Peninsula News Briefs

By JOLIE POLLARD

Tipsy Tuna Bartender Wins Mixology Competition; Takes on Next Challenge in Havana!

In late August, Nancy Rodriguez of Tipsy Tuna Seaside and Sports Bar left Belize to compete in the Pan American Cocktail Competition held in Havana, Cuba shortly after placing second in the first National Bartenders Cup held by the Belize Bartenders Association. Rodriguez joins first place winner Stacy Avila of the Lazy Lizard Bar in Caye Caulker at the event. Rodriguez has been quickly advancing her way in the world of mixology. She won the annual Old Master Rum Punch Competition at the 2018 Placencia Lobsterfest. Congrats, Nancy! ▪

Nancy Rodriguez preparing to represent Belize in Havana, Cuba at the Pan American Cocktail Competition.

Belize Bartenders Association

Kirwin and Friends Give Just Under 100 Seine Bight Kids Free Back-to-School Haircuts!

On Saturday, Sept. 1, Seine Bight Village community activists Kirwin Ramirez and JoseMaria Aleman and friends gave 85 boys and 13 girls free hair cuts just in time for the new school year that started on Monday, Sept. 3. Volunteers included Darnell Major, Jose Maria Aleman, Allana Castillo, Marsha Guzman, Shannon Augustine, Wilfred Delgado, Darwin McCloughlin and New Level Barber Shop from Hopkins Village. In addition to hair cuts, some kids were also treated to a hairwash. Kirwin Ramirez, who was featured in our August issue and who recently made waves on social media with his YouTube music video, "Giving Up is Not an Option," is currently raising funds to produce a music album to promote positive social change. ▪

Darnell Major was one of seven Seine Bight barbers who donated his time to the effort. Many women also assisted.

KIRWIN RAMIREZ

Bubba Wubba's Win First Flying Pig Wiffle Ball Tournament, a Placencia Sidewalk Fundraiser

A total of eight teams comprised of 40 players competed in The Flying Pig's first Wiffle Ball Tournament on the Placencia Village sports field. Bubba Wubba's placed first, Ranguana Caye, second and The Flying Pig, third. According to Patrick Gonzalve of The Flying Pig, the event raised close to BZ$3,000 for the Placencia Village Council's ongoing road sidewalk project. About 50 people came out to watch the sports match that is a variation of baseball. Gonzalve said he is planning to organize another Wiffle Ball Tournament before the next year comes around. ▪

Team Bubba Wubba's are Wiffle Ball Tourny Champs.

MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHS

The Flying Pig bartender, Sheldon Duncan, strikes the ball.

MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHS

Belize Women's Volleyball Team Vacation in Placencia Village

On Aug. 18, shortly after winning the silver medal in a highly emotional 2018 XX Central American Women’s Volleyball Championship in Belize City, the Belize National Volleyball Team took advantage of some R&R at the Ellysian Hotel where they still found the energy to play a friendly beach game with Placencia villagers. ▪

THE ELLYSIAN