LOIZA STREET FIESTA

AUGUST 4 FROM NOON TO 10 P.M. 

The streets of our cities are the arteries that lead to and from the
heart of our homes. Long or short, broad or narrow, quiet or
noisy, lined with homes and businesses, with or without trees,
pretty or plain, streets are a part of our lives.

Those we use regularly in our daily wanderings or crossings
to and from work become as familiar to us as a relative or
friend, thus laying an enduring claim on our affections.

Loiza Street, which begins near the entrance to San Juan's
touristy Condado area, is one such street that grows under
the skin of those who live in its proximity. Extending all
the way to Isla Verde, its main drag is a stretch that probably
runs for a mile and a half and encompasses all social strata
under the sun and the moon.

The street offers a rich cacophony of sights and moods.
So many businesses and yet, at different points, decay
stares straight into your eyes to remind you that the march
of progress always leaves someone behind, or perhaps, that
success is never a permanent guarantee.

There is loveliness too, and it can be found either inside or
outside many of the stores along, or off the street. The minimalist
decor of Carolina Leonidas' concept store, Love is You& Me on
Parque St., is probably as exciting as the beautiful merchandise
she carefully selects for display. Tresbé Café delights the eye with
its kitchen, a converted trailer painted canary yellow, and its
beautiful wood deck where customers can eat below the shade
of trees and bright orange beach umbrellas

One of the loveliest buildings is Kamoli Kafé, a red-shingled, two-
story house painted sky blue with a striking presence on the
street. Inside, mismatched furnishings, a wall decorated with
writing in red letters, charm aplenty. Sip coffee or eat a meal
on the ground floor or head upstairs to check out fashions
and vintage.

On Loiza St. you can buy flowers at Floridella, buy
art or get art framed at Galeria del Parque, pick up
a prescription at any of three pharmacies, sip wine at
la Caba or consult a lawyer in at least three small legal
firms, not necessarily in that order. If you are Jewish
you can pray at a Jewish Temple based on the corner
of San Jorge St.; for Catholics, San Jorge Church is just
up the street.  If you need cash, there are pawn shops or
if you have cash, you can deposit it at any of several
bank branches. The street is home to hair stylists, fashion
designers, tattoo artists, gasoline stations, retail stores,
several colmados (mom & pop groceries) and one post
office. Restaurants and cafes are aplenty.

You can eat local specialties at Bebo's Café, Chinese
food at Silk, Greek specialties at Fleria Restaurant,
pizza at The Plan B, or fast food at Burger King or
Churchs across from Banco Popular. For seafood there
is the newly opened La Cueva del Mar in the former
Meats N' More store or for Peruvian cuisine, the choice
is between two restaurants at different ends of the street.
The newest addition to Loiza St. is a pizza parlor with a
most amusing name: Si No Corro Me Pizza, a play on
the word "pisar," to step on. In English it translates to
"I'll get stepped on if I don't run." You'll find it at n. 1917,
one block west of the post office.

Loiza St. can be empty at times and at other times have
the wildest, craziest traffic jams. Sections rise up early
and others stay up late. There are even 24-hour businesses
like Walgreens and the To Go store on the corner of San
Jorge, a small mecca of commerce that even offers its
customers the use of a lounge with wi-fi and television.

As befits a much beloved area, Loiza St. has its share
of colorful characters like the gossipy woman who sells
traditional lottery tickets outside Farmacia Americana,
the hard working street vendor on the corner of Pomarosa
St., the policeman who doesn't seem to be paying much
attention to goings-on around him. Outside the pawn shops,
men idle the day away in conversation.

Loiza is a great street. Come and find out for yourself on
August 4 when the street will be alive with music and
people. It's a day for commerce and play. But there will
be culture as well with workshops on yoga, bomba dancing,
photography and tire gardens. Also a book fair and for
those eager to learn about the street's lore a walk-about led
by the barrio's unofficial historian, Lester Nurse Allende.

All in all a grand block party awaits and everyone is welcome.
No special invitation required.

Today you are you, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is youer than you.
-- Dr. Seuss
Artwork by Lorraine Blasor

 ☛   EYE ON PRODUCTS

Supporting the local food industry is a way of making Puerto Rico
more self-sufficient. One product that recently came to our attention
is Avena Organica/ organic oats packaged by La Fínca Organica,
a food company based in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico.

A bowl of hot oatmeal is an excellent way to start your day.

Oatmeal is a good source of insoluble and soluble fiber: the former
has cancer-fighting properties, the latter may help reduce harmful
LDL cholesterol. By slowing down the digestion of starch, soluble
fiber is beneficial to diabetics because it helps minimize the sharp
spike in blood sugar that occurs after you eat. People who eat oats
are also less likely to develop heart disease.

The Organic oats sold under La Fínca Organica brand-name can
be purchased at Supermax for under $3.

Photography by Denise Blasor

Happiness is not something you experience,
it's something you remember.

Oscar Levant

The Savvy C$nsumer 

If you are a cat or dog owner, you know 
all too well how expensive pet food is. 
So when a sale comes along, it's time
to save money.

Head to Supermax where Pedigree, 
Cesar Food and Whiskas are offering 
reduced prices on some of their 
products. Save 60 cents on Whiskas 
dry food bags ($3.29,instead of the 
regular price of $3.89). Save $1 on
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition,
now selling for $10.99 instead of
$11.99. And buy 5 Cesar Food
meals for $4, a savings of 95 cents. 

From Aug. 1 through August 13.


©  2013 Lorraine Blasor all rights reserved