Rockin' Out in San José: Shangri-La was one of the Costa Rican rock bands to give a free outdoor concert yesterday outside the Central Bank Museums, in downtown San José, as part of the Music Festival organized by the Alliance Francaise, San José Municipality and the Cultural Centers of Mexico, Spain and the United States.

Costa Rican gasoline will have at least 7% ethanol by the second half of 2008, an effort to reduce contamination produced by hydrocarbons, according to the National Oil Refinery (RECOPE).

National Symphony Orchestra Performs
With conductor Chosei Komatsu featuring National Symphonic Choir soprano Barbara Kilduff and baritone Guido LeBron, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m., National Theater, San José. Info: 240-0333.

Jazz Fest Costa Rica 2007
With national and international dancers and jazz musicians, today and Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Club Cariari; northwest of San José, tomorrow, 7 p.m., National Auditorium, Children's Museum, San José. Info: 288-5490, 828-8960.

Surf Contest
Cabinas Las Olas in the central Pacific beach of Playa Hermosa hosts Soulstice Expression Session Surf Contest, with Men's, Women's Master's and Under 17 divisions, registration, 7 a.m., contest begins at 8 a.m., concert with Trinity Roots Band afterward at Backyard Bar, $4 cover charge, proceeds benefit community and environmental organizations 

Festa Junina
Organized by the Brazilian Studies Center, 8 p.m., Costa Rica Tennis Club, La Sabana. Info: brasil500anos@hotmail.com.

Flying Borracho Brothers
Eclectic, 8 p.m., Tex Mex Restaurant, Santa Ana. Info: 282-6342.

“El Arca de Noé”
Musical written by Spanish composer Marcos Vidal, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Melico Salazar Theater, San José. Info: 232-4995, 894-2551.

Activities at Parque de Diversiones
Tío Conejo Show, 11 a.m., 3 p.m., Tío Conejo Theater; “El Carretón de la Fantasía,” 4 p.m.; “Godofredo y el Dragón,” 5 p.m., Parque de Diversiones, La Uruca.

By Katherine Stanley
Tico Times Staff | kstanley@ticotimes.net

Legislator Nidia González of the Citizen Action Party (PAC), a group known for promoting its strict code of ethics, resigned late Wednesday because of an ethical “error” that caused controversy last year.

In a letter to Legislative Assembly president Francisco Pacheco, González said she “made the mistake” of supporting a bill “that could benefit my family. Though I didn't do it with premeditation, I recognize that this fact conflicts with the ethical standards of the Citizen Action Party, to which I have belonged since its creation.”

PAC leader Ottón Solís asked the party's ethics tribunal to investigate González last year after the Northern Zone rice-grower admitted she could benefit from a bill to return certain profits of the National Rice Corporation (CONARROZ) to rice producers. The bill was first presented during the 2002-2006 legislative term, but González and other PAC legislators resubmitted the bill to the Legislative Secretariat shortly after taking office (TT, July 7, 2006).

At the time, González said she welcomed the investigation since “one who owes nothing, fears nothing.” The ethics tribunal's inquiry is still ongoing, according to the daily La Nación.

Solís told La Nación this week that González's resignation was “a brave decision.”

González, whose resignation will take effect July 1, will be replaced by PAC's assistant secretary general, Beatriz Rodríguez, the daily reported.

A U.S. citizen identified as Bernard Rials accused of sexually abusing children in the United States was arrested Wednesday at his home in San José's Barrio Corazón de Jesús, according to a statement from international police agency Interpol.

Rials, 44, had admitted to having sexual relations with several children ages 8 to 14 in the state of Washington. He was also convicted of illegal possession of firearms in the state of Florida.

After being charged with child molestation in 2005, Rials fled the United States, traveling through South America until he arrived to Costa Rica in March 2006, the statement said. He had been living here illegally ever since.

The U.S. Marshals Service, together with Interpol, found him in San José. He faces deportation to the United States.

-Tico Times

Costa Rican gasoline will have at least 7% ethanol by the second half of 2008, an effort to reduce contamination produced by hydrocarbons, according to the National Oil Refinery (RECOPE).

The refinery's longer-term goal is for gas to contain 10%-15% ethanol by 2011. Additionally, it will strive for fuel containing 2-5% biodiesel obtained from palm oil to be available for diesel consumers.

To produce the ethanol necessary for this change, the government will promote the cultivation of sugarcane and industrial cassava.

The introduction of ethanol will be carried out slowly so that consumers can get used to this new product and to guarantee availability of prime agricultural materials necessary for its production.

During the next two weeks, the refinery, which has a monopoly on the refining and distribution of fuels in the country, will be opening bidding on an expansion of its plant to equip it to handle ethanol and biodiesel.