriously misinformed. Take for example tomorrow’s Battle of the Drums, an international competition of Garifuna drum groups in Punta Gorda, Belize. The competition features eight groups from around the Garifuna diaspora, playing five different varieties of Garifuna music. Held annually since 2006, the event is a part of the celebrations happening around Belize in honor of Garifuna Settlement Day next Tuesday, Nov. 19. The Garifuna people are descended from Caribs, Arawaks, and West Africans. This unique blend of cultures begins on the island of Saint Vincent. There, the story goes, two ships full of Ibibio people (from modern-day Nigeria) who had been sold into slavery were shipwrecked in 1675. They soon assimilated into the local Carib and Arawak communities, but as the English and French each fought to colonize the island, the Garifuna were exiled to Roatán, off the coast of Honduras. From there, they eventually immigrated to mainland Central America, settling in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and of course, Belize. For more details, check out our article on the interesting history of the Garifuna people.

November 16, 2013