16 TH ANNUAL PLACENCIA LOBSTERFEST ·BEACH · FUN · GAMES · MUSIC· JUNE 27-28-29 IN PLACENCIA VILLAGE
Sidewalk Comes Alive at Annual Arts and Music Festival February was very busy on the Peninsula with hotels reporting full bookings for the entire month. While Placencia offers snowbirds beautiful weather, gorgeous beach and plenty of outdoor activities, there is one attraction that many visitors were happy to discover and many residents were eagerly anticipating – the Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival.
“We loved it!” said Patty Fraizer who was visiting from Michigan with her family. “We were so impressed with the local art work and enjoyed the music too.” And for Nathan Davis from Vancouver, Canada it was his first real glimpse into Belizean culture. “I had an idea of what to expect from reports I had read online,” said the first time visitor to the Peninsula. “But the festival allowed me to interact with the artists behind the art.
BREEZE SPECIAL FEATURE:
Hunting for the Destiny Fish with Captain Bruce Leslie See page 7.
So even though I just bought a small painting it will always have a lot of meaning for me.” Canadian Nicole Harvalik, who has been visiting the festival for the past four years, said she Continued on page 12
Wi Burn Fire Dancing Troupe closing out festivites after dusk. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
Placencia’s Marley Wade Makes Waves in Belize Fashion Scene Eighteen-year-old Placencia beauty Marley Wade recently stunned fashion industry insiders at her explosive debut at the 2014 Fashion Fusion Show held on Feb. 15 at the Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City. Wade, who is presently completing her final semester in Natural Resource Management at Independence Junior College, said it took some convincing to take a chance in the modeling scene.
Youth Friendly Drop-in Center Opens in Seine Bight In a booming tourism destination, local youth on the Placencia Peninsula tend to fall in the shadows while adults are working hard to ensure the best possible experience for visitors. But as the most recent Belize Census statistics (2010) show, 49% of the total population in Seine Bight Continued on page 21
“I never thought I was model requirement,” said Wade. “I mean, I am 5’ 8”, but I am not a size zero nor do I have perfect features,” she continued, try- Marley Wade strutting the runway at the 2014 Fashion Fusion Show at ing to retain a sense the Princess Hotel and Casino wearing swimwear by Mexican fashion of humility. But for designer Geraldine Quijano. (DANAE STUDIOS) Belize fashion industry professionals, there’s no deny- Continued on page 3
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INSIDE MARCH 2014 Page 3: Placencia’s Marley Wade Makes Waves in Fashion Scene Page 7: Hunting for the Destiny fish with Capt. Bruce Leslie Page 9: Go Bananas: From Beach to Green Fields and Back Page 11: Winter Beach Olympic Games; Challenging and Hysterical! Page 12: Sidewalk Arts Fest continued Page 20: The Outlet Receives Record-Breaking Cash Donation Page 21: Youth Friendly Drop-in Centers Opens in Seine Bight Page 22: Chili Lovers Take on Competitions at Flying Pig Page 22: Darryl Hannah to Star in Film Set in Placencia
Page 23: Real Estate Developer Mike Potoker Left US$10,000 to St. John’s; Family Held Memorial on Municipal Pier and Placencia Caye Page 24: Addiction Awareness Network of Belize Hosts Workshops Page 25: Rotary’s Grand Auction at Tipsy, a Successful Fundraiser Page 25: Kazandra Berrie to Represent St. John’s in Spelling Bee Page 25: Old Monkey Meets New Monkey Page 25: Wasilla Rotary Supports Senior Citizens Food Basket Program Page 26: Student of the Month: St. John’s Anglican Memorial Page 27: Kids Calendar Art Lady Reports on Sales for St. John’s Page 31: Student of the Month: At. Alphonsus Roman Catholic
PENINSULA HAPPENINGS FESTIVALS • LOCAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINTMENT • GAMES • FOOD/DRINK WHEN SATURDAY, APRIL 5 MONDAYS
TUESDAYS
LOCATION THE RING next to the TIPSY TUNA Jaguar Lanes (Maya Beach) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) Habanero’s Mexican Café & Bar (Seine Bight) Yoli’s Bar (Placencia) Barefoot Bar Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
WEDNESDAYS
Jaguar Lanes (Maya Beach) Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
THURSDAYS
Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) J-Dee’s (Placencia) Jaguar Lanes (Maya Beach)
FRIDAYS
Dawn’s Grill & Go (Placencia) Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) Quarter Deck Restaurant at Laru Beya Resort (Seine Bight) Jaguar Lanes (Maya Beach)
SATURDAYS
Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) J-Dee’s Restaurant & Bar (Placencia) Robert’s Grove (Seine Bight) Jaguar Lanes (Maya Beach)
SUNDAYS
Habanero’s Mexican Café and Bar (Seine Bight) Yoli’s Bar (Placencia) Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
Jaguar Lanes (Maya Beach) EVERYDAY
Habanero’s Mexican Café & Bar (Seine Bight) Robert’s Grove (Seine Bight) Quarter Deck Restaurant at Laru Beya Resort (Seine Bight)
Courtesy of the Placencia BTIA
EVENT LIVE BOXING ON THE BEACH! Hosted by the Belize Boxing Federation and the Placencia Village Council. Starts at 6 p.m. DON’T MISS IT! Men’s league night. No open bowling. Restaurant and bar open 4 – 8 p.m. Daily food special. Phone: 601-4434 (Closed on Tuesdays.) MOJITO MONDAYS! Specials on Mojitos all day! P. 523-3089 All you can eat Mexican Buffet! Come try our Tequila Lime Pie. 7 to 9 p.m. Dinner Pick-ups available. P. 523-3565 Rotary Club of Placencia meets at 12:30 p.m. P. 625-2763. TRAVELLER’S TUESDAY! Specials on Traveller’s rum drinks. 6pm-close. P. 523-3515 TEQUILA TUESDAY! Margaritas 1/2 off during happy hour (5-7pm). P. 523-3089 Ladies Day. Ladies bowl 2 games get 1 free. Ladies only 2 – 4 p.m., open bowling 4 – 8 p.m. Restaurant and bar open 2 – 8 p.m. Daily food special. Phone: 601-4434 WET WEDNESDAY! Drink specials. P. 523-3515 WINGS WEDNESDAY! $1 Wings ALL DAY! Garifuna Drumming at our seaside bar, 7 - 9 p.m. P. 523-3089 Live Music P. 523-3515 TIPSY THURSDAY! Karaoke inside our sports bar, DJ in the “aquarium” and FREE Jello Shots on the hour, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m! P. 523-3089 Rotary Club of Placencia Bingo Night! Starts at 7 p.m. sharp! Couple’s league night. No open bowling. Restaurant and bar open 4 – 8 p.m. Daily food specials. P. 601-4434 Fried Chicken Fridays for Lunch. (And regular lunch and dinner menu) P. 523-4079 Fyah Dancing with Fyah Gal! P. 523-3515 Live Caribbean style music at our seaside bar, 7 p.m. - midnight. Reggae, Soca, Punta. P. 523-3089 Happy hour from 4 to 6 pm. Free bar snacks. Live music from 6 to 9 pm. International Fine Dining with Belizean flair. P. 523-3476 Open bowling 4 – 8 p.m. Restaurant and bar open 4 – 8 p.m. Daily food specials. P. 601-4434 Barefoot Horseshoe Tournament at 4 p.m. Cash + Bar Tab Prizes. P. 5233515; Live Rock + Alternative music with Da Man in Da Shadz. 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. P. 523-3515 Live Beach Music with the Persuaders 7 p.m. - midnight! Reggae, 60’s, 70’s.... Tel: 523-3089 Karaoke 8 p.m. to midnight. P. 503-3351 Poolside Beach BBQ Buffet, 7 to 9 p.m. Live entertainment. Dinner Pick-ups available. P. 523-3565. Open Bowling 2 – 8 p.m. Restaurant and bar open 2 – 8 p.m. Weekend special, $20 per person includes shoes and unlimited bowling. Daily food specials. Phone: 601-4434 Paella Night. Complimentary glass of House Sangria for each diner. 6 to 9 p.m. Pick-ups available. P. 523-3565 4 p.m. Placencia’s Famous Ring Game. P. 625-2763. Tropical Vibes Reggae Jazz Infusion. 6 - 10 p.m. P. 523-3515 FAMILY FUN IN THE “SUN”DAY! Make it a family beach day! Kids happy hours 3-5 p.m. with Kid’s Menu specials! Games & Beach Volleyball available! Live local music with Paranda Ambassadors at our seaside bar, 5 - 9 p.m. P. 523-3089 Open Bowling 2 – 8 p.m. Restaurant and bar open 2 – 8 p.m. Weekend special, $20 per person includes shoes and unlimited bowling. Daily food specials.P: 601-4434 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 Seaside Happy Hour and bar snacks. 4 to 6 p.m. $5 Local Beer and Rum Drinks. P. 523-3565 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
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Placencia’s Marley Wade Makes Waves in Belize Fashion Scene Wade said her slim yet athletic figure is the result of long dedication to ing that Wade’s exotic appeal, fit fitness and health. It all started with figure and runway prowess meet ballet classes under the instruction the guidelines for the quintessen- of a Blanche “Bianca” Barkan, a retial supermodel. Since taking the tired professional who taught many four-hour bus ride from Placencia young Placencia girls in the village Village to Belize City following her before she passed in 2010. “I missed first invitation to strut the catwalk, her dancing classes so much, that I Wade has already been filling up just continued doing it and working her schedule outside the classroom out alone,” said Wade. “I used to with bookings. and still do tell myself that a healthy body makes a healthy mind.” In addition to a photo shoot with Belize fashion photographer Will The new Placencia fashionista is Moreno, Wade is preparing to audi- the daughter of Desiree Wade of tion for the runway presentation of Placencia Village and sister of Methe Joris Hendrik Fall/Winter 2014 lissa Cabral and Kelly Muschamp. Collection coming up in April. The “I am the definition of a melting Joris Hendrik line currently features pot,” said Wade describing her top Belizean model Chantae Guy unique physical features. She says who has been Belize’s premier fash- her ethnic background ties to an ion ambassador since she placed ancestry of Spanish, West African, in the final 10 for the Top Model Arawak, Western European and Competition at the 2012 Miss World Indian roots. ▪ Pageant in China. EASTER NOTTA REGATTA SUNDAY, APRIL 20 Wade says she has been very surprised by her recent success and This wild regatta full of booze, being invited by Belize’s Nouveau laughs, and good times, is for Model Management to participate fun sailors! The Placencia Caye Yacht Club is serious in the February Fashion Fusion about the Captain’s Meeting show. “It was crazy amazing! I have though, so be at Yoli’s Bar at had so much fun,” she said. Wade noon sharp on April 20! modeled swimwear for Mexican Crazy race commences fashion designer Geraldine Quijano immediately after who shared Wade’s runway photo Captain’s Meeting! on her official Facebook page with the note, “We love you, Marley!” Contact Theresa at 667-8627! Continued from Front Page
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The Placencia Breeze ǁ March 2014 ǁ Page 5 THANK YOU FOR PICKING UP THE PLACENCIA BREEZE! FIND US ONLINE: URL: http://issuu.com/theplacenciabreeze www.placencia.com 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, the Philip Goldson International Airport, nationwide airstrips and resorts, 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. PLACENCIA BREEZE STAFF: Jolie Pollard Executive Director Jonnell Augustine Financial and Membership Officer CHIEF VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHER: Muzamanzie Photography PLACENCIA BTIA BOARD: Stewart Krohn, Chairman Steve Christensen, Vice Chairman David Vernon, Treasurer Evan Hall, Secretary Salva Zabaneh, Councilor lsa Villanueva, Councilor Kristine Small, Councilor PRINTER: The Reporter Press, Belize City, Belize The Placencia Breeze The Placencia Tourism Center, Placencia Village, Stann Creek, Belize. Phone: 523- 4045; E-mail: info@placencia.com or director@placencia.com
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Hunting for the Destiny Fish with Captain Bruce Leslie no fun,” said Yoshii. “In PlacenExecutive Director, Placencia BTIA cia, the permit director@placencia.com are smart and are opular vacation activities in Belize such as more familiar trips to the ancient Mayan temples, ziplin- with the game. ing over the lush rainforest canopy and They are not eassnorkeling and diving along the world’s second ily fooled by a largest barrier reef hold zero interest for top Los fly that mimics their meal. They Angeles anesthesiologist Wade Yoshii. are fierce fightSince November 2007, the 58-year-old doctor ers and will run a has made 30 trips to Belize, each averaging about long distance besix days. Besides sleeping in his modest room fore they tire!” at the Sea Glass Inn (formerly Dianni’s Guest House) and having dinner at local restaurants, Sometimes the there is only one attraction that consumes this vigilant permit man’s Belize time – hunting for the elusive fish will crush their called permit— and that is permit hunting with flies, smash their expert Placencia fly fishing guide and boat cap- hooks or even tangle their lines World-class sport fisherman Dr. Wade Yoshii casts his line in the flats of the Payne’s Creek National tain Bruce Leslie. around corals Park. Yoshii has been fly fishing with Captain Bruce Leslie in Belize for the past eight years. (JOLIE POLLARD) To understand just how fanatical Yoshii is about and mangrove catching his precious prey, Captain Bruce re- roots and break called just a couple occasions during the past away, Yoshii said. But more eight years that he has ever had to turn his boat than just the challenge, what around and return the sport fisherman to his hotel makes Yoshii return to Belize room in the middle of a trip. One time Yoshii for this adventure time and had been so ill with the flu and started vomiting time again is Captain Bruce overboard. On another trip, blood began seeping -- whom Yoshii finds to be out of Yoshii’s ear due to a bad ear infection. On one of the most exceptional both occasions, Yoshii hesitantly canceled his fishing guides in the world. By Jolie Pollard
P
adventure with Captain Bruce.
Yoshii’s obsessive passion and dedication to the sport has yielded many rewards, however. During the past 200 fly fishing day trips with Captain Bruce in Belize that typically start at 5:30 a.m. and finish until darkness forces them home, the doctor has averaged one permit every two days. He caught and released his 100th permit during his 29th trip to Belize in November 2013. The accomplishment is so great that as a thank you to Captain Bruce, Yoshii will be taking him to his native Hawaii in October for well, more fly fishing, of course. Captain Bruce, arguably just as obsessed with fishing as Yoshii, couldn’t be more excited. Just after the break of dawn on the last day of Belize trip number 30 on Feb. 1, 2014 and carrying a score of 115 permit, Captain Bruce cranked the engine on “Nervous Watah” at the dock in front of Sea Glass Inn in the Bakadeer area of Placencia Village. This will only be a half-day trip because Yoshii needs to catch his 2 p.m. flight and head back home to California so he can start working at the hospital the following morning. When asked why he didn’t just relax and spend his morning on Placencia’s beautiful beach, Yoshii replied, “I would die of boredom.” Just one day of fly fishing costs hundreds of US dollars. In fact, Yoshii spends about US$8,000 on each trip excluding international airfare. To put a monetary value on Yoshii’s experience of catching just over 100 permit, it’s an estimated figure of US$240,000—or $2,400 per fish. Of the three main species of fish that fly fishermen target in the Atlantic: tarpon, bonefish and permit, the latter is considered the ultimate catch, since permit are the most difficult to land and very scarce too. Yoshii could choose to fish for permit in Mexico, Venezuela or Cuba, but fly fishing afficionados from around the world have dubbed southern Belize, “The Permit Capital of the World.” And as Yoshii explained, what makes permit fishing in Belize very attractive is the challenge. “Permit in Cuba are dumb. Easy to catch. That’s
After an hour-long boat ride Captain Bruce heads towards the brackish waters and mangrove flats of Payne’s Creek National Park located about 24 miles south of Placencia in the Toledo district. There is no Global Positioning System (GPS) device on Dr. Yoshii opens up his tackle box full of flies, lines and even lucky charms. Including US$8,000. “Nervous Watah,” and Cap- expensive gear, one six-day permit hunting thrill can cost an estimated (JOLIE POLLARD) tain Bruce doesn’t need one. is one of the thousand considerations Yoshii and The waters of southern Belize have been the Captain Bruce make for the hunt. 42-year-old’s playground since he was a child. And this really puts Yoshii at ease. Navigating Yoshii opens his tackle box revealing dozens near the labyrinth of shallow flats can be risky of specially crafted flies that carry no odor or and requires expert knowledge of the area. The flavor and explains that as true skilled hunters engine could ram into corals and the boat could they don’t just cast blindly and hope for a bite. become stuck in the mud near the mangroves. Yoshii also carries a few lucky charms like some Mardi Gras beads and a dog tag in his tackle box. The sun beats overhead, the water is very still (Bruce wears his lucky shirts.) Yoshii points out and the blue sky is streaked with soft, stretched Continued on page 13 puffs of white clouds. The greenery of the mangroves and distant palmettos near the savannahs create a stunning scene that would excite the heart of any natural landscape painter. But don’t tell Captain Bruce and Yoshii it’s a pretty day. Only people who aren’t catching fish begin to take note of nature’s beauty, they say. As he prepares for his half-day fishing adventure, Yoshii who is all decked out in fishing hat, long sleeve shirt, colorful scarf, long slacks, gloves and sunglasses … takes off his shoes. “The tap on the boat could scare the fish away,” he said. This
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GO BANANAS: From Beach to Green Fields and Back All in One Morning By Rebecca Coutant Owner/Author, SanPedroScoop.com An opinionated Guide to Ambergris Caye & Belize
is that bag placed over the bunch when they are on the tree?”
After driving through the orange groves, the workers’ housing and s you can tell from my website name, football field and what seemed I do not reside in Placencia. I live in like miles of beautiful green the far north of Belize - San Pedro, banana plants, I arrived at the Ambergris Caye. But during the past processing area. I entered a small year, I have been expanding my business while air-conditioned building for coftravelling and writing about all of the country. fee, bananas and an informational And don’t tell the San Pedro crew … but I’ve video narrated by Evin herself totally fallen in love with Placencia. about the history of the banana industry in Belize. I just spent the weekend at the Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival - my fourth visit Did you know that all bananas in six months. Placencia is affordable and spot- in Belize are sold to Fyffes? It’s lessly clean. The beach is gorgeous. There are an Irish company and the oldest so many new, fun restaurants, and I find it the fruit brand in the world. most relaxing place to visit. Another huge plus in my book is the proximity to the “mainland.” The walls of the room were You can go from the sand to mountains in a papered with banana facts, awerelatively short time. somely corny banana jokes and
A
And during a visit to Placencia just a few months ago, I took a fantastic tour of the huge Sagitun Banana Farm and was back on the beach before lunchtime. It was genuinely fascinating to see how this everyday food is produced and how very different life is just half an hour away from the beach village of Placencia. Let me give you a quick rundown of my trip.
the following warning: “Do not get the banana sap or latex on your clothing. That sticky brown or black gummy stuff does not come out of clothes.” Good heads up.
We headed out to the field where I was walked through every step of the banana growing process. Don’t worry about mud or puddles; this area is incredibly well groomed. There is no special footwear or clothing required for Bunches of Fun.
My tour guide came to pick me up at the front gate. Evin Zabaneh is the creator and host of the Bunches of Fun Banana Farm Tour. Evin has the most romantic story. We moved from Originally area to area and from Oklawatched the plants homa, Evin being fertilized, visited the trimmed for disfarm a few ease, the flower years ago as tips cut, the “diapart of an inpers” put on the ternship for bunches and more. her Master’s Fancy wielding a Degree in machete? How International about carrying a Agriculture. 100 pound bag of While doing decaying banana are peeled away to reveal the familiar state of the banana. her school Layers compost? You are (REBECCA COUTANT) work, Evin free to try! And of fell in love with, and well, went bananas for the course, take lots of pictures. But what owner’s son. was most revealing about this tour is that
Witness banana farmers harvest their crop on the Bunches of Fun Tour. (REBECCA COUTANT)
producing that banana -- you know, the Evin is fun, incredibly enthusiastic and had one you just cut up and tossed in your Tour operator and personal guide Evin Zabaneh takes visitors through the answer to every single one of my annoying cereal? Well, it’s SERIOUS work! every step of the banana industry, from planting to packaging for export. (REBECCA COUTANT) questions like, “Why are bananas so cheap in the States?” “Are bananas native to Belize?” “What I watched the huge heavy bunches being hacked a full banana appreciation experience. I really d o w n , h o o k e d loved it. SO interesting, interactive and differto a zip line and ent. Kids and adults will just go bananas for pulled to the pro- this trip! cessing area for more work. Then You can join Bunches of Fun Banana Farm I witnessed the Tour on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and phases of sorting, Saturdays. Those are the days when the farmtrimming, wash- ers are harvesting. And the price is affordable! ing, applying the Just BZ$30 for adults and BZ$20 for kids. The stickers and box- complete tour is about two hours. A pick up ing for shipment from town is BZ$40 (round trip) and if you in cooled con- gather a group of six or more people, the pick tainers to Ireland. up is free! Amazing. Check out Evin’s Facebook page “Bunches of At the end of the Fun Banana Tours” for more information or contour, I was handed tact her at BunchesofFunTours@gmail.com or a brown paper bag call 624-4297. And for lots more pictures about of warm fresh ba- this tour, the answers to my annoying questions nana chips. Deli- or just information about travel around Belize, cious and the per- check out my website: SanPedroScoop.com. ▪ fect conclusion to
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Winter Beach Olympic Games, Challenging and Hysterical! off in the Dog Sled Race after each had tied with Contributing Writer/Rotarian maretha_mccullock@yahoo.com 20 points each. By Maretha McCullock
Following a successful Summer Beach Olympics in July 2013, on Jan. 26 the Placencia Rotary Club held their first Winter Beach Olympics. For organizers, participants and spectators it was an event marked with crazy fun entertainment that was full of so much laughter, it brought some people close to tears.
Winning their second championship title in this series of Rotary Olympic Events, was Tipsy Tuna. They walked away with gold medals and their hands full with the Winter Beach Olympics 2014 Champ Trophy, t-shirts, one case of Belikin beers and a bottle of Johnny Walker’s Black Label.
The creative and challenging beach games that played on the real winter games in Sochi, Russia included Dog Sledding, Coconut Curling, the Human Olympic Ring, Cross Country Skiing, Poke the Snowball and even Hockey. (Ed. Note: Thank goodness we have pictures because the names alone don’t give justice to the total hilarity of these games!)
Third Place 2013 Summer Beach Olympic winners representing the Placencia Branch of Atlantic Bank, In a hot battle with Team Tipsy Tuna, Reuben Cal of Team Scotia Bank chases after puck Ltd. did better in the win- in hockey. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRPAHY) ter games placing second. They left with silver medals, second place trophy, one case of beers and a bottle of whisky. And third place went to the Placencia Fire Department who received bronze medals. Even though they tried The event saw repeat par- their hardest, the Placencia ticipation from many of the Gods did not win their secteams in last year’s Summer ond Biggest Loser honours Beach Olympics. These 12 this year, and were beat by Winter Beach Olympics Yoli’s Pigs. contenders included Tipsy Tuna (reigning 2013 Sum- The Placencia Rotary Club mer Olympics Champs), thanks everyone who supTropic Air (2013 Summer ported the fun filled day for Olympics First Runner Up), families, friends, business Yoli’s Pigs, Placencia Gods colleagues and our inter(2013 Summer Olympics national visitors. Sponsors Biggest Loser), Atlantic of the 2014 Rotary Club Bank, Scotia Bank, Turtle of Placencia Winter Beach Inn, Barefoot, Placencia Olympics were: Old Master Fire Department, Sea Glass, Rums, Bowen & BowThirsty Turtle and Wallens. en, Ltd., Wallen’s Market, Karen Young of Joy Tours Soon-to-be newly weds April Peters and Justin Brown representing the Placencia Competition was fierce and and K&T’s Chair and Table Volunteer Fire Department pair up in the Human Olympic Ring challenge. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRPAHY) in many instances, it was a Rentals and Charo’s Bar battle of the sexes. During and Grill. the climax of the event, finalists Placencia Fire De- The Rotary Club reminds all teams to gear up because partment, Atlantic Bank and the Summer Beach Olympics is right around the bend, Tipsy Tuna entered a face scheduled to take place in July 2014. ▪
A blindfolded Adam Toledo brings laughs out of Rotarian Sandra Steele as she referees the “Bobbing for Snowballs” game. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
LIVE BOXING ON THE BEACH NEXT TO TIPSY TUNA! SATURDAY, APRIL 5.STARTING AT 6 P.M.
Hosted by the Boxing Federation of Belize & the Placencia Village Council
Patrick Gonzalve successfully “Pokes the Snowball” during the event’s most entertaining challenge. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTO.)
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Sidewalk Arts & Music Fest looks forward
Arts Festival, and he said he will be coming every year. “It was very social and casual, which I enjoyed.”
to loading up on unique jewelry and pretty decorations. “I enjoyed the music as well; we stopped by to listen to the awesome rhythms of Pen Cayetano. It seemed very relaxed and joyful this year; I would say probably my favorite festival so far,” said Harvalik. Continued from front page
A wide selection of locally produced artwork spanned the length of the historic Placencia Village sidewalk starting near Tipsy Tuna and continuing southward to ArtNSoul Gallery on the Feb. 15-16th weekend. Jewelry lovers were Chelsea Handler, American celebrity host of hit late drawn to impressive handcrafted collections utilizing a night show “Chelsea Lately” poses with Morgan wide assortment of materials including hand-blown glass, Bouloy of Belize City at official Saturday Sidewalk Tipsy Tuna. shells, weathered sea glass, calabash (bottle gourd), sea Arts & Music Festival After-Party at(GILLIAN ZABANEH) pearls, silver, textiles, rainforest seeds, corals and precious stones. Rotary Winter Beach Olympics According to local jeweler, Khadija Assales, it was her best festival yet. “Every year it gets better for me. I also enjoyed the food, the music and meeting the different artists along the sidewalk,” she said. Expert sculptors shared their talents working with Belizean woods such as zericote, mahogany, the prized rosewood and even pumice stone that had been collected from nearby shorelines. Those seeking more fine works for home or office décor and gifts lucked out with beautiful stained glass lanterns, ceramics, bamboo furniture and a plethora of original paintings and prints featuring natural landscapes, underwater scenes, people and other cultural displays of Belize. “The paintings using bright colors and fine details were my favorite,” said Daniel de Kock who recently moved to the Maya Beach Community in Seine Bight Village from South Africa. It was de Kock’s first
Continued from page 11 Right: Teams fight through the beach sand as they pull their mates behind in the extreme Dog Sledding Race. Below Left: Tipsy Tuna Bartender Richard Coe gives Beach Skiing a stab. Below Right: 2014 Rotary Club Winter Beach Olympics Champions Team Tipsy Tuna pose for winners group photo. (Muzamanzie Photography)
Other stalls boasted artisan soaps, ethnic clothing, coffee, jellies, pepper sauces and other spiced condiments and special fruit juices. After learning of its many healthy benefits, one woman purchased an entire case of noni fruit juice from the Miss Goodie’s stall in the food court. Continued on page 29
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Hunting for the Destiny Fish with Captain Bruce Leslie Continued from Page 7 his packets of fluorocarbon lines noting that they aren’t cheap. This goes for every piece of Yoshii’s fly fishing gear. A single successful doctor without children, Yoshii says fly fishing is his biggest investment. And for Captain Bruce Leslie, this is his life, his bread and butter and passion.
vast brain bank, so that even if a couple years have passed since they last visited “Dead Dead Battery,” Yoshii can still be assured that Captain Bruce will take him there. Before Captain Bruce started fly fishing at 23 years old, he was taking out visitors on general guided tours and working with his father in the commercial fishing industry. It wasn’t until a guest named Wilson Creek asked Captain Bruce to help him find some bonefish that he first cast a fly fishing rod. Creek told Captain Bruce he was a natural and Dr. Wade Yoshii and Captain Bruce Leslie holds one of their prized perthat same day, the guide caught his mits. In November 2013, Yoshii caught his 100th permit while fishing with biggest bonefish ever. Creek gave Leslie as his guide. (WADE YOSHII) Captain Bruce his first fly fishing rod and flies, and he never looked back. Since that first day fishing with Creek, the captain says he has taken much time at sea studying fish behavior, the ocean tides, water depths, the wind and the sunlight.
Navigating through the flats, Captain Bruce stands on a special fly fishing ladder positioned at the stern of the boat near the engine. He navigates the water slowly pushing through gently with a long pole as Yoshii prepares to cast his line near the bow. They are both scanning the water through their special polarized sunglasses looking for the special wiggle, ripple or nervous water in the glass flats that indicates a permit sighting. If they’re lucky, they might even spot the tail end of a permit jutting towards toward the surface while it feeds on the bottom of the flats. “It’s an addiction,” says Yoshii. “You get a high when you catch one.” Captain Bruce says they Of all the clients with call it a “fix.” whom Captain Bruce has built relationships over The Captain decides to move to the past 19 years, Yoshii another flat. To the newbie, it’s all has remained his most the same – still water near a bunch loyal. The doctor takes of mangroves. But the duo has their up a third of his guiding special spots, and all locations have during the year and over their quirky names with an intrigu- a third of his catch too. ing background story. At flat “Three X” where Take the explicitly named F#%*g Yoshii had caught three Captain Bruce lifts up one of his largest permit caught to date. (WADE YOSHII) Butterfly for example. A trail of permit in a day, Captain Bruce be- Yoshii explained. “Jacks are stupid caught while wade-fishing near permit had come swimming by the gins to call on the permit, “Come on and aggressive,” he said. Long Beach, California. boat and then a flock of butterflies li’l buggers, show yourself.” Time swooped down just above the water is ticking away and the anxiety Bruce spots another push, but it’s a Today, none of that matters. casting their shadow and chasing builds up and tensions grow high jack again. He grunts and makes a off the prized fish. To their chagrin, in anticipation for the special ripple. farting sound with his mouth. Some As Captain Bruce continues pushCaptain Bruce yelled, “Those F#%* Bruce sees a push in the distance fly fishermen would be happy to ing into the flats and scanning the butterflies!” and quickly alerts Yoshii up front, catch a silly jack or even better, waters carefully, he spots the tail but soon enough they suspect it’s a the jumping tarpon and the easy- of the permit. Yoshii casts his line Other flats have been named “Three jack, which the two jokingly call, to-hook bonefish in addition to the towards the “nervousness.” He X,” “Rod Over,” “Amen Corner,” “Poor Man’s Permit.” Just to dem- pain-in-the-butt permit to make missed and loud painful profanity “Redemption,” “One Faaty Eight,” onstrate the hunting form, Yoshii a grand slam. But Yoshii’s “been breaks the silence. Just as Bruce “Why Bother?” and “Dead Dead cast his line and hooked the fish there done that.” In 2009 he landed hints that it’s time to return to PlaBattery.” Each tells a story, which then it got away. “F*#%k!” Yoshii a “Super Inshore Grand Slam” in cencia, the first strong gust of wind brings out a chuckle from both men yelled right before the fish bit again Placencia with Captain Bruce when approaches turning the boat towards and even some profanity. Every and Yoshii landed it in the boat. It he caught a snook along with the the exit. They call it the destiny fish, flat location has been permanently was a jack and if it were a permit, grand slam trio. Yoshii also holds and it wasn’t their time. Trip 30. 15 stowed away in Captain Bruce’s it would’ve never bit a second time, a world record for a corbina he permit and out.▪
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The Placencia Breeze Ç March 2014 Ç Page 14
The Placencia Breeze ǁ March 2014 ǁ Page 15
PLACENCIA PENINSULA MAPS Continues on page 18. Visit the Placencia Tourism Center in Placencia Village for a brochure copy of our Peninsula map! We’re located on the main street, across from Scotia bank just behind Re/Max.
From North of Placencia Airstrip to Riversdale
From Placencia Water Tower to Airstrip Barefoot Services
Bunches of Fun Banana Farm Tours Lost Reef
Platinum Designs
Tropic Air & Maya Island Air Placencia Airstrip
Beachfront Suites The Placencia Hotel Placencia Tennis
Distance from Maya Beach to the Placencia Hotel area measures approx. 2.5 miles.
RFG Insurance Avadon Divers
Ocean’s Edge Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro
Los Porticos
Green Parrot Beach Houses Joyce & Frank’s Bed & Breakfast
Barnacle Bill’s Beach Bungalows Turtle Inn
Singing Sands Inn
Splash Dive Center Chabil Mar
Cocoplum Vacation Rentals Cocoplum Resort Community The Villas at Cocoplum Mission Bay Christian Retreat
The Maine Stay Goss Cordy’s Beach Cottages Chocolate Palmtree Designs
Bahia Laguna Beach Suites Nautical Inn
Lola’s Art Station’s Casino Buddy’s Bar & Grill
Seine Bight Village
Robert’s Grove Beach Resort Laru Beya Villas Miller’s Landing
Wild Orchid Properties
The Flying Pig Casa Nettuno
Get your Placencia Mooring Masters T-shirt at the Placencia Tourism Center and Sunova Beach Gift Shop. Profits help protect our Barrier Reef .
The Placencia Breeze ǁ March 2014 ǁ Page 16
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PLACENCIA CHAPTER OF THE BELIZE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 2013 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 accounts@placencia.com.
ACCOMMODATIONS A Belizean Nirvana: belizeanirvana@gmail.com; 5233331 or 625-3301; Evan Hall Arches /The:gin7373@aol.com; 479-841-7970 or 623-3286; Ginny Clayton Barnacle Bill’s Beach Bungalows:taylors@btl.net; 533-8110 or 602-7768 Bill & Adriane Taylor Belize Ocean Club: reservations@belizeoceanclub. com; 533-4500 or 601-5602; West Tucker Blue Crab Beach Resort: sales@bluecrabbeach.com; 5233544 or 523-3543; Kerry Goss & Linn Wilson Blue Garden House: info@belizecottagerentals.com 207-326-9099; Costas & Sally Christ Captain Jak’s Cabanas: theluckyerin22@yahoo.com; 523-3561 or 622-7104; Erin Ivy Caribbean Travel & Tours **: info@ctbelize.com; 523-3481 or 523-3081;Veronique & Lance McKenzie Casa Beya/Sea Grape Escape: info@casabeyabelize.com 970-963-1099; Midge & Aaron Dallas Casa Del Sol: info@casadelsolbelize.com; 5233481 or 523-3081;Veronique McKenzie Casa Nettuno: framdani.office@gmail.com; 605-1648 Mariuccia Levoni Casa Palma: info@casapalmaplacencia.com 678-1089; Simone de Angelis Casa Placencia: casaplacencia@live.com; 5033143 or 630-7811; Jacki Tipton Chabil Mar Villas*: information@chabilmarvillas. com; 523-3606 or 523-3611; Synescio Coh Coconut Cottage: kwplacencia@yahoo.com; 5233234 or 609-4267; Kay Westby Cocoplum Vacation Rentals: rentals@cocoplumbelize.net; 623-7774; Aaron Krohn Colibri House: colibrihouse@gmail.com; 6050586; Stefano Ragagnin & Nicoletta Sala Decked Out House: inquiry@deckedouthouse.com; 503-3017 or 624-7168; Linda Burrow Dolce Cabana: nharvalik@gmail.com;523-3095 or 605-0586; Nicole Harvalik/ Stefano Ragagnin
503-3299; Sonia Leslie Flamboyant /The: flamboyantplacencia@gmail. com;628-1143; Angie Markham Finca: info@ctbelize.com; 5233481 or 523-3081; Veronique McKenzie French Louie Caye: kitty@frenchlouiecayebelize. com; 523-3228 or 610-3228; Kitty Fox Garden Cabanas: colibrihouse@gmail.com; 605-0586 Stefano Ragagnin George Cowdrey’s Guesthouse: gcgeorge@rcn.com; George Cowdrey Green Parrot Beach Houses*: greenparrot@mail.com; 5338188; David Allardice & Leo Ramirez Harbour Hideaway of Placencia: jimandcindy@wellerbelize. com; 623-3286; Jim & Cindy Weller Harry’s Cozy Cabanas: cozycabanas@yahoo.com; 5233155 Harry Eiley Hatchet Caye Resort*: contact@hatchetcaye.com; 5334446 or 523-3337; Dasha Shivers Heaven’s Gate Beach Bungalow:info@seasprayhotel.com; 523-3148; Jodie Leslie Hideaway Caye: hideawaycaye@yahoo.com; 665-4069; Kimberly & Dustin Ingersoll Jewel of Placencia: info@jewelplacenciarental.com 523-3481 or 523-3081; Veronique McKenzie & Joe Garipoli Joyce and Frank’s Beach House: h2odanzer@aol.com; 629-4285 or 561-389-2550; Joyce Danz La Caribe: ray@lacaribe.com or 631-5602; Ray Jennings Las Amigas: info@lasamigasbelize.com; 523311; Lydia Villanueva & Geri Salsig Laru Beya Villas*: info@larubeya.com; 523-3476 or 523-3483; Ian McField Lydia’s Guest House: lydias@btl.net; 523-3117 or 5233354; Lydia Villanueva Los Porticos Villas: reservations@losporticosvillas. com; 523-3227 or 607-4448; Barry and Valerie Snowden Lost Reef Resort*: lostreef@xplornet.com; 606-7262; Lisa D’Amore Maine Stay /The: drewtravers@gmail.com; 523-3507; Drew Travers
info@mayabeachhotel.com; 533-8040 or 627-4718; Ellen & John Lee
523-3314; Eric & Janis Winchester
Maya Dream Beach House: mayadreambelize@yahoo.com 523-3148; Jodie Leslie & Wanda & Roger Snell
Surfside Escape Resort /The: info@surfsideescape.com; 523-3630; Brian Mandziak
Maya Lodge: maya-lodge@hotmail.com; 6050586; Stefano Ragagnin & Lou McLeod Michelo Flats: harbour21@gmail.com; 523-3519 or 626-2518; Michel Ardoullie Miller’s Landing*: millersplacencia@yahoo.com 523-3010 or 523-3011 Gary & Ann Miller Miramar Apartments: info@miramarbelize.com; 5233658 or 523-3117 or 503-3095; Ilsa Villanueva Mirasol Villa: info@mirasolbelize.com; 523-3481 or 523-3081;Veronique McKenzie North Beach/ The: debanddave@btl.net; 523-3207 Deborah & Dave Vernon Ocean’s Edge: oceanedge@vl.videotron.ca; 514-606-5582 or 514-697-9435 Francine Martel One World Rentals: oneworldplacencia@yahoo.com 523-3103 or 620-9975 Claudia Hardegger Paradise Vacation Hotel*/**: info@belize123.com; 523-3179 or 523-3256; Alan & Deloris Stamm Pearl Beach House: vb53@centurytel.net; 523-3409 or 605-0586; Bud & Betsy Valian/ Stefano Ragagnin Robert’s Grove Beach Resort */**: info@robertsgrove.com; 523-3565 or 523-4367 Jean-Marc Tassé Sea Glass Inn*: brad_schofield@yahoo.com; 523-3098; Brad & Christine Schofield Seaspray Hotel: info@seasprayhotel.com; 523-3148 or 615-2925; Jodie & Norman Leslie Seaview Suites: placenciaseaview@gmail.com; 523-3777; John & Marian Chan Silver Leaf: yoliebrown@hotmail.com; 970-944-2550 or 970-944-0552 William & Jolanda Brown; Stefano/agent
Tarpon Caye Belize: info@tarponcayelodge.com; 523-3323 or 523-3322 or Charles Leslie Three Iguanas Villa: colibrihouse@gmail.com or 605-0586; Stefano Ragagnin & Joe Stark Toucan Lulu: reservations@toucanlulu.com; 628-8474; Paul Fanning Turtle Inn */**: frontdesk@turtleinn.com; 523-3244; Martin Krediet Tradewinds: trdewndpla@btl.net; 523-3122; Janice Leslie Village Inn: info@thevillageinnbelize.com; 523-3481 or 523-3081 Veronique Mckenzie Villas at Cocoplum /The: BMannsfeld@yahoo.com; 610-0294 or 628-6447; Boris Mannsfield or Erin Ivy Whipray Caye Lodge: whipraycaye@yahoo.com; 6101068; Julian & Beverly Cabral White Sand Villa: eagleray33@gmail.com; 6619516 or 602-9315; Tricia Hernandez Yellow Bella: yellowbella@alice.it; 605-0586; Stefano Ragagnin Yellow House /The: info@ctbelize.com; 523-3481or 523-3081;Veronique McKenzie ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW Courtenay Coye LLP: ccplacencia@courtneycoye.com; 523-328; Tiphany Gongora AUTO RENTALS Barefoot Services: info@barefootservicesbelize. com; 523-3066 or 629-9602 Ian & Megs Yearwood Car Rental of Placencia: powerscandy@hotmail.com; 523-3284 or 662-7611 Candy Power CONSULTANTS Guild & Guild Consulting: guildandguild@hotmail.com 523-3251 or 523-3291; Yvette Guild Simbert Trading Co. Ltd.: restaurant@danubebelize.com 610-0132; Herbert Kollmann & Simone Gareis
Singing Sands Inn*: info@singingsands.com; 533-3022 or 520-8022; Jean-Marc Tasse
HEALTH, FITNESS, SPAS & SALONS BB Yoga Flow: info@bbyogaflow.com; 6317726; Agnes Balawejder-Busch
Easy Living Apartments: info@easylivingplacencia.com; 523-3481 or 523-3081 Veronique McKenzie
Manatee Inn: manateeinn@btl.net; 523-4083; Slavek Machacka
South Waters Resort*: southwatersresort@yahoo.com; 620-7320; Maria Cabral
Placencia Tennis: bobbelize21@gmail.com; 626-4015; Bob & Lida Rodgers
Eloise’s Travel Lodge:
Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro*:
Sunset Pointe Condos: ewinche713@aol.com;
Siripohn Thai Massage: jenjira01@yahoo.com; 620-8718 or 600-0375; Siriporn Thakham
HEALTH, FITNESS, SPAS & SALONS Secret Garden Day Spa: lee@secretgardenplacencia.com 523-3420/624-6096; Lee Nyhus Tooth Fairy Dental Clinic: toothfairyclinic@gmail.com; 502-0736 or 633-0678; Dr. Dalila Vanzie-Krohn Tony’s Gym: tony@belizefit.com 631-7427; Tony Pinder Tree of Life: smallkristine@yahoo.com; 624-5408; Kristine Small NON-PROFIT ORGS Peninsula Citizens for Sustainable Development: info@saveourpeninsula.org; 5233587; Mary Toy Placencia Humane Society: takunchances@yahoo.com ; 503-3177 or 670-4130; Doran Yount, President Rotary Club of Placencia: gregvwandas@gmail.com Greg Valiton, President Southern Environmental Association:info@seabelize.org; 523-3377; Nicole Auil-Gomez REAL ESTATE AGENTS Boris Mannsfeld & Associates: info@RealBelizeEstate.com; 523-3063 Boris Mannsfeld & Frik DeMeyere Cocoplum: stewart@cocoplumbelize.net 610-1009; Stewart Krohn CPC Real Estate Solution: info@belizeproperty.com; 672-9000 Dan Dunbar & Michael Young Palmetto Bay Resort: info@palmettobayresort.com; 610-1911; Carlton Watson Placencia Yacht Club: lee@getdusa.com ; 653-0569 or 663-9087; Lee and Gail Dusa Re/Max 1st Choice: david@belizepropertycenter. com;631-9622 or 523-3666; David Kafka Waterfront Real Estate: waterfrontbelize@aol.com; 6103264;Patrick & Denise Callahan Wild Orchid Properties: tom@wildorchidresidences.com; 523-3392; Tom Hitchcock RESTAURANTS, BARS CAFÉS & ENTERTAINMENT Above Grounds Coffee: keithgmorrison@gmail.com; 634-3212; Keith Morrison Barefoot Bar: barefootbarbz@gmail.com ; 523-3515; Cassie & Brice Dial Brewed Awakenings: brewedawakeningsbelize@gmai l.com; 635-5312; Ryan & Natalie Dixon Dawn’s Grill ‘n’ Go: grillngo@yahoo.com; 523-4079 or 602-9302; Dawn Pollard Friends Near the Pier: grambelize@gmail.com; 653-2550; John & Betty Rhoads Flying Pig/ The: theflyingpig.belize@gmail.com; 602-6391; Patrick Gonzalve
RESTAURANTS, BARS CAFÉS & ENTERTAINMENT Jaguar Lanes: jaguarlanes@yahoo.com; 601-4434; Bob & Pam Thomas
SHOPPING & GENERAL PRODUCT & REPAIR Master Plumbing: fredwalton53@yahoo.com; 669-1014; Dick Walton
J-Dee’s Restaurant & Bar: MnM Hardware Placencia: info@jdeesplacencia.com; 5 0 3- duncker@btl.net; 523-3517 or 523-3537; Dora Duncker 3351; Daisy & Jeremy Leslie Mango’s on Maya Beach: mangosmayabeachplacencia@ yahoo.com; 533-8102 Frank DaSalva Pickled Parrot/ The: adriana37@aol.com; 636-7068; Lynn and Eugene Upham Placencia Supper Club: info@marcusperigo.com 636-5015; Marcus Perigo
Mosquito Coast Trading Co. Ltd.: rjay@btl.net; 523-8141 or 610-1441;Ray Twanow Papaya Boutique: papayaboutique@gmail.com 603-3665; Marsha Cabral Palmtree Designs: muzamanzie@btl.net; 523-3563 or 603-5143; Marion & Ed Carr
Placencia Mini Storage: Purple Space Monkey Bar & celeste1001@live.com; 665-0800 Grill/ The: 523-3169; Paul & Celeste Smith Rick LaBonte & John Howarth Rumfish y Vino: rumfish@ btl.net; 523-3293 or 666-6934 Pamela & John Solomon
Platinum Designs: hannah@sbplatinum.com; 610-0327; Hannah Cowell
Shak Beach Café/ The: theshakbelize@yahoo.com; 622-1686; Magda Morales
Robert Nicolait & Assc. Ltd.: info@watertreatmentbelize.com 523-3149; Lou Nicolait
Stations Casino/ Buddy’s Bar & Grill: kiwarner2001@yahoo.com; 620-2391; Ken Warner
Spectarte Gallery: spectarte@gmail.com; 533-8019; Jenny Wildman
Sunova Beach Gift Shop: zabeyles@btl.net; 523-4060 Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar: tipsytuna@hotmail.com; 523- Gillian Zabaneh 3089; Salva & Gillian Zabaneh TOUR OPERATORS & TRAVEL AGENTS Tuttifrutti Ice Cream Parlor: tizy.lory@virgilio.it; Tiziana Del Col
Belize Trips: info@belize-trips. com; 610-1923; Katie Valk
Yoli’s Bar: regantrethewey@hotmail.com 625-2763; Yolanda Trethewey
Bunches of Fun Banana Farm Tours: bunchesoffuntours@gmail. com; 624-4297; Evin Zabaneh
SCHOOLS (PIA) Peninsula International Cayequest Tours: Academy: peninsulaacademy.org; cayequest@gmail.com;Lyra 631-7648; Selena Lucas Spang, Mark Leslie; 633-6330 or 664-8699 SHOPPING & GENERAL PRODUCT & REPAIR
Added Touch /The: rrobin@btl.net;223-0054 or 223-1461; Robin McCutheon Art Affair Gallery/The: jenari_13@yahoo.com 604-1906 ot 503-3206 Ernest Garcia & Jeanna Casey
Destinations Belize: mtoy@destinationsbelize.com 523-4018 or 610-4718; Mary Toy Belize Tradewinds Cruise Club: belize@tradewindscruiseclub. com; 523-3303; Melissa Rea Joy Tours: joytour@btl.net; 523-3325; Hubert & Karen Young
Artful Dodger Sail & Canvas: wmertensbelize@gmail.com; Moorings/The: 523-3625 mooringsbelize@btl.net Wini Mertens & Steve Lobban 523-3351 or 604-2861 Renee Brown Cardelli (Shrimp) Farms Ltd.: lact57@yahoo.com; 610-0480; PlacenciaAdventures by Land or Sea: Linda Thornton placenciaadventures@yahoo. Charly’s Gifts: charlysgifts@gmail.com; 523-3323 or 607-3884; Charles Leslie, Jr. & Ycela Alpuche-Leslie Doran’s Services: takunchances@yahoo.com; 670-4130; Doran Yount Goss Chocolate: sales@bluecrabbeach.com 523-3544 or 523-3542 Kerry Goss & Linn Wilson Leslie Tech Services: info@leslietech.com; 523-3323 Charles Leslie, Jr. & Ycela Alpuche-Leslie Lola’s Art Gallery: lolasartgallery@yahoo.com 523-3342/601-1913
com; 523-3307 or 622-1886; Ainsworth “Cubby” Leslie
Placencia Eagle Ray Tours: eagleray33@gmail.com 661-9516 or 602-9315 Tricia Hernandez & Rene Leslie Quest for Adventure in Belize w/ Splash Ltd.: ralph@splashbelize.com 610-1278; Ralph Capeling Splash Dive Center: patricia@splashbelize.com; 523-3058 or 610-0235 Patricia Ramirez Trip N Travel: lgodfrey@btl.net; 523-3205 or 523-3205;Laura Godfrey Please note some members offer additional services: KEY: * Restaurant **Tour Operator ***Property Rentals
The Placencia Breeze ǁ March 2014 ǁ Page 17 INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Caliz, Apolo: caliz_apolo@hotmail.com; 634-0950 Celeste, Donna: bodie1949@yahoo.com Cohen, Howard & Karen: howard.cohen@sunnybrook. ca; 622-6695 Coston, Debbie: debcoston@yahoo.com; 523-8001 Edwards, Dan & Kim: thislldo.dan@gmail.com; 622-1656 Dial, Mary Ann: madialinbze@yahoo.com; 523-3209 Dusa, Lee & Gail: gail@getdusa.com; 523-3500 Fairs, Rick & Brigitte: ridgwood@telusplanet.net; 628-6533 Feldman, Babe & Karen: cabf@jasarinc.com; 610-0356 Ford, David: dfordassociates@gmail.com; 621-7587 Ford, Ken: kenneth.ferris@asu.edu; 636-8675 Friedeck, Maureen & Mike: mnm4664@msn.com 604-0796 Fuller, Fred & Jacque: jacquecfuller@yahoo.com; 628-0992 or 629-6429 Gabor, Deborah: gringainbelize@gmail.com; 628-7004 Galipeau, Cheryl: chgalipeau@yahoo.com; 523-3329 Glessner, Virginia & Fox, Jay: vivij@earthlink.com Hall, Susan McMillan-Hunter: sebelize@yahoo.com Hess, Tina John Ford dba Cordy’s Beach Cottages: fordco@hotmail. com; 523-3341; 627-3150 Koster, Liliana: lilianakoster@yahoo.com; 663-8680; 665-5779 Smith, Stan & Mary: stanmary@btl.net; 523-4306 Taylor, Winston: wftaylorii@yahoo.com; 623-7971 Witter, Madalon: 622-3853
PLACENCIA PENINSULA ANNUAL EVENTS JANUARY: New Year’s Eve Parties are held at most bars & resorts. Take advantage of dinner & drink specials, party favors & great music! Look out for fireworks! Rotary Club Winter Beach Olympics.Register your team for fun & competitive games on the beach while supporting the Rotary Club of Placencia. FEBRUARY: Rotary Auction. Support the organization’s biggest fundraiser & bid on impressive donated items. TBA Placencia Sidewalk Arts & Music Festival. Pick up the ultimate souvenir from Belize’s best artists & check out the local music scene. Organized by the Placencia BTIA. TBA MARCH: Flaming Heart Ball Featuring The Taste of the Peninsula Sample a wide range of cuisine contributed by participating Peninsula restaurants & home cooks. Get down on the dance floor & participate in fun raffles. Proceeds benefit the Placencia Volunteer Fire Department. MARCH 8, 2014 @ TIPSY TUNA APRIL: Easter Break Join the crowds & go wild! Beach hotspots like the Tipsy Tuna holds bikini & physique competitions, eating contests and more throughout the raucous Easter holidays! Squeeze into packed bars and clubs & party all night long to popular DJs. APRIL18-19-20, 2014 Placencia Humane Society’s Furball: A big party usually held at a local bar. Expect live music and great prizes! Proceeds benefit the Placencia Humane Society. JUNE: Placencia Lobsterfest A mega beach party like no other in Belize organized by the Placencia BTIA & Placencia 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 Placencia Lobsterfest Raffle. JUNE 28-29-30, 2014 JULY: Rotary Club Summer Beach Olympics. Register your team for fun & competitive games on the beach while supporting the Rotary Club of Placencia. SEPTEMBER: The Battle of St. George’s Caye Day. SEPT. 10, 2014 Saltwater Fishing Tournament. SEPT. 20 & 21, 2014 Independence Day Carnival. SEPT. 21, 2014 Celebrations are held throughout September leading up to Sept. 10 celebrating the Battle of St. George’s Caye Day & Sept. 21, Independence Day. Enjoy small patriotic pageants and parades to large celebrations like the Independence Day Carnival Parade. Fishing enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Placencia BTIA’s Saltwater Fishing Tournament where anglers can win large cash prizes totalling up $10,000! OCTOBER: Barefoot Bar’s Halloween Party: Held the weekend closest to Halloween. Join Halloween enthusiasts from Placencia & all over Belize at the biggest Halloween party in the area. Costume prizes, drink specials & visiting DJ. Rotary Spooktacular Haunted House Held on Halloween this is sure to scare your kids! Expertly set up by the Rotary Club. NOVEMBER: Garifuna Settlement Day. NOV. 19, 2014 Celebrations are held early November leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day. Enjoy cultural pageants conducted in the Garifuna language in Seine Bight & watch reenactments of the Garifuna people arriving into Belizean shores followed by parades, punta dancing, live drumming in both Seine Bight & Placencia. DECEMBER: Placencia Mistletoe Ball. Fine dining & BIG party band! DEC. 13, 2014 @ BELIZE OCEAN CLUB, MAYA BEACH End of the World Placencia Marathon and Half Marathon. Enjoy the pituresque Placencia Peninsula while running on a flat route w/ many water stations. Hailed as one of the most organized marathons in Belize. DEC. 7, 2014
The Belize Tourism Industry was formed in 1985 to bring together tourism and tourism related interests to meet the challenges of a dynamic and growing industry in Belize. BTIA was intended and continues to develop as the accepted and recognized 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.
HANNUAL BUSINESS MEMBERSHIPS Small 0-10 employees
Medium 11-50 employees
Large 51+ employees
$200.00
$500.00
$1,500.00
HANNUAL PERSONAL MEMBERSHIPS Student Membership Associate Membership Individual Membership Currently enrolled students of a Current fulltime employees of Open to anyone else wishing Belizean high school or university member businesses to support our mission! $100.00 $50.00 $25.00
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A Belizean Nirvana Above Ground Coffee Ar�ul Dodger Sail & Canvas Barefoot Bar Barefoot Services Belize Tradewinds Cruise Club Blue Garden House Boris Mannsfeld & Associates Brewed Awakenings Captain Jak’s Cabanas Caribbean Travel & Tours Casa Del Sol Casa Palma Casa Placencia Century21 BTAL Coconut Co�age Colibri House CPC Reality Des�na�ons Belize Dolce Cabana Easy Living Apartments Eloise’s Guesthouse French Louie Caye Garden Cabanas George Cowdrey’s Guesthouse Grill & Go Guild & Guild Consul�ng Harbor Hideaway Harry’s Cozy Cabanas Hatchet Caye Hatchet Caye Office J-Dees Restaurant & Bar Jewel of Placencia Joy Tours Julia’s Cabanas Las Amigas Leslie Tech Service Lydia’s Guesthouse Manatee Inn Maya Lodge Michelo Flats Miramar Apartments Mirasol Villa MnM Hardware Placencia One World Rental Paradise Vaca�on Resort Placencia Bazaar Placencia Yacht Club Property Pro Belize Quest for Adventures Ranguana Lodge Re/Max Property Center Rumfish y Vino Sea Glass Inn Seaspray Hotel Sea View Suites Secret Garden Day Spa Secret Garden Restaurant & Bar Silver Leaf Siripohn Thai Massage Southern Environmental Ass. Sunset Pointe Condos Splash Dive Center (Sales Office) Splash Main Office Sunova Bou�que Tarpon Caye Lodge Tarpon Caye Main Office The Arches The Flamboyant The North Beach The Purple Space Monkey The Shak Beach Café The Yellow House The Village Inn Three Iguanas Villa Tipsy Tuna Tony’s Gym/Belize Fit Toucan Lulu Tree of Life Trip N Travel Tu�fru� Ice Cream Parlor Whipray Caye Lodge White Sand Villa Yello Bella Yoli’s Bar
55-D4 18-C4 92-A2 39-D3 9-D3 98-A2 88-E2 97-C4 47-D2 52-D2 8-D3 76-F3 56-E3 81-F2 93-B4 54-D4 55-E3 43-C3 42-C4 64-E2 57-C4 58-C3 33-D3 60-B3 89-E3 17-C3 10-F2 88-E1 61-B3 35-E5 35-C1 20-D3 27-C4 44-C3 62-E3 26-E3 46-D3 64-E3 65-F3 66-E2 67-F2 68-E3 69-C4 96-D3 70-C4 71-B3 7-D3 34-A5 43-C3 47-F2 30-E3 39-D3 43-C3 56-B3 79-E3 63-C4 4-C3 24-C3 90-E2 8-D3 95-D3 40-A1 49-D2 19-C3 46-D3 45-E3 46-D3.5 86-E5 28-C4 73-E3 41-C3 16-C4 74-D3 31-F3 86-E2 40-D3 17-E3 75-F3 8-D3 51-C4 43-C3 32-E5 82-C3 29-F2 21-B3
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The Outlet Receives Record-Breaking Cash Donation The Outlet Youth Center in Placencia Village has received its largest cash donation to date. In February Stan and Sandy Lloyd, owners of The Starfish Cottage at Turtle Inn presented a BZ$10,000 check to the center’s founder Aline Habib. “We are so humbled by their contribution,” said Habib. “It allowed us to cover our renovation costs for all the work that had to be done inside our new location inside the Community Center.”
the Lloyds. In February 2013, the new residents of the Placencia Peninsula surprised The Outlet with a donation of BZ$5,000. While looking for a charitable organization that would benefit from their financial support, Turtle Inn Manager Martin Krediet introduced the couple to the Center. Right away, their hearts went out to the children and the cause. Committed to promoting youth programs and youth initiatives in Placencia, they said they were very impressed with the organization’s after-school activities and pledged to do whatever they could Stan and Sandy Lloyd, owners of the Starfish Cottage at Turtle Inn at Coppola support the center. Resorts presents check to founder of the The Outlet Youth Center, Aline Habib.
Last fall the Youth Center relocated from its nook next to the Pickled Parrot to the former pre-school classroom inside the Placencia Village Community Center. Renovation work has been extensive and has included replacing damaged walls, changing all windows and doors, new paint, electrical and plumbing work, ceiling reconstruction and much more. An outdoor “We are so grateful to have met Stan courtyard extension project is also and Sandy and to have them sponunderway. sor our youth center,” said Habib. “They are beautiful individuals “The children now have a beauti- with the kindest hearts and the best ful indoor study lounge, as well as intentions. Without their contribuan outdoor protected space where tion, we wouldn’t be where we are.” we host activities such as science Habib said she and her team plan fun, kids yoga, arts and crafts, poi on honoring the Starfish Cottage practice, homework assistance, on their “We Love our Sponsors” computer science, movie nights, wall that their young participants jewelry making, birthday parties, will paint in the center. self-esteem workshops, reading fun, scrapbooking, dance, and lots The Outlet Youth Center is now more,” said Habib. “The Lloyds’ open and fully operational and is donation has allowed our project offering the following daily activito get a second wind in its new ties to children of all ages during location.” their opening hours from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This isn’t the first donation from
(MARTIN KREDIET)
WEEKLY SCHEDULE AT THE OUTLET YOUTH CENTER
Monday: 3:30 p.m.: Science Fun with Steph 4:30 p.m.: Reading Fun with April and Cher 5:00 p.m.: Poi Practice with Steph
Thursday 3:30 p.m.: Beach Sports day with Keon, James, Anton and friends Football, softball, volleyball, crossfit, etc.
Tuesday: 2:30 p.m.: Computer Science with Mr. Torres 3:30 p.m.: Arts, Crafts & Jewelry with Kaj and friends 4:30 p.m.: Reading Fun with Mrs. Kathy
Friday 3:30 p.m.: Movie afternoon 5:15 p.m.: Movie afternoon
Wednesday 3:30 p.m.: Kids Yoga Fun with Agnes 5:00 p.m.: Girls Talk with Kimmy 6:00 p.m.: Boys Talk with Frank
For more information on how you can donate like the Lloyds and be an active member of the Outlet Youth Center, contact Aline Habib at 6703665 or placenciayouthcenter@gm ail.com. Find them on Facebook for more updates too.▪
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Youth Friendly Drop In Center Opens in Seine Bight Village Continued from Front Page
importance of the youth and the elderly in Seine Bight recognizing Village and 32% in Placencia Vilthe new children’s library at the lage are under the age of 20. Finally Multi-Purpose Building and the some grown-ups are starting to pay implementation of a new Help Age attention. program in the village to assist the
two computers in the newly opened center and according to Goldson, UNFP will be providing 10 more. Other speakers at the ceremony were Police Inspector Dehanne Au-
On Feb. 21, following the re-opening of the successful Outlet Youth Center in Placencia, came the inauguration of the “Youth Friendly Drop-in Center” at the Multi-Purpose Building in Seine Bight. It’s one of several liked name centers across the nation that have been spearheaded by the Belize Community Policing Unit in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) as part of their crime prevention and reproductive health initiatives. The center was designed to give youth a safe and supervised environment to socialize and do homework with the aid of computers and the internet.
St. Alphonsus students tour the new youth center, which will be available for their use after school hours at no cost. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
older population. Augustine spoke of his council’s vision for the village including a fishermen’s cooperative and a women’s group and his Fourteen-year-old Standard Six council’s effort to keep moving the student Raven Colon was among village forward. The village chaira large audience of St. Alphonsus man, who retired in Seine Bight afRoman Catholic School students ter a long career in the Belize Police at the inauguration ceremony. “I Department, spoke to the youth in feel excited about the center … attendance and expressed his hope grateful,” said Colon who is lookthat they would take advantage of ing forward to taking advantage of the center and also take pride in it. the free internet access. Like other He thanked key players including students at St. Alphonsus who do the Community Policing Unit and not have computer and internet acthe UNFP which has helped fund cess at home in Seine Bight, Colon the initiative and will be holding says he visits the local internet shop educational training sessions durwhere he pays $2.00 for 20 minutes ing the year. for internet use or sometimes he tries to borrow his teacher’s laptop UNFP Representaat school. Colon and his friends tive Ericka Goldson will have to abide by some rules who spoke at the cerat the new center, however, which emony and said she were outlined by Mistress of Cerwas happy to see stuemonies and St. Alphonsus teacher dents in attendance, Monique Guzman. “Youth will not said the center is a be allowed to wear short shorts and clear demonstration nothing too revealing,” she said to of the UNFP’s comthe students. “The center is no datmitment to the deing area!” velopment of young people. “We believe In his welcome address, Seine Bight in you. We care about Village Council Chairman Justo you,” she said at the Augustine praised the center as a ceremony. major sign of progress in his community and an indicator of even Currently there are better things to come. He noted the
gustine of the Community Policing Unit, Southern Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Robert Mariano who is also president of the National Garifuna Council, Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie and St. Alphonsus School Principal John Ogaldez. Placencia Village Council Chairlady Ilsa Villanueva and St. John’s Anglican Memorial School Princial Stephen Whyte were among the special invited guests. The ribbon cutting was performed by 86-year-old village elder Dominica “Miss Minty” Augustine who as the mother of three, grandmother of 19 and great granny to a number more, knows something about young people. “Children like to play, watch TV and they don’t use time for their homework and study lessons,” Miss Minty said after the ceremony. “They need this.”▪
Young people were fully integrated into the ceremony, leading the National Anthem and providing entertainment. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
Left: Miss Minty cuts the ribbon while accompanied by young students. Above: Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie spoke on behalf of the Belize Police Department whose Community Policing Unit led the project with the assistance of the United Nations Population Fund.
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Chili Lovers Take on Cooking and Eating Challenges at Flying Pig By Nora Marie Myers Breeze Contributing Writer noramariem@yahoo.com
Over 100 guests stopped by The Flying Pig at the bar’s first ever Chili Cook Off. The event held on Feb. 22 was a fundraiser for the Outlet Youth Center and generated over $1,200 in cash donations which will support the center’s purchase of materials used in daily after school programs. With the support of local businesses, the Chili Cook Off also provided prizes for several talented competitors hailing from the Maya Beach community. This year’s event enticed 13 entries,
and chili lovers stopped by to taste test all the different concoctions. There was mild, there was hot, there was something for everyone. Gary Geier’s chili triumphed at the event winning both “Grand Champion” and “Best Traditional” prizes. This was not his first rodeo, however. In Chicago, Geier placed in the top 10 in a rib contest which included over 500 contestants. (He must know his stuff.) Dan Edwards won “Best Non-Traditional” and Beau Santillan won “Best Vegetarian.” And of all the six daring challengers in the “Hot, Hot Hot, Chili Eating
“Splash” Mermaid, Darryl Hannah, to Star in Thriller “A Perfect Vacation” set in Placencia Wild Orchid Residences announced in January that they are the selected film location for the thriller titled, “A Perfect Vacation” starring Daryl Hannah, Vinnie Jones & Robert Davi. The luxury development located north of the Placencia airstrip will also be hosting the actors. Hannah, an active environmentalist, is known for her starring roles in Blade Runner(1982), Splash (1984), Steel Magnolias (1989) and Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1993).▪
Contest,” including five men and one woman, Kevin Brodsky emerged victorious. The contest was the most appropriate reenactment of the popular Food Network “Man v. Food” reality show where host and food challenge extraordinaire Adam Richman gorges on insanely spicy foods. The “hot, hot, hot chili” provided in this competition came courtesy of Flying Pig proprietor Patrick Gonzalve’s mad kitchen skills. While everyone ate their chili and the judges carefully scored each entry, Gary Geier’s chili won both “Grand ChamMark Finnegan and John pion” and “Best Traditional” prizes. (NORA MYERS) Snyder entertained the Cook off? No worries. There is time crowd with their musical talents on guitar, harmonica, and to show off your cooking –or eatvocals; added flavor came courtesy ing-- prowess at next year’s event and at the same time support a of Ally Smith as a guest vocalist. worthy cause.▪ Missed out on the Flying Pig Chili
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Real Estate Developer Mike Potoker Left US$10,000 for St. John’s; Family Held Memorial on Municipal Pier and Placencia Caye
Potoker’s daughters Ansley and Rachee Potoker along with Mike’s brother Avi, present check to school principal, Stephen Whyte. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
account where it can generate interest, which will be Contributing Writer used to sustain the computer muzamanzie@gmail.com lab, said Whyte. Also in Former marina developer attendance at the check preMike Potoker, who suc- sentation on Feb. 17 were cumbed to a long battle Mr. Potoker’s former wife, with cancer in May 2012 Sara Potoker, his friend and at age 58, continued his stepfather of his daughters, legacy of generosity to the Tom Consentino and close Placencia community with friend Nick Lypps. a gift of US$10,000, which he left in his will for St. Following the presentation John’s Memorial Anglican the principal took the PotokPrimary School. While in er family on a personal tour Placencia to attend a spe- of the school visiting classcial memorial for Potoker, rooms from the pre-school daughters of Mr. Potoker, level to Standard Six. 16-year-old Ansley and 12year-old Rachee along with Just a week prior, friends Potoker’s brother Steve and family of the Potokers “Avi” Potoker presented the held a memorial ceremony check to the school princi- at the new Placencia Municipal Pier located just across pal, Stephen Whyte. his development at PlacenPrincipal Whyte told the cia Caye. Over 60 people Potoker family that he in- gathered at the pier to honor tends to use US$5,000 to his life. Michael Potoker equip the school with a new first arrived in Belize in computer lab complete with 1973 and immediately fell internet access. The remain- in love with the country ing funds will be deposited and people, but he was most into the school’s savings enamored with the PlacenBy Marion Carr
cia Village community. He returned again and again often on his sailboat and in 1994 he purchased property on Placencia Caye where he started developing The Placencia Yacht Club. Guests at Potoker’s memorial walk across Placencia Caye
Mr. Potoker’s vision for on “Pirate Mike’s Trail,” a tribute to his vision of the Placencia Caye was the Placencia Yacht Club. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
Mike’s daughters scatter their father’s ashes into the sea. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
development of an eco-friendly marina development. While he made significant progress on the development before he passed, Potoker made sure to leave existing mangrove trees encircling the island, undisturbed. Celebrating the life and achievements of Mr. Potoker were enlightening and touching speeches presented by Mr. Potoker’s brother, his former wife, his daughters and close friends Nick Lypps, Former Belize Minister of Tourism and developer Henry
Young and Palm Reef Re- into the sea from the dock sort developer Carlton Wat- at Tranquilo. son. Following the speeches, Mr. Potoker’s daughters The family left the followscattered their father’s ashes ing message for residents of the Placencia Peninsula: over the sea. “We brought Mike “Home.” Guests were ferried over His soul has always been in to Placencia Caye to view Belize, where the land and Mr. Potoker’s memorial the people took his heart! “Pirate’s Trail,” a nature Thank you from all The walkway that was originally Potokers.” ▪ envisioned by Mr. Potoker. The trail is a raised walkway The Placencia BTIA sends that spans across the island condolences to grieving friends and families of and over the mangroves. those recently lost in our The memorial celebration community: concluded at the island’s Tranquilo Bar where family Aldrick Westby and friends enjoyed refresh- Juan Pau ments and reminisced about Adrian Vernon Mr. Potoker. The Potoker Lorraine Cabral daughters took this time to May their lives be scatter his remaining ashes be celebrated forever.
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Addiction Awareness Network of Belize Hosts Community Workshops By Jackie Armstrong Contributing Writer springforth2freedom@gmail.com
Addiction Awareness Network of Belize (AANB) held presentations all day on Feb. 24 and half-day on February 25 on addictions affecting people living in Belize. The workshops, which jump-started the newly formed organizations’ pilot project on the Peninsula, addressed a gamut of addictions including alcohol, narcotics, gambling, tobacco and sex. Mike Znachko from Hilton Head, South Carolina, United States, volunteered his time to provide training and facilitate a discussion about the nature and impacts of addiction. Znachko has been setting up addiction programs at the Belize Central Prison in Hattieville Village since 2004. During the first full-day session, Znachko presented to several professionals from Placencia and its outlying regions, training them on how to best help people struggling with substance abuse. Znachko shifted his angle during the second half-day session, speaking to people from the community on the same subject. During this session, he also spent time explaining codependency.
Mike Znachko who has been setting up addiction programs at the Belize Central Prison since 2004, speaks to participants in AANB’s workshop. (NICOLE HARVALIK)
questionnaire • Do you want help with a drinking problem? questionnaire • Is Al-Anon for you? (for families, teens and friends of alcoholics) questionnaire • What is codependency? • Genogram: A family tree to look at the generational patterns • Intervention Procedures • The 12 Steps of AA Based on evaluations conducted on • The 12 Traditions of AA both days, it was discovered that people are interested in more of Sponsors of the AANB workshops these kinds of workshops and are included Mosquito Coast Ice, Indeseeking assistance on how they can pendence Polyclinic, St. John’s Mego about finding services that can morial Anglican Primary School, help them with addiction including: the Placencia Village Council, where to go, what to do, how to do Purple Space Monkey, Rumfish y it, and why they should help people Vino, Turtle Inn, Pilgrim’s Grill, mired in addiction. Dr. Alexis Cabellro, Jaguar Lanes, Casa Placencia, Wendy’s RestauSpecific topics (and quizzes) Znach- rant and Bar, D’ Tatch Restaurant ko covered at the AANB’s work- and Bar, Karl Lovell, Mark Gray, shops included the following: Skip Weaver, Chabil Mar, Ben Kim of Esoteric Photograhy and two • What is addiction? private individuals. • The Addiction Tree (roots and consequences of addictions) AA/NA Meetings • The truth about alcohol & other (Alcoholics & Drug Addicts) drugs quiz Placencia Village: • Deciding if you are an alcoholic Friday, 5:30 pm, Health Clinic
Sunday, 9:30 am, Health Clinic Contact: Jackie A. 620-2848 Seine Bight Village: Wednesday, 12:30 pm, Yellow house outside under the mango tree, $10.00 lunch Contact: Steve C. 610-1399 Al-Anon/Nar-Anon Meetings: (family & friends of alcholics and drug addicts) Saturday, 5:45, Health Clinic, Placencia Village Contact: Lyra S., 664-8699 About the Addictions Awarness Network of Belize: This recently-formed group of concerned residents of Placencia Peninsula is a pilot project striving to raise awareness about addictions. We are passionate about and devoted to making a difference to the communities, families, and people who struggle with addictions (alcohol, drugs, gambling, tobacco, sex, and codependency). Purpose: 1. Educate the community, families and those struggling with addiction
2. Public outreach 3. Raise consciousness 4. Break the stigma and shame of addictions Vision: 1. To become a Not-For-Profit Organization 2. An outreach and drop-in center for those struggling with addictions and their families a. Clean & sober (over 1 year) members of the community will be available to talk to struggling alcoholics & addicts b. Individual, group, couple, & family counselling c. 12-step meetings (AA, NA, AlAnon, Al-Ateen, Nar-Anon) d. Community outreach e. Presentations to students, the workplace, the community, groups 3. Proposed monthly workshops: a. Families & addiction b. School Students & addiction c. Community members & addiction d. General population & addictions e. Negative effects of illegal drug use f. Negative effects of excessive use Continued on page 25
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Rotary’s Grand Auction at Tipsy, a Successful Fundraiser live auction and a raffle. In the live auction segment, professional Contributing Writer/Rotarian auctioneer Bill Butcher added much maretha_mccullock@yahoo.com fun to the evening. And for those not Normally held during the Placencia familiar with how a silent auction Sidewalk Arts & Music Festival, works, participants bid on items this year the Placencia Rotary Club by writing their bid on a sheet of chose to hold their sixth annual auc- paper. The person who pledges the tion at the Tipsy Tuna just a week largest sum of cash on the sheet of before the festival on Saturday, Feb. paper at the auction’s closing, wins 8. The change to hold the grand the item. Rotary Club of Placencia Auction on its own worked very well for All of the items featured in the the active community organization. Rotary Club of Placencia Auction Attendance was very high and many are donated. This year broke a tourists and Peninsula residents record for most items ever donated in the event’s six-year history. Just were bidding on items. about every single business on the The successful fundraising event Peninsula, as well as many private encompassed a silent auction, a citizens contributed something. By Maretha McCullock
AANB Hosts Workshops on Addiction Continued from Page 24 g. Negative effects of smoking & using tobacco h. Negative effects of gambling i. Negative effects of sex addiction j. Spirituality & addictions A wish-list: 1. Detox Center 2. Treatment Center
These donations included jewelry, bar tabs, hotel stays, wines, rums, many snorkeling trips, zip lining trips, kite sailing adventures, horseback riding experiences, massages and so much more. The Rotary Club of Placencia Auction is the organization’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds benefit the club’s summer reading program, scholarship program, repairs to St. John’s Memorial Anglican Primary School Children’s Library, services for senior citizens and dictionary distribution program which supports Standard II students in Placencia, Seine Bight, Monkey River and Independence villages.
Members of the Rotary Club of Placencia thank Gillian and Salva of the Rotary Club of Placencia for sponsoring the venue and extend much gratitude as well to the people and business who donated items to the auction and everyone who attended and participated in the auction. Rotary recognizes all volunteers who lend a helping hand including Placencia Rotarians, visiting Rotarians and spouses of Rotarians. Organizers say that successfully planning and executing the auction takes hard work and could not have been possible without the help of many hands. They have already started to plan next year’s event.▪
Kazandra Berrie to Represent St. John’s in District Level Spelling Bee Standard Five student Kazandra Berrie will be representing St. John’s Anglican Memorial Primary School in the Coca Cola National Spelling Bee Competition at the Stann Creek zone level in Dangriga. Berrie advances to the competition after placing second at the zone eliminations in Independence Village where she represented St. John’s along with fellow classmate Apolinaria Coc.
After gliding through the first few rounds of the competition in Independence spelling every word Contact: correctly, Berrie went head to Jackie Armstrong, B.S.W. (Bach- head with the one lone competitor elor Degree of Social Work) remaining in the final round batVolunteer Addictions Counsellor/ tling challenging words from the Student & Family Support Coun- infamous “Reserve List.” Berrie sellor from Western Canada – now placed second after failing to spell living in Placencia Village, Belize “ascesis” and “nociceptor.” The www.addictionbelize.org first place winner spelled “abysmal” contact@addictionbelize.org incorrectly, but lucked out with (501) 620-2848 ▪ “solitaire.” Both Berrie and the first place winner from Independence
St. John’s Apolinaria Coc (Left) and Cazandra Berrie (Right) have proven themselves to be the school’s top spellers. (WENDY LEMUS)
will be traveling to Dangriga. No one from Placencia has ever advanced to the distict finals. St. John’s Principal Stephen Whyte
praised the performance of both Coc and Berrie at the Independence eliminations. He said he is confident Berrie will do well in Dangriga. ▪
Rotary Club of Wasilla, Alaska Old Monkey Meets New Monkey! Supports Peninsula Senior Citizens Food Basket Program By Maretha McCullock Contributing Writer/Rotarian maretha_mccullock@yahoo.com
For many years, the Rotary Club of Placencia holds a luncheon every May for senior citizens living on the Placencia Peninsula. Recently, however, the community organization has also been distributing special food baskets during the Christmas time to disadvantaged elders.
tion’s bicycle safety program. After taking some time to explore how he could be more of more assistance to the community in Placencia, he presented the Christmas food basket program to Rotarians in Alaska.
On Feb. 11, Reimer handed over a generous check from the Rotary Club of Wasilla, Alaska made to the Rotary Club of Placencia. According to Placencia Rotarians, the donation will help with making sure that every senior in need receives a Rotary Club of Wasilla, Alaska food basket during the 2014 Christthrough a specially connected Ro- mas season. tarian, has decided to support this Placencia Rotarians say that outcause. reach efforts such as Reimer’s are Wasilla, Alaska Rotarian Andy very exemplary of the way Rotary Reimer visits Placencia twice a works worldwide. Want to join Royear. He is a frequent guest at Ro- tary? Rotary meets every Tuesday tary meetings and assists with any at 12:30 p.m. at Yoli’s Bar located project during his stay. In 2013 he in Bakadeer area of Placencia Vilworked very hard on the organiza- lage.▪
Former owner of the Purple Space Monkey Restaurant, Marilyn Beckstead poses with current business partner, Chef Rick LaBonte. (NORA MYERS)
Excitement took over when news spread that first Purple Space Monkey owner, Marilyn Beckstead was visiting Placencia. Beckstead’s many friends held a big reunion at the new Purple Space Monkey, which was created by Nick Symons and is currently managed by John
Howarth and Chef Richard LaBonte. The “Two Monkeys” gave Beckstead a tour of the new kitchen and served her tasty meals. Beckstead currently resides and operates a business in Mexico. The Monkey suffered one of the village’s worst fires during her tenure with Jake.▪
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STUDENT OF THE MONTH Every month, the Placencia BTIA recognises one child from each classroom of the respective primary schools on the Placencia Peninsula. The students’ names are supplied by the teachers of each class. A child may be recognised by the following: Academic Achievement, Good Behaviour, Improved Grades or Behaviour, Being helpful to others, Standing out among their peers, or any other reason the teacher may deem worthy. The Placencia BTIA produces a Certificate of Recognition for each student which is signed by the Principal of the School, Teacher of Classroom and PTC’s Director. During presentations of these awards, students are called up one by one in front of the entire school to receive their certificate. Teachers often make it a bit of a mystery, giving clues at the assembly. It makes it exciting for students to guess the name of their classmate being awarded. The student recognition program brings awareness within the classroom and to the entire school, to motivate other students to work hard and receive such recognition.
ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL (LOWER DIVISION) September 2013: Preschool AM: Giada Glenn; Preschool PM: Peder Cabral; Inf I: Shayan Westby; Inf II: Luke Vellos; Std. I: Cianna Garbutt; Std. II: Joselyn Salazar; Std. II: Christian Nunez; Std. III: Keyla Oviedo October 2013: Preschool AM: Carissa Cano; Preschool PM: Krystal Trejo; Inf I: Giselle Burgess; Inf II: Brett Leslie; Std. I: Judah Leslie; Gabrielle Vernon; Std. II: Galvin Palacio; Std. III: Thaheid Eiley November 2013: Inf I: Jayah Ferrel; Inf II: Christopher Glenn; Std. I: Edwin Westby; Std. II: Sheline Gillett; Std. II: Demera Neal; Std. III: Alexandra Garcia
ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL (UPPER DIVISION) September 2013: Std. IV: Melissa Augustine; Std: V: Brady Vellos; Std. VI: Aliyah Hernandez October 2013: Std. IV: Brian Nunez; Std: V: Emonie Rowland; Std. VI: Jonathan Gonzalez November 2013: Std. IV: Keanna Leslie; Std: V: Blanca Osegueda; Std. VI: Lawrie Girard
See page 31 for St. Alphonsus Winners!
The Added Touch is also the distributor of Heavenly Belize and Flavors of Belize!
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Kids Art Calendar Lady Reports Good Sales for St. John’s By Ewa Grabowski
Breeze Contributing Writer ewabelize@yahoo.com
-- Ewa Grawbowski is a longtime landowner in Placencia Village who visits every February to handle her business affairs and to spearhead her annual fundraiser for St. John’s Memorial Primary School at the Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival. Grabowski has been working with school children in the village since the festival’s inception to create calendars that are sold during the event. This year she also decided to add magnets to the fundraising initiative. (If you know Ewa, you know she takes this thing pretty darn seriously!) Wow! This year – our 11th – we broke all records! We had a fantastic new project of bright coloured fridge magnets. Miss Wanda brought stencils of all sorts of animals. The kids did an incredible job of colouring them. After getting the artwork laminated and a magnet attached, they were ready! We had 200 pieces, and they all sold during the festival. We also had some incredible art calendars, drawn by the kids featuring many scenes from underwater to Mayan temples. During the festival, we sold for $1,291. Adding presales we ended up with $1,400! We also held a silent auction. Young artists Alina and Geon donated their art work. (Geon contributed three pieces.) We also auctioned ice coffees from Above Grounds, pizzas from Purple Space Monkey, a t-shirt from One World Gift Shop, a cooler and jug from Atlantic Bank, coloured pencils from Jeff, and 16 monthly calendars from our workshop. The auction itself raised $346 for the pre-school.
Many thanks to Print Belize Belmopan who gave us a special discount for printing the calendars, cutting the paper needed for the calendar and for donatings all sorts of scrap paper. Thanks to Dawn Pollard of Dawn’s Grill n Go and One World Rentals for allowing us to work with the kids on their outdoor tables before the festival. (Tutti Frutti’s ice cream definitely made clean up easier.) Thanks to the festival or- Ewa Grabowki has spent the past 11 years helping children create personalized art calendars ganizers, the Pla- for the annual Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY) cencia BTIA, for If you would like to support St. Hope that everyone enjoyed this accommodating us at our usual spot in front of the John’s Memorial School please year’s Placencia Sidewalk Arts and contact Principal Stephen Whyte Music Festival. Help our kids be school. at st.johns_memorial@yahoo. creative.▪ I would like to thank my Mother com. Any materials being sent Mrs. Grabowski, Barb and Jack, to the school should be marked Kathy and Dianne for the donations “educational materials” to save to get all materials and the calendars on paying large duty on this end. One of the things that is imposprinted. sible to get here are fluorescent gel pens. Lastly, I would like to thank the volunteers who helped with the festival: Miss Wanda, who stayed dur- This creates very bright small ing the full two days of the event to drawings, which are usually done help me; Liria Burgess who gave up by the younger children. We can a full day of driving her cab during get pencils, but not good markthis busy time and was great with ers, etc. selling in the hot sun, Ginney and Ramona although their children are attending a different school, Laura and Nori for the clean-up help; Irma Coleman who quietly sharpened all the pencils and made sure the kids were occupied; Kit who gave some drawing tips, Bob the Canadian who helped to build up the booth, and teachers Sabal, Lovie, Torres, Westby, Doyla, Linarez, Tracy and Mr. James, who gave up their free days to help and to bring tables and supplies to the booth.
First, we would like to thank all the children who created the art work and for coming out to the festival. Without them, we wouldn’t have the Also thanks to little Amy who was art calendars and magnets to sell. with us through the process almost Second, we would like to thank St. everyday. John’s Memorial Anglican Primary School Principal Stephen Whyte Anyone who would like to buy a and teachers for their help in getting calendar to support the school can art work for the calendars and for purchase calendars for just BZ$5 go at Above Grounds Coffee Shop. their help at the festival. 100% of proceeds benefit the fundraiser.
The Placencia Breeze ǁ March 2014 ǁ Page 28
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PLACENCIA PENINSULA GUIDE
PAID LISTINGS. TO ADVERTISE CALL 523-4045 OR E-MAIL INFO@PLACENCIA.COM
ACCOMMODATIONS South of Airstrip
One World Rentals: Eight beautiful, comfortable and immaculate studios and apartments around an attractive courtyard . Cable TV, free wireless internet access, air-conditioning, fully equipped kitchen, private bathroom, fully screened, hammocks. Located in the heart of Placencia (behind the “Rumfish” restaurant) close to the beach, shopping and restaurants. www.oneworldplacencia.com. Contact Swiss owner Claudia Hardegger at 523.3103 or 620.9975. Email: oneworldplacencia@yahoo.com. MC, VISA accepted. Rates from US$49 plus tax. 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:info@belize123. com 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 011501-523-3112, E-mail: Ranguana@btl.net website: www.ranguanabelize.com
Tarpon Caye Belize: Offers a unique experience in quality service. Our island sits
in the middle of the Victoria. Snorkel the rich, vibrant fringe reef the island sits on; the famous Gladden Spit Whale Shark zone 6 miles away; dive sites are nearby; largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere only 6 miles away...or simply relax with a cold drink in your hand and enjoy the cool Caribbean sea breeze lapping on your skin. We have 3 cabins that can accommodate 6 comfortably. More information: 501-523-3323 – info@tarponcaye.com – www.tarponcaye.com – Facebook: facebook.com/tarponcaye
The North Beach: Offers luxury suites in our sea view villa with full kitchens, living
areas and configurations from one to five bedrooms. Each suite has air conditioning, ceiling fans, cable t.v. & phone. Located north end of the sidewalk-walking distance to services. The perfect spot to enjoy Placencia Village. Contact us at phone 523 -3207, e-mail info@thenorthbeach.com. or visit www.thenorthbeach.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: trdewndpla@btl.net North of Airstrip: Barnacle Bill’s Beach Bungalows: Two bungalows in Maya Beach. Full kitchen, queen bed, sleeper sofa, h/w, fans, Wi-Fi, comp. kayaks and bikes. Contact: taylors@btl.net. 533-8110. www.barnaclebills-belize.com. Green Parrot Beach Houses: Maya Beach: 6 mahogany beach houses, loft
Tarpon Caye Belize: Offers a unique experience, not only in quality service, but
also from our island’s geographic location – sits in the middle of the Victoria – snorkel the rich and vibrant fringe reef the island sits on; the famous Gladden Spit Whale Shark zone 6 miles away; dive sites are nearby; largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere only 6 miles away...or simply relax with a cold drink in your hand on a private island and enjoy the cool Caribbean sea breeze lapping on your skin. We have 3 cabins that can accommodate 6 comfortably. More information: 501-523-3323 – info@tarponcaye. com – www.tarponcaye.com – Facebook: facebook.com/tarponcaye
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: whipraycaye@yahoo.com, WEB: www. whipraycayelodge.com
DINING South of Airstrip De’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: wendylemus02@hotmail.com
The Purple Space Monkey Bar & Grill: Offering sandwiches, fresh salads, seafood and imported steaks, pastas, full dinners and homemade desserts. Draft beer and extensive cocktail list. Don’t be a stranger. Come say hi to the monkey : ) Call: 523-3169
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: greenparot@btl.net
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!
bedrooms, fold out sofa, kitchenette & bath on main floor. 2 bay leaf thatch cabanas w/ garden showers & private beach. Tel/FAX: 523-2488; E-mail: greenparrot@btl.net; Website: www.greenparrot-belize.com
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.
Miller’s Landing: Natural Belizean cabanas, lush tropical gardens, clean secluded beach, pool & thatch bar, P. 523-3010 or millersplacencia@yahoo.com
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.
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 bicycles. Miniature golf course located on the landscaped grounds. Daily tours, snorkeling & diving trips and other excursions arranged. www.larubeya.com. info@larubeya.com. Tel: 523-3476 & Fax: 523-3483 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: info@singingsands. com 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, info@robertsgrove.com. 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.
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 info@singingsands.com. 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. Tarpon Caye Belize’s Pesky Permit Restaurant: Enjoy generous portions of fresh seafood including lobster, conch, shrimp or freshly caught fish. Local Belizean meals are also on the menu. Whipray Caye Lodge: See accommodation for info about our restaurant and bar.
CHEERS - Peninsula Bars Barefoot Bar: Open every day 11:30 am - midnight! Located on the Beach - the party never stops! Live music Thurs - Sun nights. Happy hour, lunch hour beer specials, largest drink menu around, full moon parties & more! Creative lunch/dinner specials. Barefoot Bar is all about 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
The Placencia Breeze ǁ March 2014 ǁ Page 29
Sidewalk Comes Alive at Annual Arts & Music Fest Continued from Front Page With blue, sunny skies throughout the entire twoday event, visitors of all ages took short breaks during their sidewalk stroll to enjoy live performances at the entertainment tent. Belizean entertainment icon Ozzy the Clown engaged children with funny and educational skits injected with humor that also kept adult companions in their seats. “My kids really enjoyed, Ozzy,” said Ginny Holding of Placencia Village who spends most of her free time with her children. “I really hope he’s here for other event on the Peninsula.” Saxophonist Bilal SunniAli who divides his time between New Orleans and Punta Gorda Town in Toledo, beckoned jazz enthusiasts. Belizean Punta Rock legends Pen Cayetano and Belize Music Ambassador Titiman Flores channeled their true sound with minimal sound system and equipment. Emmeth Young and the Talla Walla Vibration Band from Gales Point and Punta Gorda mesmerized first-time listeners with their energetic and sensational drumming rhythms. And when the multi-talented Ras Nafti from the Drums Not Guns movement in Belize City joined forces with Talla Walla, the group created sweet bossa nova tunes. Popular performers from the Placencia Village nightlife scene also contributed their musical talents at the entertainment tent. Frank Tate of The Untouchables and Zyon Fyah performed his favorite reggae selections on keyboard while vocalists Karl Lovell and Amira De Moya, brought their smooth lounge sound to the evening hours. Some visitors were sure to stay until the very end of the festival just to catch a riveting fire dancing show after sunset by Fyah Gyal, Frankenfire and surprise guest Mar the butterfly girl from Cayo. The annual event is organized by the Placencia chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association. Major sponsors of this eleventh edition were the Belize Tourism Board, Turtle Inn, Tipsy Tuna and Belikin beer. Festival t-shirt spon-
sors included Chabil Mar, Tipsy Tuna, Splash, Barefoot Bar, The Purple Space Monkey, The Street Feet Lounge and Night Club, Rumfish y Vino, Turtle Inn, the Placencia Photo Captions: First Column, Top to Bottom: Volunteer Fire Department, Bud and Betsy Valian in Sup- (1) Titiman Flores and Pen Cayetano captured music lovers port of the Arts and Car Rental of Placencia. at the entertainment tent. (2) Newlyweds, Danny and Rita The festival also received logistical assistance from the Placencia Village Council, Charo’s Bar and Grill and A Piece of Belize Wood Carving. Volunteering during the weekend were Jacki Tipton, Barbara Hall, Aline Habib, Tiffany Logan, Nashely Vargas, Augaie, Deb, Lynn and Sue. Donating entertainers were Fyah Gyal and Mar - the butterfly girl. (Thank you!) ▪
Burks of Tipsy Tuna visiting stall at A Piece of Belize Wood Carving (3) Edgar Oromon and Jonnell Augustine take a quick break from volunteering for a photo (4) Govindo impressed with his unique calabash jewelry. Second Column, Top to Bottom: (1) First-time festival entertainer Ozzy the Clown makes goofy face after painting child’s face; (2) Couple happy with their purchase of Walter Castillo prints. (3) Eddie Sierra poses with his first stab at painting. (MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
The Placencia Breeze ǁ March 2014 ǁ Page 30
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PLACENCIA PENINSULA GUIDE
PAID LISTINGS. TO ADVERTISE CALL 523-4045 OR E-MAIL INFO@PLACENCIA.COM
Tarpon Caye Belize’s Iguana Rock Bar: Out on a tour on the waters? Wish you could simply stop somewhere and take a break and enjoy an ice cold tropical drink? Then stop by at our cozy thatched bar that overlooks the beautiful Caribbean Sea.
COFFEE Above Grounds Coffee: Tel: 634 3212. Shaded Cool Spot.
Supporting Small Independent 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, 8am-Noon.
SHOPPING ArtnSoul Gallery: On the sidewalk near the new pier. Best Belizean art featuring over 40 artists. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. P. 503-3088. 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. 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 wallensmarket@yahoo.com Serving the Peninsula for over 25 years!! Located across from the sport field.
TOUR PROVIDERS: Avadon Divers: Dive into Belize w/ our full service PADI Dive Centre in Placencia, just south of the airstrip. We have 5-Star all-inclusive packages for dive & snorkel trips that include new SCUBAPRO equipment. Our spacious 46’ Newton Dive Special Boat features a restroom & fresh water shower. Our Instructors teach scuba for kids from ages 8 to 80 ☺, advanced courses & dive pro levels. We also offer jungle, cave & Mayan ruin adventure tours. E-mail: anne-marie@avadondiversbelize.com. Website: www.avadondiversbelize.com Call us at 503- 3577 or 523-3577. 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 info@singingsands.com
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 patricia@splashbelize.com. See www. splashbelize.com for more info. Tarpon Caye Belize: We offer professional day fishing tours, experience our unique tours such as our Caribbean Splash Day Tour and Island Breeze Weekends.
Trip N Travel: Saltwater & Jungle Adventures. P. 523-3205 Email: lgodfrey@btl. net. Located on Main Street & Bruk Pat in Placencia Office Supply.
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.
Sandhill Ltd.: Sales and rentals of kayaks, pedal boats, golf carts. Rentals by hour, daily or weekly. Telephone 523-3061 or 533-4017 for more information. Email info@silbelize.com. Website www.silbelize.com 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 info@singingsands. com.
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: jenjira01@yahoo. com - 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 fivestar 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: lea@robertsgrove.com or call us at 523-3565
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 cbelize@btl.net Placencia Lighthouse Worship Center: Sunday School at 9 a.m. Services at
7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays.
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. .
SERVICES
Transport Services:
Tony’s Gym/Belize Fit: We have a small CrossFit Gym. By appointment only.
De Express Boat: P. 626-8835. Departs Placencia Shell Dock- 9:30 a.m. Arrives Big
www.belizefit.com Phone: 631-7427
Placencia Office Supply: INTERNET, Printing, Stationary, SMART – GimmeDalla, Sales, Collections. P. 523-3205 or plaofficesupply@gmail.com Muzamanzie Photography: Contact us for wedding photographs, portraits, web & brochure images. P. 523-3563 or 603-5143 email: muzamanzie@yahoo.com
REAL ESTATE: 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 visit our office next to Tuttifrutti or call us at 672-9000 or visit: www.belizeproperty.com
Sandhill Ltd.: Property and vacation rental management services customized to fit homeowners requirements. Rental homes available for short and long term lease. Telephone 523-3061 or 533-4017 for more information. Email info@silbelize.com. Website www.silbelize.com
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. Tel: 523-4045. Tickets available at the Placencia Tourism Center for BZ$120.
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). Independence/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: 6 a.m.; 7 a.m.; 12:45 p.m.; 2:30 p.m. Sundays: 7 a .m.; 2:30 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 Saturday: 6:15 a.m. Express Bus: Belize City—> Belmopan —> Placencia: Monday thru Saturday: 3:30 p.m,Visit: 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. Tropic Air: P. 523-3410 Maya Island Air: P. 523-3472
The Placencia Breeze ǁ March 2014 ǁ Page 31
PLACENCIA PENINSULA GUIDE
PAID LISTINGS. TO ADVERTISE CALL 523-4045 OR E-MAIL INFO@PLACENCIA.COM
Taxis/Delivery Services:
Mr. Clark: 621-1031 Noel: 600-6047 Christon: 629-4307 Walter: 622-3194 Bailey: 636-7863 Keylone: 668-9395 Mr. Linarez: 607-2518 Liria: 623-4836 Choko: 632-0980 Rain or Shine Delivery: 666-1555 Brittney Gibson Delivery: 651-8393
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: 523-4036 Placencia Sanitation: 523-3273 Placencia Post Office: 523-3104 Seine Bight Village Council: 523-3660 Seine Bight Water Board: 523-3554 U.S. Warden, Stann Creek Rural: Deborah Coston, 624-6483
HEALTH EMERGENCIES: Belize Emergency Response Team: 223-3292 Placencia Medical Center: 503-3326 HEALTH EMERGENCIES: Seine Bight Medical Center: 523-3328 Independence Med. Center: 523-2167 POLICE: Placencia Police Station: 503-3142 Seine Bight Police Station: 503-3148 Maya Beach Police Station: 634-7051 Placencia Tourism Police: 503-3181 FIRE EMERGENCIES: 626-0667 EMERGENCY TIP! Keep gasoline handy for your motor vehicle if you need to head out to the Southern Dangriga Hospital. It can save a life in the middle of the night when local gas stations are closed and no one can assist you!
STUDENT OF THE MONTH ST. ALPHONSUS R.C. PRIMARY SCHOOL OCTOBER 2013: Pre-School Williams (4 yrs): Ibemei Martinez; Pre-school Lopez (4yrs): Nalijah O’ Brien Inf I C: Relene Vasquez; Inf. II S: Javier Ramirez; Std. I R: Jerome Matura; Std. II R: Shanya Slusher; Std. II R: Davis Joseph; Std. III G: Janay Wade; Std. IV A: Royisha Mena; Std. IV P: Cinlio Chun; Std. V M: Jadon Foreman; Std. V J: Keron Augustine; Std. VI C: Angie Valerio NOVEMBER 2013: Pre-school Williams (3 yrs): PJ Palacio; Pre-school Lopez (4 yrs): Leneyah Palacio; Pre-school Williams (4 yrs): Nirisi Martinez; Inf. I W: Kymoralee Estephan; Inf. I C: Kimart Zuniga; Inf. II S: Iwani Marin; Std. I R: K. Lopez; Std. I M: Tarsha Ramos; Std. II R: Fritz Ramirez; Std. III G: Shyana Augustine; Std. IV A: Nestor Teul; Std. IV P: Raymond Gonzalez; Std. V M: Denisha Augustine; Std. VI C: Venisha Cruz; Std. VI R: Marsha Moreira
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