Coral Reef CSI

No, it is not the popular tv show, CSI. But, just like on tv, members of the Department of Environment, and/or environmental organizations rendezvoused to Ramon's Village where they began their 5-day training on Coral Reef CSI.

When a coral reef gets damaged, whether from agricultural runoff, pollution, sediment deposits, ship groundings, garbage dumping, fish poachers or oil spills, marine biologists know what to look for, but not how to document and preserve their findings so they will hold up in court. This will soon change in Belize as experts have gathered at Ramon’s Village for a five day program geared at training them in CSI-type standards which will govern such things as how to take notes under the sea, how to mark off the crime scene, how to photograph it, and how to preserve the “chain of custody” so that defense attorneys cannot argue that evidence was tampered with.

The program ends with a mock court session on Sunday.

181 Women Jump for the Cause

PERRIS, CA – September 26, 2009 – 181 female skydivers from 31 countries joined together on September 26 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time to set a new women’s formation skydiving world record and raise over $900,000US for the fight against breast cancer, the most in the event’s history. The week-long event was organized to raise funds for City of Hope’s breast cancer research. Sponsored by Jump for the Cause, a sky diving nonprofit organization, the event was held at the Perris Valley Skydiving Center in Perris, California, September 21-27 to kick off October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Perris Valley Skydiving Center is the largest in North America providing 9 planes to lift the women to 17,000 ft. and create the new women’s world record formation skydive. Participants include breast and other cancer survivors, friends, family and supporters. Women from all walks of life with varied occupations and motivations worked together to be a part of this historic event and contributed to a cause that affects women worldwide.

Carmen Irene, Marie Winther, Janet Lundquist (who is also in the first Blue Hole skydive photo!), Lisa Walker, Melanie Peschio (she owns Skydive Perris with brother Pat), Ellen Monsees and Maxine Tate all have participated in the various Boogie in Belize trips in San Pedro Town. Great job ladies!

Prime Minister Diagnosed with Dengue

GOB Press Release - Belmopan, 29^th September, 2009 - The regular session of Cabinet scheduled for Tuesday, 29^th September, 2009, was canceled. The Honorable Prime Minister Dean Barrow was today diagnosed with dengue fever and will be out of office for the rest of this week. -END-

Fundraiser and artistry in San Pedro

Amy Brown's Art Exhibit

Amy Brown, right, held her Art Exhibit on Friday at Belizean Arts where she portrayed her great artwork highlighted on canvass, on pillowcases, cloth bags and postcards.Amy Brown's artwork is available deep inside Fido's Courtyard at Belizean Arts. Check out her website for further information.Lime's Belizean Cookoff
On Friday, friends turned out to Lime's Bar and Grill to sample the 10 dishes and three desserts submitted for the Belizean Cook off.With prizes up for grabs Susana Eiley (above) won first place with her delicious salbutes. Second place was won by Maureen Dalgano with a fish lasagna, while third was Ingid from Saga with her Tamales.

Fatima Arceo fundraiser

The fundraiser for Fatima Arceo was a success as many visited El Fogon for delicious barbecue, treats and drinks.Information on Spina Bifida was disseminated and awareness was passed on. Another fundraiser is being organized for October but if you would like to donate in the meantime, kindly call 206-2121.

Lime goes Belizean

Its that time again - come on over to Lime for another cookoff - this time Lime is going Belizean. At $10 you get to try all entries and be one of the judges for the event. All profits will be going to Saga. Only $1,000bz is needed to build their very important isolation unit!

Between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Lime will be SMOKE FREE. So, dont wait and dont hesitate come on over to Lime and get your taste of Belizean delicacies.

Letty Lara to compete for Miss World Belize 2009 and/or Miss Earth Belize 2009 titles

This Saturday, September 26th, Corozal Town will come alive as it is the first District to host the Finals of the biggest beauty pageant in Belize. Competing for two coveted titles, Miss World Belize 2009 and Miss Earth Belize 2009, the young delegates will showcase beauty and brains for the excited crowd.

This year representing San Pedro is beauty Norma Leticia “Letty” Lara who reigned as Miss San Pedro for the year 2005/06. A graceful dancer, Letty will certainly make La Isla Bonita proud as she follows the footsteps of her sister Ceci, who was also a former beauty queen.

With Letty in participation, other participants certainly will have to put their best forward. Letty is going for the crown and the Corozal Andres Campos Civic Center will be the place where it will all happen. The winning delegates will travel to London and Johannesburg, South Africa for a month where they will compete for the 59th edition of the Miss World final scheduled for December 12th.

A press release issued by the Miss World committee, South Africa also happens to be the location for this year’s World Cup and the delegates of the Miss World Pageant will be showcased in that event, as well.

Corozal will be a flurry of activity as the top 10 applicants will also have the opportunity to compete for local titles such as Miss Beach Beauty, Miss Top Model, as well as prize packages such as Shell Free Zone’s $3,000 scholarship, a $5,000 prize package from Five Star La Perla del Caribe Resort in San Pedro Town. This year’s theme for the pageant will be Belizean Rainforest meets African Jungle and Gilharry 7 has been set as the performers for the coronation dance.

For more information call 600 – 8932 or 623 – 4672 or visit http://www.pageantsbelize.com/ for an update soon.

DJ Flex launches website

With the assistance of Belicolor Web System, DJ Flex, Luis Romero launched his website.

Roy and Roannie of Belicolor with DJ Flex (holding monitor) and Webmaster Lorenzo Lino

The interactive website main purpose is to promote DJ Flex. The website was designed and is being hosted by Webmaster Lorenzo Lino of Belicolor Web System.
The new website has features such as an online karaoke folder, musical videos, chat room, music, DJ remixes, photo gallery, musical top charts, musical news and links to other websites from around San Pedro Town. It is the first known website on the island that has been created to promote a DJ.

To access the website you can visit DJ Flex on line at http://www.mcdjflexbz.com/

Belize's Independence celebrated

On the eve of Belize's Independence, San Pedro Town celebrated its official ceremonies concluding with an amazing fireworks display.