Will Smith & son Jaden Smith on what they think of Costa Rica & their time here filming "After Earth"

Watch Will Smith & son Jaden Smith talk about their time in Costa Rica filming the movie

"After Earth"
facebook.com/AfterEarth  •  AfterEarth.com
(be patient with their official page as it's one of those pain in the tush "flash" things that takes FOREVER to upload!!!)

cambio.com/2013/05/23/jaden-and-will-smith-after-earth-behind-the-scenes-in-costa-r

Curso de auto-maquillaje - Junio de 15

facebook.com/SunflowerBellaHM

Fecha:
Sabado - 15 de Junio, 2013  -  2pm

Precio:
15,000
Zapote

Lo que aprenderas: ? Conocer la estructura de tu cara, la simetría que tiene para identificar los rasgos que tienes que resaltar y los que tienes que disimular. ? Técnicas para un maquillaje de día, tarde, noche y fiesta. ? Diseñar tus cejas y la forma que deben de tener de acuerdo a tu tipo de rostro. ? El color de correctores que necesitas y como aplicarlos. ? La aplicación perfecta de la base. ? La aplicación de los polvos sueltos o compactos. ? Delineado de ojos y labios de acuerdo sus características. ? Color de sombras que te favorecen de acuerdo a la forma de tus ojos. En este curso aprenderás a maquillarte en poco tiempo para el día a día, luciendo radiante de una forma natural y sintiéndote cómoda contigo misma, aprenderás a transformar el maquillaje de día en uno de noche, así como maquillarte de noche para una ocasión especial. Yo pongo todo el producto pero si te pido que traigas lo que tienes para ver si son los colores que te van a ti
Manda me un mensaje. Para reservar un campo

STUDY: Repeated Heading Causes Brain Injury in Soccer Players

Well this sounds like a NO "brainer" to me!!  You??


Heading the ball, a popular move in soccer in which players use their heads to hit and direct the ball, can cause brain injuries, according to a new study.  Researchers say frequent heading can result in mild brain trauma and memory problems similar to concussion.

Soccer is the world’s most popular amateur sport.  It is enjoyed and played seriously as a hobby by an estimated one-quarter of a billion people of all ages around the world.  But there’s concern that repeatedly heading the ball, which travels at speeds up to 80 kilometers per hour, can result in brain damage. 

Researchers at New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University studied the brains of 37 amateur futbollers selected from around the New York City area.  All played soccer as a hobby for an average of 22 years, practicing two times a week and playing a competitive match at least once a week.

Michael Lipton, director of the school’s Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center, says investigators assessed how much heading each player had done for 12 months.  The participants also took a series of tests that measured memory and brain function, and researchers used a high-tech MRI machine to scan the participants' brains.  They wanted to see whether the amount of heading in each player was related to microscopic structural changes in the brain and performance on the memory tests.

Investigators found that players who headed the ball 1,500 times per year or less had significantly less damage such as lacerations to white matter - fatty tissue that covers the brain - which contains nerve fibers called axons.

“But as you get to a higher level and cross a threshold, there is a sudden increase in the likelihood that we are going to find both changes in the brain tissue as well as worse function on our psychological tests, especially tests of memory, related to that increased heading,” Lipton said.

Lipton says mild brain changes and memory impairment similar to what is seen in concussions was seen in players who headed the ball 1,550 times or more per year, while players who headed the ball more than 1,800 times had the worst memory scores.

Experts say most damage comes from practices where the average futboller may hit the ball with his head 30 or more times.  During games, soccer players head butt anywhere from six to 12 times.

Helmets used in American football have been shown to be effective at preventing skull fractures and bleeding in the brain, according to Lipton.  But he says protective head gear is not likely to help with the type of brain injury caused by heading.

“The type of injury that we are looking at here is due to rapid acceleration and deceleration or rotation of the brain inside the skull, sort of your brain sloshing around inside the skull as it moves,” Lipton said.

Researchers will now try to determine the effect of heading in futbollers of different ages and in different countries.

The study on the effect of heading in amateur soccer players is published in the journal Radiology.

SOURCE:  NOANews.com/content/soccer-head-injures/1680739.html  June 12, 2013 - Jessica Berman

BOOK SALE - Community Action Alliance Book Sale #2 - June 15 & 16, 2013

The Community Action Alliance of San Ramon's 

2013 USED BOOK SALE - #2

The Community Action Alliance had a bunch of books left over from Costa Rica's BIGGEST BOOK SALE, so they're having a 2nd
Short and Sweet Book Sale
at the 
MUSEO REGIONALSAN RAMON
facebook.com/Museo.Regional.SanRamon.UCR

WHEN:
Saturday•Sabado  -  June 15 and 16, 2013 
9am-12pm/noon


Something for people of ALL ages INCLUDING a BUNCH of books in Español!!!


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WHAT DOES THE $$ GET RAISED FOR?

Money raised each year goes towards advance local education and social service programs.

2013 PROCEEDS
This year's proceeds will again benefit the museum and Escuela Jorge Washington included towards the installation of a 5 kw solar panel electrical system on Escuela Jorge Washington (named after President George Washington.  The project is being pursued in support of the efforts of the Fundación San Ramón Carbono Neutral to have San Ramón become the first carbon neutral canton in Costa Rica.  The Carbon Neutral Foundation and the Municipalidad de San Ramón are partners in this project.  It is believed that Escuela Jorge Washington will be one of the first public schools in Costa Rica to install a solar panel system which is projected to reduce the school’s electrical consumption up to 50 percent and save the school up to $100,000 over the life of the system).

2012

In 2012 they had OVER 7,000 used books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and other educational materials donated (more than half were in Español).  

Nearly 1,600 people attended from THROUGHOUT Costa Rica!

2012 PROCEEDS

The proceeds benefited the regional museum (which hosts LOTS of WONDERFUL programs for free or MEGA CHEAP!!) and the Hogar Para Ancianos de San Ramón. 


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COMMUNITY ACTION ALLIANCE OF SAN RAMON

ActionAllianceCR.com  • 
facebook.com/pages/Community-Action-Alliance-of-Costa-Rica/114851325228609

The Community Action Alliance is a community based, action oriented organization focused on resolving issues and improving the lives of all residents of Costa Rica. Our focus is in several primary areas: Citizen Security, Economic Development, Environmental, and Education. We accomplish this through identifying clear and credible resources and bringing people together to develop solutions. Be a part of the solution!

(NOTE FROM VICKI:  this is literally one of THE BEST organizations I've found in Costa Rica that brings the gringo/Expat and Tico community TOGETHER both socially and to help!!!!!!!)

CALENDAR OF VARIOUS GATHERINGS:

http://ActionAllianceCR.com/event_calendar.html

Tell them that VICKI CONNECTED YOU!

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PLEASE "SHARE" this with EVERYONE you know that LOVES to read!!

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/BookSaleJune13CommunityActionAlliance.html

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Popular Costa Rican "Tico" Songs at Futbal • Soccer Games - "Oee, Oee, Oee, Oee,Ticos, Ticos!"

"Oee, Oee, Oee, Oee,Ticos, Ticos!"
youtu.be/kh8zi0P430Y

I LOVE this song!!! 
(the best part of the song for me doesn't start till :57)
(I LOVE this video as at about 1:42 & 2:26 you have that effervescent smile of Carlos Hernandez [sadly for CR now playing in India!! He plays with such PASSION!!! We miss you Carlos!!!])



What's YOUR Favorite Tico Song•popular song while you've been in Costa Rica?

Email me a link to it to LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com



LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/TicoSongCR.html


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Feria Anual de ADOPCIONE de Peros & Gatos • The annual PET ADOPTION FAIR

ENGLISH:
Animal Rescue thanks to Channel 7 for this new opportunity to make the BIG FAIR SUPPLIES COLLECTION, SALE OF GOODS AND ADOPTION FAIR!

Some of the items they're going to have:
Pipettes flea, Kennels, food for dogs, vitamins for dogs and cats, collars, beds, medical supplies for pets, vitamins Nutriplus and food for puppies LACTOL
(I'm going to look into how much it is for a booth so maybe I'll be there!!)

ESPANOL:
Desde las 6:30am tendremos recoleccion de insumos, efectivo y venta de productos ARA

Rescate Animal agradece a Canal 7 por esta nueva oportunidad de realizar la GRAN FERIA DE RECOLECCIÓN DE INSUMOS, VENTA DE PRODUCTOS Y FERIA DE ADOPCIÓN! Los esperamos a todos!
Pipetas Antipulgas, Kennels (transportadoras de animales de todos los tamaños), Alimento para perro en lata, alimento para perro en bolsa, vitaminas para perros y gatos, collares, camitas, esparadrapo, algodón en rollo, esparadrapo Coban, crema cicatrizante (Calox) , Baxidín , vitaminas Nutriplus y alimento para cachorros LACTOL
CUANDO•WHEN:
Sabado•Saturday -  Junio•June 28, 2013  -  9:30am-3pm
DONDE•WHERE:
San Jose, Costa Rica - en frente•in front of Canal 7

 Rescate Animal
facebook.com/RescateAnimalCR

Challenges of Living in Costa Rica LACK OF SIGNS - MALL MAPS

Challenges of Living in Costa Rica
LACK OF SIGNAGE!!! 
MALL MAPS 
Even at the MultiPlaza-Oeste•West Mall - THE LARGEST mall in Costa Rica - which has in the past couple years MEGA expanded, been renovated, hence MANY businesses•stores•banks•restaurants have moved around - their signage at the entrance shows a map and it shows the name of each store in it's location and it shows the type of store by color coding - BUT . . . . there's NO ALPHABETICAL LISTING of ALL the businesses so you can actually FIND the business YOU'RE looking for with EASE (or without spending 15 minutes of YOUR valuable time looking store by store). 

When we stopped and asked MANY workers (like maintenance people) they claimed to have no clue!

GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!


CHALLENGES IT POTENTIALLY CREATES:
YOU the consumer waste your time wandering aimlessly (hmmmm - JUST realized - that's a SMART MARKETING tool for them because you end up wandering the mall aimlessly looking all over - hence finding more stores to go into and spend your money!!!   Well WISE of THEM - for the STORES - but NOT for the consumer!!)


POSSIBLY REMEDY
Make a List of ALL the businesses in ALPHABETICAL ORDER!!!

Expats will have a chance to learn their rights with firearms

Expats will have a chance to learn their rights with firearms

SOURCE:  AMCostaRica.com June 11, 2013 This newspaper in cooperation with the La Garita Pistol Club plans an informational meeting June 22 for English speakers who might be interested in obtaining a firearms permit. The day is a Saturday, and the morning session will provide details on what foreigners need to do to comply with the law and legally to keep one or more weapons for sport and self protection. One of the main speakers will be Paul Furlong, a founder of the pistol club and an expat who actually has used deadly force in the protection of a neighbor. Furlong also presents an advanced shooting course, and some of his former students will be at the session to demonstrate their techniques. The club is seeking a donation of 3,000 colons per person or 5,000 colons per couple for the event, which will include discussions. The location is the La Garita pistol range owned and operated by Enrique Rodriguez, a bilingual Costa Rican who is retired from a top position in the police force. Furlong said that firearms officials regularly give the written and practical tests for a permit at La Garita.  He and Rodríguez can prepare a student for the exam and offer more advanced courses that teach a student to defend him or herself in real life, he said. He will explain that arrangement as well as introduce a bilingual psychologist who can provide required mental verification in English.  The costs for these services will be outlined. The event, being called a field day, also is open to those of any age over 18 who may want to demonstrate other lethal and non-lethal methods of self protection. A.M. Costa Rica, a sponsor of the field day, does not urge expats to own a firearm. However, in recognition that many do and many want to, the newspaper is providing a forum for correct information. Whether expats want to maintain a

Paul Furlong photo Pretty good shooting firearm in the home or to carry one concealed on their person, a permit is needed. In addition to discussions and informational talks, those who wish to take a turn at firing a weapon can do so for an extra cost to cover the ammunition, weather permitting, said Furlong. Reservations can be made by calling 8898-9398 or by writing fuzzlong@gmail.com Directions to the pistol range are HERE!  More information about the field day is HERE!

CANADA DAY PICNIC in Costa Rica - June 30, 2013

CANADA DAY PICNIC
in Costa Rica
CanadianClubCR.com   •   facebook.com/groups/73940748270

WHEN:
Sunday - June 30, 2013  -  10am-4pm


WHO:
EVERYONE - Canadians and non-Canadians

ACTIVITIES:
Swimming, children’s games, dancing, live music and a tug-o-war featuring the Atenas firefighters!


FOODS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE:
Canadian bacon on a bun  •  traditional tourtiere pies  •  butter tarts and Nanaimo bars
hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken
Cash Bar.

A silent auction, 50/50 draw and buy it now table will all raise funds for the
Asociación Caritativa Canadiense,
the outreach arm of the Canadian Club that has for many years assisted schools and teaching programs in Costa Rica.  Vendors and local artisans will feature their works.

ENTRANCE:
ADVANCE SALES (BY June 24) - 1,500  •  June 25-DAY OF EVENT - 2,000-c 
Kids 10 and under - FREE


PURCHASE TICKETS:
San Jose - ARCR - The Association of Residents of Costa Rica
2-233-8068  •  2-221-2053  •  info@arcr.net


WHERE:
Atenas - Barrio Mercedes 
Quinta Roma Vista

EVENT - ARCR 1st Friday Lunch - June 7, 2013

ARCR (the Association of Residents of Costa Rica)
ARCR.net

1st FRIDAY OF THE MONTH LUNCH

All ARCR and members and friends of the Costa Rica Message Board Costa Rica Living - groups.yahoo.com/group/CostaRicaLiving - are invited to join Ryan Piercy and others
at  for an informal lunch and BS session.

There is no agenda and no schedule - just good food and friendly talk. Attendees are responsible for their own food and drink expenses.


WHEN:
Friday - June 7 - 12pm/Noon

WHERE:
San Jose - Sabana Sur
GREEN RESTAURANT in the KC HOTEL

DIRECTIONS FROM ARCR:

Go just past the exit / entrance to the Pista and turn West on the new Sabana road. (There is a large Universal store on that corner.).  Go to the 2nd stoplight. At that intersection there is an AM-PM store on the far left corner. Turn South and go 300-350 meters. About 25 meters BEFORE the next traffic light, look left for the KC Hotel on the left - there is a sign and arch with the name of the hotel over the drive. Enter under the arch. Plenty of parking available. Enter the hotel, pass through reception to the pool area.  The restaurant is to the right.

DIRECTIONS FROM ESCAZU:

On the old road from Escazu, at the West end of Sabana Park, enter the new road East and go to the third stoplight. The AM PM store is on the near right corner. Turn South and go 300-350 meters. About 25 meters BEFORE the next traffic light look left for the KC Hotel on the left - there is a sign and arch with the name of the hotel over the drive. Enter under the arch. Plenty of parking available. Enter the hotel, pass through reception to the pool area. The restaurant is to the right.

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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/ARCR1stFridayLunchJune13.html

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QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY 2013 - British Community Charity Picnic • Football & Fun in Costa Rica

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
British Community Charity Picnic • Football and Fun

British Shop • Silent Auction • Raffles • LOTS of Games for Kids
This is a FUN event!!  Great for kids especially!
(bring extra cash for these things and the bar where they’ll also have British Beer and Pimms)


WHEN:
SUNDAY - June 9 - 9am-3pm
(boooo - it's MY birthday but I can't make it!!!)


WHERE:
Santa Ana -  Zamora Estates
(the little side street to the right of Bacchus Restaurant)

PRICE:
10,000-c/$20 adults. 4,000/$8-kids under 12
(includes lunch, dessert, children’s menu, games, swimming pool, pony rides, bouncy castle, football displays++)

Money Raised goes to rural schools.

TICKETS:
Wendy’s Hair Studio
2-228-9810  •  2-228-0545  •  2-228-5880
NEW LOCATION: 
Escazu - Plaza MontEscazu Antigua (where the new Fresh Market is  - on the South/East corner at the intersection where you veer off to go into Escazu Centro)
Bagelmen’s
Escazu (2-289-4616 - San Rafael Escazú - frente Rosti Pollo and Viveros Exotica) and
San Pedro (800-212-1314 - Barrio La California, de La Uam 200 meters Oeste)


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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/QueensBirthdayCR2013.html
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EVENT - CIRQUE DU SOLEIL in Costa Rica 2013

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - Varekai
in Costa Rica

facebook.com/pages/Cirque-du-Soleil-en-Costa-Rica-Varekai/109232499145387

From now until June 30, 2013 Costa Rica is hosting the CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Varekai!

Cirque du Soleil is an AMAZING show for the WHOLE Family - a sort of combination of elaborate circus (without animals) and INCREDIBLE aerial acrobatics! 

DATES:

now till June 30, 2013

SHOW TIMES:
Tuesdays-Thursdays - 8pm

Friday - 4 and 8pm

 Saturday - 12pm, 4pm, 8pm 

Sunday - 12pm and 4pm


TICKETS:
Tickets are MEGA EXPENSIVE - BUT - having seen this show 2 times in Las Vegas - and even though $$$ is REALLY tight for me at the moment - I'm going to try HARD to manifest the $$ to go see it as it is THE MOST AMAZING show I have seen in my 56 years of life!!!!!!!!!!!
$56-$258

ETicket.cr/eventos.aspx?q=qC/xDrt40iIzfeumpffw2A==  •  2-295-9400  •  facebook.com/ETicketCR
(if you need help with English Felipe Quiros does quite well [tell him Vicki Connected you!])


WHERE:
Hacienda Espinal
(sounds like it's their standard own "tent" on a finca setup perhaps??)
On the road in between Belen and Lindora (aka Pozos de Santa Ana [great - this area ALREADY has MEGA traffic - NOW . . .  if you don't HAVE to be in that area during that time, you might want to avoid it!!!])



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Can’t make or afford to see the show live?
Click on below for a former version of Varekai from Zurich
(if you’re not into “comedy” you might want to speed up to around 4:40 for the good stuff)

Check out their YouTube page for lots more versions of these INCREDIBLE shows!!
youtube.com/user/CirqueDuSoleil


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Have YOU seen a LIVE performance of Cirque du Soleil?
and/or if you go to the Costa Rica show, 
PLEASE "SHARE" your experiences in the "Comment" space below!


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Please "SHARE" this with EVERYONE you know that would enjoy this show!!!
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/CirqueDuSoleilCR.html

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EVENT - Cine Alternativo - June 2013 - San Ramon Museo - FREE • GRATIS!!

EVENT

Cine Alternativo

June 2013

San Ramon Museo

facebook.com/museo.regional.sanramon.ucr

FREE • GRATIS!!

Seeking FAMILIES that LIVE & WORK ABROAD for a Research Project

My name is Felix, I’m taking part into an international research project.

The aim of this project is to EVALUATE the INFLUENCE of the WORK-FAMILY BALANCE on the WORKER'S WELL-BEING ABROAD.

We developed a questionnaire that is a part of the research project. If you are agree to participate, I invite you to take a few minutes (between 10 and 15) and please go to the following URL to complete the survey posted:

HECMontreal.eu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_42Zb83uhUl2Euwt

Thank you for your contribution.

Regards
Felix Ballesteros

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PLEASE "Share" this with ALL families you know that are living and working abroad!
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/ResearchProjectLiveWorkAbroad.html

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How to Avoid Your Child Being Kidnapped in a Child Custody Battle - or what to do IF it happens (for U.S. Citizens)

Having encountered a few parents (all mothers) involved in nasty CHILD CUSTODY BATTLES (so far - all I've encountered seemed to have some sort of a similar thread - that hubby had an affair and/or wanted a divorce and quite a few of them, the female it seems, might have made up some b.s. excuse - often that he abused her - but not the kids!  As a Children's Advocate - this TICKS the hell out of me!!!  Hey - whatever happened between the 2 of you - that's YOUR stuff/SHIT to work out!!  Do NOT NOT NOT take it out on the kids!!  It ALWAYS takes 2 to tangle!!!!  BE GROWN UPS!!!  Work on your UN-resolved issues with YOUR parents! (IDEALLY BEFORE you have kids!!!)

So here's what the U.S. government says•suggests on this issue:

Travel.State.gov/abduction/prevention/prevention_560.html

Needing Citizenship in Costa Rica but don't fall into any category? Do NOT NOT NOT "Marry" for residency - or risk getting busted & kicked out!!!

Seems more scandals like this are coming out!!
(I wonder how much $$$ Costa Rica would make if they did an amnesty for people like me that don't fall into any of the current categories yet are here CONTRIBUTING on many levels???)

Nacion.com/2013-06-05/Sucesos/Estado-pide-anular-221-uniones-entre-costarricenses-y-foraneos.aspx

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A Site where people are Sounding Out•Ranting about problems and things going on in Costa Rica

IndignadosCR.blogspot.com  •  facebook.com/CRIndignados

What a site!!  "Indignados" translates to "OUTRAGED!"
This is a site where people vent their complaints, rants (in Español) about problems and things happening in and around Costa Rica!

Their Facebook site states:

ENGLISH:

About:

Citizens outraged and Organized in Costa Rica

Description:

The information provided in this group is used for educational purposes only and do not Necessarily Represent our opinion. We are in no way responsible for any misuse of the information provided. All information posted is to help members Develop an attitude of awareness and critical Citizens in order to Enhance democratic processes. No way to use the information to cause any kind of harm, Directly or Indirectly. Warning: This is a free speech zone. The views expresaron here do not Necessarily Represent Those of the creators and Administrators of this group. We strongly support freedom of expression first. Though this group is open to discussion and debate there are some rules: Personal attacks on other members, Threats of violence against other members, sexism, racism and brazen insults against other members will not be tolerated. Keep the discussion civil, and express Their opinions freely without being immature...

ESPANOL:

Acerca de:

Ciudadanos indignados y organizados en Costa Rica

Descripción:

La información proporcionada en este grupo se utiliza para los propósitos educativos solamente y no representan necesariamente nuestra opinión. Estamos en ningún caso responsable de cualquier mal uso de la información proporcionada. Toda la información publicada es ayudar a los miembros a desarrollar una actitud de conciencia y ciudadanos críticos con el fin de mejorar los procesos democráticos. No hay manera de usar la información de causar cualquier tipo de daño, directa o indirectamente. Advertencia: Esta es una zona de la libertad de expresión. Los puntos de vista expresaron aquí no representan necesariamente las de los creadores y administradores de este grupo. Apoyamos firmemente la libertad de expresión en primer lugar. Aunque este grupo está abierto a la discusión y el debate, hay algunas reglas: los ataques personales sobre otros miembros, amenazas de violencia contra otros miembros, no será tolerado el sexismo, el racismo y los insultos descarados contra otros miembros. Mantenga la discusión pública, y expresar sus opiniones libremente sin ser inmaduro .

I'm NOT "endorsing" it - just Sharing Information as quite a few people have asked me where to find this site and after MANY years I FINALLY found it!!

A FUNNY MUST WATCH video from the U.S. Embassy about getting LEGAL Visa to visit the U.S.!

OMGoddess!!  You MUST see this video the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica put out regarding getting a Visa to visit the U.S. - LOVE IT!!

(they have other informative videos you can SUBSCRIBE to at:

youtube.com/user/USEmbassySJO

We invite you to watch this short video and share it with your family and friends. We know that the Gangnam Style is a song last year, but we had fun making our own version and carries an important message: do not want any Costa Rican fall into the traps of scammers who promise to "help" to illegally obtain a visa, work or residence in the United States. They try to deceive people to take your money. We want as many Costa Ricans visit the United States and that none of them will be scammed. The Costa Rican singer Daniel Castillo helped with the project, if you look carefully, you will also see some steps of Ambassador Andrew. Hope you like it.

ESPANOL:

Lo invitamos a que vea este corto video y lo comparta con su familia y amigos. Sabemos que el Gangnam Style es una canción del año pasado, pero nos divertimos mucho haciendo nuestra propia versión y lleva un mensaje importante: no queremos que ningún costarricense caiga en las trampas de estafadores que prometen "ayudar" para obtener ilegalmente una visa, un trabajo o una residencia en Estados Unidos. Estas personas lo tratarán de engañar para tomar su dinero. Queremos que muchos costarricenses visiten Estados Unidos y que ninguno de ellos sea estafado. El cantante costarricense Daniel Castillo nos ayudó con el proyecto, si se fijan bien, también verán algunos pasos de la Embajadora Andrew. Esperamos que les guste.

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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/USEmbassyVisaYouTubeVideo.html
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Terapias Asistidas con Perros Seminario - June 1, 2 & 8

facebook.com/pages/Terapia-Asistida-con-Perros/162673620502323

Seminario de Terapias Asistidas con Perros

Pueden llevar a sus perros

CUANDO:

Sabado - Junio 8  -  9am-5pm

Pueden llevar a sus perros

PRECIO:

25,000-c

LOCACION:

Desamparados - Clinica Marcial Fallas

150 Oeste y 25 Sur Segundo Porton Verde a mano Derecha

MAS INFORMACION:

Call Ale at 8-813-4601
(and tell her Vicki Connected you!)

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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/SeminarioTerapiasAsistidasPerros.html
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Monsanto & GMO's - What countries are REFUSING them??

MINIMUM WAGE throughout the world

This was a VERY eye-opening study on the average MINIMUM WAGES by country throughout the world.  See where Costa Rica is:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_wages_by_country

SAFETY•SECURITY MESSAGE from the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica - Violence in the Limon Province.

Updated:  03 June 2013
SOURCE:  the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica - SanJose.USEmbassy.gov

Security Message: violent crime in Limon Province.   Within the last few weeks, the Embassy has received additional reports of armed assaults against tourists and other foreign citizens in Limon Province along the Caribbean coast.  In light of this situation, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens living in or visiting that area to remain cautious and vigilant with regard to their personal safety and security.

In the past week, three U.S. citizens and one other foreign visitor were kidnapped at gunpoint and robbed while driving along a rural road near Moin; a Costa Rican companion was killed in the incident.  The attackers allegedly placed a log in the road and ambushed the driver when he stopped and attempted to move the log off the road.

In the past four months, three armed robberies of U.S. citizens have occurred in the Puerto Viejo area, in addition to armed invasions of two hotels and one residence.  Police in Puerto Viejo have informed the Embassy that they are undertaking active preventative measures to avoid further incidents of this type.  Armed robbery continues to be the primary criminal threat facing tourists in the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.

Do not resist a robbery attempt.  Most criminals have weapons, and most injuries and deaths during robberies result when victims resist.  Use the same common sense while traveling in Costa Rica that you would in any high crime area in the United States: do not wear excessive jewelry; do not carry large sums of money, or display cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. Avoid walking at night in most areas of Costa Rica and exercise strong caution during the day.

If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy.  Although the investigation and prosecution of a crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.  In Costa Rica the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling +(506) 2519-2000.  

The U.S. Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens to read its Country Specific Information for Costa Rica or any country to which they are planning a trip at

Travel.State.Gov  
and specifically

 travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1048.html 

 travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1093.html

for updated information on travel and security in Costa Rica.

Information can also be obtained from the Department of State by calling +1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling +1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.  911 is the emergency line in Costa Rica.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Costa Rica enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/step. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  You can also download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Android market, to have travel information at your fingertips.

If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.   Follow us on Twitter at mobile.twitter.com/TravelGov and Facebook at facebook.com/TravelGov

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PLEASE "SHARE" this with EVERY U.S. Citizen you know living in or planning on visiting Costa Rica!
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/USEmbassySecurityMessageJune32013.html

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Chinese President's Visit Results

Wondering what came of the president of China's visit to Costa Rica June 2-4, 2013?
(I'm STILL wondering what came of the U.S. President Obama's visit to Costa Rica.  Does anyone know??  PLEASE "Share" some links with me so I can share them here - send them to me at LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com)


UPDATE:  NOW I'm hearing it was $1.5 BILLION ($900 million seems to be a line of credit towards the Oil Refinery on the Caribbean side).  This is a REALLY GOOD article:
CostaRicanTimes.com/china-buys-costa-rica-for-1-5-billion/16500


SOURCE:  ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/china-gives-costa-rica-900m-line-credit-refinery-002655184.html
By Javier Cordoba, Associated Press | Associated Press

China gives Costa Rica $900 million dollar line of credit for refinery, agreements on energy and transport

China's President Xi Jinping, left, stands with Costa Rica's President Laura Chinchilla before giving a joint press conference at the presidential house in San Jose, Costa Rica, Monday, …more June 3, 2013. After Costa Rica, Xi has planned stops in Mexico and the United States. Trinidad, a leading supplier of natural gas, was his first stop of a four-country trip in the region. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco) less

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) -- China will give Costa Rica a $900 million line of credit to finance the expansion and remodeling of an oil refinery in the Central American country's Caribbean coast, the two countries announced Monday.

During an official visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two countries signed nine cooperation agreements totaling $1.5 billion that will provide resources for improving Costa Rican roads and public transit fleets, purchasing solar panels and the building of a new police school.

Xi arrived Monday from Trinidad & Tobago, where he offered concessionary loans to nine Caribbean countries totaling about $3 billion. He travels Tuesday to Mexico, where he has said he plans to discuss ways to increase Mexican exports to China. Xi closes his trip with a visit to the United States later this week.

Costa Rica is the only Central American country that has diplomatic relations with China, the world's second-largest economy, and has been rewarded with projects and visits by two sitting Chinese presidents since it first recognized the Asian giant over Taiwan in 2007.

The refinery, in Puerto Limon, is small and old and refines about 18,000 barrels of imported crude a day. The remodel could boost production to 65,000 barrels a day, with the Chinese sharing in the profits. Costa Rica sought help from China in updating the facility.

But the project is under debate as Costa Rican economists and politicians question the Chinese feasibility studies, and say the money would be better spent seeking alternative forms of energy.

Rene Castro, minister of environment and energy, said that the agreement only means having a line of credit available and that Costa Rica's government still has asked state universities for analysis to determine whether the project is feasible.

The Chinese also ratified Costa Rica's sanitary protocol to allow the export of pork to China, while the largest dairy business in the country, Dos Pinos, announced new exports of fresh and flavored milk.

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla said her country will make the visa process more flexible to increase the number of Chinese tourists and business vistors.

Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo said Costa Rica will speed up the process for Chinese who already have visas from other countries, such as the U.S. and European Union, and will add people in the Beijing and Shanghai consulates to process paperwork quicker.

China has more than 100 million tourists traveling worldwide, Castillo said, noting that if Costa Rica could get 500,000 of them, it would boost tourism visits by 25 percent. Currently Chinese tourism to Costa Rica is very small because of visa problems.

Le MONASTERE Restaurant - Escazu, Costa Rica - Restaurant Review - One of the MOST SPECTACULAR ROMANTIC restaurants with an AMAZING VIEW, excellent food & GREAT Service!!!

LE MONASTERE RESTAURANT

(I have a bunch more pictures at:
SarongGoddess.com/Food/LeMonastereRestaurant)

To ME - Le Monastere Restaurant is one of THE MOST MAGICAL dining experiences in ALL of Costa Rica!!

(my birthday 2012!!  Cut the little cake open and there's a SURPRISE!!  A YUMMM warm gooie chocolate pudding!!)

Are you celebrating something SPECIAL? Seeking a ROMANTIC interlude?!!! Are you visiting Costa Rica? If so, Le Monastere is a MUST DO experience for your LAST night!! That way you go home with this AMAZING memory that WILL stay in your heart for LIFE!!!

Set wayyyy at the top of the mountain above Escazu - looking down on the gold dust lights of the WHOLE Central Valley below, I think Le Monastere is one of the MOST ROMANTIC restaurants with SPECTACULAR views I’ve found in Costa Rica so far (270-degrees!!)!! GREAT for ambiance!!!







They have one of THE BEST CAESAR SALADS I've found in Costa Rica and it's made right there on your table (and I got to have EXTRA EXTRA Anchovies!!)!!

The menu is more of an INTERNATIONAL cuisine (heavily FRENCH) and it's NOT cheap!  Prices vary on how much you’re ordering as everything is ala carte but if you’re not having all the separate side like soup or salad and not drinking or having desserts – it can be not as expensive (but it is definitely on the pricier side.  I haven't seen their new menu since the remodeling so I'm sure it's gone up from there!  But remember - you're paying for the ambiance, AMAZING views, QUALITY of the food and service!!

Appetizers, soups and salads range from Crema de Mariscos/Seafood Soup (LINGUASMO [tongueGasmic]), CAVIAR, DUCK FOIE GRAS with Spicy Onion Marmalade, homemade DUCK PATE with Cognac and Hazelnuts (yummmm!!), LOBSTER BISQUE, FRENCH ONION SOUP, FROGS LEGS, Fried Camambert in Blackberry Sauce and even Cheese Fondue (28,156-c for 2).  And their house Le Monastere Salad has ROQUEFORT DRESSING (CHALLENGING to find in Costa Rica!!)!!

Main Courses include everything from Beef/steak dish (ranging from a 340 gram Half Beef Top end Sirloin for around 10,000/$20-c to their Rib-Eye Cowboy Angus - 43,671-c (yup - you read that right - around $88!! as well as ANGUS BEEF, CHATEAUBRIAND, and FILET MIGNON) - to LOBSTER THERMIDOR, LEG of LAMB, VEAL STEW, WILD BOAR stew with Truffels, VENISON, Chicken and LOTS OF SEAFOOD/FISH options, 

DESSERTS!! 

LINGUASMO•TongueGasmic!!!

The BEST•most authentic CRÈME BRULEE I’ve found so far in Costa Rica (photo below)!!! CRÊPES SUZETTE (3,629-c), BANANAS FOSTER (2,946-c), Tarte Tatin - caramelized apples over a puff pastry with Ice cream, CHERRIES JUBILLE, CHOCOLATE MOUSSE (3,538-c), Chocolate as well as Orange Cointreau SOUFFLÉ, Chocolate Fantasy - delicate cake filled with hot chocolate (photo below)!!!

They have a HUGE WINE BAR offering over 300 selections. As you enter - on Fridays and Saturday evenings they have LIVE MUSIC from a grand piano.

They have 4 separate areas to enjoy!

The main restaurants where waiters assist you dressed as 19th century French monks (and they express they would appreciate you dressing appropriately [nicer]).

Now located upstairs is the Grill with a more casual menú (though I believe you can order anything off the main menu if you'd like)!


La Cava Disco and Bar as taken over the whole downstairs area and it's now quite a hot spot for dancing!  Their new hours are now Monday-Saturday opening at 5pm (so you can still enjoy the AMAZING SUNSETS from here!!







Make sure to make time to stroll the grounds (bring a wrap as it can get VERY COLD out there!!) and enjoy Gregorian and classical music in the renovated Chapel (which is still used for weddings and some religious ceremonies) while you’re waiting for your meal or after!












HOURS:  
Main restaurant - Monday-Saturday - 6:30pm-11pm.
Cantina La Cava is open Mon.-Thurs. 6:30pm-MID. and Fri. and Sat. 6:30pm-2am!!
HOLIDAYS OPEN: Christmas Eve, New Years Eve (closed Dec. 25, Jan. 1).

LOCATION: 
Escazu (Monte Las Palomas) - From Calle Vieja (the Old Road between Escazu and Santa Ana) – turn South going UP the hill at the Western end of Paco Plaza and follow the signs WAYYYY up the hill to the Green Cross.


CONTACT:
2-228-8515 • 2-228-8516 / 2-289-4404 • facebook.com/LeMonastere • Monastere-Restaurant.com • reservations@Monastere-Restaurant.com • RestaurantLeMonastere@gmail.com


Please allow me (Vicki Skinner - 8-378-6679 • LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com) to make the reservations for you because I can make a little show of "appreciation" from your reservation from them (which does NOT effect your price at all).

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LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/LeMonastereRestaurantReview.html
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Junio 9 - FERIA VEGANO - Costa Rica

FERIA VEGANO

facebook.com/events/502784619786950

ENTRADA:

GRATUITA • FREE!!!!!

Expositores•Exhibitors!
Vegan Brunch and Bar de Jugo • Desayuno • Almuerzo Vegano • 

Reposteria dulce y salada, postres y mas.

Vegan Brunch and Juice Bar • Breakfast • Lunch Vegan •

Sweet and savory pastries, desserts and more.

Como siempre, estara Francisca Cheng con sus delicias, Pasteleria Barth, La Cuchara Verde, Puritos con sus cajetas veganas, Alma, Jaqcuie Taylor con sus Tamales veganos, Grace Morera, y mas...
As always, Francisca Cheng's pastry treats, Pasteleria Barth, La Cuchara Verde, Puritos with cajetas vegan, Alma, Jaqcuie Taylor's Vegan Tamales, Grace Morera and more ..

ORGANIZADO POR•HOSTED BY:

La Cuchara Verde

facebook.com/LaCucharaVerde

y

Alma Restaurante
fb.com/pages/ALMA-Vegetariana/441413832618995

CUANDO•WHEN:
Domingo•Sunday - Junio•June 9 - 10am-3pm
(Vicki's Birthday - 6/9)

DONDE•WHERE:
Alma Restaurante

San Jose - Barrio la California, Costa Rica
frente a la bomba•gas station La Primavera en contiguo a•adjacent to Latino Rock cafe.

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"SHARE" con todos sus amigos que les gusta comer y los productos saludables!

"SHARE" with all your friends that like healthy eating and products!

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/06/FeriaVegano2013CR.html

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Vicki Skinner's Costa Rica Information & Photo Sites • PET & HOUSE SITTING Services • Tourism & FACEBOOK MARKETING • SAN JUAN DEL SUR, Nicaragua Info & Assistance+++ - JUNE 2013

Below are links to my
(Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess")
various
Costa Rica and Nicaragua Information sites•blogs
and LOTS of other Costa Rica related Info and Photo Sites - places where I’m Gathering/Sharing Info and Photos and helping to Connect people!!!

LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA 

Information Blog
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com
30,000+ Page Views a Month and OFTEN towards the top of MANY Google Searches! 
A VERY HELPFUL Information Site on where to find things (often with English-speaking contacts), what’s happening, SPECIALS, news, thoughts, experiences+++!!
The focus is on actual DETAILS – to bring more EASE into YOUR Life!!

Have anything to SUBMIT?  Events, finds, YOUR experiences/stories, news, etc. to add?

 I'm now accepting Information Ads - inquire!



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I also lean towards sharing LOTS of information and pictures on
ESCAZU
where I’ve lived for 6-1/2 years and LOVE IT!!!
(trust me - Escazu is NOT NOT NOT just gringos!!  You CAN have a GREAT balance of gringo and Tico life with a huge variety of prices for accommodations and restaurants - IF you know where to look!!  There's something for EVERYONE in the various parts of Escazu!!)
CostaRicaEscazu.com


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PET • HOUSE SITTING Services
facebook.com/LovingYourPetHouseSitting
LovingYourPetHouseSitting.com
Loving Your Pet House Sitting is especially for owners that treat their pet like family – want them to receive a LOT of love and attention while they’re away like 2-10 Doggie/Kitty Massages a DAY, a warm Bath the day before you arrive, Daily Skype calls (so you can see/talk to your baby), even get to Sleep with me if they need to!

AVAILABILITY•OPEN:
June 13-August 20 and October 1, 2013
(I might be available after September 15 depending on the location)
(I have 2 things pending that will be firmed up this week for June 16-July 16)


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Tourism and FACEBOOK ASSISTANCE • MARKETING
TourismFacebookMarketing.com
Tourist Season is almost over and Costa Rica WILL be seeing LOTS LESS tourists numbers going down!  Will that bring you to your knees•be in Denial or just “visualize” them coming? 
Or will you be PRO-Active?  Step-UP to the plate?!?!
Jump on board before it’s too late???
Facebook IS THE place for FREE Marketing and promotion and I’m quite the Facebook Networker and have a VERY UNIQUE – MUCH more Detailed way of looking at Facebook•Marketing - so let me assist you in getting your point across and helping people find out about you and your area!

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I WILL SET UP YOUR VACATION PROPERTY
Do you have a new Vacation Rental Property or Hotel or one that could use some suggestions on how to stand out even more to the gringo clientele or help with marketing/promotions? 
I can also assist with end or beginning of the season Inventory, help create a Guest Book that has menus, lists of restaurants, tours, info they should know before they go and as many English-speaking contacts as we can find and lots more information!
IWillSetUpYourVacationProperty.com

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YOUR COSTA RICA CONNECTOR
I’m SLOWLY working on my new site
YourCostaRicaConnector.com 
Bookmark it and keep checking back as this is an UNLIMITED page and I’ll push it to it’s limits!!!!
My intention with it is in time to put most of what I can help Connect people with on it!!
It will include everything from Where to Find Things, How to Do things and LOTS more information!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can even Connect you with Eastern/Holistic and Medical doctors and dentists and ALL sorts of other resources!!!!  Pretty much – whatever you desire – I can at least try to Connect you!


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NICARAGUA INFORMATION
WOW!!  Nicaragua is SOOOO MUCH CHEAPER than Panama and Costa Rica!!!

I recently returned from what was SUPPOSED to be a 1-2 night Visa Run (you do NOT NOT NOT NEED to be OUT of Costa Rica for 72 hours – PERIOD!!!) that turned into 6 weeks in San Juan del Sur!!!
I am SERIOUSLY considering dividing my time living in SJDS (basically in Rainy Season) and PART TIME in Costa Rica Pet and House Sitting  - OR  -  POSSIBLY even getting a little 2-3 bedroom home in SJDS and hosting ExPats doing Visa Runs (and offering HOT  showers, WiFi and clean for a reasonable price) and I made LOTS of contacts and I’ve started creating a Facebook page

and I’ve created the following Facebook site
facebook.com/SanJuanDelSurNI
and soon will be updating my SJDS Info Site
SanJuanDelSurNI.com
Plus have a HUGE Photo Site (getting organized soon)
SarongGoddess.com/Travel/SanJuanDelSurNI

HOW TO DO THE
Costa Rica-Nicaragua Border Crossings
CRNIBorderCrossing.com

ISLA OMETEPE
IslaOmetepeNI.com

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Wanna be FACEBOOK "Friends"?  "Friend" me!
facebook.com/VickiSkinner69

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Vicki Skinner  (aka THE Sarong Goddes)

CR #:    8-378-6679  •  U.S.#:  1-941-312-7569  •  Skype - VallartaVicki

LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

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For the MOST UPDATED version of this info, go to:
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2013/05/VickisInfoSitesJune2013.html