Pre-schools celebrate Flag Day

As part of Child Stimulation Month, the four preschools on Ambergris Caye celebrated the red, white and blue flag of Belize. Singing songs, marching down the street or engaging in fun art and crafts projects, the students celebrated under the theme "Investing in Early Childhood = A Better Belize." Throughout the month, the students will engage in many other activities aimed at stimulating their young minds.

Brighter Tomorrow Pre School

ABC Pre School

Little Angels Pre School San Pedro Pre School

Belize Celebrates Baron Bliss Day

Today Belizeans celebrate Baron Bliss Day, a national holiday recognized on Monday, March 8, providing a three day weekend.

The fourth Baron Bliss of the Kingdom of Portugal, Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss, was an Englishman by birth. In 1926, he sailed in his yacht Sea King to Belize and fell in love with the green Caribbean Sea, the cayes and balmy climate.

The Baron came to Belize from Trinidad, where he was a victim of food poisoning. He spent some months off the coast of Belize aboard the Sea King, attempting to recover from this illness. He never came ashore. Fishermen and colonial administrators treated him kindly and taught him about Belize. The Baron died of food poisoning, but not before he changed his will, leaving almost $2 million dollars to Belize in a trust fund. The fund is used for the benefit of Belizeans and has made possible the building of the Bliss Institute Library and Museum in Belize City, health clinics and markets around the country, and has helped with the Belize City water supply system. The Baron is considered Belize's greatest benefactor.

Part of the trust was designated for an annual boat regatta which is held every year in honor of the Baron. The focus of Baron Bliss Day in Belize City is this regatta. Other towns in Belize celebrate the day by having small boat races and parties.
There is a Baron Bliss Memorial Lighthouse and Park located in Belize City in the Fort George Area. The Baron's tomb lies under the lighthouse overlooking the harbor entrance to the city.

La Ruta Maya heads to Belize City

The 13th Annual La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is underway. It takes place between the dates of March 5 - 8, 2010. The picture above is of the start of the race. The race started in San Ignacio with three stops along the way. The stops are: Camp 1 in Orange Walk - Camp 2 is at Bermudan Landing - Camp 3 is at Burrel Boom). The race finalizes in Belize City at the Haulover Bridge. (Picture provided by Leslie Kearns at Belize Affordable Web Design)Who will be this year's winner? Find out on Monday!
Video footage of the 2009 La Ruta Maya Belize

NHSDA closes in protest

There are still no answers in the murder of 21 year old University of Belize student Teddy Murillo. The Murillo family is very active in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Teddy was a Deacon. In fact on Friday night, hours before he was killed he was at church. Well, that Church took a bold stand for him – the decision to shut down the 25 primary, secondary and tertiary schools it manages on Friday, March 5th.The San Pedro Seventh Day Adventist Academy took a stand along with their peers and the school was closed for the day. Students remained at home while teachers showed their solidarity.

According to an official release, the decision to close the house doors at all those schools is to, “express indignation art the brutal and senseless murder of one of our young members...” It continues to say, “the ongoing murders (some from the very same persons who ought to be protecting us) have instilled fear and chaos in citizens and visitors alike.” A church with thirty four thousand members countrywide just outright saying that police are responsible for “some of” the “ongoing murders?”

Related stories:

Channel 7 (Adventist Church Will Shut Down 25 Schools)

Channel 7 (Family of Murdered Deacon Accuses Police of Murder)

Brush Fire by Ambergris Stadium

Fire officials were called to the scene by Ambergris Stadium mid-morning where a fire was getting out of control. Apparently garbage was being burnt and it started spreading to the dry brush around it. The officials managed to get the fire under control.

details will be posted as they become available