The American Society of Panama invites you to join us for the Annual Dry Season Picnic in El Valle on Sat. January 28. BBQ lunch from 11:00- 4:00 on the grounds of Los Capitanes Hotel. Both members and non-members are invited to the BBQ lunch but the party will continue on into the evening for members in good standing only at our annual Lasagna Party. Tickets are $15 for members in good standing (dues paid for 2012), $30 for non-members (or anyone who has not pd dues for 2012), $10 for children under 12 yrs. Bus service to and from the picnic is offered at an additional cost. Please check our our website at www.amsoc.org or email us at american.society.panama@gmail.com for more information and how to buy tickets. Members: don't forget that January is membership renewal time. Dues are still only $40 if paid before Jan 25, 2012. They will be $50 next year.

Editor's Comment: Groups, nonprofits, clubs, activities, and charities - send me your announcements and I'll put them up for free. Basically if you're not making a profit on your upcoming events and activities then I'll announce them as a community service. Please send as text only, in the body of an email, no formatting. Do not send Word docs, attachments, pdf fliers, highly formatted announcements with lots of bolds and italics or whatever. Just simple, straight text. Write it as you want it to appear, and I can literally toss it up in seconds. If you're a business and you're making money on your event or activity, then feel free to inquire about our advertising rates.   

Bid 4 Boquete is a group of dedicated volunteers who organize a large annual charity event in Boquete, Panama. All event proceeds are given in support of organizations whose mission is to help the people of Panama in many ways, from renovating schools, to building libraries, to reducing the number of unwanted dogs and cats, to providing food and medical assistance.

Bid 4 Boquete Charity Auctions has worked very hard getting items to auction off for our charitable projects. We currently have over $50,000 worth of donated items and services. Now we need bidders . . . . we need YOU. Lots of these items would make great Christmas presents for someone on your list. We can arrange for delivery of any item within Panama and any certificate within Panama, the U.S. or Canada. You can pay us in person, by deposit into our Banco General account, or with PayPal. To make it easier for you, we've subdivided the items into special categories.

To see all of the Resorts, Hotels, Hostels, and Restaurants you can buy go HERE. There are accommodations offered in Boquete, Panama City, Bocas del Toro, Volcan, Boca Chica, Las Lajas, Tucan Country Club, Playa Serena, Caldera, Gamboa, Islas Secas, Pedasi, and even in Antigua.

To see all of the Fun Things To Do, go HERE. We have tours around Boquete and Caldera, on the Medicine Way, to the coffee fincas, to a dairy farm, to an Embera village, and on Lake Gatun. We have deep sea fishing day excursions and overnight excursions. We have classes in cooking, Spanish, yoga, horseback riding, tango dancing, guided movement, dog training, horse training, and polymer clay art. We have adventures like a Panama Bay cruise, river rafting, island boat trips, whale watching, Boquete Tree Trek, cruise to San Blas, You can play golf, get a tatoo, get your nails done, get a foot soak and massage, have a Zumba party, We have things that are good for your body and soul like massages, energy balancing, manicures, pedicures, gym memberships, etc. We have dinners in private homes and catered dinners.

For beautiful Art & Jewelry go Here. Wonderful choices for gifts.

Or you can just click on the Slideshow Button and slide through our Total Auction Gallery.

Neighbors, many of these donated items are things you might buy anyway. Buy them from us and help out the many good causes we support. Check us out at www.bid4boquete.com   

Help us help the less fortunate during this “season of giving”. The American Society of Panama’s 80th Anniversary Gala was a huge success but because it was held in Nov. we had to skip our annual Thanksgiving dinner. Now you can join us to toast the holiday season with a traditional American Holiday dinner on Dec 14, and put some holiday cheer into the lives of the less fortunate by bringing a donation of non-perishable food to be donated to MUCEC, the shelter for poor and abused women and children in Colon. As usual, any proceeds from the dinner tickets will go to our scholarships for Panamanian students.

The dinner will be Wednesday, Dec 14 at Balboa Yacht Club (under new management & featuring Chef Chris, from NY, New Orleans and now Panama). No-host cocktails at 6:00 and dinner at 7:00. The menu for the evening is roast turkey, turkey dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetable, tropical fruit salad, apple & pumpkin pie, wine and iced tea. Prices are $25 for members (children under 12 $15), non-members $35 (children under 12 $25). Tickets can be purchased from anyone listed here: Marilyn Johnson 6583-1165 / 250-0799, Steve Walling 6612-8449, Cedric Gittens 223-5526, Robert Emerick 314-0480, Eunice A. Greaves 6616-1896 / 229-4009, David Hunt 6496-9200, Toni Williams-Sanchez 6683-7816 / 250-0274, Hari Singh 232-7140 / 6758-9854, Dental Clinic of Dr. Charly Garcia, Balboa Ave 6618-8877, "Promises",Golf Plaza, Calle 74E,San Francisco 270-7457, If you live in Coronado or vicinity : Clemencia Kelly 6682-1472, Email us at American.Society.Panama@gmail.com   

The Balboa Yacht Club and VFW Post 3835 Ladies Auxiliary will host its 6th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Balboa Yacht Club, Amador Causeway on Thursday, November 24th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The menu will consist of: Herb Roasted Turkey with Gravy, Southern Style Cornbread Stuffing, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Golden Sweet Corn, Succulent Green Beans, Jellied Cranberry Sauce, Dinner rolls, Pumpkin Pie topped with Cool Whip, Sweetened Iced Tea and Water. The cost for this delicious lunch will be $15.00. This will not be a buffet/cafeteria style set-up, you will be served at your tables. For tickets contact the Balboa Yacht Club, 228-5196, any Ladies Auxiliary member or Anita Littesy, 6616-0043 /223-2029 or email alittesy@yahoo.com. Ticket holders will receive "Happy Hour" prices on national drinks and draft beer. ALL DONATIONS, FOR THE LADIES AUXILIARY, WILL BENEFIT OUR ON-GOING COMMUNITY PROJECTS: Maternity baskets (Santo Tomás,Hospital Nicolas Solano and Hogar Luisa), Christmas lunch/gifts at Catherine Brown Home, Supplies (toiletries, cleaning,cooking, etc.) for Catherine Brown Home, School supplies for our sponsored school in the interior. We are also sponsoring a TOY DRIVE which benefits needy children in the community. Please bring a new toy to put a smile on a child’s face on Christmas Day."   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Received this announcement today via email: "4th Coronado Area Social Association Craft and Bake Sale – November 20th, 8am – 4pm. Here at the beaches where most shopping is still limited to necessities, shopping treasures are particularly hard to come by. This month’s treasure shopping occasion comes once a year. It is the 4th Annual Coronado Area Social Association Craft Fair. This particular event attracts some unique artisans and vendors from the beach and surrounding areas. The event expects to see 30 + vendors (including 6 charitable organizations) offering unique products from hand made paper gifts to one of a kind jewelry, quilts, stained glass, plants, soaps, paintings, books, Christmas decorations, hemp clothing, dog beds, baked goods, sweet treats, fresh baked baguettes from Queso Chela and more. Baked goods and silent auction profits at the CASA table will funds the 60 Christmas baskets that will be distributed to families with handicapped children from the San Carlos area on December 16th. The fair is the perfect occasion to find a unique gift for that special someone that they will never find in Pharmacy Arrocha, any boutique in Panama or any where else. The 4th Annual Coronado and Area Social Association Craft Fair will be held at La Carreta Restaurant, Coronado’s Equestrian Center on Sunday November 20th, from 8:00 to 4:00. Mark the date on the calendar. It’s worth the drive to Coronado. CASA Team."

Copyright 2011 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.    

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - This morning I attended the ceremony to honor our veterans at the Corozal American Cemetery. Well, to be honest with you I got there at the very tail end of the ceremony - I had another event this morning at my daughter's school, so I was running a little late.

The Corozal American Cemetery is one of 24 American military cemeteries located in foreign countries that is designed, constructed, operated and maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). The Isthmian Canal Commission originally established Corozal American Cemetery on two acres of land in 1914 when the Ancon Cemetery in Quarry Heights was deactivated.

The Corozal Cemetery eventually grew to a size of approximately sixty acres and was operated by the Grounds Maintenance Division of the Panama Canal Company. On 19 January 1979, President Carter signed Executive Order 12115 as part of the Panama Canal Treaty. This order included the designation of a permanent American cemetery of approximately 17 acres in size. In October of 1979, the Panama Canal Treaty became effective and the Panama Canal Company transferred Corozal Cemetery to the U.S. Army. On 5 June 1982, the U.S. Army signed over the cemetery to ABMC.

Today, the Corozal American Cemetery contains more than 5,300 graves, the oldest of which dates back to the year 1790. The cemetery is unique within ABMC as it contains the remains of veterans that have served in the the Spanish American War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Lebanon, Desert Storm and the International War on Terrorism. Bruce Phelps is an AMBC employee who oversees and manages the Corozal American Cemetery, and he also sits on the Veteran's Day Committee which organizes this event every year.

Veterans Day Program:

• Welcoming Remarks - Carlos Gordon, Past VFW Department Commander
• National Anthem of the Republic of Panama
• National Anthem of the United States of America
• Invocation - Reverend Danoval Johnson, Methodist Church
• Recognition of Guest of Honor / Presidential Proclamation - COL Gregory Barrack, SR Defense Official, US Embassy
• Remarks - The Honorable Phyllis M. Powers, United States Ambassador to Panama
• Organizational Wreath Laying:
  • VFW - CSM Chatam, American Legion
  • Scottish Rites Bodies, Abou Saad, Shriners
  • B.P.O. Elks
  • US Navy League
  • American Society
  • U.S. Embassy Wreath Laying AMB Powers and COL Barrack
• Taps
• Veterans Day Prayer - Anita Littesy, VFW Ladies Auxiliary
• Armed Forces Medley / Closing Remarks Carlos Gordon, VFW
• To all veterans in attendance, thank you for your service. VFW Ladies Auxiliary will hold a reception after the ceremony.

Veteran's Day During Wartime: Since the start of the "War on Terror" in 2001, 6,280 American military men and women have lost their lives while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 41,221 have been injured. Right now, today, there are families who just recently received the word of the loss of a loved one. And, there are injured veterans laying in hospital beds in VA and military facilities, recovering from wounds received in battle. And there are those from older generations who's scars have faded somewhat, but they still might walk with a limp on one hand, but with their heads held high and bolstered by pride on the other. Please take a moment to simply say "thank you for your service" if you run into a veteran today. On a personal note: I would like to make a personal dedication to my good friend Charles "Ernie" Paschal, who died this year in March. When I heard that he had died I asked some mutual friends what had happened. I was told "In short, Ernie suffered from PTSD, contracted pneumonia, and died of sepsis. Very rough last 2 years as he practically gave up on everything." Ernie was the best Arabic linguist in the Air Force, one of the smartest dudes I've ever met, hilariously funny, and a good friend. He will be sadly missed. And, I have no doubt that he died due to the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and subsequent depression. I have no idea if he's listed as a casualty of war, but he should be. Before I went to the ceremony today I pinned my wings on my polo shirt, in honor of, and in remembrance of, my good friend.

Copyright 2011 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Received this afternoon via email, from the Press office of the US Embassy in Panama: "Mr. Winner: These events are taking place this weekend and consider is of interest to you and your readers.

A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at the Corozal American Cemetery on 11 November at 0900 hours. The ceremony will honor veterans that have serviced and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. The ceremony is administered by the local Veterans of Foreign War Latin America / Caribbean Department and all are invited to attend. The Corozal American Cemetery is located on the road to Cardenas behind the Cross Road Church and in front to the Ministry of Education.

Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, will be in Panama for a conference and will be present at Ateneo Theatre in Ciudad del Saber for “Una Tarde de Biodiversidad Musical” on Sunday, November 13, 2011. The afternoon will be a wonderful opportunity to spend time with Dr. Goodall and to think about what we can all do to help preserve our environment. The program is as follows: 4pm “Jane’s Journey” film with Angelina Jolie and Pierce Brosnan, a documentary about Dr. Goodall’s life. 6pm Conversation with Dr. Goodall. 7pm Jazz Concert with Berklee Global Jazz Institute using musical instruments made of recycled materials. Jazz musician Danilo Perez will be the host. Tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for children under 12. They can be purchased at Blockbuster and the Metropolitan School office."

Editor's Comment: Of note, this is the first time (ever) that the US Embassy has notified me of anything, well at least in recent memory, anyway. Apparently my campaign to hold my breath until I turned blue worked. So therefore, my boycott is officially and hereby ended. Guys, I will be more than happy to spread the word about anything - all you have to do is let me know. I'll be at the Veteran's Day ceremony (at least), I always cover that. And the event with Dr. Goodall sounds like fun.

Copyright 2011 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The Panamanian version of the "slut walk" happened yesterday afternoon. They marched down Via España, calling for an end to violence against women who dress provocatively. From Wikipedia: "The SlutWalk protest marches began on April 3, 2011, in Toronto, Canada, and became a movement of rallies across the world. Participants protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman's appearance. The rallies began when Constable Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto Police officer, suggested that to remain safe, "women should avoid dressing like sluts." The protest takes the form of a march, mainly by young women, where some dress in ordinary clothing and others dress provocatively, like "sluts." There are also speaker meetings and workshops." There were about a hundred participants or so. This photo came from the coverage in La Estrella, where one participant had marked her ample bosom with "don't touch." Others carried signs with messages such as "No Means No." I'm a fan - both of the movement and women who go out in public dressed provocatively - or any way they want. There's a natural attraction between the sexes, and just because some hot chick is dressed to flaunt her assets, that doesn't mean any man has a free pass to do whatever he wants to her. She's hot, you're horny (and ugly), and she doesn't want anything to do with you. So deal with it, and keep your hands to yourself. That's the "slut walk" movement, summed up. I have zero tolerance for violence against women, in any way, shape, or form.

Copyright 2011 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.   

#Panama - By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Received today via email: "Hi Don ... VFW Post 3835 has a new Service Office because of the more than generous donation of $10,000 from Frank Hilson of Florida. Mr. Hilson is very fond of the work that the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) do for their fellow veterans and family members by living up to the VFW motto "to honor the dead by helping the living" and knew VFW Post 3835 is worthy of this donation for the work they do for the community and veterans. VFW Post 3835 Service Office will be in Santa Fe Consultorio, 2nd floor, room 15. The hours of operation will be Monday-Friday from 10:00-2:00 and the phone numbers are 391-0640 or 391-2654. The mission of the VFW Service Office is to assist veterans and their dependents, including active duty military personnel, in acquiring benefits and services to which they may be entitled. Veteran Service Officers advocate for veterans rights. Veterans need not be VFW members to take advantage of this assistance, which is provided free of charge.

VFW Post 3835 and its Ladies Auxiliary members want to publicly thank Mr. Frank Hilson from the bottom of our hearts for this donation that has been used to continue the work we do for our veterans and their families. Sincerely, Anita Littesy, Ladies Auxiliary Secretary

Editor's Comment: I met Mr. Hilson about two years ago at a luncheon at the Pangea restaurant. He was an Airman who served in the Vietnam War, and I would also like to add my special thanks and recognition for his more than generous donation to help the VFW Office here in Panama City. When I had my heart surgery back in 2008 he was the first to welcome me to the "zipper club." We've been in sporadic contact via email, and he's an avid Panama Guide reader. Thanks again, Frank. Good on 'ya. (Photo: Courtesy of R. Philbrick)   

#Panama - The sluts are taking to the streets. A group of women, from civil society, joined and created an organization that fights for the rights of women and to put an end to violence. They call themselves "Not Sluts Nor Saints, Only Women." This group will participate in the so-called "Slut Walk" on 25 October starting at 4:00 pm. They will depart from the Public Ministry, and walk to the 5th of May Plaza, where they will rally against femicide. The first Slut Walk was held in Toronto, Canada to raise awareness that clothing, location, company or behavior do not justify that women can be sexually abused or mistreatment by men. The "Slut Walk" movement has been conducted in Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, India, Australia and Europe, and now it comes to Panama. Joyse Araujo, organizer, invited all women, men, families, civic groups and religious organizations to participate in the "Slut Walk" regardless of social class, age or religion. (Siglo)

Editor's Comment: From Wikipedia: "The SlutWalk protest marches began on April 3, 2011, in Toronto, Canada, and became a movement of rallies across the world. Participants protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman's appearance. The rallies began when Constable Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto Police officer, suggested that to remain safe, "women should avoid dressing like sluts." The protest takes the form of a march, mainly by young women, where some dress in ordinary clothing and others dress provocatively, like "sluts." There are also speaker meetings and workshops. Some objectors have remarked that this approach is an example of women defining their sexuality in male terms." I'm a fan. I think women should be able to dress any way they want. And, the simple fact that a woman has decided to dress herself provocatively does not justify any act of violence by the part of a man. Of course, here they'll suck all of the fun out of it... (figure of speech).