David van Harn

The street light on the lane next to my house has been burned out for over 2 years. 

The one in front of the house only took a year to be replaced.

The two quakes did not occur at the same time.  Scientists - including seismologists - rely on very accurate timekeeping. 

The 5.1 magnitude quake 200 miles away on the other side of the Galapagos islands is way to distant to be felt here.  Also, it occurred at 7:17 (12:22:55 UTC/GMT), not 7:23.  The earthquake waves from the 5.1 quake would have reached us in about 30 seconds, but would have been far too week to feel at that distance. 

The local Palo Alto 3.6 quake was at 7:23.  I was sleeping in, and my alarm was set for 7:35.  I woke up when I felt the quake, and looked at my alarm clock.  The time was 7:23.

45 minutes ago, Esther said:

This is confusing: ?

Alto al Crimen does not sell pet products, and this discussion has absolutely nothing to do with that organization.  

I have a wide range of interests, and this discussion triggered a bit of curiosity about the world of dog-deodorants.  We retired folks often have time to examine such trivia. 

So, I simply pointed out a possible area of confusion related to two different dog products with the same name.  When I tried to look up more information about the dog-deodorant, I didn't find any info about the Boquete Pup-Fresh product.  Instead, I found something altogether different.  Pup-Fresh turned out to be an established pet-care product in the U.S., and the manufacturer had trademarked the name there.  With a globalized world economy, product confusion can now more easily cross national borders.   

As long as people are aware of what the product is and what it does - and they want to try it - fine by me.  Knowing Bob as an ethical person, his Pup-Fresh is probably a good product.   

My interest was simply based on curiosity.

17 hours ago, Keith Woolford said:

Turns out that Pricesmart's product may not be everything they claim it to be.

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/why-buying-coconut-oil-at-costco-is-risky-business/

The article starts out with b.s and myths, although their points on oil quality may have merit. 

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The popularity of coconut oil has skyrocketed in recent years. It seems as though everyone is starting to realize what traditional South Pacific cultures with virtually no heart disease knew for centuries:  coconut oil is one of the healthiest fats on the planet and is a boon to health when plentiful amounts are present in the diet.

Cold-pressed coconut oil is a big fad these days, and there is not much peer-reviewed research available on it's affect on health in specific diet/lifestyle combinations. There is some indication that fresh coconut and oil not subjected to high temps (cooking and baking) is better for your health than processed versions. 

The lower incidence of heart disease in some South Pacific cultures is likely due to overall lifestyle and diet, not just a single factor such as coconut oil use.  It is not logical to pick one factor out of a complex cultural lifestyle and claim that it controls everything, including heart disease.  Scientists are very much aware that the incidence of heart disease increases significantly when populations move from farms, villages and the countryside to cities, and maintain the same diets.  So it is quite obvious that diet is not the only factor.

In the mean time, I still enjoy an occasional coconut macaroon from Morton's Bakehouse, which is usually also available at the Tuesday Morning BCP Market. 

And one of my very favorite Boquete treats is an occasional dark chocolate-covered coconut bar from Chox - our local Artisan Chocolateria. 

I am acutely aware that it is going to take more than coconut to restore my heart health and maintain it - even here in our tropical mountain paradise. 

1 hour ago, Bonnie said:

I don't believe that's a cockroach, but I don't know exactly what it is. In any case, I've seen bigger cockroaches in Florida than I've seen here. Much bigger.

Definitely not a cockroach.

However, big or small, if not controlled, cockroaches can take over your kitchen... 

30 minutes ago, WryAwry said:

To broach the roach is a tough approach.

But then there is the roach brooch...

I am writing this because their might be some confusion between two different dog odor control products - one toxic and one not - that are sold under the same product name. 

"Pup-Fresh^TM" is a trademark registered by Pupgear Corporation in the U.S.  Pup-Fresh^TM is a granular absorbent product for dog-urine odor-control. Pup-Fresh non-toxic granules prevent the formation of ammonia which is a primary cause of pet urine odor. 

It appears that a Panamanian company decided to use the same name for a dog-spray product that is formulated to "kill" odors originating on the skin of dogs, and also act as a germicide (matador de germen?) and a flea repellent. 

While PupGear's Pup-Fresh product is non-toxic to plants and animals, apparently El Matador's "Pup Fresh" dog-spray is harmful to cats.  

2 hours ago, Dottie Atwater said:

I like to support local vendors, too. However, the local coconut oil (not organic, not cold pressed) has become very scarce in the Volcan area. I had been buying 1/2 gallon at a time but with my last purchase I was able to get only a pint. That's another reason I was so glad to find an ample supply at Price Smart.

Point taken, Dottie.  I live in Boquete, and I am at the Tuesday Market every week - so I have good access to local coconut oil.

However, after a recent mild heart attack and a need to lower my cholesterol and blood pressure to reduce plaque and hardening of my arteries, I minimize the use of it in my diet, even though I love the taste of coconut.  Contrary to a lot of popular contemporary health food folklore based on non-comprehensive Polynesian population health studies, virgin cold pressed coconut oil is about 92% saturated fat and therefore not very good for cooking.  I did lots of online research while planning changes in my diet this year, and found out that coconut oil is one of the worst choices for heart-healthy diet.  It turns out that Asian countries with the highest per capita consumption of coconut oil also have very high rates of obesity and related health issues. 

I'm getting ready to switch to lots of baking and roasting and will use a bit of coconut oil occasionally for its flavor.  (And of course, coconut oil has many non-food uses.)   

On 4/13/2016 at 8:00 AM, Penny said:

The only advice I can offer is the old adage my grandma told me "Don't let the bastards get you down!!"

 

Grandma must have been a fan of General "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, who famously kept the pseudo-Latin version of the saying on his desk during WWII.

No Tums or Rolaids, but Farmacia Any carries Bayer's "Baytalcid" which is a great substitute.

But, but - wouldn't making the rich pay their fair share of taxes  - especially when such efforts are made by governments that provide welfare and aid to the poor and destitute - be considered a "redistribution of wealth?" 

Such obviously communist schemes make American Tea Party members quiver in their skivvies!

The horror of it all - it must be an American Democratic Party plot!  

Please remember that only hard working middle class people should pay taxes. 

/snark

$8 per pint (16oz) for local coconut oil comes to 50 cents per ounce.  That's $27 for 54oz.

Although I like PriceSmart - and many of their items are much, much less expensive than elsewhere in the region - I usually prefer to support local vendors, especially when the price is that close. 

14 minutes ago, Keith Woolford said:

David, I would suggest that you send them a personal message.

I sent a message to their old e-mail address and it didn't bounce - I'll wait to hear from them. 

Their old "www.fincatierrapuraboquete" website is gone. 

2 hours ago, Penny said:

Where in the Boquete area can you get these tomatoes in enough quantity for a restaurant?

The photos look like they were googled to me.

Pat and Susan Farrell once offered such goodies and more from their finca and organic greenhouse in Volcancito Arriba, but apparently could not find a sufficient market for heirloom tomatoes.  They said that Panamanians like their tomatoes plain and red. 

I noticed that their "Finca Tierra Pura" with it's absolutely beautiful brand new house, two casitas, greenhouses, etc., was listed for sale by Casa Solution in January.  The excellent YouTube video showing the property is still up, [LINK] but the listing is gone from the Casa Solution website.   The video is on of the best real estate videos I have seen, and it is great for showing the beauty of the Boquete highlands. 

Does anyone know if Pat and Susan are still in Boquete?

I cannot speak for other regions of Panama, but my interest in climate and weather makes me an avid observer of local conditions. 

There have been thunderstorms close by recently, but no rain up here in Volcancito yet.  I drove through a downpour in Dolega Monday afternoon on the way back from David, and there was water running in the streets in the town, but not north or south of the town itself. 

From my house over the past couple of weeks, I've seen more "convection" (the tight, rapidly rising dense cottony clouds that form thunderstorms) to the south, and over the southern flanks of Volcan Baru.  These dynamics are what should eventually intensify and become the source of our rainy season here in the Boquete area.  The Bajareque wind and mist have certainly tapered off, and I'm not seeing the ragged look of the higher clouds being "blown-back" southward over Volcan Baru or the Jaramillo mountains.  So it looks like a slow transition to the rainy season may be beginning here. 

Climate-wise, the 2016 El Nino event is rapidly weakening, and we are in the midst of a transition to a likely moderate La Nina developing over the summer and early fall.  Following the last strong El-Nino in 1997-1998,  Hurricane Mitch formed off the coast of Panama.  By the time Mitch dissipated, nearly 20,000 people were dead, including three in Panama.  There is a possibility of an active Caribbean hurricane season again this year, but Panama is south of the hurricane belt, and only a very large storm like Mitch would affect Panama - and even then only with heavy rain - but not wind and storm surge.  Considering the damage around Boquete from the 2008 floods (pics at Lloyd Cripe's BoqueteWeather.com website), we should be aware of the possibilities next fall.

From Wikipedia: 

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Mitch formed in the western Caribbean Sea on October 22, 1998, and after drifting through extremely favorable conditions, it rapidly strengthened to peak at Category 5 status, the highest possible rating on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. After drifting southwestward and weakening, the hurricane hit Honduras as a minimal hurricane. It drifted through Central America, reformed in the Bay of Campeche, and ultimately struck Florida as a strong tropical storm.

Due to its slow motion from October 29 to November 3, Hurricane Mitch dropped historic amounts of rainfall in Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, with unofficial reports of up to 75 inches (1,900 mm). Deaths due to catastrophic flooding made it the second deadliest Atlantic hurricane in history; nearly 11,000 people were killed with over 11,000 left missing by the end of 1998. Additionally, roughly 2.7 million were left homeless as a result of the hurricane. The flooding caused extreme damage, estimated at over $6 billion (1998 USD).

4 hours ago, JudyS said:

Never saw it, never heard of it.  When was this picture taken?

Stumbled on the photo at a old "library" page about Panama coffees at the Sweet Maria's Coffee website.  The photo is near the bottom of the page.  The discussion seems to range in dates from 2002-2006. 

Anyone remember this establishment in Boquete?  Did Starbucks get them to shut down or rename?  Or did it die a typical poorly planned Boquete food business death?  

29 minutes ago, Pat said:

 

Suggesting that Olga's purpose and technique is to increase postings on Ning.

It doesn't seem to be working too well - only four comments in the past 12 hours.

I see that this notice of the presence of a known criminal in a residential neighborhood set off a tirade by Olga at Boquete.ning. 

Apparently she cannot comprehend the difference between racial/ethnic profiling and neighborhood watch protocols.  I countered with these words:

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In the Panamanian neighborhood where I live, my neighbors got all upset one day last year when a known criminal - a fellow Panamanian - was hanging out at our corner our dead-end street in a place where he has no friends, and where there are no public amenities.  The women in my barrio took turns being obvious and watching him from a fairly close distance until he finally left. 

That being said, our street has a couple of paths at the bottom that lead down the hill to Via Boquete below the small cliff near Cefati.  People walk up and down our street all the time - Panamanian, extranjeros and Gnobe.  Nobody cares and no one reacts to their presence and passage. 

Bruce Dow - 6384-6593.

I've turned some "back rollers" for him on my wood lathe. 

Thanks Judy - will do.

One of the two big cypress trees serving as wind-breaks at my rental casa lost a big branch. Fortunately, no damage except to another smaller tree.  The trees are old and over-mature and will likely have to be removed later this year. 

My absentee landlord asked me to take care of cutting and removing the big branch. Anyone know a local worker licensed to use a chainsaw who can do this quick and easy job?  (Yes - licenses are required to use a chainsaw here in Panama - presumably to reduce illegal logging and clearing)  

Contact info for a knowledgeable arborist to evaluate the trees and quote on their removal would also be useful.

I read through the comments, and that Cuenca forum really does remind me of Boquete.ning under Lee's management.  Lively and confrontational dialog that allows people to vent a bit and challenge each others comments and opinions.  There are a few deleted comments, but the bar for comment deletion there seems to be quite high.   

The opinions in both the guest column and the comments section do indeed reflect some of the expat issues - and differences of opinion about them - that I see here in Chiriqui.  And I also noticed some of the stereotypical displays of arrogance, ignorance, and entitlement that we see here in Chiriqui and elsewhere from American tourists and expats. 

6 hours ago, Dottie Atwater said:

..."a  shadow of it's former self" means "a shadow of it is former self..."  (Sorry, I just can't help myself!) Nevertheless, welcome to CL, David.)

Sheesh!  Tripped up again by that pesky "sometimes there is an apostrophe to indicate the possessive form - and sometimes there isn't." 

At least I don't say "me and her" instead of "she and I."  And just where does that period belong - inside or outside the quotation mark?