Howler August 2016

Volume 21, No. 8 Issue No. 232

The Howler

August 2016 Founded 1996

The Gold Coast Costa Rica

issuu.com/howler/docs/howler1608August THE HOWLER Ced. Juridica: 3-101-331333

Publisher, editor and production John Quam thehowlercr@gmail.com Tel: English - 8995-5497 Español - 4702-5771 CONTRIBUTORS HERBERT WEINMANN ELLEN ZOE GOLDEN JESSE BISHOP SUSAN SMITH TOM PEIFER KAY DODGE

DAVID MILLS MARY BYERLY SYLVIA MONGE ROBERT AUGUST JEANNE CALLAHAN

FEATURES 8

Dining Out

Two featured restaurants Upstairs at Ripjack Inn, Playa Grande and Don Brasilito at Playa Brasilito.

14 Around Town

Openings, closings, parties, music. The Gold Coast has it all, and we are in the groove.

16

Surf Report

Anthony Fillingim takes the national championship; Leilani McGonagle is women’s champion. Full results.

34

Surviving Costa Rica

35

Just One of Those Days

Jesse claims to know what is going to happen in the future, with the road to Langosta, Eat Wave, Perlas.

Tom takes a look at the new road Liberia to Cañas; dialog on current police affairs in the United States.

DEPARTMENTS 12 August Odysseys

30 August Forecasts

17 Dharma Corner

31 Word Puzzle

22 Tide Tables

32 Yoga

23 Doctor is In

36 Sun & Moon

Cover Caption: Cheboards and Morena Beachwear Cover Photo: Jon Cooley: CostaVidaPhoto.com Cover Design: David Mills

Making A Difference for a Dog in Need

I

t always seems to happen when emergency vets are closed and you just don’t know who to turn to.

It was a Saturday evening and I hear a knock on my door. Once I corralled my dogs from the excitement of a visitor I was greeted with a neighbor telling me of a dog in distress. I quickly jumped into action and followed her to a staircase with a hidden nook where there was a large black dog. I coaxed it out and saw that its leg was open to the bone and skin was torn away. The wound was approximately 9 cm by 10 cm of exposed muscle and bone. He also had a 3-meter heavy chain around his neck. At this point it was not bleeding and the dog was very calm. I quickly called a friend of mine, Marie Jean that assists with animal rescue, and asked her to contact a vet and I would be on my way with the dog.

I loaded the dog and got a call back that Dr. Cavallini would have a veterinarian meet me right away. I called Doris of Homeless and Helpless and without question she said “take care of the dog and Homeless and Helpless would take care of the costs”. Thank God for angels like Doris and the Cavallini veterinarian group.

I arrived and got the large black dog out of my vehicle and walked it into the clinic. Dr. Leti, the veterinarian, jumped into action and gave the dog a sedative and began to clean his wound. Not once during the ordeal did the dog make a sound. He knew he was in good and loving hands, and all would be well. I held his head while Dr. Leti cleaned and packed the wound with a sugar iodine mix; he just lay there and watched me. Dr.

Leti seemed to think it was a snake bite or spider bite that had gone untreated for over a week. I was sad to leave him for the night but he was under the best care and would be able to sleep pain-free for the night and recuperate.

The next morning, I grabbed my coffee and rushed to the clinic to see how he was doing. Doris caught me on the phone and we discussed his wound and treatment. She said he needs a name, let’s call him “Bean” she said.

I laughed and began calling him Bean. I chuckle every time I call him by his new name. Once at the office I was greeted by the vet and I watched as she took the bandages off. To my surprise the wound had started to heal quite a bit during the night and the exposed bone was once again covered with muscle tissue. He was such a different dog even after just one night.

Test results came back on Bean and he was diagnosed with Tick Fever, Heartworm and also Kidney failure.

I posted Bean’s saga on Facebook and the outpouring from friends was amazing. People around the world wrote comments and supportive messages in care of Bean. Doris called me during the week and told me of the scenario with his kidney failure, she said he should be put down and that tomorrow would be the day. I posted the update about Bean and so many more people responded with loving thoughts and caring comments for him and his journey. I couldn’t sleep that night, I tossed and turned thinking of the poor little guy just given a chance and then it being taken away.

(continued page 9)

The response to The Howler being back has been fantastic. It has certainly been a whirlwind and for sure there are not enough hours in the day. Its Friday already!!

There are many moving parts to a publication like this, getting everything aligned and on time is a monumental task. I love it!! I wake up in the morning and jump out of bed, hit the computer to make my schedule for the day and jot a couple of notes for follow-up and a list of people to see and I am out the door. I always look forward to going around the next corner or opening the next door to meet a nice person to converse with and trade stories and ideas. I particularly enjoy seeing the different businesses and what visions they have going forward. There are so many interesting people with diverse backgrounds and reasons for being here. The stories I hear amaze me.

As I design this publication I am aware of many of the needs in our community. There are so many people helping animals, children and families. I want to make sure that we take a moment in each edition to bring these people and issues to the attention of the community and highlight what is being done to make things better. With its twenty-year history and great recognition, also comes the responsibility of The Howler, to make people aware of the community, its culture and history that we have chosen to travel to or to call home.

As each issue is born, you will see new changes and more upgrades that make The Howler a keeper. So many people tell me that they keep issues to reread the articles. We strive to make our publication a reference and not a deposit for a landfill. Our new website is in the works and of course Facebook is already up and running.

Please write in with suggestions and comments, all are welcome. I will be picking some of the comments to publish and answer in a public forum and I’m sure some will just not be publishable.

Please pose your questions or comments to QTheHowlerCR@gmail. com. I will answer as many as I can personally. Also Like our Facebook page “The Howler Magazine Costa Rica�.

Nature’s Spectacle A turtle’s journey

It could have been a page from pre-historic times, watching this giant animal emerge from the surf and lumber her way onto the beach at a slow, but steady pace. Others are fifty meters away, on the same slow and steady journey toward a safe haven in the secluded brush. The beautiful turtle slowly makes her way through the sand leaving a path, which resembles tractor tires deep in the sand.

Her paddle-like flippers pull her six-foot body toward her chosen spot where she soon begins another long process of preparing her nest so that she can lay up to 100 eggs. After several hours of arduous digging, she lays her eggs into the hole and buries the hole with surgical precision. Then, the long, slow journey back to the depths of the ocean begins under the light of the moon.

Once the female turtle lays her eggs, her job is done. The turtle eggs will hatch in approximately two months, at which time these tiny hatchlings dig themselves out from the sand and make a mad dash toward the sea. There’s a lot standing in the way of their successful sea launch, including a very hot sun and what seems like a very long journey.

Bob Bosselait

Birds and other predators are also very big obstacles.

Once in the water, these little hatchlings will typically swim several miles offshore where they are caught in the ocean currents and often times do not return to the shore for several years.

According to a landmark study published by the Center for Environmental Science at the University of Maryland, leatherback turtles are known to migrate across entire ocean bodies. These turtles are can live to be fifty years old and can grow to 6-7 feet (approx 2m) long and weigh up to 1,400 lbs (approx 635 kg). Female leatherbacks lay their eggs on tropical nesting beaches, but then migrate to foraging areas to feed on jellyfish.

This turtle journey is happening now on the shores of Costa Rica and is a sight not to be missed. However, if you plan to witness this spectacular sight, please be mindful of the turtles and never shine a light directly onto them or otherwise disrupt the process of nature. Respect and behold this amazing spectacle.

7

Upstairs at Rip Jack Inn in Playa Grande: This restaurant is located in Playa Grande very close to the beach. The food is exceptional and has a special touch from Chef Andrew Caballero. Your experience begins with the surroundings making you feel like you are in a treehouse. Once you see the menu and specialties your experience is underway. Fine wines, great cocktails and the sounds of nature in the canopy that surrounds make this place so enjoyable. Suggestion: before you settle in for dinner make the trek 30 meters through the beach trees down to Playa Grande and take in the beautiful expansive beach with only a few people present and surfers bobbing in the waves for a last ride before sundown. This area has a group that meets every evening to celebrate the end of another wonderful day. I always enjoy my experience here.

8

Don Brasilito’s: A local hang out right on the beach road in Brasilito.

This place is a great place to hang out, let the cool ocean breeze cool you, have a cold drink and great local style food. The staff is friendly and always greets you with a smile, service is good with the relaxed flair expected in Costa Rica. The menu has many choices and prices are very good. You will not be disappointed here. As the evening progresses this is the go-to place, a place to remain to keep the party going.

Making A Difference...

(From page 5)

Morning came all too soon, I drove slowly to the vet; I couldn’t just give the order and not hold him through the process. Once I arrived Marie Jean was there as support. Dr. Cavallini was busy at the time I arrived so I took Bean out for a walk, which would be his last. Marie and I were so upset over this. I turned and took Bean back inside and talked with Dr. Cavallini, he said that he thought that Bean was doing much better and needed a chance. I had a huge weight lifted off me at that moment. Bean was going to live!!

of this. I want to thank the many people that have donated to Bean for his treatment and recovery. He would not be with us without the support of the many.

We all can make a difference in a life, be it a dog’s, a child’s or a family. So many angels in our community work endlessly every day to make a difference.

Once again the post on Facebook went out and people responded in kind.

Please help with Bean’s Expenses by donating in his name at Dr. Cavallini’s office

Thank you to Dr. Gilbert Cavallini, Dr. Leti, Doris from www.homelessandhelpless.com They make a difference in our community daily. Changing a dog’s life also changes people as they see a life rebound.

The latest update on Bean after three weeks: he is happy, he bounds around like a puppy even though we think he is about 7 or 8. He knows that he is healing and that people took care of him. His wound is healing and his condition is vastly improved. Bean’s coat on first contact was bristly and rough like most street dogs in Costa Rica. Now his coat is soft and shiny, he has gained weight and has a gleam of a longer, and now happier, life in his eyes. He is in search of a family to care for him and love hime.

This could not have happened without the support from Dr. Cavallini and Dr. Leti, and Doris at Homeless and Helpless, for shouldering the financial burden

Doris Luby of Homeless and Helpless Drum Roll…This weekend’s grand total for castration was 135 dogs and cats that will no longer make or have puppies and kitties. More great news! So many showed up today we had to say “no”. That’s not the good news: the good news is the response and now having to schedule another clinic very soon to accommodate them. Thank you for all your Donations that make this possible. It takes many volunteers to make an event like this happen. We welcome your participation. www.homelessandhelpless.com

Costa Rica Hosts the ISA World Surfing Champions this month in Jacó

Ellen Zoe Golden

F

or a year, Costa Rica has laid claim to having the best surfing team in the world. They earned this distinction last year in Playa Popoyo Nicaragua, when Noe Mar McGonagle, Anthony Fillingim, Jason Torres, Carlos Muñoz, Leilani McGonagle and Lisbeth Vindas surfed well enough to end up on the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Championship podium where they received gold medals as the #1 team among 27 different countries and their surfers. This win was jet-fueled by the spectacular surfing of the brother-sister team of Noe Mar and Leilani, since the latter earned second place and a silver medal in Women’s and the former, the top spot among all the Open competitors and his own gold medal.

On August 6-14 Costa Rica will defend their gold medal on their home turf at the beach in Jacó.

The exact members of the team were not announced at the time of this writing—although it’s certain, at the very least, the McGonagles will be fighting to keep their surfing hardware. As a matter of fact, in early July thirteen potential team members trained with their coach Wade Sharp in Guiones de Nosara. While Noe Mar was out of the country in Japan for a WSL Qualifying Series date, the rest of the potential team mates who joined the five other current world champions were Angelo Bonomellli, Durby Castillo, Tomas King, Gilbert Brown, Maykol Torres, Luis Vindas, and Emily Gussoni.

“The dream of being world champions came true a year ago and now we have come back together in the reality of giving Costa Rica a chance to defend the title at home. We are very proud of this era we are living in of surfing,” said Randall Chaves, president of the Federación de Surf de Costa Rica (FSC).

The FSC are part of the team that are organizing this year’s World Surfing Championships. They are supported by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Sport, Costa Rican Institute of Sport and Recreation (ICODER), the Municipality of Garabito where

Jacó is located, and the production company RPMTV. “It will be an honor and privilege to welcome you and open the doors of our country to the rest of the world in order to unite through surf, sport and culture,” said the Minister of Sport, Mauri Carolina. “I am delighted that this event will have the participation of more than 35 international world class selections. I thank the Federación de Surf de Costa Rica for their valuable efforts in organizing this event and the International Surfing Association for recognizing our country to host the World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2016. Our Costa Rican Surf Team will deliver their greatest effort in this competition in order to defend the title of world champions because the Costa Rican people are proud of you.”

This is the second time that the ISA has brought the World Surfing Championships to Costa Rica.

Back in 2009, the first event took place in Playa Hermosa and drew more than 100,000 people during the nine days of the tournament. The games featured 300 athletes from 36 nations. In addition, a total of four million people got to see it, via outlets such as ESPN, Fox Sports, CNN and more.

The FSC expects the same or great number of viewers both in person and via the broadcast media.

ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said: “I am ecstatic to confirm that the ISA will return to Costa Rica for the 2016 ISA World Surfing Games and provide the world’s top surfers with the dreamy, impressive waves that their shoreline has to offer.

Surfing is an integral and vibrant part of Costa Rican culture and the performance of their athletes at an international level attests to this. With Team Costa Rica defending their title in their home waves and the pending Olympic announcement (to added surfing to the 2020 Olympics), this event has all the elements to be a monumental milestone for surfing.”

O

Cheboards

n the way into Tamarindo, a town known for its surfing, you need to pass the Cheboard’s factory, a warehouse with the logo featuring a big red star mounted out front. Through those doors, shaper Juan Diego Evangelista works sixty hours a week, leading a team that creates between 600-900 surfboards a year.

It’s a family affair, as wife Mareike handles all the business, so JD (as his friends call him) can create the popular surfboards including short, longboards and SUPs on sale on site, or those made from special orders happily taken. And, in addition, he offers free boards to kids in need from the area schools as well as organizations such as CEPIA and Surf for Youth.

In operation since 2006, when the Argentinean lived in the Canary Islands, Cheboards is involved with making surfboards from the idea inception to their completion and mounting on racks of happy customers. Friends used to call Evangelista by the nickname of Che, so the red, five-point star represents those very special five friends.

In the last years, JD has expanded his business to include a special partnership with the legendary Robert August. Cheboards glasses the personally-shaped boards August makes at his shop at Witch’s Rock Surf Camp. Just recently, Jerry Hirsch, an international fashion entrepreneur and local surfer, has been designing stylish longboards that are sold—along with a selection of Robert August boards, and all of Evangelista’s—in the front of the Cheboards showroom.

August Odysseys

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Robert August

Sharks!

ay back in the dim mists of history, we were shooting “Endless Summer” and had just driven from Cape Town to Durban where, to our surprise, there were surfers; well, maybe only 10 or 15, but that was a lot compared with our experiences in Cape Town. And they were excited to see surfers from somewhere else. The surfing was good, the waves OK, but the whole city limits of Durban were cordoned off in the ocean by nets, the shark population being quite considerable – and hungry.

The locals told us that the breaks outside of town were awesome, but we were apprehensive of the sharks.

Asking around, we were told that “nobody has been attacked recently”, so we took a chance.

The breaks were, indeed, awesome, and we got some of the best waves I had ever surfed. And we had an audience! The locals all sat on a nearby bluff (maybe this should have clued us in) and watched, applauding every time we rode a wave. So there was this constant, noisy accompaniment to our fun.

At one point, the noise got a lot louder for no apparent reason but, when I looked at the peanut gallery, they were shouting excitedly and pointing up the beach. We saw two large – 2 to 3 feet high – fins moving steadily towards us. I headed for the shore, and have never paddled so fast; I was flying over the water.

We joined the locals on the bluff and watched as two huge sharks cruised past, clearly visible in the crystal water where we had been surfing. The larger was about 15 feet, about a yard across. They continued along the coast and disappeared.

The guys asked us if we were going back in for more surfing. “No, guys, we are going back to Durban.”

So now we knew why they had steel nets around the beach. Nowadays, they run trips where the tourist sits inside a metal cage to watch the huge monsters bashing their heads against the cage.

She had lost the art of conversation but, unfortunately, not the power of speech.

G. B. Shaw

AROUND TOWN

Sol Frozen Yogurt: New to Tamarindo area in the Plaza Conchal. Looking for a Refreshing Frozen Treat, come in and try one of our fantastic Frozen Specialty drinks. Did you know that Sol Frozen Yogurt not only tastes great, but is good for you? Many Nutritionists and Health experts recommend frozen yogurt as a healthy choice for a sweat treat that is low calorie, lower in sugar and no fat. Stop in and treat yourself.

Friday, June 10th, showing Teena Leonardi’s art.

Teena’s works are imbued with a meditative quality. She creates with mixed media, her techniques include metal leafing, watercolors, acrylics and silks for a striking effect. The paintings capture the feeling of peace, serenity, tranquility and relaxation. At first glance they are marked by beautiful images and colorations then as you contemplate each piece hidden details become noticeable.

Leonardi’s pieces will continue to show. The event was well attended; wine and appetizers were served.

Visit this Gallery soon, many very talented artists are featured here. www.leonardistudio.com Facebook - Like “leonardistudio” Huacas Café: This Café shop and Home Design studio is located between Huacas and Matapalo next to the new location of Pacific Coast Gym. They not only have the best cup of coffee in the area, the home designer décor and art items they sell are unique, beautiful and priced reasonably. Stop by and get a cup of coffee and select some new items for your home.

I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.

Clarence Darrow

A Slice of Life

David Mills

L

unchtime at The Madison Avenue, and the bar was busy as usual, for the most popular bar in Toronto. A couple of Yuppie businessmen entered, each carrying a large box, the size and shape of a car battery and, by the way they were carrying them, of similar weight. They took a table on the outdoor deck, placed the two boxes on the table and sat down.

Each man then took out a large telephone from the box and proceeded to dial. We realized that these were the new mobile telephones we had heard about. Each connected with his party (though we kidded that they were talking to each other) and proceeded to talk, almost nonstop, in loud voices to attract attention (nothing has changed), interrupted only briefly, and reluctantly, to give their lunch order to the waitress.

Throughout the meal they continued to talk, obviously very important businessmen to whom every minute was worth a thousand dollars (Canadian).

Well, we were not impressed by this show of ostentation, and conspired with Joylene, the waitress. She walked around their table and returned to tell us, yes, the telephone number is on a plate on each box, and gave us the numbers.

As they finished their meal and ordered the bill, they ended their respective calls and closed up the boxes. Now was our chance. Dialling both numbers from the courtesy phones in the bar, we laughed as they stared, amazed, at their boxes, then picked up the telephones.

“How was your lunch?” we asked. “Did you enjoy the scallops?”

“Who are you? How did you get this number? I’ve only got this mobile today, and nobody knows the number yet.”

“Be careful! Big Brother is watching you. We can see everything through the phone,” we told them, then hung up, giggling like schoolgirls.

We never saw them again. The beginning of the “cellular phone” era.

Surf Report

Ellen Zoe Golden ellenzoe@aol.com

E

ven before the Circuito Nacional de Surf Kolbi, presented by Adrenaline Rush headed into the Gran Finals in Playa Hermosa last month, Anthony Fillingim had become Costa Rica’s national surf champion for 2016. In a stunning final of the Copa Otis Eyewear in June on his home break in Santa Teresa, Fillingim pulled off not one, but two perfect 10 scores, giving him a grand total of four 10s in those last two contests.

In addition, he made further history by making the finals, and then the podium in 6 out of 6 dates up until then, and became the first national champion to be crowned because of high ranking points even before the important Reef Gran Finals were set to take place in July. And not any of the guys just underneath him on the ranking chart could earn enough with a win at the Reef Gran Finals in Hermosa last month in order to overtake his 1st place position.

ment that generally mounts ten or more initial primary heats. Still, it was good to see some big-name competitors for this amended Open division race including four-time national champion Gilbert Brown of Puerto Viejo, Guanacaste champion Tomas King of Tamarindo, veteran Jair Perez of Jacó, up-and-comers Durby Castillo of Pavones and the Tascon brothers, Jefferson and Anderson.

Wave conditions were really poor that weekend, with uncooperative winds generating few good faces for the contestants.

So how’d it go? Fillingim was beaten early by the Gran Finals winner Jair Perez of Jacó. “He must be feeling very good,” Fillingim said later.

Photo: Alfredo Barquero

Yet, Fillingim (photo) showed up at the Gran Finals, and he was joined by the other surfer that had already clinched the Girls beforehand, 14-year-old Serena Nava. Six other categories still needed to conclude in order to know who exactly would be their Costa Rican national champions. Absent in Hermosa was Tamarindo’s Dean Vandewalle, who, too, already knew he won the Grommets for the year.

This Costa Rican title is just the latest accomplishment for the 22-yearold from Santa Teresa. He was also the first Costa Rican to win the Latin American championship, plus he has one individual silver medal in a World ISA, two gold medals as a member of the Costa Rica national surf team--one in the ISA World Championship last year and one from the Central American championships. He even has a Junior national title in this country.

Let’s review for a moment: Those who actually win at the Gran Finals are not necessarily the same people who come out at the end as the national champions. Each competitor takes their five best contests of the year and adds up their points to see if they are the titleholder.

Now, he hopes to continue a career path with more dates next year on the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS). Last year he did dates in El Salvador, Brazil and various stops in Europe, but with a smaller sponsor budget this year he decided to focus on Costa Rica.

“It worked out well. Being national champion brings me a lot of happiness, I have a lot of respect for myself because of this win,” he said.

Given that the 2016 Open winner was already decided, it was no surprise that a lot of big names opted out of the Hermosa date. Carlos Muñoz and his brother Alberto went to the US Open in Huntington Beach, California.

Noe Mar McGonagle was surfing the semifinals Vans Surf Open Acapulco, Mexico, and the talented Jason Torres, Angelo Bonomelli, Luis Vindas, Ramon Taliani, Diego Naranjo, Leo Calvo and Sean Forester all headed to Nicaragua for the at the Association of Latin American Professional Surfers (ALAS) contest there.

Photo: Surf Republica

Finally, after three years of trying, Leilani McGonagle (photo, above) can add national Women’s champion to her resume which includes a slew of medals from global ISA contests. In 2016, which turned out to be a very competitive year for the Women’s, it all came down to the last minutes of the final in Hermosa, where neither McGonagle or the ranking leader Emily Gussoni of Jacó knew if they’d place high enough to mathematically take it all. In the end, Lisbeth Vindas won the heat, but even with that, the 12-time national champion of Jacó, didn’t have enough points to overtake the other two girls.

“Super happy is how I feel right now,” said Leilani. “The title came from this final and there were complicated waves. However, I want to congratulate Emily for giving me a great fight as well as the winner of the date, Lisbeth, who I have admired a lot since I started competing.”

While Gussoni was pleased to be named subchampion in the Women’s category, she was able to win the national Junior Women’s champion.

In this division, McGonagle was 2nd place for the year.

The new national Junior champion was José Joaquin Lopez, a Venezuelan living in Jacó. Afterwards, he was “super happy.” After all, he

As a result, at the Gran Finals, there was only one main round for the Open, then the semifinals, then the finals, highly unusual for a tourna(continued page 24)

Dharma Corner

Sue Smith

Walking the Talk

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his morning I sat and read the words attributed to the Buddha in one of the sutras called The Diamond Sutra. The words were so profound.

Paraphrasing (of course): The Buddha tells his inquiring disciple that the vow of any enlightened being should be two-fold: to guide others out of their suffering and, to do so without discrimination. The author of the commentary suggested that we look at these words as they relate to ourselves, our own lives and that of our community, asking ourselves the following questions: Do I practice (meditation, Yoga, Prayer) for myself to relieve my own afflictions? Or, do I practice and study with determination to be able to bring happiness to others?

These words seemed especially profound to me in light of many “news” items I had heard this week.

Everything from the children seeking a better, safer life in trying to cross the border into the US and being treated in heinous ways, to the many reports in the US of citizen police killings and vice versa. So, the words of the Sutra and of the author of the commentary almost shouted out “Are you really walking your talk”?

Seems like a question we should all ask ourselves.

The Dalai Lama is quoted as saying “My religion is simply Kindness”. I would venture to say that most of us read that and smile as we think of ourselves as kind. But, what do our actions say? Are we kind to others...animals, as well as people?? And about that “without discrimination” part... are we kind and helpful to others who are unlike ourselves???

I hope these words have jarred the minds of the readers, just as the words of the Diamond Sutra and the accompanying commentary jarred mine. It is not enough to practice (whatever your practice is) just for ourselves, to relieve our own suffering. To continue as a society, we must practice in order to help others suffer less also. And, to do so without discrimination.

The first step is to walk our talk. People rarely remember our words, but they do remember what we did and how it made them feel (Maya Angelou).

Namaste Pura Vida Sangha, a Sangha in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh meets for meditation on Mondays at 4:00 PM at the CEPIA building in Huacas. Contact meditationcostarica@gmail.com

360 Splendor del Pacifico Residences

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The new development on the peninsula

et across the clear blue skies of Costa Rica’s North Pacific coast, the yellow cranes hoisted above the North Ridge of Playa Flamingo are busily working away at this area’s newest luxury condominium development. The 360 Splendor del Pacifico Residences – a 5 star 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom condominium and penthouse project. Having started in December 2015, the 5-building complex is on track to be completed in March 2017.

Last month, the sales office of 360 Splendor del Pacifico Residences moved from the Flamingo Plaza to right in front the main entrance to the Flamingo Marina Resort.

Joining office space with FlamingoBeachVacationRentals.com, the move signals the next phase in the development’s timeline. The developers recently unveiled to a group of international realtors the first completed show model, reinvigorating the buzz about all the great things this new development on the peninsula has to offer.

Undeniably, the best feature of the 360 Splendor del Pacifico Residences is the panoramic view from the prestigious North Ridge of Playa Flamingo. Each detail, from the architectural designs, to the type of windows used, is in service to the expansive views of Playa Flamingo and Bahia Potrero. Regardless of location, each unit opens up to an ocean view balcony with triple-paned glass doors specially constructed to keep the heat out and the cool air in. Even the basic interior design is crafted to make the interior of the condominiums feel as expansive as the view.

Ed Podolak, the managing general partner, uses what he’s learnt from his other condominium projects in Jacó and Colorado, USA. That is, 90% of condominium vacation rentals in Costa Rica are purchased by couples, and their extended couple friends and family. It is this observation that inspired the unique connected door concept between condos. While

one couple is using a condo unit, their friends or extended family can be using the adjoining condo. The communal area of each condo can be extended when several condos are purchased or rented together, as the connecting doors are located within the living room areas and balcony of each condo.

360 Splendor del Pacifico Residences offers the luxury of a hotel with the privacy of a vacation home. Included are the concierge service and amenities of a 5-star hotel, with a spa, gym and a rooftop bistro. Clients can enjoy indulgent rooftop Jacuzzi soaks while sipping drinks from the nearby bistro.

Alongside a commitment to luxury, is a commitment to environmental responsibility. The landscaping of the 360 Splendor del Pacifico Residences is designed to flourish under the warm Guanacaste climate. Desert foliage will be the highlighted feature of the surrounding gardens and lawns and grey water treatment tanks used to nourish those areas when necessary.

Carbon emissions are also reduced as travelling around town will be encouraged through the use of electric golf carts while cars are parked in an elevator-operated parking garage.

From energy-saving appliances to climatesmart glass doors, 360 Splendor del Pacifico Residences promises an experience of pristine ocean views, personal privacy and prime real estate. Viewings are now available of the 1-bedroom show model. Drop by the newly located office to arrange a tour of the 360 Splendor del Pacifico project. Alternatively, call for more information at 2540-0894 / 2537-4416 or for US phones +877 405-4996.

By Ariana Clashing O’Reilly What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight – it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

General Eisenhower

Morena Beachwear

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hen Ornella Frattolillo and her husband Francisco decided to buy a bikini shop in Tamarindo, they had never been in the garment business before, but they found a way to use their Business Administration backgrounds to get the new place off the ground.

Under the moniker, Morena Beachwear, the two Argentineans made quick work of changing everything from the style of the bikinis to the targeted clientele.

From concept to sale, the suits are put together locally. According to Ornella, Morena now makes bikinis for the active woman, combining fun, comfort and style. They use high-performance material, and offer a variety of styles to meet this goal.

“When we started our business,

Francisco began drawing ideas, he likes to design” Ornella said.

“Between the two of us, we created our own designs. Now we are producing exclusive prints, and building a new image.”

Morena Beachwear is currently selling a lot of their original styles to surfers, yogis and lifelong sunbathers. Prices range from $25 to $30 per piece. The shop, located across from BAC San Jose and next to the Food Court, also sells hand-painted hats, beach accessories and locally made vintage jewelry.

“We are very excited and learning a lot, both of us. This was something new. We didn’t know how it was going to go, and we ended up loving it”, concluded Ornella.

360Flamingo.com

FlamingoBeachVacationRentals.com

+506 2540 0894

+506 7291 3279

+887 405 4996

+855 395 1505

Dr. Herbert Weinman, MD, MBA thedoctorisinsharkfm@gmail.com

Tetanus

Tetanus is an acute infectious disease characterized by persistent spasms of voluntary muscles, with or without true convulsive movements.

This disease is caused by a poison made by the tetanus bacterium. The spores, or dry form, of this germ can remain viable for up to 10 years under optimal conditions. The organism has a widespread distribution but is found mainly in dirt and the droppings of animals.

The germ can gain entry into the human body even through the most trivial of wounds, arising within penetrating dirty wounds, nail punctures, insect bites, animal bites, infected stitches, dirty needle injections (especially in drug addicts) and splinter injuries.

The potent poison acts on the elements of the nervous system and prevents normal electrical impulses from being transmitted by the nerves. Once the toxins are fixed on human tissue it is possible that it can no longer be neutralized. This accounts for a death rate of over 50% once the disease is contracted.

The most frequent presenting symptom is jaw stiffness, whence the popular name of “lockjaw�. Sometimes the attack is preceded by restlessness, irritability, neck stiffness or difficulty in swallowing. Headache, chills, fever, convulsions and generalized muscle stiffness can also occur initially.

To make the diagnosis eliciting a history of recent injury, surgical procedure or drug addiction is important. The time between contact and the development of symptoms may vary, but it is usually 5 to 10 days.

The severity of the case and the prognosis for recovery vary with many factors. These include degree of previous immunization, rapidity of onset, location of entry wound, age and time of institution of therapy.

The common type of tetanus immunization is called passive immunization. The person is given tetanus toxoid as three doses 4 to 6 weeks apart and a booster a year later. In children, after the initial series is given, a booster given at 18 months and again at four years of age. Then, as an adult, a booster is needed once every 10 years.

Tetanus is a disease which should be an illness of the past, instead of one which kills thousands of people worldwide annually. Proper wound cleansing and tetanus immunization could eliminate this deadly disease.

Surf Report

(from page 16)

was looking for the national title this year, only his second attempt to run the Circuito. Lopez trained, was focused, and implemented different tactics that he didn’t want to share, hoping they’d keep working for him in future contests.

Oscar Urbina, a three-year-veteran of the Circuito may have been subchampion Juniors, but he also competed—and won—Boys for 2016. His strategy was to do as much surfing as possible with those that were better than him in order to raise his level.

Serena Nava (photo) from Playa Grande celebrated her 14th birthday this week by officially being named the Girls national champion in her first year attempting to do so. Like Fillingim, she clinched her title before the Gran Finals in Hermosa, but still felt it important to paddle out—and win 2nd place for the date.

“Competing is awesome because I get to travel to all these great places and surf a heat with only a few people. Now it is so mindblowing to be champion of the whole of Costa Rica, I mean so many places, so many surfers in the contests. I’m lucky to be the one,” she exclaimed.

Twelve-year-old Lia Hermosa Díaz, who became the Mini-Grommets Girls national champion, made history for being the daughter of a national champion.

Her mother Andrea Díaz is a former national Women’s champion, and national Women’s Master champion. The national Mini-Grommets Boys champion for 2016 was Axel Castro.

This year, the podium ceremony for the 2016 national champions also included the dissemination of trophies to the winners of the 2016 SUP, Longboard and Masters categories. See all the winners page 33.

Last month, the renowned Hawaiian surfer Bruce Irons hosted the third stop of the Airborn Huck & Hack Tour, which took place in Playa Hermosa and awarded $10,400 between the four winners of this unusual formatted contest. The contest focused on a selection of “Hucks” (airs) and “Hacks” (power maneuvers) specifically.

Competitors performed only one of each of these maneuvers in their heat to pass.

The first place winner was a visitor from Jacksonville, Florida, named Tristan Thompson, and his prize was $5,500. Among the 54 competitors, Ticos who placed were 2016 national surf champion Anthony Fillingim, who came in 3rd and collected $1,000, and Gilbert Brown, who claimed Best Hack.

(continued page 33)

A Few Words About Wood

B

by Bruce Scott

elow are some woods commonly used in Costa Rica, some native, some not. The nonnative woods are less protected, and often grown on wood farms.

- Pochote (Ceiba Pentandra). A native wood, very stable, doesn’t tend to shrink or expand with climate change. It is often use for windows and door frames, also for rafters. Like its cousin, cedar, it is not very susceptible to insect damage.

- Guanacaste (Enterlobium Contortisiliquum).

A native wood and national tree, protected but not prohibited to use. Many blow down every year. Very pretty grain, a favorite for some types of furniture.

Although it has a bad habit of splitting or warping with climate change. the white (sapwood) which adds to its beauty unfortunately can be susceptible to insect damage.

- Spanish Cedar (Cedrela Odorata). Native to Costa Rica also known as “cedro amargo” - bitter cedar - which accounts for its insect-repellent properties. Used for furniture, kitchens and bathrooms; not susceptible to climate change problems.

- Teak (Tectona Grandis). Known also as the queen of woods originally from India. Grown here mostly on teak farms, although some has gone wild in the mountains. Very good for outdoor use, very beautiful, weather and insect resistant. Very hard, easy dulls cutting blades.

- Mango (Mangifera Indica). Sometimes called tropical peach, originally from India, produces the well-known mango fruit. Very tough wood, doesn’t tend to split even when cut in cross sections known as “galletas” -cookies- here in Costa Rica. Makes excellent, stable deformed table tops.

- Melina (Gmelina Arborea). Also originally from India, Melina is used all around in construction and in furniture as well. It’s easy to work with (not cross grained) and quite stable. Also can be bought in 4’×8’ sheets of solid strips of wood glued together.

At Scott Furniture in Huacas I’ve found many of our customers are concerned more about color than wood species. A wide variety of stains can achieve just about any color a customer wants. There are also many types of finishes available from glossy to natural.

Come and visit us at Scott Furniture, see for yourself our high-quality long-lasting finishes. Choose from our stock or have a piece custom made.

On the deck outside Aqua Disco

Beach Fun with the Shine Project The Shine Project Foundation is based in San Diego, CA, and visits communities to enact activities with children with special needs. Its local chapter here is run by Cheryl and Rob Williams, who, for the second year running, organised a Beach Funday at Lola’s Restaurant in Avellanas. Many local surfers assisted at the event to help the kids on the surfboards Shine works closely with Lola’s, CEPIA, Surfoam and the Avellanas Surf School to make an impact on the local community, with emphasis on kids with special needs.

CEPIA’s involvement is to take the children from their homes for doctor’s visits and physiotherapy. Other project activities have been at Pinilla Beach Club, Best Western and La Boya.

Many of these children are from single-parent families usually the mother - and need constant attention and help to even leave their homes. They suffer from Down’s syndrome, multiple sclerosis and develepmental problems such as autism. Many have never seen the sea, and their delight with surf and surfing must be seen to be believed.

CEPIA is represented by Courtney Bouquet - cepiacostarica. org.

Rob and Cheryl can be reached at Facebook - Cheryl and Rob Williams.

Donations are very welcome at www.theshineprojectfoundation.org.

Curtis Custer, of Surfoam, can be reached at surfoamcentralamerica.com.

Baseball

The Tico Connection

I

often wonder, as a keen baseball fan, why this great game is not popular in Costa Rica. Many big stars of the game are Hispanics – from El Salvador, Venezuela, Honduras, Colombia, Nicaragua, Cuba, etc. – but the vast majority of Ticos would rather watch a ten-year-old game of soccer between Tierra del Fuego and Paraguay than a live baseball game.

And yet, the country has its unique connection to the sport, without which there would be no baseball. For all the balls used in U.S./Canada Major League games are made in Cartago province.

Rawlings Sporting Goods turns out two-and-ahalf million baseballs a year from its factory in Turrialba, just a few kilometers from San José on the road to the Caribbean. Rawlings has an exclusive contract to supply Major League Baseball.

What a load of balls! But while pondering these large numbers of baseballs, it may be useful to remember that over one hundred balls are used in the average 9-inning game, or 900,000 a season, including batting practice and pre-season training. Each lasts only a few pitches before it is claimed by a proud fan. The price, according to the Rawlings website, is $72 a dozen.

Workers turn out up to 200 balls apiece per day, stitching the fibre into 108 stitches per ball. A minimum quota of 156 balls per day is required for each worker.

Yet, most Costa Ricans don’t know, or care, that the game exists.

The difference between involvement and commitment is best seen in bacon and eggs. The chicken was involved; the pig was committed.

Martina Navratilova

Your Stars in August

Aries: 21 March - 20 April

Libra: 23 September - 23 October

Taurus: 21 April - 21 May

Scorpio: 24 October - 22 November

Your ruling planet, Mars, moves into the sign of Sagittarius on the 2nd and that may have an energetic influence on you. However as it moves towards the conjunction with Saturn on the 24th, there’s plenty of frustration surrounding anything you try to accomplish to quickly. Your best days are the afternoon of the 20th, the 21st and the morning of the 22nd.

Seek some recognition early on this month as Venus favors you getting some attention. It won’t be so much of a struggle this month when Venus joins Mercury and Jupiter in earthy Virgo on the 5th. Keep your calendar open as three planets in your solar fifth house bring the fun and possibly some romance. Good days are the afternoon of the 22nd, the 23rd and the 24th.

Gemini: 22 May - 21 June

You are more mentally sharp and analytical this month as Mercury travels through Virgo, another sign it rules in addition to yours, which is primarily beneficial. Saturn puts a bit of a damper on your progress when it stations and goes direct on the 13th and squares Venus and opposes Gemini. Take things slowly if you feel confused and ask questions. Best days are the 25th and 26th.

Cancer: 22 June - 22 July

This is a rather quiet month for you with three planets transiting through your reclusive twelfth house. There is also some inner confusion but use the time to stabilize yourself and attend to any medical issues that you may have ignored. Next month has more favorable aspects for you as Venus moves into Libra. Good days to put yourself out there are the 6th, 7th and 8th.

Mars will move out of Scorpio and into Sagittarius on the 2nd, giving you some relief from your inner turmoil.

Mars does well in Sag and will be there for the next two months. It is moving towards a conjunction with Saturn, which can bring conflicts to a head. It’s a good month to take some time off before the 20th and get some R&R. The 9th and 10th are very favorable for you.

Sagittarius: 23 November - 21 December

This month has some very definite challenges for you as Mars enters your sign and moves towards a conjunction with Saturn on the 24th. It’s a “chop wood, carry water” kind of vibe so don’t fight with the energy. The Sun in Leo is in a good aspect with this duo so there’s something to be learned from the experience. The 11th, 12th, and 13th are your best days.

Capricorn: 22 December - 21 January

Plenty of action in your short distance travel house this month but you might have to spend a bit more money that you expected. You would be wise to take some time to rest and rejuvenate during the last half of the month as Saturn stations and then goes direct in your solar sixth house of health. Good days to get some R&R are the 1st, 27th and 28th.

Your ruling planet, Saturn, goes into direct motion on the 13th in your solar twelfth house to be joined by Mars all month. There’s a bit of a problem with that as the twelfth house is a behind-the-scenes, reclusive kind of location and Mars and Saturn are actively in conflict now. You will have better guidance and insights then. The 14th and 15th are your most favorable days.

You always feel better when the Sun goes through your sign and this month is no different. You might be inclined to make a major purchase with those aspects.

The middle and end of the month may hold concerns for your children as Mars and Saturn are conjunct on the 24th in that house. The 2nd, 3rd and 29th are most favorable for you.

Your ruling planet, Saturn, goes direct on the 13th, where it will be joined by Mars for the next two months. They pair up exactly on the 24th which can signify some conflict. Finances and investments may see a boost this month but don’t be complacent about attending to details. Your best days are the 16th and 17th.

Leo: 23 July - 23 August

Virgo: 24 August - 22 September

With Mercury, Venus and Jupiter all in your sign this month some opportunities should open up but you will have to still be patient as Mars and Saturn are still in a square aspect to all those planets. Be careful in your home this month particularly around the 22-25th. take some time off to enjoy life on the 4th, 5th, and 31st.

There’s a solar eclipse in Virgo on the Sept 1st.

by Jeanne Callahan jeanne@celestialadvisor.com

Aquarius: 22 January - 19 February

Pisces: 20 February - 20 March

Jupiter, Mercury and Venus will be in your solar seventh house all month signifying some advantages coming in for your partner. Slow and steady will serve you well.

The aspect is exact in the tenth house on the 24th so you may have to deal with some conflicts towards the end of the month. Listen carefully and do your own research before severing any professional relationship. The full Moon on the 18th, the 19th and the morning of the 20th are your favorable days.

Namasté Visit Jeanne’s site at CelestialAdvisor.com

Word puzzle Rivers

All words from the list below can be found in the word block on the right.

Answers may be forward, backward, upwards, downwards and diagonal. abitibi amazon athabasca bravo colorado columbia danube darling dnieper ganges grande irrawaddy limpopo loire mackenzie

mekong mississippi moldau murray platte rhine severn shannon stlawrence tagus tempisque thames tombigbee wabash zambesi

Now Begins the Study of Yoga Yoga for Life Every Friday, Team Panacea heads to Villarreal, where we volunteer at the Ecodesi seniors program. Operated by Adela Rosales Peña and her sister, Maria, Ecodesi provides programs two mornings a week for the elders in the local communities. They have volunteers of university students who are studying social work providing activities for the seniors, and in the last year and a half, Debbie brings them some vegetarian food (they have given her the honorary “Buena Cuchara” award), Peter provides reflexology, and I hold a short yoga class. Whenever we can arrange it, we also invite them up to the mountain to enjoy a day here with us.

As most of the folks attending are 65 years of age or older, I initially thought that I would be focusing on yoga that can be done sitting. What I quickly realized, is like most of the locals in this area, these folks continue to use their bodies in physical activities daily, even at this stage of their life! Our classes together are based on what will help them stay as physically and mentally healthy as possible as they age. Much of that has to do with keeping their body in a balance of strength and flexibility. We do a blend of movements that are focused on maintaining their range of motion and health of their joints, weight bearing for keeping bones healthy, extension and movement of the spine, and breath work that aids with digestion, elimination, as well as focus and relaxation. All done with a lot of laughter, as I work on being able to teach in Spanish!

Now that all of the “baby boomers” are over 50, there are doctors in the US who are calling the huge numbers of injuries happening to this group, “boomeritis”. That is, folks injuring themselves by trying to keep up with activities their bodies can no longer handle. Yoga can be a great way to keep the balance of both strength and flexibility, throughout all stages of life, and especially as the years add up.

If you or someone you know has not wanted to try yoga, because most classes are geared for younger, more physically capable students, I do suggest that you find a teacher who has knowledge of working with conditions of aging like osteoporosis, and changes in balance abilities. There are a set of movements specifically for keeping the joints of the body healthy called the Pawanmuktasana series. I have used these with people who are in bed due to illness or injury, and they are great for maintaining and even improving range of motion. As aging can bring changes to all or our body’s systems, working with a teacher who can modify movements can keep us enjoying the vibrance of life, as the folks of Ecodesi remind us every week. Pura Vida!

Namaste, Mary Mary Byerly is one of the owners and the yoga teacher at Panacea.

An oasis of tranquility and health 10 minutes from Tamarindo.

Discover Paradise and Bring a Peace Home www.panaceacr.com • 2653-8515

Have a yoga question? Contact me at: maryebyerly@gmail.com

Surf Report

(from page 24)

The Costa Rican stop of the Airborn Huck & Hack as the final edition of a tour that began in Florida and then California.

According to Greg Gordon of crsurf.com who was on hand in Hermosa: “The format for judging waves ridden in this contest was very different from a regular one. Surfers were only scored on one ‘hack,’ a big turn on a wave, or a ‘huck’, doing an air. And they could earn extra points for performing both on a single ride. It made the contest really exciting to watch since the competitors had to go for big maneuvers.”

Final Results of AIRBORN Huck & Hack Playa Hermosa - July 9, 10, 2016 1. Tristan Thompson (Florida) - $ 5,000 2. Francisco Bellorín (Venezuela) - $ 2,500 3. Anthony Fillingim (Costa Rica) - $ 1,000 4. Jean Carlo Gonzales (Panama) - $ 500 Best Hack: Gilbert Brown Lopez (Costa Rica) - 9.00 pts.

Best Huck: Ryan Carlson (Florida) - 10.00 pts.

During the weekend, it was announced that Alberto Muñoz of Esterillos would now be represented by AIRBORN, an apparel company.

Speaking of sponsorship, Noe Mar McGonagle just signed a monster sponsorship deal with Monster Energy drink.

“I am so happy that I found another solid sponsor in Monster Energy, said the reigning ISA World Champion McGonagle. “They will allow me to pursue my dream of qualifying for the elite WSL World Tour, but also help me to produce interesting video contest at home and while traveling.”

The surfer from Pavones also rides for Quiksilver, and has a sponsorship with Nature Air as well.

And now, the monthly wrap-up of our guys and girls around the world: Emily Gussoni utilized the time between national contests to head over to the Pro A Coruna in Spain. Unfortunately, even with the level she has obtained at home via focus and training, she was unable to make a move from her first round. Not to worry, she’s 16, and has a long professional career ahead of her.

Joining Gussoni at the Pro A Coruna were Leon Glatzer from Pavones who was seeded in Round Two but couldn’t fare better than 3rd place and Tiago Carrique of Tamarindo who did pretty well, surfing all the way to the Quarterfinals in the Juniors portion of the contest. Carrique did even better at the Anglet Plage, the third stage of the RipCurl Grom Search in France. He came in 1st for the Boys category over there.

2016 National Champions Open 1. Anth. Fillingim (S. Teresa) 2. Angelo Bonomelli (P. Viejo) 3. Anderson Tascon (Herr.)

4. Durby Castillo (Pavones)

SUP Race Men 1. Rolando Herrera 2. Geovani Espinoza 3. JC Demarchevier 4. Michael Gutierrez

Open Women’s 1. Leilani McGonagle (Pav.) 2. Emily Gussoni (Jacó) 3. Lisbeth Vindas (Jacó) 4. Zulay Martínez (Tam.)

SUP Race Women 1. Daniela Wooster 2. Valeria Salustri 3. Selena Cubero 4. Silvia Ramierez

Junior 1. José J. López (Jacó) 2. Oscar Urbina (P. Viejo) 3. Malakai Martínez (Tam.) 4. Dean Vandewalle (Tam.)

SUP Surf 1. Erick Antonson 2. Marcel Oliveira 3. Bryan Sandoal 4. Jose Ruiz

Junior Women’s 1. Emily Gussoni (Jacó) 2. Leilani McGonagle (Pav.) 3. Serena Nava (P. Grande) 4. Zulay Martínez (Tam.)

Longboard 1. Adolfo Gomez 2. Alex Gomez 3. Marcel Oliveira 4. Andres Rojas

Boys 1. Oscar Urbina (P. Viejo) 2. Malakai Martínez (Tam.) 3. Fran. Coronado (Bras.)

4. Aldo Chirinos (P. Negra)

Masters 1. Adolfo Gomez 2. Alvaro Solano 3. Cristian Salazar 4. Early Farrier

Girls 1. Serena Nava (P. Grande) 2. Coral Wiggins (Avellanas) 3. Zulay Martinez (Tam.) 4. Paulina Summers (P. Viejo)

Masters Women 1. Verónica Quirós 2. Yenory Godínez 3. Andrea Díaz 4. Florencia Maldonado

Grommets 1. Dean Vandewalle (Tam.) 2. Samuel Reidy (Dominical) 3. Kenneth Peralta (Jacó) 4. Aaron Ramirez (Jacó)

Grand Masters 1. Early Farrier 2. Cristian Salazar 3. Adolfo Gomez 4. Gustavo Castillo

Mini-Grommets 1. Axel Castro (Limón) 2. Kalani Abrahao (Tam.) 3. ZIggie Myrie (Jacó) 4. Ethan Hollander (Dom.)

Kahuna 1. Craig Schieber 2. Ian Bean 3. Alejandro Monge

Mini-Grommets Girls 1. Lia Díaz (Tamarindo) 2. Auxiela Ryan (P. Viejo) 3. Danielle Guzman (Limón) 4. Candelaria Resano (Nica.)

Grand Kahuna 1. Craig Schieber 2. Roberto Miranda

That’s all I’ve got. Looking forward to hearing what you think.

Keep those emails coming at EllenZoe@aol.com. Send your comments, information, errors or praise, because I can’t do this column without you, the real surfers.

Surviving

Chapter XXII

T

News Flashes in the Pan

COSTA RICA

hose of you who have been painfully deprived of Guanacaste’s First English-language Magazine for some months now have probably experienced an overpowering sense of relief and jubilation at the recent resurrection of The Howler, now resting in the capable hands of John Quam.

On The Howler’s first day of publication, in early July, church bells could be heard ringing throughout the Greater Tamarindo Metroplex as campasinos, real estate agents and puzzled tourists danced in the streets in fits of frenzied ecstasy. Indeed, The Howler has been missed.

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a chance to fill you in on local happenings and whatnots, so I’ll try to fill you in on recent cultural and anthropological activities.

Eat Wave A group of local food advocates held the Tamarindo Eat Wave, an event they hoped would propel Tamarindo into one of the Gastronomic Capitals of the world.

Perhaps the most famous food critic in the entire world, a Monsieur Robespierre DeGaule from the prestigious L’école de Cuisses de Grenouille in Lyon, France, was contacted to oversee the event. His first act was to bar any restaurant in Tamarindo from participation, claiming Tamarindo was nothing but “pizza and monkey stew” and not worthy of an event such as this.

I’m not saying there weren’t a few hurt feelings and authorities are still investigating the dangerous events at the Tamarindo Eat Wave’s final night which included the ever-popular SPAM toss. Apparently several containers of the world-popular meat product were thrown at the judges while still in the can. Nonetheless EAT WAVE organizers are planning to have an even bigger event next year and are promising heightened security.

The Road to Langosta If you’re one of the six or seven people who’ve had the literary stomach to read this column

Story by Jesse Bishop owlhumm@hotmail.com

over all these years you will notice that, ever since those very first columns from the final century of the previous millennium, I’ve been bitching about the road that leads to the southernmost barrio of Tamarindo known as Playa Langosta. Where I live.

its location would be referred to as “Surfside”, though I’m not quite when that name came into being. Perla was a Canadian Cowgirl to the max and a pillar of that far-flung community and continued to be so until she sold the place earlier this century.

The R2L has always been a safe fall-back for me when I’m experiencing writer’s block and will write about just about anything, which is just about all the time for your current scribe. The safe and somewhat fuzzy good thing about it is it never really changes over the years. Sometimes the road is good…… but this is certainly the exception and not the rule.

Perla was a great gal but I don’t think she liked me very much. She liked all kinds of music as long as it was country or western, a genre I enjoy playing though I seem to lack authenticity. She apparently seemed to think I was just another longhaired Rock and Roll type, which I was and continue to be.

Depending on the rains and the local municipality’s repair budget for “roads to Gringoland” it takes me between three and ten minutes to get to town, often with newly-loosened car parts.

However this year there’s a twist to the R2L. Earlier this year the local municipality laid down a quite usable semi-paved road over about two-thirds of the road, while somehow insuring that the remaining dirt portions were reduced to some of the worst potholes in a long history of said road conditions.

After a quick trip on the good road you literally have to stop and go into first gear to go the next eighty meters.

Oh sure, by the time you read this the road will be in one of its “almost okay” conditions and you’ll think I’m just ranting about the road for “Surviving Costa Rica” fodder.

You’re right!

Perlas When Susan and I first started our Costa Rica experience back in the aforementioned “Waning years of the blah blah yadda yadda” there had already been a Perlas Bar in Portrero since the Grand Dame opened it back in the Seventies. Nowadays

After her retirement Perlas kind of remained frozen in time for a while until it was purchased and whipped back into shape by Melanie and Ray Gertz and is now a really good restaurant and bar and has lots of live music.

It’s not because “Los Tingos”, Pedro and I, play there just about every Friday that I bring it up…… it’s about Chase the Ace. Chase the Ace is a money-raising raffle gambling thing they have every Friday, where a winning ticket holder not only gets a 30% take of a pot, let’s say ¢33,000, but also gets to pick an ace out of a spread of cards. This gets you a crack at an accumulated pot that receives 30% every week, a lot of dough!

40% of the weekly tickets sales are donated to local causes.

So the usual pattern is we call out someone’s winning ticket number who gets cash and a chance for more, which doesn’t usually happen until last week.

As usual someone is pulling a ticket out of a raffle barrel and a twelve or thirteenish Gringo kid is the winner and, accompanied by Mom, gladly accepts about ¢28,000 and proceeds to pull an Ace of Spades from the spread of cards for ¢340,000!

At least at Perlas miracles happen.

Just One of those Days

Y

Stop this world, let me off.

There’s just too many pigs at the same trough.

Too many buzzards sittin’ on the fence.

Stop this world it’s not makin’ sense.

Mose Allison

ou ever have one of those days? Here they say something like ‘starting off on the wrong foot.’ Sometimes I wonder, maybe it’s the weather. Rains like hell, lightning and mini tornados wreaking havoc on one day and then next day, bingo, it’s like Indian summer again and it’s time to irrigate newly planted trees.

Once in a while, here in Pura Vida-land, it seems like Murphy’s Law has simply gone exponential, or taken a heavy dose of steroids. The phone is out, the mechanic doesn’t return your calls and the water goes off just after lathering up a nice scalp full of suds. The next day Mr. Murphy seems to simply flip through another few pages of the Tico edition of “If Something Can Go Wrong It Will,” and serves up yet another helping.

It got me to thinking about baseball. Probably something like a batter finding himself in a slump, stepping up to the plate day after day and swinging wildly into the wind. Try as you might, you search the clouds, looking for that silver lining but always keep coming up empty handed.

Perhaps it goes without saying if you’re in a rut, don’t even think about turning on the news. Chances are you’re going through a local variant of some global ‘negative energy’ that has manifested itself in a yet another atrocity that touched down like a toxic whirlwind, scorching through the lives of ever more innocent victims and dominating the headlines for another day or two--until the next one. Maybe the astrologers have an explanation for all this stuff, because at times it seems like the entire planet Earth seems to have gone ‘retrograde’.

Don’t get me started on the international events that coincide with my bumpy stretch of late. This stuff has lasted in fact, way longer than “one of those days.” On the local level at least, at times you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Case in point: the recently opened, elevated, brand spanking new highway that connects Liberia to Cañas. After costing 50% more and taking 150% longer than projected, it finally came into service with the customary fanfare of ribbon cuttings, speeches and a full round of congratulatory backslapping. And then it rained. Oops.

Could be that someone failed to inform the ‘engineers’ that we live in the wet-dry tropics. OK, it’s a fact that we’ve had three years of drought during which most of the construction was going on. And, if my memory serves me, the Liberia area went more than forty days without measurable rainfall during the last ‘invierno.’ But c’mon, the news pictures of half the new highway flowing knee-deep after a modest downpour makes you wonder where along the

Tom Peifer

line somebody dropped the ball. Or maybe the slide rule.

You know, to calculate X square meters of impermeable surface, multiplied by Y amount of rainfall in millimeters = Z million liters of water that need holes, or channels or something in the engineering bag of tricks to get the water out of the passing lane and into somewhere else so as not to slow down the vehicular flow. As it turns out, that was only part of the problem.

It also turns out that CONAVI, the national agency in charge of the project sort of forgot to inform the residents, neighborhoods or even the mayors of towns along the route about the ‘possibility’ of flooding in certain areas due to the increased impermeable surface area mentioned above.

In the ensuing blame game and finger pointing, CONAVI made haste to clarify that that their institutional responsibility only extended to the limits of the highway right of way.

After that, the water is, at times literally, in someone else’s lap. Hopefully the whole mess will get worked out before the ‘temporales’ of October really put the system—both engineering and institutional—to the test.

While penning this article I violated my own “news blackout’ to check on the latest retrograde happenings in my former homeland. Three more cops shot dead in Baton Rouge. Meanwhile the head cop of Cleveland, where the Republicans are congregating to crown Donald Trump as their standard bearer in November, is freaking out about the possible downside of the ‘open carry’ laws currently in force. As they say, ‘what could possibly go wrong?’ I believe the police chief actually used the term “insanity” to describe the situation. At least it would appear, that one person in the country has his head screwed on straight.

It doesn’t take much to imagine what could come down in the emotionally charged atmosphere by simply putting a match to a string of firecrackers. It would make the legendary gunfight at the OK Corral look like a weekend paintball party. For readers familiar with the term and history of ‘agents provocateurs,’ picture the setting: chock full of fired up conventioneers as a result of the protracted and controversial campaign, counter protests in full swing and the whole mess sweltering under a predicted dome of midsummer heat. Cleveland would appear made to order for some kind of ‘surprise’ event.

So, maybe I’ll have to eat my words after all. As it turns out, it could be that turning on the news and getting a (continued page 36)

August ( a l l

t i m e s

Sun

Just One...

2016 l o c a l )

1st - rise 5:33; set 6:07 15th - rise 5:34; set 6:02 31st - rise 5:34; set 5:53

Moon 2nd 10th 18th 24th

1st quarter: Full: Last quarter: New:

6.0

c

2:44 p.m.

12:20 p.m.

3:26 a.m.

9:40 p.m.

RAINFALL - June/July 2016

5.0

Huacas

Total rainfall: 15.9 cm (6.3 inches)

s 2.0 1.0 16

20

25

30 1

June

5

10

15

July

Year-to-date 2016: 50.4 cm 2015: 24.3

Rainfall June/July 2016: 15.9 cm 2015: 3.5

Alcoholics Anonymous Schedule of Meetings

Potrero

Tuesdays: 5:30 - 6:30 pm (open) Fridays: 5:30 - 6:30 pm (open)

Location: Costa Rica Sailing Center - Upstairs Contact: Don H. at 2-654-4902

Tamarindo

Saturday: 10:30-11:30 - Open General Meeting Monday: 5:30 - Open Meeting Wednesday: 10:30 - Open Meeting Thursday: 5:30-6:30 - Open Meeting Location: Behind Pedro’s Surf Shop Contact: Ellen - 2-653-0897 / Steve - 8377-1529

36

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide. Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied.

Howler Meteorological Observatory

4.0 m 3.0

0.0

long look at the retrograde on-goings across the globe, can constitute somewhat of a shot in the arm, a dose of relativity that helps put all our pesky little problems around here into a global perspective. At least our potholes aren’t the result of carpet-bombing, car bombs or other acts of warfare, terrorism, and racial, political or sectarian violence.

When the cops pull you over, or stop you at a roadblock, you don’t end up riddled with bullet holes no matter what color you are. Finally, when the world simply stops ‘makin’ sense,” here along the Gold Coast, we can simply drop every thing and hit the beach. For some of us, it’s primordial, like the salty stuff shed in your tears and coursing through your veins, a yearning perhaps best captured by British poet John Masefield:

RAIN GAUGE

7.0

(from page 35)

Tom Peifer is an ecological land use consultant with 20 years experience in Guanacaste. 2658-8018. tompeiferecv@ gmail.com El Centro Verde is dedicated to researching and promoting sustainable land use, permaculture and environmentally sound development http://www.elcentroverde.org/