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(506) 2223-1327                     Published Wednesday, May 8, 2013, in Vol. 13, No. 90               Email us
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President orders utilities to put a lid on price hikes
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The president Tuesday issued an order to public institutions and agencies that provide basic services telling them to reduce expenses.

President Laura Chinchilla was joined in the order by René Castro, minister of Ambiente y Energía.

The objective is to stop the abuse that some institutions have presented at the time of fixing the tariffs, said the president, according to Casa Presidencial. In the future there will be no changes in price except at the regular times that the institutions send requests to the Autoridad Reguladora de Servicios Públicos, she added.

When the directive is published in the official newspaper, the institutions will have to cut costs, said Casa Presidencial. They are the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz, the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo, the Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia, the Junta Administrativa de Servicios Eléctricos de Cartago and the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados.

The public institutions and agencies were urged to refinance their debts at a lower interest rate and to be more rigorous in tracking expenses. Casa Presidencial said that future increases should not be more than one and a quarter times the increase in the consumer price index this year and more than 1.15 times the index next year.

The agencies and institutions were given 30 days to present plans to do this to the Autoridad and to the president.
The Presidencia issued a similar directive that took
effect Jan. 1. At the time the president told the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad that it should purchase clean energy at the lowest cost available in the marketplace, noted Casa Presidencial.

In addition, the president is said to be counting on the rainy season to provide water to produce more electricity in place of the petroleum that is used during the dry season.

The impact of the directive is hard to predict. Institutions like the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo and to a lesser extent the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad are hostages to the world price of fuels. The Autoridad also has a legal obligation to arrange tariffs at a point where the agencies make a fair profit.

The president's effort is linked to administration plans to make the country carbon neutral and promote renewable energies.

President Chinchilla continues to oppose exploratory drilling for petroleum or gas in the northern zone, so all such fuels have to be imported.

Increases in basic utilities and also in the price of motor fuels have caused considerable concern among members of the public. And at times the various agencies would approach the Autoridad for special surcharges because of changes in expenses. A lot of the expense is because of employee salaries and government-mandated pay hikes.

The decree does not seem to make any mention of reducing the taxes levied by the government on the various utitities.


Country winning a long fight to eliminate malaria
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Sometimes major achievements are so low-keyed that they go unnoticed. Such is the case with Costa Rica's fight against malaria.

In 2006, there were 2,903 cases reported. This year there have been three cases. Last year there were just eight.

The Ministerio de Salud said that the country is well on the way of eliminating the disease by 2015.

The areas where the mosquito-born disease has been most prevalent are around Matina, the northern zone and the Pacific coast.

The ministry in coordination with the Panamerican
 Health Organization generated support from local health agencies and municipalities. The fight against dengue and its mosquito vectors also helped.

The cases reported this year were in Santa Rosa de Pocosol, San Carlos;  Lepanto, Puntarenas, and Aguas Claras de Upala. Officials said they thought the third case was contracted in Africa by someone who then came to Costa Rica.

The health agency notes that in 1925 there were 32,750 cases of malaria in the country when the population was just 520,776. That is a rate of 125 per 1,000 inhabitants. Mortality was 10 percent.

Since 1957 there have been 93,033 cases, the health ministry said. The 2006 figures were boosted by an outbreak in Matina, said the agency.

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A.M. Costa Rica's  Second news page
San José, Costa Rica, Wednesday, May 8, 2013, Vol. 13, No. 90
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Professional Directory
A.M. Costa Rica's professional directory is where business people who wish to reach the English-speaking community may invite responses. If you are interested in being represented here, please contact the editor.


Dentistry

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Psychological Services

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Psychotherapy

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Residency experts

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A full service immigration agency
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Insurance

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Legal services

FULLY BILINGUAL ATTORNEY
& NOTARY PUBLIC

Arcelio

Official English/Spanish translator and interpreter
Serving the international community  since 2001
Lic. Arcelio Hernandez Mussio, Jr.
With over a decade of experience in the fields of:
Family law, criminal & constitutional law, civil & commercial law

Visit the website at:  CRTitle.com
Email: lawyer@crtitle.com
Cell: 8710-9827
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Serving the Great Metropolitan Area, Central and South Pacific
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Member of the Colegio de Abogados de Costa Rica
Lawyer ID number: 12.358
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KEARNEY-LAWSON & Asoc.
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Attorneys at Law and real estate brokers
Relocation services, Wedding Planning
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RE&B Attorneys S.A
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ONE STOP LAW OFFICES OF
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Translations and legal services

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Accountants

U.S. Tax International

Plus Costa Rican taxes, accounting, and legal services
Over 15 years in Costa Rica
(English Spoken)
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FAX: 2231-3300
E-mail: ustax@lawyer.com
7640-3/4/12

U.S. Income Tax
David G. Housman Attorney & C.P.A
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in Costa Rica 32 years.
Specializing in all matters of concern to U.S. taxpayers residing abroad, including all new passport and other
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E mail: papahound@comcast.net
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• Accounting for US and International Financial Reporting
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Telephone 8305-3149 or 2256-8620
E-mail jrtb_1999@yahoo.com
7410-4/1/13


Our reader opinions
NRA caters to gun makers
so it gets big donations

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

The headline in your May 6 issue stating that the National Rifle Association (NRA) leadership may differ from the opinion of the NRA members is not surprising. The actions of the NRA officials are actually driven by the gun manufactures (Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Mossberg, etc.) rather than by member’s opinions.

The NRA expenditures in 2011 were about $220 million. Membership dues accounted for about $147 million of that amount, leaving about $73 million from tax-exempt donations, mainly from the gun manufactures and businesses associated with selling guns. In order for the NRA executive vice president and other NRA officials to maintain their plus $1 million salaries, they realize that it is more important to represent the gun manufactures, some of which donate $2 million or more annually, than it is to represent a member who paid a $35 annual membership fee.

The NRA strategy is to instill fear that the government wants to take away the gun ownership rights provided by the Second Amendment, when, in fact, there are no provisions in gun control legislation, existing or proposed, that would prevent a law abiding citizen from owning a gun of some type sufficient for hunting and/or self-defense. I prefer to look at the need for gun control regulations in the same way that I perceive the need for a speed limit together with regulations for car registration, annual inspection, and a driver’s license. These regulations help keep me safe from someone who should not be driving or a vehicle that should not be on the road.
A.T. Joyce
Llorente de Tibas


Gringos throw in the towel
over problems with business

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

The article [on ease of doing business] hit the nail right on the head. Four different Gringos (two of them personal friends) in the past year have thrown in the towel between :
 
1.   Mass confusion on taxes;
2.  Serious delays in issuance of concessions (old story in CR -- supposed to happen four years ago);
3.  Employees;
4.  Negating value of liquor license and San José running the show -- increasing the monthly lease amount by 20fold;
5.  Crooked attorneys and notaries - oh mi dios!!, and
6.  Every month more problems with municipality and fees -- no help in sight.
 
And those are some of the good things: One of my friends in San José was forced to spend in the area of $300,000 to bring his place of business "up to code." Three other similar Tico-owned establishments were in shambles within 100 yards, and no one said a word. The "inspectors/police" never stopped at the Tico establishments only his, wanting money, believe it or not.
 
Panama looking better and better. Other than that, the sun is up the surf is moderate. All three dogs think I am a good guy, and  later the beer will be very cold. Pura vida!!!
 
Dan Gibson
Esterillos


Joke about Heaven found
appreciation in Escazú


Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Bravo to Mark Sydney in his "Make Sure You Tiptoe Pass Door 17" because “That’s Born-Again Christian Heaven. Let them think they’re the only ones up here.”  That is certainly good for a laugh!

I have a blind belief in nothing, including the New Testament written by men and commissioned by Emperor Constantine 300 years after the death of Jesus.  Some people don't believe in narrow dogma or any dogma at all, myself being one of them.  It is still hard to believe in this day and age that there are many who do!   Even those who are well educated and exposed to other ways of thinking.   (Anyone against power, control, and brainwashing?!!)

Anyway, we all have a right to our opinions and this is mine.  I'm sure some will strongly disagree with me.  They are entitled to their opinions, also, and when I die I will be sure to tiptoe past Door 17!
Marlene Summers
San Antonio de Escazú


What will happen if you fail
to acknowledge Jesus?

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Re: your printing of Henry Kantrowitz’s letter, in your reader’s opinion section titled "Muslims seem a bit more liberal on who gets to go to Heaven."

Mr. Kantrowitz is concerned about Hell and Heaven and how different religions address the subject.  He also offered a synopsis of various religious beliefs.

Mr. Kantrowitz evidently believes that all religions offer a different type of “fire insurance policy” to allow one to escape Hell and they all are equally good.

Mr Kantrowitz misses the point of why Hell exits: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS’ (Matthew 25:41). God never intended for one single person to end up in Hell. It is NOT God’s will that anyone should perish in their sins and go to Hell. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering towards us, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that ALL should come to REPENTANCE” (2nd Peter 3:9). It is NOT God’s fault if men and women are stubborn and unwilling to REPENT of their unbelief. Hell was NOT created for human beings but rather for Satan and his horde of demons.

We are ALL without excuse for the wrong decisions we make in life. We cannot blame God. Perhaps other humans influenced us to make some wrong decisions, but that’s not God’s fault. I often tell people, “Don’t give up on God because men fail you.” Let Job be our example, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). What a statement!” this is by David J. Stewart in his “Purpose for Hell”

Mr Kantrowitz states “I have been told time and again, by Christian friends and other Christians the only way to heaven is to accept Jesus Christ as my savior.”  That statement is only partially true:

1. You have to acknowledge (confess) your sin to God.  One has no need of a savior unless he is aware that what he has been doing is wrong and there are consequences.

2. Repent (which means go in the opposite direction).  Stop doing that which is wrong in God’s eyes.

3. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to help you to keep from sinning.

4. Recognize the sovereignty of Jesus by making him Lord in your life.

There are basically 2 religions in the world.

1.  You have to start doing something or stop doing something in order to be saved (go to Heaven).

2.  The other is to accept the fact that Jesus has paid the price of the sin penalty for us “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23), and acknowledge that fact with your mouth and deeds.

I was having a difficult time trying to figure out what Mr Kantrowitz’s point of the letter was.  Evidently he has become quite fascinated with Heaven and he realizes he falls short of the standard in any religion.  That is the first step in finding the one true God.  I pray that Mr. Kantrowitz realizes that none of us deserves to go to Heaven and that the unpardonable sin that is mentioned in the Bible is refusal to acknowledge God in the form of Jesus Christ when he is introduced to you.  The choice is yours. The thing to consider is what if you’re wrong!

Tom Branham
San Jose

 
Find out what the papers
said today in Spanish


By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Here is the section where you can scan short summaries from the Spanish-language press. If you want to know more, just click on a link and you will see and longer summary and have the opportunity to read the entire news story on the page of the Spanish-language newspaper but translated into English.

Translations may be a bit rough, but software is improving every day.

When you see the Summary in English of news stories not covered today by A.M. Costa Rica, you will have a chance to comment.

This is a new service of A.M. Costa Rica called Costa Rica Report. Editor is Daniel Woodall, and you can contact him
 HERE!
From the Costa Rican press
News items posted Monday through Friday by 8 a.m.
Click a story for the summary




















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A.M. Costa Rica

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in up to 90 countries.

San José, Costa Rica, Wednesday, May 8, 2013, Vol. 13, No. 90
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Disorientation is another reason a tourist might go wrong
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A U.S. tourist might have become disoriented when he ended up having a fatal encounter in a dangerous Desamparados neighborhood.

As A.M. Costa Rica reported in an update Tuesday afternoon, the tourist, Steve Flesch, 31, died in Hospital San Juan de Dios. as a result of a bullet wound to the head administered by a robber. He had been hospitalized since the crime April 2.

Still uncertain is why the Wisconsin man ended up in  Torremolinos in Desamparados during the mid-afternoon. That is a neighborhood where most Costa Ricans will not go.

Expats have suggested that the man was in search of cheap drugs or that he had been lured there on some pretext. Another possibility is that he got his direction confused, something that is typical when someone from the United States visits Costa Rica.  The location of the sun in the sky frequently provides confusion for months when expats arrive. The middle of the United States is about 39 degrees latitude. The Central Valley is about 9 degrees.

Torremolinos is within walking distance of Parque de la Paz and the Circunvalación highway in southern San José. The area is in exactly the opposite direction from the park as is downtown San José.
Torremolinos is rife with gangs and controlled by older criminals, residents say.

Judicial agents reported that April 30 they detained five persons, two 19-year-olds and three minors, for the crime. Without Flesch to testify, convictions may be difficult.

That section of Desamparados has seen a wave of robberies, including one in which a taxi driver killed one assailant and wounded another. At one time the police station came under fire.

For the casual tourist there is no easy reference for highly dangerous neighborhoods in Costa Rica. Sometimes taxi drivers will give an alert.

An additional problem is that dangerous areas can be adjacent to upscale neighborhoods,. that is the case with Los Anonos and Bello Horizonte in Escazú.

Los Guidos and La Caprí, other dangerous Desamparados neighborhoods, are indistinguishable from Rohrmoser and Sabana Norte to the casual tourist. León XIII and La Carpio are other dangerous areas but they are close to middle-class residential neighborhoods.

Another possibility is that Flesch simply received bad directions from persons with whom he was living in a backpacker hotel in the downtown.


Zoological center announces birth of twin deer in Santa Ana
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Two white-tailed deer have been born in captivity in Santa Ana.

That was the announcement Tuesday by the Fundación Pro Zoológicos that operates the Centro de Conservación de Santa Ana. and also the Parque Zoológico Nacional Simón Bolívar  in north San José.

The foundation said that the young deer were in good health and taking mother's milk normally. These are the same animal that is featured on the reverse of the 1,000-colon banknote. And it is the same animal that lives closely with humans in the eastern United States.

They are found in the wilds in Costa Rica but are frequently staked by illegal hunters.

The new arrivals look identical to Bambi of the Walt Disney movie. Both parents also are residents of the center.

The foundation made the announcement because it wants people to visit. The location in Santa Ana is 200 meters west and 200 meters north of the Cruz Roja in Santa Ana. The center is open every day, and there is an admission.
Bambi
Fundación Pro Zoológicos photo 
One of the newborn white tailed deer.



Baby taken from mom at market recovered

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A mother lost her 2-month old baby Tuesday in the market at the Coca Cola bus station, but investigators managed to find the child Tuesday night.

The child is Naomy Nicole González Romero, and the circumstances of the abduction are unclear. However agents, aided by surveillance cameras at the bus station, found the child and the presumed abductor, a young woman, in Desamparados some distance from the downtown station.

The Judicial Investigating Organization said that the woman who took the child appears to be about 20 to 25 years old. The agency issued a bulletin with the child's photo Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile agents fanned out in an effort to locate the baby.
misiing baby
Young Naomy Nicole

Del Rey Hotel

You need to see Costa Rican tourism information HERE!

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Fish Fabulous Costa Rica

A.M. Costa Rica's Fourth News page
San José, Costa Rica, Wednesday, May 8, 2013, Vol. 13, No. 90
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Genetic study using DNA says that everyone in Europe is closely related
By the University of Southern California, Davis, news service

From Ireland to the Balkans, Europeans are basically one big family, closely related to one another for the past thousand years, according to a new study of the DNA of people from across the continent.

The study, co-authored by Graham Coop, a professor of evolution and ecology at the University of California, Davis, is published in the journal PLoS Biology.

"What’s remarkable about this is how closely everyone is related to each other. On a genealogical level, everyone in Europe traces back to nearly the same set of ancestors only a thousand years ago," Coop said.

"This was predicted in theory over a decade ago, and we now have concrete evidence from DNA data," Coop said, adding that such close kinship likely exists in other parts of the world as well.

Coop and co-author Peter Ralph, now a professor at the University of Southern California, set out to study relatedness among Europeans in recent history, up to about 3,000 years ago. Drawing on the Population Reference Sample database, a resource for population and genetics research, they compared genetic sequences from more than 2,000 individuals.

As expected, Coop and Ralph found that the degree of genetic relatedness between two people tends to be smaller the farther apart they live. But even a pair of individuals who live as far apart as the United Kingdom and Turkey, a distance of some 2,000 miles, likely are related to all of one another's ancestors from a thousand years ago.

Subtle local differences, which likely mark demographic shifts and historic migrations, exist on top of this underlying kinship, Ralph said. Barriers like
mountain ranges and linguistic differences have also slightly reduced relatedness among regions.

Coop noted, however, that these are all relatively small differences.
"The overall picture is that everybody is related, and we are looking at only subtle differences between regions," he said.

To learn about these patterns, Ralph and Coop used ideas about the expected amount of genome shared between relatives of varying degrees of relatedness. For example, first cousins have grandparents in common and share long stretches of DNA.

Ralph and Coop looked for shorter blocks of DNA that were shared between cousins separated by many more generations.

Because the number of ancestors doubles with every generation, the chance of having identical DNA in common with more distant relatives quickly drops. But in large samples, rare cases of distant sharing could be detected. With their analysis, Coop and Ralph were able to detect these shared blocks of DNA in individuals spread across Europe, and calculate how long ago they shared an ancestor.

Coop and Ralph hope to continue the work with larger and more detailed databases, including much finer-resolution data on where individuals lived within a country.

However, Coop noted that while studies of genetic ancestry can shed light on history, they do not tell the whole story. Archaeology and linguistics also provide important information about how cultures and societies move and change.

"These studies need to proceed hand in hand, to form a much fuller picture of history," Coop said.

 
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Real estate for rent (paid category)

Lovely cottage on private coffee farm
One spacious bedroom, one bath, office room/spare room with high speed DSL internet, fully equipped kitchen, phone line,
Sarchi cottage
balcony with beautiful view, especially at night with the far off lights of San José. Farm is gated and guarded, private and peaceful, owner on-site. Sarchi is a quiet small town about 30-40 min from the airport, a perfect base to explore from and also get a
feel for normal, day-to-day Tico life. Rental is $575 per month, 3 months minimum. All utilities included. Shorter stays at $45 per night, 2 nights minimum. $225 per week, and $30 per additional night. Sorry, no pets.  Contact jogya345@yahoo.com or 8308-7732.
7956-6/16/13

Beautiful Golfito house for rent in Costa Rica: $300/month
Available now and please see the video!
http://youtu.be/7N5BThdct8s
New construction includes some wooden stairs to the main gate and a small pavilion above the house overlooking the village. The distance to Golfito harbor/downtown is 7 kms and you can get there by car, taxi or bus. The rent is $300/month, which is very reasonable for those who want to live near sea and Panamá in an inexpensive lifestyle. It was so nice to live near Panamá where people can shop for much lower prices including for groceries. Please contact me at berosyyourlife@hotmail.com for more details. Thank you.
7954-6/8/13

Available now $650 a month
This small but new and clean American-built house is settled on an organic farm a 10-minute walk from the center of town in Santa Bárbara de Heredia. Taxis are $1 to town and buses run to
Organic farm
Heredia and Alajuela, about 30 minutes each. There is parking for one car. NO DOGS please. Rent includes: Cable television, house phone, ICE ADSL internet, water, electricity, laundry facilities. We have a family living on the farm aside from myself,  the owner, and another renter, so there is always someone around. This 2-bedroom house is brand new, 
completely furnished. Large windows overlook the valley and the gardens, There are large trees. Surrounded by fruit trees and vegetable gardens, it has a beautiful view of the valley. The kitchen comes fully equipped, with large refrigerator, gas stove and oven, all accessories. The bathroom has a large shower; both kitchen and bath have hot water. A brand new extra firm queen-size bed is included. A breakfast bar separates the living area and kitchen and a porch overlooks the farm and valley. This house is for one or two people only. $300 deposit required to be returned when renters leave house. Email for photos and questions. laurelfanderson@gmail.com
7945-5/30/13

Heredia rental
Beautiful mountain chalet  for rent
Beautiful mountain chalet surrounded by nature, built with tropical hardwoods and  located on a  5,000 m2  (54,000 sq feet) lot  with two other cottages.  House has basic furniture and  kitchen  appliances.  Ground floor:  Very large living/ dinning room, kitchen, office (or guest bedroom), and 1 bathroom . Upstairs:  2 bedrooms (one with a balcony), and 1 bathroom. 140 m2 approximately  Great BBQ rancho outside. Plenty space for visitor parking. Pets are welcome.  Quiet place, rural, restaurants close by. Near El Castillo Country Club, Tirol and La Condesa mountain hotels.  Only 45 minutes by car from San José.  All public services available  More information call Liseth.  Phone: (506) 7158-1548. Or send me a email:  licortes@hotmail.com
7939-5/24/13


COMPLETELY and nicely furnished apartments
apartment view
in San José, and one condo in Escazú. Fast Internet, cable TV, hot water. Large American appliances including washer and dryer. Both convenient locations. No pets. $600 per month. Contact: rentnowcr@gmail.com or call 8555-9819.
7918-5/15/13


prime
ATTENTION EXPATS:
 
We have many prime properties available for long-term rentals.
Rohrmoser
Escazú
Santa Ana
 

  rentals.sanjose@gmail.com
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Perez  Zeledon:   Large studio home overlooking river with deck.  Elegant, ceramic floors, nice cabinets, walk-in closet.  Beautiful gardens and grounds.  Secure. Private. Only  10 minutes
River view home
to San Isidro de El General. Mountain town with everything!  Then, 40 minutes to Playa Dominical, 40 minutes to Chirripó National Park, and also near many other attractions, yet very private and secluded.  Listen to river sounds and sleep like a baby.   
Rare birds in abundance. Includes,  One  double bed and refrigerator, stove, juicer, sofa, tables,  dishes, pans, etc.  Plus, electric, (hot) water   Phone, TV connected, Internet cable connected, garbage and gardener. All included for $425. /month.  Looking for one good person, reliable, long-term.    Non-smoker. jjpepman@hotmail.com
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Manuel Antonio long term apartment for rent
This modern two-bedroom apartment with a breathtaking view of the Quepos town and the Pacific Ocean is situated near Manuel Antonio National Park and beaches. The location offers a unique experience in the edge of the jungle, where you can observe wildlife. The apartment has two separate bedrooms and sleeps three guests maximum. The bathroom has a walk-in shower and a toilette. The living room is furnished with very comfortable furniture. The kitchen is fully equipped. Public transports like taxis, bus station, port as well as shops, groceries, restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightlife are within a very short distance. Fully furnished, all bills included (water, electricity, cable tv, wireless internet), $575 per month, 6-month minimum. Contact us now!!! 8853-8245. or see our
Web page:  www.brunxu.com  
7901-4/25/13

Mountain cabin for rent
Sacramento, Barva de Heredia
We offer for rent three furnished, 2-bedroom mountain homes located on the slopes of Barva Volcano, Sacramento, Heredia. The cabin-style homes are adjacent to the Braulio Carillo National Park and walking distance to the Barva Volcano crater lake. Enjoy a spacious living room, kitchen, fireplace and garage. Take in breathtaking views of the Irazú Volcano and the Central Valley. Observe dozens of bird species, to include the occasional Resplendent Quetzal, and a pristine cloud forest. We can also offer you an occasional ride on one of our beautiful mares. Contact Allan or Cristina at HPCattleCR@aol.com, or or for more information HERE! $850 USD/month. We can also offer a weekend or short-stay package.
7875-4/11/13

Tropical Homes of Costa Rica is offering the best selection of vacation homes, condos and long-term rental homes in Playa Flamingo, Playa Potrero and Playa Brasilito on  the Pacific Gold Coast of Guanacaste. A wide selection of private residencies is providing an excellent choice for your stay in this beautiful part 
tropical
                                    homes
of Costa Rica. We are offering homes for every budget and every need. Please visit our Web page at www.tropicalhomesofcostarica.com or contact us at rentals@tropicalhomesofcostarica.com or call at (506) 2654-5442.
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Looking 4 Costa Rica Villas?
Rent our all-inclusive, 7 bedroom rental home in Guanacaste.  Just 20 minutes from the Liberia airport, this deluxe ocean view mansion sleeps 6-22 guests.  Ideal for company events & Costa Rica weddings. With 3 meals served daily and a full-time staff to pamper guests, it's more than a Costa Rica vacation rental ...It's your own Private Resort!  Call toll free: 1-800-606-1860.
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Palmares
                                    rental properties
Homes for rent
in Palmares, Alajuela

Visit our Web page for more information.
www.palmarescostarica.us
7819-4/29/13

Palacio condo
Beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bath modern condo for rent.
(Only 6 years old).
Great Secure Area, Next to 5-Star Hotel Palacio (La Uruca). Gated community, 24-hour security, 5 minutes to San José. Swimming Pool, washer/dryer, covered parking, high-speed Internet, cable TV, home phone! $900 per month, fully furnished, 6-Month minimum! Please Call: 001-954-782-0200 or email jas21358@comcast.net
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ALAJUELA – SERENE LIVING – MONTHLY $800 TO $1,200
Villas Casa Loma has everything you are looking for.  Best vistas, climate, value.  Four unique homes in a secure private compound on a ridge near Alajuela overlooking the entire Central Valley.  Two are available fully furnished and equipped, each a complete home accommodating 4 persons in two bedrooms with ensuite baths.  Pool, rancho, mirador, other features.  Ask about part-month rates.  Call Gerry at (506) 2441-8796 or e-mail at gerrybuilt2000@yahoo.com.  See virtual tour of accommodations HERE!
Get to know the real Costa Rica – you may want to live here someday.

7857-5/4/13





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Three Ohio women survive
10 years of being hostages

By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

Police in the north-central U.S. city of Cleveland are praising the bravery of three women who were found alive late Monday after vanishing for a decade.
 
Police say they have arrested three brothers for the women's kidnapping: 54-year-old Pedro Castro, 50-year-old Onil Castro and 52-year-old Ariel Castro, the owner of the house where the women were found.
 
Cleveland Deputy Police Chief Ed Tomba told reporters the real hero was Amanda Berry, the kidnapped woman who escaped and called the police.
 
"Help me! I am Amanda Berry. I need police. I have been kidnapped and I have been missing for 10 years, and I am here, I am free now," Berry said on a recorded 911 call.

Authorities say the other two women, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, are in good condition. A 6-year-old also found in the home is believed to be Ms. Berry's daughter.
 
Neighbors say they were alerted to the women's location Monday after hearing screams for help. One neighbor says he kicked out the bottom of the door so Berry and a young girl could escape and phone authorities.
 
The families of the rescued women say they are overjoyed to have them back.
 
"I will tell you this, because I was there to see her — all three girls — God works in mysterious ways," said Sandra Ruiz, DeJesus's aunt. "It is just unbelievable. These girls, these women are so strong, stronger than I am, I will tell you that much, and they all have a positive attitude, and this is what we need from everyone."
 
Berry was reported missing in 2003 at the age of 16 when she did not return home from work at a local restaurant. DeJesus, then 14, vanished a year later on her way home from school. Knight was about 20 years old when she disappeared in 2002.
 
The cases had not been thought to be related before now.
 
Cleveland officials say they have no records of anyone calling about criminal activity at the house.


China rejects allegations
that it is a cyber attacker


By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

China is denying U.S. accusations that its military has backed cyber attacks against U.S. government institutions and businesses. A U.S. Defense Department report published Monday says the cyber attacks appear to be directly attributable to China’s government.

The report by the Pentagon is the first direct accusation by the U.S. government that China’s military is guilty of cyber espionage.  According to the report, China’s People’s Liberation Army has used cyber attacks on U.S. defense networks to map vulnerabilities that could be exploited during a crisis.
 
But China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying firmly denied the report, saying the U.S. Defense Department has released this type of report year after year to justify a defense buildup and hype the so-called China military threat. And she said the allegations are not helpful to U.S. China relations.
 
Earlier this year, U.S. computer security firm Mandiant released a detailed study accusing a People’s Liberation Army Unit near Shanghai of attempting to steal information from U.S. corporations and government institutions.  
 
The Pentagon report said China’s primary goal in the cyber attacks is stealing industrial technology.  it also reports that  China will deploy several aircraft carriers over the next 15 years.  China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was commissioned last September.  The Pentagon says China is developing stealth aircraft, with the first such aircraft tested in January of 2011.
 
With China focused on modernizing its military technology, Xiaohe Cheng, professor of international relations at Renmin University, said the government’s cyber research is part of a broader effort aimed at shoring up its defense capabilities.
 
“The Chinese government has tried to build strong mutual forces that offers kinds of security for its maritime borders as well as land territory borders," Xiaohe said. "At the same time we see the Chinese government emphasizing capability building in two new areas. One is outer space. The second is cyberspace.”
 
The United States is also spending billions of dollars developing cyberdefense and cyberweapon capabilities.  Earlier this year, U.S. authorities said some 13 cyber warfare teams would be ready by 2015 to focus on offensive responses if the United States is attacked in cyberspace.
 
In March, China announced an increase of 10.4 percent in its annual defense budget to $114 billion.  The Pentagon said China’s total military expenditure is much higher, totaling between $135 billion and $215 billion in 2012.


Pope will visit a slum
during his trip to Brazil

By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

Pope Francis will visit the poor in a favela and meet young prisoners when he travels to Brazil on his first international trip as pontiff in July, the Vatican said Tuesday.
 
Francis, who has said he wants to make concern for the poor a hallmark of his papacy, will visit the Manguinhos slum in Rio de Janeiro on the fourth day of his July 22-29 trip to the world's largest Catholic country.
 
Manguinhos is one of Rio's most visible favelas, wedged between a busy highway and a former oil refinery and near the main airport and large military bases.
 
The shantytown, which the pope will visit on July 25, had a long history of drug-related violence, but a police occupation late last year kicked out many of the drug and gun traffickers.

Manguinhos, home to about 35,000 poor people, is one of the communities that have been part of a community policing operation that has reduced violence in the shantytowns of Rio de Janeiro.
 
The pope will also meet young prisoners who will be brought to the archbishop's residence for the occasion.
 
The main purpose of the trip is for the pope to preside at the Catholic Church's World Day of Youth, an international gathering sometimes dubbed a Catholic Woodstock that takes place in a different city every two years.
 
The World Day of Youth celebrations start July 23 and end July 28.
 
Francis, the first non-European pope in almost 1,300 years, arrives on the afternoon of July 22 and will rest the following day to overcome jet lag, according to the official program of the trip released by the Vatican.
 
July 24, he will fly by helicopter to the city of Aparacida, about 240 kilometers (150 miles) southwest of Rio de Janeiro, to visit the national shrine of Our Lady of Aparacida, whom the church honors as the patroness of Brazil.
 
That evening he visits a hospital in Rio that treats AIDS patients.
 
The pope's participation in World Youth Day events starts on the evening of July 25 in Rio's famed Copacabana Beach area and culminates with a huge open-air Mass in the Guaratiba area of the city July 28.
 
During the trip he will also address Brazil's political and business leaders.
 
The trip is expected to be the only one abroad for the pope this year. The former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires is expected to visit his homeland early next year.
 
He is expected to travel to the central Italian city of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, whose name Bergoglio adopted when elected pope on March 13.


Obama urges more action
on sex assaults in military


By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

U.S. President Barack Obama says sexual assault by members of the U.S. military is an outrage and a betrayal of the uniform they are wearing.

The president spoke Tuesday as the Pentagon released a report saying the number of sexual assaults in the military has increased by 35 percent since 2010.

Obama said there cannot be any more speeches and training programs and officers looking the other way.  He said those guilty of sexual assault should be court-martialed and dishonorably discharged.

Monday, the Pentagon arrested and removed from duty Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski after he allegedly assaulted a woman in a parking lot.  Krusinski was the head of the Air Force's sexual assault prevention office.


Possible former landmass
located in sea off Brazil


By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

A large slab of granite has been found deep in the Atlantic Ocean, Japanese researchers said on Tuesday, suggesting a continent may have once existed off the coast of Brazil.

A team led by the Japan Agency For Marine-Earth Science And Technology found the 10-meter high by 10-meter wide rock cliff more than 900 meters (2,950 feet) under the ocean while conducting a survey with its deep-sea submersible in the Rio Grande Rise, part of the southwest Atlantic basin some 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) southeast of Rio de Janeiro.

Granite is usually only found on land, and researchers say its presence on the seabed may be evidence of a continental land-mass that was swallowed by the waves at some point in the distant past. A large volume of quartz sand, which is also not formed at sea, was found around the granite slab.

The team has not removed any samples, an agency official said, adding that further investigations will be handled by other parties including the agency's Brazilian counterpart.

The Japan Agency For Marine-Earth Science And Technology is searching seas across the globe as part of a year-long mission to look for life in some of the ocean's deepest locations.


Sub-Saharan Africa cited
 as worst place for newborns


By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

The humanitarian organization Save the Children has released its annual State of the World’s Mothers report. It says despite much progress being made in reducing maternal and child deaths, every year, three million babies die within the first month of life. Many just live a few hours.

Save the Children President and CEO Carolyn Miles said there’s a widespread and mistaken belief that little can be done to save newborn lives in developing countries. As a result, many babies die.

“This year’s report we really focused in on newborns. And we found that a baby’s birthday is actually the most dangerous day of their life. More than one million babies are dying the actual day that they’re born.”

There are several reasons why they’re so at risk that first day.

“It’s when they can die of very preventable things. So babies are dying of infection. They’re dying of complications at premature birth and they’re dying of very simple things like not breathing at birth,” she said.

The Best countries to be a mother are Finland, Sweden and Norway.

Worst countries to be a mother are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Sierra Leone.

Ms. Miles said one region of the world stands out as being the worst for newborns.

“Sub-Saharan Africa is the place where this is the biggest issue. And if you look at the index that we put together, the bottom 10 in that index are all sub-Saharan African countries. From a percentage standpoint that’s where the most babies are dying.”

40 percent of first day newborn deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Of the 176 countries that are ranked in the Mothers Index, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at the very bottom. Rounding out the bottom 10 are Somalia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Niger, Central African Republic, Gambia, Nigeria, Chad and Ivory Coast.

Ms. Miles said, “I think the issue in sub-Saharan Africa is really getting the care that these newborns need to the places where they’re being born. So, a lot of times the health system ends at a district level and there may not be a health post that’s accessible to these women. So, one of the solutions here is getting more frontline health workers out into these communities to help mothers when they’re giving birth.”

The Save the Children report says there are four simple interventions that could turn things around – each one costing between 13-cents and six dollars. First, steroid injections can be used for women in pre-term labor to reduce premature newborn deaths from breathing problems. Resuscitation devices can save babies who do not breathe at all at birth, while injectable antibiotics can treat newborns for sepsis and pneumonia.

The final recommendation prevents umbilical cord infections.

“We’re looking at the use of a very simple antibiotic called chlorhexidine, which is put on the umbilical cord after the baby is born. And in Nigeria, the tradition is to use mud or cow dung or something like that on the umbilical cord and that obviously can have really dire consequences for babies,” she said.

Miles also cited a tradition in Nepal, which can put babies at risk. Women there, she said, may be encouraged to give birth in the barn with the animals.

While the recommendations are simple and cheap, they’re often not implemented in developing countries. The report blames that, in part, on a lack of political will by government leaders.

The State of the World’s Mothers report lists Finland as the top country for mothers and newborns. It’s followed by Sweden, Norway, Iceland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Germany and Australia. The top 10 are credited with high levels of support and respect for women.

As for the United States, Miles said, “The U.S. comes in 30 in the index this year. So that is not terrific, I would say. Thirtieth is not where I think most American women and mothers think they would end up. The disparity in the United States I think is what really drives the differences. So it is very much tracked to poverty.”

In fact, the United States leads industrialized countries in first day deaths for newborns, followed by Canada and Switzerland.

As for the major emerging economies – the so-called BRICS nations – the 2013 Mother’s Index ranks Brazil 78th and Russia 59th.  India is in the 142nd position, while China is 68th and South Africa 78th.


China said to be wary of plans
for EU-U.S. trade agreement


By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

China has raised concerns about European Union plans to negotiate an ambitious free-trade deal with the United States, fearing it is a protectionist move, a senior EU official said Tuesday.

Chinese officials queried EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton about the issue when she visited Beijing at the end of April for talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other Chinese leaders.

The 27-nation EU and the United States aim to launch negotiations on a transatlantic free-trade deal by the end of June, with discussions set to last at least two years.

China worried about whether the plan was "a pulling of the wagons into a circle to ... insulate the transatlantic economy from the rest of the world or is it, as we argue, even greater opening of both economies," the EU official said, briefing journalists on condition he was not further identified.

The EU argues that a deal would strongly benefit the United States and the EU but other countries would also profit from the expansion of trade and investment across the Atlantic.

"That was the reassurance we gave to the Chinese," the official said.

The European Union is China's biggest trading partner.

Chinese officials raised the possibility of Beijing negotiating its own free-trade agreement with the EU, a prospect that the EU official did not rule out "in the medium to longer term."

A transatlantic trade deal could add 0.5 and 0.4 percent respectively to European and U.S. gross domestic product, according to a European Commission report, although it could take a decade to deliver those effects.


Colleges struggle to fill
new openings in labor force

By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services

Despite recent improvements, U.S. unemployment remains high. But at the same time, experts say a lack of computer-savvy workers means several million technology jobs could go unfilled.

The president of a college that grants thousands of technical degrees each year says schools are struggling to keep up with the new skills needed for technical professions that didn't exist a couple of years ago.

Northern Virginia Community College near Washington has several campuses and 75,000 students. It offers a two-year associate degree. Many of its students, including Marc McCarthy, hope to turn computer skills into a new profession and a good salary.

“Fortunately in this industry, we are really blessed with a lot of openings,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy is back in college after decades working in hotels and restaurants, an industry, he said, that offers few good opportunities in the future.

Experts said many U.S. manufacturing, administrative, and middle management jobs have been eliminated by automation and foreign competition in recent years.  Cornell University labor economist Sharon Poczter said they were once a ticket to a secure middle class salary. But the job market has changed.

“This growth in jobs has been either towards the low skill, low income jobs, or the higher skill, higher income jobs and that’s why we have seen this hollowing out of the middle class, of the factory jobs, of the office jobs," Poczter said.

Educators tell students it's more important than ever to develop math, science and computer skills because technological change is accelerating, and the demand for highly-specialized skills is growing. 

School administrators are also trying to identify skills needed for emerging professions, and figure out ways to teach them.

The president of Northern Virginia Community College, Robert Templin, said it's difficult for schools to hit this moving target.

"Just in the last five years, new careers in fields like health information technology, cyber security, geospatial systems, these are fields a decade ago didn't even exist.  So trying to prepare someone for a job that is not yet there is pretty difficult," Templin said. 

But Templin said it's worth the effort because it makes it more likely that graduates will find good jobs.  Computer science graduates, he said, can start at $60,000 a year.

Unemployment for U.S. college graduates is low, but a recent survey shows that four out of 10 recent graduates say they are under-employed, doing jobs, like in retail sales, that do not require the degrees they have earned.  They are disappointed because these jobs do not bring the kinds of salaries they were hoping to earn.
Real estate-related services (paid category)

Bid on Costa Rican properties to be foreclosed!
Win big with Costa Rican foreclosures.
Full service team at your service

English-speaking team of lawyers, translators and other experts will help and guide you to make the right decision. Complete support including legal research and accurate description of all documents. Legal support all through the process.
 rosa_monge@racsa.co.cr Cell: (506) 8919-4545 (English)

WE GET RESULTS!
7873-4/7/13

Real estate brokers and agents (paid category)


Swimming pool at night
A Buyer’s Broker offering the best
of Costa Rica Real Estate.

For those looking for quality properties and service at quality prices. Central Valley Rentals. Offering honesty, experience and knowledge. Your Villa Real Expert. Call us now  Toll Free (877) 845-4533. In Costa Rica 2228-5961 or 8339-2112. www.costaricarealtyone.com
7938-6/8/13

Re/Max, the Pacific coast expert
Re/Max offers comprehensive Costa Rica Real Estate, vacation rental and relocation services. Our award-winning team is the largest in the country, and can show you the best lifestyle and financial investment properties in the most desirable locations including prime real estate in Tamarindo, Langosta, Conchal, Flamingo, Pinilla, Coco, Hermosa and Playa Panama.  Give us a call in Costa Rica at 506-2653-0073, or toll free from the U.S. and Canada 1-800-385-5930. Re/Max, the name you trust for the finest real estate services in Costa Rica.
7949-11/15/13

Moran Arenal
Lake Arenal, Costa Rica
The undiscovered jewel of Central America, 35 square miles of blue, pristine, clear water ideal for fishing, swimming, boating, Real estate values still low.
Great lake front, river front land, farms, homes, condos and commercial property. Some with owner financing
 
This is far and away the most beautiful place in all Central America — cool climate. Try our two-day, all-inclusive discovery tour for $299.

Check with our Web site at www.moranlakearenal.com
Contact us at the office: (506) 2694-0088
Cell (506) 8880-8888
Phone number from the U.S. (305) 307-0088
Email: moranrealestate@gmail.com
Moran logo
7922-10/15/13

The #1 Authority in Costa Rica Real Estate

Costa Rica real estate
Since 1996, CRREC has been providing the most valuable resource for discovering real estate in Costa Rica. Our Costa Rica properties database contains some of the most exclusive and hard to find properties in the country. Not to mention how affordable some of our Costa Rica homes for sale are. So if you're in the market for Costa Rica real estate then we encourage you to
visit our Costa Rica MLS and discover for yourself why people call CRREC the #1 authority in Costa Rica real estate.
Call Today @ 506-2654-5507 (Costa Rica) or 1-888-414-1836 (Toll-Free) Email: info@costaricarealestate.com
7721-4/29/13



Costa Rica,

Central America
Houses, lots and farms in Grecia,
western Central Valley.
Great climate
and safe communities.
Grecia new
This is a property with real character offered at $1.2 million. Click HERE!
San Lis home
Incredible view of the Central Valley from San Luis $282,000 Click HERE!
 Great deals for you!
SEE OUR OFFERS HERE
Visit our Web Site:
 www.greciarealestate.com
 English: (Cristian Arce)
English:  (Luis Arce)
 Español: (Luis G. Jiménez)

   (506) 8538-6186
   (506) 7100-8489
   (506) 8707-4016

  Send us your request to our email: info@greciarealestate.com
7685-2/7/12

Real estate for sale (paid category)


Grecia riverfront
Private gated paradise in Grecia 3/2 home with guest apartment,
5000m2 land $159K, River access, costaricariver@yahoo.com,
Phone: (506)2495-0487.
7953-6/8/13

Casa de Eden
For sale by owner Playa Conchal home. Reduced $329,000

Casa de Eden is an ocean view three-bedroom, 2.5-bath, with outdoor shower, private pool located only minutes from Playa Conchal.  The home is in a private, secure community surrounded by nature but still only 20 minutes to the resort towns of Flamingo & Tamarindo and less than an hour from the Liberia airport. There is 2,600 square feet under the roof, which includes a large outdoor terrace and has phone, Internet & satellite TV. The home boasts luxury finishings: AC & ceiling fans, Frigidaire professional series stainless steel appliances, granite kitchen countertops, marble bathroom vanities, custom wood cabinetry, ceramic tile.  Contact desmondproperties@gmail.com  U.S. 1-800-939-2617 or CR (506) 8349-2025.
www.puntaplayavistas.com
7948-5/29/13

Pirate beach
For sale by owner: Ocean view condominium. Reduced $175,000

Gorgeous two- bedroom, two-bath with private terrace offering spectacular ocean views and built-in energy efficiently. This condo is located in a gated community with low HOA dues and offers amenities including a pool & rancho.  It is located close to a beautiful white sandy Pirates Beach. Only 20 minutes to the resort towns of Flamingo & Tamarindo and less than an hour from the Liberia airport.  Luxury finishings: Pella double panel windows, AC & ceiling fans, Frigidaire stainless steel appliances, granite kitchen countertops, marble bathroom vanities, custom wood cabinetry, porcelain tile. Contact desmondproperties@gmail.com  U.S. 1-800-939-2617 or CR (506) 8349-2025. www.puntaplayavistas.com
7947-5/28/13

montage ofr photos
ALAZAN Eco-Friendly Community

- Ocean, mountain, and river views, built in harmony with nature
- 70% sold out, 1.25 acre + lots available from $75,000
- All lots held in separate corporations
- Functioning HOA with 24-hour security and gated front entrance
- 100% custom homes, turnkey construction
- Community homes have been featured in Su Casa Architectural Magazine
- Abundant wildlife on the property, access to 45-acre nature preserve
- Organic Permaculture farm coming soon
- Build your custom dream home and join our community of friends in paradise!
Brokers Welcome
http://www.richcoastrealty.com/1011.html
USA Toll Free 1 866 833 4005
CR Cell 011 (506) 8718-9891
7725-5/15/13

Rich Coast Montage
RichCoastRealty.com
Central Pacific Coast Real Estate
- 2 Bedroom House in Gated Community, $89,000!!
- 2 Successful Coffee Shops and Bakeries, Turnkey $60,000/ $120,000 Great ROI
- Lots in Gated Community from $17,500!!
- 3 Bedroom House in Gated Community, furnished, walk to the beach, $120k
- 3 Bedroom Oceanview House on 5 acres subdividable
into 4 oceanview properties $250k
- 58 acre Oceanview Property subdividable, $169k
- Oceanfront Residential Lots from $40,000
and much more....
http://www.richcoastrealty.com/
USA Toll Free 1 866 833 4005
CR Cell 011 506 8718 9891
Brendan@RichCoastRealty.com
7829-5/8/13

Arenal Colonial
Property for sale, great potential income
Turnkey business $350K. Rental $1,250/month This luxury home (4,000 square feet and two story private home) is a botanical paradise overlooking beautiful Lake Arenal. Only one block from the lake park and boat ramp. Close to Tabacón hot springs and Monteverde cloud forest. Caño Negro national park and many beautiful beaches along the Pacific are only a short drive away. Costa Rica bird watching, wind surfing, fishing, water sports, ecotourism adventures, hiking, tennis and mountain biking are out your front door. Also has a wonderful view of the Arenal Volcano, a safe 25 miles away. Electric gated entrance. Safe private home and entire property. To see more pictures and info, click here: http://www.intertica.com/homes/roy.htm
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=wKaNmrNyyZtXGg
7933-7/22/13

Jacó compound
Located in Jacó at Barrio Ricos y Famosos in Calle Europa, Casa Shangri La.
Main house: 3 bedrooms, 3 bath 270 square meters, 2 condominiums 2 bedrooms, one bath, 110 square meters, plus one small apartment. one bedroom, one bath. Huge pool, carport for five cars. plus double garage, rancho with pool bathroom,  gymnasium, laundry room, pool plumbing room, huge dog house in separate 500 square-meter garden with aviary for Guacamayas (we have three birds) 60 meters of river front of Río Copey with a 4 meter-high protective and retention stone wall. Eight surveillance camera CCTV system with Internet access from anywhere. Over 2 meter-high brick wall all around the property with two layers of razor wires on top, the safest place to be! Electronic entrance gate, door phone, five telephone lines, high-speed Internet wireless access everywhere. Beautiful gardens with many fruit trees. Price $ 1,350.000 negotiable. All fittings and furniture, included even a car. Owner financing available. German-built, excellent quality and well maintained. More photos on request. http://www.intertica.com/ocean/wolfgang.htm
7929-7/18/13

Monte Mar
Hacienda Monte Mar
Gated Community near the beach
SALE on our last 4 lots! Starting at just $17,500 with financing available.
Reserve today with just $5,000 down
Great Retirement Home, Vacation Home, or investment option!
Lots of wildlife on the property. Gated front entrance, caretakers house.
Water and power on site.
http://www.haciendamontemar.com/
USA Toll Free 1 866 833-4005
CR Cell 011 506 8718-9891
7928-8/9/13

Nicoya views
Property with ocean and gulf view for sale
Tranquil million dollar view, 5,000-sq.meter property with 3/2 home built to American standards, artistically designed and decorated, 16-foot ceilings of mango and tamarindo, appliances, plunge pool, rancho, caretaker apartment, workshop, covered parking, views of Gulf of Nicoya and ocean, in countryside near San José to Caldera highway. Near the lovely town of Esparza. Can provide extra income from bed and breakfast room rental and stellar Tripadvisor reviews. www.oasisbytheseabandb.com $180,000 506-8869-9274.
7882-4/15/13

View from Orosi home

Majestically situated overlooking the Orosi Valley and the tropical rain forest, this 2-bedroom, 2½-bath home with a separate office is offered at $550,000.  From the extensive use of glass windows visitors are easily captivated by the unbelievably 7 acres of pure, natural Costa Rican landscape.   The property is located 15 minutes from the Cartago metropolitan area, an hour from San José, 1¼ hours to the Juan Santamaria International Airport, 2 hours to the beaches of the Pacific West Coast, or 3 ½  hours to the beaches of the southern Caribbean coast.
http://ackermanrealtyinternational.com
USA 678-799-8803
CR Cell 011-506-8-910-2904
Margo@ackermanrealtyinternational.com


FOR SALE BY OWNER
You can purchase property in Costa Rica legally without paying Land Transfer Tax; this plus the usual real estate commission of 5% will reduce your purchase price by approximately 11%. Save over $50,000.00 on the purchase of this $465,000.00 property. Large 5000+ sq.ft. House. Ideal for business executive, B & B or large family. E-mail for photos and more information to landofpalms@hotmail.com.
7869-4/6/13

NOW REDUCED TO $680,000
ALAJUELA – PRIVATE COMPOUND OF 4 HOMES - $850,000 TURNKEY
Spectacular view property on a ridge near Alajuela.  Large home and 3 rental homes totaling 7,300 square feet (678 square meters) live-in construction.  Property area is 3,376 square meters (0.83 acres) including a vacant lot for expansion options.  In total there are 10 bedrooms, each with an ensuite bath.  Property has pool, rancho, mirador, courtyard and covered parking.  Homes have romantic fireplaces, built-ins, storage, other luxury features.  Turnkey sale includes all appliances, furniture, fixtures, equipment.  Call Gerry at (506) 2441-8796 or e-mail at gerrybuilt2000@yahoo.com.  See property video here:

See virtual tour of accommodations here:

For more details go to:
7856-5/4/13

For Sale By Owner
1 lot (1.5 acres)  at SIBU (8 lots total) amongst 50 acres of protected jungle gardens with sunset ocean views of Playa Nosara. Underground electric and water.13 minutes from Playa Guiones. Gated. In house financing available. Home of SIBU Sanctuary. jungalow@gmail.com.
7845-8/18/13

Rich Coast Montage
RichCoastRealty.com
Central Pacific Coast Real Estate
- 2-bedroom house in gated community, $92,500.
- Lots in gated community from $20k w/financing available.
- 3-bedroom house in gated community, furnished, walk to the beach, $125k
- 3-bedroom oceanview house on 5 acres subdividable, $270k
- 58-acre oceanview property subdividable, $169k
Oceanfront residential Lot $58k
and much more....
http://www.richcoastrealty.com/
USA Toll Free 1 866 833 4005
CR Cell 011 506 8718 9891
Brendan@RichCoastRealty.com
7829-5/8/13

Ocean view home
Georgeous House For Sale In Costa Rica
Gorgeous house built 5 years ago to U.S. standards on 37,000 sq. ft TITLED property. This is a very special and rare property because of the INCREDIBLE OCEAN VIEW and excellent location. This one of a kind home and property is truly a must see. Ocean view Only $345 000.00 US More details: http://www.monalbum.fr/Album=E3GLBJQX
Jack 506-2778-8172    Email: quadtours@yahoo.ca
7789-2/14/13

just reduced
Just Reduced to $169,000!!!
58-acre oceanview and mountainview property

Segregated into 9 lots, Excellent Development Potential!
20 minutes from the beach Central Pacific Coast, between Jacó and Quepos.
http://www.richcoastrealty.com/1060.html
Brendan@RichCoastRealty.com
USA Toll Free 1 866 833-4005  CR Cell 8718-9891
7766-6/17/13

Real estate services
Real estate for sale
Businesses for sale

Business for sale or lease (paid category)7115-12/16/11


Live the dream!
Several profitable businesses, including a regional radio station, are for sale in Costa Rica. Certain purchases can provide the new owner with residency as well as a great lifestyle. So live your dream while making a profit. Contact: manager@crbusiness.biz.

Real estate services
Real estate for sale
Businesses for sale

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Internet searches achieving
much more complexity

By the University of Notre Dame news staff

Where you are and what you're doing increasingly play key roles in how you search the Internet. In fact, your search may just conduct itself.

This concept, called contextual search, is improving so gradually the changes often go unnoticed, and users may soon forget what the world was like without it, according to Brian Proffitt, a technology expert and adjunct instructor of management in the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business.

Contextual search describes the capability for search engines to recognize a multitude of factors beyond just the search text for which a user is seeking. These additional criteria form the context in which the search is run. Recently, contextual search has been getting a lot of attention due to interest from Google.

Utilizing contextual search, Google Now provides information based on location, and by accessing calendar entries and travel confirmation messages in Gmail accounts. Available on Android for the last six months, Google Now was just released for the iPhone/iPad platform.

"You no longer have to search for content, content can search for you, which flips the world of search completely on its head," says Proffitt, who is the author of 24 books on mobile technology and personal computing and serves as an editor and daily contributor for ReadWrite.com, one of the most widely read and respected tech blogs.

"Basically, search engines examine your request and try to figure out what it is you really want," Proffitt says. "The better the guess, the better the perceived value of the search engine. In the days before computing was made completely mobile by smartphones, tablets and netbooks, searches were only aided by previous searches.

"Today, mobile computing is adding a new element to contextual searches," he says. "By knowing where and when a search is being made, contextual search engines can infer much more about what you want and deliver more robust answers. For example, a search for nearby restaurants at breakfast time in Chicago will give you much different answers than the exact same search in Tokyo at midnight."

Context can include more than location and time. Search engines will also account for other users' searches made in the same place and even the known interests of the user.

"Someday soon," Proffitt says, "you'll watch a trailer of the latest romantic movie, and the next time you search for movie times at the local theater, that movie will be prominently displayed."

Also on the horizon, contextual searches may be teamed up with the Internet of Things, a euphemism used to describe an inter-connected network of devices large and small, reporting data on what's going on around them.

"Imagine a part in your car sending a malfunction signal that schedules your car for a repair appointment," Proffitt says, "followed up by an automated function that checks your calendar online and schedules the appointment for you. Or, consider a hydro-sensor in your garden that sends you a message to let you know the plants need more water."

This is just the tip of what the Internet of Things will do, according to Proffitt.

"Coupled with contextual searching, it could transform our online experience to something where, instead of us searching for knowledge, objects and machines around us will be delivering information to us or taking direct action," he says. "Clothes could grow more opaque if the UV rating is too high on a given day. Pricing information for a new TV in the electronics store might display right on your phone. Nutrition information for cupcakes in your favorite bakery..."

"It will all be there at your fingertips."




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