The National Garifuna Council (NGC) selected Old Belize as their platform to showcase the best of the Garifuna culture on Saturday, November 11. This fundraiser was the first annual Garifuna Cultural Explosion 2006. Patrons were honored with exposure to the Garifuna way of life, which was inclusive of their music, dance, food, clothing, and implements. The Garifuna Trust Fund would benefit from the proceeds.
Three issues ago, this column featured Belizean entrepreneur, Lascelle Arnold. All the happenings in one?s life can never be told in this column, but we feel a part II is necessary here to convey some of the fascinating details not covered in our October 11 article. In this edition we tell you of Lascelle's stint in a Mexican prison, his experience with a major earthquake, his visit to Honduras after Mitch, and the real estate business, which has bolstered his success in the world of business.
Gales Point Manatee, Belize District, is home to one of the most vibrant African populations of Belize—full of the sounds of the Sambai and the drums that transfuse the souls of villagers with a strong sense of self. But even there, elders sit with a sense of nostalgia for the Belize that existed in the early days.
Lascelle Arnold is one of Belize's most savvy entrepreneurs. His life story is an unusual tale of a Mullins River boy who did not do so well in primary school, but who, nonetheless, turned his life into a remarkable success story through a spirit of innovation and dedication.
Lascelle lived in the coastal village of Mullins River, Stann Creek, until he was about four or five years old. He moved with his parents, Gilbert and Valerie Arnold, to Belize City, where he was raised on Dean Street, his residence until he was 21 years old.
Shiffana Flowers grew up as many other young girls in post-Independent Belize City, one of a handful of siblings reared in a female-headed household. For her, life was normal. Happy. But things changed drastically on her 12thbirthday in 2002 when she was suddenly confronted with the death of her mother, Dorla Flowers, who succumbed to cancer.
On top of this painful tragedy, Shiffana was facing all the confusion that puberty brings upon a girl?s life. She was also going through her final days of primary school and preparing to enter the much more challenging world of high school, where peer pressure was bound to compound her unstoppable metamorphosis.
Two-time Female Cross Country Champion and Belize Defence Force Officer Cadet, Gina Lovell, 23, is setting a remarkable pace for herself. It's not merely the pace she's setting on the asphalt-covered roads of Belize, but on the rocky roads of life.
She's a mother of two young ladies and the proprietor of a Belizean restaurant in the heart of Belize City's north side commercial wing. Glenda Arthurs Ferguson has been operating K&M Plaza Place at the corner of Baymen Avenue and Kelly Street for the past 10 years. Her menu is comprised of Belizean cuisine from rice and beans with a variety of meats to cow foot soup, but you never know what the day's "special" is going to be. That's mostly where she gets to apply her creativity and passion for what she does, where she gets to express her fundamental outlook on life.
King of the Hills brings home the garland - For four years, he has captured the title, "the King of the Hills," in Belize, and on Saturday, April 15, Shane Vasquez captured for himself yet another coveted title, 2006 Cross Country Champion. The country had been thirsting for someone to bring home the garland. Shane became the first Belizean in five years to win the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic - the biggest cycling race on the national calendar
?Not one child in this country should be left behind?and especially with oil. We don?t even have half a million people. It?s disgraceful.?
She has come to earn the nickname of ?Granny? after her stellar appearance in Belize?s first television dramatic series, No Matta Wat. But who is the lady Carrie Fairweather? In this week?s edition of Personality of the Week, Amandala chats with her to gain more insight into the real-life character that plays a strong material figure, Granny Tomasa, on your televisions screen. What we found out is that she is not so much different from the one that was scripted into the series.
Oftentimes, media personnel tell the stories of others, disclosing very little about themselves. Breaking that trend, Personality of the Week this time features KREM FM announcer and news anchor, Deseree Cain, also known as ?Lady D.?
Simon Quan is a popular Chinese businessman who has made a name for himself in Belize. Many remember him as the Oriental man who used to ride around with goods on a black delivery bike, carrying them from his stores to his clients.
He migrated here the year before Hurricane Hattie, in 1960, after his cousin, Augusto Quan, invited him to work for him. He felt that outside of Hong Kong he could find fortune, having heard of many others who had left and prospered.
Former police bandmaster still willing to teach...
?This individual served as a policeman for years in Belize, but heis also a great musician. He trained many brass instrument players, and was the Director of Music of the Police Band, a band employed on a full time basis in Belize.
?Formalmusical trainingis only for the richin Belize, the state ignores the need for a Military or Police Band, but we had it before and we should pay tribute to men like Mr. Anderson.?
It was a proud day for the country?and especially women in Belize?when Justice Michelle Arana was formally appointed the first woman judge of the Belize Supreme Court on Monday, January 16, 2006. But it was blessing bestowed upon a woman with great humility, pride and determination, as well the vision to look at today?s younger generation and affirm her goal to blaze a trail for young girls who will become tomorrow?s women.
Being the only girl among three brothers, she was the princess of the home, but perhaps her family structure also prepared her for her eventual journey, blazing a new trail for women in what has been ?a man?s world.?
??individuals who get elected to serve in governmental positions and turn out to be dishonest characters are nothing but common criminals, because they commit the most unkind act to their fellowmen, and that is betrayal.?
The southern town of Punta Gorda has spawned a determined businessman turned politician, who is heading the slate of the third party that will contest the Belmopan City Council elections. Paul Morgan, Sr., JP, heads the 7-member slate of the VIP ? Vision Inspired by the People. While some see it as a dirty profession, Mr. Morgan has a positive view of politics.
