Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021, Year 28, Issue 01

Box 603, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands, Phone (599) 796-4055, www.bonairereporter.com email:[email protected]

“Bonaire’s reefs got a break from divers’ traffic in 2020.” Alvin Clemencia. Diver Malin Kaijser glides over the reef. Photo Julie Morgan

Looking back at 2020 and forward to 2021, part II In reaching out to individuals from various sectors of of nice homes. As we move into 2021, we see continued Derchlien Vrolijk Bonaire for our end of year feature, Looking back at strength in the Bonaire market as buyers from Europe Tourism Corporation Bonaire marketing 2020 and forward to 2021, we received amazing, heart- and North America decide to spend more time in a place As 2020 comes to an end we reflect felt and well thought out responses but they were a bit like Bonaire where you can live almost all of your life on a very peculiar year, with many op- long. So, we decided not to edit but to run the carefully outdoors no matter whether you are reading a book, div- portunities for the future of Bonaire. considered comments in full, therefore we present part II. ing, walking, windsurfing or kite boarding. There is a lot This year has been a culmination of to do here, and almost all of it is outdoors. reflection on what truly matters. Lt. Governor Edwin Rijna Rents trended lower this year, because we had both For individuals it could be a simple hug from a family (excerpts from New Years speech) fewer tourists and fewer people working in HORECA member or friend and for a destination it would be the We are on the road to recuperation, and other tourist related businesses. At the upper end of experience shared with travelers who choose your desti- but we are not done with the virus. In the market, many properties that are usually tourist rent- nation, accommodation, dive shop or restaurant as part preparing for the vaccines, the exact als became long term rentals and so the supply of rental of their holiday or retreat. date is still unknown when they will be units went up, and rental prices had to go down. Many Many may want to work towards the ‘new normal’; the here. We must show patience and continue to follow the landlords ended up discounting the rent for current ten- outcome is far beyond the expression ‘normal.’ Bonaire rules. After the vaccines, we hope we will return to a ants just to avoid having vacant homes and apartments. has the opportunity to implement its vision of a sustain- somewhat normal life. The crisis demonstrated we are We think Bonaire real estate will only increase in value able Blue Destination now more than ever. strong and have the capacity to recuperate. During the in the coming years. Now is a good time to buy. This pandemic is giving Bonaire the opportunity to crisis people came up with new ways to work and stimu- evolve and transmute the destination to its vision at a late economy: fishing, agriculture and new businesses… Alvin Clemencia rapid pace by applying the guidelines of the Strategic More people should be taking the initiative to come Divi Flamingo instructor Tourism Master Plan (STMP) by merging with the Re- up with new ways for Bonaire to go forward. We need Happy Renewal Year! It is with renewed covery Plan. more people to take initiative for our economy to grow. hope that I stepped into the New Year As Tourism Corporation Bonaire has a leading role Looking forward to a more normal year. In our union is 2021 after an obligatory long vacation in implementing the STMP and Recovery Plan, we are strength. in 2020 due to COVID-19. No divers in certainly very confident Bonaire will achieve its vision Divers Paradise, air and naval spaces were shut down so, with the right communal mindset. Robert Bartikoski some hotels had to shut down too. Financially it was a “TCB wishes our ambassadors, visitors and expats a Broker/Owner Remax Paradise Homes tough year for Bonaire, practically no visitors. And even 2021 filled with many positive encounters. We are hope- For the real estate business the market though the reefs got a break from divers’ traffic, they got ful to see you soon on our beautiful island of Bonaire. for buying and selling houses was very hit with a serious case of bleaching. One positive thing To our partners, stakeholders and local communitywe slow in March/April when the island I’m looking forward to for this year is the Reef Renewal wish many positive opportunities to keep transforming was ”shut down,” but the market picked Program. Helping the reefs I’ve been diving on for so Bonaire into a more sustainable Blue Destination”. up over the summer and fall driven by the extremely low many years is a great thing to do. interest rates in the Netherlands and the US, so we saw So, let’s look forward to a happier, healthier and pros- investors coming into the market and completing sales perous 2021! Looking at 2020 and 2021, continued on page 4 The BONAIRE REPORTER online news that has broken since the printed issue

Numbers January 20, 2021

Bonaire has 69 active cases of Covid-19 on January 20, 2021. One of the 25 test results for Covid-19 is positive. 12 people recovered since yesterday. Three peo- ple are in hospital due to Covid-19, two gets special care.

Take a test if you feel sick. It can take a while before you get the result. It’s important to wait the result in quarantine. Do not go outside before you get your result because you can infect other people. To bring these numbers down it’s important to maintain the hygiene instructions, as keep 1.5 meter distance and wash your hands with water and soap regularly to prevent infection with the Coronavirus.

Do you have a fever, sore throat or other complaints related to Covid-19? Stay at home and call 0800-0800. Maintain the hygiene instructions. Eat healthy, exer- cise and get enough sleep. Take care of yourself and the people around you.

PRESS RELEASE Communications Department of the public body of Bonaire Jan. 19

Freezer corona vaccine Monday “Bonaire will receive the Pfizer- January 25 on Bonaire BioNTech vaccine for the first phase of vaccinations. We do not yet know Kralendijk - The two freezers for the whether Bonaire will receive the Mod- storage of corona vaccines will arrive erna vaccine or the AstraZeneca vac- on Bonaire on Monday, January 25. For cine that has yet to be approved. Sup- example, Joey van Slobbe of the Public pose we do get the Moderna vaccine, Health department has announced that then we already have the freezer. This he is responsible for the preparations way we are well prepared for all pos- for vaccination on the island. Thursday, sibilities. ” January 28, January 28, a team from the Vaccination takes place in stages on RIVM will arrive on the island. The Bonaire. “In the first phase, people aged members of the team check that things 70 and older are vaccinated and the are well organized to start vaccinating healthcare personnel. Then it is the turn in mid-February. of the over-60s and people who are in “One of the freezers is for the stor- a risk group. For example, people with age of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine. cardiovascular disease, lung disease, That vaccine should be stored at -70 diabetes. Later the healthy people from degrees. The other freezer is suitable for 18 years to 60 years are vaccinated. ” the storage of the Moderna vaccine, this vaccine must be stored at -20 degrees, Photo: Freezers used in the Nether- ”said Van Slobbe. lands The BONAIRE REPORTER online news that has broken since the printed issue

Measures have been extended until January 28th, 2021 The BONAIRE REPORTER online news that has broken since the printed issue

Speech By Dr. Marian Luinstra-Passchier January 15th I would like to start by cautiously giving you some good news: in recent Diagram 2: seven-day average of the days we have seen a slight decrease in number of new cases per day the number of positive cases. Today we received 81 test results, of which 7 were The graph clearly shows a decline in positive. numbers. This means that the number of new infections per day is dropping. In recent days, we have experienced Please note: the red line numbers may some delays in the processing of the still rise slightly due to the results of laboratory results. Because the results new contact tracing. from several days were coming in at the same time, we would sometimes see a As I said, cautiously, there is some surge of up to 26 positive results per good news, but we are not out of the day. These laboratory problems have woods yet! now been solved. As you are aware, measures were tightened from 9 January last week. Our daily reports are based on the re- The effect of which will only be seen sults that we receive that same day. We between 15 and 22 January, 2021. We have now made an overview based on hope that the number of positive cases the test date and the first day of illness. will decrease even more. To achieve This provides a clearer overall picture this we need the cooperation of each of the distribution of the infections. In and every one. diagram 1 the yellow bars indicate the first day of illness and the blue bars This is why we have advised the indicate the test date. Lieutenant Governor not to change the measures we currently have in place. Diagram 1: outbreak epi curve Obviously, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and if the Public As you can see from this diagram, Health Department concludes that the the number of new cases is decreasing. measures may be relaxed or should be To outline this development even more made more stringent, we will imme- clearly, we have shown the average of diately advise that specific course of the cases reported per seven days in di- action. agram 2.

Speech By Island Governor Edison Rijna January 15th Police Report Dear Citizens, strict action should entrepreneurs in the January 11 to 13, 2021 hospitality industry not comply with the Today I will be brief. Last week the rules. At that moment I also stated that Temporary Act COVID-19 was amend- the time for issuing warnings was over. Control of the SGB arrest this man and to investigate the case ed. This means, among other things, Last Tuesday inspectors from the Su- On Friday, January 8, the police, in collabo- further. Multiple arrests are not excluded. that the flight ban that was imposed on pervision and Enforcement Directorate, ration with the Public Prosecution Service, the BES islands has been lifted from to- together with KPCN, penalized and shut carried out a check on fireworks in 18 night onwards. This is why flights from, down seven hospitality establishments. classes of the Bonaire school community at Several catering establishments closed for example, Canada and the US will be A total of 16 hospitality establishments Kaya Frater Odulfinus. This in response to after multidisciplinary inspection allowed to come to our islands again. were inspected that evening. Yesterday, the many complaints about fireworks nui- The Caribbean Netherlands Police Force, The airlines, however, must adhere to on Thursday, checks were also carried sance. During the check, fireworks, hemp in collaboration with the Supervision and the new legislation regarding checking out, but no fines were issued that day seeds, a Stanley knife, a lighter and a sharp Enforcement Department of the Public pair of scissors were found. Everything was Entity, carried out a multidisciplinary of PCR tests. In practice, it will take a because everyone had complied with confiscated. The parents of the students check at various catering companies in the while before air traffic to Bonaire is ful- the rules. where the items were found have been evenings on Tuesday 12 January. The audit ly underway again, so it will take some informed about this. focused on enforcing the valid emergency time before we will be welcoming our The measures I announced last week Detention party organizer ordinance. The team has visited snacks, first flights from the United States and remain in force. I am counting on all of On Monday, January 11, a man with initials restaurants and ice cream parlors. A total Canada. you to abide by the rules. Together we N.M.E. of 61 years, in connection with a of 16 sites were checked, of which 7 had can get the coronavirus under control if party held on December 26, 2020. The man broken one or more rules. All 7 branches Last week I also announced that the everyone does their part. broke several rules and did not comply with were fined and closed immediately until it Supervision and Enforcement Direc- the then valid emergency ordinance. As can be demonstrated that the rules can be a result, the OM has given permission to complied with. torate, together with the KPCN (Dutch Caribbean Police Force), would take Flotsam and This Week’s Stories Jetsam Looking forward to 2021 1 Covid roundup 2 Aruba must take over social aid Vaccinations to begin in February SueArt Terramar exhibit 3 Masks: WHO 5 According to State Secretary Raymond Knops, a quarter of The public body of Bonaire expects to start the vaccination STCB thanks 6 the Aruba population depends on food aid, and for a long time program to combat the corona virus in February 2021. The more Tax/customs office closed 6 the government of Aruba has been avoiding covering its costs people vaccinated, the faster the virus can disappear from our Road detours J.A. Abraham Blvd. 9 for welfare, social assistance, and special assistance. It has been daily lives and the sooner we can live without fear of becoming WEB delivers Christmas 9 passing on those costs to the central government, to the Red infected. 2021 STINAPA tags 9 Big Bag Campaign 11 Cross, and to other aid organizations. Knops warned that by At the end of January, a team of experts from the RIVM will ar- summer the government of Aruba must start bearing those costs Register for school 12 rive to prepare and supervise the vaccination program. It will work Clean Coast 2021 schedule 12 itself. with the Public Health Department, the general practitioners, and Phase 4 COVID rules 12 The Red Cross reports that during the coronavirus crisis it Fundashon Mariadal hospital. The vaccines must be transported Captain Don’s Day petition 13 provided Arubans with 75,000 warm meals and 8000 e-vouchers and stored carefully. The necessary equipment will also arrive on Tropical Nature opens own store 16 for shopping. It also paid for more than 100 visits to doctors Bonaire in January. The Reporter online visits. None of those costs were covered by the local govern- The first stock of vaccine will be available on Bonaire from Covid-19 breaking news ment. All were paid by large donations the Red Cross receives February. The intention is to vaccinate every adult on the island. from the Dutch government, over and above the millions the Vaccination is voluntary. The various vaccines now available have Departments government paid Aruba directly for emergency aid. DMR been extensively tested and found to be safe. They are already Flotsam & Jetsam: 2 being used in many countries. DMR (Aruba social aid; Online tax services; Online tax services moving to new site € 7 million to research; Knops gives With infections skyrocketing, Phase 4 regulations kick in mixed reviews; Curaçao refinery; BES The recently created government online tax services site, Active covid cases have leapt to well over a hundred on Bo- Kadasters; EZair & Winair)) www.belastingdienst-cn.nl, will be shut down at the end of the naire. With the island battling another marked acceleration in in- Who’s Who in The Reporter 2 working day on Friday, January 16th. A replacement site, www. fections, the public prosecutor, the police chief, and the lieutenant Ask Kate (Rental income) 4 MijnCN.nl, will be in operation on Monday morning, the 19th. governor have decided to take stricter action and begin enforcing Police Report 4 Users can log on and create a new account. The user’s newly Phase 4 COVID-19 regulations. The first arrest has already been Letters (Masks pro & con; Bonaire’s roads) 5 Ask a Geek: (Call us) 7 created account will then be operable in a couple of days. DMR made. A person identified as NE has been detained for holding a large party. Reef Glimpses: (Eagle ray & fishing line) 7 Sky Park (Mercury; Wolf moon) 7 A poster listing Phase 4 regulations can be found on page 12. Did You Know (lionfish) 10 Seven million euros pledged for CN research Police no longer issue warnings. The Public Prosecution Service A Garden? (New Year’s cleansing) 10 is immediately charging people, establishments, and companies What’s Happening 12 The government is funding two multidisciplinary research Making Bonaire “Accessible” programs in the Caribbean Netherlands (CN) that will strength- that violate regulations by allowing large gatherings and parties where the rules are not followed. Offending activities will be shut (Best of 2020 ) 12 en how the decisions made for the region meet the challenges Creating Optimal Health (Breathe, pt. 2) 13 down, fines will be paid, and serious violations may bring criminal caused by climate change. Live Inspired Today (Hindsight) 13 charges under the BES Penal Code. One program being funded is called SEALINK. It will build Business Directory 14 Shelter News: (2020 statistics) 15 a broadly based body of social and scientific knowledge about The public is encouraged to report parties or gatherings where Pet of the Week: Carl - cat 15 the region’s ocean ecology. The program will create the first more than the permitted number of people is present. People can comprehensive understanding of ocean pollution and coral reef call the KPCN at 717-8000 or the anonymous tip line at 717-7251. When companies violate the rules, Supervision and Enforcement How to Find Us: health in the Dutch Caribbean. Researchers will follow water Read us online: https://bonairereporter.com and pollutants (including sewage, fertilizer, and human patho- (T&H) should be called at 715-5300 during office hours, at 796- 4850 after hours, or can emailed at [email protected]. f:https://www.facebook.com/TheBonaireReporter/ gens) from land to sea, and track how water motion and marine Available in 80 locations organisms move and change these substances. They will mea- Covid case at high school and in government Printed every two weeks sure coral reef growth in 3D. This information will be used in A teacher at the high school has tested positive for Covid -19. Next edition: January 27, 2021 Contributors’ Deadline: January 22, 2021 computer simulations to create new conservation scenarios with The SGB students and interns who were in contact with the teach- community input. The researchers will also study how commu- er have been asked to stay home this week. EXTRA has reported Stories, tips, questions, ideas & ads: nity members use scientific information. that three members of MPB party have Covid: Tjin Asjoe, Ellis Phone (+599)796 4055 Email: [email protected] The second program being funded is called Island(er)s at and Din Domacasse. Address: Box 603, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. the Helm. The program will bring together researchers and lo- Source tracing The Bonaire Reporter Staff: cal partners to share technical, traditional, and contemporary Julie Morgan, Publisher According to Dr. Marian-Luinstra-Passchier of the Public knowledge practices. The objective will be to co-create sus- [email protected] Health Department, most covid cases are related to a few groups tainable and inclusive strategies for social adaptation to cli- Production: Barbara Lockwood of infections, or clusters, where many people were infected. She matic challenges. In addition, a trans-Atlantic academic plat- Contributors: Angliet Baidjoe, Ria Evers-Dokter, said, “We know that until now most people have been infected Dee Scarr, Sky Watch: Trace Dominguez & Ata form and regional expertise center will be developed to foster during a shift or at a party. As long as the sources are known, we Sarajedini-Star Gazers website; Kate Butler, research-based education on climate challenges for the islands. can keep the situation under control. When there are many cases Jean Scearce, Brian Niessen, Sanne Attevelt, DMR (Besreporter) with unknown sources, it is time to take more serious measures.” Jane Madden-Disko, Travis Sullins, Julianka Clarenda, Don M. Ricks, Malcolm Wilson, Alan WEB reopens Zale, Caren Eckrich, Roxanne-Liana Francisca, BES Kadasters merged After one WEB employee was diagnosed for COVID -19, WEB Dennis Martinus with Netherlands Management out of an abundance of caution took the decision to Distribution: Marlene & Co. (Playa), Yuchi Moli- close the main office for deep cleaning and thorough disinfecting na (Rincon), Divi-Divi Airline, Printed by: DeStad Drukkerij, Curaçao Kadaster keeps a record of who has which rights in relation on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th of January. Founders: George and Laura DeSalvo to all property, land and buildings. Effective 2021, the sepa- Now the WEB main office has reopened. Only a limited number © 2021 The Bonaire Reporter rate Kadaster functions on each of the BES islands have been of customers are allowed in at one time. They must wear a mouth incorporated into Kadaster Netherlands. All Kadaster records mask and maintain a distance of 1.5 meters. WEB encourages from the islands are now digitized and entered into the national customers to use a debit card rather than cash, and to do their Covid-19 on Bonaire registry. business with WEB by email or telephone whenever possible. Public access to Kadaster services is unchanged. Property as of January 20, 2021 owners, notaries, estate agents, banks, project developers, and Hospital restrictions tightened other interested parties can still go to the local Kadaster of- Fundashon Mariadal announced it is tightening precautions due 69 active 3 hospitalized fices for information. The contents of the registry are public. to the recent increase in the number of COVID-19 infections on 277 recovered 3 deceased Both the procedures for registration and the registry itself will the island. Patients and clients in the hospital (Sentebibu), Kas di 349 positive 3951 tested now be uniform, and the property market will be assured better kuido and Ka’i Mimina are not allowed visitors for the time being. 3602 negative 163 in quarantine transparency. DMR (Besreporter) Visitors or attendants may enter the hospital only in exceptional For breaking covid news go to the online cases. Visits are allowed only if the specialist or ward doctor gives Reporter https://bonairereporter.com

Flotsam & Jetsam, continued on page 15 Covid-19, continued on page 13 Page 2 The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 thing to say. Artists have strong opin- SueArt exhibits ions and I try to have a balance between the two,” said Sue. As for a medium, surprisingly, the at Terramar artist uses Bonaire’s Krioyo water base wall paint for all her work, whether it is a portrait, an abstract or a wall mural. If you haven’t noticed, her murals and street art around Bonaire are at the hospital, Kas Chuchbi, Trans World Ra- dio, Bon Kordo, Deviate Design, WEB and on the wall along Sabadeco Road. Just look for her signature – SueArt. “The Colors of Life on Bonaire” will be at Terramar Art Museum from now to January 31, Thursday and Friday 1 pm-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5pm. Most days you can meet Sue and see her working on one of her paintings. (Admission is $5, for the benefit of the museum). Story and photos, Julie Morgan

A new exhibit “The Colors of Life since she was a kid but didn’t begin to On January 3, the 10 people and guests on Bonaire” at Terramar Art Museum take it seriously until recently. were invited to attend the “Colors” open- features the work of Solveig van Wijn- “I sold a piece and decided I want to try ing to see their likeness brought to life in gaarden or Sue. Her colorful murals and this to make money,” said Sue. one of Sue’s paintings. street art seem to be everywhere around Her academic studies were in musical Sue said that the main thing she loves Bonaire lately. Now you can see her work theater and marketing. Now she has put a about Bonaire are the many nationalities up close and personal till January 31. few of those skills to use in her art career. and backgrounds of the people on the is- The amazing thing about Sue is she The show at Terramar is the result of land and hence the title for her exhibit. In has only been making a living as an artist a Facebook project began last Septem- her selection for the paintings she tried to since 2017 and, to top that she has only ber 7. Sue posted an ad on Durftevragen have a nice mix of the different cultures been on Bonaire for a year. Bonaire Facebook asking locals to send and personalities. Originally from The Hague, Nether- or post a photo of themselves for her to The show also features some of her less lands, Sue didn’t come to Bonaire to dive paint with no cost involved. She received commercial work or fantasy work. or windsurf, she came because her family over 180 images and painted 10 portraits “Sometimes I have something in my is here and to make art. that are the main focus of the Colors of mind and want to step away from the Sue has been drawing and painting Life on Bonaire show. commercial. Sometimes I have some-

The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Page 3 Looking at 2020 and 2021, continued from page 1 Doug Searle, Pastor ple who choose to live their life on this International Bible Church beautiful island have always been willing Ask Kate 2020 has been a year to give one another a hand. But the past Bonaire real estate advice year was simply amazing: from simple to bear in mind the words Question: Do you expect vacation rentals to return to pre-COVID initiatives involving little helping hands of the ancient prophet: levels on Bonaire once there is a vaccine? Wondering if I can to really big organized groups helping “Though the fig tree should still make a profit if I buy a house there. Dan not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the large numbers of people with the support of the government. People, businesses produce of the olive fail and the fields Hi Dan, rental (a few months to a year or more) yield no food, the flock be cut off from and organizations that used to be compet- itors (to say it politely) rose up togeth- We can’t predict rental performance, to people who live on the island. Al- the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, though long term rentals rent for less yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take er…..for those who needed it more. This since even past performance is no guar- made my love for this Island and respect antee of future performance. We en- than vacation rentals, they don’t have joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the many of the expenses associated with Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet for the people living here even more this courage clients to buy a home they can year (even after being a Bonairean for 20 afford even if they receive no vacation vacation rentals, such as check-ins, like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my cleaning, laundry and utilities. Many high places.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19) years). rental income. The COVID crisis in the So, let’s not FORGET the bounds, plans past year has shown us the wisdom of long term renters pay some or all of their At International Bible Church, this chal- own utilities, cable and internet. lenging time has been a reminder that our and ideas to help the community of Bo- that advice. Depending on the property, hope is not in the circumstances of this naire. Let’s always REMEMBER how big some owners do break even or make a All the best, world, but in our Savior Jesus Christ, a small island can be. Let’s go into 2021 profit, but we have always advised our Kate Butler and Jean Scearce who gave his own life to give us life in and the rest of the future going forward clients not to buy a home with these Re/Max Bonaire him. We have seen his goodness and his with more tolerance and respect. Never expectations, especially if they have a faithfulness to us in many ways this year. forget how beautiful life on Bonaire is. mortgage on the property. If you have a real estate question or We look forward to the coming year and Whatever the future will bring for tour- If you prefer more stable income, you want to buy or sell property, email us at the ongoing adventure of following Jesus, ism on Bonaire!!! Together BONAIRE might be interested in mid or long term [email protected]. not because we expect our situation to im- will be up against the challenge. Of course prove, but because we know he will be I hope we will see you all A LOT in all our with us whatever the situation. We pray local bars and restaurants. Also, they can within, and it made me realize more than stronger “People of Bonaire.” that everyone in Bonaire will truly see the use your support!!!! ever, how blessed I am: Now that we have surpassed the grow- grace of God in Christ in 2021. 1. The personal realization of “my” ing pains and the child illnesses, we have Grace Winklaar truth of “my” health. I had to make arrived in a position to put our differ- Floris van Loo entrepreneur choices that affected me financially, and ences aside and keep this amazing little Rum Runners 2020 was a year filled yet these same choices added substantial Island, prosperous, free and pleasantly In between fear and with lessons learned. It value to “my” quality of life. safe. strength! taught us to look at our 2. From a professional perspective, I am so thankful and proud to be part Many say a year to for- world as a whole, with 2020 made us more aware of the strength of the community of Bonaire. get ASAP. I don’t agree!! different eyes. The eyes of our hearts. For and weaknesses of our businesses and 2020, provided us with everything we It’s been a year with lots of challenges. me this year has been a year filled with lives. In essence, it prepared us and need to enjoy 2021 to the fullest, with- That’s a fact, of course. blessings. made us more resilient for whatever out any resolution lists. Thanks to all the Doing business on Bonaire always has Allow me to elaborate, I have my health 2021 brings. lessons learned in 2020. its challenges but 2020 brought a new di- and financial issues like most of us do. 3. As a community, I can say that we Happy New Year and 2021 you are mension for sure. Bonaireans and the peo- However, 2020 made me search deep now find ourselves in a much healthi- welcome. er place, while forming part of a much

were confiscated. Both suspects were taken surance documents with him. After show- by the ambulance to the hospital. ing the mentioned documents and paying On Friday morning, January 8, a 24-year- the towing costs, the owner can pick up POLICE REPORT old woman was arrested for theft. The the moped at the police station. The fine Property crime January 1, a man, 24, was stopped for rid- declarant stated that the woman had stolen for driving without a license and insurance Between Wednesday December 30 and ing a moped without a helmet. During the his bank card and had withdrawn money. is $ 225. Thursday December 31 a red / white Hon- routine check, police found that the suspect On Friday, January 8, around 8 pm, the On Sunday, January 10, around 1 am, the da motorcycle, with license plate MF-88, was in possession of a firearm. The firearm police station was notified that a woman driver of a scooter was fined for driving was stolen from the yard of a house in Punt and moped were confiscated. Subsequently, had stabbed a man at a house on Kaya Ker- without a helmet, not complying with a po- Vierkant. a house search took place in a house in the krade. The woman, 33, was arrested. The lice order to stop, driving above the maxi- Between Wednesday, January 6, and Fri- Nort Saliña district. man was taken to hospital by ambulance. mum speed limit in built-up areas, driving day, January 8, a petrol vibrating plate was At around 1:20 am on Sunday, January 3, At around 2:15 am, Sunday, January 10, without a driver’s license or insurance doc- stolen. a car was stopped for inspection because it a man, 23, was arrested for assault. uments. The scooter was also impounded. A kiteboard was stolen Saturday, January had headlights that changed color, which is Traffic accidents and violations In the late afternoon on Sunday, Janu- 9 between 5 and 6 pm, from the beach at confusing for other road traffic. The driver On Friday, January 1, a little after 7 am, ary 10, a unilateral collision took place on a kite beach. did not have a valid driver’s license or in- a car hit the wall of a supermarket located Kaminda Gurubu. The driver of a car, lost On Saturday, January 9, between 2 and surance certificate. The car did have new on Kaya Nikiboko North. The driver was control of the wheel in a sharp turn and 10 am, a purple Gilera scooter, model Run- number plates, but these did not belong to taken to hospital by ambulance. drove off the road. The ambulance took the ner, with registration number MF-268, was this car. The driver received a police report. During the past period, several drivers driver to the hospital. stolen. The scooter was parked on a side- Because the driver has already been fined were fined during regular traffic checks Emergency ordinance walk behind a house in Amboina, but was several times for driving without a driver’s for driving without valid insurance papers, The police, in combination with Supervi- not locked. license, the car was also impounded. driver’s license or number plate. Fines sion and Enforcement of the Public Entity, Arrests On Tuesday, January 5, a man, 35, years were also issued for driving without a seat are checking for compliance to the rules of At around 6 pm on Wednesday Decem- old was arrested for threats and destruction belt, using the phone while driving and the emergency ordinance. of the RCN government building (Rijks- ber 30, police confiscated a bicycle from driving without a helmet on the scooter. Law and order gebouw) located on Gobernador Nicolaas a 16-year-old rider on Kaya C.E.B. Hell- KPCN would like to draw the attention of In recent days, the police station has re- Debrot. mund. The driver was cycling on the rear everyone to have the necessary documents ceived many complaints about fireworks. On Wednesday, December 6, a patrol wheel (a wheelie) for a long time, endan- as mentioned above in order. The amount On Saturday, January 9, a police report on duty encountered a brawl at Kaya L.M. gering himself and other traffic. of a fine for the above violations varies be- was issued for someone who insulted an Pourier. The two men were engaged in a On Friday, December 1, a man, 49, was tween $30 and $225. official in office. arrested for public intoxication at a bar on fierce fight in which a man was beaten with In the early evening hours, around 7 pm, a metal tube and knifed. A man, 52, was a moped on Kaminda Lagun was confiscat- Contact the police Kaya Patachi. The suspect refused to pay 911 (rush or red-handed) and after being asked to pay several times, arrested for attempted manslaughter and ed. After a report of road racing, a number assault and the other man, 62, was arrest- of mopeds were stopped and checked. One 717 8000 or 715 8000 (no emergency) he was arrested. 717 7251 (anonymous tip line) In the early evening hours on Friday, ed for assault. The metal tube and the knife driver did not have a driver’s license or in-

Page 4 The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 All about masks Letters & Opinions in the context of COVID-19 Masks should be used as part of a The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants comprehensive strategy of measures to do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints ofThe Bonaire Reporter. suppress transmission and save lives; the use of a mask alone is not sufficient Wearing masks Wearing masks (or at least we assumed it was a signif- to provide an adequate level of protec- Laura Reese Dabney Lassiter icant factor) for several months. Health tion against COVID-19. experts told The Post the confirmation To the editor: If COVID-19 is spreading in your Hello and Happy New Year, from the CDC research team is more ev- As Covid numbers are rising higher community, stay safe by taking some As my husband and I sail Bonaire since idence that we absolutely need to wear on Bonaire Lt Governor Rijna is again simple precautions, such as physical 20 years for 2-4 weeks I feel very much masks and avoid gatherings, even if we requiring smaller gatherings to keep peo- distancing, wearing a mask, keeping heartly connected with this very special aren’t sick.” ple from coming together in large groups rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, Island with its friendly and relaxed peo- Dabney Lassiter ple. In this hard times ( and this since and spreading the virus. Has it occurred to cleaning your hands, and coughing into nearly 40 years) I work as a husdokter in anyone in the government that 50 percent a bent elbow or tissue. Check local ad- Germany and what I had to do in 2020 is of people gathering in a church or meet- vice where you live and work. Do it all! ing rather than the usual 100 percent can Bonaire’s roads to cure people with Influenza-like infec- Pam Teitel Make wearing a mask a normal part tions and to help my patients and friends still spread Covid if they are not wearing of being around other people. The ap- to deal with their fear to get seriously ill masks? These orders are pointless unless Bonaire has expressed an interest to propriate use, storage and cleaning or and perhaps die with this special pneumo- the government MANDATES MASK attract a high quality clients rather than disposal of masks are essential to make nia (could happen). WEARING. Why is the concept of masks mass numbers. Of course, we all know them as effective as possible. so difficult for the government to grasp? the atrocious condition of the roads does Here are the basics of how to wear I read that a person wants the guests An example: Two people per basket in the not match the expectations of these cli- a mask: to wear masks all the time, and guests grocery store is useless if unmasked peo- ents, nor that of ANY tourist or resident • Clean your hands before you put should do that. Therefore I write email ple are breathing, coughing, or sneezing of the island. because it is evidence based data which on other shoppers. Social distancing in your mask on, as well as before and say that wearing masks is no benefit for stores is not being observed so our only The repairs have begun, under the guise after you take it off, and after you no one and it disturbs the immune system protection is wearing a mask. of improving the infrastructure. This touch it at any time. in its skills. year we have seen long closures to re- • Make sure it covers both your Please read the information below from build a few roads. In fact, this is not an nose, mouth and chin. Now in Holland-Mainland ( same thing The World Health Organization. improvement in infrastructure, as a road • When you take off a mask, store it in Germany ) it is winter-flu-season, but in a clean plastic bag, and every day “It’s a race against time,” said Mari- without holes is what is to be expected. here the sun is shining in a very different either wash it if it’s a fabric mask, or on Koopmans, a Dutch virologist and a The fact that all roads have been left with- way because here in Bonaire we are near dispose of a medical mask in a trash member of a World Health Organization out maintenance to beyond their breaking the aequator, and the UV-2 makes viruss- bin. working group on coronavirus adapta- point should not mean that putting them es die within 30 sec outside. So wearing • Don’t use masks with valves. tions. back to the way they should be is an im- masks can generate health problems, as provement. bacteria, virusses and fungus multiplicate “The vaccine alone will not be enough in the humidity of the masks and people to get ahead of the virus: It will take years As they began with a clean slate around are breathing them into their lungs, which to inoculate enough people to limit its the schools of Kaya Amsterdam, I have can make them seriously ill. evolution. In the meantime, social dis- watched with great anticipation for the big plan unfold. One newly paved road In Kansas USA the governement did tancing, mask-wearing and hand-wash- ing — coupled with aggressive testing, up the hill has no sidewalks the other they not decide to make masks mandatory,but seem something on each side, maybe one they gave the decision free for the coun- tracking and tracing — might buy some time and avert devastating spikes in hos- side is to be for walking (pavers) and the ties. If you make a research you will see, other for biking (tar) but it is not clear yet that in the counties where people did not pitalizations and deaths along the way. These strategies could still turn the tide the intention. The plan for Kaya Amster- When should masks be worn by the wear masks, less people were ill and less dam has been shown to have bike paths, people died, so that the CDC `s bulletin against the virus, experts said.” general public? but no sidewalks. So, Kids at Leseo can In areas where the virus is circulating, said, that wearing mask often or all the Also of interest is this report from the ride to school, but not walk? Kids from time makes no sense. masks should be worn when you’re in CDC in America. Papa Cornes can be dropped off at the corwded settings, where you can’t be https://thefederalist.com/2020/10/29/ bottom of the hill and walk up as that is “Since many covid-19 cases are as- at least one metre from others and in these-12-graphs-show-mask-mandates- the only sidewalk? Kids from Pelican that ymptomatic, is taking someone’s tem- rooms with poor or unkonw ventilation. do-nothing-to-stop-covid/#.X5sLxOG- need to go to the sport hall will have to perature at a business, dentist’s office, It’s not always easy to determine the QMWY.twitter continue to take the dirt path behind the county tennis facility, etc., really a good quality of ventilation, which depends on school as there is no sidewalks. There is If you are interested in more scientif- indicator of a possible infection, or does the rate of air change, recirculation and mention of a turn off lane at Pelican, but ic-based and evidence-based information it give one a false sense of security?” — outdoor fresh air. So if you have any not for Leseo and the sport hall? I would be happy to give more informa- Janie in New Mexico doubts, it’s safer to simply wear a mask. tion, that people do not have fear , but get Can anyone explain why we cannot You should always clean your hands It is a false sense of security. The CDC information how to do things to improve make a consistent commitment to infra- before and after using a mask, and be- now estimates that around 60 percent of the skills of the immune system which structure and put both sidewalks and bike fore touching it while wearing it. all infections are transmitted from some- really is the place where the fight agains paths where space is available then make While wearing a mask, you should one who isn’t showing any symptoms. any virus takes place in the body of every a consistent plan where space does not still keep physical distance from others The study concluded that 35 percent of single man, woman or child or animal. permit. It may be a long term plan to as much as possible. new cases come from people who even- Sincerely, Laura Reese get them everywhere, but if we do not For indoor public settings such as tually show symptoms, but didn’t have s/y Shambala II start now, we will never reach that goal. busy shopping centers, religious build- them at the time of transmission, and 24 Though it may seem by the congestion ings, restaurants, schools and public percent from people who never develop on the roads, everyone has more than one transport, you should wear a mask if any symptoms at all. car, but in fact there are still people that you cannot maintain physical distance from others. We’ve generally known this to be true walk and bike. We cannot forget them, especially not around the schools. If a visitor comes to your home who Pam Teitel is not a member of the household, wear a mask if you cannot maintain a phys- ical distance or the ventilation is poor. When outside, wear a mask if you Reach 1000s of customers • Advertise in The Bonaire Reporter cannot maintain physical distance from others. Some examples are busy mar- (+599)796 4055 [email protected] kets, crowded streets and bus stops. JM

The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Page 5 Tax/customs office STCB extends thanks temporarily closed The office of the Belastingdienst/Douane (Customs) on Bonaire is temporarily closed from the 6th of Jan- uary up till and including the 24th of January due to quarantine measures. The port Customs office on Bo- naire will remain open.

Fast customer service In order to serve customers fast and better, the Be- lastingdienst stays accessible via email: Balie@belast- ingdienst-cn.nl. You can go to this email address with any questions you would have liked to visit the counter of the Belast- ingdienst with, such as: • Questions about all types of declarations; • Requests, such as: DIGI-D, Crib number, income statements, legal aid statement, payment arrange- ment and deferment of payment; • Changes, such as: reporting a change of bank account number and / or change of address; • For all your Customs questions. The Belastingdienst kindly requests customers to choose one contact channel. So either send an email or call. It is not necessary to use different contact channels at the same time. Customers will be helped at once by STCB (Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire) volunteers But, unfortunately, it wasn’t all great. Due to the pan- email or on the phone. spent 3,875 hours of their own time dedicated to the demic, STCB had to cancel several (volunteer) activi- protection of sea turtles in 2020. They provided 27 tran- ties, including Fishing Line Clean-ups at the North & Submitting tax returns online sect-count survey days on the west coast, five weeks South Pier and research on the Bonaire’s east coast. With Residents and companies can easily, safely and of net-capture surveys in Lac Bay, 540 nest monitoring very few tourists visiting the island, merchandise sales quickly submit their tax returns for ABB, LH and the patrols on Bonaire’s nesting beaches, clean-ups, presen- and donations dropped drastically. On the positive side, Verzamelloonstaat (Collective Wage Sheet) online to tations and educational activities. None of this would Stichting DierenLot provided a generous loan to cover the Belastingdienst. have been possible without the ongoing support of ST- the gap and with the help of their volunteers, STCB was If they need additional help logging in, the help CB’s enthusiastic and passionate volunteers. On behalf able to complete their most important monitoring work: desk will be happy to help. The e-mail address help- of STCB’s staff and the Board: thank you! the nest monitoring patrols and in-water research on the

[email protected] remains available for this west coast and in Lac Bay. In addition to the volunteers, STCB extends their grat- purpose; only for questions related to ICT and online itude to their supporters. These companies and families And there is more positive news… In 2021, STCB will returns. adopted 33 nests during the 2020 nesting season. And be celebrating their 30th anniversary! In January, staff Physical submission the local vendors – VIP Diving, Dive Friends Bonaire, and volunteers will start the new survey season on the For the physical submission of documents, one can Mangrove Center and Harbour Village sold STCB’s west coast, going out three days a week to get a better also deposit them on Bonaire in the letterbox next to merchandise and donated their retail services so 100% of insight in the number of foraging turtles in this area. In the main entrance of the office of the Belastingdienst. the profits would go directly to sea turtle conservation. May, the first nesting females are expected to lay nests You will receive a confirmation email of the submitted We thank the main funders including WWF-NL, Sticht- on Klein Bonaire and in June STCB will return to Lac documents with a stamp from the Belastingdienst as ing DierenLot, the government and all the individual Bay to continue their net-capture surveys. All of this will soon as possible. If BCN has not registered anyone’s donors who supported the organization. be possible due to STCB’s volunteers & supporters – our e-mail address in the system, the documents will be One of the highlights of this year was the deploy- sea turtle superheroes!

sent by post. ment of the 26th satellite transmitter. With the support of ContourGlobal Bonaire, STCB fitted a transmitter Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) is a non-gov- It is also possible to scan the tax return and email it on an adult female hawksbill turtle, named ‘Flappie’. ernmental research and conservation organization that to [email protected]. Submitting tax returns STCB has been able to track her to her foraging home has been protecting sea turtles since 1991. online via the website https://www.belastingdienst-cn. in the Miskito Cays, Nicaragua. The transmitter, which Contact person: Kaj Schut, Manager, Sea Turtle Con- nl/ is much faster. was deployed in August, is still working and STCB will servation Bonaire, +599 717-2225, stcb@bonairetur- continue to provide updates on ‘Flappie’s’ whereabouts tles.org via their social media.

Page 6 The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 quarantined in your temporary home for the next 14 days, You can get many different VOIP (Voice Over IP) ser- you sit down in front of your laptop to see what’s hap- vices like Skype, Vonage, MagicJack, etc, etc. But the byAsk Brian Niessen a Geek pening in the Great White North. only one that seems to allow SMS 2FA (2 Factor Authen- First thing you want to do is check your bank account tication) consistently is MagicJack. to make sure you received your $2000 check from the And if you do it before you leave to come here, you Government. should transfer (port is the technical term) your existing Bank of America Website: Username: DIVER phone number to the MagicJack and use it there until you Password: ******** 2FA Code: ? travel. Then you just plug it in here, plug a phone into it or use the app on your mobile phone and BINGO - you Uhhhhhh… Checking my cell phone to see if I got have a USA landline that accepts SMS and Voicemail. Call us… the 2FA sms text… nope. Argh, it was sent to my USA phone number, which is now disabled. Hmmm… what If you haven’t done it before you came, you can buy Whahooo… You’ve finally made the jump and moved to do, what to do.... MagicJack online, ship it down here, set it up, pick a to Bonaire! Congratulations! You beat the odds, sold phone number in just about any city in the USA or Can- your house up north, cancelled all the utilities and phone Gonna call the bank… Dialing… @#@#$ how do I ada, and away you go. You will have to contact your service, flew in thru Curaçao under the wire, and man- dial to the USA? +1 xxx xxx xxxx Where is the PLUS bank and tell them you have a new phone number using aged to secure a hotel room online. Welcome to the sign on my phone… Ahh, hold down “0” for two sec- your new number. Bonaire lifestyle! onds… there we go…. Ringing… Answered… “The number you are calling does not accept international I hope this helps alleviate some of the stresses of Liv- Now you have to go through the immigration, residen- calls. Please call from a USA based number. CLICK!” ing in Paradise. cy, internet service, telephone service, power and water OK… Now you are stuck…. What are the options? I PS. You can buy it at MagicJack.com or on Bestbuy, service signup, and bank account setup fiascos - but they Amazon, Ebay or other retailers. Unfortunately nobody are outside the scope of this column. can’t instantly solve this issue for you, but I can give you direction on how to fix it properly long-term. on-island sells it. So, with the assumption that you are now cozy and

shears, or other line-cutting tool on dives, just in case. My mini-knife was perfect: I only needed to yank it out Reef of the sheathe that was hanging from a ring on my BCD. The next challenge is to grab the line. When you’re in Glimpses the middle of 83’ (just over 25 m) of line that’s passing Release the Ray 6” (just over 15 cm) from your mask, this is no chal- (and the Adrenaline) lenge. More often, the line is shorter and the hooked The extremes fish is extra-wary. Chasing the fish to grab the line is of diving can go from: usually futile. • The joy of experiencing tranquility and weight- What happens if we can’t catch the line and help the fish? lessness, pretty much a given for us here on Bonaire, Photo Larry Stern to Bad case scenario: the line becomes entangled, lim- • Having an adrenaline-rush dive, say, seeing iting the area in which the fish can move (and forage or whales or sharks. It’s usually a short but exhilarat- “What if the ray bolts?” I thought suddenly, and de- hunt). Eventually the hook rots out or the fish rips itself ing experience, and we don’t have a lot of them on cided to cut the line so that if the ray zoomed off, at least free, but it could become too weak to survive. Bonaire. the line would be shorter. I gathered and cut two more Good case scenario: the fish is able to continue its life times, sawing away with a 2” (5 cm) -bladed mini-knife. My dive off Playa on January 6th changed in an instant despite the hook and line. Eventually, the hook rots out The final cut was close to the ray; as I held the line the from tranquil to exciting. – but there’s at least one healthy-looking yellowtail snap- ray turned on its side (in the same motion that had caught At the end of the dive, I had seen a spotted eagle ray per on Bonaire who has passed the fishing line through my attention earlier), and I could see the line disappear stirring up the sand at the reef’s edge. Later, as I started its digestive system and has been trailing about a yard (1 into the ray’s mouth. Trying to get closer would surely toward shore, my attention was caught by movement in m) of algae-covered fishing line for years. distress the ray, so I hung back and released the line. midwater: the spotted eagle ray, doing a sort of flip. By That spotted eagle ray and its fishing line brought me a With what seemed like a parting grin and with only the time I focused in, the flip – or whatever it was -- was great beginning for 2021. You’ll recognize me these days 5’ (1.5m) of line trailing, the ray continued on its way. done and the ray was swimming normally, still in mid- by the big grin on my face and the sling on my arm… water over the sand. I swam to shore, thoroughly exhilarated and busily dis- Dee Scarr entangling myself from what turned out to be 83’ (just I headed toward shore again, and something else Dee has been guiding divers on Bonaire since 1982. over 25 m) of fishing line! caught my eye: a single strand of fishing line, moving She’s written about her undersea experiences in her straight across my line of vision. Without thinking I And no, I didn’t break my arm despite all the time I books, Touch the Sea, The Gentle Sea, and Coral’s Reef grabbed the fishing line and began swimming along with spent patting myself on the back. Just got a little sprain (for children); in Dive Training Magazine from 1990 to it and gathering it up. Once I got that procedure under and bored my friends. 2000, with “Coral Glimpses” in the Bonaire Reporter, control, I finally looked ahead – and realized the line was Any one of us would have wanted to free that spotted and now with “Reef Glimpses”.The Bonaire Reporter is attached to the spotted eagle ray! The ray was pretty far eagle ray from that line. The prerequisite would be a line delighted to bring “Reef Glimpses” to you free of charge. ahead of me, but it was cruising along at a speed I could cutter, since it’s pretty much impossible to break fishing Dee’s books are available for purchase at the Carib Inn easily match. line. So, consider carrying an easily-accessible knife, on Bonaire or through touchthesea.com.

Eastern Elongation on January 24th! Then it’ll swing be- are very similar or identical. Today, we use many of Bonaire’s sky park hind the sun for its next Western elongation on March 6. these ancient month names as full moon names. (Some Mercury; The Wolf Moon Because Mercury orbits closer to the sun than us, it years have 13 full moons which makes one of them a can be tough to spot -- zipping back and forth around Blue Moon.) Magnificent Mercury our nearest star, but now that you know where to look, Both Europeans and Native Americans called the Jan- Greetings, fellow star gazers -- I’m Trace and I’m here you can say hello to my little friend, and keep lookin’ up! uary full moon the Wolf Moon perhaps because they to help you find the teeny planet of Mercury -- which is Source: Trace Dominguez-Star Gazers website: thought wolves howled more at this time of year as there in its greatest elongation right now! https://www.stargazersonline.org was less food. The scientific community has no indica- Head outside after sunset, and keep a sharp eye out for tion that the moon phase plays any particular part in the a tiny speck of light about a fist-width above the horizon Wolf Moon - naming the full moon calls of the wolf, but wolves are nocturnal animals. And -- that’s about ten-degrees. That speck should follow the This year’s first full moon, also known as the Wolf wolves do howl in the direction of the moon; they point sun as it sets, and then disappear beneath the horizon too. Moon, will occur on Jan. 28 at 3:16 pm in Kralendijk. their faces toward the sky for better acoustics. Projecting That speck is lil’ sun-soaked Mercury! In previous times, it was common to track the chang- their howl upward carries the sound farther. Throughout the year, each planet hits Elongation or ing seasons by following the lunar month rather than the (Source: January: Wolf Moon; By Vigdis Hocken https:// their furthest distance from the sun as seen from Earth. solar year. Native Americans and Medieval Europeans www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/wolf.html) Mercury finished its Great Western Elongation in No- named the months after features they associated with the vember 2020, crossed in front of the Sun, and will hit its Northern Hemisphere seasons, and many of these names

The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Page 7 Page 8 The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Prepare for road Time to buy your tag detours in Playa Water –en Energie Bonaire (WEB) will resume con- struction of the irrigation water pipeline at Julio A. Abraham Boulevard. Dates: Thursday, January 7 to Tuesday, January 26, 2021 Time: 8 am to 4 pm By January 26 WEB expects to restore normal traffic to Julio A. Abraham Boulevard, where vehicles must detour, and to Kaya Betico Croes, where transportation companies are temporarily allowed to drive against the traffic. The disruptions are caused by excavation work for the renewal of the irrigation water pipeline. The accompanying map shows the areas affected. DMR

SCUBADIVING is only $45 for a whole year and $25 for Work area and alternative routes other water activities. For more information contact The map is marked in green where the work is taking STINAPA . place. The area between the green shading and the red diversion route (Julio Abraham Boulevard) is also part of this work. Until January 26, traffic has the following • Through car traffic on Kaya C.E.B. Hellmund is diverted alternatives: to Kaya Betico Croes (blue on the map) via the parking • Traffic from Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino to- lot of the Administrative Office near the Customs Office. wards Kaya Grandi: drive via Kaya International and take the roads between Kaya Gresia and Kaya Gilberto F. Croes. • Freight traffic from the south pier: drive in the opposite direction on Kaya C.E.B. Hellmund (red on the map) to Kaya Betico Croes.

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Water –en Energie Bedrijf Bonaire N.V (WEB) delivered Christmas Majestic Current Account | Majestic Savings Account | Majestic Mortgage | Majestic Car Loan packages to 50 families in Bonaire. WEB colleagues prepared all the packages and distributed them on December 17th. The project was designed to give back to the com- munity, acknowledging that: “It’s Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. Kaya Grandi #48, Bonaire Tel: (599) 717-2000 Fax: (599) 717-2035 WEB N.V wishes that the people of Bonaire will find 2021 a year www.orcobank.com full of positivism, faith and hope that everything will return to normal. email: [email protected]

The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Page 9 that lionfish can survive for up to three Did You Know? months without food and lose only 10% of their body weight? Did you know that lionfish can survive for up to three months without food and lose only 10% of their body weight? On the other end of the spectrum, obese lion- fish have been found to be literally eating themselves to death. While originally from the Indo-Pacific, Lionfish have spread throughout the Caribbean since their first intro- duction in the 1990s. The fish have been found as far south as Brazil and as far north as Rhode Island. These reef invaders live in water ranging from two meters to over 140m (6 – 460 ft) deep. Lionfish are good colonizers and one of the reasons is that they can live in a variety of habitats. There is even mounting evidence that they aren’t necessarily restricted to the ocean; in some places in Florida lionfish have been found in brackish estuarine environments over 6km (4 miles) inland. Another reason that lionfish have been so successful in the Caribbean basin, and beyond, is how they reproduce. Lionfish have quite an elaborate courtship and mating system. Before mating happens, the fish congregate into groups ranging from 10 to over 20 animals. For a few days they will scope out the other fish and, once a poten- tial mate is found, shortly after the sun sets, the male will do a little dance that involves flaring its fins and spines while lunging forward to scare off potential rivals and A local certified lionfish hunter removes one of the invading fish from Bonaire’s reefs. impress the female. If the female finds this display par- (According to Bas Noij of VIP Diving, divers must be certified at a local dive shop and then they can either go on hunting dives ticularly stirring, she will join the male in a little waltz. accompanied by a local dive guide (guided dives) or apply for an ELF tool at STINAPA. Only residents will be approved.) The two will dive down to the sea floor and then, while circling each other, slowly swim upwards. Right before This means that a single female could make millions of mollusks and crustaceans. Because of their incredible they hit the surface the female will release her eggs in a babies in a year. While lionfish seem to be capable of reproductive potential, and no natural enemies, it is up to ball covered with mucus called an egg mass. As this egg reproducing year-round, a study done by the University us to control their populations. Besides being delicious, mass reaches the surface, the male will fertilize the eggs. of Florida, suggests that Florida lionfish are more likely lionfish are also quite a healthy fish to eat. They tend to The fish then go their separate ways and not a thought is to reproduce in March and April, and June and August. have lower concentrations of heavy metals than other spared to the fate of their offspring. In general, it seems that spawning is more likely to oc- fish species, while also having high concentrations of Each time they spawn, lionfish can produce between cur during or right after the months with the highest or omega-3 fatty acids that are good for our cardiovascular 10,000 to 30,000 little larvae. These larvae will sink to lowest water temperatures for the year. health. So, go ahead and enjoy that lionfish ceviche; it’s the bottom and hide until they mature in three to four Lionfish are highly adaptable animals. This, plus the good for you and for the reef! months. Within two years, the larvae will be ready to apparent lack of natural predators, gives them a huge Roxanne-Liana Francisca. STINAPA Biologist. Con- make babies of their own. Research suggests that lion- advantage when they invade new habitats. They are necting People With Nature. Photo by Julie Morgan fish have the ability to spawn every two to three days. voracious predators, eating anything from small fish to

good cleanser for skin and scalp and also itching. A Garden? The island has Aloe Vera and it works miracles on various skin problems, like burns and wounds. And it is a Just Do It! perfect cleanser for the inside of the body. Mix the white part from inside an old aloe with fresh orange juice for a New Year’s cleansing. few days and then drink. During a full moon, the aloe is most powerful in its working and healing. A hair mask from fresh aloe once a week, gives hair all ingredients Time to clean. Not your house and yard, you already to grow healthily. did that last month to start the new year off right. But There are wild plants along the road, such as Basora what about your body? The house we live in, for a life- kora. This is also a very good blood cleaner and fights time. That also needs a good clean up, and it is best to do against high blood pressure. Ask the locals which plant it in the first months of the new year. After all the partying it is; it’s very popular here. Ginger grows here easily in and food at the end of the year, its time to get rid of a lot Aloe is common on Bonaire pots and is a liver cleaner, blood cleaner and helps against of stuff that can have a bad impact on the health of the dizziness. body. Some of us need a real heavy cleaning and some Many deal with the use of herbs and medicines made When you look for facial herbs, the wild chikitu cu- just a short cleansing time with pure fresh herb teas, fruit of alternative ingredients other than what we use to heal cumber is very good as a mask. It smoothes the surface diets, fresh vegetables, less fat, no sugar, less meat, no nowadays. And, slowly people are seeing the importance of the skin and makes it look vital again. Also, skin of a alcohol and no smoking. But we need to add to that a of using herbs and other alternative remedies to keep watermelon is very good to hydrate your face and give lot of water, good rest and body and spiritual exercising body and mind healthy. It is nice to share this knowl- it a boost. Tea from the leaves of soursop (sunsaka) and every day. edge with each other. from the leaves of passionfruit are very good for a good Here on Bonaire, there are a lot of herbs one can use In the Far East, body cleansings are essential for a night rest and soursop brings blood pressure down. healthy body and mind. It goes together with special for a good body cleansing and skin cleansing baths. You All herbs that one can grow here easily on Bonaire (herbal) baths, different types of massages, with strict don’t need to go far, as just around the corner there are like lemon grass, basil, Mexican mint, lipia alba (locals diets and body and mind training. When you want to trees and plants to start with. calls this oregano), yerbi hole, aloe, ginger and way make your body look vital again, a cleansing is a must. One of them is the tamarind tree; a fruit with very high more should be in your garden, because they are all very Experts say that over time we have lost the contact with vitamin C, a blood cleanser and a very good stimulant for healthy and useful as body cleaners. ourselves because we live in a very hurried and mate- the toilet. It cools off the body when it’s very hot and add- rialistic time. But all is not lost. Modern science and ing the leaves to a hot bath is a good cleanser for the skin. This is just a handful of herbs for a new years cleans- technology has proved that some of the ancient remedies Just make one litre of a concentrated tea with a bunch of ing. You can have them all in your yard and with this rain to heal body and mind are really good therapies and have leaves and add this tea to a tub of hot water for a bath. in a few weeks some of them will be bushes. now evolved into new health trends. You can do the same with neem tree leaves. Neem is a So start your own beauty salon in your garden, just do it now. Angliet, Nature lover Page 10 The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 BAG IT UP! Big Bag Campaign Caribbean Homes When is the campaign starting and how can people get a Big Bag? See our ad in this Bonaire Reporter. We will start on Thursday morning January 14th from 9-12 am. And after you can get your Bag from Mon- day-Friday 9-12 noon & 4-5 pm. When you find the ad, cut out the coupon, fill it in and bring it to our office. Or you can fill in a form at our office to get your FREE Big Bag. We are at: Plasa Reina Juliana 6, opposite of the big Yellow Church, San Bernardo at the roundabout in Playa.

Enter to win! Send us a picture of yourself with a full bag when you put it in your own trash bin (kliko), deliver it to the Land- fill or at the Selibon Waste and Recycling Disposal at the Kaya Industria (next to Warehouse). Each month we will select three winners who will re- ceive a dinner voucher of US$50, to be used at your choice from a selected list of restaurants. And..…remember to Like and Share on Facebook Pictures courtesy of Casper Douma Photography Keep an eye on our Special Facebook page: Bag-It-Up- Why is Caribbean Homes Please tell us what this BAG IT UP! Caribbean-Homes-Bonaire for more information. Participation from 18 years. COVID-19: we take into starting a clean-up campaign? campaign is all about account the current covid measures. Bonaire is our home and just as we take care of our Well, we have the impression that as Bonaire has personal homes, we want to help keep the island we all grown, so has the issue with litter. Some is accidental call home clean as well. We believe that Bonaire can be such as unsecured garbage from construction sites and much cleaner to better represent the “Blue Destination” truck beds; some is intentional dumping and careless- that we strive to be. ness. Bonaire’s trademark winds make it important to Bonaire was much cleaner in the past and by working effectively secure garbage. Because there are not enough together, we can achieve a beautiful, clean island once trashcans in many areas, we think our reusable Big Bags again. We are aware there are very good initiatives al- can used to collect and secure garbage in your own car/

ready on our Island and we like to add our Bag It Up! garden/construction-site. Each Big Bag is 45cm x 45cm campaign to that list. x 45cm and can handle a whopping 500 kilos!

The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Page 11 What’s Happening Registering for school Friday, January 23 Dive Friends Quarterly Clean-up Dive We start across the street Children who will go to school for the you will find all the necessary informa- from Karel’s Beach Bar between 10am and 12 noon (reservations first time in the 2021-2022 school year tion to help your child to sign up properly. only). Reserve your spot by dropping by at any dive location, calling must be registered for primary education The website is available in Dutch, Papia- 780-2572 or emailing [email protected]. before April 1, 2021. mento, Spanish and English. January 29 - Dive Friends PADI Open Water Instructor Course. Are you interest- Registration at www.aanverslag Ba- If you do not register on time, there is a February 12 ed in becoming a dive professional? Send an e-mail to Course Director sisonderwijsbonaire.com is mandatory greater chance that there will be no more Annie ([email protected]) to receive all the for all children born between June 1, places at the schools you prefer. information. 2017 and May 31, 2018. On the website Saturday, Annual Parrot Count Join Echo volunteers to count Bonaire’s loras. January 30 Sunday, Clean Coast Bonaire. 4-6pm Piedra Pretu. Collect marine litter & data February 14 by donating your time working as a citizen scientist. Every Saturday Pakus di Pruga- Flea Market store sponsored by the Animal Shelter from 8am till 4pm Open but with “social distancing” requirements Open TCB (Tourist Corporation Bonaire) front office is open: Monday - Thursday, 8-12; 1:30-5; Friday, 8-12; 1:30-4:30; Washington Slagbaai Park Wednesday to Sunday. Hours: 8 – 5 (entry up to 1pm) (Some days closed because of bad weather--check STINAPA’s FB page.) STINAPA HQ Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm. Animal Shelter is open to the public by appointment only during our regular business hours (Mon.-Fri. 9-12 and 3-5, Sat. 9.-3 nonstop. Please call or Whatsapp 701-4989 Clubs & meetings Open Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Every Thursday, 7 - 8 pm. International Bible Church, Kaya Papago 104 in Hato (Behind Bon Bida Spa & Gym and Bon Bida apartments). All are welcome. 12 Step Meeting Wednesdays at Bonaire Basics, Kaya Korona 47. Meeting starts at 7:15pm. Info: [email protected]

Making Bonaire Accessible The best of 2020.

Every year-end there who care. The work of all the volunteers are organizations that could be shown in short spots or tic-toc’s, appoint somebody artists could join the fun and play a part “the best of that specific year”. and everybody on Bonaire could enjoy Personally I have always waited for and admire. It could become a yearly the day that a Special Olympics athlete event on TV everybody looks forward to. would be that person of the year. After And at the end of the year it would be all, they train hard, travel abroad, com- wonderful for the gezaghebber to orga- The Bonaire Insider pete and give their best and come back to nize a huge reception, where all these Our thanks to for the above chart. Bonaire with many medals and ribbons. charitable people and organizations are On Bonaire there are so many founda- invited and receive a personal recogni- tions and NGOs that work for the best in- tion. Clean Coast Bonaire terest of persons with mental retardation, I know that all the volunteers do what Make your New Year’s Resolution to work on clean coasts for Bonaire and the rest visual handicaps, physical impairment; they do because they really want to mean of the world. Collect marine litter and data by donating your time working as a citizen and for those suffering from cancer, something to their community. They do scientist for only two hours per month. Here’s the schedule for 2021. heart-disease, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. not aim for recognition. They love it Their board members are all volun- when their work is appreciated. A big teers and they work very hard, are very smile and a big “ thank you” is all the motivated and do so for many years. attention they really want. They never get a medal or a commen- A hug from an athlete, a kiss from an dation. elderly person, a “boks” from a blind per- There are parents associations, peer son. These are the real rewards. groups that care and brothers and sisters Nowadays there are a lot of special who take care of a loved one when a par- days to celebrate. These days can be used ent needs help. to give special attention and appoint the Several organizations are committed persons of the year. to ensure the elderly are not lonely any- And you do not have to wait for a spe- more. They organize meetings where el- cial day to tell somebody that she or he derly teach the young people. is special. Just sit down at your comput- All these people deserve recognition er and make a beautiful card that says: and commendations for their efforts: “You are very special to me.” If you do MiVaBo, Fundashon Alzheimer Bonaire, not know how to, you can buy a card or FKBO, Hofi Kultural, Special Olympics have somebody help you. Buy a flower, Bonaire, Hartstichting, Kas Flamboyan something sweet and a little gift and give and more, many more. that to the person you think is very spe- The NGO-platform organizes a special cial. I bet you are going to get hugged evening every year. They could change very hard. And THAT makes YOU feel their tradition and organize a televi- special. sion-show. Commendations designed, Ria Evers-Dokter lists made, invitations sent to all those Page 12 The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Father of Bonaire Div- ing, Captain Don Stew- Covid-19 roundup, continued from page 2 art, needs his own day. permission, and such visitors will be carefully screened. the working day on Friday, January 16th; and at a new Captain Don landed on site, www.MijnCN.nl, from Monday morning, the 19th, The new covid strain Bonaire May 21, 1962 onward. From January 16 up to 18 it is not possible to Dr. Luinstra-Passchier and Island Governor Edison and since then, peo- log into the online environment of the Belastingdienst Rijna confirmed during a press conference that so far ple began diving and Caribisch Nederland. The port Customs office on Bo- Bonaire does not have the ability or equipment to test visiting Bonaire for its naire will remain open. for the worrisome so-called UK-strain of covid which is beautiful coral reefs turning up worldwide. Testing for this strain is relatively Curaçao no longer requires visitor quarantine and nature. He set complex. Curaçao has lifted the visitor quarantine obligation. standards for conser- Arriving passengers now have to submit only a nega- vation and protection Tax and customs office closed to public tive PCR test. Direct flights are arriving from Miami, of the reefs and animals that everyone observes today The office of the Belastingdienst/Douane (Tax/Cus- Newark and New York JFK. Curaçao has also lifted the worldwide. Please sign the petition to be submitted to toms) on Bonaire is closed to the public through the 24th 20,000 limit for the number of tourists allowed on the the government of Bonaire to make May 21 – Captain of January due to quarantine measures. You can contact island at one time. Don Day. https://www.petitions.net/captain_don_day_ them via email (See details on page 6). Passengers flying from Curaçao to the Netherlands may_21_in_bonaire_na The tax and customs offices can be contacted during no longer need to submit a mandatory negative PCR the closure at www.belastingdienst-cn.nl until the end of test. DMR

as if all the air in the world is not enough. This some- During inhalation, we simply let the air enter the lungs, Creating times brings a feeling of agony and restlessness and al- without forcing it. If we force inhalation we can cause though we inhale deeply we cannot satiate that hunger hyperventilation, which is not the idea of this exercise. for air. Sometimes yawning is a sign of lack of oxygen Both inhalation and exhalation will be done through the optimal health too. Many times this is because we have been inhaling nose, although, on certain occasions, when we are par- by Irene da Cunda Costa deeper than exhaling. The air that has already been used ticularly distressed, exhaling slowly through the mouth, Breathe out remains in the lungs and although we inhale with effort narrowing the lips as if to pronounce the letter “u” while and sometimes even exaggeratedly, the new air does not visualizing the weight of the stress leaving our body. Breathe out all what you want to get rid of in 2020 reach the alveoli where the real gas exchange occurs. We can now begin to put into practice this important in order to make room for all the good things to come This shows the importance of knowing how to breathe and useful exercise. Indra Devi passed away at the age in 2021. and learn breath control. of 102 and enjoyed excellent health since she first began Known as the Western Hemisphere yoga grandmother, During exhalation the intercostal muscles relax, yield- practicing yoga. She did not take medication and radiat- Indra Devi tells us about the importance of exhalation. ing to the force of gravity. Exhalation and relaxation ed happiness and serenity through her life. She describes the exhalation in some of the exercises are governed by the parasympathetic nervous system, Breathing, as stated in my previous article, is the mag- she recommends: which is the one we want to be dominant when we want ic bridge between autonomic and voluntary nervous sys- “In deep breathing, exhalation is as important as in- to calm down. Also, while we exhale, the heart rhythm tems. Practice brings mastery. We need to get rid of what halation, since this is what removes harmful matter. slows down. If we want to generate relaxation, we should we don’t want in our lives to make an imaginary clean The exhale is not as passive as the inhale. A very slight focus on exhalation. When we want to achieve good ox- slate. In fact, every morning when we wake up, is a re- pressure must be exerted to expel the air. Using force ygenation, we must also focus on exhalation. birthing and a new beginning. Let’s exhale negativity, during inhalation is absolutely wrong. It should be done The exercise that will help us raise awareness in this jealousy, envy, selfishness, greed, unnecessary suffer- smoothly, without tension or effort. “ regard is very simple. Lie on the floor with bent legs ing and breathe in gratitude, forgiveness, compassion, When we are told to “take a deep breath”, the first and begin doing abdominal breathing. First, just observe candor, empathy, generosity. All this together, believe it thing we do is inhale to the fullest to fill our lungs. But your breath, then start lengthening your exhalation until or not, will improve the performance of your immune we forget that to fill, you must first empty. To allow the you are able to count double when on exhalation then on system. oxygen-rich air to enter the alveoli, it is necessary to inhalation. Although it may be necessary to put minimal Irene is passionate about health, neurosciences and remove as much of the oxygen poor air that has already effort into exhalation at first, neither inhalation nor ex- personal growth. Originally from Uruguay, she is an been used. halation should be forced. During exhalation we slowly Integrative Psychotherapist (PNIE), Life Coach (lCF), deflate the lungs, but without actually squeezing them. Sometimes we feel that we need to take an extra breath Master in Nutrition(IUSC) and Yoga Instructor.

sures.” Chichi was speaking to all yet focusing on one. I add value to others? Knowing what I know now, She knows her best friend very well – she sometimes what would I have done differently? What am I grate- Live Inspired cuts corners and slacks off. So she frequently reminds ful for? Swinda about how they can practice staying safe and 2. Make a list. Write down all answers that come to healthy, be responsible, and use common sense in prac- mind and highlight your top three answers to each Today! tical situations. question. by Malcolm Wilson 3. Keep things in perspective. In the moment, (small) A few hours earlier, the two best friends were at the Ignite your daily things may seem important. Taking time to reflect can same location, by the cross at Seru Largu… success with a Reflection For Today to stimulate your thinking, allow you to see them in the bigger picture. Reflec- a Tip For Today to equip you and an Affirmation For Today “Wow, what a beautiful sunset, Swinda.” They were tion also allows worries and concerns to be processed to empower you. once again enjoying the panoramic view of the island in a constructive way. and the sun disappearing behind the horizon prompted Remember... Hindsight Your 2020 with 20/20 hindsight. our dynamic duo to reflect on last year which then, like the setting sun, was coming to an end. When successful people reflect, they look back in a Reflection For Today Swinda had a sad expression though, she was thinking way that helps them move forward. “We do not learn from experience. about the biggest news of 2020 – the Covid-19 pandem- Affirmation For Today We learn from reflective experience”- John Dewey ic. Not only because of its global impact, she was shar- Today I am reflecting on my 2020, learning from my Tip For Today ing with her best friend how it had affected her and her experiences, and making progress in life. family in a personal way as well. “5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Felis Aña Nobo!” (Happy New Year!) So... Chichi, Swinda and some other loved ones were enjoy- Chichi offered some words of encouragement. “Swin- da, life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent Think, be equipped, feel empowered, and... ing the panoramic view at one of their favorite lookout Live Inspired Today! points of Paradise (also known as Bonaire)…the monu- how we respond to it! Let’s reflect on our personal year Malcolm Wilson is an inspirational speaker, success mental cross at Seru Largu. This is their spot to ring in so we are better able to respond to what life throws at coach and certified John Maxwell speaker, coach and the new year and enjoy the fireworks all over the island. us.” teacher. Born and raised in Bonaire, his purpose in life This end of and change of year were very different Here are the helpful tips that our dynamic duo used is to inspire, equip and empower students and adults though because of the pandemic. “We can still enjoy (and so can you) to look back at the year 2020. to be successful in school, at work and in life. Success ourselves, guys! I know it feels like an inconvenience 1. Ask yourself reflective questions. Here are some is a journey and Malcolm defines success as “Living but for our own safety and the safety of others, we must of my favorites: What were my highlights and low- your purpose, growing into your potential and serving continue to behave responsibly, use our common sense, lights, and why? What goals did I hit and miss, and people.” and adhere to our government’s guidelines and mea- why? What did I learn? How did I grow? How did The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Page 13 At Your Service

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Page 14 The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Shelter News Flotsam & Jetsam, continued from page 2 Knops gives OLB mixed oil from Brazil, Nigeria and Russia. The refinery has been taken over by the Corc reviews group, which works together with Petra When questioned by the press at the Energia and the Brazilian Grupo Dislub end of his recent visit to the island, Sec- Equador. Sinopec (China Petroleum & retary of State Knops praised the prog- Chemical Corporation) will be involved, ress the Public Entity (OLB) is making providing technical expertise and advice in fulfilling some of the agreed goals to Corc. DMR (Antilliaans Dagblad) under the administrative agreement. He said he is disappointed, however, by the Correction slow progress in the area of the finan- The Reporter has been informed of an cial policy. error of fact in a story in our last issue “If you look at the roads you real- about the newly formed organization, ly see progress,” Knops said. He also Primary Care Caribbean. We called it commended the efforts of Maurice “an independent GP organization,” as Adriaens and his team in the Agricul- our source did. We understand it should ture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) be called “an organization of indepen- department. dent GPs.” DMR. Various members of the local media raised questions concerning the ef- fectiveness of Danny Rojer, program Continuing BES local manager of the administrative agree- air service assured ment. Knops defended Rojer, pointing EZ Air plans to add larger aircraft to out that “He cannot do it alone, but is its existing fleet of two 19-seater Beech- also dependent on the cooperation he crafts and a 9-seater Britten-Norman Is- receives from others and the civil ser- lander, and the Netherlands is providing vants.” He added that Rojer was work- Winair a conditional loan to assure con- ing for two bosses: his own Ministry The New Year 2021 has begun and An- Shelter Sterilization Fund can be made tinuing air connections to Saba and St. and the OLB. imal Shelter Bonaire, just like the rest of to: Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (Bonaire Eustatius from St. Maarten. the world, is hoping for improvement ), Swift code : MCBKBQBN, Account Knops acknowledged that the covid EZ Air has continued to operate with over the difficulties of 2020. Despite the name: Stichting Dierenasiel Bonaire, Ac- crisis had made governance of the is- reasonable success during the covid economic impact of the Covid pandemic count Number: 10237800. land more complicated. He also said pandemic, thanks to opportunities for on the island, we have managed to sur- that new people have been hired who charters and cargo flights. It expects to vive. Adoptions: will help speed up improvements in fi- serve approximately 10 regional des- So many of our supporters, both on Loving homes were found for 202 nancial policy. DMR (Bonaire.nu) tinations when the new aircraft are in island and off island, have generously shelter residents in 2020. While those service. donated to help us keep going. We were lucky dogs and cats found their fur-ev- The government loan will save Winair able to continue with our work in our er homes during the year, there are still Curaçao refinery to restart from bankruptcy. The loan will be se- fourth decade of caring for unwanted ani- plenty of healthy, loving animals that The Isla refinery on Curaçao, dormant cured by a mortgage on Winair’s airport mals and educating our community about need one. Please call the Shelter at 701- for almost two years because US sanc- building on St. Maartin. The airline will companion animal care and the need for 4989 or message us on Facebook to set tions shut off its feedstock of Venezue- not be allowed to pay out bonuses to sterilization. Looking back on 2020, the up an appointment if you are thinking lan oil, is going to be reactivated under employees or managers until the loan numbers indicate that the Shelter’s mis- about adding a pet to your family. new management. It will start refining has been repaid. DMR (bonaire.nu) sion continues to meet with success de- spite the odds. The Shelter thanks all our Returned to owners: supporters who made 2020 a good year Thanks to the pet micro-chipping pro- for our dogs and cats! We couldn’t have gram and the Facebook page “Pet Alert done it without you and look forward to Bonaire”, 24 animals that were lost and Pet of the Week: seeing you in the year ahead. brought to the shelter were reunited with their rightful owners. The owners of both Another record year for sterilizations cats and dogs should take advantage of In 2020, through the Shelter’s Free the microchip process to ensure a speedy Carl Sterilization Program, 620 pet owners reunion in the event their pets become had their dog or cat sterilized! This num- lost. Have your pet micro-chipped and Carl is a very handsome, long-legged ber does not include all the pet guard- please register the chip number and your gentleman who loves human affection ians who sterilized their animals with contact information with Animal Shelter and attention. their own means or the Shelter animals Bonaire and/or any of the veterinarians We estimate that he is somewhere that were sterilized as part of adoptions. or other Bonaire animal welfare groups. between five and seven years old. Carl The effect of the last two years of record Animal Shelter Bonaire wishes every- likes to “talk” with you and loves sit- sterilizations is reflected in the numbers one a very happy and HEALTHY New ting in your lap or being held. of unwanted animals being brought to Year! We hope you make a New Year’s Ginger cats have wonderful person- the Shelter. In 2019, the Shelter took in “resolution” to visit us and maybe lend a alities and he proves that to be true. 102 MORE abandoned/surrendered an- hand as a volunteer or supporter of one While Carl will “tolerate” other cats, he imals than the year before and in 2020 of our many programs. really would prefer a single cat home the shelter took in 198 FEWER animals where he can be “king of the jungle”. NOTE: Due to the recent surge in Adopting an older cat has great ad- than in 2019. Continuing education about Covid cases on the island, Animal Shelter the Shelter’s free sterilization program, vantages. What you see is what you get continues to receive visitors by appoint- and you know exactly what kind of fur- increasing the numbers of sterilizations ment only. We ask that when you are on and obtaining financial support for the ry friend you will have for life. property you maintain the proper dis- If you are interested in a loving, calm program are critical. We need your help! tance and mask wearing is encouraged. Contributions to assist us in with the and very friendly feline companion, Story by Jane Disko Carl is the one for you. Please make an appointment to come and have a “talk” L-R: with him. Call or whatsapp 701-4989. Jane Disko Story: Jane Disko Sanne Attevelt Photos: Glenn Doeze Travis Sullins The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021 Page 15 Tropical Nature opens store Tropical Nature, the all natural, safe for the child, a boy. Dorian told us that on a trip to the reef sunscreen (the one in the little pink tubes) beach her son didn’t like the commercial sun- has opened their first store on Bonaire. The screen she applied so she made her first natural store is unlike any on the island or possibly in batch of sunscreen. the Caribbean because you can see the products “My mom said you have to sell it, it’s good… being made. And now, cosmetologist and owner, so my business began, said Dorian, “I wanted Dorian Zavala Guzman will even customize her to give back to Bonaire so I started to make this line of facial, skin and hair products just for you. product for the skin and the reefs.” Dorian first learned about making skin care Tropical Nature products include: sunscreen, masks from her mother back in Ecuador. She lip balm deodorant, soap bars, shampoo bars, attended cosmetology school in Guayaquil, Ec- body cream, face cream, hair treatments, hand lo- uador and expanded her knowledge of natural tion, mascara and even mosquito repellent. There ingredient based products in online classes from is no harmful oxybenzone in the sun products. Spain. Dorian uses only natural ingredients and environ- Dorian and husband Francisco moved to Bo- mentally safe packaging for all her skin care line. naire 11 years ago. They were ready to start a Workshops will be held once a month to see family but were unable to conceive and enlisted how Dorian makes her products, and fun after- the help of Bonaire’s health department. After noons will be held for girls to learn how to make a successful IVF treatment they had their first facial masks and lip balm. Check the Tropical Nature Facebook page for the schedule. Currently Tropical Nature is only available on Bonaire but they hope to expand through- out the Caribbean to help keep the reefs safe from harmful products. Tropical Nature is open Monday-Saturday Dorian at work in her lab making a custom skin care product 10am to 6pm nonstop in Lourdes Shopping Mall. Appointments are avail- able through WhatsApp 7708911 or on the Trop- ical Nature Facebook In the new store: Francisco, Analu’, Cisquito and Dorian Zavala Guzman. page. Story & photos Julie Morgan.

Page 16 The Bonaire Reporter Jan 13 - Jan 27, 2021