On September 14 I will be retired here in Dolega for three years. Being an amateur astronomy, I built by roll-off roof observatory which houses an 8 inch Meade telescope. My first observatory I built in Palm Bay, Fl and lived in Brevard County for 34 years. I just came on the web site today and don't know how to send photos yet. Since every who lives in Panama knows about the wet season, the observatory is open through the dry season. Just require a date so I can prepair the program because of the monthly changes of the sky which will save time and can observe more objects. You can contact me at: edcase42@hotmail.com or call at 776-1421 but if you call, I won't be home and someone will take the message. I live in my observatory. Yes, sleep there and the computer and internet is there also. My hobbies, of course, astronomy, photography, coin collecting and still write Space Shuttle mission reports for the New Zealand Spaceflight Assoc. Would love to hear from anyone on any of these subjects or anything you would like to talk about. If in Dolega, we can have coffee unless it is in the afternoon and might have a Soberana. Thanks to Panama Guide for the chance to give this information out. Ed Case

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - More feedback and information regarding Spanish language classes available for foreigners at the University of Panama. This, from Nancy Armock who is started classes last night: "Don, Just a little feedback on one of the Spanish classes at U of P. The class schedule hasn't changed, the professor seems to be very good, a text book is being used and no single nationality dominates the attendees. In fact, my class is very international with Austrian, Yugoslavian, Russian, French, American and Canadian nationals attending. As an added plus it turns out that I know a few people in the class. Seems to be a normal University class and first class was very productive. Nancy" Also Irina, who runs the Panama Social Calender website, wrote the following: "As some of you already know, the University of Panama Spanish classes have started this week. I've posted the schedule here. Just a note: This is the schedule that I got from the administration of the Language Center. It's very possible that the professors' schedule could differ from that of the Language Center :-) Don't ask why... it's Panama :-) Irina" The University of Panama Spanish class option seems like it works well for many, and it might be an interesting option for you. Now I wonder how much of the institutional culture will rub off on these two ladies. Do you think we will see them out there blocking streets and trading rocks for tear gas with the cops during the next demonstrations? Well, they will probably cover up their faces - it's hard to tell who's who.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Recently on the Americans in Panama Yahoo email group several people have been discussing options and availability of Spanish language classes for foreigners taught at the University of Panama. The cost is $140 "normal" price per semester with a $21 discount for anyone who qualifies for a retiree or pensionado discount. The reviews are a mixed bag and the effectiveness of the instruction depends on the professor. The classes are used extensively be Chinese nationals. Books and materials are questionable, and you might end up making photocopies from the professor's textbook (a common practice in Panamanian universities.) What follows is a compilation of advice and recommendations from several people who have taken these classes. Credit for the info goes to Nancy, Irina, Ronaldo, and Scoob. I didn't even know these classes existed, and it might be a good option for someone who has a lot of time and a tight budget. (more)

La Critica - The Panamanian First Lady Vivian Fernández de Torrijos rejected a decision made by Panama's Education Minister Salvador Rodríguez to suspend contracts for the reconstruction of 70 "rancho" schools in various places around the country. The First Lady Vivian Fernández de Torrijos said the Education Minister should "better inform himself" before making a decision of this type, which affects the education of boys and girls from families with limited economic resources. In response Rodríguez justified the decision, saying it was taken to limit costs for these projects through a reduction of the costs of building materials. The wife of president Martin Torrijos argued that the increase in the prices of materials and logistical problems related to transporting these materials to areas that are difficult to access has caused an increase in the bottom line for costs of these kinds of projects. The reconstruction of these improvised educative centers form part of the project "Farm Schools for Quality Schools" being promoted by the Office of the First Lady.

Durham College Panama, a Canadian educational institution, is Panama’s premier school for Spanish language courses. Our professional approach emphasizes a relaxed environment, manageable classes, and friendly interaction with teachers highly qualified in Spanish language instruction. We want to give you all the skills to pursue your many interests. Let us show you where Durham College Panama can take you. Our program consists of 5 modules, each module consisting of 30 hours of instruction. Each student will have full access to Rosetta Stone Spanish Language Lab software, an added value not offered by any other Spanish school in Panama. (more)

By Catherine Conkle for University of Virginia Today - For nine University of Virginia Environmental Thought and Practice students, spring break this semester did not include a break from their studies. Instead, it provided an opportunity to further explore their major by observing sustainable development efforts under way in Panama. The fourth-year students made the trip as a complement to their "Environmental Decisions" course and as part of the University's Panama Initiative, which began this semester. The initiative is an academic partnership to promote teaching and research collaboration between U.Va. and the Panamanian organization City of Knowledge. It represents a joint effort by the faculty in the Department of Environmental Sciences, the Environmental Thought and Practice program and the School of Medicine. (more)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - For the last two days about half of the news reporting in Panama has been talking about the screwed up state of affairs of the Panamanian public schools. Classes started yesterday and there has been a steady stream of news camera video showing schools in poor condition, broken toilets, bathrooms, roofs falling in, etc. In several schools teachers have gone out on strike to protest the poor conditions. Panama's Minister of Education has been making the rounds, promising fixes and repairs. That's what they say every year. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of dollars (if not millions) have been misappropriated from government funds that are supposed to be going for exactly these repairs. When are they going to start throwing people in jail (I mean, a lot of people) for this never-ending government corruption crap? Hire more investigators - they will pay for themselves with the money they prevent from being stolen.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Well, I called it. Today is the first day of the new school year in the Republic of Panama, and every year on this there is widespread chaos and pandemonium throughout the land. Parents are forced to break out of their "summertime" routine to get their kids up, dressed, fed, and out the door with their brand new #2's all ready to go. They all hop into the car to drive to school and on the way they run into traffic jams - other parents and kids doing the exact same thing. Many kids ride to school in private school buses and on the first day of school the drivers have to figure out their clients and routes. No one wants to be late so they are in a rush, resulting in a rash of fender-benders. So as predicted right now at 7:20 am on Monday morning gridlock reigns in Panama City. Take your time and relax. Within two or three days the kinks will worked out.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By ROB GEBHART - Daily American Staff Writer - Aurelio Fernandez flew from the tropical country of Panama to the frigid hills of western Pennsylvania last January. He'd been under the impression that all of the United States was a city, so he was in for a quite a surprise when he finally saw Somerset. But after living here for almost a year, he has come to love the town and the many friends he has made. Aurelio is a foreign-exchange student from Panama City. He is taking classes with the senior class at Somerset Area High School and living with a host family, Sandy and Rick Kimmel of Somerset. Aurelio traveled to America with the assistance of the program Pro-American Educational And Cultural Exchange, which goes by the acronym PEACE. It's a Christian organization that specializes in U.S.-Latin America placements. (more)