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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Island Miracles and Great Turnout

by tacogirl 28/10/2015
written by tacogirl 28/10/2015
Ambergris Island

Recently, the residents of Ambergris Caye were privileged to witness some Island Miracles, as a result of the efforts of local business owner Lara Goldman, 12 Belize – best one-stop gift shopping on the island. Lara is a volunteer with a local organization which is dedicated to helping children with emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities. After attending camp sessions she realized that many of these kids and a few community adults would benefit from therapy. So she wrote her Alma mater to see who was available and willing to travel to Belize and help.

She found three great girls to come make some miracles: Dr. Brooke Riley, PT, Dr. Bethany Wolf, PT. Kaley Marston, Speech Therapist. Lara Brooke and Bethany went to Arcadia University in Glenside, PA. and Kaley went to the University of Tennessee.

Miracles in the Making

In the interest of personal privacy was agreed not to name names but, the miraculous results are what is most important. A Handyman was able to experience relief from pain for the first time since his back went bad. Another man learned to dance and play tennis again. A five-year-old boy walked for the first time. A 16-month -old boy also learned to walk for the first time. Someone else learned to better maneuver in his wheelchair so he can independently go to the store for himself now – how cool is that? The gift of freedom and independence is something many of us take for granted, I think about it often when I see Dallas in his wheelchair.

Ambergris CayeAmbergris Island

Happy Tears

Lara cried tears of joy every day and said repeatedly that week “I know it’s science and medicine, and hard work and effort….but it sure feels like I just watched a miracle”.

The official reports are not back yet, but it is estimated roughly 25 adults and children were helped over the course of the week.

As a follow up to further continue this amazing work, Lara is going to meet with several of the University’s Deans on November 11 to discuss further development of the program.

If you would like to make a voluntary contribution donation or get more information Lara’s therapy work please make contact with her at – lara@romantictravelbelize(dot)com

Interested in more great Volunteer work being done on Ambergris Caye? Read U.S. dental team marks 23rd year putting smiles on the faces of Belizeans on Robert Hawkins Bound For Belize blog.

Video Footage

Some video footage was taken by Lara of the amazing events. To see more go to Lara Goldman YouTube page.

In this first one look at the smile on his face at the end of the video.

More than one child was taught to walk that week by the therapists – amazing.

Great Turn Out as Always

I know many of you love animals as much (or more) than people and Saga always does a great job of helping our island animals. I was not able to make their annual Halloween party this year but a secret elf brought a few pictures. Thanks to Saga volunteers Heather, Eileen and Dawn for prize list and answering a few questions on the event.

This year, Saga made a little over $4000 – almost the entire Ambergris business and grocery community helped out with donations of food and prizes.

There were so many creative costumes that judges, former Miss San Pedro Michele Nunez, Mary Gonzalez from San Pedro Sun and Kristian & Ethan Guerrero had a tough job. The Pedigree Princess, the Two-headed Zombie Dog, the Bartender & the Martini Dog, and the Fisher Woman & Little Nemo were just a few of the amazing costumes represented.

Winners Circle

Samantha Cobb won judges choice with dog Maya and her daughter Charlie as Little Red Riding Hood and the Granny Wolf. For most creative, it was the 2 chihuahuas one as a Chef and one as Saga Cook-off lobster in a pot, from Kathy Bayos. Look-alike was Rob Hoffman in pigtails for ears to look like his dog, Bear. Most Creative and it went to the Sargasso Dog, Dooley Bear owned by Lisa and Ronnie Cyrier.

Prizes Galore

As always Saga is thankful for all the local businesses who step up and donate prizes for the annual party and their monthly cook-offs. Saga also has an online auction that will debut Sunday in their November newsletter and run until Dec 15th. The auction will have full vacation packages, just in time for their international supporters to plan their winter escape and return to our beautiful Island. Contact them Saga Humane Society website to find out more. I know there were some very happy party goers with this long list of prizes that got won:

“12” Gift Shop – Gift Basket, A&R – $25 Gift Certificate, Amigo’s Del Mar – Blue Hole Snorkeling for Two – $780 value, Aquarius Styling Salon – Haircut/Blow-dry $25 value, Ashley’s Boutique – Doggy Sweater (boy), Belizean Arts – Paintings x Two – $950 value, Belize Chocolate Company – Certificate for $50 Gift Basket, Bella Italia Restaurant – One Large Pizza – $40 value, BIGSUP – One Hour Paddle Boarding – $30 value, Blue Water Grill – $100 Gift Certificate, CG Esthetics – $50 Worth of Services,& Caliente Restaurant – $50 Gift Certificate, Candle Garden – Dog Leash w/LED Lights, Captain Sharks – One Fishing Rod with Reel + 3 T-shirts, Caramba Restaurant – $100 Gift Certificate, Caroline’s Cooking – Lunch for Two – value $50, Castillo’s Hardware – $100 Gift Certificate, Caye Coffee – 3 – $25 Gift Certificates, Casa Picasso Restaurant – $150 Gift Certificate, Chuck & Robbie’s Dive Shop – Snorkel Trip for Two – Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley, Coffee Bar – $20 Gift Certificate, Coral Beach Realty – Sunday Brunch trip to Caye Caulker for Six (boat, gas, coolers & ice only), Crazy Canucks – $25 Gift Certificate & 3 free entries to the hermit crab races, Di V’u Restaurant – Dinner for Two – value $100, Ecologic Divers – Hol Chan Snorkel Trip for Two – Hol Chan, Ecologic Divers – Catamaran Trip, Elvi’s Restaurant – Mayan Buffet for Two, Estel’s Dine by the Sea Restaurant – $50 Gift Certificate, F & S Golf Carts – $50 Cash Donation, Fido’s Restaurant – Lunch for Two X 2, Go Fish Belize – One Full Day Flats Fishing Trip – $850 value, Go Fish Belize – One Hour Fly Casting Lesson – $100 value, Graniel’s Dreamland – Decorative Wooden Dolphin & Fish Trivet (2 pieces) $100 value total, Hidden Treasure Restaurant – promised Gift Certificate, Island Buzz Cafe – Breakfast or Lunch for Two – $40 value, Jambel’s Jerk Pit – Buffet for 2 – $80 value, JoSe’s Salon – Wash & Blow Dry $50 value, Leslie’s Salon – Gift Certificate for Haircut & Eyebrow Wax, Lola’s Pub – $50 Bar Tab, Mambo Chill Boutique – $100 Gift Certificate, Melt Cafe – $100 Gift Cert – Bar or Food, Moncho’s Rent-A-Cart – 24-Hour Golf Cart Rental, Palapa Bar – $50 Gift Certificates x 2, Paradise Framing – promised, Pampered Paws – One Flea & Tick Bath – $35 value, Pampered Paws – One Full Groom – $50 value, Paradise Framing – Picture Frame $100 value, Premium Wines – $50 Gift Certificate, Palapa Bar – $50 Gift Certificate X 2, PepperOni’s – One 16″ Pepperoni Pizza and One 16″ Specialty Pizza, Planet’s Pizza – One Large Pizza – One Cheesy Bread – One Liter Coke – $50 value, Pupuseria Salvadorena – Dinner for Two – $50 value, Ramon’s Pineapple Restaurant – Dinner for Two, Reef Restaurant – Lunch or Dinner for Two – $75 value,Rum, Cigar & Coffee House – $50 Gift Certificate, SP Hardware – $20 Cash Donation, Sandbar – $50 Gift Certificate, Sandy Point – Two – Night Stay at X’Tan Ha value, Seaduced – Sunset Cruise for Two – $200 value, Searious Adventures – Sunset Sail for Four, Sol Spa – Gift Certificate for a Manicure & Pedicure, Squirrel’s Nest – $50 Bar Tab, SunBreeze Hotel – 2-Night Stay – $700 value, SunBreeze Suites – 2-Night Stay – $700 value, Sunrise Island Bar & Cuisine – Lunch for Two – $50 value, Suya Tours – Lamanai Tour for One Person, The Nook – $100 Gift Certificate for Food & Drinks, Top Notch Boutique – $50 Gift Certificate, Toucan Gift Stores – $100 Gift Certificates x 2, Victoria House Palmilla Restaurant – Dinner for Two, Warpaint – Doggy Outfit – (girl), Wayo’s Beernet – $50 Bar Tab, Wild Mango’s – $200 Gift Certificate, Wine de Vine certificate and Wings – Doggy Carrier

A Few Pictures

Danny Vega was broadcasting live from our local Belize radio station San Pedro Breeze. Saga had lots of great party activities going on: food, raffles, a silent auction, palm & paw readings, face painting, Smooch-a-Pooch booth & kids games including Halloween twister & a sack race.

Saga Humane SocietySaga Humane SocietySaga Humane SocietyBelize RadioAmbergris Caye

There were some great pet costumes this year. Some really good ready made ones, along with some cool crafty handmade ones, like the burger stand and bag of dog food. Don’t forget to the like Saga Humane Society facebook page and see more party details and animal updates.

Saga Humane SocietyLobster season BelizeAmbergris IslandBelize Humane SocietyBelize Humane Society

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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