In this October Issue

• Muni ok's referendum on Tuna Farm
  
• Preparing for 2010 drought
  
• Photo Essay: On The Bus
• Manhattan girls love Tarzappa tours
  
• Video: Guided beach walk with Andy of Pretoma
  
• US companies give $$ for Osa reforestation
• Memores of Felix, condolences to family
  

Scroll down to read all Good Morning Pavones news
and Vehicle For Sale.

Yes, You Can Fight The Tuna Farm

The organization No A las Granjas Atuneras was given the green light from the Muni of Golfito to hold a district-wide referendum about the tuna farm.

This blessing is necessary, but it does not provide the money nor the mechanism for conducting a referendum.

The referendum can be conducted 6 months after the 2010 elections (September 2010 + 6 months = March 2011). At this referendum, all citizens of the Pavon district are invited to vote "For" or "Against" the tuna farm.

All of the logistical, legal and communications expenses of the referendum are borne by the groups fighting against the Tuna Farm. The developers of the tuna farm can engage in their own "For Tuna Farms" campaign, but they do not have to bear the costs of the referendum. These costs are estimated to be up to $15,000.

Golfito gave the community official bureaucratic permission to engage in a long and expensive struggle, to which many people are committed.

While mayor Jimmy Cubillo and candidate Eric Mora have said they are against the tuna farm, we are waiting for them to take concrete action. Only No A Las Granjas Atuneras and Pretoma are fighting the good fight. Donde estan los cojones en Golfito?

To contribute to the fight against the tuna farms, click www.Pretoma.org.

Drought Predicted to Extend into 2010

Unless it rains for thirty days and thirty nights, whatever rain we get between now and the beginning of December will not be enough to keep wells filled from December to June, 2010.

Aguas y Alcantarillas (the water utility) is saying it will be difficult to maintain normal water flows; they may ration water in the first months of 2010 in metropolitan San Jose. AyA blames current El Nino conditions and consumer waste. They predict this drought is worse than that of 1997-1998.

Of course, if we get moderate rains in December and January, we should be alright. But for now, corn and bean crops are failing, and cattle ranchers are considering culling herds ahead of the driest months of January, February and March.

People connected to the public aqueduct in Pavones know that the system is already stretched to capacity. The only viable solutions are to dig a deeper well or build a rainwater collection system.

Do it yourself, or employ local workers, but don't wait:

• Video on how to build a rainwater cistern (English).
• Diagrama por Rio Nilo de Costa Rica (Espanol).
• Video para aprovechar el agua de lluvia, capitulo primero y capitulo segundo

• Dave Ravimicus know several men that could use work right now, and Dave is a retired drainage expert that will make sure your well or cistern is built to high standards. Email Dave at rimavicus@yahoo.com.
  
• Kim Fioriglio will also employ local workers for your well or cistern system; contact him at sassyandkim@hotmail.com.

Photo Essay, "On The Bus"

by Barry Donaldson. Enjoy.

Manhattan Girls Love Tarzappa

The Monkey Man of Cuervito,
William Patterson, has launched Tarzappa.

Let a life long nature lover and monkey expert show you wild Costa Rica.

"My business will be built on referrals from happy clients. I look forward to introducing you to the wonderful people and animals of this truly unique place," said William.



A visit to Tarzappa.com is a fun 5 minute vacation.

Walk on the beach with Andy

Andy Bystrom's 7 minute film makes it easy to understand the problem posed by the Tuna Farms.

Footage of baby turtles being released, the beach waterfall, and a simple explanation of currents in the area.

Every $10 or $20 helps. Click here to contribute. The Pavon-district referendum will cost up to $15,000, and Pretoma is building a war chest.

Big Win for Friends of the Osa

The Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve is a fragmented biological corridor that connects Corvocado with Piedras Blancas parks. A highway crosses a large part of the reserve. Part of it, in the SW corner, has been ruined by deforestation.

Neenah Paper of Georgia and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin have joined with Friends of the Osa to reforest this 1,500 acre area.

The Reserve has some of the last remaining old growth rain forest in Central America.

Thank you Neenah and thank you Wisconsin.

Photo credit for the Pavo is Gary Shakelford, who is displaying photos of Wisconsin wildlife in the Univ. of Wisconsin Arboretum through Oct. 30th. See more of his photos by clicking here.

Read the news direct from Neenah by clicking here. Support Neenah by using Crane's fine stationery for your personal and business needs.

Memories of Felix

On Monday, October 12th, the body of Felix "Pana" was found near the beach. Felix was killed by trauma to the head, apparently hit with a rock. His body was naked, and a used prophylactic was reported found at the site.


Felix was an outgoing and generous person. He shared his money with people in need. Felix's death is tragic, sad and violent. However Felix was not a welcome addition to the community of Pavones.


Felix was a known cocaine dealer. His days were spent around the Cantina, drinking beer and trying to find customers. People were attracted to Felix because he was clean cut, generous, and outgoing. Felix may have left Panama to avoid problems there, but it is possible these problems from Panama caught up with him here in Costa Rica.


Felix had no family here to press the OIJ to perform a thorough investigation. (He is from Puerto Armuelles, Panama, his nickname was "Pana." His family thought he was in Pavones doing honest work as a laborer.) Perhaps because they are in Panama, and perhaps because the logistics are difficult, they have not filed a denuncia (police report) in Costa Rica. Additionally, Costa Rican families often hire criminal lawyers to do what the OIJ is understaffed and underfunded to do: carry out a full investigation. This only adds to the tragedy, because there are few forces to bring the guilty party to justice.


For his family, Felix's friends and members of the community, this has been a traumatizing experience. We extend our condolences to Felix's family, and the prayers of many people are with them during this very difficult time.


If you have memories of Felix that you'd like to share here, please add your comments.

Editor's Note: Please view the comments section for more information.

Vehicle For Sale

John Deere Gator in mint condition.

You know you want one. Every time you see it on the road, you say to yourself, "I want one of those." Great for surf safaris, moving materials, cruising with your honey. Goes anywhere. Easy to drive and very stable.

Only 2 years old and very low hours.

$9,000 firm. Sells brand new in Costa Rica for $14,000.

Features: Diesel engine, all wheel drive, operating / owners manuals. Sold with 4 new extra tires valued at $880, another $2,500 worth of extra parts -- everything you need for years of maintenance. (Included, 100 diesel filters, oil filters, lube cartridges for grease gun, special wrenches to change tires, and more.) Total value $17,380.

For more information send e-mail to sassyandkim@hotmail.com or call (506) 2776-2073. Posted Nov. 3, 2009.

Local advertising is free on Good Morning Pavones. Send a photo and text to blogger@goodmorningpavones.com