Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Saving Trees in Panama

Protests as more city trees fall to chain saws.

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ANOTHER attack on Panama city’s eroding tree population has been stayed for the moment following protests by residents and environmentalists.
They demonstrated Monday, December in the vicinity of the San Fernando Hospital to prevent authorities from removing three mahogany trees to make way for a bus stop onVía España.
Sustainable Panama Foundation Director Raisa Banfield said that the mahogany trees are endangered and therefore protected by law.
Banfield reiterated that two trees had already been cut down and that they were now trying to save the last of them.
"This species is vital to sustaining the environment," Bainfield said.

Friday, November 29, 2013

From the internet:

Afrojack, Calvin Harris, Hardwell Hit Panama’s Day After Festival









Some of the biggest names in dance music hit Panama in January for Disco Donnie Presents’ growing Central American marquee event
Think large-scale dance music festivals reached their zenith in 2013? Think again. 2014 will kick off in a big way for EDM fans up for something a little different just after New Year’s Eve celebrations, Panama’s Day After Festival. The event takes place January 10th through 12th at Figali Plaza in Panama City, Panamá and promises to thrill, with a lineup that boasts some of the biggest names in the game, including Calvin Harris, Afrojack, Hardwell and Martin Garrix.
Panamanian promoters Showpro have partnered with Disco Donnie Presents for The Day After Festival (TDA), which promises to thrill adventure seeking American and European EDM fans alike via a stellar lineup crossed with an exotic vacation vibe, which features heavily in a You Tube teaser for the festival that has already drawn over 100,000 views online since the trailer hit the web earlier this fall.
“Panama City is natural fit for a large scale electronic dance music event and TDA represents our commitment to producing such events in Central America. We’re thankful to have found a top-tier partner in Showpro, a company with a lot of history of producing EMC events in the region, and one we have a lot of respect for,” said Donnie Estopinal, CEO and founder of Disco Donnie Presents in a statement.
This week, the full lineup has been revealed, and the lineup shows Estopinal’s pull with booking agents for TDA, only in its 2nd year. Names such as Dutch titans Nicky Romero, Dyro and Dannic will share the spotlight with the aforementioned headliners, and the ladies are not forgotten either at TDA (see Nervo, Anna Lunoe and rising LA-based talent Jack Novak).

Full lineup below, tickets and more information at dayafter.com

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Filming of Roberto Duran Movie in Panama

From Prensa Latina via internet, looks like the translator got some words "out of sync"?  I thought De Niro was going to play Duran? :

Robert De Niro begins filming in Panama – Hands of Stone
GP507 NOVEMBER 22, 2013 COMMENTS OFF
Robert De Niro begins filming in Panama – Hands of Stone

Panama, Nov. 19 (Prensa Latina) U.S. actor Robert de Niro and immersed himself in his role as Ray Arcel, coach Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran Hands of Stone, in the film Hands of Stone rolling in Panama Jonathan Jakubowicz.De Niro came to Panama yesterday and today participates in the filming of scenes involving him in the film that recreates the life of Panamanian puncher, a national legend. This part of the film takes place in the Harmodios Arias Madrid Campus, University of Panama, with participation of the Venezuelan Edgar Ramirez in the title role of Duran and Ruben Blades who plays Carlos Eleta, attorney for the boxer. The film started filming on October 20 and has spent very popular in places like Santa Ana, San Felipe, El Chorrillo, Bella Vista and the building of the Canal Administration, plus Portobelo in Colon province. Jakubowicz, also from Venezuela and also author of the script, is credited as director Kidnapping Express, which launched him successfully to Roll and expects to get good match “Hands of Stone”, which is the Spanish title of the film. Durán was born 62 years ago in a poor neighborhood of Panama and became one of the most important fighters of Latin America to achieve four world titles during his career, which ran from 1967 to 2002. The film is made ​​with a budget of 14 million dollars, of which five million are going to pocket De Niro, and its release date is still unknown, according sales agency Lotus Entertainment, although Jakubowicz said that filming will end on December 20.

D

Recent photo of my brother Barry with Roberto Duran at Duran's Restaurante/Club one block off Via Argentina

Thursday, November 21, 2013

From U.S. Embassy: There are still over 500 Social Security recipients residing in Panama who have not returned their proof of life form.

U.S. Embassy, Panama
Consular Section
Federal Benefits Unit 

The Social Security Administration recently informed us that there are still over 500 Social Security recipients residing in Panama who  have not returned their proof of life form.   In May/June each year these forms are sent to the mailing address recipients have on record with the SSA. A second request is mailed in October.   If you have not yet returned your proof of life form, please do so immediately. The Social Security Administration will start suspending benefits effective with the payment dated February 3, 2014.

If you are receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration and wish to know if you are required to complete the proof of life form this year, or if you wish to obtain a blank form, please visit http://panama.usembassy.gov/ssai.html.

Monday, November 18, 2013

U.S. CONSULAR SECTION TEMPORARY CLOSURE.

American Citizen Services Unit
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy, Panama

 

THE U.S. CONSULAR SECTION (AMERICAN CITIZEN SERVICES, FEDERAL BENEFITS, AND VISAS UNITS) WILL BE CLOSED ON

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013.



The entire Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Panama will be closed to the public on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.  No routine service will be available those days in the Visas, American Citizen Services, or Federal Benefits Units.  If you are an American Citizen and have an emergency, please contact the Embassy at 317-5000 and they will put you in contact with the appropriate officer.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, the Consular Section will resume full operations with its regular schedule (please see http://panama.usembassy.gov).

Saturday, November 16, 2013

American Society of Panama Thanksgiving event

American Society of Panama Thanksgiving event, email from american.society.panama@gmail.com :

We look forward to seeing you at our

Traditional Thanksgiving Family Luncheon 

The team has worked super hard to make this a special time.
Great menu
SOFT background music by Margarito Molinar
Exquisite decorations
AND for you with little children, “a play area” 

The American Society of Panama         
Cordially invites our
 members, guests and non-members
to our
Traditional Thanksgiving Family Luncheon
       
Sunday 24 November 2013           12:30pm-3:30pm
Salon Taboga                                 Continental Hotel 
                                                      (Via España & Ricardo Arias)     
                                                                                     
Donations:  Members $45                                 
                     Non-Members  $55
Children 5-11 yrs. of age $20
Children and grandchildren of all ages welcome

            Valet Parking available
Share your blessings by bringing:                                                                                      
(1) a shoe box with toiletries/goodies (US Embassy Project), or
             (2) canned goods/dry food items to be donated to our charities.
Contact us to obtain tickets at: The American Society     6747-6762               

Contact one of our Board members:
               Charlotte Pierce          6527-8906      Charles Jorge               6936-4605
              Thomas R.  Lord        6720-9253       Bill Mariano                 6477-9178
               Boston Patterson       6706-8353      Dr. Wayne Samuels   232-0622
               Hari Singh                    6758-9854      Hector Tomlinson      6801-7377  
               Benny Flores               6445-2522       Eunice Greaves           6616-1896
               Cedric Gittens             6612-5663       Marcia Henry               6672-1718    
               Dr. Charles Garcia    6618-8877       Dental Clinic–Ave. Balboa 
               Ryan D (Panama) Karnes, US Embassy Repr.                      317-5430

                “Promises” 270-7457,  Calle 74E San Francisco
               Clemencia Watson Kelley 6682-1472, Coronado Beach area     

Thank You,  
                     AmSoc Board of Directors

Thanksgiving Luncheon Menu
Corvina Ceviche with Green Grapes
Roast Beef with Peaches Platter
Potato Salad with Smoked Chicken
Mirror with Assorted Cheeses
Mixed lettuces with fruity dressing
Orzo salad with shrimp & pesto
Roasted Turkey with gravy, ground beef & raisin stuffing
Virginia glazed Ham with Black Cherries
Beef Medallion Tamarind Style
Ham Mashed Potatoes
Rice with Guandú & Coconut
Trifoliate of Vegetables
Chocolate Cheesecake
Traditional Fruit Cake
Lemon Pie
Cherry Truffle
Christmas Trunk

Subway start put back to February

From the internet:

Subway start put back to February

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SERVICE on the Panama Metro, previously announced for late 2013, and then for January 2014, is now slated to start in February.
Executive Secretary of the Metro Roberto Roy made the announcement on Friday, November 15. He repeated that service will be free initially during the testing period. That period is expected to last for two months or so. No determination has been made on the fare structure, or the amount of subsidy required to keep  the subway running.
The project is currently 94 percent finished. Workers are finishing the installation of escalators and air conditioners, said Roy.
Yesterday, the first full test of the Metro took place from Albrook to Los Andes with President Ricardo Martinelli and other dignitaries on board. Lines to two additional stations are in the planning stages