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Tuesday, February 07 2012 @ 12:58 AM COT

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Moron Lawmaker Trying To Ban Halloween in Panama

Panama 4 Kidz#Panama - Because the bill to regulate the celebration of Halloween in private and public schools in the country has not yet been discussed in the second debate in the National Assembly, deputy Alcibiades Vasquez Velasquez will fight for passage. This project may not be approved prior to October 31 because it was moved down on the agenda of the agenda in the National Assembly. Vasquez Velasquez told La Prensa the project received expedited approval in the first debate, but for the second debate it was placed as the fifth item on the agenda. But suddenly this was changed, "so I think it will be difficult to be approved before October 31" the day the session ends.

This bill was presented to the National Assembly a year ago. Vasquez Velasquez said he does not want to ban the celebration of Halloween in the country, the aim is to regulate it in schools, so that it is not celebrated like a formal party. Because this celebration "is gaining more force than the patriotic celebrations," in schools costume competitions are held and murals are made. Whoever wants to celebrate Halloween on the street or in their building is free to do so because "what I advocate is freedom of expression," said the deputy. (Prensa)

Editor's Comment: What an idiot. This issue comes back up every year at this time like a bad burrito. This morning I dropped by daughter off at school dressed like a Princess. They have a costume party every year, and the kids love it - it allows them one day to "play dress up" and to a four year old - she turns into a Princess for a day. The bill presented by Deputy Alcibiades Vasquez in the National Assembly calling for a ban on Halloween celebrations isn't going anywhere for two reasons. The first reason is that he's from the Panameñista political party, and he's using this issue to crowbar his name into the papers, at least once a year. The second reason is there's probably little or no support for his personal agenda - driven by his extreme Catholic religious convictions (who see Halloween as "evil" or the "work of the devil"). His extreme beliefs are not shared by the majority of his colleagues in the National Assembly. And only a professional politician can push a measure that restricts free speech and places limitations on how children who attend a private school can or cannot celebrate a costume party, while at the same time saying he supports freedom of expression. At the school there was a little two year old kid dressed up like a pumpkin. Evil, pure evil. The devil made him do it (in his diaper).   

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(Scrooge) Martinelli Cuts Funding For Christmas Villages For Political Reasons

Panama 4 Kidz#Panama #Scrooge - Panama City Mayor Bosco Vallarino said this morning at a press conference that the "Christmas Village" is in jeopardy because the government is withdrawing their support and the private sector will not participate if it is not held on the Coastal Strip. Vallarino told the government (of Ricardo Martinelli) that Christmas Village is not a question of begging, but Christmas is for everyone regardless of political factions. In recent days Mayor Vallarino said if the Christmas Village could not be installed on the Coastal Strip, then an alternate option would be to put it somewhere in the former Canal Zone, but he said this would cause transportation problems for most Panamanians. (Panama America)

Editor's Comment: Dude! No Christmas? Is Martinelli really going to cut the funding for the Mayor's Christmas Village plans, just because he's in the Panameñista party? Boy, that's mighty "Scrooge like" of the man, don't 'ya think? No Christmas for you this year, unless you change political parties, that is...   

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Karate Teacher Beats 12 Year Old Kid Over Bad Grades in Panama

Panama 4 Kidz#Panama - There are still marks on his body. With great pain in the chest, a young 12 year old boy came home last Saturday after receiving severe beatings at the hands of his karate teacher (sensei). The child, who has chest lacerations and red marks, told his father his mentor was upset because he had failing grades on his report card. In the DIA a DIA newsroom, he said before he entered the martial arts class, his sensei, Eduardo Carrera, told him in a defiant voice he was going to bleed. He added that his instructor began kicking him, leaving marks on the back of the knees. After this, he showed him the report cards from other children and began beating him with an open palm on his chest, as he said, "appreciate what you have." Jose Dionis, the father of the victim, was very upset and said this is not the way to discipline a child. Now his child does not want to go to the martial arts classes.

He Defends Himself: This newspaper (Dia a Dia) contacted sensei Carrera, who teaches the traditional Shotocan technique, who said he did not abuse the child, and that his actions form part of the disciplinary measures in youth who are at an advanced level, in this case, green belt. He said the boy's father told him to seek a way to discipline the boy because of poor grades.

That's Not How It's Supposed To Be: The sensei and President of the Karate Federation of Panama, Luis Pereira, said the action is wrong, because this can cause trauma to the boy, and in no way can you discipline a child with blows, and this is not part of the Traditional Shotokan. He said in the event the affected student does not perform at school, he can be removed from the list and prohibited from further promotions (belts).

He Can Be Traumatized: According to psychologist Geraldine Emiliani, no sport should be a source of abuse. She said the shock may cause fear in the minor to the point of self-conscious in the exercise of other sports. (Dia a Dia)

Editor's Comment: Criminal physical abuse, plain and simple. I've spent a lot of time in martial arts classes, and I've never seen any instructor hit a 12 year old kid as punishment, for anything, in any discipline or style. If you want to discipline a 12 year old green belt for bad grades, you wear him out. You make him do a whole lot of additional physical exercise as "punishment." And like Sensei Pereira said, you simply let him know that good grades and academic performance in school are part of the requirements for promotion and advancement to the next belt. Bad grades this time, well - better luck next quarter. In the meantime, drop and do push-ups with this six year old kid sitting on your back. Get the point? You praise good grades in public. You chastise bad grades in private - but verbally, not physically - and you just let the kid know what's expected. A Sensei can order a student to stand there basically at the position of attention - defenseless - and then slap the shit out of him. Completely and totally unacceptable, at any level. Carrera should be stripped of his belt and disciplined by the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF). What's more, the parents of the child have filed a criminal complaint with the DIJ for abuse.   

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Going to the Fair in Panama City

Panama 4 Kidz There's a carnival road show that comes to Panama City every summer. This group starts out in Panama in December and January and then spends the year working their way north through Central America as far as southern Mexico. Towards the end of the year they work their way back home to Panama. They are currently finishing up their gig in Panama City and moving to Colon, where they will be for a couple of weeks. Then, they start to head north. The carnival itself is pretty small, dived about half and half of rides for big kids and adults and kiddie rides. There are just a few Midway booths where you can throw a dart at a balloon or a softball through a toilet seat. And of course there's food. In any case it's a fun way to spend an afternoon. I suspect they will be up around Boquete as their next stop. Salud.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (16 words)
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Anime Concert 2007 - AniMedley in Curundu 3 March 2007

Panama 4 Kidz "Anime Concert 2007 - AniMedley will be held on Saturday, 3 March 2007 at the "Dome of the University of Panama" in Curundu. The music from Bleach, Samuri X, Naruto, Inuyasha and others will be featured. Tickets are available at Planetarium, Metropolis Comics, Happy Smile, Panama Games, Asalto Urbano, and Anime Video Rentals. If you don't know what I'm talking about, ask a 14 year-old.    
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"Christmas In The City" Parade Tomorrow, Sunday 10 Dec 2006

Panama 4 Kidz Everything is ready for the big "Christmas in the City" parade that will be held tomorrow, Sunday, the 10th of December 2006. The parade will consist of 31 floats and 31 marching bands. There will be 12,000 children who are being taken to the city from the interior of the country at the invitation of Panama's Mayor Juan Carlos Navarro. The parade will start at 3:30 pm in Bella Vista at 44th street and Balboa Avenue which is the assembly point for the participating units, bands, and floats. From there they will march down Balboa Avenue and will turn left on to Avenida Aquilino de la Guardia (which runs past the Banco General building). At Calle 50 they will turn right and will continue to the end of the parade route at Vía Cincuentenario. The length of the parade route is 5.6 kilometers. The parade route will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 10:00 am and will remain closed until the parade finishes. Only official, police, and security vehicles will be allowed. One half of Balboa Avenue will be closed as well.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1,038 words)
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Panama Hosts Regional Math Olympics

Panama 4 Kidz Panama, Aug 2 (Prensa Latina) Panama is currently hosting the eighth Central American and Caribbean Mathematics Olympics, with participation of 36 youth from 12 countries, organizers report. Sponsored by the University of Panama and the Education Ministry, the contest seeks to encourage interest in mathematics among children and youth. The competition also has the objective of boosting development of their ability to solve math problems and encourage data and experience exchange among students, teachers, and researchers. The event, which will conclude on Friday, is attended by contestants from Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.    
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Omar Torrijos Park in Panama City

Panama 4 Kidz In the middle of Panama City there is a large oasis of shade, trees, open space, and fresh air. The Omar Torrijos Recreational Park is located next to Via Brazil in San Francisco. It's a very large park with lots of areas for all kinds of sports; soccer, baseball, bike riding, walking or running, and tennis. There are several large playgrounds with cool things for kids to climb on, and there's a very nice large swimming pool to cool off after you're done exercising or playing. I ran into several groups using the park to practice martial arts, sports teams working out with their coach, a summer company picnic, and a church group playing a pick-up softball game. There are stages for musical events and presentations, and a library. The park is a nice place to spend the day, whatever you like to do.    Click Here To Read The Full Article (822 words)
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"El Parkin" - Paintball, Soccer, and Billards

Panama 4 KidzA new option for keeping the kids happy opened up recently in Panama City. It's called "El Parkin" and it's located in the parking garage of the Multicento Shopping Mall in Paitilla on level 2B. They have a paintball court with state of the art markers, supplies, and equipment, three indoor soccer courts (where it never rains) as well as pool tables, sodas and snacks. It's a great place to spend the day.    Click Here To Read The Full Article (348 words)
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The "Parking" at Multicentro

Panama 4 KidzWhen they built the Multicentro in Paitilla, they built way too much parking. Quite a few of the original stores have closed, and Multicentro is feeling the competition from Multiplaza and the Albrook Mall. They decided to do something with all that extra parking area, and converted parking level 2B into an intertainment area with paintball, indoor soccer, and other fun stuff for kids. It's worth checking out.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1 words)
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100%KIDS

Panama 4 Kidz100 % KIDS is the first of its kind Edu-tainment center located in Bal Harbor , Paitilla . Focusing on the three to thirteen age group the center hopes to provide an alternative for families to the ever popular , ever present video and arcade type facilities currently available .    Click Here To Read The Full Article (136 words)
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"El Camping Resort" Water Park

Panama 4 KidzHere's a "quickie" on the Camping Resort Water Park.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1 words)
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Children's Theatre of Panama

Panama 4 KidzThe Children's Theater of Panama (Teatro de los Ninos de Panama) is currently presenting the third production of it's inagural 2005 Season with "Snow White & The Seven Dwarves" ("Blanca Nieves y los Siete Enanitos) every Saturday & Sunday at 2pm and 5pm at the Auditorium of Florida State University-Panama. Produced by Bob Stiff/Omega Entertainment Group and directed by Hannia Woodman, this production includes the Children's Theater's trademark spectacular sets and costumes. Casa Esperanza is this production's featured charitable organization. All performances are in Spanish. For more information, call 269-2249 or visit TNP's website at www.tnp-omega.com    
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Green Urania moth - Thanks for all your answers...

Panama 4 KidzThanks alot for all your answers about my "butterfly" question. The other day, I was looking out the window and saw ONE BIRD eat four of them in one swoop. There sure are a lot of them, and know I know they're moths, not butterflies. Thanks, again...   Click Here To Read The Full Article (318 words)
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Who are these guys, anyway?

Panama 4 KidzThere have been like a million butterflies flying through Panama lately. They all seem to be going in the same general direction, and I think they are migrating or something. One came into our house yesterday and I took a picture of him. Does anyone know what's going on with these guys?   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1 words)
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The Bay View Resort at Palmar - A Day at the Beach

Panama 4 KidzThis past weekend my dad was looking at some beach property near Santa Clara, and I went with him because I wanted to spend some time at the beach too.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (461 words)
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Multicentro

Panama 4 KidzOne of the places that I take my toddler to whenever we want to walk around is Multicentro. The two year old mall that is located in Paitilla. One great thing about it is that they have free strollers that you can keep for as long as you like (which means I don´t have to wrestle with mine, and as every stroller-needing parent knows, that is a huge advantage). You just need to provide a piece of id, other than your cedula (it´s against the law to keep anyone´s cedula in Panama), a phone number and sign a form.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (231 words)
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Places to go

Panama 4 KidzAs the mom of an eighteen month old toddler I find myself every weekend trying to find new and entertaining places to take my boy to, preferably a little educational and of course kid-friendly. It is not an easy task.
   Click Here To Read The Full Article (227 words)
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Want to Write for the Panama Guide?

Panama 4 KidzHey kids! I need some help. You guys go all over the place in Panama and have a great time, and I need articles written from a kids point of view. You can write short little stories about the fun stuff you did in Panama, and I'll publish them here. You can send pictures if you want, too (Moms & Dads, please help out if you can.) Email your stories to: writer@panama-guide.com.

And Thanks!   
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New Section - "Panama 4 Kidz"

Panama 4 KidzDon: I have an idea for your panama guide. A section on the left that would be something like “Panama for kids.” We’ve got two small children and child friendly places are not featured in the guidebooks. We simply have to hunt for them. My first recommendation would be the Jungle Falls water park attached to the Grand Avalon. Our kids had a lot of fun there yesterday. A second would be the national park (who’s name I forget) over by the Corredor Norte, where one can go hiking. We’re still compiling our list, as we come to panama at least once if not twice a year with our family. Some restaurants are not kid friendly, but many are. Chris Walker
   Click Here To Read The Full Article (46 words)
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Curundu Little League Team Latam Champs

Panama 4 KidzAnd they're going to the Little League World Series. Panama won the Latin America tournament that was hampered by rain caused by Hurricane Emily. The Curundu Little League team from Panama City won the region in St. John's, Antigua, in the West Indies. In the championship game, Panama defeated Santa Cruz, Aruba, 8-0, to qualify for the World Series. Panama also defeated teams from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela and Curacao, outscoring opponents, 51-13, over five regional games.

See: http://www.thenewsherald.com/stories/072005/spo_20050720004.shtml   
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Battlezone - Gaming Card Central...

Panama 4 KidzThis is the best place in town for kids who collect and trade the cards from the different game systems, such as Yugioh, Duel Masters, Pokemon, Vs., and others.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (134 words)
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Space Playworld at Los Pueblos

Panama 4 KidzIf you want to take the kids out for a good time, the Space Playworld in Los Pueblos is a good option. This is one of those places where you buy a card, then "charge" it up with money, and the kids swipe the card to play. Again, it's a little on the expensive side, but they have good games, and the kids love the place.   Click Here To Read The Full Article (1 words)
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Star Kart - Indoor Go-Cart Track

Panama 4 KidzThis place is a lot of fun. They have good safely gear like helmets and neck braces. The carts are equipped with electronic sensors that measure your speed and lap times, and at the end of the race you get a computer printout with your finishing position, best lap speed, etc. This is a great way to have a good time with the kids. Photos below...   Click Here To Read The Full Article (158 words)
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Flow Boardshop

Panama 4 KidzEvery now and then I see questions from parents of teenaged kids asking about things like skateboarding and surfing. There's a shop in Panama that sells gear...   Click Here To Read The Full Article (283 words)