� PANAMA EAGLE

FEBRUARY2007 15CEnts

What Are We Doing Here?

It’s a brave new world. So what are you doing here?

If you’re from North America chances are you’re either passing through Panama as a tourist, thinking of moving to P:3

New Traffic Laws and Fines are in Effect

In 2006, 437 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in Panama. On January 1st of this year, the Autoridad Del Transito y Transporte Terrestre (ATTT, the Panamanian Transit Authority) issued a new and revised traffic schedule which includes much higher fines. P:4

The Crossroads of the World

Since ancient times and long before the arrival of the Spaniards, Panama has been the crossing point from one ocean to the other. P:6

TOP STORIESA Tale of Two Hostels P:3Tourism Rally Chiriquí 2007 P:5The Crossroads of the World P:6Starting a business in PANAMA P:8

The Nature Among Us

Harpy Eagles - masters of the jungle sky By Lyn Odom

spoRting wingspans measuring more than seven feet, talons the

size of bear claws and legs as thick as baseball bats, Harpy Eagles, Harpia harpyja, are the ultimate hunters of the jungle canopy. This powerful rap-tor, with exceptional eyesight focused through piercing yellow eyes, has the ability to fly through the jungle cano-py maneuvering easily through bran-ches, leaves and trees. The Harpy Eagle missiles its way towards prey, such as sloths, monkeys, coatimundi, anteaters and even iguanas, hitting them with such force they often break the prey’s backbone.

Mature Harpy Eagles can weigh 20

pounds and stand more than 20 inches high. Females usually grow twice as large as the males, but both sexes look similar. They are gray, black and white in color, have black throats, a full-feathered face and feather tufts atop their heads that resemble that of great horned owls. The tail feathers are wide and rounded and the front edges of the mottled black wings are white. Their bellies are white, as are their thighs, with the exception of black feathered stripes running through them. The legs above the talons are yellow and featherless. Beaks are sharply curved and pointed - well adapted

Harpy Eagle, National Bird of PanamaContinued on P:13

Annual Panama Jazz Festival P:11

Welcome!

WElComEto the Panama Eagle, an English-language newspa-

per for the Anglophones of Panama. People have been telling us ever since we started the Noticias Bajareque Ti-mes in Boquete that we ought to do a paper for Panama City too. And we’ve noticed the influx of US, Canadian and Brit expats. Even more noticeable is the huge building boom going on in pre-paration for an expected onslaught of thousands more Norteamericanos. So, after some hesitation, we’ve conclu-ded that the time is right.

This is a monthly newspaper and as such we won’t be covering the day-to-day goings on of business and government. The Spanish-language press here does a great job of that and if you’re interested in that you should learn to read Spanish. Actually, you should learn Spanish anyway if you’re going to live here. You’ll get a lot more out of the experience and it will make life much easier.

But we believe there’s a legitimate place at the table for an all-English newspaper too.

The English-speaking community has its own interests, issues, foibles and favorites. It needs a vehicle for communication, dissemination and

information. Our goal at the Panama Eagle is to provide you, dear reader, with the lowdown on all things Panamanian in order to improve and enrich your life here. We don’t have any political axes to grind and we aren’t beholden to any business interests so what you’ll get from us is just independent thinking.

Like our namesake, the eagle, (Panama’s national bird is the Harpy Eagle. See Lyn Odom’s story below) we’ll keep a sharp lookout for your best interests and strive to keep you up to date on life in this great city.

Enjoy!Ted Harrison, Publisher

PANAMA EAGLE � ANSWER on P:9

Panama Eagle5334 apt. 2, Avenida A Este, Boquete, Chiriqui9am -3pm Monday-Friday 6714-4007, 720-1451

www.panamaeagle.com

Delivery Nacional - B/.12.00 per year International - B/.24.00 per year

EventsPlease email info@panamaeagle.com

AdvertisingMaria Boyd: 6615-5059, 6714-4007 Display AdsAd copy must be received by the 5th of each mopnth.

Classified ads:Close at 5: 00 pm on the 5th of each month.

Published by: Chiriqui Publishing, S.A.

Editor: ??

Writers: Roberto Manzana, Sandra Snyder, Brandon Clogston, Lyn Odom

Photography: Robert Boyd

Layout: Design Presentations

The Panama Eagle needs an editor!

(so our managing editor can get back to his real job).

We’re looking for somebody with good administrative skills and a knowledge of Panama

City. Interested? Send your CV to

editor@panamaeagle.com

Get your message directly to the

English-speaking com-munity of Panama!

Call/email Maria Boyd

and place your display ad

order today: 6615-5059

or ads@panamaeagle.com

A Look at a BookBy Roberto Manzana

Title- Banana PeopleAuthor- Clyde Stephens and 14

other Banana PeopleNon Fiction-2002ISBN 0-9727340-2-3333 pages

A collection of short stories from folks that lived and worked in the heyday of the United Fruit Company in Central America.

Of the 48 stories in this book, 34 were written by Stephens, a former United Fruit Company Director of Banana Research. This is Stephens’ second work of stories that chronicles the lives, adventures, and culture of those that chose to practice their trade in the jungles of South and Central America during the early days of the fruit companies’ growth and development.

Earthquakes, plane crashes, never before seen insects and animals, stories of peoples of different races and creeds and cultures that came together to form a big “family” that became known among themselves as - Banana People.

Through World Wars, crop crippling diseases, floods, and political controversies, (including revolutions), the Banana Family grew and developed into an amazing job driven culture that, to this day, calls for many reunions all over the banana producing world.

Stephens is good at doing something all cultures need to do - document all the tales told around boardroom tables, campfires, drunken dinners, and during long hours waiting for planes, ships, canoes, or any manner of transport to take them on to their adventures.

Stephens and other writers speak of entire jungle communities with golf courses, swimming pools, air strips, hospitals, warehouse and dock facilities, and laboratories, carved from lands previously inhabited by indigenous peoples.

Some of the stories are so inner-Continued on P:10

� PANAMA EAGLE

What Are We Doing Here?By Brandon Clogston

pAnAmA (and this is one of your first testing-the-water vacation / re-

search trips) or, like me, you’ve already done your research and now call this lovely little isthmus your own tropical homeland.

It’s really quite a phenomenon if you think about it. Along with Panama’s economic and real estate boom (which is the reason many of us are here), we Expats living in Panama -a newly recognized and integral part of Panama’s growth- are all trying to find our footing and blend in with this already storied and dynamic republic and its people.

But here we are in Panama. Enjoying life in a place where the weather is always warm, the music is always loud, and the women always beautiful. A place where, no matter what language you speak, you can always communicate.

Speaking of communicating, cheers to the Panama Eagle. Here’s to a new source of information on for us Expats in Panama. May we all gain something from its presence in this more than historic time of growth for this country.

Having said that, I’d like to use this column as a place to start conversations and provide information - a portal into our little fishbowl of an Expat-in-Panama world we’ve got going on here so to speak.

So what will these conversations be about? It could be anything. It could be a cynical take on riding shotgun with one of Panama’s out-of-his-mind-wild-like-a-banshee taxi drivers or it could be something as simple as tips on the best way to cruise out to the beach for the weekend and where to stay.

I’ll get things started. Last week, someone told me there are no good places to watch sports on TV in Panama City. I disagree. Here are my top three picks and why:

La Terraza (just up the street from the Veneto Hotel and Casino in El Cangrejo) -- This bar doesn’t bill itself as a great place to watch sports, but nonetheless, its a nice place to catch a game as you’ll always find someone willing to watch with you – even if they aren’t that interested. Just one thing though. If you plan on watching more than one game at a time, La Terraza may not be the best option as they only have one TV.

The Veneto Hotel and Casino (Via Veneto in El Cangrejo). While the service is dreadful, (be ready to start asking for another beer before you’ve started drinking the one in your hand because the waiters are that slow), the Veneto offers plenty of seating and multiple screens for multiple games. Warning: If you want to stay warm, wear long pants and keep the sandals at home -- the Veneto keeps the AC on blast so you’ll have enough energy to plunk down a few bucks on the tables following the game.

Bola’s Steakhouse (El Dorado just across the street from The Do-It Center). This is the best place to watch sports in Panama and has been since it opened. On top of serving up great munchies and burgers, good service and great ambiance, Bola’s is where you’ll find the most serious fans rabid about following their teams and always up for a good debate on who’s who in the world of sports. Go there for any big sporting event (like the Super Bowl) and you’ll meet some nice fans and have a good time.

So, do you agree or disagree with my picks on where to watch some sports? Drop me a line at PanamaInsider@Yahoo.com and let’s talk. Unless, of course, we see each other in person at one of these places I’ve mentioned above.

Let the dialog begin!

A Tale of Two HostelspAnAmACity is host to some the

best accommodations in the world. The price range is as varied as you can imagine offering everything from spec-tacular city view suites to the most basic of beds. Hostels are inexpensive, no frills rooms in a communal setting with common kitchens and gathering spaces. Recently I traveled through Pa-nama City and sampled two different hostels.

I found the Hospidae Casco Viejo after having researched Panama City hostels on the internet and made a reservation via email and even received a confirmation, something many higher priced hotels in the city seem to be unable to do. . An admitted stranger to hostel accommodations I harbored some reservations about this low budget type of travel but tried to not have any pre conceived notions or expectations.

The taxi driver knew the area but not the hostel, which has been opened only one year and is located right next

to one of Casco Viejo’s most famous landmarks, the Iglesia San Jose which houses the amazing Altar de Oro., It is a really old fashioned neighborhood with tiny stores, one room street side cuartos filled with music, laughter, life, and the smells of cooking. Beggars and lawyers fill the sidewalks and benches in the many parks that dot this amazing area that is undergoing a renaissance of sorts with one beautifully restored three-story waterfront home owned by minister of tourism and former actor/musician, Ruben Blades. Blades’ house is in an area that boasts the beautiful Teatro Nacional and the Palacio de las Garzas.

Unfamiliar and unsure about myself and hostel housing, I had reserved a private room with a bath for the princely sum of $12.00 total. I checked in with the owner, Ricardo Garces, an amazing young Columbian man who had given up corporate banking to remodel the one hundred year old

Casco Viejo, the old, and the very oldPhoto By: R. Manzana

Continued on P:10

En Panama with Roberto Manzana

�PANAMA EAGLE

New Traffic Laws and Fines are in EffectBy Staff

WEhave been told that this year they will have more patrols to

enforce the traffic regulations and that the heavier fines and rules will be im-posed. All vehicles, without exception, are required to be fully licensed and inspected to operate on any of the Nation’s roads and highways. These are rules your lawyer doesn’t neces-sarily know. Listed below are some of the laws and fines. For further in-formation, go to www.transito.gob.pa - Click on Reglamento de Transito. It’s a PDF document and the rules and fines are on pages 86-91. You should also be aware, that transit regulations require that you carry a copy of these regulations in your vehicle.

Infraction Fine

Un-registered vehicle B/. 25.00

Expired licence Plate B/.50.00

No Licence Plate B/.50.00

Vehicle will be impounded

Driving without a valid license B/. 75.00

(your foreign license is only good for 90 days)

Talking on Cellular Phone while driving B/. 75.00

You must attend safety school

Alcohol on Breath B/. 500.00

Driving while intoxicated (Drunk Driving)

First Time License suspended for 1 year B/. 1000.00

Second Time License suspended for 3 years B/. 1500.00

Third Time License suspended indefinitely B/.2500.00

Attend seminars and meetings after each intoxication citation

Mad Dogs and EnglishmenSandra T. Snyder

El Cangrjo is one of my favorite neighborhoods and it pains me to

see how it is changing. First, there are too many new buildings and no new infrastructure to support them.

Whether you are concerned about adequate water, sewage treatment, trash removal, cell phone coverage, Internet connection speed or electricity, the new buildings and the people they will attract, will tax the existing systems. Next, the addition of casinos in the neighborhood brings more traffic of all kinds filling the streets with more cars passing through the area, looking for parking places, and blocking traffic.

Today I had a number of errands to do in El Cangrjo - a visit to the printer, the Chamber of Commerce, the bank and lastly to get my car washed. Dry season, summer, has finally arrived and

a good wash is in order. So I find myself sitting in the shade in a pink lawn chair while the car has a bath.

Everyone else seems to be out today doing errands as well. Local business people, students, neighborhood people all dressed conservatively for the city, in work uniform, slacks and shirts, casual skirts or jeans. However, this season there certainly are more tourists than in past years and they also pass in review before my chair. Frightening! A couple in shorts and Birkenstocks amble past. A young couple in their twenties, pass in matching shades of ratty looking gray t-shirts un-tucked, gray shorts, flip flops and his-and-her pony tails. Another young man passes displaying an incredible array of tattoos on his bare arms. He is accompanied by a young woman who has the words

“Trust” tattooed around her neck. I can only wonder, trust whom? A middle-aged couple in shorts and tennis shoes each have on a funny hat. He has on a soft well-worn golf hat and she a crochet floppy hat covering her head and shading her eyes. A young couple, pushing a baby carriage over the narrow sidewalk, is clad in exercise shorts and shirts reminiscent of a racquetball court. They are followed by yet another elderly couple who are almost beyond belief.

Remember the cartoon of the elderly Playgirl, about 80, with long thin boobs hanging to her waist, and a nose almost as long? The woman passing before me was not as thin as that character in the funny papers but the rest of the description was accurate. Neither her blouse nor her red bikini top under the blouse covered, supported or hid her appendages- long bouncy appendages. Her short shorts likewise exposed her knobby-knees. She was accompanied by what appeared to be her husband

in his best Nike nylon bathing suit, short length also, with dime-store rubber sandals. They seemed headed in the direction of the closest casino, a block and a half away. This is a current popular destination for viejo verdes and other tourists, providing still more local color and entertainment for us locals to observe from a distance.

After all it is nearly noon, summer in the city and for those from cold climates it probably seems like swim suit weather regardless of the fact they are in a city, no pool in the area, and they are actually headed out to lunch.

The car washing goes slowly. More or less slowly than elsewhere I am not sure, but with each passing spectacle the muchacho’s attention is drawn away from the job, a smile appears, sometimes even an out loud laugh. I may not know what these tourists are thinking to go out in public in such attire but it is clear what the car wash boy thinks - crazy gringos.

New Traffic Laws and Fines are in

EffectPhoto By: R.Boyd

The Panama Eagle needs an editor! (so our managing editor can get back to his real job).

We’re looking for somebody with good administrative skills and a knowledge of Panama City. Interested?

Send your CV to editor@panamaeagle.com

� PANAMA EAGLE

Eaglets Wanted!Doyou need to stretch your wings

or scratch your itch to write? Loo-king for a venue for your beautiful photos? Want to share your expertise? The Panama Eagle is looking for wri-ters, photographers, columnists, car-toonists, puzzle pundits and reporters. We plan to fill these pages with content by, for, and about the English-speaking community in Panama City. If you are among the talented inhabitants of Pa-nama, and want to share your wisdom, we have a perch for you.

If you’ve developed a knowledge of gardening in this climate why not share it with the rest of us? If you have finessed the ins and outs of home maintenance here, let us know too. Eat out a lot? Contribute restaurant reviews. Read a lot? How about book reviews? Theater and concert buff? Art

afficionado? Release your inner art critic and contribute to our communal wisdom!

We’re open to suggestions of any kind as long as it’s a subject of interest to a significant segment of the community. Computers, sports, fashion, food, recreation, shopping, nature, business, art, ... are just a few of the beats we’d like to see covered. If you’re interested in writing a column or occasional pieces email us at editor@panamaeagle.com.

Even if you’re not into creative writing we’d still like to hear your opinions and suggestions. What do you want to read about? Should we do a shopping mall comparison? A “How-to” on business licenses? A feature on how Panamanian charities work (or don’t)? Care to divulge your favorite

fishing hole? Let us know and we’ll do it for you: editor@panamaeagle.com

Do you have issues? Or questions about issues? Send us letters to the editor. If something really burns you up or you can’t get a straight answer on a pressing problem then give us a crack at it: letters@panamaeagle.com

And don’t forget our classified ads. This month we’ve borrowed a page from our sister publication, the Noticias Bajareque Times, to give you an idea of what your Classifieds will look like. But next month it’s your turn. If you want to sell an old bicycle; find household help; rent your apartment or buy a siamese cat then this is the place to come. We have the cheapest classifieds in Panama - only 99 cents for your first 17 words - so it’s a no-brainer to advertise with us first. But

there’s a bonus: your classified goes up on our website as well, expanding the reach of your ad way beyond the print circulation. Send us your ad by email (clasads@panamaeagle.com) or enter it directly on our website: www.panamaeagle.com/clasads

If you have a non-commercial announcement we’ll print it free in our “Que Paso?” or calendar columns. Check these sections every month for news of events, meetings, celebrations, etc. Let us know what’s happening and we’ll get the word out: editor@panamaeagle.com

This is your newspaper. We’re not here to push a political viewpoint, front for special interests, cater to the tourists, or sell real estate. We’re here just for you. So send us your stuff; give us your opinion; let us be your voice.

“Tourism Rally Chiriquí 2007” January 26th, 27th and 28th I.S.

HistoRiCor classic cars are consi-dered those that are in good con-

dition and are 25 years old or more. In panama however, the groups

involved in this activity are a bit more flexible since they categorize the cars as antique at 21 years old. Also, exotic cars are accepted even though they are not antique but are subject to turn into cars of historical or classic interest, scarce or advanced technologies, like those of Maseratis, Rolls Royce, Mazda Miata or Toyota Prius like José Digerónimo explained to us.

These days, the new lines of cars, their speed, comfortableness and in general all of the beauty and pleasure of the new models captivate us when we buy one. Nevertheless it seems incredible that still many of these cars, which are considered antiques, continue functioning. These cars must be kept with extreme care so that the pleasure of having something good which will eventually become a piece of sentimental value. This is one of the reasons why some collectors choose to safeguard their cars for many years. We can be sure that they take this preservation of classic cars very seriously.

In Cuba for example, when some pieces of those classic cars are no longer working, they invent or replace

them with what they can create or find, and put in parts of cars of other brands. If these other parts do not work, they

modify them until they do work since gasoline is more expensive and difficult

A vintage auto participating in the rallyPhoto By: I.S.

Continued on P:13

�PANAMA EAGLE

The Crossroads of the WorldR. Boyd

BlEssED with a convenient geo-graphy of low lying hills, long rivers

and a narrow isthmus, Panama was an obvious choice for a supply route for goods from Spain’s scattered empire.

In 1510, Vasco Nu¤ez de Balboa established the town of Santa Maria de Antigua, the first permanent Spanish settlement on the mainland of Spain’s growing empire in the new world and in 1514, after having discovered the “Great South Sea” (Pacific Ocean) the year before, he and his men cut a crude path through the jungles of the Darien to carry his ships across the isthmus to the Pacific. These ships were used by Pizarro to make his first discoveries in Peru. In 1515, under the direction of the Governor of Darien, Pedro Arias de Avila, also referred to as Pedrarias, another force was sent over Balboa’s trail to explore the lands to Panama’s West along the Pacific Ocean. During their exploration, they found a village beside the sea, which the natives called Panam (an indigenous word, meaning “Place of Abundant Fish”). The natives told the explorers of a trail that they had been using for hundreds of years that led to the opposite ocean.

A force of 80 men, led by Diego de Alvarado was sent to explore the route. After an expedition of about three weeks, Alvarado reported to Governor Pedrarias that the trail was about 50 miles long and that it ran through luscious savannahs and through low-lying hills, and that it was a quicker and easier way to cross Panama. In 1517, Pedrarias ordered Gaspar de Espinosa (The founder of Nata and Alanje), to build a road along the trail that Alvarado had discovered.

Setting up a base of operations at the abandoned town of Nombre de Dios on the Northern side of the Isthmus, Espinosa began the job by widening an old trail that intersected with the trail to Panam near Portobello.

He enslaved four thousand natives to assist with the construction of the roadway. Taking smooth river rocks from nearby streams and rivers, they placed them in the roadbed at a width of two meters.

They covered the stones with clay and packed it down to provide a smooth surface. Along the route, they captured more peoples to work on the road; they used the huts of the displaced peoples as rest areas for weary engineers. At the Rio de Lagartos (named by Columbus for the many crocodiles he saw resting

on the river banks), they placed very large boulders at intervals across the river and connected them with tree trunks shaved down to form a roadbed for the bridge.

They built an inn and outbuildings and called the area Chagre after a provincial district of Spain. It eventually came to be called Chagres and the River was called the Chagres (a key element in the building of the Panama Canal). The road was completed in 1519 and in August of the same year, Pedrarias and

his officers, traveled on a cobbled stone road, from Nombre de Dios to inspect the new city of Panam being built by Espinosa at the site of the original native village.

This road was called El Camino Real (The King’s Highway) and, at about 50 miles long, it was wide enough to allow two carts to cross paths traveling in opposite directions without driving on the embankment. The Spanish had spared no expense in the construction of this road.

Roast Beef de Lomo o Filete Pachi - Creative Culinary Works- www.creativeculinary.net

Roast Beef style Beef Filet Ingredients: 2 1/2 pounds of beef filet 2 tablespoons Pesto (home made or

store bought)1 tablespoon onion seasoning mix 1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups beef stock 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon butter

Onion Seasoning Mix 1 medium white or yellow onion 3 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons minced parsley 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil

How to prepare it:1. Prepare the Onion Seasoning Mix:

Pass the garlic through boiling water for 10 seconds; place

all ingredients in the bowl of a blender and refrigerate.

2. Mix the tablespoon of onion seasoning mix, pesto, mustard, ¼ teaspoon salt and rub on the

filet. Allow to rest for 1 hour or up to one day refrigerated.

3. Preheat the oven to 300°F and place the filet over a rack and pan add the salt and remaining

pepper and pour the stock into the pan. Arrange into the preheated oven, decrease the

temperature to 275°F and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

4. Remove from the oven, cover the filet with foil and set aside for 15 minutes.

5. Slice thinly to serve.6. For the sauce: Place the drippings

and the stock (remove the fat) and transfer to a saucepan.

Mix the flour and butter to a paste, pour into the pan and cook over medium heat until thickened.

Pour over the sliced filet or into a sauce cup.

Roast Beef de Lomo

The Crossroads of The WorldPicture from archives

� PANAMA EAGLE

Maca - the newest kid in townSonia Jones, ND from the Haven Spa and Alternative Medicine Clinic, Boquete

most people have not heard of Maca (Lepidium peruvianum), a

root that grows in the Peruvian moun-tains, at high altitude of about 8,000 to 14,500 feet. Here high in the Andes mountains it is inhospitable. Where maca flourishes in intense sunlight, violent winds, and below-freezing tem-peratures! It has long been known to the native Incas for its rich nutritional value. In 1994 less than 50 hectares were devoted to the commercial culti-vation of maca and by 1999 over 1200 hectares were under production due to rising demands worldwide. Maca was domesticated about 2,000 years ago by the Incas, and primitive cultivators of maca have been found in archaeo-logical sites dating as far back as 1600 B.C. Wonder why it has taken us so long to find out about it?

It has higher levels of calcium than milk and in a form at is more readily absorbed by the body. Other foods that are a better source of calcium than milk (due to easier digestion, absorbability and utilization of the mineral by the body) are sesame seeds, also tahini (a sesame paste readily available in Panama), raw almonds, dark green vegetables and quinoa (available at the Haven), just to mention a few. You will never see a cow down the super market buying a pint of milk for its calcium!

Maca is beneficial to both men and women, known as a balancer of hormones and energy levels. It has been reported to help with libido, menopause, pre-menstrual problems, energy, stamina, mood swings, memory and a whole lot more. Maca has been dubbed the “Peruvian Ginseng” (however it is not from the same family), there is a big difference between ginseng and maca. Ginseng is a powerful tonic that should only be taken very short term, used on a long term basis will cause imbalances, the opposite of what you are trying to achieve. Maca is a long term tonic, an adaptogen that will continue to balance the body’s systems, producing a general sense of well-being. Maca has been reported to help the adrenal glands, these are the glands that get a hammering when the body is stressed, and are involved in allergic reactions. Maca is being recognised as a nutritional product that will boost energy and improve stamina and endurance, so athletes are beginning to use it. Maca helps with the symptoms associated with female hormone imbalance. The symptoms can be varied- hot flashes, sugar cravings, anxiety, mood swings, cramps, bloating, sleep disturbance and much more.

In Peruvian herbal medicine today, maca is reported to be used to enhance the immune system,

for anemia, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, stomach cancer, sterility (and other reproductive and sexual disorders), and to enhance memory. Maca has been growing in world popularity over the last several years due to several large U.S. marketing campaigns touting its energizing, fertility enhancement, hormonal balancing, aphrodisiac, and, especially, enhanced sexual performance properties.

I must however point out that any supplement be it a herb or vitamin or mineral or amino acid you are thinking of taking or are currently taking for any condition, should be accompanied by lifestyle modifications. Even if you don’t want to change all your habits completely there are always simple things you can do to improve your health. There is no doubt - maca is a wonderful source of natural vital nutrients. The synergy of so many amino acids, vitamins, and minerals in their natural state increase the assimilation, uptake, and utilization of them in the body. However, do not expect a “miracle cure”, nothing is. Maca contains significant amounts of arginine, serine, histidine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, valine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and threonine). It also has high levels of calcium, potassium, iron, plus many other vitamins and minerals, fatty acids (including linolenic, palmitic, and

oleic acids) and sterols (about 0.05% to 0.1%). In addition to its rich supply of essential nutrients, maca also contains alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, (they also have some therapeutic value). Remember they are called supplements - supplementing a healthy diet or at lease a healthier diet to bring about changes in the body to relieve symptoms, reduce pain, slow down deterioration and reverse chronic conditions. Sounds far fetched? Not at all. There is a mountain of proven research that shows that a healthy life style and supplements can greatly improve your quality and quantity of life. Really, your greatest asset is your health. Don’t wait for your wake-up call!

For more information call Sonia at The Haven Alternative Medicine Clinic 720 1943.

Sonia Jones

Tell us where you live - and get the Panama

Eagle delivered to your neighborhood. No need to give us your name, just send us your

street and building and we’ll endeavor to get the Panama

Eagle onto your doorstep: email to: myhome@panamaeagle.com

�PANAMA EAGLE

Starting a business in PANAMABy Steven Rich, MBA (Marketing Manager for Panama Offshore Legal Services)

mAnY foreigner Expats are cre-ating new businesses here in

Panama. There are so many opportuni-ties to make money in this current real estate boom. Open a bar, restaurant, discotheque, hotel, motel, travel agen-cy, tourist guide services, translation service, retail stores, or expert tax or accounting services. Full time or part time business opportunities are avai-lable whether you are retired and just bored or still young enough to become an entrepreneur.

No matter what type of business you wish to start, you must first know Panama laws and comply with them. Let us first start with understanding the different legal entities available to conduct business in Panama.

BUSINESS ENTITIESYou will find three business structures

available in Panama:Sole Proprietor - allows you and

your spouse & family members to open a business as the sole owners. Partnership - allows you to collaborate with one or more persons in owning the business.

Corporation - formally registered with the government with a Board of Directors, corporate officers, Registered Agent, and issuing stock.

Sole Proprietors can have oral agreements amongst its family members. Partnerships and Corporations need legal documents prepared by a Panamanian attorney to legally exist.

What Legal Structures Are Available In Panama?

There are six different legal structures here in Panama:

1. Corporation (Sociedad Anonima) Law No. 32 of 1927 and the Commercial Code (Decree-Law No. 5 of 1997, Article 5) allow the formation of Corporations in Panama.

First, two persons called “Subscribers” create the corporation. You can use 3rd party “Nominees”

acting on behalf of Expats to execute legal documents called the Articles of Incorporation. File

the Articles with Panama’s Public Registry office. Once the corporation

is registered, only one shareholder is required.

Corporation shares issued in several classes can be par value or not, officially registered (optional), or issued in anonymous “Bearer” shares. A Panamanian lawyer acting as the corporation’s Registered Agent is required. A minimum of three Directors with their names listed in the registered Articles of Incorporation is required. File all changes of Directors names with the Public Registry. There are no other Public Registry filings required unless you change the Articles of Incorporation, merge with another corporation, or dissolve.

2. Foreign CorporationsA corporation from another country

can do business in Panama by filing certain documents with the Public Registry:

1. A notarized Spanish translation of their Articles of Incorporation;

2. Minutes from the Board of Directors authorizing the Panamanian registration;

3. Copies of the current financial statements;

4. A Panamanian Consul certification confirming that the company is organized according to the laws of its place of incorporation;

5. Notification of the transfer of capital to the Panamanian business.

3. General PartnershipPanama permits General

Partnerships. Partners have unlimited civil liability. Every partner can be sued in court for any negligence or wrongful acts committed by one partner while conducting business.

4. Limited PartnershipPanama also permits Limited

Partnerships (called Sociedad de Responsibilidad). The Commercial Code and Law No. 24 of 1966 govern Limited Partnerships in Panama.

You can have a minimum of two to a maximum of 20 partners. It does not matter what their nationalities or residencies are. The Capital can be anything from $2,000 to $500,000. File all partners’ names with the Public Registry along with the amount of capital each contributed. The

civil liability for each administrator appointed by the partnership must be registered with the Public Registry office. Partnerships consisting of five or fewer members are not required to have meetings. All other partnerships must have at least one meeting a year.

An Individual Limited Proprietorship (Empressa Individual de Responsibilidad Limitada) is an alternative to a Sole Proprietorship. Set up like a Limited Partnership with only one member. Civil Liability is limited to the amount of committed assets.

5. Civil PartnershipPanama permits a Civil Partnership

(Sociedad Civil) under the Commercial Code and Law No. 24 of 1966. Partners’ civil liability is unlimited. Lawyer, accountants, and other professionals often select this type of partnership.

6. Commandite CompanyA Commandite Company (Sociedad

en Commandita) is a cross between a partnership and a corporation. The Commercial Code and Law No. 24 of 1966 govern this entity. A minimum of one partner must have unlimited liability. The liability of the limited partners is limited to the amount of capital subscribed. This legal entity is seldom used in Panama.

GOVERNMENT PERMITS & LICENSESNow that you formed one of the

above-mentioned entities, you must register your entity with the government before conducting business. There are six steps described below for registering your business with the national and local governments:

1. Income Tax RegistryCalled the “Registro Fiscal”

(Fiscal Registry in English) this is the Panamanian government Revenue (Tax) agency dealing with income tax returns. Your company receives an income tax id

number from their office called the Direccion General de Ingresos. You will need to keep records of income, expenses, and file an annual income tax (or corporate tax) return and pay any taxes owed.

The Panamanian government’s website explains the necessary steps to

register in Spanish. Their website is at: www.dgi.gob.pa

2. Commercial LicenseThe MINISTERIO de COMERCIO e

INDUSTRIAS (Ministry of Commerce & Industry) is where you get your Business License. Every business in Panama is required to have a business

license. This Panama government website will give you information regarding getting a commercial license in Spanish: www.mici.gob.pa

3. Municipal Taxes Upon obtaining your Panamanian

government licenses, you then register with your local municipality in order to pay your municipal taxes.

4. Social Security Number Now go to Panama’s Social Security

Administration called Registro Patronal de la Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) to get a Social Security number for your business and for yourself.

5. Sanitary Permit Businesses dealing with food or

beverages need to get a Permisos Sanitarios from the Ministerio de Salud (Health Certificate from Ministry of Health) to operate a sanitary business.

All employees (including owners & management) preparing or serving food or beverages (or being near food or beverage preparation or service) must obtain two different Permits. The first requires a medical & dental examination at a public hospital. The 2nd issued following a two-day health & safety course.

6. Fumigation CertificateEvery business open to the public

must be fumigated. Hire a private fumigation company every four months to fumigate against ants, cockroaches, and other bugs.

You must present a receipt from the fumigation company and obtain a Fumigation Certificate from your local municipality. You must publicly display the Fumigation Certificate at your business entrance.

Hiring EmployeesOnce you obtain all required

government permits or licenses, you can hire employees.

Continued on P:9

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You cannot just hire a bunch of your Expat friends as your workforce. Most companies are limited to hiring only a maximum of 10% foreigners (non-Panamanian citizens). The labor laws in Panama require 90% of all company employees either are Panamanian citizens, married to a Panamanian, or foreign legal residents living here for at least 10 years.

Exceptions exist: Technical or specialized staff

otherwise unavailable in Panama can increase your quota to 15% foreigners. You must demonstrate that they are a required workforce. You may petition the Ministry of Labor for a higher quota.

Companies with fewer than 10 employees can hire one foreigner.

Companies doing business outside of Panama can employ foreign supervisors and managers with prior approval from the Ministry of Labor.

Every foreign employee requires a work permit from the Ministry of Labor.

Panama’s Labor LawsPanama’s Labor Code of 1971

dealing with Labor Relations includes all rights and duties of employees and their employers. The key concept for defining who is an employee is “Subordination”. Whenever a person is subordinate to another, an “employee” relationship

exists. It will not matter if a written contract describes the relationship as not being “employment”. Independent contractor relationships exist in Panama. However, these associations cannot involve subordination.

Basic employee rights under Panama’s Labor Code include:

a. Written Employment Contractb. Minimum Wagec. Maximum Working Hoursd. Paid Vacationse. Firing Employees for Good Cause

Employee ContractsWritten employment contracts

called an Inscripcion Contratos con Trabajadores are required.

File two copies of the contract with the Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral.

During the first two years of

employment, employers can terminate the contract. After the second year, employees enjoy greater rights protecting them from easy termination. The law contains a list of “just causes” for termination. Unlawful termination results in minimum compensation for the wronged employee. Employment contracts can be for a fixed term or left open-ended.

Minimum wage levels vary according to the employee’s seniority.

Vacations: There are 11 public holidays per year. Employees are also entitled to a 30-day vacation every year, known as “the 13th month”. This bonus equals one-salary day for every 11 days of work. The 13-month bonus paid in three equal installments: April 15th, August 15th, and December 15th.

UnionsPanama has unions that collectively

negotiate on behalf of their members. Its members under defined circumstances allow strikes after a majority vote. The law requires mandatory conciliation before a strike occurs. Only around 11% of the country’s private sector employees are union members.

Leasing Office or Business Premises

Leasing commercial space in Panama is similar to most English speaking countries. Here are the usual terms:

a. Must be in writing;b. Properly describes the premise’s

location;c. States length of lease term;

the amount and frequency of lease payments; which party pays for gas, water, electricity, and repairs; whether this is a Security and/or Damage deposit.

Mentions late lease payments, tenant property damage, and renewal of lease.

d. Signed by the property owners (or authorized agent) and tenants.

e. Every signature notarized by a Notary Public.

A competent real estate attorney should prepare additional terms and conditions. You should consult with one before signing any lease agreements prepared by your property owner.

Starting a business in PANAMA Continued from P:8 Business Bank AccountNever mix your personal monies

with business funds. Sole Proprietors tend to make this costly mistake. Open a separate bank account for your business. Partnerships and corporations especially need to open separate business or corporate bank accounts.

Here is what most banks in Panama require when you open a business or corporate bank account:

a. A personal interview so the bank gets to know you. Some banks may allow a telephone interview.

b. Clear copy of the account’s Signatory and each corporate Director’s Passport (the photo and personal information pages and Panama’s entry stamp page).

c. Clear copy of a second photo id (driver’s license, residency or national id card).

d. Two bank references for each Signatory and Director. The reference letter needs to address the satisfactory conduct by the account holder and that the relationship had been ongoing for a minimum of two years. The letter should also confirm the person’s residential address. The letter specifically addressed to that bank’s branch. Some banks may accept just one reference letter since many foreigners only use one bank. Only original letters will be accepted.

e. Two professional references for each Signatory and Director. An attorney, accountant, real estate broker, stockbroker, insurance agent, or employer can write the letters. They must be written on the company letterhead and include the duration and nature of the business relationship with the applicant. Only original letters will be accepted.

f. Proof of Address in the form of utility bills (water, phone, electricity,

cable TV) containing the applicant’s name and residence address.

g. Company Profile letter describing the type of business the applicant will engage in. This includes the location of the business, products or services offered, nature and expected business volume, origin of deposited funds, monthly or annual estimate of funds deposited, and the reason for opening the bank account in Panama.

Have your Panama lawyer accompany you to the bank to assist in a smooth process.

Once the bank receives all documents, they go to the bank’s Compliance Officer who reviews them and the entire application to make sure no money laundering occurs. It will help if you first go to a Panamanian bank where you may already have a personal account, as they will already know you.

ConclusionAs you can see, there are numerous

laws, legal documents, government regulations, written contracts, and government offices to visit before you can start a business in Panama.

That is why you must consult with a competent lawyer in Panama who knows about Panama’s complex Business, Corporate, Labor, Real Estate, and Tax laws before going into business.

Once you are registered, licensed, have hired employees, moved into your new office and opened a bank account, hopefully, all you will need to worry about are taxes. But, that is a subject for another time.

STEVEN RICH, MBA is the Marketing Manager for Panama Offshore Legal Services in Panama City. Their phone number is ++(507) 227 - 6645 and their website is www.panama-offshore-services.com

ANSWER

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building and start up a new business from scratch.

“Sixty years ago this building housed two apartments but was vacant for a long time. It all needed to be brought up to current codes and meet certain criteria set forth by the Oficina de Casco Antiguo, including handicapped accessibility” Said the personable 31 year old of his project. “I did everything I could myself, what I didn’t do I contracted and supervised everything all the way through the project.”

My room was number one, off the small downstairs lobby. The lobby had a TV and a laptop with a good internet connection free to guests. The room was Spartan but clean, the bed, unlike many in Panama, had a fresh comfortable mattress and a wooden frame. Historic photos from around the city were arranged nicely on the walls and a closet of sorts was available. The new ceiling fan moved air sufficiently enough considering the room had no outside window.

The coldwater bathroom was tiny but clean and working. After walking around the area for several hours the cool shower was actually refreshing. Like many un air-conditioned room in the tropics the air was damp, but given that it is only 100 meters from the bay, it wasn’t too bad.

Garces took the time to give me a tour of the 16 room hostel. Seven rooms were with baths and nine shared. There was one “dormitory” style room for the super budget traveler. “The dormitory room is always the same price no matter how many people are in it”. Said Garces who truly intended this place to be for people traveling on a budget. By the same token he spoke

of one French woman who rented a room for six months and came and went as she pleased indicating that he welcomed long-term stays.

There is a well built kitchen for use to all guests with a courtyard gathering place that was the center activity for guests.

The innkeeper was kind enough to arrange a pre dawn taxi ride to Tocumen Airport for me ($20), another added bonus to the stay. Overall, I was impressed with my first hostel experience and would recommend the Hospedaje Casco Viejo to any adventure minded traveler on a budget, or anyone who wants to be totally immersed in an area rich with history and teeming with life.

On my return trip I reserved a room again via email (and received confirmation) in the 138 year old Lyons house in San Felipe. My taxi was again unfamiliar with the place or that there actually were accommodations in this ancient part of the city. So far no hotel chains have invested in this area that is slowly warming up to tourism. For centuries it has been a residential neighborhood that contained a good portion of the cities historical treasures including museums, churches, and government buildings, along with all of the small services that support a working class community.

While only two blocks from my earlier hostel experience, the Lyons house was a different world. It is a classic example of crumbling Spanish colonial building that the neighborhood is full of. The entrance is one flight up off Calle de Cordoba. The second floor landing featured a caged in reception/office and was

offset by a brightly painted and cozy but very old living room furnished with seriously beat sofas and chairs. There was a color TV and a single internet ready computer with the common kitchen down a short hall. The owners and employees here speak only Spanish so be prepared. I was shown a choice of rooms and selected a large one on the third floor hoping to catch some moving air. In spite of the traditional high ceilings the rooms were hot but equipped with ceiling fans driving me to spend much of my time seated before the open French doors that looked out over the street scene and had obviously had not been closed in years. The entire atmosphere of the neighborhood came drifting up and in. The rooms are sin baño with a common bath for each floor. The baths were spartan and ill maintained but working with cold water.

Small Bits of broken glass and trash littered the hallways and room, feral cats skulked about in the hallways this was definitely a place for the hard core survival traveler. At $10.00 per night the Lyons house was for sure the low end of what accommodations there are in the San Felipe area of Casco Viejo with the possible exception of hourly rooms.

A single bed, a rickety table, one chair and a nightstand furnished the room. There was a closet. The iron rail on the balcony was not one to lean on.

The constant police presence was on top of potential disturbances from the homeless and troublemakers that roamed the street of this poor neighborhood. Street cleaners appeared at dark and worked to remove the debris of the day.

History surrounds the Lyons house with the Iglesia Catedral Santa Maria La Antigua just one block away on the Plaza de la Independencia. Also on the plaza is the Museo de Historia de Panama, a relic filled room that details some of the history of this amazing area. Several modern new restaurants are scattered around the area but the Lyons house is served by a tipico place on the street level where like most of the local eateries, it would be hard to spend more then three dollars.

Did I feel safe? Absolutely but then I watch my back, pay attention to what is going on around me, dress down, don’t wear jewelry and have developed a way to read and deal with street people, a good knack to have.

Adventure, super budget travel, not for everybody but attainable in the San Felpe area of Panama City’s amazing Casco Viejo.

Continued from P:3A Tale of Two Hostels

The 138 year old Lyons housePhoto By: R. Manzana

circle that the names and titles of the many people described have meaning mostly to Banana People and their immediate group.

Some of the detail is so good that soon your head is buzzing from the heat and mosquitoes of paddling down the Changuinola River in a dugout canoe; or your stomach is wrenching from dropping 1,000 feet in a very small aircraft, at night, in a howling

thunderstorm. The terrible massacre of Standard

Fruit Company in 1931 by Sandinistas in Nicaragua is told in one of the more solemn stories giving the book a good balance of the good and bad times experienced.

The book includes many interesting tales of the multi-cultural mix that the banana people are, from Yugoslavs to Chinese to Costa Rican “Ticos” to

Teribe Indians. It chronicles the manner in which the banana industry impacted their lives and families, especially during times of world crises.

Towards the end of the book Stephens is able to capture the atmosphere generated and the effects of the U.S. Invasion of Panama, which had a huge impact on the by-then extremely powerful Chiquita Banana Company. A group of company executives were

staying in the city during the invasion and were chased down and held at gunpoint by the radical Batallion de Dignidad.

Stephens gives lectures of banana culture and the history of the industry and lives with his wife Phyllis part of the year at Hospital Point in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

A Look at a Book Continued from P:2

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Feel the Jazz!!!Fourth Annual Panama Jazz Festival January 17-20, 2007 Panama City, Panama By Roberto Manzana

tHEfourth annual Panama Jazz Fes-tival was about much more then

several days of music. It was about education, history, cultural exchange, and sheer brilliant musicianship, all based around and saturated with that illusive vibe that is- Panama.

The four day event kicked off on Wednesday, January 17th with the” Noche de Gala” at the incredible art deco opera house-styled Teatro Nacional in Casco Viejo. The opening night festivities were aimed to entertain the event’s sponsors and other dignitaries with an opening night reception following the show. This year’s festival was dedicated to famous Panamanian jazz singer Barbara Wilson, who’s passing we mourned in 2005. Fittingly enough Reggie Boyce (y Jazz Effects), trumpeter and long time band leader for Wilson, was the anchor for the evening that also included music from foundation director and multi-Grammy winner, Danilo Perez, the incredible seven year old drummer Milagros Blades, the New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, and standout Panamanian saxophonist, Carlos Ubarte.

Thursday’s program, entitled, “Noche Panamericana”, moved to the

equally beautiful Teatro Anayansi in ATLAPA. It was an evening of cultural blending with the Panamamerican Big Band under the direction of Victor “Vitin” Paz with the Universidad de Panama, and the New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music. Banda Tributo a Chile cooled jazz fans with their stunning blend of voice and instrument while experimental harpist Edmar Castaneda of Columbia set people on their ear with his trombone and drum supported set. One of the evening’s highlights came in the form of a performance by young artists, Tony Madruga (12 years old-piano), Jahaziel Arrocha (17 years old-sax) and Milagros Blades (7 years old-drums). These three are well on their way to being world-class musicians and were in good company with Danilo Perez and the other stars of the festival.

Many of the weekend’s performers did double duty with daytime clinics and workshops covering a diverse list of topics that included Musical production and auditions for the scholarship program with the New England Conservatory facility de Bellas Artes at the Universidad de Panama.

Day three returned to Teatro Anayansi for “Noches de Reencuentros”. Opening

Saturday in Casco ViejoPhoto By: Manzana

act Nnenna Freelon mesmerized the packed house with her amazing range and cool vocal stylings backed up by Brandon McCune, Wayne Bachelor, Kinah Boto and Beverly Botsford. During the quieter parts of her show you could hear the slow breathing of the audience almost as one. Beautifully accented by excellently produced lighting effects and sound mixing, Freelon defiantly left her mark on the third night show, promising more for the Saturday outdoor event.

After a set change, the reunion part of the show began with a masterfully put together super group consisting of Pianist Danilo Perez, drumming legend Billy Cobham, a world-class sax duo consisting of seasoned Latin jazz professionals Carlos Garnett and Jorge Sylvester, guitar player turned jazz bass star Santi Debriano, and former Ruben Blades/Paquito D’Rivera/Danielo Perez veteran percussionist Renato Thoms. The music was seamless and flowing in spite of the fact that they hadn’t played together as a group very much at all in the past and only for a few short rehearsals for the festival.

Saturday’s change of venue and style from indoor, ticketed, nighttime show, to free outdoor daytime festival, proved a winner. The Plaza Catedral became transformed into a full festival site for the day, complete with a full covered stage with excellent festival sound and lights. Event sponsors Ricardo Perez and Movistar took full advantage of the crowd that grew to an estimated 5,000 with displays, giveaways, and even a carnival band complete with a fully costumed carnival dancer.

Reggie Boyce and Jazz Effects with singer Idania Dowman opened the show around 3pm, firing up the already sweltering crowd with a short set, once again honoring Barbara Wilson. By sunset he crowd had swelled to capacity in the 500 year old square in San Felipe which had taken on the atmosphere of a really big family party. The smell of cooking food filled the square as people gathered in laughing, dancing groups, some with full dining room tables, chairs, and canopies.

The tempo of the program escalated into the night inspired by a fiery set from the amazing Colombian harpist Edmar Castendeda, playing a modified concert harp with acoustic pickups and

accompanied by a fantastic trombone (Marshall Gilkes), hot drummer (Dave Silliman), and Andrea Tierra on vocals.

Nneena Freelon returned with a completely different show from her cool as ice program of the night before, pulling out some hot jazz standards and even a Stevie Wonder cover.

Danilo Perez played some four-handed piano with twelve year old Tony Machuca, with backing from Jahaziel Arrocha on sax, and drummer Milagros Blades.

The next act, “Mildes”, kicked the excitement up yet another notch as this group of young people added a huge tipico element, so far missing from the show. The fully costumed group of 20 took to the stage with five of them taking over the drumming chores, led by wiz kid Milagros Blades in the seat warmed by Billy Cobham. “Viva Panama” got anyone who was still seated up on their feet, joining in on the singing of this Panamanian anthem. They continued to roll thru a set of fantastic tipico singing, dancing, and drumming to the absolute delight of the culturally mixed crowd, with singers rotating for each tune.

Other activities during the course of the weekend included late night sessions at hot gathering spots Pencas, and in San Felipe including Platea, and La Casona. A wonderful photographic exhibit of Barbara Wilson documenting the years of her career was hung at Casa Gongora, also in San Felipe.

Jazz FanPhoto By: Manzana

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established neighborhoods in urban areas around the country - parks which should be under expansion, as is being fought for in El Cangrejo, instead of threatened with shrinkage and destruction, to compensate for the skyrocketing densification of populated areas - but have now extended to every imaginable preserve, including those previously believed to be “protected” , a term which appears to have lost its true meaning along with words like “development”, “investment” and “progress” for us here.

The entire watershed of the Panama Canal has now also become fair game in this growing war. With an inconceivable and unjustifiable change in law, furtively approved by the Legislative Assembly under cover of darkness during special “urgent” sessions held during the dying hours of 2006, the immediate urbanization of the entire reserve has - essentially - been permitted.

This latest attack, against not only public health - by placing Panama’s most significant source of drinking water and one of the largest fresh water reserves in the world at risk - but also against the economic future of the country, not to mention the priceless loss of irreplaceable natural diversity, is a crime against our planet and has catalyzed disparate groups, serving to unify them further. This change in law threatens Panama’s ecological balance, the well-being of all its communities and - given

the growing shortages of this precious liquid around the world - life on our planet.

All these activities have had immediate impacts on Panama City, visibly and exponentially diminishing its quality of life. Demands continue to pile on to the already overextended infrastructure which fails daily in its ability to meet the needs of established communities stressed and suffering the abuses of unnecessary construction activity imposed upon them without the requisite resident participation described by law and civilized behavior.

Established city planning, norms and codes are disregarded and activity proceeds without any appropriate or rational planning framework, and with no established - or effective - course of appeal.

Thankfully, Ancon Hill’s power to unify thinking human beings has not peaked.

Groups are banding together given the urgency of this crisis which is, fundamentally, one of public health and which is spreading across the nation. Citizens advocating for the intelligent development of Panama City (www.AlianzaProCiudad.org), those keeping watch over Ancon Hill ( www.cerroancon.com), groups fighting to saving and expanding their established neighborhood parks like the Amigos del Parque Andres Bello (“Friends of Andres Bello Park” - Via Argentina) and

preserving their quality of life and their property values, like Vecinos El Cangrejo (vecinoselcangrejo@hotmail.com), La Confederacion de Comunidades de las Areas Revertidas (Reverted Areas Confederation of Communities), el Comite ProDefensa de Bosques Urbanos (Committee to Defend Urban Forests), (www.caminodecruces.org, www.albrook.org, etc.) to name a few, speak to the intensity with which these problems are being felt and lived in communities around the capital. The same thing echoes around the country.

Listening to residents during Town Halls - like the one held on the 23rd of January in El Cangrejo’s only park, with members of the Government and attended by more than 500 people - citizens defined with precision what they urgently require from the Government to maintain their mental and physical health, demanding respect and the enforcing of laws to bring order to the chaotic state in their areas. Their distress is palpable in the face of the overwhelming economic power represented by the ill-conceived, poorly-controlled, and often unnecessary projects threatening their environment and rapidly destroying all that has been achieved in Panama over years of hard work and personal investment, while protests and appeals are ignored.

An immediate moratorium was requested during that meeting to allow the neighborhood to be brought back in to some semblance of control, but

it - like a previous request to do that for the whole of the city - has gone unheeded. Among the comments heard were the desire to define a mechanism, which could later be used as a model for other neighborhoods, to expand that neighborhood’s park, rather than destroy it.

Nature’s role in human health, both mental and physical, with its effects on society cannot be denied. We no longer live on the same planet as before which seemed to have the unlimited ability to heal from our abuses and destructive actions. Today Panama is a microcosm of this very situation, yet, with every opportunity to show the world how things can be done responsibly, and properly, if we can manage to regain our common sense and halt the destructive frenzy that reigns here today.

Ancon Hill will continue to unify its defenders. Silently reminding us of the love we all feel for this little jeweled strip of our planet. Majestically holding out hope that truth, intelligence and the common good will supplant misdirected private interests which, because of the buzz received from their frenetic and even avaricious pace or possibly simply due toignorance, fail to recognize the negarive impact their decisions have on the whole of a community. A community to which, they too by sharing the planet, also belong. Ancon Hill will not allow us to forget.

Continued from P:16Ancon Hill

for tearing hair-covered hide and thick flesh.

All raptor talons are more like machines than flexible fingers. When a raptor clenches its talons around prey, they are not able to just let go. Rather a ratchet-like release, which takes a few minutes, is what makes the grip of talons so powerful.

A friend of mine used to work in a zoo where she became particularly fond of a Harpy Eagle. She would often take him on rounds with her to feed the other birds. She reported that one day as she and the bird were making rounds the eagle spotted a

squirrel within striking distance. He lit off her shoulder, but was caught by the leathers tethering him to my friend, so he was forced to abruptly return to her shoulder.

Unfortunately, the ratchet mechanism of the eagle’s talons had already kicked in. Even though my friend had a leather protection pad on her shoulder, the eagle’s talons ratcheted into her shoulder and into her flesh making my friend fall to her knees in pain. All she could do was wait for the talons of her feathered friend relax, which took several minutes. The lady keeper still sports the scars from some

20 years ago. In 1999, eight nesting pairs of Harpy

Eagles were recorded in Panama. They build huge nests of large sticks above the canopy of the jungle. The nests are well built and may contain more than 400 pounds of wood. They choose the tallest tree in their territory and use the highest crutch of the tree to secure the base of the nest. The nesting pair will very often bring new, green twigs and leaves to the nest, and it’s believed this behavior works to rid the nest of parasites.

Approximately every three years the female will lay two eggs. Incubation

is about two months, but usually only one egg hatches. Young Harpy Eagles fledge at about six months of age, but remain in their parents’ territory for about a year.

The call of the Harpy Eagle includes a series of long whistles and short clicks. Adults will sometimes clatter their beaks to tweak the feeding frenzy of their chick.

Harpy Eagles are one of the most magnificent, powerful birds of prey. Spotting one in the wild would be the opportunity of a lifetime since there are so few of them.

Continued from P:1Harpy Eagles

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interviews and announcements. Two other shows are on their schedule - “Drivetime ” with John Wolf (Mondays, 6-7pm), and “Your Weekend Starts Here” with James Sebastian (Fridays, 6-7pm).

The website goes on to say that negotiations are currently underway to extend the English broadcasting hours throughout the week and The PBC is currently processing the necessary applications for operating its own station. So hopefully before long we’ll be listening to full time English radio from the PBC. In the meantime they also offer streaming audio of the Sunday Night show from their website at www.on-the-radio.com/on-the-radio-2.html.

Up in the hills of Chiriqui there are also a couple of growing operations. M.E.T.O. Boquete is a long established radio station broadcasting on 103.5 FM from studios in David.

However in 2005 they started a weekly “Spanglish show”, hosted by

some lively, fluently bilingual MCs, that airs every Saturday from 2-4pm. The program is a mix of announcements, interviews, commercials, banter and occasionally live music. It’s almost always done remotely from somewhere in or around Boquete. One week it will be at the Feria, the next at a restaurant, then at the CEFATI building, etc. The public is invited to come and participate and local groups send representatives to make their own announcements and pitches for charities, concerts, performances, etc. It’s done in a mixture of English and Spanish so the whole community can understand.

You can catch the Spanglish show live on the radio if you’re in Chiriqui, but if not they also stream it live over the internet at www.altiva.com/. And if you’re busy on Saturday afternoon it’s usually recorded and uploaded to the website of our sister newspaper, the Noticias Bajareque Times, where you can either stream it or add it to your

podcast playlist for later enjoyment: www.boquete-bajareque-times.

com/. Click on the Podcast Page link in the left navbar .

Also in Boquete is a pure internet broadcaster called Gateway to Panama. Formed by a group of expats, it has a sound studio in downtown Boquete from which they record their show, Window 2 Panama. This is an hour-long show which is recorded each Tuesday. It features interviews with guests from the business and public sectors of Panama and is aimed mainly at people who live outside Panama and are considering moving or visiting. Nevertheless these shows can be quite useful for the residents as well since much of the information is about current events and conditions in Panama.

The show is hosted by Jim Sayers and Elizabeth Worley and engineered by Howard Hill.

It’s not broadcast on radio, but is instead looped and fed continuously

by internet to Miami where it is streamed to the internet. You can listen anytime by going to the website (window2panama.com) and clicking on the “Live Streaming” link.

Gateway has ambitious expansion plans too. They’re trying to get together a fishing/boating/sailing show, a coffee show, and various other programs of local content.

Eventually they hope to fill up their broadcasting day with a plethora of new shows catering to all different interest groups. Of course then they won’t be able to repeat the same show over and over all day so they’re looking to podcasting to provide access to people who can’t catch the shows live or during a scheduled rebroadcast.

All in all it sounds like things are looking up for English-language audio programming in Panama. There’s lots of local talent here and before long we’ll be able to enjoy it almost anywhere and any time.

Continued from P:16English Radio in Panama

to get than petroleum. The motors of many of these cars have been adjusted, or modified, to function with the refined fuel. And it is precisely in Cuba where one can appreciate many of those cars that for us are of collector’s items and for some a ‘rarity’.

Here in Panama, Mr. Jaime Claramun, of Autopista Magazine, kindly shared with us information about these events that were held in previous years. The Classic car club was founded in 1996 and from that time one they have organized trips, exhibitions and Rallies in Panama.

The first Rally was organized together with Costa Rica and they invited cars from all of South America using the Ferry Crucero Express. The participants were 17 cars from Colombia, one from Ecuador, and three from Costa Rica and Panama each. The winner of the event was the Colombian Camilo Steuer with a Porsche 356 from 1957. The road that was used was from Panama City to Bambito the first day and from Bambito to San Jose de second day.

For the year 2000 they resumed the events and increased the number of participants and enthusiasts. They

renew the theme of the Rally and the magazine AUTOPISTA sponsored the event. The result was that the number of members of the club increased to over 100 than actually registered.

In March 2003 was the first Classic Rally, organized by AUTOPISTA, in which sixteen vehicles participated. The winner was Guillermo Ronderos and his sons with a Mercedes from 1965. In October of that same year the first Rally Autopista was held for two hours in Panama City in which 38 participants were entered and the winners were Vicente Recuero and Roider Castrellin, with a Porsche 911 from 1972.

Since then, they have held between one and two rallies every year with 20 and 30 cars in each.

Mr. Claramun mentioned to us that from the beginning of the Rallies they have set up a system in which a book of instructions is used to establish the route that must be followed and which no participant knows in advance. The books consist of photos so that cars without instruments can also participate in the rally. During the route there are set times for each portion and in certain points during the route

there are hidden persons checking those times.

To determine the winner, for each second that one of the cars passes another it accumulates a point. In the end the winner is the one that accumulates the least points during the route. There is also a handicap system which multiplies the final point by 1.XX where XX is the year of the car. For example a Ford A from 1930 multiplies the point by 1.30, while a Ford Mustang from 1970 multiplies by 1.70. The Tourism Rally Chiriquí 2007, which is being held in conjunction with clubs in Costa Rica, is the second of its kind. In the neighboring countries these events occur six times a year and about 80 models participate each time. They even have a championship, informs us Mr. Claramun.

In Mr. C l a r a m u n own words, in addition to the Rally, which is the compet i t i ve part of the event there

will be a meeting with cars of both countries and El Salvador, where we hope that some cars of Chiriquí are included. There has already been some contact made with local participants. To be part of this rally you only have to bring a car older than 1987.

Boquete relives its history and creates new memories with the realization of this event. Locals and foreigners can appreciate the well preserved models of the antique car lovers, some of which are over 20 to 25 years old. Other cars can also be appreciated and are often cheered by many and chosen as winners or favorites.

Congratulations to the organizing group for choosing Chiriquí and especially Boquete for this event which for us is a unique pleasure.

Tourism Rally Chiriquí 2007 Continued from P:5

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100 Autos/

200 Help wanted

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300 Services

RAMON ESKILDSEN. Insurance Adviser. Located in front of Parque Central (Light Blue Building) Do all your specific Insurance needs. We speak fluent English. rresk@hotmail.com (507)720-1099 / (507)6615-0001 WE WILL BACK YOU UPGeneral contractor Nor-theramerican standards. For more information call: Lenny Joyner: 65 30-3053.20 hrs. of JUNGLE TRAILS. Finca la Suiza, Hornito, Alt. 4000 ft. , on the Road to Bocas del Toro. Only 1 hr. by bus from David you will find the most beautiful and easy accessible Jungle trails. Step out of the bus and you are on

the trails. No taxi, no 4 wheel drive and no guide neces-sary. Entrance fee: $ 8.-- p.p, including map. Closed: June, Sept., Oct., Tel. 66153774 between 7pm - 9pm.We import and install vinyl siding. For more information call. Lenny Joyner: 6530-3053

400 Real Estate

for Rent

Two bedroom house apar-tment. Modern, clean and bright. 10 mins. from Bo-quete. $450.00 per month. Call 6574-3677 * hbasko@hotmail.com30ft Airstream trailer for rent. $500/mo.+deposit +mo-ving/set-up costs. Live on-site while your house is being built. 6444-7375 or email gregkirchgessner@hotmail.com. “Will email photos”Three bedroom house. Modern, clean and bright, spectacular view over-looking mountains and Boquete. 10 mins. from town. $900.00 per month. Call 6574-3677 * hbasko@hotmail.com

Three bedroom townhouse in Valle Escondido overloo-king second green. Great views, convenient location,. See www.villa12.info for photos and full details

For Rent: New modern studio apartment in beau-tiful, quiet neighborhood in Volcancito; for single, mature, responsible adult. Long term beginning March 1. Non smoking; no pets. Fully furnished. Direct TV. In-ternet available for small fee. $450.00 per month. Contact Bonnie: 6589-0259 (Boque-te) or bls@cablelan.netOffice for rent in the Main Street of Boquete. 108 sq meters with its own parking spaces. $575.00 per month! Contact: Lisca@panama-yours.com

500 Real Estate

for sale

Boquete Centre View Lot: An Excellent Investment. Only 2 min.from Main St. Suitable for condominiums, townhouses, grand residence, hotel, commer-cial. Titled, Water, Electric-ity. $10,260 sq.mt. Priced at $330,000. Gateway Panama Realty. 774-0092, 6672-5151$ 53,000.00 for 2 HOUSES, clean and simple, 1,295 mts2 lot in Volcán. Contact: Laura Pedreschi at 6613-1863, www.barurealty.com$ 65,000.00 HOUSE, , 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms, 800 mts2 lot in Volcán. Contact: Laura Pedreschi at 6613-1863, www.barure-alty.comSell in Volcan, one lot + - 7,660 sqm. (2 acress) at $10.00 meter. 6613-1863 / 6483-6524

Valle Escondido Villa For Sale. 3 Bedroom 3 bath with Loft, wrap around Terrace, private downstairs entrance. Large room for home gym or 4th bedroom plus extra storage room or maids quarters.Best price per sq ft. in Valle Escondido. 720-239595,000.00 HOUSE, 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom with separate mother-in law apartment, 1,650 mts2 lot in Volcán. Contact: Laura Pedreschi at 6613-1863, www.barurealty.com$325,000 HOUSE, 3 bed-rooms/2 bathrooms plus an apartment or maids quar-ters, very fine house, great neighborhood with gazebo and an established garden in 3,670 mts2 property in Nuevo Bambito. Contact: Laura Pedreschi at 6613-1863, www.barurealty.comFOR SALE: Classic country house 30 minutes from PC on large lake. Please view our website for pictures and details: panamapropertyfor-sale.netFor Sale – Lot in Boquete $25.00 m2 . 2506m2. cel: 6674-1598Beautiful lot in Potrerillos Abajo near The Zapadora, nice area. Good road, water and electric to property. Lovely old growth trees and excellent building sites. 3,000 sq.mt. $30,000. Call 6616-4462 / 6616-5244.$ 45,000.00 LAND, 1.5 hectares, road, electricity, water, creek, close to town of Volcán. Contact: Laura

Pedreschi at 6613-1863 www.barurealty.comHouse for Sale in David. Nice area. For business too. 3 room, 2 bath. 718 sft. For more informations call: 6706-9727FOR SALE 9 year old Ameri-can style home in Potrerillos Arriba, Chiriqui area on 5,000 meters titled property. Private setting with many trees and plants. 25 min-utes from David. Will subdi-vide property if prospective buyer desires house with less land. Call 776-3213 or 6578-2698 to view.Last lot out of 3! 11/2 + HA (3.83 acres). Only at $159K. Terrific views to the endless horizon and Pacific Ocean, year round creek, electric-ity, water. Take a look at Property with ID #:A253 web page: http://www.Panamayours.comFantastic view, new 3 bdrms, 2 Baths, two-story Executive home. Asking $349,500. Gateway Pana-ma Realty 6672-5151.Se vende. ½ hectárea de terreno en Los Naranjos- Boquete. Contactar Sr. Sán-chez. 720-2007 / 230-0420Se vende. Cabaña total-mente amueblada en urban-ización las brisas – altos de boquete. $80,000.00 - Para mas información llamar cels: 6500-9850 / 6622-6387New Custom Home in Alto Boquete. 3 BR/3.5 BA 2 car garage. Walled and gated. 3500 sq ft. View online at http://picasaweb.google.com/xvbeacon/Bo-quete HousesJanuary2007

$365,000. - 6707-4243Jaramillo Abajo: Exceptional view lot 10,200 sq.mt. Ask-ing $18,00/mt. Gateway Panama Realty 6672-5151Jaramillo Abajo: Exceptional view lot 10,200 sq.mt. Ask-ing $18,00/mt. Gateway Panama Realty 6672-5151$ 50,000.00 FARM, 3 plus hectares with house, electricity close by, water, river great for agriculture 45 minutes from Volcán. Contact: Laura Pedreschi at 6613-1863, www.barure-alty.com$304,000.00 BED AND BREAKFAST, 2 houses, next to a river, a club house, very nice environment, 2.2 hectares in Bugaba. Contact: Laura Pedreschi at 6613-1863, www.barurealty.com

600 Miscellaneous

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700Announcements

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Around Panama Photo by R Boyd

PANAMA EAGLE��

English Radio in PanamaBy Staff

Upuntil recently if you wanted to listen to English language radio in

Panama you were pretty much limited to US, Canadian and British stations that streamed their shows over the inter-net. No local content to be found. But things are now changing. Several star-tups in Panama are getting a toehold in the broadcasting market here and pretty soon we can look forward to

lots of English language programming with Panamanian content. Here’s what we came up with after a quick investi-gation:

Seems like Eric Jackson has been around forever. His Panama News just hit the ten-year-old mark and now the gadfly of Panamanian politics has started off on a new venture - a radio show. To quote his website, “The Wappin’ Radio Show is typically about one-quarter talk and three-quarters music. On the talk side of it we bring you the main stories from Panama and usually a little bit longer piece on a major story in the Latin America and Caribbean region. The music is an eclectic mix in some ways reminiscent of the old free form radio in the USA before the corporations took over and segregated it into rigid formats. We mostly play older music with which the Baby Boomer generation grew up and

Ancon Hill -- Symbol of Unity, Symbol of HopeBy: Leila Shelton-Louhi

Amongthe many familiar images of Panama City - symbolic given

their national, historic, patriotic, eco-nomic or ecologic importance A par-ticular national monument, imposing and more ancient than the existence of humanity itself , draws our eyes like a magnet whenever we find ourselves in the city.

This multi-faceted symbol known as Ancon Hill serves as a peaceful backdrop to our daily lives, providing more profound psychological respite from our harried daily lives than we consciously appreciate. It speaks for resilience, a symbolic and real testament to nature’s creative power which demands our respect, and it stands for its particular role in Panama’s history --reinvented over the centuries - and encompassing not only this nation’s relatively short life, but our planet’s immeasurable timespan and its countless varieties of life with which we co-exist and of which we are, but one.

Added to its role as a national park, Ancon Hill is a symbol of hope and

power; calling beyond patriotism to include the unique human story that continues evolving here; demanding its place among the geologic structures that form the Isthmus of Panama and planting in us an inescapable love of this physical place in which we live. By its very shape - evoking images of a human lung - it reminds us of its potency as a symbol of nature and of the importance of preserving that greenery so crucial to purifying our air, and it urges us to meet our commitment to preserve and sustain our mutual well-being.

Over the past three years, Ancon Hill has been transformed into a unifying symbol for Panamanians and others striving for structured development in Panama providing true progress for the nation through wise investments that consider the collective well-being of not only this country’s people and environment, but of the world.

This transformation began when Ancon Hill became the victim of a cynical attempt against its preservation. Citizens, watching out for this quintessentially Isthmanian landmark,

organized to protect it. They gained strength as other groups - battling to maintain a balance between human activities and the necessary limitations to those destroying the environment that sustains us - offered their support, attending rallies such as the annual nature walk, which took place for the third year this past 9th of January.

It is alarming how many green spaces - of equal importance to our physical and mental health - around the entire country of Panama are under attack today. These morally reprehensible, and even criminally censurable, acts include not only damages to the few and small parks in some of the

appreciated as young adults. However, we have elements of Panamanian, Latin American and Caribbean music that were never part of that scene.

Invent a name for the format if you must, but it’s something you won’t find anywhere else on Panamanian radio. Nor, if you are living abroad and are interested in Panama, is our unique mix of talk and music anything like what you will find where you are living.”

The shows started in late October of last year and air twice a week on Radio Libre (870 AM) - Mondays and Fridays at 6-7 pm. The latest show is always available by audio stream on the internet at www.thepanamanews.com/Wappin.html. “Wappin’”, by the way, is Panamanian Spanglish for “What’s happening?”.

First off the mark, however, was the Panama Broadcasting Corporation. Their rather ambitious mission statement (quoting from their web page) states “The Panama Broadcasting Corporation was formed with the

purpose of bringing English language programming to Panamanian Radio and Television. The philosophy is to Inform, Entertain and Educate. The programming has started by securing two hours on Sunday evenings with Radio Metropolis on FM frequency 93.5.” The “Sunday Night at the Metropolis” shows started on the first of October 2006 and are hosted by Gerry D with a mellifluous British accent and with news by John Mack.

They consist of rock ‘n’ roll oldies mixed with news and occasionally

The Spanglish Show on stage at the

Boquete FeriaPhoto By: Staff

Jim Sayers in the sound studio of

Window2PanamaPhoto By: Staff

Continued on P:13

Symbol of Unity-Symbol of HopePhoto By: R. Boyd

Continued on P:12

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