Show your support for the Torch Run on Sunday!

The general public is invited to come out and walk with the Women's Issues Network, and the San Pedro Aids Commission on Sunday as the torch of hope will arrive on our shores. Starting point will be at the Central Park at 10:30am in which the walk will kick off at 11:00am. The walk will pass through the Town Core only and after its arrival back to the Park, an all day Health Fair weill be held. The fair will include free HIV/Aids testing and information disbursement. This years Torch Run/Solidarity walk is being held under the theme, "Silence has a price". Join us on sunday as we help to streghten the awareness and reduce the stigma and descrimination of HIV/Aids and Gender based violence. SILENCE HAS A PRICE!

Sueno Thanksgiving and Sueno Claus

The Sueno del Mar family had a very special Thanksgiving night filled with delicious food, great wine and fantastic entertainment.

Pinguino Wines was on hand offering a wine tasting of their Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and the newest addition Pinguino Sparkling Wine. Stuffed olives and spreads were enjoyed by all.Pinguino also held a raffle where some of their products where given away.Rick opening the delightful Pinguino wines.
The chefs and his assistants outdid themselves and prepared a scrumptious turkey, lobster and stuffed chicken dinner. Complete with mashed potatoes, stuffing, rice and beans, gravy and salad, the main course was exquisite. Add to that the extravagant dessert table and you can be sure that those present went home feeling like stuffed turkeys but quite happy.

The night was filled with special performances from the Black Orchid Dance Group from Benque Viejo del Carmen. Their dances combined with the great costumes gave everyone a wonderful taste of the Belizean culture.
It was a great Thanksgiving night, one sure to be remembered for years to come.

Owners the Lewis' enjoyed the night along with their family, especially five-month-old Veronica.

Sueno Claus

During the night, Sueno Clause was introduced. Sueno del Mar is "adopting" ten local families that have been carefully selected. Several local churches identified these needy families. Large colorful wash buckets are at the Sueno palapa with individual family information to help you make appropriate give contributions.

Suggested items:

*Non-perishable food (canned goods, rice, sugar, flour, beans)

*Toys (books, dolls, school supplies, candy, cars/trucks, craft supplies, games, crayons)

*Toiletries (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, cologne)

*Paper Goods & Cleaning Supplies (toilet paper, paper towels, sponges, cleaners)

*Linens (sheets, towels, kitchen towels/hot pads)

*Kitchen Essentials (bowls, flatware, cookware, utensils)

*Grocery Gift Certificate

Please no: *Alcohol/Tobacco *Cash *Perishables

You do the shopping and deliver to the palapa and Sueno volunteers will make deliveries by Monday, December 22nd.

Cayo Women at Work

On Saturday, November 22nd, Mary Open Doors kicked off 16 days of activism against domestic violence with a market stall at their former premises in San Ignacio. The market sold homemade baking, popcorn, juice, second hand clothes and jewelry made by the women involved in skills training classes at the organization. Mary Open Doors is a newly formed Non Government Organization, addressing the issues of domestic violence in the Cayo community. The entity provides services of secure shelter for women and children affected by violence in their home. Mary Open Doors also offer confidential counseling, court advocacy, case management and referrals. The Cayo District Women's Department has been helping Mary Open Doors to run regular skills training classes for survivors of domestic violence. Classes have been running for 8 weeks now, and the women have learnt skills in jewelry making, weaving and sewing. "The great thing about these classes is that the women are learning skills that they can use to make craft that they can sell locally, helping them to support their families", says the current class facilitator, Miss Darlene Madden. "These women have a natural creative ability and you can see that in the beautiful jewelry they have been produced through hours of work in class". The classes meet twice a week, and the resulting craft will now be sold at the San Ignacio Market every Saturday. The classes not only teach valuable skills but increase the women's confidence and self-esteem. More classes are planned over the December period leading up to Christmas. There will be a new business skills training class and watercolour painting class. Mary Open Doors also organizes a weekly support group called "Women At Work" or 'WAW'. The support group provides a place for women to share their experiences of violence in an understanding environment, and gives help to the women needing a way out. WAW is also responsible for fundraising for the group, and helping to set up cooperatives such as the craft market, that will ultimately lead to the women becoming more financially independent.
For more information on the skills training classes, the support group or any other services, phone Chief Executive Officer Ms. Anna Silva 626-5780 or Marilyn Greig at 602-6934.

Township Day celebrations!

Today, November 27th, San Pedro is commemorating 24 years of being declared a Town since 1984. Like tradition, schools participated in a colorful parade which saw crowds of energetic students, flanked by Mayor Elsa Paz and her councillors join in the celebration of the Towns' milestone. The schools participation in this event was significant as majority of the elementery schools took out a marching band, drum corps and majorettes. An all day Township Day Children's Extravanganza was held at the Old Football Field where kids got the chance to win prizes for biggest, smallest, most colorful and mostcreative kite made. Other activities were relay races and Here is a collage of the events!

Happy 24th Anniversary San Pedro Town!

Just click "Play"...

Who dat?

Many people have lived here all their lives and have seen so many changes over the years. The biggest changes are the many faces of the various people walking down the streets. All of a sudden, we don't know who we pass by on the street at all. So, every week we will introduce you to someone new: a friend, your neighbor, anyone walking down the street. Six questions will be answered, who they are, what they do here, where they come from, when they came and why they chose to live here, and a little extra fun question. Hope you like this fun feature! Who: Gerry Badillo
What: Graphic Designer, Amateur Choreographer, Amateur Photographer, Amateur Model
Where: San Pedro Town
When: Was born here
Why (stay): I love the party life here and meeting new people
Status: Single; look me up on Hi5

TigerSharks on a roll!

The San Pedro TigerSharks Roster

Coach by veteran basketball player, Rico Black, the TigerSharks have proven so far into the Senior Belmopan Basketball competition that they are a force to be reckoned with. The Tiger Sharks played against the Belize Bank Bulldogs this past Sunday and were victorious over the Bulldogs by one point in nail biting overtime. This victory guarantees the Tiger Sharks at least a second place victory in the regular season before heading into the playoffs in December or January. There are six teams participating in the season and all teams play everybody twice before the finals.

Torch Run/Solidarity Walk this SUNDAY!

Press Release – San Pedro AIDS Commission / WIN Belize – November 25th, 2008 – The San Pedro AIDS Commission along with WIN-Belize invites the general public to its Annual World AIDS Day Solidarity Walk and Torch Run. This event, geared to show our solidarity to those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, shall take place at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 30th. Gathering place for this event will be at Central Park. Following the Solidarity Walk and Torch Run – an all-day AIDS fair will take place at the park. Health professionals will be on hand to conduct rapid HIV testing. In addition to this an information booth, a food and drinks stall will be available. Everyone is asked to join in this special day and help “Stop the SADness – Stop HIV.”

Belize Bank donates

As part of Childrens Week, the staff of Belize Bank took time off from their busy work life and gave back to some dersving students. 50 students from the RC School and Holy Cross recieved baggies of school supplies that came in handy for the exam week.

International Children's Day was observed on Friday...

Wednesday fire might be Arson

At approximately 3:49 p.m., the San Pedro Fire Department received information of a fire taking place. Full speed ahead SPFD went in search of the blaze which was found at Sea Grape Apartments on Coconut Drive. When they arrived on the scene, they discovered that neighbors had assisted in extinguishing the blaze.
SPFD investigations have revealed that tenant Katherine Coco Henkis was allegedly seen throwing items from her apartment outside to the verandah. A neighbor claims that he saw Henkis light the items on fire after which, it is alleged that she locked herself inside the apartment. The verandah was fully ignited and neighbors sprang into action dousing the flames. Henkis was repeatedly asked to unlock her doors and step out of her home but she refused. The door had to be broken down in order to gain access to the inside.
Fire Chief Jerome Garcia stated that what was ignited was actually a log, some lumber and paint containers. No damage was seen inside the apartment but the verandah did receive serious smoke damage. Read more of this story in Friday's edition of The San Pedro Sun!!

Happy Garifuna Settlement Day Belize!

On Garifuna Settlement Day, November 19th, reenactments of the landing of the first boats of the Garinagu in Belize are performed in town celebrations and in San Pedro was no exception. Cultural drummers and dancers perform whilst the traditional foods is sold for gatherings. They ride the surf to shore in their dugout canoes (motor boat) waving palm fronds and banana leaves to symbolize the cassava that sustained their ancestors. This ritual, rich in music and dance, helps sustain Garífuna culture.

Today marks 206 years that the Garifuna arrived in Belize ..

Indeed, the Garifuna found many reasons to celebrate, and their excitement is infectious, not to mention their delectable traditional dishes. The San Pedro Garifuna Council did an excellent job in keeping the heritage alive in San Pedro, kudus!! The Council would like to give special thanks to all the sponsors of this year’s Garifuna Settlement Day Celebrations. This years theme; “Iun rahowa hama meme isanigu lidoun garifunaduau lau pantau”, “Continuing to proudly empower our children in their Garifuna heritage.” Happy Garifuna Settlement Day to all Garinagus in Belize!

A Video collage of all events to be uploaded soon, stay tuned!

Belize Mission Project donates to Holy Cross

Last week was the third and final week of the Belize Mission Project in San Pedro for 2008. The project, organized by Frank Whipps, provides free dental and medical care at the Lionʼs Den during three specified weeks in October and November. In addition to providing health services, each week these volunteers participate in another project. For many years they have collected funds and distributed sacks of groceries to local families to express thanks for the hospitality received during their stay on the island. This year the last group of volunteers decided to do something different.

Instead of passing out sacks of groceries, they collected funds to donate to the Holy Cross School Food Services. Every day this school provides breakfast, lunch, snacks and bottled water to 500 students free of charge. Representatives of the Belize Mission Project came to visit the school on Friday, Nov. 14 with donations totaling $3450 to present to Francis Wilson. Francis gratefully accepted the donation on behalf of the school and gave the visitors a tour of the school. She explained to them how the school functioned based largely on the generous contributions of labor and money from interested people throughout the world.

Weekend Softball!

Six teams battled it out on the field on Sunday in week two of the softball competition. Under perfect chilly weather, a total of 3 games were played, here are some highlights.

The only lady pitcher.....doing her thing.
Fast ball...

and she swings,,,STRIKE!!

Home Run from Mark Maggiotto!

The Blue water crew were a force to be reckoned with..

Cris steps up to bat...

Drum-Off Tonite!

The San pedro Garifuna Council re-scheduled their Drum Off Competition for tonite Saturday, November 15th at the Central Park. Show starts at 7pm, support the Garifuna Community.

Drummer tapping the primero drum...

BWS finalizes project by end of month!

Elias Torres, Project Supervisor for Belize Water Services (BWS) Limited stated that by the ending of this month, the much awaited, anticipated and long due water and wastewater expansion will finalize its first stages by the end of November. To date, BWS states that they have completed all sewer and water mains with service connections to each property on Laguna Drive from the junction of Spider Lily to the southern approach of the bridge. The pumping station is estimated to reach its completion a month after receiving the proper machinery, which is still on its way to the island.

According to Torres, the biggest setback that the company faced was breaking through the hard rock that needed to be penetrated in order to place the tubes.

By the end of November, BWS hopes to have finished the last installation of tubing which will run from the corner of Casa Pan Dulce down toward the lagoon unto Lot #4047 where the pumping station will be located.

SP receives condom vending machines!

In an attempt to increase awareness and promote community participation, the Ministry of Health signed an agreement on Tuesday with the San Pedro Aids Commission to install three (3) new condom vending machines in San Pedro. These fully mechanical machines are part of the Ministry of Health’s initiative project of strengthening Belize’s Multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS. According to Elvis Requena, Project Coordinator for the Ministry of Health, “there are 15 total machines that have been distributed; San Pedro gets three, Belize and Cayo have received the rest. Our plan is to continue with this project and acquire more machines to be placed all across the country,” he stated.

President of the SP AIDS Commission, Felix Ayuso signs the terms of agreement for mantaining the machines.
The machines have a capacity of six packs which holds three VIVE brand latex condoms each. To use it, one just needs to have $1.75 in its exact change, turn the knob after inserting the coin in the machine.
The machines will be installed at three locations: Jaguar’s, Amigos Bar and anyone wishing to have the last one established in their business place, kindly give Ayuso a call at (624) 9379.