Hola Amigos,

July turned out to be a very exciting month, not only did I turn 37 in RL, but there are many wonderful things to report around the estate as well.

Just like I turned one year older in RL, there are some things here in SL™ that have aged as well, although some not as gracefully as others. Ryker Infinity, our CFO, and I have been talking for quite sometime now about the need to refresh some of the estate buildings by finding an established builder whose work has aged gracefully and one who could understand the vision of the Costa Rica Sims as a whole. Few builders can fit that description as well as Barnesworth Anubis. I still remember back when I rezzed my first home in SL™ in June of 2007. I purchased one of Barnesworth's creations and was in awe with his amazing talent, which has grown substantially through time. Barnesworth has agreed to collaborate with us and give some of our estate buildings a fresh new look. The first one will be our Opera House which we will inaugurate with the Miss Costa Rica Sims 2011 Pageant.

The next couple of weeks the entire Costa Rica Sims Executive Team will be working hard to put together all the festivities for our 3rd Anniversary. Our three day celebration will kick off on Friday, September 17, 2010 and last through Sunday, September 19, 2010. We are putting together a fabulous schedule of events that you will not want to miss!

New Estate Manager

This month marks a departure for Jarrod Beck from the Executive Team due to increased RL commitments. As a long time personal friend, I wish him all the best in his endeavours and thank him for all his contributions to our community. Although we are losing Jarrod, we have a new Estate Manager to take over his responsibilities, Fontesph Delicioso. Fontes, as his friends call him, speaks Portuguese, is also fluent in English, and speaks some Spanish. He discovered Costa Rica through a great friend who was living in the estate. He is a builder who has also had several businesses in-world, namely creating apparel, stores, and shopping districts. In real life, he is a student of architecture.  Please add him to you list of friends and remember that he is available to provide residents with assistance at any time.

New Ad Campaign

It is no secret to anybody that our estate is consider the most beautiful estate in Second Life®. One of the reasons is because we are home to the most beautiful & powerful women in SL™. Since ladies make up over 65% of our residents, we have decided to pay tribute to them in our latest ad campaign. We will be releasing a new banner each month featuring a different group of female residents. August 15th also marks Mother's Day here in RL Costa Rica, so Happy Mom's Day to all the beautiful mothers out there.

Notable News From Linden Lab®

A couple of weeks ago Second Life® founder and returning CEO, Philip Linden, posted an "Update on Strategy, and call for in-world meeting." After reading his letter, one found there is not much content in it, but at least it is a beginning, or as he calls it, a "Back To Basics" strategy. Hopefully, now that Philip is back in charge, he will start listening more closely to the needs of residents who have made his dream profitable by spending countless resources in-world.

Land Sales

Compared to last month, this past month we saw an increase in land sales. We close July with the estate at 99.6% occupancy. This is an incredible task when you know that just in the past month the grid lost over 300 regions.

I would like share with you that we have joined forces with some of the other biggest private estates in Second Life®. Together, we have formed the Federation Of Estate Owners. This collaboration will give us a bigger presence and voice when trying to deal with Linden Lab® and all issues we feel must be solved.

Events

What an incredible month July was with so many wonderful events! If you want to see the recap of all events, click here to read Takeshi's article.

Costa Rica Sims Ladies' Society Friendship Ball

                                         

This gathering is becoming "the" event to be seen at. Not only does it have a great turn out, but also our beautiful ladies always make sure to dress to the nines.

For those gentleman looking to meet some of the most beautiful women in all SL™, make sure to mark your calendars and attend this posh event. I would like to thank Miss Ceci Dover for yet another amazing performance and Miss Nisa Constantine COB of the Costa Rica Ladies' Society, for all her hard work.

Costa Rica Sims 4th Of July Party,

I was not able to attend this great party since I was celebrating my RL birthday that same day. From what I hear, it was a fabulous event. I would like to thank our longtime and dear resident, Miss Trudy Takacs, for hosting this event.

Costa Rica Sims Community Ball

Another fabulous event hosted by our friend and biggest land owner, Mr. WK Ganesvoort. Ceci Dover was not able to perfom, but was covered by the great Joaquin Gustav. Just so you know, Mr. Ganesvoort is planning to throw a massive summer party at his magnificent estate in the coming weeks, did anyone say The Great Gatsby?

This is yet another event where you will find gorgeous female residents of our estate looking like movie stars.

Costa Rica Sims Natural Wonders Photo Contest

                     

                

This month we had a tie between Miss cHERi Larnia and our past winner, Miss Dahlia Jayaram. I would like to encourage all residents and friends to join our Moolto group and participate in this monthly photo contest and the chance to win L$5,000.

Costa Rica Sims Designers Showcase

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Fantastic new collection by our good friend Miss Applonia Criss, owner, creator and designer of Chantkare. Many thanks to her and the Costa Rica Sims Productions Team for yet another wonderful show. If you want to purchase the latest high couture designs by Chantkare, make sure to visit her store at our commercial district.

Breast Cancer Awareness Music Festival

A beautiful event for a wonderful cause. I cannot thank enough all the good people who helped put together this fantastic event in such a short notice! Many thanks go to Sway Dench, Clay Ellison and our amazing Event Manager, Samantha Ohrberg, for their love an dedication in making this beautiful event a reality. My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so this event was very special to me. I would like to remind ladies of all ages to self examine their breast on a daily basis to feel any changes since early detection is key!

The Influentials With Sora Tatham

This month, we paid tribute to one of the most beautiful ladies within our estate. She has contributed in so many ways into the world of Second Life® fashion. Not only is she a beauty queen, a talented model, designer, photographer and builder, but she is also the owner of one of the most respected and sophisticated agencies around, AGATA Models. If you want to learn more about this beautiful and powerful woman inside and out, click here for a one-on-one interview.

Rezz Days Party

So we went under the sea to celebrate the rezz days of our July babies. Many more happy rezz days to: Azufr3, Deborah, DjCabello, Gort6, IndigoSky, Jimy, Kaari, Lacy, LesPaul, Madison, Malate, Melody, More, Reliquia, Tinita, Tristana, Udinetta & Valeri.

Merchant News

This past month, 3 new designers joined our commercial district. To visit their stores, click on the logos below.

Updates

New Wave At Las Baulas National Park

We added the new L$25,000 "The Cortes Wave" at our surfing area at Las Baulas National Park. If you are into riding the waves, make sure to stop by and test this wonderful new wave. After you are done surfing, how about a fantastic romantic dinner at La Tortuga Feliz Beach Cafe, where you can enjoy the magnificent sunsets with that special someone.

Leatherback Turtle Trust

In July, we raised L$2,930. I would like to thank all residents and friends of the estate who kindly donated to this worthy cause: Cyn Tiran, Deecee Zuzu, Java Jetcity, Carmichael Caudron, Zya Savira, Antje Newman, Aml Fadlan, Samia Bechir &Sherbette Sorbet.

As always here is the photo for the transaction made via paypal fir last month's donation.

The Geko Stoop butterfly

In May, we raised L$4,590 from all proceeds from the sales of Geko’s butterflies. Thank you to the people who donated: Ariadna Dorado, Samantha Ohrberg, Geryn Sloane, Scotti Lyle, ScarletCloud Rosebud, Reno Triellis, Antje Newman, & Jana Hummingly. Special thanks to Brianna Vollmar and Addison Carlucci for their multiple donations.

Also many thanks to all of you who also donated to the Relay For Life kiosk, bringing the total amount raised so far to L$30,900. Below there is a photo for the transaction made via the Relay For Life kiosk.

And finally, I would like to welcome all the new residents that moved to the estate in the past month and are now part of our growing family: Abigail, Adonis, AmberMist, Blackmo, Branwen, Charlee, Clarity, Cynnie, Dallas, Darkevilone, Deangelo, Deecee, Dex, Diana, Divine, Eboni, Edward, Even, Gabi, Geryn, Giles, Gina, Gnosis, Floor, Hillie, Jon, Justininho, Jonhy, Karen, Kiron, KRISsee, Lyann, Lyla, Malate, McKenzi, Moon, Morgen, Mzdeedee, Naiya, NyteDesire, Pamqui, Roe, Rosella, Serafine, Slate, Southern, Steluna, Summer, Tanaya, Tiago, Thorn, Xnarz & Zelda. Welcome home!

So that is all for now my dear friends, quite an amazing month. Let's start getting ready for our 3rd year anniversary and the crowning of the New Miss Costa Rica Sims. Until next time...

Love & Light

Gian