BPFL at Ambergris Stadium

Don't forget to visit the Ambergris Stadium for the massive showdown between San Pedro Bullsharks and Nizhee Corozal. Game starts at 2:30 p.m. Come show your support!

Island Perk

Island Perk, serving up hot and cold java to its customers has closed shop on Barrier Reef Drive. A customer appreciation day was held and everyone got to indulge on their Island Perk favorites. Not to worry, however, Island Perk will reopen its doors on Pescador Drive in the coming months.

Island Academy graduates 8

Today, eight (8) students from the Island Academy walked down to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance to proudly receive their certificates of completion. Elizabeth Westby received the Principal's Cup.
Students from the other classes received Awards of Excellence for their great work throughout the year (some highlights below).

Some of the faculty members below.

REGIONAL NEWS - El Pilar Site Enhancement

Daniel Landero teaches the tying technique for the thatch.

Press Release - Site Enhancements at El Pilar part of a new Community Collaboration - The El Pilar Archaeological Project, directed by Anabel Ford, and the Institute of Archaeology’s Park Management, directed by Brian Woodye, have teamed up to construct the model Maya house and forest garden at El Pilar as a real demonstration of how the ancient Maya lived. The expert design of Assistant Site Manager Longino Salam, and his knowledgeable park rangers, Daniel Landero and Augustine Rosado, have led the group in the renovations. Joining the effort is the newly formed El Pilar Forest Garden Network from Santa Familia under President Alcario Cano. The collaboration is the first in a series of team efforts aimed at engaging community participation in the improvements at the park.

Alcario Cano lashes roof supports of building.

The Tzunu’un model Maya house is an appropriate starting point for community involvement. For the park rangers and forest gardeners, thatched houses were once a way of life. Salam’s intimate knowledge of the construction techniques using the Corozo, or Cohune palm leaf, comes form his formative years as a boy. Landero, too, recalls nostalgically the coolness inside his thatch home as he grew up, remembering that before Hurricane Hattie there were no zinc roofs in the villages. This style of house is fast disappearing, and to have a model demonstration at El Pilar will give local and foreign visitors alike an experience that brings the past alive. The project, scheduled for 3 weeks, will conclude the end of May.

Longino Salam lends Expertise at Tzunu’un.

Visitors to the El Pilar Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna are encouraged to see the work ongoing now, and soon to enjoy the refreshing shade of the newly thatched model Maya houses, recalling the days, not so long ago, when most villages were dominated by this traditional style of building.

Information sent by Elias Avella, via Eve's Computer Services, in Santa Elena Town, Cayo.

30ft. sinkhole appears North of Ambergris Caye

An approximate 30 foot sinkhole was discovered this morning (Thursday, May 28th, 2009) just south of Ak'bol Yoga Retreat on undeveloped section of land. The sinkhole was discovered by Don David Pena, gardener for the resort, when he showed up for work at 7:00 a.m. It is strongly believed that this was caused due to the earthquake which stemmed off the coast of La Ceiba, Honduras. These allegations will be investigated and their results will be posted as they become available.

Placencia rocked by earthquake

The following images are of the damage caused to Placencia by the earthquake early Thursday morning. The 7.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Honduras was felt through to Belize as well.
Photos are by Fiona MacFarlane.

Street/pavement had cracks in them from the earthquake.
Cracked school walls.
Seahorse Dive Shop floats in the water.
Homes received structural damage.
Water spouted, leaving holes in the ground.

Tsunami Warning Lifted

Love FM Belize and other international media outlets are reporting that the Tsunami Watch for Belize has been lifted.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 occurred 16.7N, 86.3W, North of Honduras on Thursday morning (May 28) at 2:24am Belize time. According to various reports, "...people rushed from their homes as glasses and framed pictures crashed off of shelves. At least five wooden houses on stilts collapsed in three towns and a water tower toppled in the town of Independence, local officials said." Love FM confirmed that the homes and water tower affected were in fact in Monkey River. Structural damage also occurred in Placencia and Independence.

"I urge you not to panic, but to remain calm," National Emergency Minister Melvin Hulse said on the radio. "Your government is monitoring the situation and will be keeping you informed."

A tsunami watch was discontinued for Honduras, Belize and Guatemala.

Belize is out of the 60 mile radius of the localized area where a tsunami would be expected, and since the time frame for a tsunami to occur is a half hour after the earthquake, the possibility of Belize being affected by a tsunami is no more.

As of 5:00am Thursday, classes have not been cancelled, but teachers are being urged to keep the situation monitored at their schools in Punta Gorda, and inform NEMO.

Reports are also confirming that the water system in Monkey River has been affected, and classes may be cancelled in this area. At 5:30 am Belize time, Love FM received notice that the Mango Creek reservoir water tank was cracked as a result of the shock of the earthquake, but that there is backup. Also, no compromise to dam in the Cayo District has been reported as yet, but ground checks will be performed later today. No loss of life has been reported for Belize. Belizeans are being urged to return to normal activities.

One death has been reported in La Lima, Honduras. 14 year old, Ray Maldonado Fúnez was unable to get out of the room where he slept when the earthquake struck in his home at Pineda Dos de La Lima.

Information compiled via: Paul Mahung-Love FM Punta Gorda, Love FM Belize, Yahoo News and CNN. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Images from Honduras

Puente La Democracia - The middle part of the bridge fell into the river Ulúa.

In Honduras, the injured are being treated at the necessary facilities.

(Images from www.laprensahn.com)

BEL - Planned Power Outage Notice for Corozal District, Orange Walk District and Ambergris Caye on Thursday, May 28,2009

Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in the Corozal District, Orange Walk District and Ambergris Caye that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and from 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 pm on Thursday, May 28, 2009.
Areas to be affected: the entire Corozal District, Orange Walk District and San Pedro Town.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to perform maintenance works on the distribution system in the area.

For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp

This notice is for public information purposes only. For more information, contact Belize Electricity Limited, Corporate Communications Department at 227-0954, ext 2502.

Holy Cross and SPHS march against abuse

Under the theme Justice for All this march was designed to increase awareness of the abuse suffered by women and children in San Pedro. However, "it also focused on how the local Police Department must respond to domestic violence under the Violence Against Women Act of 2007", stated a release issued by Holy Cross Anglican School.

This march was held in response to an incident which occurred on Monday, May 18th, involving the San Pedro Police Department, a teacher from Holy Cross and Vernon & Francis Wilson (http://www.sanpedrosun.net/09-203.html). San Pedro High School students joined in the march.People were on hand at Central Park where speeches on abuse were delivered. The incident and march has garnered National media attention.

BEL Planned Power Outage - Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Belize Electricity Limited advises its customers in the Corozal District, Orange Walk District and Ambergris Caye that the supply of electricity will be temporarily interrupted from 8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and from 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2009.
Areas to be affected: the entire Corozal District, Orange Walk District and San Pedro Town.
BEL apologizes for the inconvenience caused but this outage is necessary for the company to perform maintenance works on the distribution system in the area.

For customer inquiries and services call us toll free at: 0-800-BEL-CARE OR 0-800-235-2273. To view scheduled outages via our website visit: http://www.bel.com.bz/services_outages.asp

This notice is for public information purposes only. For more information, contact Belize Electricity Limited, Corporate Communications Department at 227-0954, ext 2502.

Liliana's Triumphant Arrival

Friends and family anxiously await her plane

After a most successful trip to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, Liliana made her triumphant arrival to La Isla Bonita. Her Maya Island Air plane touched down at 3:00pm, where the Miss America Latina 2009 contestant was greeted with cheering friends and family waving posters and banners.

Liliana Mia Nuñez won Miss Amity (Congeniality) and Best National Costume. Welcome home Liliana, and once more, congratulations!!

Liliana's prize.

Another successful Dorado Rodeo!

Spectators lined up the beach as the fishing boats came in. Dorado after dorado was hauled in and the rodeo was on! From early,fishermen eagerly baited thier cast hoping to reel in the big one. All of them were aware that the weighing station would close at 6:00 p.m. They had to make it in on time and they did. Beautiful dorado after beautiful dorado were weighed and at a special ceremony the winners were announced.