Penny

After having a checking account with MultiBank for at least 12 years, I just recently closed it. I figure if I need a check I'll pay the fee for a cashier's check ($5 at Banco General and $10 at MultiBank). I was hit with about $100 worth of low balance fees in my account at MultiBank a couple of years ago and should have closed the checking account then. Of course, they don't tell you that your balance is low so the fees just keep accumulating. I now have savings accounts at both Banco General and MultiBank. My account at MultiBank allows me to deposit a U.S. check of up to $3000 once a month with no charge and a 5 day clearing period. This is a special deal for folks who own a house in Panama. Fidelity has the same deal as Schwab. I use their debit card for purchases wherever Visa is accepted. No foreign transaction fee and they immediately reimburse all ATM fees . . . which have gotten pretty steep lately.

Fellow Boqueteños: I normally send out the schedule for the Tuesday Talks on Saturday. However, this coming Tuesday we have such a spectacular program I felt many would like some advance notice so they don't inadvertently schedule some other activity on Tuesday morning. First of all we have one of the most important guys in Panama, Alberto Alemán, who ran the Panama Canal Authority for many years including the years of decision to enlarge the canal. As a last minute surprise to us, he's bringing with him, Lee McIntyre, who is the CEO of the company that was contracted to do all the project management for the canal expansion. These two guys together know more about the Panama Canal than probably any other in the world. If you're interested in the history of your adopted country, this is a don't miss program. 10:30 in the BCP theater.

Thanks to Joy and Tom Shivers who took the mail Wednesday afternoon. Please, if you are planning on flying out on a Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, you could stop by the BCP between 11:30 and 12 and grab the bag of mail and take it with you. Now that Christmas is passed, we only have about 20 or 25 letters going out so it's not going to add a lot of weight to your luggage. Thanks so much.

This is the 3rd time BCP has hosted the Hospice presentation. It has "sold out" every time. You have to know this information if you're visiting or living in Boquete. We're so lucky to have a Hospice organization here.

When you drive a gold X-Trail and there's 30 more identical cars in Boquete, a few dents help identify and individualize the car.

There is a recycling facility across the street from La Posada, the Argentinian Restaurant just before the curve on main street. For body shop work, I use Levis. He has a sign on the bus stop shelter just a little past CEFATI. Go down that road until it basically ends (i.e., turns into a cow path). Turn right and you will see his business.

Please everyone, give a thumbs up to the Handicap Foundations video submitted by Linda Sherman.

I've heard that it's going to be a kind of mini or strip mall. Same thing I heard about Michelle Brewer's site across from CEFATI.

I love what the Pana's call the death certificate: certificado de disfuncion.

I find that the PDF version of the bill they send via email is very readable. Maybe this is the place to plug the outgoing mail service to the U.S. and Canada offered at the BCP market. Get your letter to us on Tuesdays between 9 and 11:30 AM and we'll find someone to hand carry it to a mail box in the U.S. We also have U.S. stamps for sale for $1 each.

I've had the "droid" box for about a year. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. Truthfully, I only use it to access USTV Now to watch the evening news and reruns of Modern Family. I bought it through Mike Niscrome and it cost $250 for purchase and set up. Every subsequent service call cost me $25. I think there's better deals out there and, like all electronics, they get better every day.

Guys, I might be wrong but I think the name of the clinic is "Alfa" and not "Alpha". That might be part of the confusion.

There was a family emergency for Lucy who runs La Villa and it was closed today (Friday)

Hi Rodny I gave you $80 on Thursday Dec 15 at your sign up activity at La Villa Coffee Shop. I haven't yet received a receipt or a confirmation that my subscription is good for another year. Penny

Created by Boquete resident Richard Detrich. Absolutely free

I think Bud is wrong about this. If you book a ticket and it happens to have an intermediary stop and plane change, I believe the entire ticket is eligible for the discount. Also the return ticket if the trip originated in Panama. Somebody should ask Anavilma to determine the true answer.

For those of you wondering why the electricity went off about 9 AM on Thursday in Bajo Boquete, here's the photo of the tree that fell on the power lines halfway between the Feria and Hotel Ladera:

Those of you who didn't attend the Christmas concert and sing-a-long missed a very good show. About 25 singers and musicians on the BCP stage with professional lighting and sound. An almost standing room only audience. I remember the original concerts put on by Bob Moyle and Richard Detrich which took place in either the high school auditorium or the grade school auditorium. We've come a long ways since those days.

I think the fact that nobody has come forward to say they got the discount booking online without visiting a travel agent or an airline office answers my question. And, yes, I agree that Anavilma's services are well worth the $20. For example, she knew that booking separate flights DAV-PTY and then PTY-SFO saved me about $100. Who would have known??? Although I found the price of the Airport Riande on Booking.com to be less than her special discount price (by about $7)

This morning I booked two COPA flights through Viajes David (Anavilma in downtown Boquete). I noticed she made two phone calls to Copa to confirm they would give me the jubilado discount . . . which didn't turn out to be nearly as big as I had anticipated. I know that her travel agent fee is bundled into the cost of these tickets. My question is: has anyone succeeded in getting the jubilado discount on airfare out of Panama without going through a travel agent?????

I wrote the title line for the Rodny Direct talk and will take the blame for it being misleading. I wrote it during the time that Rodny Direct had been promised the ability to sell an insurance plan with discounted premiums. Things changed but the headline for the talk didn't change. Mea culpa. The interesting thing about the AAC discount plan is that it's with a brand new hospital that most of you have never heard of and learning about that is worth the $1 admission fee.

I'm trying to find decent airfare between Panama and San Francisco, CA. What suggestions do you guys have for a site that can find the best deal. So far, the best deal I can find is Aero Mexico but there's an overnight stay in Mexico City. That would be OK if I had more time. Also, apparently Spirit doesn't fly to San Francisco. All advice is welcome. Thanks.

Long time Boquete resident Henry Hayes (US citizen) died yesterday.

Hello from The Garden Restaurant and Country Store, Tomorrow December 8th due to Mother's Day National Holiday we will be closed. Remember The Country Store and Baking Goods for your holiday needs and stocking stuffers. Do you have that person in your life that you don't know what to buy them, but you want to give them something special? STOP IN FOR GIFT CERTIFICATES! Can be applied to all areas of The Restaurant and Country Store. Regards, Andrew & Romsey Foote. +507 6979-4628

You should have come to the Chiriqui Storage flea market on Sunday. A vendor was there selling several including white.