The Placencia Breeze

July ~ August, 2006

Placencia Joins Forces with CORAL and WWF to Put Standards into Practice. In June, 2006, the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), held the second ICRAN MAR pilot site series workshop held over a two-day period at the Placencia Community Center on Sustainable Marine Recreation in the Greater Placencia Area, Belize. The workshop, headed by Rich Wilson of CORAL and Belize City-based Shalini Cawich of WWF, brought together dedicated local participants working to develop voluntary marine recreations standards, and to identify and develop action plans for a select number of conservation projects for which the ICRAN MAR implementing partners (principally CORAL and World Wildlife Federation) will provide technical and financial assistance. The groups are also applying for matching funds and grants where available.

The first pilot site workshop, Sustainable Marine Recreation: Protect Your Business by Protecting Your Reef, was held in Placencia in November 2005. During this workshop, participants were given a background and informational material on coral reef ecology, benefits of standards for industry, reef threats and locally led solutions.

At the Conservation in Action workshop, held in June, 2006, participants decided to focus on locally based solutions to reef threats according to the following criteria:
Benefits the health of coral reefs;
Builds community cooperation and responsibility;
Is practical and realistic;
Has manageable and realistic financial costs;
Has long-term vision;
Supports Implementation of the ICRAN MAR standards and code of conduct
Raises awareness of the local MPA

The top two threats to our reefs identified were ANCHOR DAMAGE and POLLUTION. Using the resources of Educators, Government Ministries, and local and national NGOs, action plans were developed for a local Moorings Installation Program and a Placencia-based Marine PumpOut Station, for a total budget of well over US$50,000. Money would be spent on basic materials as well as developing regulations, lobbying government agencies, developing signage and brochures, and educational outreach programs for locals, guides, Park Rangers and tourists alike on What, How, and Why.

The remainder of the workshop was devoted to developing action plans for the conservation initiatives. Project goals were identified. The moorings group was “to establish a mooring buoy installation and maintenance program prior to the next high tourism season; 15 dive moorings and 15 anchorage moorings; 8 dive moorings as soon as possible.” The pump out station group was “to establish a sustainable boat pump out station as soon as possible in the best location in the Placencia harbor.”

The ultimate goal for both projects is to have conservation initiatives that focus on Placencia, and ultimately Belize, as an advocate for the future health of some of our finest assets: a sustainable marine environment.
Roles and responsibilities of the key players for the moorings project were named as: local dive shops to determine mooring locations, installation, fundraising, monitoring and maintenance; Friends of Nature and TASTE for bases, communication, monitoring and maintenance; installers/maintenance crew: T.G.A.-FON, TMM/BCA; NGOs and the Placencia Tourism Center for accounting and financial planning; Belize Charter Boat Association to determine mooring locations, funding, and installation; and Fisheries Department for permits, equipment, labor and boat.

Roles and responsibilities of the key players for the pump out station project were named as Placencia Village Council to identify best location for unit; Placencia Clean & Green for overseeing operations and maintenance of unit; Department of the Environment, Fisheries, Belize Tourism Board, and Port Authority for lobbying and support for project; Belize Charter Boat Association to acquire surveys, promote to members and statistical support; a commercial source for pump out unit for technical details and support; NGOs and the Placencia Tourism Center for accounting and financial planning; and finally a Placencia Clean & Green Board of Directors drawn from the original planning team to secure funding, establish guidelines and regulations for operations, produce educational and promotional material, and ensure a profitable operation that sets new standards in the Caribbean Sea coastal areas.

Watch for further news on these two exciting projects, both local initiatives funded by international support from a very impressive team of players. Currently being planned as the projects gain steam are press releases to all media houses: internet; radio; television; The Placencia Breeze; Letters to Editor, newspaper articles, posters and brochures, presentations to organizations: BTIA; BETA; Rotary; Council meetings; Schools, Women’s groups; Humane Society, etc. Contact Elysia Dial at the Placencia Tourism Center for further information.

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The Success of Lobsterfest

July ~ August, 2006

For the very first time Placencia's annual Lobsterfest, always the last weekend in June, was held out on the beach instead of down near the main docks in the village. Crowds gathered to enjoy all the great things that Placencia Lobsterfest is known for - the extensive selection of delectable lobster cuisine, the unique creations of the artisans on display, great musical entertainment, games and activities, and of course the added attraction of a refreshing dip along Placencia’s beautiful white beaches.

Why the move? The fest has grown dramatically in size over the years and the need for more space was a must. The Lobsterfest planning committee also recognized the need for more activities and entertainment. Tournaments and competitions made up a huge part of this year’s festival - along with the traditional Placencia Fishermen’s Day Saltwater Fishing Tournament (turn to page 7 for more details) there was defiantly something for everyone. For those that thought themselves athletic, there was the Pickled Parrot Tug-O-War Tournament, the Tipsy Tuna Tuna Toss, , Turtle Inn Kayak Challenge, and TMM Bareboat Charters Beach Football Competition. For a challenge of the mind there was the D-Tourz Backgammon Tournament and for people who felt musically inclined there was the Sugar Reef Karaoke Competition. All events were fun for spectators and participants alike. Impromptu festival moments included a musical performance by Evan Fairweather with his accordion.

Children enjoyed three days of fun and games. Friday games were organized by the teachers of St. John’s Memorial School and included three legged and wheelbarrow races. Prizes were given through donations from the Placencia Tour Guide Association, Tuttifrutti Ice Cream Parlor, Scotiabank and Atlantic Bank. Both Saturday and Sunday Progressive Youth of Placencia held a wide verity of games and activities (for more on this turn to the back page) and the Placencia Peninsula Arts Association offered coloring and face painting to the children. And for the first time a “Monster Slide” was included in the weekend’s fun.

Musical entertainment in the form of the Gilharry 7 Band, the All-Star Steel Band and DJ Tuca was made possible by the generous donations of MNM Hardware and Service Station Placencia, the Belize Tourism Board, Chabil Mar Villas and Sea View Properties - businesses and organizations that sponsored Placencia Lobsterfest events repeatedly over the years and Reagan International and Placencia Properties Ltd - first time sponsors.

Special thanks to EVERYONE that made this event the success it was. We hope that everyone that came out for the weekend enjoyed it as much as we did and that everyone will join us again next year for Placencia Lobsterfest 2007!!!!

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Placencia Strikas FC on the Road

July ~ August 2006

Our trip to Benque Viejo del Carmen on July 12^th -16^th was 96% awesome the boys played there heart and soul in both game one against Sabenito Selection from Guatemala, lost 2-0 but our boys didn’t give up easy. They came back and defeated the next team from Guatemala 2-1 and had to settle for 3^rd place.

The boys were well conducted, everyone obeyed me and Mr. Chris Mayen - ‘nuff respect boys and keep it up! Manners and respect can take you along way. Parents as long as Chris and I live, we will be with your kids in sports and school. I love working with youths and feel by working with them I can be a positive influence on them. I don’t want them to go astray, get caught up in drugs, get into gang relations or drop out of school.

(Placencia Strikas......Photo by Juan Caducio)

Parents I know it is not easy to work with kids or youths but you have got to be strong, don’t give up on them, listen to them, ask them how you can help, spend time with them, ask them if they have any home-work, go to school and check on them, find out who your kids friends are, I’m not saying that your kid will do what they will do, but you will know if that friend or friends wants good for your kid. Parents if you aren’t there for them who will? I know that I will be there for them as long as I live, I love sports, football, basketball, and track and field was my thing. My heart to all Parents, Sponsors, Friends and most of all God. Parents please continue to encourage your kids or kid to study hard, come to workouts and stay in school. Any one wish to know about the 4% call me 600-6097

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Placencia Lobsterfest Fishermen's Day Saltwater Fishing Tournament

July ~ August 2006

The twelve boats captains and their crews that participated in this year’s Placencia Lobsterfest Fishermen’s Day Saltwater Tournament faced some of the stormiest weather ever seen in the history of the event. Crews left at 5 am on Saturday at the sounding of a horn to try their luck at sea. The weather soon turned bad and many of the teams were forced to find shelter where they could and wait out the torrential downpour and strong winds. In the afternoon the very wet crews began to arrive to weigh in the fish they were able to catch between showers.
The following morning the crews headed out again, this time with better weather and a whole day to catch the “big one”. Teams had to be back on shore by 3:30 pm for the final weigh-in.
Catches this year were relatively low compared to years gone by but that didn’t make the competition less exciting. One category - the Largest Jack had to be decided by a digital scale reading. This year’s fishing tournament was officiated by Carlton “Jack” Young, Brian Yearwood and Elysia Dial.

8th Annual Saltwater Fishermen's Day Fishing Tournament Results

Boat Points

1. Dos Gringos 169

2. Coulton Reef 90.75

3. Teresa G 84

4. Easy Skankin 82.5

5. Bad Tide 72.5

6. Heat Wave 72

7. Nia 28.5

8. Jelan --

9. Tessa --

10. Reggae --

Categories & Winner

Largest Barracuda - 18.25 # Dos Gringos $750 Prize

Largest Jack - 15.25 # Coulton Reef $750 Prize

Largest Kingfish - 14.5 # Bad Tide $750 Prize

Highest Scoring Extraordinary - 19.5 #

Tuna- Easy Skankin $750 Prize

Grand Slam - Bad Tide $1500 Prize

Best Boat - Dos Gringos $2500 Prize

Other Tournament Prizes
Largest Jewfish, Grouper or Rockfish - 31.5# Rockfish - Heat Wave
$500 Prize Courtesy of the Inn at Robert’s Grove
Largest Fish Caught By A Woman - 19.5 # Tuna Easy Skankin’
$200 Prize & $50 Dinner Courtesy of Pickled Parrot Bar & Grill
Heaviest Fish of Tournament (Must be from 4 main tournament categories)
19.5 # Tuna Easy Skankin’ $100 Prize Courtesy of Marelco Ltd.
Captain’s Prize - Awarded to Captain of the Best Boat -
Overnight stay for 2 - Courtesy of Stepping Stones Inn in Englishtown
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Amazing Generosity Brings Lots of Smiles to Placencia Children

By: Tracy EileyJuly ~ August 2006

About a month ago I took over coaching the under eleven futbol team in Placencia. Mr. Timmy had to return to the states. And I know very little about coaching. But all the boys want to do is to play. So we get on the field twice a week (it will be three times by this posting) from 4:30 til 6:00 and they play their little hearts out.
I don’t have all their names down yet but if they keep coming we will all get to know each other. And we will all become more knowledgeable about the game.
Little ones like Anthony, Earl and Kusono (Vaughn Jr) are small but they play hard and good. Sebastian, Dominick, Esmelin and Crispi all come each night dressed to play. Tyler comes over from Independence to get a chance to practice with our guys. Colin, Alex and Ironi are a little more advanced with their skills but bring a nice challenge to the younger ones. There are names that don’t come to mind but all the boys have a special talent and I am proud to be able to be their “Miss Coach” as they call me.
Amazingly one night as the boys were playing, some without shoes, a gentleman named Sorin Suciu originally from Romania now residing in Tucson Arizona approaches and offers to come the following week and he says he has some shoes to donate.
Well lo and behold we are on the field the next Monday after his visit and as Alex is down, kicked in the shins by one of his opponents, and we are wishing he had shin guards I turn and see the man from the other day lifting bag after bag of equipment from the rear of a car.
It doesn’t take long for the boys to realize something is up and up in a good way for them. As they line up along the fence and the boots are laid out before them they can hardly contain themselves. The boys are called over a few at a time to make a selection. They are given socks to go with the boots and some of the children also receive shirts and shorts. The goalies got shirts and gloves to go along with their socks and boots.
As the boys dress in their newly acquired sports attire and head out to the field, my heart is about to burst with joy to see all of the boys have socks and boots on their feet. Even the girls were given boots if the wanted them.
Everyone of the children that received a gift that night was overwhelmed and I want to extend a heartfelt Thank You to the Dinamo Futbol Club from Tucson, Arizona USA. Sorin the director and founder of the club and his wife Julie and the children, Grace Nathan and Nicolas all are most generous for taking their time to want to share with our young people. Mel Nevitt VP of Dinamo Futbol Club and his daughter Tierney also brought some of the items that were donated so all the Thanks go to them as well.
So anyone wanting to send a Thank you is welcome to go to www.dinamofc.com.

A Tradition Renewed

July ~ August 2006

Placencia Lobsterfest can once again boast the inclusion of the Blessing of the Boats or Fleet and the Boat Parade. These events were once one of the main events in Fishermen’s Day - the festival that grew into Lobsterfest.
This year the Blessing took place on the Sunday afternoon immediately following the final weigh-in for the Lobsterfest fishing tournament. Captains were encouraged to stick around and have their boats blessed and other boats also took part in the ceremony. With a freshly cut branch and a small bucket of holy water in hand Father Jerry Jones blessed the boats and the crews on board. Everyone then joined in the parade which left the main dock and continued out to the front of Placencia’s beach where all the other Lobsterfest activities

The Placencia Lobsterfest committee would like to thank Father Jones for presiding over the ceremony and everyone that took part. We hope to see all of you at the Blessing next year! Picture: Father Jone Blessing the Boats at Placencia Lobsterfest. Taken by Juan Caducio

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Placencia BTIA Lobsterfest Raffle

July ~ August 2006

Grand Prize:

Continental Airlines: 1 round trip ticket from Belize to anywhere in the domestic USA that Continental Airlines flies. Jannet Means #2680

Package Prizes

Sailing Getaway: Moorings Belize: Full day sail for up to 8 people including snacks, two cases beer, two cases of soft drinks, captain & hostess Larry Vernon #2689

Cayo Getaway: The Lodge at Chaa Creek: Two Nights cottage accommodations for two. It includes a guided visit to our Natural History Center, Butterfly Farm and Rainforest Medicine Trail, horseback riding through jungle trails, on Early Morning Bird Walk or Creatures of the night walk and a non-guided canoe trip on the Macal River or hiking trip through our 345-acre Nature reserve Da Juan Mon: $50.00 Cash Prize, Muzamanzie Photographs: $50.00 Cash Prize, & Placencia Office Supply: $100.00 Cash Price. Vance Cabral #2732

Placencia Getaway: Sugar Reef Cabanas: Weekend for two (some restriction apply & not valid on block dates) La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant: 2 Entrees & 1 Appetizer, Next Wave Sailing: Sunset Cruise for two & two T-shirts, Tuttufrutti Ice Cream Parlor: $25 Value Gift Certificate (Ice Cream or Ice Cream Cake). Merlene Bernard #1643

What’s for dinner? Reservations!!!! 4 Great Evenings that you don’t have to cook!!! - De Tatch Seafood Bar & Grill: Dinner for two $50.00 Value, Pickled Parrot Bar & Grill: Dinner for two up to $50.00 Value, Rum Point Inn: 4 course dinner for 2 with a glass of wine per person, The Garden Brew Coffee House, Bar and Restaurant: Dinner for 2 $50.00 Value Maretha McCullach # 871

Five Star Getaway: Nautical Inn 2 Night Accommodation (Excludes Holidays), The Inn at Robert's Grove: Saturday Night BBQ for 2 at the Seaside Restaurant, Seahorse Dive Shop: Snorkeling trip for 2 along with 2 t-shirts, Tuttufrutti Ice Cream Parlor: $25 Value Gift Certificate (Ice Cream or Ice Cream Cake). Lee Nyhus #1257

Vamos a Honduras The Gulf Cruza: 1 round trip ticket to Puerto Cortez, Palmtree Design: $50.00 Cash Prize, Artful Dodger Sail & Canvas - $100 Cash Prize, Barnacle Bill's Beach Bungalow: $50.00 Cash Prize, Barefoot Auto Rental: $100.00 Cash Prize. Patricia Griffith #1774

San Pedro Getaway

SunBreeze Beach Hotel: One Night Stay Single or Double Standard Accommodation, Blue Tang Inn: One Night Stay at the Blue Tang Inn with complementary Continental Breakfast, Eloise Travel Lodge: $100.00 Cash Prize, Joy Tours: $100.00 Cash Prize. Daphne Ferrel #2365

Belize City Getaway I

The Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina: One night stay in one of our A/C Deluxe rooms for two, James Brodie James & Co Ltd: $50.00 Gift Certificate, Pancho's Auto Rental: $150.00 Cash Prize, Maya Island Air: One round trip ticket from Placencia to Belize Municipal Erwin Lazzeri #031

Belize City Getaway II Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza: 1 Night accommodation (Excludes Holidays), Tropic Air: Two Round Trip Tickets from Placencia to Belize Municipal Airport. Captain Jak's Cabanas: $50.00 Cash Prize, Playa de Piratas Properties: $100.00 Cash Prize. Cinthya Westby #1396

Placencia Dinner, Coffee, Booze and Gift Beach Bazaar: $100.00 Gift Certificate, The Garden Brew Coffee House, Bar and Restaurant: (Prize Two) $25.00 Cappuccino Tab, Tuttufrutti Ice Cream Parlor: $25 Value Gift Certificate (Ice Cream or Ice Cream Cake), French Connection: Dinner for 2 up to a $50.00 Value, Barefoot Beach Bar: $50.00 bar tab. Elton Eiley # 1331

Be good to the body The Acupuncture Center: Two Acupuncture Treatments, Turtle Inn - 1 - Couples Massage, Peckish - $100 Gift Certificate, Mr. Nick – Water Purifier. Jay Bashant #2929

Individual Prizes

Aguada Hotel: Over night Accommodations with breakfast for two (some restriction apply & not valid on block dates) Terry Goss #474

Art ‘N’ Soul Gallery: $100.00 Gift Certificate. Martha Synder #2394

Banana Bank Lodge: Blue Hole Horse Trail Ride for Four Shermaine Miguel #796

Benny's Home Center: One Ceiling Fan Kim Yount # 2274

Blue Crab Beach: Dinner & Appetizers for 2 $100.00 Value. Elena Cuellar #526

Colibri House: $50.00 Cash Prize James Delp #008

Lola's Arts: One of Ms. Lola's Original Paintings Justin Linarez # 2184

Merlene’s Café: $50.00 Cash Prize James Delp # 1051

Miller's Landing: $50.00 Gift Certificate (good on food or accommodation) Cassie Dial # 2452

Miramar Apartments Ltd: $100.00 Cash Prize. Vance Cabral # 787

Peninsula Cable: 1 free ad for 1 month, Value $100.00 Rachel Hale # 1965

Placencia Women’s Group “Women Making A Difference”: $100.00 Cash Prize Marcus Perigo # 1458

Saks at Placencia: One Night stay standard accommodation for 2 Linda Smith

Splash Dive Shop - a Discover Scuba diving Class: value in BZ$ 327.00 and a Open Water Certification value in Bz $ 700.00 (It doesn't include certification envelope nor books) Gareth Longsworth #1897

Stonetree Records – A set of Belizean Cds Evan Fairweather # 2342

Sunova Beach Gift Shop: $50.00 Gift Certificate Doug Simmons #2322

The Inn at Robert's Grove: Dinner for 2 at Habanero's Restaurant Vickie & Peter Damon #1278

The Placencia Hotel & Residences: Romantic Three Course Dinner for two at their Pier Bar Harsbhbarger #1137

Traveler's Inn: $50.00 Cash Prize Kim Carpenter # 1807

Tuttifruitte Ice Cream Parlor: $25.00 Gift Certificate Egbert Cabral # 2614

Wallen’s Market - 2 - $50 Gift Certificates Brice Dial # 2841 & Jenria Lozano # 1799

The Placencia BTIA once again received overwhelming support from our membership, other BTIA members country wide and the business community in general in the donation of so many great prizes. The Placencia BTIA Lobsterfest Raffle has become one of the largest and most anticipated raffles in Belize and we could not do it with out all the support.

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Thank You Placencia

July ~ August 2006

We can’t believe that two years have passed so quickly. When we arrived here in Placencia as the first Peace Corps Volunteers since the Hurricane, we did not know what to expect. How would we be received? What would our lives be like? And most importantly, what would we eat?! We quickly learned that Placencia is a wonderful community made up of kind and caring people (and that Belizean food deserves maximum respect).
Two years ago we sat at our computer, finishing up the application to serve as Peace Corps volunteers. When we hit the “send” button, we crossed our fingers that we would be sent somewhere interesting, welcoming and warm. We thought of the steppes of Mongolia and shivered- you never know where you might wind up. Several months later, we got the call: Belize! At the time, we knew very little about this tiny country but we were sure of one thing: we wouldn’t be facing icy winters.
Jeff and Elicia arrived in Placencia in September 2004. We immediately started our work, developing environmental education programs with Friends of Nature and getting a Legal Information Bureau up and running. Other activities kept us busy as well: Jeff started a Mock Court program at the Independence High School, Elicia taught dance and yoga, and the two of us put together a Human Rights Awareness program for the upper primary school.
We have had an amazing experience and made friends that we plan to keep for a lifetime. Thank you Placencia for making this such a wonderful experience for us and we hope that you remember us as fondly as we’ll remember you. We definitely plan to visit again as soon as possible, and in the meantime you can always find us by email at jsblumberg@gmail.com.
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