Friday, May 6, 2011

Gene Simmons films on the island

Rock icon Gene Simmons (founding member of KISS) is on the island where he is filming for his A&E show Gene Simmons Family Jewels.The San Pedro Sun caught a glimpse of him and wife Shannon Tweed as they drove down Barrier Reef Drive with cameras etc...

Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce - closing a chapter

Press Release – Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce - May 5, 2011 - The Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce came into being with the signing of documents on November 7, 2002 and was registered as a Non-Profit Organization December 17, 2002. The first officers were Tom Vidrine, Boatyard; Malcolm Hitchcock, Fido’s; Melanie Paz, Amigos del Mar; Keith Newton, Palapa Ventures; and Debbie Sharko, Iguana Gardens Apartments. We would like to thank these people (and others) for bringing this important organization to San Pedro Town. During the time of organization, a multitude of talented and thoughtful people gave leadership and direction to much needed subjects for our town. Accomplishments were many. They addressed beautification of the town, safety issues on the water and streets, safety of the citizens in working with the Police Department and national issues of importance, among others.

As personal agendas changed, the San Pedro Business Association splintered off to cover issues which they felt they were more in tune with. Mr. Vidrine continued to head ACCC, but a leadership role for a long time takes its toll also. June 2010, Tom decided to step down. He was also leaving the country for an indefinite time. At a moments’ notice, the roll of Acting President was given to me as the First Vice President. Sadly to say, it was during an extremely busy time for me while working on the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site Project. My dance card was full; I was not in a position to lead the Chamber. Although we tried to restart it over the last few months, no one else has agreed to take the Presidents’ position and form a new slate of officers. The San Pedro Business Association is, however, discussing merging with the Chamber.

Times have changed and the Chamber is now calling it a day for now. It is a good organization – a prestigious organization – for any town to have. When it is time and the need is there, leaders will again come forth to start anew. A quote from Chris Emmanuel last week was, “Make experience the only success and you will never fail”. He talked about the fact that we all like to win, but sometimes you have to accept losing as winning at times. To “embrace failure and see the wisdom from our efforts……and see the beauty of doing our best in all situations.”

The Ambergris Caye Chamber of Commerce was a winner. We did our best. Thank you San Pedro.

Very Sincerely Yours,
Jan Brown, Past Acting President

At the final meeting, Rebecca Arceo from the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA) attended and invited members from both organizations to attend a meeting on Wednesday May 11th, 4pm at El Divino. A discussion will be held regarding the possible merging of the organizations into the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce.

A Happy Ending – Cinthia’s ‘Tale’

SAGA receives calls daily about animals that need their help. Whenever a member of staff picks up the phone, they can only hope and pray for a happy ending because calls to SAGA so often have such a tragic beginning. Such was the case when someone called to report that a small dog had been left tied to an abandoned shack in San Mateo without food, water or shelter.
No matter how long a person has worked for SAGA, they never get used to the horrific sights that sometimes greet them when they rescue a dog or cat that has been the victim of cruelty, abuse or neglect. Cinthia’s condition was terrible and her pitiful state just made her rescuers want to weep. She was starving, had a terrible case of Demodex – a non contagious skin disease – so was nearly bald, was dehydrated and suffering from the deadly disease, Tick Fever.

Very little is known about Cinthia’s history before coming into the loving care of SAGA Humane Society. So her tale starts with them. Sometimes it can be difficult to decide whether or not a dog will survive after being subjected to such incredible suffering and it is often entirely up to the dog whether or not they will fight for their lives. After a grueling two months of intensive care and treatment with SAGA, Cinthia proved that she was going to fight and not give up.
As she recovered and gained her strength, along came a couple, Matt & Katina Ewing. It was love at first sight despite the challenge facing them because they just couldn’t afford to fly Cinthia to the USA at the time. Inspired by Cinthia’s fight for life, they didn’t give up and neither did SAGA. After some fundraising, Cinthia headed off to her new home and her new life.
Normally, our tale would end here – but it doesn’t.
Two weeks ago Katia Marin and Heidi Sowards, SAGA volunteers, were attending a conference in Puerto Rico. Who should they bump into but Katina and Cinthia. It was a joyous reunion and many tears were shed, not because of Cinthia’s sad tale, but because of her amazing happy ending.
Doesn’t every dog and cat that SAGA rescues deserve a happy ending? If you want to give a dog or cat a new life, please contact SAGA on 226-3266.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

KISS icon Gene Simmons in Belize

Gene Simmons and wife Shannon Tweed are on location in Belize filming new episodes for their popular TV series "Family Jewels." They were spotted today in southern Belize in Punta Gorda where they not only enjoyed local food and fun at Waluco's, but indulged in Cotton Tree Chocolate's that is grown and produced in Belize.



Photo courtesy Juli Puryear, Cotton Tree Chocolates

Oceana Belize "I Love My Reef" YMCA snorkeling

Oceana’s “I Love My Reef” campaign takes Belize City kids snorkeling
Press Release – OCEANA – May 4, 2011 – Oceana in Belize officially kicked off its “I Love My Reef” Campaign on Easter Sunday, April 24 of this year at a San Pedro Beach Party fund raiser, and continued to promote the theme with an incredible snorkeling outing for eighteen Belize City children from the YMCA youth program.

The “I Love My Reef” campaign is intended to promote the beauty of our spectacular Belize Barrier Reef to citizens countrywide, and this group of children and their chaperones were wowed and amazed by the underwater beauty exposed to them by this expedition.

A short boat ride took the future aquanauts first to Sergeant’s Caye, where they were given professional snorkeling instruction by the tour guides, and they hit the water like pros! The guides led the way through the colourful underwater forest, showing the goggled viewers spectacular fish and coral. Then it was off to Goff’s Caye – entrance fees all covered thanks to the Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMAI) - for a great lunch, and afterwards, more swimming. It was overall a great trip, leaving the now experienced snorkelers blown away with what they saw and experienced. They are all now firsthand proponents of what our Belizean Barrier Reef has to offer, and why it should remain protected.
Oceana is also promoting two “I Love My Reef” contests, which are now open to the public. The first is a poetry contest for children aged 8 to 16, and the other is a song contest on the same theme for individuals 17 years and older. All Belizeans are encouraged to enter these contests, and there will be exciting prizes awarded to the winners. Send us your entries today!
Oceana, founded in 2001, is the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation. Our offices in North America, Central America, South America and Europe work together on a limited number of strategic, directed campaigns to achieve measurable outcomes that will help return our oceans to former levels of abundance. We believe in the importance of science in identifying problems and solutions. Our scientists work closely with our teams of economists, lawyers and advocates to achieve tangible results for the oceans.