Events

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Jong Bonaire to Hold Fifth Annual Fun Walk and Bike Fundraiser

Those looking to combine some exercise with a good cause should consider joining Jong Bonaire’s Fun Walk and Bike event on Sunday February 5, 2012, starting at 6:00 AM and concluding at 12:00 PM. 

The event will start and finish at Jong Bonaire, which is located at Kaya Simon Bolivar 16. The distance is 20 kilometers and is not a competition, but rather an opportunity to walk with friends and family, and meet new people while taking in Bonaire’s beauty.

The cost to participate is $12 for adults and $6 for children under age 12, which includes drinks, fruit, lunch, a water bottle and a tee shirt.

Tickets are available at Freewieler, Bon Fysio & Bon Bida and Jong Bonaire and all are welcome to participate. (Source: Jong Bonaire)

Friday, January 27, 2012

Go Green’s Farmers’ Market is Tomorrow, January 28, 2012

The first farmers’ market organized by Go Green Natural and Organic Shop will be held tomorrow morning, Saturday, January 28, 2012.  Go Green organizes monthly farmers’ markets on the last Saturday of each month.

Tomorrow’s market will be held at Pakus di Pruga, at Kaya Lib. Simon Blv. 17.  Of course, availability of products always varies by season, but it’s a great place to pick up fresh vegetables, herbs, and other locally grown or hand-made products.  For additional information, telephone 717-2222.  (Source:  Go Green Natural & Organic Shop)

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Jazzy Happy Hour to Be Held This Friday January 27, 2012 at Roomer Bonaire

Those looking for a relaxing way to wind down their week and start the weekend should consider the Jazzy Happy Hour this Friday at Hotel Roomer from 7:00 until 10:00 PM.

The event will feature music by island favorites Andreina and friends, known for their jazz and Latin jazz selections. Dinner specials are also available for $10 and diners may choose from pasta, stampot (a typical Dutch dish) or fried rice.

Roomer Bonaire is located at EEG Boulevard 97 in Belnem. There is no cover charge, and all are invited to attend. For more information, contact Hotel Roomer at 717-7488. (Source: Roomer Bonaire)

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Dive Friends Bonaire Starts the New Year with a Gigantic Clean Up Dive at Karel’s Pier

On Saturday, January 21, 2012, volunteers gathered at Dive Friends Bonaire at Yellow Submarine to participate in the first quarterly Clean Up Dive of the year.  The weather was perfect and the turnout was fantastic.  A large number of resident divers attended, as well as guests of Dive Friends Bonaire and a surprising amount of customers from other dive centers on the island.  The dive community of Bonaire proved once again how much they care about their marine environment.

Asko Zuidam of Dive Friends Bonaire addressed the group of 102 divers and explained what trash should be recovered and what should be left behind, as well as how to keep from damaging any marine animals. Sue Willis from the Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) program gave an explanation of how to safely remove fishing line and announced the launch of a new project to help Bonaire’s sea turtles. The Fishing Line Project is running with sponsorship from the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and aims to reduce the amount of fishing line, hooks, nets and other debris found on Bonaire’s reefs; items which pose a great threat to our endangered sea turtle population. 

After the briefing, the divers headed over to Karel’s Pier, entered the water, descended, and began to fill their bags with trash. When filled, the bags were brought to the surface to those working as shore support. There, Dive Friends crew and volunteers checked once again to be sure no marine creatures had been inadvertently included, counted, and tallied the trash for statistics, and then disposed of it responsibly.

Karel’s Pier is home to a lively bar and restaurant, and unfortunately the underwater terrain can accumulate more bottles and cups than is normal on the reef.  The statistics of the rubbish collected once again confirmed this to be true.  Items collected include:  1,085 glass bottles, 38 plastic bottles, 102 fishing lines, 238 plastic cups, 148 pieces of random plastic, 133 beverage cans, 39 firework remains, 2 cell phones and much more.  The total number of items collected was 2,104!

That evening, all participants and their families were welcomed back for a Pot Luck BBQ and raffle—Dive Friends Bonaire (with help from our sponsors) provided drinks and main courses, while participants supplied side dishes.  After dinner, the guests were treated to a cruise on board the Good Return.  Sponsors for the event include:  Selibon, At Sea Restaurant, Van Den Tweel, Ouray Sportswear, Reef Clothing, Deep Blue Gear, Dive Shades, Body Glove, the Bonaire Marine Park, Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, East Coast Diving, Tusa, and Suunto.

The next quarterly Dive Friends Bonaire underwater cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 21st, 2012. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Monday, January 23, 2012

Bonaire Marine Park Manager, Ramon de Leon, to Present Next CIEE Public Lecture

The CIEE Research Station Bonaire will present their next public lecture this Wednesday evening, January 25th, 2012, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Bonaire’s own Ramon de Leon, manager of the Bonaire National Marine Park, will be presenting the lecture.

The topic will be an update on the “Status and Trends of Bonaire’s Coral Reefs 2011:  Cause for Grave Concerns.” The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period to address any queries from the public. 

The research station is located at Kaya Gobernador Debrot #26 in Kralendijk.  Entry is free, and all are invited.  (Source:  CIEE and Bonaire National Marine Park)

Friday, January 20, 2012

Join in Bonaire’s Underwater Cleanup Tomorrow, Saturday, January 21, 2012

The underwater cleanups have become very popular activities, with over 100 participants joining in together on each event to keep Bonaire beautiful.  As such, there is another cleanup scheduled to take place at Karel’s Beach Bar Pier on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

Everyone is welcome to participate--divers, snorkelers, and those who wish to lend a hand with shore support.  Anyone interested in participating should check in at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine at 9:30 AM, and the dive briefing will begin at 10:00 AM.  All participants are welcome to return at 6:00 PM for the event’s customary BBQ at Dive Friends @ Yellow Submarine; drinks and main courses will be provided by Dive Friends, but participants are asked to bring a side dish to share.  Those planning on attending should advise Dive Friends Bonaire by calling 717-2929 to make a reservation.  For additional information about the cleanups, click here. (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire)

Tenth Bonaire Special Olympics Walk-a-Thon is Sunday March 4, 2012

Bonaire’s Special Olympics Walk-a-Thon will mark its tenth anniversary this year. The ever popular 34 kilometer event starts at the White Slave Huts and finishes in Rincon, with all proceeds going to the local chapter of the Special Olympics and everyone is invited to participate.

The event will take place on Sunday March 4, 2012, departing from the slave huts at 5:00 AM and finishing at FKPD in Rincon. Participants are invited to walk, run, bike or roller blade the route and may do the entire event, or just a portion.

Tickets are only $15 per person and include an event t-shirt, water bottle, a bag, and lunch at FKPD (Pasadia Karino Rincon) from 9:30 AM until 12:30 PM.

Preregistration for the event is Friday March 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Hotel Rochaline, located at Kaya Grandi #7.

For additional information call Arlene Engelhart at 525-8496 or Aura at 796-0101. (Source: Special Olympics Bonaire)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Bonaire’s First Bachata Festival Announced

This coming weekend December 16 through 18, 2011 will mark the first bachata festival to be held on Bonaire. Bachata is a type of music and dance that originated in the Dominican Republic in the beginning of the 20th Century, which is guitar based with traditional Latin and Caribbean rhythms. Bachata popularity has spread to other parts of Latin America and Mediterranean Europe and it is now as popular in many areas as salsa and merengue.

The festival which kicks off Friday night will feature world famous professional dancers Troy Anthony and Jorjet Alcocer of Houston, Texas and three live bands including Esquema from Aruba, Los Reales from Curacao and JR Latino from Bonaire. A welcome registration happy hour will be held Friday at City Cafe from 5:00 to 7:00 PM featuring the JR Latino band. The fun then moves to Sense with a workshop at 8:00 PM held by Bachata Troy and Jorjet and a workshop at 9:00 PM with Rueda de Bachata ClubFiera Bonaire. A party featuring the band Esquema and DJ Robert 2 will conclude the evening from 10:00 PM until 2:00 AM.

Activities on Saturday move to Karel’s Beach Bar with workshops mixed with dancing from 8:00 through 11:00 PM with Bachata Troy and Jorjet. The evening will conclude with performances by the bands Esquema and Los Reales from 10:00 PM until 3:00 AM.

The festival finishes Sunday at Spice Beach Club starting at 2:00 PM with a Zouk workshop by Pachanga from Aruba, followed by chill out time on the beach. At 6:00 PM another workshop will be held by Bachata Troy and Jorjet. A BBQ dinner will be held at 7:00 PM and the festival will conclude with a bachata show by Troy and Jorjet at 8:00 PM followed by performances from the bands Los Reales and JR Latino from 8:15 to 10:00 PM.

Ticket prices vary depending on the events chosen to attend. A full pass including six workshops and three parties is $100. A pass with four workshops and two parties is $80. A party pass to attend three parties is $30 and a pass for one workshop only is $22 and one party only is $12. The BBQ dinner on Sunday is not included. Tickets are available for sale at City Cafe, Sense Restaurant, Karel’s Beach Bar, Spice Beach Club and Bonaco. (Source: Dance for Fun and Fitness Bonaire)

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Year-End Festivities Begin with Two Exciting Events this Saturday, December 10, 2011

December on Bonaire is always filled with a wide variety of fun events, and this Saturday, December 10th, 2011, brings two annual favorites to attend, when Antillean Wine Company presents the Beaujolais Nouveau at El Mundo Restaurant, and Bonaire’s Animal Shelter will also hold their fund-raising Indonesian Dinner and Auction at Sense Restaurant. 

El Mundo will present a special French menu ($45.00 per person, including wine), French music, and a very special surprise act, all as support for the launching of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau by Antillean Wine Company.  Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the event, and those wishing only to come for the wine, or to share a bottle with friends, is also possible.  The evening will begin at 7:00 PM, with the official opening of the first bottle at 8:00 PM.  For additional information or to make a reservation (seating is limited) call the restaurant at 717-4601.

Or, those looking for a fun evening and an opportunity to help the Animal Shelter at the same time should plan on arriving at Sense Restaurant this Saturday for the Animal Shelter’s annual Dinner and Art Auction.  Dinner will be served from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  Tickets for the Indonesian-themed dinner are $35.00 per person, and are available at the Animal Shelter.  The auction begins at 8:30 PM and admission is free to the auction. All proceeds of the dinner and the auction will go to the care of the dogs and cats at the shelter.

Either event promises a good time!  See you there!  (Source:  Antillean Wine Company and Animal Shelter Bonaire)

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Club Roomer Bonaire Presents Christmas Market on Sunday, December 11, 2011

Everyone is invited to Club Roomer’s Christmas Market this Sunday, December 11, 2011, from 2:00 PM through 6:00 PM, featuring arts, crafts, and holiday gifts from a wide variety of local artists and craftsmen. 

Unique covered booths will be open in the rear garden of Hotel Roomer where that special gift for family and friends will surely be found.  There will be jewelry, paintings, carvings, statuary, toys, and games, all available for purchase.

And, to get everyone into the holiday spirit, Hotel Roomer will also provide Christmas cheer by sponsoring a Happy Hour from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.  Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase and fair-goers can relax and listen to the sounds of local singer, Roli Casimiri. Roli will render his versions of popular Christmas songs and Bonaire’s own favorites around the pool area.

All proceeds from booth sales are solely for the market participants who have created the sale items. Club Roomer is a charitable organization, now in its third year of existence. The group’s aim is to provide activities and events to raise money which is then given back to Bonaire’s elderly, handicapped, youth, etc., in thanks to the island inhabitants for welcoming everyone to their island.  For more information about Club Roomer Bonaire, click here.

So, please show your support for Bonaire and Bonairean residents this holiday season with a visit to the Club Roomer Christmas Market on Sunday.  Hotel Roomer is located at EEG Boulevard #97, in Belnem.  (Source:  Club Roomer Bonaire)