SDBJ -San Diego -”Airport Parking Rates to Inch Higher in July”

From the San Diego Business Journal:

Airport Parking Rates to Inch Higher in July

“Short-term parking rates at Lindbergh Field will increase starting July 1 following action Jan. 7 by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the public agency that manages the downtown facility.

The fee increases were part of a more comprehensive plan for the airport’s ground transportation that included every aspect of how passengers arrive and depart from the airport.

Under the new rates approved in a 5-3 vote by the airport authority board, parking at Lindbergh for up to 20 minutes will cost $2, up from $1; for 20 to 30 minutes, $2, unchanged from current rate; for 30 to 40 minutes, $4, up from $2; for 40-60 minutes, $4, up from $3; for one to one and a half hours, $6, up from $4.50; and for one and a half to two hours, $8, up from $4.50.

The increases gradually continue until the time gets to seven to 24 hours, which remained at $21. For each additional 24 hours it’s another $21, which was also left the same.”

Read The Whole Story Here…

The Magnificent Costa Rica Arribada: Invasion Of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

She waited 500 yards offshore in the tropical warm eastern Pacific ocean off Ostional Beach. Only fifteen the olive ridley sea turtle was in a small land that Christopher Columbus had named “Costa Rica”, the “rich coast” 500 years earlier.

The nearly daily afternoon rains of October had ended as the marine turtle waited expectantly. The moon was in its final quarter and, though she did not know why, it was having an effect on her.

A dozen meters away, a second olive ridley sea turtle joined her, followed by a dozen, then hundreds, thousands, and soon tens of thousands, all waiting quietly. For epochs the moon has silently passed its timeless phases that affect the world’s tides-and today it was bringing her ashore this night, just as it had led her forebears to ancestral nesting beaches for more than one hundred million years.

Nature is always magical. Just a few months ago, this turtle was living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean more than 2,500 miles away. And the multitude of sea turtles now alongside her were scattered over more than a million square miles of ocean.

Though food was plentiful far out in the Pacific, something was stirring inside her. She and hundreds of thousands like her felt the same need to return to Ostional Beach. They had to go back to where they had hatched.

Now, as she waited in the soft moonlight, she was ready. Over the thousands of miles she had swum she had been bred by several different males in the clear tropical waters because, somehow, they, too, were being affected by something unseen, a force primeval. It was something so compelling that it had been bringing her species back to the same Costa Rica beach since the days of dinosaurs.

In the tropical night this olive ridley sea turtle was waiting. She had somehow found to the very beach where she had hatched in 1995. We do not know how a Pacific marine turtle finds the exact beach where she started life. There are only a few nesting beaches on earth and they are not very big. Indeed Ostional Beach is only a few hundred meters in length. Now part of Costa Rica’s Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, it is without a doubt the most important olive ridley marine turtle nesting site on the planet. Wonderfully, in 1995, the year this turtle hatched, perhaps as many as 500,000 female olive pacific sea turtles had come ashore to nest here in huge waves. These massive invasions are called “arribadas.”

Unfortunately, our sea turtle’s mother will not join her to nest at Ostional this year even though for the last two decades, she had been part of massive Ostional arribadas several times every year. Not long ago, she drowned in an illegal shrimping net on her way back to the ancient nesting grounds. It was a needless waste since it could have been avoided by the simple use of an internationally required, but typically ignored, law requiring a turtle escape device. Thousands more were destroyed in what is politely called “incidental catch” by long line fishermen who refuse to use larger hooks that would prevent tragedy to this magnificent and ancient creature. And, no one knows how many thousands were killed awfully by eating carelessly discarded plastic bags. And, of course, there has been the ceaseless pillaging of nests: millions of eggs from just a few small, precious beaches.

Of course, the hundreds of thousands of olive ridleys just offshore know none of this. As we look out over the water in the pale moonlight, there are now so many that it almost seems one could walk on their backs for at least a mile. We stand in awe at the sheer magnitude of God’s creation. They don’t know or comprehend that they were on this planet long before there was a Tyrannosaurus Rex. They don’t know that we are waiting for them to come ashore so that when they lay their eggs on this tiny wildlife refuge, men, women, and children will legally raid their nests and take 1,000,000 eggs in return for protecting the rest of the clutches and preserving the species. They only know that this is where they are meant to be.

Then, though we do not know why, it happens. It is as though the same quiet voice that told them to come and provided flawless directions to a tiny sand beach thousands of miles away, the same silent command that demanded they wait offshore, now tells them it is time to come ashore. As quietly as they first appeared offshore, as silently as they gathered for days and weeks, their patience has been rewarded. They begin to come to the beach. A single olive ridley marine turtle is followed by a second, then another and another. Soon there are hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands—even more than that. All on a particular little beach. They come in increasing numbers all night. More arrive in the day. All day, day after day. It is the magnificent Ostional Arribada of Costa Rica. As timeless as the moon itself, it is the spectacular reaffirmation of life itself.

Enjoying a Night Out in Breckenridge, Colorado

If you are searching for another fun-filled place to spend your vacation and escape, temporarily from all the hassles of your day-to-day activities, Breckenridge, Colorado could be the best choice for you. A mountain town, Breckenridge in Colorado is a very popular choice of those who would like to rough it up in the snow or under the sun or those who would just like to enjoy the quiet charm and beauty of the place. Even if its not your top priority, make a plan to see what Breckenridges night scene is. It would be an easy task because the choices are endless and wide-ranging in Breckenridge. Here are some suggestions you may consider to help you choose your evening hours entertainment.

Live Entertainment: For 34 seasons, Backstage Theatre has provided Breckenridge, Colorado with high-quality theatre fare. With well-loved stories such as Easy Living and The Wizard of Oz among the summer productions, you will most likely want to see the other productions as well. Its not a bad idea since only award-winning plays are chosen for production. You will find Backstage Theatre inside the Breckenridge Theatre located at South Ridge Street.

Usually, no less than seven and not more than nine productions are staged starting the summer up to the winter seasons. Backstage Theatres productions are well attended by the community, so you are not guaranteed a seat unless you have reservations.

Food Trip: Make plans to check the food scene. Surely, there is nothing wrong with allotting time to check and enjoy the food while planning your visit to Breckenridge A wide variety of cuisine identified with other counties are offered by food establishments in Breckenridge. And, if you feel nostalgic about the old times and at the same time you wish to experience eating in a floating restaurant, go to The Dredge Boathouse, a replica of Summit Countys 1900s dredges. To make the day complete, treat yourself for some ice cream or a drink at the pub and you will go to sleep with a smile on your lips.

Blues and Drinks: Mountain towns usually have watering holes and Breckenridge makes an effort to set its bar scene at a different and higher level than those at the other similarly situated communities. Since there are over 130 bars and dining places open to the public, there are more than enough destinations should you decide on a whole night tour of the bars of Breckenridge.

Try the unique taste of local brews at Breckenridge Brewery and Pub, the recommended starting point of your bar tour. Although Avalanche Ale is good, you would want to visit Downstairs at Erics for more beer varieties. The place boasts of its wide variety of brews on stock, you have an almost perfect chance of finding the taste you like there.

After a few cold mugs, you might have eased up a bit for more excitement that live music brings. Sherpa & Yetis, a favorite among the locals, is an excellent selection for musical shows just like the acts offered by The Salt Creek Restaurant and Saloon. But if your disposition is towards some high end night out, drop by The Cellar and try their wine and tapas. Or if you prefer the relaxed atmosphere in a rustic setting, you will find it at Gold Pan, an old-style saloon.

So, whether you would like to indulge your taste buds, enjoy the quiet atmosphere, enhance your theatrical awareness, or dance to the beat of live music, Breckenridge is the place to experience a memorable night out.

Newark Airport Parking, When Flying Out Of EWR

When flying out of Newark airport, convenience is a must have.
So I like to stay at the Best Western Newark, just 1/2 mile from EWR,
their shuttle drivers are professional and courteous, the hotel is clean.
I have heard nothing but good about this hotel and their parking packages.

Some recent reviews include:

Very Clean and shuttle drivers were great.

I will stay here again

Easy to find, convenient to airport, efficient staff, large room, clean

I will stay here again

Anthony S. 07.30.2009

When we first arrived at the hotel, I was a little apprehensive about the location. But once we entered we were very impressed with the facility. Check-in was very efficient and informative. We were especially pleased on our return to have our car drive up to the van so our luggage could be easily loaded into our trunk. I am recommending the hotel to others because of our experience. You can’t beat 10 days of free parking.

I will stay here againSo if you’re flying out of Newark Airport, I suggest you try their airport parking package,
which includes up to 10 days airport parking, and you can stay one night at the
beginning or end of your trip inclusive, for only $139.99

Check it out here: Best Western Newark Parking Package

Have A Safe Trip,
Henry

The Beginnings: Costa Rica Eco Tourism, Teddy Roosevelt And The Matterhorn

It began with Teddy Roosevelt and started at the Matterhorn. Today we call it eco tourism and what started as the germ of an idea on a cold, forlorn Swiss mountain now leads thousands of people each year to a tiny gem that Christopher Columbus named “Costa Rica” over 500 years ago.

About 20 years before he became one of America’s greatest presidents, Roosevelt, always the explorer, went to Europe to climb the famous Matterhorn Mountain in Switzerland. He was chagrined by what he encountered on the mountain or, more accurately, what he did not find.

The mountain was virtually barren. Where once there had been wilderness there were no longer goats, mountain sheep, bears, wolves, or other great animals.

Though “eco tourism” didn’t enter the language lexicon for nearly 100 more years, Theodore Roosevelt was the world’s first eco tourist and, I would say, the responsible for today’s eco tourism.

How do Roosevelt and the Matterhorn relate to Costa Rica eco tourism? Perhaps more than you might imagine. From his observations at the Matterhorn, Roosevelt realized that unless vast tracts of land were set aside, relentless exploitation would ultimately lead to disaster. So, when he became President and, despite the powerful robber barons and vested interests who fought him, he was the first to set aside wilderness and parks—an incredible 230,000,000 acres—an extraordinary achievement for America and singular accomplishment for the world.

Roosevelt’s bold vision led to an extraordinary discovery: common citizens would gladly pay money to visit nature. Sustained use of land through eco tourism had important economic consequences, perhaps more valuable than exploitation in many cases—in America.

But, America’s experience was one thing. It was wealthy and developed. Costa Rica was, seemingly, very different. Here was a place that in 1519 its Spanish Governor called “the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in all Americas.” Four and a half centuries later, now independent and free, most of its forests had been cut or burned to make farm land. Big (American) business dominated its primary product, bananas, and the country was almost completely dependent upon the export of bananas, coffee, and other agricultural products for its economic life. United Fruit Company controlled the banana market and its relations with Costa Rica were often stormy, sometimes icy. Then, in the early 1970s, prices for coffee collapsed during a glut of the product on the world market. The country’s future looked bleak.

With challenge comes opportunity for the bold and thoughtful and, in an apparently unlikely alliance, conservationists and business interests argued in favor of setting aside resources for sustainable, rather than exploitative, development. For whatever reason, the government agreed to this rather bold experiment and, in just three decades, has now set aside nearly 25% of the country for parks and preserves. Roosevelt, ever the visionary, would applaud if still here.

In the span of just 30 years, the results have been stunning. While most countries were burning and cutting their forests, Costa Rica was reforesting. Today, there are 20% more forests than just 25 years ago. Birds and mammals are returning to places where they haven’t been seen for a generation or more. Costa Rica has enthusiastically embraced sustained development, rejecting the siren’s call of Big Oil by refusing off shore drilling for oil. Indeed almost 100% of its electricity now comes from renewable, non-polluting hydro-electric power and it is embarking on wind turbines for additional generation. Researchers from Columbia and Yale researchers now categorize it in the top 5 of all environmentally sensitive countries on the globe.

Costa Rica tourism and eco tourism have skyrocketed and the country has vaulted into the #1 position on the Happiest Place in the World Index. Turns out that Columbus was prescient when he named this place “the rich coast” or “Costa Rica” and the Spanish governor who derided it as “the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in Americas” was dead wrong. Somewhere, Roosevelt smiles in triumph.

To close, we need to revisit the Swiss Matterhorn, the impetus behind Roosevelt’s sudden clarity that parks and preserves were essential to saving wildlife and Costa Rica’s wise extension of that idea leading to today’s incredibly successful Costa Rica eco tourism. Consider the irony here. Costa Rica is often called the “Switzerland” of the tropics but it learned from Swiss failures. Ironically, Switzerland has learned nothing. Costa Rica’s mountains are today filled with life and eco tourism helps fuel its economy. One of every five species of plants and animals on earth are found there. Meanwhile, the magnificent Matterhorn remains silent because its life was exploited and destroyed, not cherished and preserved.