By Jim Parisi

The alarms sounded some decades past about diminishing rainforests and the worldwide implications, but dry rainforests were overlooked. In his new documentary “Se Quema El Cielo”, Luciano Capelli waves the banner for all to see. The film focuses on the plight of the Guanacaste tropical dry forest, documenting the struggle to preserve over three hundred thousand species of life. One method is to recreate the natural habitat in the area, from the Pacific coastline to the chain of volcanoes Rincon de la Vieja and Orosi, covering lowlands and highlands. Much of this area was pastureland for centuries. One major problem rose when the cattle were removed around 1977 leaving non-indigenous grasses that were planted as feed to squeeze out local plant life. This is how a downhill chain begins because once the native plants disappear, so does the wildlife that depends on them. Without natural enemies, the grasses took over, dried out and became kindling for natural fires due to lightning, controlled fires, mismanaged campfires and even fires set as arson. Historic winds also play a major role.

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Filed under: Jim Parisi on December 28th, 2010
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By Colleen Smith

You see them every day parading across monkey bridges and electrical lines, but the recent electrocution of six titi monkeys in Pocares reminds us that there is still a need for a better balance between our modern world and the surrounding eco-community. While we need electrical lines to power our needs, the trouble for wildlife starts when the wires—either two primary or a primary and secondary—make contact with a grounded object, such as a tree or land, or with each other. When this occurs, the wires become electrified, creating a dangerous situation for monkeys accustomed to using them as a means of passage.

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Filed under: Colleen Smith, Kids Saving the Rainforest on December 21st, 2010
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By Paul Rees

In the gourmet pizza world, the key to creating a great pizza is limiting yourself to 2 or 3 delicious key ingredients. In my pizza world, the key to a great pizza is small amounts of lots of ingredients so every bite is unique little explosion of different flavour combinations. In addition, this crunchy, flavourful cornmeal crust is strong enough to hold it all without dumping it in your lap.

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Filed under: Cooking Corner on December 21st, 2010
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By Donna Porter

Early November in our lil’ piece of paradise has re-enforced the fact that Mother Nature “rules” – and, sometimes, with an iron fist.  Rainfall reports recorded by our friend Alexander Walker, out near Naranjito, came in with astonishing, record-breaking amounts.  Alexander recorded that 49.5 inches (123.75 centimeters) of rain had fallen from 11-1-10 to 11-6-10.  That is 4.1 feet (1.21 meters) of rain in 6 days! The highest amount for that week was recorded on Tuesday, with 14” (35cm) of rain.  Thank goodness it doesn’t snow here.

With these incredible rainfall amounts, it is not difficult to comprehend why we have witnessed such destructive effects as roads and bridges collapsing, towns evacuated due to overflowing rivers and numerous landslides.  Natural catastrophes are happening worldwide, and for the most part, there is not a darn thing that we can do about it, except…… to tread more lightly on our dear “Mother”.

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Filed under: Donna Porter, It's a Wonderful World of Plants on December 16th, 2010
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By Jack Ewing

Prior to the early 1980s, the Osa Peninsula was wild and lawless place, a land of exiles. Any criminal wanting to escape the authorities and willing to endure the hardships of the jungle, fled to the Osa. Most panned gold for a living. They earned enough to buy food and lots of drink and carry on their daily routines, but none got rich.

I first visited the Osa Peninsula in 1972. We landed on the small air field in a single engine Cessna, and were met by a man named Sanitago. Driving through Puerto Jiménez I noticed several bars, a small hardware store and even a gas station, but no police station. We stopped at a general store to buy some snacks and drinks. >From there drove over a rough jeep trail to look at a farm, and several hours later returned to Puerto Jiménez where we caught the afternoon passenger boat to Golfito. There were only five passengers that afternoon and Ignacio, the boat driver, was in a talkative mood. He explained that about 90% of the population of the peninsula were wanted by the law for one thing or another. As long as they stayed in the Osa, there was nothing to worry about, but sooner or later most would delude themselves into thinking that the police had forgotten about them. They would board one of the two passenger boats that made regular runs to Golfito with the idea of slipping back into society unnoticed. What they didn’t know was that the police had a pretty complete list with photos and descriptions of every criminal who lived on the Osa. Two or three policemen waited for every boat and arrested every wanted person who stepped off.

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Filed under: Jack Ewing on December 9th, 2010
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By Matt Casseday

Costa Rica has long been a haven for people on the run; for every legitimate tourist, there is a philanderer, a bail-jumper, a credit card scammer, an embezzler arriving to pass some time in paradise. The smart ones lay low. The others make themselves visible, integrating themselves into the community and completing their metamorphosis from worm to butterfly with the mandatory ‘cover story’. While most cover stories are subtle, a shifting of mere degrees from reality, others use the change in latitudes to transform as completely as an informant in the witness protection program.
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Filed under: Crazy From the Heat, Matt Casseday on December 8th, 2010
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By Lise Zersch

Living in Costa Rica brings unusual experiences and surprises, sometimes simply caused by the language barrier.  Many phrases and words are not in the dictionary and can make your interpretation  incorrect, which leads to my story about the Paca.

The PACA is in the Agoutidae Family, commonly known as the Tepezcuintle.  It is large rodent-type animal that matures to about 9KG.   It has become rare or extinct over much of the country due to habitat loss and hunting.  Widely considered the best-tasting mammal in Costa Rica, it is the number one target of most hunters.  It has been estimated that an average of, almost, 900 pacas per year have been killed in the past.  Pacas are relatively easy to hunt since in pristine habitats they show little fear toward people, making it easy for hunters and dogs.   They are slow to replenish reduced populations and are easily wiped out.

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Filed under: Guest Writer on December 7th, 2010
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