Merry Christmas!  Coronado Bible Church would like to invite you to come join us for a Christmas celebration on two Sundays, December 13 and 20 at 10:30 AM.  Our minister, Pastor Tim Keim, will be delivering an inspirational Christmas message on Dec. 13 along with special Christmas music.  CBC will continue their celebration that afternoon with a “Christmas in Paradise” potluck.

On Sunday, December 20, Mr. Don Dupree will continue the Christmas spirit with a message titled “God Will Provide the Lamb”.  Please come and celebrate the birth of Christ in song, prayer, and message on both of these Sundays.

It was at least 90 degrees outside and I could hear them coming before I saw them. A sea of red and white and the sound of drums louder than I had ever heard. The annual Coronado Christmas Parade happened this past Saturday, December 5. Beginning at the Fire Station in Coronado and making its way down Punta Prieta to the Golf Club.

To start the parade there was the Esquela Las Lajas. The young girls of 5 or 6, were in the front marching along wearing white T-shirts with poinsettias on the front and red skirts. Behind them came the drummers and the baton twirlers. It was different to see all the parents walking along with the kids rather than everyone standing on the side of the street watching.

Panama has lots of unique gifts to enjoy here or to send, or carry,  "back home" for the holidays. Here is a short list of places in Panama City where you can find unique and not especially pricey gifts to delight and impress starting with the Casco Viejo Flea Market and winding through the city. Shopping for that special item can be an adventure with treasures at the end.

 

 

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of watching over 45 kids from the San Carlos community take over Finca La Maya 's art class by storm.  It was the "Annual Gingerbread Decorating Contest".This marked yet another year end for Finca La Maya 's Saturday community program which consists of English Classes, Computer Classes and Art Classes for anyone that would like to attend.
 
The participants ranged in ages from 3-15 years of age.  Children and teens from all over the playa community were in attendance.  Thanks to a few Coronado residents there were even a few participants that came from as far as the Penonome Orphanage.

The celebration of motherhood is as old as human culture. The United Kingdom has celebrated a “Mum’s Day” since the 16^th century. Even older are the celebration of Cybele, a mother of Greek gods in first Greece and then Rome before the time of Christ. However, a specific “Mother’s Day” for most of the world dates back to the USA and one Anna Jarvis in Grafton, West Virginia. She promoted a day to honor mothers and motherhood within the context of the family and family relationships.

 

It is sad to say that when Mother’s Day in the USA passed into law and then became commercialized Ms. Jarvis disowned it as a “Hallmark Holiday.” Nevertheless a specific Mother’s Day holiday spread world wide, usually being marked on a day significant to the local culture.

 

This is how Panama ended up with its celebration of Mother’s Day on December 8^th, sort of.

What better Health and Wellness tip to start with but one that I challenges me the most - Water.

 "You should drink 8-10 glasses of water a day"  oh my.  I have tried, I have gagged and I have forced it down my throat but after 3 glasses I need some flavour/flavor.  All my life this has been a huge challenge for me.  I know the benefits, I know why we should be drinking water and that all makes sense and I get it!  However brussel sprouts are good for you too and there is no way I am putting even one of those in my mouth.

Reminiscent of the drawings of Dr. Zeuss, the Frank Gehry-designed "Bridge of Life" BioMuseo is under construction on Panama's Amador Causeway. The building, without a single ninety degree angle in site, has been in the works since 2004 with an original completion date of 2006. Now, with a September 2010 completion date scheduled for the building and September 2011 date for completion of exhibits the BioMuseo is giving tours of the construction site.

On a rainy Friday afternoon I took the tour along with a dozen others. Starting in the visitor center, the staff presented an overview of the museum's purpose, unique construction, and progress. Then we donnned hard hats and vests to explore the world of Frank Gehry. Located between the Pacific and Panama Bay the museum will have a gorgeous view of the city and ships passing in and out of the Panama Canal.

 

Luis Concepcion retained his WBA Flyweight Title with a Knockout in the Forth Round at Roberto Duran Arena in Panama City last night. As noted in our article, "From the Streets of Panama to a Boxing Title," Conception got his start by winning a contest put on by a local TV station. The prize for winning "The Contender" was to be trained by the WBA and it paid off as last night's bout demonstrated.

Well known Panama beach community insurance Broker Hernando Vasquez has moved to a new office in Coronado. VIP Insurance is now located in the Rincon del Chef plaza, right next door to Playacommunity’s new office. Hernando, who has been selling insurance in Panama for 20 years offers property, health, auto, travel and life insurance for personal and commercial clients.

Roadrunner is a new company based close to Coronado with an aim to provide a complete and Professional Transportation Service incorporating a Same Day or Next Day Collection and Delivery Service into and out of Panama City and between the local areas, and secondly a Private Secure Transportation Service to the Airport and the City, aimed at both the local residents and also for those travelling into Panama, ensuring security, professionalism and efficiently is provided as standard....

Roadrunner Delivery and Collection Service & Roadrunner Secure Personal Transport...

In 2008 Fundación Gramo Danse initiated its Danzárea dance project in El Chorrillo. With scholarships for classes in modern dance, areal ballet, classical ballet, choreography, physical conditioning, and improvisation for both 2008 and 2009 provided by local sponsors children have been learning to dance. Now, at the end of the year Fundación Gramo Danse is presenting recitals by these children on Fri Dec 4 in El Chorrillo from 3 to 4 pm at the Gimnasion Kiwanas and Sat Dec 5 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at Gimnasio Power Club on Avenida 12 de Octubre.

The work of Cesar Menendez, a Salvadoran artist born in 1954, is on display at the Imagen Galeria on Calle 50 in Panama City, one block past El Rey on the left.

 

The Coronado Bible Church enjoyed a record attendance as 48 people attended on Sunday, November 15th.  This surpassed the previous record attendance of 42 established just two weeks earlier.  Clearly you could sense the enthusiasm and excitement in the room.
 
Pastor Tim brought a message on moving Forward Through Faith and also sang a special from the beautiful grand piano in the restaurant of Hotel Coronado.  Mims Esberg led the worship music.  This message was the culmination of a weekend where the church met in small groups in homes of the members to discuss their dreams for what God can accomplish through the church. 

The Coronado Social Association had their second annual Craft and Bake Sale this past Saturday, November 14 at the Equestrian Club in Coronado. Though a different venue from last year the display of crafts and baked goods was still as impressive. The outdoor venue gave a different feel to this years show while bringing us some of our favorite vendors from last year and some new faces as well. The wonderful thing about this show is that you just never know what you are going to be able to find, and there were treasures aplenty!!

One of my favorite booths was the CSA themselves. Someone had the great idea of recycling old vinyl albums into bowls!! And they looked really great!! They also recycled coconuts into these wonderful little penguins that would make a great addition to anyone's terrace. They also of course provided baked goods, all donated, where the funds went towards purchasing gift baskets for Christmas for local families with disabled family members. And of course there was the sale of the now infamous Calendar Girls Calendar for $10. It was quite interesting to watch several purchasers go around the fair and obtain signatures of each of the ladies who participated!!

Roberto Reid was born in Panama. He went to the USA where he served in the US army and attended graduate school. Mr. Reid came back to Panama to retire. When he returned to Panama he thought about the era around when he grew up, the 1930’s to 1950’s and realized that there was not much written or recorded about that era. Especially there was not much written about his people, the “silver roll people.”