Update on rescue efforts at sea...

On Sunday 20th March, 2011, at about 11:00am, information was received from The Belize Coast Guard of a cargo vessel that had sunk about two miles out of the outer reef, east of Caye Caulker Village. Initial investigations revealed that the vessel was a cargo ship, 74 meters in length and 11meters in width, with the name HELGA that was travelling from Panama and was heading to Mexico with a shipment of salt. The crew consisted of (11) male person, all of Cuban Nationality. The crew rescued were namely: Iraelio Mengana Garcia, 47yrs; Armando Garnado Martinez, 47yrs; Antonio Perez Sadez, 37yrs; Humberto Iglesias Hernandez, 49yrs; Alfredo Porta Martinez, 43yrs; Jose Consta Nalia, 46yrs; George Herrera Aldana, 38yrs; Joaquin Ruiz De Zarate Arribas, 39yrs. The three that are still missing Arturo Edreira Cuza (Captain), Nelson Perez Ardao and Alexis Gonzalez Cune are still being sought by Coast Guard, Police and local personnel.

This information was provided by the Police Press Office...

13th Annual Asset Protection and Global Investment Forum held

Exotic Caye Beach Resort was the venue, and co-hosts, along with Caye Bank Financial Center; for “President’s Week”, March 12th – 16th, 2011. Originally founded as a small gathering of corporate presidents (hence its nick name) who wanted to exchanger insights on the world economy, demographic and market trends, and new investment opportunities, the (APGI – Asset Protection and Global Investment) group has now grown in membership. While the conference is no longer limited to corporate presidents, it continues to be a private invitation only event where attendees have the opportunity to speak personally with international experts on business, investments, banking and economic trends, as well as entrepreneurs offering investment opportunities.

Highlights from the Forum included: Asset Protection for a Dangerous World; How to Safeguard Your Wealth in a World Drowning in Printed Paper Money; Private Equity, Global Opportunity and the Conversion of Demographic Trends Makes Latin America the Place to be Now; The Last Dominoes: Seldom-Discussed Economic Factors with a Historical Perspective; Double Digit Returns in a Zero-Percent World; The Last, Best Loop Hole for Tax-Deferred Growth and Investment; Global Banking: What You Need to Know; Tax Considerations for US Citizens Living, Working & Retiring Abroad; US Capital Controls – Are They Hidden in the New Jobs Bill (H.R.2847)?: Retirement Incentives and Structures for Holding and Protecting Assets in Belize among others.

Paul German - Manager of Excotic Caye Beach Resort, Hon. Wilfred Elrington - guest speaker and Michael K. Cobb - CEO, ECI Development, Ltd

Presenters included Joel M. Nagel, Esquire, Nagel & Associates, LLC; Egon von Greyerz, Founder, Matterhorn Asset Management AG, Zurich, Switzerland; Michael K. Cobb, CEO, ECI Development, Ltd; Hank Brock, CEO, Mutual Benefit International Group, Ltd; Brad Thomason, CPA, The Jefferson Group, LLC; Peter Nolan, President, Karlsberg International Insurance Corporation, Ltd.; Peter Zipper, President Caye International Bank, Ltd.; Maurice Glazer, CEO, Glazer Financial Network; Trevor Bradley, Georgetown Trust, Ltd. among others.

Michael Cobb, Chairman and CEO of ECI (Exotic Caye International) Development opened with a formal introduction to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Wilfred Elrington and a welcome to all in attendance.

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, in his introduction, offered his gratitude to the forum for their consideration of Belize as a recipient for their investments, while pointing out the various aspects of Belize that makes it ideal for investing and retiring. Following his welcome, Hon. Elrington went on to give a brief history of the beginnings of the country, from a British Colony to present while pointing the areas where the country can be improved – and where investment would be most welcomed.

Following the speech by Hon. Elrington, dinner (in the form of a Beach Bar-B-Q) was blessed and served under the tent on the beach.

Boat Capsizes Near Caye Caulker - Three Missing at Sea

At 11:10PM on Saturday night Belize National Coast Guard received a distress call on Channel 16 from the vessel Helga. Helga, which flies a Panamanian flag, is leased by a Cuban company. The crew of one captain and 10 men were in route from Mexico to Honduras where there were transporting salt. Their location was posted three miles east of Caye Caulker. A rescue mission was launched consisting of the National Coast Guard, the Belize Defense Force, local police and volunteers. At 3AM today four survivors were rescued from the water and another four were recovered at 8AM.

Three crewmembers remain unaccounted for and the search continues. The men rescued were transported to Caye Caulker where they received medical care and are awaiting transport off the island.

The Art of Life: Your Chemistry

Hangovers- considering the amount of bars in San Pedro, I am sure they are people experiencing this daily. You can’t do anything but wait till the alcohol departs your body. Most often it takes a whole day to recover. Imagine you could see inside yourself-all your organs and the different circulatory systems that make your body work. Now everything you eat or drink that enters into your blood stream is there for you to see. Having the ability to see this we would all think twice before we consume the foods we do. Our bodies are machines that work efficiently with the right chemistry. Food is really just a form of chemistry.

Unfortunately we can’t see our chemistry, but we all have the ability to feel. Seeing inside yourself is listening to what your body is feeling. The language of the body is feeling. Some people are so out of touch with their bodies they never feel what their bodies are telling them. They continue to consume harmful chemistry until it’s too late. I often ask myself does pleasure have to cost so much.

Living your best requires knowing what is best for your body. Each one of us requires a unique chemistry, a balance only you know. No doctor can know you like you. Learning the language of your body is to know the nutrition that creates your personal balance.

Next time you find yourself in pain because of something you ate or drank, ask yourself if the pleasure of the experience was worth it. Then consider other ways to enjoy life without hurting your chemistry.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel , Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

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.