Casco Viejo`s artistic devil is moving to a new location! still within the Casco, they are moving just one block away into Calle 6ta.  For most Casconians, they`ll know the street as the street of Casa Arias, or simply the one in front of Super G.

The inauguration is tonight, at 7 p.m.  Phone: 228-4833

“Pot to Plate” is an NGO that promotes home grown food.  Their workshops teach kids how to grow their own food and chef Sophie works with them so they can make nice, simple meals.

Now, they are organizing a special dinner with all home grown food to raise funds for the afterschool program (APROJUSAN) and for Pot to Plate.  The event will be at Santa Familia`s Community Center on May 25th, at 7 p.m.  Cost: $15, tickets can be bought at Casco Antiguo Spanish School (www.cascospanish.com ) .  If you would like more info, just email Pot to Plate at : info@pottoplatepanama.com

There is always activity at the Fish Market and its next door pier. However, when the sun goes down a little bit, around 5  ish, you can see people hanging out at the cevicherias, with the classic “Panamanian ceviche” on one hand and a beer on the other. Fishermen and people traveling from as far as Darien come here to cool down, which makes for an interesting showcase of Panamanian culture! meet them all… in one spot!

If you live in Casco, most likely you know “Lola” , one of the cutest dogs in the neighborhood.  She loves walking around with Betty and Craig, sniffing, saying “hi” to everybody.  So when she learned some of the businesses in Calle 1era where struggling due to a street repair program by the government that has blocked access to some areas, she came up with a great idea: “Lola`s Flash Cash” a “happy hour” event where neighbors would come in with a minimum of $10 each and ready to spend more.

So the first Lola FlashCash was last night at Buzios. Lola greeted everyone and made sure there were beers, ceviche and sangria for everybody.  Thumbs up to Lola and her supportive parents for a great idea!

Interesting interview from Alexis Masciarelli about how Casco Viejo developers see the future of the historic town.  Starting at minute 18:00, the interview covers not only the business aspects of development and investing, but also the vision of those involved in reviving this 300 year UNESCO World Heritage Site.

INTERVIEW HERE

Next week, Casco Viejo`s neighborhood and friends association (AVACA) will be joining hands with a dynamic group to launch for the first time ever in the historic district an 11 day campaign to create awareness in the community about recycling and garbage.  The team is  made of twenty volunteers coming from USA (Generation Peace) plus residents, business owners, local and international NGO`s and the calendar of activities is a mix of everything: working with schools, art workshops, gardening workshops, one on one visits and conversations with residents and businesses and even a Green Patrol where kids will fine or award people with “bright star” stickers (for good behavior) or a “sad face” sticker (for those who litter).

The activity aims to not only to start creating real awareness among young and not so young, but also to create statistics of garbage disposal in the neighborhood, which are now nonexistent and would help the local authorities and the private sector design better strategies.  The activity is also working with the local police and health center.

Starting May 18th, these are the groups involved: AVACA, Jardines Urbanos, Sembrarte, Generation Peace (USA),  George Washington University (USA),  and Aprojusan. Main donors (so far!):  Generation Peace, El Rey Supermarket, Cía ATLAS,  Magnolia Inn, Papiro y Yo, Arco Properties and Panama Travel.  More are joining as we speak! an update will be necessary as the date approaches.

If you would like to join, please reply to this post and we`ll send you all the information!

To all of them… thanks for your incredible energy!!!!

It is always fun to find photos of early Casco Viejo and try to match it with today`s Casco.  This postcard seems to be from the early republic, and the corner of 12th with Santa Ana`s church at the back can only be what today is known as the corner of Café Coca Cola (well, not the café itself, but the Pio Pio behind, see the pink property at the corner).

So here it is! before and after…. my vote goes to the original design because even if more simple, it had an extended roof that offered protection from the rain.  What do you think?

Last weekend, Scouts Group No. 3 San Felipe learned how to plant edible greens using plastic bottles, egg baskets and more.  The workshop was given by Rachel and Nicole from Urban Gardens, a new NGO in Casco Viejo that is looking to inspire people into planting edible plants on their balconies, roof terraces and patios.

Here are the photos! tons of fun!

Waking up early and walking to Ancon Hill, starting at Casco, towards Central Avenue  and then the old Canal Zone, hiking through a wonderful rainforest to be rewarded by toucans and one of the best views in Panama city at the top of Ancon Hill is the best way to get your day started: healthy and with tons of info on Panama`s natural and cultural “must see”.  Total time: 2 hours.

And then, there is Casco, with its wonderful offer of interesting places to eat, drink and experience. Thumbs up!

Today is the last day of the International Film Festival Panama (IFF Panama).  During a full week, Casco Viejo has been the host for all the red carpet galas, but also of an interesting initiative: the Casco Cineplex.

Using empty spaces, neighbors organized screenings for Italian movies (by Di Vino) and children`s movies (by Arco Properties, Conservatorio and AVACA).  The “kids corner” was packed every night and movies ranged from Cirque du Soleil to Tin Tin and Monster`s Inc.  People walking by couldn´t resist but visiting, sometimes with kids, dogs and more!

Congratulations to everyone that helped this mini project be a success!