Casco, Unesco, disappearing coins and eateries
OUT AND ABOUT
with Lourdes Quijada
Panama will soon be the home of Latin America’s first Waldorf Astoria which will be located in the entertainment district near Calle Uruguay.
The newly built Panamera hotel will be renamed Waldorf Astoria Panama, and will be under the management of Hilton Worldwide.
The news comes from Capital.com. pa which says it is within walking distance of Calle Uruguay, but their announcement goes a little off track with some of its other information which disregards the current traffic snarls and the battle between the government and Unesco over Casco’s future as an historic heritage site.
Capital.com says: the hotel is just 20 minutes from the world famous Panama Canal and no more than 10 minutes from the historic city center known as Casco Viejo, which has won recognition from the United Nations Organization for Culture and Education (Unesco) as an historical heritage of mankind"
DISAPPEARING PENNIES
Panama followed Canada in creating a $1 coin. In Canada it is known as the loonie(after the bird on one side) In Panama the Balboa coin which was minted in Canada is commonly called a Martinelli,
Now Canada, on the verge of giving the final stamp of approval to a free trade agreement with Panama, has announced the upcoming abolition of the one cent coin. It apparently costs 1.6 cents to mint each coin. Will Panama follow suit?
… AND RESTAURANTS
Running a restaurant is no easy task, and for every new one that appears with high hopes, another dies.
At one time Madame Changs in the "pink zone" was a favored dining spot for the in crowd, and those who just like good Chinese food and a pleasing ambience. Now it has gone, and the building has been torn down. Oldies, on Calle 39 in Bella Vista, was the home of Panama's best collection of golden oldies played non stop on nearly 40 screens. Now the doors have closed and rumors of a relocation on Via Argentina have not materialized. Also gone from Calle 39, is the French Quarter with its taste of New Orleans and an elegant setting.
The Markeplace has moved and the famed Rinos on Federico Boyd will be moving early in the new year when the old building is demolished.
With the roadworks in Casco Viejo making life difficult for residents and visitors three businesses have closed and some restaurants are feeling the pinch, but the local community is working to provide support and counting the days to the end of the Oderbrecht project.
FOR YOUR DIARY
The CanadaPLUS Club, arguably the most active social group in Panama, and open to people of all nationalities including Panamanians, has a full calender ahead.
On September 17-19 it will be presenting three performances of Last Call at Chez Mort, as the first of its Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre series at the Magnolia Inn in Casco Viejo. Rehearsals are under way and the killer evening will give members of the audience the chance to show their detecting skills. There will be a difernet menu each night.
October 8 is Canadian Thanksgiving Day which will be celebrated at the the Union Club with turkey and all the trimmings, entertainment and dancing. It's open to members and all who wish to share in the celebration, but tickets will be limited. Last year the event was oversold. (Reservations: clubcanadaplus@gmail.com )
November 12 marks the annual celebration of the return of the "snowbirds" from northerrn climes.Welcome Back Snowbirds will be at Bella Gianna, in El Cangrejo. The event was a hoot last year, so look for more of the same
December 16: CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT at Panama Pacifico. This is an event for all the family and targeted at raising money for five charities. You won't want to miss it. It will also be the location for the drawing of the grand tombola prize for two return tickets on Copa's direct flight to Toronto, plus a weekend at a hotel. Tickets for the Tombola will be on sale at all of the listed events and there will be a draw at each for additional prizes.
