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March Reef Week Breeze Exclusive: Marine Conservation Poster Sends Obvious Message to Public See story on page 7 and see page 5 for more on this issue's Reef Week-themed Breeze Flag!
“The Peninsula Newspaper” Established 1999 A Placencia BTIA Publication
March 2015 FREE COPY!
Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek, Belize
Artists Showcase Best at Arts Fest
By JOLIE POLLARD
Nearly 50 artists flocked to the Placencia Village sidewalk during Valentine’s weekend to showcase their talents to over 1,000 visitors. Held during the Peninsula’s busiest month of the year, the annual Sidewalk Arts Festival continues to be a memorable occasion for the entire community. “I’m glad I decided to make it this year,” said Erwin Chan, a
23-year-old painter from Bullet Tree Falls village in the Cayo district. For the last four years Chan has been sending his artwork to the Festival with friends. “It’s really nice to see how beautiful this place is. I enjoy the beach atmosphere,” he said. Most importantly, Chan returned home with money in his pocket. By early afternoon on the first day of the
continued on page 13
Kelvin Baizar stands next to one of his popular wildlife paintings under his tent at the 12th Annual Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival. Baizar was one of many artists reporting successful sales at the event organized by the Placencia BTIA. (Marion Carr/MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
Ride Tiger to India
Find Peace at BB Yoga Flow See story on page 11. Proprietor of popular local gelateria, Tiziana De Col, unwinds from her busy week at Tutti Frutti during BB Yoga Flow's Therapeutic Yoga class led by certified yoga instructor Agnes Baljawejder-Busch. (KLAUS BUSCH)
If
y you could travel to India in 15 minutes, would you do it?
See story on page 10. A rickshaw, available for pick ups and drop offs, is parked outside Placencia's new Indian restaurant. (Ben Kim/ESOTERIC VISION PHOTOGRAPHY)
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 2
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INSIDE March 2015 Page 5: Introducing our March 2015 Flag Contributor Page 5: Flaming Heart Ball Lights Up on March 7 Page 7: Marine Conservation Poster Sends Obvious Message to Public Page 8: Ride Tiger to India Page 9: Placencia Village Fills First Port Inspector Post Page 11: Find Peace at BB Yoga Flow
The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 3
Page 19: Giving Lupus a Back Seat Page 21: End of the World Marathon Funds More Rotary Scholars Page 23: Students of the Month Page 25: Placencia Police Enforce Bicycle Laws Page 27: Rotary Reports Most Successful Auction Fundraiser in Six Years Page 28: Students Raise Over One Thousand Dollars for Primary School at Sidewalk Arts Fest Page 30: Placencia Peninsula Guide Page 31: Placencia Peninsula Guide
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PENINSULA HAPPENINGS FESTIVALS • LOCAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINTMENT • GAMES • FOOD/DRINK
Courtesy of the Placencia BTIA
WHEN SATURDAY MARCH 7
LOCATION TIPSY TUNA (Placencia)
EVENT Support the Peninsula Volunteer Fire Department at the annual Flaming Heart Ball! Enjoy live music, great raffle prizes and food at the Tipsy Tuna outdoor deck. Starts at 5 p.m.
SATURDAY MARCH 14 MONDAYS
PICKLED PARROT (Placencia) Pickled Parrot (Placencia)
RAISE THE ROOF PARTY! Celebrating new thatch roof & introducing new menu and drink specialties! Win prizes! P. 636-7068 MURDER MYSTERY MONDAY! (Last Monday of every month.) Starts at 6 p.m. P. 636-7068
Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
MARTINI MONDAY! Martini specials and live music with Karl Lovell, 6-10 p.m.! P. 523-3089 Rotary Club of Placencia meets at 12:30 p.m. P. 625-2763. TRAVELLER’S TUESDAY! Specials on Traveller’s rum drinks. Live Reggae Starts! 5pm-close. P. 523-3515 MOJITOS & MUSIC! Mojito specials all day and Live Caribbean style music with Tropical Vibes, 5-10 p.m. P. 523-3089 WET WEDNESDAY! Specials on featured beer & $1 off all other beers! Fun & Funky Jam Session at 5 p.m.. Open Mic -- Visiting musicians welcome! WINGS WEDNESDAY! $1 Wings ALL DAY! Get ‘em Naked, Hot, Sweet-N-Spicy, Buffalo, Honey BBQ or Ginger Sesame! P. 523-3089. GARIFUNA DRUMMING 7-9 p.m. P. 523-3089 DIRTY THURSDAY! 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tell a dirty joke and get the shot of the day for free! P. 523-3515 TRIVIA THURSDAY! 6 p.m. Prizes and free jello shots! P. 636-7068
TUESDAYS
Yoli’s Bar (Placencia) Barefoot Bar Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
WEDNESDAYS
Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
THURSDAYS
Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Pickled Parrot (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
FRIDAYS
Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
SATURDAYS
Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Pickled Parrot (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia)
SUNDAYS
EVERYDAY
J-Dee’s Restaurant & Bar (Placencia) Robert’s Grove (Seine Bight) Habanero’s Mexican Café and Bar (Seine Bight) Yoli’s Bar (Placencia) Barefoot Bar (Placencia) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) Belize Ocean Club (Maya Beach) Habanero’s Mexican Café & Bar (Seine Bight) Robert’s Grove (Seine Bight) Quarter Deck Restaurant at Laru Beya Resort (Seine Bight) Tipsy Tuna (Placencia) Barefoot Bar (Placencia)
TIPSY THURSDAY! Karaoke with Karl Lovell, FREE Jello Shots and Dancing in the Aquarium with DJ Swagg in our sports bar, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.! P. 523-3089 BITTER ABOUT YOUR WEEK? $1 Local Bitters ALL DAY LONG! “They good fi dih back!” P. 523-3515 MARGARITA MADNESS! Margarita Specials all day! FREE Zumba Dance Party with Yoli, 7-9 p.m! Barefoot Horseshoe Tournament at 4 p.m. Cash + Bar Tab Prizes. P. 523-3515; Live Rock + Alternative + Reggae music, 5-9 p.m. P. 523-3515 LIVE MUSIC! 6 p.m. Alternating performances by Hot Papaya and Open Mic guests. P. 636-7068 Signature drink specials all day! Live Band, The Persuaders, playing great beach music 7 p.m. - midnight! Karaoke 8 p.m. to midnight. P. 503-3351 Poolside Beach BBQ Buffet, 7-9 p.m. Live entertainment. P. 523-3565 for dinner pickups. 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, 2-8 p.m. Beach BBQ. P. 523-3515 SEASIDE SUNDAY!! DJ & Specials on all Buckets of Beers all day!! Sunday Pool Parties! Party DJ, great food and drinks! 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 BEST Happy Hour Specials, 5-7 pm! Check out our daily featured drink and featured shot! Rush Hour 10-11 pm with 2 for 1 local rum! Kitchen is now open until 11:30 p.m! Happy Hour 5-6 p.m. $2 OFF Local Rum Drinks including Coladas and Daiquiris. P. 523-3515
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 4
Visit issuu.com/theplacenciabreeze or www.facebook.com/ThePlacenciaBreeze THANK YOU FOR PICKING UP THE PLACENCIA BREEZE! PUBLISHER: The Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (Placencia BTIA) DISTRIBUTION: The Placencia Breeze is available free of charge at the Placencia Tourism Center, Maya Island Air, guesthouses, restaurants and bars, gift shops, banks and other businesses on the Placencia Peninsula. The Placencia Breeze has a print circulation of 2,000, as well as a large online web audience. EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jolie Pollard VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHERS: Marion and Ed Carr of Muzamanzie Photography --ADVERTISING OFFICERS: Cindy Weller and Jonnell Augustine PRINTER: Norman’s Printing, Belize City, Belize The Placencia Breeze The Placencia Tourism Center, Placencia Village, Stann Creek, Belize. Phone: 523- 4045; E-mail: accounts@placencia.com --PLACENCIA BTIA BOARD: Evan Hall, Chairman Steve Christensen, Vice Chairman David Vernon, Treasurer Salva Zabaneh, Councilor Ilsa Villanueva, Councilor Kristine Small, Councilor Cleeve Westby, Councilor
Where in the World is The Placencia Breeze?
Thanks to Annelise Hagan for taking The Placencia Breeze to Barbados! Hagan's sister Clarissa poses with our January-February 2015 issue in front of a Belizean's home on the Eastern Caribbean island. Have you taken the Breeze off the Peninsula? Send us your photo, so we can see how far she blows! ▪
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 5
Introducing our March 2015 Flag Contributor
Giancarlo Vega of Placencia Village letter cutouts were inspired by our is the designer of our March issue previous design contributed by “Reef Week”themed banner. Vega, Stephanie Wandke. Vega used the who is employed as an underwater scene of an Information Technoloacroporid ecosystem gy Technician at Boris painted by local artist Mannsfeld and AssociAnton Leslie that is disates, recently started his played in the recently own company called, printed Fragments of “New Designs.” Hope educational posters (See page seven.). ConUpon a call for artwork tact Vega for your design needs at for the March 2015 flag, Vega quickgiancarlo@newdesigns.info or call ly took on the task and drew on scuba him at +(501) 670-1645. ▪ diving for inspiration. The BREEZE
Flaming Heart Ball Lights Up on March 7 The largest fundraising event for the Peninsula Volunteer Fire Department is coming up on Saturday, March 7 at Tipsy Tuna. The fun starts at 5 p.m. with live music, food and raffle prizes. Tickets can be purchased at the Tipsy Tuna, Wallen’s Market, the Placencia Tourism Center and from individual firefighters and participating Rotarians. Prices for tickets are BZ$60 per couple and BZ$35 per single person.▪
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 6
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Island destination near Placencia Village is seeking experienced and dedicated employees to fill the following vacancies: General Manager Assistant Manager Financial Manager Human Resource Manager Marine Operations Manager Hospitality Supervisor Operations and Maintenance Supervisor Chief of Security Guest Services Manager Sales Manager All applicants should e-mail or post mail an application letter detailing the specific post for which they are applying including a recent CV with contact details and past work experience to:
employment@harvestcaye.com OR #35 New Road Belize City, Belize DEADLINE: APRIL 3, 2015
Selected candidates will be notified within six weeks after deadline.
Debbie (Little Bit) Gabor has the solution to your Real Estate needs!
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 7
Marine Conservation Poster Sends Obvious Message to Public By Jolie Pollard Breeze Editor pollard.jolie@ gmail.com
Reef Week is being held from March 9 to 15, and activities have been scheduled countrywide. The annual coral reef awareness campaign in Belize will be celebrated this year under the theme “Celebrate Our Heritage. Protect Our Future. Belief in the Reef.” It’s a time that brings much pause for reflection around the country and in the Placencia Peninsula community where the Belize Barrier Reef has built the local economy through its fishing and tourism industries. No one can deny the many benefits the reef has given the Peninsula throughout the years. However, not all are aware of the dangers that those same industries that have benefitted from its nourishment for marine life and its captivating beauty for visitors, can pose to its health and longevity under the Caribbean Sea. More timely than ever, as modern-day capitalist pirates from near and far fight to plunder the gold that lies within the Placencia Peninsula and its surrounding lagoon, islands and corals, Fragments of Hope is finally making great headway with sounding out the message to the community at large about the importance of the fragile reef. “More Corals = More Fish” reads the bold headline above a striking painting of an acroporid coral ecosystem by Placencia artist Anton Leslie in an educational poster promoting the mission of Fragments of Hope. Thanks to support from the Inter-Development Bank’s Coral Reef Restoration Program who contracted Fragments of Hope in 2014, the Placencia Village-based not-forprofit organization was able to print 500 posters and launch nationwide distribution. Posters are already being prominently displayed at several places on the Peninsula including high traffic businesses, non-profits and schools. Posters were also given to the Philip Goldson International Airport, educational institutions, as well as the marine reserve offices of the Belize Fisheries Department. A few are also being displayed at NGOs and schools in Jamaica and Miami, Florida in the United States. “I worked with Anton for several months, and took him to the nurs-
Anton Leslie’s artwork commissioned by Fragments of Hope has become an important tool for spreading the message to protect the Belize Barrier Reef including the critically endangered acroporid corals that nurse vital ecosystems and commercially important species in Belize such as the Caribbean spiny lobster. (LISA CARNE)
eries and Laughingbird Caye and gave him many photos of the species that needed to be featured in the artwork,” explained Lisa Carne, the conservationist and marine biologist who founded Fragments of Hope. Carne said she thought Leslie was the best person to complete the commissioned work for her organization. “He has excellent skills and has completed beautiful murals in large formats and has an expert way of capturing the tiniest details in all his work,” she said. “He is also Belizean, which was very important to me,” she added. The poster has been become so popular on the Placencia Peninsula that many visitors have requested a copy to take home. “I’m sorry, but the posters are not for sale,” stated Carne. The largest international marine conservation group in the world, OCEANA, has invited Fragments of Hope to deliver a presentation during Reef Week on March 11 to students from Belize City and Belmopan. Carne says some lucky students will be receiving posters and will be learning about the reef ecosystem, ecosystem services and value, threats and the restoration work being carried out by Fragments of Hope. On March 13 students from Independence Junior College will be taking a field trip to the Frag-
on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, that it was also important for the scene to reflect the beauty of the Barrier Reef and give credence to its desigThe most prominent colorful crea- nation as a World Heritage Site. ture in Leslie’s commissioned artwork featured in the Fragments of The passionate biologist stated that Hope poster is the protected par- acroporids, like all coral species, rot fish, which is an important al- face several threats including ungae grazer assisting with the reef’s regulated mass tourism or what she health. Three species of acroporid calls “the danger of loving somecorals are also pronounced in the thing to death,” as well as pollution, painting as these are the corals be- sewage, coastal development (seding nursery-reared and out-planted imentation) and over harvesting of to the reef. These corals are a fa- related commercial species. She vourite playground for the commer- also recognized that many experts cially important Caribbean spiny have agreed that climate change is lobster, as well as snappers, grunts the most critical threat as higher and the juvenile yellow tail dasme- temperatures cause coral bleaching fish that is a pleasurable sight for and diseases, and frequent and inmany snorkelers because of its elec- tense hurricanes. tric blue spots. Fragments of Hope While many acroporid corals have Founder Lisa Carne says the scene fallen fatal victims to higher temhighlights the many species that peratures, Carne said that the ones thrive within the acroporid corals at the Fragments of Hope nurseries and shows how the interdependence growing near Laughing Bird Caye of these creatures demonstrates the and out-planted there appear to have need for humans to protect the ena higher temperature tolerance. She tire ecosystem. says this gives her hope in their “This painting can be an import- long-term survival as she continues ant tool for educators,” said Carne. her work with other stakeholders “They can project many stories on committed to protect the reef. the different species featured as The Inter-American Development well as the overall reef.” Carne said Bank has played a key role in this in addition to highlighting the acroconservation initiative by contractporid corals that were the first to be identified as Critically Endangered continued on page 12 ments of Hope nurseries out at Laughing Bird Caye and will also be receiving posters and sitting in on an educational presentation.
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Ride Tiger to India
The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 8
can Confederates brought to Belize in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By Jolie Pollard
If
Breeze Editor pollard.jolie@ gmail.com
you could travel to India in 15 minutes would you do it? Well, I can tell you that there is this strip of land in Belize called the Placencia Peninsula where incredible things are possible, especially for foodies on the hunt for culinary ecstasy. Frankie Gagliano first arrived on the Placencia Peninsula by boat on the Heron H in 1969 and has called it home ever since. He has dipped and dunked his hands in a diversified line of businesses throughout his Belizean experience, but it became quickly apparent to me that his new Indian restaurant located in the Surfside community in Seine Bight Village is his biggest pride and joy. Opened in November 2014, Tiger Beach Club was an instant hit for people residing in the central part of the Peninsula, but for simple folks like me living comfortably within the small convenient space of Placencia Village at the southernmost point, it takes some convincing to travel that far up the road for good eating.
Soft inviting hues of orange and red glowed like a persimmon candle in the Surfside darkness on a Friday night. I walked into the open establishment, which was filled with fresh sea breeze blowing in from shore just a few yards away and the fragrant smell of exotic cuisine. My eyes quickly caught the magnificent portraits of people and scenes of India displayed on the walls, and they later drifted around the room to take in the stunning tapestry and incredibly detailed décor accents celebrating both ancient and pop Indian culture. Bitaz, a handsome and polite Garifuna waiter seated me, which quickly reminded me that I was in Seine Bight territory and pleased me with a sense of authenticity. The Motown music playing in the background also hinted at the fun cultural dynamics of the Peninsula. Before I had a chance to engage with the owner and friends around our table, an old friend Nazrul Islam from Bangladesh, India excitedly greeted me. Islam had previously and single-handedly operated a small Indian restaurant in Hopkins Village that been destroyed by fire. Inflicted with the same soft spot like my mother for a rich and fascinating heritage from which we were somewhat disconnected, I had tried to help him find a place in Placencia Village, but to no avail. Here at Tiger Beach Club he has found a new beginning and was happy to be working in a place that felt like home. He said he was also thrilled to be working for a committed business owner and under a five-star Indian chef impressively knowledgeable with the nation’s many regional dishes.
Finally a week after Valentine’s Day and with Frankie’s good graces, I decided to make the 15-minute journey by vehicle with my mother in tow to what is a novel addition to the Peninsula’s vibrant food scene. It’s usually tough getting mom out of the village during the week, but anything India is a soft spot for her being the granddaughter of an indentured Indian labourer who was one of many the British and Ameri- Decked out in full chef regalia, head
Chef Daljeet Singh prepares fresh naan at the tandoori oven inside Tiger Beach Club. Singh previously worked as a head chef at a prestigious hotel in Mumbai before taking the post in Surfside. (Ben Kim/ESOTERIC VISION PHOTOGRAPHY)
chef Daljeet Singh was working at a traditional tandoori oven right in the dining room. I interviewed him in between breaks from savouring every sip of my refreshing Tiger Mojito that was prepared with one of Tiger's own crafted liquers, which include lemongrass, ginger, Indian pepper, caffe’ and vanilla. Chef Daljeet is a native of Uttarakhand in northern India, but has spent most of his 38 years working 16-hour days in busy kitchens all over his homeland and as a head
chef at luxury five-star properties in several countries including Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Malta in the Mediterranean. Frankie admits that he – and Belize for that matter – is very fortunate to have Chef Daljeet join the local restaurant scene. I couldn’t agree more. It was love at first bite of the best samosa I have ever tried, and I was completely floored with a continued on page 10
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 9
Placencia Village Fills First Port Inspector Post
By Kayla Flowers Contributing Writer kaylaflowers936@yahoo.com
colorful kiosks located on the new pier, Muschamp takes charge of licensing and registration of vessels, licensing for boat captains, state control of vessels with passengers aboard and regulating the process of foreign vessels entering Belize through this location.
ed with these things that could affect our industries,” she said. As for Muschamp, he says he is taking his job seriously and would like the public to know that he is responsible for enforcing the laws for the safety and protection of every passenger on board any vessel docking in the Placencia area. For concerns not under Muscamp’s jurisdiction such as immigration, the Port Authority Inspector said that those officers visit the Placencia Municipal Pier to meet with boaters. In some instances he accompanies the vessels to Independence to address issues that cannot be resolved in Placencia Village.
“It was absolutely necessary for us to get a port inspector here,” said Placencia Village Councilor Lloydia Westby-Caballero who led the effort to create the post with the lobbying support of forFor boaters who dock at other mer United Democratic marinas on the Peninsula, MusParty Standard Bearchamp said that they are responer Melvin Hulse. “We sible for paying his taxi fare to are a fishing and tour- New Port Authority Inspector for the Placencia Peninsula, inspect their vessels at their loism village with many Deon Muschamp, stands inside his kiosk office perched on cation if they cannot dock at the boats traveling around the Municipal Pier. (MARION CARR/MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY) Placencia Municipal Pier. our Peninsula, so we duras unloading unregulated prorealized that we needed Muschamp’s working hours are 8 to have an inspector here every day duce at the Placencia pier before a.m. to 5 p.m. (12 – 1 p.m. lunch heading over for inspection in Indebreak) on Mondays through FriPlacencia Village resident Deon of the week,” she said. pendence Village. “We won’t have Muschamp is the first to take the Caballero says she recalls boats that happening anymore. There are days. ▪ role. Inside his station at one of the traveling from Guatamela and Hon- risks and health concerns associatNautical tourism has been steadily growing on the Placencia Peninsula as the destination becomes more popular. While boaters have enjoyed docking at the Placencia Village harbor and now at several different marinas in the area, for a long time they suffered one inconvenience: All boaters were required to check in at the industrial port in Independence Village before continuing their cruise to the Peninsula. Since Nov. 10, 2014, however, that has changed with the creation of a new Port Authority Inspector post stationed full-time at the Placencia Municipal Pier.
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Ride Tiger to India continued from page 8 food orgasm throughout my entire dining experience trying perfectly spiced and pickled vegetables, delicious variations of naan and a spicy lamb dish that took me to the moon and stars! It was an otherworldy selection of dishes prepared with the intoxcating flavors of star anise, cardamom, cumin, gloves, licorice, mint, fenugreek, curry, turmeric, pomegranate seeds, ground chilies, Indian bay cashew and fennel seeds. No wonder in less than a week my mother was back for a second helping with her friends from Belize City. In addition to his expert skills in tandoori preparations of Indian cuisine, what makes Chef Daljeet’s food even more special is his purist approach to high quality ingredients. At Tiger Beach Club, Frankie has been planting fresh herbs and several Indian peppers – one of which gave a perfectly spicy kick to my mojito. Over 30 different spices, many of which were procured from a food import company in Belize with connections to India, line the shelves behind the chef’s tandoori station. “He creates his own spice
The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 10
blends. He refuses to use any premade mixes,” said Frankie. “This is why I think he is so cool,” he added. Having served many international diners throughout his career, Chef Daljeet is very accommodating to people with different tastes. “Sometimes people have this perception that Indian food is all hot, but there are many options here that cater to people who prefer mild food,” said Frankie. “Not all spicy food is hot.” Canadian chef, Jeff Saunders and his wife Kate Cox were just finishing their dinner when I arrived at Tiger. “We love Indian food, and we’ve had it all over Canada where there is a large Indian population,” said Chef Saunders. “But we were just blown away by the food here. This is outstanding. This is world class,” he said.
with their chef. Animated, friendly and genuine, Chef Daljeet said Belize has been an experience like no other. “It’s the most relaxed place where I’ve ever worked,” he said with an endearing laugh, “But I enjoy it.” ▪
Tiger Beach Club is open every day from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call It took a lot for Frankie to recruit 628-1250. Chef Daljeet for this venture. Top photo: In addition to a large Through the assistance of an Indidining area, Tiger Beach Club also an consulate in Belize, he met with boasts a hip bar serving an assortseveral prospects in India before ment of cocktails. Below: Chef Shafi Shah, the food and beverage Daljeet Singh only uses high quality manager of the prestigious Taj spices in his cooking. Land’s End Hotel in Mumbai, India (Ben Kim/ESOTERIC VISION arranged an interview for Frankie PHOTOGRAPHY)
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 11
Find Peace at BB Yoga Flow adjustment.
By Jolie Pollard
H
Breeze Editor pollard.jolie@ gmail.com
aving a relatively laidback atmosphere and many quiet spots along its paradisiacal 16-mile stretch, the Placencia Peninsula easily embraces those who want to relax. That experience, however, can be significantly elevated in a small studio tucked within the trees just south of the Placencia airstrip. In January 2012, Agnes Balawejder-Busch was the first person to institutionalize the world renowned activity of yoga on the Peninsula. Before she opened her popular BB Yoga Flow studio located at the Live Oak Plaza along the Placencia road, traveling yoga instructors would entertain yogis at the homes of welcoming friends. Now with a structured schedule led by a disciplined professional, those both serious and curious about yoga can take advantage of various levels offered throughout the work week in an intimate setting. For men and women who are flexibility challenged, a pleasing introduction to the lifestyle is at Agnes’ Therapeutic Yoga Workshop. Offered Tuesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. twice a month, this workshop takes the body into a state that is so relaxed, Agnes cautions her clients who are driving home. “It’s a job of the interior,” said Cristina Di Giammarco, an Italian massage therapist who owns The Healing Hands in Placencia Village. “Going inside can be an uncomfortable place, but when you get there, there is so much more.” There is a multitude of elements that make the Therapeutic Yoga Workshop effective. First, there is Agnes’ unmatched soothing and gentle voice combined with her endearing Eastern European accent that enhances all her classes. “Enjooooy the feeling of transformation,” she says slowly as her students lie on their mats breathing in the delicate scent of lavender oil in candlelight. “Picture flowaers blosssssoming in the roooom.” Second is the personalized attention she is able to give each student in her small studio that can fit just a maximum of 20 people comfortably. Leg off just a slight angle? In quick time, Agnes is at your side making the necessary
“She’s so patient with us,” said Jeanne Marechal, a retired Maya Beach resident who was participating in the workshop just a few months after a hip surgery. “She’s very careful about not pushing, and that’s really important,” she added. For fragile clients, Agnes is empathetic and understanding. Even though she can now stand on her hands, the instructor was able to overcome several hurdles with yoga including a herniated disc and problems with her knee and hips sustained throughout years as a ballet dancer in her native Poland, contemporary dancer during school years in Germany as well as during her subsequent corporate career as a lawyer. Some have even sought her assistance for one-on-one yoga therapy to address physical challenges with their bodies. In addition to her voice and keen intuitive awareness of each student’s challenges in the studio, Agnes’ long experience as a dedicated professional shows in her classes. Neatly stowed away in a back room, BB Yoga Flow Studio is stocked with blankets to add extra comfort, yoga mats, blocks, spray bottles and sponges for mat cleaning and soothing eye pillows. Since opening her studio, the instructor has continuously strived to offer each client a world class yoga experience, and Agnes Balawejder-Busch makes Tiziana De Col more comfortable during her Therapeutic Yoga session. People who attend her classes praise the extra attention classes start on time too. Before becoming a yoga instructor, Agnes who holds a PhD in law, had just been named a local partner at the Warsaw office of a German law firm where she specialized in corporate and employment law. However, due to an insatiable love of world travel and a penchant for the tropics she and her German husband made the decision to make a new and more relaxed life in Belize. While Tanzania was their preferred choice, a pregnancy curveball influenced their move to Placencia, Belize, which was the couple’s preferred destination to raise their child. “When I really want something, I make it happen,” said Agnes. Since her foray into yoga when she started her legal career in Germany and Poland in her late 20s, she has made major advancements in the practice. In 2014 she re-visited the prestigious White Lotus Foundation in Santa Barbara, California where she had first completed the 200-hours needed to become certified as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the U.S. based Yoga Al-
she gives to them in her intimate studio. (KLAUS BUSCH)
liance Registry. During her second stay at White Lotus, she completed a course in Therapeutic Yoga, which uses gentle and restorative, supported yoga postures, breath awareness and guided meditation. Upon her return to Placencia, she earnestly shared her new gleanings on the carefully designed and comprehensive system with clients at
her studio. Agnes will be seeking further training in August this year. She will be completing a one-month, 300-hour course at an ashram in India. “It will be my first trip to the birthplace of yoga, and I am totally excited about it,” she said. Accredited by Yoga continued on page 12
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Find Peace at BB YogaFlow
The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 12
continued from page 11
Guests take on a more challenging yoga session at BB Yoga Flow. The studio can fit a maximum of 20 people comfortably. (Ben Kim/ESOTERIC VISION PHOTOGRAPHY)
Agnes and two students giving acro and partner yoga a try, frame one of the Silk Cayes during a Caye Yoga Fun trip in September 2014 in partnership with Splash Dive Center. (JARKA TESNOROVA)
Alliance, the program in India will enable Agnes to advance towards her RYT 500-hour designation and subsequently her 500-hour-Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) designation. Currently Agnes is certified as 200-E-RYT, which recognizes yoga instructors who hold significant teaching experience having taught at least 1,000 hours of yoga. (Agnes has already taught over 1,500 hours since her first training.)
on her classes including Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Basic and Gentle Yoga. Also visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ bbyogaflow for updates including announcements of impressive guest yoga teachers. In February, Agnes hosted three special guests at BB Yoga Flow. After offering an “Introduction to Sivananda Yoga” class, certified Sivananda yoga teacher Jan Knight, started offering regular Sivananda classes twice a week.Pam Swanick, a certified Yoga and PiVisit her website at www.bbyogalates instructor and owner of Yoga flow.com for more information
Agnes performs a yoga pose with her son, Leo, at Lubaantun Mayan temple in Toledo, Belize. While she had considered moving to other countries before ending her successful career as a lawyer in Eastern Europe, she said she chose Placencia for the best interest of her child. (KLAUS BUSCH)
4 Life Studio in New Hampshire, treated yogis to a special Power Yoga class, and Priya, a bhakti yogini from New York City who
sings with the popular Krishna Das’ Cosmic Kirtan Posse, led an invigorating devotional mantra chanting session.▪
Happy Birthday, Agnes! From your friends at the Placencia BTIA.
Marine Conser vation Poster Sends Obvious Message to Public continued from page 7 ing Fragments of Hope under their Coral Restoration Program, which assisted with the recent poster printing and distribution. The successful coral reef restoration work at Laughingbird Caye has been supported by multiple organizations since 2006. Funders have included the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, World Wildlife Fund (since 2009) and the World Bank. ▪
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Artists Showcase Best at Arts Fest
continued from front page festival Chan had already sold a number of pieces, including a 30” x 30” painting of a Creole girl valued at BZ$700. Repeat vendor Kelvin Baizar from Belmopan was pleased with the "more buyers-versus-lookers” turnout at his tent. Baizar’s travel expenses were quickly covered when he sold a BZ$2,000 painting of a scarlet macaw on his first day. Baizar said that in 2014 he received more exposure than business, but he considered that sufficient reason to return. “Every year just gets better and better for me,” said young jewellery designer Khadija Assales of Placencia Village, whose lionfish earrings were her most popular seller. Even though her stand was located immediately next to that of another jeweller specializing in stones and crystals, there was a pleasant camaraderie between them. “I love being out with all the artists,” said the young owner of Crystal Magic who goes by the name “More.” “It’s nice that we can all come together collectively in harmony,” she added.
The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 13
a custom bracelet. “People always compliment me on my jewellery back home,” said the retired American who has attended the arts fest three times and has developed a cherished collection of handcrafted jewelry and other art purchased at the festival. “People back home always ask me where I bought my pieces because they are so unique,” While the Seine Bight-based artist was unable to represent her work at the event, Lola Delgado's popular paintings were on sale again at the Arts Festival after a she said. long hiatus. (Marion Carr/MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
The Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival, founded by a group of Peninsula art enthusiasts in 2003, is now organized by the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (PBTIA) who took over coordination of the event in 2010. Membership Officer and Event Coordinator of the PBTIA Jonnell Augustine said she was pleased with the turnout. “It’s been going really, really well. It’s so good to see people come together to enjoy arts and Mali Cayetano who is known in Belize for her educational children's books on music. Just the beach, the sand, the Garifuna culture painted young faces under her family tent where she joined her sun – everything is wonderful to- father, Punta Rock artist Pen Cayetano and her mother Ingrid. day,” she said while taking a quick (Marion Carr/MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY) break from selling t-shirts. to the Placencia Village CounIn addition to collecting fees from cil refreshment bar. On Saturparticipating artists along the side- day, the PBTIA debuted the first walk, the PBTIA fundraiser also poetry segment at the festival depends on the sale of its official in honour of popular Belizean event t-shirts. According to PBTIA poet Carrie Fairweather-BelBusiness Manager Cindy Weller, grave, who served on the planthis year the PBTIA decided to ning committee of the first Arts place a tall order with print designer Fest. While only three poets Dolphin Productions of Belize City. participated this year including “Everyone was raving about Yolie Bob the Poet and Jolie Pollard Brown’s artwork for the shirt, and of Placencia Village and Sean we had to be prepared for the large Taegar of Belize City, onlookdemand,” she said. By Sunday the ers were impressed with the PBTIA had already sold over 300 Prominent artist Carolyn Carr poses shirts.
The positive vibes permeating the popular event is a reflection of the general atmosphere on the Peninsula, and it’s what keeps people coming back again and again. “Not only do we love the weather,” said Nora and Grant Locke who were escaping the cold winter in Minneapolis, Minnesota and were enjoying their sixth visit to the Peninsula, “We love the people too.” While ennext to her portrait of a Creole girl joying the music by the Panerrifix While people browsed and shopped sleeping inside one of the common Steel Drum band at the entertainalong the sidewalk, talented per- public buses. (Marion Carr/ ment tent on Sunday, Mrs. Locke forming artists filled in the live MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY) waited for a jeweller to complete entertainment slots on stage next continued on page 14
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 14
Artists Showcase Best at Arts Fest continued from page 13 powerful deliveries on stage. “As word spreads we definitely see this becoming another signature attraction at our event in the future,” said Augustine. Visitors especially enjoyed the cultural presentations on stage by Punta Rock artists Pen Cayetano and Titiman Flores. Several were lured to rhythmic dancing by the hypnotizing drumming performed by Emmeth Young and the Talla Walla Vibration Band. “That was so much fun!” said Robin Teijani, a figure ice skating coach who joined a group of ladies moving their hips on the sandy dance floor during the riveting performance on Sunday afternoon. By late Sunday evening as artists
Left: Placencia resident, Deborah Vernon gleams while posing next to a portrait of a jaguar she had just purchased from artist, Kelvin Baizar. Above: Visitor browses art at The Outlet Youth Center stall. (Marion Carr/MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
gathered their belongings and headed home, visitors packed the local bars and restaurants. On Monday village life was back to normal with its beloved laidback atmosphere. The PBTIA in partnership with the Placencia Village Council is now getting ready for the next major community fundraising event – the Placencia Lobsterfest – to take place on the June 19, 20 and 21, 2015 in Placencia Village. ▪ Left: Punta Rock artists Titiman Flores and Pen Cayetano played for visitors along the sidewalk. The artists along with others including Emmeth Young and the Talla Walla Vibration Band, Frank of Tropical Vibes and poets also performed on stage. (Marion Carr/MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
Light Feast – An Excerpt By Sean Taegar Participating poet at the 2015 Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival. continued on page 26
The Added Touch is also the distributor of Heavenly Belize and Flavors of Belize!
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ 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 courtesy of Placencia Communication! We’re located on the main street, across from Scotia bank just behind Re/Max.
From North of Placencia Airstrip to Riversdale Bunches of Fun Banana Farm Tours Lost Reef Beachfront Suites
From Placencia Water Tower to Airstrip Barefoot Services
Platinum Designs
Tropic Air & Maya Island Air Placencia Airstrip
RFG Insurance
Distance from Maya Beach to the Placencia Hotel area measures approx. 2.5 miles. Ocean’s Edge Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro
Jaguar Lanes
Green Parrot Beach Houses
Los Porticos
Joyce & Frank’s Bed & Breakfast
Barnacle Bill’s Beach Bungalows Singing Sands Inn
Turtle Inn
Splash Dive Center Chabil Mar
Cocoplum Vacation Rentals Cocoplum Resort Community The Villas at Cocoplum Mission Bay Christian Retreat The Maine Stay Cordy’s Beach Cottages Goss Chocolate Palmtree Designs Lola’s Art
Blue Crab Beach House Bahia Laguna Beach Suites Nautical Inn Seine Bight Village
Robert’s Grove Beach Resort Laru Beya Villas Miller’s Landing Wild Orchid Properties
The Flying Pig Casa Nettuno
Quality Products At a Quality Job For a Quality Price! Good News!! We are carrying Intex Pools & Toys! Remember Pool business is our only business! Ph: 652-0891 Fx: 523-3371 plislandpoolsupply@yahoo.com Mon-Fri 8-4; Sat 8-12 nn; Open during lunch! Placencia Village Road. Managers: Carlos and Sue
Visit the Placencia Tourism Center located behind Re/Max Property Center across the street from Scotiabank in Placencia Village for great souvenirs including our official festival merchandise! Open Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 16
PLACENCIA CHAPTER OF THE BELIZE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION 2015 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
Don’t see your listing? It is time to renew your membership or become a new member! Join the largest BTIA Chapter in Belize! Contact Placencia BTIA Membership Officer Jonnell Augustine at 523-4045 or accounts@placencia.com.
ACCOMMODATIONS A Belizean Nirvana belizeanirvana@gmail.com; 5233331 or 625-3301; Evan Hall Aqua Oasis dreawoody@gmail.com 623-3286 Arches /The gin7373@aol.com; 479-841-7970 or 623-3286; Ginny Clayton Barnacle Bill’s Beach Bungalows:taylors@btl.net; 5338110 or 602-7768 Bill & Adriane Taylor Belize Ocean Club reservations@belizeoceanclub. com; 533-4500 or 601-5602; Dan Beeman Blue Crab Beach Resort linnbluecrabbeach@gmail.com; 523-3544 or 523-3543; Kerry Goss & Linn Wilson Blue Garden House info@belizecottagerentals.com 207-326-9099; Costas & Sally Christ Capp’s Inn jbsmfowler@gmail.com 208-437-5740 Captain Jak’s Cabanas theluckyerin22@yahoo.com; 5233561 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
colibrihouse@gmail.com; 6050586; Stefano Ragagnin & Nicoletta Sala Dolce Cabana nharvalik@gmail.com;523-3095 or 605-0586; Nicole Harvalik/ Stefano Ragagnin Easy Living Apartments info@easylivingplacencia.com; 523-3481 or 523-3081 Veronique McKenzie Eloise’s Travel Lodge 503-3299; Sonia Leslie Flamboyant /The flamboyantplacencia@gmail. com;628-1143; Angie Markham Finca info@ctbelize.com; 523-3481 or 523-3081; Veronique McKenzie French Louie Caye kitty@frenchlouiecayebelize.com; 523-3228 or 610-3228; Kitty Fox 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; 523-3155 Hatchet Caye Resort* contact@hatchetcaye.com; 5334446 or 523-3337; Dasha Shivers Heaven’s Gate Beach Bungalow info@seasprayhotel.com; 5233148; Jodie Leslie
Casa Del Sol info@casadelsolbelize.com; 5233481 or 523-3081; Veronique McKenzie
Hideaway Caye hideawaycaye@yahoo.com; 6654069; Kimberly & Dustin Ingersoll
Casa Nettuno framdani.office@gmail.com; 6051648 Mariuccia Levoni
Jewel of Placencia info@jewelplacenciarental.com 523-3481 or 523-3081; Veronique McKenzie & Joe Garipoli
Casa Palma info@casapalmaplacencia.com 678-1089; Simone de Angelis
Joyce and Frank’s Beach House h2odanzer@aol.com; 629-4285 or 561-389-2550; Joyce Danz
Casa Placencia casaplacencia@live.com; 5033143 or 630-7811; Jacki Tipton
Laru Beya Villas* info@larubeya.com; 523-3476 or 523-3483; Ian McField
Chabil Mar Villas* information@chabilmarvillas. com; 523-3606 or 523-3611; Pierre Brisbois
Lydia’s Guest House lydias@btl.net; 523-3117 or 5233354; Lydia Villanueva
Coconut Cottage kwplacencia@yahoo.com; 5233234 or 609-4267; Kay Westby
Los Porticos Villas reservations@losporticosvillas. com; 523-3227 or 607-4448; Barry and Valerie Snowden
Cocoplum Vacation Rentals rentals@cocoplumbelize.net; 6237774; Aaron Krohn Colibri House
Lost Reef Resort* lostreef@xplornet.com; 610-0816; Lisa D’Amore Maine Stay /The drewtravers@gmail.com;
523-3507; Drew Travers Manatee Inn manateeinn@btl.net; 523-4083; Slavek Machacka Mariposa Beach Resort maddentine@gmail.com 610-4473 Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro* info@mayabeachhotel.com; 533-8040 or 627-4718; Ellen & John Lee Maya Lodge maya-lodge@hotmail.com; 6050586; Stefano Ragagnin & Lou McLeod Michelo Flats harbour21@gmail.com; 523-3519 or 626-2518; Michel Ardoullie
info@singingsands.com; 533-3022 or 520-8022; Maya Kramer Sunset Pointe Condos ewinche713@aol.com; 523-3314; Eric & Janis Winchester
HEALTH, FITNESS, SPAS & SALONS Tooth Fairy Dental Clinic toothfairyclinic@gmail.com; 503-3736 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
Three Iguanas Villa colibrihouse@gmail.com or 605-0586; Stefano Ragagnin & Joe Stark
NON-PROFIT ORGS Placencia Humane Society
Turtle Inn */** frontdesk@turtleinn.com; 523-3244; Martin Krediet
INSURANCE AGENTS RF&G Insurance, Ltd. kitty@frenchlouiecayebelize. com; 523-3228 or 610-3228; Kitty Fox
Tradewinds: trdewndpla@btl.net; 523-3122; Janice Leslie Villas at Cocoplum /The BMannsfeld@yahoo.com; 610-0294 or 628-6447; Boris Mannsfield or Erin Ivy
523-3185 or 604-8676 David Kafka, President
REAL ESTATE AGENTS Boris Mannsfeld & Associates info@RealBelizeEstate.com; 5233063 Boris Mannsfeld & Frik DeMeyere
Miller’s Landing* millersplacencia@yahoo.com Whipray Caye Lodge 523-3010 or 523-3011 whipraycaye@yahoo.com; 610Gary & Ann Miller 1068; Julian & Beverly Cabral
Cocoplum stewart@cocoplumbelize.net 610-1009; Stewart Krohn
Miramar Apartments info@miramarbelize.com; 5233658 or 523-3117 or 503-3095; Ilsa Villanueva
White Sand Villa eagleray33@gmail.com; 6619516 or 602-9315; Tricia Hernandez
CPC Real Estate Solution info@belizeproperty.com; 672-9000 Dan Dunbar & Michael Young
Mirasol Villa info@mirasolbelize.com; 523-3481 or 523-3081;Veronique McKenzie
Yellow Bella yellowbella@alice.it; 605-0586; Stefano Ragagnin
North Beach/ The debanddave@btl.net; 523-3207 Deborah & Dave Vernon Ocean’s Edge oceanedge@vl.videotron.ca; 514606-5582 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; 5233565 or 523-4367 Sea Glass Inn* brad_schofield@yahoo.com; 5233098; Brad & Christine Schofield 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 Singing Sands Inn*
Yellow House /The info@ctbelize.com; 523-3481or 523-3081;Veronique McKenzie ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW Courtenay Coye LLP acarr@courtneycoye.com; 5233282; Tiphany Gongora AUTO RENTALS Barefoot Services info@barefootservicesbelize.com; 523-3066 or 629-9602 Ian & Megs Yearwood Car Rental of Placencia powerscandy@hotmail.com; 5233284 or 662-7611; Candy Power CONSULTANTS Guild & Guild Consulting guildandguild@hotmail.com 523-3251 or 523-3291; Yvette Guild Barefoot Executive, Ltd. barefootexecutiveltd@gmail.com; 523-3291; Yvette Guild HEALTH, FITNESS, SPAS & SALONS BB Yoga Flow info@bbyogaflow.com; 631-7726; Agnes Balawejder-Busch Siripohn Thai Massage jenjira01@yahoo.com; 620-8718 or 600-0375; Siriporn Thakham Secret Garden Day Spa lee@secretgardenplacencia.com 523-3420/624-6096; Lee Nyhus
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; 610-3264;Patrick & Denise Callahan Wild Orchid Properties sales@wildorchidbelize.com; 5233392; Tom Hitchcock RESTAURANTS, BARS CAFÉS & ENTERTAINMENT Above Grounds Coffee keithgmorrison@gmail.com; 6343212; Keith Morrison Barefoot Bar barefootbarbz@gmail.com ; 523-3515; Cassie & Brice Dial Brewed Awakenings brewedawakeningsbelize@gmail. com; 635-5312; Ryan & Natalie Dixon Dawn’s Grill: grillngo@yahoo.com; 523-4079 or 602-9302; Dawn Pollard De’Tatch Seafood Grill & Barjodiejjyearwood@gmail.com, 503-3385 or 523-4035, Jodie Yearwood
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 17
RESTAURANTS, BARS CAFÉS & ENTERTAINMENT Dragon Fly Moon rongdi.chen@yahoo.com 523-3662; Amy Chen
SHOPPING & GENERAL PRODUCT & REPAIR Master Plumbing fredwalton53@yahoo.com; 669-1014; Dick Walton
PLACENCIA PENINSULA ANNUAL EVENTS
Fantoni’s Kitchen fantoniskitchen@gmail.com, 6304752 Cleeve Westby
MnM Hardware Placencia duncker@btl.net; 523-3517 or 523-3537; Dora Duncker
Flying Pig/ The theflyingpig.belize@gmail.com; 602-6391; Patrick Gonzalve
Mosquito Coast Trading Co. Ltd.: rjay@btl.net; 523-8141 or 610-1441;Ray Twanow
Jaguar Lanes jaguarlanes@yahoo.com; Scott May
Palmtree Designs muzamanzie@btl.net; 523-3563 or 603-5143; Marion & Ed Carr
J-Dee’s Restaurant & Bar info@jdeesplacencia.com; 503-3351; Daisy & Jeremy Leslie
Placencia Mini Storage celeste1001@live.com; 665-0800 Paul & Celeste Smith
Mango’s on Maya Beach mangosmayabeachplacencia@ yahoo.com; 533-8102 Frank DaSalva Pickled Parrot/ The adrianalynn37@gmail.com; 636-7068; Lynn and Eugene Upham Placencia Supper Club info@marcusperigo.com 636-5015; Marcus Perigo Rumfish y Vino rumfish@btl.net; 523-3293 or 6666934; Pamela & John Solomon Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar tipsytuna@hotmail.com; 5233089; Salva & Gillian Zabaneh Tuttifrutti Ice Cream Parlor tizy.lory@virgilio.it; Tiziana Del Col Yoli’s Bar regantrethewey@hotmail.com 625-2763; Yolanda Trethewey SCHOOLS (PIA) Peninsula International Academy peninsulaacademy.org; 631-7648; Selena Lucas SHOPPING & GENERAL PRODUCT & REPAIR
TOUR OPERATORS & TRAVEL AGENTS Splash Dive Center patricia@splashbelize.com ; 523-3058 or 610-0235 Patricia Ramirez Taste Belize tastebelize@gmail.com; 6648699; Lyra Spang Trip N Travel lgodfrey@btl.net; 523-3205 or 523-3205; Laura Godfrey INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Celeste, Donna bodie1949@yahoo.com Cohen, Howard & Karen howard.cohen@sunnybrook.ca; 622-6695
Platinum Designs hannah@sbplatinum.com; 610-0327; Hannah Cowell
Coston, Debbie debcoston@yahoo.com; 624-6483
Robert Nicolait & Assc. Ltd. info@watertreatmentbelize.com 523-3149; Lou Nicolait
Edwards, Dan & Kim thislldo.dan@gmail.com; 622-1656
Sunova Beach Gift Shop zabeyles@btl.net; 523-4060 Gillian Zabaneh TOUR OPERATORS, ADVENTURES & TRAVEL AGENTS Air Belize Skydiving skydive@airbelizeskydiving.com; 626-9189; Jeff Root & Teresa Rivers Belize Trips info@belize-trips. com; 610-1923; Katie Valk Bunches of Fun Banana Farm Tours bunchesoffuntours@gmail. com; 624-4297; Evin Zabaneh Cayequest Tours cayequest@gmail.com; Mark Leslie; 633-6330 or 664-8699 Daytripper Catamaran daytrippercatamaran@gmail.com; 666-3117
Dial, Mary Ann madialinbze@yahoo.com; 523-3209 Dusa, Lee & Gail gail@getdusa.com; 5233500 Fairs, Rick & Brigitte: ridgwood@telusplanet.net; 628-6533 Feldman, Babe & Karen cabf@jasarinc.com; 610-0356 Ford, David dfordassociates@gmail.com; 621-7587 Ferris, 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
Added Touch /The rrobin@btl.net;223-0054 or 223-1461; Robin McCutheon
Destinations Belize mtoy@destinationsbelize.com 523-4018 or 610-4718; Mary Toy
Art Affair Gallery/The jenari_13@yahoo.com 604-1906 ot 503-3206 Ernest Garcia & Jeanna Casey
Belize Tradewinds Cruise Club belize@tradewindscruiseclub. com; 523-3303; Melissa Rea
Hall, Susan McMillan-Hunter: sebelize@yahoo.com
Joy Tours joytour@btl.net; 523-3325; Hubert & Karen Young
Koster, Liliana lilianakoster@yahoo.com; 663-8630; 665-5779
Artful Dodger Sail & Canvas wmertensbelize@gmail.com; 5233625 Wini Mertens & Steve Lobban Cardelli (Shrimp) Farms Ltd. lact57@yahoo.com; 610-0480; Linda Thornton Doran’s Services takunchances@yahoo.com; 670-4130; Doran Yount Goss Chocolate linnbluecrabbeach@gmail.com 523-3544 or 523-3542 Kerry Goss & Linn Wilson Lola’s Art Gallery lolasartgallery@yahoo.com 523-3342/601-1913
Moorings/The mooringsbelize@btl.net 523-3351 or 604-2861 Renee Brown PlacenciaAdventures by Land or Sea placenciaadventures@yahoo. 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
Glessner, Virginia & Fox, Jay vivij@earthlink.com
Smith, Stan & Mary: stanmary@btl.net; 523-4306 Taylor, Rand Van Deurzen, John vandeurzen.bz@gmail.com; 662-0020 Taylor, Winston wftaylorii@yahoo.com; 623-7971 Witter, Madalon 622-3853 Wohl, Bill slipstop.ca@gmail.com; 601-5548
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. FEBRUARY Rotary Auction Bid on impressive donated items on Feb. 7, 2015. 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. Feb. 14-15, 2015 MARCH Flaming Heart Ball Featuring The Taste of the Peninsula: Sample a wide range of cuisine contributed by participating Peninsula restaurants & home cooks. Proceeds benefit the Placencia Volunteer Fire Department. March 7. 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. MAY Placencia Sailing Club Annual Regatta, May 23 & 24, 2015 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 19-20-21, 2015 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, 2015 Saltwater Fishing Tournament. SEPT. 19 & 20, 2015 Independence Day Carnival. SEPT. 21, 2015 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, 2015 DECEMBER Placencia Mistletoe Ball. End of the World Placencia Marathon and Half Marathon 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
$200.00
$500.00
Large 51+ employees $1,500.00
Please note some members offer additional services: *Restaurant **Tour Operator ***Property Rentals
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 18
A Belizean Nirvana 55-D4 Above Ground Coffee 18-C4 Artful Dodger Sail & Canvas 92-A2 Barefoot Bar 39-D3 Barefoot Services 9-D3 Belize Tradewinds Cruise Club 98-A2 Blue Garden House 88-E2 Boris Mannsfeld & Associates 97-C4 Brewed Awakenings 47-D2 Captain Jak’s Cabanas 52-D2 Caribbean Travel & Tours 8-D3 Casa Del Sol 76-F3 Casa Palma 56-E3 Casa Placencia 81-F2 Century21 BTAL 93-B4 Coconut Cottage 54-D4 Colibri House 55-E3 CPC Reality 43-C3 Destinations Belize 42-C4 Dolce Cabana 64-E2 Easy Living Apartments 57-C4 Eloise’s Guesthouse 58-C3 French Louie Caye 33-D3 George Cowdrey’s Guesthouse 89-E3 Dawn’s Grill 17-C3 Guild & Guild Consulting 10-F2 Harbor Hideaway 88-E1 Harry’s Cozy Cabanas 61-B3 Hatchet Caye 35-E5 Hatchet Caye Office 35-C1 J-Dees Restaurant & Bar 20-D3 Jewel of Placencia 27-C4 Joy Tours 44-C3 Julia’s Cabanas 62-E3 Leslie Tech Service 46-D3 Lydia’s Guesthouse 64-E3 Manatee Inn 65-F3 Maya Lodge 66-E2 Michelo Flats 67-F2 Miramar Apartments 68-E3 Mirasol Villa 69-C4 MnM Hardware Placencia 96-D3 One World Rental 70-C4 Paradise Vacation Resort 71-B3 Pickled Parrot Rest. & Bar 26-C3 Placencia Bazaar 7-D3 Placencia Yacht Club 34-A5 Property Pro Belize 43-C3 Quest for Adventures 47-F2 Ranguana Lodge 30-E3 Re/Max Property Center 39-D3 Rumfish y Vino 43-C3 Sea Glass Inn 56-B3 Seaspray Hotel 79-E3 Sea View Suites 63-C4 Secret Garden Day Spa 4-C3 Secret Garden Restaurant & Bar 24-C3 Silver Leaf 90-E2 Siripohn Thai Massage 8-D3 Southern Environmental Ass. 95-D3 Sunset Pointe Condos 40-A1 Splash Dive Center (Sales Office) 49-D2 Splash Main Office 19-C3 Sunova Boutique 46-D3 Tarpon Caye Lodge 45-E3 Tarpon Caye Main Office 46-D3.5 The Arches 86-E5 The Flamboyant 28-C4 The North Beach 73-E3 The Purple Space Monkey 41-C3 The Shak Beach Café 16-C4 The Yellow House 74-D3 The Village Inn 31-F3 Three Iguanas Villa 86-E2 Tipsy Tuna 40-D3 Tony’s Gym/Belize Fit 17-E3 Toucan Lulu 75-F3 Tree of Life 8-D3
Trip N Travel Tuttifrutti Ice Cream Parlor Whipray Caye Lodge White Sand Villa Yello Bella Yoli’s Bar
51-C4 43-C3 32-E5 82-C3 29-F2 21-B3
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 19
Giving Lupus a Back Seat ▫ Community volunteer in Placencia Village makes a difference in education despite a crippling disease.
By Jolie Pollard
she said. She says her marriage was abusive and her husband offered little support as she struggled with an unforeseen illness. “He called me lazy,” she said.
ed not long after her disease forced her to quit her job at the news station in Los Angeles. Anna says she was unable to stay home and do nothing while alimony and disability helped to sustain her and assist with medical bills, so she started her first volunteering gig helping a Black Catholic church in L.A. with their accounts payable and secretarial work.
during her boarding school years in Mexico. The chronic inflammatory disease struck again throwing another curve ball into Anna’s life. In 2012 a bad lupus flare up landed her in the emergency room again and forced her to leave her position at IMHOTEP Academy. It was at this point that her aunt, Carrie Fairweather-Belgrave, recommended that she visit Placencia Village and heal herself in the tropical environment and salt water. Fairweather-Belgrave, a popular Belizean poet who had run a travel agency in New York and operated a small hotel in Placencia Village with her family, had not long before moved to the village to fight pancreatic cancer.
Doctors at several prominent hospitals in California were unable to diagnose her properly, and in 1987 Anna finally discovered that she orn to a nursing pio- had been suffering with lupus after neer in Belize, 64-year- her first session with a doctor who old Anna Muslar says had just been awarded for a 20-year After a long time serving with the she grew up on a very research on the autoimmune dis- church, Anna then moved to Atlanhealthy diet. “My mother would ease. ta, Georgia in 2002 to support her make sure we eat lots of vegetadaughter who was about to have bles and make us wonderful fruit Unfortunately, the diagnosis did lit- her fifth child. Shortly after delivsmoothies,” she recalled. Also tle to prevent a near-death experi- ery, Anna quickly became primary ence in 1989 after a cold sent Anna the daughter of a Korean War veteran who spoke five languages, Anna was raised in a prominent and affluent Creole family – one that had in“My auntie gave me good door plumbing when few advice. The water healed didn’t. She fondly reme,” Anna said. After just members being the young a few months, Anna had girl who presented Prinmoved to Placencia intendcess Margaret with flowing to stay for good with ers and a curtsy in 1958 her adopted grandson from during the country’s coAtlanta in tow. Still carrying lonial years under British a vibrant spirit for volunrule. Perhaps life would teerism and teaching experihave panned out difference from IMHOTEP, Anna ently for Anna had she not quickly found herself volunmoved with her mother teering at St. John’s where to the United States just her 10-year-old grandson before Hurricane Hathad enrolled. tie struck Belize in 1961 and after her father had “I saw that the teachers passed. It’s possible that could use some help,” she she could have avoided said. “I couldn’t believe the many of the challenges student-teacher ratio of 30 to ahead, but one thing is for Lupus survivor Anna Muslar finds inspiration in her volunteer work with children in the Placencia 1. At IMHOTEP, you had 15 certain – this lupus sur- Village community. (JOLIE POLLARD) students in a class tops,” she vivor has courageously added. dealt with the cards life has hand- on life support. “The doctors told caretaker of her grandson while her ed to her and has admirably used my family that I only had about 30 daughter recovered from a difficult Anna was especially drawn to the limited strength available in minutes left to live,” she said. In a pregnancy. After another daughter assisting the lower level classher body to shine as a volunteer in situation that she can only describe decided to move to the same neigh- es and soon took one class under as miraculous and what doctors the Placencia community. bourhood in Atlanta, Anna found wing. “The teacher was doing a credited to her healthy lifestyle of herself babysitting her grandchil- great job, but she had a huge chalBy the time she was in her 30s, good diet and exercise, Anna surdren while their parents led their lenge,” said Anna. The classroom Anna had been living in Los An- vived the incident and was given busy lives. “I enjoyed taking care of was dominated by boys. In a class geles, California in the United three more years to live. them and very soon I began going of 29, only five were girls. “The States working as an accounts classroom was wild!” she said. with them to school.” clerk for a popular television news It’s been 26 years since that major station. She had been feeling tired flare up and erroneous prognosis, The school her grandchildren at- After working with the homeroom more often that she felt she should and Anna is still alive in her 60s tended in Atlanta was an Afri- teacher to rein them in, Anna bebe and was battling a stressful mentoring children at St. John’s can-centered private school named gan applying IMHOTEP models marriage at home. Anna admits Memorial Anglican Primary School after Imhotep – the Egyptian ar- to the young group of students her misfortune marrying at the and working as a part-time coordi- chitect who designed the Step pyr- developing a more disciplined and tender age of 18 just after graduat- nator at the Outlet Youth Center in amid, which is identified as one of organized class that was hungry to ing from a strict Seventh Day Ad- Placencia Village. While lupus now the Seven Wonders of the World. learn. She especially takes pride ventist boarding school in Mexico has her walking with a limp and suf- Quickly becoming a familiar face in her reading program she declose to her family home in Cal- fering with terrible joint pain, she at the school helping where she veloped for the class where each ifornia. “My mother was a very commits her time to working with could while her grandchildren were student takes on the task to read religious woman and didn’t think children whom she says inspire her in class, Anna eventually filled an a number of books in their exit was right to interfere with the to keep going. available spot as a Spanish teacher tra time. “Some students read so ‘sacred’ covenant of marriage,” Her passion for volunteerism start- drawing on her language training continued on page 28
B
Breeze Editor pollard.jolie@ gmail.com
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 20
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 21
End of the World Marathon Funds More Rotary Scholars By Jolie Pollard Breeze Editor pollard.jolie@ gmail.com
In September 2015 eight deserving students from the Placencia Peninsula will enroll at Independence High School, located across the lagoon, with full four-year scholarships covering tuition, fees and books. The Rotary Club of Placencia distributed scholarship applications in March to administrators at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Primary School in Seine Bight Village and St. John’s Memorial Anglican Primary School in Placencia Village. The locally prominent Rotary program was granted a significant boost from funds collected through the 2014 End of the World Marathon and Half Marathon. “We raised BZ$24,000 for scholarships,” said Chip Lovett, the founder and organizer of the annual marathon event on the Peninsula where he has a second home. Last December the Peninsula hosted the third marathon event and according to Lovett, expanded sponsorships from businesses in Belize, increased runner participation and an impressive volunteer turnout this year could quickly push the marathon ahead of the Placencia Lobsterfest as the largest fundraiser on the Placencia Peninsula. Since its inception in 2007 the scholarship program has been receiving financial support from several individuals and organizations including the Rotary Club of Edmonton in West Canada, Massachusetts Rotarian Jane Mitchell, Friend of the Rotary Club of Placencia, Sarah Roys, and a few members of the Placencia Rotary Club who came up with the idea to assist needy and promising students. Rotarians are especially thrilled, however, over the support they received from the End of the World Marathon. “This is the largest revenue source we have ever had for this program,” said Placencia Rotary President Wanda Stakutis. Since it generated BZ$16,000 for the program in 2013 after a costly start in 2012, the End of the World Marathon has already bumped up the number of scholars to the higher double-digit figures. “We currently have 17 scholars in high school and are expecting to have 21 enrolled when the next school year starts,” said Stakutis. She said that during the first three
years of the program, only one student received a scholarship. The numbers have increased over the years with four scholars in 2010, nine in 2011, nine in 2012, 13 in 2013 and 17 in 2014. According to Lovett, who works as a chemistry professor during the school year at Williams College in Massachusetts and serves on the Rotary Scholarship Program Committee, he chose to adopt the cause for the marathon after learning of the accessibility challenges for Belizean youth to an education. “When I discovered that Belizeans had to pay tuition for high school and that many families couldn’t afford it, I
ans have developed several criteria. The student must be able to demonstrate that s/he has financial need, has been accepted into Independence High School, passed the Belize Primary School Examinations, produce a solid report card showing grades of 75 and over, submit a 200-word essay and receive a recommendation from someone vetting the applicant’s good standing in the community.
er his tuition during his first year at Independence Junior College. “I gave it up my second year when I got a job,” Supaul said. The outgoing and friendly Placencia native said that the scholarship opened up many opportunities for him. “Having a high school education and some sixth form education has helped me so much and given me the confidence to get me where I am today,” he said.
Aware of the struggles within the rural education system in Belize, Placencia Rotarians have also tried to work on a retention program appointing mentors within their organization to assist scholars with tutoring needs. “We have had a cou-
Unusual for someone in his early 20s Supaul is now a dive instructor employed with Splash Dive Center in Placencia where he started working as a front desk person when he took a break from sixth form. Now passionate about diving he says
“W
hen I discovered that Belizeans had to pay tuition for high school and that many families couldn’t afford it, I felt that this was the highest priority for the funds.” – CHIP LOVETT, End of the World Marathon and Half Marathon Founder
felt that this was the highest priority for the funds,” Lovett said. “I was extremely impressed when I learned about the Rotary Club of Placencia Scholarship Program and found it to be truly exceptional.” As Lovett continues to work hard soliciting sponsorships and recruiting runners for the popular marathon event, which has also boosted local tourism, he says he cannot emphasize enough that all funds generated from the event return to the community. “Now that we have solidified the volunteer infrastructure of the event, we can mount a more aggressive publicity campaign to attract more runners from outside Belize,” Lovett said. He explained that more support should help him double the number of scholarships Rotary is awarding to Belizeans who want a high school education. “My goal is to extend this program to full scholarships for college bound students,” he added. According to Stakutis, considerations are already in place to award partial funds to those who wish to attend the University of Belize or sixth form (junior college). To ensure that only deserving high school-bound students living on the Placencia Peninsula and intending on building a career in Belize are awarded these scholarships, Rotari-
ple drop-outs over the years, and we realized that we needed to try our best to support our scholars,” Stakutis said. The Rotary Club of Placencia also meets with the IHS principal several times over the year to review students and address issues. Stakutis considers 21-year-old Marco Supaul to be a shining example of the success of the program. He was the first student to receive a scholarship when the program started in 2007, and he maintained all the requirements to sustain it throughout his four years of high school. He was even awarded a partial scholarship from Rotary to cov-
he intends to remain in the line of work, but intends to complete his associate and Bachelor’s degree before he turns 30. “I have to admit. I’m making more money right now than a lot of other people I know who hold higher education degrees,” said Supaul with a chuckle. Committed to lessen the financial burden on his family, Supaul moved out of his parents’ house when he was 19 and has now taken on the responsibility of helping his younger teenage brother. Another successful scholar, Andrea continued on page 28
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 22
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 23
Students of the Month St. Alphonsus Roman Peninsula International Academy Catholic School
Left to Right: Wilson Rivera (Middle Division), Dean Brown (Lower Division) and Brayan Vasquez (Upper Division) were selected as PIA's Sparkling Students. (JOLIE POLLARD) Issaac Wallen representing St. Alphonsus Primary holds his first place trophy from the Coca-Cola Spelling Bee Local Zone competition. (MARION CARR/MUZAMANZIE PHOTOGRAPHY)
Standard Five Student Isaac Wallen was among 20 upper school children (Standards 4, 5, and 6) who were selected to compete in the Coca-Cola Spelling Bee local zone competition held in Independence Village in February. Wallen's spelling skills brought St. Alphonsus on top of all participating schools including St. John's Anglicam Memorial School, Independence Seventh Day Adventist School and Red Bank Christian School. As the first place winner in the local zone competition, Wallen is preparing to compete in the regional rounds to be held in Dangriga Town, Stann Creek. He is hoping to rise victorious in that competition so he can represent Stann Creek in the nationals, which will be held in Belize City. Wallen's family and school say they are very proud of his acheivement. ▪ Report contributed by Marion Carr.
(RIGHT) One student from each classroom at St. John's received a Student of the Month certificate for the month of January. (JOLIE POLLARD)
The following children were selected as Student of the Month at St. John's Memorial Anglican Primary School for ahieving academic excellence and for displaying good and responsible behavior: Preschool a.m., Betsy Martinez; Preschool p.m., Danny Duncan; Infant I, Caelan Godfrey; Infant II, Massimiliano De’ Angelis; Std. I, Christopher Glenn; Std. II, Cianna Garbutt; Std. III, Amy Faux and Colin Lewis; Std. IV, Kajah Berrie; Std. V, Lesby Zavala and Std. VI, Brenda Sanchez. ▪ Report contributed by St. John's Principal Stephen Whyte.
Class Leaders Elected at PIA The Peninsula International Academy congratulates Lower Primary students, Edwin Li and Mia Pollard, for being elected Classroom Leaders.▪
Peninsula International Academy's Wilson Rivera was chosen as the school's Sparkling Student for working well with others in project based activities, for going the extra mile to achieve success in assigned tasks, for being enthusiastic about learning, being diligent in his classes and for continously striving to improve areas of weakness. Dean Brown was chosen for his helping hands and for making good choices in class. Brayan Vasquez was chosen for displaying a willingness to take risk and openness to learning and for his polite nature, which allows him to work well in groups.▪ Report contributed by PIA Principal Selena Lucas.
St. John's Anglican Memorial School
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 24
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 25
Placencia Police Enforce Bicycle Laws fenders from a fine and gave them time to outfit their two-wheelers. It took Mueller almost two weeks to get a bell for her bicycle as the local store had run out of stock quickly. “People who knew what was happening said they had read something on Facebook. I don’t check in on Facebook very often. I get my By Kayla Flowers and Jolie Pollard news by word of mouth, and no one The first rumors of the crackdown had said anything to me about this.” were circulated via the Peninsula But despite the rude awakening Early Warning System – otherwise for offenders there is a case to be known as Facebook—in early Feb- made for more accountable cycling. ruary. By Valentine’s Day the cops According to Placencia Peninsula were out in force and no bicycle, Police Sub-Formation Community tricycle or pedal cart would be Police Officer Claudius Cardinez, spared. The day of reckoning had times are changing, and with a new come and any poor cyclist unfortu- inspector in charge, officers are taknate enough to get caught without ing serious precautionary measures a bell, light and reflectors would to protect residents and visitors as learn a lesson. the Peninsula continues to grow If there is any silver lining to this as a popular tourism destination. less than popular campaign it is On Feb. 11, Cardinez made an anthat the rest of the nation is facing nouncement on a popular commuthe same situation. The decision to nity Facebook page announcing the enforce “quality of life” regulations sub-formation’s intent to enforce was first felt in Belize City, inspired bicycle laws, which set off a fiery no doubt by success in New York back and forth discussion of the list and other cities in the United States of priorities in Peninsula security. that have successfully reduced major crime by focusing on minor crime. In the case of the Placencia Peninsula, where a large laid back population of residents and visitors has been riding dark and silent for generations, the sudden enforcement of decades old laws has not sat well with many riders.
“With increasing concerns of traffic on the Placencia Peninsula and to ensure the safety of our resident and visitors, the sub-formation decided to take action now so that people are prepared for the near future,” Cardinez said. The young officer pointed out that the laws the sub-formation is enforcing have been in the “I was very caught off guard,” said books since they were first drafted Deborah Mueller whose bicycle in 1991 and later revised in 2003. was confiscated at the Placencia Cardinez says that police do recogPolice Station during a hot after- nize, however, that many people on noon while she was on her way to the Peninsula are unaware of these go grocery shopping. “They were laws, which explains why the police checking serial numbers on other are taking a vigorous approach to bicycles, and I thought it must have getting the word out to the public. had something to do with stolen bicycles. I had no idea that I was in After a reasonable timeframe for a trouble,” she added. Mueller was public awareness campaign of the among several other offenders at laws, Cardinez said that Placencia the station that afternoon including Police will begin charging BZ$100 a mother who had to continue the fines for violators. He said that the rest of her errands that day on her public will be given notice of the feet while holding her young child start date. These fines will become who would have been riding along a new revenue source for the two in a baby seat had its mother abided village councils which currently have very few funding sources to by the bicycle regulations. carry out their work. Cardinez said Mueller has been living in Placen- that the policy will be implemented cia Village for the past 12 years and first in Placencia Village then Seine said she has never given a single Bight. thought to laws governing her bicycle movements. Police stopped her While the law demanding that cyfor not having a bell, light and white clists use bells has taken the limereflector on the front of her bicycle. light in virtual forums, there are “All I had was the red reflector on several other laws that cyclists need the back. I don’t ride at night, but to know to avoid unpleasant surI can understand why those things prises on the road. We’ve compiled would be important,” she said. Po- a short guide to riding lawfully on lice spared Mueller and other of- the Placencia Peninsula that just
Lucky Ivy of Captain Jak’s Cabanas and Rentals organizes his bicycle rack for customers. Ivy’s bikes are now properly outffited since the enforcement. (JOLIE POLLARD)
may allow you to spend that blue note on something other than a fine.
How to Save $100 While Cycling Lawfully on the Placencia Peninsula: 1. Cycle at night with white light attached to the front of the bicycle and fit bicycle with proper light reflectors (white at the front and red at the rear) and brakes. 2. Make sure that your bicycle (or tricycle) is fitted with a bell to give others sharing the road with you sufficient notification of your
approach. 3. Do not let anyone hitch a ride on your bike. (Person hitching and person riding are both guilty of this offense.) 4. Ride your bike with “due care and attention.” 5. Don’t hold on to a moving vehicle while riding. 6. Abide by traffic signs. 7. ABOVE ALL: Don’t ride your bike on the Placencia Village sidewalk! ▪
Monty Boultbee, who is escaping the cold Canada winter, shows off his new bicycle bell while enjoying his usual cocktail at Dawn’s Grill in Placencia Village. Visitors like Boultbee got word of enforcement after police took action. (JOLIE POLLARD)
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 26
Light Feast
fire, the flames foaming sky
Moon of milk you fell into the sea
The words searching for air
By Sean Taegar
A bird of light illuminates the sky with salt lightning of larynx with the milk of fire.
Lighting up the sky with glowing salt.
Drinking light for nourishment
Cloud and milk drinks the moon sky
The words dancing in sky
The words spinning like dead stars.
Inside the moon’s floating chalk
Light dancing ink.
Sleep in me star
The words sleeping in the milk
– An Excerpt
Participating poet at the 2015 Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival
Air transparent as remembering
For the Spirit
Invisible as the sound of chalky feathers echoing to silence.
For my Mother and my Father
A claw of eagle sky. A cloud of milking moon
Andrea and Leroy For my family
Dust. Ash. Sing.
‘Oh friendly light Oh fresh source of light’ Aimé Césaire
Sleep, sleep in this humble space
The light floats
So you can see the stars, the sea, the moon dancing.
The light feast
Light launched from the lungs.
The feather of focus drinking the air
The air drinking stars.
Suns sweating in the skull Illuminating the dream’s pearls. Inside light, Feathers floating to sky The sun blazes nightmares to ash scattered by the wind Feathers of light foaming the face The light singing in stars The night sleeps Sings in sky.
Let us sleep Launch eternity in the egg Sleep Sleep Sleep Lines of light tracing infinity. Wings of light singing air. Stars, dancing crystals of diamond floating cloud
This book burns, drinks
Sing the movement of air
Stars of light drinking sun
The cosmos singing milk The light that we become sings and floats to sky
Stars of light drinking my fingers of chalk and foam
Of the computer screen flashing ivory, leaving the cursor blinking
Drink stars for their refreshing shining Fly, fly wings of ligh across the electronic screen Fly, fly wings of light across infinite pearls Light the way for hands floating on feathers
Drinking ink and coffee and other sections of night
Let the arrow fly
A book of light swimming in fire milk swimming inside the moon’s chalky smoke of dancing stars
that does no harm to skin
A butterfly of light flaming The sky of light drinking the sun.
The arrow of feathers
that flies from the sun that lights the way for the To read the rest of Light Feast, cotact Sean Taegar at staegar@gmail.com
PLACENCIA TOUR GUIDE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS Ainsworth Leslie Alex Small Alrin Muschamp Amin Neal Andrea Villanueva Apolo Caliz Aretha Paleyo Arthur Vernon, Jr. Arthur Westby, Jr. Arthur Westby Sr. Bernard Leslie, Sr Bertrand Cuevas Brian Young Sr. Bruce Godfrey Bruce Leslie Bryan P. Benguche Carlton Young, Jr Celso Mora Cirilio Chun Claude Vernon Clint Villanueva Conrad Villanueva Dale Godfrey Dan Santos Daniel Cabral David Ortiz David Vernon Denbeigh Arzu Devin Lozano Diego Coc Doren Leslie Dorianny Perez
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BREEZE EMERGENCY NUMBERS HEALTH EMERGENCIES:
Seine Bight Medical Center: 523-3328
Belize Emergency Response Team: 223-3292
Independence Medical Center: 523-2167
Placencia Medical Center: 503-3326
Breeze Tip! Save these numbers in your phone!
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
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 27
Rotary Reports Most Successful Auction Fundraiser in Six Years Patrons participated in a live auction held at the beach bar deck as well as a silent auction held inside the Sports Bar. Both events were highly competitive, adding to an evening full of great live music, savoury food, delectable desserts and a fun raffle.
By Beverley Brooks Contributing Writer
bevbrooks@hotmail.com
On Saturday, Feb. 7, Placencia Rotarians held their sixth annual auction at the Tipsy Tuna Sports and Seaside Bar in Placencia Village. The auction is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising money for several major projects benefitting the local community.
(501) 523-3666 / 631-9622
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Held just one week before the Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival, the auction provides another major Peninsula attraction in the busy month of February. Boasting professional auctioneer Bill Butcher and an impressive array of items donated by businesses on the Peninsula, the event drew its largest crowd yet to the popular affair.
Proceeds from the auction will help support Rotary’s yearly projects including the annual senior luncheon, the summer reading program held in both Seine Bight and Placencia, the expanding scholarship program, senior Christmas baskets, and the dictionary distribution program involving students on the Peninsula as well as in Independence and Monkey River villages. Funds raised from previous auctions have helped Placencia Rotarians upgrade the St. John’s Memorial Anglican Primary School library, build benches and picnic tables for public use in Placencia Village, construct a ramp at the Placencia Village medical clinic, and purchase lights for the Placencia Village basketball court. This year Rotarians will assist with renovations to both St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Primary School in Seine Bight Village and St. John’s Anglican Primary School in Placencia.
The Rotary Club of Placencia extends a big thank you to the following businesses, organizations and individuals for supporting the auction: Tipsy Tuna, The Placencia Peninsula Fire Department, Mojo Lounge Restaurant and Bartique, Outback Trails, Paradise Hotel, Patricia Celenza, Peninsula Market, Secret Garden Day Spa, Fantoni’s Kitchen, The Art Affair Gallery, Sunset Women’s Wellness Center, Z-Touch Salon, Reimer Smoked Meats, Pickled Parrot Restaurant and Bar, Wallens’ Hardware, Len and Bonnie Lawrence, Beach Bazaar Gift Shop, The Flying Pig Restaurant and Bar, BB Yoga, Goss Chocolate, Tranquilo Restaurant and Bar, Bunches of Fun Banana Tour, Bill Desjardin and Judy Lutz, Rumfish y Vino Restaurant, Dragonfly Moon Restaurant, Ivan Leslie, Mango’s Restaurant, Ken Kent, Wendy’s Restaurant, The Shak, One World Gift Shop, Max’s Gift Shop, Nite Wind Tours, The Treasure Box, Brenda’s Caribbean Cooking, Pirate Gyal Tattoos, Jaguar Lanes, Millers’ Landing, Maya Beach Bistro, Green Parrot Restaurant, Sea n Breeze Glass Bottom Boat, Linda Cazin, Splash Dive Center, Your Wine on the Walk,
Lost Reef Resort, Barefoot Rentals, Omar’s Restaurant, Kitty and Jim Burgh, J-Dee’s Restaurant, Re/Max 1st Choice, Laura and Dave Diffendal, Tiger Beach Club, The Street Feet Lounge and Nightclub, Barefoot Beach Bar, Lola’s Art, Bocawina Tours, John and Lucy Willms, Robert’s Grove Hotel, Lydia’s Guest House, BJ’s Belize Bellyful, MnM Hardware, Sea Glass Inn, Susan and Leo Beaudry, D’Tatch Seafood Bar and Grill, Bliss Boutique, Dawn’s Grill, Atlantic Bank, Tom Darnley, Pine Lumber, Un Wine’d Wine Shop, Fusion Beach, Turtle Inn, Michelle Nanchoff and Heather Coburn, Miramar Apartments, Air Belize Skydiving Center, Boris Mannsfeld and Associates, Tutti Frutti Gelateria, Above Grounds Coffee, and all the patrons who participated in the fundraiser. Placencia Rotarians are now preparing to host the annual Senior Luncheon, honoring Peninsula residents over 65 with a tasty lunch, live entertainment, and fun prizes.▪
Like the Placencia Rotary Club on Facebook! Visit www.facebook.com/ placencia.rotary
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Students Raise Over One Thousand Dollars for Primary School at Sidewalk Arts Fest Young artists raised $1,500 for St. John’s Anglican Memorial Primary School, reported fundraiser coordinator, Ewa Grabowski. The annual fundraiser took place in front of the school during the 12th Annual Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival where students were busy with volunteers creating little art pieces for sale.
She extends more gratitude to the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association for providing volunteers and young sellers a tent and the Placencia Breeze for promoting the fundraiser in the January-February edition of the newspaper. “That really helped people find us,” she said.
In addition to their usual calendars featuring their own hand drawn art, this year students incorporated the Valentine’s Day festivities into their items for sale. “The kids made incredible cards and some of their poems were so funny,” Grabowski said. “People were so happy to find a card for their ‘sweety’,” she added.
Others who supported the fundraiser include Dawn Pollard of Dawn’s Grill who allowed the children to use her picnic table as a work station before the event and Wanda who donated the magnets; Mrs. Grawbowski, Kathy, Jodie, Barb, One World and Above Grounds Coffee for donating items to the silent auction; Print Belize in Belmopan for printing the calendars and cutting the paper for the Valentine’s cards, Sandhill Real Estate for lending large umbrellas for additional shade, Tutti Fruitt for donating ice cream certificates to be used as prizes, Chino for providing overnight storage for materials at his home and Miss Janice for counting money on both days.
Donations, a small silent auction and the sale of some magnets colored by the children also helped them to raise their total amount for the school. Grabowski thanks the following children for helping at the art station: Rihanna, Edwin, Ocean, Amy, Jade, Adele and Diana. She also thanks all other children at St. John’s School who contributed their drawings, as well as school principal Stephen Whyte for recruiting teachers to volunteer their time during the event. These teachers include Doyla who helped to sell the items, and especially Logan who devised a new sales plan and stayed at the station most of the day to help motivate the children and help them sell.
Grawbowski encourages people to donate to the school and said that 2015 calendars are still on sale at Above Grounds Coffee House and at Wendy’s Spanish and Creole Restaurant for BZ$5. ▪ Report contributed by Ewa Grabowski.
The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 28
Giving Lupus a Back Seat continued from page 19 many books, I didn’t have enough space for the stars on our tracking chart,” she said. On a hot February afternoon, children in Anna’s adopted Standard One class were busy reading at their tables. Homeroom teacher Virginia Linarez closely monitored their behaviour as Anna looked over some classwork papers. “I don’t have the words to explain how much I appreciate Miss Anna’s help,” said Linarez. “It’s a challenging group, but Miss Anna always finds a way to keep them in order. She does so much.” Eight-year-old Amiri Chan said he has already read 270 books since the second semester started in January 2015. He said his favourite so far is Peter Pan. Chan says in addition to the allotted time Anna and Ms. Linarez gives him to read in class, he reads as soon as he finishes his homework at home. Other classmates were reading classics such as Moby Dick, Treasure Island, Sherlock Homes and Kidnapped. Driven by the positive results and drastic improvements with some students during her first few months of volunteering at St.
John’s, Anna sought out assistance from friends abroad. Since 2012, she has already received five large barrels of educational materials for the school and her adopted class. Even having to fight her way through joint pain with every step she makes, she even took it upon herself to climb on to a bus travelling from Placencia Village to Belize City and fetch the first barrel of donated goods from the Belize Customs and Excise Department. Later on she was able to receive assistance from local fresh produce vendor Clive Sutherland who brought down a barrel from Belize City to Placencia during one of his runs, and Wallen’s Grocery for transporting materials to the classroom on their go cart. Anna continues to be thrilled about her classroom’s progress at St. John’s and intends to move along with them as they advance to Standard Six (eighth grade). She thanks all who have donated educational materials from the USA including her former colleagues at IMHOTEP Academy and her friends Gaynor Martinez of New York and John Galimore of New Jersey and his friends in the U.S. Army.▪
End of the World Marathon Funds More Rotary Scholars continued from page 21
Academy will be the next school to participate in the program as Chirinos who is currently a senior at soon as the private school enIndependence High School recently rolls students at the standard six took on the position of president of (eighth grade) level. ▪ the newly formed subsidiary of the local Rotary chapter called Interact. The group is led by youth who carry out beneficial projects for the community. Andrea is one of two scholars expected to graduate with honors from Independence High School in May. According to Stakutis, the new Pen- First Placencia Rotary Scholar Marco Supaul is now a dive insula International instructor with Splash Dive Center at just age 21.
Eight-year-old Amiri Chan is caught red-handed reading a Great Illustrated Classic edition of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain. Chan has already read 270 children’s books since January 2015. Anna Muslar started the reading program at her adopted Standard One class at St. John’s Anglican Memorial Primary School after realizing that reading comprehension and writing was a weakness among the young students. (JOLIE POLLARD)
If you would like to assist Anna Muslar with her volunteering efforts and reading program at St. John’s Anglican Memorial School you can contact her at +(501) 626-2582.
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 29
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 30
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 apart-
ments 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 011-501-523-3112, E-mail: Ranguana@btl.net website: www.ranguanabelize.com
Tradewinds: Overlooking the Caribbean Sea & the Mountains of Belize! 9 Cabanas w/ private bath, hot/cold, 2 double beds, fans, coffee maker (coffee provided), refrigerator & veranda w/ hammock. Tel: 523-3122; Email: 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 bed-
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
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!
rooms, fold out sofa, kitchenette & bath on main floor. 2 bay leaf thatch cabanas w/ garden showers & private beach. Tel/FAX: 523-2488; E-mail: 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. 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
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, 7 a.m. - noon.
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The Placencia Breeze ‖ March 2015 ‖ Page 31
PLACENCIA PENINSULA GUIDE
PAID LISTINGS. TO ADVERTISE CALL 523-4045 OR E-MAIL INFO@PLACENCIA.COM
SHOPPING Art n Soul Gallery: Original artwork from Belize’s BEST artists! OPEN 9 a.m. - 6
p.m. every day. On the world famous sidewalk just steps from the new pier! 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.
Lola’s Art Gallery: Located in Seine Bight Village 1 ½ miles north of the Placencia Airstrip. Look for our sign near the football field south of the village. The peninsula’s first art gallery with original Belizean art by Lola. 8am-6pm. 523-3342 & 601-1913
Wallen’s Market: Serving Placencia with fresh produce, dry goods, & specialty
items. Wholesale/retail. Tel: 523-3128; Hardware Tel: 503-3316 or 523-3523; Pharmacy Tel. 523-3346. email wallensmarket@yahoo.com Serving the Peninsula for over 25 years!! Located across from the sport field.
TOUR PROVIDERS: Robert’s Grove Dive Center: Feeling adventurous?? Our PADI 5 star Dive
Center offers daily snorkeling, diving and certification courses and boasts some of the tastiest lunches, best tour guides in the country, and ‘The Dorado’ our 48 ft. Pro Dive Boat! Nitrox and specialty Dive Courses available. Inland, Fishing, private charters, Whale Shark, Manatee, Monkey River and Inland tours also on the Tour Menu for more info call 523-3565!
Singing Sands Inn: Offers inshore or offshore fishing excursions right off of our dock! Join us on our 31’ Cape Horn for a fantastic day of angling action. We can arrange any tour whether inland or water including Monkey River, Mayan Ruins, snorkelling, diving, and much more. Call 533-3022 or email 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.
Trip N Travel: Saltwater & Jungle Adventures. P. 523-3205 Email: lgodfrey@btl. net. Located on Main Street & Bruk Pat in Placencia Office Supply.
SERVICES Tony’s Gym/Belize Fit: We have a small CrossFit Gym. By appointment only. www.belizefit.com Phone: 631-7427 Placencia Office Supply: INTERNET, Printing, Stationary, SMART – 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
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 offthe-beaten-path destination on the southern coast. Robert’s Grove is an intimate five-star resort that is ideal for Belize Beach Weddings, whether you want private ceremony for just you and your partner or if you want to bring family and friends. Contact our wedding planner Ms. Lea Itzab: lea@robertsgrove.com or call us at 523-3565
FREE COMMUNITY LISTINGS: Churches: Calvary Chapel of the Placencia Peninsula: Meeting in Seine Bight Village. Sunday Services: 10:30 A.M. and 6:30 P.M. (Sunday School provided). Wednesday: Men’s and Women’s Bible Study - 6:30 P.M. Friday: Youth Group - 5:30 P.M. Non denominational Church - Call Pastor Jim Mensie for more information: 523-3362 Ministries of the Son of God Church, Seine Bight Village: Wednesday Bible Studies -6:30 pm, Thursday Youth Choir Practice - 6:30 pm, Friday Youth Night - 6:00 pm, Saturday Adult Choir Practice - 6:30 pm, Sunday Service - 8:30 am & Sunday Night Service - 6:30 pm. Reverend Don Palmer. Phone 523-3301 or email 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. . 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 Taxi & 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 Brittney Gibson Delivery: 651-8393
Transport Services: De Express Boat: P. 626-8835. Departs Placencia Shell Dock- 9:30 a.m. Arrives Big Creek 10 a.m. Departs - 11:00 am. Arrives Puerto Cortez, Honduras, 2 pm. at Laguna. Return trip – Monday: Departs Puerto Cortez, Honduras 10 am. Arrives Big Creek 12 noon. Departs - 1:30 p.m. Arrives Placencia 2 pm. Hokey Pokey Boat: P. 523-2376. Placencia (MnM Dock) → Independence/Mango Creek: 6:45a.m, 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m, 5 p.m and 6 p.m. (except on Sundays). 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.
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