Ganassi Group in concert
Classical, 7 p.m., National Theater foyer. 

Leyenda in concert
Rock, 9:30 p.m., El Observatorio, Barrio La California, opposite Cine Magaly. Info: 2223-0725.

The heavy rains that began falling late last week have caused flooding, leaving six towns isolated and damaging at least 150 homes in rural areas in northern Costa Rica near the border with Nicaragua, a National Emergency Management Commission (CNE) spokesman said.

Reynaldo Castaño, coordinator of the CNE office in Upala, told the press six towns were cut off by the downpours, which washed out roads.

Officials opened two temporary shelters on Friday for some 30 families whose dwellings were flooded when the Guacalito, Niño and Cabeza de León rivers overflowed their banks.

A total of 110 people were evacuated from the area, where most residents are farmers who fear the torrential rains may have seriously damaged the bean crop.

A weeklong festival in the southeastern San José district of Zapote turned sour this past weekend when authorities carried away some 120 kilos of food contaminated with fecal bacteria, the daily La Nación reported.

Costa Rican health officials said, following daily testing at the Zapote fairgrounds, food from 10 stands had to be taken away because of contamination found in such festival staples as chicharrones (fried pork), fried rice and cabbage salad.

La Nación reported the food stands face closure if they don't start serving fecal-free meals.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – President Daniel Ortega modified the national budget by decree, sparking criticism from opposition lawmakers for acting on reforms that first need to pass through the Legislative Assembly.

However, the legislature, the government argued, has been gridlocked since the Nov. 9 municipal – deemed a resounding victory for the ruling Sandinistas and a fraud by opposition groups – which poses an obstacle for much needed reforms in the face of the global financial crisis.

“The current legislative paralysis is impeding the approval of the economic laws that are in the public's and Nicaraguan people's best interest,” said a Dec. 26 letter from Ortega to Finance Minister Alberto Guevara, instructing the finance chief to make certain, unspecified changes in this year's budget, reported the daily El Nuevo Diario.

Eduardo Montealegre, the Liberal Constitutional Party's (PLC) former candidate for mayor of Managua, said Ortega “has shown once more the will of a dictator.”

PLC legislator Wilfredo Navarro called the move a “de facto coup” by the executive against the legislature.