Daily Edition: San
José, Costa Rica, December 12, 2003
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State of Emergency Declared in Limón
The Costa Rican government declared a state of emergency yesterday for much
of the Atlantic region because of heavy rains Wednesday night and Thursday
morning and a National Meteorological Institute (INM) forecast that the
rains will continue through today.
(Click for
more)
Hotel Europa Casino Reopens Tonight
The new Casino del Faraón opens tonight at the Hotel Europa in San José with
an Egyptian-pyramid theme. Casino operators say proceeds from the opening
night will be donated to charity.
(Click for
more)
December 12
Auditions
For "The Mysterious Mr. Love," Little Theater Group's next production.
Needed: one man, one woman, 30-45 years old, backstage crew also needed.
Dec. 14, 1:30 p.m. at the Blanche Brown Theatre in Bello Horizonte. Info:
Mary White, 265-5085.
Festival de La Luz
Lights festival and parade features floats, bands, fireworks and more, Sat.,
Dec. 13, 6 p.m., from La Sabana to Parque de la Democracia in San José.
Info: 255-3820.
Christmas Carols to Sing and Help
Kayros group is singing on Sun., Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. at the National
Auditorium to collect money to support the Children's Orphanage of San José.
Some of the most-recognized songs of the highly acclaimed Christian-music
group include "Por La Vía Dolorosa," "Padre Nuestro," and "Barro en Tus
Manos." The group began in 1993, separated in 1998, and has just gotten back
together again under a new name: "Proyecto Kayros." For Sunday's concert,
the group will perform some classic Christmas Carols with contemporary
arrangements, some other a cappella and some of the most recognized songs.
Tickets are on sale at all Vertigo Stores or at the entrance of the
Auditorium at the Children's Museum in San José, ¢3,000. People who buy the
CD can purchase the tickets for ¢2,000. Info: 377-9097.
State of
Emergency Declared in Limón
By Tim Sparkman
tsparkman@ticotimes.net
The Costa Rican government declared a state of emergency
yesterday for much of the Atlantic region because of heavy rains Wednesday
night and Thursday morning and a National Meteorological Institute (INM)
forecast that the rains will continue through today.
The eastern Province of Limón has been completely cut off from the Central
Valley because of landslides and overflowing rivers between San José and
Siquirres. Closed routes through Guápiles and Turrialba could be reopened as
soon as today, according to transportation officials.
National Emergency Commission (CNE) chief Luis Diego Morales said yesterday
that 427 people were evacuated and sent to six emergency shelters set up
between Siquirres and the coastal city of Limón. Morales said the Commission
is working to evacuate others who face danger from flooding and landslides.
He emphasized that people in the affected areas should take the initiative
and go to the shelters before they are cut off from leaving, instead of
waiting for disaster to arrive.
The state of emergency covers the entire province of Limón, the Sarapiquí
area in the Heredia province, Turrialba in the province of Cartago and the
Guatuso, Upala, Los Chiles and San Carlos areas in the province of Alajuela.
In all, 19 towns have been seriously affected by the heavy rains of the past
two days.
Presidency Minister Ricardo Toledo said yesterday that President Abel
Pacheco has asked the Ministry of Transport to donate ¢2 billion
(approximately $4.9 million) to the Emergency Commission's response efforts.
Toledo said other ministries would be asked to help when the total damage
from the rains can be assessed after the weekend.
President Pacheco plans to visit the area Monday to survey the damage,
Toledo said.
Meteorologist Werner Stolz said Limón received seven-and-a-half inches of
rainfall in six to eight hours on Wednesday night, equal to the average
precipitation in the region for the entire month of December.
The heavy rains are the result of several factors, he said, including the
fourth cold front in three weeks to descend from the north.
Hotel Europa Casino Reopens Tonight
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net
The new Casino del Faraón opens tonight at the Hotel Europa
in San José with an Egyptian-pyramid theme. Casino operators say proceeds
from the opening night will be donated to charity.
The casino was closed several months for remodeling. During that time, the
hotel searched for a new casino administrator and finally selected the firm
Universo del Azar and its President Jack Gartley for the job.
"We found an administration that could help us create a classy casino,
different from any other casino in the country," said Hotel Europa General
Manager Esteban Sanz.
"We hope to attract not only foreigners, but also Costa Ricans," he added.
Universo del Azar General Manager Miguel Dinarte said Casino del Faraón is a
new concept in casinos.
"We plan to focus on customer service and attention. Ensuring the security
of our customers will be our main concern. We plan to attract a select
clientele and avoid people of dubious reputations," he stressed. "We want to
create a comfortable environment where clients can play without any problems
or hassles. Hotel Europa is a great hotel with a great history."
El Faraón offers a spacious 250-square-meter gaming room decorated to
resemble an Egyptian pyramid. The casino has 30 slot machines and nine
gaming tables (three for Tute, three for Rummy, one for Craps, one for
Canasta, and one for Roulette).
The casino employs a staff of 100 Costa Ricans who have recently completed
two-and-a-half months of casino training.
"A gala activity with celebrities, government officials and possibly some
former presidents will be held (tonight) to inaugurate the new casino," Sanz
said. "Following the ceremony, the casino will remain open forever -- 24
hours a day every day. At 9 p.m. there will be a special surprise for our
guests."
All revenues generated before midnight tonight will be donated to Christmas
charities.
Casino del Faraón is located inside Hotel Europa, in the very heart of
downtown San José, on Calle Central, between Ave. 3-5. For more information
call 222-1222.
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