Legends Burger House Raises $4,000BZD for ACES Crocodile Conservation

Press Release – ACES/American Crocodile Education Sanctuary – May 31, 2011 – This past Saturday Legend’s Burger House was rock’n for crocs. Gino and the Shack Shakers entertained guests while they enjoyed pulled pork and chicken tacos and cocktails under the shade of a Belikin tent. The crocodile conservation display by ACES/ American Crocodile Education Sanctuary was educational as well as entertaining. Visitors marveled over the difference in skull sizes between the freshwater Morelet’s and the saltwater American crocs, and enjoyed watching both a photo gallery of ACES provided by The San Pedro Sun and a fantastically exciting video of ACES’s croc rescues and school visits which was created by Island Films.
Children took turns batting at a crocodile piñata made by Vince Rose, ACES croc wrangler and Wildlife Behaviorist, and Vince gave a live demonstration of how one of the croc traps works. After spending hours of preparation to set up the trap earlier that morning, it only took seconds once Vince crawled inside and pulled the bait for the net opening to be pulled tightly shut and raise high up into the tree, successfully capturing Vince. The crowd was impressed and delighted by the demonstration.
Tyler Cornell of Legend’s Burger House ingeniously helped ACES raise even more funds by giving away FREE rum drinks with the purchase of every $5 raffle ticket. Then, the raffle winners were drawn and 25 awesome prizes were handed out accordingly. As 6pm neared, people crowded the silent auction table to get in their last bids. As the sun set over the lagoon, silent auction winners were announced by ACES apprentice Chris Summers, and the winners received their prizes as the party dwindled down.

ACES would like to personally thank everyone who donated prizes for the day’s events and everyone that supported the cause by buying tickets or attending the festivities. “We are grateful to the whole community of this very special island. The generosity of everyone, from the band donating their time, to the San Pedro Town Council who permitted free bridge passes to those attending the event this is beyond what I ever could have imagined. We would especially like to thank Tyler Cornell, Jewels Von Rabenau and the staff at Legends Burger House for offering to host this event,” stated ACES Research Biologist Cherie Rose.

ACES will utilize the monies raised to continue building the new Educational Crocodile Eco-Sanctuary in Ladyville. Once the main facility is established and self-sustainable, it will give ACES the freedom to consider implementing a smaller croc sanctuary here on the island. And the biggest success of the fundraiser was that fun was had by all!

The Island Academy hosts Pirate Party

With fun games, drinks, dancing and dinner for a whole fleet, The Island Academy welcomed festive attendees to their annual Pirate Party fundraiser! Featuring Poker, Roulette and Karaoke, Bingo, Chalupa, plus raffles and many other games, there was fun for everyone. Held as a fundraiser for the school, the Pirate Party was deemed a definite success.

See pictures below of some of the dressed-up pirates!

Treasure Island Academy invites you!!

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum & Coca Cola! The Island Academy boldly invites all lads, lasses, families, and visitors to the "TREASURE ISLAND ACADEMY PIRATE PARTY 2011" on Friday, May 27, from 7 pm - 11 pm. There will be games, drinks, dancing and dinner for a whole fleet! Featuring Poker, Roulette and Karaoke for adults, with Bingo, Limbo, Chalupa, and more. Mariano's Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt arcade will be inflating the "Treasure Island Bouncy Castle" to keep kids buoyant. Dress to Plunder! All ashore who like fun galore!

The booty keeps coming! Generous donors include: Seaduced by Belize, San Pedro Woodworks, Pages Bookstore, Lourdes Hardware, Lynn's Boutique, The Train Station, Estel's by the Sea, El Divino Steakhouse at Banana Beach, S.P.O.G.-San Pedro Online Grocery, Kakaw Chocolate, Sarai's Boutique, Black Orchid Management Tours, Hugh Parkey Dive Team, Eye Candy Boutique, DandE's Custard, Belize Surf Shop, Nautica Seafood Restaurant, with grand awards from Cayo Espanto, El Pescador Lodge, and Chan Chich Eco-resort!

Everyone is invited to don pirate costumes and enjoy drinks, dinner, and dancing from 7 pm - 11 pm. Island Academy teachers will be leading the games. Admission is $10 Adults, $5 kids under 18. Join the lads and lasses who are done with classes!

Legends Burger House Hosts Fundraiser for American Crocodiles

For Immediate Release - May 11, 2011 - American Crocodile Education Sanctuary - Saturday, May 28, 2011 Legends Burger House, located north of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, is hosting the fundraiser of the year to help raise awareness and funds for crocodile conservation in Belize. The event will start at noon and continue through the night. There will be live music, including Gino and the Shack Shakers, food, beer, Crocoladas, piñatas, raffle prizes, a silent auction, educational crocodile displays, and fun for the whole family. Prizes include diving packages, dinners for two, artwork, and more. Not only is there no cover charge, but also you do not need to be present to win prizes. Thanks to the San Pedro Town Council the bridge fee will be waived for those attending.

There are less than 10,000 American crocodiles in the world today. ACES not only rescues problematic, ill, injured, and illegally kept crocodiles countrywide, but also is currently conducting an American crocodile population and habitat viability assessment on Ambergris Caye. This research will provide the Belize Forest Department with valuable information to devise a strategic crocodile conservation plan that will help save the species and while keeping human populations safe. Funds raised will be used for relocating problematic crocodiles from private and public areas and crocodile education. ACES will attend every school in Ambergris Caye and inform students on how to safely coexist with these apex predators.

ACES is also in the process of building a public educational crocodile eco-sanctuary on the mainland in Ladyville where ill, injured, and problematic crocodiles can live out their lives and while teaching people about the importance of these apex predators in Belize ecosystems.

Please come to Legends Fundraiser and help save these important apex predators. In laboratory studies, researches are finding that serum from crocodile blood kills HIV and Herpes viruses.

Bridge passes for the event are available at The San Pedro Sun, Legends, and ACES.

Come Help Legends Take a Bite Out of Extinction!

ACES/American Crocodile Education Sanctuary is a non-profit organization, permitted by the Belize Forest Department, dedicated to the conservation of Belize's protected species, specifically crocodilians, through scientific research and education in order to preserve Belize's wildlife for future generations.

An update on ACES American crocodile population and habitat viability assessment in Ambergris Caye, Belize, was published in the Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter and can be downloaded in PDF format from: http://americancrocodilesanctuary.org/apps/documents/

Prize donations are still welcome and can be made by calling 631-8162 or email acesnpo@hughes.net

If you cannot attend and still wish to help, donations can be made via check Payable To: ACES and mailed to: Cherie Rose, General Delivery, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize; direct deposits can be made to Belize Bank Acct#630-2-2-21-5255; or wire transfers from the USA can be sent to: Bank of America, Swiss Code Address: #BOFAUS3N, ABA#026009593, Belize Bank Acct#6550-8-26053, For further credit to: ACES Acct#630-2-2-21-5255.

Miss Chiquitita pageant fundraiser brings the entertainment

The night was cool, but inside the Saca Chispas football field, things were heating up amongst the audience as groups of supporters cheered on their favorite contestant at the 2011-2012 Miss Chiquitita pageant. Seven beautiful young ladies ranging from the ages of four through eight were vying for a title as part of fundraising efforts for San Pedro Pre-School.

Set up as a proper pageant, with an opening dance number, swimwear, talent and evening gown segments, Miss Chiquitita was about presentation, poise and confidence. Judges Ceci Lara, Horacio “Chito” Guerrero, Miss San Pedro Natasha Stuart, Jessie Leslie and Samalia Vernon deliberated long and hard throughout the competition. They had to award points for poise, presentation, talent, and stage presence. Each young lady did very well, giving their best with the knowledge that only one would be crowned a winner – so for the judges, their work was certainly cut out for them.

The crowd grew more and more enthusiastic as the night wore on. Supporters chanted their favorite’s name, throwing confetti, balloons and blowing horns as their favorite girls showed up for the last time onstage in their evening gowns. Yanni Ayala (7), Elsie Belisle (6), Nathalie Bolzle (6), Gabriella Knox-Alexander (7), Nathalie Mejia (6), Noely Wiltshire (6) and Gidelie Rivero (8) proudly sashayed in their beautiful ball gowns, twinkling and smiling for the crowd. After a final walk through, they stood before the crowd waiting for the results of the pageant.

Yanni Ayala

Noely Wiltshire

Nathalie Mejia

Nathalie had lots of fun performing to Katy Perry's California Girls

Elsie Belisle danced to some Punta music while dressed in a traditional costume.

More Punta music filled the air as Gidelie performed her heart out...

The first prize announced was Miss Congeniality, and that honor went to Miss Nathalie Bolzle, who was very excited and happy as she received her sash. Miss Photogenic was Miss Gidelie Rivero, and she also swept up the place of first runner up. Everyone held their breath in anticipation, as former Miss San Pedro (and mistress of ceremonies) Raquel Badillo kept the suspense going. Finally, she leaned over and gave a quick kiss to Miss Gabriella Knox-Alexander, San Pedro’s newest little beauty ambassador, Miss Chiquitita 2011-2012!

Miss Congeniality Nathalie Bolzle

Miss Chiquitita is crowned...

Gabby takes the crown...

Part of the talent show included this dance to Shakira's Loca

Congratulations to Gabriella Knox-Alexander, Miss Chiquitita 2011-2012!!

A very beautiful and composed Gabby Knox-Alexander was crowned tonight as the new Miss Chiquitita. Gabby was chosen as the winner amongst 7 contestants vying for the title of Miss Chiquitita 2011-2012. The pageant is held as a fundraiser to help San Pedro Pre-School with their operational expenses.

Miss Congeniality Nathalie Bolzle

First Runner Up Gidelie Rivero

Second Runner Up Miss Noely Wiltshire

Congratulations to all the lovely young ladies who participated and did a FANTASTIC job. And to Gabby, a very big congratulations as well!

More photos and details will be posted as they become available!

San Pedro Lion’s Club spearheads the fundraising efforts to assist Japan Victims

Lions Club International Fund (LCIF), the day following the Japan disaster, issued a 1.2 million dollars grant equivalent to M100 Japanese yen. In a statement issued by Lion’s International President, Lions’ motto “We serve” was highlighted.
Lions International was among the first to respond to the disaster relieve efforts in Japan. Further correspondence stated that the LCIF remains committed to the immediate relief effort and long term reconstruction effort for as long as possible.
In that regards, all clubs are being called upon to start fundraising efforts for the Japan Appeal Fund. The San Pedro Lions Club on Monday morning launched their Japan appeal fund efforts. The Club’s aim is to raise a minimum of Bze$5,000.00. All four clubs within the country of Belize are tasked with the same goal, Bze$5,000.00.
Donations to the Japan relief fund can be made at the Atlantic Bank Account #:100030618 in the name of Japan Appeal Fund.
In addition to this account, on Sunday March 20, the San Pedro Lions will be holding an all day fundraiser at the San Pedro Lions Den. The general public is invited to this mega fundraising event. Every penny counts. No donation is too small or too large. Belize was a recipient of LCIF’s funds, as last year we received US$10,000.00 in the aftermath of Hurricane Richard, which provided much needed financial assistance to citizens affected.

Baby Jonathan needs your help

Jonathan Caliz was born to Virginia Caliz on January 21, 2011 at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City. At birth, he was diagnosed with Thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia, pronounced (THROM-bo-si-to-PE-ne-ah) is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of blood cell fragments called platelets (PLATE-lets). Platelets are made in your bone marrow along with other kinds of blood cells. They travel through your blood vessels and stick together (clot) to stop any bleeding that may happen if a blood vessel is damaged.

The duration of this condition depends on its cause. It can range from days to years. Thrombocytopenia can be fatal, especially if the bleeding is severe or occurs in the brain. However, the overall outlook for individuals who have the condition is good, especially if the cause of the low platelet count is found and treated.

Jonathan Caliz was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the KHMH for about a month after birth. In Belize he underwent Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ultrasound of the abdomen and blood transfusions. After being at the KHMH in the ICU and spending about 5 days on life support, doctors were unable to distinguish the cause of Baby Jonathan’s condition. As a result, it was suggested that baby Jonathan seek medical attention abroad. In an effort to obtain the medical attention needed at a more economic rate, the family has decided to take Baby Jonathan to neighboring Guatemala.

Initial tests have been performed on Baby Jonathan in Guatemala and while doctors have managed to stabilize Jonathan’s platelets count, his blood count has dropped drastically. To date, Jonathan’s medical expenses in Guatemala totaled an approximate US$20,000.00. This would only cover the diagnostic phase of the testing while maintaining Baby Jonathan stabilized.
To date, two fundraisers have been held, 1 Bar-B-Q sale at the Central Park; food sale organized by the Adventist Church. A portion of the proceeds from Super G children’s Disco organized by Ms. Debbie Spain has been pledged towards medical expenses of Baby Jonathan.

Virginia Caliz is making a formal plea to the general public for any financial assistance that could be made. An account has been set up at the Belize Bank. Donations can be made to Account#230421 in the name of Virginia Caliz. If you want to help in any form please contact Virginia at 605-4086.

The San Pedro Cancer Society invites you to it's fundraiser!!

Everyone is invited to swing by the San Pedro Lions' Den today Sunday for the all-day fundraiser being held by the San Pedro Cancer Society. Funds are being raised to help cancer victims that are currently undergoing treatment. Food and drinks are on sale...$5 Rice and Beans, cupcakes, other pastries, good music and of course - all for a good cause...

Be sure to pick up informative literature as well...sit in and dine, or pick up your lunch/evening meal to go...

Come by and support a worthy cause!!

Charlotte Hansen and the Bunkhouse Gang at ABC Pre-School

The children at ABC Pre School had great fun this morning when a colorful bunch of puppet friends came by to say hello, sing some songs and make new friends.

Charlotte Hansen, who is on the island for a week is making several stops at the various schools on the island with her puppet friends, and they have been brightening the days of the children everywhere they go.

Saturday is the official big show, which is a fundraiser for SAGA Humane Society. Don't miss what promises to be a super fun event!!