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St. Maarten Foundation TLH-SXMF Executive Director Arthur “Arturo” Lugisse and several St.Maarten students studying in Tallahassee represented St. Maarten at the “Hands across the Sand” action against offshore oil drilling.

The event took place at Lake Ella Gazebo in Leon County last week Saturday at 12:00 noon, attracting more than 700 people, including some of Tallahassee’s leading politicians.

The objective of the event was to bring U.S. citizens and the world together in solidarity, joining hands in the largest gathering against offshore oil drilling in history. The image was powerful and the message was simple: “NO to Offshore Oil Drilling, YES to Clean Energy.”

“I am very pleased that St. Maarteners hold up the St. Maarten flag during the “Hands across the Sand” action against offshore oil drilling held in Tallahassee last Saturday. We could take part in this very important event. Our students are a part of the Tallahassee community and we recognize that we should play a role in community efforts that can better the quality of life for all,” Lugisse told the Government Information Service (GIS).

“The TLH-SXMF can play a key role as well, especially with the sister-city relationship we have developed over the past 10 years. I appeal to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as businesses on the island to get in contact with us in respect to exploring and developing sound, sustainable environmental development policies/ products/services for St. Maarten,” he added.

The mission of “Hands across the Sand” is to steer energy policies away from their dependence on fossil fuels and into the light of clean energy. The aim is to convince leaders of countries, in particular those of the United States, to abandon expanded offshore oil drilling and adopt policies that encourage clean and renewable energy sources.

NGOs and businesses seeking to explore and develop sound sustainable environmental development policies/products/services for St. Maarten can contact the TLH-SXMF at 850-212-2914 or via its Website www.tlh-sxmf.org.

Excerpts for this article taken from “The Daily Herald Newspaper”

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Some sixty volunteers turned out despite the downpour early Saturday morning for
a scheduled cleanup of St. Maarten Zoo, the first step in the zoo’s beautification
project.

Volunteers trimmed overgrown trees and bushes and raked even though it had
been raining. The morning truly reflects the power and dedication of
the St. Maarten community in coming together for a worthwhile project,” said St. Maarten Zoological Foundation Public Relations Officer Barbara Cannegieter.

Special gratitude was extended to Benjamin Kelly of Belvedere Homeowners
and Tenants Association (BHOTA) and Ms. Sadie,who were accompanied by
hard-working young volunteers from various districts.

Appreciation was also extended to Angeline Laurence, who took her own industrious cleanup crew, Elton Richardson and Bill Miller. Two American tourists also volunteered their time. If it were not for such community support we could not have survived all these years. The response from so many was overwhelming and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helped in any way,” said Cannegieter.

She said the next phase of the zoo’s beautification project would be renovations
to zoo exhibits where wood has been rotting.

Thanks were extended to volunteers of the VKS, Meadowlands N.V., Clean NV, St.
Maarten Pride Foundation, St. Maarten Red Cross Foundation, St. Maarten Nature
Foundation, Domino’s Pizza, Caribbean Liquors, Cost U Less, and Le Grand Marché
on Bush Road.

Excerpts taken from the Daily Herald Newspaper

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Whether you’re on a tight budget, need accommodations for an extended stay, value your privacy, or just enjoy the casual, comfortable feeling of a small guesthouse.

Some of St. Maarten’s small hotel locations are directly on the beach, or within walking distance to the shore. Some are tucked away but still close enough to walk to entertainment and dining. Whether you prefer an historic B&B, a suite with a fully loaded kitchen, or secluded luxury, you’ll find great values at a small hotel here in St. Maarten.

The small hotels, inns and guesthouses of St. Maarten invite you to experience the true Caribbean, where warmth and a caring ambiance replace the anonymity of larger resorts.

This lovely and unique group of properties offers visitors a choice ranging from small, intimate family run guesthouses and lovely beachfront villas to small, yet elegant resorts.

Book Now by calling 1-800-309-2005 to speak with a Live Agent ! or visit www.experiencestmaarten.com/smallhotels/

For more information visit our website www.visitstmaarten.com

Please click the image to see details

For more information visit our website www.visitstmaarten.com

Despite featuring a smaller amount of buyers compared to previous years, the St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow 2010 or SMART kicked off its one-on-one meetings on Wednesday with assurances from organisers that the event is “here to stay” and all efforts will be made to ensure that 2011, the tenth year, will feature new and innovative aspects for the event.

SMART is being held at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort. SMART is presented by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, L’Office du Tourisme de St. Martin, St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) and L’Association des Hoteliers de St. Martin. The conference is a professional way to bring together the movers and shakers in the tourist industry for St. Maarten/St. Martin and the surrounding islands within an hour’s flight range.

Director of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Regina Labega described the event as a mini CHA (Caribbean Hotel Association) conference where opportunity is given to tour operators, wholesalers and others to witness first hand St. Maarten as a product and sign contracts to generate business to the destination.

Member of SHTA’s Executive Board May Ling Chun said “SMART is here to stay”, highlighted the networking and business possibilities and lauded the inclusion of a number of workshops in the event this year, in particular for niche markets. She said for 2011 she will be looking forward, along with other organisers, to present a “new and more innovative” SMART.

The SMART conference kicked off on Tuesday with a welcome reception at Porto Cupecoy, where delegates had the opportunity to mingle and socialize with their peers before the first day of business began on Wednesday. The first day was a full day of appointment sessions.

Excerpts from the Daily Herald Newspaper.

Encore Sunday at Philipsburg Cultural Centre, St Maarten

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An annual event since the early 1990´s, the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) Dog Show has grown into a must attend event for dog lovers and owners in  St Maarten.

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