by Carol Vlassoff
(en Español)

Milo Bekins Faries and his attractive wife, Tey, meet me in their forest home, four kilometres from Londres on the road to Cerro Nara. We sit on the veranda that encircles four sides of the house. True to the Bekins’ lifestyle, the house is built of cedro amargo and teak. Milo planted these trees on his own property years ago, with the idea of seeding their “house-to-be”. It is surrounded by forest gardens and a running water ditch moat that keeps their house amazingly insect free.
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Filed under: Carol Vlassoff, Personalities in Our Midst on September 29th, 2009
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by Bruce Zabov

Before I forget again to mention it, a friend took one look at the recipe a few months back for Tuna Pie and immediately thought it could be made using leftover chicken or shrimp instead of the tuna. Either of those variations of the original sound terrific to me, too!

To move on to this issue, this one-dish dinner is a variation of the red-cooked dishes so popular in all regions of China. They all have in common the seasoning of soy sauce as one of the ingredients central to them, but there are also some regional variations. In Shanghai they contain sugar, in Peking just the soy sauce is favored and in Szechwan they are made hot and rich, full of garlic, ginger and scallions or green onions with a flash of hot red pepper.
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Filed under: Bruce Zabov, Cooking Corner on September 27th, 2009
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by Donna Porter

Pruning a plant has been defined as a cross between an art and a science. Understanding the physiological aspects of the plant makes it the science while having an eye for balance and a sense of design and beauty makes it the art.

Ok, so I can already hear you locals laughing at this. Pruning here is simply a cross between the machete or chainsaw and the plant. Both shrubs and trees benefit greatly from pruning – proper pruning that is – but for ease of explanation this article will focus on trees. If you have a tree(s) that you desire to keep in your landscape then some basic knowledge on this subject may be helpful to you. If possible, conveying this knowledge to your gardener would be the most advantageous, since they are in charge of the machete. Knowing a few simple facts, and applying them, will result in healthier, longer lasting trees in your landscape or garden and less damage to your property by falling tree limbs.
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Filed under: Donna Porter, It's a Wonderful World of Plants on September 27th, 2009
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Welcome and bienvenidos to Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Fishing continues to be very good in our area. A few Sailfish are being released daily and Marlin are being teased into the spread (a good sign of things to come as Marlin move back into the area). Mahi Mahi are still being boated with Yellowfin Tuna being the catch of the day. Rooster fish action is excellent, with two to three fish being released on our half day charters. Several have been in the 35# to 403# range. Fishing in Quepos is always good year round. Don’t delay! For your fishing adventure contact Luna Tours Sport fishing, our office is located in the Hotel Best Western Kamuk lobby, downtown Quepos central. We own and operate 4 Sport Fishing boats (27 ft to 33 ft) and can also arrange other boats for charter up to 46 ft for half day or full day charters. Contact us at 2777-0725 (office), 8869-4808 (24 hour cell), visit our web site at www.lunatours.net, or stop by the office for a fishing report, and talk some fishing.

Filed under: Fishing Report, Jerry Glover, Luna Tours on September 27th, 2009
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by Todd Pequeen

I hope all of us are “living the dream.” To me it is a matter of relevance. Advantages vs. disadvantages. A beach life style vs city or suburban living. The reliance and convinces of hunting down goods, services, and entertainment compared to the beauty and simplicity of mother nature. For two months I have been uncomfortable when I am told by my massage clients, or random tourists, that I am “living the dream.” Let me say first and forehand that yes, I am honored and feel blessed to be living in Costa Rica for almost 10 years. I personally know that I am living my dream, I give thanks for it every day. I suppose my issue is the tone and the envy of the complement. I hope and assume everyone is living, or at least working toward achieving their “dream” as well. That is what I was taught life is about, and what I see my friends teaching their children. When we listen to and trust our heart and soul, we make decisions correctly and organically become what we dream of.
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Filed under: Health is Wealth, Todd Pequeen on September 27th, 2009
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by Charlie Berghammer

On a recent visit to Chicago, a friend having just read all the details of the planned Matapalo Beach Community Center sat down with me next to the lake and ask me candidly “Charlie what motivates you to realize such an ambitious project?” My response was simple and to the point. I explained to my friend that I was simply paying back in whatever way I could for all those people who showed up on my lifes stage as miracles to show me my way on lifes journey.
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Filed under: Charlie Berghammer, Making a Difference on September 26th, 2009
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by Ingrid Kuegeman, Titi Conservation Alliance

Mirrored after the wonderful “We Share” program started by Hotel Parador, Titi Conservation Alliance has developed a new donation program called Common Cents that brings a fantastic opportunity to all local hotels to give something back to the community.

What is it?

Common Cents provides an opportunity to contribute more support for local organizations like Titi Conservation Alliance, while also educating and informing customers of responsible business practices.

It is a program set up so that hotels act as the conduit for the donation, without costing them a penny.

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Filed under: Ingrid Kuegeman, Titi Conservation Alliance on September 26th, 2009
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