Green Season: HOA Updates and Observations

It's been a while since my last post, but life continues in Playa Junquillal and in Tierra Pacifica. It's easy to get so caught up in life in Costa Rica and Stateside that at times it takes a considerable effort to switch gears from one to the other... Our HOA meeting was several months ago, but the next one will arrive before we know it.

Several initiatives were launched in the wake of the meeting and continue into the "Green Season." I am hoping this post will enable us to look back at our progress in addressing HOA initiatives over the past several months, while looking forward to what needs to be done in the months ahead. Many of us correspond individually, but I'd like to explore ways in which we can have an ongoing group dialogue and post comments and announcements as well.





















General Update and Comings and Goings: This year owners have had more of a presence in Tierra Pacifica than in years past. More houses are completed and many owners have had the opportunity to spend quality time in their Costa Rican homes. Joe and Di (Lot 28), Will and Lynette (48), and Keith and Cecille (4) all enjoyed extended stays again this year. Bobby spent nearly 7 months living in the newly completed Wall/Farrar home and Casey was also in residence for several months (Lot 53). Both families enjoyed visits this year. Wes and Judith (20), Paul and Hope (2), Danny and Joanna (Lot 16), Ramona and Thomas (74), and others paid visits to their TP homes. Eric and Martha (59) were putting the finishing touches on their house when our stays overlapped on a couple of occasions. Rob and Dana (Lot 12) managed visits in February, April, and June/July. Mitch and Jenny (31) have seen their lot evolve into a nearly-completed home over the last several months. TP lot owners who saw time this year included Liz and Randy (65), as well as Ricardo and Linda (33) and Mary S (14), who enjoyed their extended annual stays. Ben and Sidia (Lot 8, but currently residing in the Osa) paid a visit in July. Of course, our year round Junquillal residents Doug and Gisselle (Lot 39) and TP residents Joan and Jose (23, 24, and Hotelito Si Si Si) continued to hold down the fort and address the pressing day to day operations of Tierra Pacifica.

FIESTA! Each year we have tried to coordinate an employee fiesta of sorts as a way for the HOA to say "Gracias" to our team of gardeners, guards, and pool and cleaning staff. A couple of years in a row a group of us put together a BBQ on a Friday afternoon before the Holidays, but found it was difficult to plan so close to vacations. Several employees commented that it was nicer to do something at another time of the year, when things were not so hectic. So, we have put together impromptu cookouts ever since. In July, Joan and Jose, Bobby, Doug and Gisselle, Ben and Sidia, Martha and Eric, and Dana had an informal potluck for the HOA employees. As (bad) luck would have it, the beer delivery to Junquillal had been delayed and cold beer was at a premium! What a sad state of affairs on the Friday afternoon before winter vacations! Despite the setback, everyone seemed to enjoy the food and the acknowledgment of their contributions to Tierra Pacifica. We are truly fortunate to have low staff turnover and high loyalty among employees. We currently have a staff of 10 permanent employees, many of whom have worked for the HOA for a number of years. Our goal is to organize a few of these events each year when more home and lot owners are present. It is a great way for owners and employees to get to know each other better.

Committee Updates and Information: Our HOA meeting saw the formation of a couple of new sub-committees. In addition, existent sub-committees were charged with new tasks and goals. The information shared herein is a recap of recent activities within some of the committees. I hope this forum will enable those on committees to post their own updates, seek input, etc., as we move forward.

Green Zone Management Committee:

• Considerations and Recommendations: Lynette proposed the formation of the Green Zone Management Committee in order to establish long-term green zone management plans and goals. Committee members are Lynette (Chair), Joan, Bobby, Doug and Dana.
  
• Walk-throughs, surveys of TP green spaces, and analysis of current practices led to establishment of formal protocols to address several concerns (including the need to reduce chopping in green zone areas and increase plantings of soil and water-retaining plants, especially in areas draining into eroded quebradas; repair check dams that are still in place and generally performing, as well as replace ones that have blown out; establish new protocols for lot owners to follow who are building, especially for lots draining into eroded quebradas, to address reducing water run off and soil erosion; and plan larger fixes to repair 4-6 fast-eroding areas of TP quebradas).
• Lynette and the committee have continued to actively address these concerns via regular observation of patterns of growth and erosion, by working with gardening and chopping staff to identify strategies for chopping and planting, and through recent professional consultation and walk-throughs during the start of the Green (rainy) Season.

GOING GREEN! June and July brought rains that tested Tierra Pacifica's infrastructure. The good news... As you can see in these pictures, channels designed to reduce erosion and encourage percolation of water into the aquifer proved effective in reducing run off and pooling on roadways. Drains enabled water to flow beneath roads and into quebradas. The bad news... There are still areas to be addressed. Daily walks through TP during the early Green Season enabled us to identify potential problem areas. Trouble spots like the one pictured here (in which a waterway has filled with sediment and runoff from a nearby lot) prompt us to work with builders and property owners to encourage proactive planning and remediation of issues that may arise.

Professional consultation was sought in July to identify ways to reduce erosion in and around some of TP's quebradas. Check dams are being monitored and rebuilt or redesigned, as needed. In addition, gardeners continue to receive instruction in water retention planting strategies and in the effectiveness of reduced chopping in erosion-prone areas.

There is still more work to be done, including distribution of guidelines for home and lot owners to educate around the topics of native plants and trees, non-native and high density species, and habitat restoration. More to come...

Finca Mi Tierra: Will Raap provided an update on the organic farm. Tierra Pacifica's organic farm is now known as Finca Mi Tierra. Farm manager, Elias, continues to implement the practices of "restoring the soil, recycling wastes and teaching local land owners how to generate income from farming. Today, we sell our organic produce and food products under the Mi Tierra brand, and encourage a healthy local economy by helping farmers and food producers find markets for their fine quality products including fruits, vegetables, honey and eggs." You'll find Mi Tierra products and produce in the Minisuper Junquillal, located at the Tierra Pacifica Commercial Center, and at the Mi Tierra nursery located outside of Paraiso on the road toward Rio Seco. (Note: TP owners get a discount on purchases from Mi Tierra nursery! Check out the selection of plants, citrus, native trees, erosion control choices including vetiver and mani grass, ornamentals, and more).

Ever wonder how crops can be grown successfully in dry forest climate? The Mayan-inspired chinampas, or raised berms combined with sunken beds, that we use at Mi Tierra farm allow us to produce perennial crops all year—even in the dry season. The sunken bed design enriches the soil by capturing water and sediment in the wet season and growing vegetable crops from December through May.

Here’s a video regarding the role of the Farm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zANQy_gjC0I



COMMUNITY CONCERNS COMMITTEE:
One of the outcomes of the HOA meeting this year was to identify ways we can benefit the Tierra Pacifica and wider communities. At our meeting Keith Jones offered to purchase an AED at a substantially reduced cost. Lynette suggested that trainings could be organized to teach proper use of the AED to TP residents, employees, and interested parties in the wider community. Bobby and Keith, both certified instructors, agreed to conduct the trainings. A First Aid Committee had already been formed in Junquillal and an opportunity for collaboration was identified. The 4th Annual Junquillal Festival was held on February 14th, and proceeds were earmarked for purchase of a lithium battery for the AED device, which is to be housed in the TP Guard House.

Here is the press release that was sent out to members of the Junquillal community after the February festival:

FW: Junquillal's IV Festival Results and First Aid Committee



Friends and neighbors of Junquillal:



Thanks to the joint efforts of volunteers, our Festival of Playa Junquillal took place on February 14 and went off without a hitch. We succeeded in gathering loads of folks from here, Lagartillo, Pargos and Paraiso, Rio Seco, Santa Cruz, the US, Italy, Canada and Europe to enjoy the cultural activities and to work for a united Playa Junquillal. At the moment it is a matter of a  new "Phillips" Defibrillator, to be available at the Guard Station at Tierra Pacifica. We are presently organizing a First Aid Committee, for those of you who might be interested in taking part.

Financial reckoning of the Festival 2010:

Assets earned : ..............$500.

Expenses:.......................$310.

Balance:.........................$190.



The intent to house a functioning AED at Tierra Pacifica has hit a few logistical snags. Lithium batteries may not be carried on board commercial airlines and a shipping company has refused to ship the battery intended for the AED. If the battery cannot be recovered and carried to Costa Rica, another battery may need to be purchased in San Jose. In the meantime, training is on hold until a functioning apparatus is in place. Keith or Lynette: Do we have any updates on the status of the battery and AED unit?

Tierra Pacifica Financials: Second quarter financials were reported to the HOA Board by Jim Hamilton in early July. We have reasons to be pleased with the report given the current economic climate... Our receivables are close to 94% and the outstanding balance is limited to 4 individual accounts. Expenditure is performing better than budget to date. This is good news!

Jim's Report: "We are just under 94% collected at the half year in terms of our HOA Receivables, the outstanding 6% represents a cash figure of just under $15k from four individuals. Please see the report for details and ongoing actions.

Expenditure is in line with 2009 and therefore performing better than budget at this stage (please note that June's expenditure is only to the 16th, as this is when the audit was done, and is not a full month). Obviously the rapidly changing Colon vs USD exchange rate will continue to effect forecasts."

Measures are being taken to collect on the outstanding accounts. In the continued interest of transparency, Jim forwarded the financial report to anyone who made a request.

Additional Committee Updates and Reports: If anyone is able to comment on the status of the Security Committee or other sub-committees, your updates would be appreciated.














I'm trying to assemble a Facebook site that may offer easier dialogue. The downside is that a number of individuals do not use Facebook. If you do, please let me know so I can "friend" you when the site is active.

Feel free to use this Blog to post your comments, communicate TP-related information, or to let us know when you'll be in Junquillal. It has been great getting to know more HOA members over the course of the last year!

Pura Vida!

Dana

Where's Waldo?!?

Rob has a friend, or mascot, of sorts, who frequents the area behind our house in Costa Rica. We'll call him "Waldo" for the sake of this story. Rob is always quick to report his spotting of Waldo's comings and goings, his pleasure with the fact that our construction and subsequent activity in Waldo's habitat hasn't sent him packing. Rob and Waldo have forged some sort of bond. I guess it's a guy thing...

"Waldo" is an impressive specimen. He is a rather large male Ctenosaur, or Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana. Waldo is easily four feet long and boasts a pretty thick middle. In researching Waldo's kind for this blog, I learned that the Guinness Book of World Records lists the Ctenosaur's running speed as 21.7 miles per hour, qualifying it as the world's fastest lizard! I can vouch for some pretty fast departures from the back of the house, down the dirt path, and toward the back of the lot where Waldo inhabits a tree. Male Ctenosaurs are known to be very territorial. They make their homes in tree hollows or crevasses in rocks and spend the majority of their time basking, eating, and generally hanging out in an area within 50 meters of their home. From time to time, Waldo maxes out the far reaches of his territory to woo a female Ctenosaur living beneath the transformer box at the front of the lot, or to climb the Corteza Amarilla tree behind the house to munch on the golden blossoms. So, on the day I spotted Waldo basking on the driveway next to the car at the front of the house, I half expected him to turn and run before I took another step in his direction. He was pretty far afield in terms of his usual territory.

It was an afternoon in July and I was heading out to pick up Joan for a quick trip to Santa Cruz. I initially stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed Waldo next to the car. I took a big step forward, then paused to await his certain departure. Waldo didn't move. He held his ground. In fact, he turned toward me and bobbed his head, then froze. This was a different Waldo from the one I observed from the windows of the house. That Waldo always looked smaller in the distance, less threatening as he ran away from the house, hightailing it toward his distant tree. This Waldo appeared bigger, more colorful, seemingly boasting breeding colors. This didn't bode well.

Clearly, I've caught Waldo off-guard. Obviously, when I take one more little step in his direction he'll take off running... I step. He doesn't budge. Clearly, I have underestimated Waldo. One more step should do it. I step forward and Waldo turns toward the car and disappears beneath it in one fluid movement. Then, silence. Where's Waldo? In the wheel well? This was not in the homeowner's manual!

Now I'm thinking... this is really no different than the neighbor's cat or the pesky squirrel in the garage at home, right? I'll open the car door, get inside, and slam the door. Waldo will run off faster than I can say "Adios!" Door open, door closed... nothing. Door opened again, door slammed again... still nothing. Time to take it up a notch. I'll start the car. The sound of the engine turning over will send Waldo running. Key in ignition, key turned, engine on... nothing. I'll put the car in reverse and roll it slowly backward, just enough to motivate Waldo to drop out of the wheel well and take off. Brake on, car in Reverse, letting up off the brake, car easing backward... then a "thwacking" sound and commotion under the car that rocks the floorboard. "What the hell?!" I throw the car back into Park and sit. Nothing. Not a sound. Ignition off. Door open. I step (cautiously) out. Door closed. Door open. Door closed. Nothing.

There's a saying that there is a correlation between the prevalence of swear words in ones vocabulary and his or her intelligence, or lack thereof. This is the part of the story where my intelligence becomes seriously undermined by the flurry of obscenities that accompany my ensuing actions in trying to extract Waldo from under the hood of the car. I've taken the liberty of censoring myself in the re-telling of this tale.

I dialed Joan's cell number and she quickly answered with "Hey, what's up?" I explained that I was running a few minutes late, as I had a Spiny Iguana under my hood, and that this might take a few minutes, it being kind of a new situation and all... "Do you want us to come over?" she asked. "No. I think I've got it under control. I'll call you back." The wheels in my head were turning. While on the phone I had spotted a wooden broom stick on the front porch. A perfect pry bar!

Open the door. Pop the hood. Close the door. Nothing. (Here's the stupid part...) Carefully lift the hood and (really stupid part...) stick finger into crack below the hood to feel for the hood release lever. Push the hood release lever to lift the hood and (seemingly smarter plan...) lodge wooden broom handle under hood to use as a makeshift pry bar to lift hood in order to keep fingers clear of Ctenosaur teeth. Simple, right? Lift hood by leveraging with wooden broomstick to an open position... "Thawack-fffffth-shwack" resonates from under the hood as Waldo, nestled on top of the engine cover, spins a 180 and hunkers down onto the engine and I let out a "Holy sh#*!" and simultaneously drop the hood. Regroup. "Jeeeeeezus Christ Lizard!" No one is gonna believe this. I need a picture.

Walk to the house, unlock the gate, unlock the door, find the camera, exit the house, lock the door, lock the gate. Deep breath. Open the car door. Pop the hood. Close the car door. Carefully lift the hood and (some people just never learn...) stick finger into the crack below the hood to feel for the hood release and (really, really stupid part...) push the release lever again. Lodge wooden broom stick under hood and begin to pry to open position, then "thawaaaaaap-fffftht-thwack" and another wild spin as Waldo whips around a second time, sending me backward with a hood slam and a "Mother fu@k#r!" I forgot to take a picture.

Third time's a charm. Open door. Pop hood. Close door. Turn camera on. Grasp camera awkwardly in left hand. Lift hood. Stick finger (stupidly) into crack beneath hood. Push release lever. Wedge broomstick under hood. Lift camera to ready position. Leverage hood up with broomstick in one hand, arm shaking under weight of hood. "Hissssssss-fffffthwack" tail-whipping 360 commotion... Camera drops. "Fu@# mother fu@#er!" Hood slams. Waldo drops out from under the car and takes off at a velocity rivaling that record 21.7 miles per hour, bony knees and scaly clawed feet exaggeratedly peddling to propel him across the understory!

"Hey Joan. I'm on my way."

"She's sooooo Gringa!"

It's easy to discern those of us who spend a chunk of time in Costa Rica each year from the rest of the crowd... How? Dinner table talk and casual conversations with other ex-patriots and part-time residents quickly turn to discussion of household moisture-control methods and insect eradication. "Damp Rid" refills and boxes of fabric softener outnumber articles of clothing in our checked baggage bound for Costa Rica. If you've ever hauled lighting fixtures or bathroom faucets over international borders, you know what I'm talking about! We are more preoccupied with smuggling household items and our familiar creature comforts into the country than we ever were about smuggling Cuban cigars or bottles of Lizano out! Times have changed, though. Generic refills for Damp Rid containers are now readily available in Auto Mercado and Kion, and for a fraction of the cost and inconvenience of buying them in the States and cramming them into our luggage. I can buy "Pledge" furniture polish in the local Costa Rican grocery store as easily as I can at home. Kion regularly stocks Wisconsin-made Johnsonville bratwurst, for crying out loud! But something else has changed, too. Some of the simplicity is gone.

My Tica friend laughs when she hears Americans lamenting the loss of easy access to favored stateside cleaning products or household items. "She's sooooo Gringa!" she says of the American woman who complains in her blog that she just can't buy a decent bed sheet in Costa Rica--one that doesn't pill when laundered... "and those lumpy pillows!" continues the American. After months of transporting our favorite "stuff" from the States it occurred to me: Costa Ricans have gotten along just fine, thank you, without all of our perceived necessities. They continually self-report a higher life satisfaction rating than Americans. For every prescription drug and over-the-counter pill I brought to Costa Rica from the U.S., a Tico acquaintance of mine can identify a similar remedy grown locally and culled from native Costa Rican plants or derived by mixing a couple of common household ingredients.

Simplicity. I am happy to report that my last couple of trips to Pura Vida have felt more relaxed. I'm a little less preoccupied with what I "need" and more content with what is readily and locally available in our second home. A Caprese salad. Mozzarella from Monteverde (purchased in Junquillal's mini-super), tomato from Tierra Pacifica's organic farm, and fresh aromatic basil from the plant at the side of the house (originally grown on Tierra Pacifica's organic farm!). Avocado, mango, and pineapple that never seem to go out of season in Costa Rica, but which I can rarely manage to find ripe when called for in a recipe in the States. Ask around Junquillal and you'll quickly find someone who makes fresh tortillas and empanadas, or has a recipe to share that features fresh local ingredients.

What about those household cleaning products we can't live without? There's good news and bad news. The good news is Tide, Purex, Lysol and all the other name brand detergents we buy in the U.S. now line the shelves of the Jumbo and Auto Mercado in Costa Rica. The bad news is they are just as harmful to the environment in Costa Rica as they are in the U.S. In fact, phosphates and detergents in many cleaning products are less regulated in Costa Rica than at home, so ingredients may differ in seemingly-identical products. Remember all the commotion about lead content in toys and other products imported to the U.S. from China in recent years? Check out some of the goods in variety stores in Santa Cruz. Products made in China easily outnumber those made in Costa Rica. Items that are banned from store shelves at home are readily available in Costa Rica. What to do? Buy gifts and toys that are Costa Rican made or grown... like banana paper note pads, hand-embroidered bookmarks, Costa Rican fair trade coffees, soaps and candles that incorporate local herbs and coffee beans. More and more products made in Costa Rica support local artisans or communities, are sustainable, and made from renewable or recycled resources. The prices are great, too, especially if purchased directly from the community or artist rather than from a pricey tourist trap in bigger towns. Your money stays in Costa Rica but you still take a piece of Costa Rica home!

When life gives you lemons... make cleaning products! Vinegar, baking soda, citrus juices like lemon and orange, lavender, and other herbs are all readily available and can be combined to create non-toxic cleaning products and deodorizers for your Costa Rican home. Benefits include less packaging waste from store-bought products, less exposure to chemical allergens, and less harm to household pets (and mosquito and ant-eating geckos!). Start slowly... Commit to making one small change at a time. I've found it gets easier once you start.

I'll leave you with one suggestion. Reduce. There's no shortage of plastic waste in Junquillal and throughout Costa Rica. Plastic grocery bags are everywhere, including along the roadside and on the beach. They pose a danger to turtles and other marine life, as well as to land-dwelling animals, if chewed and swallowed or should the animal become entangled. If you pack one "must have" item from home, make it a reusable poly-pro or fabric grocery or tote bag. They range from 99 cents to $1.50 and can be found everywhere from your local grocery to Trader Joe's or Target. My 99 cent Trader Joe's bag made approximately 5 round-trips as a carry-on bag from the U.S. before it was coveted by a friend in Junquillal. She liked the floral pattern on the bag and now uses it for hauling her own stuff. Rob invested in a set of "Eco Silk" brand fabric bags at home that take virtually no storage space but can be reused continuously. We bought a second set for the Costa Rica house. They can be carried with us to the mini-super or to Santa Cruz for our groceries and purchases in lieu of plastic store-provided bags. I would guess we save an average of 3-5 plastic bags per grocery trip. That's a few less bags that might end up in a landfill or on the roadside.

With many new houses nearing completion in Tierra Pacifica, it will become easier to share our resources and ideas to improve our community's sustainability! This goes for household hints and ideas, resources for local labor and food, and more. Why recreate the wheel when there is a good chance one of your neighbors has been there, done that, and learned a little along the way!

Pura Vida!

Dana