"Puntarenas Tierra y Mar"
History-drama, Friday through Sunday, 7 p.m., Giratablas Theater, opposite KFC, Los Yoses.

Music from India
8 p.m., Café Liberia, 50 m. south of Banco Nacional, Liberia, Guanacaste.

Concert by Guadalupe Urbina
Trova, 7 p.m., Spanish Cultural Center, Av.13, Ca. 31. Info: 2257-2919.

Miss Costa Rica Canina 2008
Two categories, female puppies 3 months to a year and a year and older, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; July 20, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., finals at 2:30 p.m., Ciudad Mascota, Centro Comercial del Sur, Desamparados, 2283-0446, misscanina@petsymas.com. 

Workshop El Chorrito
For kids, 10 a.m., Spanish Cultural Center, Av.13, Ca. 31. Info: 2257-2919.

Roots Time Festival
By Gondwana of Chile and Resistencia Suburbana and Nonpalidece of Argentina, to benefit the Association Against Children's Cancer, 11 a.m., Picacho, Cartago, tickets at Fusion Stores. Info: 2239-8418, 8346-6236.

Pet Fair
Including raffles, low price check outs, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Pedigree Veterinary, Heredia, 600 m. north of Hipermás Supermarket. Info: 2237-1312.

IV International Aesthetics Convention
Including conferences, workshops on massage, body treatments, nails, cosmetics, facials, etc, Sunday and Monday, Crowne Plaza Corobicí Hotel, north-east Sabana Park, across from Más x Menos supermarket. Info: 2210-0464.

Activities at Parque de Diversiones
Sunday, Welcoming to the park by the pets of the park, 9 a.m., main entrance; Circus Parade, 11 a.m., Espejo de Area; Play Tío Conejo en Busca de Amistad, noon and 3 p.m., Tío Conejo Theater; Concert by Maromero Clowns, 1 p.m., Plaza Tío Conejo; Mascarade, 1:30 p.m., in front of the Church in Pueblo Antiguo; Play Godofredo y el Dragón, 2 p.m., in front of the Church in Pueblo Antiguo; Circus Show, 2:30 p.m., Plaza Tío Conejo; Folklore Dances, 3 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., in front of the Church in Pueblo Antiguo; Play Camila la Ardilla, 3:30 p.m., in front of the Church in Pueblo Antiguo; Juan Cuenta Cuentos, 4 p.m., Plaza Tío Conejo; Play El Carretón de la Fantasía, 5 p.m., in front of the Church in Pueblo Antiguo; Play Raíces Ticas, 5:45 p.m., in front of the Church in Pueblo Antiguo, Parque de Diversiones, La Uruca, 2 km. of Hospital México. Info: 2290-3035.

As a result of a 25 percent increase in tax collection and despite a slowing economy and rising food and energy costs, the Costa Rican government achieved a $230 million financial surplus during the first half of the year, according to the Finance Ministry.

A financial surplus occurs when government revenues surpass government expenses (including interest payments on the public debt).

The surplus is nearly four times larger than the $60 million surplus registered during the first half of 2007, said Finance Minister Guillermo Zúñiga.

Zúñiga said that the state of public finances was such that the country would be able to successfully face its second semester obligations such as salary increases, the aguinaldo (a 13th month of salary paid to workers in December), as well as investments in roads and security, combating poverty and compensating for high international food prices.

From January through June, the government collected $2.15 billion in taxes, 25 percent more than during the same period in 2007, and spent $1.92 billion, a 15.5 percent increase.

The main sources of income for the government were customs duties, which brought in $807 million, followed by income taxes of $558 million and sales taxes of $406 million.

Despite the first semester surplus, Zúñiga expects Costa Rica to finish the year with a deficit of 0.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), about $100 million.

President Oscar Arias this week signed a $9.2 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that will be used to finance sustainable development projects in the Sixaola River Basin on the Panama border.

Costa Rica will contribute an additional $2.8 million to the effort, for a total budget of $12 million.

The project aims to preserve the river's natural patrimony, reduce local vulnerability to natural disasters, promote changes in production near the river and develop a more sustainable way to taking advantage of the river's resources.

“With a little help, like the one were bringing Sixaola, these communities can escape cruel underdevelopment," Arias said in a speech during the signing. "With a little help, Sixaola can build dikes and aqueducts, saving its inhabitants from the torment of seeing their houses flooded or destroyed. With a little help, Sixaola can take advantage of its enormous tourism potential and transform it into employment for its young and earnings for its families.”

Among other things, the project will fund initiatives to develop agriculture, environmental protection, ecotourism, and infrastructure improvement in the region.

It's not too late to sign your dog up for Miss Canine Costa Rica 2008, the country's premier female dog show, which will take place this weekend at the Gran Centro Comercial del Sur shopping center near Parque de la Paz, south of San José.

The event will take place on July 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The queen will be selected on Sunday at 2 p.m.

With more than 200 registered participants, the election of the first Miss Canine Costa Rica is sure to captivate audiences. Participants stand to win big prizes.

First place adults and puppies will receive a one-year supply of Beneful premium dog food, a four-month treatment with Advantix pest control medication, three months of grooming at Excalibur, one year of deworming at Lisan, 10 issues of Pets y Más magazine, one teeth cleaning session at PetCafé, one year of medical treatment from Pet Assist, a weekend at Hotel Yare in Punta Cocles, a weekend at the Hotel Arenal Spring, and a wide assortment of JAK-brand dog clothing and accessories.

The pageant present awards in several categories: VIP (for famous dogs), Miss Special Canine Costa Rica (for dogs with a disability), Miss Guide Canine Costa Rica (for guide dogs for the blind), Miss Older Adult, Miss Quick, Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, among others.

All participating dogs receive a commemorative medal and prizes from the event's sponsors.

To participate, female dogs must be three months or older and their owners must pay a small ¢1,500 (about $2.80) registration fee at the event.