Mayan girl by Bob Smith

A growing number of artists,  both from the villages of Izabal and professionals, along with performers both traditional and foreign and organizations promoting ecologically improving “green” methods of living with the land are jumping on board to make this festival a learning experience where all can benefit both environmentally and culturally.

Baskets

The event will be held at Nana Juana Marina/Hotel on July 7. You may not have heard of it yet as there is at this point no funding to boost the launch of the project.

But this concept has already inspired other local interests in preparing for yet another fair to be held in October focusing more on the local business’ of Izabal.

Dance of the deer

To this, point artists from the Aldea Los Laureles San Gil, AkTenamit, La Lagunita Salvador, Livingston, Rio Dulce and more are scheduled to attend. There is also a growing list of businesses providing demonstrations, and eco-friendly things to live better, cleaner, in living with the land who will be participating.

Recycled bicycle machine

Demonstrations are in store like recycled bicycle machines, making solar ovens, building with plastic bottles, rocket stoves that burn 75% less wood and much more that will allow educational tools for people to take away.

At this point, and to achieve this goal, the fair is seeking funding to help the villagers participate by getting them here and back, to promote the event with signage, and other costs required to make it happen.

 If you are interested in getting involved, please go to the website www.artfair.inriodulce.com to learn more. I feel this is a great opportunity to begin an ongoing resource to promote and protect this national park to the extent it deserves.

Josh, Carla and friend entertain at Vista Rio benefit

Last Saturday, April 21, they were hit from behind while riding a motorcycle and are both suffering multiple injuries.

The husband/father, Andy, is a well-known local artist and signmaker. He came at the end of the event and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the many Rio Dulce cruisers and locals who attended and gave donations.

Brenda is recovering from facial scarring and a broken wrist. However, young Melissa has many internal injuries, including a fractured, possibly broken, pelvis.

She must stay at home for two months, then be transferred to Guatemala City for more surgeries. We wish this sweet family the best of luck and hope for successful healing.

Vista Rio management estimated that close to Q10,000 was raised for the family.

See more photos of the benefit HERE .

Thanks to all who organized and participated. It was a fun event for a good cause!

Bob's s/v Choupique

If you're not familiar with his work, take a look at the book he published during his Key West days HERE.

Bob has a unique light-hearted and personal style of painting which reflects his own wit and whimsy.

He'll be accepting a limited number of commissions so if you're interested, give him a call at 5067 7863 soon.

Bob Smith

Bob can work from a real-life session with your boat or from a photograph.

If you and your boat are no longer on the Rio Dulce, you can email a .jpg image of your boat to him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Price?  Give him a call. You'll be pleasantly suprised at how affordable a Bob Smith boat portrait can be.

And, yes, there's already a Bob Smith original of the m/v Steel Magnolia proudly displayed in her master stateroom.

Karla Maria Paguada collapses into a supporters arms while taking first place in the women's race -- Julia Bartlett photo

 By Julia Bartlett
Chisme-Vindicator
In a dramatic finish to the women’s 12k race held Sunday, April 22, Karla Maria Paguada crossed the finishing line in first place and collapsed into a supporter’s arms.  

She had to be lifted into the stands and it was a full fifteen minutes before her legs would support her at all.  She had left her nearest competition a full 14 seconds behind her.

Luis Domingo Mendoza won the men’s 23k race in a storming finish leaving  his nearest rival 11mins 59 seconds behind him. 

RESULTS

Men’s 23k
1st place prize of Q5,000 to Luis Domingo Mendoza (1hr 38min 32secs)
2nd place prize of  Q3,000 Samuel Marcos (1hr 50mins 31secs)
3rd place prize of Q1,500 Luis Alberto Mendez Lopez (1hr 57mins 15secs)

Women’s 12k
1st place prize of Q2,000 to Karla Maria Paguada (1hr 38secs)
2nd place prize of Q1,000 to Isieni Aurora Estaro Gamboa (1hr 52secs)
3rd place prize of Q500 to Carmen Garcia (1hr 4mins)

Rio Dulce Mayor Chente Intellano wishing the competitors luck before the start.

There were 69 competitors in the men’s race and 14 in the women’s race and a great turnout of local supporters.  

I would like to offer my personal congratulations to the organizers who were tireless, good humored and patient.  You did a great job, bien hecho!