THE JOYS OF THE GARDEN

BY DENISE BLASOR

 AT A RECENT friends' dinner, one of the guests contributed the bounty of her garden: a  cornucopia of cherry tomatoes, small round orbs of bright red color, some still attached to their wispy green shoots.  Once  you popped them in the mouth, you were met with a glorious explosion of intense flavor.  THE REWARDS of the garden: A small but memorable harvest. Not to mention the satisfaction of growing something  with your own hands and the delight of watching tiny seedlings burst out of the earth to make their way upward  toward the sunlight.  ANYONE with a little time and interest can start their own vegetable garden though, truth be told, some people seem  to be better at it than others. Still, it is an effort well worth trying and resources abound to help you get started. FOR ONE, there is the internet. A visit to any number of websites is sure to provide helpful advice. For example,  thegardenhelper.com suggests that you pay special attention in choosing the site location for planting. It should be a spot in your patio or garden with plenty of sunlight -- at least six hour's worth  of sunlight daily -- and it should have good soil, which one can also improve with compost and organic fertilizers. 

" Planting is only the third step of the three 'P's.                

         Planning your garden, Preparing the soil, Planting your vegetables."                                  

the gardenhelper.com                      

 OR, if you are really serious about the whole enterprise, you might want to get the advice of an expert. Agronomist  Lucas Noble, who trained at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, provides just such a service through his company Siembra Sustento which, in addition to selling organic compost and holding workshops on organic gardening islandwide, also makes house visits. He will not  only teach you how to start a garden but will even build it for you, if you prefer.  The visit, he said, is $30 while building a basic, four by eight-foot orchard comes to around $160 which includes materials, soil and plants.  NOBLE said gardening is an activity for people of all ages. As for gardens, they come in all sizes, it just depends on  what one wants to plant in it.  Easiest to plant are basil, oregano, cilantrillo, parsley, green beens, radishes, peppers and eggplants.   THOSE without a patch of green need not feel left out. In fact, Noble said people can set up a garden on their terrace or roof. The essential elements for success in growing anything, he said, are "sunlight, water and compost."  Siembra Sustento ( Sow Nourishment, in English) is now expanding its reach to hotels and restaurants. 

   siembrasustento@gmail.com or contact by phone: Metro area/East 787.203.0480; Central area/South 787.983.6474; North area/West 787.633.7951. 

By Denise Blasor

          Every life needs a little fiction in it. Too much reality   

                             is a very nasty thing."   -- Woody Allen  

                                                  

CONCALMA GOES BIKING

ConCalma, the old San Juan-based retailer whose company name is an invite to live life with calm, is branching out into fashion. Add men's bikewear to the company's colorful line of cotton handbags, totes and messenger bags with the distinctive striped handles.

El Rayo Spoke is a line geared to men, especially men who are cycling buffs. "The line grew out of a suggestion from a client who had been following the development of ConCalma and liked its vibe," said Matilsha Marxuach, who started ConCalma as a business that would be easy on the environment and provide work plus a fair living wage to the women of the Utuado sewing cooperative that produces her products.  The new line, primarily manufactured in Puerto Rico, includes sporty polo shirts, jerseys, and button down shirts. The short-sleeved polos look cool and can be customized with reflective patches for night riding, Marxuach said.  Low on the back, a single pocket is perfectly situated to allow one to carry that ubiquitous water bottle and easily grab hold of it. Prices range from $45 to $85.The new line officially launches Thursday night (June 23) at the store with music and videos rounding out the activity which will run from 7 to 11 p.m.  (Photo: courtesy of ConCalma)

ConCalma  #207 San Francisco St. Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm

Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm.  www.concalmalinea.com

Artwork by Lorraine Blasor

Every spirit builds itself a house;
And beyond its house a world;

and beyond its world a heaven.    

Know then, that the world exists

for you; build, therefore, your

own world.  -- Emerson

                                                                             

          

Copyright 2011 © Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved

AFFORDABLE STERILIZATION

Miuccia, as seen through the lens of photographer Alex Berg

The pet world mirrors the human world in at least one way:  society is divided into haves and have nots and the same holds true for the cats, dogs, and other animal creatures that populate our homes and cities. Some lead lives of plenty, thanks to loving owners who pamper their pets as if they were children, while others lead lives of desperation, mistreated by owners and then unceremoniously cast off into the street like unwanted rubbish.

The problem of abandoned animals is among the more vexing issues to conquer mostly because, as with most most serious problems, dealing with it requires both the concerted efforts of the state and the concerned commitment of its citizenry. 

At the heart of the solution is education and controlling the animal population through  sterilization of cats and dogs, on the theory that pets abandoned or lost will not procreate needlessly once they're on the streets. Sterilization is a costly procedure as any pet owner in Puerto Rico is well aware of. Veterinarians charge high fees for the procedure and many citizens, especially if retired or jobless, can ill afford this expense. Thankfully, there is the  Center for the Adoption and Sterilization of Animals run by the city of San Juan.

Based on Kennedy Ave. , the center operates out of a dilapidated and quite dispiriting building but what the center lacks in appearance is more than made up by the dedication

and cordiality of  the people who work there, not easy when they are evidently working in less than ideal conditions. The staff comprises three veterinarians, seven veterinary technicians and additional administrative and janitorial personnel with 25 volunteers also chipping in to take care of adoptable pets, according to the center's director, Mariangeli Gely Cotto.  

Given the affordable cost of sterilizations, demand for the service is high which results in a somewhat onerous, two-pronged process. First, the owner must bring the pet to be vaccinated at which time the sterilization appointment is scheduled, often several weeks or more than a month down the line. Owners whose pets are already vaccinated can come in and make an appointment as long as they present an up-to-date vaccination certificate. On the appointed day, owners drops off pets before 8:30 a.m. and pick them up in the afternoon, between 1 and 3 p.m. The total cost is $70 or less (see chart). Owners are expected to return one more time to have the stitches removed from female pets. Despite the time consuming process, one would be hard pressed to hear complaints given that the service rendered is excellent and much appreciated by pet owners. On a typical day, owners patiently wait around to meet with the vet while exchanging stories about their four-legged charges. The saddest part is seeing people drop off pets they no longer want, or strays picked up from the street. 

Unless identified as good candidates for adoption, any animal turned in at the center is euthanized. Of the 4,328 animals dropped off between last year and now, more than 3,500 have been destroyed, said Gely Cotto.  That same period also saw a small number of adoptions: 380 in all. 

During the current fiscal year which ends at the end of the month, the center has carried out 2,958 sterilizations and administered some 19,647 vaccinations. Said Gely Cotto: "It is lamentable that our society prefers the option of buying rather adopting pets. Each year, we euthanize more than 3,500 animals abandoned by irresponsible owners. All shelters are overpopulated and day by day more animals are abandoned in our streets. Without a doubt,

 this is a problem for all, not just the municipal or state governments."

While the future of stray pets in Puerto Rico is uncertain, a brighter tomorrow is in store for the center. Around mid 2012, it will move into spacious new quarters in a more centric part of town. It cost the city $3 million to purchase the 24,000-square-foot property at Hoare Industrial Park in Miramar which, following a $1.5 million renovation, will open to the public to provide a farrago of services: a pet hospital, emergency veterinary clinic, a pet hotel, day care and resort spa with room for 46 dogs and 27 cats. 

San Juan Center for the Control and Adoption of Animals

787.480.3432, 480-3433, 480.3435

Vaccinations   Monday, Wed. and Friday  1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  and 1 p.m - 3 p.m.

Sterilizations Dogs (male and female)  San Juan residents pay $40 (up to 30 lbs),

 $50 ( 31-54 lbs) and $60 (55-100 lbs). Non residents: $50, $60 and $70, respectively. In the case of cats, San Juan residents pay $20 to sterilize a female and $15 for a male. Non-residents, $30 and $25. respectively. The procedure is by appointment only. Bring up-to-date vaccination certificate and proof of residency in San Juan when making appointment.

Adoptions   All adopted petsare vaccinated and sterilized prior to delivery to new owner.

Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Turn-ins   Fee is based on the animal's weight or $1 per pound for dogs; $10 for a cat, regardless of weight. For non-residents, $1.25 per pound; $15 for a cat.

Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

by Denise Blasor

All truths wait in all things, They neither hasten their own delivery nor resist it, They do not need the obstetric forceps of the surgeon,                        The insignificant is as big to me as any,  (what is less or more than a touch)...    -- Walt Whitman by Denise Blasor A new pet walking service promises relief for harried owners who are unable to provide their four-legged charges with a much needed daily constitutional. Club PETite (aka Dog Walkers Puerto Rico) currently serves customers in the Trujillo Alto area but will walk pets in other parts of town, such as Condado, according to Warren and Virginia Hill, who started the service. A 30 to 40 minute walk for your pet is $14.  As it builds up its clientele, Club PETite is working on kicking off a novel monthly club event at which dog owners can meet and party in the company of their trusty mascots. The event aims to break the barrier that typically relegates dogs outside most places of business, including eateries: It will be held at  Alquimia Bistro Club on July 8 and the entrance fee is $50, which entitles you to a couple of drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and the attention of a "doggie butler" whose job is to attend to the needs of doggy guests.   Alquimia is located next to Under the Trees on the ground floor of Gallery Plaza, on the corner of De Diego and Loiza Street. To sign up for the event call Club PETite at 787.446.6609. by Denise Blasor ZUMBA BY THE SEA Want to exercise but wish you were in the company of other people for added motivation and inspiration? Then try out zumba, the Latin-inspired, dance exercise program, courtesy of the Health Promotion Program of the Sports and Recreation Department. Every morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Ventana Al Mar plaza in Condado. Free of cost. For more information, call Gypssy at 787.550.7204. Copyright2011©Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved

Parlez-vous Français?

Paris, through the lens of Juliette Blasor

If you are the type of parent who likes to be on top of things, arranging a meaningful summer experience for your child, or children, is probably something you tackled months ago. For parents still scouting for options, here's one idea worth considering: Alliance Française de Puerto Rico.

Immersing a young kid in a foreign language offers many benefits, according to the Center for Applied Linguistics. These include better listening skills, more flexible thinking, and enhanced mental development. The program AF has designed is sure to entice any curious young boy and girl, even as it introduces him or her to the fun of speaking a language so similar to Spanish.The program combines theory and practice. Mornings begin with a regular French class and end with fun activities such as cooking, singing, theater, and the arts during which children get to practice their French. Afternoons are more laid back: there's crafts, interpretative movement, reading, and videos. As a special treat, each Friday features an excursion to a museum or a park. The program ends on June 24 with a special presentation by the kids before their parents. For latecomers, a second session is ready to start on June 27.

This is the second year in a row that AF runs this expansive summer program targeted to children between the ages of 6 and 11, and adolescents aged 16 and older, according to Nathalia Menéndez, who handles marketing. Participation in the program is kept small to allow each child to receive personal attention from the instructor, she said. Both groups of children and adolescents are limited to 20 participants. As of Tuesday, the June session still had two openings in the children's group and five openings in the adolescents' group. The July session actually begins on June 27 and runs through July 23rd.

The cost is $585, which comes down to under $150 per week for a six-hour daily program, Monday through Friday, 9.am. to 3 p.m. This includes lunch except for excursion day Friday. Also not included is a daily snack which parents need to provide or kids can purchase at AF from an on-premise food caterer. For parents unable to pick up a child on time, AF is offering up to two hours of child care from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at a cost of $10 for one child, or $5 for two or more children.  

Alliance Française de Puerto Rico

206 Calle Rosario (between De Diego and Parque Street) 

787.722.3174/5434 cours@afpuertorico.org

By Denise Blasor

"The tragic days of our lives, the days of accounting, begin like any other, with routine, with the bagel in the toaster and the coffee on the stove."  

--T. Coraghessan Boyle

The Green Power of the Bicycle Courier

Courtesy of ecomensaria.com

TALK about spunk. San Juan's newest messenger service -- Ecomensajeria -- provides delivery of documents, paperwork and small packets using the green power of a bicycle. And it even runs a blog where you can follow the musings of its trio of couriers as they go about the day making deliveries all over town.

"IT'S important to promote the use of the bicycle as a mode of transportation that is simple, practical and sustainable," says Luis Rafael Robles, who teamed up with equally ecologically-minded Carlos Pérez Díaz and Gabriel de Jesus to start this novel business, the first of its kind in San Juan (Other services rely on motorbikes to make their deliveries.). All three bike aficionados are giving it all they've got to grow the service while also pursuing other careers and interests: Carlos is an English professor, Gabriel is studying photography, and Luis is an unemployed architect who says he would have to die and come back to life before giving up on architecture. For the time being, he is confident a courier service can be financially rewarding despite the competition and noted that the company is in the process of getting fully bonded.

BARELY, a month old, Ecomensajeria is already attracting attention. The service covers Hato Rey, Old San Juan, Condado, Miramar, Rio Piedras, Roosevelt Avenue, Jesus T. Piñeiro Avenue, Bayamón and Guaynabo. Fees are reasonable and, depending on the distance covered, start as low as $10 round trip, or $5 one way.

AS for the blog, it is hip and fun. Here's one entry: "Rainy Thursday, but nothing stops us from pedaling, the month of May is ours....the day ended with 7 deliveries and a rich coffee at La Chiwinda in Río Piedras." One highlight is a long write-up by Robles on the virtues of bicycling. Two facts stand out: a car generates an average of 160 grams of carbon dioxide for each km (0.62 miles) covered and the average yearly cost of keeping a car is $9,312. As he writes, "It is necessary to take the bicycle transportation mode into account and to encourage the necessary infrastructure to protect cyclists."

Ecomensajeria.com   787.562.1711

ecomensajeriapr@gmail.com

China on Fernandez Juncos  

By Denise Blasor

Looking to whip up an authentic Chinese meal? Then head over to Asia Market on Fernandez Juncos where shelves are stocked with sundry Asian products, like noodles galore, spring roll wrappers, sauces, condiments, dry and packaged beans plus assorted ladles and woks. A supplier, since 1992, to Chinese restaurants in and out of San Juan, the store also caters to regular consumers. You may find the large, cavernous store somewhat dingy but you won't even notice once you start poking around. The store, located less than a block from the new Walgreens outlet, is open seven days a week, including Christmas and New Year. Hours: 1p.m. to 1 a.m.

ASIA MARKET #1262 Fernandez Juncos Ave.

787.725-0349

By Juliette Blasor

 

       "Where life leads you, you must go."

                                

                           

-- Oscar Wilde

 

Recycle Reuse

If you love to rummage through people's discarded possessions at garage sales, there's one held every Saturday at #1606 Calle Colón, between San Jorge and Parque streets. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Or stop by the Flea Market on behalf of the Gustavo Ferrer
Foundation at #357 San Jorge St., across from Las Carmelitas Condominium. June 3 and 4, plus next week-end starting Thursday through Saturday. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

---ADVERTISEMENT---

Photograph by Marvin W. Schwartz

To leaf through Marvin W. Schwartz's book, "Puerto Rico in the 1960's: 20th Century Photography" is to go back in time and recapture the island's past. A nostalgic trip perhaps but one that will also make you aware of how far Puerto Rico has come. Order directly from Blurb.com in softcover version ($48.92) or hardcover ($71.52).

Copyright 2011©Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved