Playa Grande

The Wave Cafe - Playa Grande (Breakfast and Lunch)

2010-07-11T23:46:00Z

The Wave Café located on the main road to Playa Grande, is now open from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Cara is the wonderful pastry chef so stop by to enjoy a delicious treat where you can choose from donuts, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, coffee and smoothies.

For fresh baked bread please order the previous day! We also bake for parties and events.

Wi-Fi is also available at the Wave Cafe.

For more information, contact: thewavecafe@rocketmail.com.

Adopt a Tree - Reforestation

2010-06-16T15:51:00Z

This Saturday, June 19, is the second in a series of Adopt a Tree days, being held at the offices of the the Baulas National Marine Park. From 8 to 11 a.m., residents of the area surrounding the Park can select young native trees and receive information on their qualities and care. At 11 a.m., children will be entertained with a movie and snacks, provided by Playa Grande's Blue Flag Committee and the ADE Promejoras.

On the same morning, Park rangers, biologists, school children, and volunteers will be planting native seedlings in the green screen along the beach.

Future Adopt a Tree days will be July 3 and July 17. If you want seedlings and cannot participate on the designated Saturdays, ask for a meeting with Adopt a Tree Chairman, Priscilla Meneses, pacmors@gmail.com.

For more information, call the Park office at 2653-0470, 2653 2233, or 2653 2234.

Regulatory Plan Meeting for Playa Grande Maritime Zone

2010-06-10T16:43:00Z

Dear Friends,

On Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 9 a.m. there will be a Community meeting at the offices of the MINAET regarding the Regulatory Plan for the coast line. Everyone is invited to attend as your participation is important!

In the framework of the project of Code of the Terrestrial Maritime Zone of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, of the Unidad Ejecutora BID-CATASTRO, executed by the organization EPYPSA, in coordination with the Municipal Commission of the Terrestrial Maritime Zone of the canton of Santa Cruz. You are invited to participate in the Workshop of Communal Analysis “La costa que tenemos… la costa que queremos”. Analysis for the territorial code of the Terrestrial Maritime Zone of the sector of Playa Grande Beach.

The meeting is being organized by EPYPSA and the agenda is as follows:

1. Inform about the process of making a Regulatory Plan for the Maritime Zone

2. Potentials and weaknesses of our Maritime Zone

3. Future development perspectives

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En el marco del proyecto de Ordenamiento de la Zona Marítimo Terrestre del Litoral Pacífico de Costa Rica, de la Unidad Ejecutora BID-CATASTRO, ejecutado por la empresa EPYPSA, en coordinación con la Comisión Municipal de la Zona Marítimo Terrestre del cantón de Santa Cruz.

Se le invita a participar en el Taller de Análisis Comunal “La costa que tenemos… la costa que queremos” Análisis para el ordenamiento territorial de la Zona Marítimo Terrestre del sector de Playa Grande.

Los objetivos del taller son:

1. Informar sobre el proceso de formulación del Plan Regulador Costero del cantón de Santa Cruz.

2. Identificar potencialidades y limitantes de la franja costera del sector de Playa Grande.

3. Valorar las perspectivas de desarrollo a futuro.

Día: Miércoles 16 de junio de 2010

Hora: 9:00 am

Lugar: Oficinas de MINAET en Playa Grande

Su participación es muy importante,¡contamos con usted!

Summary of the first day of Reforestation - Message from the Park Administrator

2010-06-10T03:19:00Z

El pasado 5 de junio celebramos el Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente en Playa Grande y que mejor manera para hacerlo que sembrando árboles en el Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste. Para algunos tal vez sea una actividad muy común, pero para nosotros representa un gran éxito, no solo porque estamos recuperando sitios que alguna vez fueron alterados ya sea por la introducción especies exóticas, o simplemente porque fueron deforestadas, sino también porque cada día que pasa podemos ver que hay más gente de la comunidad que manifiesta su compromiso por conservar esta área protegida, sus ecosistemas y por supuesto sus tortugas marinas.

Nuestra visión es alcanzar lo que para algunos puede ser imposible, un desarrollo comunal en total armonía con el Parque Nacional, lo cual representa además de un reto, una acción más por evitar la extinción de las Baulas.

Esta primera actividad de reforestación culminó con éxito; 81 árboles de las especies aceitunos, almendro de montaña, madero negro, guapinol y panamá fueron sembrados por lo niños y niñas de la comunidad, vecinos, guardaparques, voluntarios e investigadores. Ahora el reto es cuidarlos, especialmente estos primeros meses, para lo cual esperamos contar con el apoyo de todos.

La siguiente actividad de reforestación programada está para el sábado 19 de junio y en esta oportunidad nos concentraremos en Playa Ventanas.

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On June 5th we celebrated World Environment Day at Playa Grande and what better way to do that than by planting trees in Las Baulas National Marine Park in Guanacaste. For some, maybe it is a very common activity, but for us it is a great achievement, because we are reclaiming sites that once were altered by the introduction of alien species, or simply because they were cleared. Also, every day that passes we see that there are more people in the community showing their commitment to preserve this protected area, its ecosystems and, of course, its sea turtles.

Our vision is to achieve what for some may be impossible: a community development in harmony with the National Park, which also represents a challenge, and one more action to prevent the extinction of the leatherback.

The first activity was a successful reforestation: 81 trees such as aceituno, almond of the mountains, madero negro, guapinol and Panama were planted by the children of the community, neighbors, park rangers, volunteers and researchers. Now the challenge is to care for them, especially during these first months, and we anticipate having the support of all.

The next reforestation activity is scheduled for Saturday June 19 and this time we will concentrate on Playa Ventanas

Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas - Reforestation Campaign

2010-06-04T15:46:00Z

A message from the Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas Administrator regarding the Reforestation Campaign was just posted. The inauguration of the Reforestation Campaign has been planned to coincide with World Environment Day which is this Saturday, June 5th.

Native trees are going to be planted on the beachfront with the collaboration of Playa Grande School children, beachfront neighbors, volunteers and park rangers. Everyone is welcome to participate. Trees will be donated to residents who will plant and take care of them. Tree species information and care instructions will be provided.

Saturday's Schedule of Events:

- Adoption and Planting of Trees from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

- The Bee Movie at the MINAET Auditorium (children audience, parents welcome too) 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

- Food and Refreshments for Sale from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Sale proceeds will be used to monitor and fertilize the newly planted trees.)

Message from Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas Administrator - Reforestation Campaign

2010-06-04T14:46:00Z

Estimados Vecinos de Playa Grande y Ventanas

Reciba un saludo cordial de parte de la Administración del Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste y del Comité Bandera Azul Ecológica de Playa Grande y Ventanas.

Los invitamos a formar parte de nuestra Primera Campaña de Reforestación que iniciaremos el sábado 5 de junio, en conmemoración del día Mundial del Ambiente. La actividad dará inicio a partir de las 9 am en las instalaciones del Parque. Como todos sabemos, la recuperación de la cobertura vegetal frente a la playa en algunas áreas y la siembra de especies nativas es de suma importancia para el parque y sus tortugas. Fechas posteriores para la Campana de Reforestacion sera 19 de junio, 03 de julio y 17 de julio en caso de no poder unirse a nosotros el sabado. El éxito del proyecto depende en gran manera de su participación y compromiso, por lo que estamos pidiendo la colaboración de los vecinos para que formen parte de la campaña y nos ayuden a sembrar y a cuidar las especies nativas de la zona. Adjunto encontrará nuestra invitación.

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Greetings to you on behalf of the Administration of Las Baulas National Marine Park in Guanacaste and the Blue Flag Ecological Committee of Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas.

At this time we invite you to join our First Reforestation Campaign which will begin on Saturday, June 5, to commemorate World Environment Day. The activity will start at 9am on the premises of the Park office. As we know, the recovery of a screen of vegetation of some areas on the beach and repopulating the flora with native species is very important for the Park and turtles. Subsequent dates for the Reforestation Campaign will be June 19, July 3, and July 17 in case you are not able to join us for this one.

The project's success depends largely on your participation and commitment, so we are asking for the cooperation of neighbors to become part of the campaign and to help us plant and care for native species in the area. Attached is our invitation.

Gracias y Saludos,

Lic. Rotney Piedra
Administrador-Investigador
Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas
Playa Grande- Costa Rica
Área de Conservación Tempisque
Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación
Ministerio del Ambiente, Energía y Telecomunicaciones
Tel: (506) 2653 0470 / 2653 2233 / 2653 2234

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Dear Neighbor,

We’re very excited about the Saturday event, because it will be for us a new experience to share with the entire community: the possibility of repopulating the flora in some areas of the Park with native species. One of the biggest problems that all the countries and ecological communities are facing is the expansion of exotic species, and the Park is no exception.

Maybe some of these species have excellent functions as decorative and ornamental plants in our yards and gardens, but ecologically speaking, they could represent the dangerous risk of losing our native diversity of plants. But what exactly is an exotic species?

Any species, including the Tropical almond, commonly called in Spanish “almendro” (Terminalia catappa ) and the Palm are capable of propagating throughout the Park, and aren’t native to Las Baulas ecosystems. For example, the Tropical or Beach almond has long been naturalized in a broad belt extending from Africa to Northern Australia, and New Guinea through Southeast Asia and Micronesia into the Indian Subcontinent.

More recently the plant has been introduced to parts of the Americas. Maybe it is very common to find “almendros” along many beaches of Costa Rica, but these species are in competition with our native species for soil, pollinators, and space. They can also change the diet of the local fauna. Even though trees like the “almendros,” the palms, or other kinds of ornamental plants are not native in the Pacific Coast of our country, our reforestation program isn’t headed toward the immediate eradication of these exotic plants, because for now these exotic plants will be the ones who guarantee the survival of the new little trees that we‘re going to plant. For this reforestation campaign, our strategy is based in the ecological succession theory, which refers to orderly changes in the composition or structure of an ecological community like the beach vegetation along the Northern part of Playa Grande and the end of Ventanas.

According to this theory, it is better to put the seedling plant near the already planted trees whether or not they are native, because for now, they will guarantee shade, humidity and best soil conditions to the new plants.

In summary, it is a fact that the campaign wants to work with native plants, and wishes to establish a green barrier full of only native, productive and beautiful trees all along the beaches in the Park, but that does not imply an immediate eradication of the already planted trees. The reforestation event is not for taking out planted trees along the beach for now. It will be a process that takes place over time. This project proposes to increase the flora abundance and diversity of the area. Be part of our campaign and together we will give the Park a new green face! Ask for our tree catalog to help you pick the tree that you want to adopt.

References:

Austin, D. F., K. Bradley, K. Craddock Burks, N. Colile, J. Duquesnel, D. Hall, R. Hammer, K. Langeland, R. Pemberton, D. B. Ward, and R. F. Wunderlin. 2001. Florida Exotic Pest Plant, Council’s List of Invasive Species. http://www.fleppc.org, (accessed June 1, 2001).

The American Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health http://www.invasive.org/

Charity Bazaar for Playa Grande School

2010-05-28T17:11:00Z

Dear Neighbors,

The Playa Grande School Board is organizing a Charity Bazaar for the School on Saturday, July 17, 2010. The Charity Bazaar will sell food and household items. There will be actitivites presented by the children of Playa Grande School and karoke will be performed later in the day. Bandera Azul will also make a presentation to the community regarding topics such as trash burning.

However, we need your help! Your donations such as clothes, shoes, dry goods (rice, beans, flour, sugar, canned goods, tortillas), toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste) and laundry soap will be most appreciated. Anything you can spare or are no longer using can be put to good use for the Charity Bazaar.

The money raised from the Charity Bazaar will be used towards sending the school children on a field trip to Africa Mia and also for furniture for the Playa Grande School.

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or would like to make a donation. I can be reached at 8706-8358 or via email at sistertats@yahoo.fr.

On behalf of the Playa Grande School Board, we thank you for any help you can provide and look forward to seeing you at the Charity Bazaar.

Best regards.

Tatiana Raust, School Board President

Basic CPR Course at Playa Grande Medical Center - May 12 through May 18, 2010

2010-05-11T23:33:00Z

Attention Greater Playa Grande Neighbors!

Beginning Wednesday, May 12th and continuing through Tuesday, May 18th, Dra. Andrea Messeguer and a certified instructor of the American Heart Association of the USA will be teaching a basic CPR course and defibrillator use. The Playa Grande Medical Center will be obtaining a defibrillator in the near future.

The CPR course will be taught in both English and Spanish and there will be two course times offered per day. One at 10:30 a.m. and one at 3:30 p.m. The course will last approximately 3 to 4 hours and upon successful completion the attendees will receive a certification for Basic CPR and Defibrillator use.

The cost is $20.00 per person and proceeds will be used towards improving the Health Care Program for Cepia and Playa Grande School children.

Please join us for a very worthy and important cause.

Puppy Fest Tomorrow, Friday, April 30, 2010

2010-04-29T22:12:00Z

Sixteen adorable puppies are looking for a good home. Come to the Costa Rica Dive Shop on the road to Flamingo, where Barbara's Pet Shop is located. This is just past the Jungle Gymn/La Paz School coming from P. Grande. Come any time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, April 30. For more information contact Barbara at coridive@racsa.co.cr

Salinitas Committee Bingo and Karaoke Event Saturday, April 17 at 4:00 p.m.

2010-04-17T11:50:00Z

The Salinitas Committe is organizing a Bingo and Karaoke event for today and will be selling Costa Rican typical food and drinks.

The bingo starts at 4 pm on Salinitas road –at Anatolios Mango trees and the cost is 1000 colones.

The funds raised will be used to provide potable water for their community.

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Hoy, sábado Salinitas esta organizado un evento para recaudar fondos. El dinero se destinara a solucionar su problema de agua potable.

El bingo empieza a las 4 pm y el carton tiene un costo de 1000 colones. Luego habrá karaoke. Tendran comida típica, cervecitas y refrescos.

La actividad será en los mangos de Anatolio. Ojala todos podamos ir para apoyarlos!

Bandera Azul Ecologia (Blue Flag) Certification

2010-04-02T14:26:00Z

On Friday, March 26^th, 2010 our local Blue Flag coordinator and our Park administrator received from Oscar Arias Sanchez the certifications for the four (4) Park Beaches: Langosta, Punta del Madero, Ventanas y Playa Grande. Congratulations for those who have contributed as volunteers, park rangers and residents! We are now working on improving and launching some programs for domestic animals, recycling and reforestation. Please contact banderaazulpg@gmail.com for information.

First Annual Playa Grande Festival on Sunday, February 14, 2010

2010-02-03T10:56:00Z

Mark your calendars for the First Annual Playa Grande Festival to be held on Sunday, February 14, 2010 at Kike's Place. The festivities will begin at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Sunday, February 14th. There will be food, drinks, games, a raffle and music for the entire family. At 3:00 p.m. there will be a bike rally with an entrance charge of just of 2000 colones. The rally is a more like a family bike ride with surprises hidden along the route of approximately 3 kilometers. This event is a fundraiser for the Pro-mejores Association so please join us for an afternoon of fun family activities!

Invita al VII Festival de la Tortuga Baula

2010-01-25T18:26:00Z

El Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas Invita al VII Festival de la Tortuga Baula on 20 de Febrero at 8:00 a.m. Instalaciones del Parque Playa Grande, Guanacaste

La Paz Community School 3rd Annual Fundraising Fiesta on January 23, 2010

2010-01-14T10:22:00Z

The 3rd Annual La Paz Community School Fundraising Fiesta will be held on January 23, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Flamingo Marina Resort

This is a silent auction fundraiser for the scholarship fund of La Paz Community School and will include a dinner buffet. The raffle tickets are $2 (or c1,000) each, and one does not need to be present to win. The entrance fees are $25 for adults, $10 for children 5 to 18 years old. There will be food, live music and fun to be had! La Paz is also taking donations if anyone is interested. Please contact Renee L. Blount-Starbuck at 2654.4007 / seaview7@gmail.com or Freda Rothermel at 2653.4382 / freda_cnj@msn.com for raffle, entry tickets or more information.

La Paz Community School was founded in 2007 as a progressive nonprofit cooperative school, currently serving students in kindergarten through 9^th grade. Scholarships help to bridge the gap between Costa Rican families by assisting with tuition for eligible students. During the 2009-2010 academic years, fifteen (15) Costa Rican students receive financial assistance.

Without accommodating all socioeconomic levels, the vision of a community school would be impossible to fulfill. As we look toward the future, we hope to expand our scholarship program to provide opportunities for even more promising local children from local families. The school is bilingual, allowing students to learn in English and Spanish and eventually communicate fluently in both languages.

La Paz Community School’s student body exhibits incredible diversity; the 105 students represent 19 nationalities and speak 8 languages. La Paz simultaneously integrates these multicultural youth, while celebrating and working to preserve the local culture of Guanacaste. The school has an environmental focus, both in and out of the classroom. Students run composting and recycling programs, conduct community clean-ups, promote the use of reusable shopping bags, plant thousands of trees, take part in ecological field trips, and help create public awareness.

La Paz was one of only a few schools in the country to receive Costa Rica’s Ecological Blue Flag Award in recognition of environmental excellence and commitment to natural resource conservation.

Nu Skin Basic Cosmetic and Spa Treatments

2009-12-14T09:57:00Z

Nu Skin Basic Cosmetic and Spa Treatments are now available at Playa Grande Medical Services. Contact Doctor Andrea Messeguer at 2653.2767 or dra.amesseguer@gmail.com for an appointment. A Nu Skin presentation is attached for more information regarding these services.