Paraíso Music School Chamber Orchestra in concert
7 p.m., Saint Esteban Chrch, El Carmen, Cartago, free.

Brazilian Film Festival
Dec. 7-11, 3 and 7 p.m., Sala Garbo, free.

‘Avenidazo' festival
Annual confetti-throwing tradition, including cultural shows, Dec. 7-20, 6 p.m., Avenida Cetral, next to Radio Monumental.

Christmas Choir Festival
Dec. 7-9, 6 p.m., Plaza de la Cultura, San José.

Want to find out about more events, venues, clubs and classes around Costa Rica?  Subscribe to our Daily News e-mail edition and receive our full calendar in your in-box five days a week.

Consumer prices in Costa Rica fell by 0.16 percent during the month of November, marking the second time in 2009 that the country has experienced deflation. For the year, the inflation rate was at 2.57 percent, the lowest annual consumer price increase since 1972. At this point in time last year, the rate of inflation stood at 16.30 percent.

The largest decrease in consumer prices was felt at the gas pump, as the cost of gasoline fell more than 0.11 percent for the month. The price of gasoline is traditionally the driving force for fluctuation in the inflation rate, as the high inflation rate of 2008 stemmed largely from the high price of fuel. The overall cost of transportation has risen only 0.91 percent in 2009.

Average consumer prices also fell for car purchases, chicken, papayas and cable television. Increases in prices were seen in bus costs, sweet peppers, casados (a staple lunchtime dish featuring meat and rice and beans), home rentals and tourist packages.

In September, the Central Bank of Costa Rica predicted the inflation rate for the year would reach between 4 and 6 percent. Barring a huge leap in consumer prices, those figures will not be met. The highest increase rate in 2009 was seen in July, when the consumer price index rose 0.92 percent. 

More than 2,000 runners set off from the foot of the new National Stadium at western San José's La Sabana Park for the 14th running of the Costa Rican Marathon.

The race passed along Paseo Colón and Avenida Segunda three times, circling back in front of the Legislative Assembly, following the perimeter of Sabana Park and taking another loop west toward the United States Embassy.

Participants said the run was much better than in years past, when athletes battled buses and trucks for road space as they ran through less than desirable neighborhoods. Race routes were closed to traffic in downtown San José for four hours Sunday morning to allow the runners full reign of the road.

The weather also played in their favor. Though there were moments the sun glared down with force, these were balanced by spells of overcast skies and robust winds, making the pounding 42-kilometer distance somewhat bearable.

Several internationally recognized runners flew in for the race, including the first and second place finishers among women, Ecuadorian

Sandra Ruales Mosquera and Mexican Isabel Orellana. Mexico's Gerardo Morales won the men's race with a time of 2 hours and 32 seconds.

For those who preferred a shorter distance, there was a 21-km run (a half marathon), an eight-kilometer and a four-kilometer race that attracted several children. Costa Rican Roy Vargas won the half marathon with a time of 1 hour 8 minutes, followed by Tica Cristina Marín, the top finisher among women, who came in with a time of 1 hour 27 minutes.

At a press conference Wednesday, race directors said they made strides improving the professionalism of the 2009 race and expect 2010 to be even better.

Exactly 30 years after winning his first national title as a 13-year-old in 1979, Tico motocross legend Adrián Robert has become the Costa Rican national champion for the 40th time, following his win Sunday at La Olla track in Sabanilla de Alajuela.

The 43-year-old veteran rider of French descent pulled himself out of retirement in 2006 to again become the most successful motocross rider in Costa Rica.

The weekend event was the eighth and final national motocross tournament of the year, with more than 1,000 people turning out to cheer on riders through the clouds of dust at La Olla.

“The goal I set myself was to win all my heats in the eight tournaments this year,” Robert said. “I knew it was going to be difficult but I did it and am extremely happy. I intend to carry on for a few more years and next year would like to try and compete in endurance, cross-country and race motocross, because no one has ever won all three, and this is the plan.”

The tournament, organized by Moto Club Costa Rica in conjunction with SM Producciones, was divided into different categories, from amateur to professional, and from young riders to a veteran class.

Roberto Castro, for the second year running, took top spot in the principal MX1 class, despite fierce opposition from Johan Mora, who ultimately couldn't overcome an 18 to 12 points deficit.

Castro said, “It's been a great year, despite the injuries. Here we have a really high level of competition, so in order to win you have to be so competitive.”