FIRST ANNUAL BOCAS CHILI COOK-OFF
Bocas Breeze Report:
The creativity was stunning, and not just the chili! Costumes and booth decorations were outrageous, enhancing the festive mood. Most interesting were the unusual, but delicious ingredients in some of the chili, including chocolate, peanut butter and tequila, to mention a few. Winners were Marvin Powell, taking First Place and John Lang placing a close Second. When the Bocas Breeze asked John if he would share his secret recipe, he confessed that most of the ingredients came out of cans. For shame! However the rules did say that the contestants could use any ingredients they wanted, so, voila!!!)
 Marvin says he entered the chili contest with reluctance after previous competitions left him with a few less friends. He understands that being chosen as a winning contestant doesn't mean that he’s the best at anything. According to Marvin, there’s no one winner here - just good people and good friends who came together to present something of themselves in a way that enriched all our lives.
Thanks to all of the entrants for their DELICIOUS chili!
Sumayyah McCarren & Dave Gillingham
Clay & Allene Blaker
Marvin Powell
John Lang
Jerry Johnson
Bill Bohmfalk & Sharon Wolfe
Danny, Chris & Chip
Comments by Jerry Johnson:
The first annual Bocas International Invitational Chili Cook Off was ruled a success by the founders, Jerry Johnson and John Lang. We were able to coerce a total of seven entrants. We had hoped for more, but in Bocas you take what you get.
It was a glorious blue Bocas day, with lots of happy souls in attendance. Chili cookers were in the zone. We each knew that we would be the winner because every one of us had a secret recipe. (Mine should have won, purely because it is so secret.) We hid our crib sheets from each other. (Hey, what do you have written down there? Nada, It's my laundry list!)
At the end of judging, we were all expectant, and some of us learned that people here in Bocas have no taste. Good God!! Chili with chocolate?? Chili with mushrooms? I propose a spaghetti cook off next year!!!
But, sincerely, our goal was to have a fun get together, share some food and good will, and sell beer to fund the NEXT chili cook off which will be bigger, better, and lots more fun. Thank You Bocas Breeze, and Thank You People of Bocas.
Comments by Chip:
Thank you to Gary Arganbright, Adam Polacek, Jenica Merrill, Nady Nawarra, Chance Nawarra, Greer Hubbard, Harry Record Jr., Janice Buchanan, Alessandra Vaccaro, Giovanna Avendano, Jake Pickard, and David (Bones) Hofer - the weakest link and probably the main reason we did not win the distinction of the best chili on Big Creek Beach that day. This man is currently unemployed and for good reason. It just goes to show what happens when you put a man from north of the Mason-Dixon line on a Texas chili team. I should have known better!
BOCAS BLURBS
Community News
For breaking news and other important announcements during the month, join our email list by sending your email address to: bocasbreeze@yahoo.com.
Much Improved Website for IPAT: In spite of a shoestring budget, IPAT just launched a total redesign of its' website and it is a great improvement. Congrats to Minister Ruben Blades and his team for this very important initiative. www.visitpanama.com
Survival Spanish lessons anyone? Bocas Breeze readers want to know if anyone is interested in teaching the local gringos. Please contact The Bocas Breeze.
Treat each other with respect, nurture one another and play well together.
BOCAS FIRE!!!
by Melody Burt
 It was a night I won’t soon forget! About 11:30 p.m. on April 13th, while many people were attending Good Friday mass, I was wrenched from sleep by sirens and shouting from the street below. Foolishly ignoring the no-see-ums, I ran out the front door in my pj’s to see what the fuss was about. A block away I was shocked to see a wall of flames leaping about 40 feet high and smoke heading my direction. Gaping in horror along with my neighbors, stomach in knots, my mind raced. Not knowing if the flames were coming my way, I wondered if I should I grab a few belongings and evacuate. Or at least put on a bathrobe? (I did get several bites.)
Only one thing in Bocas moves faster than fire racing down rows of wooden buildings, and that’s the coconut telegraph! Sometimes it’s a good thing, especially on that particular night. Half the town showed up to lend a hand trying to rescue the occupant’s belongings.
According to my neighbors, the fire truck had just raced off to find another fire hydrant upon discovering that the one across the street from my apartment didn’t have enough water due to low pressure. Hm-m-m-m….. a comforting thought! Three homes were engulfed in flames, threatening a fourth. It was a relief to finally see water subduing the fire and the ambulance leaving the scene without taking anyone to the hospital.
The official cause of the fire was a candle that was left burning while the occupants were out. According to Ivan Lopez, head of the fire department, their efforts were hampered by the lack of water pressure in town. For 30 minutes they made emergency calls to the water company (IDAAN), coincidently located right across the street from the fire, to have them increase the water pressure, but there was no answer. As a result, it took almost an hour and a half to put the fire completely out. (I had no idea that the water company could change the town’s water pressure at will. Now that I know that, maybe I should run right over there in my bath towel every other night and pound on the door when there’s not enough water pressure to take a shower!) No, really, this is a very serious problem, so The Bocas Breeze tried several times to make an appointment with the director of IDAAN, but he was not available for comment.
The good news is that no one was hurt and all are currently being sheltered by relatives. The bad news is that at least 30 people were displaced: 8 men/older boys, 10 women (one is pregnant), 3 girls ages 1-2, 5 girls ages 6-9 and 4 girls ages 10-12. These people are all in desperate need of clothing, food and permanent shelter (15 people are staying in one house). The Ministry of Housing is responsible to pay for construction materials, however this takes months, which is usually too late. In the meantime, these people have to clean up their own debris, and will most likely need to bear the expense of rebuilding. That being the case, they could use donated construction materials and skilled labor.
The Bocas Breeze is working with a local charitable organization and the fire department to collect and distribute clothing, household items, cash and building supplies. One of the businesses in town is matching cash donations, so if you have anything to offer, including your time, please contact us at 6683-1369 or bocasbreeze@yahoo.com. If you are not in Bocas but would like to contribute with your credit card, you can click on the "BUY NOW" button at the following link: http://www.thebocasbreeze.com/advertise/index.shtml
***
*** WHERE TO LIVE WHILE BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOUSE
by Mary Austin Crofts
When my husband and I moved here 15 months ago, it was a test. We had visited a few times and purchased property here, but really didn’t know whether we would want to build our dream house and stay for while. While deciding whether Bocas was ‘a fit’, we rented. It has been an interesting learning experience. In over 15 months, we lived on four different islands, in four unique areas. There are, of course, challenges in each place. Because we love the quiet and living close to the natural world, we chose Bluff Beach, Isla Solarte, a secluded place on Bastimentos and a place on the beach on Isla Carenero. Each has its own very special qualities and living experience.
Bluff Beach is a magnificent place with the sound of crashing waves, but it is a long distance from town and too far to our property to make it a reasonable place for us to live while building. However, if you’re building out in that direction, living there provides wonderful benefits. There is great surfing, swimming in the calm seasons, hiking, shell collecting and bird watching.
Isla Solarte is an amazing and beautiful place. We lived in the Isla Solarte Garden Resort development and think it’s the most beautiful project we’ve seen around here. The wide trails and public rights of way, the incredible variety of birds and the quiet magnificence of a first growth forest made it absolutely perfect for us.
Moving to Bastimentos was like moving to a different country. Old Bank, where Internet service, groceries, gas and other supplies are available, is not like being in Bocas. There are many people of Jamaican and Eastern Caribbean descent and most everyone speaks English. In winter or during big storms it can be quite a trip on the water between here and Bocas. The birding was good, but the trash in the bay was unpleasant.
Next we moved to Carenero, which was the most urban place we lived. Hiking is great and the point has a magnificent beach where there is great surfing during season. We could walk to restaurants and had the benefit of a little store for essentials. The short distance to town and convenience of being on the grid was terrific. The noise and music from town, however, was very intense for us.
Renting places seems to be getting more expensive, as are construction costs so we suggest you figure rent into the cost of building your house so you stay on budget. Having The Bocas Breeze available helps so much when looking for a good place. Also ask locals and look on the numerous bulletin boards in public places for flyers.
We are now ready to move into our dream house and we learned so much, made so many new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of it all. RED FROG FOUNDATION
by Aaron Jones
The newly organized Red Frog Foundation was created by Pillar Panama, developer of Red Frog Beach, to help the local community deal with the tough challenges of education, health care, and basic infrastructure.The foundation, less than 5 months old, has been listening to and assessing the needs of the local community. Aaron Jones has been chosen as the director for this organization to lead the charge in developing culturally sensitive approaches in the local community. Already, important work has been done in many areas.
In the area of health care, the Red Frog Foundation has coordinated the donation of over $40,000 of medical supplies including computers, vaccinations, vitamins, and other necessities to the local hospital. We have been studying hospital data and working with local doctors to potentially secure a provincial medical distribution center for Bocas Del Toro.
In the area of infrastructure, we have focused our efforts in finding the solution to a sustainable and purified water system in the village of Bastimentos. Dennis Steers, the Director of Pillar Construction and an expert in water systems, has committed to work with the Foundation in finding the solution for this water problem. This water system is completely separate from the Red frog Beach development and is a charitable donation.
In the area of education, the Red Frog Foundation has committed to building a computer lab for the indigenous school in Bahia Honda and the necessary school renovations. We are also providing the children’s transportation to the high school in Bocas and have donated three new computers.
In the area of environment, the foundation is putting into official preserve nearly 70% of Red Frog Beach property, ensuring that the land will never be developed and that it will be managed sensitively.
We seek the support of all individuals and communities. Donations to the foundation are doubled by Pillar Panama. Whether you choose to be a permanent resident of this community or just an occasional visitor, this small community becomes you. We all must responsible for the hospitals, infrastructure of roads and water, and the beautiful beaches. A sense of generosity and reaching out to our community is what ties us to our neighbor and gives our life meaning.
To learn more about current and potential future projects, please email Aaron Jones, at ajones@redfrogfoundation.org. Or call (507) 6611-4258. Donations are completely tax-deductible. NEED ADVICE? ASK CARMEN!!!
 Got a problem? Get a solution!
Email Carmen questions at: bocasbreeze@yahoo.com.
Dear Carmen;
My husband and I are retiring. I’d love to try Panama, renting for a few months to check it out. My husband wonders about work and things to do. What goes on down there, how do I learn what’s truly real, how do I find out life’s little details? My doctor knows people there who say Panama is now the Costa Rica replacement for retirees. I need lots of info to show my husband this is a good idea.
-- Signed, Adventurous Vicki
Dear Adventurous;
You gave the best answers to your question: “try Panama...to check it out,” and “my doctor knows people there.” Internet search ‘Panama Forums’ for expat advice on everything. For useful articles on retirement, business, realty, tourism, healthcare, immigration, shopping, go to www.primapassport.com, download free Paradise Magazine. See great photos at www.chagres.com, click Photo Album 93 – 96 for Bocas pics. For “truly real” info on “life’s little details” in Bocas, go to www.TheBocasBreeze. For short-term stays, or small hotels offering monthly deals, search ‘Panama (+ Bocas) Apartment Rentals’. Exploring Panama is easy fun via bus, boat, airline or car rental. When you get here, visit your doctor’s friends, and me.
Dear Carmen;
I hear of many preventions and treatments for mosquito bites, from Voodoo charms to costly prescriptions. What works best?
-- Signed, Ouch
Dear Ouch;
Each person’s biology and anybody’s scent are all factors. For us all, the best prevention is avoidance – cover up with clothing, screens and netting, especially at night. I’m shocked to see bare-skin prowlers in our jungle, fashionably infrared fragrant festoons of pheromone fancies for famished flying funnelers. For average bodies, DEET products (OFF!) are the best repellant. Other stuff (applied, ingested, turned on) is less effective, even for Voodoo dolls. The best bite treatment is... soap. Apply soap, liquid (Joy) or bar (rub-on wet Dial) on bite. It cleans, plus itching stops immediately! So, you won’t scratch, causing infection. All above also applies to our Bocas National Bug: no-see-ums. ***
************ANNOUNCEMENTS*************
Bridge Club – Come to Learn and Play! Call Fred at 6492-5473
Shakespeare Reading Circle in May
Contact Mathilda at Starfish Coffee
Photo Exhibition at IPAT - Ongoing
Bocas wildlife photos by Terry Hit
Backgammon Club
Call Chris at La Casbah, 757-9885 for more information.
Texas Hold ‘Em ALL IN $$$
Hotel La Rumba every Weds. 8:00 pm. 757-9961
BIRTHS
Dominick De Jesus Mendoza Lord - Jan. 23rd, 9 lbs. 15 oz
CONGRATUALTIONS Niño (D.J.) and Kristy! DEATHS
Greg Lamb of Three Lambs Inn passed away April 2, 2006
Condolences to his family and friends – he will be missed! ************ CLASSIFIEDS ************
SERVICES PROFESSIONAL CERAMIC TILE INSTALLERS: Residential or commercial, 30 years experience. Can also design. Randy and Ellie
6-492-3021 or email: rs_ellie@yahoo.com.
JOSE SANEZ - We offer guests these different services: Transportation, Transfers, Tours, Pet Support (Home Quarantine Process), Cargo, Courier, Hotel & Flight Rreservations. For more information contact
Jose at bocasfrog@yahoo.com or cell phone 6-614-7811.
FLORA BELLA MASSAGES – at your location. Specializing in deep tissue, holistic, Swedish massage & reflexology by certified
professional therapists. 6591-3814 or islagirly@yahoo.com.
BOATS/ACCESSORIES
20' WELLCRAFT - 165hp stern drive Mercury cruiser w/galvanized trailer. New engine, hull needs work, $3500. Call757-9461.
BAJA 220 ISLANDER – Johnson Ocean Runner 175hp. Sound boat, engine needs repair, $4000, OBO, trade.
Call 6632-6269 or bluemarbletours@aol.com.
20 FOOT PANGA – with console, electric start, 40hp Suzuki,
upholstered seats, built-in coolers, bimini top, 6580-0906.
BOAT SLIP and storage space, Solarte marina, 6607-6194
BOAT TRAILER – Escort, up to 22 ft. boat –
Dos Palmas, $400, 6492-5473
BOAT RENTAL available from Hotel Las Brisas. Newly fixed-up boat, 75 hp, can seat up to 16 passengers. Captain available on request. Please contact for more information. Email: hotel_lasbrisas@yahoo.com or Tel: 757-9549 FOR RENT
1 BEDROOM HOUSE on Bastimentos, solar, boat dock,
$800 mo. Call 757-9259 or 6707-0559.
ROOM for rent in nice waterfront house. Monthly basis
$225-$465. AC, laundry. Call Mark 6598-6994
PRIVATE LUXURY VILLA – Coral Key area, spectacular views,
2 bdrm, solar-powered, Direct TV, fully equipped with safe
deep water dock. Boat available, short/long-term.
For info: 6580-0906, jonboca@hotmail.com
3 BDRM HOUSE – 2-car carport, 3 air-conditioners, close in, fridg.
& stove, unfurnished, $800 month, first & last. 6518-5517.
GORGEOUS BEACHFRONT CASITAS – on Carenero for short or
long-term rental. Internet, Direct TV, A/C, full kitchens, boat dock.
For info: 6580-0906, jonboca@hotmail.com.
PROPERTY FOR SALE
TITLED LOT – 400 m2, in Bocas, 1 min. from beach,
call 6591-3814. islagirly@yahoo.com
EMPLOYMENT
QUALIFIED REAL ESTATE AGENTS – call Melody at (507) 6-683-1369 or BeyondBocas@yahoo.com.
MISCELLANEOUS
AIR-CONDITIONER – Sanyo 12,000 BTU split, still in pkg.
Paid $599, sell for $450. Bob 6561-0460. FORM LUMBER - $0.40 ft., will deliver by water, 6492-5473 or 6482-1122.
GALLERY SPACE at Hotel Las Brisas. Please contact if interested in exhibiting or stop by for more info. Email: http://hotel_lasbrisas@yahoo.com.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS – George Foreman grills, elec. rotisserie, microwave, coffee pots, GE side-by-side fridge, language translator, Mosquito Magnet Pro, kitchen appliances, call 757-9534 and leave message.
CHEMICAL COMPOST TOILETS – brand new, still in boxes, odor-free, ready to use. 6580-0906.
WOOD FOR SALE – Cana Fistula, Almendro, Nispero, Zapatero, Amargo Amargo, Coco Bolo, structural wood. Call 6488-2883 or leeglaser@hotmail.com.
HOUSE SITTING OR RENTAL – long term starting Fall 2006. University professor: quiet, mature, responsible. vickigrafentin@yahoo.com WANTED: HONEST GOOD MAN! - Pan/Asian woman, 5'1", slender, 115lbs., attractive, agreeable, 44 yrs, good English, desires companionship and possible marriage. I cook, wash and love! If YOU are "kind" and would enjoy taking ME out for dinner and fun, please call me, Rosa 6-512-0480. Please, no serious drinkers.
|
