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Oct
24
Gordo Malo Dies in Stabbing
October 24, 2009 | Tags: Crime & Punishment | 4 Comments
 Benavides body was taken to the OIJ morgue. Photo by Roger Amoretty. |
A local resident was found stabbed on Thursday and died of a knife wound to his chest.
The victim was Mágnum Enrique Benavides Zúñiga, known locally as Gordo Malo.
Authorities were unable to locate any witnesses to the attack. But there are plenty of possible motives as Benavides was alleged by many in the community to have been responsible for many break-ins over the years in Puerto Viejo.
More: La Nación: Sucesos Viernes 23 de octubre de 2009
Oct
16
Death at Cocles raises questions about lifeguard service
October 16, 2009 | Tags: Accidents and Natural Disasters | 28 Comments
The apparent drowning of a 50 year old man yesterday on Cocles Beach has some asking questions about the quality of the lifeguard services.
Cocles Beach is the only lifeguard patrolled beach on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, a venture paid for by local hotels and businesses.
Yet witnesses to the drowning yesterday said that while onlookers tried to resuscitate the victim, the guard continued working on craft projects in his tower and did not attempt to help.
Local surf conditions can be rather unpredictable, especially for tourists used to much calmer waters. This incident is another reminder to follow water safety rules.
The Talamanca News would welcome more information and comments on this incident, especially from those who may have witnessed it first hand.
Update: Further information was supplied by Eddie Ryan of La Costa de Papito hotel, which has been one of the steadfast supporters of the lifeguard program from the beginning. Ryan sadly confirmed that indeed a man died on Thursday on Cocles beach. But that essentially he did not drown but after eating a heavy lunch and drinking a few beers shortly before, either choked on the food or had a heart attack. He was in waist deep water and never screamed or made any gestures to indicate distress. His wife was seated on the beach near the shoreline and didn’t see what happened. Someone noticed he was floating and the lifeguard and a few other people dragged him out of the water and the lifeguard tried to resuscitate him to no avail.
Ryan said that while he was not there during the incident, he talked with different people about what had happened when he got to the beach.
Ryan also noted that the lifeguard program is operating at half speed for the last two weeks with only one lifeguard on duty instead of two because of insufficient funds. This will continue for at least 4 more weeks taking us into times of rough seas and dangerous currents compared with the flat sea conditions recently. With one lifeguard on duty only prevention service with flags and a whistle is offered because it is necessary to have two lifeguards on duty to safely perform a rescue.
If you would like to make a donation towards supporting the lifeguard service, you can do so using a credit card on the Puerto Viejo Satellite donation page. Puerto Viejo Satellite will cover the credit card processing costs so that 100% of your donation will get to the program. Local business owners who do not already support the program are encouraged to pledge ongoing support and can contact Eddie Ryan at La Costa de Papito.
Donation update. Thanks to the following folks who have donated through Puerto Viejo Satellite to support the program:
• Chet Ort $75
Oct
8
Second Saturday Garage Sale at Puerto Viejo Farmer’s Market
October 8, 2009 | Tags: Community Calendar | Comments Off
| October 10, 2009 | ||
| November 14, 2009 | ||
| December 12, 2009 |
The Artists’ Collective group has been making useful art out of reused stuff for a while now and some of it has appeared for sale at the Saturday morning farmers’ market.
Starting this Saturday they’ll be appearing at the Puerto Viejo Farmers’ Market on the Second Saturday of each Month. They’ll be sponsoring art workshops and garage sales. Bring stuff you no longer need to the Puerto Viejo farmers’ market this Saturday and the second Saturday of every month. You can donate the items or sell them yourself and keep the proceeds. And bring your kids for the reused art workshop.
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Artists’ Collective group and making and selling useful art out of recycled materials then contact Karla at 8884 0093 or ATEC (Alaine, Tirza, or Erica) at 2750 0398 or 2750 0191.
Soon they’ll also be selling their products in more local shops (already many items for sale at ATEC) and they’ll take orders for specific items.
They are also collecting your used items for to make art. Bring them to the Second Saturday’s at the market or to ATEC:
Tetrabrik (Clean and squished only)
Old pants (not nice enough to wear)
Used hammocks and towels
La Nación newspaper
The material from broken umbrellas
Broken ceramics (plates, coffee cups even)
Fabric
Small tuna cans
Etc.–other unusable things you think could be made into art.
Oct
8
Judge Orders Demolition of Hotel in Protected Area at Punta Uva
October 8, 2009 | Tags: Environment, Government and Politics | 3 Comments
 Hotel Las Palmas is located just off the beach. |
A judge of the administrative court has ruled that the Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) is responsible for the eviction and demolition of Hotel Las Palmas located inside the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge at Punta Uva.
The decision was rendered by the court yesterday after a period of apparent inaction by the Ministry of Environment and SINAC to act on previous orders for the eviction of the hotel.
The judge, Lorena Montes de Oca, absolved of responsibility the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET) and its chief, Jorge Rodriguez. The information was confirmed by MINAET spokesmen and the Comptroller General of the Republic, which brought the suit.
The judge ruled that SINAC must coordinate with all institutions to ensure that “the demolition of the property proceeds as soon as possible”.
According to the MINAET spokesman, Ricardo Arias, the eviction order was scheduled for last week, but there was “a problem” in coordination with security forces.
The case dates back to 1985 when the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines (MIRENEM) granted an occupancy permit for the Resort Punta Uva, SA. Eight years later MIRENEM withdrew the permission from the owner of the complex, Jan Kalina.
In 2004, the Sala I court ordered the eviction and demolition of the hotel. However, since then a series of legal moves and lawsuits have held up the eviction order.
More: La Nación: Jueza ordena demoler hotel dentro de área protegida
Sep
29
Rural Tourism Workshop
September 29, 2009 | Tags: Community Calendar | Comments Off
| October 2, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
ICT in conjunction with our local tourism association (CATCAS) and with the tourism association of the North Plains are presenting a workshop on rural tourism.
Subjects will include:
- Rural tourism and rural community tourism concepts
- Scope of the rural tourism law
- Successful experiences in rural tourism and rural community tourism in the area.
The workshop will be a good opportunity to network with other rural tourism operators and share experiences.
The workshop will be held Oct 2 from 8am to 5pm at La Tirimbina Rainforest Center in Sarapiqui. Lunch and refreshments will be served.
Preregistration is required with Sr. Luis Lopez at 2299-5800 ext 426, email llopeza@ict.go.cr or Sra. Geanina Chaves at ext 427 or email gchaves@ict.go.cr.
Sep
28
Community Security Course
September 28, 2009 | Tags: Community Calendar | Comments Off
| October 6, 2009 | ||
| 2:00 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
| October 7, 2009 | ||
| 2:00 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
| October 8, 2009 | ||
| 2:00 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
The local tourism association, CATCAS, invites all the businesses in the community to participate in a Community Security Course.
The event is to take place Oct 6, 7 and 8 from 2pm to 4pm at the Perla Negra Hotel.
Those interested in attending can contact the Perla Negra or Sr Luis Videla at 27500002.
Sep
28
Food Preparation Course
September 28, 2009 | Tags: Community Calendar | 1 Comment
| October 1, 2009 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 3:30 pm |
| October 2, 2009 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 3:30 pm |
ICT and the local tourism business association, CATCAS, are presenting a food preparation course on Oct 1 and 2 in Puerto Viejo. The course will take place at Koki Beach Restaurant, opposite the Artesan vendors from 9am to 3.30pm each day.
The two full day course covers topics including
- Food safety
- Food microbiology
- Contamination and spoilage
- Maintenance and food preparation.
- Food Transmitted Diseases
- Cleaning and disinfection of food preparation areas
Attendance is open to those over 18 who work for a CATCAS-member business and there is no cost to attend.
Attendees must pre-register by Sept 28 by contacting Alejandra Aragon, phone number22750902 or via email KOKiBeach@gmail.com. Space is limited to 40 attendees.
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