Fire causes alarm in the neighborhood

A bush fire in the San Pedrito Area caused alarm as neighbors rushed to the scene. At first it seemed like a fire someone had lit to burn some grass. However, the fire kept increasing in intensity and continued to grow. Fearing for his home's safety, the gentleman above, grabbed a bucket and began throwing water at the fire. Soon other neighbors joined in and the fire was extinguished.

The Fire and Police Departments were called and police officers began investigating the incident. No one could account how the fire began.

Belize celebrates World Ocean Day

Today, Belize joins the world in celebrating World Ocean Day under the theme "One Ocean, One Climate, One Future". As part of the activities, The Healthy Reef Initiative, with the assistance of Coastal Zone Management and the Belize Coast Guard, organized a Swim For The Reef Race. The Sunday June 7th activity saw 15 participants swim 1.2 miles to Goff Caye.
Armeid Thompson is the Social Scientist and Outreach Coordinator at Healthy Reef and he told the media that the activity was geared to allow all the participants to personally connect with the sea. Thompson stated that in Belize, the ocean is facing a lot of problems including coastal developmental issues, overfishing, and coastal mangrove clearance and of recent, grounding on the reef. Thompson stated that it should be everyone business to reduce the pressure on the ocean especially since the ocean plays an important role in the shaping of the climate.

Safety was the number one thing organizers ensured was in place.

The first person to reach Goff Caye was Claire Pfeiffer, a Masters Student from Duke University in US doing a Research Project in Belize. Pfeiffer stated that not only did she want to be a part of the swimming initiative, but it was an opportunity to show others that the ocean is important. Pfeiffer stated that in many instances, people do not realize the human impact on the ocean and reiterated that it is important that people know that environmental degradation has a great impact on the ocean. The swim to Goff Caye started.

Some swimmers took thier time.

According to Fernando Oliva, who represented the Belize National Scouts Association, Belize is fortunate to have a beautiful reef and sea and Belizeans, like visitors, should take pride in ensuring that the ocean is healthy for the future generation.

Some had to use life jackets to finish.

Others tried but couldn't make it.

Some of the swimmers including the Belize National Scouts Association and the Belize National Coast Guard.

The first person who reached Goff Caye received $250 dollars courtesy of Sea Sports Belize. This year, World Ocean Day seeks to emphasize that we live on a blue planet where 70 percent of the surface is covered by ocean waters, and to raise public awareness of the key connections among a healthy ocean, a healthy climate, and our future. In addition, World Ocean Day's initiative seeks to show that regardless of where we live, everyone is dependent on the state of health of our shared bodies of water.

SP celebrates Salvador victory over Mexico

Celebrating a 2-1 victory over Mexico, Salvador supporters took to the streets last night. The soccer match had bars packed with spectators eager to see who would score the winning goals.After the win, Salvador supports flocked the streets chanting "Salvador, Salvador, Salvador!" Honking their horns, screaming at the top of their lungs, they eagerly await for the next match.

Supa G at Coconuts tonight!

Preparations are underway as the stage is being setup for what is expected to be a spectacular show. The General Supa G is in town ready to launch his new album - Club Jams. Stepping out from his well known and infectious Punta beats, Supa G has branched out in his musical career and this album will showcase it to the world. Getting inspiration from his daily life, Supa G wrote the tracks to the new album and plans to take the world by storm. His first single "Wine It" has already started to receive fantastic reviews.

Branching out from the soulful music of Punta Supa G now embrace the fun Caribbean Soca. What perfect venue to launch a cd of this caliber than in San Pedro at Coconuts Hotel. It is all happening tonight at 6:00 p.m. Music will include Chico Ramos, Lova Boy and Supa G's younger brother Elroy. "This will be a concert. It wont be a dance. It is a concert in all senses of the word," commented Supa G.

Supa will soon begin his US Tour but would like the Belizean people to see what the world will soon be experiencing.

Coral Reef Ed-Ventures is back in Belize for its 10th year of coral reef fun!

The Coral Reef Ed-Ventures is an educational camp that teaches children about reef ecology. In 2000, Professors Al Curran, Paulette Peckol, and Susan Etheredge from Smith College, USA collaborated to create a program that provides a way for Smith students to give back to the community of San Pedro, Belize and its beautiful resource of the coral reef. The goal of the program for the past nine years has been to foster collaboration between Smith students and the residents of San Pedro to understand and learn more about the environmental and economic benefits of a healthy reef ecosystem. Smith students participate in the Ed-Ventures program hoping to increase awareness of conservation of this remarkable resource.There is an Advanced Camp for children ages 12 and over, who will create, with the Smith student teachers, a coral reef conservation project. Last year the group created their own magazine that was distributed throughout San Pedro educating the community about the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef nearby. This camp starts on Thursday, June 18th and ends on Friday the 26th. The program runs from 4 to 6pm (Location TBA).

For children ages 7 to 11, there is a Youth Camp, lasting for two weeks: Monday, June 29th to Friday, July 10th. The children participate in many hands-on activities emphasizing care and preservation of the reef. The program runs from 9 to 11:45 am at the RC School.

Interested students should pick up permission slips at the Library (across from the RC School) or at the Hol Chan Office and bring it to the first day of camp. We hope you will join us on our coral reef adventure!!

Before the camp officially gets underway, there will be two movie nights with popcorn and juice. Be on the lookout for dates and times. All are welcome!