Summit Golf & Resort will host the BMW International Golf Cut Panama 2006, an amateur tournament scheduled for Sunday, August 27, at 8:00 p.m. The event's winners will represent Panama in the regional BMW tourney, which will take place in October in Panama. The regional tournament is valid for BMW's world championship, which will take place in December in South Africa.

Eighty-eight, mostly local players –the totality of the slots available-- will take part in the national tournament, which has been divided into three categories: Masculine A (0-12 handicap), Masculine B (13-28 handicap) and the Femenine Category (0-28 handicap). All competitors will play in the 18-hole course par 72 designed by Jeffrey Myers.

Prizes range from plane tickets and hotel stays to a brand-new BMW X3.

Summit Golf & Resort is located on the banks of the Panama Canal, near Summit Gardens and Soberanía National Park.

An exhibit of works by French-born artist Rodin, marked the opening of the new headquarters of Panama's Anthropology Museum, in the suburban community of Llanos de Curundu. The exhibit is part of the collection treasured at Mexico's Soumaya Museum, considered the largest and most important collection of Rodin's works outside of France.

The new 4-story Anthropology Museum offers 10,000-square-meters exibiting artifacts representing the pre-historic period of the Isthmus, from approximately 10,000 B.C to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th century.

The new museum also has archaeology labs, a specialized library, and six hectares of tropical rainforests as an out-door exhibit. The has three major indoor exhibits are: the Reina Torres de Araúz hall; the Gold Room, which presents artifacts made by pre-colonial goldsmiths, and the Barriles Hall, were stone statues made by ancient Native American nations of the province of Chiriquí.

The Museum honors the memory of Reina Torres de Araúz, the country's most outstanding anthopologist. It was founded in the mid-1970 at the former railroad station, a Neo-Classic building on Plaza Cinco de Mayo which has now become an arts school.

The new facilities of the museum are within walking distance from the Metropolitan Nature Park.

Fashion, home improvement, beauty...all the new trends at Bello Hogar.

Almost 2,000 Panamanian and international companies specializing in home décor, construction and fashion will take part in Bello Hogar 2006, a long-awaited annual fair, scheduled August 24-28 at Atlapa Convention Center.

Held for the first time in 1990, Bello Hogar serves as the region’s most important showcase of home decoration, remodeling and haute couture trends. Visitors can expect to find everything from pins and needles to the latest in home appliances, construction tools, furniture and fishing and camping equipment.

Bello Hogar is a family affair, featuring all sorts of musical performances, games and prizes for all ages. The fair was also conceived as a marketplace for business-to-business transac-tions. A business center is available to exhibitors and visitors.

The fair is organized by Grupo de Ferias, Congresos y Eventos (GFCE.)

One of the most important fishing events in Panama is the Yamaha Fishing Tournament, which takes place August 25-26 in the islands of Punta Coco and Contadora, in the Pearl Archipelago. With five categories, the tourney offers 75,000 in prizes.

Approximately 80 boats will participate in the event, which is a "catch-and-release" competi-tion. The first day’s event will take place around Punta Coco and the second, around Contadora. Anglers will be able to catch some of the largest species of the Pacific Ocean, such as Bill Fish, Dorado, Wahoo, Bojala, Tuna, Pargo and Sierra.

For more information, call: 270-3433

Kids and teenagers are welcome at the tournament.

From November 5th to 12th, about 100 people, mostly women, from the United States and Panamá will enjoy "soothing their souls" at an international women’s retreat at the Country Inn & Suites in Amador. The Soothe Our Souls Women’s (SOS) Retreat, in the planning for nearly two years by VIP Publishing Inc.’s CEO, Ife Keene, and two committees, will bring many North American women to Panamá for the first time. Many will be accompanied by their husbands, sons and sweethearts. Ife Keene and her husband, Damani, are now full-time residents of Panamá. "We want to share with many others the beautiful country we find enchanting," siad Damani

The SOS Women’s Retreat will primarily focus on five areas: Health and Wellness, Personal and Professional Enhancement, Spiritual Rejuvenation, Relationship Connections and Reconnections, and Goal Setting. Secondly, the retreat will provide basic information on Panamá’s outstanding Pensionado program and opportunities for retirement, purchasing real estate and the advantages of off-shore investing. Real estate tours, golfing and tours to the Canal, the Caribbean, Chagres (Embera), mountain and beach developments and El Valle will be offered.

The retreat keynote speaker will be Monique Greenwood, the former editor-in-chief of Essence, one of the US’s leading women’s magazines. Ms. Greenwood is the author of Having What Matters: The Black Woman’s Guide to Creating the Life You Really Want. She is also the President and CEO of Akwaaba Enterprises, which owns and operates four acclaimed luxury bed-and-breakfast inns.

Dr. Rosa Maria Britton, celebrated Panamanian physician, author, poet and playwright, will be the luncheon speaker.

The concept of SOS and the retreat are an outgrowth of a book Ife Keene wrote and published, Cancer of the Spirit, which is not about physical cancer. The book weaves touching stories about the lives of ten unforgettable women ranging in age from 23 to 79, into a colorful quilt of all-too-human struggles and exhilarating triumphs. The stories transcend racial, ethnic, social and political distinctions, and are partially based on the lives of women whose paths have crossed the author’s. Many of the issues that the women in book face are topics that will be covered in the retreat workshops.

Corporate sponsors of the SOS Women’s Retreat include: PanamaMLS.com, Panamá Off-Shore Services International, Doce Cerros Development Corporation, Pencas and Mi Ranchito Restaurantes, Mary’s Café (of Sora) and the South Jersey Links among others.

Melva Lowe de Goodin is the Panamá Executive Coordinator and Brenda K. Brown is US Executive Coordinator for the SOS Women’s Retreat.

For more information: http://www.sootheoursouls.com/sosretreat.html or contact ife@SootheOurSouls.com. Single day registrations are available for persons who cannot attend the entire retreat.

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

Two of the top tropical music stars of all time, "El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico" and salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa, will offer a grand, dance concert at Figali Convention Center on September 1.

Besides spreading the catchy, sensual rhythms of salsa around the world, Gilberto Santa Rosa and "El Gran Combo" have a lot in common. The "Gran Combo" was established in Puerto Rico in 1962 –the same year and place Santa Rosa was born. Their concert in Panama is a rare opportunity salsa enthusiasts have to see both artists performing on the same stage.

Tickets ($25.00) will soon be available at all Video Avenue stores.

Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Wednesdays are Jazz Nights at Casa Góngora, in Panama City’s Old Quarter, featuring the music of the Carlos Ubarte Jazz Quartet, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. These weekly recitals are organized by the Municipality of Panama. Admittance is free.

Casa Góngora is one of the oldest Spanish colonial houses of the San Felipe district. Built in the 18th century, it belonged to a prominent family by the last name of Góngora. It was restored in the mid-1990’s and transformed into a museum, art gallery, and a small concert hall, with capacity for 70 spectators.

For more information, call: 212-1350.

The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica will offer a single performance in Panama City on Monday, August 28 at the Anayansi Theater of Atlapa Convention Center. The group will share the stage with "Raíces y Cultura", a Panamanian ensemble.

Founded in 1962, the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica created its repertoire from the diverse cultural influences of the Caribbean nation. In seeking a company style, director Rex Nettleford draws on his Oxford education, his background as a choreographer of Christmas pantomimes, and his knowledge as a political analyst and cultural historian. The result is a group of works that combine theatricality and thought, enthusiasm and energy.

Tickets cost $100, $60, $40, and $25, for sale at TicketCenter. Call: 279-1010.

U.S violinist Janet Packer will join Panama's National Symphony Orchestra in a concert scheduled for August 31 at the National Theater at 8:00 p.m.

Packer will also offer a lecture on U.S. Classical composers on Tuesday, August 29 a the Fine Arts department of Universidad de Panamá (Sala F-III) at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are for sale at the Bookstore Theater and cost $15, $10, $5 and $3. The event is organized by the National Institute of Culture (INAC) and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Panama.

Panama City’s National Theater is the venue chosen for the country’s Second International Piano Contest, scheduled August 20-27. The event is organized by Fundación Concursos Internacionales, headed by renowned Panamanian pianist Jaime Ingram, and the National Institute of Culture (INAC.)

Fifteen young and talented musicians from Germany, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, France, Italy and China will take part in the contest, which offers prizes worth US$25,000.

The opening concert will be August 20 at 7:00 p.m., featuring pianist Leonid Kuzmin, a member of the panel of judges who will accompany Panama’s National Symphony Orchestra, directed by Jorge Ledezma.

Tickets cost $10, $15 and $20, and are for sale at the Argosy Bookstore, on Vía Argentina (tel.: 223-5344), the Allegro music shop (Calle 73, San Francisco) and at the National Theater’s box office.

One of the most expect annual events in Panama City is Fiesta "Alrededor del Mundo", an international culinary festival organized by Caravana de Asistencia Social –a charity organization created by the wives of foreign and Panamanian diplomats. It will take place on Friday, September 1 at Atlapa Convention Center, from noon onwards.

The main course of the fair will be numerous dishes from as far as the isle of Malta and Korea to Central America, Germany and Turkey. Side dishes include international folklore performances and handicraft stands.

Admittance is $3.00 per person (children 10 and younger enter free).

SUNDAY - AUGUST 27th - 4:00pm to 6:00pm
English Literature Book Exchange at Siciliano's Cafe in the banking district.
Bring your English literature to trade (or just bring yourself & we'll visit!) - ALL Expats are welcome, with or without a book

TUESDAY - August 29th - 6:30pm - 8:30pm
HAPPY HOUR & Pre-Registration NIGHT!
Due to the overwhelming success of our Happy Hour evenings, we now require an emailed RSVP from each member.

FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 1st - One Day Only!
Festival Alrededor del Mundo (Festival of All Around the World) 12 noon to 8pm at the Atlapa Convention Center. National foods and handicrafts from around the world will be on sale duty free.

SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 3rd - 8am to 8pm (approximately)
Pacific Panama Beach Tour
We need a minimum of 12 pre-registered and paid by August 28th. Cost is $40/person.

MONDAY-September 4th- 6:30pm - 8:30pm
HAPPY HOUR & Pre-Registration NIGHT
THURSDAY - September 7th - 7:30pm
La Pollera de Gala! (Pollera Dance Show & Dinner)
TINAJAS RESTAURANT
Discover the magic of Panama's national female attire at this colorful show.

SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 9th - 7:00am - 2:00pm
The monthly JUNGLE Walk
Bring binoculars, as there will be great opportunities for bird watching. Also bring water, good walking shoes, an umbrella, and pocket change for small items. Cost is $20 per person including transportation and light lunch. Pre-registration deadline is September 6th.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH - THE EXPAT SOCIAL!
ALBERTO'S on the CAUSEWAY 6:30pm -

ALL WEDNESDAYS - 6:30PM
EVENT HOST: Sheila Hawes, LOCATION: SICILIANO'S CAFE

One of the best regional festivals for tourists, the Mejorana Festival, takes place from Sept. 21-26. The festival shows the strong Hispanic traditions of the central provinces. Held in the town of Guararé, province of Los Santos, the event is a tribute to La Mejorana, a guitar-like folkore instrument, although it also encompasses folk fiddle competitions and lots of dance performances and games.

Panama is becoming a popular filming location both for for national and international producers.

Saturday, August 26 is your last chance to enjoy the work of approximately 6 Panamanian independent film makers during the 3rd annual Las Garzas International Film Festival, which is taking place at Casa Góngora, in San Felipe (Old Quarter.)

The festival is the brainchild of Shanida and Lucila Gutiérrez, a Panamanian-born mother-and-daughter team who seek to promote Panamanian films and documentaries in the U.S. Many local producers have been introduced into the independent film-making industry in the Eastern Seabord of the United States thanks to the Gutiérrez, who operate through a non-profit organization called "Fundación de Arte y Cultura el Divino Niño".

Also included in the festival are film exhibits from Japan, India, Iraq, Korea, Chile, Perú, Argentina, Ecuador and the United States. Shows are from 7:00 p.m. To 10:00 p.m, and from 5:00 p.m. To 10:00 p.m. On Saturday, August 26. Tickets cost $1.00. For details, call: 6521-6060/6061.