Meet Up Event: Lunch at Outback!

Are you ready for a bloomin' onion? Gail and George Hudson are planning a trip to Escazu and you are going to love the lunch!

Date: Sunday, October 9, 2011

Meet Up: 8:30 a.m. at Olga's Place Restaurant Parking Lot, Autopista west of San Ramon (look for the giant windmill on the north side of the road). Caravan to Escazu.

First Stop: Walmart! Formerly Hipermas, this is the absolutely biggest Super Walmart you will ever see this side of Bentonville, Arkansas! They have tons of food items, housewares, etc. that you will not get anywhere else in Costa Rica! If you haven't been, it's worth the trip just to look! How much can you buy in 90 minutes?

Second Stop: Outback Steakhouse! Yes, it can be pricey! George says it depends on what you order and your beverage of choice, up to $50 per person, but it's just like being in the States or maybe even Down Under! The Hudsons say that everybody deserves a treat now and again! It's only a half mile from the Walmart and a perfect place for brunch/lunch!

Questions? No RSVP necessary as this is a Meet Up! For more info, call Gail and George at 8769-9321 or email them at hudsongeorge47@gmail.com.

Come on along! There are Shrimp on the Barbie with your name on them!

Gringo Central: First Friday Dog Wash!

The Gringas are volunteering to wash and play with dogs at Dog Land! Everyone is welcome! And we are hoping to make it a monthly play date!

Date: Friday, October 7, 2011

Time: Meet Up at 8 am at Cafe Delicias in San Ramon for Carpool/Caravan to Piedades Sur. Passengers, please give driver 1,000 c toward gas.

Expect: About a thirty minute drive to Dog Land, a brief tour of the clean and lovely doggy villages, and on to the Big House for the first 40 introductions! That's the goal for the day! Spend about 3 hours getting wet and having fun! Return to San Ramon about noon. If you do not want to get soaked, bring a large trash bag to wear over your clothes. Very fashionable! We'll show you how!

I can't go but I want to help: Founder Helene Wirt says that it costs about $4,000 a month to take care of the current 167 residents...so monetary donations are always welcome! Additionally, specialized shampoos for those pups with skin conditions would be so very helpful! Here are some suggestions:

• Lisan Shampoo con Gluconato de Clorhexidina (red and white bottle)


• Virbac Espisoothe


• Vetriderm Champu Cuidados Intensivo


• Vetriderm Antiseptico

If you are passing by any veterinarian's office and you have a few thousand colones to spare, buying the special shampoo would be a lovely gesture. Also, if you have any old clean towels or old sweatshirts (which apparently are great to dry dogs!) you want to recycle, these are also welcome. Bring them on the day of the dog wash if you are going or any Thursday at 10 am to Cafe Delicias to Louise Whittman.

Questions? Call Louise Whittman at 8997-9903 or email reesemickie@gmail.com. For Dog Land's Facebook page, go to queridos perros Aso Elena or www.meetyourdog.org.

Haven't you always wanted to do this?!!

RSVP Event: Day Trip to Tortuga Island! Snorkeling! Beach!

If you've always wanted to take the Calypso Tour to Tortuga and thought it was too pricey, we have a super alternative -- a Great Yeatman Tour! Paul and Gloria have arranged for you:

Tortuga Island Tour!

Date: Sunday, September 18, 2011

Description: Tortuga Island is a hidden tropical island just waiting for you off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. On the way, we will stop to look for dolphins and turtles, then go snorkeling to discover the hidden treasures of the deep. When we reach the Island, you will enjoy the white sand beach and beautiful aqua blue waters. You can swim, walk the beach, explore the island, or just plain relax. You will also enjoy tropical fruit, beverages, and a delicious BBQ lunch on the beach.

Time: Meet up at The Cabinas at 7:00 am to car pool to Puntarenas. Tour departs Puntarenas around 8:00am and returns around 4:30 pm. Return to San Ramon around 6 pm.

Cost: $55 (Compare to a similar tour priced at $110-$120 per person) Price includes round trip boat ride (about 80 minutes each way), English speaking guide, fresh fruit, water, iced tea, lunch, snorkel gear, and a safe place to store your belonging. Reservations and payment by September 17^th are required. Passengers, please give driver 2,000 colones towards gas.

RSVP or Questions: please contact Paul or Gloria Yeatman at 8919-2710 or email gmyeatman@gmail.com.

You know you've wanted to do this! Snorkeling not required! Just enjoy the beach!

RSVP Event: Mangrove Island Adventure! With Crocodiles!

Our friends Paul and Gloria Yeatman have a great day trip planned! Read on!

Crocodile Mangrove Forest Tour and San Lucas Island Tour

Date: Friday, September 16, 2011

Tour Description: Tour the Mangrove Forest, learn about mangroves history, their importance to our ecosystem, and why we need to protect them. Enjoy with us the wonders of the Mangrove forest, where you are surrounded by the melody of nature and beautiful gardens. See the enormous crocodiles and a variety of birds and animals. You might glimpse many species of aquatic birds, green and red macaws, White-faced Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, coati mundi and other animals and amphibians. Then continue on a 40 minute boat ride to San Lucas Island, located off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Serving as an island prison from 1873 to 1991, San Lucas Island is now considered a national cultural heritage site and wildlife refuge. Tour the historic dock, church, medical building, prison cells and former offices. While in the national wildlife preserve, you may see howler monkeys, turtles, rays, deer, pheasants, spiders, snakes, and some of the 8 species of bats living on the island.

Time: Meet up at The Cabinas at 7:30am to car pool to Puntarenas. Tour departs Puntarenas around 8:30am and returns around 2:30pm. Return to San Ramon about 4 pm.

Cost: $32. Special pricing includes boat transportation from Puntarenas, all entrance fees, English speaking guide, fresh fruit, and water. A cooler will be provided if you want to bring lunch or a snack. Reservations and payment by September 15th are required. Passengers, please give driver 2,000 colones towards gas.

RSVP or Questions: please contact Paul or Gloria Yeatman at 8919-2710 or email gmyeatman@gmail.com.

A great day at a great price!

RSVP Event: T'ai Chi Chih!

Dr. Anita Vestal is returning to San Ramon! Learn T'ai Chi Chih, a wonderful meditative and peaceful practice of gentle movement in a lovely outdoor setting! Anita led a class of beginners earlier this year, and we all enjoyed it very much! This class will go over basic movements and add a new ones as well. This event is sponsored by the Community Action Alliance!

Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Time: 9 am to noon
Cost: 6,000 c for Community Action Alliance Members, 8,000 c for non-members.
Place: The Cabinas (El Castillo de Relajamiento)http://cabinasofcostarica.com/.
Directions: Autopista west from San Ramon, pass El Jardin Restaurant on left, Las Tinajitas Restaurant on right, after next bus shelter, look for wooden sign on left, "Cabinas for Rent" and make a left up hill. Rancho is at the top of the hill on the left.
RSVP: Mike Styles at 8333-8750 or email him at mike@styles.com . Wear loose, comfortable closthing and tennis shoes.

RSVP Event: The San Ramon Museum/Community Action Alliance!

It's time for the Community Action Alliance Mixer! This month's meeting will be a special event...you'll get a chance to see the newly renovated San Ramon Museum and learn a bit about its history from the curator, Roxanna Salazar-Bonilla! There will be other speakers and an Alliance update.

Date: Friday, September 23, 2011
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Place: San Ramon Museum
Directions: The museum is located on the north side of the Central Park, approximately 75 meters west of Perimercado.
Cost: Free for Community Action Alliance members; opportunity to join at the meeting. See http://www.actionalliancecr.com/ for information about membership.
RSVP: Mike Styles at 8333-8750 or email him at mike@styles.com.

Meet Up Event: Volunteer and Lunch!

It's time to sort the books! The Gringas have been collecting books for the Action Alliance's first book sale which will be held in October or November. It looks like we have more than 600 so far, so it's time to organize them! Then we'll do lunch! Thanks to Louise Whittman for coordinating this event!

Date: Friday, September 9, 2011

Time: Meet Up at 10 am SHARP at the bar/restaurant at the corner of the autopista and the Magallanes turn and follow Louise Whittman to the storage site, two minutes away.

Directions: Autopista west from San Ramon, pass Olga's Place/Windmill Restaurant on left, continue uphill to next right turn. There is a castle-type house on the far right-hand corner and a bar/restaurant with a parking lot on the near right-hand corner. Pull into the parking lot.

Agenda: We'll sort books from 10-12 (wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dusty) and then head to Olga's Place (Windmill Restaurant) on the autopista for lunch...great place for a burger! Many other menu items as well.

Questions? No RSVP necessary, just come along! For more info, email Louise Whittman at reesemickie@gmail.com or call her at 8997-9903. And if you have more books or boxes, bring them to Thursday Coffee at Cafe Delicious at 10 am or to the Book Sort on Friday! We will continue to collect books at every Thursday Coffee until the sale! The book sale is a fundraiser for the Red Cross and Dog Land!