September 10th Celebrations

The Battle of St. Georges Caye Day was celebrated on Wednesday, September 10th with the coronation of Miss San Pedro 2008, a school uniform parade and a family fishing tournament. Lizette Vasquez was crowned by outgoing Miss San Pedro Angie Alamilla and her first task as the New Miss San Pedro was to award the winners of the fishing tournament that took place at the end of the day. A 202lbs shark was reeled in by Flor Bradley and the winning boat weighed in over 200lbs of fish. Here are some of the highlights of the day.

Launch of Andy Palacio Foundation

On Wednesday, August 20, 2008, the Andy Palacio Foundation was formally launched at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts in Belize City. In April 2008 a group of friends and family members of the late Andy Palacio met to discuss a way to move forward with promoting, and celebrating the legacy of our great Garifuna Belizean music icon.

The Andy Palacio Foundation is a non-profit organization serving the public interest. The activities of the Andy Palacio Foundation are guided by the principle of culture as a coherent and continuous system of arts, sciences, education and any other form of artistic creation. The efficiency of a culture depends on economic conditions as on its degree of openness, i.e., free circulation of ideas, skills and experiences and a widespread and democratic effect of the cultural exchange.
Some of the objectives of the Foundation are:

*To preserve and promote the legacy of Andy Palacio, Belize’s great music icon, cultural Ambassador and UNESCO artist for Peace
*To establish the Andy Palacio Museum
*To establish an Andy Palacio Trust Fund
*To spread information and knowledge about the life and work of Andy Palacio
*To promote music and assist with its expansion and development through training, performances, production
*To publish and produce: catalogues, special editions, postcards, posters, prints, t-shirts, written works by creative persons, musical and other electronic materials
*To facilitate interaction amongst creative persons and institutions and other authorities within this area.

This November, a book on the life and work of Andy Palacio will be published by the Image Factory Art Foundation under the patronage of the Andy Palacio Foundation. The two trustees of the Andy Palacio Foundation are E. Roy Cayetano, President and Ms. Kami Palacio, Vice President and eldest daughter of Andy Palacio.

Founding members of the Andy Palacio Foundation are Rafael Martinez, Marion Cayetano, Ivan Duran, Loretta Garcia-Palacio, Vincent Palacio, Jeremy A. Enriquez, Uani Palacio, Sherlette Slusher, Nita Palacio, Raquel Battle, Rozelle Flores, Joseph Palacio, Yasser Musa, Darius Avila, Gilvano Swasey, and Harold Arzu.

Tropic Air Flight has Emergency Landing

- Press Release, Tropic Air - On Sunday, September 7, at approximately 9:40 a.m. a Tropic Air Caravan was on flight from Belize City Municipal Airstrip to Goldson International when the captain was forced to make an emergency landing in the Belizean Beach area. There were four passengers on board and one sustained cuts to the head and there were no other injuries. More details in this week's edition of Ambergris Today out Friday this week.

Dolphins Win!

It was a much needed win for the San Pedro Dolphins as they ended their losing streak, or at least a streak of not winning any games since their first win at the season's start. The Dolphins sent the Suga Boyz Juventus back to Orange Walk with a loss as they managed to score four goals; Orange Walk only managed to score two.

New soccer jerseys donated to the Dolphins by Hollywood Realty

Miss San Pedro Galley is Up

The Miss San Pedro Pageant Picture Gallery has been posted on our website. Click here to view.

Reef Radio Karaoke Winners Week 4

Rolando Albeño and Coconut Leo advance to the finals of Reef Radio Karaoke Competition as they pleased the judges and the crowd on week four. Only one more week of singing is left until the grand finale when the top Karaoke singer is crowned and handed the $2,000 first prize.

If you want to save one of the other three contestants who did not qualify for the final round of competition this week, visit www.thereefradio.com to vote for your favorite. One winner from all the five weeks of competition goes directly to the finals. Your vote counts.

Clean Up Campaign by Seaduced

Elito Arceo of Seaduced by Belize started a clean up campaign focusing on the beaches of San Pedro with a group of young men called “The Red Tap Crew”. Last week the crew cleaned from the Boca del Rio Area all the way to Portofino and this week the team cleaned from Portofino Resort to Blue Reef Resort.

The Red Tap Crew brought back 70 (55 gal) bags of trash from the north side of the island on Monday, September 1. Mr. Arceo explained that he is doing this to instill a sense of civic pride to everyone and to encourage island residents to do the same. The project is being done in phases and they plan on cleaning all the way to Rocky Point this week. Anyone who is interested in helping out in anyway possible kindly contact Mr. Arceo at 226-2254.

Everybody is Reading Ambergris Today

The Island’s traffic wardens take a break from cruising around town, looking for lawbreakers, and relax by the beach with their copies of Ambergris Today Newspaper.

Central American Nations Celebrate Their Independence

The Embassies of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua have joined Belize to celebrate their Independence Day with an artistic festival and concert that will be held on the 13th September at the Governor General’s Field in Belmopan City. The purpose of the festival is to commemorate the Independence Day of the Mesoamerican countries together, and to share, fraternally, with joy and solidarity through our popular dances and folk music.

On Saturday, 13th September, the Marimba Group "Ujuum Mayab" with a wide repertoire of Guatemalan popular music, as well as the children ballet "Pilmijtotianij" from Veracruz and the reggae group "Hierba Santa" from Chetumal, both from Mexico, will offer a concert. Also, the program features a group of Belizean traditional dance. The event will start at 4:00 pm. The admission is free and open to the public from all nationalities.

The festival continues on Sunday, 14th September, in Belize City where the children ballet “Pilmijtotianij” will have a presentation at The Bliss Center for the Performing Arts at 6:00 pm. The admission is free.The Pilmijtotianij Ballet is a high level Mexican group with a 24 year trajectory, they have been in several cultural festivals in different countries such as San Juan, Puerto Rico en 1999; Santa Clara, Cuba in 2000; Los Angeles, California in 2001; Ilan, Taiwán in 2002; Serbia & Montenegro in 2004; Budapest, Hungary in 2004; London, England in 2004; Venezuela in 2005; Goiás, Annapolis; Brazil in 2007, Agrigento, Sicilia, Italy in 2008 and the last in August 2008 in Hangzhou, China.

The Embassies invite the general public to these cultural events commemorating the independence of Belize, Central America and Mexico.For further information please contact the Institute of Mexico in Belize at institutodemexico@embamex.bz or at 223-1408.

Official September Celebrations Schedule

Click on image to enlarge

Miss Belize to Miss World Competition

Missology.org decided to pitch a few questions to the new Miss Belize Charmaine Chinapen as she prepares to compete in the Miss World pageant. She answers questions about her, her country Belize, as well as her dreams and aspirations.

Miss World 2008 will be hosted by Johannesburg - World Class African City on Saturday, December 13, 2008. The Miss World finals was postponed from Sept 4 and it is suspected that it had to with the war between Russia and Georgia. The Miss World Organization indicated that it was in the best interest of the delegates, their License holders and the Miss World Organization and all involved.

In the meantime Miss Belize ‘08 is being looked at internationally as a semifinalist in the Miss World pageant. She is being labeled as the Best Belizean delegate to represent Belize in years. Read her interview at Missology here.

Lyzette Vasquez is the New Miss San Pedro

Lyzette Vasquez won the title of Miss San Pedro 2008 this past Saturday, August 30, and Miss Anna Haylock took second place. The pageant was filled with entertainment and plenty of glamor as the six contestants lit up the stage in front of a crowd of hundreds.

Lyzette also won the Miss San Pedro Internet with fans voting her as their favorite. Her prize included a dress and fashion accessories at Moondancer.

Miss Congeniality was awarded to Rosely Castillo and Miss Photogenic was awarded to Anna Haylock. (More in this week's edition of Ambergris Today)

Reef Radio Karaoke Winners Week 3

Natalie Arceo and Julianie Furguson qualified as the top two singers for week three of competition at the Reef Radio's Karaoke Competition. It was a night of great performances and great singing as the competition gets tighter and better. If you want to save one of the other three contestants who did not qualify for the final round of competition this week, visit www.thereefradio.com to vote for your favorite. One winner from all the five weeks of competition goes directly to the finals. Your vote counts.

Miss San Pedro at Belize Legacy Resort

The Miss San Pedro contestants continue their tours around town in preparation for the Miss San Pedro Pageant on Saturday, August 30, 2008. Here are some pictures of their photo shoot at the Belize Legacy Resort in North Ambergris Caye taken by Jose Luis Zapata.

Voting for Ambergris Today's Miss San Pedro Internet continues at www.ambergristoday.com. Your favorite wins clothing and accessories at Moondancer. Voting ends just before pageant begins, so make your vote count.

Reef Radio Karaoke Winners WK 2

Week two of the famous Reef Radio Karaoke brought us brighter lights, brighter voices and brighter judging. It was a hot contest from beginning to end as Rivero charmed us with romantic melodies and Hyde with hot reggae music.

Demi was a rock star but more popular with the crowd than the judges. Diane and Elizabeth delighted us with the golden oldies that have the Spanish versions. As for Omar Mendez, he was romantic as usual but short of a little energy.

Overall it was a great second week for promoter Eiden Salazar despite the minor difficulties by the technicians.

Congratulations to first place Wilber Rivero and Leroy Hayde.

Now to save one of the four who did not quite make it but who are good anyways, you can vote for your favorite on www.thereefradio.com.

Until next week at Jaguar’s Temple Night Club.

Traffic Accident

On Sunday, August 17, a scooter collided against a golf cart on Tarpon Street. Reports have it that around 8:15 p.m . on Sunday, Miriam Rodriguez, Salvadoran domestic, of the Escalante Subdivision was driving a four seater golf cart with license plate BZC 30941 going in an eastern direction and noticed that a scooter driven by a male person coming from Pescador Drive was heading toward her direction swerving from side to side.

In an attempt to avoid a collision with the scooter, she swerved to the right side of the road and the scooter still hit the rear end of the golf cart. The scooter along with the person driving it fell to the floor. The male person appeared to be under the influence and started an argument with Rodriguez.

The male person was detained due to his behavior and apparent state of intoxication. No charges were filed against him and he was released the following morning. No one received injuries and the golf cart had minor dents on the rear fender.

September Celebrations' Song Competition

Nine songs out of a list of thirteen submissions have been selected by the Patriotic Song Competition Judges. These nine songs will be presented at the Finals to be held on Friday, August 22, 2008 commencing at 8:00 p.m. at the House of Culture in Belize City.

Alex Noralez from San Pedro Ambergris Caye is one of the nine competing for the Patriotic Song along with Lila Vernon, Silas Sabal, Joseph Lawrence, Herman Usher, Silas Sabal, Elroy Martinez, Jude Castillo & Aaron Cassonova.

To vote for Alex Noralez or the other 8 competing visit http://www.septembercelebrations.com

Alex Noralez, Berne & Jude Castillo have been selected the top three winners for the Carnival Song Competition. These winners will be featured at the Patriotic Song Competition Finals at House of Culture in Belize City.

Visit the website and listen to all competing songs as well as the top three Carnival songs.

Lower Pump Prices!!

The Ministry of Finance wishes to advise the public of lower pump prices for fuel products that came into effect as of midnight August 12, 2008.

The pump prices per gallon for fuel products have been reduced as follows:

Premium Gasoline – From $11.49 to $10.41

Regular Gasoline – From $11.19 to $10.01

Kerosene Oil – From $11.63 to $10.43

Diesel Oil – From $11.74 to $10.60

The Ministry of Finance advises that this action is in keeping with Government’s commitment to pass on in full any decrease in the acquisition to the Belizean Consumers.

The Ministry also informs the public that, in keeping Government policy, any future price changes in acquisition cost will be passed on fully to the prices at the pump.

As for San Pedro prices for Regular gasoline went from $11.69 to $10.51 and Diesel Oil from $12.23 to $11.09.

Reef Radio Karaoke Winners Wk 1

The first round of competition at the Reef Radio Tele/Radio Karaoke took place last night at Jaguar's Temple Night club with two singers qualifying to the finals. Hector Hernandez was chosen by the judges while Joel Andino was selected by an audience vote.

Four more rounds of competition are left with eight singers left to qualify. Two winners of each round qualify to the finals, plus one lucky 'loser' of all five rounds gets to go to the finals with your vote. YOU make this final contestant go straight to the finals by voting for your favorite at Reef Radio's Website www.thereefradio.com. The grand finals take place on September 18.

Fatal Golf Cart Accident

About 6:20 a.m. Police responded to a call of a traffic accident involving a dump truck and a golf car in the Mosquito Coast Area. Upon their arrival to the area the accident victim was already being transported to the clinic to receive medical attention.

According to official reports, the victim of the accident was Vidal Escalante, 21-year old resident of Mosquito Coast, originally from Belmopan. Information gathered by officials claim that Escalante was driving a golf cart (#17 from Captain G’s) heading towards town while the garbage truck was heading to the dumpsite, when Escalante fell asleep while driving andswerved into the direction of the truck and collided into it.

At the time of the accident, Escalante was being accompanied by a female friend. Edmir Dominguez, 32-year old resident of San Pedro was the driver of the Town Council’s garbage truck and is currently in police custody. Escalante was taken to Ambergris Hopes Clinic since the doctor on call for the poly clinic was not available. He was then pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Otto Rodriguez. The body was then transported to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he awaits a postmortem. More information will be provided as it becomes officially available.

New Miss San Pedro Website

Click poster to enlarge
Visit the new Miss San Pedro website at www.misssanpedro.com

La Chupitos Fills Festival with Laughter

If you did not make it to the Costa Maya Festival on Sunday night, then you missed one of the best performances of the Festival. Mexican Comedian La Chupitos was highly entertaining and had everybody laughing from start to finish of her performance.

She fell in love with San Pedro and its people that Ambergris Today found out that she extended her stay on the island and went property shopping.

Street Bumps & Signs

During the long and busy weekend that was Costa Maya Festival, the Traffic Department took time to paint the speed bumps (sleeping policeman) and install signs so that the large influx of visitors were aware of the island speed limit and avoid speeding over the speed bumps. Kudos to the department.

Miss San Pedro Photo Gallery

The Miss San Pedro Pageant draws near, set for August 30, and the six contestants prepare to hit the stage to compete for the coveted title. Already, the girls have been involved in various photo shoots and traveled to western Belize and to neighboring Chetumal, Mexico. Here are a few pictures of the young ladies as they visited the Cayo District and explored the countryside and caves. Here are (in order of appearance) Miss Rosely Castillo, Anna Haylock, Daisy Menjivar, Tanya Rejon, Roshany Rivero and Lizette Vasquez.

More to come!

Costa Maya Festival Opens with a Blast

The entertainment lineup for opening night at this years Costa Maya Festival was Supa Hot with Belizean entertainer Supa G rocking his latest hits from his new album, plus great hits like 'Lay di Pipe'.




Klan-Destinos Mix it Up!
Honduran band Klan-Destinos entertained the crowd with their mix of reggaeton, bachata and rap. The crowd kept on dancing past midnight to their mixes of popular songs making hits worldwide.





Fabiola Rojas Impresses
The fifteen year old performer from Guatemala left everybody in awe the instant she sang the first note of her song. Fabiola's powerhouse voice kept everybody wanting more as she performed song by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.