Charity event in Boquete in progress now.

Charity event in Boquete in progress now.  See:  http://www.bid4boquete.com/

Panama Rural School earns international designation

From the internet:

Panama Rural School earns international designation

A TUITION FREE boarding school serving the remote areas of Coclé has taken a major step forward in helping the higher education aspirations of students from the region’s less privileged families.
Forum Academy has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and will offer the IB Diploma Program starting March 2, 2015. This prestigious designation makes Forum Academy the only IB school in Panama to operate outside of Panama City.
The Academy's mission is to ensure that rural students have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in university studies. Computer technology, sciences, and English are at the center of the school’s rigorous curriculum, designed to prepare its students for professional careers in Panama’s growing economy says a press release from the school.
"The establishment of Forum Academy and our subsequent IB authorization serve as symbols to all of Panama that children from rural regions can have access to a world class education," says John Keffer, President of Forum Foundation and Founder of Forum Academy.
"This is a huge step forward for the children of Coclé’s mountainous region. They are now able to compete side by side with students of very different social and cultural backgrounds and will be agents of dramatic change in their own communities," comments Sol Perez Tirado, Director of Forum Academy. "It is also a remarkable step forward for our teachers, who have completed an intensive professional development program to learn the student- centered and concept-based IB approach, which translates into the best possible guidance to our students," said Ms. Perez.
“The IB is recognized across the world for its innovative approach to education. We strongly believe that it is important to place an equal focus on academics and other, transferable skills, in order to best prepare students for success beyond high school,” said Drew Deutsch, Director, IB America and International Baccalaureate. “That Forum Academy has successfully completed the authorization process and can now start offering the IB marks an exciting time for the school and more importantly, for the students who will benefit from an IB education.”
Forum Academy was established in 2014 by Forum Foundation, a US-based non-profit organization whose charitable efforts have focused on education in Coclé Province since 2008. “A well-educated and knowledgeable workforce will be critical to developing and maintaining a strong and growing economy in Panama,” notes Mr. Keffer. To learn more about Forum Academy visit www.forum-foundation.org.
For further information about the International Baccalaureate visit www.ibo.org.

St. Patty's party in P.C.

Panama American Society fun:

The Wearing of the Green?

Every year on March 17, the Irish and the Irish-at-heart across the globe observe St. Patrick’s Day. What began as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland has become an international festival celebrating Irish culture with parades, dancing, special foods and a whole lot of green.  Did you know that St Patrick was born in England?  

  Join us on March 2nd for our “Irish” Meet and Mix and wear something green. 

We will be able to enjoy the authentic  Irish cuisine and Guinness beer (not sure if it will be green) but it will still be Guinness beer and many other varieties of beer at                            
The Blarney Stone Panama

Calle 47, (just off Calle Uruguay) Bella Vista

 Alan O’Connell  was born in Ireland and is the owner of the Blarney Stone Panama.  

Anna Rodrigues who has a voice like an angel wrote a song about Ireland and will sing it for us along with other Irish songs.                                                                                                We will also have some song sheets for you to sing along with her.

 “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” 

The Blarney Stone Irish Restaurant

Valet Parking

Calle 47, (just off Calle Uruguay) Bella Vista

395-7494  theblarneystonepanama@outlook.com  Facebook  Blarney Stone Panama

U.S. Embassy team visit to Boquete

From the U.S. Embassy, visit to Boquete:

The American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Panama would like to inform U.S. citizens in Western Panama that we will be visiting Boquete, Chiriqui on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 to provide consular services to U.S. citizens.

We will be at the Boquete Public Library in Boquete, Chiriqui from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.  We will offer the following services:

-           Applications for U.S. passports (these services will be processed in Panama)

-           Passport Renewal (adults and minors)

-           Adding Pages to Passports (requires surrendering passport)

-           Lost or Stolen Passports

-           Notarizations

-           Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status (please bring from I-407 and Permanent Resident Card)

-           Voting Registration (Please print and complete the form at: http://registertovote.org/index.html)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

1.         Please bring photocopies of all documents to be submitted.

2.         Please bring the exact cash amount to pay for the service.

3.         Please bring completed forms.  Please access the following link for information on fees, and forms you need to download, complete and bring:  http://panama.usembassy.gov/service.html

A representative from the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) will be offering the following services:

-           Complete proof of life forms (copy of current passport or cedula will be required)

-           Medicare enrollment/cancellation (copy of current passport or cedula will be required)

-           Application for SS replacement cards (copy of current US Passport)

-           Application for new SS card for children under age 12 (copy of US Passport for one of the parents, the child’s copia integra and passport)

-           Change of address/residence (copy of current passport or cedula will be required)

-           General inquiries

Please note:  No visa services will be provided.  Services will be provided on first come - first serve basis.

Thank you for your assistance.  We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

American Citizen Services

U.S. Embassy Panama

Eco/Natural sites in Panama

Eco/Nature/Birds/Fish Sites:

Barro Colorado Island: Gatun Lake, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute,see:

http://www.stri.si.edu/english/visit_us/barro_colorado/index.php

Canopy Tower Bird watching: near Gamboa, see:

http://www.canopytower.com/error.lasso

Eco Tours:

http://panamatraveltours.com/about_us.html

El Valle Butterfly House:  www.butterflyhavenpanama.com

Embera Village, see:

http://www.emberavillagetours.com

Gamboa Rain Forrest Resort: see:

http://www.gamboaresort.com/

Gamboa Ivan’s B&B:Birding Lodge (Bird Watching), see:

http://www.gamboaecotours.com/birding_tour.html

Panama Railroad, Though not eco itself, you will see a lot by ridingthe train. see:

http://www.panarail.com/home.html

Playa Venao: Azuero Peninsular, El Sitio beach & surf resort,see:

http://elsitiopv.com/

Smithsonian TropicalResearch Institute, Ancon, see:

http://www.stri.si.edu/

Taboga Island: Located just south of the Pacific entrance to thecanal, about a 35 minute launch ride to the island from the Amador causeway.See: http://www.tabogaislandpanama.com/  & http://www.taboga.panamanow.com/

Tranquilo Bay Eco Lodge

: Bocas del Toro, see:

http://www.tranquilobay.com/home.htm

Tropic Star Lodge, Piñas Bay,World class Marlin fishing: http://www.tropicstar.com/?source=navyleague

Whale Watching:

www.WhaleWatchingPanama.com