New Gringo Central website

New Gringo Central website!

For all you wonderful Followers, who don't receive emails from Gringo Central, please note we have a new website.

Please feel free to become a Member.

We'll run both websites alongside each other... only for a short while.

Pura vida!

http://gringocentral.webs.com/

Pet Castration Clinic in Palmares (Fri, Feb 17)

Cat & Dog Castration Clinic in Palmares at Campo Ferial.

Friday, February 17
9am-Noon

Note: Remember to check on what after-care service there is.

To give you a better idea, the circle within the marked area is the Bull Ring (Toro Rodundel)... near Pizza Hut.

Mercadito Amanecer / Tiny Market (Sat, Feb 11)

Mercadito Amanecer (Tiny Market)

When: 10am-4pm Saturday, February 11

Where: Mercadito Amanecer (tiny market) in San Juan, San Ramón, 1.5 kilometers from the church of San Juan, towards Concepción.

Casa Amanancer B&B will be featuring their first Mercadito Amanecer (tiny market) selling high quality, locally produced food items. Please spread the word!

Following are some items that we are offering:

• Fresh goat milk products from local producer Mario Rojas*
- Milk, 900 grams at 1,100 colones
- Yogurt, 1 liter at 1,700 colones
- Fresh cheese, 1/2 kilo at 4,000 colones
• Organic coffee from our farm, freshly roasted and packaged (finely ground, medium roast)
- Whole bean, 250 g at 2,000 colones
- Ground, 250 g at 2,000 colones

• Fresh passion fruit (granadilla) (price TBD)
• Loaves of sourdough bread and cookies (prices TBD)

They'll be serving up bocadillos (medium-sized portions) of:

• Papas a la Huancaina (Peruvian dish consisting of sliced potatoes covered with a mildly spicy hot sauce) 2,500 colones
• Lentil vegetable soup with slice of sourdough bread 2,500 colones
• Fresh coffee or herbal tea 500 colones

Our intention is to do this small market every Saturday, depending on turnout, even expanding and offering more locally-produced products down the road, maybe even with local live musicians and artists.

*Note: Regarding the goat products, please get in touch with us and put in your order by the end of the day Wednesday.

Christopher and Luisa Panzer Valdivia

Casa Amanecer B&B
San Ramón, Costa Rica
2445 2100
8306 3159
www.casa-amanecer-cr.com

Tortuga Island Day Trip (Feb 12 & Mar 3)

RSVP Event: Day Trip to Tortuga Island! Snorkeling! Beach!

2 more dates!

If you've always wanted to take the Calypso Tour to Tortuga and thought it was too pricey, we have a super alternative -- a Great Yeatman Tour! Paul and Gloria have arranged for you:

When:
Sunday, February 12, 2012 (plenty of space)
Saturday, March 3, 2012 (plenty of space)

Time: 8am-4.30pm

Note: Transportation to Puntarenas not included.

Description: Tortuga Island is a hidden tropical island just waiting for you off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. On the way, we will stop to look for dolphins and turtles, then go snorkeling to discover the hidden treasures of the deep. When we reach the Island, you will enjoy the white sand beach and beautiful aqua blue waters. You can swim, walk the beach, explore the island, or just plain relax. You will also enjoy tropical fruit, beverages, and a delicious BBQ lunch on the beach.

Cost: $54 pp (compare to a similar tour priced at $110-$120 per person). Price includes round trip boat ride (about 80 minutes each way), English speaking guide, fresh fruit, water, iced tea, lunch, snorkel gear, and a safe place to store your belonging. Bring your own alcoholic beverages, if desired. Reservations and payment in advance are required.

RSVP or questions: please contact Paul or Gloria Yeatman at 8919 2710 or email gmyeatman@gmail.com

You know you've wanted to do this! Snorkeling not required! Just enjoy the beach!

"Getting Published" writing seminar (Wed, Feb 15)

"Getting Published" writing seminar in Escazu

When: Wednesday, February 15

Where: Universal Baptist Church in Escazu

Cost: RSVP 5,000 Colones or at the door 7,500 Colones. Coffee and light pastries will be available.

RSVP:
L Michael Rusin: crcaseyboy@gmail.com
Allen Dickinson: allen@humphree.net

Getting something formally published isn’t difficult; if you have the money there are many tools available to the modern writer. Opportunities for self-publishing abound via the many companies (vanity presses) who will print and bind just about anything one wishes to pay for. But it’s not cheap and rip-offs are plentiful.

Now, the new age of e-Publishing is providing a different opportunity for writers to reach an audience, but that too can become pricey. And, as in hard cover publishing, e-Publishing leaves it up to the author to find a market to which they can distribute their works.

Presenters will be L. Michael Rusin, author of the novel Avalon, George Farrell, author, and Allen Dickinson, a contributor to the Tico Times and other local outlets. The 4-hour session will consist of three short presentations, each followed by a Q&A, where the audience can ask questions and address their own particular concerns.

Expats Financial Seminar (Fri, Feb 17)

Expats Finanical Seminar - Friday, February 17, 2012

"It's Your Money Honey" Expat Financial Seminar: Changes in Taxes, Banking, & Investing

Given the changes in tax codes (both in Costa Rica and the US), filings required by the IRS, banking restrictions, etc. the Community Action Alliance has scheduled a seminar titled It's Your Money Honey: Changes in Taxes, Banking, & Investing to help clarify financial and legal obligations relating to these and other areas of importance to all of us.

Financial adviser and accounting specialist Randall Zamora, President/CEO of Costa Rica Accounting and Business Center will be the presenter.

DATE: Friday, February 17, 2012

TIME: 10am

PLACE: COOPENAE, San Ramón de Alajuela

DIRECTIONS: North side of the church on the block in between the Central Park and PeriMercado

ADMISSION: This will be a free event for Action Alliance members. Anyone is welcome however a 2,000 colones fee will be charged for non-members.

RSVP: RSVP to mike@styles.com

Monthly CRAFT Group (Tue, Feb 14)

Tuesday, February 14

10am-2pm

This meeting will be a Pot-Luck... so bring something to share... your favorite cookies, bread or whatever.

Deanne will provide coffee, soft drinks and plates, etc.

Please bring pen and paper to take notes.

Please email Deanne at ticadea@hotmail.com

Directions:

Take the Palmares exit off the main Pista and follow that street into town to the point you have to turn right or left. Turn RIGHT.

About 200 mts you will have to choose right or left again. Turn LEFT.

Turn RIGHT on the first street on your right. [Note it is a little hidden but as you turn on to it.] You should see a large ICE building on the left side of the street but, if you see the fire department (Bomberos), on your left, you missed the turn.

Stay on that street until you see a sign on the right that says:
Residencial Palma Real 300 mts. There you will want to IMMEDIATELY turn LEFT.

Cross over a small bridge.

About 100 mts you will be turning RIGHT into the entrance of Palma Real (it is a divided entrance with palm trees).

Turn RIGHT at the 2nd street. [Note the 1st street to the right is a dead end and has no houses.]

Cross over a speed bump.

House is on the RIGHT not numbered but has 4 palm trees in front
(3rd house in a row of 4 that touch walls).

House phone # is 2453 6064