Miss Belize DFW

From BUDFW Archive: Watch the very first Miss Belize DFW Contestants as they introduce themselves and prepare for the title of Miss Belize DFW:watch video

Passing the Garifuna Torch

Aurelio Martinez




Laru Beya (Sub Pop/Next Ambiance NXA 002, 2011)

It’s been 7 years since Aurelio Martinez’s splendid Garifuna Soul album, and a lot has happened since. The music of the Garifuna, a Central American people whose dual African and indigenous heritage make for some of the most heartfelt, deeply rooted sounds on the planet, has rightly become better known worldwide.

Sadly, the man who was most likely to bring the music ever further, Belize’s Andy Palacio, passed away suddenly in early 2008, shortly after his universally acclaimed release Watina. Palacio was a friend and mentor to the Honduras-born Aurelio Martinez (who was featured on Watina), but Palacio’s untimely death ended their relationship and any possible future collaboration.

Aurelio’s new Laru Beya is dedicated to Palacio and would certainly have done the late master proud. For just as Watina stepped beyond tradition but still respected it, Laru Beya expands upon punta, paranda and other sacred and secular Garifuna rhythms... read more

Murder Rate: The Regional Perspective

Two weeks 7newsbelize.com reported that Belize's murder rate for 2010 was 40 murders per one hundred thousand citizens, the highest rate Belize has ever recorded and among the highest in the world.

As of January 12, 2011 it has been reported among the highest in the region for 2010 - in fact it is tied with St. Kitts for the second highest.

Jamaica, with its 1,430 murders has a murder rate of 53 - amongst the highest in the hemisphere - but significantly down from the previous year. There were 260 fewer murders in Jamaica in 2010, a 15% drop.

Belize, on the other hand, registered 35 more murders, a 36% increase and it is now tied with St. Kitts and Nevis for the second highest murder rate in the Caribbean, which is 40 murders per hundred thousand.

Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas round out the top five with murder rates of 36 and 29, respectively.

We have been unable to get the 2010 figures for Central America - but in 2009 Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala were among the highest in the world with murder rates per one hundred thousand reaching into the 50's, 60's and 70's.

Turning back to the Caribbean….notably, Barbados, which has consistently had the lowest murder rate in the region, showed a 63% increase in the number of murders though their murder rate per hundred thousand is still only 11.

BUDFW Annual Family Picnic - September 2010

NEW PHOTOS POSTED!!! Check them out [click album below]

WORLDFEST 2010 [Oct 23/24]

Come out and support Belize and BUDFW in the Marketplace this Sunday, October 24th.

WorldFest 2010

October 23 - 24, Noon - 6 PM
Village on the Parkway
Belt Line Rd at the Dallas North Tollway

Click here for full details of the event

Free Admission!

WorldFest celebrates the diverse cultural communities that make up the DFW Metroplex and provides guests the opportunity to be immersed in the culture of Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East and of course the Americas.

New Features at WorldFest 2010
Moroccan Village - Debuts at WorldFest & continues through November 7
World Class Flamenco at Gloria’s Restaurant
Berlitz Passport to the World
Greg Davis International Photography Exhibit
Dia de Los Muertos Student Art Exhibit
Japanese Tea Ceremony

Enter to win a trip for two to Paris, France

Trip includes roundtrip air travel for two provided by American Airlines and four nights’ hotel accommodations. Entry forms are available at any DFW-area Albertsons customer service counter.

--
Kind Regards,




Ashley Burn
Executive Vice-President
Public Relations Director
Belizeans United in Dallas/Ft.Worth, Inc.
budfw.info@gmail.com
www.budfw.org

United and Proud - Moving Forward - I am Belize

Belize will be celebrating its 29th Independence Anniversary on September 21, 2010. It is traditional in Belize for celebrations to begin at the end of August and continue up until Independence Day. The festivities also included St George’s Caye Day, celebrated in Belize on September 1o. As is customary, a theme is chosen that represents the nationalistic spirit of the country. This year was no different. From among 73 entries, “United and Proud; Moving Forward; I am Belize;” became the theme of this year’s celebrations.

This year’s events kicked off with the commencement ceremonies that took place on August 29, 2010 at St. George’s Caye. This was followed by a concert by one of Belize’s favorite son, Francis Reneau in concert on September 3, at the Bliss Performing Center, along with The Belize Choral Society, Nelita Castillo, and students from Summer Arts Institute; on September 4, the King and Queen Competition was held at the MCC Grounds, the Queen of the Bay Pageant on Bird's Isle, and many more events are being celebrated throughout the country.

>> read more/view photos

You want to escape in Belize? Wish Willy Hole

Wish Willy Hole Guest House, a quiet and cozy getaway, is a perfect romantic cottage at affordable prices in the Pine Ridge area of Crooked Tree Village.

Crooked Tree is an inland island village surrounded by six beautiful lagoons and is the only inhabited wildlife sanctuary in Belize. This charming cottage style setting offers two bedrooms with all amenities, five minutes from the Crooked Tree Village Lagoon.

The abundance of wildlife makes this area an enjoyable natural environment for all ages.

>> View Website