Congratulations Conch Creative!!

Big Kudos to Maya Papovic and Colette Kase of Conch Creative for their super nice feature in the Wall Street Journal.

Conch Creative's gorgeous photos of the House of the Day feature an incredible private escape near San Pedro but accessible only by boat. The "nearly 3-acre property in Belize includes a private marina, a two-story main house and a three-bedroom guest house. It is also outfitted with solar panels, rainwater collection and facilities to purify seawater."

Conch Creative is a combination of both ladies' knowledge and talents in photography, design, videography and PR. They offer high quality service, emphasizing on customer care, with end results that are beautiful and tasteful.

Congratulations once more to the wonderful team at Conch Creative!!

San Pedro's 2011 Lobsterfest - "Party like a lob-Star"

Not even a quick downpour could stop the crowd from enjoying San Pedro’s 2011 Lobsterfest on June 25th. Gaily decorated booths served as shelter for the passing storm, and soon after, the music, food and enjoyment kicked off again. Hundreds of people came and went, sampling the many ways lobster had been prepared for their enjoyment. Each booth at the Central Park had their unique way of preparing the tasty crustacean. Special drinks like the Chocolate Lobster, which contained chunks of chocolate coated lobster at the bottom of a very delicious, creamy concoction kept crowds coming back for more. Grilled lobster tails, lobster hot dogs, lobster tamales and coconut curry lobster salad in a waffle ice cream cone – the variety of preparations were endless, and everyone indulged in the biggest celebration of the lobster.

At the end of the night, Supa G came onstage to help everyone “party like a lob-star”!! Watch for the results of the judging and of course, for more information on what all went down this year at San Pedro’s Lobsterfest 2011 in The San Pedro Sun newspaper

Did YOU party like a lob-star this year?! See you in 2012!!

2011 Tres Pescados Slam Tournament

This July 28th, 29th and 30th marks the 3rd annual Tres Pescados Slam Tournament to be held in San Pedro. The Tournament has become known internationally bringing the needed attention to Belize’s catch-and-release law for the tarpon, bonefish and permit which in turn brings fly fishing anglers all year to our waters trying for the coveted grand slam of all 3 fish in one day.

This year’s event includes the same wining formula as in past years with a new moon, great local fly fishing guides, one and two person angling teams, great location with award winning food and accommodations, a fly casting competition, and of course, the marvelous creatures that are only found together in a few spots on Earth with Belize being the best of those locations.

Wesnday, July 27th starts the event with the Casters Banquet being held at the Lion’s Den with all teams required to be represented to go over the rules and receive any last minute changes or updates. The San Pedro Lions have always put on a great banquet for us. Putting the money raised back into the community and providing ongoing protection of the sustainable income the 3 fish represent to San Pedro is a priority of the Tournament.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday (July 28-30) are the hard fishing days for the Pro Division competitors coming to town to team with the fly fishing guide they think will bring them to the Grand Champion win. We have 17 Pro teams entered consisting of one and two persons per team with most coming from the USA to compete for the title of Grand Champion of 2011. We have two women teams entered this year and many of the same faces from the teams of the past will compete once again this year.

The Amateur Division will once again be opened for all those wanting to compete without a guide and against the other amateur fly anglers entered. This division allows two person teams to compete for a split of 30% of the purse among the top 3 amateur winners.

The purse again this year will be $10,000 divided among the top winning spots. We hope to once again donate and equal amount of the money raised to the Conservation and Management of Sport Fish in Belize program designed to further the protection of this sustainable income producing resource.

The casting activities for the for the youth, men and women along with the kids mini-rod casting will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Central Park from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM each of those days. The kids casting with prizes will again be free for all kids.

Mark your calendars for July 28-30, 2011 for the 3rd Annual International Tres Pescados Slam Tournament and compete in the fishing, casting or bring the kids to cast the mini rods. Your help will keep the stainable income from these 3 fish here for generations.

We would like to thank El Pescador Resort for being the Presenting sponsor again this year; Belize Tourism Board, Victoria House and The Phoenix Resort for their Platinum sponsorships; Captain Sharks, Marelco, Costa del Mar Sunglasses and Tres Pescados Fly Shop for their Gold sponsor; San Pedro Town Council, Anglers Abroad Fly Shop, Go Fish Belize, Yellow Dog Adventures, The Red House, Caye Casa, Palapa Bar, Fly Treks, and Fish The Earth for their Silver sponsorship; and Fidos, Atlantic Bank, San Pedro Tourism Guide Association, Coastal Xpress and Caribbean Treasures for their Bronze level sponsorship.

For more information please go to http://www.tres-pescado-tournament.org or phone Jim Oliver at 668-6690. The Ambergris Caye Fly Fishing Club is the event organizer.

Court of Appeal decision regarding Telemedia

Press Release - Saturday, June 25, 2011 - Belize Press Office - On Friday June 24, 2011 the Belize Court of Appeal ruled that the acquisition of Belize Te-lemedia Limited by the Government of Belize, is unconstitutional. As a consequence of that decision Mr Dean Boyce, one of the successful appellants, went to Telemedia's headquarters on St Thomas street in Belize City and purported to take back the company. Government then got immediate legal advice as to the full import and consequence of the Court of Appeal decision. On the basis of that advice Government concluded that it was not open, without more, to Mr Boyce to assume control of the company. The Court of Ap-peal judgment is declaratory in nature, and by itself does not deprive Government of its de facto possession of the company. For that to happen the appellant Boyce would have to go back to court for an enforcement order telling Government to give up possession. Gov-ernment thus instructed its appointee, the Executive Chairman and the Telemedia Board, to continue in command of the company unless presented with a court order specifically placing the appellant Boyce in control.

Government stresses that in resisting Mr Boyce government is acting strictly in accor-dance with the law. In fact It was Boyce and his lawyer who tried to circumvent the court processes by moving without the specifically required order. And government actually waited until it could be absolutely sure of its legal ground before it decided to resist Boyce.

Government also makes clear that it will fight any application for an enforcement order, and that it has several bases on which to do so. Government has also taken steps to ap-peal to the CCJ the Friday decision of the Court of Appeal. And regardless of the outcome of Boyce's application for an enforcement order, the appeal will be carried on.

The Government of Belize is naturally extremely disappointed at the ruling of the Court of Appeal. It is at a loss to understand how, in all the circumstances, the Court could have come to its decision, which has the effect of thwarting the will of the Belizean people as exercised by a sovereign Government. Nevertheless our system of democracy and rule of law is such that the decision must be respected, even as Government exercises all op-tions which that very rule of law gives to government.
Government also regrets the uncertainty that the legal developments have caused, espe-cially to the staff of Telemedia but also to the wider public. But Government will now use every recourse to preserve the status quo.

Finally, the Government of Belize thanks the Belizean people for what Government is cer-tain will be the continuing solidarity with, and support for, the entirely just and necessary struggle against Billionaire arrogance and disrespect for national pride and national sovereignty.

The fight will be carried on and one way or another Belize will prevail.

End

Holy Cross Graduation

It was a very proud day for Principal Grace Williams and the staff and guests of Holy Cross Anglican School to see 20 of their students graduate on Sunday, July 19th. Staff, parents, honored guests and volunteers gathered to celebrate the success and perseverance of these students, some of whom had overcome great odds. Under the guidance of their teacher Mr Carlos Coba, 16 passed the PSE, and 7 earned scholarships to High School. Holy Cross wishes to thank all the many, many people who made this proud day possible. We wish the graduates every success.