If you should not find a copy of LA PLAYA, you also can read the latest issue at www.laplaya-dominicana.com.
Foreign Investment up 37 Percent of Region / Rum Industry in Emergency Situation / 1,000 illegal Lottery Banks The director of the Dominican Republic Export and Investment Center (CEIRD), Jean Alain Rodríguez, said that direct foreign investment (FDI) in the country topped 7.3 billion dollars during the last three years. This means, the Dominican Republic got 37 percent of all the direct foreign investment in the Caribbean. Most of the FDI flowed to retailers, industry, mining and real estate, an average of 57 percent of the country's total during that period. “The Dominican economy is more dynamic and increasingly diversified, increasing investment in non-traditional economic sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure and logistics.” Rodríguez said, around 67.6 million dollars have been invested in exports, which created 40,000 jobs nationwide. “And we have a projection of 7,000 jobs this year.” The official added that exports grew an average of 5 precent yearly, from 5.9 billion to 9.9 billion dollars from 2004 to 2014, a jump of 67 percent.
The Dominican Rum Cluster, launched by the Dominican Republic Industries Association (AIRD), complained about the illicit practices in the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Presidency minister Gustavo Montalvo said, since June 2014 there have been seized and destroyed 113,459 liters of liquors and 48.4 million cigarettes from illegal sources. “We must work together to combat the illicit trade that creates serious harm to these industries and the whole country.” The coordinator of the Cluster, José Alberto García (pic) warned, the Dominican rum industry is in an “emergency situation” due to adulteration, counterfeiting, tax evasion and the non-fulfillment of national legislation for its production. There should be created a system of traceability and an observatory of industry practices. AIRD president Campos de Moya said, the Cluster's main objectives are to help the domestic and foreign markets and project, promote and defend Dominican rum.
The National Federation of Lottery Banks (Fenabanca) stressed the urgency of reducing the amount of draws in the country. Only this will help to reduce the inclination of the population for gambling and irresponsible betting. According to the organization, reducing the sweepstakes quickly and effectively would contribute to reduce the symptoms of pathological gambling of which many Dominicans are suffering from. The executive director of Fenabanca, Luis M. Dicent, said the extreme increase of crime has allowed that illegal “dark money” is operating between 1,000 and 2,000 points of sale. He emphasized that this has to be explained to the population. The situation is so critical that there have been violent incidents when Fenabanca wanted to close illegal banks.
The Ten Millionth Son of an Adolescent / Birth Certificates without Father / Child Abuse is increasing
Edwin Enmanuel Gil is the name of the ten millionth Dominican. The little baby boy is in perfect health. He was born in Santo Domingo on the 14th of October at 1:28 p.m. in the maternity hospital La Altagracia, and is, according to the National Statistics Office (ONE), the ten millionth inhabitant of the country. His mother is an unmarried adolescent, aged 16 years, which also fits into the statistics. His father is 22 years old and lives through doing odd jobs, his one grandmother is aged 32, and according to statistics, Edwin Enmanuel will live 71 years. The eleven millionth Dominican will be born in 2030.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (Oficina Nacional de Estadística ONE), a total of 2,373,078 Dominicans was born between 2002 and 2012. Of whom 2,087,857 have a single mother - which corresponds to 88 percent. In the poor provinces of the south, this figure is as high as 97 percent, as in Bahoruco. In Elias Piña, San Juan and Peravia this number is at 96 percent, in Ázua, Independencia, Dajabón and Pedernales it is at 95 percent. By law, the father must register the birth and his name is included in the birth certificate. Obvioulsy there are not many who care about this. They prevent the issuance of the birth certificate of their own child, and the begetter can so escape from all his obligations. A draft law now wants to change this situation. Through a simple and quick legal procedure, the mother then can specify the father, who will be registered in the birth certificate. If the father denies being the father, his data will be attached to the birth certificate. Then the case is handed over to
one of the 158 arbitration tribunals in the country where the father will be summoned and questioned. If he recognizes the child, his name is registered in the birth certificate. If the presumptive father denies paternity, a mandatory ADN examination has to be carried out, at his costs. The law is planned to be be examined and enacted during this legislative period. Yeni Berenice Reynoso, District Attorney of the National District, complained an increase of child abuse. 56 percent of the victims are girls. The age of the offender is between 18 and 35 years. The prosecutor said, between 2012 and July this year, 1,897 cases of physical and 903 cases of psychological abuse of minors were submitted. In addition, the number of arrest warrants against fathers who do not pay child support for their children was increasing from day to day.
911 creates Jobs From Mid-2016 also in the Northern Region / General Poverty declined to 32.1 Percent
The emergency number 911 not only saves lives and prevents crime, but also it creates jobs. Until the middle of next year, the system will also be introduced in Santiago. According to Zoraima Cuello, Vice Minister of the Presidency and Spokeswoman of the National System of Emergencies and Security 911 on a stand of the Expo Cibao, around 2,000 new jobs will be created throughout the Northern Region by the introduction of this emergency call system in Santiago. There will be employed a thousand new police officers, 200 traffic police (AMET) and 635 persons from the health service. With 268 new police cars and 13 fire trucks, 36 fully equipped ambulances, 1,905 surveillance cameras and transmitters it will be guaranteed that 911 in Santiago, Puerto Plata, Sos煤a, Luper贸n and Navarrete will work according to the same standards as in Greater Santo Domingo.
At the National Palace, an analysis about poverty was presented, prepared by the Interconstitutional Technical Committee to Measure Poverty (CTP), in which the number of persons and households are determined whose incomes are below the poverty line. Accordingly, the rate of the general financial poverty has declined in the Dominican Republic between March 2014 and March 2015 by 4.1 percent and now stands at 32.1 percent. Extreme poverty was at 5.8 percent, down 2.8 percentage points compared to the previous year when it stood at 8.6 percent. In 2013 it was 10.3 percent of the population that suffered from extreme poverty. Since 2013, the overall financial poverty is gradually decreasing. 2015 it was back on the level of the period 2000 to 2002, prior to the banking crisis of 2003. In March 2015, 3.338.544 people were classified as poor, 378,000 less than last year and 780,000 less than in 2013. However, between 2000 and 2002 there were 2.6 to 2.8 million poor people, which is significantly less than the 3.3 million today, but in that period 660,000 Dominicans suffered from extreme poverty, today this figure nevertheless is still at 600,405.
In rural areas, with 40.5 percent poverty is significantly higher than in the cities, where, according to the analysis, 28 percent of residents are classified as poor. The official national poverty line, which is defined as the monthly income that is needed to purchase a basket of goods and services that are indispensable for the survival of a person, was determined to a statewide average of 4,530 pesos per capita in March 2015. In the countryside this limit is at 4,179 pesos, while in the cites it is not possible to survive with less than 4,694 pesos per person per month. The limit of the extreme poverty in which only the money is counted, that is needed to eat, summarized in a basket of foods, so that people will not starve to death, the country's average is set at 2,085 pesos per capita, in the country there are necessary 2,025 pesos, in the cities a person needs 2,114 pesos a month to buy the basic foods to not starve to death. In a four-person household, the limit of the general poverty is at 18.117 pesos per month, extremely poor households are those with less than 8,341 pesos a month.
No Reduction of Tension Dominican Businessmen calling to dialogue with Haiti / New Import bans from October
Relations between the neighbors Dominican Republic and Haiti remain tense. The main reason is that the Dominican Republic accuses Haiti of wanting to interfere in its immigration policies. The whole problem started exactly two years ago, when the Supreme Court pronounced the sentence 168-13, that descendants of Haitian immigrants, who were born here and whose parents had no documents, most of the impoverished sugar cane workers or day laborers, are no longer Dominican citizens by the Constitution of 2010, with retroactive effect until 1928.
After fierce international protests, the Dominican government issued a naturalization law, which is intended to enable these people continue to stay. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas and has enormous problems to feed its own population. Every day impoverished Haitians enter en masse through the porous border to seek a better life here. Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, the situation has worsened. For the also poor Dominican Republic it is a very serious problem, to additionally support the poor from the neighboring country. Haiti now fears that the Dominican Republic will repatriate the descendants of its emigrants and refuses to accept them in Haiti, as for Haiti these people are Dominicans. If these people return to Haiti together with other deported illegal immigrants, it would come to a humanitarian catastrophe, is the argument of Haiti. The governments must negotiate this. This position is rejected by the Dominican government. The legal situation is clear. On immigration policy and its enforcement, there is nothing to negotiate with Haiti. For any other interstate problems, there alredy esxists the Binational Commission. The election campaign currently taking place in Haiti does not simplify the whole situation either. Now Haiti has decided to apply a proven form of pressure to force the Dominican government back to the negotiating table. The poorest country in the Americas is the second largest buyer of Dominican goods after the United States. Nearly a quarter of the country's exports go to Haiti. After the Dominican government decided to deport illegal Haitians to their country from
August, now the Haitian government declared an import ban on 23 Dominican products from the 1st of October. According to calculations, this will mean a loss of 500 million dollars annually for the Dominican Republic. But not only the Dominican Republic will be harmed by the import ban. Thousands of small traders are affected who buy and transport the goods of primary need across the border which are not available in Haiti. Now Haiti will have to buy these goods elsewhere which as a result makes them more expensive, which again must suffer the poorest in the population. Haiti insists on its right to determine its own imports, to improve the quality of imports, since Dominican goods often were inferior and could not be sold anywhere else. The Vice-President of the National Council of Private Entrepreneurs (Conep), Ligia Bonetti, now demanded to negotiate with Haiti again, although the import ban violated bilateral trade agreements.
“Something Great is coming!” The Chance of the North Coast / Cruise Ships will bring the long expected Recovery „Lo que viene va a ser grande, grande“, which is to come, will be huge, currently sounds of all radio stations of the north coast. This refers to the arrival of the first cruise ship „Victory“ of the largest cruiseshipping company in the world, the American Carnival Corporation, on the 6th of October, in the newly constructed harbor „Amber Cove“ in the west of the city of Puerto Plata in the previously tranquil little town Maimón, which was known most for its seafood restaurants. It is hoped by the arrival of some 100 large cruise ships in the first year, that the years, characterized by the continued decline of the most beautiful regions of the island, strewn with natural beauties, finally comes to an end and the long-awaited recovery will start. Whether this project will become a success, depends primarily of Puerto Plata itself, because Carnival has accomplished its part with its huge investment, the port is ready for use, while in Puerto Plata and in the construction of the access road to the city currently everything still looks rather unfinished. The mood of the people living in the area is between completely exaggerated expectations and „this will not work anyway“. It is logical that a start-up period is necessary, in which it needs to be analyzed how reliable the local organization are collaborating, what needs to be improved. This will take a few months. Only then it can be said, to which extent the hopes have been fulfilled with „Amber Cove“. It is purely and solely on Puerto Plata and the many surrounding destinations and their attractiveness for the tourists whether it will become a success or a flop, not what the planners on site would like to have. The guest comes, sees, and he alone decides whether he likes what is offered to him or if he is disappointed. It must be clear that the Carnival Corporation is the one who has invested the money and therefore wants to be the first to earn in the project, and it will. Carnival has its fixed partners, with whom the contracts have been signed long ago and with whom the tourists have already made their reservations and paid for them on the ship, to be transported in their buses. Next to Carnival, these companies will get the biggest share of the cake. These tourists usually will not spend much money on land, because everything is included in their tour.
Maybe there will be some benefit for a few shops or bars which are on the way at their shore excursion. Of course, the whole object nonetheless will bring positive overall results for the entire northern region. Alone because a lot of money will come into circulation, which currently is not the case. With an estimated number of 350,000 passengers in the first year, maybe the dream of the Tourism Minister of 35 to 40 million dollars for the region might not come true, but even a part of it will be better than anything today. The tourists who are not leaving the port will also spend some money inside the amenities of the port, which will so indirectly benefit the region as a whole. Likewise, the staff of the port will bring money into circulation due to their salaries and tips. Only all this likely will not cause an immediate incredible economic upswing in the beginning which currently creates many illusions that might be disappointed at the end. However, if everything works more or less as planned, the entire Dominican north coast will benefit tremendously of „Amber Cove“ in the long run. If satisfied visitors will advertise for the region at home - the conditions for this are perfect for the many and varied local attractions - Puerto Plata can become one of the major cruise destinations in the Caribbean in the long run, with all the then incoming financial benefactions. This might include that Maimón will not only be a port of call, at which the tourists get off board to make their tour, but that it will be possible for them to get on board from here, or to make a break to leave on
another cruise ship a few days later. This would be the economic breakthrough of the region because the money then really would be spent here, in hotels, restaurants, on the beach and in discotheques. To get to this point, the local side will still have to work hard. For example for the absolute safety of the guests, who on the other hand may also be quenched by ubiquitous police and military patrols. No one likes to go on vacations where he feels as if he was in an extremely unsafe place. Tourists are very sensitive. The incoming „Crusaders“ can be divided into three categories for the business community of the region. The first one stays in the harbor and does not spend any money outside. The second is the one who booked its tours on the ship. This group, by far the largest, will be brought to the fixed predetermined locations in busses. There they are also fed and probably will not spend much money on other things. The third group is the only one that will be of real interest for the local business community. They are those who will drive off on their own with one of the one hundred taxis that are waiting for them at the port of Maimón. They are the „individualists“ who also have the money to spend on a tour to their own taste. Otherwise they would have gone with the „flock“. However, how to reach this group? How to call its attention? How to advertise with them? One idea would be LA PLAYA, which is already distributed by some of Maimón's taxi drivers to the customers of the hotels for six years, who will also transport these „individualists“ of „Amber Cove“. The Editor
Your Horoscope for October 2015 Fundamental Events for Scorpio / Gemini has to decide / Libra's Opponents activated
The main thing this month is not following the people whom you do not trust. It does not matter what you say or promise, think first. You know very well what to do, even if you do not always find the logical arguments to objectively support your risky actions. Move in the direction that you have defined for yourself, otherwise your ship will suddenly fall off course, throw itself on the reefs and leave you on the deserted island.
It is not worth mindlessly spending your capabilities to meet the momentary whims. This is not only counter-productive, it directly affects your future in not the best way. Therefore it is good to think before doing something. Be as active as possible, which is logical. You seem to have an unlimited supply of vital energy, which results in a flurry of activity that surprises not only the others, but also yourself.
You can now work aggressively in the key that is defined by you. Do not hesitate to create rigid ultimatums and do not seek compromise, you have everything you need for a powerful, and to some extent, even totalitarian policies. Perhaps you have previously been too lenient as a leader and as a result the actual production capacity is much lower than possible. Decide what is more important, and what priorities to set.
Believe in yourself and do not lose hope. The world is much better than it sounds. Do not refuse help if it is sincere. But in any case, do not accept gifts, if you understand that they are presented with mercenary motives. Do not be distracted by a thirdparty adventure, they will not lead to anything good right now. Thanks to your own persistence, willpower and self-confidence you may overcome all obstacles.
You will possibly be offered a new job, or, in principle, a different job, but along with that a lot of pros and some cons, or maybe decisive nuances. So you will have to think twice before making a final decision. But do not think for too long, because at any moment the situation can change from your favor to someone else’s. A proverb says - it is better to do and regret it, than to regret doing nothing.
Work at the limit of your capabilities, but do not go over the limit, or you'll lose everything you have. This is a very important aspect that is worth thinking about for anyone who wants to grow, both professionally and personally. Forget about your arrogance and pride, fate gives you a unique chance. Now is the time to enter into any agreement that will determine the strategy of your company in the near future.
Pay attention to those who are close to you. You will be able to achieve outstanding results, but even more, you can achieve them if you learn to work in teams, including those that you do not particularly like. You'll need all your diplomatic skills here, the ability to persuade, and to see through a variety of arrangements. Do not doubt yourself, even if you never had anything like this happen to you.
If you would like to sign a number of particularly important and what you consider as prospective contracts, it is better to move all of these events to the next month. If this is not possible, use all of your other resources - colleagues, partners, businesses, anyone, depending on your location. In order not to lose in the struggle with the circumstances you will have to make some concessions.
Your opponents are now activated and you will face a long and painful struggle. Unfortunately, you are destined real problems with vital resources at this stage of life, your performance will fall, and you will be overcome by drowsiness and laziness. You need to deal with it! Do not be afraid to challenge your opponents, fight with the circumstances, and in any case do not lose heart. Proceed deliberately and prudently.
The fundamental events that may suddenly change your life are about to occur. Of course, there are no guarantees, because even stars cannot predict all of the upcoming events, however, the trends suggest that your fate will depend on your activity in the working direction. Do listen to the advice of the stars, but in the end most of these tips are just an addition to your own logic and feelings.
Operate in full accordance with the circumstances, work fast, make lightning decisions, but, of course, - make them deliberate. You should not only be smarter than your opponents, but also faster. This is a guarantee of victory, which is waiting for you at the end of the path. That is of course, if you are able to maintain your activity at the proper level for the entire month. Do not doubt yourself, the stars are on your side.
Try to evaluate the effectiveness of your own decisions with maximum impartiality in this area and see whether the work of particular staff members stabilizes or increases the level of production. In short, conduct a thorough, comprehensive analysis. It will identify the weaknesses and prevent the occurrence of heavy problems in the future. Do not yield to the pressure of circumstances. Mobilize all of your forces.
Don Francisco
El Torito
End of an Era
More Music, no Politics
Raymond Pozo New Movie in November
It was the longest entertainment show of television history worldwide. For more than 53 years, the Chilean presenter Mario Kreutzberger Blumenfeld, better known as Don Francisco, entertained the audience all over Latin America and the Latinos in the United States with competitions, raffles, music and dance. In the show “Sábado Gigante” probably almost each of the Spanish-speaking artists was performing someday, be it before or after he was famous. On the 19th of September, the 75-year-old Don Francisco said goodbye with tears in his eyes in his last show, to which he even received greetings from US-President Obama in a pre-taped message, where the latter said, Don Francisco had “helped millions of Americans to appreciate that the family is the number one.” The last “Sábado Gigante” has been broadcasted live simultaneously in the Unites States, Mexico and Chile for three hours. Present were world stars such as Enrique Iglesias, Laura Pausini and the USDominican Prince Royce. Plácido Domingo, Shakira and Marc Anthony appeared live on the studio screen to greet. Gloria Estefan said goodbye to Don Francisco with the specially composed song “Hasta siempre”.
Raymond Pozo (pic) and his colleague Miguel Céspedes are the most famous and popular comedian duo of the Dominican Republic. In particular, their musical parodies of popular hits have a special class and their television comedy show at Saturday night constantly has very high ratings. One of the most popular figures of this comedy is “Tubérculo Gourmet”, played by Raymond Pozo, a connoisseur of the Dominican cuisine. His partner is “Tirson”, Miguel Céspedes, a typical farmer from the south of the country, who makes laugh with his rural wisdom. His mascot is the goat “Rosita”. After the two comedians have already acted in several successful cinema feature films, including “Lotoman”, it was now decided to bring also “Tubérculo Gourmet” to the big screen. The movie has its premiere in the cinemas on the 26th of November and tells the story of the two men, whose friendship ended abruptly by a misunderstanding in their childhood. After 20 years and a lot of food they meet again through an unexpected event - and do everything possible not to forgive. Producer Archie López, this is his seventh feature film, says that this is a movie for the whole family, with folkloric figures, a little eccentric, who via their comic behaviour bring much folk wisdom and important values of the Dominican culture to the screen: happiness, friendship, solidarity.
Merengue star Héctor “El Torito” Acosta has decided to retire from politics and to get back to concentrate on his actual passion: music. He said he decided this because he does not want to lose the love of his audience. Fans asked him to make music rather than to try to mingle in politics. “Maybe it's a bit late that I realize that the people probably are right”, said El Torito. He loved all the politicians of all political parties, for all he has danced and all have hired him for their campaigns, and he hoped that this would continue to be the case despite his decision. Héctor Acosta also says that, despite this decision, he further will be on the side of the people of his hometown of Bonao to support them in their struggle in the streets for better living conditions. “Now no one can say any more that I'm doing this for personal political reasons.” El Torito, whose new album gets into the stores on the 17th of October, also commented on claims, the Merengue needed changes in order to remain attractive to young people. Therefore his new song “Mi calendario” contains rhythms of Música urbana and the Puerto Rican Reggaeton star Tito El Bambino is involved in the album.
What are these Girls singing? “Soltera (Pum, pum, pum)” by Divas by Jiménez According to the producer, the duo Divas by Jiménez will be the new female face of the Dominican Merengue. El se muere por ella y yo vivo por el. El da la vida por ella mientras que yo me muero por el. Por eso me voy pa la calle, soltera. No hay nadie que me pare, esta noche yo voy pa afuera. Pa la calle, soltera. No hay nadie que me pare, yo estoy buena. Yo quiero un papi que me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Que me agarre y que me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Yo quiero un chamo que me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Un tipo que me lo haga pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Yo quiero un papi que me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Que me agarre y que me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Yo quiero un chamo que me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Un tipo que me lo haga pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Por eso me voy pa la calle, soltera ... Divas, Didi Divas, Didididi Divas by Jiménez. Voy a volar como el viento, se acabó el sufrimiento. Ahora mismo me voy pa la calle, no soy entretenimiento. Porque yo no te miento, que te quiero lejos de mi. De ahora pa lante te juro que esta diva ya no llora por ti. Ahora quiero un amigo, que me mire de frente, que me diga te quiero, me bese, me abrace, aunque mire la gente. Que no ponga pretextos, que me quiera así como soy. En búsqueda estoy hoy. Por eso me voy pa la calle, soltera. No hay nadie que me pare, esta noche yo voy pa afuera. Pa la calle, soltera …
He dies for her and I live for him. He gives his life for her while I'm dying for him. So I go to the street, single. There is no one to stop me, tonight I'm going out. To the street, single. There is no one to stop me, I'm good. I want a daddy to make me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Who grips me and makes me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. I want a dude who makes me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. A guy that makes me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. I want a daddy to make me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. Who grips me and makes me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. I want a dude who makes me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. A guy that makes me pum, pum, pum, pum, pum. So I go to the street, single ... Divas, Didi Divas, Didididi Divas by Jimenez. I'm flying like the wind, the suffering is over. Right now I'm going to the street, I am not an entertainment. Because I do not lie to you, I want you away from me. From now on, I swear, this diva no longer cries for you. Now I want a friend, to look me straight, who says that he loves me, kisses me, hugs me, even when the people are looking. Who does not put excuses, Who loves me such as I am. In search I am today. So I go to the street, single. There is no one to stop me, tonight I'm going out. To the street, single ...
The Venezuelan Gabriela Puche (left) and the Dominican Luisanna Grullón will be be set up as the new voice and the new face of the female Dominican Merengue as the “Divas”. Behind the two women is the producer and multiple Latin Grammy winner Henry Jiménez, hence the name Divas by Jiménez. Since April, the productions of the Divas by Jiménez are played in the Dominican radio stations, where they are very well received, according to Jiménez. A first success was “Fuera de mi vida”, an old song of Valeria Lynch. Also other songs like “El me mintió” of Amanda Miguel or “No querías lastimarme”, presented in issue 127 of LA PLAYA as an original by Gloria Trevi, are remakes of old hits, as today, unfortunately, it is very common in almost every new artist, specifically in Salsa, where only a few seem to see a need in making an own effort to create something new in the current wave of success. The presented song “Soltera (Pum, pum, pum)” of the Divas by Jiménez at least is a new composition and fresher than all the remakes.
Precocious
Sudoku
Political Advisers
A twelve year old boy is facing a paternity process in court, accused to have impregnated his neighbor's daughter. His female lawyer, convinced of the innocence of her young client, opens his pants, takes out his little organ, puts it in her hand and says, “Let's be honest, Your Honor, with this tiny penis he can not possibly be the father.” Whispers the boy, “If you do not release it soon, we will lose the case.”
Each row, column and square has to contain the numbers from 1 to 9. X-Sudoku must show these numbers also on the two diagonal lines. Solutions on page 16.
Once upon a time there was a king who wanted to go fishing. He therefore called his weather observer to ask him whether it will rain. The observer said: “You can go quietly, Majesty, the sky is cloudless and there will fall no drop.” The king had a peasant girl as his mistress, whose hut was on the way to the lake where he wanted to fish. So on his ride to the lake he wanted to visit her shortly before going together to his fishing boat. On the way to the lake the king met a farmer on a donkey, who said to him: “Your Majesty, it would be better to turn, because it will rain heavily in an hour.” Of course, the king rode on, thinking, “What does this yokel think to know more than my highly paid specialist, who assured me the opposite?” When they arrived at the lakeside, there was a mountain of black storm clouds piling up fastly and within a few minutes the king together with his peasant mistress was drenched to the skin. Enraged, the king called his adviser in his palace. He had him flogged and threw him out of the castle. He then gave the order to search after the farmer with the donkey to offer the job as a consultant to him. But the farmer declined, saying, “I do not know anything about the weather, Majesty. I just know that the donkey lets hang his ears when it's going to rain.” Henceforth, the king employed the donkey as his adviser in weather matters. So started the custom that donkeys are hired as advisers, and since then they have the best-paid jobs in many governments of the world.
A little boy enjoys to bother his neighbor, a little girl. One day, he plays with a new ball in front of her door and mocks, “This is a football. Only boys can play with it!” The girl is crying and complains to her mother, who also buys her a football. The next day, she plays at the door with the football, and when the boy comes along, she only sings, “Na na na na na!” The boy is mad. So the next week he comes over with a brand new boy's bike and calls the girl, “See this! This is a boy's bike. And therefore only boys can ride it!” The girl is crying again and complains to her mother, who also buys her a new boy's bike. And when the boy comes along she triumphs again, “Na na na na na!” The boy now is crazy with rage, pulls down his pants and shows his little worm to the girl, “But this here only a boy can have!” The girl goes back to her mother crying. The next day as he passes the house he asks the little girl, “Well, what do you have to say now?” So she pulls up her dress, points to her private part and says, “My mother told me that as long as I have one of these, I can have as many of those as I want!”
Mafalda
Sudoku No. 309 (easy)
Sudoku No. 310
LA SABIA
The Page of Health
Contraceptives added to Base List 70 Million Pesos for Contraception / 28 Percent of Dominican Mothers are Adolescents The Ministry of Health announced that a total of 70 million pesos were used in 2015, to add contraceptives to the base list of essential medicines (Cuadro Básico de Medicamentos Esenciales - CBME), and so trying to contribute to avoid teenage pregnancies. The list contains 762 medicines that must always be available to the public, and being able to be distributed under the conditions medical safety, therapeutic success and
affordable price. This is the sixth version of the CBME with medication that has been put together with the participation of many organizations, including the PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). The Director of the Vice Ministry for Public Health, José Manuel Puello, said that the Dominican State has thus taken the responsibility to guarantee a reliable supply of contraceptives. For the Ministry of Health has spent a total of 3.5 million dollars on the program for family planning in the past five years. Puello pointed out that last year 28 percent of births were given by minors and adolescents. 20.5 percent of young people aged between 15 and 19 years are already mother of at least one child. But that was not just a problem in the Dominican Republic, assured Puello. In Latin America, this figure is at 18 percent. In the hospitals across the country, there are a total of 106 units for the supply of young people with pills, mini pills, condoms, syringes, implants under the skin or spirals to prevent early pregnancy or to avoid a second after a first birth.
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Puello recalled that teenage pregnancies are not only a personal and family disaster but obstruct the economic future of girls, as they normally drop out of school after their first baby and so get into the vicious circle of poverty and the “feminization of poverty”, which apart for the girls is a heavy burden on society as a whole as well as for the national healthcare system. The National Statistics Office (ONE) recently published that 88 percent of the Dominican children grow up without a father registering them as their child, even though the law says that children of a single mother must be recognized by their father.
Beautiful house Dream Mansion in Torrre Alta
Swimming pool with jacuzzi, 200 sq.m of living space, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a terrace on the ground floor 60 sq.m, and two terraces on the 2nd floor (100 sq.m), living room, kitchen, double garage plus two parking spaces, two large water cisterns, solar hot water storage, Sea view from Ocean World to Sosua. Info Englisch 829-605-7355 or German 829-554-5894, Specials of readyfordr.com – best sosuarealestate.com a213 Furnished 2nd Floor Studio Apartment, 48 sq.m/516 sq.ft, reduced to US$37,000, www.best sosuarealestate.com, athumeyer@ gmail.com – 809-462-8140. a301 2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom 2nd Floor Apartment, Sosua. Building size 78 sq.m/840 sq.m, 2nd Floor, furnished. www.bestsosuareal estate.com, now US$83,500. athu meyer@gmail.com – 809-462-8140. a307 Luxury Furnished 1 BR, 1.5 BA Townhouse, Sosua, 112 sq.m/1,206 sq.ft, ocean view, US$99,000, Owner Financing available. athumeyer@ gmail.com – 809-462-8140 a349 Large Furnished 1 BR Apartment, close to beach, 78,68 sq.m/840 sq.ft, US$98 maint. fee, now US$65,000, Sosua, athumeyer@ gmail.com – 809-462-8140 a359 1 BR Studio PH, Cabarete ON SALE! US$ 134,000, 142,23 sq.m/1,530 sq.ft, elevator, 2 min. to beach. athumeyer@gmail .com – 809-462-8140
FOR SALE BY OWNER House with 2 floors in Perla Marina (3 min. from the beach), Lot 10,224 sq.ft, Living space 2,690 sq.ft., 3 bedrooms, 2,5 athrooms, 1 integrated apartment, fully furnished, 24h electricity, water, security, telecable, Internet WiFi
Price: US$ 290,000 Tel. 809-571-1310/809-866-0188 E-Mail: mineumxx1@msn.com
for sale in a quiet and safe area in Cafemba close to Costambar, with garden, 24 hrs electricity and water, only 5 min. to Puerto Plata.
US$85,000 Mehr Info: 809-857-5355 DEAL! co460 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Villa – Sosua. Building 110 sq.m/1,183 sq.ft, Lot 850 sq.m/ 9,148 sq.ft. Now only US$69,900. www.bestsosuarealestate.com. athu meyer@gmail.com – 809-462-8140. co557 Furnished 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Villa, close to ocean, Building size 120 sq.m/1,292 sq.ft, Lot 570 sq.m/6,135 sq.ft, Sosua, furnished, now US$129,000. www.bestsosua realestate.com. athumeyer@ gmail.com – 809-462-8140. co619 Furnished 2 BR, 2.5 Bath Villa, Sosua/Cabarete, Gated, Building 185 sq.m/1,991 sq.ft, Lot 1,000 sq.m/10,763 sq.ft, now only US$185,000, www.bestsosuareal estate.com. athumeyer@gmail.com – 809-462-8140. a262 1 Bedroom Apartment, 2nd Floor, owner finance, 58,42 sq.m / 629 sq.ft, now US$66,000. Athu meyer@gmail.com – 809-462-8140 co684 Unfurnished 3 BR, 3 BA Villa, Sabaneta, Lot 1,885 sq.m/19,971 sq.ft, Building 240 sq.m/2,583 sq.ft. only US$159,000. athumeyer@ gmail.com – 809-462-8140 co703 Furnished 3 BR/3.5 BA Villa, close to beach – Cabarete, Building 130 sq.m/1,383 sq.ft, Lot 1,300 sq.m/13,993 sq.ft, reduced to US$245,000 – www.bestsosua realestate.com – athumeyer@ gmail.com – 809-462-8140. co714 Comfortable 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Duplex, Gated. Sosua/ Cabarete, Lot 445 sq.m/4,790 sq.ft, Building 72 sq.m/775 sq.ft, now only US$125,000. - www.bestsosuareal estate.com - athumeyer@gmail.com – 809-462-8140. Beautiful new apartment in Sosúa, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Sala, dining room, balcony, kitchen, laundry room, 125 sq.m, 2nd floor, 2 parking spaces. US$ 150,000. Tel. 829-2580773
Small hotel in Sosua for sale or lease, with customer base and included tennis club with 4 tennis courts. The hotel has 15 apartments, 3 rooms, pool, bar, restaurant and lounge. Installation to organize large live concerts. Parking at the hotel. Total area 8,000 sq.m. For information call 809 869 8649 ail .com or call 829-747-1717 Land, 500 sq.m, opposite of Playa Dorada, 100 meters from the main road, with water and electricity connections. Afjoins on a plot of 2,000 sq.m, which is for sale. 1.8 million pesos Info: 829-275-8131
Long and Short Term - Rentals - of readyfordr.com – bestsosuareal estate.com Re#102 1 BR/1 BA Apartment, Cabarete Center, furnished, 50 sq.m/ 538 sq.ft, 2nd floor, US$600/month, athumeyer@gmail.com – 809-4628140. Re#126c Furnished Cozy 1 Bedroom Bungalow/Cottage – Sosua, 40 sq.m/430 sq.ft, Included: Cooking gas, elecricity, cable, internet, US$ 390, athumeyer@gmail.com – 809462-8140
Re#176 co737 2 Bedroom Ocean View Apartment, 2nd Floor, Sosua. Furnished, 75 sq.m/807 sq.ft, close to main beach. US$725/mth, deposit. www.bestsosuarealestate.com. - athu meyer@gmail.com – 809-462-8140. Safest area of Puerto Plata, COSTAMBAR. Semi-detached house with nice garden and small pool. Living room, bedroom, bathroom with shower, washing machine, kitchen. Furnished, Wifi. Very private, quiet despite central location. 1 min to the beach with several beach bars. Parking available. Monthly rental from 3 months - US$ 450, all costs inclusive! Short Term Rental neg. Day, week rental possible. We speak German, Russian, English and poco Español. Photos via email possible: irarena2004@aol.com, Tel 829-7276845. Irina House in Puerto Plata, Urbanización Atlantica, 1st floor: Sala, dining room, kitchen, terrace, bathroom, etc., 2nd floor: 3 BR, 2 bathrooms, Sala, terrace, balcony. Info: 829-275-8131
House for rent Los Cerros, Sosúa Quiet location, Ocean view Inverter, US$350/month 829-873-9488 Speak English and German
Sudoku solutions from page 14:
Sudoku No. 309
Sudoku No. 310
1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments in Cabarete, furnished. Lovely grounds, BBQ pit, fruit trees. Quiet neighborhood, long & short term rental from $180 US. (829) 431-1042 or Casacabarete@gmail.com. Very large oceanfront penthouse in exclusive complex Aquablue in Playa Chiquita, private beach swimming pool, 24 hrs security. For info call 809-360-5942/820-808-8011 Family Home, 4 Bedroom, Ocean view, Gated Community. Tel: 809399-9069 and 809-571-2406 Large Beach Front Apartment at Playa Chiquita, 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom, from July 1, long and short term rental. For information call 849-802-0886 or 809-571-3027 Penthouse, Blue Green, 5 bedroom, Ocean front, unfurnished. Tel: 809399-9069 and 809-571-2406 Small fully furnished house by the sea for rent, long term or short term available. Infos at Verena's Café, Playa Chiquita. Please call for further information: 809-571-3027
Local broker wanted for sale or exchange with value compensation who helps to find the suitable partner. The property has become too big for us. We are looking for a smaller one. Tel .: 849 925 9157 Seeking equity non working partner. I wish to provide a much needed service for residential and commericial properties that is currently unavailable within the Dominican Republic. Your investment is secured by equipment and vehicle. I am an American with 20 years experience in this field. Investment of US$ 15,000.00 equity position is negotiable. Phase two is expansion through Dominican Republic. Contact joegennaro108 @yahoo.com Serious inquires only. Buy your old batteries (from inverter) at fair prices. Cel. 849-8831016
Dominican lady, 30 years old, from Maimón, is looking for an honest partner, not younger than 35. I only speak Spanish: 829-671-0119
300 - 350 US$ in Cabarete Center (close to Police Office, first line to the beach across the road) for rent – 1 or 2 bedroom apartments, 1st or 2nd floor, furnished, terrace, washing machine, parking. High speed internet - 4 Mb. Price incl. water and electricity. Apartamentos "Balcon del Mar", tel. 809-875-7701 One of a kind. House Rental Puerto Plata. Fully Furnished. View of Ocean and Mountain, high up fresh air, always electric and water, security, A/C, Karaoke Bar, Gym, Entertainment Area. RD$20,000. Call 809-303-0091 Studio, private entrance, pool. Caribe Campo, Sosúa, next to the Palms US$150 per week. Monthly negotiable. Call David 829-850-1709
Looking for a laptop 16-17'', Windows 7, reasonable price. Call 809-875-7705
Drone JI PRO 2 Plus Phantom, like new – with back pack carrying case and many extras. US$ 1,200. Call 809-386-5506 Makita drill with 2 batteries and charger, brand new, never used. 18 Volt, RD$5,000. Call Steve: 809-8035653
Translations to Spanish, English and German at the office of LA PLAYA without waiting a long time. Just bring the text and pick it up again the same or the next day. ** ALSO LEGALIZED! **
Romeo Julieta Cigar original in class Tube Box of 10, RD$2,000. Black and mild cigar Box of 25, RD$900. Call Steve: 809-803-5653 Daikin air-condition, new, wellknown trademark (Japan), a leader in the world! Consume 500 watt, efficiency 24, 110 V, BTU: 9,000, 10,500 12,000. Spends very little electricity! Offer advantage now! US$ 1,000-1,200 Whats App: 829925-8188
Large oxygen cylinder, green, RD$10,000. Sosúa. More information at 809-914-1650 Inverters and batteries: Trace 1.2 kW 15,000 RD$, Trace 2.6 kW 10,000 RD$, 4 Trojan 6 V 4,000 RD$ each, 4 Trace 6 V 2,000 RD$. Call 829-341-6611 Careful relocations. Transports of all kinds, small removals, Courier, Express. Also at greater distances. Tel. 829-868-8467 Help in transferring documents of vehicles (car and motorcycle), loss of placa or matricula - all legal via DGII. Tel. 829-868-8467 Espresso Machine: (New/ Never Used) “Mini Moka Demoka” (M593) Professional, Commercial Grade, FullAuto, Pump Pressure System, Built-in Grinder & Water Container, Portion System, 2-Cups. Great for Restaurants, Hotels & Bars. WhatsApp: 829-322-8982 or Email: uniq44@hotmail.com BUNN Coffee Brewing Station VP17-3 Stainless Steel (with 3Burners), brews 3.9 gallons of perfect coffee per hour (approx 8 pots). Great for Restaurants, Hotels & Bars. WhatsApp: 829-322-8982 or Email: uniq44@hotmail.com
IMPRESSUM Editora LA PLAYA Director: Werner Rümmele, Phone: 829-373-1218 RNC 5-31-87397-3
English 3,000 German 2,000 Your ads by mail: laplaya.dominicana@gmail.com
by phone: 829-373-1218
Professional Webcams: (New) Best Webcam in the World - “Logitech” HD-Pro (C910), Full-HD (all directions) 1080, 10MP, Carl Zeiss optics. WhatsApp: 829-322-8982 or Email: uniq44@hotmail.com
Hummer H3, color champagne, 2006, 3.5 L engine, 5-Zyl, 79,000 km, very good condition, Non smoking vehicle, Car-Fax, Service-to-date. Price US$17,900, Tel 809-866-0188 or email mineumxx1@msn.com
Restaurant Supplies: SS Plate Covers, Glass Drink/Juice Dispensers (3.5 gal), Banquet Utensils, and much more. WhatsApp: 829-322-8982 or Email: uniq44@hotmail.com
For sale in Sosua. Diverse golf carts from US$ 1,999. All reupholstered and repainted, street version, lights, horn, turn signals, 30 kmh fast, good condition. Tel. 829-802-8686 / 809462-5190
Frozen Drink Machine: “Donper” 12-Liter (3.2-gal), Single Canister. (perfect for Icees, Slushies, Margaritas, Daiquiris, & other great ice drinks). Great for Restaurants, Hotels & Bars. WhatsApp: 829-3228982 or Email: uniq44@hotmail.com
Toyota Camry, 1995, 105,000 pesos. Call 829-858-4658
Video Game Systems: “Nintendo Wii” and “XBOX 360 Pro (60GB)” (both New In Box with extra Games & Accessories). WhatsApp: 829-3228982 or Email: uniq44@hotmail.com Estate Sale: Mahogany Dresser & Night Tables/ 9-Light Chandelier/ 11foot Market Umbrella (Wood Frame Only)/ And much more. WhatsApp: 829-322-8982 or Email: uniq44@ hotmail.com Pelican Cases (with Foam interiors): Model 1600 and Model 1610. Ultrahigh Impact. Unbreakable, watertight, airtight, dustproof, chemical resistant and corrosion proof. Hard Cases made to carry any kind of equipment that needs protection. WhatsApp: 829-322-8982 or Email: uniq44@hotmail.com DJ Equipment: Strobe Light (Chauvet ST-800MX DMX Mega II) with new Bulb / Bottle Glorifiers (6” & 10” Color Changing LED Light Base) / Power Conditioner & Light Module (SMT-PS-08) / Satellite Multi-Switch (2-In, 16-Out – Pica Macom TSMS2150X-16A) / Speaker Select Control System (Niles – SSVC-4). WhatsApp: 829-322-8982 or Email: uniq44@ hotmail.com
LA PLAYA office in Sosúa at the Beach Way Plaza Mon. - Fri. 1- 4:30 p.m.
Classifieds from 50 pesos
PRESS DATE FOR ISSUE 158 (14th of OCTOBER 2015): 6th of OCTOBER 2015.
Up to five lines cost 50 pesos, each additional line 10 pesos. For placing the ad, please come to the LA PLAYA office in Sosúa or send it by mail.
For rent: Chevrolet Tracker, air conditioning, automatic, tech. impeccable. RD$ 1,000 per day, RD$ 5,000 per week. German / English / Spanish. Phone: 809-988-7376
SALES PEOPLE for real estate and sales WE'LL TRAIN Tel. 809-571-1027, 809-779-9949 or 809-399-9069
For sale: Volkswagen Touareg, 2004, white. US$ 9,000. Please call 809727-9850 For sale: Chrysler PT Cruiser, 2005, automatic, AC, power windows, CDPlayer. US$ 4,500. Please call 809727-9850
Birds for sale by breeder: Budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, finchen and more. Contact Andrea: 809-4628140 or bummi47@yahoo.com
Idiot Sightings My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-away window and I gave the girl a £5 note. Our total was £4.20, so I also handed her a Twenty pence piece. She said, “You gave me too much money.” I said, “Yes I know, but this way you can just give me £1 back.” She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the 20 pence and said, “We're sorry, but they could not do that kind of thing.” The girl then proceeded to give me back 80 pence in change. Do not confuse the girls at MacD's.
We had to have the garage door repaired. The Garador repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a “large” enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Garador made at that time, a half horsepower. He shook his head and said, “Lady, you need a quarter horsepower!” I responded that half was larger than a quarter and he said, “No, it's not. Four is larger than two.” We haven't used Garador repair since. Happened in Bromley, Kent UK
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged co-worker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, “What on earth are blind people doing driving?!” She is a Local County Council employee in Dartford Kent, UK
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