Real Estate Expo
Today through Sunday, International Mall, Alajuela, www.exporealtycr.tk.

Luis Nubiola in concert
Saxophone, 10 p.m., Jazz Café, Escazú.

International Arts Festival

La Sabana Park
El Gorrión (Argentina), puppets, 10 a.m.; Marcos Francisco Soto (C.R.), storytelling show, 11 a.m.; Circo de la Pena (C.R.), theater, 1 p.m.; La Cuna del Swing de Ligia Torijano, dance, 2 p.m.; El Gorrión, puppets, 3 p.m.; Boroni Sextet (C.R.), music; Circo de la Pena, theater, 3 p.m., AS, and 4 p.m.; Cecilia Todd (Venezuela), music, 4 p.m.; ACNUR Theater (C.R.), 4 p.m., Costa Rican Art Museum; Mago Luigy (C.R.), magic, 4 p.m.; Arabe la Salaberry (C.R.), storytelling, 5 p.m.; Los Alaputenses (C.R.), storytelling show, 5 p.m.; Music Ensemble (China), 6 p.m.; Panchorizo y La Araña (Argentina), theater, 6 p.m.; Escuela Superior de Danza Folklórica de Chihuahua (Mexico), dance, 7 p.m.; Bernardo Quesada (C.R.), 7 p.m., Parque en el Espacio (C.R.), 8 p.m., Nour (Spain), 9 p.m., music.

San José
Teléfono Celular (China), film, Variedades Teatro; Teatro de los Andes, Nacional Theater; 10 & 10 Danza, Melico Salazar Theater; Teatro Giratablas (C.R.), theater, Teatro 1887.

Alajuela
Circo La Co.Tra.Ka, theater, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Mundo de la Fantasía, clowns, 11 a.m.; Fernán y su Guitarra, music, 5 p.m.; Enjuague Bucal, music, 6 p.m.; Flamenco El Pipa, 7 p.m.; Choque Urbano (Stomp-like) dance percussion show, 9 p.m.

Puntarenas
Teatro Contraluz, theater, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Chinese music and acrobats, 6:30 p.m.

Interviews by Rob Bartlett
Tico Times Staff | editorial@ticotimes.net

Janina del Vecchio began her new post Monday as the public security minister, a position that oversees Costa Rica's National Police.

A lifelong academic with no experience in law enforcement, del Vecchio, 62, taught math at the University of Costa Rica and served as the UCR's vice rector – an unlikely pick for security chief. (See Friday's Tico Times for a profile on del Vecchio.)

She might have already made a first public gaffe, when she told reporters, “What's sure is that (Costa Rica's) perception of insecurity is higher than its insecurity itself,” according to the daily La Nación. Then she added, “ Costa Rica is the fourth safest country in Latin America.”

These might have been intended as soothing words, but news media leapt at the chance to play up del Vecchio's downplay of the nation's crime wave, among the highest of public concerns.

In people-on-the-street interviews by The Tico Times yesterday, some were doubtful that del Vecchio is up for the task, while others gave her the benefit of the doubt.

“I think it will be difficult for her to do a good job given the circumstances,” said Miguel Fourier, 50. “There is little time left for this government, just two years. Besides, she doesn't have any experience related to public security. She has a completely different background.”

Adriana Chavarría, 34, said, “First of all, we need to change the culture here in Costa Rica and combat delinquency in schools.”

“Secondly,” Chavarría added, “to have the position, she needs to have influence in the political hierarchy. She cannot just do what is best for her politically.”

Juan Diego Vásquez, 27 “A new proposal is always a good thing. There is no reason why she can't do a good job.”

Victor Galo, 25 “For me, she lacks experience. Also, I think public security will be a difficult job for her, as a woman, to take on.”

Carolina Mora, 25 “She is not really prepared for the position. You never know, though. We will just have to wait and see.”

Zaida Torres, 36 “Everyone has the capacity (to be a success). I think she can take us forward and I think being a woman will help.”

Photos by Harmony Reforma editorial@ticotimes.net

Google Inc. is to open an office in Costa Rica, according to a government press statement yesterday, making this country a springboard for the internet giant's big plans for Latin America.

As internet use in the region advances, Google wants in, company CEO Eric Schmidt told reporters last week. Schmidt said his company, which operates the world's most popular search engine, is looking to buy technology firms and invest in Latin America, its fastest-growing region, Bloomberg reported.

The news of a Costa Rican Google office came yesterday during a meeting of more than 500 leaders and company executives at the World Economic Forum on Latin America held in Cancún, Mexico, the Casa Presidencial statement said. It did not mention a date for the branch's opening.

Google expects sales in Latin America will more than double this year, Daniel Alegre, vice president for Latin American business operations, said at the forum.

By Tao Watts
Special to The Tico Times | taoaqui@gmail.com, editorial@ticotimes.net

This Sunday the fourth Annual Osa Peninsula Earth Day Festival is again expected to attract hundreds of participants from communities throughout Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula on the southern Pacific. The theme for this year is “Living in Peace with Nature,” presenting a variety of practical applications for ecological stewardship.

The festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the public waterfront and campground area known as the Yacht Club, at the entrance to Parrot Bay Village. A giant tent will be pitched to host activities and exhibits and shelter the event from the always-anticipated rain showers.

In 2004, the Osa Peninsula joined with other communities around the world, spearheading a festival in downtown Puerto Jiménez. For the past four years, it has continued to offer free activities and free transport from neighboring rural communities.

The  association Women of the Osa, the Environment and Energy Ministry, the Costa Rican Association for Nature Conservation and other local organizations and residents are organizing the event as an ongoing effort to raise public awareness and education about conservation and environmental stewardship on the Osa Peninsula.

For more information, e-mail womenoftheosa@gmail.com or call 8820-7095.