Club Latino's Celebrity Bartending Tonight Benefits the San Pedro Lion’s Club!

Club Latino will be hosting "Celebrity Bartender Night" tonight to benefit the San Pedro Lions Club.

Lion members Mel Spain, Kainie Manuel and Jorge Aldana will be tending the bar so be sure to stop by and have them mix-up your favorite cocktail!

Proceeds from every sale will go towards the San Pedro Lion’s Club, so come on out and show your community support while enjoying a fun evening!

Island entertainment for the whole family

While visiting San Pedro there are so many activities to choose from that it may seem overwhelming at first! But whatever you’re fancy, be it water sports, beach combing, high adventure or socializing you are sure to find it on La Isla Bonita. One way to enjoy and get to know the community better is to engage in some of the local activities and events that bring visitors and residents together. The opportunity allows you to experience the best in island hospitality while seeing a side of San Pedro that might not necessary be on the “must do” list of tourism activities.

Lions Friday Night Bingo & BBQ

At the heart of community fun is the Friday night Bingo and BBQ at the Lion’s Den. Most people the world over know of the Lions International volunteer community service organization and what it stands for. With 1.3 million members in 205 countries, the San Pedro Lions Club is proud to serve and is an active organization that time and time again comes to the aid of the local, as well as the global community. When enjoying the Friday Bingo and BBQ night you not only have a great meal and good fun but help the club raise funds for the community. [read more ...]

Saturday Family Fun at Mojito Bar & Grill

Established in 2008, Mojito Bar and Grill is located inside the beachside courtyard at Sunbreeze Suites just one more block north of the Lion’s Den on Barrier Reef Drive. Any day is a good day to enjoy the beach views along with a variety of Mojito’s to choose from along with menu favorites like shrimp or conch ceviche, yummy tacos, grilled meats and seafood or tasty mango chipotle skewers. [read more ...]

Wednesday Night – Chicken Drop at Pier Lounge

For over twenty years this signature event has been a crowd pleaser for thousands of visitors and locals alike. Undoubtedly the most filmed activity on the island, the Chicken Drop has become a popular feature for travel programs including the PBS Channel and Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown. Located right on the beach at Pier Lounge inside the Spindrift Hotel on Barrier Reef, the Drop usually begins around 7pm with music, beachside bar and fun. [read more ...]

Alex Soler freed of murder charges

One year after he was accused of murder, 23-year-old Alex Soler is a free man following the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) directive that the murder charge against him be dropped. Soler was one of three accused and charged in the double murder of Eduardo “Brahlee” Gutierrez and James Swan on January 29th, 2009.

James Swan, deceased

In the DPP’s directive, it instructed the court to drop charges against Soler on the basis that there was absolutely no evidence to suggest that he [Soler] was involved in the murder. The DPP, however, instructed that the other two accused, who were jointly charged with Soler, Brionne Swift and Victor Garnett be submitted to a preliminary hearing.

Eduardo “Brahlee” Gutierrez, deceased

During the preliminary hearing, Swift’s Attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradely outlined to the court that the evidence submitted against the accused was contravening. Bradely told The San Pedro Sun that the statements given during the investigation by both witnesses, Ivan Tun and Eric Swan, totally contradict each other when it relates to the chain of events. In court proceedings, both statements are key pieces of evidence and were submitted by the prosecution in the double murder case.

Both Eduardo Gutierrez and James Swan were found murdered in a shallow grave in the Rocky Point area of Ambergris Caye on February 1st, 2009. Police, at the time, said that investigations revealed that both men were murder since January 29th, 2009. The double murder, it was suspected, was related to another murder which took place that same week; all murders were suspected to have been drugs related.

Presiding Magistrate Emerson Banner reserved his decision until February 8th. Soler was represented in court by Senior Crown Council Simeon Sampson.

"Catch of the Day" is 2010 Wahoo Tournament winner

This past Saturday, the San Pedro Wahoo Challenge took place. Anglers were ready for a day of sun and fishing. The Wahoo did not disappoint, with 30 Wahoos being brought to shore. Weigh in took place at Captain Morgan’s Retreat. After all fish were weighed the award ceremony revealed the winners as follows:

*First Place was won by the “Catch of the Day” captained by Ivan Staines. The boat took home $3,000 and a trophy with 340 pounds of Wahoo.

*Biggest Wahoo was reeled in by Charlie Reed on board “Catch of the Day.” His 50 pound Wahoo garnered him a $1,000 cash prize.*Second Place was taken by “Contender,” captained by Andy Nuñez who won $1,500 with their four Wahoo weighting 128 pounds.

*Top Female Angler honor was taken by Stacy Bove on board “Contender.” For her 35 pound Wahoo Bove won $250 and a trophy.

Other winners included: *Top Junior Angler which was won by Jules Guerrero on board “Sly Dog” and he took a $250 plus trophy for his 40 pound Wahoo.

Pictures courtesy of Mary Hawthorne

Retire in Belize - the time is now

The Belizean government's expat retiree incentive programme is being scaled down due to its own success. New retirees wanting to settle in Belize from Canada, United States and United Kingdom are advised to apply now to take advantage of the generous current programme before new rules are announced in early 2010.

Belize now has 20,000 new residents thanks to the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) programme introduced by the Tourist Board of Belize in 1999. The QRP program asked for applicants to be over the age of 45 with a minimum monthly income of US$2,000 in exchange for permanent residency in this frost-free affordable country with a population in 2008 of 310,000.
In the current programme, a new retiree in Belize can import household goods worth up to US$15,000, a vehicle, a boat and a lightweight aircraft duty free and gain permanent residency.

Currently 1 in 15 of the population of Belize settled in the country through the QRP programme, which amongst its benefits does not require expat retirees to pay tax on income derived from outside of Belize. Applicants are encouraged to start their own business if they desire extra income beyond the US$2,000, which has to be deposited each month into a Belizean bank account. New retirees are also entitled to own rental property and to operate as a 'sleeping' or 'silent' partner in a Belizean business. The monthly deposit of US$2,000 can be used for one person or a couple.
Wini Dean, real estate consultant at Caribbean Land and Property commented on the current Belizean real estate situation: “We are seeing increased interest from all walks of life for Belize. For those looking for alternative living situations, a self sufficient lifestyle is possible in places like these. For those who want to live 'closer to the earth' but still maintain a bit of luxury and a sense of security, there are wonderful new development projects that are now available”.

Internet search engine giant Google has 27,500 searches per month from internet users looking for information on the term Belize real estate.