Subscribe to our Daily News RSS feed.

Read the Daily News on your mobile device.

Heart Palm Fair
Food tasting, cultural shows, rides, night tours, games, March 26-28, Centro Agrícola Cantonal de Jiménez, Tucurrique, Southern Zone, 2535-0094.

Rumba Jam
Latin Jazz, March 26, 10 p.m., Jazz Café, San Pedro.

Malpaís in Concert
Trova, March 26, 10 p.m., Jazz Café, Escazú.

Running Expo Stands and talks about athletics, March 27, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; children's race, 10 a.m.; talk on sports injuries and physiotheraphy, 1 p.m.; talk on running style and techniques, 2 p.m.; talk on stretching, 3 p.m., stadium, Jacó, Central Pacific.

Rhada in Concert
Tango, Waltz, ballads, dinner à la carte at 7 p.m.; concert at 9 p.m., Father Rooster, Ocotal Beach. Info: 2670-1246.

Tours, Hikes and Workshops
Organized by Los Congos Conservation Group, one-day tour to Tortuga Island, March 27 and 28; Cheese-making workshop, March 27, Finca Biamonti, Coronado; hike at Braulio Carrillo National Park, March 27; white-water rafting on Río Pacuare, March 27, 8819-3173, 2253-4836, grupoloscongos@gmail.com.

3rd Jacó Extreme Challenge
10 km, March 27, 4:30 p.m., Jacó, Central Pacific, 2643-2853, www.atletismoextremo.com.

Switch Off for Earth Hour
Lights turned off for one hour around the world, March 27, 8:30-9:30 p.m.

Vívelo 2010 Festival
With singers Carlos Vives, Fanny Lu, Jorge Villamizar and others, performing salsa, pop, vallenato, March 27, Time, La Guácima, Alajuela, www.specialticket.net.

Chocolate in Concert
Salsa, March 27, 10 p.m., Jazz Café, Escazú.

Workshop “Dances from India”
Dictated by Andrea Vargas, March 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m., Signos Teatro Danza, San Pedro, across from del Colegio Dante Aligheiri, 2234-5584, 8876-0541, 8313-7467.

Allan Guzman in Concert
Trova, March 28, 10 p.m., Jazz Café, San Pedro.

Cattle Exhibit and Fair
Including activities for children, bull riding shows, rodeo, food sales, March 26-29, fair ground Tomás Batalla Esquivel, behind Herradura Hotel, Ciudad Cariari, Heredia.

Calamares Festival
Including concerts, popular dance classes, contests, and free servings of rice with squid, March 28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Parque de la Paz, road to Desamparados.

Holy Week: a Brief Summary
Special activities begin on Thursday night with a mass commemorating the Last Supper; afterwards the devout visit “Los Santos Monumentos,” (stages set in a corner of the churches with scenes from the Bible) until midnight. On Good Friday, processions start between 9-10 a.m. (check schedules at the closest church) with the Stations of the Cross, remembering the crucifixion of Jesus. The most popular processions take place in San Joaquín de Flores, west of Heredia and in Tierra Blanca, north of Cartago. At 3 p.m., Catholic churches celebrate the “Silent Mass,” followed by a procession featuring statues of the Virgin Mary and John the Disciple. By 6 p.m., Catholics celebrate the Holly Burial Procession. On Holy Saturday, priests hold the Easter Mass in the evening (between 6-8 p.m. depending on the schedule set by the town's church). This mass normally starts with a solemn tone and in the middle of the celebration assumes a more joyful tone. Flowers are brought in to adorn the altar, and music is more uplifting. After the mass, people share coffee, cookies and homemade bread. Afterwards, many of the younger folk participate in the “ Quema de Judas ” (the burning of an effigy of Judas), an event that in recent years has been marred by acts of vandalism in some places.

Apart from the religious activities, Central Valley towns are virtually deserted, as all businesses close on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Government offices are cosed for the entire week.

The good news is that there is no license plate restriction from March 26 through April 4 and it's very pleasant to drive or walk in the city. Normally, there is no bus service on Good Friday and bus schedules are decreased throughout the week.. Its always a good idea to check with bus companies regarding special schedules for the week.

12TH INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

SAN JOSE

National Theater: “Flamenco Republic,” dance by María Pagés (Spain), March 27-28, 8 p.m.

Melico Salazar Theater: “Aire frío,” play by Teatro Avante (U.S.), March 27-28, at 8 p.m.

Teatro de la Danza (CENAC): “Futuros difuntos,” play by La Zaranda (Spain), March 26-28, at 8:30 p.m.

Teatro 1887 (CENAC): “Los Velásquez,” play directed by Alejandro Casavalle (Argentina-C.R.), March 27-28, at 6:30 p.m.

La Aduana Theater (Ca. 23, Av. 3): “Hecho en el Perú,” play by Yuyachkany (Peru), March 27-28, all at 7 p.m.

La Aduana (Ca. 23, Av. 3/7): “Andersen's Dream,” play by Odin Teatret (Denmark), March 26-28, 7 p.m.

Eugene O'Neill Theater (CCCN): “El Quijote,” play by La Candelaria (Colombia), March 27-28, at 7 p.m.

Club Vértigo (Centro Colón, Paseo Colón): “Sí, pero no lo soy,” play by CDN (Spain), March 26-28, 7 p.m.

Vargas Calvo Theater (National Theater): Colectivo Brecha (C.R.), March 26, 7

and 9 p.m.; “El ogrito,” play by Génesis (C.R.), March 28, 2 p.m.

Contemporary Art and Design Museum : Piel de Naranja and Alejandra Sol, film “Smoking Room,” March 26; Yamil de la Paz and Alejandra Sol, film “La región perdida,” March 27, all performances at 6 p.m., films at 7 p.m.

La Sabana Park: Lake Stage –March 26, Beselch Rodríguez (Spain), 6:30 p.m., Reyes Vallenatos (Colombia) and Yamo-Yamo (Africa), 7:30 p.m.; March 27, Gandhi (C.R.) and Fito Páez (Argentina), 8 p.m.; March 28, Gilberto Santa Rosa (Puerto Rico) and National Youth Symphony (C.R.), 7 p.m.

Parking Lot (opposite Costa Rican Art Museum) –March 26, Ballet Folclórico (Panama), 1 p.m., storytelling by Seberiano, 4 p.m., Vaca Lula show, 5 p.m., concert by Los Garífunas and Vibration, 6:30 p.m.; March 27, storytelling by Anancy the Spider, 10 a.m., tango show by Patricia Velázquez, 1 p.m., Lucho Calavera, La Canalla and Canteca de Macao, 6:30 p.m.; March 28, “Naturaleza artística” show by Proartes, 10 a.m., “Pinoccio verde” show by Proartes, noon, “Mirando al norte” play by Proartes,

5 p.m., storytelling by Aldo Méndez (Cuba), 6 p.m.

El Farolito Stand –March 26, puppet show, 3 p.m., cardboard puppet workshop, 4 p.m.; March 27, puppet show by Grupo Ticotíteres, 11 a.m., workshop for kids by Fernando Thiel, noon, music, dance and theater show by Grupo Orquesta, 3 p.m.; March 28, “Uvieta” play by 4 Vientos, 11 a.m., string doll-making workshop, noon.

LIMÓN

Casa de la Cultura: “Mar y naturaleza,” art exhibit, March 26-28.

Park Stage: March 26, “Un guisante para la princesa” play by Balagam theater group (Germany) 5 p.m., concerts by Plan B and Canteca de Macao (Spain), 7 p.m.; March 27, “Sancho Panza gobernador” play by El Papel theater group, 2 p.m., folkloric show (Panama), 3:30 p.m., monologue show (Spain), 5 p.m., concert by Beselch Rodriguez (Spain) and Reyes Vallenatos (Colombia), 7 p.m.; March 28, concerts by Sege (C.R.), 5 p.m., Cantoamérica and Calipsonian (C.R.), 6:30 p.m., Yamo-Yamo (Africa), 7:30 p.m.

ALAJUELA

Municipal Theater: March 26, “Timbre 4” play, 7 p.m.; March 27, dance show by Proartes, 7 p.m.

Park Stage: March 26, play by Proartes Group, 11 a.m., concerts by Humberto

Vargas, María Pretiz, Bernardo Quesada and Javier Ruibal, 8:30 p.m.; March 27, concerts by Sege, Cantoamérica, Calipsonian and Yamo-Yamo, 8:30 p.m.; March 28, folkloric show (Panama), 3:30 p.m., concerts by Ig Blech (Germany), 5 p.m., and Chocolate, 8:30 p.m.

With the naming of her social team on Thursday morning, President-elect Laura Chinchilla made her final appointments for the 21-member cabinet.

She called the appointees well-qualified, dedicated and versed in the challenges the next four years will bring.

“We have taken much more time with the social positions so that the decision-making was more thorough.” Chinchilla said, from her headquarters in Sabana Sur.

The president-elect decided to carry over three ministers from the President Oscar Arias's administration “because of unfinished work”, including Education Minister Leonardo Garnier, Health Minister Maria Luisa Avila and Justice Minister Hernando París.

Chinchilla eliminated the positions of ministers of coordination, communications and and competitivity and replaced them with a minister of decentralization and local governments, minister of social welfare and minister of sports.

And she named three new people to existing posts. Pianist and musical composer Manuel Obregón will be minister of culture; Sandra Piszk, former legislator and ombudswoman, will be minister of labor; and Irene Campos, director of the Costar Rican Cement and Concrete Institute, will be minister of housing.

Guiselle Goyenaga, “who has dedicated her heart and life to sports,” will be the new sports minister. Hojancha Mayor Juan Marín will focus on strengthening municipal governments in his role as decentralization minister, and Fernando Marín, former vice minister of health, will take the post of social welfare minister and be charged with bringing 20,000 families out of extreme poverty by integrating welfare services.

Appointments to autonomous institutions such as the Costa Rican Social Security System will take place after the Holy Week.

For the second year in a row, Costa Rica will participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27.

Earth Hour is a global event organized by the World Wildlife Foundation to raise awareness about climate change.

As part of the event, citizens worldwide will turn off their lights from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. in an international call for a low-carbon future.

“We can all add to this effort,” said Pedro León, director of Costa Rica's Peace with Nature initiative. “All it requires is flipping off a light.”

Last year, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) calculated that the country lowered the demand for electricity during Earth Hour by 95 megawatts, the equivalent off 400,000 homes switching off the lights. Residents who live in the mountains around the Central Valley reported seeing pitch-black neighborhoods.

“Earth Hour is an example of how a small action by a lot of people can generate a great environmental contribution,” said Laura Lang, director of the Climate Change Allies Program in Costa Rica.

The event began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, where 2.2 million homes and businesses turned off the lights for an hour to dramatize the country's desire to combat the effects of climate change.

In 2008, the number of participants had grown to 50 million in 33 countries. Last year, more than 4,000 cities in 88 countries participated in Earth Hour.

The goal in 2010 is to achieve the participation of one billion people in more than 6,000 cities.

In Costa Rica, ICE will measure how much energy is saved during Saturday's earth hour and thereby gauge the approximate number of Costa Ricans who participated. More than 2,000 Costa Ricans have already pledged their support via the social networking site Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?
gid=57642661573&ref=search&sid=48601734.347923071..1

For more information, visit: www.earthhour.org

Since 1994, Bentec Medical has produced latex-free medical devices at its headquarters in Woodland, California, in the United States. In July of 2009, the company decided to undertake its first international expansion.

It chose to do so in Costa Rica.

“The main reason we decided to come here was because we have existing customers in Costa Rica and we wanted to continue to have their business,” said Daurice Schriener, vice president of sales and marketing at Bentec. “The more we looked into moving here, the more we saw that we could find great employees with a good skill set and a high education level. Everything matched what we were looking for.”

Bentec's decision to expand operations to Costa Rica is one that has been shared by many others in the same field. Since Baxter Health Care opened its first plant in Cartago, east of San José, in 1988, an additional 30 foreign medical companies have created or expanded operations in Costa Rica, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.

“In 2010, we expect that the medical sector will continue to be dynamic,” said Gabriela Llobet, director general of the Costa Rican Investment Board (CINDE). “It will continue to develop into one of the fastest growing industries in the country.”

At least through the first two months of 2010, Llobet's words have rung true.

According to the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER), January and February exports of medical supplies and devices raked in more than $191 million, representing nearly 13 percent of the country's overall exports. In 2009, the export of medical products generated more than $1.34 billion for the economy and accounted for 15.5 percent the nation's total exports. The export of medical products makes up the second largest share of the national export market, following only microprocessors and electronic components, which account for more than 20 percent of exports.

“The medical sector is almost recession proof,” said Andrea Centeno, communications manager at CINDE. “Despite a slow economy and lowered (overall) demand for exports, there is always demand for health products. There is always a need for forceps. There is always a need for medications. There is always a need for medical products, no matter the economic situation.” 

See the March 26 print or digital edition of The Tico Times for more on this story.