Boquete Community Pulse

Tuesday, August 1 – ARF Amigos de Animales, Knitters and Quilters, Rotary Club and Buenos Vecinos will update the community on what they are doing and what they hope to do in the coming year(s). Most importantly, learn how you can join up.

Tuesday, July 25 – Irma Castillo Smith from Keep It Simple Panama (medical advocacy and assistance) will talk about the things you need to know when faced with emergency or elective hospitalization in David. Irma’s service provides bilingual solutions to all types of requirements in Chiriqui. Fom the most basic domestic needs to advice on acquiring important products such as life and health insurance, migratory visas, accounting. Ect. www.keepitsimplepanama.com Aseguradora La Floresta (new insurance company in town) will introduce us to their products including those products for folks over 64. www.seguroslafloresta.com/ FREE ADMISSION

Tuesday, July 18 -- DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS is a common and serious malady, especially in post-retirement folks. Learn what it is, what causes it, and its medication and cognitive therapy treatment from the perspective of a (retired) psychiatrist. Dr. Dean Hoover, a Boquete resident, received his Medical Doctor degree from the University of Miami and then served as a USN Medical Officer for eight years including three years of Psychiatric Residency training. In 1983, he left the Navy and engaged in the practice private of Psychiatry in Annapolis, MD, until retiring in 2012. He and his wife have lived in the Boquete area for over four years.

10:30 in the BCP Theater Tuesday, July 11 – Our local mad scientist, Mike Petersen presents “THE WONDERFUL, WILD, WACKY, WEIRD WORLD OF QUANTUM THEORY”. Richard Feynman, one of the world's eminent particle physicists, once said that if someone says they understand quantum theory, then they don't understand quantum theory. Well, Mike respectfully disagrees. If you've ever wondered what all the hoopla was about (the double slit experiment, Schroedinger's Cat, quantum entanglement, etc.), then this talk is for you. Mike will explain how the whole thing works, and do so without math. You'll leave this talk more informed about the strange realm of the quantums. Like science? This one's for you. Tuesday, July 18 -- DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS is a common and serious human malady: what it is, what causes it, and it's medication and cognitive therapy treatment from the perspective of a (retired) psychiatrist. Dr. Dean Hoover, a Boquete resident, received his Medical Doctor degree from the University of Miami and then served as a USN Medical Officer for eight years including three years of Psychiatric Residency training. In 1983, he left the Navy and engaged in the practice private of Psychiatry in Annapolis, MD, until retiring in 2012. He and his wife have lived in the Boquete area for over four years. Tuesday, July 25 – Irma Castillo Smith from Keep It Simple Panama (medical advocacy and assistance) will talk about the things you need to know when faced with emergency or elective hospitalization in David. Irma’s service provides bilingual solutions to all types of requirements in Chiriqui. Fom the most basic domestic needs to advice on acquiring important products such as life and health insurance, migratory visas, accounting. Ect. www.keepitsimplepanama.com Aseguradora La Floresta (new insurance company in town) will introduce us to their products including those products for folks over 64. www.seguroslafloresta.com/ Tuesday, August 1 – ARF and other charities Tuesday, August 8 – Chef Juan Linares speaks 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. There will be tastings. 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 Tuesday, August 29 – Hospice presents “Being Prepared”. 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. To suggest a speaker or topic for these meetings please email BCP Tuesday Meeting To become a vendor at the Tuesday market, Facility Manger

Tuesday, July 4 – Tom McCormack will tell us all about Panamanian legends, wives tales, myths, and superstitions. This is a very entertaining talk and will teach us all something about this place we call home. Tom is the founder of The McCormack Foundation which brings in used medical equipment and supplies for the benefit of the sick and disabled people of Panama.

Tuesday, June 27 – Local attorney Martín Santamaria Castillo and staff (Licda. Evelyn De Leon, and licdo. Roderik Telman) will talk to us about immigration. The talk will include the various options for expats to obtain residency in Panama and the penalties for not doing so. There are several new developments in this area and the foreign community needs to understand what they are. The audience may also ask questions about other areas of the law.

Tuesday, June 20 – Kent McNaughton on the amazing new 3D printing technology - what it is, what can be done with it, what its benefits and shortcomings are, where it’s been and where it may go. He will have photos of parts he’s made, the machines he built, and things available to be made from the Internet. Kent may bring a printer with him and have it 3D-printing during the talk.

Tuesday, June 13 – Boquete Hospice and Health -- FALLS PREVENTION. Did you know 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 fall each year? Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for people 65 and over. BHHF will do a presentation on Falls Prevention at the BCP Tuesday Market meeting on June 13th. Come learn the simple things you can do to prevent falling.

Tuesday, June 6 – JR Pazo with Health Alliance Panama and We Care Pharmacies will present the following topics: Presentation of HealthAlliance Panama and the new Hospital Brisas in Panama City that will accept VA-FMP, CHAMPVA, and TRICARE. Location, POCs, and phone numbers of the pharmacies and clinics affiliated with HealthAlliance Panama that accept VA-FMP, CHAMPVA, and TRICARE Explanation of the free services provided by the volunteer Veterans Assistance Officers (VAOs) to veterans, spouses, dependent children, widows, and widowers Location and phone numbers of the VAOs throughout Panama All veterans should attend. The presentation will also be recorded and presented as a podcast on www.chiriqui.life.

Tuesday, May 30 – Melissa Vallarino, owner of Academia International Boquete will speak on education in Panama. Come and learn some details about how Panama is ranking in Education internationally. Is Panama meeting the international requirements of education? How does the educational system work in Panama? How is Chiriquí performing? How you can be involved in helping Panamanian children to get a better education? http://www.aib.edu.pa

Tuesday, May 23 – Dr. Bill McGraw will give a talk on the research he has done on coral reefs of Panama. Dr Bill Has been studying coral reefs in Panama for over 5 years and has documented the effects of the most intense el nino (2015-2017) in the past 25 years that has caused increased ocean temperatures and bleaching of coral (newaquatechpanama.com). He has visited every major reef system in Panama and has a scientific paper published in the Journal of Reef Encounters, regarding the el nino effect on corals at the Secas Islands., Did you know that corals have been reported to have been reduced by 50% in the Caribbean area of Panama during the past 30 years? Thankfully, although there has been widespread coral mortality, corals have found a way to adapt and survive the higher temperatures. Come and find out how they are doing it and what we can do to ensure the survival of one of the planet's greatest treasures. Go here to read more about Dr. McGraw’s work in Panama saving the shrimping industry and visit his website at www.newaquatechpanama.com

Tuesday, May 16 – Jason Boss is a lifetime high level technician, an ex hacker, and an ex Googler. His talk is going to equip every single person with some tools and some basic information when it comes to computer security and computer maintenance. You will get real world experience on tools, tips, tricks, and things you can do to stay safe in a very dangerous Internet. When people leave this talk they will have the tools they need for Windows or Mac's and be able to defend and keep their computers and themselves safe.

Tuesday, May 9 – Evolution of the sports of Rock Climbing & Slacklining in Panama in general and Boquete in particular. Program presented by Cesar Augusto Melendez - Panama's first proffessional rock Climber & Sponsored World athlete and Ruben Dario Camarena - Panama's first Highliner. The presentation will include photos and videos. www.panamarockclimbing.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 2 – Baru’s Eruptions and Aftermath - A Geologist’s Observations. Volcan Baru, even as a “dead" volcano, looms ominously on our western horizon. Will it ever erupt again, could it? Dr. Paul Myers retired geology professor (University of Wisconsin, 1968-1997), with considerable volcano experience will share his ”observations” of Baru and what they may reveal of its violent past, even what they might mean for the future. Why doesn’t Baru “look like” a typical volcano? Why no lava flows? What’s the origin of all the steep-walled terraces and deep, rugged canyons? No matter how good you are - in the Boquete area, no one is an “expert”. More questions than answers. Dr. Myers will distribute hand-outs.

Dozens of vendors at the Tuesday Market at Boquete Community Playhouse. Come and peruse the organic veggies, hard to get food items, fresh meats, hand-crafted jewelry, artwork, prepared meals to go, souvenirs, plus information from many local businesses. You can get your blood pressure checked, attend a Tuesday Talk, drink some great coffee, meet and chat with your friends and neighbors. Market: 9 AM until Noon Tuesday Talks in the theater: 10:30 - 12 Free admission, free parking. The very best thing to do in Boquete on a Tuesday

Tuesday, April 25 – Jim Kavney will tell us about snakes in Panama – the good, the bad and the ugly. Jim’s love of Reptiles began when he was a youngster in New York and he became a Herper for life. He’s collected and studied snakes ever since and even worked a summer job with Ross Allen, one of the best-known herpetologist in the U.S. in the fifties. Jim’s goal is to teach us to identify and to not automatically kill the snakes we find in our yards and fields.

Tuesday, April 18 – Scott Yates will speak about the attributes and use of treated bamboo in construction of affordable kit houses already built and available here in Boquete. These are lightweight, ultra strong, energy efficient, quiet homes that are ultra low waste with natural light and beauty. Designs are available in ultra low cost 400 sq ft to luxurious 1800 sq ft homes. FREE ADMISSION

Tuesday, April 11 – Local Writers Reading from Their Works. Boquete is full of creative, cultured, and literate people! In this one-hour presentation, three local writers read excerpts from their books, talk about their work, and the support of having others’ critiques during the process of writing. Patrick Allen Reynolds will moderate and books will be available for purchase after the reading. This is a kick-off to an ongoing Writers Read workshop to which the public will be invited, as encouragement for other writers, and a window on the creative process. James Thomas Fletcher -- Poetry - Poems from Terra Gabrielle Reynolds -- Novel – The Lute at Her Hand (working title) Mark Heyer -- Short story – A Noriega Housewarming Feed your mind. Get some culture. Have some fun.

Tuesday, April 4 – Mike Petersen (BS Mathamatics and BS Information Technology) presents “The Universe, Q&A”. He will entertain questions about the Universe, regardless of content. Mike has made a life-long study of Cosmology and associated topics, and know that a Q&A on this subject would garner many, many questions. Many will not be answerable, but that is one of the points.

Tuesday, March 21 – “Saving Your Brain” by local resident Ted Harrison, MD. Dr. Ted will tell us how to help avoid Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, dementia, etc. as you grow older.

Tuesday, March 7 -- Allison Tilluma will speak about detoxification of the body, how the body naturally detoxifies, why it is necessary, and what we can do to support it in a nourishing and natural way. Allison is a local massage therapist, herbalist, and yoga teacher. She has been specializing in alternative medicine for the past 10 years after realizing Western medicine was not effectively treating her issues.

Tuesday, Feb. 28 – What is that creepy, crawly creature? Wes Campana will first describe the local insects with the most dangerous bites and stings and how to avoid them and what to do if bitten. He has three display cases with the examples. He also has a couple of power point slide and video clip presentations of those bugs and others. The talk terminates with a question and answer period.

Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Boquete Optical SETI Observatory.Marlin (Ben) and Joan Schuetz retired in 1997 and subsequently cruised the Caribbean for nearly 10 years in their trawler. In 2006 they found and settled in Boquete. With a degree in physics, Ben’s career included engineering, physics and management, but he always maintained a lingering interest in astronomy. In 2008 he constructed the Boquete Optical SETI Observatory which has since been in a constant state of development. The observatory’s objective is to search for pulsed laser signals originating from worlds that may be deliberately targeting earth. Come and learn more about Ben’s search for ET. http://optical-seti.org/

Tuesday, Feb. 14 – Robert Bezeu, founder and developer of the “Plastic Bottle Village” development on Isla Colon in Bocas del Toro, will speak about his labor of love on Valentines Day. This eco-residential community will eventually consist of 120 homes built out of recycled plastic bottles. Robert will tell us what motivated him to undertake such an ambitious project, how he utilizes the bottles, why this is an affordable and efficient building method, and how he hopes to save the earth one bottle at a time. http://www.plasticbottlevillage.com