International Spay Day 2011 - SAGA Supports the San Pedro Community by Spaying Pets and Preventing Suffering

Press Release – SAGA – March 1st, 2011– International Spay Day was on the 22nd of February? You may be perplexed by this. What on earth is International Spay Day? Why would there be an international day devoted to spaying? What is spaying anyway? What does it have to do with San Pedro? What does it have to do with SAGA? What does it have to do with me?
Every day, across the world, thousands of unwanted dogs and cats are killed simply because there are too many of them - and, tragically, those are the lucky ones. Many others are left to die of disease, are poisoned or to starve to death in the streets because they are allowed to reproduce without any control. Dogs and cats are domestic animals. This means that we have created them to serve a purpose and they are dependent on us for their care and welfare. So, it is up to us to prevent their suffering.

Miss Brownie was a female dog left to roam around town by very uncaring and irresponsible owners. She had TVT, a sexually transmitted cancer virus that was one of the worse that had ever been seen by SAGA. Her owners were allowing her to breed irresponsibly and this is why she became infected. Unfortunately for Miss Brownie and the devoted team of SAGA staff and volunteers who spent weeks trying to catch her, she was so sick that they couldn’t save her. She also had tick fever, which is easily and inexpensively treatable, but her owners didn’t bother trying to get help for her. It would have been cruel to keep her alive any longer so she was painlessly put out of her misery.
This is why spaying and neutering is so important and why all responsible owners in San Pedro should have their pets spayed and neutered. International Spay Day gives groups like SAGA, all over the world, a chance to promote spaying and neutering and to inform and educate pet owners about the importance of these very simple procedures that can save thousands of lives.
For SAGA, even though Miss Brownie brought them great sadness, the day turned out to be a huge success and they were able to perform 10 free spays and neuters for the loving and responsible pet owners of the San Pedro community.

Spaying and neutering makes dogs want to stay at home instead of wandering and looking for mates. It makes them better pets, better watch dogs and safer with children. It reduces the chance of injury and disease, which can cost owners a great deal of money and heartbreak and eliminates the risk of unwanted puppies or kittens, which are a great burden on an already overpopulated island.

Many people complain about the strays that chase people on the beach, bark at night, turn over the garbage and give visitors to San Pedro the impression that people don’t care. But there is an easy solution – be an upstanding member of the San Pedro community, like the wonderful owners who brought their pets in on International Spay Day – have your pet spayed or neutered. The great news is that because of the huge success on International Spay Day, SAGA is continuing throughout the month of March to offer a great deal to responsible pet owners. Any owner who has their pet spayed or neutered at SAGA in March will receive a FREE heartworm test, worth $90, for their pet. Heartworm is another easily preventable disease, so having your pet tested and finding out what to do to prevent heartworm or treat it is a great way to save money, your pet’s health and contribute to making San Pedro a better place for people and animals.
It is the right thing to do for you, for your pet and your community. There is nothing natural or kind about leaving your dog to catch and spread deadly disease and letting it have puppies & kittens when there are not enough good homes.
If you’d like to find out more about having your pet spayed or neutered, please contact SAGA on 226-3266.

Women and Politics: Inclusion at the Highest Level

Press Release - Belize - March 2, 2011) Thirty years after independence, the majority of women in Belize continue to face significant challenges in moving towards parity with men at almost every level of political leadership and decision-making. There is no female participation in the House of Representatives and no female minister. This places Belize in joint last position (131st) on the Global Gender Gap Index in the area of political empowerment of women, along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei (Ref. The Global Gender Gap Report 2010). With the proportion of seats held by women in national parliament being a critical indicator of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 3, Belize is not on course to achieve this MDG.
The exclusion of women at the highest level of decision-making is attributable to a myriad of factors: socio-economic, cultural, and political, all of which coalesce to prevent the inclusion of women in politics. The participation of women in political leadership and decision-making is therefore a requirement as a matter of justice – women represent half of the world's population and are an essential component to any government, which claims to be legitimate, representative, responsive and democratic.
In an effort to support improvements in women's political participation in Belize, UNDP Belize and the National Women's Commission have launched a collaborative initiative to: analyze the political and policy context of Belize with special emphasis on developments and issues related to gender; update previous research on the situation of women in Belize; expand the analysis of socio-economic, cultural and political obstacles to political participation; and foster a national dialogue on the issue.
The initiative will be guided by an Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from national and international organizations including: the National Women’s Commission, UNDP, UNFPA, the Organization of American States, Embassies of the United States of America, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico, the British High Commission, United Democratic Party, People's United Party, Vision Inspired by the People, Women's Issues Network Belize, RSV Media, University of Belize, and the Women’s Department.
To launch this partnership officially, UNDP Belize Assistant Resident Representative Francisco Roquette and Ann-Marie Williams, Executive Director of the National Women's Commission will be publicly signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The signing ceremony will take place at Chateau Caribbean on March 8, 2011 at 3 PM coinciding with the commemoration of International Women's Day.
For more information, please contact the National Women's Commission at 223-4284 or UNDP at 822-2688.

Belize Sailing Association

Corozal Bay, Corozal District. Dawn of Sunday 27th February broke over the waters of Corozal Bay revealing 4 marker buoys bobbing excitedly on the white capped waves as nine Pico, Lasers were being returned to the Bay from the previous day’s practice. The regatta was part of the Corozal Water Festival and Expo, organized by a committee headed by Rick Rosalez.

The BFATC Picos were brought to the Bay the previous day by road on a flat bed truck provided by Maheia’s United.

The Douglas Gabourel trailered his Hunter 14 from Honey Camp Lagoon.

Two Hobie Cats sailed in from the Consejo Yacht Club, arriving on a run in the ever freshening south easterly breeze.

Trent Miller from Caye Caulker provided coaching and Andy Aspinall race supervision.

Sea Scouts, Liberty Children Home participants, parents and friends arrived on the Liberty Children’s Home Bus from Belize City 90 miles from the south. Observers included the Chairman of the Baron Bliss Harbor Regatta Committee E D Flowers. Other nationalities partaking were depicted by country flags for: Canada, Germany, UK and USA.
Soon Rainbow Park at the North end of Corozal Town began to fill with hundreds of people and with the BBQ and tacos stalls in full swing and the shore side official ceremony completed, the races began. Gilharry Seven providing music, several stage activities including the mauga-man contest kept spectators entertained between races as did banana boat rides.

The weather held throughout: popcorn clouds, blue skies and wild water in the Bay! Lots of children and adults were fascinated with the Regatta. Many had come expecting to see Optimist!

Results:

Multihull

First Place. HC Helgoland in a time of 36 minutes
Gerhard Cordts, Barry Fitzgerald, Jim Maltais and Trenton Miller
Second Place. HC Catty Dread in a time of 37 Minutes 5 Seconds Jason Pierce, Perry Chow, Dan Morey and James Boyd.

Doubles Class

1st Andy & Zoey Aspinall in a time of 17 Minutes 40 Seconds
2nd Richard Archer & Lucy Tuyub in a time of 20 Minutes.
3rd Roberto Pott & Austin Lorenzo in a time of 20 minutes 30 Second

Hunter 14 Class
1st Wilson Logan & Orlando Pineda in a time of 21 minutes and 5 seconds

Pico Class

1st Andy Aspinall in a time of 17.05
2nd Ron Fioole 18.10
3rd Wilson Logan 20.40
4th Mark Rodriguez
5th Trenton S Miller
6th Roberto Pott

Next event is the Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta on Sunday 6th March at the BTL Park.

Tropical Island Academy Fundraiser

Be sure to visit the Boca del Rio beach at Wayo’s Beachside Beernet on Sunday, March 6th, for “Tropical Island Academy’s BEACH BBQ BLAST.” A BBQ grilling competition is ‘heating up!’ Each classroom will be grilling delicious dishes for all to enjoy while competing against each other for “Most Delicious!” Representing Beginners & Infant I will be Patrick Houghton of Cayo Espanto. Grilling for the boys and ‘grrrls’ of Infant 1 & Infant 2 will be Amy Knox of Wild Mango’s. Charles Worthington of Estelle’s by the Sea will BBQ for Standards 1 & 2, and PJ Leslie of Latitudes Café joins John Harvey, Grill Master of Robin’s Restaurant, to support Standards 4 & 5.
The entire community is invited to eat well and enjoy beach games - with lots of prizes from enthusiastic sponsors. Thanks to Bowen and Bowen Ltd., Running W Meats, Gallon Jug Agroindustry, and Suya Tours for getting the party started. Gifts and prizes from many active sponsors will be given away in an array of games and competitions for boys, girls, and grown-ups of all ages! Thanks to Chan Chich Eco-Lodge, Changes in Latitudes, Cayo Espanto, Wine de Vine, Amigos del Mar, Lil’ Alfonse Tours, Sol Spa, Ocean Essence Water Top Spa, Heaven’s Hair and Nails, Mariano’s Ice Cream and Yogurt, and more to come! Spend a day at the beach, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, for a good cause: the enthusiastic students of the Island Academy. No entrance fee!

Matachica redefines laid-back luxury travel in Central America

For Immediate Release - San Pedro, Belize, March 1st, 2011 – Matachica Resort & Spa is proud to begin the New Year with two prestigious prizes awarded by the world’s most distinguished travel publications. After announcing its multimillion-dollar redesign and expansion, this hidden jewel facing the world’s second-largest barrier reef is increasing its international recognition.

Condé Nast Johansens, the purveyor of international luxury travel guides, has revealed the winners of the 2011 Awards for Excellence. Matachica was selected among 270 outstanding properties throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands, and named one of the Top 3 finalists for the Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway in Mexico and Central America. Readers of the guides, hotel guests and the Condé Nast Johansens team all contributed votes for the 2011 awards. As a result, the Excellence Awards winners represent the very best of the best.

In addition, Matachica’s Jade Spa was named one of Spa Magazine’s Favorite Resort + Hotel Spas in Central and South America and was featured in the magazine’s Worldwide Guide 2011 issue. This prestigious Spa Magazine 2010 Silver Sage Readers’ Choice Award highlights Jade Spa’s growing popularity among discerning spa-goers. Jade Spa features rejuvenating massages and treatments – including papaya facials and Mayan coffee scrubs – using natural ingredients sourced locally from the Belizean jungle and sea.

“We are thrilled to receive these significant recognitions from the well-traveled readers of the Condé Nast Johansens guides and Spa Magazine. We aspire to exceed all of our guests’ expectations for a truly unforgettable experience, and it’s great to receive these acknowledgements. These awards support our intentions and propel our commitment to our guests even more,” says Daniel Lighter, proprietor of Matachica.

-0-
Located on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize, and set on a secluded stretch of natural white-sand beach facing the world’s second-largest barrier reef, Matachica offers a spectacular Caribbean getaway with a signature relaxed attitude and barefoot elegance. Matachica features 24 intimate villas facing the sea, a freshwater infinity pool with Jacuzzi, one of the best restaurants in the country, Mambo Restaurant, as well as Jade Spa, offering a distinctive experience with its own Belizean twist.
www.matachica.com