continued from san juan del sur HOME

Watts Up?
The two power generators promised by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will soon be up and running. They were dropped into position in Managua at the end of last month. They will provide 60 megawatts to the National grid (40 in April and another 20 by May). Most of the recent power outs have been caused by strong winds shorting out cables and post mounted transformers, they were not rotating power outs.

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Sweet on Ethanol
Nicaragua’s Ethanol production is on the rise. Sugar cane, more famous for its end product, Flor de Cana Rum, is being processed into this gasoline additive. However, not all ethanol production is a good thing for our environment. For instance, consider the “Energy Balance”, which is the combined fossil fuel required to irrigate, fertilize, grow, transport and refine an alternative fuel such as Ethanol.

Brazil’s sugar cane based Ethanol comes in with an EB of 8:1. In other words for every 8 litres of Ethanol produced, 1 litre of fossil fuel is used. Regular gasoline has an EB of 5-to-1. In contrast, the energy balance of Corn Ethanol is only 1.3 to 1, or, it uses almost the same amount of fossil fuel to manufacture it.

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Raly for Shannon
A friend of many people in San Juan del Sur, Shannon O’Reilly suffered a devastating loss at the end of last month when his bicycle business in Managua was razed to the ground. None of the 49 people working in the factory and store were harmed; however, they have lost their jobs until other arrangements can be made.

Raly USA, the company operated by Shannon has donated many bicycles and sold others at hugely discounted prices to be used at fundraising events here in SJdS, such as last year's Art in the Park.

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Rebound
Basketball News by Joey Mintz

The San Juan Del Sur basketball league has completed its first half of the season. It has been an exciting half, with tight games and 4 teams tied for 1st place. The competition is fierce as players bang bodies fighting for rebounds, driving to the hole or diving for a loose ball. Two years have passed since the last municipal basketball league, and the first couple of games showed the rust. But the new court and backboards provided by Communidad Connect have elevated everybody’s game. So come out and support your favorite team battle for the Municipal Title. Games are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6.30 to 10 pm.

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Paul Trivelli in San Juan
Last week, the Ex-Pat community in San Juan del Sur had an opportunity to meet Mr. Paul Trivelli, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Nicaragua, at a “Town Hall” meeting. For most I attendance, it was likely the first and the last time they will meet him in his current role as he is leaving that position in late July/August. (His replacement will be Robert Callaghan).

Trivelli, born in New York City, has been the US Ambassador to Nicaragua since 2005. He entered the Foreign Service in 1978 following his college education (BA in Biology from Williams College, 1974 and an MA in International Relations from the University of Denver in 1978).

His other career highlights are:US State Department Director, Office of Policy Planning, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (2003-05)
US State Department Director, Office of Central American Affairs (2002-03)
US State Department Deputy Chief of Mission, Tegucigalpa, Honduras (1998-2002)

Trivelli also obtained an MA in National Security Studies from the Naval War College in 1996.

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