Friday, August 13, 2010

Bonaire Island Government Signs Accord for the Construction of a Waste Water Treatment Plant

The Executive Council of the Island of Bonaire recently signed an accord of cooperation with the Minister who manages public living, urban development, and the environment (VROM).  With the signing of this accord, it is now possible to give the mission of constructing and installing a temporary water purificiation plant for the processing of waste water on Bonaire.

VROM will be in charge of the construction, and the Government of Bonaire will be the owner of the water purification installation, with the intention that this temporary plant will begin functioning in 2011.

Construction of such a water purification plant is of great important to the maintenance of our coral reefs surrounding Bonaire.  During recent investigations, it was found that there are a quantity of nutrients in the waters around Bonaire, some at critical levels, which come from waste water.  This temporary plant is part of the overall plan for action on waste water by the Island of Bonaire.  This plan will include an emergency solution for collection and purification of a great part of the waste water in the area of the coast.

In 2009, the Dutch government granted a budget Euro 850,000.  The LVV (Department of Agriculture, Fish, & Animals) will manage the facility, and the treated waste water will be used for agriculture on the land of the LVV.  (Source:  Bonaire Island Government)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

La Barca Restaurant and Bar Launches New Expanded Menu

This past January, the Bonaire Insider reported the opening of a new Italian restaurant on Bonaire, La Barca Restaurant and Bar.  On a recent visit, I was surprised and pleased to see that the restaurant had launched a new, expanded menu offering even more enticing options.

Choices for antipasti range from salads to carpaccio to soups.  For the first course (primi, traditionally pasta), one can choose from the risotto del giorno (risotto of the day), lasagna, gnocchi, linguine, or a variety of penne.  For the main course, one now can choose from a variety of fish or seafood dishes, beef, steak, or vegetarian options.  New to this expanded menu are pizzas, offering the traditional Margherita, Parma, Cotto e Mozzarella, Napoli, Diavola, Four Cheese, or Vegetarian.  Home-made desserts offer the traditional tiramisu or panna cotta, but also chocolate souffle, pastry with custard and fresh fruit, or the dessert of the week.

On my recent visit, I once again decided upon the gnocchi, which on my prior visit had melted in my mouth.  This time it was a spinach and potato gnocchi in a Mediterranean sauce with the fresh fish of the day, barracuda (pictured above).  The “first-course” pasta dishes are large enough for a complete meal, and I never quite manage to get to the second course!

After dinner, the traditional limoncello appeared for my dining companion and I, straight from the Amalfi coast of Italy.  This is an after-dinner digestivo, an Italian lemon liqueur consumed to aid digestion.  While enjoying our limoncelli, we began chatting with a family at a nearby table, who’s son, Noah, offered a piece of his pizza for us to try.  It was excellent, and some day soon, I will have to pick up a pizza to take home.

The proprietor and wait staff are very attentive.  If desired, the proprietor will give an explanation of how each dish is lovingly prepared and what goes into it.  His enthusiasm for the dishes he offers is catchy--one wants to sample them all!  On this occasion, just prior to leaving, I was asked to sample and critique a new apple pie that the chef was testing................how could I refuse such an offer?  The pie was perfect--not too sweet, not too tart, just right!  It had a light, flaky pastry and was beautifully presented.  With such attention to detail, La Barca will soon become a favored restaurant on Bonaire.

In fact, the evening I was there, the entire restaurant did fill up, so advance reservations are definitely recommended.  La Barca is on the oceanfront promenade and enjoys a cooling breeze.  For reservations or additional information, contact La Barca by calling 717-4514 or cellular 795-1932.  The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The Classical Music Board Presents a Three Generation Piano Recital this Saturday, August 13th, 2010

The Classical Music Board Bonaire is presenting a very special Three Generations Recital at 8:00 PM on August 13, 2010 at Cacique Hall.

Eighty-year-old Wim Statius Muller, considered the father of Classical Antillean music, will perform together with his daughter, Annette, and his grandson, Alexander, just 19 years old.  Alexander was the winner of the 2007 Aruba Piano Festival.

The three will play solo and duets in what will be a very interesting program with a variety of composers, including Mompou, Chopin, Scriabin, Debussy, Prokofiev, and Albeniz.  Some of Wim Muller’s own compositions also will be featured.

Tickets are FL 35.00 ($19.55) in advance or FL 40.00 ($22.35) at the door.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at Addo’s Books & Toys, Flamingo Bookstore, or Plaza Resort Reception.  Cacique Hall is located at the Plaza Resort.  (Source:  Classical Music Board)

Please note update August 10, 2010: Our apologies, the date of the concert is Friday, August 13, 2010.

Monday, August 09, 2010

The Wounded Warriors Are Certified Divers Now

As was reported earlier, the Bonaire Insider will be chronicling some of the activities this week on Bonaire while the island hosts the Wounded Warriors--severely wounded U.S. military men and their families--as they complete the dive certifications and enjoy Bonaire.

The group arrived in the early hours on Saturday morning, and they were then transported to their host hotel, Captain Don’s Habitat.  After a hearty breakfast at Rum Runners, the group received their Marine Park orientation, received their dive tags (sponsored by an anonymous donor), and immediately began their first open water training dives.  It was a full day, especially after traveling overnight, but the group kept their energy up to enjoy a pizza dinner sponsored by Caribbean Travel & Life/Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Islands, and Sport Diver magazines.

Sunday morning broke bright and early and the group was back in the water to complete their training dives.  After a lunch, sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, the group, now certified divers, jumped on a boat to head off for the first boat dive of the week, to Forest at Klein Bonaire.  View images of the men and their families as they prepared for diving by visiting the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Back at the resort, everyone showered and changed for the evening’s dinner at Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant, sponsored by AERIS and Oceanic.  It was one very long table that nearly filled the restaurant, but everyone enjoyed their dinners, including the restaurant’s famous Walking Sticks appetizer, a variety of entrees, and a plethora of desserts, including Grandma’s Sizzling Apple Pie, Gooey Peanut Butter Pie, fried cheesecake, home-made ice-cream or sorbet, chocolate cake, and tiramisu.  Throughout the evening, one warrior or another would pop up to give plaques of appreciation to many of the sponsors present--Dan, from AERIS and Oceanic, Michael and Diana from Chat ‘n’ Browse, and Pam and Carl from Paradise Moon.  Dan, who sponsored the evening’s dinner, also raffled off several dive computers, and it seems like luck was with the ladies last night, as two of warriors’ families won.  View images of the evening’s events by clicking here.

I had the opportunity to chat with two of the couples at dinner, and they have surprising stories to tell.  One couple grew up together, but, as happens many times, went their different ways as they grew older.  Their lives became intertwined again when the the warrior was in the hospital, scheduled for twelve surgeries over two years, and one of his nurses just happened to be his childhood acquaintance!  One thing led to another, and the two were married earlier this year.

A second couple has a similar story; both were acquainted when the lady sent a message to the warrior............who never answered.  Not realizing the warrior was in a coma, she was understandably upset with not receiving a reply.  However, three-and-a-half weeks later, suddenly he responded, and the couple began seeing each other.  They, too, are newlyweds, having married last December.

Today, the group is doing additional boat dives around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.  This evening, they will meet Bonaire’s legendary Captain Don Stewart at Habitat’s “Meet the Captain” cocktail party, before enjoying a BBQ dinner, compliments of the BonaireTalk.com community.  The Insider will be checking in with the group again later this week.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Jong Bonaire Announces 2011 Calendar Available This September

It’s time once again for the Jong Bonaire 2011 calendar. The teens who participate in Jong Bonaire’s after-school programs have a created a beautiful 2011 calendar, highlighting the island’s most scenic locations. 

The calendar is titled Discoveries and the photos feature some of Bonaire most stunning locations. The size is 30x30 cm (12x12 inches) and each one is individually shrink-wrapped. When it is open, it measures 30x60 cm (12x24 inches). It’s a lovely gift for anyone who appreciates the beauty of Bonaire, known for its amazing water colors, unique landscape, and incredible rock formations.

Jong Bonaire mission is to serve the island’s teenagers and provides a safe, supervised, and caring environment for the island’s youth on weekdays after school. The calendars are one of the foundation’s annual fund-raising efforts, so each purchase will help Bonaire teens. The calendars will be available in September in many locations around the island. (Source: Jong Bonaire)