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April
2022
CAA Newsletter

In this Issue:
  • From the President
  • Sustainability Team
  • Program Updates
  • Alliance Updates
  • Helpful Links
  • Other Info
Events and Activities
  • CAA Monthly Mixer 
  • Thursday Coffee
  • English Conversation
  • Spanish Conversation
  • From Our Members

From the President

Greetings from San Ramón and CAA. We have lots to share this month and hope you enjoy the newsletter. Feel free to share with family and friends.
We have had some rain now in April but it varies in duration and intensity by where you live near here. We keep getting days the locals call “puro verano” (pure summer) along with the periodic rain. But the transition is happening and, in many ways, not just with the weather in our adopted country and region. We at CAA are seeing new movements and programs among our partner groups and we will be re-engaging with programs and initiating some new ones. We also have more member and group activities as well as more renewals and new people coming to San Ramón who are joining.  These are good signs for all of us and encouraging. We expect to share more about these on our website so keep an eye out for links in the newsletter too.
Last Thursday, we had the pleasure of meeting a couple who flew the overnight flight from Los Angeles to San José with their children for a short 5-day spring break trip to Costa Rica. They had been in Costa Rica for their honeymoon 16 years ago and wanted their young sons to have the experience of Arenal and then Guanacaste.  After getting off the plane around 6am in San José their first stop was Café Delicious to participate in the Thursday morning get-together of local expats. They had read about it so they decided to stop, enjoy, and then drive on to their hotel in La Fortuna.  It was wonderful to see the excitement and welcome them back. They were happy even though they were jet lagged from the redeye flight.
The presidential election is done and the new president to be sworn in during May comes with international economic experience and not the more typical political experience many presidents have. Covid numbers have continued to decline and there are rumors from some of our Tico friends of masks becoming optional maybe in May. More certain is the flowering of the coffee plants in our region, which is a sign of the coming end of-year, rainy-season crop. The flowers cover the plant and will become the coffee berries. Those will mature if all goes well, and coffee harvest will start in late fall, possibly as soon as in October in parts of our region. With the microclimates we have a range of blossoming and harvesting ready berries across just our San Ramón region. 


There is growing life and activity in San Ramón, downtown and of course in the park in front of the main church. More downtown students gather during the week on their lunch breaks, and more children and families come in the afternoons and weekends. And of course, Easter time is here and that is a very special time. Families get out and go to the beaches all over the country from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. And families that don’t go may just do some major house or property related projects while they are all off work and school.  The number of projects around town that are springing up on existing and new properties is a sign of hope and expectations for the future.
 

Our CAA membership renewal drive continues. This month, we welcome our newest CAA members, Janet Kitka, David Handler, and Joy Bogus, and give a huge THANKS! to those of you who have renewed your membership.
CAA members are connected to a rich network of friendship, support, and opportunities to participate in the life of our community AND they help improve the quality of life for others in the greater San Ramón area. It’s easy to join! Just follow this link for payment options: https://www.actionalliancecr.com/join-caa.html
area. It’s easy to join! Just follow this link for payment options: https://www.actionalliancecr.com/join-caa.html
 


Did you know that CAA has an online calendar? Access it here and never miss an event! https://www.actionalliancecr.com/calendar.html
 
Many of our friends, members, and neighbors are reading this from afar or perhaps from a forwarded copy. Please reach out to any Board member (email addresses at the end of this newsletter) if you have questions about specific programs or CAA in general or have suggestions for improving our organization. We love to hear from you!

Here’s Your Chance to Join a CAA Team

Recently we formed a Sustainability Team to focus on helping create long-term success for CAA. Though there are many components to that activity, development (creating and enhancing relationships) and fundraising (income generation) activities are key components to achieving the goal.  Currently, we are looking for 1 or 2 more individuals to join the Team, which currently consists of Mary Lou Hofmann, Jeff Barnes, Scott McAnally and Terry Handler, ex-officio. Development or fundraising background is not required (though would not be rejected!). What is required is enthusiasm for the work, commitment to the tasks at hand, a collaborative spirit, a bit of out-of-the-box thinking, and willingness to have fun.
If you are interested, have questions, or know of someone who might be excited by what we are doing, please contact Mary Lou Hofmann, even.sleeves@gmail.com, phone & WhatsApp 8319 9314
Activities and Events

April Mixer!

Our next mixer is Thursday, April 21, from 3-6pm at La Cantina de Felipon
This cozy restaurant/pub is located on the pista, just outside of San Ramón, 75 meters south of the first entrance to Santiago.
While it's still relatively nice weather we can take advantage of the open space of the patio and bar. The menu doesn't show vegetarian choices, but they will provide some options and cook something to order for anyone who wishes. There’s plenty of parking right in front of the restaurant patio. Wheelchair accessible.
https://m.facebook.com/424531781614933/
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/TZ2zEtFBDsV7LZwm8



   


Thursday Morning Coffee

Although not an “official” outreach of CAA, Thursday morning coffee at Café Delicias is a tradition for gringos in living in or visiting San Ramón. Please stop by between 9-11 to reconnect with friends or make new ones. Ask questions, share information, and maybe enjoy one of the restaurant’s famous cinnamon rolls with your fresh hot cup of Costa Rican coffee. Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/Heutyt5iRi3iMvdLA
Progam Updates

CAA Scholarship Program continues to support our thirty students in 2022! 

By Scott McAnally, for the Education Committee

There are a few scholarship-related activities to highlight this month.
1. University Eligible? CAA Education Member Johanna Fernandez conducted Zoom orientation and mentoring sessions to assist our eight 2022 graduating colegio students last month.  Seven of our students were able to take advantage of this opportunity - Johanna highlighted financial assistance and academic application deadlines and requirements, provided some career guidance based on her many years of experience, and explained the opportunities to get tutoring/classes to prepare for the university entrance exams.  As you may recall, CAA's program covers the cost of up to 3 university exams per student, given that each university has its own exam. For many of CAA's students, graduating Colegio is the first step in the journey to earn a university degree, or to master a trade; we are committed to assist our graduating students gain the opportunity for higher education.
2. CAA's University Scholarship Program Administrative Intern, Alisson Esquivel M. surveyed the beca families and identified some special needs, which were addressed in the last month:
  • Alisson identified three women who needed eye exams and glasses, and those were provided in collaboration with our partner, Ópticas Rosán, through discounted services. And, thanks to CAA Member Linda D. for pitching in for one of our students. Assisting each of these students costs 60,000 colones. They reported much better vision afterwards and demonstrated some stylish looks also. 
  • Additionally, eight families needed food support, and CAA transferred just over 200,000 colones to Super Carranza for food baskets for these families.
 
  • And some families needed assistance to pay the mandatory Colegio medical/accident policy for their student, so CAA pitched in to cover the 7500 colones annual expense. 
3. Last but certainly not least, another CAA Scholarship Program student is about to earn her Bachelor's in Social Work degree from UCR-Sede Occidente. Alisson Esquivel M. reports that she will receive her degree mid-May and will now turn her focus on her thesis and social worker licensing requirements. Alisson advises that she plans to continue with CAA in her role as Program Administrative Intern, and we are quite fortunate to be able to continue our collaborative work for a year or so more.  We thank you, Allison, for being a good role model for the Colegio students, and for the dedication and commitment you demonstrate each and every month to assist the students.  




        

English Conversation Club

The English Conversation Club (ECC) is off and running in 2022! ECC is a program that gives ticos who already speak intermediate English an opportunity to practice their English and gringos the chance to ask and get answered things they've always wondered about, like, "What street do you live on?" "What does ahorita mean?" "How much coffee is too much?" and "Can I call a female a mae?"
If YOU would like to lead a group session, we'd LOVE to add you to our database of available leaders. At the moment we are mostly online, however pandemic permitting we'll add in-person throughout the year.
To be a leader the requirements are:
  • Native English speaker
  • Talkative and outgoing
  • Internet access with computer capable of audio and video transmission over Google Meet (virtual groups)
  • Tech savvy enough to handle video conferencing (virtual groups)
  • Have a gmail account (virtual groups)
  • Available to host two 1-hour sessions per week for 5 weeks (1-2 hours during the week and/or two hour Saturday mornings)
  • You do not need to speak Spanish to participate
Now that ECC is both in person and online, leaders and students are welcome from all over.  We need YOU to share this opportunity as we are not known outside the zona occidente and our advertising is limited to word of mouth and social media posts. Thanks to everyone for their support of this program! Registration for next groups begins April 29 and groups run May 9 to June 11.
Please direct interested students to bit.ly/eccvirtual
If you are interested in leading a group, please contact Dustin or Ricardo at info.eccsr@gmail.com
The following message is for you to share with your Spanish-speaking friends, communities, and schools who may be interested in participating in cultural exchange, volunteer, and community English programs.
ECC en conjunto con organizaciones locales e internacionales busca establecer contactos en la zona de San Ramón para dessarrolar programas de intercambio, voluntariado y cursos de ingles comunitarios. Para realizar dicha meta, se buscan escuelas, colegios y familias abiertas a recibir extranjeros para compartir su cultura y aprender de la cultura de ellos.
Si a su familia y/o comunidad, escuela/colegio le gustaría formar parte de estos programas, favor ponerse en contacto con Dustin por WhatsApp 8478-2100 o correo info.eccsr@gmail.com.
¡Pura vida!
Translation, FYI: ECC, in conjunction with local and international organizations, seeks to establish contacts in the San Ramón area to develop exchange programs, volunteering, and community English courses. To achieve this goal, schools, colleges, and families are sought who are open to receiving foreigners to share and learn from their culture.
If your family and/or community, school/college would like to be part of these programs, please contact Dustin by WhatsApp 8478-2100 or email info.eccsr@gmail.com.
 

Spanish Conversation Groups

Groups are currently in session. Watch the newsletter and our Facebook page for dates of future group sessions. Learn more at https://www.actionalliancecr.com/spanish-conversation.html 

ALLIANCE UPDATES

Donations Needed

One of our alliances, Árbol de Esperanza, is appealing to our members for donations of non-perishable food, diapers, and personal hygiene items. You can drop off the items (or a donation) Monday through Thursday from 11am-4pm. The office is located 50 meters east of Banco Popular. Phone: 8788-7921 or 4034-2340.
Árbol de Esperanza (Tree of Hope) currently has 30 participants in its Empowerment Program (up from 20 last year), and has identified five families that have economic, health, food, and housing needs that they cannot meet due to the socioeconomic situation they face. Learn more about the work of Árbol de Esperanza here: https://en.arboldeesperanza.org/

Hogarcito Birthday Buddies

With donations from our members and friends, Jane Smith and Linda Dwyer provide each of the 20 children at the Hogarcito (San Ramón’s orphanage) with a birthday party on their special day. 
Debbie Rudd also donates profits from her jewelry sales at El Gato Marrón. Each party costs approximately 20,000 colones ($31 US).
Go to https://www.actionalliancecr.com/birthday-buddy.html for more information or to donate. THANK YOU to those who have generously donated through the giving envelopes at the mixers. Every colón helps!
                                                                         

Blankets for Babies

This ongoing program always needs monetary donations, terry cloth for burpies, soft material/flannel for blankets and sheets for blanket backing, T-shirt material for mask filters, soft wool for knitted/crocheted baby hats, plastic matting for ground/changing pads, and a soft cotton fabric to make stuffed toys.
THANK YOU to those who have generously donated through the giving envelopes at the mixers. Every colón counts!
For more information about Blankets for Babies San Ramón or to contact us, please visit the Blankets for Babies page https://www.actionalliancecr.com/blankets-for-babies on CAA’s website.
~Linda Dwyer and Angie Thorne
From our Members

Life In San Ramón

Semana Santa

Semana Santa is officially celebrated the week before Easter Sunday. Thursday and Friday are the national holidays, but many Costa Ricans take the entire week off. The beaches are packed, and many families gather together to visit and eat traditional foods such as empanadas de chiverre (which are filled with jam made from a sugary pumpkin), bean tamales, and mazamorra (a corn porridge made with milk, cloves, and vanilla). Large quantities of homemade bread are also prepared.
Religious processions reenacting Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion (la Vía cruces, or the way of sorrows) are held in most towns. The procession in San Ramon began at the Tremedal Church (the “Blue Church” as it’s known to locals) and ended at the parish of San Ramon (about 10 blocks). The procession took two hours, with stops for prayer and reflection at each station of the cross. Onlookers joined the procession as it slowly passed, so that when it finally arrived downtown, the crowd was quite large.
Information and photo sources: Grettel Madrigal Chagon, retireforlessincostarica.com, jameskaiser.com, horizonpacificvacations.com, latinamericaforless.com, puravidamoms.com. Procession photos by Janice and Geno Summers.
           

          





Tai chi in the park with Helena Greaney.


Thursday May 5, 8am to 9am. Location: Sabana Park, on the northwest side of town. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/NkDHW8yqNz1Wkq5j6
Experience the Tai Chi walk and other mindful movements to become more centered and balanced in your body. Relax, open your senses, feel the elements, and come into the present. 
Helena Greaney studied the long-form Tai Chi Yang style for several years in the 80s in Boston. She has studied and taught various mind-body-spirit disciplines. Email or call HGreaney@gmail.com,  +506-8718-8568 for more information or to register. All are welcome, including beginners. 1,000 colones donation goes to CAA’s membership fund. 
Ladies’ Day (and Night) Away for CAA Members

Sunday April 24

Termales de Bosque
Spend the day and night at Termales del Bosque (return Monday)
Enjoy the hot springs and each other’s company
45,000 per night for single room
Shared rooms 65,000-85.000
Includes breakfast and hot springs
Make your reservation ASAP by Contacting Helena at HGreaney@gmail.com 8718-8568 or Barbara Thompson 8579-4041.



Helpful Links for
San Ramó
n
Museo Regional de San Ramón
Museo Regional De San Ramón
(There are 2 separate FB Pages)
Centro Cultural e Histórico José Figueres Ferrer

Recyling Info
Municipalidad de San Ramón C.R.
San Ramón, in Costa Rica's Central Valley
San Ramón Costa Rica Info
Gringo Central San Ramón
Community Action Alliance of Costa Rica
 
Expat Focused
Organizations
Dave's Workshop - Woodworking
El gato marrón - Café and Gallery
 
 
Hacienda Vivace – Musical Events 
Vientos Bajos Activity Center - Pickleball, Bridge + Much More
 
Download our brochure!
https://www.actionalliancecr.com/uploads/5/7/0/9/57096965/caa_online_brochure-0222.pdf

Other Info

CAA’s MISSION STATEMENT

The Community Action Alliance of Costa Rica (CAA) is an organization of expats and costarricenses in the greater San Ramon area volunteering together for community and individual enrichment.  CAA aligns with organizations in the community, creating relationships and providing resources for community betterment and development initiatives. CAA provides its members opportunities for community integration, networking and socialization.
CAA is an organization composed of individuals with diverse religious, political, and personal beliefs and, as such, does not support or promote any particular ideology either in its publications or at its events.


Board Members (boardofdirectors@caacr.org)

  • Terry Handler, President
  • Janice Brown, Vice-President
  • Martin Rojas, Secretary
  • Jeff Barnes, Treasurer
  • Wagner Galo, Fiscal 
  • Scott McAnally, Vocal and Chair of Education Committee  (education@caacr.org)
  • Mary Lou Hofmann Vocal
  • Vocal 3

CAA Web Page and inquiries:  https://www.actionalliancecr.com

CAA Facebook Page: Community Action Alliance of Costa Rica

CAA Email:  caacrorg@gmail.com

CAA Communications Team:  info@caacr.org

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