ABOUT THE LIVING LIFE IN COSTA RICA BLOG

I (Vicki Skinner - aka "THE Sarong Goddess") created this blog in 2007 to share DETAILED Finds•Lists•Info•Events•Experiences to help bring more EASE to people living in, visiting or thinking of moving to Costa Rica since DETAILS are NOT easy to find!
I’m NOT an expert (an "expert" 2 ME knows 101%-NOT me). I believe in sharin info•helping where I can! And with over 2,200 entries, so some things might be out of date, so if you find old info PLEASE help each other by getting the updated info & sharing it with me to revise. At least you have some basic info to get you started.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP:
Better yet - do you have extra time on your hands & looking for a volunteer project? Since this blog is a labor of love & RARELY does anyone share a donation (even though MANY have said how much it's helped them), I could REALLY use help updating info. Spanish speakers ESPECIALLY welcome since my VicLish can be somewhat limited at times!!

DONATE:
Has my blog helped in any way? Helped find something•brought more EASE? More exposure or business?
I welcome you to show YOUR appreciation for my efforts!
ANY size DONATION is APPRECIATED!
(see below other ways to show your appreciation)
The easiest way is with PAYPAL - Attn: LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com
(you do NOT need to have a PayPal account to do this - just a credit or debit card)
ADD INFORMATION:
Do YOU have/know of a Business•Event•News•Place•Things 4 Sale•Rent to add? Email:
LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com

OTHER WAYS TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR THIS BLOG

• APPLE LAPTOP - Do you have a Laptop you're not using? Mine recently broke so I'm using a lender. Must be new enough to run current Skypes & have an SDCard slot.
• Amazon.com or GoDaddy.com Credit•Gift Certificate (attn: SarongGoddess@gmail.com)
• Something else to share?? A gift certificate or invite for your business? I'm open!! (at times I'll add other things here that I'm seeking)

Saturday, March 31, 2012

EARTH HOUR - Costa Rica - 2012



YIKES!!  JUST realized today is EARTH HOUR  -  http://EarthHour.org !!

TODAY - Saturday - March 31, 2012 (the last Saturday in March) at 8:30pm

Please join people around the globe to shut off ALL electricity wherever you are - for just one hour (or more!!  Throughout your dayS!!)


(this was the first I've heard of it in Costa Rica.  Aren't we [supposedly THE "most green conscious country in the world" doing any organized thing about/with it???  I DID get a notice from ICE at least!!! )

Brain Breathing with Lila!


Activate your brain stem and promote your health, vitality, joy and peace!


Learn Brain Breathing with Lila!

Our brain is designed to do whatever we want. 
If you want success, you can create it - or happiness or health - by vibrating your brain waves. 
Anything is possible!




See what it's about at:
THE SECRET OF BRAINWAVE VIBRATION
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kKwD7oYnYmM

ESPANOL:
Respiración cerebral: regenera las células cerebrales que conectan la consciencia donde el tallo cerebral es activado.
Respiración abdominal promueve la circulación de la energía.


WHEN • CUANDO:  Sunday - April 1st , 2012 -  11am-2pm

WHERE • DONDE:  La Colina Jardin de Yoga - Orotina

INVESTMENT IN YOUR SPIRIT (aka COST • COSTO):  $30 


CONTACTO • RSVP:  Iliana Cabañas (Lila)


PLEASE tell her that VICKI CONNECTED you!!!

PLEASE "SHARE" this event with EVERYONE you know that may enJOY it (ESPECIALLY your Facebook buds!)


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Friday, March 30, 2012

Study links chocolate consumption to lower body weight

Study links chocolate consumption to lower body weight

By the University of California at San Diego news service

Katherine Hepburn famously said of her slim physique: “What you see before you is the result of a lifetime of chocolate.” New evidence suggests she may have been right.

Beatrice Golomb, associate professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and colleagues presented new findings that may overturn the major objection to regular chocolate consumption: that it makes people fat. The study, showing that adults who eat chocolate on a regular basis are actually thinner than those who don’t. The work is being published online in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The authors dared to hypothesize that modest, regular chocolate consumption might be calorie-neutral – in other words, that the metabolic benefits of eating modest amounts of chocolate might lead to reduced fat deposition per calorie and approximately offset the added calories, thus rendering frequent, though modest, chocolate consumption neutral with regard to weight. To assess this hypothesis, the researchers examined dietary and other information provided by  approximately 1,000 adult men and women from San Diego for whom weight and height had been measured.

The findings were even more favorable than the researchers conjectured. They found that adults who ate chocolate on more days a week were actually thinner and had a lower body mass index than those who ate chocolate less often.

The size of the effect was modest but the effect was significant –larger than could be explained by chance, the authors said.  This was despite the fact that those who ate chocolate more often did not eat fewer calories, they ate more. Nor did they exercise more. Indeed, no differences in behaviors were identified that might explain the finding as a difference in calories taken in versus calories expended.

“Our findings appear to add to a body of information
chocolate
Eat some and be thin!

suggesting that the composition of calories, not just the number of them, matters for determining their ultimate impact on weight,” said Professor Golomb, who also is a physician. “In the case of chocolate, this is good news  – both for those who have a regular chocolate habit, and those who may wish to start one.”

VICKI'S COMMENTS:  Well, I guess I'll just HAVE to try this!!!!

TALLER DE YOGA E INTELIGENCIA EMOCIONAL - PARA NIÑOS DE 8 A 12 AÑOS

TALLER DE YOGA E INTELIGENCIA EMOCIONAL  

PARA NIÑOS DE 8 A 12 AÑOS

DIA:  Sábado 31 de Marzo

HORA: 10am

INVERSION:  7mil colones por niño(a)
Incluye materiales y pequeña merienda

OBJECTIVOS:
- Desarrollar autoconocimiento de las emociones por medio del lenguaje no verbal (expresión corporal), lenguaje verbal (ampliar vocabulario), y la introspección

- Generar en los niños empatía a través del reconocimiento de emociones de los demás.

- Mostrar métodos prácticos para conocer y controlar las emociones por medio de la práctica del yoga

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CLASE ESPECIAL EN SEMANA SANTA DE YOGA NINOS


FECHA:  LUNES - 2 de ABRIL  -  10am

LUGAR:  Instalaciones deportivas de la UCR

*(Nos encontraremos a las 10am en la entrada lateral de las instalaciones deportivas de la UCR, Frente a transportes)

APORTE: 1000 colones por niño

TRAER:
-Ropa cómoda
-Agua

-Paño para hacer Yoga o Alfombra de Yoga

-Acompañante adulto quien puede participar en las actividades!

-Merienda Saludable para el final de la clase hacer juntos un “picnic”

*****Alumnos regulares de Gayatree no pagan****



MARTES - 3 de ABRIL  -  2:30-4:30pm

Cine Infantil para la promoción de Valores

Posibles películas a pasar ese día:  “Animales Unidos” o “El Delfín”

LUGAR:  Sabanilla, Gayatree Yoga y Terapias

INVERSION:  5mil colones por niño(a)

EDAD:  (Que pueda mantener la atención en película de hora y 15minutos)

INCLUYE:  Película, cine foro infantil, palomitas y refresco

TRAER: Ropa cómoda,  paño, alfombra o almohadón para sentarse en el suelo.


RESERVAR!!!!  Cupo Limitado!!!!!





GAYATREE
Centro de Yoga y Terapias Psico-Corporales

SOFIA PEREZ SIBAJA
Directora de Gayatree Yoga y Terapias
Productora Festival Nacional de Yoga C.R.
Psicóloga y Terapeuta Floral

2-234-2514  •  8-848-2347  •  SofiYoga@yahoo.com

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History Seminar on Costa Rica's Currency at Museos del Banco Nacional




The Museos del Banco Nacional Costa Rica is hosting a seminar on the history of the country's money Saturday - March 31, 2012 - at 10am

The lecture, “De la Palmera al Colón: Ocho Reversos de Monedas del Siglo XIX.” will take place in the auditorium of the underground museum. It's located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura in downtown San José.

The speaker will talk about the 8 different coins of the country during the 19th century. Including the first form of currency for the young country.

This form is part of the Feria de Monedas y Billetes, or the money currency fair. There will be an exhibit of coins and paper money in the museum from 11am to 3pm inside the lobby.

The museum will hold a variety of numismatic activities inside the museum.

Those interested can visit the museum Web site at http://MuseosDelBancoCentral.org

Democrats Abroad Costa Rica•DACR - GLOBAL PRIMARY - May 5


DACR • DEMOCRATS ABROAD COSTA RICA'S
GLOBAL PRIMARY

This is the letter Democrats Abroad International Chair Ken Sherman sent to all D A members, adapted to Costa Rica:

From May 1-6, 2012, thousands of Democrats Abroad members from Canada to New Zealand will have the chance to vote in our 2012 Global Primary.

We are reaching out today to every corner of the world to encourage you to vote at your nearest Voting Center during the week of May 1-6 Global Primary or to register now for the absentee vote.


GLOBAL PRIMARY LOCATION
Our May 1-6 2012 Global Primary delegate selection plan has the approval of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). We are organized now to receive your vote at our Costa Rica location:

WHEN:  Saturday - May 5, 2012 - 10am-3pm

WHERE:  Tin Jo Restaurant - San Jose  

Free refreshments!  Bring your US passports!

ONLY DACR members can participate, but people can join DACR on the spot. 



COSTA RICA CONTACT:  
Nelleke  -  DemocratsAbroadCoastaRica@gmail.com  •  8-721-6497


GLOBAL PRIMARY ABSENTEE VOTING
Members who cannot vote at a Voting Center may vote absentee by requesting a ballot now or by April 30 at vote2012@democratsabroad.org.  Drop us a note today and say “send me an absentee ballot.”  You can return your ballot by email, mail or fax.


GLOBAL PRIMARY BALLOT
Our worldwide election results will determine our Presidential nominee and the election of 17 delegates who will attend the Democratic National Convention.  One hundred forty seven (147) candidates are contesting for the 17 elected positions to go to the Convention which will be held next September 3-7 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Delegates will be elected at a combination of the May 1-6 Voting Center elections and the May 18-20 Global Convention to be held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Our delegation to Charlotte also includes 8 additional Democratic National Committee members. These election meetings will also provide an opportunity for Americans abroad to shape the party's election platform.


REGULATIONS FOR VOTING IN GLOBAL PRIMARY
American citizens living overseas who want to vote in the Democratic Global Primary must be members of Democrats Abroad, or join by April 30th at http://DemocratsAbroad.org.  Once registered a new member must request a ballot at Vote2012@DemocratsAbroad.org. If voting in person at a voting center, a new member can join before voting.  Bring a passport as proof of citizenship.


Make your vote count!

Kenneth Sherman
International Chair, Democrats Abroad


This message is paid for by the Democratic Party Committee Abroad, Democrats Abroad, 430 S. Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003.  It is being sent to you because you are a member of one or more of these Democrats Abroad group(s) DA International and Costa Rica.

If you have moved back to the US, please send an email to membership_da@democratsabroad.org (ideally with subject line: DA member returned to USA), and we will remove you from the membership list.

If you have moved to another country abroad, please send an email with your new country and address to membership_da@democratsabroad.org (ideally with subject line: DA member moved to another country abroad), and we will transfer your membership.

If you want to only receive Voter Information emails, please Click Here: 

If you want to remove your membership from ALL groups in Democrats Abroad, send an email to membership_da@democratsabroad.org (ideally with subject, Please delete from DA) and we will completely remove your membership.


Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/demsabroad 


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PLEASE SHARE this link with EVERYONE you know that might find this information helpful:
(and tell them Vicki Connected you)

Democrats Abroad Costa Rica•DACR - March Meeting - March 30 - "The Crisis in the CAJA" & Annual Meeting








Roman Macaya will speak on 

"The Crisis in the CAJA"
and
ANNUAL MEETING


Mr Macaya will speak first, at 9:30am, because of his schedule.  After his presentation will be their Annual Meeting.  The main item on the agenda will be voting on the 2012 GOTV (Getting Out The Vote) budget.

WHEN:  Saturday, March 31, 2012  -  9:30am - noon

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WHERE:
San Jose - Downtown
 Holiday Inn Aurola - 3rd floor
Calle 5 at Avenida 5 - in front of Parque Morazan
2-523-1000 (hotel's number if you get lost)


PARKING:  
FREE parking
is located ONLY in the Herdonza Parking Lot  
which is on the East side of the hotel.  At the meeting they'll announce instructions and you'll get a voucher in the lobby from the Bell Boys to present (get there early to get a space as it fills up fast on meeting days!!).

MEETING COST:
 5,000-colones 
Contribution for bocas and coffee break and meeting room space

***RSVP***
Reservations are REQUIRED at
DemocratsAbroadCostaRica@gmail.com
OR
call Nelleke at 8-721-6497
*Please be sure to make your reservation if you plan to come to any DACR meeting as their cushion between what the hotel charges them and what they charge for attendance is getting very thin.  They used to order bocas for 3-5 extra people for meetings, but if they did that now they would lose money, so they order only for those who made their reservation, and then order extra on the day of the meeting.  However, the hotel can charge them 20% extra if they order bocas on the day of the meeting, so they need to avoid that.

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Mark your calendars now for the:
GLOBAL PRIMARY

WHEN:  Saturday - May 5 - 10am-3pm

WHERE:  TinJo Restaurant - San Jose
http://Facebook.com/TinJoRestaurant   •   http://TinJo.com

If you vote in your state primary, please don’t vote for President or Vice President, so you can vote in our Democrats Abroad Global Primary in May.  More details coming soon.


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SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR MOTHER EARTH 
Are you available to Drive?  Are you needing a ride (and willing to contribute towards gas/wear-n-tear)?  Want to Share a taxi?


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Guest are welcome at 1 meeting and then asked to *"join"•register -
it's FREE!!
*SIGNING UP OFFICIALLY FOR DEMOCRATS ABROAD
it's FREE to join!
To join - just attend a meeting  OR 
 go to the official International Democrats Abroad site:


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NEW LAW!!!
ALL USA CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD MUST RE-REGISTER TO VOTE IN EACH ELECTION YEAR IN ORDER TO VOTE.

  REGISTER TO VOTE AND REQUEST YOUR BALLOT ASAP.


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Costa Rica Democrats Abroad - Costa Rica


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MY DESCRIPTION ON DEMOCRATS ABROAD COSTA RICA (DACR)

LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/07/democrats-abroad-cr.html

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Official INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATS ABROAD website:
DemocratsAbroad.org  •  Facebook.com/DemsAbroad


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Please SHARE this link with EVERYONE you know that will find this information helpful/interesting (especially on Facebook!)
(and tell them VICKI CONNECTED you!!):


Facebook friends:
http://Facebook.com/events/263199230434243

Non-Facebook friends:
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Monday, March 26, 2012

POLLO TROPICAL NOW in Costa Rica

I'm SOOOO EXCITED!!  One of MY FAV "Fast Food" places has opened in Costa Rica!!!

POLLO TROPICAL!!!
Tasty, HEALTHY, flame-Grilled Chicken and roast pork with a Tropical Latin flare and a nice size salsa bar with lots of made-from-scratch SALSAS and SAUCES
(like unique, made-from-scratch salsas including the classic, caliente, guava barbecue, cilantro, mustard curry, mojo and more - as each has its own flavorful way of dancing with your tastebuds over fresh grilled chicken, ribs, wings or Pollo Tropical's signature TropiChop(r) dishes!!!!!

See their yummy MENU at:

The first of what will be 5 locations is at the Palace Food Mall IN Parque Central in San Jose and next Liberia.

I ESPECIALLY LOVE their 
Guava Pork BBQ Sandwich

Chipotle Chicken Sandwich 


Caribbean Fajitas

Create Your Own TropiChop®
First, guests choose if they want grilled chicken, mojo roast pork or a vegetarian build. Then they order their “base”— yellow rice with veggies, to white rice, the all-new brown rice, romaine lettuce, or a combination of lettuce and rice. Then guests order as many toppings as they like. Their choices include made-from-scratch beans, chopped fresh tomatoes, kernel corn, sautéed onions or sautéed peppers and onions. Lastly they pile on their choice of salsas or sauces from the fresh salsa bar.


MORE DETAILS at:

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STOLEN GOODS - NEW ploy in Costa Rica - Holding things for RANSOM!


RANSOM now is extended to ALL types of stolen items
By the http://AMCostaRica.com staff - March 26, 2012


The car thieves learned long ago that the best customer for the stolen vehicle was the victim. What emerged was a long tradition of stealing cars and then ransoming the vehicle back to the owner.

That was an imperfect system because sometimes the telephone caller was a scam artist and not the person who stole the vehicle.  There also was official involvement uncovered in some cases.

Now the system seeks to have encompassed any kind of stolen goods. Agents reported Sunday that they arrested a man who attempted to sell back stolen goods to the original owner.

They detained a 32-year-old man in Hatillo 5, and said that Friday at midday someone burglarized a home in that community and took television sets, sound equipment, microwaves, a DVD and 140,000 colons in cash.

A short time later the homeowner received a call offered to bring back the stolen goods for the payment of 30,000 colons or about $60. When agents made the arrest Sunday afternoon, they were able to recover the stolen goods, they said.




VICKI'S COMMENTS•RANT:  
I've had this happen to a FEW people I've known in Costa Rica!!  One friend had a NEW Tourism Van that hadn't even gone through the registration process hence did not even have insurance on it.  Through his "sources" on the street, he tracked it down to a person that was in jail and was able to recover it for like $4,000 or so!!!  I've know of this happening to people with laptops that have been stolen before (hence why you want to get some sort of tracking device like Track My iPhone - that will even SHOW the person ON your computer!!)




Yiguirro Bird - Rainy Season Announcers

Feathery alarm clock begins the annual songfest

By the http://AMCostaRica.com staff

The WEATHER experts predict the arrival of the rainy season in the Central Valley a few days later this year about May 13.

BUT that prediction is lost on the national bird, the yigüirro, which has taken upon itself since last week the job of waking up the neighborhood around 3 a.m.

The bird, Turdus grayi, has personal reason for its pre-dawn serenade, but Costa Ricans have attributed this action to calling the rain, that is, the rainy season.

The bird is a cousin of the American robin but lacks the red breast. The  yigüirro became the official national bird in 1977. Two years ago Correos de Costa Rica came out with a commemorative stamp issue depicting the yigüirro and also the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

The tiny bird is as consistent as an alarm clock. The calls can be heard every morning about the same early time. Although the bird can be found all over the country, the bulk of the population is in the Central Valley where its call competed with unanswered automobile alarms.

An A.M. Costa Rica news story about the bird in 2007 noted that sometimes the bird is a bit early in predicting the rainy season. This year the calls started seven weeks before the date officially
bird on stamp
Yigüirro and Virginia white-tailed deer share stamp issued to honor national symbols.

predicted Friday by the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional. The bird is hardly ever that far off, so some residents are expecting a start of the daily rains early next month.

The weather institute said its experts expect the rainy season to move into the northern zone around April 3, several days later than normal. The prediction for the southern and central Pacific coast is May 3, a bit later than normal. The estimate for the northern Pacific coast is May 23, a few days later than the long-term average.


VICKI'S COMMENTS•RANT:  
I'm the type of person that LOVES TOTAL SILENCE and my former place in Escazu, I SWEAR I had at LEAST 50 of them in the tree outside my bedroom window and they'd wake me up at first it was like 4am ON the dot and each year got earlier and earlier both when they first showed up and what time they started yakkin'!!  Last year seemed like it was like 1am some mornings. To ME, yigüirro translates to "NOISIER THAN A HIGHWAY - 24/7 BIRD".  I am SOOOO NOT a mean to animals kinda gal - but the thoughts that have come into my mind . . . .      Needless to say, this is NOT my favorite time of the year!!!

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SUBSCRIBE to this FREE informative Monday through Friday Web Newspaper at http://AMCostaRica.com/subscribe.htm
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES with Melanie Wells

CALENDAR FOR PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES   •  TALLERES DE FOTOGRAFIA
March and April  •  Marzo y Abril
with MELANIE WELLS


*****Thursday/Juevas - March/Marzo 29  -  9am-noon*****
"UNDERSTANDING YOUR CAMERA" 
in Santa Ana
(this is a private class through the Newcomers women's group but they have some space available - especially for women interested in joining their group!)
It will be in English ONLY and just $55
 Contact Abby at  Abby@BSHDevelopment.com 


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WHERE • DONDE:  Espacio VERITAS - Escazú  -  http://Veritas.cr

FACEBOOK EVENT INVITATION • INVITACION:  http://Facebook.com/events/361856470525243

LANGUAGE • LENGUA:  Bilingual - Bilingues - English y Español

Thursday/Jueves - March/Marzo 22
"GETTING CLOSER TO THE IMAGE"  •  'ACERCÁNDOSE MÁS A LA IMAGEN' 

Saturday/Sabado - March/Marzo 24
"UNDERSTANDING YOUR CAMERA"  •  "ENTENDIENDO SU CÁMARA" 

Wednesday/Miercoles - March/Marzo 28
"PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR HOLIDAY"  •  "FOTOGRAFIANDO SUS VACACIONES"

Saturday/Sabado - April 14
"BUILDING THE MACRO TO YOUR HOUSE"  •  "APROVECHANDO EL MACRO DE SU CÁMARA"

Thursday / Jueves - April 19
"PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE"  •  "FOTOGRAFIANDO GENTE" 

PRICE • PRECIO:  SUPER SPECIAL - $60 (regular $75)
+ - Take any 5 classes at Veritas and receive the 6th class FREE


(Melanie is also available for Private Group Classes as well - so create what/when YOU desire!!
Melanie también está disponible para las clases de grupos privados también - para crear lo que / cuando lo desea)


CONTACThttp://MelWells.com  •  8-753-8231  •  MelWells@gmail.com  •  Melanie@MelWells.com






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Make sure to tell Melanie that VICKI CONNECTED YOU!


Have you found this information helpful - PLEASE help keep this VERY DETAILED blog (and me) going by making a DONATION!  (it's my ONLY form of income these days and asking for donations is VERY new [and challenging for me!!]) 
(top right corner is the Paypal button!!  THANX!!)
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PLEASE "SHARE" this link to EVERYONE you know that might be interested in helping out and joining! (especially on Facebook)