Third Apprentice Group Graduates

The third session of the Apprenticeship Program held its Apprentice Celebration Day where the participating members were handed their certificate of completion this past Saturday, March 29, at Fido’s Courtyard.
The Ambergris Caye Education and Support Committee (ACES) commends all the graduates of this third session and believes that all should be very proud of their hard work. By completing the program they showed dedication to improving their lives by gaining new skills. Congratulations Graduates on a job well done!
The graduates of the 3rd Session
*Emilette August (Tropic) - Office Assistant in each department
*Ever Blandon (El Pescador) - Maintenance such as electrical, plumbing, and painting
*Scott Charles (Victoria House) - Kitchen Assistant, specialized in baking
*Miguel Martinez (El Pescador) - Bartender
*Gregorio Rosado (Rico’s at Banyan Bay) - Waiter and Kitchen Assistant
*Faron Reyes (Tropic Air) – Airplane Maintenance: Received his certificate with this session though he completed his program in October

The Apprenticeship program is still going strong and proving to be a success. Following it information for Session 4 of the Apprenticeship Program to take place from May to August, 2008

Interviews
Thursday, April 17 & Saturday, April 19 from noon
until 4p.m. upstairs at Fido’s
Days of Classes
*Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18
Workplace Orientations (introduction to workplace, managers, details about work)
Monday, May 19
First Day of Apprenticeship
Tuesday, May 20

Who can interview to be an Apprentice
Youth in San Pedro ages 15-20
What should people know
*They can not participate without a social security card
*They must be willing to commit 20 hours a week to the Apprenticeship for 12 weeks
*They should NOT quit their job! This is a training program, not a new job. They will be paid $1 an hour.

Fire at Lions Den

Fire broke out this morning at the Lions Den compound in Down Town San Pedro. Reports have it that the fire started at around 5a.m. at the Father Razkowski Community Hall which is situated just above the Lions Den.

Fire fighters were quick to out the fire, which was still at its early stage of burning, and prevented it from crossing to nearby buildings that are situated very close by. Unofficial reports have it that the fire was caused by an electric fan that was left on from the previous evening.

The community hall is primarily used for dance rehearsals by the San Pedro Dance Company, but is also used privately by an aerobics instructor. Damaged were costumes, stereos, CDs and props of the Dance Company and some exercise equipment. Although the fire did not burn down the structure, major repairs will be needed for the entire building, which was insured. More update as they become available. (www.ambergristoday.com)

Visitor's Point of View

Curtis Gropp, a recent visitor to San Pedro, has some interesting views about foreign development on the island and wrote down his thoughts on his blog as he arrived home. It is interesting to read how visitors perceive life on Ambergris Caye; their point of view is something that we can learn from sometimes. Read Curtis' blog entry of his trip to San Pedro HERE.

Johnny Briceño Elected New PUP Leader

Ambergris Today sent a representative to the nation's capital of Belmopan City on Sunday, March 30, to witness the election of the new party leader for the People's United Party (PUP). Johnny Briceño and Francis Fonseca were the two candidates running for the position.

More coverage of the event will be featured on this week's edition of the Ambergris Today Newspaper. (www.ambergristoday.com)

Fire Avoided in San Pedro

The San Pedro Fire Department seems to be very busy these days. The good thing is that the prank calls seem to have died down thanks to the report placed in Ambergris Today Newspaper. Today, the department responded to a call in the Airstrip Area. A small butane gas tank ignited, but before any serious damage could happen, the firemen arrived on time to out the situation.

More Fire Pictures in the City

Massive Fire Engulfs Entire Belize City Block

Belize City residents were up all night on Wednesday, March 26, as a massive fire almost destroyed an entire block consisting of major businesses in the heart of downtown.
Unofficial reports have that the fire started at the Romac’s department store on Albert Street and quickly spread throughout the entire block, destroying many businesses and putting many people out of jobs.
The blaze started at around 10:30p.m. Wednesday, March 26 and was brought under control around 1:30a.m. Thursday morning. (more at www.ambergristoday.com)

More Cuban Refugees Wash Ashore

At about 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, a group of 13 Cuban refugees landed on San Pedro on the beach side in front of Holiday Hotel and as usual the first to arrive at the scene was the island’s #1 Newspaper, Ambergris Today Newspaper. Police then transported the group to the police station where, according to sources, they received medical attention and were given food and clothing. (More details on this story on Friday, March 28 Issue of Ambergris Today Newspaper. www.ambergristoday.com)

Holy Cross Students Visit Butterfly Farm

The students of Holy Cross Anglican School enjoyed a wonderful field trip to the Butterfly Farm last week. Over 400 children were able to see (many for the first time!) the incredible beauty of some of Belize’s most delicate creatures.

Holy Cross Anglican school would like to extend thanks to Ms. Valley Ruddick of the Butterfly Farm for hosting the students, to Mr. Sterling Vorus of the Island Ferry for providing transport and to the staff of Rendezvous Restaurant, especially Miss Jessie, Miss Janice and Miss Joanna who are visiting from Ontario for refreshments and assistance with beach games.

Thanks also go to the members of the volunteer mission team from Duke University in North Carolina who worked at Holy Cross for the week and helped supervise the field trips - all three days of them!

Belizean Monsignor Blesses Town Hall

Ambergris Today witnessed the first official act of Deputy Mayor Juan Alamilla acting as Mayor at the town hall. The occasion was the official blessing of the San Pedro Town Hall by a visiting Belizean member of the clergy. The blessing was conducted by Right. Rev. Monsignor Herbert Panton, a Belizean now residing in the diocese of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Rev. Panton visits Belize annually and while in San Pedro offered to bless the building and offices. The town council is grateful for this kind religious gesture and offered a small and warm reception for the Monsignor and invited guests.

Belize’s Great Barrier Reef on USA Today Online

USA TODAY Travel Reporter Laura Bly was on the island a couple weeks ago compiling information for her report on the Great Barrier Reef of Belize. Click on the link to read her article. Article obtained from: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/environment/2008-03-13-belize_N.htm?csp=34

Chelsea Clinton in San Pedro!

Rumors had it and our sources confirmed that Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former US President Bill Clinton and US President forerunner Hilary Clinton, is vacationing in San Pedro. Our sources say that Chelsea arrived with her boyfriend in a private helicopter and is staying at an exclusive resort on the island.

BEL asks for 15% Rate Increase

If an average home pays $200 electricity a monnt, it might soon start paying $230 World Oil Prices have increased dramatically over the past few months and on Friday, March 14, the prices went up to 111 U.S dollars per barrel. Due to this increase, the Belize Electricity Limited has seen it necessary to apply to the Public Utilities Commission for an increase to the cost of electricity.
In an ad that was issued to the media houses, Dawn Sampson, Cooperate Communications Manager at B.E.L told consumers why they are requesting the increase.
“We’re very concerned about the impact high energy prices and have been doing all we can to try to keep the cost of power as low as possible,” commented Dawn Sampson, BEL Corporate Communication Manager. “Increasing our hydro production from 20% to 40% of our energy supply has helped. But over the last five years, power cost from Mexico has increased by more than 100% due to the impact of oil prices. World oil prices are beyond our control and impacts about 60% of our energy supply. This includes power purchase from Mexico and power generated from our local diesel generators.”
The last electricity rate was adjusted in January 2006. At that time world fuel prices was averaged at 65 US dollars per barrel. BEL is asking the Public Utilities Commission for an increase of 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour or 15% average increase. President and CEO of Belize Electricity Limited, Lynn Young says that because of the increase in oil prices BEL must increase their electricity rates.
“The increases that we had to implement are really just to meet the increase in the cost of power. Sixty percent of our supply is indexed to oil prices,” commented Lynn Young. “The return works out to ten percent and that is the minimum that the public utilities commission allows us to make. That return is needed to service our debts and to provide a reasonable return to shareholders. And our debt cost is somewhere between 10 and 15%; that’s the kind of interest that we pay and we pay dividends to shareholders and that works out to about 8% for the shareholders.”
If the P-U-C grants BEL this increase, the cost of electricity will increase from the current 44 cents per kilowatt hour to 50 cents per kilowatt hour. The P-U-C will issue a final decision on the request no later than 15 days from the commencement of the Tariff Review Proceedings. Chairman of the commission, Roberto Young says that 15 days allows for public participation to assist the commission with making an informed decision as to the rate increase. BEL advices those interested to submit comments on this application to the P-U-C by March 25.

El Niño or Global Warming?

Easter weather in San Pedro is generally windy and the dust and sand kicks up into high gear; we are used to that. What we were not used to was the unusually higher gusts of wind upon awakening on Wednesday, March 19. On the doorstep of many beach homes was the incoming surf!
The strong winds, that we usually only experience when a hurricane is near, picked up the surf that battered the piers, crashed into sea walls loosened tied down boats and dumped tons of seaweed onto the beaches. Plus, streets were flooded and Boca del Rio Park seemed like the lost city of Atlantis - all under water! Unbelievable!!!

San Pedro Exceeding its Electicity Capacity?

The office of Ambergris Today got word that San Pedro has exceeded its electricity capacity and that the cable which feeds the island can no longer sustain the amount of electricity to feed the island. To clear out this information we contacted Chris Nuñez Distribution Technician of Belize Electricity Limited San Pedro Branch.

According to Mr. Nuñez San Pedro has not exceeded its consuming capacity and everything is running perfectly smooth. “San Pedro is currently consuming a total of 8 Mega Watts which is being fed by a cable coming from Bomba,” stated Mr. Nunez.

The entire country consumes a total amount of 70 Mega watts of electricity and up to date there are no problems anywhere in the country where a place has exceeded its consumption capacity.

More at Ambergris Today Online. www.ambergristoday.com

Online Poll Results

On our online poll we posed the question to our world wide readers to cast their vote on what they think attracts foreigners to establish themselves on Ambergris Caye. Not surprisingly, coming on top was the friendliness of our community.

It is without a doubt that the friendly nature of our island community is one of the most commented traits. Letters and emails sent to us are always commenting of the good nature of Sanpedranos, so we are not surprised that our Friendly Community came on top.

Our location in the globe is another factor that attracts foreigners to settle on Ambergris Caye. Who can resist our tropical paradise, with its amazing scenery, casual living and tranquil environment. Nothing beats the tropics.

With the exponential growth of the island and the great real estate opportunities offered at the moment, the market is in a development boom. Our online voters believe that Ambergris Caye has a Good Investment Ambience which is a plus that has been a catalyst for the rapid development these past years.

Fire Broke Out Near Ramons Village

Firefighters were fast to make it to the scene of a fire that broke out at an old structure located just behind Ramon's Village yesterday, Monday, March 17. Their quick response prevented the fire from breaking out to nearby residences, but the building is now condemned as the fire cause extensive damage to the entire building. The cause of the fire seems to have originated in the kitchen. Read more on Thursday's edition of Ambergris Today Newspaper. www.ambergristoday.com

Feeding Crocodiles

Feeding crocodiles at the water plant ponds has become a spectator's sport in San Pedro. Tourist who come to the island get word of the popular feedings and make sure it is one of their stops during their visit. The San Pedro Business Association in currently working on plans to fix up the area into a park and to make it more safe for viewing these wild creatures.

Child Stimulation Month Parade

Preschoolers from around town took to the streets this morning in a parade to celebrate Child Stimulation Month. All the Preschools are partaking in daily activities that stimulate the children's minds. Activities include special arts and craft, sports days, cultural exhibitions and meet with different businesses and organizations like the Fire Department and Traffic Department.

Intl. Belizean Reggae Artist Shoots Video

Belizean music artist living abroad, Oral Fuentes, was on the island this past week shooting his music video and Ambergris Today got an exclusive interview with Oral and also witnessed the actual video shooting at Blue Tang Inn.

Oral Fuentes was in the island along with his wife and a filming crew from Shamax Production from Belmopan shooting a music video entitled “Sum Lovin” from his Cd “Oral Culture”.

“We just finished shooting another music video in Belize City called Whey Natty Deh,” commented Oral. “The filming took place on Albert Street and we then came to San Pedro to film or next video called Sum lovin.”

More on Thursday's edition of Ambergris Today. www.ambergristoday.com