Kentucky Derby event at the Balboa Elks Lodge

Balboa Elks Lodge event on Sunday (the Elks Lodge is located on La Boca Rd in Balboa, visitor are always welcome):

Come and Celebrate the 141st

Please join us on May 2, starting at 3pm to watch and celebrate the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby.  Appetizers will be served and Mint Juleps will be available for purchase.  Tickets are $10.00. Food will be served at 4:00 pm. Ticket sales will be limited to 50 and are available at the Elks Bar or a member of the committee.  A Derby Pool will be available.  A prize will be awarded for the Fanciest Hat.  Proceeds from this event will go to Sisters of Charity in Villa Zaita.  This is a Home for the Disabled and a charity of B.P.O.E. 1414.

Panama Canal Expansion Bill Could Hit $6 Billion

From the internet:  Canal Expansion Bill Could Hit $6 Billion

THE PRICE TAG for the Panama Canal Expansion could reach $6 billion, almost double that of the original contract with $2.682 billion in claims for cost overruns demanded by the consortium GUPC for the design and construction of the third set of locks.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has already disbursed $290.1 million of the claims with the work is scheduled to be finished in a few months and the project ready in early 2016. the vast majority of the claims have yet to be decided.

The majority of the complaints submitted by the contractor are in process of being evaluated by the Board of Conflict Resolution or the Court of Arbitration in Miami reports La Prensa
The consortium, comprised of Spain's Sacyr, the Italian firm Salini Impregilo, Belgian firm Jan de Nul and the Panamanian company Cusa, is scheduled to begin to flood the locks in June to start testing.

The number of claims has skyrocketed since the Consortium first began to present them in 2010. And there is also a discrepancy of $16 mi

But that $16 million is a drop in the bucket compared to the total amount says La Prensa.
Independent expert DLF Associate has estimated that the consortium will recover $1.398 billion dollars, more than half of the request so far.
The ACP paid the $233 million in December 2013, but on Jan. 20, 2014, it sent a note of disagreement and warned that it would take the case to arbitration.
The ACP based its decision on the fact that one of the three members of the board did not agree that the ACP owed that much.

The largest claim, for nearly $900 million, claims the extra cost was due to the "delay, and disruption of the work" by the ACP.

ACP Administrator Jorge Luis Quijano recently reported that the administration is hoping to receive a more detailed breakdown.

"So far it's like a smoothie, where there is a mixture, but we need the details," Quijano said.
The ACP has also paid the consortium more than $352 million for price increases in materials, as stated in the contract. With the outstanding claims, the price tag for the locks could reach $6 billion, almost twice the amount of the original contract

InterNations Panama City Official Event April, 2015 in Panamá

 InterNations Panama City Official Event April

Thu 30 Apr 19:30 - Thu 30 Apr 23:30
La Fragata Panama 
Av. Samuel Lewis con calle 59 y 60, 
Panama City, Panama

Join the Panama group on internations.org if you are interested in similar events.

The American Society of Panama May 2015 Event in Panamá

The American Society of Panama
Meet & Mix 
Monday 04 May
6:30 – 8:30 PM 
Americans and Friends United Abroad
  
Meet & Mix Intercontinental Miramar Hotel: 
AVENIDA  BALBOA 6:30-8:30 PM
inter logo- 2.jpgNo reservations necessary.
The Miramar is offering a special menu and special offers on drinks.   Everyone is responsible for ordering and paying for their own drinks, food – and of course Social networking – meeting new people and making new friends.
Beverage Specials
drink.jpg

Food Specials
  Either of the six selections: 
food 1.jpg
food 2.jpg

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AMSOC.ORG 

AMSOC.ORG
Apartado Postal 0843-00166
Panama, Rep. de Panama
Cell 1.507.6747-6762
  Visit our website for more information: www.amsoc.org
or email:  american.society.panama@gmail.com

Major Blaze Destroys Aguadulce City Block

From the internet:

Major Blaze Destroys Aguadulce City Block

INVESTIGATIONS are underway into the cause of a major fire In Aguadulce, Cocle, Province, that destroyed a block of commercial establishments. Including seven stores, in the central area of the city on Sunday April 26, leaving dozens of workers potentially unemployed.

Early witness reports said smoke was seen the blaze began at about around 2 a.m. at a wholesale business, one of the largest stores in the city. Fire fighters were initially hampered by lack of water pressure Damage is estimated at millions of dollars and some 100 workers will be without a workplace to go to on Monday.

The fire spread to a dental clinic, a government housing office, two electronics stores and a restaurant.

Firefighters from Aguadulce and other stations in Coclé and Herrera battled the blaze for several hours. The blaze was finally brought under controlled by mid-morning

Video on Panama

Video on Panama:   https://vimeo.com/88604109

Tide And Street Flooding Alerts

From the internet:

Tide And Street Flooding Alerts

 A HIGH WATER alert for Panama’s Pacific Coast has been issued by the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC) with tides, up to 17.9 feet anticipated from from Friday April 18 to 6:40 pm Wednesday April 22.

As Panama is in the transition from dry to wet season, rains coinciding with high tide could increase the levels of rivers and streams, causing flooding, said SINAPROC CEO José Donderis
Artisanal fishermen are warned to use the navigation equipment and life jackets while bathers are urged to follow recommendations of the lifeguards.

Donderis also asked people not to throw garbage into drains, sewers, rivers and streams; as most floods in the country are because water sources are full of debris.

Stream in the interior of Panama.