Bud

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/panama-papers-30-million-loan-client-run

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/media-watch-top-judge-flaunts-law

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/supreme-court-condemned-law-violation

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/jailed-odebrecht-boss-blows-whistle-martinelli-bribe-deal

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/pay-accord-sends-teachers-back-school

A good question. I have no idea.

I am posting one last article on this subject, primarily for closure. Others are free to continue this topic if they wish. And thanks to Roger B for the clarification. http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/venezuela-aims-100-million-panama-food

Marcelyn and I were pleasantly surprised earlier this week to find three new street lamps installed on the street into/out of El Santuario (where we live). Holes were dug on day 1, then in the morning of day 2 the concrete poles were installed but without hardware, and finally in the afternoon of day 2 the lamps and wires were installed. We are pleased at this unannounced improvement, but wish they had gone just one or two lamps more so as to completely light the road into/out of El Santuario. Here is a picture of one of the lamps, this one being located just below the castle.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/teachers-strike-prompts-cabinet-meeting

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/h1n1-death-toll-climbs-60

Roger, I understand and agree with what you write here. Thank you. However, I suspect some people will misinterpret what you write. I will go into a bit more detail here hopefully to help avoid misunderstandings in the future. The jubilado discount as defined in the law specifies three conditions for the law to apply: a person must be qualified based on age, or a formal governmental designation as a jubilado a person must be a citizen or legal resident for the discount to apply only certain, specified goods or services are covered under the law Item 1 above is written the way it is because there is an age at which people are considered by law to be jubilados; that age is different for men (age 60) and for women (age 55). Note, however, that the government can (and does) designate certain persons to be a jubilado regardless of their age if they fit certain circumstances. Those circumstances come into play with the government programs that entice retirees to come to Panama and live as a "jubilado retiree". That is a significant and relevant designation for a large segment of the readers of this website because it is fundamental to the jubilado program under which those "jubilados" now legally reside full time in Panama. For instance, a 45 year old male and his wife can apply for "jubilado status" and go through the vetting process. If jubilado status is granted, then they do not get a cedula, but they get a carnet designating them as a jubilado, which also gives them the legal right to live in Panama, and to avoid tourist visas upon entrance into Panama, etc., and all of those other benefits. They can also open bank accounts, etc. The second item above is part of the requirement for the jubilado discount to apply because there are a lot of tourists who fit the age requirement, but are not legally resident here, and for them the jubilado discount does NOT apply. A tourist of tercera edad can request a jubilado discount at a restaurant, for example, but the restaurant is not obligated to give the discount unless that person is a legal resident of Panama. That means border hoppers who live here for extended periods, but do so without the legal authority to do so, as well as everyday tourists are NOT entitled to a jubilado discount; many may ask for and may get the jubilado discount, but that discount is not an obligation on the part of the business establishment. I don't need to elaborate on item three above. However, I do believe that part of the discussion (the bantering) in this thread is confusion about the items on which Hil was expecting a jubilado discount to apply. Hil's writing was clear that he was objecting to the outright refusal to even consider a carnet as a valid document, and it was not about the item. Do you see some of the confusion, misinterpretations, and misunderstandings going on in this thread? And Hil opts not to elaborate on the items of his interest, which is his right. His original posting was about the rejection of the carnet, not the discount. I recommend readers revisit another topic on this same subject at http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/2089-jubilado-discounts/?do=findComment&comment=6448 -- focusing especially on the bottom left of the second page. Print out the ACODECO pamphlet that is available in that posting, and carry it with you in your purse or car. There is a link at the very bottom of that posting, which is the ACODECO brochure in PDF format.

Is there a chance that the cost of our locally purchased food items will go up because of a draw down in the supply chain? Not complaining here, just curious. Our understanding of the situation in Venezuela is rather dire. http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Venezuela_Takes_100_million_to_Panama_to_Buy_Food

http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_More_Wind_Power_Generation

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/teachert-vote-continue-stoppage

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/panama-papers-hacking-report-court-bound

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/waked-hometek-chain-closes-doors

I use C&W for my cell phone. Late afternoon there were zero bars, and that was while located in Bajo Boquete. The service is operational now. I didn't keep watch to see when it came back up.

Not sure what you are asking for. I do not believe you are using the word "check" to refer to a monetary instrument. Are you wanting someone to go to a particular house to check on someone's welfare/safety/condition? This sounds important, but I am struggling with what is being requested.

Great information. Am re-reading it yet again. Thanks.

The number I called was 390-7555. Then punch "1" a couple of times for "English" and "Residential". Note that Dottie provided a slightly different number. If they actually do file a "complaint" that ultimately could lead to a refund, you should be given a four-digit complaint registration number. Good luck.

My backup Internet service is what used to be MobilNet wireless service. That service was taken over by CableOnda in 2015. For about three weeks of this month (basically the entire month) that backup service was out-of-commission. Multiple phone calls were making forward progress, but ever so slowly. My backup service was restored about 9:30AM this morning. Hurrah!!!! The problem turned out to be that the radio transmitter, which is located on the rear part of our security fence and pointing to Jaramillo, needed to have its software upgraded. That seemed strange to me, but the tech guy was confident that was the problem, and it turned out to be the solution. Anyway, I decided at lunch today to "test" the CableOnda customer service policies. I now am asking for a credit for three weeks of no-service on that account. The lady that took the call was optimistic, but did indicate it might take about two weeks for someone higher up in the management chain to make a decision. Part of my thinking in asking for the credit is that our primary Internet service (also CableOnda) went down several times during those three weeks. Since I was paying for redundant service and getting nothing, I am asking for some compensation. Panama is not known (at least to me it isn't) for being friendly with refunds and/or credits. I'll post here when I get the final answer on my credit request. Time will tell. At least there is a small ray of hope here.

You might try talking with Arturo at MBE Boquete.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/sriking-teachers-resume-talks

Jim, Thanks for your posting. It is good to get a first hand report from one of CL's members. I fondly recall good meals, good service, and reasonable prices when Craig was here doing his thing at Las Ruinas. Really would like for this new restaurant to prosper. But I have to say some of the prices did kinda scare me off, witness the report of a salad being $17.00. It is not a case of not being able to afford it, but as I get older the issues of good value for the cost seem to take on importance. I am glad to read your report. For the items you had, the price does seem reasonable. We did hear there are some start up problems, but that always happens, and shouldn't be held against an establishment. Will give Seasons a try in the near future for a first hand report on my part.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/fbi-aiding-fight-againstpanama-child-pornography