OVISCORI (Costa Rican Volcanic and Seismic Observatory) announced that Arenal was the most active volcano in Costa Rica in 2005.  Although it registered its lowest level of activity since it became active in the 1960s

There is still time to pay your Marchamo, you have until 8 pm January 31st to pay in the Servimas locations nationwide.  Most banks are closed today, but some insurance agents may be open:
Find a place near you that may be open

If you don’t pay today and are stopped after midnight the transit police will ticket you (13,000 colones fine) and take away your car.  Anyone may pay the marchamo no matter whose name the vehicle is in.  You only have to take your identification, and know the license plate number.

The US announced yesterday that the CAFTA treaty would not go into effect January 1st as agreed by the ratifying countries.  Most of the Central American countries that have ratified the agreement, must also pass additional legistlation to comply with the terms of the treaty.  Particularly legistlation regarding intellectual property rights and customs. 

Although the "Guerreros del Sur" gave it their best shot, the tradition won out in the end and Saprissa claimed their title at home in a penalty shootout.  Perez Zeledon took the lead in the 26th minute on a goal by Kenny Cunningham.  They were able to hold the lead until literally the last minute, when a penalty shot was awarded in the 94th minute by referee Édgar Durán.  Ronald Gomez fooled the goalie Dexter Lewis to convert the penalty and to force overtime. The penalty was a controversial call, for several reasons:  many replays show no contact or very little contact by the defender, it was obvious that Gerald Drummond exaggerated what contact there was, it wasn’t clear that the striker had a chance to make a play on the ball.  However, many experts consulted by the local media said that it was a valid call, while a few said that it was not while crediting Drummond with a great acting job.

In overtime neither team took many risks, and in the penalty shootout Saprissa won when Jose Francisco Porras stopped two of the five penalty shots. 

Saprissa is now at least the sub-champion of this year’s tournament, as winner of the opening phase.  The closing phase, will begin on Sunday January 15th with 6 games: Carmelita-Puntarenas, Santos-Alajuela, San Ramon-Saprissa, Heredia-Brujas, Cartago-Pérez Zeledón and Santa Cruz – Liberia.

Saprissa passes over to Group A with Heredia, Puntarenas, Santa Cruz, Liberia and San Ramon.  Alajuela  goes to Group B with Pérez Zeledón, Cartago, Brujas, Carmelita and Santos of Guápiles. Each team will face rivals within their group twice and face the other teams once. The qualifying phase of 16 games will finish on April 2nd. The top two teams from each group qualify, then the 1st place of Group A will face the second place team from Group B and vice versa.

The 19th and 23rd of April will be the finals, then if Saprissa is not the winner, the playoff between the winner of the closing phase and Saprissa will be April 26 and 30th.

Clubs may sign new players or make trades until February 23rd.  The tournament will have 3 breaks, to allow the national team to prepare for the World Cup in friendly matches on January 25th, February 11th, and March 1st. 

It has been a very busy week. It seems the holidays are always hectic, no matter where you go, or what you try to do. Tasi, my daughter, arrived 3 hours late, and we talked until 3 am. Up at 6 to come home for Christmas. Tasi couldn’t sleep in the car as she usually would, the scenery is too awesome. 

We got home at 8:30 and had a wonderful Christmas. Marvin and his family welcomed Tasi with a big luncheon party, then we went to the river to swim. Even Marielos, Marvin’s wife came. That’s the first time she came with us. After that, we went to the beach, and after a small dinner, we took Tasi to the bar for Karaoke. The music was still going strong at 11 when I gave up and we came home so I could get some sleep. Now that she knows some young people, she’s 20, they can look after taking her to the bars and the beach and parties. It takes some of the pressure off the old man. I did take her shopping, her favorite sport, with Linda one day, and we went to the beach again. She is keeping busy.

Some of the week’s events in brief. The electricity is ready for inspection, the septic tank filled and got pumped, the dog picked up a thorn in his paw and blisters on his nose causing much pain and a high fever but a trip to the vet has him on the road to recovery, I have Internet access at home but it doesn’t work yet and now it’s New Year’s eve. More adventures next year, no doubt.

If you want to try a traditional treat, and are visiting Nicoya here is your opportunity.  Head to the towns of Santa Cruz and Nicoya and look out for palm frond stands where they sell Coyol Wine.  The wine is "milked" from the trunk of a tree grown locally.  You can choose from the strong, bitter wine that is milked from the tree at 6 am, or from the sweet wine that comes out when the tree is milked at noon or 4 pm.  A bottle costs 600 colones and you should buy the traditional appetizer at the stand too, gallina criollo.  (a dish made with chicken).

Environmental organizations are being ordered to abandon the 50 meter public zone by the city of Nandayure.  The groups are in a camp, protecting turtle nests on the beach, but the city claims that no structures may be built in the public 50 meters of the maritime zone.

The camp is operated by PRETOMA, and local groups APREFLOFAS and the Unión Mundial de la Conservación de la Naturaleza are supporting their dispute with the city.  Mayor Gerardo Rodríguez, stated that the city is not against environmental protection or environmentalists, but they have located themselves within the prohibited zone.  He added that the Comptroller has been very clear about respecting the public 50 meters of the maritime zone.

The eviction notice has not yet been executed.

Yesterday at 9:28 am, the strongest quake of the year shook up the country. The epicenter was inland, about 30 km northwest of Quepos.  No injuries or fatalities were reported, and only minor damages to buildings and roads, although those who were sleeping in to recover from holiday festivities were woken up. 

Last night the table was set for a winner take all match on Friday to determine the national champion.  The Saprissa "B" squad opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a spinning strike by Gerald Drummond.  Perez substitute Bill Gonzalez saved the series for the Southern Warriors with a score in the 68th minute. 

Saprissa only started one player from the squad that played Monday night, goalie Jose Francisco Porras.  Local analysts figure Saprissa to have a big edge, since the Friday night game will be in "The Cave".  Also fatigue could be a factor for the Perez players, who had plenty of rest before Wednesday’s match but now face their second game in 3 days on Friday at 8 pm. 

The National Forestry Office reports that illegal logging has dropped significantly in Costa Rica in the last 3 years. In 2001 35% of the wood used in the country was brought out of forests illegally.  In 2004 the rate was 15%. 

Juan José Jiménez, Coordinator for the Strategic Control of Illegal Logging for SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) attributed the success to to the use of satellite technology to watch the forests. Since 2001 each forest inspector visits farms with a laptop computer which has GPS technology.  In this way the inspector can compare the state of the land in 2000 with the current growth.  He or she also has access to the permits issued for that farm.  In this way the inspector can determine whether illegal logging has occurred and issue a citation to the owner.   If convicted, the owner would face 3 months to 3 years of prison. 
This threat is a deterrent to many landowners

The technology also eliminates a tactic frequently used in the past for obtaining permits under false pretenses.  In the past, a farmer could clear sections of forest little by little, clearing out undergrowth and secondary growth.   After a prudent amount of time they could go to MINAE asking for permission to log in "the pasture".  The new technology eliminates the possibility of using this tactic.

Even so authorities fear that forest is being lost. Maps made in 2000 showed that 45% of the country was covered in forest, mangrove swamps or tree plantations.  Jiménez fears that new maps being made from data compiled in 2005 will show the forest receding under the pressure from pineapple farmers and tourism.