 |
|
|
The Future of Tourism
Chambers of Tourism in Nosara, Samara and Carrillo Developing New Strategies |
|
By Arianna McKinney
Pictures by Rolf Sommer and pinar istek |
|
Photo by Rolf Sommer
While tourism in Costa Rica is increasing in general, the coastal destinations of Nosara and Samara remain at the bottom of the list of tourist destinations in Guanacaste. According to data provided by CATURGUA, the Guanacaste Chamber of Tourism, only 1% of international tourists visit Nosara and 2% visit Samara. Even so, that small slice of the income generated by tourism is crucial for these communities that have come to depend on tourism in a large way.
|
|
| Robbery Suspect Arrested, Guiones Residents Breathe Easy |
| By Adam Dietrich |
|
The Suspect is led from the Tourist Police office to an OIJ car by members of the Tourist Police of Nosara and OIJ. |
|
Residents of Las Huacas will have hopefully rested more easily after this Friday January 20th following the arrest of a man who has allegedly been thieving from homes in the area for well over a year. The arrest came this morning after Francisco Chavarria Rodriguez, a security guard of the private company Securtiy Pacific, found the man sleeping in a hammock covered in leaves behind a residents house in a gully. |
| |
| Nosara in high expectation awaiting the new recycling center |
By Irina Guzmán |
|
| Last Friday, the 13th, in Rancho Tico restaurant, the community of Nosara gave a warm welcome to architect Tobias Holler and his students from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), who are going to be in charge of making a recycling center possible in the zone. |
| |
| Man in Jail After Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend in Samara |
By Arianna McKinney |
|
| The man who repeatedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend when she was leaving work at Villas Playa Samara on Wednesday, January 11th, was apprehended the following day and has been sentenced to three months of preventive imprisonment in Liberia, as verified by Ronald Alvarez, supervisor of the Public Force for Nicoya canton. |
| |
| Alcohol is Suspected Culprit of Death in Samara |
By Arianna McKinney |
|
| On Monday morning, January 9th, Bruce Frederick Corbitt, an American man around 60 years old, was found dead on the floor of the room where he was staying in Samara. National newspapers reported that he had sustained a blow to his head and that blood stains were on his body and on the floor, lending an air of suspicion to the death; however authorities and neighbors in Samara provide a different perspective and a powerful reminder of the tragic consequences that can result from drinking. |
| |
| Flights take off from new air terminal in Liberia on Thursday |
by Oliver Pérez |
|
|
|
| Good news for those who visit Nosara and Samara via the Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia: new installations are prepared to begin functioning this Thursday, January 12th, at 6:50 in the morning, when the first national flight from Nature Air with touch the runway and inaugurate the new facilities, as announced by Minister of Transportation Francisco Jimenez. |
| |
| 2012 Municipal Budget Held Up by Procedural Disputes |
By Arianna McKinney |
|
| The 2012 Municipal budget for the Canton of Nicoya is being stalled due to disputes over the proper approval procedure, and the dispute is raging online on the Facebook page of the Alcaldia de Nicoya. |
| |
| Samara Fiestas Liven Up Year’s End |
By Arianna McKinney |
|
|
|
| Following Costa Rican tradition, this year’s town fiesta in Samara was rich in culture and bull riding. For the second year in a row, the fiestas were held in downtown Samara, although this year the majority of events were held on the same property around the bull-riding ring, rather than having some attractions in the plaza, and a large number of people turned out to enjoy the activities. |
| |
More Cell Phone Towers Built in the Nicoya Canton
Debate Continues About Health Risks and Civil Rights
• Constitutional Court rules in favor of cell phone companies
• International concerns about health risks minimized |
By Arianna McKinney |
|
|
|
| International concerns about health hazards and citizens' concerns about where cell phone towers are located were minimized by a recent ruling of the Costa Rican Constitutional Court. La Nación reports that the Court ruled in favor of allowing cell phone companies to erect towers where they see fit. |
| |
| Blessed Youth |
By Irina Guzmán |
|
|
|
| Many people see teenagers as undisciplined, socially inept and view them primarily as consumers. Parents think of them as “a lost cause” and that “they don’t pay attention, don’t know what they’re doing and don’t act like grownups.” These are some of the many expressions I heard during the five days I spent living with two adolescents and their friends in the community of Nosara. |
| |
|
| |
Samara has 15 New Wood Artisans |
By Arianna McKinney |
|
|
|
So many beautiful objects crafted from scraps of leftover wood were displayed on tables at Intercultura on Thursday, December 15th during a graduation ceremony—figurines, jewelry boxes and coffee strainers with carved wooden bases in shapes of local flora and fauna such as palm trees and fish. |
| |
Playa Garza Starts Off 2012 with a Big Fishing Tournament |
By Irina Guzman |
|
For the fourth year in a row, the town of Garza will hold a fishing tournament which will start Friday, January 13th, at noon and will extend throughout Saturday, January 14th and Sunday 15th, when it will start at 5 a.m. On Friday and Saturday the tournament will end at 10 p.m., while Sunday's event will end at 6 p.m. in order to name the winners afterwards. As usual, the money raised will be donated to Garza's elementary school. |
| |
Retired Man “graduates” from school in Samara |
By Arianna McKinney |
|
|
|
At 67 years of age, Edgar Lobo Camacho, known as Cusuco, received a certificate from the school in Samara during the school’s graduation ceremony on December 16th. When he was a kid, he made it as far as fourth grade but that was it, until recently. |
| |
Photography Contest Shows Samara |
|
Photo taken in Playa de Oro (Gold Beach) in February of 2011
by Carola Schaffenicht. "I needed more than a half hour to catch
the snake in the right position," said Carola. Finally the serpent ate
the grasshoppers. |
|
The Samara Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR) launched their Web site, and to get the ball rolling organized an amateur photography contest called "Show us Your Samara." The objective was to show the warmth, natural beauty and originality of Samara Beach. |
|
January Astrology Report |
By Ashley Laux |
|
December promises to be a whirlwind of a month. Focus on seeing clearly the reality of all complex situations in your life- and pay extra attention to where self-defeating attitudes may be coming into play. The mid month eclipse could cause a communication snafu or two. Listen closely to avoid misunderstandings, and do your best not to make commitments until the dust settles. The end of the month brings clarity, so sit tight and do your best to have compassion for others now. |
| |
Jorge Guevara Mora, the Teacher Who Filled Nicoya With Music |
By Oliver Pérez |
|
 |
|
To start the year on the right foot, VON chose this man as figure of the month; a person who has put together a battalion of musicians in Nicoya, the teacher and conductor, Jorge Guevara Mora. |
| |
Kids Participated in Soccer Tournament to Benefit the Nosara Red Cross |
By Emiliana García |
|
First place: Escuela Serapio Lopez
|
|
During the last week of November and the first week of December, Nosara Sostenible organized a soccer tournament held at Nosara's soccer field in order to raise funds for the local Red Cross Committee as well as to promote the sport in children. |
| |
Video Games Are Not Simply Games!
For the first time, a study shows that violent video games affect brain regions associated with emotional control and aggressive behavior. |
| By Francisco Renick, M.D. |
|
January is just starting and with it, the long awaited summer break for children and teenagers who after a year of studying, only want to have fun and enjoy their free time. However, it you think that video games are a healthy and entertaining way of spending time during this school break, think again! |
| |
|
|
 |
|
| |
| Local Girl with Rare Bone Disorder Will Be Able to Go to School |
| By Adam Dietrich |
|
Photo by Pinar Istek |
|
Laura Rodriguez Lopez, aged 11, from the town of Esperanza, was born with a rare bone growth disorder called Knits Dysplasia. The disorder affects her sight, hearing, speech and skeletal growth as a result for much of her life, walking or standing has been hard if not impossible. |
| |
| John Perkins Shares Indigenous Wisdom and Urges us to Live from Both the Heart and the Mind |
By Mary Serphos – Certified Health Coach and Licensed Psychotherapist
photos by Adam Dietrich |
|
 |
|
John Perkins, a teacher, founder of the Pachamama Alliance, and shamanic leader opened his evening lecture at The Yoga House on Monday January 23rd with enthusiasm and enlightenment. Literally, he lit up the sky. |
| |
| Three Spiritual Teachers Offered a Blueprint for a Successful Life |
By Mary Serphos
Certified Health Coach and Licensed Psychotherapist |
|
The Blue Spirit Retreat Center lecture series hosted by The Yoga House in Guiones began Monday January 9th at 7:30 pm with teachers Joan Borysenko and Gordon Dverin. The second in the series was on Monday January 16th with Richard Leider. |
| |
| Vacation with “Escuelita” summer school |
| By Irina Guzmán |
|
 |
|
Since January 9th and until Friday, the 27th, girls and boys with ages between 5 and 15 can take advantage of and enjoy their vacations attending the classrooms of the Serapio Lopez school, which opened its doors for volunteers from Texas, Holand, Nosara and San Jose to teach and spend a great time with the little ones that arrive at the little summer school. |
| |
| Olga’s Bar Reopens with the Hot Rhythms of Calavera y la Canalla |
| By Irina Guzmán |
|
 |
|
| On Saturday, the 14th, there was a big party at Olga’s bar in Pelada Beach as celebrated the reopening and remodeling after more than 20 years of serving the public. Among the new touches was the inauguration of a performance area for artists where the karaoke area used to be. While they continue with the same Tico menu, now the portions are much bigger. |
| |
| There is No Art Without Complicity |
| By Irina Guzmán |
|
 |
|
| During these days of January VON was pleasantly surprised to discover that Víctor Rodríguez, a well renowned Mexican painter who is considered a contemporary leader of a new generation of internationally recognized artists, was spotted vacationing with his girlfriend in Nosara, staying at L’acqua Viva Resort, where three of his works are on display. |
| |
Young Journalists in Nosara |
|
|
|
Students of the HomeSchool Beach Academy in Nosara studied the value of the human spirit and the importance of developing it across mankind. Their task was to find an example of a person in their community with such values, interview them and write an article. |
| |
Council's President Under Investigation for Hiring Without Due Process
• The contract was for fireworks |
By Oliver Pérez |
|
 |
|
Nicoya's Council's President, Juan Luis Aguirre Vidaurre, is being investigated by the Town Council for hiring the fireworks used on December 31st, 2010, without following due process. The fireworks display had a cost of $800 however, a year later, the owner of the company hired is still walking the halls of Nicoya's Municipalidad, bill in hand, looking for someone to pay him what he is owed. |
| |
Mystery shrouds the death of poisoned high school student |
| By Oliver Pérez |
|
Nosara Highschool, in Santa Teresita neighborhood |
|
Four months have passed since the town of Nosara was shocked by the death of Hernandez, a 17-year-old high school student, after being poisoned by two alleged assailants while on his way to school. With a fire arm, the two obligated him to consume a herbicide after taking his cellular phone and 50,000 colones ($100). |
| |
|
|
| |
New Recycling Center Designs will be Presented to the Nosara Community |
By Emiliana Garcia |
|
Team Poroso – From left to right: Vincenzo Ciaramella (25) US, Alfonzo Rodriguez (29) Ecuador, Wagdy Moussa (23) Egypt
|
|
The town of Nosara has an opportunity to have an exemplary recycling center thanks to a group of young architecture students, who will be presenting their designs and ideas to the community on Friday, January 13 in Rancho Tico. |
| |
Connecting with Horses |
By Arianna McKinney |
|
|
|
There is definitely something special about horses, so much so that working with them can be therapeutic. Nosara resident Carrie Anderson has been working with horses nearly all her life, and now she shares her insight into these equine creatures with others. |
| |
Optimal Health Tips to Help You Get Back In Shape After The Holidays |
By Mary Serphos
Certified Health Coach and Licensed Psychotherapist |
|
Although the holidays are a festive, celebratory time of year, many of us have been pushed to our limit with packed schedules and social obligations. The endless gatherings which inevitably mean endless plates of food and sweet treats can leave us feeling ready for a whole body detoxification. |
| |
Nosara's Hot Summer Fiestas |
| By Irina Guzman |
|
 |
|
To start off 2012, Nosara's popular Fiestas will begin with the "puerta!" shout, inviting all to come as a family and enjoy another year of the already traditional partying. Coinciding with summertime and vacations, the traditional Fiestas will be held from January 26th to the 30th. |
| |
LINAFA Championship
Finca Austria Nosara Crowned Champion for Guanacaste province |
By Marvin Castillo |
|
Puntarenas gave a great show with strong, well-prepared players. |
|
The Finca Austria Nosara F.C. team, which competes to receive its second division soccer standing, has taken its first big step toward being crowned champion of the LINAFA group for Guanacaste province. With a lot of class, the Nosara players, with some reinforcement from guys from Nicoya and Santa Cruz, came out undefeated in 14 games. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
About Us
The Voice of Nosara is a journalistic endeavor designed to bring together the communities of Nosara, Samara and Nicoya by providing the latest local news. The Voice of Nosara's mission is to report on the communities' issues and concerns and give voice to its residents. We are not just a newspaper, we are a partner with the community.
Staff
Editor and Publisher
John S. Johnson III
Co-Editor
Emiliana Garcia
Director of Publicity and Advertising
Arianna McKinney
Design Director
Michele Colomer
Correspondent Nicoya
Oliver Perez Picado
Correspondent Samara
Arianna McKinney
Colaborators
Irina Guzman
Fritz Elmendorf
Maria J. Zamora
Francisco Renick Corrales
Ashley Laux
Translators
Maria Jose Zamora, Arianna McKinney, Diana Solano Murillo
Billing
Freddy Zuniga |
| |
Share What You Know
If you are aware of a news story or upcoming event and believe it is important that the community knows about it, you can “assign a journalist”. We invite you to let us know what deserves to be covered by our newspaper.
Additionally, if you want to volunteer to do the reporting and writing or photographing yourself, so much the better.
Put our editor to work!
Write to Emiliana Garcia editorial@voiceofnosara.com
or call our office 2682-0448
Advertise
For information on advertising online or in print please contact Arianna McKinney, Director of Publicity and Advertising
ads@voiceofnosara.com |
| |
|
|
|
