Meet Up Event: Potluck at Cyndy's Farm!

Oh, my! We are all invited to our friend Cyndy Schaub's farm in Bolivar, near the Bilingual School on the outskirts of San Ramon, for an April Fools' Day potluck lunch and book exchange!

Date: Friday, April 1, 2011 11:30 am to 1:30 pm

Meet Up Time: 11:00 am at Cafe Delicious in San Ramon for carpool and caravan. NO NEED TO RSVP, just Meet Up at 11 SHARP!

Bring: A dish to share, plate and utensils for yourself, something to drink, up to five books you want to exchange and don't need back. This will be a lovely informal time to meet and greet old friends and new. All are welcome!

Questions? Email Cyndy at CyndyGail@yahoo.com or call her at 8393-0940.

RSVP Event: Birding Cruise at Lake Arenal!

We will have a wonderful day on The Rain Goddess! This is an advance deposit RSVP event, so act now!

Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Meet Up Time: 9:30 am at Cafe Delicious in San Ramon for the comfortable bus trip to Arenal

The Day: Arrive in Arenal and board The Rain Goddess, a double-decker floating resort, for birding cruise with a fantastic lunch! For more info go to http://arenalhouseboattours.com/

and you will see just how special this day will be! Return to San Ramon about 5:30 pm.

The Cost: All inclusive, transportation, cruise, lunch.... 46,000 c per person ... a great discount arranged for us by our friend Parker Henry! To reserve, you will need to get 12,000 c to Parker ... first paid, first served! Balance due on the day of the trip. Deposits are not refundable. Only 25 spaces available.

Questions? Call Parker at 2447-7658. This is a great opportunity to see Lake Arenal without the hassle of driving yourself! Come along!

Meet Up Event: Orchids, Orchids, Everywhere!

Our friends Mary Ellen and Fernando Montenegro are taking us on an Orchid Adventure! It's really close by, and we'll be making a couple of interesting stops along the way too!

Date: Friday, March 25, 2011

Meet Up Time: 9:00 am at Cafe Delicious in San Ramon for Carpooling/Caravaning. Passengers, please give driver 1,000 c for gas.

Stops:

• First, an Orchid Farm in Palmares...everything is in bloom right now so it amazing! You will be able to purchase an orchid or two if you are interested in starting or adding to your collection. Admission to the farm is 1,000 c. You might want to bring your camera!
• Second, we will be stopping at a Mexican Shop in Palmares where you can see or buy painted glass, pottery or other items.
• And third, we'll be having the ever-important LUNCH at Foray Fay Restaurant, also in Palmares, where we've been told you can dine on the best lightly breaded shrimp around...or lots of other dishes on the typico menu less than 5,000 c.

We should return to San San Ramon between 1 and 2. THIS IS A MEET UP EVENT, NO NEED FOR RSVP, COME IF YOU LIKE...JUST MEET UP AT 9 AM SHARP AT CAFE D.

Questions? Call Mary Ellen at 2456-4170.

RSVP Event: Community Action Alliance Mixer

It's time for the Community Action Alliance monthly mixer! Join us!

Date: Friday, March 18, 2011

Time: 11 am to 12:15 pm

Place: Casa Columbia Restaurant on the Autopista, El Empalme

Agenda:

• Committee Updates
• Red Cross Update
• Website Update
• Featured Business: Casa Columbia Restaurant - Alan Santamaria
• Showcase Business: http://www.virtualitycr.com/ - Arnaldo Acosto
• Introductions and Networking

Directions: Autopista west from the mall, past El Jardin Restaurant, past Las Tinajitas Restaurant, past entrance to The Cabinas, look for Casa Columbia Restaurant on right, large parking lot with palm trees.

RSVP: Mike Styles at 8333-8750 or mike@styles.com

Cost: Free to Community Action Alliance Members, opportunity for others to join at meeting.

Lunch: If you like, stay after the meeting, most dishes less than 5,000 c, Columbian and typico dishes...delicious!

Last Minute Meet Up Event: Sweet Songs of the Soprano!

Here's a fantastic opportunity to hear Costa Rican voice teacher and soprano Christina Villaverde here in San Ramon! Our friends Sandra and Jim Golan are going, and they said they'd be glad to have company!

Date: This Saturday, March 5, 2011

Meet Up: 5:45 pm for 6 pm concert

Cost: Free

Place: Jose Figueres Cultural Center

Directions: From the autopista, Main Street In past the mall, through the traffic light, through the first stop sign. Then as you see Perimercado up ahead, park on the street near the church. Walk to the Perimercado block and make a left. The cultural center will be on your right across from the side of the church.

Expect: A small venue with concerts usually about one hour in length.

Questions? Email Sandra Golan at shsju16@yahoo.ca

RSVP Event: Beautiful You!

Ladies, there's a new doctor in town, and she wants to make you even more beautiful than you are! Dr. Mariana Gomez has opened the New Derma Medical Spa in San Ramon, and she has offered us a free orientation (in English) to all the treatments and therapies available there! Space is limited to ten ladies, so RSVP now!

Date: Saturday, March 12, 2011

Time: 2 pm to 4 pm

Place: New Derma Medical Spa, on "Illegal Left-Hand-Turn Drive" in San Ramon.

Directions: From the autopista DO NOT take the illegal left hand turn to San Ramon (fine: $440); instead, from the mall, go to the traffic light, make a left and follow the road past Mario's restaurant; bear to the left and pass Jorcel Ferreteria; the spa is on the left about 200 meters up the road. The "New Derma" window signs are large, but if you get to the autopista, you've gone too far.

Bonus: Dr. Gomez will provide at least one "free service" coupon to raffle off at the end of the orientation....can't beat that! New Derma provides botox, facial rejuvenation, skin treatments, massage, physical therapy and many other services. To RSVP email kbellhfpasco@aol.com or call 8307-9059. Please reserve only if you are sure you can attend!

Meet Up Event: See the Resplendent Quetzales!

Yes! The Quetzales have returned for nesting, and we are going back to see them in Bajo LaPaz! Our friend Parker Henry is arranging for us to go over to Nacho's ranch to the Valle de Quetzales, a wonderful walking tour! This is the same tour that is offered to guests at Villa Blanca for $60, so you can see how lucky we are!

Date: This Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Meet Up: 9 am at Cafe Delicious for Carpooling/Caravaning. Please give driver 1,000 c for gas. Our tour will be from 10 am to about noon. No RSVP is necessary, just meet up!

Cost: 6,000 per person. Please bring exact change.

Expect: This is a moderately challenging walk for about two miles through the woods with some climbing near a river. Bring your walking stick, water bottle,binoculars/camera, wear closed-toe walking shoes with rubber-type soles, and bug spray to be used at the parking area before the walk. Long pants/sleeves are suggested. Don't forget to bring your Quiet Voice as the birds are happiest when undisturbed!

Nacho is an experienced birder and guide, and he has perfected the Quetzal bird call which, of course, improves our chances of seeing this magnificent creature! He will also point out other birds along the way. For more info, call Parker at 2447-7658.