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.

Meet Up Event: Crazy Quilting and Coffee!

Aren't we lucky to have Karen Brown in our midst! This ingenious crafter is putting together a crazy quilt for the local orphanage, and we can all participate! Here are some things we can do to help:

• Save your used dryer sheets, Bounce or other brands are fine! Karen willl use them as a base for the squares of the quilt.
• Donate leftover cloth from other projects.
• Come to Cafe Delicious this Thursday, 2/24 at 10 am, and learn how to make a small square for the quilt if you are so inclined!

Karen's bringing her sewing machine...join us to learn this technique or just to socialize and have coffee!

Meet Up Event: Steel Magnolias and Lunch in SJ

Yes! The gals are back in town at the Little Theatre in San Jose! Join us as we lunch at Hotel Grano de Oro and walk over to the Lawrence Olivier Theatre to see Steel Magnolias!

Date: Sunday, February 27, 2011

Meet Up: 10:15 am for the 10:45 am bus to San Jose at the Directo Bus Station.

Lunch: Hotel Grano de Oro, about 10,000 c, an elegant setting! http://www.hotelgranodeoro.com/restaurant_intro.html

Theatre: A small venue for amateur theatre production by American and British ex-pats! Cost about 4,500 c for admission. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN RESERVATION HERE! http://littletheatregroup.org/reservations_folder/reservations.php . You will get an email confirmation. It is best to bring a copy with you to the theatre.

Expect: Directo Bus to San Jose, one hour, make sure you get there early, bus is crowded, BUY TWO TICKETS FOR THE BUS (about 2,400 c total) SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT ON LINE IN SAN JOSE BUS TERMINAL. Walk about six blocks from bus stop in SJ to Hotel. Have lunch and walk two blocks to theatre. After show, walk two blocks to taxi pick up point, share taxi (about 500 c each) to Puntarenas Directo Bus Station. Ride about one hour back to San Ramon for arrival about 6 pm.

Questions? Email Kathy Bell at kbellhfpasco@aol.com. NO RSVP necessary for participation, but you MUST make your theatre reservation in advance. Be prepared for a full day with lots of fun!

RSVP Event: Community Action Alliance Mixer

Our friends at the Community Action Alliance have invited us to their monthly mixer at the San Ramon Library this Friday! Gringo Central and the CAA will be working together to bring you even more social and cultural events! Now that's an alliance!

Date: Friday, February 18, 2011

Time: 11 am - 12:15 pm

Place: San Ramon Library, from the post office corner, take the side street south two blocks, the Library is on the left next to a playground.

Agenda:

• Letter from US Ambassador Ann Andrews
• Red Cross Update
• Gringo Central Alliance
• Committee Updates
• Library Presentation
• Member Intros and Networking

RSVP: mike@styles.com or 8333-8750. No charge for meeting. Please consider joining the CAA if you are not yet a member.

Meet Up Event: Classical Piano Concert!

A fantastic classically-trained pianist! A proud San Ramon family! A magnificent concert coming up! Join us as we support Martin and Zaidy's son, Daryl Rojas, who has just returned from graduate studies in music in Columbia...

Date: Saturday, February 19, 2011

Meet Up: 5 pm at the Jose Figueres Cultural Center in San Ramon. Admisssion is free. No RSVP required.

Before the Concert: Join us at Aroma's on Main Street In, for a bite to eat (typico food, usually less than 4,000 c) at 3:30 pm and walk four blocks to the Cultural Center.

Directions to the Concert: Main Street In from Mall, go past traffic light, stop sign, and continue to cross street at Perimercado. Park on street. Make a left on side street, Cultural Center is across from the north side of Church.