Hours after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale devastated the Caribbean island nation of Haiti, nations around the world organized themselves to send relief aid to the devastated country which is the poorest nation in the Caribbean.

Belize is definitely one of the world’s nation that quickly prepared to join the worldwide humanitarian efforts. On Friday, January 15, 2010, Reef Radio, in collaboration with the San Pedro Red Cross, urged the community of San Pedro to donate as much as their hearts willed. The radiothon for Haiti lasted all day and yielded a little over $50,000; a very generous donation from the island’s residents.

Larger businesses from around the country also made generous donation including Smart, that on Thursday, January 15, made a donation of $10,000 for the earthquake victims of Haiti. The donation was given to the Belize Red Cross to assist the organization in reaching its goal of $100,000.00 to aide in the relief efforts.

“We applaud the Red Cross for their continued commitment to improving the quality of life in Belize and around the world. As we have seen on the news, the situation is grim and we send our prayers and condolences to the President and people of Haiti” commented Mr. Ernesto Torres, CEO of Smart.

Smart customers can also now donate to the Haiti relief fund via a text message from their phones. To make a donation, send a text to 2273 (CARE) and in the body of the text message enter the amount to be given. The amount will be deducted from your existing credit or added to your monthly bill. All the proceeds will be handed over to the Belize Red Cross.

Both Smart and Belize Telemedia urged its customers to make donations as well. Smart made it available for its customers to donate via text messaging, while BTL collaborated with Wave Radio and the Red Cross in Belize City and asked customers to call in to make their kind donations. The Belize Electricity Limited also announced in a press release that the company had donated $20,000 to the Haiti Relief Fund.

NEMO (National Emergency Management Organization) also made preparations to assist the people of Haiti. Search, rescue, medical and other skilled personnel to assist Haiti was coordinated by NEMO and channeled through CARICOM’s Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The organization also set up the NEMO Scotia Bank Relief Account # 193-48-10 for anyone to deposit their donations. This bank account fund is still active for those who still want to make their donations.

Indeed, Belizeans did extend a very generous hand to its suffering brothers in the Caribbean country of Haiti and all the help should be applauded.

There are opportunities that come once in a lifetime and experiences that when you grasp them fill you with joy, excitement and pure bliss. On Saturday, January 16, 2010, the staff of Ambergris Today got to enjoy one of those experiences that are purely unforgettable. We got the opportunity to soar like a bird above our Isla Bonita, not on a plane or helicopter but on an ultralight aircraft. Totally embracing the openness of the aircraft, we flew over San Pedro Town, glided a few feet above the Great Belize Barrier Reef, hovered above 'celebrity' caye Cayo Espanto like paparazzi and soaked in the red tainted skies as the sun went down on a gorgeous afternoon.

The flying adventure is another one of Ambergris Cayes' newest attractions for thrill-seeking adventurers brought to you by Toucan Fly. Own and operated by one of San Pedro's newest entrepreneurs, John McAfee, the ultralight aircrafts tours of Ambergris Caye promise high adrenaline, heart-pumping adventure as you take an aerial tour of the island with nothing much than a large 'kite-like' wing to block your view - everything else is wide open.

Toucan Fly consists of five ultralight aircrafts, two of which are in San Pedro and the other three which are in Belize City and will be brought over to San Pedro as soon as the hangar is fully completed. These magnificent aircrafts are piloted by five extraordinary pilots, three of whom are also instructors.

Mr. John McAfee, apart from being the owner of ‘Toucan Fly’ is also a pilot but only flies for his own enjoyment. His staff consists of Mr. Neil Bungard, the chief pilot, who is also an instructor and a member of the Federal Aviation Administration, Mr. Matt Robinson and Ms. Jennifer Erwin who are both pilots and instructors, and Mr. Robert Conbes who is a pilot only.

Toucan Fly is specifically for recreational use only and not for public transportation. There will be several tours available, mostly around San Pedro and surrounding Ambergris Caye. Coming soon are flights from San Pedro to Lamanai, which includes an overnight stay and trip back to the island. The longest, a tour around la Isla Bonita, would take is approximately an hour. All flights are weather dependent.

And prep time from ground to air is very minimal as it takes just minutes for the pilots and crew to make their pre-flight check of the aircraft, suite you up with a helmet and give you safety instructions. Soon after, you are taxing down the runway, take off is cleared and zooom, you are off the ground in seconds. With the wind in your face, the smell of the Caribbean Sea to stimulate your sense of smell and a spectacular view of Ambergris Caye, you can't ask for more of an adventure on Ambergris Caye.

“You guys were extremely fortunate to have gotten the perfect weather to fly,” commented both pilots Neil Bungard and Matt Robinson. A definite thrill of a lifetime and unforgettable experience! For more information contact Neil or Mardella on 630-1426 to schedule your flight!

VIEW GALLERY

It is that time of the year when Sanpedranos, young and old, look forward to - El Gran Carnaval. This year San Pedro will celebrate, Carnaval, its most unique traditional celebration on February 14, 15 & 16. The San Pedro Town Council will officially start the celebrations on Saturday, February 13, with a Grand Carnaval Party that will be held at the Central Park.

Booths for food and drinks are available and interested business, restaurants and bars can contact the San Pedro Town Council for information on getting a booth. Prizes will be given for the Best Carnaval Themed Booth, Best Carnaval inspired Dish & Best Carnaval inspired Drink.

One of the main highlights for the evening will be the Miss Carnaval Popularity Contest. Each contestant will have a startup sponsor and booth for them to raise funds as each cent will count for a vote. At the end of the night the young lady with the most votes will be crowned Miss Carnaval 2010. Young ladies interested in participating are asked to contact Felix Ayuso at 663-9922 or Marion Mejia at 629-3796.

There will be entertainment for the entire family, dance presentations by local dance groups and game booths by the San Pedro Town Council like tombola and fish pond. Schools and organizations are highly encouraged to participate in the “Comparsas” during the three-days of Carnaval. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place in both junior and senior divisions will be award on Tuesday, February 16.

El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro is a distinct tradition to this island and one that has been passed down from generation to generation. Let us keep our wonderful tradition rich and live; Carnaval 2010– “Alegria en el corazon – Que viva nuestra tradicion!”

More Charges for American Fugitive

Thirty three year old US national William Russell Jewett, the man wanted by US authorities and found in Belize with major stacks of cash, did reappear in Magistrate’s Court as scheduled this week, but once again was put back in the hands of police.

It is not certain just how many days the US fugitive was in Belize before local authorities received the tipoff that led them to the Cucumber Beach Marina at Old Belize on the Western Highway. But the information was solid. A search of Jewett’s sailboat, “Latitude Adjustment” turned up a total of US$120,000, 4,200 Euros, and an assortment of pesos, quetzals and Belize dollars. Belize police found the money hidden behind a panel inside a closet in the boats master’s bedroom.

Jewett is wanted in the United States for felony weapons, possession and fraud charges. In Belize he has been charged for money laundering. Customs authorities who did not wish to be interviewed on camera told 7News that the vessel Latitude Adjustment is valued at $754,454.

Customs officials report that they are treating the vessel as uncustomed goods, meaning that he will be sued for three times the boat’s value for illegally importing the vessel. (From 7NEWS, Belize City)

Luxury Yacht Lodged on Barrier Reef

An 85 foot luxury yacht – “The Great Escape” is lodged on Belize’s barrier reef near Hunting Caye. It has been there since November 30, of last year when it’s captain and owner – American national Albert Barscroft ran aground on a portion of the reef in the Sapodilla and Hunting Caye Range while exiting Belizean territorial waters.

What’s news is that the yacht is falling apart and it needs to be removed to avoid an environmental catastrophe. The yacht is loaded with fuel and after being lodged on the reef for six weeks – the Department of Environment fears that it is beginning to break. The vessel hasn’t been removed because according to the DOE, the yacht’s owner allegedly paid Jorge Alfredo Aldana US$10,000 to remove but he didn’t. Aldana allegedly wanted another US$60,000 to remove it.

So now it is in the hands of the Department of Environment (DOE) which is trying to gather the necessary funds – reportedly between $30,000 and $50,000 to pay to have it ship pulled off the reef. The owner will then reimburse the DOE.

The yacht’s owner Albert Barscroft is not in the country because after he was detained by the Coast Guard after the yacht ran aground, he had a heart attack and was rushed to Guatemala for treatment. He has yet to return.

Because the vessel is still lodged on the reef, the Department of Environment has been unable to assess the damage to the reef. The Port Authority is however still investigating the cause of the accident. The evidence so far suggests that the accident was a result of negligence. (From 7NEWS, Belize City)

During the week of January 5, 2010, the Belize Bureau of Standards inspected and verified fuels pumps at gas stations in San Pedro. A conformance sticker bearing the Bureau’s logo, specifying the inspecting officer, date and location of the inspection was placed on the fuel pumps that were found to be accurate. These stickers are valid for a period of three months after the recorded inspection date.

When purchasing fuel, the Belize Bureau of Standards is advising consumers to note the following:
*The fuel pump displays a valid Bureau of Standards Conformance Sticker
*The fuel pump displays a zero value before the fuel is dispensed
*The accurate volume of fuel was dispensed

If there are concerns about the conformance sticker or the accuracy of fuel pump, call the consumer Protection Hotline at 0-800-283-5587 or 0-800-2-TELL-US or contact the Belize Bureau of Standards at telephone number 822-0446 or email at bbs@btl.net.