2011 October | Quepolandia in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Pool Safety

Swimming pools are fun for everyone but you need to be aware of entrapment dangers! Avoid Entrapment!

Always Follow These Important Rules

Never play or swim near drains or suction fittings. If a cover is not compliant, or is loose or broken, your body or hair may be trapped causing permanent injury or drowning.
Never enter a pool or spa that has a loose, broken, or missing suction fitting or drain cover.
Immediately notify the pool/spa owner or operator if you find a loose, broken, or missing drain cover. In such a case the pool or spa should be closed and an industry professional should make the necessary repair or replacement.

Filed under: Costa Rica Pools & Construction, Pool Care Basics on October 27th, 2011
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The wettest part of the rainy season is upon us now, and I thought it would be good to focus on cleansing. Even though it can get quite muddy during our rainy season, this time of year does serve a purpose to both cleanse and feed our environment.

Coincidentally, so do Spinal Twists in our yoga practice. Imagine that you are washing a very dirty towel out in the sink. In order to get it really clean you will need to let it soak to loosen things up. Next you might lift it out of the water and wring it out a few times by twisting it. Twisting the towel squeezes out all of the dirty water, and then when you replace it back into the warm soapy water, cleansing water will be absorbed to clean the towel more thoroughly. Perhaps if youʼre not in a rush you will soak it and wring it out a few more times. This very much what we are doing with our spinal twists. Yoga is everywhere, isnʼt it?

Filed under: Costa Rica Yoga Journal, Mark Goldstein on October 24th, 2011
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U.S. Recession

The recession has hit everybody really hard…

My neighbour got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
Wives are having sex with their husbands because they can’t afford batteries.
CEO’s are now playing miniature golf.
Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.
A stripper was killed when her audience showered her with rolls of pennies while she danced.
I saw a Mormon with only one wife.
If the bank returns your check marked “Insufficient Funds,” you call them and ask if they meant you or them.
McDonald’s is selling the 1/4 ouncer.
Angelina Jolie adopted a child from America .
Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children’s names.
My cousin had an exorcism but couldn’t afford to pay for it, and they re-possessed her!
A truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico.
A picture is now only worth 200 words.
When Bill and Hillary travel together, they now have to share a room.
The Treasure Island casino in Las Vegas is now managed by Somali pirates.

And, finally….

I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Hotline. I got a call centre in Pakistan , and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a truck.

Filed under: Guest Writer on October 24th, 2011
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Los Diminutivos

Los diminutivos son sufijos que disminuyen el significado de una palabra o describen algo pequeño.

Un sufijo es una raíz que se pone al final de una palabra.

Existen muchos tipos de diminutivos en español; el más común es ito, ita. Usualmente se usa este sufijo cuando la base de la palabra termina en a o en o y se agrega una s para formar el plural.

carro carrito (carro pequeño)

mesa mesita (mesa pequeña)

libros libritos (libros pequeños)

Otro diminutivo muy usado en español es cito, cita. Usualmente aparece en palabras que terminan en consonante o en i, e y u.

calle callecita callecitas

pantalón pantaloncito pantaloncitos

café cafecito cafecitos

Filed under: Academia D'Amore, Tico Talk on October 20th, 2011
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A Quick Pause for PAWS – Sept/Oct 2011

PAWS - Pets of Aguirre Animal Welfare Shelter

By Sandy Franz

PAWS Clinic on July 25, castrated 40 more animals in Quepos. So to add to the calculations of the Animal & Home Society, we have eliminated potentially 8,400,000 more stray cats and 1,340,000 more dogs. A small amount goes a long way!

The PAWS mobile unit is being dressed for the road. Lights are being added to the trailer and hitches are being installed on 2 volunteers’ cars. We anticipate being on the road for a clinic in September. Look for our trailer!

Thanks for the Help! from the Foster Care Program. Meredith Schulte housed and took care of a severely injured dog, which lost his leg. The dog, Alba, is now permanently place and doing great. Barbara Lorca is caring for a homeless mother cat and her litter. Silvia Gfeller took care of a litter of kittens & Mom who have all been placed in good homes. Ginny in Naranjito has a mother cat and 3 kittens she is taking care of. She is keeping the mother cat for herself.

PAWS Castration Clinic also would like to thank the girls from Marina Pez Vela: Iby, Geri Lyn, Shannon and Bernadette. Ruth Bixler assisted Dr. Corbada, and Valerie and Jim Phillips attended the animals by cutting and cleaning their nails. Holly, Pat, and Sandy helped where needed. Lydieth manned the sign in table. A big thanks to Dr. Martinez and Dr. Cordoba for all they do!

Volunteers needed for animal foster care, please call Sandy Franz, 2779-1412, 8376-0632.

Visit the PAWS tent at the feria each Saturday to see puppies, kittens, & adult animals ready for adoption.

For more information, call 2777-1113, 2777-1489, and see the PAWS animals ready for adoption published here on Face Book.

HELP US HELP THEM – PLEASE SUPPORT PAWS

Filed under: A Quick Pause for PAWS, Sandy Franz on October 20th, 2011
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The Family Who Fed the Monkeys

A short story By Volunteer Kevin Ellenburg

The Petersons were very excited. They were going to Costa Rica! They had heard lots of fantastic things about the country, and they couldn’t wait to see the monkeys. “I wonder if they like bananas”, said Tommy, the youngest of the Petersons. “Of course they do” said Mr. Peterson. “ALL monkeys love bananas”.

Read More…

Filed under: Kids Saving the Rainforest on October 17th, 2011
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Refreshing Cold Soups #2: Vichyssoise

By Bill Dwyer
In last month’s column I referred to Vichyssoise as originating in France. Turns out I was mistaken. While researching for this month’s column I found out that, according to no less an authority than Julia Child, this delicious soup is “an American invention” – but one she approves. Further research revealed that Vichyssoise was first served to diners at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York in 1950 by the hotel’s French chef, Louis Diat. So France should get some credit for its creation, even though it originated in the U.S.