Franco Getzy’s final studio sale will take place Saturday March 30th 2013, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Studio Iguana. The studio is located at the Golden Frog Inn, in El Valle. Franco was a talent artist loved by many. His original and unique works of art will all be sold at this event.

Franco’s three friendly, loving cats are also in need of a home. Currently they reside at the Golden Frog inn where Franco’s art will be displayed. The inn is offering a reduced monthly rate on a ‘cat lover’s casita.’The casita will be rented For $275.00 a month to someone who will care for the cats while living there. 

For more information on the studio sale, or rental offer contact the Golden Frog Inn at 6529-3844.

Every man dreams of finding the perfect wife. A woman who can cook, sew, clean and tend to his every need. She would be beautiful, a bit naïve and have eyes only for her master, the king of her castle. But in the event that fate doesn’t send one his way perhaps a man could create his own?

This is the premise behind Moliere’s play, “The School For Wives.” Presented by The Theatre Guild Of Ancon this light-hearted comedy is a modern adaptation of the play originally staged in 1662.

A group of more than a dozen Canadian and American expats living in Panama have come together to create the Panama Cohousing Village. It is the reinvention of the village our North American and European grandparents lived in, and now have revived in North America. A Village offers security as well as a connected and supportive environment in which to enjoy life with friends now and to give and receive support as we age.

Panama Cohousing Village will be a mixed age community of up to 25 individually owned homes, a large pool complex, gardening space and a large common house which serves as the cornerstone of the village.

Yesterday (Monday 18th, 2013) the first of a two part class on first aid/cpr was held at Loco's in Gorgona. Approx. 20 people came out for the class from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Loco's served lunch items from a special menu for attending guests. On Wednesday March 20th 2013 at 12:00 p.m. Loco's will be hosting the 2nd part of the CPR class. They will once again be serving food from a special lunch menu for those in attendance.

Vecinos Vigilantes would like to thank the community for their donations at the first event. They would also like to thank Perry McMullin for his demonstration.

The luck of the Irish was upon us as we searched for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow at CASA’S St. Patrick’s Day Party. Some green beer and punch, lots of munchies and 50 some gringos all pretending to be Irish, made for a lively afternoon.

Sponsored by CASA (Coronado Area Social Association) the afternoon social reunited old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a while, along with the chance to make new ones. As usual Louise welcomed the guests with open arms encouraging all to make themselves at home under her bohio.

One of the best things about Panama is that there are a lot of great destinations not far off the Pan American Highway. Considering most of the highway is relatively easy to drive (minus the radar-detecting police and a short stretch on the other side of Santiago), it’s an easy task to find places to visit.

My family of three decided that we needed another road trip under our belt and chose to visit the islands in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Boca Chica being the main town in the area (think south of David if looking at a map). Boca Chica is very small, about 300 people, located about 20 minutes off the highway – and we were delighted to find the road from the highway is fully paved. The town lies right on the Pacific water and is the gateway to the islands.

Last week, 25 PCIS secondary students participated in the area's first ever water polo tournament.  After months of training with John Leet, volunteer coach and retired water-polo champion, students were divided into four teams for the final face off! With parents and staff cheering them on, each team cooperated with single-handed passes to score goals while treading water. They were shriveled and exhausted, but content in the end.  Fun was had by all! Coach Leet continues to support the PCIS physical education program at the elementary level.  Thank you to the Heises for loaning their beautiful pool for this event!

By now it’s old news that Panama is one of the top 5 retirement destinations in the world.
 
Most folks already know that Time Magazine rated Panama as the #1 place to visit, Yahoo called Panama a top country worldwide for investment, our booming economy positioned us as the #1 country in Central America for economic growth last year.
 
Panama’s visitors and residents alike have known for years that the country has something for everyone: from the variety of nightlife, shopping and dining choices in Panama City, to the quiet bird-filled skies of mountain towns such as Chica, El Valle, Boquete or Cerro Punta, or an escape to the secluded, unspoiled beaches.   It’s common knowledge that Panama offers the best of all worlds.

If you haven’t been to Loco’s Backyard Grill in Gorgona since its grand opening last August, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

Owners David and Stephanie have not sat still in the last seven months. Building on their foundation of fresh tasty food, budget-friendly prices, great service, and a welcoming ambiance, the result today is something quite different from its more humble beginnings.

What started as a simple space with a few tables is now a welcoming garden atmosphere, with a bamboo fence topped with recycled wine bottles lining the backyard; new plants and vines that cascade across the property; fresh paint and planters on the walls; and bamboo lights that now dangle from the treetops to shimmer upon the backyard tables. 

David has also begun construction on a new stage (with lighting) that will be unveiled this coming Thursday for their Six String Shootout night (a meeting of the great guitarists in the area).  The stage will be used in the future for other live music and as a dance floor. 

The suitcase found at the scenic overlook at Altos de Campana National Park has been confirmed to hold the remains of Ed Moyan.

 The case of Ed Moyan, a Canadian, that has been missing since November 8th, has now progressed to a homocide investigation.

 For further details link to panama-guide.com at:  http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20130311125351760

 Our deapest sympathies to the Moyan family.

The Neighborhood Watch of Gorgona is offering some free services to help raise safety awareness in the Pacific beach area. A personal self defense class is set to take place twice a week starting Thursday March 14th at 9:30 a.m. in the Coronado Golf building. A ‘home security & area awareness’ inspection is available by appointment, and a first aid class is coming soon.

Neighborhood Watch held a public meeting the morning of Friday march 8th at La Ruina to explain what each service would offer.

A little friendly rivalry took place Friday night, under the stars in Gorgona, as the National Police challenged the Citizens of Gorgona in basketball. The game started despite the fact that the citizens didn’t show up. So the gringo expats suited up and played much of the game before the citizens arrived in time to play the fourth quarter.

The music for the game was provided from the trunk of a car that featured a large sound system and blue strobe lights. Frank, the owner of La Ruina Restaurant was the announcer for the game, keeping everyone informed of the score in both Spanish and English. Paul a fellow expat acted as the referee to keep things honest throughout the evening.

A skeleton found in a suitcase might be the remains of missing Canadian Ed Moynan. Ed went missing from the Coronado area Thursday, 8 November 2012. Workers discovered the suitcase in the scenic overlook at Altos de Campana National Park. DNA testings are currently being conducted to confirm identity.

Ed Moynan's car was found in the parking lot of a shopping mall in La Chorrera in mid-January.

Full article at Panama Guide.

Picasso is a popular spot in Coronado. Great events are constantly on the menu, along with a very popular Happy hour every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. onwards. Picasso has brick oven pizzas on the menu and some tasty cold teas you won't find anywhere else in the Pacific beach area. Stop by on a Saturday night for live music! 

Inside Picasso you will find the Zen Corner, where you can pick up some locally handcrafted goods. One Sunday a month Picasso hosts the Community Market. To find out when this month's community market will be held check the Playacommunity events!