Sean McDermott Performs San Mateo Benefit Concert

A benefit permormance by Broadway talent Sean McDermott was held on Thursday night, June 10th at the Paradise Theatre north of San Pedro Town. All of the proceeds from this concert, and the second one scheduled for tonight, June 12th will go to the San Mateo road building fund. http://sanpedrosun.net/old/10-221.html

The proceeds will also be matched, dollar for dollar by Sean's father, long time San Pedro resident, Corry McDermott.

Faith, a new fan of Sean's, purchases one of his CD's at the event.

Sean dedicates a song to the people of San Pedro.

SPHS Prom 2010

The glitz was on last night as Prom attendees moved into Jaguar's Temple Night Club...below are images of the beautiful couples as they made their way inside the club...Congrats grads!!

The 10th Annual BTB Tourism Awards - the winners..

On Thursday, June 10, 2010, the BTB held it's tenth annual Tourism Awards ceremony honoring those exceptional service providers in the tourism industry. The Best Western Biltmore Plaza was the venue for tourism stakeholders, nominees and invited guests.

After a brief welcome, the national anthem and invocation, the awards were announced and the winners are as follows:

Cultural Award of the Year:
Three Kings of Belize

Other Finalists: Umalali: The Garifuna Women's Project, Governor General of Belize, Battle of the Drums Competition and Show (PG)

Frontline Person of the Year:

Benjamin Awe (Chaa Creek)

Other Finalists: Natalie Ranguy (Chabil Mar), Patricia Rodriguez (San Ignacio Resort Hotel), Jubalos Kib (Seaside Cabañas)

Tour Guide of the Year:

Eloy Quevas (Monkey River Retreat)

Other Finalists: Rudolf Thompson, Dwayne Young (Joy Tours), Mauricio Aguilar (Lamanai Outpost Lodge), Luis Godoy (Belize Nature Travel)

Small Vendor of the Year:

Tutti Frutti Ice Gelateria

Other Finalists: Cotton Tree Chocolate, Sings Gift Shop (Belize City), Maya Ant & Bee (Punta Gorda)

Restaurant of the Year:

Blue Water Grill (San Pedro)

Other Finalists: Bonefish Grille (Singing Sands Inn), Red Ginger (The Phoenix), French Connection (Placencia)

Receptive Service of the Year:

Museum of Belize

Other Finalists: ambergriscaye.com, Le Petit Cafe, Island Adventures Golf Cart Rental

Environmental Organization of the Year:

International Center for Responsible Tourism (ICRT - Belize)

Other Finalists: Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), Placencia Moorings Masters, Southern Environmental Association

Small Hotel of the Year:

The Lodge at Big Falls

Other Finalists: Seaside Cabañas, Villa Boscardi, Black Orchid Resort

Tour Operator of the Year:

Caves Branch Adventure Company

Other Finalists: Avadon Divers, Grumpy & Happy Enterprises, Searious Adventures

Hotel of the Year:

Jaguar Reef Lodge

Other Finalists: Xanadu Island Resort, Ka'ana Boutique Resort, Chabil Mar Villas

Destination of the Year:

Hopkins, Stann Creek

Other Finalists: San Pedro - Ambergris Caye, Placencia - Stann Creek, San Ignacio - Cayo

Minister's Award:

Brian Young Sr.

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Celi McCorkle, Holiday Hotel

Special Awards:

Green Globe Recognition:

Chaa Creek, Hamanasi Lodge, Xanadu Resort (San Pedro)

Ingrid, Martin and Blanca of Xanadu Resort in San Pedro

Rudolf Thompson - CPR saved a life

Congratulations to all winners and nominees!!

National Kriol Council comments on Mr. Peters' passing

-Press Release – June 10, 2010 – National Kriol Council - The National Kriol Council joins the country in celebrating the life of Belizean icon Wilfred Peterrs, fondly known as "Bra Pete" or "Mista Peetaz" and professionally acknowledged as the "King of Brokdong Music" nationally, regionally, and internationally. Mista Pete's life has left an indelible mark on Belizean folk music, Belizean lifestlye and Belizean culture.

Moreover, his specific influences on the longevity of the Belize Kriol culture and language will reach into generations to come. Members of the National Kriol Council recall numerous instances when either his music, or his Kriol one-liners full of wisdom, or his incredible sense of humor made many an event that much better and more fun.

National Kriol Council President Myrna Manzanares recalls Mista Peetaz great contribution to be as follows: " Mista Pete has left a legacy for us to enjoy. And he has shown that his beloved Kriol language should never be downplayed as it was the language of his heart. "Wen Mista Peetaz taak er sing - noh mata eena poblik er eena praivit - di Kriol langwij ahn kolcha shain!" He travelled the world and spoke to men, women and children without being ashamed of his culture or his language. Mista Peetaz truly loved his culture. He was a "true true Kriol" without any apologies. The National Kriol Council hopes all Belizeans will take a page from his life, or, indeed, a tune from his songs." Bredda David, creator of Belizean Kriol kungo music, credits the almost decade long musical teachings he received from playing with Mista Peetaz and his "Boom ahn Chaim" band as being the signal influence on his own music. The National Kriol Council sends its deepest respect and sympathies to the family of Mista Peetaz, Brokdong King, Kriol giant, and Belizean icon.

Costa Maya Presents: Miss El Salvador!!

The first of a bevy of beauties has confirmed participation for this year’s Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant. 25-year-old Diana Ingrid Martinez Pineda is a Psychology student at La Universidad Jose Simeon Cañas. Standing at 5’ 5", and measuring 32-25-26, this lovely brown-eyed brunette enjoys swimming and extreme sports. Diana will be joined onstage on August 5th, 2010 by delegates from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama, all vying for the crown, currently held by Nicaragua’s beautiful Maritza Rivas. Best of luck!!