Evelyn Kendall

A Panamanian friend who lives in Boquete was drugged and robbed in David on Friday. Some years back there were reports of robberies in Chiriqui by people using a white powder (scopolamine) to drug victims. Although this sounds like an urban legend, it unfortunately is not. The effects are the same, and experienced by my friend. The victim is handed something with the powder on it, or it is blown in the face or put in a drink. It is not difficult to inflict a person with this drug. The victim experiences a total loss of memory for the time the drug is in effect. But he is lucid and functioning. My friend was taken to an ATM where he willingly withdrew money. They left him who knows where and took his car and all the groceries he had just bought at Price Mart. He was found by the police 2 days later wandering in David. He was completely disoriented, had no memory of anything, and had clearly been roughed up. The police later found his car (stripped of anything of value) in San Pablo. The last place he can remember is being in Price Mart. Clearly it was after shopping there. This drug comes from the very common variety of datura that grows in Boquete. The angel trumpet flower can be seen almost everywhere here. The tall shrub produces those lovely pink or white trumpet shaped flowers. The problem of scopolamine robbery (and worse) has been a scourge in Colombia for many years, but aside from a few cases (made public) it has not been in much use here up to now. PLEASE be aware of this method of victimization and be vigilant. Here is one link to information about it; there are many more (Borrachero tree, Devil's Breath) on the internet. https://www.biopsychiatry.com/scopolamine/borrachero.html

2 Bedroom 1 Bath Fully Furnished in Alto Boquete $600/month Available June 1 2018 Internet and laundry facilities included Short walking distance to San Francisco Plaza Easy access to buses and taxis Off street parking Wheelchair friendly Completely fenced Organic vegetable garden Friendly neighborhood of Panamanians and Expats Tobacco free environment This house is one of 3 on the same property. It provides both a sense of community while maintaining individual privacy. Well behaved dogs welcome. Please contact Evelyn at 6752-2283 or email: evelynkendall@gmail.com

I am looking for fresh curry leaves to use in Indian cooking. Any ideas where to go?

Actually, he did have a chance to survive. Unfortunately he was left to bleed out in the road for 45 minutes. No ambulance would come from Bomberos. Finally the private ambulance showed up but a payment of $300 had to be made first. He died shortly after being put in that ambulance. This according to my Panamanian friend who has worked in conjunction with the SS clinic for many years. I have lived here for 11 years. I continue to be shocked and often horrified at the treatment Panamanians receive from their government - especially working class citizens who have no financial leverage. How it is that a country that has the wealth that Panama does, the ability to pay from the government coffers for extravaganzas of all types (including private weddings) travel junkets, villas, and just plain stuffing private bank accounts with the people's money not able to supply a major community with one functioning ambulance? How is it that the wretched state of the so called new Social Security clinic is good enough for the residents of Boquete? Shame on you, Panama end of rant

Looking for renter for April, May, June. Lease is renewable on month to month basis after June. Lovely little house is located in Alto Boquete within short walking distance of San Francisco Plaza, taxi and bus stop, and soon to be large grocery store. This house is one of 3 located on the same property which lends itself to both a sense of community as well as individual privacy. Community includes 3 dogs, vegetable garden and common area for socializing. I have lived in this neighborhood for 11 years and it is safe and friendly. House is fully furnished, and includes laundry facilities, wireless, water and trash pick up. Rent is $650/month. Please call Evelyn at 6752-2283 to make an appointment to see the house. 0

Lovely little house is located in Alto Boquete within short walking distance of San Francisco Plaza, taxi and bus stop, and soon to be large grocery store. This house is one of 3 located on the same property which lends itself to both a sense of community as well as individual privacy. Community includes 3 dogs, vegetable garden and common area for socializing. I have lived in this neighborhood for 11 years and it is safe and friendly. House is fully furnished, and includes laundry facilities, wireless, water and trash pick up. Rent is $650/month. Please call Evelyn at 6752-2283 to make an appointment to see the house.

Short term rental in Alto Boquete near San Francisco Plaza. 3 bedroom, 2 bath fully furnished. Includes washer/dryer, wireless, TV, cable ready. Fully landscaped, outdoor gazebo. Water, trash pick up and electricity included. No pets or smoking. $1000/month plus damage deposit Contact Roxanna at 6509-1674 email: claritaroxi@comcast.net

Once upon a time...my mother was into "Let's try this recipe from Gourmet Magazine!" Salmon eggs (excuse me, roe) in jellied consume...served cold in her best crystal goblets. To this day I can remember the taste/consistency As they say in Panama "Guacala!" (or huacala if you prefer) Disgusting! My dad used the leftovers to catch trout.

Yes, that would be it.

This morning I went to a local garden supply store at the north end of Boquete. I saw a sight that I still have not recovered from. As I was about to enter the store, I saw smashed against the side of the cage dozens of dead and dying chicks who were trying to get heat from the heat lamp that was positioned at the side of the cage. The heat lamp should always be place a correct distance above chicks to give them adequate warmth and freedom to move around. The stench of dead chicks and fecal matter reached out into the street. I told 2 employees what was happening and they seemed to have cared less. When I reminded them that this was abuse and completely incorrect, they seem to slowly make moves to do something. Please go past said garden and feed/pet supply store and let them know that you are making note of the treatment of their livestock. There is nothing more lethal and cruel than the human animal.

The Regional Hospital has one that has been greatly enlarged (but still more people in need than there are machines for) and also Hosp. Chiriqui has one...expensive as I recall

I have just read 2 notices of lost dogs who ran away because of fireworks. PLEASE help spread the word that ALL pets should be kept inside during fireworks displays.

Oh I am so sorry!!! I do know how much it hurts. Incredibly! I was doing some research and one of the suggestions I found repeated from various sources was to put clorox on the area of the sting....dilute it maybe 50 50 and it is supposed to counteract the venom. My little dog brushed against one the other day. First I got packaging tape and applied the sticky side the where the sting was in order to pull out any remaining spines. Dipped his foot in clorox dilurion and poked some benadryl down him. He did ok and the venom did not seem to travel up his leg. When I was stung years ago on my hand it went all the way to closing my throat and I went all the way to the emergency clinic (we had one back then) for IV anti histamine (I think that's what it was) There are a LOT of caterpillars this year it seems. All of the most poisonous have showed up at my house. If they look really pretty and have lots of fancy feathers, bristles....do not touch. Well, really don't touch any of them!

New York Times piece titled "How to Hide $400 Million Dollars". http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/magazine/how-to-hide-400-million.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news Lengthy, well written, and ultimately sickening to realize that this miserable, unhappy and greedy pair represent what has been happening to deplete the wealth of nations...and the robbery of "the little people" who pay their taxes. (Leona Helmsley: "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes." ) From the article: James S. Henry, a former chief economist at McKinsey, calls the offshore financial world the “economic equivalent of an astrophysical black hole,” holding at least $21 trillion of the world’s financial wealth, more than the gross domestic product of the United States.

Yes!

You can pay several different bills at the Western Union office, including Cable Onda and Cable and Wireless. Cash only, however.

Franklin has been my neighbor for 11 years. It seems he knows everything worth knowing about gardening and landscape maintenance that there is to know. He is looking for work and you would be fortunate to have him come even once to do your gardening. He sees everything! Every bug, fungus, plant disease...he can tell you about your soil just from looking at your plants and he can tell you how to fix it...organically or otherwise. He knows which "weeds" are medicinal and how to use them. He is punctual, hardworking and modest in what he charges. He does not speak English but I am happy to interpret for him. Call me if you think you could give him some work. Evelyn 6752-2283

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I will check Super Baru and also call you, Ron. Some years ago 50lb sacks were available through some of the Seventh Day Adventists...but I guess that is a thing of the past!

Where can I buy wheat berries (whole wheat seeds) for sprouting and bread making?

Yes, replace the battery. Even if you hear the igniter clicking it is not necessarily getting enough juice. Alkaline batteries are a must. Learned all this from Luis Cotte after I nearly lost my mind trying to figure out the problem. Other things that I have found to help: Making sure the gas bottle has plenty of pressure (I push the valve pin down briefly with whatever small pointy object is handy...keeping my face clear of the gas ) and making sure there is no dirt in the regulator and that the pin makes good contact with the valve pin. Hope this helps

Another group of beasties to be very careful of are the caterpillars. They can really give you severe sting as well as allergic reactions that include difficulty breathing, closing of the throat (my experience).

He has been in his Boquete office after 2 p.m the 3 times I went there.

New Vet Clinic in Boquete Clinica Veterinaria San Jose Dr. Jose M. Batista Bajo Boquete just north of La Posada Restaurant on same side of the road. 730-9618 cell 6090-2503 He also has an office in David 730-3329 I want to personally recommend Dr. Batista as true professional and deeply caring veterinarian. My very sick boxer received the best of care and attention from him and his staff. Everything was explained to me and the logic of his protocol was clear and sensible. He was loving and gentle with her, remaining hopeful but realistic. His charges were very reasonable. Although he does not speak English, his assistant does speak some. He has answered all my calls promptly and has called me to make sure I have understood how to proceed. If you have any questions feel free to call me at 6752 2283 Evelyn

Looking for like minded people to complete a small 3 house community in Alto Boquete. 2 bedroom unfurnished house with new stove, oven and refrigerator. Washing machine on premises. Internet provided by owner. House has separate electric meter. $550/month. First and last month due at signing of contract. Available December 20 Our community includes five loveable dogs and there is room for gardening. We maintain a smoke and alcohol free environment. For more information and to schedule a time to visit, call Evelyn at 6752 2283 or email evelynkendall@gmail.com

There is a simple and inexpensive water filtration method that has been used in countries around the world called the BioSand filtration system. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosand_filter and http://www.biosandfilter.org/biosandfilter/index.php/item/229 It would make a wonderful project for a group of community minded people. The best served would be the indigenous population...biosand filters could be strategically placed for community use. I would be happy to give support to any effort that might emerge. There is a lot of information on the web regarding these filters.