Spanish in Halifax & Dartmouth

Feliz Año Nuevo y Próspero 2009

2009-01-01T22:42:00.002-04:00

Film in Halifax: Beyond Elections

2008-09-29T15:47:00.000-03:00

S.O.S. Hurricanes hit Cuba

2008-09-08T20:19:00.003-03:00

Read how to help from Nova Scotia here: http://www.nscuba.org/NSCUBA.html

EL CAMBIO - winds of change in El Salvador

2008-09-08T15:47:00.002-03:00

FMLN suporters - political rally - CAMBIO 2009

Next group and private Spanish lessons in September 2008

2008-08-02T13:51:00.003-03:00

Fall 2008 Spanish group lessons:

Introduction to Spanish (for absolute beginners)

6-week course; Tuesdays 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, starting September 16th, 2008

Instructor: Ron Chavez

Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St. Dartmouth.

Spanish (conversation I)

6-week course; Wednesdays 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, starting September 17th, 2008

Instructor: Ron Chavez

Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St. Dartmouth.

Sign Up Now!

How to get to the Community Centre?

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Public Event

2008-06-04T20:56:00.002-03:00

winter was a $%^* - have all a nice summer FELIZ VERANO 2008

2008-05-09T01:32:00.004-03:00

Muchas gracias a todos por haber tenido la paciencia de aguantarme como su instructor / facilitador de español.

I enjoyed a lot working with all of you and I wish you, your family and friends a great summer.

Please come back to visit my blog I will keep adding resources to practice and learn more Spanish. I will also post here the new dates and times for summer lessons, and reunions for winter students.

If you are traveling south soon, don't forget your bloqueador solar y los lentes para el sol, and of course, practice, practice as much as you can your Spanish, if not sure how to say something just remember the survival phrases - including COMO SE DICE? ;-)

Hasta pronto amigos!

Ron Chavez

Learn Spanish - Adjectives, Pronouns (free resources)

2008-04-18T16:32:00.000-03:00

Want to shape the future of Nova Scotia’s forests?

2008-04-18T16:07:00.002-03:00

Public Consultations on Nova Scotia’s Forests

Concerned about clearcutting? Worried about the forest industry? Want to shape the future of Nova Scotia’s forests?

Public consultations on our forests are starting soon. Voluntary Planning, an arms-length agency of the Nova Scotia government, will be traveling the province to document Nova Scotians’ concerns and values on the future of FORESTS, MINING, PARKS and BIODIVERSITY.

This is the time to speak up about our forests and forest industry. These consultations will help shape the government’s new Natural Resources Strategy. See www.gov.ns.ca/vp and follow the link to Natural Resources to learn about the process. Consultations will take place from May 12^th to June 12^th throughout Nova Scotia.

What’s at Stake? Our Forest and Forest Economy

Because of heavy cutting and land clearing over many decades, Nova Scotia’s native, unique Acadian Forest is threatened. Our forest is degraded and the forestry industry is struggling. Mills are closing, forestry jobs are declining, the tourism industry is negatively affected and our forest is increasingly vulnerable to climate change.

With progressive forest policy, however, we can promote a naturally diverse forest that provides wildlife habitat, clean water, a place to appreciate nature, and high-quality timber. With sensible management, we can promote a forest industry based on value-added manufacturing, providing diverse and stable employment. With intelligent fore-sight, we can best meet the challenges climate change will bring to our forest.

What to Do? Have your say and help spread the word!

P Participate in the Voluntary Planning consultations and encourage your friends and family to do the same: attend the consultations or submit your thoughts in writing

Ø Visit our website and join the Forest Alert email list for updates: www.novascotiaforests.ca.

Ø Volunteer your time – contact us to find out how: (902) 429-1335 or forests@ecologyaction.ca.

Spanish Lessons - Beginners I - April 2, 2008

2008-03-27T11:53:00.003-03:00

hola

Are you planning to travel to Latin America?

Would you like to learn survival Spanish for travelers?

An introduction to Spanish. The foundation! Including: pronunciation, greetings, asking for information, numbers, colours, basic / survival vocabulary. Plus: days of the week, months of the year, time; directions, prepositions, important verbs, sentence structure, short dialogues, all present tense.

This group class includes six lessons (1.5 hour each). We will learn and practice in class useful phrases and vocabulary for the following scenarios:

Meeting a new friend
Latin American holiday destinations
A visit to the public market
Ordering at the restaurant
At the hotel
At the beach?

When: Lessons start April 2, 2008 / 6 weeks
Instructor: Ron Chavez
Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St., Dartmouth.
Fee: $100 (includes printed class material)

Lessons schedule:

Lesson 1 - April 2, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Lesson 2 - April 9, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Lesson 3 - April 16, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Lesson 4 - April 23, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Lesson 5 - April 30, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Lesson 6 – May 7, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm

For more information and registration,

contact Ron Chavez at 495-7067

SPANISH LESSONS – NEW BEGINNERS II GROUP - WINTER 2008

2008-03-17T14:16:00.001-03:00

Do you know already some Spanish?

Would you like to learn new words and practice more Spanish?

Would you like to tell – in Spanish – how was your last trip to Latin America?

Join us and sign up for our next group lesson:

BEGINNERS II - Tools and tips for conversation.

Includes general review of material studied in the ‘Beginners I’ level. New important vocabulary. We will practice with phrases and sentences in the past tense and we will learn to talk about events and plans in the future.

This group class includes five lessons (1.5 hour each). We will learn and practice in class useful phrases and vocabulary for the following scenarios:

Listening the radio
Talking about your plans
Small talk at the hotel
My host family
An E-mail in Spanish to my friend

Lessons start April 10^th, 2008 / 6 weeks / Thursday evenings
Instructor: Ron Chavez
Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St., Dartmouth.

Fee: $80 (includes printed class material)

Lessons schedule:

Lesson 1 - April 10, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, Room No. 1, NWCC

Lesson 2 - April 17, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, Room No. 1, NWCC

Lesson 3 - April 24, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, Room No. 1, NWCC

Lesson 4 - May 1^st, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, Room No. 1, NWCC

Lesson 5 – May 8^th, 2008, 7:30pm – 9:00pm, Room No. 1, NWCC

For more information and registration, contact Ron Chavez at 495-7067 or email: spanish.halifax@gmail.com

Semana Santa (Holy Week) en Antigua Guatemala

2008-03-11T22:33:00.000-03:00

Film Screening in Halifax

2008-03-10T21:25:00.002-03:00

NS Cuba Association and Albasol Tours present the inspirational film:

TOCAR Y LUCHAR

(TO PLAY AND TO FIGHT)

Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 7 pm.

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia - Bedford Row Entrance

To Play and To Fight is the captivating story of the Venezuelan Youth and Children's Orchestra System, an incredible network of hundreds of orchestras formed within most of Venezuela's towns and villages. Once a modest program designed to expose rural children to the wonders of music, 'El Sistema' has evolved into what has been called "one of the most important and beautiful social phenomena in modern history." Close to half a million students have participated in the program, which was founded in 1975 by musician, economist and politician Jose Antonio Abreu as a state-funded social program to improve the lives of the country's underprivileged youth.

Jose Antonio Abreu recently won Canada's prestigious Glenn Gould Award -- awarded every third year in recognition of a significant contribution to the arts, music and communication.

See this beautiful film!

Admission by donation – suggested donation $5.

With the support of:

The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Canada

For more information: albasolitours@gmail.com

Los musicos cubanos en Dartmouth, NS

2008-02-21T11:43:00.002-04:00

Tickets are: $20. for Adult $10. for Student - Available at the Door only -

Doors at 7:30 PM Concert at 8:00 PM - NSCC Waterfront Campus - Dartmouth, NS
80 Mawiomi Place (Off Pleasant St. across from Dartmouth General Hospital)

Call: (902) 401-2104 for info or Email: goodspeed@eastlink.ca <mailto:goodspeed@eastlink.ca

--

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Halifax, NS – Feb. 19, 2008

ALL THE WAY FROM CUBA! – HavanaFax! In Concert this Friday
Feb 22, 2008 at 8:00 PM - at the new Dartmouth NSCC Waterfront Campus Theatre
Tickets are: $20. for Adult / $10. for Student – at the Door only.

Also….

Recording live on Feb 22 at the NSCC Waterfront Campus Theatre.

HavanaFax 2008 will present a live concert to be recorded live for the production of the HavanaFax II CD. The original HavanaFax Live recording won the ECMA in 2004 for Best Jazz Recording. Don Chapman will again work his magic in getting the sounds into the box using the wonderful facilities of the new NSCC Waterfront Campus. Come and hear four amazing musicians from Havana mix it up with Halifax’s finest in the beautiful new Waterfront Campus Theatre. Visiting from Cuba are musicians Jorge Chicoy, guitar, Tony Rodriguez, piano, Avi Garcia, bass and Yasek Manzano, Trumpet. Joining the Cuban musicians are our own Jeff Goodspeed on sax, Tom Roach / Dave Burton on drums, Keith Mullins on percussion, and special guest Shayna Dube on vocals
Also, out in full force for this event will be the NSCC television arts program to capture it all on video.
And….on this same night….during the concert…..there will be a…..

Bonus event! Due to a postponement last Saturday night……At this Friday’s HavanaFax concert - the draw the for the winner of our Trip for Four to Cuba will take place ! (A Los Primos Project Fundraiser 2008).

Tickets are: $20. for Adults $10.for Students

Available at the Door: NSCC Dartmouth Waterfront Campus 80 Mawiomi Place (off Pleasant Street in Dartmouth – across from Dartmouth General Hospital).

For Info Contact: Jeff Goodspeed (902) 401-2104 or email: goodspeed@eastlink.ca

More Background on Artists
Jorge Chicoy – guitar

Chicoy is known in Cuba and by Fidel as the Pearl of the South. He has played with everyone in Cuba during the last 3 decades. From Irakere and Chucho Valdes to Arturo Sandoval, the Buena Vista Social Club and Omara Portuondo, Chicoy has had a very distinguished career. When he is not traveling the world performing with various Cuban artists, he is in demand in the studios of Havana, recording with international music stars. Los Primos is indeed fortunate that Chicoy was available to make this trip to the East Coast of Canada in February of 2008.

Tony Rodriguez – piano

Tony was the piano player in the first three student bands from Cuba to visit Nova Scotia. He then graduated to playing in HavanaFax and has been to the East Coast seven times. He is a truly amazing piano player and composer. He enjoyed years of playing with the top Cuban dance group of this decade, Issac Delgado. He is now touring on a regular basis with Cuban singer song writer Carlos Varela.

Avi Garcia – bass

Avi came to Canada for the first time in 2001 when Los Primos needed a last minute replacement on bass. He immediately became part of the family and a founding member of HavanaFax. He also spend the past six years playing with Issac Delgado and now enjoys a freelance career playing in Havana and Cancun.

Yasek Manzano – trumpet

Yasek is returning to Nova Scotia after 10 years. He was also part of the first student band in 1998 that rocked the jazz scene at the Atlantic Jazz Festival. He was offered scholarships at Berklee and Julliard and did spend 18 months at Julliard before returning to Cuba to pursue his own music. He now plays regularly with Chucho Valdes and with his own group.
Jeff Goodspeed – musician/teacher

Born in Truro Nova Scotia, 2 time ECMA winner for best jazz recording (1996 and 2004), founder of Los Primos Project, Director of Acadia Jazz Camp and Nova Scotia Honour Jazz. Leader of HavanaFax and Latin Groove. Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow for creating bridges between cultures.

Shayna Dubé – voice/flute/sax

A member of the Canadian Primos for four years, this young talent (16 years old) has been to Cuba two times on Los Primos musical study tours and has very quickly become a prominent performer in the Halifax area. She sings in Spanish well enough to fool the natives and has the expression of Diana Krall, the mystery of Holly Cole, and the passion of Aretha Franklin. She recently sang back-up vocals for Michael Bublé at the Halifax Metro Centre concert.

--
Jeff Goodspeed
45 White St.
Dartmouth, NS, B2X 2P6
902 401-2104
goodspeed@eastlink.ca

14 de Febrero: día del amor, día de la amistad, día de San Valentín

2008-02-14T11:52:00.003-04:00

No class tonight - Community Centre is closed

2008-02-13T12:39:00.004-04:00

due to weather conditions there is no Spanish lesson tonight
(miercoles, 13 de Febrero)

North Woodside Community Centre is closed tonight

Festival del Año Nuevo chino - Chinese New Year

2008-02-07T12:15:00.001-04:00

El Festival del Año Nuevo chino es una de las fiestas más significativas para el pueblo chino en todo el mundo, indistintamente del origen de sus antepasados. También es conocido como el Festival del Año Nuevo Lunar debido a que está basado en el calendario lunar, en vez del calendario gregoriano. La fiesta es una ocasión muy jubilosa debido principalmente a que es el tiempo en que la gente se libra del trabajo para reunirse con la familia y los amigos. [leer articulo completo in Spanish]

---

Chinese New Year is about to begin. February 7, 2008, marks the start of year 4706 of the Chinese lunar calendar and rings in the year of the Rat.

In China, the New Year is a 15-day long festival that heralds spring, the planting season and welcomes all things new. It's the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

No doubt festivities will be grandest in China — with feasts, fireworks, dragon dances, lion dances, lantern festivals and more — but this holiday is celebrated in other countries, too, even by people who aren't Chinese.

In Canada, many schools teach about Chinese New Year as a way of enriching the lives of students to the many cultures that make our global tapestry so rich and vivid.

You can celebrate, too. Here are some fun, though not necessarily traditional, crafts for your "New Year" party. [read more]

Travel Spanish - FREE WEB RESOURCE

2008-01-25T13:52:00.000-04:00

Hola,

This is a good web site with tons of excercises, audios, etc. and it's FREE

http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/travel_spanish

Adios!

Ron Chavez

VIDEO SONG: Siempre hace frío

2008-01-22T13:04:00.000-04:00

feeling like practicing your Spanish? Try singing this mariachi song!

CANCION = SONG

Siempre hace frío

Este corazón, que aún te adora
Ya está muriendo, tarde con tarde
Como se muere la luz del día

Ya no puedo mas, tú me haces falta
vuelve comingo, alma de mi alma
vidita mía

¿Adónde estás?
¿Adónde estás?

Matame cielo, tragame tierra,
llevame Cristo si no vuelves mas

Ya podras tener el mundo entero
Y entre tus manos toda la dicha
de otro cariño mejor que el mío

Pero ya verás, que todo acaba
Y al verme solo, como hoy me siento
Siempre hace frío

Autor: Cuco Sanchez

NEW GROUP at Bloomfield Centre, Halifax

2008-01-22T12:53:00.000-04:00

SPANISH GROUP LESSONS

BEGINNERS I

An introduction to Spanish.

The foundation!, pronunciation, numbers, colours, basic / survival vocabulary, including: days of the week, months of the year, time; directions, prepositions, question words, important verbs, sentence structure, short dialogues, all present tense.

Tuesday Evenings: 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Classes start January 29th, 2008 / 10 weeks

Instructor: Ron Chavez

Location: Bloomfield Centre, 2786 Agricola St.

HalifaxFee: $150 (Plus one $5 fee for class printed materials).

For more information and registration, contact Ron Chavez at 495-7067
or email: spanish.halifax@gmail.com

La Isla de Pascua, Chile

2008-01-18T12:14:00.001-04:00

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Halifax! Spanish Group Lessons

2008-01-12T12:29:00.000-04:00

SPANISH GROUP LESSONS

BEGINNERS I

An introduction to Spanish.

The foundation!, pronunciation, numbers, colours, basic / survival vocabulary, including: days of the week, months of the year, time; directions, prepositions, question words, important verbs, sentence structure, short dialogues, all present tense.

Tuesday Evenings: 7:30pm – 9:00pm

classes start January 29th, 2008 / 10 weeks

Instructor: Ron Chavez

Location: Bloomfield Centre, 2786 Agricola St. Halifax

Fee: $150 (Plus one $5 fee for class printed materials).

For more information and registration, contact Ron Chavez at 495-7067or email: spanish.halifax@gmail.com

View Larger Map

Spanish Lessons - January 2008!

2008-01-04T15:39:00.000-04:00

SPANISH GROUP LESSONS

BEGINNERS I

an introduction to Spanish. The foundation!, pronunciation, numbers,colours, basic / survival vocabulary, including: days of the week,months of the year, time; directions, prepositions, question words,important verbs, sentence structure, short dialogues, all presenttense.

Wednesday Evenings: 7:30pm – 9:00pm

classes start January 16th, 2008 / 10 weeks

Instructor: Ron Chavez

Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St., Dartmouth.

and for those more advanced ...

BEGINNERS I I (NEW)

Thursday Evenings: 7:30pm – 9:00pm

classes start January 17th, 2008 / 10 weeks

Instructor: Ron Chavez

Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St., Dartmouth.

Fee: $150 (Plus one $5 fee for class printed materials).

For more information and registration, contact Ron Chavez at 495-7067
or email: spanish.halifax@gmail.com

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y UN PROSPERO 2008!

2007-12-29T18:31:00.000-04:00

All the best for 2008!

Ron Chavez

see you all in January.

Spanish group lessons - Winter 2008

2007-11-27T21:51:00.000-04:00

SPANISH LESSONS

BEGINNERS I
an introduction to Spanish. The foundation!, pronunciation, numbers,colours, basic / survival vocabulary, including: days of the week,months of the year, time; directions, prepositions, question words,important verbs, sentence structure, short dialogues, all presenttense.

Wednesday Evenings: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
classes start January 16th, 2008 / 10 weeks
Instructor: Ron Chavez
Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St., Dartmouth.

BEGINNERS I I (NEW)
Thursday Evenings: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
classes start January 17th, 2008 / 10 weeks
Instructor: Ron Chavez
Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St., Dartmouth.

Fee: $150 (Plus one $5 fee for class printed materials).

For more information and registration, contact Ron Chavez at 495-7067
or email: spanish.halifax@gmail.com

Dispatches from the South: Demonization of Venezuelan Constitutional Reforms Increases

2007-11-27T21:34:00.000-04:00

Two weeks ago a series of alarming articles began to circulate in the international press about Venezuela's constitutional reform process. At a speed not matched even during Venezuela's 2006 presidential elections, newspaper readers were inundated with wrongdoing after wrongdoing allegedly committed by President Chavez. Reuters, the LA Times, New York Times, Washington Post, and many more characterized the democratically elected president of that South American nation as a strongman hoping to consolidate power through the passage of some 69 constitutional updates. Polls were cited, opposition leaders were quoted, and the general tone was set: the reforms are inherently undemocratic and serve only to centralize state power.

The following week, after the groundwork had already been laid, some of those same news dailies issued editorials expanding upon their already existing bias. The Chicago Tribune wrongly reported that the reforms would bar due process during states of emergencies. The Washington Post claimed- against all evidence- that the reforms would curtail freedom in Venezuela. The Washington Times inaccurately stated that Chavez "controls most major Venezuelan media", an allegation easily refuted by a quick internet review of Venezuela's print and TV media. This particularly uninformed editorial followed an opinion piece earlier in the month penned by none other than long time Cold War player, Oliver North, who believes Chavez has "pulled a coup" on the Venezuelan people. Similar and more egregious opinion pieces were disseminated in the national press.

However, if you still weren't sold on the idea that constitutional reform was undemocratic, you were led to believe that Venezuelan's just weren't sophisticated enough to determine their own path. An opinion piece published by the Los Angeles Times over the weekend served as a case in point. "Venezuela's path to self-destruction" by William Ratliff concluded that although Venezuelans would likely approve a set of constitutional reforms in early December they would not have done so on their own accord. Rather, they will have been duped by the President and sadly won't realize until it is too late.

As the reform vote nears, and Venezuelans mobilize to express their will at the ballot box this Sunday, it is imperative that we hold the press accountable. During the next few days please check the VIO homepage and news section for more balanced coverage on the process unfolding there. You can also submit your own opinion by authoring an oped and sending it in to your local paper.

Read this weeks more balanced news on Venezuela here.

Spanish - Quick Fix

2007-10-25T14:18:00.000-03:00

Thanks Doug for sending to us this excellent link:

Hola Ron

Here is the link to the BBC Spanish site http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/index.shtml

the beginners program is http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/lj/itinerary.shtml

Doug

Los Novios

2007-10-15T22:38:00.001-03:00

I met these guys while driving this weekend on Highway 7.

Support Guatemalan teachers at Breaking the Silence Fundraiser.

2007-10-10T21:48:00.000-03:00

Breaking the Silence North Shore Fundraiser
Thursday, Oct. 18th, 6p.m.
Sugar Moon Farm

Join members of the North Shore-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network for its fourth annual fundraiser at Sugar Moon Farm (located in Earltown between Tatamagouche and Truro) on Thursday, October the 18 th. Doors open at 6 p.m., sausage and pancakes will be served with delicious Sugar Moon-made maple syrup at 6:30p.m. Cash bar is available.

Tickets are $22.80 tax included and can be purchased from Hanna's Books in Tatamagouche or by calling Sugar Moon at 1-866-81-maple (6-2753). This is a great opportunity to meet members of Breaking the Silence, and hear from the seven interns who will be traveling to Guatemala to work with organizations there. Money raised during the evening will supplement very low teachers' salaries in a Mayan community.

The Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network (BTS), a Tatamagouche Centre program, has had an active presence of mutual solidarity since 1988 with the Mayan people of Guatemala and social activists who became targets of the army in a genocidal war. See www.tatacentre.ca/Guatemalawebsite/BTSHome.html

for more information. Sugar Moon Farm is located on Alex MacDonald Road in Earltown, Nova Scotia. Sugar Moon features pure Canadian maple syrup and maple products, Chef's Nights featuring maple syrup and maple product recipes, a log restaurant and sugar camp tours. See www.sugarmoon.ca for more information.

Spanish Lessons - Beginners I - Space still available

2007-09-09T14:18:00.000-03:00

This Fall: have fun learning one of the most popular languages – Español!

Tuesday Evenings: 7:30pm – 9:00pm

September 25th - December 4th (no class October 2nd)
Instructor: Ron Chavez

Location: North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St., Dartmouth.

BEGINNERS I (Vamos a Platicar I)An introduction to Spanish. The foundation!, pronunciation, numbers, colours, basic vocabulary, days of the week, months of the year, time, directions, prepositions, question words, important verbs, sentence structure, short dialogues, etc. all present tense.

For more information, email Ron Chavez at spanish.halifax@gmail.com or call 495-7067.

Hasta la vista!!

Could this be the solution to the "hoodie" controversy?

2007-09-05T10:03:00.000-03:00

La silla

(chair)

NEWS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA: Felix pounding Nicaragua-Honduras coast

2007-09-04T12:37:00.000-03:00

PUERTO CABEZAS, Nicaragua -

Hurricane Felix roared ashore early Tuesday near this town as a fearsome Category 5 storm, flattening coastal areas before weakening to a still powerful Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds as it headed over land.

Felix made landfall with 160 mph winds — joining Hurricane Dean last month to mark the first time in recorded history that two top-scale storms have come ashore in the same season.
"The situation is chaotic. Puerto Cabezas is being totally destroyed," said Antonio Joya, a regional government official. "I'm sure it is going to be a total disaster."

Uprooted trees flew through the air as thousands took shelter in two schools in the port, home to some 30,000 mostly Miskito Indians. Ambulances with sirens blaring raced through the streets.

The storm hit near the swampy Nicaragua-Honduras border, home to thousands of stranded Miskito Indians dependent on canoes to make their way to safety.

"The wind is terrible. There's a roaring when it pulls the roofs off the houses," Lumberto Campbell, a local official in Puerto Cabezas, told Radio Ya. "There's no electricity because all the posts that hold up the cables have fallen down.
"The metal roofs come off like shaving knives and are sent flying against the trees and homes," he said before the line cut off.

Twenty fishermen were missing, and communication to the area was cut off.
Mudslides fearedThe area around Puerto Cabezas is sparsely populated and dotted with lagoons and marshes, but the storm threatened many poor Honduran and Guatemalan villages further inland that are perched on hillsides and vulnerable to mudslides.

Up to 40,000 Hondurans were evacuated to shelters, but some 15,000 people were unable to find transportation and were forced to ride out the storm in their homes.
“They couldn’t be evacuated because there is no fuel to take them to safe areas,” said Carolina Echeverria, a lawmaker from Cabo Gracias a Dios on the border with Nicaragua, where Felix landed.

Felix's landfall marked the first time that two Category 5 hurricanes have hit land in a season since 1886, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hurricane Dean also came ashore just last month as a Category 5 storm. Only 31 such storms have been recorded in the Atlantic, including eight in the last five seasons.
"This is an extremely dangerous and potentially catastrophic hurricane. We just hope everybody has taken the precautions necessary to protect life and property," Richard Pasch, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, said Tuesday.
Henriette now a hurricaneMeanwhile, off Mexico's Pacific coast, Tropical Storm Henriette strengthened into a hurricane with 75 mph winds and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said it was churning toward the upscale resort of Cabo San Lucas, popular with Hollywood stars and sea fishing enthusiasts.
Henriette was on a path to hit the tip of the Baja California Peninsula on Tuesday afternoon. The had sustained winds of 75 mph.
At 8 a.m. ET it was centered about 80 miles south-southeast of the peninsula.
Before dawn Tuesday, strong waves pounded the resort's beaches, rain fell in sheets and strong winds whipped palm trees. More than 100 residents spent the night in makeshift shelters as the storm approached, and more were expected to leave their homes Tuesday.
On Monday, police in Cabo San Lucas said one woman drowned in high surf stirred up by Henriette. Over the weekend, the storm caused flooding and landslides that killed six people in Acapulco.
source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20546847/#storyContinued

Spanish Lessons (group and private) - Fall 2007

2007-08-30T10:22:00.000-03:00

Spanish Lessons!

This Fall: have fun learning one of the most popular languages – Español!

spanishinhalifax.blogspot.com

Space available for private and group classes.

Beginners Group class (10 lessons) on Thursdays 7:30 to 9:00 pm - begins Sept. 13th at North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant St, Dartmouth.Flexible schedules, reasonable fees.

For more information, email Ron Chavez at spanish.halifax@gmail.com or call 495-7067.Hasta la vista!!

Las Frutas

2007-07-11T22:21:00.001-03:00

LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH IN HALIFAX!

2007-06-17T22:01:00.000-03:00

IMPROVE YOUR CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH!

My Spanish lessons focus on real-life conversations. You learn Spanish words in context and you will learn the fundamental language structure. If you are planning on traveling to a Spanish speaking country you will be miles ahead when it comes to communicating with your local hosts.
I select exercises and adapt lessons to the student's own interests and motivations. For example the environment, traveling, art and culture, etc. I put emphasis on practicing conversations.

I offer three levels:

Vamos a Platicar I
Vamos a Platicar II
Vamos a Platicar III

Each level consists of 10 lessons. The student decides its own pace to complete each level.

In addition, I offer special Spanish lessons with focus on social activism and solidarity work. In these lessons students learn plenty of Spanish social-justice vocabulary and practice real-life conversations.

I offer private lessons: one-to-one, for couples and for group (three or more students).

Lessons are taught at my place in Dartmouth – central location close to MacDonald Bridge and ferry - classes can also be taken at student’s home or office – depending on distance additional charge may apply. For groups (4 or more students) we book a public meeting room (e.g. public library, etc).

Schedules are flexible. Lessons start every week. Lessons are taught on weekdays, am, pm and evenings (depending on time availability).

Please contact me for more information and let me know what time and day(s) work best for your lessons.

Muchas Gracias!

Ron Chávez
spanish.halifax@gmail.com

Langosta

2007-06-14T11:10:00.001-03:00

la langosta (una)

las langostas (varias)

Ummmmmmm ....me gusta la langosta!

Spanish for the home

2007-06-11T12:30:00.000-03:00

Hi Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville and all amigos y amigas from the maritimes:

This web site - 1 2 3 teach me - is one of the best resources I have found on the internet for learning Spanish. Best of all it is absolutely FREE!

Bookmark it and use it as much as you can!

There is no excuse not to learn Spanish this time ;-)

Here is just a sample of audio clips - Spanish for the home

Click on the following link and then on the image to hear the Spanish pronunciation.

http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/vocabulary_for_the_home

Guess what the big news was this week in Latin America? in Spanish ;-)

2007-06-08T09:27:00.000-03:00

PARIS HILTON SALE DE PRISIÓN

Also, there was another important news in Latin America. This time it was about the creation of a big bank for the people of the South! A bank where profit is not the driving force! Can you believe this! A bank that wil help to clean the mess created by the IMF and the World Bank in Latin America.

The creation of the new bank - Banco del ALBA - is just a small part of a growing trend of integration and solidarity among the peoples in the Americas. You can read the entire news (in Spanish) in this TELESUR link http://telesurtv.net/secciones/noticias/nota/index.php?ckl=12776

El Festival Multicultural 2007

2007-06-04T18:43:00.000-03:00

This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival presented by the Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia. The Festival is an opportunity to celebrate our province's cultural diversity through performances, workshops, food vendors and visual displays. The three-day event will again take place at Alderney Landing on the Dartmouth waterfront from June 15-17.

Where to buy a good Spanish - English dictionary in Halifax?

2007-05-27T21:01:00.000-03:00

Hola,

Here is a list with a good selection of Spanish-English dictionaries. You can get any of these dictionaries at BOOKMARK II Bookstore - 5686 Spring Garden Road (tel 902 - 423 0419). Also they carry a variety of CD's and other nice resources to help learn Spanish.

Hasta Pronto

Ronald Chavez

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In Stock - BOOKMARK II Bookstore:

01 Merriam-Webster Pocket Spanish English Dictionary (ISBN 0877795193) $8.95
01 Larousse Mini Dictionary Spanish English (ISBN 203542125X) $8.95
01 Larousse Pocket Dictionary Spanish English (ISBN 2035420849) $8.95
01 Dorling Kindersley Spanish English Visual Bilingual Dictionary (ISBN 0756612985) $17.95
02 Cambridge Klett Pocket Spanish English Dictionary (ISBN 0521753007) $11.95
01 Larousse Concise Spanish English Dictionary (ISBN 2035421373) $17.95
01 Concise Oxford Spanish English Dictionary (ISBN 0198609779) $36.95
01 Vox Spanish English Super Mini Dictionary (ISBN 0071451781) $6.95
01 Wordsworth English Spanish Spanish English Dictionary (ISBN 1853263389) $9.95

On Order

01 Oxford School Spanish English Dictionary (ISBN 019911529X) $13.95
01 Larousse Pocket Dictionary Spanish English (ISBN 2035420849) $8.95

Lonely Planet - Costa Rica Hang ten in this peaceful oasis: the local wildlife highly recommend it.

2007-05-25T09:45:00.000-03:00

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disneylike cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — are populous and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/central-america/costa-rica?

Destinos: Caribe Nicaraguense - Bluefields

2007-05-18T08:02:00.000-03:00

El Caribe Nicaragüense además de ser un bello y atractivo paisaje natural, que goza de playas de arena blanca y aguas cristalinas --ideales para el buceo y el snorkeling--, es también un lugar lleno de historia y una vibrante cultura, enriquecida por la mezcla étnica y calidez de su gente.

Las Vocales: a, e, i, o, u

2007-05-17T11:32:00.000-03:00

La pronunciación de las vocales:

a English sound: ah
e English sound: eh (as in let)
i English sound: ee
o English sound: oh
u English sound: oo

Ejemplos:

Ana

Ernesto

Inglés

Oso

Uno

Vamos a Platicar I

2007-05-14T10:13:00.000-03:00

This Thursday May 17th we'll start the Spanish Lessons: Vamos a Platicar I.

These lessons are for beginners.

You can start your private Spanish lessons any time after May 17th. Schedules are very flexible. Lessons are also available for couples and groups of three or more students.

I do not follow one specific text book - printed materials are given to students at beginning and end of each lesson. Our main focus is on conversation, practicing real-life conversation excercises. Yes, we will study the fundamental Spanish structure (grammar). Lessons are adapted to student's own interests and motivations for learning the language. After all, learning Spanish must be enjoyable.

All you need is a good Spanish-English dictionary, a pen and a notebook.

Email me for more information on schedules, location and rates.

Hasta Luego

Ronald Chavez

spanish.halifax@gmail.com

Classes begin May 17th

2007-05-12T16:39:00.000-03:00

Hi,

I hope you are enjoying this nice Halifax weather. I hope it continues clear, sunny and warm!

Thanks to all of you that contacted me in the last days, I am please to let you know that I will start classes on Thursday, May 17th.

Since classes are personalized you can start anytime after May 17th. I am very flexible with schedules and I do try to accomodate lesson's time as much as I can to your busy schedules.

For more information email me at spanish.halifax@gamil.com

Nos vemos pronto!

Ronald Chavez

Spanish Lessons in Halifax, NS

2007-05-09T17:30:00.000-03:00

Are you planning on travelling to Latin America?
Do you want to learn and/or practice your Spanish?
Would you like to learn more about the culture and the people of Latin America?

If you answer YES to any of the above questions then email me at spanish.halifax@gmail.com

I am a native speaker, with teaching experience and recently moved to Halifax from Vancouver, BC. I am offering Spanish Lessons* for beginners and useful lessons of conversational Spanish for those more advanced.

In addition, I offer special Spanish lessons with focus on social activism and solidarity work. In these lessons you will learn plenty of new social-justice vocabulary and practice real-life conversations.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you

Hasta Luego

Ronald Chavez

*Email to find out schedules, location and rates.