Jump to content

Bud

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,247

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    18

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Bud

    Fuel (Gasoline and Diesel) Prices and Consumption Levels [Ongoing]

    in Automobiles / Vehicles (Dealers, Titles, Vehicle & Driver Licenses, Maintenance, Fuel, Roadway Carnage, etc.)

    Posted

    Keith, you continue to amaze me (us) with your fountains of knowledge and information sources. Wow.

    Our experience on the recent trip to PC and back that Marcelyn mentioned above is that there are sometimes many pennies of differences in price even within the same city. She mentioned Santiago. But within Santiago, just for only one example, there were as much as 4 cents difference per liter. And the fuel was more expensive in PC as compared to other cities along the way. We see differences all the time here in Boquete between the Delta station and the Terpel in Alto Boquete (Windy City area).

    Our experiences cause me to question whether the price really is set, or is it just a guideline?

    Increased charges for water service

    in Public Utilities (Water, Sewer, Electricity, Propane, Garbage Service, etc.)

    Posted

    We get our water supply by Acueducto de Alto Lino. We were informed today that there will be an increase in the charges for our water service. We are provided both potable and non-potable water.

    In the many years since moving here permanently, the water bill has been $50.00/year. The rate starting this year will be $15.00/month. That is more than tripling of the charges.

    Water meters for each consumer may be implemented in the near future.

    Army Ants

    in Animal Kingdom Related (this forum has one sub-forum)

    Posted

    We have no pets. Doesn't mean we don't like them. We do! But with our travel schedule it just isn't fair to the kitties. And with our security infrastructure, no dogs can enter the property.

    There are several cats from who-knows-where that come over for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at our place, and sometimes in-between snacks. But they are not there when the extermination procedure is underway. They are at our place for only about 10 or 15 minutes and then adios. Even if they were there when Sr Vargas started, they would be quick to exit because they are very skittish, and we would escort them away if they were to remain.

    All food/liquid serving items are routinely put out fresh when the kitties arrive, and retrieved inside the house when they depart, so even the serving items don't get exposed to any spray.

    No human consumption food items are exposed to the spray. Sr Vargas uses a small, very directional hand pump type nozzle (no fogging type spray), so he has complete control over where the spray goes. The vast majority of the spraying is done at the baseboard level.

    Thanks for your concern. It is always good to revisit health issues on a periodic basis. And health issues apply to pets as well.

    Army Ants

    in Animal Kingdom Related (this forum has one sub-forum)

    Posted

    Fumigadora Hermanos Vargas is the company name. Rodolfo Vargas has been servicing our extermination needs since 2006. I do not know what chemistry he uses, but he tells me that it is environmentally friendly, whatever that may mean.

    We have him come once a month, and he typically calls a day or two prior to confirm availability. A monthly extermination cycle takes about one hour. He goes all around the outside of the house, and then in each and every room.

    His phones are (not sure which is the most current) 6626-3262, 6224-5068, 6998-7017, 6447-7675.

    Army Ants

    in Animal Kingdom Related (this forum has one sub-forum)

    Posted

    Bonnie,

    We have had a couple of ant swarms coming into our home, and especially the conduits for our interior electrical wiring. Couldn't walk anywhere in most parts of our home without squishing them by the tens of thousands while walking. There is nothing that we can do except let them finish their work and then exit. I'm not sure what the colloquial expression for being much larger than a bazillion bazillion, but whatever that word is would apply here. There they were in the house and just oozing out of the wall sockets.

    Haven't had a case of ant invasion for a couple of years now. Dunno know why not. But saying our thanks.

    We do have a monthly extermination of the outside and inside of the house, using environmentally friendly stuff. But that has been for more than a decade now. There doesn't seem to be any deterrent effect from the extermination procedure.

    We agree with you -- just leave and let them do their thing. A couple of hours at the worst.

    What goes on in your own back yard

    in Miscellaneous Chiriquí Topics

    Posted

    Fascinating videography. Recent advances in ultra high speed videography open up a new way of seeing our world. And the TED series of talks ("Ideas Worth Spreading" is TED's mantra; see www.ted.com) are some of my favorites for opening up and bending my rigid mind.

    We have had numerous experiences with birds flying into our great room, and with a 27+ feet high ceiling, that makes for interesting times in trying rescue them. Not always successful. :( We now have screens on all airways, including the front door.

    For those who have not experienced all that Boquete has to offer, be aware that bats are part of the experience. We have even had bats inside the great room. If you experience such, be extremely careful because of the disease issues. The Spanish word for bat is el murciélago.

    I agree Judy. Some of those clips could have been filmed right here in Boquete. Thanks for posting this.

    Announcing the Panama National Helpline Network

    in Safety and Security; Police, Bomberos, SINAPROC Notices and Actions, etc.

    Posted

    I could use some clarification. When I saw JudyS's reply, I reread the original posting and no where was there a reference to $120.00 per year membership fee for PNHN. But then in clicking on the website link at the very bottom of that posting, I read further. There I did see that the annual membership fee is $120.00. But all of that reading lead to several questions:

    1. It appears to me that RodnyDirect is affiliating with another group to form the PNHN. Is that correct?
    2. Is RodnyDirect itself changing in any substantive manner (meaning other than becoming part of PNHN)?
    3. There is a statement that the westernmost area of coverage for the PNHN is the city of Penoneme. That is east of Santiago by a couple of cities, which tells me that anyone living in the Chiriqui Province would not be eligible for the PNHN. Is that correct?
    4. We are residents of Boquete and already are [happy] members of RodnyDirect. We wonder if we have identical helpline services provided to us by being a member of RodnyDirect. Is that correct? In other words, being a RodnyDirect member would actually be redundant coverage if we were to join the PNHN. Are these correct understandings?
    5. There is reference to AaC i(Alto al Crimen) on the listed website as somehow being part of the PNHN. Are RodnyDirect and AaC joining together or somehow cooperating and/or coordinating their activities and support coverage?
    6. Who are Joanne B. Scott and Betty Morin? Those are new names to me. I ask because membership funds for PNHN are to be paid to an account in the Scott name, but somehow the Morin name is associated with a MBE account that is to be used. Is the MBE account in Boquete, David, Panama City, or elsewhere?
    7. Does any of this really apply to residents in Chiriqui? Should we pay attention or be concerned (other than being happy for Rodny that things are looking up for him)?

    Just trying to understand what really is going on and how it affects us, if at all.

    My gut tells me this is a good thing, not only for Rodny but also all of his RodnyDirect members in particular, and residents and visitors in general.

    My only concern is that Rodny not over commit and then not be able to respond in a timely manner should a large scale emergency require more energy than he has in his inventory.

    • Upvote 1

    Is your US pension safe? maybe, maybe not

    in Idle Chatter / Personal Musings

    Posted

    Pantah. I understand and agree with what you write. On the other hand, The PBGC is a government agency, and reports indicate that it is so underfunded and under-capitalized that it is incapable of protecting the pensions of any group other than the smallest. In an economic crisis, which many predict is coming, the PBGC won't be there to protect pensioners' benefits.

    Just an observation. Not a prediction. Not sure what we can do about it. Any ideas?

    SETI Boquete

    in Water Cooler Topics, Rumor Central, Bochinche

    Posted

    At breakfast this morning while looking at some gorgeous views, for some unknown (and strange) reason the subject of aliens came up. Not aliens as in the human species found here on earth, but aliens in the extraterrestrial sense. We then did a Google search and found something to our surprise. I have been here for 14 years and never once has this subject ever come up. Shows you how much I know!

    SETI is an acronym for Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. It is an academic and/or scientific endeavor. It turns out there is a SETI research center in Boquete (maybe a bit more accurately speaking on Volcan Baru). The SETI Boquete facility conducts optical research. The majority of SETI research apparently is electromagnetic (radio waves) research.

    Here are some links (not exhaustive) that you may find of interest:

    Pathogens are Killing the Banana Crops

    in Gardening, Landscaping, Agriculture

    Posted

    A good friend who is in the agriculture business here in Chiriqui recently forwarded some information that is alarming about the future of banana crops, not only in Panama, but apparently in many parts of the world. It seems that a disease called Panama Disease is jumping international borders and threatening banana crops around the world. An extract from the Washington Post reads:

    Quote

    And there is no known way to stop it—or even contain it.

    As I scanned over some of this documentation, I came across an interesting statistic. The assertion is that there are more bananas sold around the world than all oranges and apples combined. I am more than somewhat skeptical about such a claim. But I diverge from the main topic here.

    I like bananas, and hope that these prediction about the loss of some 95+% of the world's banana crops is wrong.

    This banana disease has implications not only for banana crops and the banana growers here in Chiriqui in particular, but also for agricultural activities in Panama in general.

    Here are some links to online articles about this situation (not an exhaustive list):

    New US law puts US passports at risk for delinquent taxpayers

    in Taxes, Government Filings (Panamanian and Offshore)

    Posted

    Several people have brought to our attention that President Obama signed new legislation earlier this month that affects US citizens and their passports. These conversations suggested that it is important to get the word out, but they were reluctant to do so themselves because they do not want to be identified. This is a surrogate posting on their behalf.

    In summary, it is our understanding that effective 1 January 2016, US tax authorities apparently can, without notice or right of appeal, cancel the passports of US citizens who are on a special interest list, whatever that might mean. The suggestion is that those owing $50K or more in taxes are on that special interest list. Your name being on that list means you are at risk while traveling internationally of not having a valid passport.

    It is our further understanding that someone traveling on a US passport that has been cancelled can (will be?) held when going through a routine passport control point (e.g., at an airport) for turnover to US authorities (to me that sounds like "will be arrested" anywhere in the world). And given that there is no advance notice of a passport being cancelled, the situation can become known with a surprise and become very awkward, potentially with devastating implications.

    i post this only for information. I am NOT a tax authority. Nor am I a tax protester. Just trying to help get the word out. It is my understanding that the 400+ pages of new legislation is part of a transportation bill known as H.R. 22. I suspect others on this website are far more knowledgeable than me.

    Can anyone clarify or amplify what is posted here? Wish to comment?

    Us vs: Them -- Perspectives on Place

    in Idle Chatter / Personal Musings

    Posted

    28 minutes ago, WryAwry said:

    ...

    I had hoped that utilizing the broader-range category implicit in the "Personal Musings" forum would not cause offense. 

    ...

    Au contraire, Sr Wry.

    I was not offended. I was responding in an engaging manner. I see a deep thinker here and enjoy it. Looking for more, either in breadth or depth, or both. Note that my reply was from my personal account, not my Admin_01 account.

    • Upvote 1

    MobilNet Bought by CableOnda

    in Communications: Mail Services, Print / Electronic Media, Internet, etc.

    Posted

    9 hours ago, PenRip said:

    Bud...we are Planet Telecom users and pay $200 a month for 3 mb!!!!  This does NOT support streaming.   We cannot get CableOnda due to our remote location...although they are now wiring the entire Jaramillo loop, they won't come down our driveway which is 1/8 mile from the main cable, even though we offered to pay half of the cost.   We also have PR DirectTV and a MAC Mini that gives us Netflix and plays our movies, etc.   CableOnda has told us that they will be introducing 10 mb wireless starting in January for around $100 (price not firm).  This will be more than 3 times faster than Planet Telecom for half the price.  We can't wait!   I suppose that is why they bought MobilNet...so they can have the wireless backbone.  But I am curious....why you can't get enough bandwidth with CableOnda fibreoptic?  They offer up to 40 mb.  Seems like you'd just buy that.  Planet Telecom gives good service by are VERY expensive and I believe their highest capability is 4 mb for $250 a month.

    My primary requirement is reliability, not bandwidth. Secondary is cost.

    For instance, CableOnda was down as of early yesterday morning, and was still down as of this morning. Haven't tried to switch back because of work. At least now I do see four green lights on the modem, but I am not willing to interrupt work to see if they are back online. I will do that this evening after the crunch settles down.

    President Varela Visits Boquete on Independence Day

    in Culture, History, Heritage, Traditions, Exhibitions (two sub-forums)

    Posted

    Tom Brymer wrote a blog entry with photos by Mark Heyer documenting the visit of President Varela to Boquete on November 28th for celebrations of Panama's independence from Spain. Nice blog article and Mark always takes wonderful photographs.

    Here is the full blog entry: http://panamaadvisoryinternationalgroup.com/blog/news-from-panama/holiday-season-in-boquete/.

    For more photographs by Mark of those celebratory activities, click here https://picasaweb.google.com/111402995672060871942/BoqueteParadeNov28201B?authkey=Gv1sRgCN2y3LjWnL6c9wE&feat=directlink.

    "Federal Mall" Construction project

    in Miscellaneous Chiriquí Topics

    Posted

    On November 23, 2015 at 11:31:26 AM, Keith Woolford said:

    Taking the old section of highway from Los Algarrobos to David would allow a person to bypass the section adjacent to the site.

    Keith, this week on a trip to David we checked out your recommendation to use the old highway section for bypassing the area where the huge Federal Mall will be located. Perfect solution. Obviously we don't need to do that right now because there is no congestion, but it is comforting to know we will have options for when there are traffic problems.

    Thanks. You are a great source of information.

    Audio Tracks of the 2011 Boquete Jazz Festival

    in Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival

    Posted

    What is currently known as the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival was called the Boquete Jazz Festival in 2011. The 2011 festival was held on February 24-27, 2011, with most events at the BCP Theater.

    Most performances of the 2011 Boquete Jazz Festival were recorded by Boquete Recording Studio (BRS). The audio tracks for the 2011 BJF are available online via the BRS account on SoundCloud. Those audio tracks* are provided here as hot links. When you click on the below links, if the track does not immediately start to play, then click on the orange circular dot with a white triangle that is located in the upper left of the dialog, just left of the name.

    Enjoy!

    Ibrahim Merel Jazz Quartet

    Spicy Latin Jazz Quartet

    Carlos Garnett Jazz Quartet

    Carlos Ubarte Jazz Quartet

    Pat Belliveau Jazz Quartet with guest Jon Day

    *Note that not all audio tracks are available for public use on the BRS account at SoundCloud. The reason for that is that there are some copyright issues that prevent public use without written permission and/or royalties. What is shown above are available to the public without constraint.

    POA

    in Legal Matters and Processes, Consumer Protection, Etc.

    Posted

    We have had numerous POAs done here in Boquete in years past. An attorney needs to prepare the POA specific to the issue being addressed. I have never seen a "general POA" form in Panama.

    The secretary of the City Council here in Boquete (at city hall) can "certify" signatures. Certification is not the same as a notary. I am not aware of a notary in Boquete. But for a POA, a certified signature has always worked for us. BTW, she charges $5.00 per certification. You must show your cedula (or passport) when getting a signature certified.

×
×
  • Create New...