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Page 1: September issue

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TimesSEPTEMBER 2010VOL.

V

YEA

R I

In this issue

Costa Rica Independence History

Enfermedades TicasCarbon labels seen as challenge to developing countriesand more...

Fortuna

FreeCopy

WWW.FORTUNATIMES.COM

The Arenal Area Magazine

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Where you come as a stranger and leave as a friend!!!

Hotel Reservations

- Tour Reservations

- Rent a car

- Shuttle Reservations anywhere

- Transfers any where...

... and much more!

We will be glad to help you with:

La Fortuna de San Carlos - Costa Rica - TELEPHONES: (506) 2479 - 9101 / (506) 2479 - 9344

FAX (506) 2479 - 9176 - E-MAIL [email protected]

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On the shores of Lake Arenal and the Valley of the Caño Negro River surrounded by the Children´s Eternal Forest and The Arenal Volcano Reserve, you will find our piece of paradise that we call Rancho Margot; a sustainable ranch, wildlife rescue center and organic farming community, to-tally off the grid, we produce our own energy. There is no compromise to comfort, the food is great, the bar is always lively and if you bring children, they will not want to leave!

www.ranchomargot.org [email protected]

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FortunaTimes

Monthly Magazine

Fortuna TimesP.O Box 27-4417La Fortuna de AlajuelaCOSTA RICA 21007

Editor in ChiefRigoberto Vargas

Design LayoutNatalia Vargas

Webpagewww.fortunatimes.com

[email protected]

TelephonesCR (506) 2479 1970 / (506) 8712 6500 Fax (506) 2479 1980

USA (954) 607 7572

FortunaTimes.com is a division of 3-102-592002 S.R.L.Cedula Juridica 3-102-592002

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Sales ManagerChris Lawson

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Fruits & Veggies Help Ward Off Lung Cancer

189 años de Independencia

Enfermedades Ticas Costa Rica Independence History

Real Stories Real People For Kids

Funny Cartoons

Promocinar tu página, aumenta tus visitas

Do you want a healthy heart? Should floss!!

Carbon labels seen as challenge to developing countries

Sudoku

¿Por qué es tan importante tener páginas web?

Bus Schedule

Directory

In this issue

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Fruits & Veggies Help Ward Off

Lung Cancer

Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables may help protect some smokers from lung cancer, a new European study suggests.But, the researchers stressed that quitting smoking will do far more to reduce risk than “an apple a day” or having a salad for lunch.In the study, participants who ate a diet that contained a diverse mix of fruits and vegetables appeared to have a 27 percent lowered risk of a common type of lung cancer, the researchers reported.

“First and foremost, the best way to reduce one’s risk of lung cancer is to quit smoking. That is of paramount importance,” said principal investigator Dr. H. Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, project director of cancer epidemiology at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands. “However, we realize that there are still millions worldwide who cannot and don’t want to quit smoking. To just ignore them would be somewhat of a pity. This study shows there is a possibility of reducing one’s risk even if one is a smoker.”

Keep in mind that “wide variety” meant more than a banana with breakfast and a helping of peas and carrots with dinner. Think kale and spinach; berries and melons; cabbage, cauliflower and eggplant — some 40 different fruits and vegetables in all.

The researchers analyzed data on more than 450,000 adults from 10 European countries. Participants filled out questionnaires about dietary habits and lifestyle, including occupation, medical history, tobacco and alcohol use and physical activity.

Over the course of nine years, 1,613 of the people were diagnosed with lung cancer. Vegetable consumption was divided into eight categories: leafy vegetables; fruiting vegetables; root vegetables; cabbages; mushrooms; grain and pod vegetables; onion and garlic; and stalk vegetables. Vegetables did not include legumes, potatoes and other tubers.

The 14 fruits tracked included fresh, dried and canned fruits but excluded nuts, seeds and olives. Participants were then divided into four groups, or quartiles, based on the diversity of their diet. Those in the highest quartile ate between 23 and 40 different types of fruits and vegetables during the prior two weeks. Those in the lowest quartile ate less than 10 different types of fruits and vegetables.

Smokers who ate the greatest variety of fruits and veggies were 27 percent less likely to get squamous cell lung cancer, which accounts for about 25 percent to 30 percent of all lung cancers, than smokers who ate the least variety.

“It is important to realize the risk reduction one can achieve by eating a greater variety of fruits and vegetables will be minor in relation to quitting smoking,” Bueno-de-Mesquita stressed.

The study is published in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. It should be noted that the study relied on “self reports” — in which the participants described to the researchers their fruit and vegetable consumption. Such studies, while valuable, are not considered the “gold standard” of research — a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.But what is it about fruits and vegetables that may ward off the changes in cells that cause tumors to grow?

There probably isn’t one “magic” compound in the fruits and vegetables, Bueno-de-Mesquita said, but instead many compounds that interact with each other and the body in ways that aren’t yet understood.

It can be dangerous to put too much stock in any one substance, he added. A study in Finland found smokers who took the antioxidant beta carotene and vitamin E supplements actually had an increased risk of lung cancer.

Previous research has also linked fruits and vegetables with lowered risk of cancer. A 2007 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research report concluded that fruits probably protect against lung cancer, but there was no evidence that vegetables did.

But other research has suggested eating a variety of vegetables can reduce the risk of other types of cancers, including colorectal, gastric, breast, oral and pharyngeal cancer and squamous cell esophageal cancer.

Marjorie McCullough, strategic director of nutritional epidemiology at the American Cancer Society, said fruits and vegetables may help to protect against lung cancer, but every smoker should be working on quitting.“Quitting smoking is far and away the most important way to lower the risk of lung cancer, but eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may further help lower the risk of several cancers,” McCullough said.

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can also help prevent obesity, which is a risk factor for certain cancers, she added.

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El Desfile de Faroles representa el grito de la Independencia

Todos los 14 de setiembre, estudiantes, padres de familia y docentes salen a las calles con hermosos y coloridos faroles, para conmemorar el grito de Independencia.

Pero pese a que esta es una de las celebraciones patrias más concurridas y del gusto de grandes y chicos, son pocos los costarricenses que realmente saben la verdadera historia.

¿Sabe por qué los ticos y demás centroamericanos caminan por las calles de su país con faroles? La respuesta data del siglo XIX en Guatemala

RESEÑA

Fue Dolores Bedoya la que corrió por todas las empedradas calles de Guatemala, ahora Antigua, aquella noche del 14 de setiembre de 1821 con un farol en sus manos y buscando a los ciudadanos para que se congregaran en la plaza, frente al cabildo, donde estaban reunidas las diputaciones provinciales de Guatemala, entre ellas Chiapas, Honduras y El Salvador.

Mientras tanto en Costa Rica, que pertenecía a la diputación de León Nicaragua, se desconocían los hechos acontecidos en el vecino país.

El objetivo de los habitantes guatemaltecos, era vociferar en una sola garganta “Viva la Patria”, “Viva la Libertad”, a pocas horas de declarada la Independencia de esa nación, el 15 de setiembre.

El pueblo entero se dio cita en el ayuntamiento con sus lámparas y faroles, pues en esa época no había electricidad. Ahí con sus llamados y presiones lograron que los patricios estamparan la tan deseada firma.

Desde ese momento y año con

año, los pueblos libres comenzaron a adornar las humildes viviendas con faroles, para conmemorar las festividades patrias y la gesta de Dolores Bedoya.

Los farolitos encendidos a las 6 de la tarde y la entonación del Himno Nacional de Costa Rica, dan fiel testimonio del digno acto en busca de la libertad de las naciones y de miles de pueblerinos cansados de opresiones bajo en mandato español.

Las decoraciones con faroles se mantuvieron por años como una tradición, pero sería hasta finales de siglo antepasado, que los desfiles tomaron popularidad. Las caminatas con faroles fueron la sensación en cada pueblo para celebrar la víspera del Día de la Independencia.

EN LA SEGUNDA REPÚBLICA

El siglo XX marcó la pauta. Hasta ese momento los cotizados recorridos, alumbrados por la luz de las velas y llenos de colores patrios no eran más que una costumbre, no existía nada que obligara a los ticos a salir a las calles y festejar el grito de independencia.

Según cuenta la historia, eran los mismos vecinos los que se congregaban para organizar los desfiles y dar una vez más el merecido crédito a Dolores Bedoya, la revolucionaria.

Hasta mediados de siglo y luego de la revolución de 1948 durante la que se dieron importantes cambios, los Fundadores de la segunda Repu

República pusieron especial atención en el rescate de valores patrios, en especial el Desfile de los Faroles.

Los reformistas estimularon a las comunidades, para que cada año salieran por los vecindarios con los faroles a celebrar un año más de libertad y de amor a la patria,

otorgando premios para las mejores creaciones.

Los encargados de promover las actividades fueron los maestros y profesores de las escuelas y colegios en todo el país.

Para 1953 se dio el nombramiento de Manuel Ureña como Director General de Escuelas de San José, quien puso especial atención a las celebraciones y oficializó para todos los centros educativos el 14 de setiembre como día especial para el Desfile de los Faroles, a las 6 de la tarde.

La tradición se mantiene en la actualidad y este año no es la excepción.

“Para el 15 de setiembre en nuestro país aún no se conocía la noticia de independencia, por lo que la costumbre de los faroles se copió sin fundamento alguno de Guatemala”, indicó Franco Fernández, historiador.

Fernández considera que es un hecho simbólico, que no se ajusta a la historia costarricense, pues la noticia de independencia llegó casi un mes más tarde.

RECIBIMIENTO DE LA ANTORCHA

El mismo día en que los estudiantes y sus familiares salen a alumbrar las calles de los barrios con faroles, llega al país la antorcha de la libertad, proveniente de Guatemala y el resto de las naciones hermanas de Centroamérica.

Se consultó a un historiador sobre las razones que motivan la entrada a tierras ticas de la antorcha, si en realidad ese acto de conmemoración debía hacerse posterior al 15 de setiembre y en nuestro caso el 13 o el 14 de octubre.

“El recibimiento de la antorcha es una tontera de hace unos 20 a 25 años, que no tienen nada que ver con las conmemoraciones patrias.

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189 años de Independencia

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fLa introdujeron para hacer alusión a la noticia de independencia, pero ni fue en esa fecha, ni se usó antorcha”, comentó Fernández.

Para el historiador, la antorcha es un signo deportivo, de olimpiada, el cual nació en Grecia, el recorrido se hace para llevar noticia y se hizo a caballo, pero no tiene nada que ver con la independencia.

“No se cómo los educadores y las autoridades hablan de fortalecer valores, enseñando otras cosas y mintiéndole a la gente. Es una tradición en el país, pero debería hacerse el día que corresponde, 13 de octubre, cuando trajeron la noticia de León, Nicaragua.

EN CABILDO ABIERTO

La noticia de Independencia llegó la primera quincena de octubre a suelo tico, luego de un largo recorrido desde el vecino país de Nicaragua. “No fue para avisar la noticia, sino para hacer de conocimiento de los ticos, la decisión de las restantes naciones centroamericanas.

Luego de ese día, el pueblo, las autoridades y los españoles fueron citados a participar de un cabildo abierto para conocer las implicaciones de independizarse. Cabe destacar que Costa Rica fue el único país de toda América que convocó a los ciudadanos para sesionar.

Delgados de los pueblos de San José, Heredia, Alajuela, Barva, Aserrí, Espíritu Santo de Esparza, Bagaces, Ujarrás y Cartago se congregaron en el ayuntamiento, en Cartago.

Las autoridades españolas llegaron a la mencionada reunión sin armas, porque la juventud costarricense tomó el cuartel y las quitó, con el objeto de arreglar el asunto por el diálogo y no por la fuerza.

José Francisco Osejo fue quien lideró al grupo y logró el desarme. La Independencia absoluta de España se dio ese 29 de octubre de 1821. A solo un mes Costa Rica tenía un gobierno constitucional y la primera Constitución Política, llamada Pacto Fundamental Interino de Costa Rica o Pacto de Concordia.

Para 1824 en Guatemala, se reunió la Federación Centroamericana y obligó a que las celebraciones de independencia se realicen el 15 del mes en curso, día en que se liberaron los chapines y otras diputaciones.

RECOMENDACIONES

Cuidado, el desfile de faroles podría pasar de ser una noche de celebración, a convertirse en toda una tragedia. Para evitar cualquier inconveniente, padres y docentes, así como estudiantes deben de guardar las siguientes

recomendaciones:

1. Verifique que el farol que compra sea de buena calidad. 2. No use artículos inflamables como plásticos y derivados de poliéster. 3. Revise que la candela esté bien colocada, para evitar que se caiga 4. No pegue la candela con el mismo esperma ya que el calor lo deshace. 5. Los menores siempre deben ir acompañados de un adulto. 6. Mantenga distancia prudencial de los faroles para disminuir riesgo de fuego. 7. No portar ropas inflamables como telas sintéticas, sino más bien algodón. 8. Los niños no deben ni prender ni apagar los faroles. 9. No haga bromas de ningún tipo ya que podrían tener consecuencias graves. 10. Si el farol alza llamas, el adulto debe ser quien las apague.

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Bella Vista Estates is an eco-friendly development that is involved in reforestation; to date we have planted over 6000 trees and plan to plant some 8000 more. You can enjoy hiking trails and wondrous tropical foliage right at your door. Local wildlife is abundant, including monkeys, sloths and toucans. Bella Vista is both near town with magnificent vistas in every direction, and at the same time secluded; our property is completely fenced in and is protected with a guardhouse and 24/7 security, gym and stables.

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Extrañísimas enfermedades que se padecen en Costa Rica

Se explican a continuación extrañísimas enfermedades que se padecen en Costa Rica.Si algún día llegara a visitar este hermoso país centroamericano, téngalo presente.

1. QUEBRANTO: Misteriosa elevación de la temperatura corporal no lo suficientemente alta como para ser considerada fiebre, pero sí lo bastante seria como para faltar al trabajo o al colegio.

2. PATATÚS: Ataque súbito de loquera de origen desconocido, el cual puede ser objeto de una hospitalización para su observación. Generalmente le da a personas de 50 años en adelante.

3. YEYO: Cualquier trastorno repentino que sea lo suficientemente grave como para ir al médico, tomar remedios y faltar al colegio, o trabajo. Puede utilizarse como sinónimo de PATATÚS.

4. CHICHOTA: Protuberancia craneal usualmente causada por el güevazo sufrido durante el patatús...!

5. EMPACHO: Desorden digestivo ocasionado por una ‘comida pesada’ después de comer a la lata como por ejemplo: atunes, frutas, pierna de cerdo, chicharrones y dos botellas... La sociedad Gastronómica recomienda para estos casos ‘ gotas amargas’ (el Alka Seltzer nunca es igual).

6. PEGA: Especie de indigestión producida por comer algo en gran cantidá, lo cual produce una contracción muscular en la panza y por medio de una sobada en los brazos, mágicamente desaparece.

7. MUÑECA ABIERTA: Dislocación entre la mano y el antebrazo, que generalmente ocurre por abrir diferentes envases, tales como whisky, birrillas o maníes o papitas tostadas (no habituales).

8. SERENO: Misteriosa sustancia que se precipita

particularmente en horas nocturnas y que afecta sobre todo a niños si no llevan la cabecita bien tapada. También afecta a personas mayores o a la personas con alto grado de embriaguez...!

9. CUERPO PESADO: ¿Cómo explicarle a otro ser humano no nacido en Tiquicia qué rayos es sentirse con el cuerpo pesado?. Es una vara así como que el tronco va para un lado, los brazos pesan más que el carajo y de paso las piernas no le dan... ¿quién entiende esto?

10. ZALPULLIDO: Erupción extraña compuesta por un poco de ‘bolitas’ que salen generalmente después de haber comido algo que no le cayó bien o es alérgico al coctel de camarones el cual ha tragado más de la cuenta cuando fue por primera vez a la playa.

11. RONCHA: Las ‘bolitas’ anteriores pero apretujadas y que pican, que joden en paleta, sobre todo si están localizadas en partes nobles. Y a propósito, ¿por qué le dirán nobles? Buena pregunta.

12. SOPONCIO: Padecimiento de personas mayores y que depende del estrato social, manteniendo el nombre de ‘SOPONCIO’ si ocurre en personas adineradas y PATATUS si la víctima es de clase media o de clase baja...

13. COGIÓ UN AIRE (o su variación más extraña: cogió un CHIFLÓN). Éste de verdad que tiene locos de remate a todos los científicos de Harvard, porque hasta el momento no se explican cómo es la fisiopatología de la vara esta: ¿Cómo uno se puede coger a un elemento gaseoso (aire)? Y el aire, ¿se deja coger así no más? Y si se deja coger, ¿por dónde?

14. LE DIÓ UNA VARA: No tiene lugar del cuerpo específico, le puede dar a cualquiera en cualquier momento y simplemente es que esa ‘vara’ se lo llevó. (Para el Barrio de los Ñatos)

15. LE DIO NERVIOS: Todo el mundo tiene nervios, pero en Tiquicia, los nervios ‘dan’, sobre todo después de un Sismo o cuando ven jugar a la Liga. Se refiere cuando una situación genera confusión, miedo, angustia. Es peligroso porque puede terminar en PATATÚS o SOPONCIO!

16. UNA GÜEVONADA RARA: Contrariamente a lo que parece etimológicamente, no tiene nada que ver con el órgano que están pensando. Al igual que ‘la vara’, puede dar en cualquier parte del cuerpo y súbitamente.

17. COSTALAZOS: Caídas aparatosas, generalmente en sitios públicos, de las cuales quienes las sufren, a pesar de lo estrepitosos, se paran rapidito, como si nada hubiera pasado, pero luego vienen los YEYOS y la aparición de CHICHOTAS.

18. JODIDO: Estar mal, con algún dolor generalmente en alguna o todas las partes del cuerpo, pero también atribuible al dolor de estar sin trabajo o sin un peso. También alude a desarrollo mental.

19. CHICHÓN: Ira o cólera significativamente cuantiosa.

20. HECHO MIERDA: Es un combo especial que incluye un síntoma de todas las enfermedades descritas anteriormente.

ENFERMEDADES TICAS...

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Costa RiCa independenCe HistoRyThroughout the colonial period, Costa Rica remained one of the provinces ruled by the Spanish viceroyalty in Guatemala (together with the provinces of El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua). Its position as the farthest province from the crown’s representative and the fact that great mineral wealth was not discovered here meant that interest in this distant territory was minimal, which in turn allowed Costa Rica to develop in an atmosphere of relative autonomy not found in the other provinces of Central America.

The provincial Governors were always Spaniards appointed by the monarchy, although once settled in the new territory they inevitably set about attending to their own personal interests rather than those of the province and its colonists. This practice was by no means limited to the province of Costa Rica but was apparently commonplace throughout the New World colonies, which lead to much discontent among the colonists.

During the latter part of the 1700’s, Spain’s concern for the welfare of its American territories decreased as its interest in taxing them increased in order to help solve problems at home (including those brought on by a feisty Frenchman by the name of Bonaparte). Discontentment with the crown in other parts of Latin America led to wars of independence. There was even some sporadic insurrection in other areas of Central America between 1811 and 1814.

Deliberation over the situation of the Guatemalan territories with respect to their relation to Spain ended in the signing of the Guatemalan Independence Act on Sept. 15, 1821.

News of independence from Spain reached Costa Rica by messenger in mid-October and in November of 1821 the first provisional government of Costa Rica was formed. This body drafted the “Concord Pact” on Dec. 1, a document that is considered the original Costa Rican Constitution. The Pact established the sovereign right of Costa Rica to decide its political future and guaranteed to its citizens civil liberty, the right to property and other human rights.

However, this newfound independence from the mother country was not met everywhere with total acceptance. Throughout Central America there were groups of imperialists who still felt loyalty toward Spain and clashed with the separatists over the issue of becoming part of the Mexican Empire or remaining completely independent. Costa Rica was no exception. The majority of the town elders in both Cartago and Heredia proclaimed themselves imperialists, in contrast with the predominant republican sentiments professed in San José and Alajuela.

Thus, although Costa Rica did not have to fight to gain its independence, ironically it battled over the meaning of this status and in April of 1823, in the area of Ochomogo (halfway between Cartago and San José), a battle was waged between groups from the two factions. Those favoring independence were victorious. Another other significant outcome of this skirmish was that the capital of the country was then transferred to San José from its previous site in Cartago.

The Beginnings of an EconomyThe exportation of agricultural products to Nicaragua and

Panama and the importation of cloth, metal implements and other goods that characterized the trade which Costa Rica conducted beyond its frontiers during the colonial period resulted in the concentration of wealth in the hands of local merchants. By the mid-18th Century, much of the agricultural produce came from small family-run farms, since shortages of indigenous labor caused the failure of many of the former large land holdings that had been a prominent feature of the Central Valley’s landscape a century earlier.

Because currency was in short supply, most of the trade between farmers and merchants was conducted using a barter system in which the merchant inevitably got the better part of the bargain. Relatively little local commerce existed in the 1700’s, since most people were farmers and most farms were designed to be self-sufficient. Thus, the majority of the trade consisted of surplus crops or livestock that were bartered to obtain imported items from the merchants.

In spite of continued population growth and agricultural expansion across the Central Valley, this bucolic, non-capitalistic lifestyle might easily have continued for many years after independence had it not been for the introduction of a foreign plant species: Coffea arabica, more commonly known as coffee.

The spread of coffee cultivation throughout the Central Valley resulted in numerous profound changes in the development of the fledgling republic. As more and more of the small subsistence farms converted to coffee plantations, it became necessary to import food crops from other countries, principally Nicaragua. The merchant class also became active in growing coffee on lands they owned and this necessitated the hiring of laborers. The operation of coffee mills also required salaried workers. Thus, the beginning of a capitalistic society, in which labor itself becomes a commodity, was established.

Just prior to the expansion of coffee growing, a source of mineral wealth was at last discovered in Costa Rica. In 1815 gold mining began in the Montes de Aguacate -- a mountainous area along the route traveled between the Central Valley and the Pacific port of Puntarenas. As a result of this activity, the government began minting coins in 1824. By 1833, gold exports accounted for 48% of the country’s total exports.

One year earlier, coffee had for the first time been shipped from Puntarenas to Chile, from where it would be sent on to England. This was the start of what was to become a very profitable relationship, so profitable in fact that from 1843 until 1880 coffee made up between 85% and 95% of the nation’s exports. By then, most of the coffee production was being shipped directly to England.

The rich volcanic soils of the Central Valley and an ideal climate for growing coffee, combined with the agricultural tradition of the majority of the inhabitants and the marketing experience of the merchant class, propelled Costa Rica to an economic position far superior to most of the rest of Latin America, where many countries were so embroiled in bloody civil wars that concern for developing a national economy took a definite back seat.

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Associated with the coffee boom were many advances in development, including the founding of banks (with a combination of British and Costa Rican capital), the construction and improvement of roads and port facilities, the establishment of the country’s first telegraph system which connected Cartago with Puntarenas (via San José, Alajuela and Heredia), and the building of the nation’s first railway linking Alajuela, San José and Cartago. Even the construction of the country’s premier architectural showpiece, the National Theater, can be traced to the prosperity brought by coffee production.

During the second half of the 19th century, however, advances in health and education did not keep pace with the development of infrastructure. This is not to say that the governments of the time were not active in trying to provide improved education and health care, but simply that it took longer to see the results. Poor sanitary conditions were the principal cause of periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as cholera and dysentery, and life expectancy at the turn of the twentieth century was only 30 years. With increased attention paid to the public health sector, life expectancy rose from 35 to 56 years between 1920 and 1950. Likewise, an expanding public education system resulted in a decline in illiteracy from 55% in 1910 to 33% in 1930, and to 21% in 1950.

Trains, Bananas, Chocolate and Gold

The oxcart, which has become something of a national symbol of Costa Rica, was instrumental in transporting sacks of coffee beans from the Central Valley to the Pacific port of Puntarenas, but this was made possible only after the path through the mountains was sufficiently widened in the mid-1840’s to allow oxcarts to replace mules as a form of transportation. Nevertheless, shipping coffee to England from the Pacific side of the country meant a long, arduous voyage around Cape Horn. The obvious solution was to open a route that would link the Central Valley with the Caribbean coast. And the way to do it? A railroad!

In 1884, the Costa Rican government signed a contract with Minor Keith, a North American who agreed to construct a narrow-gauge railroad from San José to Limón in exchange for 300,000 hectares of land on the Atlantic side of the country. On this vast acreage Keith began banana production, and in 1899 joined with the Boston Fruit Company to form the United Fruit Company.

Afro-American laborers were brought from Jamaica to work the banana plantations and build the railroad because they were better adapted to the climatic conditions of the Caribbean lowlands than were the European-descended inhabitants of the Central Valley. Due to the relative isolation of the banana producing regions from the other populated areas of the country, a unique culture evolved on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, characterized by a distinctive Jamaican flavor.

By 1913, Costa Rica was one of the world’s leading banana exporters, although coffee was still the nation’s principal foreign revenue earner. At about this same time, the United Fruit Company began converting some of its extensive monoculture banana plantations to cacao because of a fungal disease, known as “Panama disease,” that was affecting the bananas. By 1925, cacao

figured third on the country’s list of export products.

Minor Keith also used his fortune in the purchase of 40,000 hectares of land in the Tilarán mountains, where he started the Abangares Gold Mining Company. Although seemingly worlds apart, this gold mining operation held much in common with the way banana production was carried out. Immigrant labor from Honduras, Nicaragua, and also Jamaica was employed along with Costa Rican workers. The work was demanding, and even though well-paid, the workers were isolated in the mining villages and had little choice but to spend their hard-earned pay in the company store owned by the mining company.Since most of Keith’s holdings were essentially vertical monopolies whose production came from land they owned or controlled, and his dealings with the government gave him the advantage of numerous tax breaks, a relatively small percentage of the income generated by his various activities entered the national economy.

The Revolution of 1948

Of the relatively little that might be known about Costa Rica beyond its borders is the fact that this tiny Central American nation is unique in having a functioning democratic system and no army. However, these conditions have only existed since 1949.

It is true that in Costa Rica the democratic tradition dates back to 1889, although direct voting for presidential candidates did not go into effect until 1910 and women gained the right to vote as late as 1953. Noheless, from 1821 to 1948, electoral fraud and coups d’état were a regular part of the local political reality -- witness to the fact is that in the 93 years between 1821 and 1914 there were a total of 92 political conflicts characterized by violence, although brief and limited in scope.

Many factors combined to create the political situation that resulted in the revolution, or civil war, of 1948.

Costa Rica’s century-long economic dependence on a single export crop, coffee (bananas have never had the same direct influence on the national economy), inevitably tied the economy to the vagaries of an international market. Coffee prices had already been in decline for several years when the worldwide depression hit in 1930. This resulted in a drastic reduction of both coffee and banana exports along with a severe drop in imported goods. Because most government revenue was then generated by taxes on imports, the depression also decidedly diminished state funds.

The economic conditions produced a serious social crisis marked by unemployment, food scarcities, lowered wages for government employees, and a general decline in the standard of living to which Costa Ricans had been accustomed. The growing proletariat had already been making increasingly vehement demands for better working and living conditions prior to the onset of the depression, and thus the stage was set for the inception of the Costa Rican Communist Party in 1931. Several strikes by urban workers and by thousands of banana plantation workers in the Atlantic lowlands in 1934 demonstrated the power of this new political force and sent a clear signal to the traditional ruling class elite.

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The government was obliged to take a more active role in solving social and economic problems. Banking traditionally had been controlled by foreign capitalists and the local coffee oligarchy, but in 1936, the state intervened in this area with the creation of the National Bank of Costa Rica and the General Superintendent of Banks, designed to exercise certain controls over the private banks. Previously, in 1933, a federal institute had been created to establish prices paid for coffee by the coffee mills and to regulate relations between the independent growers and the mills.

The end of a 70-year period of governmental liberalism and laissez-faire was being heralded. At the same time, a generational change was taking place in the national political arena and, in 1940, Dr. Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia was elected president with an overwhelming 85% of the vote. His ambitious platform, however, was limited by the federal fiscal deficit and a new period of difficult international economic times brought on by World War II.

Nevertheless, during his four years in office the University of Costa Rica was founded (1940), the Seguro Social -- a national health care program -- was created (1941), the “Social Guarantees” were amended to the Constitution (1942), and the Labor Code was enacted (1943). History will perhaps best remember Dr. Calderón for having promoted the Social Guarantees, which include the right to work, minimum wage, an eight-hour work day, a 48-hour work week, paid vacations, the right to unionize and to strike, social security and the formation of the Labor Courts to litigate disputes between workers and employers.

Despite the sweeping popularity that brought him into office, by the second year of his presidency Calderón was beset by critics from all sides. Those wielding economic power were not enamored of many of the social reforms, the communists were not in favor of legislation that instituted religion classes in public schools, and nearly everyone opposed the government’s handling of the country’s economic problems. To make matters worse, accusations of corruption were frequent.

Among the many critics was a politically unknown farmer/businessman, José Figueres Ferrer, who, during a radio program on July 8, 1942, denounced the government’s economic policies and claimed that it had given in to the Communist Party. Incensed by his oratory, the government had him arrested and deported to Mexico. However, that was not to be the end of Mr. Figueres.

It was not until a year later that the government of Calderón Guardia actually did form a pact with the Communist Party in hopes of assuring a victory in the 1944 presidential elections. Both groups had a mutual interest in preserving the social reforms that had recently become law, and it is thought that perhaps Calderón, being aware of the decline in his popularity, imagined the communists could be useful with their capacity at organizing and mobilizing masses of people.

The election campaign of 1944 was marred by numerous violent confrontations between followers of the Calderón/communist coalition, known as “The Victory Block,” and those of the León Cortés Democratic Party. Cortés had been president from 1936 - 1940 and was running for

continued on pag. 21

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I studied in Costa Rica in 1991 before it became a trendy ecotourist destination. Since then, Costa Rica has struggled with development. Catering to foreign tourists came at the expense of its own people and ecosystems.

Tourism is now Costa Rica’s primary income, having surpassed its famous coffee. Serious environmental issues remain, such as the scarcity of potable water and the ongoing destruction of habitats.

Now everyone talks of sustainable development even when it comes to coffee.

Milwaukee folks enjoy many good local coffee roasters. Still when I return to Costa Rica, I try new coffee. On a recent trip, friends introduced me to some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted. It impressed me so much that I visited the cooperative.

Coopedota is situated in Santa Maria de Dota, a town surrounded by cool verdant hills rich in volcanic soil that is perfect for coffee growing. The co-op’s walls were covered with posters of famous coffee chains like Starbucks. I told my guide that Milwaukee has a great local roaster called Alterra.

“Un momentito,” he said as he walked to the wall to pull down

Real Stories Real People

a plaque. He handed it to me. “Alterra,” it said, “Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”

Coopedota is one of Alterra’s suppliers. I almost fell over.

What really boggled my mind was what the cooperative accomplishes. Seventy-eight employees have multiple responsibilities so no one loses his or her job in non-harvest times. The person that runs the toasting machine also knows how to maintain it. Over 700 local farmers are members. Together, they study sustainable farming practices.

Last year, Coopedota was certified fair trade. It is also endorsed by the Rain Forest Alliance as a business that not only protects the environment but improves the lives of community members. The co-op is about to become the country’s first carbon-neutral coffee producer.

Alterra’s director of coffee, George Bregar, believes Coopedota and Alterra share the view that coffee production can be done ethically. “Specialty coffee has changed so much,” Bregar told me. “Especially the awareness on the part of the consumer. They are much closer to the farmer.”

All co-op members share in the profits. The administrative staff basically cut out many intermediaries that used to exploit farmers. Ninety percent of the town’s income comes from the coffee trade.

While at Coopedota, the staff proudly showed me their internal recycling system that is now communitywide in their town of 3,000. Whatever items are not re-used are sold for profit.

I left inspired by what a small group of people can do to change an entire region. There are many similar cooperatives throughout Costa Rica. Similar successful efforts exist in the United States, including Milwaukee’s Growing Power.

So Milwaukeeans, drink your café con confianza (confidence). Profit, sustainable growing practices and fair treatment of workers can co-exist. It is a joy knowing my two favorite places on Earth are connected through a simple cup of coffee.

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[email protected] www.undercoverrealestate.com P.O. BOX 27-4417 Telephones: 8834-5555 / 8712-6500

COSTA RICA 21007

reelection against Teodoro Picado, the man picked by Calderón to succeed him. By an ample margin, Picado was declared the winner, although the opposition party denounced that the results were tampered.

Attempting to placate the opposition, Picado instituted several reforms aimed at improving public finance and, most importantly, promoted the creation of the Electoral Code which included the formation of the Electoral Tribune, supposedly a politically neutral organism charged with safeguarding election results and eliminating fraud.

Any advance that might have been gained towards smoothing over differences with the opposition was nullified, however, by the changes made to the tax laws in December of 1946. Both small agricultural and industrial producers as well as those with large capital were equally vocal in their discontent over having to pay higher taxes, especially the agricultural exporting class that was long accustomed under the liberal regimes to not having their activities taxed.

Meanwhile, in 1944, José Figueres had returned from exile committed to forming the “Second Republic” and a year later created the Social Democratic Party. Six months later, this party entered into an alliance with the León Cortés Democratic Party and the National Union Party, led by Otilio Ulate, who was later elected as the party nominee for the presidential election of 1948. Their platform centered on free elections and anti-communism. The Victory Block’s candidate was Dr. Calderón Guardia, who aspired to a second term in office.

The months leading up to the elections on February 8, 1948 were filled with tension and frequent acts of violence perpetrated by members of both major political forces. The level of conflict escalated from that of the elections four years earlier with the inclusion of terrorist attacks on newspaper companies, radio stations, and even important political figures, including Calderón himself. And, of course, both sides alleged that the other party intended to rig the election results.

Officially, Otilio Ulate outpaced Calderón by 10,000 votes, but the Victory Block garnered a greater number of seats in the legislature than did the National Union Party. Calderón Guardia refused to acknowledge the defeat. Also, the day after the elections, a fire of suspicious origin destroyed many of the ballots. It seems that the Electoral Tribune was not very successful in its first trial by fire.

By majority, the members of the Electoral Tribune declared Ulate to be the President-elect, pending confirmation by the Legislative Assembly. Calderón petitioned the legislature to nullify the results, which they did (the majority of representatives were members of the Victory Block party), although they ruled that the legislative position results were valid.That was the spark that ignited the fuse that had been set years ago. On March 12, 1948, word reached San José that a band of revolutionaries led by José Figueres had taken over the town of San Isidro del General in the southern part of the province.

The revolution lasted for five weeks with sporadic fighting in which Figueres’ troops, self-proclaimed as the National Liberation Army, proved victorious over the badly organized

and poorly directed Costa Rican army. In fact, much of the defense of the government was provided by armed communist party members. However, the government was reluctant to give them enough material support to be truly effective, and on April 19, the government of Teodoro Picado opted to surrender to Figueres.

The Second Republic

The Figueres-Ulate Pact was signed on May 1, 1948, giving Figueres 18 months to govern the country without a legislature before turning over power to Ulate. Amazingly, in the context of Latin American politics, this pact was fulfilled on November 8, 1949.During those intervening 18 months, the Government Council presided by Figueres instituted many profound changes. Among these were the nationalization of the banking system, the establishment of a 10% capital goods tax, the prohibition of the Communist Party, the abolishment of the country’s armed forces, and the creation of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (I.C.E.). Not all of these measures were met with pleasure by all sectors of the population.

Despite its reformist intentions and promises made at the end of the revolution, the temporary government was characterized by a very authoritarian style and even embarked on a veritable witchhunt against members of the Calderón and Picado governments. On December 10, 1948, the exiled Dr. Calderón and his supporters invaded Costa Rica from Nicaragua. With the aid of the Organization of American States, this overthrow attempt was squelched.

The Government Council also drew up a proposed new Constitution to be ratified by the National Constitutional Assembly, elected in January of 1949 for just this purpose. This assembly rejected the Council’s draft and set about writing its own version based on the nation’s previous Constitution of 1871. The new Constitution of Costa Rica, which maintained the Social Guarantees established under the presidency of Dr. Calderón Guardia, was ratified on November 7, 1949.

As evidenced during the mere year and a half that José Figueres held power over the decision-making process of the country, the government would become a much more active player in the nation’s economic and social affairs. The period from 1950-80 can be typified by unprecedented growth of the public sector, the modernization and diversification of the country’s economy, and the accumulation of a tremendous national debt.

With the expansion of government services and the proliferation of state institutions, the number of public employees rose from slightly more than 15,000 in 1949 to nearly 130,000 by the year 1979. On the positive side, Costa Rica now possesses better health and education systems and more infrastructure, particularly roads and electrification, than most other Latin American nations. The cost of this has been the creation of an unwieldy and often ineffective bureaucracy, along with the dubious distinction of having the world’s second largest per capita debt in 1980.

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Rancho Margot is often referred to as a slice of paradise, where nature and nurture are one. Practice yoga with Jackie, Frederick and Irum. Move through your yoga poses with the surrounding trees, �owers, and the magni�cent magical mountain. The sounds and sights of the toucans,

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Promocionar la página web. Aumentar visitas

1. Conceptos básicos

¿Qué es la promoción de páginas web?

La promoción web es básicamente dar a conocer tu sitio en el mayor número de lugares posibles, usando diversas técnicas específicas a esta tarea, que van desde el alta en buscadores hasta anunciarte mediante carteles en tu ciudad. El fin último es aumentar visitas.

Promoción web es un término muy buscado en Internet, debido muy probablemente a que la mayoría de nosotros, cuando hacemos una página web y la colgamos en Internet, esperamos que las visitas nos vengan como por arte de magia, y esto no sucede así. Los visitantes hay que conseguirlos, y es precisamente por eso que el trabajo no termina una vez construida la página web, si no que requiere una constante dedicación en busca de nuevos visitantes estando al tanto de las últimas técnicas de promoción web para adelantarnos a nuestra competencia. Con estas técnicas, además, también podemos conseguir fidelizar visitas y hacer así que nuestros usuarios vuelvan a nuestro sitio una y otra vez.

Hay multitud de cosas por hacer para que nuestra página web sea más popular, pero básicamente se trata de conseguir que la dirección de nuestra página figure en el mayor número de sitios posible, y con sitios no sólo me refiero a páginas de Internet, si no también, por ejemplo, a colocar la dirección de la web en la firma de nuestro correo electrónico, en la papelería de nuestra empresa y demás ideas que se explicarán a continuación.

Antes de nada, es aconsejable que conozcamos el medio en el que se encuentra la temática de la web para una promoción eficaz. Puedes fijarte en lo que hacen otras páginas afines a la tuya para promocionarse, apúntate a sus listas de correo para ver con qué periodicidad mandan boletines, cómo es su atención al cliente, si enlazan con otros sitios, etc. Todo eso te puede servir para hacerte una idea de por donde

puedes empezar y adelantarte a ellos ofreciendo cosas innovadoras y diferentes.

2. Por dónde empezar a promocionar una página web?

Incluir la dirección de tu web en el mayor número de lugares posiblesSi tienes una empresa, prueba a poner en toda la papelería que utilizas la dirección de tu página web. Puedes ponerla en sobres, folios con tu membrete, etc. además de otros artículos muy útiles como bolígrafos, agendas, facturas, libretas y en cualquier sitio que se te ocurra.

Pon la dirección de tu web en la firma de los correos electrónicos, es una buena forma de promoción web. Cada persona que lea un correo tuyo puede ser una nueva visita para tu sitio y quién sabe si una nueva venta.Visita las listas de correos y news que tengan relación con el tema de tu página web para intentar promocionarte sugiriendo la dirección de tu sitio web. Ten cuidado al hacerlo no vaya a ser que termines haciendo spam. No debemos presentar nuestra dirección como si fuera publicidad puesto que, por un lado, no conseguiremos que la gente se fije en nosotros y pulse en nuestro enlace ya que no lo considerará interesante, y por otro, puede que obtengamos el efecto contrario al deseado al crear animadversión contra la página por estar haciendo spam a los usuarios de la lista o news.

Conseguir que tus visitas vuelvan

Para conseguir esto, primero párate a pensar en aquellas páginas que visitas a menudo. ¿Por qué lo haces?. Para que un usuario vuelva a tu sitio, tienes que ofrecerle herramientas útiles que pueda utilizar regularmente (como un buscador, juegos, etc.) además de ofrecerle información actualizada y nuevos contenidos con frecuencia.

Otra manera de conseguir que los visitantes vuelvan es montando una comunidad de usuarios, bien sea a través de foros, de listas de correo, de secciones en las que puedan participar enviando sus artículos e ideas,

Promocionar tu página Web. Aumenta tus visitas y tus ventas

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realizando concursos o de cualquier forma que se te ocurra que facilita la interacción con el usuario. Para más información, visita la sección fidelizar visitas.

Proporcionar el código HTML para que nos enlacen

Si los contenidos de tu sitio son interesantes, es normal que otros sitios web de la misma temática estén interesadas en enlazarte. Si tienes ya preparado el código HTML necesario, es más probable que lo hagan. Esta es otra forma de promocionar tu página web, aunque un poco más pasiva.

Sería conveniente facilitar dos opciones de enlace, una mediante imagen y otra mediante texto solamente y añadir un ejemplo sobre cómo quedaría en su página web. Al mismo tiempo, puede ser útil explicar brevemente cómo colocar el código, y por supuesto es fundamental incluir en él todas las características necesarias para un buen posicionamiento en los buscadores, tales como ser un enlace directo, contener palabras clave relevantes, incluir una breve descripción en el “alt”, etc.

Promocionar la página web constantemente

La promoción de un sitio web es un proceso continuo. Debes estudiar las estadísticas de tu página frecuentemente para saber cómo llegan hasta tu sitio los visitantes, qué búsqueda realizaron para ello, desde donde vienen, etc. Con esta información puedes mejorar tu página y seguir aumentando las visitas.

Cada cierto tiempo navega por la Red buscando nuevos directorios interesantes donde incluir tu web y revisa tus posiciones en los principales buscadores (ya sabes, Google, Yahoo y MSN). Si éstas han decaído vuelve a iniciar una campaña de posicionamiento.

Te recomiendo que sigas promocionándola constantemente y estés siempre al tanto de las diferentes técnicas de promoción web. Nuevos esfuerzos en promocionar webs se traducen en mayor número de visitas y nuevos clientes que anteriormente no habían recibido tu mensaje.

Ahora nosotros en TraficoAhora.com nos especializamos en hacer esto por usted, con estos básicos conceptos, más otros y la utilización de software de avanzada, y nuestra experiencia en este campo, acumulada a través del tiempo, somos una alternativa profesional para su sitio, no dude en consultarlos, tenemos varios programas que seguro le ayudaran a utilizar para su beneficio.

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Twice a year, like a lamb voluntarily being led to the slaughter (I have dental phobia), I dutifully show up at the dentist office at CLINICA DENTAL ARENAL for a semi-annual cleaning and checkup. My dentist is a great gal but she’s big on preaching the flossing message. More than once she’s delivered the solemn words: “Floss the ones you want to keep, Rigo Floss the ones you want to keep.

As it turns out, flossing just may have more overall health benefits than just keeping our gums and teeth healthy (and the original ones in your mouth). According to one recent study, regular brushing and flossing just may help to prevent heart disease. Okay, okay–now, I totally buy into the concept of having good dental hygiene, but preventing heart disease? I’m intrigued!

So just how does poor dental hygiene hurt our heart health and put us at risk of heart attack? What’s up with that? According to Professor Howard Jenkinson (University of Bristol), the culprit is the oral bacteria that we have in our mouths. One of the more common types of bacteria that is normally found taking up residence in our mouths (and yes, you’ll be grossed out) is the Streptococcus bacteria. Limited to your mouth, it merely causes little unwelcome problems like gum diseases and, of course, that nasty feeling, thick plaque on the teeth. (Without saying anything more, the mere presence of Streptococcus bacteria should be enough to send us running for our toothbrushes!)As long as you’re brushing and flossing regularly (and practicing generally good oral hygiene habits), you should be able to at least keep this bacteria at bay. But, in the very unfortunate event that good dental hygiene isn’t a part of your daily lifestyle choice, you may find not only your teeth at risk (and possibly friendships as well from bad breath they’ll be subjected to) but your heart as well.

The trouble to your heart health begins when Streptococcus bacteria escape the confines of your mouth and enters your bloodstream. How does this happen? Well, when you don’t brush and floss, it’s not uncommon to find yourself suffering from bleeding gums. That’s all the opportunity the Streptococcus bacteria needs.

Do you want a Healthy

Heart? Should floss!!!

Autos, Hoteles y Casas

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Carbon labels seen as challenge to developing countries

Measuring the amount of greenhouse gas emissions through the carbon footprint would have a strong impact on production and consumption patterns all over the world, particularly in developing countries.

That was the view of Alicia Bárcena, executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. She expressed her opinion during the inauguration of an international seminar at commission headquarters in Santiago, Chile

The two-day seminar The Vulnerability of International Trade in Light of the Carbon Footprint was organized by the commission with the support of the Government of France and the European Union.

During the event, experts from Latin America, the United States, Europe and Oceania exchanged views on the use of the carbon footprint in trade, the perspective of the region on this issue and its possible impacts and opportunities.

The carbon footprint is an indicator of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production and consumption of goods and services and it has increasingly become a factor of competitiveness of internationally traded products.

Some developed countries have announced unilateral initiatives to distinguish the trade of goods and services according to how much they contaminate, such as the carbon label. This label, to come into effect in France in January, indicates the carbon dioxide emissions created during manufacturing, transportation or disposal.

The European Union will demand carbon labeling in 2012, with an even greater scope than the French law. European airlines are in the process of reporting their emissions and will be obligated by law to do so in 2012. The U. S. Congress is still debating the Clean Energy and Security

Act 2009, which will also limit the trade of goods and

services based on the carbon footprint.The implementation of these unilateral measures, although they aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, could have repercussions on the economies and trade of developing countries.

In opening the seminar, Ms. Bárcena said that climate change is an irrefutable fact and the world is at a historic juncture in international negotiations to try to control contaminating emissions.

“In this context, the carbon footprint poses a much deeper dilemma, because it could mean leveling the playing field among players with very different capabilities,” she said.

José Luis Samaniego, director of the commission’s Sustainable Development and Human Settlements Division, offered a presentation on the current state of emissions in Latin America and the Caribbean and the challenges posed by the adoption of carbon footprint measurements.

“Today the carbon footprint applies to final products. However, domestic competition could lead to its gradual expansion to cover intermediate products and prime materials as well, which would be a greater menace for Latin America and the Caribbean,” he warned.

“In addition to the impact of the carbon footprint, there are other footprints, such as water, which is also becoming increasingly important and should be taken into account,” added Samaniego. “That is why more policy initiatives from the region are essential.”

“Countries in the region should include the carbon footprint in their innovation agenda not only to strengthen their competitiveness, but also in anticipation of eventual protectionist-tending policies discussed in industrialized countries,” said Osvaldo Rosales, director of the commission’s International Trade and Integration Division.

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GINGERBREADFINE RESTAURANT & BOUTIQUE HOTEL

We are located just outside of Nuevo Arenal, the perfect rendezvous between the Atlantic Caribbean and Pacific beaches. The exquisite nature parks of Monteverde and the reserve La Leona, hot pools at Tabacon Spa and Ecotermales Fortuna, and the active volcano Arenal adjacent to La Fortuna (with its infamous waterfalls) are all within reasonable driving distance. Take a break from the typical and experience our world, a relaxing oasis from which you can easily explore all the wonders of Costa Rica.

www.gingerbreadarenal.comEmail: [email protected]

Phone: 506-2694-0039

Arenal Kayaks

Our kayaks are your opportunity to enjoy Lake Arenal and kayaking in Costa Rica from the comfort of a personal watercraft. No gas required! Paddle leisurely along the shoreline enjoying the scenery, drop a fishing line in, or put some effort into it for a good workout. You are encouraged to enjoy this beautiful lake in your own way!

www.ArenalKayaks.com

Phone: (506)2694-4336 / (506)2694-4227Email: [email protected]

Skype: arenalkayaks

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La Internet se ha convertido hoy en día en un estilo de vida, en el mundo profesional son muy pocos los que no cuenta con Facebook, Messenger, Skype o Twitter, todo se ha vuelto una revolución donde las personas usan los buscadores como Google para preguntar o consultar cualquier cosa.

Cabe preguntarnos, ¿estamos preparados para entrar en este mundo que ya en si nos esta exigiendo presencia allí?

Según ultimas estadísticas son mas de 1,668,870,408 Personas que utilizan Internet a nivel mundial, aproximadamente 175,834,439 son de latino América y muy seguramente hablan español.

Hoy en día ya son muchas las empresas que dan a conocer sus productos y servicios a través de la Internet, pero usted se preguntara “por que necesito pagina Web si mis ventas son buenas”, un pagina Web no es un lujo es una necesidad ya que cualquier cliente pude conocer sus productos y servicios a cualquier hora, es decir un vendedor automático las 24 horas del día los 7 días de la semana, ahora bien ¿Cuánto le costaría tener un vendedor dispuesto todo este tiempo y para dar la información necesaria acerca de sus productos o servicios?, ya son muchas las empresas que cuentan con presencia en Internet y cada vez con mayor fuerza, ahora usted va esperar a ser uno los últimos.

Además de que una página Web es un medio de ventas también es un medio de comunicación entre usted

y sus clientes, generalmente un cliente nuevo siempre trata de obtener la mayor información posible de la empresa que va a contactar y que mejor que un medio de comunicación masivo y económico como es la Internet para brindarle esa facilidad a sus clientes, una página Web es la carta de presentación de su compañía frente al mundo, la gente no tendrá que llamarlo para ver a que se dedica su empresa, sencillamente lo llamara para comprarle o solicitar ya una cotización, esto si por que su sitio Web le comunico a la perfección a que se dedicaba su organización.

Eso si antes de tomar una decisión frente a un diseño Web, asesórese muy bien por que montar un sitio Web no es solo hacer una pagina y ya, lo que usted necesita es montar todo su negocio ONLINE, eso no lo hacen solo ingenieros, hay muchos conceptos que el empresario mismo debe conocer como (Marketing, Adwords, posicionamiento en buscadores, estadísticas de concurrencia, entre otros), en este caso debemos estar muy informados para no cometer el error en que han caído muchos y terminan diciendo “Mi pagina Web no ha dado resultados”, no ha dado resultados por que hay personas que se dedican hacer paginas Web económicas y sin ningún estándar o aplicación de marketing, pero hay empresas que realmente si capacitan antes al cliente y lo llevan por el camino correcto.

Para mayor información de un sitio Web con efectividad consultenos en TraficoAhora.com

¿Por qué es tan importante tener página Web?

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FortunaTimes

Advertising rates

Artes/Art* $30.00 if not supplied by you. En caso de que no lo suministre ud. Todas las tarifas expresadas en US$. Rates are in US dollars. Forma de pago 50% al momento de ordenar y saldo a cancelarse en la presentación del anuncio para aprobación. 50% deposit when ad is ordered and balance due upon approval of art work

Email: [email protected]

� 8712 6500 8834 5555

FULL COLOR

$90.00$90.00

$140.00 $250.00$300.00$350.00

B& W

$60.00$60.00

$100.00$175.00

N/AN/A

TraficoAhora.com

www.traficoahora.comLa Fortuna de Alajuela, COSTA RICA 21007 * * Telephones: 506 2479 1980 // 506 8834 5555 * * email [email protected] * * TraficoAhora.com is a Costa Rican base company, that specialized in search engine optimization services.

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Our services include:* Teeth whitening* Ultrasonic Cleaning and Hygiene* Periodic Examination* Cosmetic Dentistry* Restorative Dentistry* Oral Surgery* Bridges* Porcelain Veneers* Cosmetic Fillings* Dental Implants* Crowns* Dentures* Endodontic Care* Laser Diagnosis* Laser Care* Nitrous Oxide* Cosmetic Dentistry

English Spoken email: [email protected]

Tel. (506) 2479-9696 \ (506) 8927-949650 mtrs south of Banco de Costa Rica. La Fortuna, Alajuela

Clínica Dental

Arenal

www.dentalarenal.com

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San Jose - La Fortuna06:15 am.08:40 am.11:30 am.

La Fortuna - San Jose12:45 pm.02:45 pm.

Ciudad Quesada - La Fortuna

(Por Chachagua) 06:00 am.10:30 am.12:30 am.03:30 pm.05:15 pm.08:00 pm.

(Por El Tanque)05:30 am.08:30 am.09:30 am.10:00 am.11:40 am.01:00 pm.01:30 pm.03:30 pm.05:00 pm.06:00 pm.09:30 pm.

La Fortuna - Ciudad Quesada

(Por Chachagua)05:00 am.07:15 am.08:00 am.09:30 am.11:30 am.12:15 pm.03:15 pm.05:30 pm.07:00 pm.

Bus Schedule

(Por El Tanque)05:10 am.05:40 am.06:15 am.06:30 am.08:10 am.10:15 pm.02:30 pm.03:15 pm.04:40 pm.05:30 pm.

San Ramón - La Fortuna05:30 am.09:00 am.12:30 pm.04:00 pm.

La Fortuna - San Ramón05:30 am.09:00 am.01:00 pm.04:00 pm.

Tilarán - La Fortuna07:00 am.12:30 pm.03:00 pm.

La Fortuna - Tilarán08:00 am.12:15 pm.05:30 pm.

Ciudad Quesada, Terminal de buses Auto Transportes San Jose San Carlos

Tel 2460-5032 / 2460-5064

Auto transportes San Jose San CarlosSan Jose, Ave. 7-9 calle 12.

Tel 2255-0567 / 2255-4318 / 2255-4300.

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DIRECTORY - DIRECTORIO

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

• EMERGENCY/ EMERGENCIA 911• POLICE/ POLICIA 2479-9689• OIJ FORTUNA (POLICE) 2479-7225• TRANSIT POLICE / POLICIA TRANSITO 2479-9994• TOURIST POLICE / POLICIA TURISTICA 2479-7257• INSPECTOR MUNICIPALIDAD SAN CARLOS 8899-6223• JUZGADO DE LA FORTUNA 2479-9989

• MINAET 2479-7661• LABOR DEPT./MINISTERIO TRABAJO 2479-7686• AGRICULTURE DEPT./ MAG 2479-9158

MEDICAL SERVICES / SERVICIOS MEDICOS

• EBAIS Los Angeles 2469-1823• EBAIS La Fortuna 2479-9501• CENTRO MEDICO SANAR 2479-9420• CENTRO MEDICO VITAL 2479-7027• SMART PARAMEDICOS 2479-8911ASOCIACIONES CIVILES

• ASOCIACION DE DESARROLLO INTEGRAL FORTUNA 2479-8078• COMITE PROGRAMA BANDE AZUL ECOLOGICA 8873-7348• ASOCIACION DE DEPORTES 8918-7441• COMITE CULTURAL 2479-9622

PUBLIC SERVICES / SERVICIOS PUBLICOS

• TAXI 2479-9605• ICE 2479-0070• COOPELESCA 2479-2900

YOUR AD HERE

Fortuna TimesCall us : (506) 2479-1970

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A D V E N T U R E C O M P A N Y

TEL: (506) 2479-9464 - [email protected]

Voted #1 inLa Fortuna

The Epicenter ofAdventure in Costa Rica

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