Monday, February 12, 2007

Caution Should Be Used with ANG 50 and ANG 100 Notes Due to Conterfeits

According to a recent statement by the Central Bank of the Netherlands Antilles, caution should be exercised when accepting FL 50 (ANG) or FL 100 (ANG) notes at the present time, due to counterfeit notes which are currently circulating.

It appears that in some cases the gold foil authenticating FL 10 notes has been cut out of these lower-denomination notes and in turn placed on the higher-denomination notes, which would then give the appearance of authentic currency.

With the upcoming Karnival holidays, the Central Bank would like to issue a public warning so that all are on the lookout for counterfeit currency, especially in denominations of FL 50 and FL 100. For additional information on the characteristics of which bank notes are real and to receive help in recognizing counterfeit notes, visit the Central Bank’s web site at www.centralbank.an.  It should be noted that no bank will accept counterfeit notes or those notes from which the foil has been removed.  If you think you may have already received a counterfeit note, you are asked to advise the police department at 717-8000.  (Source:  Central Bank of the Netherlands Antilles)

The Bonaire District Launches New Project for Retail Stores

For the past several months, those on Bonaire have been watching with interest while a new complex was built at the circle interchange on the northern “hotel row.” This past Friday, the new project was officially launched with a “highest point” party, a tradition when constructing any new building on Bonaire.

The Bonaire District is a new retail outlet consisting of 12 stores, which are now available for lease.  With each store being 25 square meters in size, they are ideal for such businesses as a coffee shop, clothing store, camera shop, bakery, dive facility, flower shop, or any other similar endeavor.  Current plans call for a project delivery date of June, 2007, although the first phase will be available for occupancy in March, 2007.

As is tradition on Bonaire, when the highest point (completion of the roof) has been reached, a party is given for those constructing the building and the owner’s friends and acquaintances.  Accordingly, this past Friday, many in the business and governmental communities of Bonaire met for a cocktail reception at the new site, and previewed the project plans while enjoying drinks, snacks, and music.  Images of Friday’s party can be viewed on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

To access additional information about the project or about leasing space, view a press release, or visit http://www.bonairedistrict.com.  Email:  info@bonairedistrict.com.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Wind/Diesel Project Coming to Bonaire

News reports indicate that EcoPower Bonaire BV, has signed a contract with Bonaire’s utility company Water en Energie Bedrijf (WEB) to build a new wind turbine on the island. EcoPower is a consortium of Netherlands company Enercon, and German companies Econcern and MAN.

It is reported that this will be the first step in supplying Bonaire with 10 megawatts of power from wind, and 13 megawatts of power from diesel. That is quite a bit considering Bonaire’s current requirements peak at approximately 12 megawatts. The final system implementation will use wind power for 40% of the power requirements, and should be in place to provide all of Bonaire with power by the end of 2008.

The installation will consist of 11 or 12 windmills in the north eastern part of Bonaire, while the diesel/bio-diesel power generation system will be located near the BOPEC oil terminal on the north west coast of Bonaire. Cost of the complete system is expected to be in the US$35-40 million dollar range.(Source: Windtech International, Belegger.NL (in Dutch))

BONHATA Announces 10th Annual Award Winners

This past Sunday, Februrary 4th, BONHATA (the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association) honored a number of people and businesses in the Bonaire tourism community at its 10th annual awards event. The event was held at the newly opened Sunrise Restaurant at Sand Dollar Condominium Resort. In celebration of the anniversary, Mr. Peter Odle, President of the Caribbean Hotel Association and Mr. Jorge Pesquera, President & CEO of the Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association (AHATA) were guest keynote speakers at the event.  The main theme of both speakers was the need to have a unified, private sector tourism association. 

Suggesting that Bonaire needs to unite its tourism efforts, Mr. Pesquera, who gave the keynote speech for the event, said “The success of AHATA is unquestionably directly related to its ability to maintain a unity of purpose and a common front in spite of huge internal differences within the board and membership.  A united front has given AHATA an immensely influential role in Aruba and an important seat at the table on all the major issues affecting tourism.  When AHATA speaks it is clear that it does on behalf of the entire hospitality community, including non members. And our statistics and recommendations carry significant weight in the establishment of public policy.”

This year, there were no categories for the awards.  Instead, the membership was asked to “think outside of the box” and nominate a company or individual who deserved recognition for the contribution they had made to the Tourism Industry of Bonaire.  The recipients were:

Match Consultancy, BV
Maribell De Wolff, Bonaire Tours & Vacations
Littman’s Jewellers
Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (Bonaire) N.V.
Marcel Olij
Bonaire Windsurfing Place
Jenmarie Coffie, Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino
Sara Matera
Orlando Francisca, Bonaire Motorcycle Shop
Marisela Croes, Rocargo Services, N.V.

A special award was also presented to Candice Kimmel and Marie Rosa of Adams Unlimited, in recognition of their dedication to Bonaire for over 15 years.  Their company has been instrumental making Bonaire the success it is, as a tourism destination.  At the same time, T.C.B. also honored Adams Unlimited with an original picture painted by Nochi Coffie, which was presented by the Minister of Labor and Economic affairs, Mr. Burney El Hage.

The full text of the presentation of the awards can be found here, and photos from this event, courtesy of BONHATA, can be found in the Bonaire Insider Gallery.

The evening was also a fund raising event and proceeds from this event’s raffle, which topped NAF 8,700, are slated to go to the Bonaire Culinary Team to assist in their “Taste of the Caribbean” culinary competition, to be held in Miami in June of this year. (Source: BONHATA Press Release)

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Freewinds Plans Benefit Concert to Support Bonaire Animal Shelter

The performing artists of the cruise ship Freewinds will hold a benefit concert on Sunday, March 4, 2007, with all proceeds going to the Bonaire Animal Shelter.

The Bonaire Animal Shelter will apply these proceeds to their sterilization fund, which provides free sterilization to cats and dogs belonging to owners who do not have the financial means for paying for the surgery.  The sterilization fund is very important, as it helps to limit unwanted births of puppies and kittens, who otherwise must try to make a life on the streets.

Tickets are only NAFl 25.00 each (USD $14.04), and will be going for a good cause.  Tickets can be purchased from any shelter volunteer, or call +(599) 787-0466 or +(599) 717-8721. (Source:  Bonaire Animal Shelter Volunteers)

Note Update March 3, 2007:  The concert has been postponed to Sunday, March, 18, 2007.