Technology Meets Diving!
by Karl Kaufmann
Want to know whether to go wind surfing, diving, fishing, or just stay in bed? The Bocas del Toro laboratory of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) now has available, on the internet, real-time weather monitoring data from its meteorological platform, which is located in the water about 75 meters south of the lab’s pier. A chart on the website shows air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall, solar radiation, and water level for the last 24 hours. Soon, water temperature data will be added as well. STRI collects this data to monitor changes in the local environment, which may affect coral reefs (as in the photo above), mangroves or grass beds.
 Because of the recent advancements in internet and network technology, producing this display that can be viewed from anyplace in the world is relatively easy. The data is collected by special sensors on the platform and sent by radio every 15 minutes to a receiver on land, which is attached to the STRI local area network, or LAN. It is then transmitted over the LAN (using a telephone link) to a file on a computer at the Environment Sciences Program office on Naos Island at the mouth of the Panama Canal. From there, programs check the file every 15 minutes for new data, makes the graph you see on the web page, and then sends it to the STRI website. All of this happens automatically. The STRI Environmental Sciences Program finds this particularly useful because technicians can check whether the equipment is working from the main office instead manually downloading data from the equipment every few months, keeping their fingers crossed that the equipment hadn't stopped working since the last download.
To access the STRI real-time weather data, type www.stri.org/bocasdata into the address bar of your browser. Because the website updates itself every 15 minutes you can leave it displayed on your computer, or make it your browser home page if you wish.Editor’s Corner
Editor’s Corner
Thanks to all who have been sending in your photos. We still need more, so keep them coming!
I read the Bajareque Times from Boquete and it’s quite a nice paper. What strikes me about Boquete is that there are many cultural activities there for people of all ages to enjoy. People there seem to have a strong sense of community and caring. What do we have here in Bocas? Nothing. Does anybody care? Some do. I noticed that the “Cultural Center” in the blue building near the airport has been taken over by the Alcaldea for their office. Wouldn’t it be great if the residents of Bocas had something to do? The Bocas Breeze is looking for volunteers with experience in theater/drama, the arts, music, sports and community service that would be interested in organizing some of these kinds of activities for both adults and children. Come on, I know you’re out there!
The other day I had an opportunity to use the 104 police emergency phone number. I was surprised that, 1) the number worked; 2) someone answered, and 3) they spoke English! Turns out the problem disappeared as soon as I started talking, so I didn’t need their help after all. The policeman was very polite, told me to call back if I had any more problems and to have a good night. Now, I have no idea what the follow-through would be like, but I was impressed!
Have a great month!
Melody Burt
The garden club is organizing a competition for all local street-front businesses to be judged during the Feria that starts September 13th. The aim is to make Bocas a more beautiful town by putting plants (not bikini-clad beauties) in front of your premises and, of course, ensuring all trash is removed.
There will be several categories including:
- The Most Colorful Containers
- The Most Artistic Exhibit
- The Most Imaginative Display
So get your containers and hanging baskets out and fill them with some of the multitude of plants available in Bocas and
MAKE BOCAS BLOOM!
For more information call Linda at 6-638-8961.
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by C.D. Moulton
The recent accident on Calle 3ra (August 8) where the policeman on a motor scooter, Roberto Lewis, was struck by a taxi and very seriously injured has brought a major problem to the forefront.
Dr. Alberto Socarraz was working in the kitchen of his restaurant, El Laurel. The accident was immediately in front of his establishment, and he ran out to assist and stabilize the injured man. He saw the victim was in critical condition, and that no one around knew anything about helping him. He had no materials or equipment on hand to use for first aid.
The ambulance arrived but didn’t have even the most basic necessities as a pair of scissors, or most critical, a neck brace, No one in the ambulance had any training whatsoever on how to treating a trauma victim. Had Dr. Alberto not been there, the dangerous conditions could well have resulted in the victim dying on the spot by that lack of equipment and training. It could have been you or me!
Dr. Socarraz, his wife, and a group of concerned people have established a fund to purchase equipment for the ambulance and training for the personnel. This is a direct purchase of said materials, not to be offered as cash to purchase such services and equipment. The proposal is that the equipment will be provided in a secure lockbox that the driver of the ambulance will have sole access to, and the driver will be held responsible for all items at the end of each shift. The planned training will be provided through a very inexpensive method, but first priority is the equipment.
Every penny collected will be used for the purpose, and will be scrupulously accounted for and all other services will be provided by unpaid volunteers. Donors may remain anonymous, should they so request. We prefer that donations be made by check. Please make checks payable to: The Dr. Alberto Fund. Collection points will be at the Restaurant El Laurel, next to Bravo Center (across from the water taxi), and at McDouglas’ Golden Grill, across from the park.
The Dr. Alberto Fund - Supplies Needed:
If possible, we would prefer that supplies and medications be donated, making the use of cash less necessary. There are things that will have to be purchased, but many items can be donated directly, making them immediately available and rendering the bookkeeping much less time-consuming.
The most needed items available locally are as follows. Please do not donate items with broken sterility seals:
- Bandages and Ace Bandages of all sizes
- Gauze of all sizes
- Topical (external) antibiotics, such as Neosporin
- Immobilizing back and neck braces and splints
- Elastic braces for knees, ankles, wrists, elbows, etc.
- Scissors and shears in various sizes
- Surgical and utility knives of all types
- Tracheal kits
- Surgical (latex) gloves
- Filter masks
- Adrenalin and Nitroglycerin
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Virginia Vasquez is a school-teacher at the Carenero school and has asked for building supply donations so they can finish their new room. They need cement, sand, gravel, 2 windows, paint and roofing material. They also need a blackboard, chairs and tables. The students need school supplies such as pencils, paper, etc. Please take your supplies or money donations to Virgina Vasquez’ office on First Street next to the jail. Her number is 6-615-4038.
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Enquiring Tourists Want to Know!
…why this pile of dirt has been next to the puddle for over a week instead of under where this truck is now sitting. Could this be why the taxis are staging daily protests? Anyone interested in tourist dollars?
Hello? Is anybody out there listening???
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The Association of Guardian of Las Delicias Mountains
by Anna Galdames
My name is Anna Galdames and I am an environmental conservation Peace Corps volunteer in the mountains of a small community of 250 people named Las Delicias on the border of Panama and Costa Rica in Bocas del Toro. This non-profit organization has been given the task of conserving and managing the Las Delicias area in a sustainable manner, allowing the community, visitors and future generations to enjoy its natural resources. The objectives of the Association are to promote ecotourism and the conservation and sustainable management of the areas tropical rainforest. It is also a priority to conserve and protect the source of the river that supplies water to the community and to provide alternative income sources.
Along the length of the paths you can appreciate various tree species such as Laurel and Cedro Bateo. In the canopy you will find a great range of small species including orchids, epiphytes, parasites, heliconia, etc. The fauna is also very diverse and includes large felines such as jaguar and puma, both which are on the path to extinction. The area’s birds are abundant and one can easily spot parrots, toucans, and pavas. Amphibians and reptiles are also numerous. One of the principle threats to the sensitive flora and fauna of this community is the pressure of human development and interference. This is causing an alarming reduction in the populations of different species of interest that are important for the area’s ecosystem.
This Association of 45 people from the community have set up tourist attractions such as a motor boat trip along the beautiful Sixaola River and a 300 meter long nature path that crosses primary and secondary forest in which you will see the diversity of plants and animals. This ecotourism project also has a cabin where up to 15 people can spend the night along with 4-day tours including horseback riding, hiking, three waterfalls, and a boat ride through the Sixaola River.
If you are interested in visiting all you need to do is go to the Changuinola terminal and take a bus ($1.45) to Las Tablas. In Las Tablas you can take a taxi ($2.50) to Sergio’s house in the plaza de Las Delicias Arriba. You can also call my Costa Rican beeper at 506-224-2400 and leave a message for Anna Galdames with the day and time you will be leaving Changuinola and we will have a taxi waiting for you. If not, taxis drive up about 3 times a day and there will always be someone to take you to the project at Sergio’s house. You can also email me at annagaldames@yahoo.com for further information. Hope to see you soon! How Not to Get Ripped off by an Attorney
by Melody Burt
Speaking from my own personal experience, sharks aren’t just in the water!
I know I’m not the only person in Bocas who’s had an attorney take a bite out of their butt, and I certainly do have some recommendations on how to avoid Lawyer Leishmaniasis. You know, that disease that’s been going around lately?
RULE #1: Get references. At least two or three. Talk to everyone you meet and ask them who they use. When a name comes up a few times, you’re probably okay to take the next step.
RULE #2: Do not pay in advance. No matter how tempting it is to hire an attorney to handle several projects for a huge discounted rate, don’t do it. EVER. It’s okay to make a down payment, but pay no more until you see the results. If the attorney won’t agree to that, turn and run the other way.
RULE #3: When you negotiate a price for the services, put everything in writing and have the attorney sign it. If the attorney won’t do that, turn and run the other way.
RULE #4: Get their attorney license number, cedula number and pay a visit to their office. They do have an office, don’t they? And I don’t mean the Golden Grill. If not, turn and run the other way.
RULE #5: Go to the following website link: http://www.organojudicial.gob.pa. You should be able to find their name, license number and date they became licensed. You can see how many years of experience they’ve had.
If you should become a victim anyway, there are a few things you can do.
#1 - Patch up your behind and hire another attorney. See RULE #1.
#2 - Find an attorney who will denounce them to the Judicial School in Panama City. This is hard to do, because most attorneys will not go after their own species, but there are a few who will. You may be able to get your money back that way. Depending how determined and persistent you are, you may be able to have their license taken away. You should know, however, that it’s just as difficult as it is in the U.S. However, you CAN cause plenty of grief, which may be all the satisfaction you need. You will still have to hire another attorney to complete the work. See RULE #1.
#3 - Or, you can do what I did. Confront your attorney in the middle of main street and start to make a scene. They may offer to return all of your money back just to get you to shut up and disappear. I also suggest that in order to reinforce the seriousness of the situation, show up at their house the next day with a really big Panamanian dude you hired to stand behind you.…….. priceless!!!
You will still have to hire another attorney, so go back to RULE #1. ***
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PANAMA GOVERNMENT WEBSITES: ***
*********ANNOUNCEMENTS *********
Shakespeare Reading Circle
Now started! See Mathilda at Starfish Coffee
or call Richard at 6588-5377
Photo Exhibition at IPAT
Bocas wildlife photos by Terry Hit
Backgammon Club
Call Chris at 757-9885 for more information.
Texas Hold ‘Em ALL IN $$$
Hotel La Rumba every Weds. 8:00 pm. 757-9961
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*********NEW BUSINESSES/CHANGES*********
Bahia del Sol Bed and Breakfast – in Saigon 6-591-3530
Casbah Restaurant – at the end of main street next to Las Brisas Hotel
Shelly’s BBQ – now OPEN for the season – behind Hotel Laguna on 4th St.
Sisa Wireless Systems – next to Suite Hotel Costes on the main street
6-577-1476
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