A m costa rica: second news page

A.M. Costa Rica: Second news page

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Second news page

San José, Costa Rica, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, Vol. 17, No. 4 Sports

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Professional Directory A.M. Costa Rica's professional directory is where business people who wish to reach the English-speaking community may invite responses. If you are interested in being represented here, please contact the editor.

U.S. not near top in gun killings Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

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Psychotherapy Dr. Lucinda Gray California Licensed Psychologist International Practice • Anxiety • Depression • Relationship Problems CR (506) 2228-2041 US (310) 827-4241 www.LucindaGray.com New World Meditation

After reading Mr. Kantrowitz's comments in the Wednesday edition, I was left scratching my head as to why it is that liberals seem to think it is ok to totally fabricate information to suit their positions.

So Mr. Kantrowitz, you stated that right wingers kill more people than suspected Muslim terrorists in the U.S., but such a statement is totally unfounded. In fact the mass shootings were pretty much all done by liberals or people with Democrat roots.

As far as the false statement you made that the U.S. leads the industrialized world in firearm homicides at a rate of 3.5 per 1,000, you forgot a few zeros. It is actually 3.5 per 100,000 per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for 2014, and per a Washington Post article dated 17 December 2012, the USA isn't even close to the top in gun homicides.

At that time the USA was at 3.2 per 100,000 and showed over 270,000,000 firearms were owned by private citizens, a ranking of No. 1 in the world for private firearm ownership. Costa Rica's gun homicide rate was 4.59 per 100,000. Brazil's was 18.1. Mexico was 9.97. Belize was 21.82. South Africa, 17.03, and pretty much all of Central and South America and many other parts of the world, despite their gun regulations, were much higher than the firearm homicide rates of the U.S.A. By the way, most reasonable people believe in some degree of gun control, background checks, keeping them out of the hands of mentally ill and criminals, and the reason there are many opposed to new controls is that they feel that once liberals chip away at gun rights it's only a matter of time before they try to abolish private gun ownership completely.

Criminals and terrorists don't care what kind of gun laws there are, they don't follow any laws and can easily get black market weapons.

Jim Day Playas del Coco

8610-8/23/15

Insurance professionals

What will happen in Europe in five years?

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

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It's obvious Mr. Kantrowitz enjoys taking numbers at face value and portrays the distinction between industrialized and non-industrialized as somehow noteworthy or, that it gives credence to his comparative observations. Fact remains, murder is murder, and dead is dead regardless where it takes place.

Given that Mr. Kantrowitz is into generalizations, I would suggest that the U.S. propensity for accepting immigrants from here, there and everywhere throughout its existence, speaks for itself. It would be interesting to fast forward five years to compare murder statistics for European (industrialized) countries given the migration that has recently occurred.

Would be curious to know the source in support of the following statement made in his letter "More people are killed by these right wing terrorists then the Muslim scare we keep being told about."

J. H. Penner Richmond, British Columbia

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Data supplied by Bob Normand

8881-3/16/15

Accountants

U.S. Income Tax Services Marlene B. Summers, Tax Accountant

The U.S. problem is in large cities Dear A.M. Costa Rica: I enjoyed reading Henry Kantrowitz’ letter to the editor in today’s A.M.

U.S. citizens, plan now for Costa Rica. I do believe a great deal of gun violence relates to drug use your tax year. Let me help and trafficking as well as crimes committed under the influence of a drug you pay only the tax you or alcohol. must!

But Mr. Kantrowitz should be more careful about using statistics. His numbers are off in several ways. Murder rates are quoted as a ratio of occurrences per 100,000 population not per 1,000. In murder rate, the U.S. ranks only 121 out of 216 as shown above. Unfortunately, the Americas If your filing is not (North, Central and South) as a group has the highest murder rate in the up-to-date, the world. This is particularly true in Central America. Even though Costa Streamlined Filing Rica is the lowest murder rate in Central America, it’s still twice the U.S. Procedure can be used to rate (new data for 2015 is likely to spike the Costa Rica rate to 12+). Look mitigate penalties. up the data, I did (Wikipedia).

Take advantage of the foreign earned income exclusion.

Marlene B. Summers

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Including disclosure of foreign corporations to

Numbers from the World Bank or CIA data show somewhat different 2016-01-07, 1:30 PM

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avoid future problems.

absolute numbers but give the same overall comparison.

File current or past due FBARs with no penalties In the U.S., the most serious problem seems to be in large, sophisticated to meet IRS requirements. cities, and it’s been increasing in 2015. Chicago’s rate through August File up-to-date current or amended returns. projects to be 14.5, Baltimore will be 34.7, and Milwaukee is shooting for 23 Years Experience

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(pun intended) 17.4. These are closer to Central American rates.

Mr. Obama would do better to confront the big city murder problem in the U.S. rather than worry about tightening background checks, which have been shown to be meaningless (e.g., San Bernadino). The Wild West may be over but it’s obvious that today’s wild west is keeping the murder rate average in the country suppressed from achieving even higher numbers.

Plus Costa Rican taxes, accounting, and legal services. Over 15 years in Costa Rica Bob Normand (English spoken).

Quepos Tamarindo office hours now available. If you or Editor's Note: A sharper editor would have caught the honest anyone you know statistical error by Mr. Kantrowitz and brought it to his attention. would like an appointment in Tamarindo, please call our San José Translated into English office at 2288-2201 to make an Costa Rica Report appointment.

Too late for flu shots Contact Us: Published in La Nación U.S 786-206-9473 CR 506-2288-2201 Getting a flu shot now will not protect against the current swine flu virus that has caused 14 FAX: 506 2231-3300 deaths. Maria del Rocio Saenz, executive president of the Caja Costarricense de Seguridad E-mail: ustax@lawyer.com (Caja), said it takes six weeks for the body to develop immunity after the flu shot. She recommends getting the flu vaccination next April.

Web page: www.ustaxinternational.com 8796-3/14/16 Minor traffic accidents without police

News for the Spanish-language press

James Brohl, C.P.A. & M.B.A. US Income Tax, U.S. GAAP Accounting & Business Consulting Specializing in all matters of concern to U.S. taxpayers residing abroad including:

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Published in CR Hoy Starting today, if you have a fender bender you can move your car and not call the traffic police—but, there are lots of stipulations, including: you and the other driver must agree the damage is minor, photos must be taken, an accident form you carry in your car must be filled out before the insurance inspector arrives, and one of the drivers must accept responsibility for the accident.

Water to be rationed soon Published in La Nación The Costa Rican water company, Instituto Nacional de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), is expected to begin rationing water later this month. The first areas affected are Santa Ana, Desamparados and the Highlands of Escazu. The water cutbacks are due to low aquifers.

The severity and duration of the rationing will depend on how much of an effort consumers make to conserve water.

Safer beaches during heavy holiday use

• Up-to-date FACTA news.

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Published in CR Hoy Cruz Roja and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute signed an agreement Wednesday that will help prevent drownings at the more popular tourist beaches like Manuel Antonio, Jacó, Puntarenas, Esterillos Oeste, Playa Ballena, Playa Bonita and Tamarindo. Equipment and personnel will be provided. Deadly rip tides take the lives of tourists every year.

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These smoothies eliminate toxins

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Published in Prensa Libre Want to be healthier this year? Drink more water, exercise and stay away from sodas and alcohol. Also, here are three smoothie recipes to help remove toxins from your body and give you more energy. They require coconut water, papaya, pineapple, strawberries and celery.

9654-4/6/16

Fine art restoration and conservation Gilbert Carmichael Master Art Restorer European and U.S. standards. USPAP.

Nesting turtles greeted by protectors Published in Diario Extra The arrival of olive ridley sea turtles at Ostional beach normally has the unfortunate timing of occurring during the holidays when Ticos and tourists also visit the beach. This year when the turtles began arriving Jan. 1, they were met by a security force in place to protect the turtles. Human visitors are now required to be accompanied by local guides.

Cubans fight deportation 3 of 6

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Paintings Sculptures Murals Porcelain and ceramic restoration Works on paper restoration Conservation Curatorial services Art expert services Other restoration services Condition evaluation Authenticity evaluation Art related insurance and damage evaluations Art collection consultation Experts in fine art restoration and conservation for the tropics. We clean mildew, mold, etc., repair, restore and offer art expert and curatorial services.

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Published in La Nación A group of 34 Cubans have filed a petition with CR’s constitutional court to prevent their deportation back to Cuba. The group has been detained since entering Costa Rica illegally last month. The Cubans are asking for political asylum because they fear retribution if returned to their country.

Intervention method of weight loss Published in CR Hoy Is your New Year’s resolution to shed a few pounds? Weight management experts believe

Have you seen these stories?

From A.M. Costa Rica A.M. Costa Rica top stories Finance minister seeking to make a deal with lawmakers The country's financial minister said Monday that he is trying to make a deal with lawmakers so that the administration's tax plans are passed.

When firearms were considered just a useful tool A fortunate fact was that my high school locker was of the long variety. Had it been shorter, I might not have been able to stow my shotgun there while I went to class.

Mortality at 3.7 percent for those hospitalized with flu Medical professionals did not expect the arrival of a wave of influenza cases in November, December and now January. Typically August and September are the top months for flu season in Costa Rica.

Did you know that 2016 is a leap year?

2016, is another leap year. That means the calendar has a Feb. 29, a Monday this year

Ministerio de Trabajo will seek out illegal workers in 2016 An announcement Tuesday from the Ministerio de Trabajo estimated that 45.7 percent of the employees in Costa Rica work in what officials called informalidad.

Breakthrough announced for Cubans trapped here Costa Rican officials announced a breakthrough Monday in its effort to help Cuban migrants move north.

Lic. Eduardo Valdivieso your legal adviser for criminal, civil, commercial, and family law.

Phone: ( 506 ) 8839-5010 Email: legalservival@gmail.com Web: www.legalservival.com Address: 150 meters southwest from the Goicoechea court, San José.

8888-3/10/15

Draft for new corporate tax has some good and some bad A proposed new draft of a tax on corporations does not contain an exemption for registered small and medium enterprises.

There are two bullish events this Christmas Call it the battle of the fiestas. Both the Fiestas de San José in Zapote and the upstart corridas de toros in Belén are opening Christmas Day for a run through Jan. 3.

A warning to tourists: The rip tides Each year Costa Ricans and visitors become victims. They include individuals who are far more athletic and skilled in the water than you are.

New route established for Chirripo Residents of San Jeronimo de Perez Zeledon are expecting a boost in tourism now that an alternate and shorter route has been established to reach the peak of Cerro Chirripo.

Marchamo dispute puts expats on the spot Dec. 31 is the deadline for paying the annual marchamo or road tax without penalty.

Atenas farmers market improves in new facility On a typical Friday morning at the Atenas farmers market you will hear a conglomerate of languages, everything from Spanish to Mandarin as well as English, French and German.

Mother nature to provide the Christmas lights Rudolph can stay home and watch late-night television Christmas Eve. Santa will not be needing his nose so bright this year.

You don't want a rompope hangover There may not be a white Christmas, but rompope is the Costa Rican lubricant for wassailing.

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Real estate agents and services CENTURY 21 JACÓ BEACH REALTY A Name You Trust, Professionalism You Deserve

International court decision was pretty obvious

From our retirement guide Yes! You can find friends here The email was one of a number that editors receive on the topic: "Could you give me thoughts regarding meeting people?" The email raised an issue that concerns many who consider moving here.

These factors influence the expat's decision to move

Tom Ghormley and the dream team!

Owner/Broker in CR since 1979

The cost of living and security issues appear to be major reasons why expats express concern about Costa Rica.

How to avoid some property pitfalls

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As Dorothy told her dog Toto: "I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more." That also might be the feeling of new expats, whether from Kansas, New York, Vancouver or anywhere else. Costa Rica is unique and with unique pitfalls.

July 4 is a big day for expats Since 1955 U.S. expats in Costa Rica have gathered on July 4 to celebrate their home country's day of independence.

Exaggerated sales pitches mean disappointment This may sound elitist, but Costa Rica is not for the financially marginal any more.

Taxes on expat foreign income remain unlikely Expats who retire to Costa Rica have been concerned that the government here would find a way to levy taxes on their incomes from elsewhere.

Many expats just don't count on the Caja Many retirees are attracted to Costa Rica by the claim that the country had free, universal health care. In fact, the health care is far from universal, and the care is paid for, perhaps not by the beneficiary.

Living is cheaper, but there can be pitfalls Costa Rica's first Realtor specialized in eco properties, eco consulting and green living.

A new relocation business in Texas is sending out emails saying that one can live for a tenth the cost in Costa Rica. Exaggeration is one of the techniques those who promote foreign living use to draw in customers.

Seniors have different dental problems

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Our dental issues transition, as we get older. In our youth, we used to worry about brushing our teeth properly and flossing to avoid cavities, just like our dentist and parents urged us.

As seniors, the problems differ, gums get the spotlight, cavities still are considered a problem but not as severe and issues related to dentures, bridges, and tooth wear appear.

Bullfighting has a different meaning here There are plenty of wacky events in Costa Rica, but none tops the toros a la Tica. Basically dozens of individuals get in a bull ring and a 1,000-pound fighting bull is released into the crowd.

A job is a job even if overseas The folks who want the money of would-be retirees are quick to promise big bucks working in some foreign clime a few hours a day. Several years ago there were Web sites peddling income from foreign exchange trading via their brokerage house. Now the dream sellers are pushing products like books and seminars.

A terrific range of climates awaits gardeners Gardening is all about climate and soil. It’s all about temperature and sun and rainfall and what’s in the dirt. Living in the States, I got used to new climates: Columbus, Ohio, West Point area of New York, Atlanta, Georgia. All lovely, all with different climates and soil that required gardening adjustments. Then we retired to Costa Rica.

This is a country that loves sports

Jim Day, representing Colinas del Sol del Pacifico, S.A.

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Soccer, or as it is called here fútbol, is just one step short of motherhood in the Costa Rican hierarchy. Foreigners who move here can be swept up easily in the sport. There are 12 first

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