Go On Your Own Event: Celebrate the 4th at Bocaditos

Wow! The nice folks at Los Bocaditos are helping Americans to celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July by providing free bbq wings, hamburgers and hot dogs to the Gringos of San Ramon!

This lovely gift is available on the afternoon of the 4th! Please remember to thank Victor and the gang at Bocaditos by buying beverages and leave a nice tip, perhaps...here are the details:

Date: Monday, July 4, 2011

Time: 2 pm to 7:30 pm

Meet Up: No particular time, though some of us are planning to be there around 2 pm and another group somewhere around 3 or 3:30 pm. Or arrange your own group!

Directions: Los Bocaditos Restaurant is north of the hospital's emergency entrance by about two blocks. Look for the Liquor Store on the corner on the same side as the ER and Los Bocaditos next door. You will see their outdoor tables and seating!

No RSVP Necessary! No need for passports! They are pretty good about identifying Gringos and muddling through our Spanish!

Meet Up Event: Coffee and Book Exchange!

What's better than a few new books to read? We'll be exchanging books at our regular Thursday Coffee this week, so come on along! Everybody is welcome!

Date: Thursday, June 30, 2011

Time: 10 am Meet Up, 10:30 book exchange

Place: Cafe Delicias, San Ramon

Expect: To exchange five books (you can bring more but the first go-round is select 5), and you will be given a number for your turn. Coffee and breakfast available! This is a great opportunity for informal meet and greet! PLEASE ONLY BRING BOOKS YOU WISH TO EXCHANGE PERMANENTLY AS THEIR RETURN CANNOT BE GUARANTEED!

Meet Up Event: Dinner at Los Bocaditos!

Our friend Lisa Gellock is asking everyone to help celebrate husband Mike's ?th birthday next week! What a great reason to get together! Everyone's invited!

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Time: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Place: Los Bocaditos Restaurant and Bar

Directions: Main Street In to End, make a left and continue through traffic light, past Emergency Room, Los Bocaditos is two blocks from the ER on the right hand side next to the liquor store. You'll see it, it has some outside tables.

Expect: Varied tipico menu, less than 5,000 c for a dinner, good food and drink!

Questions? Call Lisa at 8387-6925 or email her at lisaincostarica@aol.com.

RSVP Event: Spanish for Medical Emergencies Seminar!

The Community Action Alliance is busy helping us with solutions! If you have ever worried about making yourself clear in a medical emergency, here's a great program for you!

Date: June 24, 2011

Time: 10 am - noon

Place: Fire Department next to Red Cross, 100 meters east of Perimercado

Program: Johann Benevidas of Green Mountain Academy will teach us basic Spanish skills needed to handle medical emergencies such as, "I have fallen and can't get up" and "Send an ambulance to (directions)." A handout to keep on your refrigerator will be distributed. And as a bonus, you will have access to an ebook for medical Spanish!

Cost: 2,000 c for members, 4,000 c for non-members, opportunity to join at seminar.

RSVP: Reserve your spot by emailing Mike Styles at mike@styles.com or call 8333-8750.

Meet Up Event: Zarcero and a Potluck Brunch!

What a lovely place to visit! The church and the topiary gardens in Zarcero are waiting for you! And there's the history of Costa Rica done as a fresco at Rancho Amalia we'll stop to see, and a potluck bunch at the home of our friend Lynette Lewis...what fun!

Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Time: Meet up at 9 am at Cafe Delicias for carpooling and caravaning. Passengers, please give driver 1,000 c for gas.

Expect: Drive 30 minutes to Zarcero, stop at Rancho Amalia to see the art and take a look around at their cabins and facilities http://ranchoamalia.com/en/, then off to Lynette's house for an informal potluck brunch! Don't forget to bring a dish to share, something easy! Lynette says she will provide paper products and drinks. She lives very close to the church and gardens, and we'll have a chance to wander down to enjoy them. Then we'll drive 30 minutes back, probably arrive in San Ramon by 1 pm or so.

Questions? This is a Meet Up Event, so no RSVP is necessary! Just come along! Open to everyone! For more information, email Lynette at lynettelewis18@gmail.com or call 2463-2002.

RSVP Event: Vinyasa Yoga -- Let's Try It!

OK, so maybe we won't look exactly like this, but we're going to learn about Vinyasa Yoga...a little more energetic than the Yin Yoga our teacher and friend, Anna Gillespie, taught us about last week...are you ready?

Date: Monday, June 20, 2011

Time: 10-11:30 am

Cost: $5 or 2,500 c

Place: The Rancho at The Cabinas

Directions: From Mall take autopista west, pass El Jardin Restaurant on left and then pass Las Tinajitas Restaurant on right, look for next bus shelter on left and then make left at wide pull off with wooden "Cabinas for Rent" sign. Drive uphill and the rancho is on the left.

More: Wear comfortable clothing, bring mat and water. To RSVP, email Anna at its4anna5@yahoo.com or call her at 8718-2719. Please advise Anna if you need to borrow a mat.

Meet Up Event: Pizza Party!

Who's ready for pizza? We're all getting together for an early dinner! Thanks to our friends Lisa and Alice for coordinating this event!

Date: Friday, June 17, 2011

Time: 3:30 to 5:30 pm

Place: Mi Rancho Restaurante

Directions: Main Street In to end, left and quick right at light, past hospital and Maxi Pali, at big beige church (can't miss it) make a left and take the La Fortuna Road for about three miles or so. Mi Rancho is a big restaurant and souvenir store on your left.

Cost: Less than 5,000 c, plenty of other menu options to choose from too. Full bar available.

Questions? Email Lisa Gellock at lisaincostarica@aol.com or Alice Roney at roneyalice@gmail.com

This is a MEET UP so no rsvp is necessary...just come and join us. Everyone is welcome!

Meet Up Event: Yoga with Anna!

Are we getting healthy! T'ai Chi Chih and now Yin Yoga! Join us!

Date: Monday, June 13, 2011

Time: 10-11:30 am, Meet Up a few minutes early!

Place: The Rancho at The Cabinas

Directions: Autopista west from San Ramon, past El Jardin Restaurant on left, Las Tinajitas Restaurant on right, look for next bus shelter on left, and then a wide pull off on the left with wooden sign for cabina rentals. Drive up the steep hill and the rancho is on the left.

Cost: $5 per person

The Program:

Yin Yoga is an extremely therapeutic form of yoga. Contrary to a more vigorous or yang form of yoga, where we mainly work the muscles of the body, Yin Yoga addresses the Yin parts of the body. Specifically, it targets the connective tissue (the ligaments and tendons in the joints and spine). The benefits of Yin Yoga are numerous. It increases range of motion and flexibility, cultivates patience, acceptance and peace, and puts the body in a deep state of meditation where healing occurs. Yin Yoga is a wonderful way to experience pain relief and obtain/maintain a sense of well being.

The asanas or poses are all done lying or sitting on the mat and held for a mininum of 3 - 5 minutes. This allows for the release of the muscles, giving us access to the fascia, ligaments, tendons & joints. These yin body parts are less elastic and therefore require more time to lenghten.

More: Wear comfortable, lose fitting clothing, bring water and a towel or mat.

Questions: Email Anna at its4anna5@yahoo.com . Anna has five extra mats, so if you need to reserve one, let her know. Otherwise, we'll just see you there!