El Residente 2011-03

Editorial Note: In this edition, more on fruits, and the fruits of our labours.

This year we plan to continue bringing you updates in the areas of laws, insurance, and other changes in processes as they come about. The latest news will likely make it easier to legalize your documents for use in Costa Rica, once all the legislation is in place.

This issue is bringing you a number of changes at the ARCR, so pay close attention for new benefits, in insurance, the discount program, services, and much more. As we are growing, we are working hard on growing ht elist of services and benefits for our members.

In the following months we will be coming back to you to help expand the benefits even more, so please, watch for it.

- Ryan Piercy

Read about our new discount on INS medical, only for ARCR members.

This magazine has been published every two months for 15 years as the official communications media of the ARCR. Our organization provides service to thousands of foreigners who have chosen Costa Rica to reside for short periods or for permanent residence.

Since 1984 the ARCR has been offering reliable SERVICES, INFORMATION and ADVOCACY to Costa Rica’s foreign residents.

We have the experience and ability to help you with your residency application, immigration, business and financial management, real estate purchases and rentals, property management, insurance, pet importation and much more.

If you wish to place an ad in El Residente, please contact the ARCR main office. Goods & services offered are paid advertisments.

Neither ARCR Administracion nor El Residente research the companies and take no responsibility for the quality of such goods or services.

El Residente

2

Presidents Re epo ort

by The Board

A pleasant surprise I had, if you rent a car when go visit your home country, indicate that you live in Costa Rica and check the price. If you compare you may find it will give you a discounted rate!

An ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR is available to be donated by the American Legion Post 10 to someone who needs When things started in Egypt, the US Embassy in it, if the individual (or others) are willing Cairo was bombarded with urgent telephone calls from to pay for the repairs and new batteries many of the 50,000 or so US citizens living in Egypt. (about $900). It is a Quickie Tilt-Master model p320, which Many wanted to know when & how the Embassy was going would probably cost $3-4000 or more to buy. to get them out of the country. Some of you have heard me comment over the years that US citizens should register at From me, please try to remember that we are privileged to their Embassy (other countries probably should as well) so be visiting or living in this country. No matter what everyone that if the State Department decides that we need to leave, else does, we should each try to avoid being identified as those of us who are registered will wave to the rest of you the “ugly American” (maldito gringo). from our chartered flight as we fly away. We will have to pay for that service, but if the Embassy doesn’t even know who Mel Goldberg or where you are, it’s not going to be their fault if you are ---------------------------------------not notified. In any event, it is also now a requirement for residency in Costa Rica.

Wise to Register,

Association of Residents of Costa Rica

Now that I personally experienced that BUPA insurance pays FIRST FRIDAY LUNCH claims on their Travel Policy, I won’t hesitate to recommend them. My policy covers me for all trips under 30 days out of On Friday, May 6th, the ARCR First Friday Luncheon will be held the country, and for the entire year. Cost is about $230. You in Alajuela at Jalapeños Central, a modest but popular gathering can call Mario or Ricardo at 2220-4451, 8856-2491, or 8856- place for fun food and great gab.

2491, and tell them you are ARCR members.

For those of you who are interested, there is a new German/ English magazine here by the name Costa Rica Spirits. For further information visit www.costarica-spirits.com. Some copies may also be available at the ARCR. When you speak with someone at your countries embassy, it’s not a bad idea to ask for their name. If you ever have a question about what they said, or try to verify it with someone else, it makes it easier to follow up. At the US embassy if they won’t give you at least their first name, they must give you the name of their supervisor. This is according to Mr. Paul Birdsall, US Consul General.

Even when you talk to your bank, a store, your credit card company, and so forth, knowing to whom you spoke to, and their telephone/extension number may help if you have a problem later on. Once when I called my credit card, the lady told me that they weren’t allowed to give their name or even tell which country they were in!

Easy to get to in downtown Alajuela, Jalapeños is located 50 meters south of the Post Office or 250 meters north of the rear dome of the Cathedral (which faces on Alajuela’s Parque Central).

There is parking along the street outside. We will be starting this month’s luncheon at 11 am to help those coming from San José or points west of Alajuela to avoid any lunch hour traffic. If you need more directions, here’s a map of Alajuela Centro: http://www.goodlightbooks.com/alajuela/map.html Our host and the restaurant’s owner, Norman Florez, is happy to welcome our Luncheon-goers and says he will be cooking up a surprise or two on that day. This Tex-Mex tiffin is sure to tantalize our taste buds. I’m looking forward to one of Norman’s dynamite Margaritas, and a piece of perfect pecan pie, too!

Because of the size of this cozy little restaurant we will have limited seating this month, holding the size of our luncheon group to about 15 members. We encourage those wishing to attend the Luncheon to RSVP asap to Paul Mitchell at <stanhopi @gmail.com> or contact Ryan at ARCR. Hope to see you there.

-Paul Mitchell

Cover Shot All over Costa Rica restaurants offer ‘refrescos naturales’, and commonly among them is cas. Cas is known also as the Costa Rican Guava or Cas Guava, and is found mainly in Costa Rica, but also to some extent in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and neighboring countries. It is quite acidic, but once sweetened is very delicious and full of beneficial traits.

March- April, 2011

3

El Residente

4

offered as well, including help if you need a tow, to change a tire, and much, much more. Just ask us.

Insure Yourse elff

by Franklin Martinez

New Benefits for You As always, our insurance office has the goal of keeping you informed about the most relevant issues that can help you out. This mission now gives us the satisfaction of 3 years working with A.R.C.R. members as happy clients and friends; this is the main reason for this article; after you read this information you can take more advantage of your actual insurance, and you will also have opportunity to acquire additional coverage, or change your actual insurance in order to have a better one, or by improving the one you already have…

Because of the actual open market, with the monopoly broken INS is now offering different and better types of insurance. One of them is the new Medical Insurance. In the past we just were offering individual policies with individual rates, but now looking for better benefits for A.R.C.R. members and after great negotiations with INS, we and the A.R.C.R. management obtained two NEW group plans offered from INS. These new plans would save you between 10% and 50% of the cost of the premium if compared with an individual insurance. These new options are available now for all the members of A.R.C.R. only.

Other information we suppose you may be interested in is how to save money with your insurance policies… so we are glad to give you some advice that will help you reach this goal.

1. The assistance that INS offers through their car and house insurance. The first thing you should know about this is that is FREE! Not like some other credit cards services that cost you as much as 5$ per month.

MULTIASISTENCIA HOGAR (Home multiassistance): This “new” benefit for holders of Home Theft policies, Homeowners’ “Hogar Comprensivo” policies, and Home Fire & Natural Disaster “Hogar Seguro 2000” policies. Offers the following:

2. There is a new rate for your condominium insurance, which will reduce the premium significantly, with new options in Colones and Dollars.

3. Regarding Automobile Insurance, brand new vehicles of the current model year receive a 30% discount for the first year, and if you are a new client you get a 20% discount on top; for a total discount 50% for the first year!!! To get this discount the Invoice (factura) must not be stale-dated more than 5 working days.

Get a 20% or 15% discount off the entire premium if you are a new client for INS. Also there is a FAMILY PLAN, which gives you 50% or 55% discount if you insure more than 2 vehicles.

And if these were not enough, we also give you an additional 5% discount off the Premium, by paying the bill online…

As you may know if you accumulate claims were you were at fault, INS can increase your rates or decrease your actual discount… call us to let you know how you can use an INS claim system that will allow you to not affect your insurance history!

Please feel free to contact us, to let you know how you can have access to these and other discounts…

If you cancel your Automobile insurance and then, apply for a new policy, you will get the same discount as you had before you cancelled. It is the same situation if you transfer your policy from another agent, you won’t lose your discount.

These and more options are available for you here at our offices beside the ARCR; for more information and details on this article, call Franklin Martinez 8318-225 or Juan Carlos Calero 2258-7041, or write us fmartinez@pricose.com or jcalero@pricose.com

AIRPORT TAXI SERVICE, HELP WITH PETS, EMERGENCY LODGING, BROKEN WINDOWS REPLACEMENT, GAS LEAKS REPAIRS, PLUMBING, LOCKSMITH SERVICE, ELECTRICAL FAULTS REPAIRS and MUCH MORE!!

ASISTENCIA for roadside issues is of course still

March- April, 2011

5

higher than the current registered value.

Legal Update

Cutting the red tape. People forced to deal with Public Institutions usually get frustrated by huge lines and endless lists of requirements required for administrative matters. It is

by Allan Garro N. not unusual to submit requested information or forms only to find more information or forms are required in what seems to be a never-ending process. Well, there is a law that can be Popurri of Legal Advice II used as a valuable tool to fight the system. Law number 8220, This is the second part of the article printed in the January- the Law to Protect Citizens from Excess of Requirements February issue of El Resident Magazine. There are more and Administrative Procedures basically states: short topics with helpful information for members of the • The law applies to ALL public Institutions in Costa International Community about the Costa Rican legal Rica. system, but in this article are secrets that may help in dealing with Costa Rican governmental and Public Institutions.

• Once a person files documents with an Institution, those documents can’t be requested again for the same process.

Saving on territorial taxes. Local Municipalities tax all properties in Costa Rica. The yearly tax rate is equivalent to 0.25% of the property value registered in the municipality.

For example, a property with a registered value of USD $100.000 has to pay USD$250 per year in territorial tax.

Many people ask if there is a way to save money by reducing this tax - the answer is both yes and no. Yes, because the law says those owning only one property in their personal name (corporations are excluded) can apply for an exemption of an amount equal to 45 base salaries or less, which currently represents about USD $30.000. If the property has a higher value, this amount can be deducted from the total and tax paid only on the balance. No, because if you do the math the total yearly saving will represent only $75, and the process of applying for the exemption can be time consuming and stressful.

•

Public Institutions can’t request documents or information they handle. For example: INS can’t request a copy of the car’s Marchamo, since INS is the institutions that issues that document.

•

All Institutions are required to provide information through public media as to the exact requirements for the procedures they handle, and exactly which legal authority gives them the right to set these requirements. Most show this info on their websites.

•

Once a person submits the requested requirements, public officers are allowed to request additional Continued on page 7...

If the property owned is classified as producing agricultural land it is possible to get a certificate from the Cattle and Agricultural Ministry stating that the land is being used in accordance with approved environmental standards, and then apply for a 40% yearly exemption from the Territorial Tax. A large farm owner can save big bucks. Keep in mind that municipalities can legally adjust the value of a property where a mortgage is registered against it for an amount

El Residente

6

requirements only once. In case they demand more on three or more occasions, the person can refuse and request that disciplinary action be taken against the public officer for disregarding this law.

•

In some specific cases such as permits, licenses or authorizations, once all required documents are submitted the public Institutions involved must provide an answer within 1 month, otherwise the Petitioner can consider the request approved through a legal right called Positive Silence. In this case a Notary will have to issue a document acknowledging all requirements were met and that the Institution did not answer on time. The exception to this rule is when the permits, authorizations or licenses are related to environmental matters. printed, the document will show a certificate number that can be checked by an Officer within 15 days on the same website In all processes involving Government Institutions, if to confirm its validity. This could be especially useful to those excessive time is taken to make a decision, the Petitioner needing to obtain personerias or certifications proving the can file a relief suit or amparo before the Constitutional Court right to legally represent a company. This is an essential claiming violation of the right to Prompt Justice contained in requirement to represent a company when dealing with most article 41 of the Constitution. In this case the Supreme Court institutions because it proves who has the current right to can order the Institutions involved to make a decision within legally represent the company. a specific period of time, plus order them to pay damages the delay may have caused. It’s important to remember Allan Garro N., Attorney at Law that articles 27 and 30 of the Constitution grant the right law@licgarro.com of Petition and Answer. Those articles force Officials to answer citizen’s applications, doubts or information requests promptly otherwise help from Constitutional Court can be requested, too.

A notary at your home. For years the National Registry has offered to the public information from all Public Registries such as Property, Vehicles, Boats, Corporations and Cadaster Plans on the website www.registronacional.go.cr. However, this information is exclusively for consultation purposes since only certifications obtained from Registry offices or issued by a Notary can be used as valid documents to submit to private and public Institutions. Based on the Digital Government Program, BCR Banco de Costa Rica and the National Registry recently launched the website www.rnpdigital.com where valid certifications can be obtained anytime. It’s necessary to apply to be registered by providing required personal data and then obtaining an access password to purchase certificates through a procedure similar to those purchases made on amazon.com. Average cost of a certification is 2.800 colons–a little more than USD $5.

Payments are made through any valid credit card. Once

March- April, 2011

7

El Residente

8

Learning The Language

by Christopher Howard

Drinking Terms In the last issue we discussed ordering in a restaurant. It is likely all that eating now is going to help you build up a healthy thirst, so to go along with the same topic, here we will cover some of the words and phrases that will assist you in ordering some drinks.

Añejo – aged Bebida embriagante – booze Blanco – white as in ‘white wine’ Cerveza clara – light beer Cerveza de barril – draft beer Cerveza cruda – draft beer (Costa Rica) Cerveza negra – dark beer Coñac – brandy Cosecha – the year of the wine crop or vintage Debil – weak (drink potency) Dulce – sweet En las rocas or con hielo – on the rocks Espumoso – sparkling Fuerte – strong Grado – proof Jerez – sherry Licor – liquer Ligero or liviano – light, like light beer Ron – rum Rosado – rosé (wine) Seco – very dry Solo – straight Tinto – red (wine) Una fría – a cold beer in Costa Rica A pico de botella – to dring a beer right from the bottle without a glass.

Goma – hangover. We also say Gomón or gotera for hangover. Resaca is a more common word in most parts of the Spanish-speaking world but in Mexico they say cruda for hangover.

Guaro – a sugar cane based drink or almost any kind of alcohol here. When some is ill, we say "Falta de Guaro"..You need some guaro to feel better.

Tapis – an alcoholic drink, or to be drunk in Costa Rica. Jumas or jumo can also mean to be drunk in Costa Rican slang. Borracho, embriagado or pasado de tragos are more widely used terms for inebriation.

Here is your Costa Rican expression (tiquismo) for this week: Zarpe– is the last drink, or "One for the road". El Ultimo Zarpe is the last 'last drink', or similar in concept to our "One for the ditch".

March- April, 2011

9

Wild Side LX

by Ryan Piercy

Splitting Hares No matter which country you hail from, rabbits abound (pun intended). You would have to be from someplace like the South Pole, or Greenland, not to have encountered any… literally. Thus, as you can imagine, Costa Rica also has its share of these furry little favorites. Of course, unless you happen to have one of your own, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, no? Well, actually not really. In fact there are about 50 different species worldwide, and three can be found here. But more interestingly, one species is very much a local resident!

species found in much of its range, not of course including Costa Rica, which brings us to … …Our very own Sylvilagus dicei, or Dice’s Cottontail. This tropical bunny must be a little more laid back with the boys, as their range is limited to just central Costa Rica and western Panama. Unfortunately they are in fact on the endangered species list, and may be headed for extinction in the wild.

Dice’s is a large bodied Cottontail, usually a mixture of black and brown on the back and tail, having blackish gray sides.

It is white underneath with a brown patch on the throat, and more robust and larger than the other two species.

Apart from humans, Dice’s Cottontail is also hunted by coyote’s and other carnivores. This species is fond of humid cloud forests and highland areas. Local researchers believe they breed throughout the year, but hard facts are difficult to come by. Like most rabbit species, they are herbivores, feeding on grasses and plants, sometimes with bark and All three of the species found in Costa Rica are of the genus woods added to the regular diet.

Sylvilagus, which are known commonly as the Cottontail (Good ol’ Peter & friends!) First we can take a look at It is believed that the cottontails are active year around Sylvilagus floridanus, which is the Eastern Cottontail. This here, but due to their habitat, and obviously there speed is one of the most common species in North America, and all and tendency to run, make it difficult to find or spot these the way down to the southernmost parts of South America. furry little creatures. It is believed that in Costa Rica Dice’s It is a chunky red-brown or gray-brown, with long eras and a cottontails range through the mountains of Talamanca, short fluffy tail, white of course. It is a very territorial animal, Cervantes, and Cerro Chirripo. Little is certain as most and obviously, very prolific. In a year a female can birth up to of their habitat is in already protected areas, though some 7 litters, each of 1 to 12 young. They can run up to 18 mph, of these may have increased dangers due to encroaching often in a zigzag pattern. They also do not burrow as some species. If you are fortunate enough to come across one rabbits, but actually rest in a scratched out depression or however, count yourself lucky, and enjoy a visit with a rarely hole in the grass or dirt, or often under brush. observed local species.

Next we find the Brazilian Rabbit, or Tapeti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis). This is a solitary creature that can be located in South and Central America. It is a forest species, found in these areas, often near rivers or swamps, and like our other furry friends, is fond of gardens. The Tapeti is known for short ears, short legs, and is a darkish colour along the body and tail, and definitely darker than the Eastern. Always be wary, as they can be known to attack with their nails if needed to protect their young. Again (like most rabbits) it must be somewhat prolific, as it is understood to be the only of its

El Residente

10

March- April, 2011

11

El Residente

12

ARCR Update

by Ryan Piercy

Discount Directory 2011 LIVE

ARCR now offers you two forms to get more for your money, Daily Offers as well as our regular Discounts. Go and check it out at http://discounts.arcrmembers.net. This is a trial Shortly before publication, it came to our attention tha program to try and bring even more benefits for members.

Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME) has provided Racsa with access to information on all residents What is an Offer? in Costa Rica, who will be selling access to Agencies and * 40% to 90% discounts on products & services. * Buy directly from the website with a credit card, debit card, private companies, under a service called Interdata. or through SafetyPay. * Receive the voucher in your account at Miferta.com * Print the voucher or send it to your cellular. * Present the voucher in the participating business to receive the product or service purchased. * Enjoy saving!

Your Personal Info For Sale

What are Discount Coupons? * 5% a 25% discounts as always on products & services. * Take your discount directory, or download coupon free to your account at Miferta.com.

The intention is so that business can more readily verify the * Print the coupon or send it to your cellular. identity of foreigners using their services, however we have * Presenta el cupPresent the coupon or directory in the great concerns over this project. participating business and receive your discount.

While we can see the benefit that would help protect both the business and the individual from fraudulent issues, the problem is who will use the service, and could it perhaps simply give access to your information to the wrong individuals, as opposed to just the right ones?

Contacts: If you have any questions or issues, please contact Miferta via their web chat on the site (discounts.arcr members.net) or by phone at 2258-6467 (Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm) You can also email them at servicio cliente@miferta.com

We believe that many residents are going to be somewhat If you experience any issues with Miferta, please contact the upset by this program, however it appears the system is ARCR office. already in place and being offered now. Thus ARCR will be checking into this more, and trying to see what, if anything, Annual Legal Services can be negotiated.

ARCR has negotiated with one of the attorneys offices in And just what sort of information can be seen? Well, nothing order to offer an additional service. Pay one flat fee of $120 more than your: per year, and have no further charges on a number of legal services for the entire year. Personerias, notarizations, • Cedula number drafting and updating your Costa Rican will, labour • Last names, first names calculations, reviewing any contracts, and much more.

• Birth date • Nationality Full a full list of what services are included in this Legal • Emission date of the cedula or permit Package, contact the ARCR offices, or drop by and obtain • Expiry date the complete list.

• Immigration status • Sex • Photo • Signature

March- April, 2011

13

A Day In The Life e

by Allen Dickinson

My Tica’s Eyes.

Just to set your mind at ease, this isn’t going where you might expect. I’m not discounting the beauty and seductiveness that a Tica can communicate with her eyes. (Been there, done that, got the ring to prove it.) But this is about other persons had walked past. And when I was young, five something different – about looking OUT of a Tica’s eyes, dollars was a lot of money! not into them.

In the late fifties I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Part I’ve always been a very observant fellow. I found out when of the members’ duties was to man a lookout tower on top of I was older that for a period of time when I was pre-teen my a rise above town and report all over-flying aircraft, by phone, parents worried about me. It seems I was always coming to a central station. I was considered the best spotter of the home with things I had “found” and they were concerned group and that was a matter of pride for me. My powers of about my method of “finding” them. When they later told me observation were something I continued to take pride in for about their concerns, they said that after observing me for a the rest of my life;. Even though my eyes aren’t as good as while, they realized that I was just very observant and saw they once were and I need glasses now, I still tend to pick up things others didn’t. I once found a five-dollar bill several on things and details others miss. But all I have found, all I have observed, all that has slipped past the notice of others but not me, pales in comparison to what my Ticas can spot.

Maybe all Ticas aren’t like that. I can only write about “my Ticas” because that’s who I live with – my Costa Rican wife and four daughters. There is a boy too, but he doesn’t qualify – he has a hard time finding his socks even when he’s wearing them.

For instance, my wife is always on the lookout for a new place to live – a bigger, better, and cheaper house to rent.

The most common way to advertise a house for sale or rent in Costa Rica is not to put an ad in the newspaper, or post a flyer on a bulletin board at the local shopping center, or even list it on a web site. No, the most common way to advertise it is to post a small sign on the fence of the house that’s available. Nothing elaborate, just the words “Se Aquilla” Continued on page 15...

El Residente

14

Okay, I’m usually preoccupied by driving and missing potholes, cows, motorcycles, and families walking in the street, so I can discount my missing the signs somewhat.

If that were the only thing, I wouldn’t feel my powers of observation were failing. But, there are others.

This is a small country and one is bound to run across other persons whom you know from time to time. But we can be driving down the street, and there’s a motor scooter a hundred meters ahead, and one, if not all in the car (except me) will be able to identify the operator as their father / grandfather.

That’s over the length of a football field! If you’ve ever sat in an end-zone you know it’s difficult to make out the big numbers on the players jerseys if they are scrimmaging at the other end of the field. But my Ticas know who’s on that scooter that far ahead! (for rent) or “Se Vende” (for sale) and maybe a telephone number scribbled on an eight by eleven piece of paper stuck up with tape of some sort. Often, those signs are posted in such a way as to not even be easily visible to someone driving by. But boy, does my wife see them! I cannot begin to estimate the number of times she has had me stop the car and go back so she can copy down the telephone number to call and inquire later. Many of those times, she’s finished writing while I’m still trying to locate the sign!

March- April, 2011

To give a better idea of how perceptive this is, his scooter is white and his helmet is unmarked white – just like a thousand others. As far as I can tell, there is nothing particularly remarkable about either him or his vehicle: yet at a distance that I have a hard time determining the color of the ride, they know it’s him. With a 98% degree of accuracy! And Continued on page 16...

15

The same thing applies to my girls spotting friends and relatives too. They can see someone walking a block away, moving away from us, and will know who it is. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even tell whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s male or female at that distance.

Yet, at the same time, they are oblivious to other things. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll spot something interesting (to me) like semi-truck we just passed that has a mural of a Tope painted on the side of the trailer, and when I comment on it Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get the response, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What semi?â&#x20AC;?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really puzzled by this. I know it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t their vision, so it has Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not talking just locally, which could be explainable, this to be something else. Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural, not physical. I has happened on the Pista, in Puriscal, and in downtown guess Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never know. What I do know is that if this country San Jose. He gets around. (He must, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fathered twelve ever has a need for plane spotters, my family would surely children by eight different women.) qualify at the top of the list of applicants!

Nor is it just people and House For Rent signs they spot.

Just recently, while we were taking a drive in the mountains above Escazu, I got the order to stop and look at a bird.

Everyone in the car was admiring it and its beautiful colors a good 60 seconds before I could pick it out. Once I zeroed in on it, sure enough, there was a Mot Mot twenty feet off the road, hidden in some bushes. How she had seen it from a moving car is beyond me!

Nor is it just my family, either. A friend of mine was having an innocent lunch in the back of a restaurant some ten miles from where he lives, a good ten meters from the street, when a Tica who knows his girlfriend walked by outside. Before he could get home his girlfriend knew where he had been. (No it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t me. But in the days before I got married there were a couple of times I had to explain being seen somewhere I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t scheduled to be.)

Allen Dickinson is a member of ARCR. After serving 23 years in the US Navy he settled in Pensacola, Florida, where he resided for 24 years. In 2006 he retired from operating his own licensed mortgage brokerage business and relocated to Costa Rica. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New York and a Master of Arts degree from the University of West Florida. He can be reached via email at: humphree@bellsouth.net.

"53).%33 &/2 3!,% -ORAVIA 3AN *OSÂŁ

&5,,9 %15)00%$ &5,,9 &5.#4)/.).' "%$ "2%!+&!34

&ULLY 0ERMITTED 3TABLE #LIENTELE /PERATING FOR YRS 4RAINED 3TAFF !TTACHED (OME FOR /WNER

#ONTACT )NFO -AFALDA

HDEORO RACSA CO CR HIPOCAMPO AMNET CO CR

El Residente

16

and farcical plays. The group’s monthly social meetings are held in the theatre on the first Monday of the month from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. and everyone is welcome. Membership: Student C2,500, Adult: C5000, Family: C8000. Also, earn your Wings, become an LTG Angel. For more information Call the LTG Box Office 8858-1446 or www.littletheatregroup.org Marine Corps League Meets the 2nd Saturday of the month, Int’l Baptist Church, in Guachipelen. Call Bill Enell at 8812-0126.

Alcoholics Anonymous Groups meet daily throughout the country; times and places change frequently. Call for up-to-date information.

San José 2222-1880 (Anchor club, also serves Narcotics Anonymous) Av 6 Calle 1, 2nd floor Maryland Building.

Heredia (Laura) 2267-7466, Puerto Viejo Limon 2750-0080, Zancudo 2776-0012, Tamarindo 2653-0897, Flamingo (Don) 26544902, Manuel Antonio (Jennifer) 2777-1548, Jacó (Nancy) 2637-8824, Zoo Group Escazu 2293-4322.

Al-Anon Meetings Al-Anon Family Group is for all family and friends of Alcoholics. Meetings are at the International Baptist Church, 2nd floor, Saturday morning 10:30, located on the pista toward Santa Ana between the Multiplaza and Guachepelin exits. For information in English, please call Ken 2288-0317 and Rosemary 8993-1762; For Spanish please call Christine 8840-4658 American Legion Post 10- Escazu Post 10, The oldest and largest American Legion Post in Costa Rica, meets at 12 noon on the first Wednesday of each month at Club Cubano in Guachipelin. For information and map, please call Mel Goldberg at 2288-0454 or 8870-6756, or John Moran at 2232-1680.

American Legion Post 12- Golfito Meetings are held 4 pm 1st Tuesday every month at Banana Bay Marina. The Golfito GOVETS have been helping Southern Costa Rica for over 20 years. Contact Pat at walkergold@yahoo.com or 2775-2809.

American Legion Post 16- Heredia All veterans are welcome. Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at Hotel America in Heredia at 12 noon.

Contact Post Commander Jim Young or Post Adjutant Ken Johnson at 2591-1695.

Bird Watching Club The Birding Club of Costa Rica sponsors monthly trips to observe local and migrant birds in various areas of the country. For more information contact us at 2282-5365 or at costaricabirding@hotmail.com Canadian Club The Canadian Club of Costa Rica welcomes all to join us for our monthly luncheons, and at our special annual events. For information visit our website: www.canadianclubcr.com Democrats Abroad Democrats Abroad meets on the last Saturday of every month at the Aurola Holiday Inn, San Jose. Contact Nelleke Bruyn, 2279-3553, e-mail cr.democratsabroad@yahoo.com. Join Democrats Abroad at www.democratsabroad.org. Register to vote absentee at VoteFromAbroad.org!

Little Theatre Group LTG is the oldest continuously running English-language theatre in Central or South America. The group currently puts on a minimum of four productions a year offering a choice of modern, classic, serious,

March- April, 2011

Newcomer’s Club Newcomers Club of Costa Rica (for women) meets the first Tuesday of every month, September through May. September meeting will be an interest fair. Contact: 2416-1111 costaricaporo @yahoo.com or http://www.newcomersclubofcostarica.com PC Club of Costa Rica This computer Club meets on the third Saturday of each month at Pan American school, in Belen, 830 to 11:30 am 2 months Free Trial for newcomers. For information call Chuck Jennings.

Phone 2266-0123 www.pcclub.net Republican’s Abroad The Republicans Abroad of Costa Rica meets the second Tuesday of each month. Contact Francis 2203-6131, or fax 2282-2150.

Radio control Sailing Club Meets at Sabana Park Lake. For information contact Walter Bibb.

Wwbbsurf40@yahoo.com Wine Club of Costa Rica Please mark your calendars The wine club usually meets at 1 P.M. on the last Sunday of each month. Join us to tantalize your taste buds and expand your education.

For more information on upcoming events please contact us Phone 2279-8927, 2257-2223 Women’s Club of Costa Rica Mark Your Calendar! January 22nd, 10 am – 2 pm for the Book Sale Event Fundraiser of 2011 sponsored by the Women’s Club of Costa Rica (WCCR) at the Pan-American School (300 m south of El Rodeo Hotel & Restaurant) San Antonio de Belén. Also visit the Coffee and Baked Goods Sale Corner while browsing through the best selection in San Jose for gently-used books, DVD’s, CD’s, board games, puzzles and current magazines. This super book sale offers tremendous bargains for all book lovers, but no early birds please. Proceeds from this event will benefit the WCCR’s Educational Scholarship and Reading is Fun Projects.

Take Action! Weed through your shelves – for donation drop-off locations please call Kathi Garrison, Book Sale Event Coordinator at 2589-2037 or 2293-5118 or email kathigarrison@sbcglobal.net Visit the WCCR website at www.wccr.org Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (open to men too) Bilingual group meets in Heredia on the first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. in the clinic of Mireya Gonzalez. We work on peace and human rights issues. Call Mitzi 2433-7078 or write peacewomen@gmail.com Young Expats of Costa Rica Some Expatriates under the age of 40, and currently living in Costa Rica, have formed a new social club to be coordinated through their website This club will help younger expatriates living in, or moving to, Costa Rica meet other expats in their age group for; friendship, romance, travel and activity partners, and professional networking. www.YoungExpatsOfCostaRica.org Veterans of Foreign Wars: Post 11207 Meetings are held at 12 noon, the first Tuesday of every month, at Club Colonial Casino on the second floor. All members are welcome and veterans who served overseas may join. For info please email the post at vfw112072003@yahoo.com.

17

Legends Compiled by ARCR Staff

The Waterfall of the Bride Just a few minutes from Paraiso in Cartago one can find a waterfall nearly six hundred feet high, called by some the Cascada de la Novia. Those who recall tell a story that the name was given based on a legend of what transpired there, some decades ago.

To celebrate their Despedida de solteros (bachelor party), a popular couple realized a trip with their friends to the Orosi Valley. The happy couple departed on horseback from Cartago with a group of their closest friends.

All, graciously dressed and mounted sidesaddle, as was the custom in those days, shined with their fresh and pretty faces. The men were mounted on their horses dressed, and trimmed with silver, and themselves in black boots with splendid shining spurs. Between smiles and laughter, they occasionally let out the short yells, typical of the country, and the females smiled back shyly.

Finally they had arrived to the Valley of Orosi, a place of spectacular beauty, where it appears that God went overboard on the day of creation. Through the day they danced and smiled, and occasional spoke a verse. There were many whistles and loving smiles, coquettish looks, much happiness, and even a few toasts. A toast was made to the bride, as is customary, and for the future, and for the ladies. Also the groom to the bride; for her smile, her large beautiful eyes, her dark hair, so carefully braided, and down below her knee; all for which, stated the groom, had to be obtained for this day a very special veil, and made of a

material so fine and transparent that it would not cover her beauty even for a moment, which was greater than even the very valley they were in.

All good things must end. The day was stretching on, and so the riders mounted again, and started on the journey homeward. It was on the return that the group passed near the great falls, and the eternal guardian of the valley; it was then, perhaps for the grooms prideful words, or even some other forgotten imprudence, that the brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own horse spooked, and perhaps even a little insane, jumped into the abyss below, taking with him the bride, her magnificent veil, big beautiful eyes, and braids of long dark hair.

The legend has now been long forgotten. All that remains now is the river, which daily throws itself into the abyss below, and it remembers still. It continues to repeat her screams as only it can recall, but in a strange language that nobody alive can understandâ&#x20AC;Ś Just a few minutes from Paraiso in Cartago one can find a waterfall nearly six hundred feet high, called by some the Cascada de la Novia.

El Residente

18

March- April, 2011

19

El Residente

20

The Cuchara Ricca

by Celina Carazo Garnier

In The Fruit Bowl: Cas Cas is a tropical fruit originating in Central America. Its name is of indigenous origin, deriving from the brunca ‘Kas Kra’, and its scientific name is Psidium friedrichsthalianum. The Cas Ice Cream cas is known in El Salvador by the name arrayán, and in Nicaragua as naranja agria (sour orange).

6 or 7 ripened cases 1 can (310g) of skimmed evaporated milk The Cas tree can grow to a height of 5 to 10 meters, and 1 can (395) condensed milk grows ideally in tropical and subtropical climates.

1/4 cup cold water In Costa Rica there exists small commercial plantations in areas like Escazú ,la Guácima de Alajuela, Villa Colón, Piedades de Santa Ana and Santa Bárbara de Heredia.

The fruit of the cas has a round shape, about 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter. The colour is an intense green with a firm consistency, slowly yellowing slightly as it ripens.

The fruit contains numerous hard seeds, surrounded by a gelatinous soft flesh.

Preparation; Put the evaporated milk into the freezer until crystals begin to form.

Liquefy the cases in the water, and strain them to eliminate the seeds.

Place the evaporated milk in the mixer, and mix until the volume of liquid has increased.

Continue mixing while adding alternately the condensed milk and the cas mixture.

Transfer the entire mixture to a container to cover and then freeze until ready.

Cas should be picked once its colour has changed to a light green, and should separate easily from the stalk into your hand when pulled.

Cas Coulis

The Cas tree produces fruit practically the entire year, and Sauce made from the cas is another delicious desert that its harvest is abundant. Entire fruits or processed pulp can can be added to a piece of cake or roll, or simply eaten be conserved frozen for many months, using enclosed and alone as a pudding. It is prepared as follows; sealed bags or containers.

3 ripened cases 3 cups of water Cas is an excellent source of water, vegetable fiber, pectin and 2/3 cup of sugar vitamin C, which is also known as ascorbic acid. This vitamin 3 tablespoons of cornstarch is water soluble, or dissolves in water, and is destroyed by extensive cooking. Vitamin C is an antioxidant useful for Preparation; protecting the body against free radicals which can damage Cook the cases in the water until they boil. the body’s tissues. It also helps the body’s immune system Mash and strain the mixture well. which protects the organism against infections. Vitamin C Add sugar to taste (approximately 2/3 of a cup) and is also essential for the formation of collagen, a substance put the whole mixture to boil a second time. important for growth and reparation of the body tissue.

Pre dissolve the cornstarch in a bit of water, Cas is a very popular fruit in Costa Rica, and for its very acidic flavor the people are accustomed to eating it with salt or sugar. They are also used to prepare it in refreshments made of either raw or cooked fruit, mashing it, straining, and then adding water or milk, along with sugars or sweeteners to their personal tastes.

Additional forms of using the fruit are for jams, marmalades and ice cream. From these we offer the following delicious recipes;

March- April, 2011

then add to the boiled mixture while still hot so it thickens.

Serve hot or cold.

--------------Celina Carazo Garnier is a Dietitian, graduated in Argentina, and with 30 years experience in the field. She worked in the Clinica Biblica, the University of Costa Rica, and was head of the Department of Nutrition for the Ministry of Health in Costa Rica.

21

Dollars & $en nse e

However, the majority of economists and strategists are still telling anyone who will listen that the economic recovery is now normal and are trumpeting this view to jump-start the stock market.

by Alan Weeks

OSTRICHES & LEMMINGS

What Recovery?

What some of us perceive out there in the world of investing is very difficult to express as a simple metaphor. As individuals, a large number of people seem to be in outright denial of even the basic facts about the global economy (ostriches); and yet they also appear to have a strong desire to be with the crowd (lemmings). It is hard to conjure up an image of umpteen thousands of ostriches with their heads stuck in the sand; and yet all moving in concert towards a cliff edge.

This section is being concluded with another Einstein quote that would seem to be appropriate: “There are two infinite things I know of – the universe is one and human stupidity the other. And actually, I am not sure about the universe”.

ILLUSIONISTS & SHILLS In previous articles, I pointed out the real mission of all the folks on Wall Street and Bay Street is to make money for themselves and their firms. In order to do so, they need to keep “spinning” the economic and financial data in order to keep “stoking the flames of hope” so that investors remain optimistic and “buy into” the latest fads.

Eight Reasons Why This So-Called Recovery Is Worse than Any in U.S. History.

Just imagine the employment plight of a brave economist This was the title of a very recent article(1) in which the author working for Goldman Saks to tell the world that there are compared eight major economic indicators with past ones to significant chances of a double-dip recession (or worse), arrive at this conclusion. while the company needs to have “irrational exuberance” in place in order to “flog off” a minority stake in Facebook, for The major indicators he examined measured the following: example, for a trifling $50 billion. employment, income, consumption, production, housing, and capital expenditures. Some of these Throughout this article, it should become much clearer just important indicators showed very anaemic gains, far inferior how misleading most media headlines and updates by the to any in the past. The remaining ones remain well below “talking heads” really are, and why these sources should not those in any other post-war period. Several of the key indicators will be reviewed in detail later.

I agree with the author that the facts speak for themselves and it begs the question: What recovery?

With such grim economic facts so readily available and easy to understand, one has to wonder why the markets remain so overvalued relative to that in any past period of serious economic weakness. Investors have also continued to “shrug off” risks posed by serious happenings around the globe, any one of which could escalate quickly and cause significant financial and economic damage.

Because of all this, investors should be exercising extreme caution.

El Residente

Continued on page 23...

22

be relied upon by investors.

It should also reinforce the need for investors to do their own “homework” and then rely on their own common sense.

THE LATEST FED BOONDOGGLE Within the next few months, the U.S. Federal Reserve (FED) will have imposed a total of nearly two Trillion dollars of “tax” on the American economy since 2009, in the form of “Quantitative Easing”. This has hugely benefited the wealthy bankers and investor class, and it spurred the current stock market and commodity asset bubbles.

Of course, this huge financial “gift” from the FED is a key reason why reports of retail spending have been positive. In fact, luxury outlets saw an 8.1% rise in sales from a year ago and sales of Cadillacs and Porsches are up 30% or more. clueless equity investors and brokers, it is essential to our financial health to understand the real state of the economy.

However, it took deeply discounted prices even before Black Friday in order to get most American consumers buying. IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID Even then, sales at Best Buy, Target, and WalMart have languished. Furthermore, with only a 1.2% increase in Remember that nifty slogan that helped get a President reported sales before inflation, one needs to realize that the elected in 1992? One needs to start realizing the seriousness two categories with the biggest gains were the purchases of of the financial and economic problems when Paul Volcker, gasoline and clothing. Spending on food was also up. the only respected U.S. FED Chairman still living, and old enough to remember the 1930’s, warned that: “the U.S. is These would seem to be much better indicators of commodity caught up in the most difficult economic circumstances price inflation than any improvement in Consumer Spending, of the post-World War II era and so is almost all the upon which U.S. economic growth is so dependent. developed world”. “The time is long gone when the U.S. could lay claim to be the world economic.......

Therefore, this “tax” imposed by the FED is abusively superpower. Instead, we are [still] faced with broken regressive because it is creating commodity inflation not only financial markets, under-performance of the economy, on Americans but also on the majority of people around the and......” world. This is because food and energy constitute a much larger position of a lower income person’s spending than that With the U.S., Europe, and Japan all in serious economic of a wealthy person. and financial trouble, and, with the real potential for China to ultimately have its own real estate bubble burst and create It is also difficult to ignore the growing risk of energy and food a banking crisis, this certainly does not bode well for the inflation that is increasingly being felt in countries like China, future.

India, Egypt, as well as many others around the world. This is also starting to ignite widespread, violent, riots.

The current situation reminds the No.1 ranked global strategists(2) (and myself), of mid-2007. Investors then were However, one need look no further than the effects that content to act like ostriches, (stick their heads very deep in the economic slowdown, coupled with escalating food and the sand), and ignore the fact that “The Great Unwinding” energy prices, is having on the majority of Americans to had clearly begun. By September 2007, the “wheels were accept the statements out of Washington that “the economy clearly falling off” the global economy. is improving” are bogus.

The recent reaction to date suggests the market is in a This raises the real question: Are we being lied to, perhaps similarly deluded “state of mind”. to keep us from becoming depressed, or are the elites simply delusional?

Based on what we know of the Japanese “Ice Age” as well as from the U.S. 1930’s experience, that in a post-bubble world, Let us delve further into this because investors should be the equity markets follow the economic trends. Right now, aware that stock market valuations follow the economic the leading indicators are pointing toward either a decisive trends (not the other way around). Therefore, instead of economic slowdown or a hard landing.

Continued on page 24... being a “lemming” and following the lead of the majority of

March- April, 2011

23

like a wet blanket”, dampening any hope of an economic rebound for years to come.

THE GIANT SUCKING SOUND Some of you may remember Ross Perot’s prediction in 1991, when he ran for U.S. President, that the “giant sucking sound” to be heard would be the huge number of American jobs leaving the U.S. In fact, the greatest percentage loss of U.S. jobs in history did occur through the 1990s, and losses have continued relentlessly since then.

In America today: WHAT HOUSING RECOVERY? The stock market was encouraged in late January by “betterthan-expected” new home sales. However, a long-term chart shows that since the early 1960s, the number of new homes sold per month rarely dropped below 400,000 units, and averaged about 600,000 units until the recent bubble surge.

The fact is; this reported “big increase in sales” was from a historically low level of around 300,000 units. At that low level, percentage increases can sound big but, viewed over the long-term, it looks like “random noise at the bottom of the barrel”. The real number that should have been reported is that new home sales are still down 47%.

The average time needed to find a job has risen to a record of over 35 weeks.

Long-term unemployment (more than 6 months) has reached 42% of the total, something that hasn’t happened since World War II.

More than 40% of Americans still employed are now working in service jobs, which are often very low paying.

Initial weekly jobless claims were down at this point in past recessionary cycles. They are up 22% this time.

The number of Americans now in the food stamp program is up 60% from mid 2007 and now stands at 14% of the U.S. population.

The necessity of each level of government throughout most of the U.S. to make major spending cuts in order to close their huge budget deficits should create the next huge wave of job losses.

The number of “chronically unemployed” is absolutely soaring.

There are not nearly enough jobs for everyone.

In other housing news:

Home prices sank further in all 28 major U.S. metropolitan areas.

The size of price declines in most areas in the last quarter was greater than in each previous quarter.

Unsold inventory is “piled up”.

Home ownership is already below pre-boom levels.

Millions more homeowners are at some stage of foreclosure.

Many more homeowners owe more than their houses are worth.

For the 1st time in U.S. history, banks own a greater share of residential housing net worth than all individual Americans put together.

Furthermore, respected professionals have ascertained that the U.S. came out of all other post-World War II recessions because growth in the housing sector provided such a huge catalyst. This time, the U.S. housing sector is “acting

El Residente

Wealth and power are rapidly becoming concentrated at the top, and big global corporations are making massive amounts of money. Meanwhile, many have come to believe the American middle class is being systemically wiped out of existence.

Unfortunately, the “globalization” and “free trade” that our politicians and business leaders insisted would be so good for Americans have had some rather nasty side effects.

As Thomas Friedman’s book titled “The World is Flat” stated: Obviously, American workers cannot compete with people on the other side of the world willing to work hard for less than one-tenth the amount (and without benefits) to Continued on page 25...

24

do the same job. And this is without even considering new regulations being frequently imposed on businesses that make it even less attractive to operate a business in the U.S. In conclusion, I have never understood how the U.S. economy, so dependent (72%) on Consumer Spending for growth, can possibly come out of this â&#x20AC;&#x153;Great Recessionâ&#x20AC;? when so many Americans remain jobless or have had to take service â&#x20AC;&#x153;McJobsâ&#x20AC;? in order to survive. Another major factor that is impairing any hope of recovery in Consumer Spending is that so many tens of millions of Americans have also lost so much of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;perceivedâ&#x20AC;? wealth in their homes and the market.

plunge commenced in late 2007.

FINANCIAL HEALTH WARNING Readers are encouraged not to put blind faith in the above ramblings but rather to do your own â&#x20AC;&#x153;homeworkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?and then use your own common sense.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer.

For more information and reference details please contact Alan Weeks At (507) 345 - 3714 or by E-mail: imccr2002@yahoo.com

SOME BRICS ARE CRUMBLING In a future article it may be appropriate to explore in depth why even the BRIC-progenitor(3) expects India and China to be in for a rough year.

One fact about the BRIC stock markets investors should keep in mind, however, is that the markets in three of the four BRIC countries have already â&#x20AC;&#x153;turned southâ&#x20AC;?, and a couple of them have started to plunge. The last time this happened, you might recall, was in the months before the U.S. market

)+ 2 + -)

( ! - #!#- & )*2 )

,%!$& # $'(

* # & * ! # # # -" '),- .* &), ( * +,)( & ))% ) #-, %#(

&& ., )+ ' #& ., - ,. , +#*-#)(, -# )-#' , ( ( -" - 000 -# )-#' , ( -

EL RESIDENTE 2011

March- April, 2011

25

El Residente

26

Holidays of Costa Rica March 19th ‘St. Joseph’s Day’ April 11th (ARCR closed) ‘Battle of St. Rivas’ April 18th-24th (ARCR closed) ‘Easter Week’ ******************** A Touch of Wisdom “Happiness isn’t a goal, it’s a by-product.”

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) “Life has its little ups and downs.” unknown “Llfe is what you make it.”

Grandma Moses ******************** A quick smile...

Two cows are standing in a field.

One says to the other “Are you worried about Mad Cow Disease?”

The other one says “No, It doesn’t worry me, I’m a horse!”

Man: How can you tell if a man is happy?

Woman : Who cares?!

Teacher: Tell me a sentence that starts with an “I”.

Student: I is the....

Teacher: Stop! Never put ‘is’ after an “I”. Always put ‘am’ after an “I”.

Student: OK. I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.

March- April, 2011

27

El Residente

28