eer ve COSTA RICA - HAWAII 50 YEARS AGO KNOWN TO some as the ‘‘little Switzerland of Central America’, Costa Rica is emerging as a favorite holiday spot for the few Canadians who have discovered its unique natural beauty and agreeable climate. Relatively unspoiled by commercialism, Costa Rica may be compared with the Hawaii of 50 years ago, ac- cording to Roxana Alvarado- Quiros, the local vice-consul for this developing Central American country, nestled between Panama and Nicaragua, and washed by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean on the other. COSTA RICA is emerging as a favorite vacationland for many Canadians and is recognized worldwide asa leading food pro- By BRIAN ELLIS As vice-consul of Costa Rica, Mrs. Alvarado-Quiros, is responsible for promoting tourism, investment = and exports. 4n a part of the world that has been plagued for many years with political conflicts and unrest, Costa Rica stands out as a neutral nation with a stable, democratic govern- ment. There is no military or arms budget to support and its police force, which seems to maintain law and order quite adequately, pays for its own uniforms. The free enterprise system appears to work well, and without astronomical government overheads to support (a welcome relief for most Canadians), personal taxes are not overpowering. San Jose, the capital city, is located in the central valley surrounded by majestic mountains and steeped in culture and history. it also offers a variety of entertain- ment from casinos to current North American movies and from American-style disco- theques to international con- certs, according to the vice- cohsul. ‘‘Our summer resorts are situated in locations such as Playa Hermosa and Playa Jacobo, where beautiful beaches of pure white sand and clear blue water are com- monplace,’” explains Mrs. Alvarado-Quiros. ‘*For those who feel nostalgic about railroads, we have a narrow gauge train mde through a past jungie forest, banana ducer. It is a tand of unique aatural beauty and agreeable weather, boasting tropical jungies, miniature alps and beautiful beaches with pure white sands and clear blue waters. Tropical fruits and vegetables are abundant. Business A NEW COURSE, Adverts ing for the Small Business, will be offered at B.C 1 T on Wednesday evenings com mencing January 11, 1984. The course ts designed for Managers Or Owners of small businesses Topics will include mak- ing the most of a Imited advertising budget, types of media, media planning, budgeting, measuring adver- using effectiveness, and other related topics. Creative con- sultant, Claire Huricy, will bc the instructor. 24HOURS |. TELEPHONE ANSWERING SERVICE : ONLY $50 PER MONTH CLASSIFIED _ ANSWERING SERVICE 669-7973 course For further At 434-5734. For Sale arevenue lots in development area. 2 rental houses information call the Continuing Educa- tion department of B.C.LT. ONE PRO TO ANOTHER. A“reoeoau satisfied with four answerna service? Tnot eansider hovwomuch more vouaer with Wes. Tels professional answering service: experth trained operators accept cour calls for business arresidendce around theclock, and relay Messages TO VOU ALVOUT CONVERIENC & Were the preferred answering service in the West, We're proud te help vou communicate berter, Depend on us.. References gladly provided, wes{i Tex 980-3611 Canadians discover vacation: and cocoa plantations, two of our main export items, to the Caribbean port of Limon,’’ she adds. The recent move by Presi- dent Reagan to remove trade barriers between the U.S. and Costa Rica has added im- petus to the latter’s efforts to attract foreign investments and trade by lifting export restrictions and maintaining favorable tax laws and similar incentives. Fresh-cut flowers, tropical plants and electronic components will be among the first major pro- ducts shipped to the U.S. under this new arrangement. Low production costs are attracting high and medium technology operations to the country and Mrs. Alvarado- Stamps h CANADA POST carried out a Christmas mail dis- count pilot project in Win- nipeg, between Nov. 21 and Dec. 17., using a humungous (1lmm by 88mm) stamp that some people call a postage label. The gimmick was, the stamp carried an alpha- numerical coding system that required the mailer to tick off with a pen or dark pencil the postal code of the addressee, all the better to send the Wednesday edition: All advertisers’ copy to the News by Friday 4:00 p.m. “The new deadlines will be easy to remember - Wedneeday for Sunday - Friday for Wednesday Tim Francis Advertising Director tieheapeapmencaeee news north shore news New Display Advertising Deadlines now in effect. “Ow atm with all display advertisers is to make ads that sell and to provide high quality service by our sales representatives. our ad traffickers. and our dispatchers ” “To help us produce effective advertising and to provide better service, ows deadlines have been brought forward ~ 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, (604) 980-0511 Quiros is anticipating that her compatriots will benefit from North American tech- . nology under exchange programs. Costa Rica is recognized worldwide as a leading food producer and counts among its major export lines: coffee, cocoa, bananas, frozen tropical fruits, cassavas and plantains. Lacsa, Costa Rica’s of- ficial airline, provides scheduled flights to the coun- try from Los Angeles, New ‘ Orleans and Miami, using Boeing 737’s. Enquiries may be directed to: Mrs. Roxana Alvarado- Quiros, vice-consul of Costa Rica, phone 985-1523 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m. weekdays). oarded Christmas card winging though the postal optical News of the test sent col- lectors in hordes to hoard the stamps, since they will probably be scarce items. The good news is, they can be purchased from philatelic counters at post offices so equipped, or on special order from the Canada Post philatelic service in Ottawa. They’ll be on sale until May 21, 1984. Sunday edition: All advertisers’ copy to the News by Wednesday 4:00 pm