Keith Woolford

Roger, I think this is a good indication that pestering elected officials works.

Jim, I think you're a victim of popular misconception. the US gov gives hundreds of millions in aid to Panama every year Here's an example of Panama shelling out $ to cleanup after the U.S. military. Where's the foreign aid there? THE CLEAN UP of the former U.S. Army weapons testing ground in Piña, Colón is going to cost Panama $1.1 million. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/clean-up-of-former-us-military-site-to-cost-1-1-million?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+newsroompanama+%28Newsroom+Panama%29

The President of the Republic Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, today presents the advantages and benefits of a home port in Panama before the two major cruise lines in the United States. During his visit in the city of Miami, Florida, the president with his official delegation, held meetings with senior executives of the cruise lines Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean. As part of the tourism promotion strategy promoted by the Government of the Republic of Panama, the president highlighted the opportunities and potential of Panama on air connectivity through the expansion of Tocumen International Airport and sea with the Canal expansion of Panama for further development of the tourism sector through a home port for cruise ships. Equally, the president highlighted that with the implementation of the project Renovation Colon Free Port, the visitors can expect major attractions, services and security to keep the country and this Atlantic zone between the top leaders of tourism in the region. Varela Rodriguez met with the Corporative President of Carnival Corporation, Micky Arison, who showed his interest in the Renovation project that is being executed in the province of Colon and the development of the port on the Atlantic coast. At this meeting, the President of Copa Airlines, Pedro Heilbron presented the air connectivity of Panama which is a component to make Panama a destination home port for the cruise industry. This meeting was also attended by the Vice Minister of the Presidency, Augusto Arosemena; the vice Chancellor Luis Miguel Hincapié; the Administrator of the Tourism Authority of Panama, Gustavo Him; the Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority, Jorge Barakat. Subsequently, the Panamanian president and his delegation met with Richard Fain, Chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean International and Federico Gonzalez Denton, Associate Vice President to whom he reiterated the economic advantages offered by the country, for both investors and tourists. Fain expressed his satisfaction with the interest and commitment of the Government of Panama in creating opportunities for the tourism sector and the creation of jobs through public investment and the promotion of foreign investment. Carnival Corporation has eleven individual brands of cruise lines, and operates a combined fleet of over 100 ships, totaling more than 160,000 beds. Carnival Corporation is the world's largest cruise operator. Meanwhile Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a Norwegian American company based in Miami, Florida. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. possesses five cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Azamara Cruises and CDF in France. Carnival Corporation is the world's largest cruise operator in the world, followed by Royal Caribbean Cruises. https://www.presidencia.gob.pa/

Sorry Jim, but I just can't buy this statement: "But, all considered, the US is the most important source of income that PAnama has," As far as I can see, the U.S. doesn't contribute any $ here that don't go to further it's own agendas.

man, I hope I haven''t been inculcated.

Bonnie, it should have read 'lowest point in 6 years'. Officials are trying to tell us here that they're on the right track. We can only hope they're right and that crime in general will be reduced, and these kinds of indicators will continue to improve. Our friend Joe is one of the 39 victims in July, sadly the only month in which there was an actual increase from last year.

Minister of Security Rodolfo Aguilera has published statistics showing homicides in the first ten and a half months of 2015 are down about 25% from lastt year and are at their lowest point in 15 years.

Jim, apart from funding to help fight the war on drugs, under which programs does the U.S. currently give hundreds of millions of dollars to Panama? "In 2012, Panama joined Chile, South Korea, and Poland as countries that have successfully reached the point at which they can propel their own development without the need for significant U.S. assistance." https://www.usaid.gov/where-we-work/latin-american-and-caribbean/panama

From what I understand, there are several encroachments on private property and the public thoroughfare as well. The structure was built without setbacks and right to, or over, property lines. IMO, the only way to fix the situation is to demolish the thing but the owner, Sr.Garrido, isn't going to let that happen. So it will sit.

Yes, I'm sure. The fee in Dolega for Certificacion Larga has been increased to $50. You will need to supply proof of residence in Boquete with an original factura for electric or water service. If your electric or water bill is not in your personal name, you will need to get a verification of residence from the Corregedoria. You will also have to take the vehicle to the DIJ in David to have the VIN and Engine number checked before re-registering the vehicle in the target Municipality, in this case Boquete. If you want your Title and future Revisados to reflect the change of Municipality, you will need to have the Title replaced, after completing the above steps, at the ATTT office in Dolega. Prior to going there, you'll need to stop at Banco Nacional in Boquete and make a deposit to their account for $20. The phone number is if 776-0092 if you want to check yourself. No es vale la pena, imo.

The courier of choice these days for business is UNO Express as they have about 15 or so locations across the country, and their fleet is all connected by GPS tracking.

Nope, next year.

Unfortunately, the restaurant is putting additional pressure on the already limited parking in the area. Evenings and Wednesdays are probably the best day to go there when Sugar and Spice is closed.

Yes. It is because Dolega will have (or should have) ordered your Plate already. You could have moved it this year at the same time you paid the Registration, but you will now have to wait until next year. There is a $50 fee.

Coincidentally this article on the subject was published a few weeks ago. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/animal-welfare-act-outlaws-animal-ear-cropping-and-tail-docking-1.3301418

Correcto. This procedure is (generally) only permitted during the month of renewal.

no hay

Glucosamine in tablet form does not absorb well, so I use a liquid compound.

agreed ..as usual

Panama Roasters?

Hydroelectrics upstream, I believe. I think the pic is of the one below the bridge https://twitter.com/MirandaR_Kiad/status/662805679267164160

Marcelyn, The Revisado inspection certificate you receive is valid until the end of the due month in the following year. For example, if the vehicle's renewal month is November, the Revisado obtained in November 2015 will be 'vigente' or valid until November 30th, 2016. The annual fee for the Plate would be due by November 30th to the Municipality where the vehicle is registered. Cost of Plates vary depending on the number of passengers the car is rated for and/or whether it's a truck or motorcycle. Current range is from $31 to $47. Taller QuickFix across from Plaza Los Establos now provides the 'inspection' service, saving a trip to David. There is no five day window anywhere in the process and third parties can do any of these steps.

These photos were posted on Twitter during the last big storm on November 6th. The old westbound section of the bridge had to be closed for safety reasons. This is a very wide, shallow river.

Certainly not convenient but one of the best places I've found to look for high quality sheets at good prices is Dorian's in Albrook Mall.