Monthly Archives: December 2013

What to do and Where to go in 2014 Panama

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 30, 2013 Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on What to do and Where to go in 2014 Panama

Panama Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo New Year is coming! 2014 promises to be a busy year, and I`m glad to report cultural events will have a big share of the buzz. Today La Prensa reported a bunch of events throughout the next 12 months, here are the nearest to Casco in geography and heart: JANUARY: 13 to 18th: Panama Jazz FestivalWhere: mostly at City of Knowledge, Clayton, but Casco Viejo will have some of the gigs and after parties, specially with American Trade`s Jazz Bar opening.  It will be set up as a “listening room” so if you are serious … Continue reading →

Around the World Nativity Scenes in Casco Viejo

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 24, 2013 Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Around the World Nativity Scenes in Casco Viejo

Panama, Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo When I was little, my grandmother used to do a big nativity scene at the lobby of her house for Christmas.  My brother, cousin and I participated putting it together, filling up the “town” with “residents” made of every toy we could find. So if you looked closer, you had on the same “land in time” small green soldiers, dinosaurs and probably a couple of Transformers right next to the classic donkeys, cows, sheep and baby Jesus. After finishing hers, a super treat was to go see other people`s nativity scenes. I remember this guy … Continue reading →

Week Before Christmas in Casco Viejo

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 23, 2013 Tagged , , | Comments Off on Week Before Christmas in Casco Viejo

Panama Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo Photographer Ken Milburn always with camera in hand! he sent us this lovely collection of photos he did last week showing the joy of these festivities.  To everyone out there who have always kept a small corner of their hearts dedicated to Casco Viejo and its community….Happy Holidays!!!!

Casco Viejo Balcony Memories from the 50`s

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 18, 2013 Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Casco Viejo Balcony Memories from the 50`s

Panama, Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo This week I`ve been taking care of my nephew at my grandmother`s house. One of the many treats of doing it, is that I get to take a look at our old family albums with photos from when the family lived in Calle 6ta, next to the Canal Museum, back then the Mail & Telegraphy headquarters. My dad, when thinking back at his childhood, always referred at that balcony fondly, the time spend there with friends and family.  But only yesterday, while looking at the albums I could find a glimpse of those memories, as … Continue reading →

Delicious Celebrations at American Trade Hall

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 16, 2013 Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Delicious Celebrations at American Trade Hall

Panama Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo Mother`s day at the American Trade Hall in Casco Viejo was awesome: music, kids running around getting their faces painted, mimosas in every hand, excellent food and desserts.  The place looked like a war zone afterwards, kids happily asleep, exhausted after playing so much. Some, like my nephews where still going… but they are like that battery TV commercial with the pink bunny and the drum… I wished I had brought my dog Chispa, I think she is the only one that can match their energy levels!

Recycling Program in Casco Viejo… getting ready for Christmas!

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 13, 2013 Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Recycling Program in Casco Viejo… getting ready for Christmas!

Panama, Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo AVACA, Casco Viejo`s neighborhood association has been for the last 3 years doing projects to attack the littering and garbage management in the neighborhood.  This year, their flag program is recycling, which has proven to quickly catch up, pulling out of the streets about 10,000 pounds of recyclable material in less than 3 months. Last weekend, a group of volunteers helped get the space ready for the massive Christmas celebrations. The space is all color coded now, tanks in place. A few things to finalize will be ready by next week… and then… bring us … Continue reading →

Social Program in Casco Viejo wins the Finantial Times City Urban ingenuity Awards

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 12, 2013 Tagged , , | Comments Off on Social Program in Casco Viejo wins the Finantial Times City Urban ingenuity Awards

Panama Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo Just announced this week,  a source of pride for everyone working/ supporting Fundacion Calicanto in Casco Viejo: their CAPTA program won the FT City Urban Ingenuity Awards for Latinamerica. What is CAPTA? in Spanish: Capacitación para el Trabajo. This program trains women from Casco Viejo to be able to break the cycle of poverty by themselves. First, they give them the personal tools (self esteem) and then professional tools.  Want to know more? check their Facebook page HERE

Activities this week in Casco Viejo

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 11, 2013 Tagged , , | Comments Off on Activities this week in Casco Viejo

Panama, Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo Young Panamanian dancers debut as choreographers tonight, at “Young Choreographers” contemporary dance performance at the Anita Villalaz Theater in Plaza Francia.  Donation; $5. All this week: Flea Market at Casa Góngora, in pro of Olga Sinclair Foundation.  Furniture, clothing, accesories, paintings and more, Casa Góngora is inviting you to pass by and get your Christmas presents while helping the Foundation. They also have exposed on their upper floor an interesting collection including beautiful balconies of Casco Viejo made by Ida Vallarino. It is amazing the work that was put in each one, we were impressed … Continue reading →

American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo Opens its Doors!

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 10, 2013 Tagged , , , | Comments Off on American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo Opens its Doors!

Panama, Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo Simply the most ambitious and beautiful restoration done to date in Casco Viejo.  A delicate blend of Panama`s tropical culture with contemporary style.  Inside and outside connect through triple height glass windows, lush tropical plants inside echo with Plaza Herrera`s big trees.  Thoughtful details everywhere, my favorite being the old style library, where books have been cherry picked by the owners evoking the golden era of travel, back when it really meant exploring. You`ll find books from pioneers telling their tales of joy, struggle and wonder. You`ll also find a pool, a gym, and a … Continue reading →

Brunch n`Tango: Mother`s Day in Casco Viejo

Posted in Casco Viejo on December 6, 2013 Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Brunch n`Tango: Mother`s Day in Casco Viejo

Panama, Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo This Sunday, December 8th is one of the big holiday celebrations of Latin America: Mother`s day.  How to celebrate with something different? well, Casco Viejo might be your place to be! American Trade Hotel will have a fabulous brunch at their Art Deco events hall, including jazz and a kid`s corner with Story Telling. And starting at 4:30 p.m. Tango lovers will gather at Plaza Catedral to dance at “Milonga en el Gazebo” by Tango Panama! Spend a full day in Casco and have a blast.. Photo source: Tango Panama Facebook Page