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Despite his stellar performance, Belize can no longer qualify to move unto the next round, and the hope now is to maintain our world ranking of 143.

29 Year Old Loses Life In Placentia road Accident

Around 8:30 last night there was a fatal traffic accident on the Placencia road. It claimed the life of 29 year old Jovanni Miguel, a resident of Placencia. The accident happened between miles 4 and 5 off the Southern Highway junction. Around 7 o'clock last night, Miguel left Independence Village along with 29 year old Brian Requena heading for Placencia in an SUV. He lost control on a curve and the vehicle flipped.

Miguel was flung out and found lying dead on the shoulder of the highway - with large cut wounds to both his knees and right hand. Requena complained of pain all over his body.

Salvation Army: FCIB Rings Their Bell

This morning the 2011 Salvation Army Red kettle appeal was launched in front of the CIBC First Caribbean Bank building on Albert Street.

Last year - even in lean times - the organization raised a total of 32 thousand dollars and those monies went towards feeding hundreds of homeless persons, children and the elderly.

This year the Army hopes to meet a higher goal of 40 thousand dollars. But with a cheque from CIBC First Caribbean Bank, they are 15 thousand dollars a head of the game.

At this morning's ceremony, the CIBC First Caribbean Bank pledged its partnership with the Salvation Army in a one year project to work hand in hand on fundraising ventures such as the Red Kettle Appeal.

Major Brenda Greenidge, Regional Commander - Salvation Army - Belize
"it's actually a means of raising funds. The end of that is to make sure that the less fortunate in our communities including the elderly, children, homeless that they too can share in a good Christmas."

Monica Bodden
"So the kettles will be placed at which areas?"

Major Brenda Greenidge
"We had wanted Brodies, Hofius and Agosto Quan here on Albert Street. There will be one at the tourist village, Save U, Publics on the highway and Brodies on the highway and k Park. They will start Mondays to Saturdays from 9 until 4 and maybe at 8 o' clock as the season picks up and up until Christmas Eve."

Monica Bodden
"I understand that you guys also got a donation from the First Caribbean Bank?"

Major Brenda Greenidge
"Yes, the First Caribbean has just entered into a partnership with the Salvation Army, so whenever you hear the Salvation Army in the next couple of months or for the rest of the coming year then it will be link with First Caribbean."

Monica Bodden
"You guys received a donation on how much?"

Major Brenda Greenidge
"$15,000.00"

Glenn Smith, Country manager, CIBC First Caribbean Bank
"Couple months back the Salvation Army made an approach to us to partner with this structured program to help to ensure that they have a good chance of meeting their target for this year and so when the proposal came to us the concept was something that us at CIBC First Caribbean could identify with as we are always looking out for opportunities whereby we can assist the community which we operate and to this end I think we are of our flagship program than sung heroes program and as an organization we take our social responsibility seriously and so we have set aside a percentage of our profits each year to assist the communities in which we operate and so when Salvation Army approach us this was something that we felt we could assist with and we were able to work things out that's was mutual satisfactory to both organizations and that is how we contribute $15,000.00 to kick start the kettle program for 2011."

"It's an entire year's project in which we will be partnering with them and other fund raising ventures and as such it also carries a renewal option and we will be accessing this after the first year to see how it went and what learning's we got and how we can improve on it."

The Red kettle Appeal will run through to Christmas Eve and is intended to raise funds for the Army's Christmas programs which include the annual Christmas Dinner for over 1,500 children and parcels for over 800 persons.

Also the Salvation Army Toy Drive, spearheaded by Bravo Motors started today which caters for 3,500 needy children.

Uncommon Quilts

And we come to the final portion of our news tonight where we'll tell you about a pair of art exhibits. The first is just in time for the cold weather.

NICH teamed up with 6 Mennonite women from the Mennonite Women's Quilting Circle in Spanish Lookout who make decorous, intricate quilts by hand.

It can take over a month to make just one - and the art of quality making can take a lifetime to learn. It is a fine craft and we got a look at it at the House of culture.

Sarah Plett, Quilt Maker
"We are trying to use talent God gave us to be creative in making quilts and shams, purses, pot holders and different other small items that you could be able to see when you come and visit us here today and tomorrow. You can order your quilts and the color and the size you would like and the material you would prefer."

"Depending on the design, it takes from 2 weeks to 2 months. The prices also depend on what kind of material we used and the range would be between $250 - $900. We come from Spanish Lookout and we have 6 women in our group."

Tomorrow is the last day of the two day exhibit. All quilts are available for sale.

Pen Looks to Eve For Inspiration

Pen Cayetano doesn't make quilts, he's been known to make cultural masterpieces.

But, in his annual November exhibit at the Institute of Mexico, he's taken a break from cultural themes to explore the fairer sex. It's called "The Creation of Eve" and since the 19th of November - which is celebrated as Garifuna Settlement Day- is just around the corner; Cayetano told is he is dedicating his exhibit to the Garifuna culture. The exhibit includes 30 oil paintings and today 7news got a sneak peek.

Pen Cayetano
"This exhibition is entitled "the creation of Eve" and it comprises of about 30 paintings and "the creation of Eve" is very important to the women of Belize and the world. You remember when Eve was created Adam felt happy because there was his partner and I say to it that Eve and Adam were created equally. Like how the biblical world would say that she came from the ribs of Adam but for me it comes from the heart of Adam or Adam comes from the heart of Eve, vice versa."

"In this exhibition here although we don't have the original painting here to see - we have this painting called the "natural life in Dangriga" it shows the way how people used to live in the open life planting their plantains, bananas and mango trees and this is actually my farm. And apart from that you can see some other paintings."

"I get this inspiration here at about 3 o' clock one morning and I went down to my studio and I sketch this and took me about two or three weeks before I start to paint this picture "the creation of Eve." I found that many women in Belize have pass through some hard times especially when they are abused by men, so this exhibition "the creation of Eve" is to celebrate the women power, that's what this exhibition is all about."

The exhibit opens 6:30 this evening at the Institute of Mexico. It will run throughout the entire month of November.