(en Español)
By Carol Vlassoff

Picture a modern-day combination of Paul Gaugin, Pablo Picasso and Jacques Cousteau living in Manuel Antonio, and you may be imagining a real personality in our midst.  Adrián Valli, known to most as “Adrián, the artist from Argentina,” paints, sculpts,  carves and experiments with different art forms in his jungle studio in El Lirio, Manuel Antonio.

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Filed under: Carol Vlassoff, Personalities in Our Midst on March 16th, 2011
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By Donna Porter

February and March are not exactly my favorite times of the year here in Costa Rica.  Yes, these are our peak months for tourism but, as a plant person, my thinking leans more towards garden activity.  It is a time when we are not suppose to be planting, but I say, if there is a reliable water source and reliable labor available… then let the planting proceed.  This summer began with milder than usual temps and continued, cooling showers in December and on into January, but who knows what February and March will bring. With these conditions, it is has been especially difficult to halt the planting.

Summer in the tropics does have its advantages and “silver lining” in the plant world and one of those is that this is the time of the year when the flowering trees – do their thing.  With the onset of higher /dryer weather, many tree species will shed their leaves and begin their reproductive cycle of flowering and seed production.  It is almost a dormant state for many plants, where little vegetative growth is occurring compared to the rainy/”green” season.

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Filed under: Donna Porter, It's a Wonderful World of Plants on March 14th, 2011
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By Shelley Workman

As a responsible wife of a dedicated Surfer and Yoga instructor, this class for surfers has evolved.  Seeing my highly athletic husband and surfer starting to complain after his surf sessions of knee, back or other pains, I felt alarmed.  After talking to other long-time surfers and doing some research, I found these complaints to be common side-effects of many years of surfing.  We put our heads together and committed to many more years of injury free surfing.  From this “Yoga for Surfers” here in Manuel Antonio has evolved.

Yoga and surfing seem like such a natural fit.  Both demand from the body and mind extreme balance, endurance, acuity, stamina, and fluidity.  Our classes combine many disciplines of Yoga into a routine that targets surfing and its specific muscle groups.  We train to simultaneously achieve power, flexibility and balance.   This approach changes the way all parts of our body flow and work together.

Someone once said, “Surfing is like Yoga on the water. You engage your body, mind and spirit.”  Getting yourself into a routine is sometimes hard at first, but once you start to see your surfing improve, you will love every minute of your Yoga program.

The Yoga for Surfers´ class is to get you to spend ten minutes on the beach prepping for your session instead of 30 seconds doing a quick routine.   It’s guaranteed that you won’t cry about missing one set while you get your body ready to charge.  Join us every Wednesday 9:30am at Holis Spa.  Namaste, Shelley

Filed under: Holis Wellness Center, Yoga on March 14th, 2011
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By Jim Parisi

Max Urso is a busy guy, a tireless visionary. He started his recording studio and label, Costa Norte Records, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in 1998, after hearing a rough cassette tape of Honduran singer/songwriter Guillermo Anderson performing and perceived a real need for a recording studio in the country. Both Guillermo and Garifuna singer Aurelio Martinez were recently included in the Central American Music Box CD, a compilation album demonstrating the musical diversity of this region. It is an accomplishment that all three of them are very proud about and happy to be a part of.

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Filed under: Jim Parisi, Music Review on March 11th, 2011
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by Tere Chaviano & Linda Wilson

A special meeting with US Ambasador Anne Slaughter Andrew, and US Consul General Paul Birdsall, was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Aguirre. This meeting was at the invitation of the Security Committee of the Chamber, arranged at the request of Chamber President, Harry Bodaan. The focus of this meeting was to discuss and determine how to improve security and safety of US citizens, tourists, and investors living abroad in Costa Rica, and particularly, to discuss the Central Pacific area’s concerns with rising incidents of violent crimes, and problems concerning the current justice system.

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Filed under: Guest Writer on March 11th, 2011
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By Joshua Stewart

Do you eat fish?

If you do, inshore fishing is better than ever. As Mahi-mahi and Tuna are not really out there, smoked fish lovers will be more than satisfied with the abundance of Spanish mackerel. Ojaran III and Ojaran II have had more than seventy mackerels in the last month. You can also have some snappers, jacks and in a big quantity, fun to catch but not eatable, Roosterfish. Talking about offshore action, Sailfish is on the top. Ojaran II has released five Sailfish on the first seven days of the month. Ojaran III has had thirteen. A few Marlin and a few Mahi have been caught.

What’s on?

Extreme weather changes have been affecting water temperature. This is a The La Niña Phenomenon year.  The La Nina is usually described as a cooler than average sea surface temperature in this area of the Pacific. The La Nina phenomenon is known to occur every few years in this area and beyond, and it is known to last anywhere from a few months to as long as two years or so. Some fish like Dorado, need warmer water temperatures.

Those Lucky Days.

Captain Junior and mate Alex caught 1 Marlin, 4 Sailfish and 2 Dorado on January 29^th. Captain Mike and mate Joseph caught a 65 pounds Yellow Fin Tuna on February the 5^th. Ojaran II had a broken rod when a huge Manta ray pulled like a bull in a split second. (Sorry Mike).

Contact Luna Tours Sportfishing at Hotel Best Western Kamuk lobby, downtown Quepos central. Book now Ojaran II, Ojaran III, Magic Moon and the Reel Deal (27 ft to 33ft) on full days or half day charters. We also arrange other boats for charter up to 46 ft. Contact us at 2777-0725 (office), 8869-4808 (24 hour cell) and visit our web site www.lunatours.net. And remember, if fishing is interfering with your business, give up your business.

Filed under: Fishing Report, Joshua Stewart, Luna Tours on March 7th, 2011
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These Horoscopes are meant to be fun and enjoyed. They should not be taken too seriously.

PISCES - February 19-March 20

Like your life, peanuts can be dried, roasted, blanched and put inside little potato coatings. Just like your life. You will be plagued by happy people, but don’t be swayed by them, stay miserable.

RULING GEMSTONE: AQUAMARINE

ARIES

This month is for lovers everywhere. Find positives wherever you are and accentuate them. Do not dwell on the negatives and you will have happiness. It’s really quite simple isn’t it? You get better looking every day. I bet you can’t wait for tomorrow!

RULING GEMSTONE: DIAMOND

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Filed under: Cosmic Confetti, Horoscopes on March 2nd, 2011
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