|
Accidents Mar Holiday Weekend
While many celebrated Queen's Day, Rincon Day, and Labor Day this past weekend, others dealt with injury or even worse -
the sudden loss of a loved one - as a number of vehicular accidents resulted in one death and put two other persons in the hospital.
The first accident happened Friday evening in Rincon during the traditional Rincon Day celebrations. A double cabin pickup truck hit a pedestrian, injuring him so gravely that he had to be airlifted to Curaçao. By
Monday, he was listed as being in critical condition and was showing some signs of improvement.
The fatal hit and run that shocked Bonaire this weekend happened Saturday morning at 1am on Kaya Amsterdam in front of the almost completed sports center, and just a couple hundred feet west of that night's MegaCity
party. According to newspaper reports, two young women were walking alongside the road when a Ford pickup truck hit one of them while the other managed to jump aside. The truck driver left the scene of the accident,
but police investigators managed to locate a vehicle matching the description of the one involved in the accident showing damage corresponding to that of the hit and run. The driver was interrogated but reports
indicate that he and the woman he was with (it's not been entirely clear which one was actually driving the vehicle) left the island to return home to Aruba. The young woman killed in the accident was SGB student
Jennifer Celestijn, age 16, who is survived by her parents and two siblings, and a funeral service is being held for her on Thursday, May 6th. (Note: a poem dedicated to Jennifer from one of our readers appears at
the end of this article)
Early Sunday morning, another pedestrian was hit by a car on the road to Lagoen, near the Animal Shelter. Doctors determined the victim needed to be flown to Curaçao, but no plane was available. High level
negotiations resulted in a military aircraft being used to fly the man out, and as of Sunday afternoon his condition was being reported as critical in the Curaçao hospital.
Rumors have been flying around the island that in each of the accidents above, alcohol was a leading factor, and so far no one has disputed these rumors. However, we've been informed that driving while drunk on
Bonaire is not a commonly (if at all) punishable offense, and hit and run cases are also dealt with oddly (at least form an American viewpoint), all of which we find very distressing.
To close out this article, we received the following poem dedicated to Jennifer Celestijn, who passed away this weekend as a result of the aforementioned hit and run. The Dutch poem was sent to us by Bonaire E-News
reader, Roger Verbruggen. The "Rita" in the poem is Jennifer's mother.
DEDICATED TO JENNIFER CELESTIJN
****************************************************
Rita,
Alsof het noodlot me na al die jaren onweerstaanbaar
naar je toe dreef.
Om te vernemen wat je familie is overkomen.
Rita,
Ik heb geweend.
Om je dochter, Jennifer, die ik nooit gekend heb.
Om jou, de pijn die je treft, om Rita die ik wel ken.
Rita,
Ik ween.
Enkele dagen geleden schreef ik je:
Angst hebben van je eigen verleden, begrijp je dat?
Rita,
Nu moet ik je schrijven:
Angst hebben voor de toekomst, het verdriet, hoe verwerk jij dat?
Rita,
Laat me delen in de angst, de pijn, het verdriet.
Rita,
Ik ween.
Roger Verbruggen.
Washington Park Celebration
This Sunday, May 9th, is the climax to several weeks of events celebrating the 30th anniversary of Washington National
Park. Sunday features free admission to Washington Park and the following schedule:
9:00am-10:00am - Benediction in the San Luis Bertran church
10:00am-11:00am - Arrival of noteworthies at the Park
10:30am-11:00am - Music and Dance from the Nos Deseo Group
11:00am-11:05am - Playing of the Bonairean anthem, raising the flag
11:05am-12:00pm - Speeches
12:00pm - Toast
12:00pm-7:00pm - Music and Dancing, performed by various groups
7:00pm-8:00pm - Simadan
The groups performing in the afternoon will be Watapana, Piedra di Bonaire, Tutti Frutti, Onima, Tipiko Flor di Orkidia, Foyan Boys, and Pika Piedra.
For more information, contact STINAPA at 8444.
International Fishing Tourney Results
This past weekend featured Bonaire's 13th Annual Bonaire International Fishing Tournament, held at Harbour Village.
24 boats from five countries/islands (Aruba - 10, Bonaire - 2, Curaçao - 7, Germany - 1, and Venezuela - 4) filled with 69 participants competed to catch the largest fish in a variety of classes. Points were awarded
based on the type of fish and its weight, and tournament rules dictated that release was required of blue marlins under 200 pounds, as well as all other marlins and sailfish.
Port Call reported that due to rough seas (due to stronger winds, partially), much of the fishing was done on Bonaire's less productive western side. Nonetheless, 11 of the competing boats caught more than 18 large
fish. Included were 4 Blue Marlin and a Sailfish which were released.
Bonaire's Piscatur, under the guidance of angler Deepak Daryanani, landed the largest tuna at 62 pounds, with vessels Sangala (Ven.), Two Sons (Cur.), and Just Us (Cur.) getting the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places,
respectively, for Blue Marlin catches.
Red Cross Bonaire 15th Anniversary
Red Cross Bonaire will be celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with a seminar on the effects a hurricane might
have on Bonaire. Yes, we did say hurricane. Although hurricanes are extremely rare on Bonaire (none since weather has been recorded), Bonaire has suffered a nasty storm or two in the past and this area of the
Caribbean has been the birth place of tropical storms turned hurricane, such as last year's Hurricane Mitch which devastated Honduras. As the saying goes, "better safe than sorry".
The seminar, to be held on June 4th, will be present the findings of a study done at the Technical University in Delft (TUD). Some of the questions posed were:
- What would the effects be of the flooding of a low lying island?
- How far into the coast can waves penetrate?
- What are the consequences for the coastal buildings?
- What about the new sea promenade now under construction?
- What zoning measures must be taken into account?
- How is this study applicable to other Antillean islands and Aruba?
In order to set up a disaster plan, the size of the danger zone in the bay of Kralendijk during a category 2 hurricane must be determined. TUD built a scale model which gives a fairly good representation of an
intruding series of waves. During the seminar the results of a study of the wave movements will be presented.
The Meteorological Dept. of the Netherlands Antilles And Aruba will explain the warning/alert system being used for 1999, while the National Disaster Coordinator will further describe the lines of communication in
case of an upgrade of the alert during the threat of a natural disaster on a major scale.
Persons looking to participate in this seminar should contact the Bonaire Red Cross at phone/FAX 7626.
Contest - Still Judging...
Okay, so the Bonaire E-News' "Things You Never Hear On Bonaire" contest is officially over, but with 174 entries by
57 entrants, we're still trying to pick the best ones. Hopefully next week we'll be able to announce our winners, and provide some interesting entry statistics as well. Until then, here is the list of sponsors of
the contest:
Bonaire Twin Cinema News & Features - May 6 - 12, 1999
Bonaire Twin Cinema is located in the heart of Kralendijk next to the Exito Bakery and behind
the Cultimara Supermarket. Starting Thursday, May 6, Bonaire Twin Cinema will be offering the following film features (NaFl. 10.- for all normal features, special pricing for matinees on weekends):
----------------
The Faculty - New This Week!
- Nightly at 9:45pm
- Late show Fri. & Sat. at Midnight
In this movie from the writer of Scream and Scream 2, high school students discover that their teachers truly are from a different planet, when two of them witness the murder of the school nurse. (Rated R, Horror
SciFi, 104 minutes). For more details, see: http://headlines.yahoo.com/Full_Coverage/Movies/The_Faculty/
----------------
Life is Beautiful (La Vita Bella) - New This Week!
- Nightly at 7:15pm
- Matinees Sat. & Sun. at 2:15pm and 4:45pm
Set in the darkest pages of history from World War II, Italian director/actor Robert Benigni raises dignity, joy, and bravery from the horrors of the war. Life is Beautiful won three Oscars this year - Best Foreign
Film, Best Actor in a Lead Role, and Best Score. (Rated PG-13, Comedy Drama, Italian with English Subtitles, 122 minutes) For more details, see: http://headlines.yahoo.com/Full_Coverage/Movies/Life_is_Beautiful/
----------------
Virus
- Nightly at 9:30pm
- Late show Fri. & Sat. at 11:30pm
In the midst of a typhoon, the crew of an ocean-going tugboat discover the shelter of a deserted secret
Soviet research vessel, inhabited by an alien presence intent on destroying all of mankind. Stars Jamie Lee Curtis, William Baldwin, and Donald Sutherland. (Rated R, SciFi Thriller, 99 minutes). For more details,
see: http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/guide/virus.html
----------------
Shakespeare in Love - Last Week!
- Nightly at 7:00pm
- Matinees Sat. & Sun. at 2:00pm and 4:30pm
Starring Gwyneth Paltrow & Joseph Fiennes, the witty, sexy, and irreverent tale of Shakespeare in Love reveals the creation of a great love story via a whirl of mistaken identities, mixed up messages, and
misbegotten desires. In Dolby Digital Surround Sound. (Rated R, Romantic Comedy, CinemaScope, 113 minutes). For more details, visit: http://headlines.yahoo.com/Full_Coverage/Movies/shakespeare_in_love/index.ht ml
--------------------------------
Coming Soon: May 13 - She's All That, May 20 - Abeltje, June 3 - Message in a Bottle & Cruel Intentions, June 10 - The Corruptor, June 17 - Forces of Nature & Star Wars,
June 24 - True Crime & The Kind and I, July 1 - Entrapment & Payback, July 8 - Life, July 15 - Analyze This
The Bonaire Twin Cinema Box Office opens nightly at 6:00pm, and no reservations are required. Tickets are only available at the box office. Questions about the movies? Call Bonaire Twin Cinema at 2400 (Noon to
closing everyday), FAX: 8010, or send an e-mail to mailto:TwinCinema@InfoBonaire.com (please include your phone or FAX number).
Web Site of the Week
Each week, we'll list the addresses of new Bonaire Web sites that we come across.
Our Web site of the week is:
Dive Bonaire at the Divi Flamingo - http://www.DiveBonaire.com
If you have a new Bonaire-related Web site and want to make sure people know about it, send a message to mailto:news@BonaireENews.com with the details.
Quick Takes
- New Coalition Government Already At Work. The leaders of the incoming coalition government, Ramonsito Booi (Green Party - UPB) and N.C. Willem (Yellow Party - PABOSO) were in Aruba earlier this week meeting with Aruban Prime Minister Henny Eman and Minister of Finance Tico Croes to discuss the opportunities available by working together in the areas of tourism, aviation, and combating drugs. In the tourism area, the topic of 'dual destination' was a key discussion point.
- Bon Bini Divers Opens 2nd Shop. Bon Bini Divers opens its second full-service dive facility on Bonaire this week at the new beachfront resort, Eden Beach Resort Bonaire. Eden Beach Resort (briefly known as
the Eden Park Resort) is Bonaire's newest resort, located between Harbour Village and the former Sunset Beach Hotel. Bon Bini Divers will provide all diving services at the new resort, includine their full line up
of PADI and SSI courses, as well as daily boat dives and unlimited shore diving. To celebrate their new location, Bon Bini Divers is offering an inaugural opening sale through December 15, 1999, with prices
beginning at $499.00 per person for diving and accommodations (quad occupancy) at Eden Beach. Phone 5425, FAX 4425, E-mail: info@bonbinidivers.com , Web: www.bonbinidivers.com
- 17K Marathon Winners. During last Friday's Rincon Day, Maduro & Curiel's Bank sponsored a 17 kilometer marathon. Ubaldo Thedora won the men's class in 1:09:07, while in the women's class Lauri Samuelson
won with a time of 1:30:28.
- Telbo Phone Numbers. In a recent visit to TELBO, Bonaire's telephone company, we inquired as to the latest status of the new switches and phone numbers for Bonaire. The latest estimate is that by October
Bonaire will see the new phone switches in operation, meaning that many parts of the island currently unable to get extra phone lines (like where we are in Hato) will see phone line relief. However, contrary to our
previous notice that Bonaire's phone numbers will go from four digits to five, we've now been informed that Bonaire will be getting seven (7!) numbers, just like Curaçao. All existing four digit Bonaire phone
numbers would get the same three digit prefix, but what that prefix is has not yet been disclosed.
- OB Taxes Everywhere. As of this past weekend, all stores and businesses on Bonaire must be charging NAOB sales tax on all applicable goods. Prior to May 1, businesses which sold a blend of 2% taxable and 0%
taxable goods had a reprieve, but now those stores, primarily super markets and tokos, must charge the sales tax, and indicate clearly on their invoices how much tax was charged and for what items.
- Kontiki Closed Next Week. Diners and others wishing to partake of the east-side ambiance of the Kontiki Beachclub next week will need to find their entertainment elsewhere as Kontiki will be closed from
Monday, May 10th, through Monday, May 17th. Anyone wishing to make reservations for subsequent weeks during the week Kontiki is closed can call 5369 and ask for Michelle or Hugo.
- InfoBonaire Web Pages. NetTech N.V., Bonaire's only professional Web site hosting and design company, would like to remind Bonairean businesses that it offers no-cost hosting of Web pages at the top ranked
InfoBonaire Web site. There are _no_ monthly server storage fees involved, just NetTech's hourly design fee of $60/hour to design the Web pages. And, after the pages are designed, there are no more fees of any sort.
Businesses with existing Web pages on less frequented Web sites can also benefit from this service, as NetTech will also arrange to transfer existing Web pages owned by Bonairean businesses to its well traveled
InfoBonaire site at no charge, with no monthly fees. Companies with entire Web sites and their own domains are also eligible for a free server conversion, and competitive Web hosting rates and services via NetTech's
dedicated server located in the U.S. For more information, contact mailto:info@nettech.an or call 6773.
- Other May Happenings. Port Call, Bonaire's only Waterfront English-language Weekly, reports the following schedule of events remaining in May:
May 9. Washington Park 30 years celebration/Slagbaai
May 12-16. Windsurfing Challenge Race
May 13. Ascension Day (Legal Holiday)
Shops Closed on Ascension Thursday
May 19-22. Maritime Conference at the Plaza Resort.
Contact Carlene at 4646
May 22. Bonaire Mountain Bike Challenge
May 23. 80km Bicycle Road Race
May 24-26. ABC Yacht Race calls in Bonaire
- New Things From Subway. Subway, one of Bonaire few American franchises, is celebrating its third year in business by offering a new product and a new service. The new product is freshly baked low fat apple
pie available in a single portion size. The new service is catering for special events. Catering for larger events should be arranged at least 24 hours in advance, and features things like a 6 foot long Giant Sub
(feeds 36 people), meat & cheese trays, salads, and cookies. For details call or FAX 2110.
- Mother's Day - May 9th. Here's a reminder to only those people out there who were born. Sunday, May 9th is Mother's Day (Moederdag), and is an appropriate day to treat mothers extra special. So, here's to
you, Mom. On Bonaire, the only special event we're aware of, other than the Washington Park celebration, which isn't quite in honor of Mothers everywhere is a special Prime Rib dinner at the Green Parrot Restaurant.
Contact them at 5454 or mailto:greenparrot@bonairerestaurants.com
Classifieds
Lots of things for sale, and some things being sought. Please note that we do not warrant the accuracy or validity of the products/services/etc. being presented here - in other words, Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware).
Note: Advertising real estate for sale or rent in our Classifieds is fee based and no classified ads will be accepted from those looking for employment, and all other ads will be reviewed and may be edited if
accepted for free placement. Contact us at mailto:classifieds@BonaireENews.com for details.
-------------
For Free:
BONAIREAN RIDGEBACKS
Available for good home - Two well-trained Bonairean/Ridgeback sister dogs: happy, healthy (spayed) & playful. Great, loyal protectors & friends. Owner (Mikel-Ann
Hall) has to find them a new home because she has taken a live aboard cruise-ship job. Contact Ruth at mailto:kfc@bonairelive.com or phone 5742.
-------------
Employment Opportunities:
SALES MANAGER
Currently seeking full time sales professionals with 2+ years experience in retail sales management. Candidates must be sales driven, customer service oriented, and have the ability to motivate
others. Benefits including medical, generous employee discounts, paid training and more. E-mail or FAX resume only. Held in strictest of confidence.
FAX +599-7-7210, mailto:bonairegift@bonairenet.com
LIVE-IN NANNY in U.S.A.
Family living in Ft.Lauderdale, Florida is looking for a live-in nanny. Includes room and board and US$125 per week stipend, plus use of private car. Children to be taken care of are a 2
year old girl and a 4 year old boy, 5 days a week.
Interested individuals should contact mailto:margo@worlddive.com .
-------------
Real Estate:
RENTAL - NIKIBOKO AREA
2 Bedroom Apartment in the Nikiboko area. Includes 2 bathrooms, furnished living room, a large equipped kitchen and garden. Only NAFl. 600.- per month including water and electricity.
Requires one month's deposit.
For information call 8761 or mailto:diveinn@bonairenet.com
CONDO/APARTMENT COMPLEX FOR SALE
Visit http://www.infobonaire.com/html/classifieds.html#apartments for details
RENTAL - BEACH FRONT
Attractive 2-bedroom beach house for rent on a weekly or monthly basis. Fully furnished. Aircos in bedrooms. Ceiling fans in
bedrooms and living room & dining room. Solar hot water heater. Wash machine. Beautiful garden. Very secure location with gated entrance. Convenient
location, near restaurants, marina, resorts, tennis & spa. Attractive rates to responsible parties. Contact for brochure, photos and availability.
Phone: 570-586-0098; Fax: 570-586-4013; e-mail: larryt49@alumni.princeton.edu
-------------
For Sale/Rent:
WET SUIT
Full Henderson wet suit - small. Only used four times. NAFl 100.
Call Diana at 5225 evenings
NEW KITCHEN FAUCET
Deluxe Kitchen Faucet, single control, never used, includes all parts, documentation is NAFl. 76.80 at General Store. Asking NAFl. 50/OBO. Contact Jake at 6773 or mailto:jake@nettech.an .
CARS FOR SALE
AVIS Car Rental is selling fleet. All cars are in excellent condition and are usually 36 months old. Offering pick-ups, trucks, double cabin Toyota and Nissan, Toyota Tercels, Nissan
Salons, Kia 12 passenger vans, Toyota Corollas and three Suzuki Jeeps which are 1995. Prices start at NAFl 10000,-. Serious offers only please. Call for Appointment to view, Monday - Friday, 7am - 3pm, Phone: 5795.
AMERICAN CAR
Pontiac Grand Prix Ste. 1990, V6 3.1 Liter, full Automatic, fuel injection, four doors, air conditioned. Owner leaving. Car must be sold by May 10th, or will be sent back to USA. NAFl. 11500,-
Call 2500 and ask for Rodolfo Ext. 8109 or Ext. 5102
35mm SLIDE/DIA SCANNER
Polaroid SprintScan 35LE Film Scanner from Polaroid. Features 10-bit per color scans in under a minute, high-quality scans from positive or negative 35mm films, software-based
color processing and sharpening, images are saved in standard image file formats, image Size controls: crop, resize, resolution, orientation, maximized, preview size, etc. Asking US$788.74
Contact Andres Fermin at 7500 x186, or mailto:afermin@harbourvillage.com
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Paint Shop Pro 5.0 for Windows 95/98 - Professional paint and graphics software for preparing images for brochures, Web site, at affordable price of US$90.
Eudora Pro 4.0 for Windows 95/98 -
Professional E-mail software for people who live by e-mail - US$45.
Contact Jake @ NetTech, at 6773 or mailto:jake@nettech.an
BOOKS
Sea Change, personally autographed by author Dr. Sylvia Earle, NAFl. 25,- or US$14. Profits go to benefit the Bonaire Marine Park. Call Jake at 6773, mailto:jake@nettech.an .
-------------------
Want to Buy/Swap:
MODEM
Looking for external fax modem - 28,800 bps or faster.
Call Diana at 5225 evenings
WANT FOR SWAP
American Street Legal Vehicle (any type) to swap for diesel, truck in very good running condition.
Call 7120 or mailto:bonart@bonairenet.com
HIGH CHAIR
Need high chair for infant. Contact Enit at mailto:escholtens@bonairenet.com
SHELVES
Looking for sturdy wooden or metal shelves to be used in a living room. Contact Linda at mailto:linda@nettech.an or 6773.
OFFICE CHAIR
Looking for a good second hand office chair.
Call Donald Paula at 2773
USEDCAR
Toyota, Nissan or Mitsubishi, 1993 or younger, under 8000 NAFl.
Respond to Carol at mailto:sunfishworlds@bonairelive.com
|
