The National System of Civil Protection (SINAPROC) has issued a high tide warning for the Pacific Coast of Panama. Tides randing from 15.6 ft to 17.7 ft will hit the Panamanian Pacific Coast Thursday May 23 and continue until Tuesday May 31.

In combination with exssesive rainfall the high tides may result in increased water levels in rivers and streams. Incresed water levels in areas vulnerable to flooding should be reported. SINAPROC urges those effected to report by calling the free hotline at *355.

Information from: SINAPROC

Sunday May 19, Panamanian athlete Cesar Barria became the first Panamanian to swim the 19.5 kms from Panama City to Taboga Island. 

Barria began competing in ultra distance swimming events after loosing the lower half of his right leg in 2003. Barria’s first swimming challenge came in 2008 when he crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. Over the past five years Barria has taken on several long distance swims in hopes of inspiring other special needs athletes.

Panama Coast International School secondary students are preparing for the upcoming presentation of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.  The play, for mature audiences, is a hilarious twist to the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tales that is sure hit your funny bone.  The show will be held at Picasso Bar and Restaurante on May 24th at 6pm. 

Picasso will offer drink specials from 5pm and a set dinner menu after the show including a chicken caesar salad or espahgetinni primavera, homemade keylime pie, and coffee. 

Tickets are $4 and dinner is $10. Please make reservations in advance by contacting the school ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). 

Sunday May 12 brought an end to the ISA world surfing games in Santa Catalina. Panama placed 5^th in the competition, securing their spot in 2014 ISA China Cup invitational. The ISA China cup will be held in the Hainan Province of China, in January 2014.

The games were a huge success for team Panama and our hometown surfer Oli. Oli placed 2^nd winning a silver medal in the men’s Open Category. This was the first time Panama has won a medal in an ISA competition.

The games go on in Santa Catalina, as yesterday opened the 2013 Alas Reef Classic Panamá. Over the next few days the best surfers from all over Latin America will come together to compete in the following categories: Mens Open, Ladies, Juniors and Longboard Open.

For those of us who have had an opportunity to use Windows 8, I’m sure we can agree that our primary sentiment is overwhelmingly, frustration.  But, if you can hold out for a couple of months, serious relief from Microsoft is on the way.

 As I wrote in an earlier article, Windows 8 suffers from an identity crisis.  Since it is designed for both the tablet/mobile environment as well as the PC/Desktop environment, it leaves most users confused as to how to do something as simple as turn their devices off.  In my personal opinion, I don’t consider the operating system a flop per se, because it’s actually pretty smart – especially if you have touch capabilities built into your device. 

Another Spay clinic will be held on Thursday May 30th in Gorgona.

PAL is in need of volunteers to be apart of the clinic. As this clinic falls on a Thursday many of the regular volunteers are unable to attend. Please contact PAL as soon as possible if you are willing and able to help by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The clinic will take place in Gorgona from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or until the last operation is completed.

The national government has announced a new schedule for air conditioner cuts today, Wednesday May 15:

Public and private institutions, schools, colleges and universities that do not have self-generation plant equipment should turn off their air conditioners from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm. Malls should keep their air conditioners off from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

(http://www.311.gob.pa/)

Playacommunity is working hard to keep you on your toes - We’ve changed the Playacommunity Mixer date to May 29th at 5:00 p.m. This month's mixer will be an evening mixer held at Picasso Bar & Restaurante. Picasso will be serving up a great new menu option, the Ensalada Playera (beach salad). The main course will be a choice veggie curry or spaghetti bolonesa. And for desert, the famous Picasso brownie.

For only $15.00, enjoy this 3-course meal plus one free glass of wine, beer, iced tea or a mixed drink. Picasso is offering a 10% discount on the menu package for those who RSVP before Monday May 20th at 12:00 p.m. This price includes the jubilado discount.

RSVP to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 345-3777. Picasso is located inside the Coronado gates on Ave. Roberto Esienmann across from the fire station. We look forward to seeing you on the LAST Wednesday of May at 5:00 p.m. at Picasso Bar & Restaurante!

The Punto G grand re-opening has been Rescheduled to Saturday, May 18.

Punto G has moved to a new location.  They are now located across the highway between Asados Del Campo and California Burger.  In case you didn't know, Punto G Electronics is the premier electronics store not only in the Coronado Beach area, but in the entire country.  They cater primarily to North Americans in need of computers with English keyboards and Operating Systems, computer repairs and/or unique computer accessories.  In addition, they offer in-home service and repairs.  Many of the items they sell would be difficult to find even in some of the most popular electronics stores in the U.S.A.  All of their staff speaks English, and their customer service is unparalleled!  The ex-pat owner and Lead Technician, Vera Bucek, is a Native New Yorker, and has a degree in Information Systems, is A+ Certified to perform computer repairs, and has over 35 years of experience in computer repair and technical support.  In addition, Vera is working on, and will soon receive her Apple Technician Certification.

Yesterday, Tuesday May 7 2013, Panama’s cabinet approved a resolution to relieve the recent energy crisis caused by the lack of rain in Panama. The Cabinet had initially discussed the closure of schools and universities for three days, in order to reduced power usage.  

The final resolution came to also include the closure of supermarkets, cinemas, bars, casinos and nightclubs, Monday through Thursday from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This effort to reduce power consumption will come into effect today, Wednesday May 8 2013.

As off today it is also ordered that air conditioners in public offices and the commercial sector are turned off between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Government of Panama and the Center for Citizen Attention have opened up a new channel of communication. 3-1-1 is a single access number where you can file complaints and reports. 3-1-1, unlike 9-1-1 is not for emergency calls, it is a call center where complaints, notices and suggestions can be processed.

With citizen involvement and the 3-1-1 system the government seeks to resolve problems related to infrastructure, health, society, economy, education, security, weather and politics.

Today (May, 4 2013) brings the start to 2013 ISA Reef World Surfing Games (WSG) in Santa Catalina, Panama. For nearly 10 days surfers from more then 20 countries will compete in one of the biggest surfing events in the world.  This is the 4th ISA event hosted by Panama, last year the ISA WSG was held in Playa Venao.

The event will be inaugurated today with Opening Ceremonies and a Parade of Nations. At 10:00 a.m. this morning teams will meet for the Sand Ceremony. Competing countries have brought sand from their home breaks; the mixing of the sand symbolizes a shared love for the sport, and the unity of all 20 nations.

A few months ago Jerry Dodson walked into the Playacommunity office. Jerry told us the heart-wrenching story of how him and his wife battled illnesses fighting for their retirement here in Panama. Their story and the support it has garnered touched us all.

Marj and Jerry made the decision to move to Panama in 2009. To their dismay 2010 brought a whirlwind of medical complications. In February of 2010 Marj was diagnosed with two types of cancer. Jerry, who was recovering from a stroke at the time, expressed to us how thankful he was that friends and family offered their support. Jerry was able to recover.

Three-time Grammy Award winner, Damian Marley preformed at the Figali on April 27, 2013. Three Panamanian acts, including a reggae roots band called Cellula, had their time to shine before the son of the great Bob Marley took the stage.

Cellula has roots in the Pacific Beach community. Their bass player Cesar Paniagua lives in Gorgona, and has played with many musicians in the community.

When Clyde Coles first moved to Panama with his wife he was really uncomfortable living in a house with bars on the windows.  Being a firefighter and paramedic for 30 in Texas, according to him “bars on the windows are a death trap.”  “There’s no way for us to get out and no way for a firefighter to get in to rescue the inhabitants should a fire occur.”  And when everyone he met assured him that “houses here can’t burn since they’re all made of cement,” he knew he needed to clear up some misconceptions.  

But first a visit to a local fire station was in order to see just what they do have to offer here.  At the bombero station in Chame, he was greeted by two male firemen who were proud to show him around.  They explained that the two of them staffed the fire station in Chame and it was equipped with a rescue truck that can hold 300 gallons of water. Clyde was impressed that the rescue truck also has a “jaws of life” which is used to rescue victims out of wrecked cars.  They also mentioned that the Coronado station has a tanker truck and San Carlos has a pumper.  The three stations work together during large fires.