Challenge to the We Are The World performers

First, I want to personally commend each and every artist who performed on this recording for such a needed cause…helping the people of Haiti…I hope that I have included everyone who performed or helped produce below:

Akon, India.Arie, Patti Austin, Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ethan Bortnick, Brandy, Jeff Bridges, Zac Brown, Kristian Bush, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr., Kid Cudi, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, Drake, Earth Wind & Fire, Faith Evans, Melanie Fiona, Jamie Foxx, Sean Garrett, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Groban, Anthony Hamilton, Keri Hilson, Julianne Hough, Jennifer Hudson, Enrique Iglesias, LL Cool J, Randy Jackson, Taj Jackson, Taryll Jackson, TJ Jackson, Al Jardine, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Janet Jackson, Kanye West, Nick Jonas, Rashida Jones, Gladys Knight, Adam Levine, Jimmy Jean Louis, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Mary Mary, Katharine McPhee, Jason Mraz, Mya, Jennifer Nettles, Orianthi, Freda Payne, Pink, A. R. Rahman, Nicole Richie, Raphael Saadiq, Carlos Santana, Nicole Scherzinger, Isaac Slade, Trey Songz, Musiq Soulchild, Jordin Sparks, Barbra Streisand, T-Pain, Robin Thicke, Rob Thomas, Usher, Vince Vaughn, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Will.i.am, Anne Wilson, Brian Wilson, Nancy Wilson, BeBe Winans, Lionel Richie, Wyclef Jean, Celine Dion, Quincy Jones,
RedOne, Ricky Minor


Second, I want to put forth this challenge…I have a home, no…a private estate which is being offered for sale in Turks & Caicos. This Estate is truly magnificent, and can be seen by clicking here. It rests on the edge of the ocean, sitting on 2.5 private, immaculately manicured, gated acres. The home itself is approximately 11,000 square feet and what makes it so fitting for the group of talented individuals listed above, is that there are two additional “guest” cottages which can easily be converted into your own private recording studio. And while that is the perfect use of this Estate, it can also be converted into an extraordinarily luxurious boutique hotel/resort as well. The Estate is listed at $15.75 million USD.


Now…you might be thinking that this is a cheap way for me to gain exposure to this Estate with the hopes of selling it…and while that is true (yes…I do actually want to sell it) and I stand to profit from the sale…but…and this is a big but and the real purpose of this exercise…upon selling this Estate and collecting my compensation for the sale of The Estate…I will personally donate up to $200,000 to the people of Haiti via the charity organization of the buyers choice!

So…let’s just say that Wyclef Jean buys the house for the asking price…
-Wyclef gets an extraordinary private Estate and converts the “guest” cottage into a recording studio…win #1
-I get compensated for my efforts…win #2
-Wyclef chooses Yele Haiti as the organization he would like to benefit from my compensation…win #3

This is truly a win…win…win scenario. And while I would like to acknowledge those who performed on this “We Are the World” recording, as I find it truly commendable, I do not want to alienate anyone else who feels compelled to take me up on this challenge by buying this truly amazing Estate. That would include other such notable individuals and performers as Leonardo DiCaprio, P. Diddy (Sean Combs), Elton John, Eric Clapton, John Travolta, Branjolina (Brad & Anjelina), Bruce Willis, Lady Gaga….I think you get the idea.

One other thing…whoever buys this amazing Estate…I am going to ask you to help me with another fund raising project I have in the planning stage for later in the year… when all the media have moved on and the focus is no longer on Haiti…because we all know that the media will stop covering this once it no longer sells papers and airtime. I would think that whoever buys will be willing to work with me on this project, but I am not going to make it part of the deal, so no obligation.

Oh…and one other thing…I am not doing this for my own self promotion…in fact, I want the donation I make to go completely unnoticed unless the celebrity who buys the Estate, and chooses the beneficiary charity, wants the donation made in his or her name in order to promote more donations.

So let’s hear it celebrity nation…who is up for the challenge? You can either leave a comment here or follow the link below to contact me privately via my web site.

Hit ‘em straight!

SkipJack

Belize Comes to L.A.!

That's right...the Belize Tourism Board and the Belize Hotels Association will be at the Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Tour On Saturday & Sunday February 13th & 14th.
Where:
Los Angeles Convention Center-West Hall
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015

When:
Saturday 2/13/2010 from 10AM-5PM
Sunday 2/14/2010 from 10AM-5PM
Trade only hours:
Saturday 2/13/2010 from 8AM-10AM

General admission is only $10.00

The tourism board will also be there from:
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Nicaragua

This is a great opportunity to learn more about any of these destinations.

Check back soon...my next post is all about the 2010 major music festivals throughout the Caribbean...and find out which ones I'll be attending! (Can you say St. Lucia mon? or maybe Jamaica mon...maybe both!)

Hit 'em straight! Or go find 'em!

SkipJack

You'd Better Belize It!

While everyone out there is singing the blues...Belize continues to rock 'n roll. 2009 was an extraordinary year at Orchid Bay where the infrastructure has been virtually completed! What does that mean? Quite simply, from the Caribbean developer's point of view...it changes EVERYTHING...it means that owners can actually begin to move in. It also means that the pace at which future benchmarks are achieved will quicken and the community will begin to take shape!
This also means that it makes sense for House Hunters International to come down and film an episode which will include a homeowner taking occupancy at Orchid Bay...which is exactly what they are doing! In fact, I'm pretty sure that they were there last week and completed the filming.
Just for the record...Orchid Bay sold 18 of the 24 planned Casitas like the one pictured above...that leaves only six left and at $159K (with a rental management company in place) I'd hurry to grab one of the last remaining six! Just shout at me here by posting a comment (I monitor all comments personally) or by visiting SkipJackMarketing.com to request more information.
Why Belize? You may ask...Because it simply the best value in Caribbean Real Estate...bar none!

Hit 'em straight! (And please see my post on how to help in Haiti)

SkipJack

Haiti needs your help!

On January 12, a massive 7.0 earthquake struck near Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, causing massive death and destruction. While the death and injury toll is only beginning to be understood, a large part of the capital is in ruins and there are reports of “total disaster and complete chaos”.

Between 2.5 and 3 million people are believed to live in Port-Au-Prince and are struggling with the aftermath of the earthquake. Haitian government officials are estimating death tolls in the thousands, and thousands more are living in the streets.

Bob’s Caribbean Blog (SkipJackMarketing) would like to join Boomers Abroad Online Community & Social Network and the millions of voices from around the world in expressing its profound sympathy for the people of Haiti in the aftermath of this devastating earthquake. We encourage all of our readers, colleagues and friends to become involved in the relief efforts.

Please Contact the Haitian Embassie in your country or host country for information on how you can help!!!

The following organizations, among others, are mobilizing rapidly:

> From Canada
· Canadian Red Cross (www.redcross.ca)
· Care Canada (www.care.ca)
· Doctors Without Borders (www.msf.ca)
· Direct Relief International (www.directrelief.org)
· FTC Canada (www.ftc.ca)
· Oxfam Canada (www.oxfam.ca)
· Plan International Canada (www.plancanada.ca)
· Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.ca)
· Save the Children Canada (www.savethechildren.ca)
· The Humanitarian Coalition (www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca)
· UNICEF Canada (www.unicef.ca)
· United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto (www.jewishtoronto.com)
· World Vision Canada (www.worldvision.ca)

> From The USA
· American Jewsih Relieve Service (www.ajws.org)
· CARE www.care.org
· Catholic Relieve Service (www.crs.org)
· FAVACA (www.favaca.org)
· Mercy Corps (www.mercycorps.org) Amazon.com established a box on its homepage today where customers can contribute to Mercy Corps' relief efforts.
· Net Hope www.nethope.org
· Pan American Development Foundation (www.panamericanrelief.org)
· Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org)
· The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org)
· The Jewish Federations of North America (www.jewishfederations.org)
· Unicef (www.unicef.org)
· United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
· World Vision (www.worldvision.org)

> From Mexico
· Cruz Roja Mexicana (www.cruzrojamexicana.org.mx)
· Naciones Unidas (www.cinu.org.mx/haiti/)
· Unicef Mexico (www.unicef.org/mexico)

> From Panama
· Cruz Roja de Panama (www.panama.cruzroja.org)
· Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil (www.sinaproc.gob.pa)
· Unicef Panama (www.unicef.org/panama)

Thank you to the folks at Boomers Abroad Online for blasting this information out to me via email.

Please find a way to help! You can even help immediately by sending “Yele” by text message to 501501. I saw this on GMA and just read an article on Time.com. Yele Haiti is the foundation established by Wycleff Jean who was born in Haiti. According to GMA $ 0.90 of every dollar makes it to the fund. They are sending protein bars candles and flashlights via two FedEx planes tomorrow.

Calling ALL Parrot Heads (non-Parrot Heads too) Jimmy (Buffett of course!) Asks For Your Help - Donate To Haiti Relief
Jimmy is asking all Parrotheads to help Haiti by texting the word "haiti" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief

SkipJack

Happy New Year from SkipJack!

Alright, so it took me a while to write the Happy New Year post...but here it is! And this photo is where I am planning on writing next year's post from!
2009 was an interesting year, plenty has happened in the way of Caribbean Real Estate and the developers I work with. In the spirit of the new laws about to be imposed, or at least rumored to be imposed, on blogging as a way of advertising...I'm going to come clean with my readers right here and now...I write this blog to make money! There I said it...really...this blog is meant to keep you informed about the various opportunities that I uncover and ultimately decide to represent. You can learn more at SkipJack Marketing.

Orchid Bay in Belize is where I got my start and is the first development I became associated with, but SkipJack Marketing has become so much more...we now work with developers in 7 different countries, we have partnered with Avalon Partners on the representation of commercial/resort/development properties throughout the Caribbean, 2 developers who offer condominium hotels and have partnered with 2 of the world's premier project funding companies focused on providing the commercial funds needed to help move development projects from dream...to reality!
Hell, we even have the listing for ultra luxurious homes like this one in Turks & Caicos which is worthy of P Diddy (Sean Combs) complete with a separate "guest" quarters big enough to convert to a recording studio!
So...as SkipJack Marketing moves into 2010, I fully intend to be adjusting my latitude and ope that I can help with your latitude adjustment...when the need arises!

Hit 'em straight!

SkipJack

PS: Sign up for the email newsletter (don't worry...I won't share it) to keep posted, there's more to come in 2010!

Pheeding Phrenzy-Tropical Cookbook!

Okay Pholks...here's your shot at getting a one-of-a-kind original cookbook with all sorts great tropical (and not-so-tropical) recipes while helping a great cause!
This cookbook is the result of the hard work and perseverance of some very special people and friends of mine over at the Parrot Head Club of Eastern Massachusetts (www.phcoem.com). The recipes are a collection of individually submitted recipes of the many members of this great organization. And the proceeds will benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children which has 22 hospitals; all dedicated to improving the lives of children. One of the Club members was the recipient of excellent care as a childhood victim of severe burns and is now living an active, normal teenage life-thanks to the Shriners.
The Parrot Head Club of Eastern Massachusetts is a chapter of the larger Parrot Heads in Paradise national club (www.phip.com)
Here's an example of some of the recipes:
-Sauce Boss' Gumbo
-Lobster Centennial
-Scott's Shrimp Po' Boys
-Beer Can Chicken
-Memphis BBQ Spaghetti
-Seafood Menage a Trios
-Frozen Strawberry Margarita Pie
-Tequila Soaked Sorbet
-Spiced Caribbean Christmas Cake

Trust me...the list goes on...the cookbook is comprised of 120 pages of fabulous recipes! The book costs only $18 (which includes $3 for shipping) or 2 for $28 (the same $3 is included for shipping. And again...the proceeds all go to a great organization!

If you would like to order one or two (they will make a great gift!) send me an email to buybelize@comcast.net and I will provide you with the mailing address to which you can send a check. If you would like to pay using PayPal, I can arrange that, and will send the details by return email.

Thanks...and happy cooking!

SkipJack

What are the benefits of developer “sponsored” tours?

In your search for the perfect piece of “paradise” what makes the search easier? How do you get a feel for the country? The people and the culture? Can you overcome the language barrier? Are there incentives for expats to move to this country? Is Belize the right place? Or is Nicaragua the paradise you’re looking for?

Some developers are offering “fly-n-buy programs, some offer tours or discovery packages and still others will provide you with the wine-n-dine level with a personal site visit. The long and short of it is that there is no better way to make a decision than to go visit; and these tours are very rarely like the high-pressure time share 90 minute tour that everyone dreads!

A few of the developers I work with here at SkipJack offer some very cool ways to see and feel the country in which they are located. For example, Orchid Bay in Belize has a very cool trip for 3 days at an unbelievable price that includes your hotel and meals…all you have to do is get there…they even pick you up at the airport. Obviously, you will have the opportunity to tour the property, but they also do a beach cookout and a river trip to see some of the ancient Maya ruins.

In Nicaragua, Seaside Mariana offers discovery packages, but in December they are hosting a 4 day event in Managua that will cover every aspect of living, moving, or investing in real estate on the Pacific coastline of Nicaragua.

Going directly across the Caribbean Sea to the wonderful country of The Dominican Republic, Cristal Beach Resort (a 5 star condominium/hotel development) they offer the traditional fly-n-buy program and will rebate your airfare up to $1,000 when you decide to buy there.

All in all, each of these programs will enable you to go see the country and get a good feel for the country, the culture and the development before you buy. Generally, these trips are dirt cheap as well…there are two other options…sign up for any one of these upcoming webinars to get a good preliminary idea online…and the other is to use SkipJack’s private scouting service.

Live webinar Wednesday October 28th at 1 PM EST together with The Entrust office in Tampa Bay
Register here at Live and Invest in Nicaragua

Live webinar Wednesday November 4th at noon EST together with The Entrust Group in the Mid-Atlantic region…register here at Live and Invest in Nicaragua

Insider’s Tour on site at Orchid Bay, Belize-Learn more here
-November 6-8, 2009
-November 20-22, 2009
-December 11-13- 2009
-January 22-24, 2010
Nicaraguan Abundance: Live, Invest, Grow-Learn more here
-December 3-6, 2009
-Only $295 per person
-On site in Nicaragua at the Hilton Princess Hotel in Managua

As always, hit ‘em straight! At least get out there and hit ‘em (like I do)

SkipJack