The Palm Restaurant & Martini Bar

While discovering the Caribbean waters and the exotic jungles of Belize one can easily be immersed in the grandeur of our country. There is no doubt that part of the intrigue of visiting a new place is experiencing the local cuisine and no matter how much you have explored the area you cannot truly appreciate the flavor of the culture until you have experienced the taste of Belize. As obvious as that may sound, you may find it easier said than done, especially at resort restaurants that are catering to American guests. With nothing but good intentions, many menus are dedicated to American cuisine in an effort to maintain the guest comfort level but inadvertently miss incorporating local dishes.

For Hans Wagenhaus, the new General Manager at The Palms Restaurant at Reef Village, offering local, as well as Central American dishes, is a responsibility to the guests that he takes very seriously. Passionately committed to introducing the guests to the wonders of Belizean meals, the new menu at The Palms does just that with every course served from breakfast through dessert while maintaining a variety of familiar “comfort foods”, some with a Caribbean twist.

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Dolphins win first game of the season; Islanders suffer worst defeat in the season

Though they have been defeated from the start of the tournament, the Dolphins walked on the field determined to win their first game on their home turf. When the whistle blew at 2:30 PM in the hot sun, Dolphins made their fist attempt against FC Belize. In less than a minute of the game, Rudolph Flowers capitalized on his opportunity giving the home team a one zip lead. Moving into the second half of the game, both team made numerous attempts inside the sixteen yard box. Despite their attempts, after the 90 minutes of regular playing time, Dolphins kept their one nil lead over the visiting team. The final score was San Pedro Dolphins one (1), FC Belize nil (0). On Sunday Wagiya of Stann Creek will be hosting San Pedro Dolphins in a 4:00 PM game.

Turning to the Belize Bank Super League, the San Pedro Islanders visited San Felipe Village in the Orange Walk District where they faced Barcelona on Thursday night. That game was a back match but was postponed twice. During the first half, the Island boys were down three to nil against Barcelona. In the second half, Barcelona players were merciless against the Islanders and slapped in eight more goals. At the end of the game, Barcelona had won 11 to nil (0) over the Islanders.

Barcelona

Islanders FC

In the regular season, Islanders traveled to Hattieville village on Sunday for a 4:00 PM game. In the first half, the Islanders dominated and controlled the ball game but were unable to capitalize on numerous opportunities. Moving into the second half, the Islanders remained in control of the game until about 25 minutes of the second half when Hattieville took advantage of a rebound in the 16 yards box and scored the only goal of the game. Final score: Hattieville 1, Islanders 0.

On Saturday, Islanders will be hosting Cayo South United at the Ambergris Stadium. Game time is at 6:30PM.

Marine Reserves educate White Sands Dive Shop

Under the Department of Fisheries today, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Caye Caulker Marine Reserve and Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park gave their annual presentation to White Sands Dive Shop staff. The presenters where Mariela Archer of the Hol Chan office , Nidia Chacon for the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve and Roberto Carballo for the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve. Topics of the presentations where general use of designated zones within the various reserves, new rules and regulations and new boundaries. The discussion topics included Coral reef monitoring results, Coral Bleaching, Coral Spawning at Caye Caulker, The new Kids Environmental Education project, Sea turtle monitoring and location of new residential developments proximity to the reserves.

More information about the Northern Marine Reserves management can be found in the Reef Currents newsletter from Hol Chan.

Project AWARE Beach Cleanup Oct. 2009

AWARE Kids Missions: Kids Clean Up!, Recycling Rocks!, Kids to the Rescue! (Threatened Underwater Animals), Way Cool Water Conservation! and Speak Out! each to be conducted on a Saturday.

Saturdays beach cleanup gives kids in the AWARE Kids Program credit for AWARE Mission 1: Kids Clean Up! and each will receive a certificate of appreciation from Jenny Miller Garmendia the director of Project AWARE Foundation. Immediately following the Beach Cleanup the Kids will be given a Reef Snorkel Experience by one of White Sands Dive Shops Tour Guides.

White Sands Dive Shops AWARE Kids program is conducted in conjunction with The Project AWARE Foundation’s Go ECO – Explore, Conserve, Observe. The campaign adopted a mile of Ambergris Cayes beach. The mile of beach begins at Las Terrazas/Journeys End Resort and extends Northward to Mata Grande.

White Sands Dive Shop Manager Emiliano Rivero commented, "The Beach will be patrolled and cleaned regularly of plastics and glass with an emphasis placed on not disturbing naturally occurring beach wash such as sea grasses and drift woods necessary for the prevention of erosion and support of biodiversity of the area. We are not just cleaning the beach we are protecting it. This barrier island beach is a part of the reef system and were going to treat it with the same respect we give the corals.”

AWARE ECO educates travelers about keeping natural areas pristine and encourages tour operators to implement environmentally responsible business practices.

AWARE Kids educates elementary school aged kids who want to discover, explore and investigate the fascinating aquatic world. Tourism is the world’s largest industry and travelers are increasingly concerned about their destination’s environmental condition. San Pedros divers and industry leaders have a responsibility to preserve local resources they depend on every day.

Project AWARE ECO Operators Such as Ambergris’s White Sands Dive Shop provides customers with experiences that enhance visitor awareness.

Vote for Belize's Miss Teenager Universe (Daniella Wooley)

It is all taking place at the Hotel Sheraton at El Salvador - the Miss Teenager Universe Pageant. And, this year, Miss Teenager Universe will see the participation of Daniella Wooley as she proudly represents Belize. For the first time, Belize will have representation in the pageant in the form of the gorgeous 19-year-old from Esperanza Village in the Cayo District.

For the past two years, Daniella has been anxiously awaiting and training non-stop for her participation on the pageant. 21 teenagers from around the world have rendezvoused to the Central American country where they are participating in a flurry of events which will lead up to the grand night.

On pageant night, there will be seven beautiful young women who are chosen by the judges. However, an eight contestant is being chosen by you, the public. By going online you can vote for Belize's Daniella. There is still time to vote - so go ahead cast your vote. Click here to vote.

Wishing Daniella the best of luck in El Salvador at the Miss Teenager Universe Pageant.