One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Education, especially homeschool education, has changed significantly over the past few decades. Many parents living in foreign countries find it necessary to homeschool their children; this is the option for many expatriate families living and working in Panama especially those who have chosen to live along the Pacific Coast.  Gorgona resident Kathy Kress, an experienced international teacher, decided to open a local school for families seeking a high-quality English education with an emphasis on Panamanian culture and language.   Hence, Neuvo Gorgona is now the home of Panama Coast International School (PCIS).

Kathy’s teaching career of 25 years has included all levels of education from Kindergarten through adult education. She has been involved in four international schools. One was in China, where she was part of a group of American teachers who spent a year organizing, planning and opening a new international school.  Panama Coast International School (PCIS) is her first solo endeavor.

When I mentioned to my real estate agent that I wanted a company who could offer property management services, he recommended Caunter E. Hijos Administraciones de Panama.   We visited their offices one day and I met the owners,  Nelly Caunter and her daughter Susan.   Right away I knew I would be in good hands.   They have been in business for over ten years, are experienced in what they do,  and are very professional.   They are from Panama and are completely fluent in Spanish and English.   They go far beyond what a normal property management service does.  They are always available to handle any issue or problem,  visit all properties they manage on a regular basis,  and check each time that everything is in proper order.

Tao, the son of a surfer from Palmar, is an awesome success story from Finca La Maya. When he first arrived at the age of 4, it was obvious that Tao had tons of talent. However, he was so hyperactive that he could not concentrate to finish his projects.

Through Finca La Maya’s free Art Classes and help from his family, Tao learned to use his energy as an advantage when creating his projects. With lots of inspiration from the teachers and students around him, Tao further developed his talents and now is a diligent worker, which is a skill he will need all of his life. Though once Tao could not concentrate to finish a project, he now looks forward to Art Class every week so he can make and complete a creation of his own.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Certainly the best known of the red wines. The ‘cab’ is from the Medoc region of Bordeaux in France and these wines age particularly well. Cabs are now equally important in California as well as most of the wine regions of the world.  They are high in tannin and the better wines have a blackcurrant nose and flavour and are rich. It is this which usually what makes the drinker enjoy or dislike cabs. To mollify this taste many vintners blend the Cabernet Sauvignon with the milder Merlot grape. (the Merlot grape also grows in Bordeaux). In Australia cabs are blended with the Syrah grape for the same reason.

Ahamed Hassan had his first contact with the world of painting in elementary school when his teacher, a fine arts graduate, introduced him to his work. From that moment, Ahamed was taken by the idea of becoming an artist himself, and passed many class hours sketching and drawing in his notebooks.

After graduation, Ahamed filled his spare hours in between various jobs painting and learning how to paint. His grandmother encouraged Ahamed’s art and recognized his natural talent for painting.  With her support, at the age of 22, Ahmad enrolled in the Cocle Fine Arts School.  “Studying art is not cheap”, says Ahmed, “My grandmother’s help made my dreams come true”. Ahamed graduated with a Fine Arts Degree at the age of 25.

Ahamed is now a seasoned artist. “I paint with different mediums, but I most prefer to work with oils. My favorite theme is the Panamanian indigenous culture, on which I am currently doing an extensive. I keep working on this topic with new resources and technologies and new ideas. Every time I have a new idea, I visit the places and immerse myself in the details. Then I look for means and the medium to bring the idea to life”.

This is a recipe is from a Panamanian Cookbook called Cocina Panameña, available in bookstores and libraries in Panama, distributed by Distribuidora Lewis. Email distributor at : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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This is a very nutritional dish. if you want to start the day with  energy, have fresh corn patties for breakfast.

Vicente Guzmán

Ingredients:
-1 lb. ground garden fresh corn
-¼ cup milk
-1 tsp. salt
-1 egg
-2 tsp. baking soda
-2 tbs. sugar
-1 cup fresh white pressed cheese
-2tbs. butter

The Beach Business Alliance is printing a double sided tourist map to cover Coronado and the surrounding areas. The map, showing local roads and landmarks will be surrounded by business card size advertisements from local businesses, the locations of which could be pinned on map co-ordinates. Local businesses have been rapidly confirming spots on the map which is to go for printing by the end of next week. We currently have only 13 advertiser spots available.

Each spot costs $250, and each advertiser will receive 300 copies per spot to give away to clients or sell, as they please. Deadline for ads is Monday, October 20, 2008.

If you would like your business presence on the map, act quickly and contact:

Marcie Collins,  6765-1865, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or
Jamuna Burry, 6619-0334, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to see a pdf version of spots available and a draft mock-up of the map.

As of August 26, 2008, Panamanian Immigration Authorities are requesting parental consent (in Spanish) and other documentation for minors traveling outside Panama.  These documents should be presented at any exit port, either by air, land or sea.

This new requirement applies to minors who are nationals or residents of Panama, not foreigners.  Minors holding dual citizenship (Panamanian-U.S. citizens) are considered nationals for the purpose of this requirement.  Requirements follow:

Last week on October 11, El Valle held a first annual Eco-Fair. This event organized by the  la Cooperativa en Formación Valle Verde, was held with the purpose of collecting funds to support the First Ecological Brigade in El Valle.

The Brigade, made up of children from elementary schools in El Valle was formed to create an awareness of the environment and the protection of nature.

Carlos Celis, President of the Cooperativa en Formación Valle Verde, spoke of the importance for children to learn to love and be conscious of their environment, so that the awareness can be passed on to their friends, families and future generations. The children will receive an education in litter, contamination, recycling and learn how these things effect the environment. Practicle workshops will also be created for kids to learn art using recycled materials.