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Panama opens the Flowers and Coffee Fair with an eye on the WYD

Fri, 01/11/2019 - 12:04

With a garden alluding to the logo of the World Youth Day (WYD), the 47th edition of the International Fair of Flowers and Coffee in the Chiriqui district of Boquete, a town of the Highlands of Panama, near the border with Costa Rica.

In the activity - which every year gathers local and international producers and exhibitors, and that at the same time attracts thousands of tourists- thirty plant varieties are exhibited in 25 gardens that perfume the area.

This year, the show paid tribute the Catholic Church event, so craftsmen designed a garden with the WYD colors emblem, showing the geographical shape of the Isthmus of Panama and its colors consistent with the tricolor national flag, as well as the Pilgrim Cross and the Virgin Mary.

In the act, the president of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, expressed that he hopes that the mountainous region will show a beautiful face to the pilgrims who will arrive in the country.

The head of state said that the activity is an event of the country, in which Pope Francis will be five days, and that the arrival of more than 2000,000 pilgrims is expected.

"This is an event in Panama, not an event of the Government or the church because what we want to show is the Panamanian people's heart to the world," said Varela.

In addition, he welcomed pilgrims from Nicaragua and said that nearly 50,000 are expected to pass through the Paso Canoas border crossing in Panama.

Panama will host, between January 22 and 27, 2019, the WYD, one of the most important events of the Catholic Church, which every three years get together thousands of young people from all over the world with the Pope.

The visit of Francisco, who will arrive in Panama on January 23 and will leave on the 27th, has generated an immense interest not only in this country but throughout Central America since the last pontiff who traveled to the region was John Paul II in 1983 and 1996.

https://www.panamatoday.com/life-style/panama-opens-flowers-and-coffee-fair-eye-wyd-8921

Marcelyn and I attended this finale "Going Away Party" for Tom and Yella. It was a crowded event, with lots of good tasting food (a pot luck), warm and engaging conversation, fantastic music, and best wishes for Tom and Yella as they begin their transition from Boquete to Ensenada, Mexico.

We went to this event with the thought that the purpose was to wish Tom and Yella all the best in their new venture. While that message was obviously conveyed to them, Tom and Yella turned the theme around to be a musical performance to say "thank you" to the Boquete community for supporting them for these past several years. Yella and Rhody Edwards (keyboard) began the musical fare with some solo songs, including one of my favorites, The Auctioneer. Then Tom and Yella were accompanied by three local Panamanian musicians with whom they have performed on many occasions (collectively known as Yella Fever Band), including Edgar Vargas, Eduardo Venegas, and Allan Saldaña. Tom and Yella are the consummate entertainers, which again was on display with the size of the audience and the energy being expended.

We all wish Tom and Yella the best of luck in this new chapter in their lives. We certainly will miss them, and trust they felt the heart warming expressions of love for both of them.

Here are some pictures taken, followed by three video clips of some of the music performed that evening.

Marcelyn and I (along with our friend and neighbor Suzi) were part of the first seating for this wonderful event. Exquisite food, attentive service, excellent music (both keyboard and vocals), and great conversation and camaraderie. All of this was a fund raiser to help the first responders who serve our community, and a Christmas gift collection event for the less fortunate children of our community. What more could anyone ask for!

One of the things that impressed me was the attention to details. For instance, each table had a hand-crafted decoration. Each attendee had a name placeholder at their assigned table. There was a customized menu, decorated for the special occasion, and printed on linen paper. Each female attendee received a red carnation. The menu itself was interesting, including collard greens, which is not something that ever was on my family's Christmas menu, but boy howdy did it taste great. The ham and mashed potatoes, etc., were succulent. Nothing could be faulted. One might suspect that Linda Hart and Chef Chris out did themselves in preparing for this event.

There were some unexpected surprises as well, including the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, not to mention the vocals by three ladies. Everyone got big hugs and expressions of thank you and good tidings.

We are already looking forward to next year's event, which we are told will likely be a three seating event because both seatings set up for this year were sold out and there was a waiting list.

Thank you to all who made this event possible. And we hope there was a huge collection of Christmas gifts for the kiddies this year.

Here are the pictures that we took, followed by a short video clip of one of the songs being sung.

This was another wonderful concert hosted by Fundación Biblioteca de Boquete. This concert featured several individual artists (Dafne Guevara on flute, Germán Pinzón on guitar, and Carlos Ortega on piano) and the Camerata Mario de Obaldia Alvarado with Xiomara González conducting and on violin. Thank you to Elsa Castillo for bringing these cultural events to Boquete.

Five musical works were published on the program brochure. One encore number was performed, making for six works being played. However, technical issues with the recording equipment resulted in an unusable recording for the encore. No still pictures were taken (again because of technical issues.)

Here are the video recordings made during this concert that can be published.

And the inside pages of the program brochure:

Good to hear about the status of having to set up a wait list. Glad that we got our reservations early on.

Another wonderful classical music performance sponsored by Biblioteca de Boquete. Sra Elsa Castillo continues to bring accomplished musicians to our special community in the Chiriqui highlands. These cultural events are a real treat for our community, and in spite of the heavy rains at the beginning of this concert, many people came to enjoy music by these talented musicians.

Click Here to visit Consort-Musik's website; Click Here to visit their Facebook page; Click Here to contact them by email; or you can call them at 6659-0196 or 6460-8183.

First we are posting video clips of each of the four pieces performed this evening.

Video Clip #1: Béla Bartók (1881-1945), Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56, 6 Movements:

Video Clip #2: Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889), Fantasia on La Sonnambula, featuring Ricardo Zúñiga on double bass:

Video Clip #3: Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904), String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 77:

Video Clip #4: Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992), Oblivion (an encore piece):

Followed here with two pictures of the Consort-Musik:

And finally, here is the program brochure:

What a feast! Great food, lots of people, a wonderful lunch and launch for the Amigos de Animales 2019 Calendar.

Here are some pictures of the volunteers, staff, and attendees at this wonderful event. Sheila told us she spent two days barbecuing 20 "slabs" of ribs for this event.

Our hats off to Sheila and all of the volunteers for doing such a wonderful job (great food!!!!) and supporting Amigos de Animlales.

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Black Weekend tourists up 12% over first year

Posted on October 4, 2018 in Panama

 

 

A total of 32,720 tourists came to Panama for Black Weekend 2018,  up12% on 2017 says the Tourism Authority. Most came from Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The Consumer Protection Authority (Acodeco) reported 39  pricing irregularities during the weekend

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/black-weekend-tourists-up-12-over-first-year

Hi, my name is Paulo Guillen  and I'm enclosing this invitation to an expo we are going to have at the Boquete Library starting Oct. 5th from 4 to 6 pm.  The gallery will be open and available for public through the month of October.  The main theme of this Gallery is to show our Marvelous Waterfalls we have in Chiriqui presented in high resolution and on canvas.  20% of the profits will be donated to the Boquete Library. Hope you all can join me on this captured journey.

#SiVisitasNoEnsucies

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Number of tourists increases in Panama's Black Weekend this 2018

Tue, 09/25/2018 - 12:19

Panama received 32,720 visitors during the "Black Weekend Sale" this year, 32,720 visitors, 12.8 percent more than the 29,000 visitors last year, when the first edition of this event took place, reported today the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP).

The figure of 32,720 corresponds to the people who entered the Tocumen International Airport, the main one in the country and that serves the capital; Panama Pacifico Airport, also in Panama City, and  Paso Canoas, in the area of the country bordering Costa Rica, between September 11 and 15.

Most of the travelers that arrived in the country for the Black Weekend Sale held from September 14 to 16 came from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago.

The Tourism Authority said that by Paso Canoas some 17 excursions entered matching the holiday week of Central America and Mexico for national holidays.

The international advertising campaign of the second edition of the Panama Black Weekend included digital guidelines on Google Adwords platforms, Facebook, program purchases; TV channels, as well as in radio, magazines, boarding videos, travel portals and in tourist packages of the airlines Air Panama, Copa Airlines, Wingo and Avianca, said the official agency.

Since 2017, Panama Black Weekend is a product promoted by the Tourism Authority in partnership with the National Chamber of Tourism of Panama (Camtur) and the Panamanian Association of Shopping Centers (Apacecom), in 12 shopping malls of the city and the interior of the country, with offers and discounts of up to 70 percent.

Tourism represents about 10 percent of Panama's gross domestic product (GDP), which in 2017 had an economic growth of 5.4 percent.

https://www.panamatoday.com/panama/number-tourists-increases-panamas-black-weekend-2018-7939

This was another wonderful cultural experience that was hosted by Biblioteca de Boquete. Thank you Sra Elsa Castillo.

Nine musical pieces were on the program, and there was one encore performance, which turned out to be a vocal. Of those ten pieces, here are the nine that were recorded, along with the program brochure, followed by a few still pictures, including the announcer, Elsa, and the musicians themselves.

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Storm warning throws cloud over Panama shopping spree

Posted on September 14, 2018 in Panama

 

Black weather warning

Post Views: 440

 

A  72-HOUR  storm warning for Panama issued on the eve of the widely promoted “Black Weekend”  with over 2,000 stores offering mega-discounts will not affect the event according to the Tourism Authority.

The country aims to position itself as an international shopping destination and discounts of between 20 and 70 percent in prices.

A dozen shopping centers, almost all in the capital, are participating in the event and the Tourism Authority manager, Gustavo Him, had said that they expect this edition to reach and even surpass the 29,000  visitors last year.

“September is a rainy month and that is precisely why we have organized a full weekend of discounts, most of our shopping centers have a roof and we do not believe that rain is a limitation for people who have come to buy,” he said Tourism Authority spokeswoman, Larabel González.

The Panamanian authorities issued a warning on Thursday for heavy rains, which will be in effect for 72 hours and that will affect virtually the entire country due to the passage of several tropical waves through the Caribbean

In the first Black Weekend, held in 2017, shoppers arrived in Panama, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, generally in search of electronic products.

Tourism represents approximately 10 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Panama, one of the most dynamic countries in the region, which in 2017 experienced an economic growth of 5.4 percent.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/travel/panama-2/storm-warning-throws-cloud-over-shopping-spree

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Black Friday as ATM’s frustrate shoppers

Posted on September 14, 2018 in Panama

 

 

ON THE FIRST  day of Panama’s  Black Friday Weekend, September 14, thousands of bargain hunters were frustrated when The Clave system went down in ATM’s and at points of sale at 3.45 pm. Earlier in the day shoppers and workers seeking to withdraw their pay found ATM’s without money. The  Clave company apologized for the inconveniences caused to cardholders.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/black-friday-as-atms-frustrate-shoppers

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Panama expects tourist arrivals for Panama black weekend

Wed, 09/12/2018 - 19:50

Panama expects an increase in the arrival of visitors for the second edition of the "Panama Black Weekend", the day of commercial super discounts, up to 70 percent, which will take place next weekend week and that matches the 58th anniversary of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP).

Due to the coincidence with the anniversary of the creation of the Tourism Authority, the entity announced today that it will deliver souvenirs to tourists and that it will exhibit the Carnival Queen "One Country in Party 2018", Yanidia Maure, in different shopping centers of the capital between the next Friday and Sunday.

More than a dozen shopping centers, mostly in Panama City, and also in the central provinces of Veraguas and Chitré, will participate in the day of super commercial discounts.

As part of the promotional plan of the 'Panama Black Weekend' concerts are organized in capital, including the Panamax Festival, Saturday on the Amador Causeway, Pacific side of the Interoceanic Canal entrance, with international artists J Balvin, Becky G and Manuel Turizo.

The Zone Fest will be held this Thursday at the ATLAPA Convention Center and will be a tribute to Panamanian rock.

The Casco Antiguo (Old Town) will have its own event called Casco Fest, with promotions and discounts at hotels, restaurants and shops, cultural events, a free exhibition of a film at the Teatro Amador and the performance of the musical group "Mecánik Informal".

Gustavo Him, administrator of the Tourism Authority, stressed that an "intense and long-anticipated" promotion was made, since last May, with advertising of the day of commercial discounts on radio, paid television, magazines and digital media, "specifically in Central America, the Caribbean and South America."

The president of the Panamanian Association of Shopping Centers (Apacecom), Nadyi Duque, said that "more than 2,000 affiliated businesses will be participating in this great event, which has been widely accepted at the regional level, especially in countries of Central and South America."

Duque said that there are shops that have already begun to make their 'black day', but that the largest number of discounts and promotions will be given from next Friday, in technological and white goods.

She confirmed that the shopping centers will open their doors early, expecting more buyers flow after noon "as it happened last year."

"We expect to exceed last year's sales and the number of tourists, we know it is a year of challenges, which is not easy, for markets where some currencies are devalued, but we are very optimistic," Duque said, according to a statement from the Tourism Authority.

"Panama Black Weekend" is organized by the Tourism Authority of Panama in partnership with the Chamber of Tourism of Panama (CAMTUR), Apacecom, and the Association of Restaurants and Allies of Panama (ARAP), in order to boost the economy and tourism in September.

In its first edition, in 2017, buyers arrived in the country, mostly from Brazil, Costa Rica and Ecuador, who generally purchased electronic products.

Tourism represents 10 percent of Panama's gross domestic product (GDP), which in 2017 had an economic growth of 5.4 percent.

https://www.panamatoday.com/panama/panama-expects-tourist-arrivals-panama-black-weekend-7829

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Village of the interior of Panama will highlight the beauty of the Holy Ghost Orchid

Tue, 08/21/2018 - 13:15

The different varieties, techniques and applications of the orchids grown in the town of Las Minas, in the central province of Herrera in Panama, will be exhibited at the Holy Ghost Orchid fair, to exalt the beauty and tourism in that region of the country, informed an official source today.

The event, which is named after a delicate orchid with its ivory white petals and a well-defined dove shape which is a national emblem of Panama, will be held from August 30 to September 2, said a statement from the Panama Tourism Authority (ATP).

The event takes place, given that the pleasant climate of Las Minas promotes the growth, from July to October, of some 40 species of native orchids, among them, the Flower of the Holy Spirit or Peristeria Elata.

To maintain its production, for 18 years, residents of the area created the Association of "Orchidology" of Las Minas (Asomi), consisting mostly of housewives and flower lovers, and which is supported in turn by the Ministry of the Environment of Panama.

"Asomi starts with the need to have a place to protect and exhibit orchids, especially Peristeria Elata, which is our national flower," said Leily Vega, who has been a member of this association for more than 9 years.

Another of them is the cultivator Evidelia Navarro, who has been doing this activity for more than 17 years with varieties of miniature terrestrial and epiphytic orchids, that is, using other plants as support to live, in the gardens of their homes, with the purpose of protecting its existence and production.

"Most of all, we wanted to highlight our national flower, nobody had organized an event in its honor and for us it is pleasing to grow this flower wild in our fields," said the orchidologist.

Thanks to her education, Navarro has managed to make his garden one of the most exotic and visited by local and foreign tourists who choose Las Minas as a destination.

"With the tours in the residences we look for tourists to appreciate the flower of the Holy Spirit and know how it is grown, as well as other species of native and exotic orchids," says the young businesswoman, owner of a hostel in the town.

The beauty of this national flower has made it the target of an excessive exploitation, to the point that its sale is regulated by the Ministry of the Environment; it is also included in appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, among the species with the highest degree of endangered species.

This species of flower grows wild in the forests of the provinces of Panama, Coclé, Veraguas and Colón at heights of up to 1,000 meters above sea level. Although it is native to the Central American country, where there is greater variety, it is also found or grows in some areas of Colombia and Ecuador.

https://www.panamatoday.com/life-style/village-interior-panama-will-highlight-beauty-holy-ghost-orchid-7633

More important information is available at: https://mebvepa.000webhostapp.com/

Marcelyn and I attended this event at Biblioteca de Boquete yesterday afternoon. It was a full house event, and much appreciated by the audience, as evidenced by the loud applause and standing ovation. Thank you to Elsa and Biblioteca de Boquete for bringing these musical programs to Boquete.

Here are some pictures taken during the event, as well as one video of the encore piece performed by this group.

The announcer and Elsa Castillo begin the show:

Isaac Casal, cellist, and group leader:

Luis Casal, violinist, (and brother of Isaac Casal):

Ricardo Zuñiga, contrabajo:

Juvenal Correa-Salas, pianist:

A group shot of the three leftmost musicians:

A group shot of the three rightmost musicians:

Now a video link to one of the songs played during this concert (click on the white triangle in the center of this YouTube video clip).

And finally, here is the program sheet for this event:

For more information about US veteran healthcare benefits in Panama, visit http://www.healthalliance.com.pa/ or email vso.chiriqui.2008@gmail.com.

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Subject:	[News Boquete] BHH General Meeting Has Been Moved Back to Animales Event Center
Date:	Sat, 7 Jul 2018 16:40:20 -0500
From:	News Boquete <news.boquete@gmail.com>
Reply-To:	Boquete Health and Hospice <boquetehealthandhospice@gmail.com>
To:	inbox@list.newsboquete.info

 

 

Important Notice of Change of Venue Back to the Amigos de Animales Event Center!!!

 

The Boquete Health and Hospice General Meeting will be held in the Amigos de Animales Event Center on Thursday, July 12, beginning at 1 pm.  There will be a short meeting followed by a presentation:

 

Communication Strategies with the Cognitively Impaired

Presented by: Betty Landis, MS-CCC/SLP,

Former Clinical Instructor/faculty at Florida State University

Dept. of Communication Disorders

 

The public is welcome to attend this meeting. The venue was originally set at the Boquete Library and has now been changed to the Amigos de Animales Event Center.

 

We hope to see you there!!

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This event has been relocated to the Amigos de Animales facility in Alto Boquete.

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Tourism authority seeks boost from Pope’s visit

Posted on June 17, 2018 in Off The Cuff, Panama

Pope Francis helping ATP

Post Views: 79

 

With between 4,000 -6000 journalists from around the world expected  to arrive in Panama to  cover the World Youth Day (WYD), which will bring Pope Francis and hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Panama, the Tourism Authority (ATP) is using the event  as a  promotional opportunity  to boost lagging visitor statistics

The event, from January 22 to 27, 2019, has been promoted by the ATP  at fairs around the world since Pope Francis announced in Krakow, Poland,  that Panama will be the site of the international religious gathering.

The ATP said that “Pope Francis places  a challenge in front of Panama that involves all the effort and  commitment of the population,” including “the improvement of standards.”

The Authority  plans to upgrade the Atlapa convention center for use as the  WPD press HQ.

Larabel González, Head of ATP Public Relations said  “We believe that WYD is one of the most important international showcases that will not only promote Panama tourism but also to show the capacity we have to organize world events,”.

The Authority  holds  regular  meetings with the members of the WPD  Local Organizing Committee to coordinate all the strategies to promote the event, which will be held in 217 days.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/columns/the-cuff/tourism-authority-seeks-boost-from-popes-visit

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Be advised that there are two (2) separate events involving the US Social Security Administration during this week. This event is located at the Biblioteca de Boquete. The other event is in Panama City.

Two separate events. Please do not confuse them.

Some of our CL readers will find it more convenient to attend the meeting in Panama City rather than in Boquete. Your choice.

For the other event, please see http://www.chiriqui.life/calendar/event/1327-us-social-security-in-pc-for-hands-on-service/