- Presidential candidate and POP native Max Puig (Alliance for Democracy party) says the Barahona province has all the natural potentials to become the DR’s ecotourism capital. Overall, he feels environmental tourism is a sector that has not been developed and is neglected in the DR.

From “Diario Libre” newspaper:

- E. Leon Jimenez, S.A. (which owns 83.5% of the National Brewery Co., or CND) and AmBev, have announced the start of negotiations to establish a strategic alliance destined to create a leading beverage enterprise in the Caribbean, through a merger of their respective businesses, which will impact 16 countries in the region, the US and Europe. CND was established in 1929 and has been producing Presidente beer since 1935,

- The DR has at least 4 things that do not exist anywhere else in the world: 1) Larimar mines, 2) the shortest (Los Patos) river, 3) the smallest lizard (the Beata Island gecko, and 4) the largest open sky plaster mines, in Barahona.

- Haiti’s President Michel Martelly  suffered a pulmonary embolism (blood clot to the lung), as a post-operative complication of his recent right shoulder surgery, as a result of which he returned to Miami for further medical care.

- 90.5% of Dominicans say they have made up their minds as to who they will vote on the May 20 elections. The rest are either undecided or will not vote.

- Children and adults alike affected by an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea, at the border town of Pedernales. The local medical facilities have been overwhelmed by the unspecified number of people seeking treatment. The outbreak is blamed on water contamination from the recent torrential rains.

- Carolina Duran Baldera (from La Vega province) was crowned as Miss Dominican Republic Universe 2012.

- The DR received 1,355,749 tourists (for an increase of 7.88%) during the first quarter of 2012. North America had the most visitors and Americans outnumbered Canadians by a factor of 3:1. The Punta Cana International remains the nation’s main gateway with 62.33% of the arrivals, followed by Santo Domingo’s Las Americas International with 16.6%, POP’s Gregorio Luperon International with 11.58%, La Romana International with 3.78%, Santiago’s Cibao International with 2.96% and La Isabela and Samana’s El Catey with 2.66%.

From “El Caribe” newspaper:

- The PRD claims Haiti’s President Michel Martelly made his first official visit to the DR aboard a plane owned by PLD Senator Felix Bautista, It further claims arrangements are being made to remove that plane to the US, citing needed maintenance, but in effect, to remove it from the country to avoid it being involved in the investigations relating to Bautista’s corruption and possible confiscation.

- The Samana area increased the number of tourists arrivals by 22% in January & February 2012, when it received 5,621 more visitors than during the same period in 2011. Its hotel occupancy is also up by 2.1%. Samana’s position as a tourist destination has been greatly improved by the opening of the Atlantic Boulevard highway, late last year.

- 54.4% of Dominicans say they will be voting for a candidate, 20.9% for a party and 24.7% say both factors will influence their choice.

From “El Nacional” newspaper:

- Dominican DEA agents arrested Angela  M . Baio, as she tried to board a Madrid-bound flight with nearly 3.6 Lbs. of cocaine taped to her calves. The lady is a member the Spanish Army, on active duty (whose rank was not specified)  and had served in Iraq.

- Fidel Castro (while complimenting Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff) said the world would function much better, if women would become more involved in political matters.

- 52 years old Met-Chen (Julia) Ou, the Taiwanese Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs for Heritage, was found dead in her Gazcue, Santo Domingo’s apartment. Her body showed signs of beatings and knife wounds. Her dwelling’s front door showed no signs of forcible entrance.

- While at sea on a 30 days trip along South America’s west coast, some passengers aboard the cruise ship Star Princess spotted a small fishing boat whose 3 crew members waved their arms, a red shirt and orange life vest wildly. They informed the ship’s crew and were told all was well and the fishermen were merely thanking them for avoiding their fishing nets. Sadly, the story has a tragic end, as it turns out – when sighted by the cruise ship passengers – the fishermen had been adrift for 2 weeks on their small boat whose engine had died. Two weeks later, some other fishermen happened upon the drifting boat near the Galapagos Islands and boarded it, only to find an 18 years old fisherman alive and near death from dehydration and starvation. Two other teenage fishermen had already perished and their decomposing bodies thrown overboard by the only survivor. When contacted, Prince Cruise Lines said the matter was under investigation and the cruise ship captain “was on vacation”.

From “Hoy” newspaper:

- Cholera alert after 28 people in Tamboril and 12 in Santiago have been admitted to hospitals for treatment of the disease. The Tamboril hospital has been overwhelmed by the number of patients with GI disorders.

- The Public Health Ministry says lab tests have shown the diarrhea cases (in the Tamboril/Santiago area) are not due to cholera.

From “Listin Diario” newspaper:

- Lucky Moca cabinet maker (Rafael Sala Florencio) spent RD$ 60 (US$1.54) on a lottery ticket and hit the jackpot, winning RD$ 20M (US$ 514,800).

- The Public Health Ministry says E.coli bacteria and amoeba have been isolated from Tamboril patients suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, who were originally suspected of having cholera.

- A rift has developed Between Argentina and Spain, stemming from the expropriation of a Spanish (Repsol) company’s 57.4% share in the stock of Argentinean oil company YPF. Spain is warning of “grave consequences” and will be demanding compensation of US $18.3 M.

- There are 21 different beer brands in the DR, 10 of which (47.62%) are produced by breweries located in the country. Dominican-made beers are: Presidente, Presidente Light, Bohemia, Bohemia Light, The One, Quisqueya, Soberana, Brahma, Brahma Light and non-alcoholic Brisa.

- Angry Altamira residents picket EdeNorte’s local office bearing placards, complaining of frequent black-outs, which they describe as “abusive”.

From “Puerto Plata Digital” newspaper:

- The latest torrential rains along the north coast have caused significant flooding of many rivers, adversely impacting residents in Rio San Juan, Gaspar Hernandez, Sabaneta de Yasica, Cabarete, Sosua, Montellano, Imbert, Guananico, Altamira, El Maney, Villa Isabel, Luperon and PP itself. The floods have been rated as the worst in recent years, as they have destroyed a lot of agricultural plantings, carried away chicken, pig and cattle farm operations, causing huge financial losses in PP province. Many residents along such rivers have had to flee and are in need of assistance. Others live in fear that their dwellings might be carried away by flood waters. Some of those areas had never been flooded before and are now impacted. Even utilities (electrical) poles have been carried away by floods, which caused a 10 hours black-out in Montellano and the shut down of Gaspar Hernandez’s waterworks. Several bridges have collapsed and roads washed away. leaving several communities cut-off around Villa Isabela, Bajabonico and Altamira.

- Playa Dorada Puerto Plata Allegro Hotel closes its doors, due to low occupancy.

From “El Faro” newspaper:

- The sale of 51% of the National Brewery Company (CND) stock, will bring RD$ 8.4 B (US$ 216,216,216) in taxes to the DR Govt, which will be payable within 28 days after the sale is consummated.

From “DR-1″ newspaper:

- The Department of Migration, in coordination with the National Department of Investigations (DNI), has announced the launching of stages II & III of the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS). Both stages are aimed at providing 100% coverage of air and sea operations in the DR. The idea is for all carriers (ships or aircraft) to provide full and complete lists of passengers and crew prior to departures or arrivals, thus enabling Immigration authorities to check files and speed up the clearance process.

- The DR’s Attorney General has asked the National District’s (Santo Domingo area) DA, to conduct a thorough investigation of the accusations the Haitian and Dominican governments have leveled against retired Col. Pedro. J. (Pepe) Goico, who has allegedly been linked to a plot to discredit and overthrow Haitian President Michel Martelly.

- The DR’s Supreme Court of Justice has ordered the extradition  of Oscar Rodriguez Cruz to the US, so that he can stand trial for drug trafficking in Massachusetts, where he is accused of drug trafficking. Rodriguez Cruz  is the head of the Renacer con Papa (Rebirth with Papa) political movement, which supports the presidential bid of the PRD’s Hipolito Mejia. Rodriguez Cruz’s assets, apartments, residences, and vehicles have been all been identified as linked to his illegal activities and seized.

- The US major leagues baseball team Colorado Rockies announced start of the the construction of their state of the art Academy in the DR, located in Jubey, Boca Chica, just 1/2 hour from Santo Domingo. The Academy will be completed in 2013.

- EdeSur has announced that 2,162 families in Altagracia de Herrera and the area of Altos de Engombe in  Santo Domingo west, will be placed on a 24 hours electricity circuit. With this latest addition, 6,292 new users now have all day electricity service supplied by this company. 24 hours electrical circuits are created when most of the users have proven to be paying customers.

- Canadian Public Health officials in Toronto, Canada, have confirmed the death from rabies of a 41 years old man who had been working as a bartender in the DR, became ill, was treated here and flew home when his condition worsened. This is the first confirmed death from rabies in that area in eight decades.

- Haitian press agency AhpHaiti published comments by legislative officials and human rights campaigners in Haiti, on the alleged conspiracy by retired Dominican Col. Perdo J. (Pepe) Goico and Haitian businessman Pierre Kanzki, to destabilize the government of President Michel Martelly. Sen. Joseph Annik Joseph did not beat around the bush, denouncing the press conference that broke the news as “a big joke or a farce and a bad taste scenario that was written by an amateur”. He said jokingly “the government could afford to have paid for a better script, or a better director, like Stephen Spielberg”.

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Starting on May 6, 2012, the FILM CLUB will present the start of the 2012 SUMMER SERIALS. This series of weekly presentations will show three (3) episodes of the award winning television series, Mad Men, each week. As each episode is approximately 45 minutes long, the duration of the presentation will only be marginally longer than that of a feature film. All episodes will be shown in high definition with stereo sound and with all the commercials edited out. By coming on a weekly basis and enjoying this spectacular television show in its uninterrupted glory, we can all watch an entire season in approximately one month (there are 13 episodes a season). Based on the desire of those who attend regularly, we can continue with Mad Men after we complete the first 13 episodes…or we can all choose another series.

Whatever the final decision, the SUMMER SERIALS is a way to watch high quality television programming, in the comfort of the air conditioned Meeting Place theater, and in the company of all your Puerto Plata friends. Of course, the Meeting Place is YOUR community and cultural center, and if the weather is particularly good we can limit some of the Sundays to only two episodes or, conversely, if we all want to watch more on an any given afternoon, we can do that as well. Mad Men has consistently been one of the highest acclaimed shows on TV and here is your opportunity to catch up on Season 1 and get introduced again to all the characters. So come out and enjoy the shows and spend Sunday afternoons with the rest of the Meeting Place crowd.

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Alexander Payne’s seriocomic The Descendants, an adaptation of the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, stars George Clooney as Matt King, a middle-age Hawaiian who runs a trust responsible for millions of dollars worth of untouched real estate that has been passed down to him and various cousins. He is preparing to sell the area, and make millions for everyone in the trust, when his wife suffers severe head trauma during a boat race. As he attempts to get her affairs in order, he learns that she had been having an affair. With his two daughters in tow, along with his oldest daughter’s doofus boyfriend, Matt sets off to confront the man who made him a cuckold. Beau Bridges, Judy Greer, and Robert Forster co-star. The Descendants screened at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

The FILM CLUB presented the movie version of the famous, internationally best-selling novel about a discredited journalist and a mysterious computer hacker who discover that even the wealthiest families have skeletons in their closets while working to solve the mystery of a 40-year-old murder. Inspired by late author Stieg Larsson’s successful trilogy of books, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo gets under way as Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander are briefed in the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, whose uncle suspects she may have been killed by a member of their own family. The deeper Mikael and Lisbeth dig for the truth, however, the greater the risk of being buried alive by members of the family who will go to great lengths to keep their secrets tightly sealed.

SIGN OUR STATEMENT TO GET THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN PUERTO PLATA

There have been efforts made – and continue to be made – by many (for example, the Cluster has tried to develop cultural products and services) but it is apparent that the existing infrastructure of support for the tourism industry, whether it be the Cluster or governmental agencies or hotel owners’ associations, is faced with a daunting challenge that evidently cannot be met. There is clearly a need for new ideas and new sources of support to be added to this struggle.

Following the May 2012 election, the time when a new government is formed, is the ideal moment, we think, for “concerned and interested ex-pats” to bring together those ideas and skills so as to optimize the input of the this community.  The Meeting Place, which is politically neutral and has as its primary mission the desire to serve and help integrate the ex-pat community into the Puerto Plata region, is willing to host such an initiative and, as such, has been part of the core of ex-pats who have formed the PUERTOPLATEÑOS BY CHOICE. The PBC will operate independently of The Meeting Place, which would then serve as a base and offer some logistical support.

SIGN OUR STATEMENT TO GET THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN PUERTO PLATA

To this end, we are collecting digital signatures for a STATEMENT which we will then deliver to whichever political party wins the election in May and forms the next government. We are hoping that by stepping up as a group, with the legitimacy created by a STATEMENT signed by as many people as possible, we can motivate the new government to work with us in developing programs that will have a lasting impact on the tourist industry as well as the general financial health of the region.

We urge you to sign our STATEMENT so that we may start the process of putting pressure on the government, whichever political party that may be, to start taking seriously the problems that Puerto Plata faces. With your support, we CAN make a difference. The STATEMENT is located on the lower right hand side of this page. Not only do we ask for your digital signature, but we also ask for your help in drawing attention to this issue…and to this web page…to all of the people that you know who not only spend time in the Puerto Plata region but who love it as much as we do.

SIGN OUR STATEMENT TO GET THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN PUERTO PLATA

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- The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, has sent a team to Puerto Rico, in order to investigate an outbreak of tuberculosis in the village of Trujillo Alto. It seems at least 4 deaths have been attributed to this outbreak. The team will also be checking on the handling of dengue cases.

 - DR exports to Haiti amounted to US$ 433.6 M in 2007 and by 2011 had climbed to nearly US$ 3.3 B, for an increase of US$ 2.855 B in that 5 years period. Haiti has thus become a major market for Dominican products, which are mainly cotton material, pajamas + other sleepwear, steel rods, cement, anti-diarrhea medications, wheat flour, gasoline, tarps, sugar, ice, stoves and gas cylinders. The DR imported US$ 172.8 M from Haiti in the last 5 years.

 - The National Police increased the salaries of its personnel by 10%, which translates into a national budget increase of RD$ 35,452,910 (US$ 912,559).

 - Residents of the south Santiago sector of La Otra Banda (mostly black-hooded females) unleashed violent protests demanding the repair of their streets and an end to water contamination. They became infuriated when asphalting equipment was removed and demanded their return to complete their job. The protest led to stone throwing, shots fired in the air by the National Police and trees felled to obstruct traffic. Residents also complained “all the government wants is our taxes and votes and nothing else”.

 - Among the Haitian officials that flew into Santo Domingo on 3-26-12 in order to meet with DR President Leonel Fernandez, Haiti’s President Michel Martelly was the only one to arrive without a passport, much to the consternation of the DR Migration Department officials. One of them made a hurried phone call and was instructed to “let the issue be; he was personally invited by President Fernandez”.

 From “El Faro” newspaper:

 - Brugal Company of PP, offered rum tasting to newspapermen recently, during a tour of its local facilities. The company started in 1888 here and is the only Dominican manufacturer that produces its own alcohol. It has 250,000 barrels and a mechanized production line capable of filling 300 bottles/minute and ships 1,560,000 cases of rum to 22 countries.

 From “El Dia” newspaper:

 - 71 years old and former Vice-President Dick Cheney underwent a heart transplant at the Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA, on 3-24-12.

 - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has returned to Cuba for radiotherapy treatment of a known malignancy that has led to at least two major surgical interventions. He was received by Raul Castro.

 - With a blond mane, long legs and delicate features, Canadian Jenna Talackova would have been a strong contender in the Miss Universe Canada beauty pageant. But, she was disqualified when it was learned she used to be a man. The 23 years old Vancouver, BC transsexual accused the contest organizers of discrimination and has gathered 28,000 signatures online, requesting she be reincorporated to the contest.

 - During their recent meeting, presidents Leonel Fernandez (DR) and Michel Martelly (Haiti) have signed a cooperation agreement to intensify the efforts to fight and dismantle criminal organizations, people and drug trafficking, secure the border, eliminate obstacles that strain the relationship and maintain the peace between the two countries. The protocol of repatriation of Haitians signed in 1999 was also revised.

 From “El Nacional” newspaper:

 - A woman is murdered by her husband, boyfriend or significant other every 36 hours in the DR. 55 have lost their lives in the first 84 days this year. They leave an average of 3 orphaned children. Thirteen of their killers have committed suicide this year.

 From “Listin Diario”:

 - Surgeon Franklin Hasbun has been found guilty of medical malpractice on a 61 years old woman who died from an intestinal perforation 5 days after surgery. Hasbun was sentenced to 1 year in jail (6 months of which were suspended) and RD$ 10 M in compensation.

 - The National Police arrested 6 cyber hackers (in Santo Domingo and Santiago), two of which are minors. They call themselves the “Anonymous” and are accused of hacking into Govt. and officials computers.

 From “Puerto Plata Digital” newspaper:

 - A Puerto Plata court sentenced Pedro Sanchez Polanco to 4 years in jail for falsely passing himself for a lawyer, In addition, Sanchez will also have to pay RD$ 200,000 compensation to the law schools whose qualifications he forged.

 From “DR-1″ newspaper:

 - President Leonel Fernandez announced the eastern province of Hato Mayor has become the second to receive 24 hours electricity, after the Santo Domingo area.

- The Fernandez administration made available just 1.82% of the GDP for education in 2011, in violation of Law 22-97, which stipulates a minimum of 4% of the GDP and short-changed the Ministry of Education by RD$ 6.78 B (US$ 174,518,000) out of the RD$ 45.8 B (US$ 1.18 B) it should have disbursed. The administration also violated Law 236-11 which had increased the Ministry of Education budget by RD$ 4.3 B (US$ 11,060,000). While attending the 2010 Ibero-American Summit in Argentina, Fernandez had pledged to make available 5.5% of the GDP for education.

 - The DR Department of Migration estimates over 2 M Haitians have migrated to the DR for economic reasons or to study and 1 M (50%) of those are on national territory illegally. Most of those are employed in the construction sector. The ruling for the Migration Law 285-04 establishes that to be legally employed, foreign workers need to be provided with an ID issued by the Department of Migration, which shows their name, signature and fingerprints.

The Ministry of Public Health estimates the DR spends RD$ 400 M (US$ 10.3 M) on social services for Haitians, including education and health services. The DR Foreign Minister says the country cannot bear the heavy burden of Haitian migration on its own.

 - The Universidad Catolica Nordestana (Northeastern Catholic University), or UCNE, a private school located in San Francisco de Macoris (Duarte province), has announced that starting in September 2012, it will offer  degrees in Geomatics, Land Surveying and Interior Design. The school is organizing students exchange programs with universities in NC and FL (USA) and Seville, Spain.

 - In the past, holders of expired US visas had one year in which to renew  them without having to file new papers and sit for an interview; now, the US State Department has simplified the process: US visas can now be almost automatically renewed within 4 years of their expiration date, for people in the B-1 and B-2 categories, which means this applies to tourists, business travelers, crew members and students. The new program is aimed at streamlining the process. The caveat is that the US Consular officers may require the applicant to appear in person for an interview at any time and for any reason, during the visa application process. Last year, the US Embassy introduced an online non-immigrant visa appointment system, in order to facilitate that process.

 - The National Meteorological Office (ONAMET) says a new frontal system is on its way from the east and will most likely begin to impact the national territory this afternoon, with heavy rains, thunderstorms and possible strong winds, which will affect mostly the north and northwest regions of the country. The latter will most likely welcome the needed precipitation.

 From “Puerto Plata Habla” newspaper:

 - President Leonel Fernandez’s planned 3-29-12 visit to Maimon, PP province to officiate in the groundbreaking of the construction of Carnival Cruise Lines ship terminal, has been cancelled. The official reason given by the PP province governor (Eridania LLibre), is that the Carnival Cruise Lines executives are abroad at the moment and unable to attend the ceremony, which has thus been re-scheduled for 4-27-12.

 - 60 institutions of the Foundation of Community Organizations of Maimon support the construction of Carnival Cruise Lines ship terminal in their area.

From “El Caribe” newspaper:

 - A poll shows 50% of Dominicans are not satisfied with PRD presidential candidate Hipolito Mejia’s explanations as to why, if elected, he would refuse to pay some of the government’s debts.

 In & Around Costambar:

 - Please join me in welcoming our group’s two new members, Walter & Mary Ann Woernle, They are Americans that have made their permanent residence in the area. Walter was in printing and Mary Ann worked for TSA at the Tampa International Airport. Their e-mail address is:

shak4u@juno.com

Kindly add them to your recipients list.

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Starting Saturday, April 14, the Iván García Theater School is proud to host the Avanti Dance Academy’s presentation of April – The Month of Dance. Running for three consecutive Saturdays until April 28, the Avanti Dance Academy will showcase its students performing the art of dance. (Click here for details)

Sunday, April 29 – 3:00 PM

The FILM CLUB will present Alexander Payne’s seriocomic film, The Descendants, an adaptation of the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings, which stars George Clooney as Matt King, a middle-age Hawaiian who runs a trust responsible for millions of dollars worth of untouched real estate that has been passed down to him and various cousin. (Click here for details)

Sunday, May 6 – 3:00 PM and Every Sunday During the Summer

Starting on May 6, 2012, the FILM CLUB will present the start of the 2012 SUMMER SERIALS. This series of weekly presentations will show three (3) episodes of the award winning television series, Mad Men, each week. All episodes will be shown in high definition with stereo sound and with all the commercials edited out. By coming on a weekly basis and enjoying this spectacular television show in its uninterrupted glory, we can all watch an entire season in approximately one month (there are 13 episodes a season). Based on the desire of those who attend regularly, we can continue with Mad Men after we complete the first 13 episodes…or we can all choose another series. Check the web site regularly for updates. (Click here for details)

Saturday, May 12 – 7:30 PM

The Teatro Bálsamo will present a Theatrical Gala dedicated to mothers. This special presentation will showcase the play América Tiene Nombre de Mujer (America Has a Woman’s Name). (Click here for details)

Recent Past Events

Sunday, April 1 – 3:00 PM

On Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 3:00 PM, the Meeting Place is exceedingly proud to be able to present the documentary film  Abril: La Trinchera del Honor (with English subtitles) followed by a discussion afterwards with famed playwright, author, actor and dramatist Iván García. (Click here for details)

Sunday, April 8 – 3:00 PM

The FILM CLUB will present the film My Week With Marilyn. Based on the famously missing chapter in Colin Clark’s memoir “The Prince, the Showgirl and Me”, My Week With Marilyn reveals the enchanted week that the then-lowly production assistant spent with the most famous actress, Marilyn Monroe, during the production of the classic 1957 comedy romance “The Prince and the Showgirl”. (Click here for details)

Sunday, April 15 – 3:00 PM

Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, the FILM CLUB presents the Academy Award nominated movie, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the story of one young boy’s journey from heartbreaking loss to the healing power of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of the tragic events of September 11. (Click here for details)

Sunday, April 22 – 3:00 PM

The FILM CLUB will present the movie version of the famous, internationally best-selling novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, about a discredited journalist and a mysterious computer hacker who discover that even the wealthiest families have skeletons in their closets while working to solve the mystery of a 40-year-old murder (inspired by late author Stieg Larsson’s successful trilogy of books). (Click here for details)

Click here to go to the CALENDAR OF EVENTS ARCHIVES page to see all of our past events