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If you're a NEW PANAMA RESIDENT and want to learn Spanish, you'll get an AUTOMATIC 50% DISCOUNT OFF ANY SPANISH COURSE of 60 hours or more that takes place between AUGUST 15TH and DECEMBER 16TH 2016! Just make sure to sign up BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER or before we run out of space! Save your spot ASAP as we cannot guarantee availability for everyone... For more information and to sign up please visit: https://www.hablayapanama.com/blog/2017/08/50-off-spanish-lessons-for-panama-residents-yearly-expat-course-2/ How to sign up? If you don't know any Spanish, just let us know by filling out this form and saying so or by calling us, 720-1294 (Boquete), 757 - 7352 (Bocas del Toro) or 394 - 8326 (Panama City), and tell whoever answers the phone: help, I don't know any Spanish! Make sure to leave your telephone number and email so that we can get back to you as soon as we can confirm there is a group for you. If you do know some Spanish, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and complete our Placement Test! Also make sure to leave your telephone number and we'll call you to schedule an oral interview to confirm your Spanish level. After that, we just need other students of your same level to also sign up! We look forward to teaching Spanish to you! Julio J. Santamaria B. Habla Ya Spanish Schools julio@hablayapanama.com +507 - 730 - 8344 - Boquete: Central Avenue, Los Establos Plaza 20-26 - Bocas del Toro: G Avenue and 9th Street, Isla Colon - Panama City: Le Blue 2A, 1st Street, El Carmen https://www.HablaYaPanama.com Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Follow us on Twitter TripAdvisor Reviews | News, Contests & Discounts What's it like to learn Spanish in Panama? See for yourself! - Bocas del Toro by the Beach - The Mountains of Boquete - Trendy Panama City

Tickets will be available at the door if you haven't picked them up before Saturday! Lisa Mosley www.arf-boquete.com

Erics Frames is changing The legacy is about to be handed down Come order a picture frame and meet the new "Frame Guy" The great service and location will continue Life is good Contact right away email now ericinpanama@gmail.com or call 6464-5090 Eric Carlson www.rambalajunglelodge.com

You are invited to come help celebrate Yella's Birthday.

Don't miss the interview with Betty Landis from Boquete Health and Hospice Foundation. It will air on Radio Chiriqui, 106.6 or 103.3, on Friday 8/11/17 at 10:00. She will be providing information about BHHF, the Being Prepared presentation on 8/29 at the Tuesday Market Talks and the BHHF Health Fair coming up in October.

I lost this piece of jewelry on July 12th. It is a picture of my dog recently passed if you are unable to make the picture out. It has sentimental value and I am offering a $50 reward. Thank you for any help you can be! Marguerite Heffner, 6959-4825. PanamaGirl52@gmail.com

Come join the fun at the Fénix Cafe this Friday night, August 11th, from 6:30pm. Dance to great rock, pop, and soul music from the '60s, '70s, and beyond. The Fénix Cafe is located in the BCP Theater complex, home of the Tuesday Market, just across the bridge in Bajo Boquete. Admission is free!

Do Portugal Circus 6 August 2017 Boquete https://youtu.be/6foTcZEz3_s

Green Convention Center initiative REPRINTED FROM NEWSROOM PANAMA Posted on August 7, 2017 in Panama CHIRIQUI’S tourism industry saw the start of a major shot in the arm with the groundbreaking ceremony for a Green Convention Center in Boquete, on Monday, August 7. The project on a four-hectare site donated by a Panama businessman is the result of a $12 million cooperation between the Panamanian Tourism Authority (ATP) and the Center for Competitiveness of the Western Region. The land was donated by entrepreneur Ricardo Perez, who made formal delivery of the notarized deed ceding the land to the tourism authority ATP Director Gustavo Him said: “It will be a unique center in the region surrounded by natural landscape, environmentally friendly structures, wastewater utilization and a renewable energy system.” The initial capacity of the green center will be 2,000 but, according to Him, it can be expanded later depending on the needs of the market. He said that the green center will boost tourism via congresses and conventions in the province and permeate throughout the sector: transport, tour operators, travel agencies, hoteliers and restaurants. In Chiriquí province, the ATP has also executed other major tourism development projects such as the Boquete Coffee Exploration Center and the newly remodeled Paso Canoas Border Building.

Hello there,

https://youtu.be/3UFJb24k70E Limited Tickets @ Tuesday Market https://youtu.be/3UFJb24k70E

COMUNICADO IMPORTANTE View this email in your browser Estimados clientes: Les informamos formalmente que el 2 de agosto fuimos notificados sin previo aviso, que a partir del 1 de agosto de 2017, la importación de cosméticos para consumo personal estaba prohibida al país, tal como indica el comunicado adjunto emitido por la Lic. Lisbeth Tristan de Brea, Directora Nacional de Farmacia y Drogas. Cuando hablan de “cosméticos de uso personal” se refieren a cremas, perfumes, pasta de dientes, champú, maquillajes, entre otros. Intentamos hasta el viernes conseguir una solución con relación a los pedidos ya ordenados antes de esta fecha, pero no ha sido posible. Esperamos esta semana poder brindarles una respuesta y estamos trabajando arduamente en lograr una reconsideración a esta medida tan drástica y que puedan continuar recibiendo estos productos para consumo personal. Esta medida no solo afecta a los clientes de Mail Boxes Etc sino a todas las personas que importan cosméticos de uso personal a través de alguna compañía de Courier u otra similar de forma legal al país. Les pedimos disculpas por esta situación la cual es totalmente ajena a nuestra voluntad y los mantendremos informados. Les agradecemos manifestar el descontento por esta situación para que juntos podamos encontrar una solución favorable y que puedan continuar recibiendo sus cosméticos de uso personal sin ningún inconveniente. Atentamente, Mail Boxes Etc English Below: Dear Customers: We formally inform you that on August 2nd we were notified without previous notice, that since August 1st, 2017, the import of cosmetics for personal use is fordibben in Panama, according to the attached communication by Lic. Lisbeth Tristan de Brea, National Director of Pharmacy and Drugs. When they say cosmetics for personal use, they refer to body lotions, perfumes, tooth paste, shampoo, makeup, among others. We tried until Friday to provide you with and answer for all the previous orders before this date, but it has not been possible. We hope this week we can provide you an answer and we are working nonstop until they reconsider this drastic measure and that you can keep receiving cosmetics for personal use. This new policy not only affects Mail Boxes Etc’s customers, it affect all the people that import cosmetics for personal use thru a Courier Company or any similar way in a legal way to the Country. We apologize for this situation that is completely out of our hands and we will keep you inform. We appreciate if you can manifest your unhappiness about this situation so we can all together work a favorable solution and you can continue receiving your cosmetics for personal use without problems. Regards, Mail Boxes Etc DESCARGUE AQUÍ COMUNICADO OFICIAL EMITIDO POR EL MINISTERIO DE SALUD DE LA REPUBLICA DE PANAMÁ (PDF)

COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU

Thirty-seven Panamanian and expat recipes are featured in both Spanish and English and bound in a convenient design that lays flat for easy reading. The cost is $10 each and all proceeds will benefit Buenos Vecinos de Boquete and Fundacion Pro-Integration. The cookbooks are available at Tuesday Market. They can be purchased at the Fabric as Art table or at the Fundacion Por-Integracion table.

Come celebrate the full moon with us tonight (Monday, August 7) at the Fènix Cafe in the BCP Event Center. Everyone is invited to join in the drum circle which starts at 6 o'clock. No experience necessary and there will be limited number of "loaner" drums if you don't have your own. Come early for something to eat and/or to lubricate your sense of rhythm with assorted adult beverages. It's fun to watch even if you don't participate in the drumming and it's definitely something interesting and different to do on a Monday night! Hope to see you there. Mike Potts, drum circle facilitator

Good morning from Finca Santa Marta Kim and I are glad to be back to the farm for the month of August. If you have previously inquired about taking a tour of the farm, now is a good time. Guided tours with an organic lunch option are available by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays. See how we deal with the daily challenges of running an organic farm in Panama. Please contact me for more information. Sunday is the day to get your orders in for delivery to the Tuesday Morning Market in Boquete or Tuesday afternoon to Dolega or David. Deadline for orders is 7:00 AM on Monday. We also sell the following items weekly: Bok Choy Collards Cilantro Purple Daikon Radishes Organic Sweet Potatoes Organic Green Beans Organic Okra Organic Kale – 2 Varieties Organic Fresh Cut Herbs Pesticide Free Hydroponic Lettuce – 3 Varieties Organic Coconut Oil Fresh Goat Milk – Near Organic Free Range Chickens Free Range Eggs from Healthy Hens Organic Turmeric Organic Ginger Organic Galangal Herb plants Organic food products imported from the USA Essential Oils And much more. See our web site at www.fincasantamarta.biz for more information or to place your order. Phone Ron at 6459-5218 with questions or comments. Email questions through the web site or use fincasantamarta@me.com We also deliver to Volcan on Friday afternoons and ship to most points in Panama on Thursdays via Uno Express. And don’t forget to recycle your newspapers and fiber egg cartons with us. What can we harvest for you this week? Ron and Kim Miller and the FSM Crew

10:30 in the BCP Theater Tuesday, August 8 – Chef Juan Linares will speak on Market Cooking in Chiriqui. Learn to use local produce. What to do with plantains, chayotes, papayas, etc.? What are the beef cuts in Panama and how to cook them? Eat fresher, better, and cheaper. Chef Juan specializes in market cuisine using the local ingredients, (which are abundant) to produce very attractive dishes at competitive prices There will be tastings. You can read Chef Juan’s blog at http://latinamericancook.blogspot.com/ Tuesday, August 15 -- Benefits the V.A. Doesn’t Tell Vets About. Shameful as it is, the V.A. does not tell veterans, or the widows of veterans, about benefits which are much needed, especially as we age! The V.A. website even misleads you about whether you can qualify! J.R. gave a wonderful talk in early June for those with service-connected disabilities. Betsy Barbeau will now provide all veterans and widows of veterans who served during any recognized war with information about a V.A. benefit that is awarded for ailments, infirmities, and/or disabilities that are or are not service-connected! If you are 65 or older, you could qualify. If you are under 65 and on Social Security Disability, you could qualify. For widows there is no age restriction. Come hear about what they are not telling you! Tuesday, August 22 – Open Forum and Newcomers Meeting. Come with your questions, complaints and discussion topics. This is an open meeting where you can discuss anything you want or ask any questions you want. We will have a few “old timers” on stage who can give you some advice about navigating all topics/problems about living in Panama. Want to know how to navigate a governmental bureaucracy maze or where to buy a certain item? Want to know how other folks overcame problems in getting their residency visa? This is the place to find the answers and suggestions. Tuesday, August 29 – Hospice presents “Being Prepared”. What do you want people to do with your stuff? Does anyone know how to reach your family back home? How would a friend or family access money to pay for you to be admitted to an emergency room, pay for an ambulance ride or worse yet, pay the morgue? Come to the Being Prepared presentation and start thinking about what you need to get your plans in order. It really does make life easier to have a plan. Tuesday, September 5 – Magda Crespo, local insurance expert will talk to us be about how to use our medical plans in Panama, and the differences of how insurance is handled in Panama. She will speak on deductibles, co- payments and so on. And she will address the fact that our doctors do give us the "gringo price" and how to avoid it. Tuesday, September 12 – Dr. Maria Ruiz will speak on the history of coffee in Boquete in general and the history of the Ruiz family in particular. Cafe Ruiz is one of the largest producers of coffee in Panama. Maria will explain how coffee production started in Boquete, what's the picture for coffee right now and what she projects for the future. Dr. Maria Ruiz has more than 30 years of experience working in the Panamanian coffee industry, including growing, green processing, roasting, tasting, and product development. She has participated in many activities at a national level as a representative of the private sector. She has also represented Panama in international forums such as the Specialty Coffee Association of America, Specialty Coffee Association of Japan, and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe. Currently she is the CEO of special projects with Casa Ruiz, S.A., in Boquete, Panama. Tuesday, Sept 19 – Oct 3 – Vacation for Tuesday Talks Tuesday, October 10 – Dr. Jennifer Daniels will speak on home remedies that work and potions you can mix at home to maintain your independence and why you should want to. Dr Daniels is a long-time resident of Panama and was trained in the US as a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician. During her 10 years of medical practice she quickly realized people would be better off staying home than submitting to medical intervention. Dr Daniels then applied herself to developing home remedies that are safer and more effective than the drugs she had been trained to recommend in medical school. Dr Daniels will share many of these healing potions during this presentation. Tuesday, October 17 – William Oates is a Boquete resident and an amateur sommelier (“a trained and knowledgeable wine enthusiast and connoisseur”). As a retired physician he is interested in the healthful benefits of moderate wine consumption. He will talk to us about what wines are available in Panama at a good value. The presentation may include a blind taste test by audience members. Tuesday, December 5 – Boquete Medical Associates To suggest a speaker or topic for these meetings please email BCP Tuesday Meeting To become a vendor at the Tuesday market, Facility Manger

I just received this followup email from Velkys at MBE: Good afternoon Mrs. Williams, Thanks for your assistance, we need all our customers about this new restriction however at the moment it is only for cosmetics. We are allowed to bring medicines, the procedure at the MINSA takes about 10 to 20 days and we must send a file with a lot of information that we must get from the customers, but at the end we bring the medicines to Boquete It is important that expatriates do not panic thinking that they will not receive their medicines. The process takes 10 to 20 days and we need them to give us the information we asked for, the faster they give us the faster they will receive their medicines as they have noticed in the last months. We don’t understand what is the base for this new regulation from the Government, which affects not only expats but to all the Panamanians that do purchases on line. The MBE Corporate is taking all the necessary steps to solve this situation. I´ll keep you posted. Have a good weekend, VELKYS MUNOZ MAIL BOXES ETC. – BOQUETE TEL 011 (507) 720-2684 This is good news. Apparently the government is accepting medicines if the paperwork is in order to support an exception.

Now you can join in the fun exercise/dance classes at Valle Escondido without a membership!The instructor, Dany Riquelme, is a professional dancer and aerobic instructor. Exercise routines include chacha, bachata, and more. Much more fun than just Zumba!The floor for exercise in Valle Escondido is a wood floor which is much easier on your body than the tile floors normally found in Panama.Only $5.00 per class. Guaranteed fun and excellent for your health!! Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30am at the gym in Valle Escondido.

The following was received yesterday by customers of Mailboxes, etc. Note that in the Comunicado addresses drugs as well as cosmetics. It essentially states the drugs and cosmetics no longer can be imported into Panama. There are exceptions for medically necessary drugs not available in Panama, but how medical necessity will be determined is not clear at this point. I have asked the U.S. Embassy for help in interpreting how this new regulation will be administered. And there is a discussion of the issue on Chiriqui Life (www.chiriqui.life) for those who are interested. Bonnie Williams U.S. Warden Boquete To all our valued Customers - URGENT PLEASE READ Today we received a notification from the MINSA (Panamanian Health Bureau) stating that the import of cosmetics for personal use is prohibited. That applies to makeup, shampoo, body lotion, perfume, etc. If you have any questions please contact us. The MBE Corporate is seeing the possible options to solve this situation. In the meantime, we would be grateful if you did not bring this type of merchandise to prevent it being seized by Customs. We appreciate your understanding and hope to have positive news soon. VELKYS MUNOZ MAIL BOXES ETC. – BOQUETE TEL 011 (507) 720-2684 image001.jpg

Yes indeed, this is the real deal. Everything you could want in a Circus and cotton candy to boot. The kids loved it, as did we. Put on your kid hat and have a ball. Clowns, chorus lines, lights and thunder. Acrobats and guys doing things on motorcycles that you should not try at home. A great entertainment value and unique in our Boquete history. I certainly hope they make Boquete a regular stop. Hot tip - go for the VIP Jubilado seats. There are only 16, but you get a ringside leather recliner. Buy tickets at the gate all day.