National Coffee Tasting Competition
Feb. 25-26, Fine Coffees Association, Rohrmoser; Feb. 28-March 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Terramall, Tres Ríos, info with ICAFE, 243-7862, and Fine Coffees Association, 220-0685.

National Symphony Orchestra Auditions
For new musicians, drop off documents today by 3 p.m.; auditions, Feb. 26-28, 11:30 p.m., National Symphony office, Moravia, 200 m west, 100 m south and 100 m west of Banco Cuscatlán, 240-0333.

Mundoloco Concerts
DJ Prestinary and Ensamble Etnico, Jazz Café, San Pedro, 10 p.m.

By Rob Bartlett
Tico Times Staff | editorial@ticotimes.net

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the National Insurance Institute (INS) have announced plans to create a new home for the Jade Museum, a popular San José tourist attraction.

The museum, which claims to be home to the best collection of pre-Columbian jade in the world, is now housed on the first floor of the INS building on the north side of Parque España, in the historic Barrio Amón in northern San José. However, according to museum director Laura Rodríguez, only 1,355 pieces in the collection of 5,256 are on display because of a lack of space.

To resolve the problem, INS President Guillermo Constenla and Culture Minister María Elena Carballo plan to move the museum to Plaza de la Democracia, off Avenida 2 on the eastern edge of downtown San José, which the Culture Ministry, in conjunction with the Municipality of San José, is in the process of remodeling. Officials say the plan will create a “corridor of museums” between the National Museum on the east side of the plaza and the Central Bank Museums beneath Plaza de la Cultura, a few blocks west. Though the INS board has approved the plan, it is still expected to be at least two years before the move takes place.

At present, INS is looking to buy a suitable site of at least 2,500 square meters on either the south or west side of Plaza de la Democracia. The institute is also charged with overseeing construction of the new building, which is expected to cost $6 million to $7 million, according to a statement from the Culture Ministry. The institute is negotiating a price for the site with landowners in the hope of reaching a satisfactory deal for both sides; however, expropriation of the land remains an option.

Carballo expects the project to have a huge impact on culture in the capital. “At the moment, culture industries are showing the strongest growth in the world, and they clearly give significant support to the economy of a country,” she said.

Citing Madrid as an example, she added that a strong cultural scene is of key importance if a city hopes to achieve a sustainable tourism industry.

A judge ordered a ¢150 million ($300,000) bond placed on Italian Matteo Quintavalle, the former aspiring soccer mogul accused of committing a multimillion-dollar real estate fraud.

Court spokeswoman María Isabel Hernández said Quintavalle's lawyers immediately appealed the bond, set on Feb. 14.

“The judge has to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” she said. “If the judge confirms the bond, Quintavalle has to pay it immediately or face arrest. If he pays after his arrest, he would be freed.”

Quintavalle has yet to be indicted in the 7-month-old case. He was arrested in July after more than 80 investors alleged he defrauded them of over $12 million for real estate developments on the Pacific coast.

The alleged con man was freed from preventive prison in December to get a tummy-tuck operation, a potential cure for his type-II diabetes.

In an unsurprising victory yesterday, Fidel Castro's younger brother, Raúl was elected president of Cuba.

For the past 19 months, Raúl has assumed more control due to his brother's ailing health. But Sunday's vote by the National Assembly, which came five days after Fidel's announcement of retirement, marks the first time since 1959 that Fidel Castro has not been the island's official leader.

The succession is not likely to bring a major shift in the communist government policies that have put Cuba at odds with the United States, the Associated Press reported. And in his first speech as president, Raúl Castro suggested that the Communist Party as a whole would take over the role long held by Fidel Castro, who remains the party's leader.

By Rob Bartlett
Tico Times Staff | editorial@ticotimes.net

U.S. alternative rock group The Smashing Pumpkins is the latest band confirmed to appear at Festival Imperial at La Guácima de Alajuela on Apr. 19-20. Californian rock group Incubus and British '80s pop icons Duran Duran had already been confirmed by organizers.

“We are absolutely delighted to have a lineup of absolutely top international bands, really iconic groups,” Carlos Cañas, CEO of Imperial, told The Tico Times.

He also said “There are still at least two more bands yet to be announced,” and that more details would be available at the end of the week.

The Smashing Pumpkins will headline the first day of the festival, Saturday April 19, along with Incubus.

“In the case of Incubus and Smashing Pumpkins, we wanted to have a day with a more alternative focus. We also wanted to look for bands that would not come to Costa Rica if it weren't for the Festival Imperial. The two groups really complement each other and help us appeal to different types of people,” said Cañas.

“As for Duran Duran, obviously to close the Festival Imperial we wanted a really standout figure, like last year when it was Sting. And Duran Duran is definitely one of the strongest and most significant groups around. The roots of their success are back in the '80s and beginning of the '90s, but it is also a band that is absolutely up to date,” said Cañas, noting that their latest release, “Red Carpet Massacre,” was recorded in collaboration with producer Timbaland and also features pop icon Justin Timberlake.

Tickets will go on sale Feb. 28. For more information, visit www.festivalimperial.com.