Tragic Plane crash takes the lives of 5

Sir Barry Bowen, well- known Belize business magnate died today in an airplane crash just short of the runway at San Pedro Ambergris Caye according to radio and T.V. news reports monitored here. It is reported that Sir Barry was piloting his Cessna 206 when the aircraft experienced difficulties on landing approach, clipped the roof of a building with its landing gear,and then crashed into a building at a boatyard adjacent to the San Pedro Town municipal airport.

Five other persons were in the aircraft including two children who also perished in the accident which happened at about 5:30 p.m. local time (Belize is minus -6 G.M.T). Sir Barry headed the Bowen group of companies that includes the Belize Coca Cola franchise, the Belikin Brewery (the only brewery in Belize) the Ford Automobile Distributorship, the Chan Chic Tourism Lodge and Belize Aquaculture Ltd. one of the largest shrimp farms in Belize. Sir Barry resided on San Pedro Ambergris Caye and commuted to work in Belize city on his private aircraft. This is a breaking story. The names of the passengers who are believed to be the managers of Chan Chich Lodge are being withheld pending notice to next of kin.

Barry Bowen, 'Beer king of Belize', 64, deceased

Beachfront Condos on Ambergris Caye for Sale! New Listings!

New Listing!! There are five (5) remaining beach front condos at Hol Chan Reef Resort - all 3-Bedroom/2-Bath condos with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. All strata titles have been issued (for all 12 condos), and immediate occupancy is available. All prices include stainless-steel appliances and furniture package.

HCRR has a tiled roof-top deck above the 4th floor with the absolute best Caribbean sunrise AND sunset views available anywhere on Ambergris Caye. Come check it out for yourself! 226-3232

Human activity threatens Vampire Squid species

The vampire squid is one of many unheard of creatures living in the deep sea. The species, which is technically not a squid, but a cephalopod, had been living fairly anonymously since it first appeared 300 million years ago, even before dinosaurs existed, according to National Geographic. Only now is it getting more attention because its existence could be threatened by human activities, according to a report by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.
The vampire squid has a unique ability to turn itself inside out when it feels vulnerable to predators. This skill, however, will not protect it against the dangers of human activity:

"They are threatened by ocean warming, decreasing oxygen, pollution, overfishing, industrialization, and dozens of other changes taking place in the deep," said Bruce Robison, of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. "We have a responsibility to learn all we can about these amazing animals and to protect them from the greatest danger to life in the deep-- the human species."
SEE the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's video of the vampire squid in its habitat:

2010 Belize Census

Let’s do it again in 2010! That’s the theme for this year’s census which starts on the evening of May 12th. The national census has been held every ten years since 1960 but in fact, the history of the census exercises goes back to the first one in 1816. Since then they have been held with regularity and the data they gather provides a telling night into history and population tends. The exercise for 2010 is no different. It will enlist a staff of 750 interviewers to go into tens of thousands of households in every corner of Belize even if they have to get there on horseback. Glen Avilez is the Director of the Statistical Institute of Belize and is leading the exercise. We found out more form him and the relevant Minister at yesterday’s launch.


Hon. John Saldivar,

“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Statistical Institute of Belize, its Director and its staff, in the wonderful work they have been doing so far to bring back confidence in our statistics that are produced on most important matters in our country.”

Nigel Avilez, Director

“It will start on May 12th which has been designated as Census Day. That will start with a counting of the vagrants, those are the people on the street without homes. The following day the 13th we will have interviewers, close to 1,000 persons spread from the Rio Hondo to the Sarstoon, from the Western Border to the easternmost point of our country, all collecting information on persons living in Belize.”

Jules Vasquez,

“How many households will they interact with, we know they can’t interact with all, I think the last census says 320,000?”

Nigel Avilez,

“We are aiming to reach 80,000 households or 345,000 people across and this is Belizeans as well as non-Belizeans.”

Jules Vasquez,

“As a citizen, how can I cooperate or participate?”

Nigel Avilez,

“All we will ask is you invite the interviewers, you welcome them, you cooperate with them in responding to the questions. If there are any concerns all we ask is that you call any of our offices to clear up whatever might be of concern to you.”

Jules Vasquez,

“Will the census enumerators be properly identified, will they have an identification protocol they will have to go through?”

Nigel Avilez,

“Yes we will recruit people of reputable character, there is some minimum standard as far as education is concerned, and during the enumeration exercise they will wear what’s called the identification card of the SIB.”

Jules Vasquez,

“What information will come out of this census?”

Nigel Avilez,

“A lot in terms of socio-economic data. We are talking about education, health, economic activity. We want to measure the progress that this country has made since the last census in 2000. While we have been hearing that certain districts have made progress and others haven’t made as much, what is lacking is information at the very small area level, here I am referring to villages, communities, electoral divisions. Many times we are asked what is the situation in Hopkins, in Sartenja, and that information is not always available and it is best collected at census time and so we want to take full advantage of this opportunity that we have.”

The census exercise should run for eight to ten weeks and again it starts on May 12.

Source: 7NewsBelize

A Tribute to Music Legend Bob Marley - One Love

A tribute to Reggae Music Legend Robert Nesta Marley is being observed at the Central Park of San Pedro Town. Anyone who is interested in the roots rock reggae and is a fan of the Great Bob Marley is invited to come out at the Park for special Live Music, Arts, Food and drinks....

Bob Marley Basic Facts: Bob Marley was born Robert Nesta Marley on Feb. 6, 1945 in Saint Ann, Jamaica. His father, Norval Sinclair Marley, was a white Englishman and his mother, Cedelia Booker, was a black Jamaican. Bob Marley died of cancer in Miami, FL on May 11, 1981. Marley had 12 children, four by his wife Rita, and was a devout Rastafarian.Bob Marley's father died when he was 10 years old, and his mother moved with him to Kingston's Trenchtown neighborhood after his death. As a young teen, he befriended Bunny Wailer, and they learned to play music together. At 14, Marley dropped out of school to learn the welding trade, and spent his spare time jamming with Bunny Wailer and ska musician Joe Higgs.

Bob Marley's Early Recordings and the Beginnings of the Wailers:


Bob Marley recorded his first two singles in 1962, but neither garnered much interest at the time. In 1963, he began a ska band with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh that was originally called "The Teenagers". Later it became "The Wailing Rudeboys", then "The Wailing Wailers", and finally just "The Wailers". Their early Studio One hits, which were recorded in the popular rocksteady style, included "Simmer Down" (1964) and "Soul Rebel" (1965), both penned by Marley.

Bob Marley Converts To Rastafarianism:


Marley married Rita Anderson in 1966, and spent a few months living in Delaware with his mother. When Marley returned to Jamaica, he began practicing the Rastafarian faith, and began growing his signature dreadlocks.

Worldwide Success:

The Wailers' 1974 album Burnin' contained "I Shot The Sheriff" and "Get Up, Stand Up", both of which gathered cult followings in both the US and Europe. The same year, however, the Wailers broke up to pursue solo careers. At this point, Marley had made the full transition from ska and rocksteady to reggae.

Bob Marley & the Wailers:

Bob Marley continued to tour and record as "Bob Marley & the Wailers", though he was the only original Wailer in the group. In 1975, "No Woman, No Cry" became Bob Marley's true breakthrough hit song, and his subsequent album Rastaman Vibration became a Billboard Top 10 Album.

Bob Marley's Political and Religious Activism:

Bob Marley spent much of the late 1970s trying to promote peace and cultural understanding within Jamaica, despite being shot (along with his wife and manager, who also survived) before a peace concert. He also acted as a willing cultural ambassador for the Jamaican people and the Rastafarian religion. He holds nearly godlike status among many Jamaicans and Rastafarians worldwide.

Bob Marley's Death:

In 1977, Bob Marley found a wound on his foot, which he believed to be a soccer injury, but was later discovered to be malignant melanoma. Doctors recommended an amputation of his toe, but he refused for religious reasons. The cancer eventually spread. When he finally decided to get medical help (in 1980), the cancer had become terminal. He wanted to die in Jamaica, but could not withstand the flight home, and died in Miami.

Bob Marley's Legacy:

Bob Marley is revered the world over, both as the defining figure of Jamaican music and as a spiritual leader. His wife Rita carries on his work as she sees fit, and his sons Damian "Jr. Gong", Julian, Ziggy, Stephen, Ky-Mani, as well as his daughters, Cedelia and Sharon, carry on his musical legacy (the other siblings do not play music professionally).

Honors and Awards Bestowed Upon Bob Marley:

Among the awards and honors that have been given to Bob Marley are a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His songs and albums have also won numerous honors, such as Time Magazine's Album of the Century (for Exodus) and BBC's Song of the Millenium for "One Love".

Mexico bans Belize's Buses on the Weekends

Belizean buses are no longer allowed to enter Mexico during the weekends. According to the Mexican Embassy, as part of their modernization project – all buses will be subject to what’s called “Gamma Ray Screening” – it is like x-ray for buses to detect contraband and illegal immigrants and since it isn’t done on the weekends – buses won’t be allowed to cross the border on Saturdays and Sundays. Public Relations Officer at the Mexican Embassy Marcelino Miranda says that Belizeans can still cross the Mexican border but they can’t do it on a bus.


Marcelino Miranda, PR Officer – Mexican Embassy

“There are rules in Mexico that have to be followed and that is the reason why the Mexican Government through Mexican Customs has started to inform Belizean buses about these timetables. This means Belizean buses can cross into Mexico but they have to do it within this timetable. At the moment they cannot cross because the gamma ray screening is not working during the weekend.

Passengers can cross into Mexico. They have to get out of the bus, the Belizean bus, they go through Mexican Immigration and Customs and they are allowed to go into Mexico. There are plenty of transports available at the border, they can use these and travel to anywhere in Mexico to Chetumal, to Cancun, and so there is no restriction about passengers – it is just about Belizean buses.”

Miranda says the rule also restricts Mexican buses and it is being implemented at all border crossings.

Source: 7NewsBelize

America's Most Wanted Show Host in Belize!

The man whose face is associated with most of the sought after criminals on the lam, is the host of America’s Most Wanted. AMV host, John Walsh is in Belize tonight shooting a segment for an episode of America’s Most Wanted There has been a series of American fugitives who have been seeking refuge in the Jewel. On Friday January thirtieth, convicted sex offender and chess master Robert Snyder plead guilty to a felony of failure to register as a sex offender. He faces life in parole, and if he is ever released from prison, he may have to register as a sex offender wherever he would reside in the U.S. The judge has an option of sentencing Snyder for ten years to a maximum of life. Snyder has been held on a million dollars bond since December nineteenth. He was caught after a student of Hummingbird Elementary School recognized Synder who was a chess tutor at the school. Walsh is expected to interview the student for an episode of America’s Most Wanted.