May 2015 Placencia Breeze

Visit issuu.com/theplacenciabreeze or www.facebook.com/ThePlacenciaBreeze

Established 1999 ▫ A FREE Placencia BTIA Membership Publication ▫ Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek, Belize

Musicians Pay Tribute to Aidan Young

On the evening of May 12, most of the Peninsula's musicians led a rare jam session at J-Byrd's Bar locat-ed at the southern end of the Peninsu-la by the muncipal pier. The bar was formerly the hot-test entertainment spot in the area, and the evening brought back a sense of nostalgia for many.

The event was or-ganized by Carlton "Patu" Young, Jr. in honor of his son, 10-year-old Aidan Young, who has been battling can-cer for the great-er part of his life. Patu, a longtime local musician, dive instructor and boat captain, said he rallied fellow musicians to come out and play some live music for his son before the young trooper re-turned to his home in Pennsylvania where he is receiv-

ing hospice care. "Aidan loves music and Placencia," said Patu, who left the village to travel abroad with his son and wife Julie on May 16. When asked how he was enjoying his evening out at J-Byrd's, Aidan who had just been given a pain killer pill by his mother, and not feeling his best, cracked a smile and gave two thumbs up. ▪

Carlton "Patu" Young, Jr. joins his sons Aidan and Damien for a photo next to J-Byrd's Bar where the music was jamming. (JOLIE POLLARD)

17th Annual

Placencia Lobsterfest June 19, 20 & 21, 2015

Whale Sharks Make Annual TourBy JOLIE POLLARD By JOLIE POLLARD

continued on page 19(See page 7 for more on Lobsterfest and other food festivals in the south.)

Every year they swim across the oceans of the world and for the longest time in the memory of the eldest fish-ermen living in Placencia, they never fail to make a visit to the waters of Belize. Seventy-three-year-old Carl-ton “Jak” Young said he has always known the majestic creature as “Sapodilla Tom,” a name he said was bestowed by a fisherman named Thom-as when the gigantic fish was first spotted near the Sapo-dilla Cayes located 40 miles

east of Punta Gorda Town, or so legend has it. Young said that for a long time the creatures remained much of a mystery until scientists began learning more about their migration patterns, bi-ology and reasons for their annual Belize vacation.

According to celebrated ma-rine conservationist and San Pedro-based shark expert, Dr. Rachel Graham, Belize has been lucky to be one of only nine places in the

Champion of the third annual Placencia Sailing Club National Sailing Regatta Trent Hardwick of of the Belize Sea Scouts conquers the choppy waves of the Placencia cove during day one of the Commonwealth Day weekend event held May 23-24. (MARION CARR/Muzamanazie Photography)

The Placencia Breeze ‖ May 2015 ‖


WHEN LOCATION EVENTFRI-SAT-SUNJUNE 19-20-21

Godfrey Family and Tipsy Tuna properties (Placencia)

17th ANNUAL PLACENCIA LOBSTERFEST (Look out for ALL the details coming up in our exclusive June Lobsterfest Breeze edition! Also visit www.placencialobsterfest.com!)

MONDAYS Pickled Parrot (Placencia) MURDER MYSTERY MONDAY! (Last Monday of every month.) Starts at 6 p.m. P. 636-7068

Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) MARTINI MONDAY! Martini specials and live music with Karl Lovell, 6-10 p.m.! P. 523-3089

TUESDAYS Yoli’s Bar (Placencia) Rotary Club of Placencia meets at 12:30 p.m. P. 625-2763.Barefoot Bar TRAVELLERS TUESDAY! Select Travellers Rum JUST $3. $1 off all other Travellers rums. 5 p.m. to midnight

P. 523-3515Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) MOJITOS & MUSIC! Mojito specials all day and Live Caribbean style music with Tropical Vibes, 5-10 p.m.

P. 523-3089

WEDNESDAYS Barefoot Bar (Placencia) WET WEDNESDAY! Specials on featured beer & $1 off all other beers! Fun & Funk Jam Session at 5 p.m. Visiting Musicians Welcome P. 523-3515

Mariposa Restaurant & Beach Suites (Placencia)

Free Yahtzee dice game starts 4:30 p.m. P: 523-4474

Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) WINGS WEDNESDAY! $1 Wings ALL DAY! Get ‘em Naked, Hot, Sweet-N-Spicy, Buffalo, Honey BBQ or Ginger Sesame! P. 523-3089. GARIFUNA DRUMMING 7-9 p.m. P. 523-3089

THURSDAYS Barefoot Bar (Placencia) DIRTY THURSDAY! 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tell a dirty joke and get the shot of the day for free! P. 523-3515Friends Near the Pier (Placencia)

Horseshoe tournament and board games night 5:30 – 8 p.m. P. 667-4805

Pickled Parrot (Placencia) TRIVIA THURSDAY! 6 p.m. Prizes and free jello shots! P. 636-7068

Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) TIPSY THURSDAY! Karaoke with Karl Lovell, FREE Jello Shots and Dancing in the Aquarium with DJ Swagg in our sports bar, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.! P. 523-3089

FRIDAYS Barefoot Bar (Placencia) BITTER ABOUT YOUR WEEK? $1 Local Bitters ALL DAY LONG! “They good fi dih back!” Live Caribbean Music at 5 pm. P. 523-3515


Prime Rib dinner w/ Yorkshire pudding, potates au us & steamed veg BZ$49. P: 523-4474

Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) MARGARITA MADNESS! Margarita Specials all day! FREE Zumba Dance Party with Yoli, 7-9 p.m!

SATURDAYS Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Barefoot Horseshoe Tournament at 4 p.m. Cash + Bar Tab Prizes. P. 523-3515;Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Live Rock + Alternative + Reggae music, 5-9 p.m. P. 523-3515

Pickled Parrot (Placencia) LIVE MUSIC! 6 p.m. Alternating performances by Hot Papaya and Open Mic guests. P. 636-7068

Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) Signature drink specials all day! Live Band, The Persuaders, playing great beach music 7 p.m. - midnight!

J-Dee’s Restaurant & Bar (Placencia)

Karaoke 8 p.m. to midnight. P. 503-3351

Robert’s Grove (Seine Bight)

Poolside Beach BBQ Buffet, 7-9 p.m. Live entertainment. P. 523-3565 for dinner pickups.

Habanero’s Mexican Café and Bar (Seine Bight)

Paella Night. Complimentary glass of House Sangria for each diner. 6 to 9 p.m. Pick-ups available. P. 523-3565

SUNDAYS Yoli’s Bar (Placencia) 4 p.m. Placencia’s Famous Ring Game. P. 625-2763.Barefoot Bar (Placencia) It’s SWEET PAIN Baby!!!!!! Live music w/ Belize’s # 1 Punta band Sweet Pain noon – 6 pm. Beach BBQ. P.

523-3515Mariposa Restaurant & Beach Suites (Placencia)

Card games start 2PM. Open to everyone. P: 523-4474

Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) SEASIDE SUNDAY!! DJ & Specials on all Buckets of Beers all day!!Belize Ocean Club (Maya Beach)

Sunday Pool Parties! Party DJ, great food and drinks!

EVERYDAY Habanero’s Mexican Café & Bar (Seine Bight)

Sunset Happy Hour. 5 to 7 p.m. $10 Margaritas. $4 Beers. $4 Local Rum drinks. Cocktails on the lagoon after a hard week’s work. P. 523-3565

Robert’s Grove (Seine Bight) Seaside Happy Hour and bar snacks. 4 to 6 p.m. $5 Local Beer and Rum Drinks.P. 523-3565

Quarter Deck Restaurant at Laru Beya Resort (Seine Bight)

International Fine Dining with Belizean flair. Breakfast served from 7 to 11 am. Lunch served from 12 to 2 pm. Happy hour from 4 to 6 pm. Dinner served from 6 to 9 pm. P. 523-3476


15% discounts for full or P/T Belizean residents + buy a meal & swim in our pool or play horseshoes at our new regulation pit.

Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) BEST Happy Hour Specials, 5-7 pm! Check out our daily featured drink and featured shot! Rush Hour 10-11 pm with 2 for 1 local rum! Kitchen is now open until 11:30 p.m!

Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Happy Hour 5-6 p.m. $2 OFF Local Rum Drinks including Coladas and Daiquiris. P. 523-3515

PENINSULA HAPPENINGSFESTIVALS • LOCAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINTMENT • GAMES • FOOD/DRINK Courtesy of the Placencia BTIA


INSIDE May 2015Page 5: Graphic Designer and Belize Outdoor Enthusiast Brings May 2015 Flag to LifePage 6: Editoral: Swim! Forest! Swim!Page 7: Food Festival Blowout!Page 8: A Poem for Bob the PoetPage 9: Photographing Easter in Placencia Page 11: Hand Wash Hand at PHS FurballPage 11: Take the Placencia Humane Society Quiz!

Page 13: Turtle Inn Staff Takes on Victoria Peak with Peak Performance & Physique Page 14: Peninsula Citizens Stands in Solidarity with Global Citizens Against Offshore Oil DrillingPage 21: Fragments of Hope Celebrates Eight Years at Coral MixerPage 23: Plea for Basketball Court in Seine Bight AnsweredPage 25: Izak Stands Tall After Spelling Bee District Finals

Page 25: Student of the MonthPage 27: Placencia Humane Society Launches Restaurant RunPage 27: Placencia Sailing Club Hosts Third Annual Regatta

Your copy of the Placencia Breeze is FREE because of our advertisers!

For advertising rates, call 523-4045 or e-mail [email protected].

Visit issuu.com/theplacenciabreeze or www.facebook.com/ThePlacenciaBreeze The Placencia Breeze ‖ May 2015 ‖

THANK YOU FOR PICKING UP THE PLACENCIA BREEZE!

PUBLISHER: The Placencia Chapter of the

Belize Tourism Industry Association (Placencia BTIA)

DISTRIBUTION: The Placencia Breeze is available free of charge at the

Placencia Tourism Center, Maya Island Air, guesthouses, restaurants and bars, gift shops, banks and other

businesses on the Placencia Peninsula. The Placencia Breeze has a print circulation of 2,000,

as well as a large online web audience.

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jolie Pollard, [email protected]

VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHERS: Marion and Ed Carr of Muzamanzie Photography

[email protected]

ADVERTISING OFFICERS:Cindy Weller, [email protected]

and Jonnell Augustine, [email protected]

PRINTER: Norman’s Printing, Belize City, Belize

The Placencia BreezeThe Placencia Tourism Center, Placencia Village,

Stann Creek, Belize. Phone: 523- 4045 ---

PLACENCIA BTIA BOARD: Evan Hall, Chairman

Steve Christensen, Vice Chairman Salva Zabaneh, CouncilorKristine Small, CouncilorCleeve Westby, Councilor

Bill Wohl, Councilor & Jodie Yearwood, Councilor

Graphic Designer and Belize OutdoorEnthusiast Brings May 2015 Flag to Life

Where in the World is The Placencia Breeze?

Who knew the Placencia Breeze would be loving all that cold weather?! We re-ceived even more photos from snow dwellers up north!

Above: Shortly after return-ing home from a trip to Be-lize, Scott Richardson reads the Placencia Breeze on his deck at his home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, USA. (Photo by Jake Richardson.) Left: Russ Nowick reads the Breeze on an outdoor deck in Gores Landing, Rice Lake, Ontario, Canada after a four-month ad-venture spent in Hopkins and Placencia. "We took these pictures because we miss it, but we're coming back in No-vember," Russ told us. (Photo by Mary-Anne Nowick)

By JOLIE POLLARDBreeze Editor

Reeve Boles, who grew up appreciating the wildlife, ancient histories and natural landscapes of Belize, is a Freelance Global Telecommuting Graphic Designer living in New Mexico.

Like us on Facebook for Breeze BRATA!Follow our Facebook page for Breeze extras! Check out fun videos and pictures from the Peninsula, as well as previews of our upcoming editions! ▪

bratanoun \braatah\ Kriol (Creole): something a little extra

Funny Placencia Peninsula Quote of the Month:

"Placencia used to be a sleepy little fishing village and now it's just a drunken, fishy village." ― Harry Eiley †

I have been very pleased with the out-pour of support we have received from talented artists in response to recent Breeze Flag design requests. It’s a small operation here at the paper. I do design, layout and most of the articles; Cindy Weller and Jonnell Augustine at the Placencia BTIA of-fice takes care of advertisers and our members, and the ever generous Mar-ion Carr contributes most of the photographs. However, having no graphic design artist on our team, this monthly contribution

of artwork starting with Greta Les-

continued on page 6

Amanda Harris reads the April Breeze at Harrison Lake, British Columbia, Canada.


lie’s candy cane Breeze in December has really zinged up our paper!

Reeve Boles is an old friend I knew from school connec-tions in Belize City and has been recognized in local art circles for a long time for his incredible talent, as well as for his passion for ecol-ogy.

Today Reeve resides in New Mexico, United States where he works in the digi-tal art world as a “Freelance Global Telecommuting Graphic Designer,” which he explains as arranging and trading pixels for payment. (We’ll leave our tech read-ers to appreciate that one.) The self-trained artist has also been focusing his time on creating 3D art and 3D animation.

Well aware of Reeve’s love of Belize’s natural wonders and his artistic abilities, I knew he was the perfect candidate for designing our whale shark flag to rec-

ognize the attraction that draws many visitors to the Peninsula from April to June. Having spent half of his life in Belize and raised by an eco-oriented father, Reeve says he was taught a special respect for the natural world. He is an ex-perienced scuba diver and knows how to handle groups of adventurers through the wilderness too. Reeve is no stranger to Placencia having worked in the local tourism scene for some time with Seakunga where he assisted them with promotional art and web design.

Reeve says he finds little value in degrees and be-lieves his artwork should speak for itself, but I think it’s worth mentioning that he started as an art major in college, but ended up with with a major/minor in Ar-chaeology/Anthropology due to an “intrinsic desire to explore deep history and reveal hidden things.”

Reeve said that “ancient art studies offered a window into the cultural mindset of

past times, which tends to be far more complex than we would like to admit in our computer age. The ac-ademic approach is tedious, but it is slowly unlocking hints of a massive wealth of forgotten knowledge that may be recovered.”

Professionally, Reeve has focused on logo design and says that he has found a di-rect correlation to ancient art and archetypal sym-bols. “This understanding gives me a certain edge in the graphic design field, es-pecially in logo design."

The artist continues to re-ceive excellent client feed-back through Elance. His dreams for the future include working with a design team in Belize to create the coun-try’s first video game (He has already developed char-acters, plot lines and other elements, which he says could also develop into a web comic.) and setting up a website that offers an exten-sive gallery, as well as free models, tutorials and more to other graphic designers.▪

Introducing Designer Behind the May Breeze 2015 Flagcontinued from page 5

By Jolie Pollard

Breeze [email protected]

Swim! Forest! Swim!

I think for a lot of people on the Placencia Peninsula, the sea has been a place to work. It’s where we take out our tourists for scuba diving, snorkeling, sport fishing or for a leisurely kayaking tour. It’s where the fishermen pull in the catch for the restaurants, harvest seaweed, dive for conch and lobster, spear the predatory lionfish and even go hunting for sea cucum-bers to supply a demand in China. For recreational purposes, we may take a quick dip, but for sport, the vast sea bordering our 16-mile-long Peninsula is the unlikeliest place to find anyone.

We’ll play football, basket-ball, go running, walking, cycling, hit the gym, fold

our bodies like pretzels in yoga class, but we won’t swim. Since this fitness maniac (or perhaps we should call him a relent-less advocate for active bodies) named Rodolfo Sáenz de Ugarte came up with the brilliant idea to organize group swims on the Peninsula, some of us have been challenging ourselves to take on this alternative form of exer-cise. I’ve completed four long (or longish if you will), distance swims with Rodolfo and friends, and I have to say, my body has been responding well to it. I feel great!

My physical therapist in Belize City would be proud. During a visit to her clinic a couple years ago in Belize City when she had determined that my body had pretty much become a train wreck following a brief and unsuccessful

EDITORIAL

By Jolie Pollard


continued on page 10


By JOLIE POLLARDBreeze Editor

Chocolate Festival of Belize, ToledoMay 22-23-24, 2015

The ninth annual Chocolate Festival of Belize kicks off with the Wine and Chocolate Gala on the Friday night of May 22 from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The event is being held for the second year at Garbutt’s gorgeous marina on Joe Taylor Creek in Punta Gorda (PG) Town. Tickets must be purchased in advance and for those on

We certainly have our fill of gastronomic euphoria ahead of us in Southern Belize starting this month with the Chocolate Festival and Mango Festival in May, the Placencia Lobsterfest in June and the first ever Banana & Shrimp Festival in July!

FOOD FESTIVALBLOWOUT!

Chocolate Festival of belize Toledo, May 22-23-24

hopkins mango festival may 30

placencia lobsterfest june 19-20-21

Independence Villagebanana & Shrimp festjuly (dates to be announced)

the Placencia Peninsula, you can get yours for just BZ$50 at the Placencia Tourism Center. While surrounded by both the lagoon and the ocean, this night brings you nothing but good times and new friends! Enjoy live mu-sic from the Caribbean Roots Band who will be travel-ing to PG all the way from Corozal, as well as an array of delectable hors d’oeuvres including deep fried lion fish and shrimp and of course, – chocolate from Belize-based chocolatiers!

Then starting on Saturday, May 23 is the Taste of To-ledo Street Fair held on Front Street, Punta Gorda town, between the UNO fuel station and the PG public library. Restricted only to pedestrians, the street fair features cultural displays and areas showcasing Toledo's

five main ethnic groups: Kriol, Maya, Garifuna, Mes-tizo and East Indian. Each area displays art, food and music from their respective cultures. It is like passing from a Mayan village to a Garifuna village in just a few steps. Expect to find plenty of barbecue stalls along Front Street, and tour operators selling chocolate making packages, kayaking trips and chocolate farm tours. A street stage will treat guests to live music all day long with a few breaks for presentions by local dance groups. If you have children in tow, you will definitely want to stop by the Cacao for Kids tent located at the PG Methodist School grounds.

If you're a fan of cocktails, you won't want to miss the bartending competition start-ing at 4:30 p.m. on the stage.

Competitors are required to use local chocolate, cacao or chocolate stout in their concoction.

Final activities for the Choc-olate Festival take place on Sunday at the shaded cam-pus of Julian Cho Technical High School starting at 10 a.m. and wrapping up at 4 p.m.. If it rains, no worries! Watch live performances inside the school's auditori-um by Mayan harp groups, Garifuna drummers, as well as dances by the Baaktun 13

group from Maya Centre in Stann Creek. There will be a range of traditional Mayan foods and drinks on sale pre-pared with cacao and local spices.

Local crafts such as ham-mocks, jipijapa baskets and slate and calabash carvings will be on sale too, and vis-itors will have the chance to try their own hand at craft making! The new location provides plenty of parking space and is conveniently lo-

continued on page 8


When you get to Placencia, and go about and roamYou will find a man named BobWho calls this place his Home

He is a self proclaimed Gambler, Pirate and Poetwho lives by the seaYou may find him at the Pickled Parrotor propped up against a palm treeYou may think of him as a vagabondas you first encounter himBut give him a smile and he will return it with a grinNow listen closely and you will hereStories of his life and it will all come clearHis poetry will make your day and you may say,it has enhanced your stayWe have come to Love Boband the stories that he sharesAnd can't wait to come backAnother day.

Bob we Love You

Don and TerryMichigan

A Poem for Bob the Poet

cated along the Southern Highway. Keep in mind that the Monday after the Chocolate Festival is Common-wealth Day, so the South will be very quiet as people recover from their chocolate hangover during the public and bank holiday.

For more information on the Choc-olate Festival of Belize, contact Toledo BTIA Information Officer Stephanie Parham at 722-2531.

Hopkins Mango FestivalMay 30, 2015

The Hopkins Chapter of BTIA in conjunction with the Hopkins Vil-lage Council have been busy prepar-ing for this year's Hopkins Mango Festival taking place on Saturday, May 30. The one-day festival will kick off in the coastal village at 10 a.m. at the Hopkins Village Center.

In addition to delicious mangos, one reason alone to attend this event is to immerse yourself into a two-hour concert by the Garifuna Collective as they kick off their U.S. tour.

Other attractions inside the Hopkins Village Center will include other cultural performances, children and adult games and raffle drawings every half hour. Tickets are only BZ$5 each and prizes run the gamut from mobile phones to bicycles and a grand prize of an all-expenses paid Hopkins vacation inluding three nights at a Hopkins hotel, domestic airfare and ground transport from anywhere in Belize, meals and three tours unique to the Hopkins area. This grand prize is a big deal, and the drawing will even be aired live on the nationally broadcast radio station -- Love FM.

If you are interested in renting a booth space at the Mangofest, contact Nisha Lewis at Coconut Row at 670-3000. Booth spaces are available for BZ$25.

Placencia LobsterfestJune 19-20-21, 2015

Preparations are underway for a spectacular 17th Annual Lobsterfest on June 19, 20, & 21 ― a joint ven-ture between the Placencia Village Council and Placencia BTIA. Visitors can expect the highly antic-ipated A-list of performers including

Placencia's old school band of mad talent, The Persuaders, the popular Gilharry 7 Band slated to perform on Saturday night, the award win-ning Benque Viejo Marching Band leading a parade on Main Street in Placencia Village on Saturday morn-ing and a performance later on the beach during the afternoon. Back by popular demand, Ozzy the Clown will be around to bring smiles to the faces of the young and the young at heart. The irrepressible showman Emmeth Young along with the Talla Walla Band are hoping to gather a group of hip shakers under the main tent, and resident musician Frank Tate and the Tropical Vibes will be keep the positive vibes flowing all weekend long. The Placencia BTIA is reaching out for major sponsors to fund this dynamic entertainment portion of the event. Major sponsorship cate-gories are: Bronze: BZ$1,000 Silver: BZ$2,000 Gold: BZ$3,000 Platinum: BZ$4,000 Diamond: $5,000 The logos of the top 10 sponsors will be featured on all Placencia Lob-sterfest promotional items including posters, flyers, newspaper ads, radio and television ads, social media pro-motions and event banners. To pledge your sponsorship, contact the Placencia BTIA office at523-4045 or [email protected] or [email protected].

More details on the Placencia Lob-sterfest including updates on games, entertainment, raffle prizes, t-shirts, food stalls and more will be coming up in our special Pre-Lobsterfest Edition of the Placencia Breeze in June!

Independence Village Banana and Shrimp FestivalJuly (Dates to be announced.)

Very little is known about the plan-ning of this event except that it's to be held this June, but even without the details, we're excited. Banana and shrimp in one weekend? Cele-brating two of the largest industries in Southern Belize?

Imagine the culinary possibilities! Yum! We're keeping our eyes on this one! ▪

FOOD FESTIVALBLOWOUT!continued from page 5


By MARION CARRVeteran Breeze Photographer/

Muzamanzie Photography

Photographing Easter in Placencia

[email protected]

The first photo in the top row is of one of the six sailboats competing in the fun eighth annual Placencia Caye Yacht Club's Easter Notta-Regat-

ta held on Easter Sunday. Weather conditions made this one very challenging! Sunday started out hot and sunny and by midday, many

people had already headed to the beach or the pier for a jump and swim into the sea. There were also family get-togethers in peoples' yards, and traffic was defi-nitely heavy by 1 p.m. with few parking spaces left. Lat-er dark rain clouds could be seen on the horizon ― rain is something rare to occur until early morning when all the parties are over, so it caught many people by surprise.

Continued on page 10


For a number of years now at their annual Easter Bash, the Tipsy Tuna has hosted the Mr. Physique contest, which is sponsored by Ha-bet & Habet and sanctioned by the Belize Body Build-ing Federation. The crowed roared when

In addition to flexing, men also hula hooped on the main stage (yup they sure tried) and the (cough, cough) toilet paper roll and plunger couple challenge was quite a scandal. Even though it was the first Easter Sunday rain in 14 years, it didn't dampen the beach party entertainment.▪

Photographing Easter in Placencia (contd. from page 9)

stint in body building, a shoulder surgery after mul-tiple shoulder dislocations and what appeared to be a herniated disc possibly brought on by too many hours sitting at a desk, as well as neglecting home therapy assignments, she scoffed at the knowledge that I had not been taking advantage of the sea in my backyard. “Buy a kickboard and get in that water,” she told me.

I did buy a kickboard and splash around for a few days, for a couple weeks. It helped. I could feel my core strengthening and my heart rate increasing without any pain to my joints or back. You'd think that with such a painless cardio reward, I wouldn't stop, but apparent-ly, I needed a group activity to finally take this physical therapist's assignment more seriously.

Now, there are some drawbacks to open water swimming here. First, the stingers. During my first swim with Rodolfo’s group, which started just across the road from his Maya Beach lagoon-side vacation rent-als named the Swan Villas, and continued to the mid-way point towards False Caye, I became a fun play toy for jellyfish. Having been stung by jellyfish a million times since I was a child, it didn’t seem a like a big deal, but somehow this 29-year-old body doesn’t do so well with them.

The fix? A psychedelic full-body swim skin loaned to me by our Breeze photogra-pher, Marion Carr. During the next swim, I looked like a monstrous parrot fish, but felt fearless and left the sea unscathed. Faaaaantastic!

The other fix? Jellyfish repellant thanks to Sabrina Kelly of the Secret Garden Restaurant. Wearing just a one-piece swimsuit, I swam through a school of jellyfish like a champ. The Safe Sea protective lotion really does work against the jellies! However, it didn’t protect me from whatever little critters were clinging

on to a patch of sargassum I encountered just before reaching shore. Ouch! Itchy! The good news is, out of the seven or so peo-ple who have participated in these swims, I seem to have the worst luck with stingers. Don’t let it discourage you. There’s always vinegar and pee ... Ahem.

Weather conditions almost deterred us from taking on our most recent swim, but we tackled the waves and strong winds and completed a 1.5 mile ad-venture from Tradewinds Cabanas to Fusion Beach. The prior week during the stretch from Tradewinds to De’Tatch, we were blessed with flat waters. It’s like turning up the incline on the treadmill or increasing your weights on a machine. Waves or no waves ― both will give a great workout. Of course, in the event of funky weather, it’s cer-tainly more responsible to be with a group for your safety. (When we haven't swum along shore, we've been accompanied by a kayak.)

Our sea is free. There’s plenty of room, and it’s easily accessible from anywhere on this skinny stretch of paradise. I'm not advising you to abandon your other favorite exer-cises, but swimming is definitely worth a spot in your fitness schedule.

According to the UK-based website, Swimming.org, even a gentle swim will burn over 200 calories in half an hour and a fast front crawl can burn as many calories as an 8mph run! Furthermore, pyscho-logical studies have shown that swimming is also great for mental health with participants experiencing significantly less tension, depression and anger after exercising than before.

Even better, it's for ev-eryone, no matter your age, weight or physical ability! You just need to take a look at us swim-ming one day, and you'll

Swim! Forest! Swim!EDITORIAL (contd. from page 6)

see what I'm talking about. David Ford from Maya Beach joined us for a swim not long after completing a heart surgery! Also, if you've got joint issues, swimming is great because it supports up to 90 percent of the body's weight in water, which makes it a great option for pregnant women too.

If you'd like to join us for a group swim join the Pla-cencia Sports group page for details on our swim location and time. Also, feel free to start your own

swim group! ▪ (Please note that because swimming is not a pop-ular activity on the Pen-insula, swimming masks or goggles are difficult to find. Safe Sea jellyfish

NOTICELOST BPA RECEIPT BOOK

The Belize Port Authority hereby informs the public that on Friday, March 27, 2015, its receipt book bearing the serial numbers 056851-056900 was lost. The public is advised not to accept Belize Port Authority receipts carrying serial num-bers 056860 thru 056900 for any monetary transaction and to report any attempted issuance of same to the nearest police station or to the Belize Port Authority's office at telephone no. 223-0714 or 223-0739.

protectant lotion is not sold here, and swim skins (also known as rash guards) are also hard to procure.) Thanks to all the kind peo-ple who helped me with out these things!

Easter Photos from our Breeze Readers!

Above: Children compete in wa-termelon eating contest at the Tipsy Tuna Easter Bash before adult activities begin. (GILLIAN ZABANEH) Right: Placencia beau-ties take selfie in the Easter


“Hand Wash Hand” ― this lovely Kriol (Creole) ex-pression translates into people taking care of each other, a mutual exchange of giving and receiving, or put even more simply, the Golden Rule.

Check out all these photos, and you will see for yourself that “hand wash hand” was the prevailing sentiment at Placencia Humane Soci-ety’s (PHS) Furball ― the organization’s biggest an-nual fundraiser, which was held on Saturday, April 25 at Barefoot Bar in Placencia Village.

So many businesses up and down the Placen-cia Peninsula generously donated valuable prizes, and hundreds of PHS fans rocked their support for all the programs and services PHS provides our pets and their owners in our communities. Some raffle ticket buyers were luckier than others, but as one PHS supporter said, “I really don’t care if I win anything at all. I’m here for PHS!”

Folks turned FUN into FUNDS!

PHS owes much gratitude to our community, and cer-tain businesses received the coveted “Cat’s Meow” Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding and ongoing generosity over the years to

PHS. Those establishments honored at the Furball were: Tropic Air, Chabil Mar, Turtle Inn, Singing Sands, Robert’s Grove, Barefoot Bar, Pickled Parrot, Re-Max 1st Choice, Doran’s Services and Secret GardenRestaurant.

The 50/50 Raffle of $524.00 was won by Allen Hujsak, who redonated his half of the pot back to PHS! Thank you, Allen!

Hope you are sitting down and reading this because the list of donors, prizes, and winners is long!

Please patronize all these businesses whose owners gave from their hearts, and give a pat on the back to all your friends and neighbors who won all these wonder-ful prizes.

“Hand wash hand”—let’s keep it going! ▪

Furball 2015 Grand Raffle WinnersAbove Grounds, Two Pounds Coffee – Jim Hunter

Anna’s Fashion, $30 Gift Certificate – Sabrina Kelly

Art Affair Gallery, Neck-lace and Earring Set – Dave

Artful Dodger/Itz’ana, Dog Bed – Gail Dusa

Artful Dodger/Itz’ana, Cat Bed – Althea

Barefoot Bar, $50 Bar Tab – Gail Dusa

BB Yoga Flow, One Month Free Classes – Beth Walton

"Hand Wash Hand" at PHS Furball Take the Placencia Humane Society Quiz!By PATRICIA CELENZA

Ok, quiz time.

What are the estimated annual total operating expenses for PHS?

a. $9,247.00

b. $42,905.00

c. $36,287.00

d. $25,339.00

If you chose (b), pat your-self on the back, you’re a winner!

As a PHS board member, I had it wrong, all wrong. I had seriously underesti-mated what it took to op-erate our non-profit orga-nization.

PHS prides itself on pro-viding affordable pro-fessional vet services, donation-only (pay what you can) spays/neuters at monthly clinics to all pets on our Peninsula, and a monthly spay/neu-ter feral cat program that has dramatically reduced the stray cat population in our communities. All these valuable programs are backed up with a team of dedicated Board Mem-bers and volunteers that are on-call around the clock.

But hey, $42,905.00 per year?

Let’s take a closer look at PHS’ expenses.

The lion’s share of all expenses, $36.000.00, al-

By PatriciaCelenza

PHS Board [email protected]

continued on page 12 continued on page 13

Clockwise: Pets participating in costume contest are pampered by PHS members. (DAVE TEN BROEK) Althea Schable accepts "Cat's Meow" certificate of appreciation on behalf of Chabil Mar. (MARY TOY). Annelise Hagan dresses up in a cat-themed costume at the event. Graham Berrie entertained visitors with live music. (DAVE TEN BROEK)


Bliss Gift Shop, $50 Gift Certificate and Purse –Wynand

Brenda’s, Two Jerk Chicken Lunches w/Two Drinks and Des-sert – Sabrina Kelly

Chix, Four Chicken Dinners – Regan/J. Kantor

Clive Sutherland, $35 Gift Certificate for Produce – D. Dennis

Dawn’s Grill, Haba-nero Sauce Gift Pack – Sal and Donna

De’Tatch, Lunch for Two – Annelise

El Capitan, $25 Gift Certificate – Dave D.

Fantoni’s, One Cake –Jim Hunter

Flying Pig, $50 Bar Tab – Myro, c/o Bare-foot

Fragments of Hope, Snorkeling Trip for Two at Laughing Bird – Beau and Nora-Ma-rie

Friends Near Pier, Breakfast for Two with Drinks (non-al-coholic) – Dave ten Broek

Goss Chocolate, Two Boxes of Chocolate – Wynand/Dorothy Young

Green Parrot, Dinner for Two (w/out alco-hol) or Lunch for Two (w/alcohol) – Alex

Greg de la Fuentes, $25 in Produce – Su-san Blackman

Healing Hands, Thir-ty Minute Back and Shoulder Massage – Kevin

Jaguar Tattoos, Two Body Piercings – Heather/Gail Smith

Jaguar Tattoos, One Tattoo – Dan

Japs Godfrey, Two Bags Seaweed Com-post – Dave D.

J.D.’s, Dinner for Two (no beverages) – An-nelise

Kerr Barber Shop, Two Haircuts for Men – Deb/J. Kantor

Kerr Barber Shop, Two Eyebrow Shapings for Women – Gail Dusa

La Dolce Vita, One Bottle Red or White Wine (Winner’s Choice) – D. Dennis

Lunch Box (Malu), One Roasted Chicken with Sides – Jim Hunt-er

Mango’s, Pizza for Two with Beer – Jim

Mango’s, Pizza for Two with Beer – Kim-berly

Mary’s Cooking, One Lunch with Soda – El-vin

Mim’s Restaurant, Two Lunches with Drinks (Sodas or Juic-es) – Felker

MnM Hardware, $100 Gift Certificate – Beth Walton

Mojo’s, $100 Gift Cer-tificate – Gail Smith

Mojo’s, $100 Gift Cer-tificate – Gail Smith

NiteWind’s, Snorkel Trip for Two – Barry

Ocean Motion, Snor-kel Trip for Two (Minimum two pax Required) – George Cowdrey

Omar’s, Dinner for Two – Dave ten Broek

One World Gifts, $50 Gift Certificate – Kim Carpenter

Patricia Celenza, One 1.5 Hour Hot Stone Massage – Gail Dusa

Pickled Parrot, Dinner for Two – Allen

Placencia Office Sup-ply, $25 Digicell or Smart Credit – Gail Dusa

Placencia Pharmacy, $25 Gift Certificate – Althea

Furball 2015 Grand Raffle WinnersWendy’s, Two Break-fasts ($35) – Felker

Quarterdeck Restau-rant, Dinner for Two – Dave

Rick’s Place, Two Piz-zas – Heather Coburn

Rick’s Place, Two Piz-zas – Sandra Steele

Robert’s Grove, Din-ner for Two – Heather

Rogaua Imports, $35 Gift Certificate – Deb Hamrell

Secret Garden Restau-rant, $50 Gift Certifi-cate – Patrick c/o Fly-ing Pig

Secret Garden Restau-rant,, $50 Gift Certifi-cate – Annelise

Secret Garden Spa, One Paraffin Pedicure Treatment – B. Kantor c/o Ally’s

Secret Garden Spa, One Half Hour Foot Massage – Gail Dusa

Shack, Lunch for Two – Nick Carpenter

Simply Divine, $30 Gift Certificate – B. Kantor

Siripohn’s,Two Lunch-es – Donna and Sal

Strike a Pose, $50 Gift Certificate – Rudy

Sunova, One Parrot Wall Hanging – Susan Blackman

Tipsy Tuna, $100 Bar Tab – Nick

Tooth Fairy, Dental Exam and Cleaning – Bernice Church

Tranquilo, $100 Din-ing Certificate – Allen

Treasure Box, $100 Gift Certificate – Cat Regan

Tree of Life, One Half Hour Chair Massage – J. Kantor c/o Ally’s

Tutti Frutti, $15 Gift Certificate – Elvin

Tutti Frutti, $15 Gift Certificate – Regan

Z-Touch, Facial and Microdermabrasion – Linda Karlson ▪

continued from page 11

Clockwise: Wynand Koegelenberg and his partner get laughs with their short and long animal tails. Wynand holds up a Cat's Meow certificate of appreciation granted to Turtle Inn for their longstanding support. PHS members sell merchandise to sup-porters at the Barefoot Bar. Young boy holds up his new PHS t-shirt next to Erin Ivy. Longtime PHS activist and pet crusader Candy Power who also manages Car Rental of Placencia, volunteers at merchandise table. (MARY TOY).


Feeding Bugle Caye dogs=$1536.00 per year.

It all adds up to $42,905.00 per year.

So now you understand how things are financial-ly for PHS, and why there seems to be a constant plea for your support, in terms of your time, your money, your in-kind do-nations/services.

Every kindness you show PHS, whether it is buying a roll of paper towels, volunteering to work at a monthly clinic, cleaning the yard, or clicking on the PayPal button on our FB page or website, whatever you do for PHS, you are making our job just a little bit easier.

You can begin here at our website :www.placencia-humanesocietybelize.org/

Or like Placencia Humane Society on Facebook.

We who are the voices of all the pets on our Penin-sula, thank you for light-ening our load!


most 90% of PHS’ annual projected budget, is what the public benefits from the most: the monthly vet clinics.

Surprised by this number? I was, too.

The vet charges for all services rendered. Pet owners pay for shots, ex-ams, meds, teeth cleaning, etc. The spays/neuters, those very necessary sur-geries that not only con-trol the pet population, but also keep our pets healthier and happier, are donation-only; pay what you can afford. The feral cat program is financed through PHS and with do-nations generously given by you the community.

Ah, but there are more ex-penses.

$1555.00 = insurance on the building per year.

Utilities = $984.00 per year (includes water, elec-tric, and phone).

Clinic supplies = $1800.00 per year.

Lease on the property =$100 per year.

Legal/government/com-pany filings =$210.00 an-nually.

Yard cleaning =$480.00 per year.

Take the Placencia Humane Society Quiz!

continued from page 11

Turtle Inn Staff Takes on Victoria with Peak Performance and Physique

By Martin Krediet

Turtle Inn General [email protected]

Here we go again! 5:17 a.m. pick up by Melvin Arevalo to drive from Placencia Vil-lage to the Cockscomb Ba-sin Wildlife Sanctuary for our annual hike to Victoria Peak!

In car: Evelyn Nerio (Tata 2), Kevin Quischan (Catha) , Estevan Ash (Ashley), Javier Martinez (BDF), Primitivo Medina (Boo-Boo), Francisco Alvarado (Chica), Melvin Gonzalez (Pony), Arlene August (Kitty), Freddy (Cepillin), Thomas Morales (Prince Royce) and myself, Martin Krediet (Mechas).

Hammock pick up, break-fast burrito, topping off all water bottles, group shot and off we go. We started walking at 10 minutes to 7 o' clock that morning from the welcome center. The first group covered 12 ki-lometers (7.5 miles) by 10 a.m. and took a refreshing swim and needed break.

We then continued on to a fast hike from 12 km to 19 km (11.8 miles). Tough? Yes! Humidity, 100 percent! By 12:30 p.m. we arrived at the base camp after follow-ing some fresh paw prints of what looked like a four-year -old female puma who was headed in our exact same direction.

We found an old hole and started a fire to cook pasta and ramen noodles while all took turns to take a bath under the waterfall and re-

laxed in our hammocks for most of the afternoon while waiting for the second half of our group who arrived three hours later.

Exhausted, we were all in bed at 7 p.m.! Let the snor-ing concert commence! Thankfully, Kevin, our biggest snoring performer, placed his hammock out-side of the zink roof hut un-der which we all slept.

4:30 a.m. wake up call. Ash did not sleep since he did not bring a hammock and made a make-shift bed out of planks - prison style! Pretty uncomfortable, so no rest for him. We left at 6:05 a.m. to make our trek to the summit.

Our first group arrived at 9:05 a.m. – surrounded by a thick layer of clouds and mist. (Arlene as first Tur-

Turtle Inn Staff celebrate their completed mission to hike to the top of Victoria Peak ― the second highest mountain in Belize standing at 3,688 feet (1,124 metres).

tle Inn female employee, Ash, Primo, Tom, Freddy and myself. We got caught in some rain on the way up,

which made the trail extra slippery this year. This was



Peninsula Stands in Solidarity with Global Citizens Against Offshore Drilling

On Saturday, May 16, close to 30 concerend people representing various communities on the Placencia Peninsula showed up to the beach in Placencia Village to join in solidarity with those all over the world who are against offshore oil drilling. Other communities in Belize who held hands for 15 minutes at 12 p.m. that day were Hopkins, Belize City, Dangriga, Belmopan, Sarteneja, San Ignacio, Corozal, Punta Gorda, Orange Walk and Caye Caulker. The event was organized by OCEANA Belize who has been a key advocate on behalf of the Belize Barrier Reef and its many stakeholders in their talks with the Government of Belize who has been considering the alternative exploration for the black gold.▪

(Photo by ANTHONY WILLIAM SCOUT UNDERWOOD.)


From North of Placencia Airstrip to Riversdale

PLACENCIA PENINSULA MAPSFrom Placencia Water Tower to Airstrip

Continues on page 18. Visit the Placencia Tourism Center in Placencia Village for a brochure copy of a Peninsula map published by Placencia Communications at the cost of just BZ$1. We’re located on the main street, across from Scotia bank just behind Re/Max.

Platinum Designs

Tropic Air & Maya Island AirPlacencia Airstrip

RFG Insurance

Los Porticos

Turtle Inn

Chabil MarSplash Dive Center

Lost Reef

Beachfront Suites

Distance from Maya Beach to the Placencia Hotel area measures approx. 2.5 miles.

Ocean’s EdgeMaya Beach Hotel & Bistro

Green Parrot Beach Houses

Joyce & Frank’s Bed & Breakfast

Barnacle Bill’s Beach Bungalows

Singing Sands Inn

Cocoplum Vacation Rentals

Cocoplum Resort Community

The Villas at Cocoplum

PalmtreeDesigns

The Maine StayCordy’s Beach Cottages

Goss Chocolate

Bahia Laguna Beach Suites

Nautical InnSeine Bight VillageLola’s Art

Robert’s Grove Beach Resort

Laru Beya Villas

Miller’s Landing

Barefoot Services

Wild Orchid PropertiesThe Flying Pig

Casa Nettuno

Bunchesof FunBanana

Farm Tours

Blue Crab Beach House

Jaguar Lanes


Debbie (Little Bit) Gabor has the solution to your Real Estate needs!

A Belizean [email protected]; 523-3331 or 625-3301; Evan Hall

Aqua [email protected] Arches /[email protected]; 479-841-7970 Ginny Clayton Barnacle Bill’s Beach Bungalows:[email protected]; 533-8110 or 602-7768Bill & Adriane Taylor

Belize Ocean [email protected]; 533-4500 or 622-0445Anna Perigo Blue Crab Beach [email protected]; 523-3544 or 523-3543; Kerry Goss & Linn Wilson Blue Garden House [email protected]; Costas & Sally Christ

Capp’s [email protected]

Captain Jak’s Cabanas [email protected]; 523-3561 or 622-7104; Erin Ivy

Caribbean Travel & Tours **: [email protected]; 523-3481 or 672-3549;Veronique McKenzie Casa Beya/Sea Grape [email protected] 970-963-1099; Midge & Aaron Dallas Casa Del [email protected]; 523-3481 or 672-3549;Veronique McKenzie Casa Nettuno [email protected]; 629-2700 or 660-8526Mariuccia Levoni Casa [email protected]

Casa Placencia [email protected]; 503-3143 or 630-7811Jacki Tipton Chabil Mar Villas* [email protected]; 523-3606 or 523-3611; Pierre Brisbois Coconut Cottage [email protected]; 523-3234 or 626-8425; Kay Westby Cocoplum Vacation Rentals [email protected]; 623-7774; Aaron Krohn

Dolce Cabana [email protected]; 604-6214; Nicole Harvalik/ Stefano Ragagnin Easy Living [email protected]; 523-3481 or 672-3549Veronique McKenzie

Easy Street [email protected] 628-6447; Erin Ivy Eloise’s Travel Lodge 503-3299; Sonia Leslie

Flamboyant /[email protected];628-1143; Angie Markham

[email protected]; 523-3481 or 672-3549; Veronique McKenzie

French Louie Caye [email protected]; 620-6712; Brice Dial for Terry and Mary Tao

Green Parrot Beach Houses* [email protected]; 533-8188; David Allardice & Leo Ramirez Harbour Hideaway of Placencia [email protected]; 623-3286; Jim & Cindy Weller Harry’s Cozy Cabanas [email protected]; 523-3155 Hatchet Caye Resort* [email protected]; 533-4446 or 523-3337; Dasha Shivers Heaven’s Gate Beach [email protected]; 523-3148; Jodie Leslie Hideaway [email protected]; 665-4069; Kimberly & Dustin Ingersoll Joyce and Frank’s Beach House [email protected]; 629-4285 or 561-389-2550; Joyce Danz Laru Beya Resort*[email protected]; 523-3473; Ian McField Lydia’s Guest [email protected]; 627-7970;Lydia Villanueva Los Porticos [email protected]; 523-3227 or 607-4448; Barry Snowden Lost Reef Resort*[email protected]; 610-0816; Lisa D’Amore

Maine Stay /[email protected]; 523-3507; Karen Travers Manatee [email protected]; 523-4083; Slavek Machacka

Mariposa Beach [email protected]; 523-4474 or 610-4473Bruce & Sharon Maddison

Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro*[email protected]; 533-8040 or 627-4718; Ellen & John Lee

Maya [email protected]; 605-0586; Stefano Ragagnin & Lou McLeod Michelo [email protected]; 523-3519 or 626-2518; Michel Ardoullie Miller’s Landing* [email protected] or 523-3011Gary & Ann Miller Miramar Apartments [email protected]; 523-3658 or 523-3117 or 503-3095; Ilsa Villanueva Mirasol [email protected]; 523-3481 or 672-3549Veronique McKenzie North Beach/ [email protected]; 523-3207Deborah & Dave Vernon Ocean’s [email protected]; 514-606-5582 or 514-697-9435Francine Martel One World Rentals [email protected] 523-3103 or 620-9975Claudia Hardegger Paradise Vacation Hotel*/**[email protected]; 523-3179 or 523-3256; Alan & Deloris Stamm

Pearl Beach [email protected]; 523-3409 or 605-0586; Bud & Betsy Valian/ Stefano Ragagnin Robert’s Grove Beach Resort */**[email protected]; 523-3565 or 523-4367

Sailfish Belize Ltd.*[email protected] 651-9885; Mike Gargan

Sea Glass Inn*[email protected]; 523-3098; Brad & Christine Schofield

Seaview [email protected]; 523-3777; John & Marian Chan

Silver Leaf [email protected]; 970-596-9551; William & Jolanda Brown; Stefano/agent

Singing Sands Inn* [email protected]; 533-3022 or 520-8022; Maya Kramer Sunset Pointe Condos [email protected]; 664-4740; Office Manager, Francisco

Three Iguanas Villa [email protected] or 605-0586; Stefano Ragagnin & Joe Stark

Turtle Inn */**[email protected]; 523-3244; Martin Krediet

Tradewinds [email protected]; 523-3122; Janice Leslie

Village [email protected]; 523-3481 or 672-3549; Veronique McKenzie Villas at Cocoplum /The [email protected]; 610-0294 or 628-6447; Boris Mannsfield Whipray Caye Lodge [email protected]; 610-1068; Julian & Beverly Cabral White Sand [email protected]; 661-9516 or 602-9315; Tricia Hernandez Yellow [email protected];605-0586; Stefano Ragagnin Yellow House /The [email protected]; 523-3481 or 523-3081;Veronique McKenzie

PLACENCIA CHAPTER OF THE BELIZE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 2015 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

Don’t see your listing? It is time to renew your membership or become a new member! Join the largest BTIA Chapter in Belize! Contact Placencia BTIA Membership Officer

Jonnell Augustine at 523-4045 or [email protected].

Courtenay Coye LLP [email protected]; 523-3282; Tiphany Gongora

ACCOMMODATIONS

ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW

AUTO RENTALSBarefoot Services [email protected]; 523-3066 or 629-9602 Ian & Megs Yearwood

Car Rental of Placencia [email protected]; 523-3284 or 662-7611; Candy Power

CONSULTANTSBarefoot Executive, [email protected]; 523-3291; Yvette Guild

Guild & Guild Consulting [email protected] 523-3251 or 523-3291; Yvette Guild

Treerem Consulting & Investment, www.treerem.com


BB Yoga [email protected]; 631-7726; Agnes Balawejder-Busch

Siripohn Thai Massage [email protected]; 620-8718 or 600-0375; Siriporn ThakhamSecret Garden Day [email protected]/624-6096; Lee Nyhus

Tooth Fairy Dental Clinic [email protected]; 503-3736 or 633-0678; Dr. Dalila Vanzie-Krohn

Tony’s Gym [email protected] 631-7427; Tony Pinder

Tree of Life Massage [email protected]; 624-5408; Kristine Small

RF&G Insurance, [email protected]; 523-3228 or 610-3228; Kitty Fox

INSURANCE AGENTS

REAL ESTATE AGENTSBayshore Limitedwww.bayshore.bz; 604-8910, Jenny Wildman or 600-1040, Xen Wildman

Boris Mannsfeld & Associates [email protected]; 523-3063;Boris Mannsfeld & Frik DeMeyere

Cocoplum [email protected]; Stewart Krohn

Coldwell Banker SouthernBelize Realty523-3500; Charmaine [email protected]

CPC Real Estate [email protected]; 672-9000Dan Dunbar & Michael Young

Re/Max 1st Choice [email protected];631-9622 or 523-3666; David Kafka

Sandy Beach Real [email protected]; 634-2668; Sandy Beach

Waterfront Real Estate water f rontbel ize@aol .com; 610-3264;Patrick & Denise Callahan

Wild Orchid Properties [email protected]; 600-7991; Aline Habib

NON-PROFIT ORGSPlacencia Humane Society523-3185 or 604-8676David Kafka, president

Please note that some members in our Accommodations listing offer additional services:

*Restaurant **Tour Operator ***Property Rentals

HEALTH, FITNESS,SPAS & SALONS

Member Restaurant Update!Tiger Beach Club Hours

Have ChangedTiger Beach Club will be

OPEN Wednesday through Saturday (throughout the

low season)Time: 5 p.m. - close

They are CLOSED every Sun, Mon & Tues.


Above Grounds [email protected]; 634-3212; Keith Morrison

Barefoot Bar [email protected] ; 523-3515; Cassie & Brice Dial

Brewed [email protected]; 635-5312; Ryan & Natalie Dixon

Dawn’s [email protected]; 602-9302; Dawn Pollard

De’Tatch Seafood Grill & [email protected], 503-3385 or 523-4035, Jodie Yearwood

Dragon Fly [email protected]; Amy Chen

Fantoni’s [email protected], 630-4752 Cleeve Westby

Flying Pig/ The [email protected]; 602-6391; Patrick Gonzalve

Jaguar Lanes [email protected]; Scott May

J-Dee’s Restaurant & [email protected]; 503-3351; Daisy & Jeremy Leslie

Mango’s on Maya [email protected]; 533-8102Frank DaSalva

Pickled Parrot/ [email protected]; 636-7068; Lynn and Eugene Upham

Placencia Supper [email protected]; Marcus Perigo

Quarterdeck [email protected]; Ian McField

Rumfish y Vino [email protected]; 523-3293 or 666-6934; Pamela & John Solomon

Tiger Beach [email protected];628-1250; Frank Gagliano

Tipsy Tuna Sports [email protected]; 523-3089; Salva & Gillian Zabaneh

Tuttifrutti Ice Cream Parlor [email protected]; Tiziana Del Col

Yoli’s Bar [email protected] 625-2763; Yolanda Trethewey

SCHOOLS(PIA) Peninsula International Academy peninsulaacademy.org; 601-3523; Selena Lucas

Air Belize [email protected]; 626-9189; Jeff Root & Teresa Rivers

Belize Trips [email protected]; 610-1923; Katie Valk

Cayequest [email protected]; Mark Leslie; 633-6330 or 664-8699

TOUR OPERATORS, ADVENTURES & TRAVEL AGENTS


Added Touch /The [email protected]; 223-0054 or 223-1461; Robin McCutcheon

Art Affair Gallery/[email protected]; 604-1906 ot 503-3206 Ernest Garcia & Jeanna Casey

Cardelli (Shrimp) Farms [email protected]; 610-0480; Linda Thornton

Cowboy Custom [email protected]; 627-3866 or 632-6116; Dick Beach

Doran’s [email protected]; 670-4130; Doran Yount

Goss Chocolate [email protected] 523-3544 or 523-3542 Kerry Goss & Linn Wilson

Lola’s Art [email protected]/601-1913

Master Plumbing [email protected]; 669-1014; Dick Walton

MnM Hardware [email protected]; 523-3517 or 523-3537; Dora Duncker

Mosquito Coast Trading Company [email protected]; 523-8141 or 610-1441; Ray Twanow

Palmtree Designs [email protected] [email protected]; 523-3563 or 669-4675; Marion & Ed Carr

Placencia Mini [email protected]; 665-0800; Paul & Celeste Smith

Platinum Designs [email protected]; 610-0327; Hannah Cowell

Robert Nicolait & Associates [email protected] 523-3149; Lou Nicolait

Sunova Beach Gift [email protected]; 523-4060Gillian Zabaneh

Sure [email protected]; 601-5548Bill Wohl

SHOPPING & GENERALPRODUCT & REPAIR

Daytripper [email protected]; 666-3117

Destinations Belize [email protected] 523-4018 or 610-4718; Mary Toy

Belize Tradewinds Cruise Club [email protected]; 523-3303

Joy Tours [email protected]; 523-3325; Hubert & Karen Young

Moorings/[email protected] 523-3351 or 604-2861Renee Brown

Placencia Adventures by Land or [email protected]; 523-3307 or 622-1886; Ainsworth “Cubby” Leslie

Placencia Eagle Ray [email protected] or 602-9315Tricia Hernandez & Rene Leslie

Quest for Adventure in Belize w/ Splash Ltd. [email protected]; Ralph Capeling

Splash Dive Center [email protected] ; 523-3058 or 610-0235Patricia Ramirez

Taste [email protected]; 664-8699; Lyra Spang

Trip N [email protected]; 523-3205; Laura Godfrey

TOUR OPERATORS & TRAVEL AGENTS

(contd.) Celeste, [email protected]

Cohen, Howard & [email protected]; 622-6695Coston, [email protected]; 624-6483

Edwards, Dan & [email protected]; 622-1656

Dial, Mary Ann [email protected]; 523-3209 Dusa, Lee & Gail [email protected]; 663-9087

Fairs, Rick & Brigitte: [email protected]; 628-6533

Feldman, Babe & Karen [email protected]; 610-0356

Ford, David [email protected];621-7587

Ferris, [email protected];636-8675

Friedeck, Maureen & [email protected]

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

Fuller, Fred & Jacque [email protected]; 628-0992 or 629-6429

Gabor, [email protected]

Glessner, Virginia & Fox, [email protected]

Hall, Susan McMillan-Hunter:[email protected]

Hess, TinaKoster, [email protected]; 663-8630; 665-5779

Mertens, Wini

Smith, Stan & Mary:[email protected]; 523-4306

Taylor, Rand

Van Deurzen, [email protected]; 662-0020

Jenny, [email protected]; 604-8910

Taylor, [email protected]; 623-7971

Witter, Madalon622-3853; [email protected]

The Belize Tourism Industry was formed in 1985 to bring together tourism and tourism related interests to meet the chal-lenges of a dynamic and growing industry in Belize. BTIA was intended and continues to develop as the accepted and recog-nized voice of the tourism industry in Belize and provides an important link between public and private sectors. The Placencia BTIA holds the largest membership in Belize.

$200.00 $500.00 $1,500.00

Small0-10 employees

Medium11-50 employees

Large51+ employees

HANNUAL BUSINESS MEMBERSHIPS

HANNUAL INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS$100.00

RESTAURANTS, BARSCAFÉS & ENTERTAINMENT

Extra Membership Cards$25.00

The Placencia BTIA congratulates all participants of the Third Annual Placencia Sailing Club National Sailing Regatta!

(MARION CARR)

We appreciate our members' support! Please remember to renew your membership for 2015. We want to keep you on our

ever-growing list!

Also, take advantage of volunteer opportunities! Write for the Breeze or help out at

Lobsterfest!

A Belizean Nirvana 55-D4Above Ground Coffee 18-C4Artful Dodger Sail & Canvas 92-A2Barefoot Bar 39-D3Barefoot Services 9-D3Belize Tradewinds Cruise Club 98-A2Blue Garden House 88-E2Boris Mannsfeld & Associates 97-C4Brewed Awakenings 47-D2Captain Jak’s Cabanas 52-D2Caribbean Travel & Tours 8-D3Casa Del Sol 76-F3Casa Palma 56-E3Casa Placencia 81-F2Century21 BTAL 93-B4Coconut Cottage 54-D4Colibri House 55-E3CPC Reality 43-C3Destinations Belize 42-C4Dolce Cabana 64-E2Easy Living Apartments 57-C4Eloise’s Guesthouse 58-C3French Louie Caye 33-D3George Cowdrey’s Guesthouse 89-E3Dawn’s Grill 17-C3Guild & Guild Consulting 10-F2Harbor Hideaway 88-E1Harry’s Cozy Cabanas 61-B3Hatchet Caye 35-E5Hatchet Caye Office 35-C1J-Dees Restaurant & Bar 20-D3Jewel of Placencia 27-C4Joy Tours 44-C3Julia’s Cabanas 62-E3Leslie Tech Service 46-D3Lydia’s Guesthouse 64-E3Manatee Inn 65-F3Maya Lodge 66-E2Michelo Flats 67-F2Miramar Apartments 68-E3Mirasol Villa 69-C4MnM Hardware Placencia 96-D3One World Rental 70-C4Paradise Vacation Resort 71-B3Pickled Parrot Rest. & Bar 26-C3Placencia Bazaar 7-D3Placencia Yacht Club 34-A5Property Pro Belize 43-C3Quest for Adventures 47-F2Ranguana Lodge 30-E3Re/Max Property Center 39-D3Rumfish y Vino 43-C3Sea Glass Inn 56-B3Seaspray Hotel 79-E3Sea View Suites 63-C4Secret Garden Day Spa 4-C3Secret Garden Restaurant & Bar 24-C3Silver Leaf 90-E2Siripohn Thai Massage 8-D3Southern Environmental Ass. 95-D3Sunset Pointe Condos 40-A1Splash Dive Center (Sales Office) 49-D2Splash Main Office 19-C3Sunova Boutique 46-D3Tarpon Caye Lodge 45-E3Tarpon Caye Main Office 46-D3.5The Arches 86-E5The Flamboyant 28-C4The North Beach 73-E3The Purple Space Monkey 41-C3The Shak Beach Café 16-C4The Yellow House 74-D3The Village Inn 31-F3Three Iguanas Villa 86-E2Tipsy Tuna 40-D3Tony’s Gym/Belize Fit 17-E3Toucan Lulu 75-F3Tree of Life 8-D3


Trip N Travel 51-C4Tuttifrutti Ice Cream Parlor 43-C3Whipray Caye Lodge 32-E5White Sand Villa 82-C3Yello Bella 29-F2Yoli’s Bar 21-B3

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Lucky snorkeler with Turtle Inn Dive Shop scores a one-of-a-kind selfie with a visiting whale shark. (JAMES MANISCALCO)

Whale sharks visiting Belizean waters feed on dense clumps of sperm and eggs released by huge ag-gregations of dog and cubera snappers. Several stunning shots were caught during an April Turtle Inn dive led by specially trained tour guide Zayne Westby. (MARTY and CAMERON TIBBITS/TURTLE INN DIVE SHOP)

world, all located in tropical waters, to have predictable whale shark visits. With a whale shark season falling between March and June, the creatures have boosted tourism in southern Belize attracting visitors from all over the world who are hop-

ing to catch a glimpse of the salt water behemoth.

While they can grow up to a “purported 18 meters long” or as Graham also says, up to the length of a school bus, the sharks are gentle giants feeding on millions of little fish eggs and sperm known as zooplankton that

they filter out from the water with their rows of tiny teeth and filter pads. It is during the whale shark season and around a full moon when over 25 species of fish are releasing sperm and eggs into the water that divers and snorkelers along with specially licensed Belizean guides make their way to the

Whale Sharks Make Annual Tourcontinued from front page


Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve.

Located 22 miles away from Placencia Village, Gladden Spit has become a hot spot for local tour operators mar-keting whale shark trips. In order to protect the area, in 2001 the Reserve was declared a special protect-ed zone and later a whale shark and reef-fish spawning aggregation conservation

zone in 2003. The Southern Environmental Organization (SEA) who manages the Re-serve takes its role to enforce regulations seriously. Each boat going out to see whale sharks is allowed a 1.5-hour time slot, and only six boats are allowed in the zone at a time. Furthermore, only eight divers or snorkelers are allowed per guide. In order to allow SEA to carry


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Fragments of Hope Celebrates Eight Years at Coral Mixer

The Placencia-based orga-nization carrying out the popular coral restoration project at Laughing Bird Caye, Fragments of Hope (FoH), has been celebrating many successes within the past year. Quickly gaining national recognition for its contributions towards pre-serving part of the country’s most lucrative natural asset, the Belize Barrier Reef, the organization has made its mark in many circles, and prospects for future sustain-ability and the health of Crit-ically Endangered Caribbe-an acroporids (Elkhorn and Staghorn) are looking up.

Through the generosity of Turtle Inn, FoH held a spe-cial “Coral Mixer” at the resort’s Mare Restaurant on April 9. Seamlessly execut-ed, FoH impressed attendees with a thorough overview of the organization’s important work developing the acro-porid nurseries at Laugh-ingbird Caye. Following a mingling hour with com-plimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine from Turtle Inn, guests watched a profes-sional and educational video narrated by former Belizean journalist Janelle Chanona who is now the executive director of Oceana Belize, and that follows local tour guide Louis Godfrey who is planting coral for the project.

“I knew a bit about FoH before coming today, but

watching the video gave me a much better understanding of what they are doing,” said United States Embassy rep-resentative Bruce Matthews. “I think it’s a fantastic pro-gram, and during one of my dives on this trip when I saw some coral bleaching, I defi-nitely saw the need for re-juvenating the coral, so I’m very pleased to see this coral restoration project going on.” Matthews explained that since U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hosted the “Our Ocean” conference in Washington, D.C. in June 2014 where attendees in-cluded international ocean and foreign policy commu-nities, the US has a special interest in partnering with countries around the world to the develop policies that will help to save the ocean and the livelihood of the people who depend on it. “We’re all in this together, and the health of coral is one of several pressing issues we are committed to address when combating ocean acid-ification, marine pollution and sustainable fisheries,” Matthews said.

Guests also listened to in-sightful speeches on the many years of coral resto-ration work and the evolu-tion of FoH delivered by FoH Founder Lisa Carne and past board member, Val-entine Rozado. The evening also saw a most heartfelt tribute to Carne from the Honorable Lisel Alamilla, current Minister Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development.

“I remember when Lisa told me she was going to plant

coral. I thought, ‘Oh! This woman has gone mad!” recalled the minster, gath-ering many laughs from the audience. “Not having a background in marine conservation at that level, I didn’t even know that that was possible,” she admitted. The minister said that she has admired Carne’s work with FoH over the past eight years and explained that the work being carried out by FoH is timely with the negative impacts of climate change on the Belize Barrier Reef.

“We really have to build re-silience of our Barrier Reef and in effect, our fishing sector, as well as the liveli-hood of the 3,000 fishermen currently licensed in Belize,” said Alamilla, “Multiply that figure by an average of five per household, and that’s a significant number of Belizeans dependent on fisheries.” According to the minister, while many may not understand the science involved in the FoH project, they can be assured that the work is having a “domino effect on a large scale.”

The minister also acknowl-edged that while the Belize Government, other parties and marine conservation groups may have different goals and different roles in the economy and environ-ment, when coming together, they can find solutions. “To my understanding, you are a resource for my ministry in many critical issues that involve coral and that should be celebrated also,” said Ala-milla about Carne.

While the organization has

come a long way in the past eight years, Carne spoke about future plans for FoH including the training of more local stakeholders in-cluding fisherfolk and tour guides to assist in hands-on coral planting efforts. “We want to have this recognized as a real valuable skill or al-ternative livelihood income source,” said Carne, who explained that the income could become significant for local stakeholders who have difficulty finding work in their respective fields during the slower months of the tourism industry. FoH work has been dependant on financial support through grants and donations and has developed three special cor-al-themed tiers to recognize donors giving at different levels through monetary and in-kind contributions.

Other guests at the Coral Mixer included FoH Chair-

person Dale Godfrey who also out plants at the nursery and representatives from the Southern Environmental Association, the Placencia Village Council, the Placen-cia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Associa-tion, Toledo Institute for De-velopment and Environment, Love FM, Oceana Belize and resorts and other businesses in the local private sector.

In addition to hosting the event and providing com-plimentary snacks, Turtle Inn also donated 10 percent of proceeds generated from the sales of their Indonesian dinner special that night.

For more information on donating to FoH, their proj-ect and potential volunteer opportunities in a coral map-ping effort, visit their Face-book page at www.facebook.com/fragments-of-hope-cor-al-nurseries-in-belize.▪

By Jolie Pollard


Special guests representing conservation groups, governmental departments and the private sector watch an educational video on the organization's coral restoraation work. (JOLIE POLLARD)


Located in the central part of the Placencia Peninsula is Seine Bight Village, a community that has focused more on fishing traditions and a rich culture of music, oral histories and family legacies. A first-time visitor to the Peninsula will quickly notice that there’s a stark contrast between the village and its neighbours, Placencia Village to the south and the predominantly retirement Maya Beach community to the north, especially in relation to economic devel-opment. However, as the village population, which shows the largest number of youth on the Peninsula in census figures, continues to grow, community efforts are steadily progressing to en-sure that the village is being equipped with resources that will provide foundations for a bright future for its young people.

On a hot Sunday morning in April, a mix of boys, teenagers and young men in their 20s sweat as they jump, dribble and shoot on the new basketball court that broke ground behind the local primary school. They had been waiting for some time for the project to finish. There is so much passion for basketball in the village that last year the Seine Bight Sharks basketball team trav-elled daily to the Placencia Village basketball court for their practice sessions be-

fore capturing the first place trophy in the Stann Creek district competition. Fourteen-year-old, St. Al-phonsus standard six student Alex Valero was taking a water break off court. (New staff and basketball enthu-siasts Mara Jernigan and Aaron Vitali working at the nearby resort under con-struction, Itz’ana, have been visiting every Sunday morn-ing to play along with the younger children and share cold water and fresh fruit the children.) This was Valero’s second Sunday visit to the court since it was completed.

“I love to shoot. That’s the most important thing,” said Valero, when asked what he enjoyed most about basket-ball. “I like to shoot, so that the ball can make it into the ring.” After displaying his basketball pointer prowess, Valero headed off to the beach to play football with friends.

“It’s really good to have a basketball court in the vil-lage because majority of our athletes are basketball play-ers,” said Kirwin Ramirez, a physical education teacher at Peninsula Internation-al Academy in Placencia Village who lives in Seine Bight. “We had been crying out for a basketball court for the past several years and now finally the children can come and play.” Ramirez said that before the court was completed, their only options for recreational activities

were swimming at sea and playing football on the beach or the football field in front of the community center. “With more sports available, we can keep the crime rate down,” he said, referencing incidents of youth led astray in the community.

According to Seine Bight Village Council Chairman, Justo Augustine, the basket-ball court is one of several projects he had outlined in his manifesto, and he is hap-py that his council's vision has finally become a reality.

Augustine credited the un-dertaking largely to Sue Dorn, president of the Belize Mission Society, a Lutheran Church based in St. Lou-is, Missouri in the United

Plea for Basketball Court in Seine Bight AnsweredBy Jolie Pollard


▫ Village receives overwhelming support from various community stakeholders to realize a dream for Seine Bight's favorite sport.

States. The chairman said that Dorn was in-strumental in procuring needed funds for the start up. The Lutheran group has had a long-standing partnership with the Seine Bight community having worked with various social projects through-out the years.

He also recognised the efforts of Steve Chris-tensen, the vice chair-man of the Placencia BTIA and member of the Rotary Club of Pla-

cencia for overseeing construction efforts and soliciting donors and praised the gen-erous donation of 90 loads of sand by Jon-athan Blitz of Itz’ana Resort, which carries a value of close to BZ$8,000, as well as the donation of back-boards by Atlantic Bank, Ltd. and hoops by Budget Rent a Car.

Other major contri-butions came from Cocoplum who pro-vided a backhoe, Pla-

cencia Concrete, Carlos Ramirez of Ramcot for bulldozing and sand levelling services, Jo-vani Gonzalez for pro-viding manual labor at a specially discounted price, the Ministry of Works for transporting sand to the construction site and Michael Kram-er of Robert’s Grove for donating the fuel used to power up machines in the construction pro-cess.▪

Teen makes a slam dunk during a Sunday morning game with a mix of players on the new basketball court in Seine Bight Village, which was completed in March this year. (JOLIE POLLARD)

Clockwise: Itz'ana Resort Culinary Director Mara Jernigan shares cold water and fresh fruit with chil-dren who come out to play on Sunday mornings. Itz'ana donated 90 loads of sand for the project. St. Alphonsus standard students Jevon and Alex pose on court during the Sunday game. (JOLIE POLLARD)


Izak Stands Tall After Spelling Bee District Finals

Students of the MonthSt. John's Anglican

Memorial Primary School

By Jonnell Augustine

Contributing [email protected]

As 12-year-old I z a k L e s l i e walked off the stage during the

21st Coca Cola Spelling Bee Stann Creek district finals, he was all smiles. It was Izak’s first year at the prelim-inary Spelling Bee, and he confessed to me that he was nervous. Earlier that day he had journeyed from St. Al-phonsus Roman Cathoic Pri-mary School in Seine Bight Village to the Sacred Heart Primary School auditorium in Dangriga Town with his classmates, and even a cou-ple competitors who joined his bus from Hopkins and Sittee River villages. Izak had advanced two rounds into the competition before he was out of the Spelling Bee. "The pro-nunciations the pronouncer gave today weren’t what we studied, so Izak’s being eliminated is not entirely his fault," said Izak’s teacher Lorris Moriera, "Honestly, a lot of the kids at the school have this same problem.” Even though he didn't leave the stage that day the Stann Creek Spelling Bee champi-on, Izak remained in positive spirits. “I’m disappointed in myself," he acknowledged, "but I know I tried my best.”

While he reflected on his experience, his face was lit up with a smile, and he never came down hard on himself.

In fact, displaying an admi-rable sense of sportsman-ship, Izak sat along with his classmates and teacher and watched the remaining competitors as they battled out for their first runner up and first place trophies. Looking on as students from other schools cheered for the other contestants, his attitude was one of positivity and supportiveness.

Izak 's c lassmates a lso showed a wonderful coma-raderie, congratulating him after he finished talking with me about his experience. After the competition was over, they walked with him down the steps of the au-ditorim where they bought some snacks before boarding the bus heading back to St. Alphonsus.

As a competitor in the dis-trict finals, Izak was awarded a dictionary and a person-alized Coca Cola Spelling Bee poster. He held both as a proud badge of honor for his school.

Ten students representing fives zones of the Stann Creek District competed in the Spelling Bee that day. Adriani Young of Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Pri-mary School in Indepen-dence Village took the first place trophy while Santiago Chub of Our Lady Roman Catholic Primary School in Bella Vista Village, who had

two representatives in the competition, was first-run-ner up.

Other competitors repre-sented Holy Family Ro-man Cathol ic Pr imary School (Hopkins), Sittee River Methodist Primary School, Sacred Heart Pri-mary School, Holy Angels Roman Catholic Primary School (Stann Creek Valley), Christ the King Anglican Primary School (Dangriga) and St. Matthews Anglican Primary School (Pomona).

Last year Kazandra Ber-rie of St. John's Anglican Memorial Primary School in Placencia Village repre-sented the Peninsula in the district finals.

According to Rose Guerra of the Bowen & Bowen Company who operates the Coca-Cola francise in Belize and sponsors and organizes the event, no student from the Placencia Peninsula has ever represented the Stann Creek district in the national spelling bee held in Belize City throughout the 21-year history of the prestigous Coca Cola event.

However, other rural com-munities from Stann Creek have impressed throughout the years in nationals prov-ing again and again that some of the most underesourced schools in the country have what it takes to come out on top. Stann Creek celebrated its first national champion representing Maya Mopan in 2001. In 2005 Sacred Heart Primary School placed third and then won the chamption-

ship title in 2013. Solid Rock Academy (Dangriga Town) placed second in 2010 and then first place in 2014.

Other schools from Stann Creek who have sent com-petitors to nationals in addi-tion to winning schools and St. Alphonsus and St. John's

Anglican include Light of the Valley Baptist School, Red Bank Christian and Kids First Child Development and Independence Primary School, whose 2014 Stann Creek winner Benjamin Chub competed again in this year's district finals. ▪

Above: Izak poses with A-Z, the mascot for the Coca-Cola Spelling Bee. Below: Upon their return home from the district finals in Dangriga Town, Izak holds up his personalized Coca Cola Spell-ing Bee poster in a celebratory group photo with his teacher and classmates. (JONNELL AUGUSTINE)

▫ Seine Bight primary school student shows great spirits de-spite being eliminated from dis-trict finals. In the competition's 21-year-history, no student from the Peninsula has ever made it to nationals.

MARCH: Pre-school AM, Peder Cabral; Pre-school PM, Stafford Eiley; Inf. I, Shailey Gillet; Inf. II, Javianne Vernon; Std. I, Daniah Cabral; Std. II, Carmen Garcia; Std. III, Sheline Gillett & Adam Flores; Std. IV, Chole Lopez; Std. V, Tristan Sutherland; Std. VI, Geon Rudon.

(Continued on page 26)


Ainsworth Colin Leslie 622-1886 or 661-3606Ainsworth Russell Leslie 651-0854

Alex Small 662-0738Alrin Muschamp 669-5831Amin Neal 635-7000Andrea Villanueva 602-2148Apolo Caliz 634-0950Aretha Paleyo 667-8755Arthur Vernon, Jr. 669-0387Arthur Westby, Jr. 604-5564Arthur Westby Sr. 523-3321Bernard Leslie, Sr 667-8356Bertrand Cuevas 634-3225Brian Young Sr. 631-5971Bruce Godfrey 625-4478Bruce Leslie 627-8820Bryan P. Benguche 663-5818Carlton Young, Jr 634-3493Celso Mora 668-6702Cirilio Chun Claude Vernon 669-0387Clint Villanueva 634-8476Conrad Villanueva 630-2795Dale Godfrey 669-1412Dan Santos 622-0998Daniel Cabral 632-9104David Ortiz 620-6755David Vernon 600-6044Denbeigh Arzu Devin Lozano 602-9825

Diego Coc 669-9872Doren Leslie 625-0191Dorianny Perez 622-4011Doyen Gardiner 605-4061Doyle Gardiner 600-2318Dwayne Young 631-1953Earl Godfrey 660-1574Eddie Usher 670-1485Edlin Leslie, Jr 626-0003Edwin Carr 626-6810Egbert Cabral 620-5974Egbert Popper Jr. 626-6138Elroy Burgess 632-4580Eloy Cuevas 661-2363Elroy Burgess Elroy Tucker 622-2811Emelly Miralda 667-4200Emmanual Villanueva 627-4816Eric Forman 664-8121Ernest Garcia 625-3110Eusebio Bonell 667-4708Eworth Garbutt 610-1018Eyanick Pop 631-3601Faygan Villanueva 635-0120Florencio Shal 668-4298Fransisco Alvarado 660-4613Francisco Linarez 670-3781Gareth Longsworth 605-9845George Eiley 604-0488Gilbert Garbutt Jr. 669-8745Glenford Eiley 630-2843Godfrey Arzu

PLACENCIA TOUR GUIDE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSGrayson Sierra 605-7631Hank Rhamdas 630-7995Harold Neal 635-9262Hubert Young 601-0273Ian Cuevas Ian Vernon 666-1469Ivan Leslie Jr. 661-5014James Leslie 632-4291Jason Westby 631-9349Jeremy Garcia 635-3938Jes Bech 670-0498Jonathon Gabourel 608-7871Julian Cabral 610-1068Kenley Williams 630-5672Kenroy Eiley 629-3602Keon Leslie 628-8817Kevin Modera 660-1561Kimani Leslie 604-6337Kirk Mayen 665-2247Lennox Palacio 623-0575Leopold Garcia Leopold Leslie 604-4466Leslie Faux 604-3477Leonel Tucker, Jr. 627-2136Linda Garcia 631-5807Lincoln Garbutt, Jr. 665-8383Lisa Carne 623-6122Louis Godfrey 635-0126Lowell Godfrey 668-6474Luis Galdmez Lyra Spang 664-8699Malcolm Young 607-7029

Mariko Wallen 652-0605Mario Sanchez 666-2797Marisha Betancourt 635-0770Mark Leslie 633-6330Maxwell Canelo 631-9614Melissa Cabral 632-9662Melvin Arevalo Monique Lamb 621-4254Nick Pollard 631-7790Omar Sierra 624-7168Orlando Betancourt 604-0882Orlin Ipina 631-5661Pablo Mendoza 623-5645Patricia Ramirez 610-0235Patrick Parks 601-7459Prince Gongora 630-3064Rafael Villanueva 635-5107Randolph Faux 667-6208Randolph Villanueva 635-0017Rebecca L. Cabral 604-4087Rene Leslie 602-9315Rhawn Godfrey 625-4478Sean Faux 637-4420Shaun Young 631-9347Shawn Young 632-8399Sydney Lopez Sr. 653-2196Sydney Lopez Jr. 667-3503Stephen Faux 653-2311Stephen Lopez 632-9127Vance Cabral 622-7339Walter Garbutt 623-1789Warren Garbutt 610-1040

JANUARYNew Year’s Eve Parties are held at most bars & resorts. Take advantage of dinner & drink spe-cials, party favors & great music! Look out for fireworks!

Rotary Club Winter Beach Olympics ― Register your team for fun & competitive games on the beach.

FEBRUARYRotary Auction ― Bid on impressive donated items.

Placencia Sidewalk Arts & Music Festi-val ― Pick up the ul-timate souvenir from Belize’s best artists

& check out the local music scene. Organized by the Placencia BTIA.

MARCHFlaming Heart Ball Featuring The Taste of the Peninsula ― Sample a wide range of cuisine contributed by participating Peninsula restaurants & home cooks. Proceeds benefit the Placencia Volunteer Fire Department.

APRILEaster Break ― Go wild! Beach hotspots like the Tipsy Tuna & Barefoot Beach Bar hold bikini competi-tions, eating contests and more throughout the raucous Easter hol-idays! Squeeze into packed bars and clubs

& party all night long to popular DJs & artists. Take the kids to the an-nual Easter Egg Hunt.

Placencia Humane Society’s Furbal l ― Support your fur-ry friends at the PHS largest fundraiser of the year on April 25 at the Barefoot Beach Bar.

MAYPlacencia Sailing Club Annual Regatta, May 23 & 24, 2015

JUNEPlacencia Lobsterfest A mega beach party like no other in Belize organized by the Pla-cencia BTIA & Pla-cencia Village Council. Celebrate Placencia & its bounty of good food

and people. Enjoy live musical performances, kids & family games and take a chance in the legendary Placen-cia Lobsterfest Raffle. JUNE 19-20-21, 2015

JULYRotary Club Sum-mer Beach Olympics ― Register your team for fun & competitive games on the beach while supporting the Rotary Club of Pla-cencia.

SEPTEMBERThe Batt le of St . George’s Caye Day, SEPT. 10, 2015

Saltwater Fishing Tournament, SEPT. 19 & 20, 2015

Independence Day Carnival. SEPT. 21, 2015 ― Celebrations are held throughout September leading up to Sept. 10 celebrat-ing the Battle of St. George’s Caye Day & Sept. 21, Independence Day. Enjoy small pa-triotic pageants and parades to large cel-ebrations like the In-dependence Day Car-nival Parade. Fishing enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Placencia BTIA’s Saltwater Fish-ing Tournament where anglers can win large cash prizes totalling up $10,000! OCTOBERBarefoot Bar’s Hal-loween Party ― Held the weekend closest

to Halloween. Join Halloween enthusiasts from Placencia & all over Belize at the big-gest Halloween party in the area. Costume prizes, drink specials & visiting DJ.

Rotary Spooktacu-lar Haunted House ― Held on Halloween, this is sure to scare your kids! Expertly set up by the Rotary Club. NOVEMBERGarifuna Settlement Day. NOV. 19, 2015

DECEMBERPlacencia Mistletoe Ball End of the World Placencia Marathon and Half Marathon

PLACENCIA PENINSULA ANNUAL EVENT CALENDAR

Students of the Month

St. John's Anglican Memorial Primary School

(Continued from page 25)Peninsula International Academy

APRIL: Pre-school AM, Zion Lockwood; Pre-school PM, Lin-da Guiterrez; Inf. I, Jahmilah Miguel; Inf. II, Shayan Westby; Std. I, Damarion Eiley; Std. II, Jarin Martinez; Std. III, Jade Torres and Sasha Lopez; Std. IV, Le-Andra Lemus; Std. V, Trevor Vellos; Std. VI, Sonia Ramirez.▪

Preschool, Emma Westby -- for-helping hands with her peers, listening ears and for staying focused and on task. Lower Primary; Alexander Young -- for being diligent, responsible and respectful. He tries his best in class, and he makes good choices! Middle Primary, Violet Bermudez -- for being

a hardworking, caring and pa-tient student. She has embod-ied PIA’s objective of learning and has proven to be diligent. Violet has a growth mindset in literacy, operational math, global studies discussions and project-based science. Her per-severance and positive attitude has allowed her to advance in many areas both academically and socially. Upper Primary, Emma Lutz -- for being a dil-igent worker, consistent in homework, driven to success and for constantly applying the concepts taught in learning

beyond the borders of the class-room. She is a joy to have in the classroom!


on site to monitor activi-ties. Just touching a whale shark can result in a fine of BZ$10,000.

It is unclear just how many sharks have visited this sea-son so far, and while all tour operators agree that their most sightings for 2015 were in April, they remain optimistic for June. Accord-

ing to SEA Director Nicole Auil-Gomez, as soon as a new vacancy is filled at their organization, tracking of sightings will resume. Based on data provided by Former

tal Organization (SEA) who manages the Reserve takes its role to enforce regulations seriously. Each boat going out to see whale sharks is allowed a 1.5-hour time slot, and only six boats are allowed in the zone at a time. Furthermore, only eight divers or snorkelers

is allowed per guide. In order to allow SEA to carry out their important work at the Reserve, each guest pays a fee of US$15. This also provides SEA rangers

Whale Sharks Make Annual Belize Tourcontinued from page 19 SEA Science Program Di-

rector Dr. Annelise Hagan, which covered sightings from 2003 to 2012, there can be as many as 68 sightings and as little as under 10 in just one month during the season.

Nature can never guarantee a sighting in the blue waters of the whale shark zone in the Gladden Spit Reserve, but many eco-adventurers take solace in other fascinating discoveries under water. During these fertile months, there also other creatures lured to the spawn including Bull Sharks, Lemon Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Caribbean Reef Sharks and other beau-tiful marine animals. The hundreds and thousands of dog and cubera snappers that aggregate to reproduce are also a wondrous sight to behold.

Whale sharks have an es-timated lifespan of 70 to 100 years. The species is considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and it is listed along with six other species of sharks, under the CMS Memoran-dum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks. Significant research efforts led by scientists in-cluding Dr. Rachel Graham and others who have worked with SEA and the former Friends of Nature in part-nership with local fisherfolk and tour guides have been credited to Belize’s better understanding of the sharks and their value to the tourism industry today.▪

A Restaurant Run? When a Placencia Humane Society (PHS) Board Member pre-sented this idea to the Board, we were not too sure about it. No non-profit community service group had ever tack-led a fundraiser like this.

Could PHS ask restaurants/eateries up and down our Peninsula for one day to donate a portion of their food sales to PHS?We knew that was asking a lot of the businesses in our commu-nity. In our minds, it was an experiment, a real test of both the willingness of food establishments to par-ticipate, but also the public’s willingness to dine out, all for the benefit of PHS.

What we learned from this fundraiser was staggering: HOW COULD WE EVER HAVE QUESTIONED OUR COMMUNITY??? From the very first an-nouncement of the Restau-rant Run on May 7, many eateries didn’t even wait to be asked, they just jumped right in! Businesses volun-tarily offered percentages of their sales, or a designated amount on a certain food

item to go directly to PHS. And when the Restaurant Run was over, a number of the businesses gave not only what they had pledged to donate, but gave extra out of their own pockets!

For our pets, we raised $1,843!! These businesses did it with an open-heart-ed generosity! And thanks to the public who inten-tionally chose these par-ticipating food establish-ments. Restaurants reported they saw new faces dining with them on 7 May, be-cause folks wanted their dining dollars to support PHS!Thank you to the fol-lowing businesses who were pioneers in the first ever PHS Restaurant Run!

Turtle InnCrow's NestRumfish Wendy's Tipsy Tuna Mojo's Flying PigPickled Parrot Rick's Place Mariposa Above Grounds CoffeeMiller's Landing Chix Mango's Paradise Restaurant Friends near the Pier Brewed Awakenings Barefoot BarTranquilo Jaguar LanesOne World ▪

Placencia Humane Society Launches Restaurant Run

By PatriciaCelenza

PHS Board [email protected]

The Commonwealth Day weekend of May 23 and 24 saw a great weekend of sailing along the Placencia cove in Placencia Village from young sailors despite some high winds and chop-py waves. Points scored at the third annual Placencia Sailing Club National Sail-

ing Regatta count towards the ranking determined at the end of the regatta season when the National Optimist Champion of Belize 2015 will be announced..

Weather conditions tested these sailors, but they all excelled demonstrating the professional training each club is receiving in their re-

spective Belize destinations.

Top results from the week-end regatta was Trent Hard-wick (Belize Sea Scouts) winning first place, Antonio Ricardez, Jr. (Belize City Sailing Club) placing second and Nashira Ricardez (Be-lize City Sailing Club) plac-

Placencia Sailing Club Hosts Third Annual Regatta(Press Release)


Whale Shark tours have become so popular in the south that popu-lar Placencia-based tour operator Splash Dive Center has opened a second shop at fellow Belize Tourism Industry Association Member Jaguar Reef Lodge & Spa in Hopkins Village. Thanks to Splash, guests at the luxury resort can experience the magic at Gladden Spit, as well as other popular Placencia attractions including trips to the Silk Cayes, Laughingbird Caye and a tour of Placencia Village and a visit to a local restaurant for dinner. (JOLIE POLLARD)

Beachfront at Jaguar Reef Lodge & Spa where Splash now boasts a second dive shop. For more information on adding a stay at Jaguar Reef to your experience in Southern Belize, visit jaguarreef.com


a first. Once passing the rock climbing and the 30-foot rope climb, one reach-es what I call “the land of Avatar" ― amazing orchids, moss on trees in multi-ple colors and bromeliads everywhere in between a thick wall of tropical trees, palms and tall grass. Since we reached early, the cloud cover had not lifted much yet, but we were treated with magnificent views while descending.

We relaxed on the top for about an hour and a half, and called out loud to see if we received responses from the second group – but no reply! We thought they may have turned back so we started our descent. Right at the climbing rope is where we all met up, so we were still able to take a group shot at the top all together.

Well done to all – we made it! Special recognition as well to Evelyn Nerio who was the second female staff member to make it to the top.

Kevin decided to wrap the Turtle Inn flag around his waist accompanied by a flower behind his ear and the photoshoot started - pic-tures have been x-rated!

First six reached down at 19 km base camp called, “Deadman’s Camp” at 12:20 p.m. ready to make a fire and prep for a hearty lunch for all.

Arlene along with BooBoo cooked the best pasta/rice soup, which we finished off with some ginger cake. The second group arrived at 5 p.m. and were taunting-ly called “The Turtles” by Freddy.

From the top, some calls were made to friends and family ordering meals for the next day ― 11 of them!

We were also all craving an ice cold Belikin beer, which I was preparing to order as a special treat for the staff with the Turtle Inn driver who was picking us up at the welcome center the next day.

Victoria Peak conquered by the Turtle Inn staff once again. In bed at 7 p.m.

We left at 6 a.m. heading downhill – it is a long way down pushing your toes to the front of your shoes ― very uncomfortable – on top of it I ran down parts with Freddy ― who was clearly challenging me and ner-vously looked back every five seconds to make sure I did not pass him. The rush-ing caused me to slip on a root and I sprained my an-kle pretty badly, but adrena-line keeps you going.

Freddy and I arrived at the welcome center at 10:30 a.m. Shoes off and a shower.

Suddenly, my foot started swelling and I could hardly stand on it. Oh well …

Evelyn applied lipstick for the hike down ― you may as well look good while sweat-ing.

Melvin arrived at 11:30 a.m. to set up a grand grilled chicken lunch with rice and beans along with a cooler full of cold beer ― heaven-ly! We waited for the others to arrive and soon all started to cross the finish line.

Estevan Ash was the lucky one to see a jaguar just two km away from base! No pictures to prove it – but we believe you Ash !

Other wild life seen :

Wild turkey, crested quam, laughing falcon, road side hawk, king vulture, quail, black tail indigo, antelope, fer de lance, crown headed mutmut, and scorpions.

The last to arrive were Eve-lyn and Marvin – (Tata1 and Tata 2) at 1:30 p.m.

Well done to all ― great times were had and about six toenails and one prop-erly functioning ankle were lost in the battle. Not bad!

Next year again? I think I will go on a horse and wait for you guys at Dead Man's Camp! ▪

Turtle Inn Staff Takes on Victoria with Peak Performance and Physiquecontinued from page 13

Clockwise: Hikers spent two nights sleeping in hammocks, which the group hung under a zinc roof at Dead Man's Camp or KM19. Just before reaching the top, hik-ers encounter lush walls of orchids, colorful moss and bromeliads. This year was the first time female staff joined the Turtle Inn team on the trek. (MARTIN KREDIET)

ing third. Trent, Nashira and four other sailors from other sailing clubs in Belize are going to be representing Belize in Antigua in July 2015, at the Optimist North American Championships. This is a first for Belize and is one of the required qualification stages for the Olympics. Belize Junior Sailing is going for the in-ternational big time. Coach Trenton Miller will be ac-companying the Laser team and Coach Juan Ignacio Mazzini will be tagging along the Optimist team.

Furthermore, Antonio Ri-cardez, Jr. along with 2014 National Optimist Champi-on Blanca Velasquez have been selected to represent Belize at a special Laser sailing clinic. This event will provide world class training for this new area of sailing for Belize.

The Placencia Sailing Club would like to thank all the following sponsors, donors and volunteers who made this regatta a reality and a resounding success:

Chabil Mar, MnM Hard-ware and Service Station (gasoline donation), Ian Anderson's Caves Branch, Hardcore Fishing Char-ters, Robert's Grove Re-sort, Cozy Corner Hotel and Restaurant, Miramar Apartments, Barefoot Bar, Wild Orchid, Crow’s Nest Cafe Bar & Grill, Sea-

spray Hotel, Pickled Parrot, Barefoot Services, Sunny Side Tours, Omar's Creole Grub, Joy Leslie, Cake Chics, William Muschamp, Rainbow Pieces, Juan Ca-ducio, Newton Lennan (Fire Chief), Joy Tours, Carol's Cabanas, Scotia Bank Pla-cencia Staff, BRC Printing, Elite Promos, The Treasure box, Jenari, Unique Jewel-ery, Marion Carr, Tranquilo Bar & Restaurant, Goss Chocolates, One World Gift Shop, The Secret Garden Day Spa. Placencia Tour-ism Centre, Placencia Vil-lage Council, The Peninsula Store, Everyday Market, Bowen & Bowen, Ltd., A Belizean Nirvana, Wallen's Market, Pappi Cabral, Eri-ka Lopez, Xiomar Lopez, Linda Garcia, Daisy Leslie, Rosenda, Betty Neal, Vanya Ferrel, Cunchie Villanueva and Jenria Lozano.

Appreciation also goes out to all those who donated and volunteered to operate the safety boats, as well as the officials working on the boats and on the beach: Paul Hagopian, Jeff and Theresa Scott, Eworth Garbutt, Steve Young, Evan Hall, Tina Tess, Gerad Corditis, Keith Hardwick, Paul Petit, Forest Jones, Sharon Hardwick, Debbie Curling, Alvin Cabral, Pe-dro and Patricia Joo, Solo-mon Duncan, Papi Doe and Maria Cabral.

If we missed anyone, we apologize and thank you for your support! ▪

Placencia Sailing Club Hosts Third Annual Regattacontinued from page 27


PLACENCIA PENINSULA GUIDEPAID LISTINGS. TO ADVERTISE CALL 523-4045 OR E-MAIL [email protected]

ACCOMMODATIONSSouth of Airstrip

One World Rentals: Daily, weekly and monthly rentals. Eleven comfortable and immaculate studios and apartments in the heart of Placencia Village (next to the "Rumfish" Restaurant), close to restaurants, shopping, banks as well as the beach. Cable TV, free wifi, fully equipped kitchenette, private bathroom, fully screened porch, hammocks. Contact Swiss Owner Claudia Hardegger at 523-3103 or 620-9975. email [email protected]. Major credit cards accepted.. Rates from 129 BZD incl. Taxes. Paradise Resort: Has most of the amenities & all the luxury of a large hotel. We are located on the ocean front. 12 A/C rooms. On site full service restaurant & bar, spa by the sea, all eco tours, diving, snorkeling, fishing, roof top Jacuzzi, Wi-Fi, dive shop, gift shop, kayak and golf cart rental. Maya & Tropic Air agent. Email:[email protected] or give us a call at 523-3179/503-3479 Website:www.belize123.com Ranguana Lodge: Five private ocean view cabins located right on the beach in the heart of Placencia Village: We have 3 private air-conditioned beach cabins each w/ 2 Double beds, fans, large refrigerator, coffee makers, private bath w/ hot/cold shower, private balcony w/ a hammock. We also have two other cabins with full kitchens, 2 double beds, fans, private bath with hot & cold shower & tub, private balcony with a hammock. Beach Palapas, beach chairs. Tropic Air agent, Gift shop. Phone/fax at 011-501-523-3112, E-mail: [email protected] website: www.ranguanabelize.com Tradewinds: Overlooking the Caribbean Sea & the Mountains of Belize! 9 Cabanas w/ private bath, hot/cold, 2 double beds, fans, coffee maker (coffee provided), refrigerator & veranda w/ hammock. Tel: 523-3122; Email: [email protected] North of Airstrip:

Green Parrot Beach Houses: Maya Beach: 6 mahogany beach houses, loft bed-rooms, fold out sofa, kitchenette & bath on main floor. 2 bay leaf thatch cabanas w/ garden showers & private beach. Tel/FAX: 523-2488; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.greenparrot-belize.com Miller’s Landing: Natural Belizean cabanas, lush tropical gardens, clean secluded beach, pool & thatch bar, P. 523-3010 or [email protected] Laru Beya Resort: Paradise has an address... Luxurious beachfront accommodation with a top-rated restaurant on site. All bedrooms have A/C, ceiling fans, fridges, coffee & tea making facilities. Suites (1 to 3 bedrooms) have fully fitted kitchens. Ocean-facing infinity pool. Free Wi-Fi throughout the resort. Free use of Hobi-cat, sea kayaks and bicy-cles. Miniature golf course located on the landscaped grounds. Daily tours, snorkeling & diving trips and other excursions arranged. www.larubeya.com. [email protected]. Tel: 523-3473 Singing Sands Inn: Located on a beautiful stretch of Maya Beach featuring 6 private, thatched cabanas with own bath and patio as well as 2 garden view flats. Bonefish Grille full service restaurant and bar on-site serving breakfast, lunch and dinner along with daily specials and Happy Hour 4 – 6 pm. Gorgeous landscaping. Swimming pool with relaxing deck area. Free Wi-Fi available. Bicycles complimentary for guests. Kayaks, pedal boats and golf cart available for rent. Tel: 533-302. Email: [email protected] Website: www.singingsands.com Robert’s Grove Beach Resort: Placencia’s most complete resort. Beachfront accommodations w/3 restaurants: Seaside, Habanero & Sweet Mama’s & French bakery & deli; 3 Pools, Conference Center, Tennis Court, Gym, FREE Wifi, Gift Shop, Full Service Dive Center, Marina, Gas and butane station. Kayaks, Windsurfers, Hobie Cats and bikes. Kayak, Paddle Boat and golf cart rentals and sales. www.robertsgrove.com, [email protected]. For more info cal us @ 523-3565! At The Cayes

Ranguana Caye: Ranguana Caye is a 2 acre island located right on the reef with 3 rustic cabanas and a view that will blow your mind! Food, drinks, Moorings and all the Caribbean Breeze you can handle are available. Prime Diving and Fishing location. Come for a day, a night or more. Reservation day trips or lodging call 523-3565.

Robert’s Caye: Robert’s Caye is just 10 miles from Placencia (1/2 hour by boat) a one acre island with 4 charming cabanas built partially over the water. Each cabana is outfitted w/ a king bed, full bathroom, hot and cold running showers, and a private terrace with hammocks. A small restaurant and bar, also built over the water, serves three meals daily. An deal setting for honeymooners and sportsmen alike, this “swept away” island paradise is surrounded by crystal clear water. The nearby flats are renowned for fishing as well. Kayaks and snorkeling gear are complimentary to is island guests. Come for a day, a night or more. Reservation for day trips or lodging call 523-3565.

Whipray Caye Lodge: Whipray Caye is a magical private island in the heart of some of the best fly fishing flats in the world. This caye has room to roam, with two spacious 2-room guest cabanas, private bath in each room, and verandas facing a glorious Belizean sunrise. Hearty family-style meals are served in our thatched roof restaurant and “Sea Urchin Bar”. Enjoy the natural unspoiled beauty of the coral reef surrounding the caye, chock full of beautiful tropical fish of all shapes and sizes, rays, sharks, turtles, crab, and even the occasional manatee, all nurtured by the abundant mangroves on the southern half of the caye. Owner and renowned fly fishing guide Julian Cabral and his wife Beverly will make your stay a memorable one. PHONE: 501-608-8130, CELL: 501-610-1068, EMAIL: [email protected], WEB: www.whipraycayelodge.com

DININGSouth of AirstripDe’Tatch Seafood Beach Grill & Bar: Serving the very best in Seafood and Local Cuisines. Open Mon-Sunday (Closed... on Wed)7am until 10pm for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (daily and nightly lunch & seafood dinner special). Come Enjoy the Perfect View (beach front), Great food, Great drink and Music to sooth the soul. Internet & Wireless also available. For Info or Take out orders please call: 503-3385 Wendy’s Creole Restaurant & Bar: Fine dining in A/C comfort or outdoor on the Patio. Specializing in Spanish & Creole. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch & dinner 7am - 10pm. Located on the Main Road. Visa & MC accepted. Ph: 523-3335 Email: [email protected] North of Airstrip:Green Parrot Restaurant: On the beach at Maya Beach. Our chef changes the menu daily and features a wide variety of local and international cuisine. We feature seafood and tropical dishes. For reservations call 523-2488. Email: [email protected] Habanero Mexican Restaurant & Bar @ Robert’s Grove: Lagoon side Fiesta time! Casual and fun Habanero serves up Mexican food w/ a Belizean flair. Now open from 12 noon – 10 p.m. Dinner Pick-ups available 523-3565! Jaguar Lanes Bowling and Café: Casual Dining in cool AC, 2 big TVs, Pizza, Burgers, Pulled Pork, Crunchy Tacos, Nachos, Homemade Desserts, Daily Drink Specials, and more!!! Credit Cards accepted. Quarterdeck Restaurant & Bar @ Laru Beya Resort: International Fine Dining with Belizean flair. Experience delicious meals, fabulous cocktails and fantastic service combined with spectacular ocean views. Breakfast served from 7 to 11 am. Lunch served from 12 to 2 pm. Happy hour from 4 to 6 pm. Dinner served from 6 to 9 pm. For reservations call 523-3476. Singing Sands Inn: Enjoy the delicious cuisine and ambiance of the Bonefish Grille. Our open-air, full service restaurant located on the beach, specializes in traditional Asian, as well as Italian and French influenced dishes. Daily Lunch and Dinner Specials as well as Happy Hour Menu. Open 7 days a week. For reservations or more information call 533-3022 or email [email protected].

Seaside Restaurant @ Robert’s Grove: Romantic Fine Dining with a world class menu and wine cellar. One of Belize’s most consistent restaurants quoted Fodor’s 2010 edition. The Seaside Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Dinner Pick-ups available 523-3565! Sweet Mama’s @ Robert’s Grove: Belizean restaurant serving breakfast ($8), lunch ($10) and dinner ($12). Open Monday - Sunday, 7 AM to 8 PM. Whipray Caye Lodge: See accommodation for info about our restaurant and bar.

CHEERS - Peninsula BarsBarefoot Bar: Open every day 11 am to midnight. Located on the beach. Live Music Wed, Fri & Sat at 5 pm & Sun at noon. Happy Hour 5 -6 pm. Largest drink menu around. Creative lunch & dinner specials. Known for Stiff Drinks ~ Tasty Food ~ Good Times! Tel: 523-3515. Follow us on Facebook! J-Byrd’s: Local Bar by the Seaside docks. Open daily from 10am to 12pm. And live music every Friday’s. Tel :523-3412

COFFEEAbove Grounds Coffee: P. 634 3212. Shaded Cool Spot. Supporting Small Inde-pendent Producers. Shade Grown Organic Guatemalan Coffees & Tea (Hot or Iced) Fresh Juices, Bagels, Banana Bread, Bulk Coffee. High speed Wi-Fi. Main Road, Past football field, South end of the Village. Open Daily, 7am- 4pm, Monday thru Saturday. Sundays, 7 a.m. - noon.

Belize Emergency Response Team: 223-3292Placencia Medical Center: 503-3326

Seine Bight Medical Center: 523-3328Independence Medical Center: 523-2167

BREEZE HEALTH EMERGENCYNUMBERS


PLACENCIA PENINSULA GUIDEPAID LISTINGS. TO ADVERTISE CALL 523-4045 OR E-MAIL [email protected]

Goss Chocolate: Goss Chocolate and cocoa powder made and sold only in Belize. 100% organically grown Belizean cacao, Belizean cane sugar, whole vanilla bean. Sold in grocery stores, gift shops, hotels and restaurants on the Peninsula and throughout Belize. Sorry, no factory tours! P. 523-3544, www.Goss-Chocolate.com, BTL 2013 Yellow Pages, Facebook winner 2013 World Chocolate Awards for Goss White with Vanilla Bean.

Green Parrot Gift Shop: The in-place to shop on the Peninsula. Featuring a wide variety of Belizean, Guatemalan, & Central American crafts.

Lola’s Art Gallery: Located in Seine Bight Village 1 ½ miles north of the Placencia Airstrip. Look for our sign near the football field south of the village. The peninsula’s first art gallery with original Belizean art by Lola. 8am-6pm. 523-3342 & 601-1913

Wallen’s Market: Serving Placencia with fresh produce, dry goods, & specialty items. Wholesale/retail. Tel: 523-3128; Hardware Tel: 503-3316 or 523-3523; Pharmacy Tel. 523-3346. email [email protected] Serving the Peninsula for over 25 years!! Located across from the sport field.

TOUR PROVIDERS:

Robert’s Grove Dive Center: Feeling adventurous?? Our PADI 5 star Dive Center offers daily snorkeling, diving and certification courses and boasts some of the tastiest lunches, best tour guides in the country, and ‘The Dorado’ our 48 ft. Pro Dive Boat! Nitrox and specialty Dive Courses available. Inland, Fishing, private charters, Whale Shark, Manatee, Monkey River and Inland tours also on the Tour Menu for more info call 523-3565! Singing Sands Inn: Offers inshore or offshore fishing excursions right off of our dock! Join us on our 31’ Cape Horn for a fantastic day of angling action. We can arrange any tour whether inland or water including Monkey River, Mayan Ruins, snorkelling, diving, and much more. Call 533-3022 or email [email protected] Splash Dive Center: Selected Tour Operator of the Year by the Belize Tourism Board. Fully equipped scuba retail store and 5 Star PADI Dive Center. Our 5 dive boats visit several dive and snorkel destinations daily. We teach scuba diving from beginner to pro level. Our air conditioned vans and licensed guides will take you to Maya sites, Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve, ziplining, cave or river tubing, or the Monkey River jungle. Call 523-3080/3058 or e-mail Patty at [email protected]. See www.splashbelize.com for more info. Trip N Travel: Saltwater & Jungle Adventures. P. 523-3205 Email: [email protected]. Located on Main Street & Bruk Pat in Placencia Office Supply.

SERVICES Tony’s Gym/Belize Fit: We have a small CrossFit Gym. By appointment only. www.belizefit.com Phone: 631-7427 Placencia Office Supply: INTERNET, Printing, Stationary, SMART – GimmeDal-la, Sales, Collections. P. 523-3205 or [email protected]

Muzamanzie Photography: Contact us for wedding photographs, portraits, web & brochure images. P. 523-3563 or 603-5143 email: [email protected]

REAL ESTATE:Coldwell Banker Southern Belize Realty: We are a full service real estate agency and specialize in all property types in Belize. Looking to buy, sell, invest or retire abroad? Our highly experienced team is ready to assist you with every step.Give us a call at 523-3500 or visit our website at http://www.coldwellbankerbelize.com .

CPC Real Estate Solutions: Your trusted real estate broker in Belize. We have over 20 years experience helping clients with their real estate transactions and take pride in assisting you with your property purchase. Please drop into our office for a free map of Belize, and no obligation answers to all your real estate questions. We're located in the heart of the village, next door to Tutti Frutti ice cream. P. 672-9000 or www.belizeproperty.com

GETTING AROUND:Car Rental of Placencia: 1 mile north of the Placencia Airstrip. Largest car rental on the Peninsula. SUVs and Golf Carts. Call: 523-3284 or 625-9573 or 662-7611. A drop location for donations for the Placencia Humane Society.

Singing Sands Inn: Rentals of reliable golf carts, bicycles, kayaks (including clear bottom), two person catamarans, snorkel gear and pedal boats by the hour, half day, full day or weekly. Located in Maya beach. Call 533-3022 or email [email protected].

SPA & MASSAGE:Sea Spa @ Robert’s Grove: Now offering Thai Massage, our Sea Spa is manned by professional therapists each w/ their own unique style. Treatments include; Several massage styles, Facials, Body Wraps, Body Scrubs/Polish, Reiki Energy, Sunburn Special, Coconut Hair Rinse and of course Manis & Pedis for Barefoot perfect feet! All treatments offered in our newly appointed oceanfront spa, at the end of our 250 ft pier or in a rooftop setting w/ panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea! For more info call 523-3565! Siripohn’s Thai Massage: Therapist from Thailand - Thai Massage, Essential Oil, Swedish, Jet Lag, Back & Shoulders, Foot Massage, Body Treatments, & Facial Treatments. Open 10 am to 6 pm. Call 620-8718 or 600-0375, email: [email protected] - Kob Khun Ka. WEDDING PLANNING:Robert’s Grove Beach Resort: Located on the Placencia Peninsula, a romantic off-the-beaten-path destination on the southern coast. Robert’s Grove is an intimate five-star resort that is ideal for Belize Beach Weddings, whether you want private ceremony for just you and your partner or if you want to bring family and friends. Contact our wedding planner Ms. Lea Itzab: [email protected] or call us at 523-3565

FREE COMMUNITY LISTINGS:Churches:

Calvary Chapel of the Placencia Peninsula: Meeting in Seine Bight Village. Sunday Services: 10:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. (Sunday School provided). Wednesday: Men’s and Women’s Bible Study - 6:30 P.M. Friday: Youth Group - 5:30 P.M. Non denominational Church - Call Pastor Jim Mensie for more information: 523-3362 Ministries of the Son of God Church, Seine Bight Village: Wednesday Bible Studies -6:30 pm, Thursday Youth Choir Practice - 6:30 pm, Friday Youth Night - 6:00 pm, Saturday Adult Choir Practice - 6:30 pm, Sunday Service - 8:30 am & Sunday Night Service - 6:30 pm. Reverend Don Palmer. Phone 523-3301 or email [email protected]

Placencia Church: A Real Church for Real People - Come as you are! Bible-based fellowship learning, wor-shiping and following Christ. We meet Sundays at 10:30am. Call 634-2668 or visit “Placencia Church” on Facebook for this week’s location.

Seine Bight Catholic Church: Services Sundays 8:00 a.m. Seine Bight Village. Lay ministers. Catholic (lay) - Mrs Dora. Williams Tel# 523 3527 or 523 3564 Worship Center: Bible Study – Wednesday 7:00 p.m. – until. Services: Sunday 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sunday School: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Non Denominational - Pst. Moore - Tel# 523 3333

Seventh Day Adventists: Services Fridays at sunset; Saturdays 9:00 a.m. Lay ministers. U. Torres - Tel# 503 2270

St. John’s Memorial: Placencia Anglican (Episcopal) Church: Sunday services at 8:00 a.m. .

Addiction Support:ALCOHOLIC ANOYMOUS/Placencia Rule 62 Group: Friday, 5:30 p.m. & Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at Placencia Village Health Center; P. Jackie @ 620-2848; Wednesday @ 12:30 p.m. @ yellow house in Seine Bight. P. Steve @ 610-1399. $10 Lunch.

PLACENCIA NAR-ANON/Narcotics Anon Family Groups: For those affected by someone else’s addiction. Placencia Health Ctr. Saturday at 5:45 p.m. P. Lyra @ 664-8699

Community Numbers:Placencia Village Council: 523-3396 Placencia Water Board: 523-4036Placencia Sanitation: 523-3273Placencia Post Office: 523-3104Seine Bight Village Council: 523-3660 Seine Bight Water Board: 523-3554U.S. Warden, Stann Creek Rural: Deborah Coston, 624-6483


Transport Services:De Express Boat: P. 626-8835. Departs Placencia Municipal Pier - 9:30 a.m. Arrives Big Creek 10 a.m. Departs - 11:00 am. Arrives Puerto Cortez, Honduras, 2 pm. at Laguna. Return trip – Monday: Departs Puerto Cortez, Honduras 10 am. Arrives Big Creek 12 noon. Departs - 1:30 p.m. Arrives Placencia 2 pm.

Hokey Pokey Boat: P. 523-2376. Placencia (MnM Dock) → Independence/Mango Creek: 6:45a.m, 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m, 5 p.m and 6 p.m. (except on Sundays). In-dependence/Mango Creek → Placencia: 6:30 a.m., 7:30a.m., 8a.m., 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:30 p.m, & 4:30 p.m.

Ritchie’s Bus: 523-3806. Regular Bus: Placencia → Dangriga: Monday thru Saturday: 7 a.m.; 12:45 p.m.; 2:30 p.m. Sundays: 6:15 a.m.; 12:45 p.m. Dangriga → Placencia : Monday thru Saturday: 11 a.m.; 2 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.; 6 p.m. Sundays: 11 a.m.; 6 p.m. Express Bus: Placencia—> Belmopan —> Belize City: Monday thru Friday: 6:15 a.m. Express Bus: Belize City—> Belmopan —> Placencia: Monday thru Saturday: 3:30 p.m,Vis-it: www.ritchiesbusservice.com for more info!

ADO: Leaves from Belize City at 7:30 p.m. to Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, Mexico. Tickets must be purchased at bus terminal in Belize City.

Taxi & Delivery Services:Mr. Clark: 621-1031Noel: 600-6047Walter: 622-3194Bailey: 636-7863Keylone: 668-9395

Placencia Police Station: 911 or 503-3142Seine Bight Police Station: 911 or 503-3148

BREEZE POLICE EMERGENCYNUMBERS

Maya Beach Police Station: 911 or 634-7051Placencia Tourism Police: 911 or 503-3181

Mr. Linarez: 607-2518Liria: 623-4836Choko: 632-0980Brittney Gibson Delivery: 651-8393

May 2015 Placencia Breeze

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