PNP Constitution and Principles signed in SP

-Press Release – People’s National Party – April 28, 2011 - Whilst Belize enjoyed the Easter holidays, a group of People’s National Party members chaired by party leader Wil Maheia put the finishing touches to the party’s Constitution and Principles.
Those involved included candidate for Belize Rural South, Mike Campbell, and candidate for Stann Creek West, Basilio Mes.Explains Maheia, “We decided to have this important meeting on Ambergris Caye so that we could, at the same time, announce Mike Campbell’s candidature. We have been working hard on our Constitution and Principles for several months, so this was really just to put the final polish on things.”
“Our Constitution is of course the rules by which our party is run, but more than that, it’s been designed so that free spirited individuals can join our party and be a very active part of it without having to declare that they will put party first before all other considerations. We also wanted to make the party as democratic as possible, with every member having a true voice. We have seen how destructive the old-style party system with its highly centralized control is, and we wanted to avoid that at all costs.”
Maheia goes on to say, “Our Principles enshrine our most important beliefs about the governance of our country. They really speak for themselves. Amongst those beliefs are territorial integrity, the absolute rule of law, an end to corruption, the vital place of education, the building of a free market economy with the support of government, and of course, the preservation of our natural resources to be used wisely for the benefit of all Belizeans, both now and in the future.”

GARIFUNA MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES GRAND OPENING

Los Angeles, CA (April 27, 2011) – The Garifuna Museum of Los Angeles (GaMoLA) held its grand opening ceremony on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The Museum was officially opened by Dr. Cadrin Gill, Honorary Consul General of St. Vincent & The Grenadines who cut the black and yellow ribbons draped in front of a Garifuna flag at the entrance to the museum.

Founded by Rubén Reyes, president and founder of The Garifuna Hope Foundation, a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization, the Museum was established in memory of two great pioneering Garifuna men, Don Narciso Reyes and Don Justo Flores. The Museum’s mission is to strive to “preserve the unique heritage and culture of the Garinagu (Garifuna people) through the collection and preservation of Garifuna historical and present-day artifacts, through educational and performing arts programs, exhibitions, and partnerships with community based organizations in the United States and abroad.” In addition, it will serve as an educational tool for the community at large to learn about the unique traditions and customs of the Garinagu.
From a humble beginning of a few drums and household items from friends in Garifuna villages of Honduras, the museum’s collections have grown to include: a Garifuna village model; miniature dolls depicting Garifuna dress and adornments; a life size paper maché figure of a Wanaragua dancer; and an impressive collection of books, videos, art, and artifacts depicting Garifunaduaü (the Garifuna way of life). Various scholars, historians, authors, musicians, artists, philanthropists and collectors have contributed originals and copies of their prized works to the museum. Other art connoisseurs and collectors have also loaned priceless historical items and collectors’ items to the museum to showcase the unique culture and rich heritage of the Garinagu.
The Museum is housed by the Blazer Learning Center, a non-profit organization founded in 1969 that provides many empowering programs to youths in the community, including a very successful after school program. Located on the ground floor in three rooms, the Museum boasts a main room containing Garifuna artifacts, the Gari Gallery, and a library and multimedia room.
Thanks to the benevolence of several philanthropists and the relentless efforts of volunteers, the museum’s home underwent essential renovations to prepare it for its grand opening by the weekend of April 16 to coincide with Garifuna Memorial Day. Every year, Garinagu commemorate April 12, 1797 as a day of reflection in memory of their ancestors’ exile from their homeland of Yurumein (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) to the shore of Roatan in Honduras.
“The museum belongs to people of all nations and we invite the general public to visit and bring a friend to share and delight in a culturally diverse experience,” Rubén Reyes, executive director of the museum said. Mr. Reyes adds that volunteers are encouraged to participate in the on-going development of the Museum and in-kind and monetary donations are welcomed, which are tax-deductible and donors will receive an official receipt for tax purposes.
The Garifuna Museum of Los Angeles is located at the Blazer Learning Center, 1517 West 48th Street in Los Angeles near Denker Avenue. Museum tours can be scheduled by calling (424) 218-6212.
For additional information visit the museum’s web site at www.garifunamuseumla.org or contact:
• Rubén Reyes, Director, (323) 864-1007, ruben@garifunahopefoundation.org
• Ben Flores, Assistant Director, (323) 234-3404, ben@garifunahopefoundation.org
• Helen Laurie, Public Affairs Director, (323) 496-4101, helen@garifunahopefoundation.org

Saga attends Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference

Press Release – SAGA Humane Society – April 27, 2011 - Katia Marin and Heidi Sowards, two of SAGA’s Directors attended the 2011 Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference in San Juan Puerto Rico. April 3rd - 5th.
Held from April 3rd through the 5th, the three day conference included different types of humane societies, shelters and rescue groups coming together to talk and share ideas about the great work that they do. There were all kinds of international speakers from St. Thomas, Bahamas and even the Belize Society. Clara Lee Arnold from the Hopkins Humane Society spoke about the changes that have happened in Hopkins since they started bringing vet teams to hold spay and neuter clinics. The topics included ‘Animal Capture and Handling Techniques’, ‘Surveying Roaming Dogs’ Population and Increasing Adoptions’, and ‘Marketing and Fundraising Strategies’, just to mention a few. SAGA would like to thank Clara Lee for donating jewelry, which she and her husband make themselves out of shells.

Katia and SAGA Volunteer Heather Beck also attended the International Association of Canine Professional (IACP) conference in San Diego April 7th - 9th which included speakers Wendy Volhard, Joel Silverman, Jeff King and the main speaker Cesar Millan. Following the Conference the two volunteered their time at Best Friends Animal Society to work on some dogs at Dog Town Sanctuary. Dog Town is home to dogs rescued after the devastating Hurricane Katrina, and it also houses Michael Vick’s dogs.

Body found at Pedro's Inn

The body of 42-year-old Michael Donald Virgin, a resident of Illinois, USA, was found in Room 3 of Pedro's Inn at approximately 11:00am.

No visible signs of violence were found on the man's body, and Police do not suspect foul play. Dr. Otto Rodriguez pronounced him dead.

According to the Police, he was last seen on Monday when he checked into the inn.

The man's body has been transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Police continue their investigation.

The Holy Aspect of Easter

Good Friday is one of the most religious days observed in San Pedro. In days gone by, families would remain at home and prepare for the religious services. Children, in particular, were urged to stay home, asked not to argue or fight with their siblings and were even discouraged from swimming in the sea. It was the belief of their ancestors that something tragic would happen to those who disobeyed or behaved "rudely" on Good Friday. The common myth used to discourage the children from going to swim was that they would turn into mermaids/mermen. This practice seemed to work as the village was transformed into a "ghost town" on this specific day.
At midday on Good Friday, the "Celebration of the Seven Words" would commence. This is a two and a half hour service concentrating on readings of the seven times Christ spoke before he died. This is followed by a Eucharistic Service and the Adoration of the Cross before the Holy Procession begins at about 5:30 p.m. The Holy Procession was and still is the largest annual procession held in San Pedro. The entire congregation is divided into groups led first by children and followed by teenage girls, women and lastly, the men. The young ladies take turns carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary while the men carry a casket (symbolizing the death of Christ) as hymns and prayers are chanted throughout the main streets of town.

Good Friday Procession:

On Easter Sunday, Catholics rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For the first time ever, San Pedro witnessed a special procession early Easter Sunday morning. Called El Encuentro, the procession was a replay of Christ come to life, and his joyful reunion with his bereaved mother, Mary. Children dressed as angels sang carols and ended the meeting of the women & men at the Church square on a most joyful note.

El Encuentro - Easter Sunday