Fun in Boquete, Panama

Fun in Boquete:

U.S. Navy League event in Panama City

U.S. Navy League event in P.C.:

We are happy to advise our next speaker is Carson Dolan from the US Embassy.

She is a key person for connecting the dots for needy organizations here in Panama.

We hope you can join us on April 8th as we enable Carson to let us know where we might be of assistance and let her know who can provide the same.

Also, we are very pleased to pass on news that our own long time supporter, Willie Friar latest book -- "Far South of Dixie" -- is available on Amazon for downloading by going to Amazon and clicking Kindle books. Cut and paste the title.

Next dinner:

Date: April 8
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Le Meridien Hotel
Price: $30 including glass of wine

Please reserve your seats by responding before noon on April 7th.

Kind regards,

Hunter N. Schultz
President
navy.league.panama@gmail.com

InterNations event in Panama City.

From InterNations.org in Panama:

Dear friends in Panama City,

Summer Days are coming to an end, to properly say 
good bye we have picked a great venue to enjoy one of 
the beautiful breeze nights we are having in Panama.

Come join us at AZUL!

Azul Bar&Grill located inside TRUMP OCEAN CLUB INTERNATIONAL HOTEL is a fun oceanfront restaurant with poolside food and drink featuring not only traditional poolside fare such as All-American burgers but also lean cuisine for the health conscious.

The chef uses the highest quality locally grown produce and seafood harvested in Panamanian waters.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy summer starry nights, feel the ocean breeze and make new friends.

We will enjoy the company, Food&Drinks, the music, views of ‘Costa del Este' and the pearl necklace of the ‘Corredor del Sur' – a magical sanctuary in the heart of Punta Pacifica.

Come join us on Thursday, March 27th from 7.30pm onwards.

As usual, all attendees will receive a free welcome drink.
There will be Specials & Promos!

Albatross Members join for free! Basic Members who RSVP and people who are not on the guest list pay a cover charge. Click here to upgrade to Albatross Membership.

Please don’t forget to register for this event by clicking the Accept Invitation button and feel free to bring your international friends and coworkers, but please invite them to sign up for InterNations first.

Looking forward to a wonderful night!

Marcela & Joanna
InterNations Ambassadors Panama City

Please note: We are currently looking for someone to join our Ambassador Team. If you are interested in the position, feel free to approach our Ambassadors at the event or apply directly at ambassador@internations.org
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Coronado & Beaches news

Coronado & Beaches news:

Invitation to Bahia Inauguration & more..
Bahia invites the community to the inauguration of the 2nd Bahia Tower in Gorgona. Located right on the beach, the newest tower boasts 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom and Loft units. Tomorrow, Saturday, March 22 from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. come to Bahia Tower in Gorgona. Enjoy a drink and a walk through of the units and facilities in the new Bahia Tower. Dress, casual.

Also tomorrow, don'€™t miss the ARCH PTY Medical Fair at the Coronado Equestrian Center from 9:30 am to 1:00 P.M. ARCH PTY is a medical service company, providing medical interpretation, consultation and specialist referral service. The company will be providing free tests for blood pressure, blood sugar and venous dopper. Low cost flu vaccinations will also be available. Representatives from the company will be on hand for detailed information about the company'€™s offerings.

Also tomorrow is Locos Coronado'€™s 24 Hour Play-writing contest at Picasso, Luigi Boutin plays live.

For details of upcoming events, be sure to check out the events Calendar on http://www.playacommunity.com/events

If you need Tide Table information, Playacommunity just re-launched our TIDE TABLE MOBILE APP. The App is now free and available for download on your iPhone or Android device through your phone app stores.

Have a great weekend!

Taboga residents force cancellation of land sales to speculators

From the internet:

Taboga residents force cancellation of land sales to speculators

MONDAY, 17 MARCH 2014 13:31

COMMUNITY ACTION on IslaTaboga has forced the authorities to cancel agreements under which they sold, four islands of four municipal Ernesto Bósquez Ditrani, a Panamanian linked to land speculators.

Isla Taboga from the air.

Taboga,known as the Island Of Flowers is a popular destination for day trippers from the mainland, less than hour away by Ferry.

Azael Ortiz, president of the Taboga Municipal Council , and José MayorChirú Mayor signed agreements 81, 82 and 83 through authorizing the sale of 78 hectares of the islands in June 2013 , but the community did not hear of the deals until they were published in the official Gazette in January and exposed by La Prensa.
Bósquez would have got 61.9 hectares of Taboguilla ; 14.8 hectares in Taboga, 2 hectors onTortola and 6,000 square meter on Tortolita and supposedlybasked the National Land Management Authority of ( Anati ) for certification of its inhabitants.
Bósquez does not have ownership rights oin any of the islands, but it was enough to promise to tourism development to privileged councilors directly. The projects that were part of this development plan were accepted without public consultation.
On Friday , spokesmen for a group of residents challenged the council 's decision.
At a heated meeting lasting over two hours the mayor tried to divert the resident’s anger and elude responsibility by laying blame on the media.
"It is the only way that newspapers have to sell ... shouting a lot," said Chirú .
   Islanders demanded accountability from the authorities and Rodolfo Benítez
read a statement in which he attacked the sale, which was " disrespecting the intelligence of all ."
There were shouts, hand wringing, and Council president Ortiz lost his cool, shouted at the residents and threatened to withdraw. The community cheered for him to leave and called for his resignation. reports La Prensa
In the end The Council passed repealed the agreements. It was later revealed that Tortolita could not be sold as it was under the contol of the Canal Authority.

Agreement between ACP & GUPC over dispute over cost overruns has been approved

From the internet:

Deal signed to end row over Panama Canal expansion

Published on March 17, 2014 by jo.chuter   ·   No Comments

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has approved a deal to end a dispute over $1.6bn (£1bn) cost overruns that had delayed work to widen the waterway.

Deal signed to end row over Panama Canal expansion

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has approved a deal to end a dispute over $1.6bn (£1bn) cost overruns that had delayed work to widen the waterway.

The Spanish-led construction consortium and the ACP say each will invest an extra $100m in the project, due to be completed in 2015.

The consortium will also be allowed to claim $400m from the project insurers.

Construction was halted for two weeks in February, but resumed after an initial agreement was reached.

The canal authority says the deal reached late on Thursday should accelerate the construction works, aiming to finish the third lock by December 2015.

It also extends up to 2018 a moratorium for the construction group – officially known as Grupo Unido por el Canal (GUPC) – to repay around $780m worth of cash advances.

The dispute emerged late in 2013, when GUPC claimed it was owed $1.6bn.

But the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said the demand amounted to blackmail.

The new lock was designed to allow the passage of larger cargo ships in one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.

In late February, GUPC – headed by the Spanish company Sacyr and the Italian Impregilo – and the Canal Authority announced a temporary deal to resume works.

A stoppage would have risked 10,000 jobs, local media reported.

The Panama Canal, linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, is celebrating its centenary in August.

More than 13,000 ships use the maritime shortcut every year.

Before the latest agreement, the canal’s expansion project was due to be completed in June 2015, nine months behind its original schedule, with the overall cost of the project estimated at $5.2bn.

Source: BBC.

New York Yankees in Panama

Yankees level Legend series in Panama

SUNDAY, 16 MARCH 2014 17:30

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ANOTHER celebrated Panamanian sporting hero,world famed boxer and multiple title winner Roberto Duran received the cheers of the fans at the second of the two-game baseball series between the New Yankees and the Miami Marlins.

The Yankees evened the series in Panama

There were  26,686 on hand to watch the Yankees level the Legend Series with a 7-0 win after losing the first game in a no hitter, 5-0. A total of 48,708 tickets were sold for the series, organized to honor all time closer record holder, and former Yankee player Mariano Rivera.

Duran, who did not hide his excitement at receiving the invitation and his standing ovation from the fans. Duran urged the authorities to try to keep bringing these Major League Baseball games to Panama.

New York Yankee Baseball team in Panama

From the internet:

Yankees in Panama honor Mariano Rivera | Bronx Baseball Daily

While some of the Yankees stayed behind in Tampa, half the team went to Panama City to honor their former closer Mariano Rivera. The two game series against the Miami Marlins begins tonight, but Mariano Rivera wanted to give the Yankees the ultimate experience, including a trip to the Panama Canal, a team dinner and a visit to the Children’s Hospital of Panama.

On Friday, the Yankees went to visit the canal, a waterway built by the United States a century ago, where they took pictures and signed autographs for the fans waiting to see them. No ships went by while they were there, but it was still an amazing experience for the players.

“You never think they could fit a ship through this canal, but somehow they do,” said David Robertson, who is Rivera’s successor as the closer this season.

After a trip to the Panama Canal, David Robertson, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera went to the Children’s Hospital of Panama.

“The children were very happy,” Rivera said at the dinner to raise funds for that hospital. “We want to help and that’s what this is about.”

The Yankees and Marlins are slated to play tonight at 9 p.m. in Panama City and both teams only bought half their roster. To promote the two game series they released a poster which is personally one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen. The two game series in Panama is the least the Yankees could do for a man that had done so much for their organization in the last 19 seasons

Gambling in Panama on the rise

From the internet:

GAMBLING Enterprises in Panama saw increased revenue and profits in 2013, compared to the previous year.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance reports that "In total, revenues of of $2.373 billion were reported in 2013, which meant an annual increase of 12.1%, according to figures from the National Comptroller's Office.

Proceeds from type 'A' slot machines were of $1,973 billion last year, up 15. 5% compared to the amount reached in 2012. "

"The sale of lottery tickets reached $591,237,000 last year, an amount which represented an increase of 6% year on year, according to the Comptroller."

Gas prices in Panama

From the internet:

VEHICLE Fuel prices will rise in Panama for the third consecutive time starting Friday, March 7, putting more pressure on the basic cost of living.

The increase will be 1.9 cents a liter for 95 octane, making the price $1.139 a liter, and 1.6 cents per liter for 91 octane, making the price $1.049.

Those prices are $4.31 per gallon for 95 octane and $3.97 a gallon for 91 octane.
Diesel prices will rise 1.6 cents to $1.004 per liter ($3.80 a gallon).

American Fair in Clayton

Reminder:

American Fair in Clayton

The American Embassy is hosting an American Fair on their embassy compound in Clayton this Saturday, 8 March, from 8:00 a.m. till 12 noon.

There are about 50 American organizations that will be represented at the event and the People to People Coordinator, Carson Dolan, is encouraging all members of the American community to participate and get to know the rest of the organizations available.

The Marine Security Detachment will be present selling water, juice and sandwiches, and portable bathrooms will be available for the public.
We understand there will be plenty of parking in the lower two lots.

So, come on by, say Hello to Woody, Janice, Victoria and Art, and whomever else who would like to volunteer for an hour or two at the booth, and meet the public.

U.S. Tax Seminar in Panama City March 10th

Tax Seminar
Democrats Abroad Panamá first Tax Seminar with CPA Joel Davids quickly filled.  So many people were left out and even more people asked for one, so we are repeating this -Sunday,

When:  March 10                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Where:  Exedra Books. Corner of Via Brasil and Via España  It is cooler than the Yacht Club, and quieter, and there is parking.                                      AND, Sunday there is little traffic.                                                                                                                                                                              Time: 2 - 4pm.

$5 donation to cover room cost.

Contact me ASAP for reservations, as this will undoubtedly fill as well.

This Seminar is geared toward US Citizens living abroad.  Our tax situation is very different when we live in a foreign country.  We will cover the Proof of Life form required to assure your Social Security checks arrive without interuption (it has happemed to people here), FATCA, FBAR, changes to the tax laws which seem to happen every year.

Don't get caught on, but get caught up on, the new regulations.

Call or email me for reservations.

Ramona Rhoades 6834-6761

ramonarhoades@yahoo.com

Man gunned down on Via Argentina, El Cangrejo

From the internet:

Man gunned down on Via Argentina

AN UNIDENTIFIED man was gunned down and killed, Saturday March 1  on Panama’s Via Argentina a popular strolling corner of the city, lined with cafes, restaurants and bars,

According to police reports, the killing took place at about 3.30 pm,

The man came out of a shop when he was stopped by a car from as the killer emptied 10 shots into his body,

Authorities  are analyzing video images captured by a National Police security camera located near the crime scene.
Officials of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation have begun an investigation

Panama pays $100 million to ensure canal expansion’s completion

Panama pays $100 million to ensure canal expansion’s completion
By Agence France-Presse
Friday, February 28, 2014

A row over $1.6 billion in cost overruns on construction to widen the Panama Canal has been resolved, the parties said Friday, ensuring completion of the massive project.

The Panama Canal Authority and the consortium “Grupo Unidos por el Canal” (GUPC) announced “a final agreement in principle” after intense talks to resolve a two-month-long standoff.

“The plan here is that we would enter into commercial operations in January 2016,” said Jorge Quijano, the canal administrator. Under the original schedule, the canal expansion was supposed to have been ready this year.


The agreement offers co-financing of the construction, while awaiting the result of arbitration to assign final responsibility for the cost overruns, the consortium said.

In their deal, both sides agreed to make an immediate payment of 100 million dollars to the project, a cash infusion that will permit “the normal rhythm of work” to resume, the canal authority said.

The accord also extends until 2018 a moratorium on payment of a $784 million loan which the canal authority had advanced to GUPC.

Paperwork was being drawn up for the agreement and was to be signed “shortly,” the parties said in a statement said.

“GUPC expects the prompt conclusion of the agreement and the financing with the aim of executing the works and completing the project efficiently,” it said.

Quijano said the agreement was not perfect, but “it has the advantage that we can resume work rapidly and with the injection (of funds) we could be talking about completion of the projection in 2015.”

Seen as one of the world’s engineering marvels, the century old waterway handles five percent of the world’s maritime trade.

The construction to add wider locks and channels capable of handling much larger container ships is one of the world’s most ambitious civil engineering projects.

But in early February, a financial row led to a complete two-week suspension of the project by GUPC, which includes Sacyr, Italy’s Salini Impregilo, Belgium’s Jan De Nul and Constructora Urbana of Panama.

Work resumed on the massive construction project on February 20, and completion on the project is now assured following Friday’s deal.

Relief over the agreement was palpable on both continents Friday.

“This puts an end to the existing differences after negotiations that led to the result we all hoped for: the completion of a great work within the deadline,” said Antonio Tajani, the European Union’s Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship.

“This agreement is important for the world economy, for Panama, for Europe, for countries around the world and for the reputation of all parties involved,” he said.

Likewise, Quijano hailed the accord as one which “protects the interests of the Panama Canal within the terms of the contract, and respecting our mutual positions,” he said.

GUPC had been in dispute with the canal authority in part over geological difficulties which obliged the builders to spend much more on cement than expected.

GUPC said it based its estimates on incorrect data provided by the Canal Authority.

The 80 kilometer (50-mile) long canal, completed by U.S. interests in 1914 to offer a shorter, safer route between the Atlantic and Pacific, is used by 13,000-14,000 ships each year.

In 1999, ownership of the canal reverted from the United States to Panama.

The project to add a third set of locks to the canal ad originally been due to be completed next year.

But the project was running nine months late at the end of 2013, and has slowed further this year.