Reservation Event: 3 Days in Tortuguero!

Parker Henry has a friend who is a Costa Rica Travel Agent who markets tours in the US...and she has some room on a trip she is doing to Tortuguero on the carribean coast! This is a wondeful way to be able to observe wildlife (including the sea turtles and red-eyed tree frogs, monkeys and birds galore) in a rustic environment!

Total Cost for 3 days (not per day): $129/double occupancy at the Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero, including buffet-style meals at the lodge, bus from San Jose and boat ride up the canal to Tortugero and return transportation. Deposit of 50% will be required by August 18.

Accommodations: Rustic-type room with private bath, ceiling fans, hot water. See info at www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g309268-d310538-r58655644-Laguna_Lodge_Tortuguero-Tortuguero_Province_of_Limon.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT.

Dates: September 18-19-20, 2010

Pick up: Crown Plaza Hotel (near Sabana Park) 6:30 a.m. on the 18th. IF THE TOUR HAS 35 OR MORE PARTICIPANTS, THE BUS WILL COME TO SAN RAMON FOR A LOCAL PICK UP!

For more info: Call Parker Henry at 2447-7658. Parker is tentatively reserving five rooms for San Ramon Gringos, so let her know by early next week if you want to take advantage of this special opportunity.

Meet Up Event: Upscale Dining at The Park Cafe!

Oh, how elegant dining can be...yes, right here in Costa Rica! Yes, it is pricey, but aren't you due a real treat now and again? Join us as we go to the #1 rated restaurant in San Jose...For those of you who have been with us at the #2 rated Hotel Grano de Oro Restaurant, you know how special this will be!
Date: Friday, July 30, 2010
Time: Meet Up 9 a.m. at the Directo Bus Station in San Ramon for an excursion to San Jose.
Place: The Park Cafe in La Sabana Park http://www.parkcafecostarica.blogspot.com/ Take a look at the ambiance and a sample menu. This is definitely an experience to tell your stateside friends about!
Agenda: Arrive La Sabana about 10:30 a.m. Take a walk in the park, and visit the antique shop adjacent to the restaurant. At noon get ready for a fantastic dining experience! Then take a shared cab back to the bus depot and board for San Ramon, returning about 3:30 p.m.
Expect: Roundtrip bus about 2,000 c, lunch 20,000 - 35,000 c, shared taxi about 1,000 c.
Questions: Call Parker Henry at 2447-7658. No need to RSVP, just meet up at bus station.
Directions: For Directo Bus, take Main Street In past mall, through first traffic light, to SECOND stop sign. Make a left, and drive four blocks or so. Directo Bus Station is on your right. Park on street.

GO-ON-YOUR-OWN EVENT: Nole Doug's Garage Sale!

You don't need to live in the US to downsize...Doug Busch is moving into his new San Ramon home and doesn't need some of the great stuff he brought with him from Florida, and we know that Gringos and Gringas really miss garage sales, so..........

Date: Friday, July 23, 9 a.m. until all is sold

Place: Doug's house in San Pedro. Call Doug at 8964-2655, NoleDoug@aol.com

Directions: From UCR continue up road the feria is on into San Pedro section of SR about 1 km. Pass Charlie's Bar on left and immediately turn right towards Las Musas. Quick right down the hill, 7th house on right, two story green house.

For Sale:

• Showtime Rotisserie/Grill $70
• Cuisinart Food Processor $50
• Osterizer 10-speed blender $30
• Cooler -- 48 qt Colman Polylite $50
• Igloo Plentikool -- Car Battery and 120 Operated $20
• Bolt Cutters Capacity 10mm - 3/8", 24" long, $25
• Shovel $5
• Black & Decker Circular Saw $35
• Recliner, burgundy, good condition $125
• Harper Heavy Duty Hand Truck, like new, $100
• Miscellaneous Tables (coffee, side, end, buffet) $40 each
• Antique Clothes Closet, fair condition, $20
• Two 8-ft artificial trees w/pots $15 each
• Sheet Sets full size $20
• Adult VCR tapes $2, 3/$5
• Framed pictures, all under $20
• Miscellaneous kitchen goods, glasses, decorations and lots more
• Antique China (1940's), service for 12 including crystal glassware, $500

Doug is ready to make a deal, so don't miss this big sale!

Volunteer Event: Recycling Center Cleanup -- We Need You!

Many of you may know about the recycling center in San Juan operated by the women’s cooperative, COFERENE. Thanks to the efforts of Joe Brown and others from the community a major effort is under way to organize, clean up and paint the center.

Show your support for recycling and COFERENE by joining us this Saturday for a clean up effort. The work day will be organized as follows: remove garbage for hauling to dump, clean up (sweeping and mopping), and then painting if time permits.

Following are the details:

Day/Date: Saturday, July 10
Shifts: 8:00 am to 11:00 am (bring a snack)
11:00 am to 2:00 pm (bring a bag lunch)

Things to Bring: Gloves
Mops and brooms
Paint trays and brushes
Snack or Lunch

Note that in addition to helping the center operate more safely and efficiently we will be helping COFERENE prepare for an Environmental Fair (Feria Ambiental) they are hosting on Friday, July 16 to celebrate their 15th year of operation.

If you’re able to volunteer your time please email mike@styles.com and indicate which shift you can work. Your help will be greatly appreciated!

Meet Up Event: Iguanas for Brunch?

Iguana is not on the menu, of course, but they will be your dining companions in our next adventure...a true photo op to let your friends back in Los Estados Unidos know what you've been up to! Shop at The American Store and spend some time in a hot spring! What a day!

Date: Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Meet Up: 7:45 a.m. at Cafe Delicious, San Ramon for carpooling/caravaning. Departure at 8:00 a.m. SHARP for two hour ride to San Carlos. No RSVP necessary. Look for Karen and Joe Brown.

First Stop: The American Store -- kind of like Big Lots, scratch and dent goods (foods, tools, general stuff) at good prices. Double check with driver to make sure there is room in the car for that new patio set or welding equipment before buying.

Second Stop: The Iguana Restaurant -- good comida typica (about 3,000 c), and the iguanas love to be fed (not your lunch!), dozens of them on the porch, in the trees, in the sun, in the shade...

Third Stop: Termales de Bosque -- two hours in a refreshing hot spring (7,000 c admission) with all the amenities including changing rooms, rest rooms, refreshments (extra).

http://www.termalesdelbosque.com/english/presentation.htm

Return: About 3 pm leave for San Ramon, arriving about 5 pm. Give driver 2,000 c toward gas.

Bring: Camera, swimsuit, towel, lettuce/fruit for the iguanas!

More Info: Karen and Joe at waterfall_brown@yahoo.com

Tell me this will not be one incredible experience!