San Pedro AIDS Commission holds Toy Drive

This year, the San Pedro AIDS Commission is teaming up with the San Pedro Lions Club and Mr. Wil Moreno of the Belize Association of California to collect and distribute toys in San Pedro. Through the program “A Christmas Giving”, Mr. Moreno will provide a couple of boxes of stuffed toys and baby clothing to be distributed by the Members of the AIDS Commission and the Lions Club.
This partnership will allow the Association of California to assist in providing clothes, toys, books and gifts to children on the island. The AIDS commission takes this opportunity to encourage the residents of San Pedro to do the same and help the families and children that are less fortunate with gifts this Christmas season.In charge of the Toy Collection are San Pedro AIDS Commission members: Gonzalo “Chalo” Alamilla, Nita Marin and Tammy Peterson. This trio is working diligently to make this endeavor a successful one. There is a collection bin at the San Pedro Town Council, where the general public is invited to stop by and drop off any gift item that they would like to contribute to the Christmas toy drive.
According to Tammy Peterson of the San Pedro AIDS Commission, “We have decided to partner up with the San Pedro Lion’s Club on the 23rd of December to deliver the gift items, while the Lions carry out their annual Christmas caroling spreading cheer to the San Mateo and Boca del Rio Areas of Ambergris Caye”.
The general public is invited to participate and become a part of this noble effort to bring Christmas to many families, who if not for this drive, would have a Blue Christmas.

San Pedro Catholic Church holds Christmas Bazaar and Procession of the Lady of Guadalupe

The San Pedro Roman Catholic Church held its annual Christmas Bazaar and Serenata to the Virgen de Guadalupe, on Saturday December 4th. Hundreds of parishioners and supporters gathered on the church grounds and the streets bordering.

There were much to eat and drink, games and activities for the entire family. One aim of the Bazaar was to raise much needed funds for renovations and replacement of the chairs inside the church. There is already a demo bench and the cost for each is Bze$800.00. The Church is asking the public and its parishioners for donations to get the thirty chairs needed.

Attendees were entertained by Rompe Raja and Mr. Will Nuñez

Honoring la "Virgen de la Guadalupe, Lady of Guadalupe", patron saint of the Americas; was a major part of the celebrations on Saturday night as well. Local artists gathered at the central park to serenade the Lady of Guadalupe. Offering their gratitude to the Saint for protection through the outgoing year and asking for protection for the comping year; Regina Brown, Sr. Severo Guerrero 1st, Eline Palma, Velma Melendez, Yoli Aguilar, David Aguilar, Pawny Arceo, Lily Nunez, Javier el mariachi, Eva Acosta were on hand to share their talents and through poetry, invocation and serenading. Singing a Homage was Alexi Williams and her brother Javier Williams Jr.

On Sunday, Parishioners gathered for the annual Procession of the Virgen de Guadelupe around the streets of San Pedro at 5:30pm, followed by the 7:00pm mass.

Defending the Freedom of Press

Press Release
CTV-3

December 8, 2010

CTV-3- News views with distress and grave concern the actions taken by the Barrow Administration against Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions, as announced by the Government Press Office on Tuesday, December 7th afternoon.

While we understand that the Prime Minister, as Head of Government, may have the authority to compel or prohibit his employees from conducting media interviews, the attempt to censor or control a private and independent media house in any way is contemptible and cannot be supported nor tolerated.

The media in Belize has made great strides toward freedom with the silent but obvious support of the Government, especially over the last ten years, and the current administration’s recent decision against Channel 5 can only be viewed as dangerous, retrogressive and an attack on our independence and right to inform the Belizean public.

CTV-3 News calls on the Government of Belize to reconsider and reverse its position, and to find, in the spirit of democracy, transparency and good governance, a more amicable way of resolving its issues with Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions.

CTV-3 News
Orange Walk Town

The People’s United Party condemns the decision by the Government of Belize “to suspend normal relations” with one of the only two National Television Stations in Belize.

This action can only be seen as a vicious attempt to stifle freedom of the press. We therefore call on the public to view this move by Government as a poorly masked attempt to suppress any criticism of Government’s action and in so doing monopolize and dictate fact based public opinion.

The PUP maintains that if there was any legitimacy to the accusations by the UDP Administration against Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions that the appropriate action should have been to lodge these complaints with the Belize Broadcasting Authority.

In effect what the Government has done is to displace the functions of the Belize Broadcasting Authority and unilaterally, without processes of the law, installed themselves as judge and jury in this matter.

The Barrow Administration’s personal campaign to try and determine what Belizeans should think is further exposed by its weak attempt to equate the Opposition and an independent private-corporate citizen, simply to advance its reign of hypocrisy and dictatorship.

We reiterate our confidence in the ability of the Belizean people to determine for themselves the competence, integrity and reliability of any news item local or international.

It has been the practice and history in Belizean journalism for reporters and media houses to operate in an atmosphere of openness.Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every Belizean.

In a democratic and free society, even a hint of victimization and censorship must never be tolerated.Even dissenting and unflattering news items must be respected as an indispensible part of the process of openness and transparency by public officials.

We find it irreconcilable that the Government will suspend relations with Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions at a time when this station is being rewarded internationally for excellence in journalism.

The appropriate way for this UDP administration to manage dissent and disapproval is to correct their misdeeds rather than launch petty, unwarranted and extreme attacks on the media.

We stand with the Belizean people in defense of democracy, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

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It's FRY-day - Get delightful goodies from Orchid Tree Catering

It’s Friday – you’re hungry and excited to start the weekend. Lunchtime beckons, and suddenly, you’re craving something fresh, delicious, oh, and fried? Yes please! Well, you only have to pick up the phone and call 226-4465. Ms. Shelley, Monica and their assistants will be happy to prepare something for you. They’ll even deliver.
Mrs. Shelly Huber is known for her unmatched skills in the kitchen, and on Fridays, now dubbed FRYDAYS, you get to taste a little bit of heaven. Conch fritters, lobster or shrimp dip, stuffed jalapeño poppers, chicken wings and now, Monica’s tasty cupcakes, are all available from 12noon through to 6pm. Get all your favorite, finger-licking snacks delivered to you.
Having a work meeting? Get some conch fritters and dips for everyone! Evening get-togethers with friends go even better with a platter of chicken wings and some spicy jalapeños.

They deliver, or you can pick up at your convenience. This Fry-day, be sure to call up the lovely ladies at Orchid Tree Catering (226-4465) and place your order. All orders are $10 – and you get big portions, so you can’t beat that!!

Tourism Ministers of Guatemala and Belize meet in San Pedro

The Minister of Tourism of Guatemala, Honorable Dr. Jorge Samayoa and the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. met today. The meeting was a part of a courtesy call made by Samayoa to Heredia at his San Pedro Town Office. The Guatemalan Minister was accompanied by the Head of Marketing for Tourism Sylvia Paiz de Estrada and the Central American Integrated System (SICA) Executive Director Mercedes Melendez de Mena.
The delegation of three met with Minister Heredia, who was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Belize Tourism Board of Directors Miriam Roberson, Director of Tourism Selenie Matus and recently appointed Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Lindsey Garbutt.
In November, Minister Samayoa was appointed as the Minister of Tourism of Guatemala. He is scheduled to take over the SICA Pro Tem Presidency of Tourism Ministers early next year, a position currently held by Minister Heredia. Both Ministers and their teams met behind closed doors where a number of issues were discussed.
In a brief interview with Minister Heredia, he said that Minister Samayoa visit is part of his planned visits to all Central American Tourism Minister. The visit is ahead of taking the Pro Tem Presidency of SICA Tourism Minister early next year.
Following the courtesy call Minister Heredia hosted the delegation to lunch.