by Matt Casseday

(This is a reprint of one of Matt’s personal favorites courtesy of ill timed ICE work to improve our lives during deadline)

I am currently doing research for a book I hope to publish called “Myths and Legends of Costa Rica”.  The following is an excerpt:

The Honest Alcalde -  There was once an Alcalde (Mayor) who became suspicious that many of his associates and underlings seemed to be living way beyond what their salaries could provide.  His own secret investigation revealed massive municipal fraud and diversion of funds intended to benefit all the citizens of his town.  The outraged Alcalde immediately sacked the corrupt municipal employees and pressed criminal charges.  The town later became famous throughout Costa Rica for its’ clean, paved, well-lit thoroughfares, excellent municipal service and overall beauty.

The Ethical Gringo Investor – A successful Gringo businessman retired early and came to Costa Rica, living comfortably off of the interest from various investments.  One day, another retired Gringo told him about a group of Costa Ricans known as “The Family”. Amazing, this group paid investors almost 50% annually.  Soon the Gringo businessman met with a “Family” rep to discuss the possibilities of investing with them.  However, certain things about the “Family” troubled him.  None had any training or education in the world of economics. They were extremely secretive about how they could pay such high returns. Something stunk afoot. The Gringo businessman returned to his village and decided it was better to earn less from his legitimate investments than to reap a small fortune on a possibly unethical enterprise.

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Filed under: Crazy From the Heat, Matt Casseday on January 19th, 2010
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By Jack Ewing

The troop of 28 monkeys was strung out over about 100 meters, moving through the forest. The lead monkey, a mature female, came to an area where the tree cover was broken by an open swamp with only a narrow corridor two trees wide going around it. About half way across the corridor the leader abruptly leapt back and let out an excited yelp, one of several different alarm barks the two observers had heard them use. This initial bark was followed by a series of short barks in a slightly calmer voice. Flor Vallet scanned the foliage with her binoculars near where the lead monkey had been when when it jumped back. Finally she saw the source of alarm, a non venomous bird-eating snake. It wasn’t large enough to harm a full grown monkey, or even a juvenile, but it was a snake nevertheless, and they instinctively disliked it. The troop kept moving forward, but as they arrived at the point where the snake was coiled each monkey veered over into a neighboring tree, staying well out of its reach. They didn’t need any further signals. Every monkey in the troop knew exactly where the snake was coiled. Was this communicated to them via the alarm call followed by the short series of barks emitted by the lead monkey when it first saw the snake?

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Filed under: Jack Ewing, Nature Stories on January 18th, 2010
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Soy el Año Nuevo, vengo a ti puro e inmaculado; acabo de salir de las manos de Dios. Cada día es una perla de gran precio que te es concedida para que la ensartes en el hilo de plata de la vida.

Una vez ensartada, ya no puede desenhebrarse jamás; queda allí como un testimonio inmortal de tu fe y de tu destreza. Debes fundir entonces, cada minuto, como eslabón dorado a la cadena eterna de las horas.
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Filed under: Academia D'Amore, Tico Talk on January 18th, 2010
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By Charlie Berghammer

How exciting to begin the year by sharing the story of a recently migrated expat to Costa Rica who knew from the start that his coming to Costa Rica was more than just to live a comfortable lifestyle in the tropics.  His story is that of many of us who have come looking for ways to INTEGRATE into our local Costa Rican communities.  What Greg Anderson and many others have discovered is that the catalyst for this integration can come through engagement in local community service.

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Filed under: Charlie Berghammer, Making a Difference on January 16th, 2010
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Beach Noodle Salad

1 pkg. Spaghetti or any noodles

½ K.(1 lb.) Lomito (Beef)

1  Mango

1  Avocado

¼ c. chopped peanuts

1  Bunch Heiba Buena (Mint)

1 Bunch Cilantro

1 Bunch Basil

1  Carton Dos Pinos Orange Juice

2 T. Sesame Oil

1 c. Rice Wine Vinegar

Salt & Pepper to Taste

First put orange juice into a pot and reduce liquid to a syrup. Add mixture to a blender with rice wine vinegar and blend. Slowly add sesame oil and salt & pepper to taste. Boil noodles “al dente” and rinse with cold water. Cut lomito into large bite sized pieces and season with salt & pepper. Then heat a sauté pan or grill and cook to medium rare. In a large mixing bowl chop basil, mint & cilantro and mix with ¼ of cold noodles, dressing, beef and then slice the mango & avocado at the last minute for garnish. Top with chopped peanuts & ENJOY!

Served as appetizer for 4 or entrée for 2

Filed under: Guest Chef on January 10th, 2010
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By Jerry Glover

HAPPY NEW YEAR, and bienvenidos to Quepos and Manuel Antonio. December fishing has started out well for our fishing fleet and we’re all geared up and ready to take you fishing. The Sailfish bite is beginnig to pick up in the area, with Mahi Mahi fishing still very hot, some being in the 40 to 50 pound range. A few Sailfish are being boated and the larger schools of fish should be arriving soon. Rooster fish are also being boated on our inshore trips, with two to four fish being released. Fishing in Quepos is always good year round. For your fishing adventure contact Luna Tours Sportfishing, our office is located in the Hotel Best Western Kamuk lobby, downtown Quepos central. We own and operate the Ojaran II, Ojaran III, Magic Moon, and the Reel Deal (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 January 10th, 2010
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These Horoscopes are meant to be fun and enjoyed. They should not be taken too seriously.

CAPRICORN - December 22-January 19

As we all ring in the New Year together, you can also celebrate another year of growing older! Lucky You! 2010 is set to be your year to shine, a “come back” you might say. Forget about your New Year’s resolutions…I think the Mayans might be onto something, and if so, we only have 2 good years left…so go on…smoke your laughin lettuce, eat till it hurts, and have a little rum in your egg nog!

CELEBRITY CAPRICORN: Daffy Duck

IDEAL JOB: Cactus Thorn Picker outer

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Filed under: Cosmic Confetti, Horoscopes on January 9th, 2010
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