LATEST NEWS

APRIL 2, 3, 4 AND 5: THERE WILL BE THE ART FESTIVAL IN THE CENTRAL PARK IN JACÓ
Throughout the art festival, there will be various recreational, artistic and cultural activities: Performances of entertainment, music, facepainting, clowns, marimbas, circus; educational workshops (free); drawing area for children (free); craft fair; playground area; and an exhibition of photographs. Importantly, the event organization, through the Chamber of Commerce and the Culture Committee of the Municipality, seeks to provide a recreational space for all members of the family. For more info: please contact to the Chamber office at 2643-2853. Come and enjoy the activities! Attached you will find the agenda of activities for those days.

JACO & HERMOSA REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVE BLUE FLAG. For the second consecutive year, the city of Jaco recently received the Blue Flag award along with the surfing beach of Playa Hermosa, the site of the BILLABONG ISA 2009 WORLD SURFING GAMES. In order to receive the Blue Flag award, the quality of water, the solid waste management systems, the signaling of roads, the environmental education and public safety are all evaluated. The city council, local businesses and members of the community all worked together to ensure that the requirements were met and that Jaco was able to renew their accreditation. Sonia Alvarado, the President of the Blue Flag Committee in Jaco and Peter Van Hussen, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce attended the awards ceremony at the offices of the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage Authority (AyA) in Pavas on March 24th. The mayor of Garabito, Don Marvin Elizondo said "We received the news with great satisfaction reinforcing the hard work that has been going in Jaco in preparation for the World Surfing Games. For more information about the Blue Flag Committee in Jaco, please contact Sonia Alvarado at 2637-4557 or 8302-9887.

CENTRAL PACIFIC WOMENS GROUP CONTINUES TO GROW.
The Central Pacific Womens Group is continuing to grow and is all about – SHARING, LEARNING, UNITING! Last month's meeting featured Henry Kantrowitz-Interpretive/Naturalist Guide. Over 50 women from the community listened to this gifted, knowledgeable speaker giving valuable information about Costa Rica and the environment. Although 1st starting out as an authority on birds (Co-founder and past President of Birding Club of CR), he developed into an interpretive guide and resident in the Osa Peninsula. He now lives in the Punta Leona Community. He shared valuable information about Costa Rica's Rainforests (of which there are 12). To contact Henry, you can reach him at crbirdman@yahoo.com or 2625-8161. The Central Pacific Womens Group has been working on a project to repaint the mural at Cencinai. Donations of time, money, and material are needed. Please Contact Jane Swidler at 2643-1248 if you can help. A lunch bunch group was also formed. Following each women's group meeting, there will be lunch plans. Diane Rubenstein will be chairing this group. To make suggestions contact Diane at 2428-3506. A Hiking Group was also formed and will be chaired by Camille Naylor. If you are interested in joining the hiking group, please contact her at camilleinaylor@gmail.com.

The next neeting of the Central Pacific Women's Group is Thursday, April 16, 2009 at Balcon del Mar from 9-11AM. The Guest Speaker will be Jill Ruttenberg -Herbalist- and Owner of Ama Tierra - Retreat and Wellness Center. Jill will talk about What herbs are available here, what do we do with them, and how to grow them! To make a reservation, please contact the chamber at 2643-2853.