Issue 1008, July 28 - Aug 3, 2016

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

News

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more trade, no wall

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July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 Year 19 Free Issue 1008

Expats consumer rights

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Riviera Nayarit Life in la Cruz

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Photo by Madeline Milne

La Boquita at Jazz Foundation

welcome

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Welcome to Puerto Vallarta

and Riviera Nayarit Here is some advice to make your trip a little easier and more enjoyable.

TIME ZONE: The entire state of Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the southern part of the State of Nayarit starting from Guayabitos in the north.

BUSES: A system of urban buses with different routes can bring you from one end of the bay to the other and all the spots in between.

Current fare in Puerto Vallarta is $7.50 pesos per ticket and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board another bus. There are no “transfers”.

TAXIS: There are set rates within defined zones of town. Do not enter a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver first. Price is per trip not person.

MONEY EXCHANGE: Although you may have to wait in line for a few minutes, banks will give you a higher rate of exchange than the exchange booths (caja de cambio). You will need your passport. Better yet, use your bank card to withdraw funds from any ATM machine. Note that ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and generally charge lower fees.

DRINKING WATER: For the 18th year in a row, Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for human consumption.

The quality of the water tested at the purification plant varies greatly from what comes out of the tap at the other end. So do be careful. If you want to be doubly sure, you can pick up bottled water just about anywhere.

EXPORTING PETS: Falling love with the street dog outside your hotel or a puppy on the Malecon doesn’t mean they can’t come home with you.

The process is fairly inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You need a certificate of health from a local vet among other things. The time of year that pets can travel in the cargo section of the plane may be your biggest challenge. For the most up-to-date information contact the Puerto Vallarta SPCA at spcapv@gmail.com.

COMMON SENSE: Just as you wouldn’t walk around your hometown drunk and beligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here. While Mexicans are a forgiving bunch, basic politeness is appreciated.

For the guys, peeing in public is a major faux pas and if you are caught, can get you tossed in jail or an expensive fine. Pay attention to your surroundings. Pay your bills. Be courteous. And have fun!

DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off – just don’t. The consequences are not worth it. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Fines are as much as 10,000 pesos. You can be taken to jail and your vehicle impounded. There are many checkstops on the weekends and you will be asked to blow if they suspect you have been drinking.

LEGAL SYSTEM: Not knowing the law is not an valid excuse in Mexico or anywhere. If you find yourself caught in a legal situation be aware that guilt is presumed until your innocence can be proven.

This is a very difficult lesson to learn if you are visiting from the United States or Canada in particular. Immediately contact your consulate for assistance.

Director Noemi Zamora noemizamorareynoso@gmail.com Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Sales Team Rebeca Castellón rebeca.castellonn@gmail.com Information office ventastribuna7@yahoo.com Designer Cynthia E. Andrade G. cysandra@gmail.com cisandra@vallartatribune.com

July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Calling in Mexico Calling phones in Mexico can be tricky as it is different than in the US or Canada. There are different codes you need to use depending if you are calling landlines or cellular phones and if they are local or long distance.

Long-distance calls from within Mexico For national long-distance calls (within Mexico) the code is 01 plus the area code and phone number. For international long-distance calls, first dial 00, then the country code (for the U.S. and Canada the country code is 1, so you would dial 00 + 1 + area code + 7 digit number).

Calling Cell Phones (from a land line) If you are calling from a landline within the area code of the Mexican cell phone number dial 044, then the 10 digit number including area code. Outside of the area code (but still within Mexico) dial 045 and then the 10 digit phone number. Cell phone to cell phone only requires the 10 digit number.

Phone Cards Phone cards (“tarjetas telefonicas”) for use in pay phones can be bought at newstands and in pharmacies in denominations of 30, 50 and 100 pesos. Pay phones do not accept coins. When buying a phone card for pay phone use, specify that you would like a “tarjeta LADA,” because pre-paid cell phone cards are also sold in the same establishments.

Calling Toll-Free Numbers Some toll free numbers work from Mexico to the US and Canada, but many do not.

You need to dial a different prefix. To call the following toll free prefixes, dial as follows: 800 numbers Dial 001-880-then the number 866 numbers Dial 001-883-then the number 877 numbers Dial 001-882-then the number 888 numbers Dial 001-881-then the number

Emergencies: 060 Red Cross: 065 Non-Emergency Police 322.290.0507 Fire Department: 322.223.9476

Ahoy Cruisers!

Day Ship 2-Aug Carnival Miracle 3-Aug Carnival Miracle 10-Aug Carnival Miracle 17-Aug Carnival Miracle 23-Aug Carnival Miracle 24-Aug Carnival Miracle 29-Aug Disney Wonder 31-Aug Carnival Miracle

Passengers 2,124 2,124 2,124 2,124 2,124 2,124 2,500 2,124

Ambulance: 322.222.1533

Consulates American Consulate Immigration: Nuevo Vallarta: 322.224.7719 322.222.0069 24 hrs Guadalajara: Consumer Protection: 333.268.2145 01.800.468.8722 Tourism Offices Canadian Consulate Jalisco: 322.221.2676 322.293.2894 Nayarit: 322.297.1006 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

In port this month

In the month of August Puerto Vallarta welcomes 17,368 passengers!

Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and merely publishes information as it is provided by the advertiser or event host. We do not assume responsibility in errors or omissions other than to correct them as soon as they are made known to us regarding event schedules, locations and/or prices. In addition, we do not assume any responsibility for erroneous inclusion or exclusion of information except to take reasonable care to ensure accuracy, that permission has been obtained to use it, and to remove it as soon as is practical upon receiving your notification of error. We recommend you always confirm prior to attending or visiting an event or establishment. Weekly publication edited, printed and distributed by Ediciones y Publicaciones Siete Junio, SA de CV Grupo Editorial Tribuna Calle 21 de Marzo # 1174 Col. Lomas del Coapinole Del. El Pitillal, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco México CP 48290 Tel. 226-0800 editor@vallartatribune.com * www.vallartatribune.com * www.facebook.com/vallarta.tribune

editorial

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July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Editor’s

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com

A

couple of weeks ago I was invited to Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, A.C. (R.I.S.E.), a non-profit shelter and orphanage that is located just outside the tunnel in Old Town.

This shelter has over forty children from newborn to 14 years old.

Some of the children are housed temporarily while situations at home get resolved while others are there permanently.

The children are generally brought to RISE by DIF, which is essentially social services, when families are unable or unwilling to look after the children. Often the parents are incarcerated or deceased or the children have suffered horrific abuse and have no where safe to go. The facility is run by nuns and a small staff, along with a fluctuating assortment of volunteers.

I toured the property which is a big open area with a new playground area, basketball court and lots of space to run and play. It's well maintained and clean. There are seperate dormitories for the boys and girls and one for the

babies. There is a new play area and girls dorms being completed that look bright and cheerful.

The children who are old enough attend the local schools and in the afternoon volunteers and staff help with things like homework.

There's a gentlman who comes by in the evenings to play basketball, another lady who reads to the children, and more still who offer English classes, art classes etc. A group of university students arrived while I was visiting to help the children with their school work.

An issue with most charities is the lack of funds over the summer.

Recent changes in the organization and board members has brought new energy and plans to RISE which just celebrated its 15th anniversary. In the coming months new initiatives and funding opportunities will be announced. For now, the facility is calling for financial donations to ensure there is enough food and sundries for the long summer months.

These children and the facility do not need more toys. Donations of clothing, food and household items like toilet paper and soap are much more useful. Trust me, I saw the toy room, there's plenty of toys

and books.

If you are interested in volunteering there are many things you can do to assist these kids. Plans are in the works to provide mentoring opportunities to the children. If you would like to help in any way you can contact Ron at 322-131-7934.

In this week's Tribune we have an article on local charities that just scratches the surface of what is being done around the Bay of Banderas. You can find contact details for dozens of organizations at VallartaTribune.com who could use any assistance you can provide.

Next week (August 7th) there is a fundraising event for Cheryl's Shoebox to raise funds for new shoes and school supplies for underprivileged children. More details can be found here on page 3 and at the back of the newspaper. It will be a great beach bash with all the most popular locals in attendance. Don't miss it!

That's it for me this week!

Remember to support local, those big box stores don't need your pesos like the tienda on the corner does.

Safe Travels, Madeline

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heryl's Shoebox is pleased to announce our 1st Annual Summer Beach Bash to be held on Sunday, August 7th from 4 PM to 9 PM at the Oasis del Holi restaurant (Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Hotel Zone.

• Entry cost is only $100 pesos per person with all proceeds going to Cheryl's Shoebox.

• Live music, team relay games by sponsors and a no-host food and beverage menu.

We also encourage businesses to sponsor teams to compete in the games. Business sponsorship will include a space on our banner and a shared table on which to display advertisements. The team sponsorship forms can be found at www.downloads.cherylsshoebox.org EVENT DETAILS When: Sunday August 7th 4pm – 9pm Where: Oasis del Holi Restaurant Admission: $100 pesos Purpose: To raise funds to provide School Shoes and Supplies to the 200+ Children in Colonias: Progresso, Lomas de Enmedio & El Satrillo.

We have realized we can do much more than donating shoes and this year we have expanded to assist primary and secondary students in low-income areas with school supply kits. This fundraiser will be our kick-off event raising funds for the 200+ students in the colonias of Progresso, Lomas de Enmedio & El Satrillo.

Learn more at www.CherylsShoeBox.org

Lost Puppy

Letters to the Editor n update on the illegal, inconsiderate condo construction here, right up against the buildings of Loma del Mar, on the erstwhile greenway extension of I. Vallarta tween Fca. Rodriguez and Pulpito. Yesterday the garden patio of my downstairs neighbor was destroyed when the entire north east half of it fell into the deep excavation "they've" made.... where the stairs and pathways used by generations were, until "they" demolished them

Summer Beach Bash

back in October.

They continue to move dirt around with their humongous machines, filling our condos with diesel fumes and insufferable noises every day. Now they've begun putting up re-bar castillos on the east side of their site ....

I'm right next to them,3 stories up here in Loma del Mar on this side and I can almost touch the castillos, reaching out my bedroom windows. I've written to the local newspapers requesting an exposé

update story.... but have had little response .... "When money talks, the truth and consideration shut up". Today, when asked by one of their workers how I felt, knowing that I'm the crazy old man always yelling out the windows to them in protest, I first expressed my gratitude that he had a job, and then asked him how he'd feel if he and his family lived here amidst this violation. His answer, "RICO".

Tony Favello

Puerto Vallarta

Lost in the Amapas area, this sweet three month old puppy has been missing since July 3rd. She is wearing a collar and tags.

There is a reward offered for her return. Please contact Diana 222-5409 or editor@ vallartatribune. com if you have any information.

news

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Ban on use of gillnets made permanent Government announces new measure to protect vaquita porpoise

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nternational calls to end gillnet fishing in waters inhabited by the endangered vaquita marina porpoise have been heeded by the Mexican government.

The National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission, Conapesca, yesterday announced a permanent ban on using gillnets in the upper Sea of Cortés.

To take effect in September, the ban follows a call by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee to extend a two-year gillnet moratorium and make it permanent. It warned that Mexico was in danger of losing

its heritage site status for the islands and protected areas in the Sea of Cortés.

When that status was granted in 2005 it was based in part on the presence of the vaquita and the totoaba, which were seen as having “outstanding universal value.”

The gillnets are a threat to the vaquita, whose numbers have declined to an estimated 60, because they are caught along with the totoaba, a species whose swim bladders is a delicacy in China.

Conapesca said fishermen will have to leave and return from specially designated docks to enable the enforcement of the ban.

The head of the World Wildlife Fund in Mexico sees that as an important factor. Oscar Vidal described the announcement as “very welcome” but would like to hear more. “It is

important that they explain in detail how the announced enforcement measures will work, and how these measures will stop the illegal fishing of totoaba, which is the main reason this porpoise is on the brink of extinction.”

Vidal also believes the ban should be extended to the entire upper Sea of Cortés and not just the designated protected area.

Another international environmental group also welcomed the ban but predicted the measure was insufficient to save the vaquita.

The Sea Shepherd Society, which last year entered into an agreement with the government to monitor the porpoise, suggested that all fishing should be banned in the area due to the difficulty of combating illegal fishing at night.

Original: Mexico Daily News

July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Foreign Secretary Says Mexico “Ready” to Modernize NAFTA

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exican Foreign Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu said on Monday that Mexico is “ready” to update the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, enacted in 1994.

The foreign secretary, who was in the capital Monday for the inauguration of the forum celebrating the 25 years of the Ibero-American Summit, said the country has already recognized how “important” it is to modernize the agreement.

“We’ll make an effort to do so if it is suggested by our other two partners in the agreement,” Ruiz Massieu said about the treaty signed by her country, the United States and Canada.

The foreign secretary was responding to comments by the Republican candidate for the White House, Donald Trump, who said that if he is elected president he will try to renegotiate NAFTA conditions to get a better deal for workers.

But he also warned that “we will either renegotiate it or we will

break it.” And while the real estate mogul calls NAFTA a “disaster,” Mexico’s foreign secretary said it has given “great results” to all of its three partners.

Among those, she hailed the 300 percent hike in interregional trade and an increase in bilateral trade between Mexico and the United States of some 500 percent.

Ruiz Massieu noted that the agreement “has boosted investments and created millions of jobs” in the region, while insisting that it is in Mexico’s interest “to continue building North America as the most prosperous, most competitive region in the world.”

Laht.com

news

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July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

U.S./Mexico Presidents Pledge More Trade; No Wall

By Rossella Brevetti

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resident Barack Obama and Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto outlined a series of trade and commerce efforts, including pushing for approval of the trans-Pacific pact, they said would further cement cooperation between the trading partners.

The two presidents highlighted cooperative efforts and the need for global integration, rejecting calls from some to build a wall to slow immigration from Mexico to the U.S. They also agreed to make permanent a forum for cabinet-level discussions on economic competitiveness, trade and commerce; implement the bilateral Air Transport Agreement; continue work on sharing border crossing information to assist travelers; beef up border crossing infrastructure projects; and reduce black carbon emissions.

Wall Trumped The meeting comes one day

after the conclusion of the Republican convention, where Republican nominee Donald Trump reiterated his pledge to build a great border wall to stop illegal immigration. Trump has also called for the U.S. to exit NAFTA and to abandon any plans to ratify the trans-Pacific pact. Both Trump and Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, have opposed TPP as currently written.

Globalization is a fact that “we're not going to be able to build a wall around,” Obama told reporters. Instead, what can be done

is to shape how global integration proceeds “so that it's increasing opportunity for ordinary people,” he said.

The leaders agreed to make permanent the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue—a forum for cabinet-level discussions aimed at boosting economic competitiveness and improving trade and commerce between the two countries. “Through forums like our high-level economic dialogue, we're going to keep working to boost trade and grow our economies and create more opportunity

for our people,” Obama said.

The leaders also agreed to implement the bilateral Air Transport Agreement, which will benefit U.S. and Mexican airlines, travelers, businesses, airports and communities by increasing opportunities for passenger and cargo flights between the two countries, the White House said.

The U.S. and Mexico are working on a pilot program to share border crossing information so that a traveler’s entry into one country will be recorded as an exit from the other.

Both countries will work on improving pilot programs for cargo pre-inspection at the Laredo International Airport in Laredo, Texas, and the Mexican customs facilities at Mesa de Otay, Baja California. By spring 2017, a third pilot program will be launched in San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, according to the fact sheet. Pena Nieto said such inspection programs reduce costs up to 50 percent.

The two countries also committed to using data-driven processes

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w w w. e l m u n d o e n s u t v. c o m

to prioritize border crossing infrastructure projects. Each country plans to develop reference guides identifying options to finance ports of entry on each side of the border.

Obama and Pena Nieto last met June 29 at a summit hosted

by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canada.

Building on climate commitments made at the summit, Obama and Pena Nieto agreed to discuss strategies and actions to reduce black carbon emission and other short-lived climate pollutants.

The first meeting of the U.S.Mexico Energy Business Council will take place in the fall of 2016.

Before February 2017, the governments will also host a clean energy investment roundtable or trade mission, according to the fact sheet.

Obama said the countries would continue working toward the goal announced in Ottawa of generating half the electricity in North America through clean power by 2025.

Original: www.bna.com

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local Does your Mexican Land Trust have too much salsa in it?

M

Paradise

and Parenting Leza Warkentin

mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

by Orlando Gotay, Tax Attorney

ost expats living in Mexico know that acquiring real property within the “coastal or border zone” can only be done via a bank “fideicomiso”, or a Mexican Land Trust (“MLT”).

In these areas, ownership of real property without MLTs is normally not permitted.

When expats buy this kind of real estate, the sale and purchase and MLT documents are done before a Mexican Notary. For Mexican purposes, the MLT requirements are fairly straightforward.

However, US citizens and others subject to the Internal Revenue Code (“green card” holders, among them) must also pay attention to the IRS. This note serves as a reminder that some MLTs, perfectly valid for Mexican purposes, may run afoul of IRS safe harbors and lead to what I call, somewhat euphemistically, to “suboptimal results”.

Some of you may have heard of IRS Revenue Ruling 2013-14.

Generally speaking, it clarifies that a MLT is not a “foreign trust” for IRS purposes. This is important, because not being a “foreign trust” does away with the need to file IRS Form 3520, Annual Return to Report Transactions with Foreign Trusts, on account of the MLT. Not filing this form when required comes with very severe penalties.

So it’s a good thing when MLTs are not considered to be “foreign trusts”.

The devil is in the details.

Revenue Ruling 2013-14 has an important caveat neatly tucked in near the end of its six pages. The Ruling only applies if the MLT holds only one asset (the IRS calls the example asset “Greenacre”), and if the Bank is neither permitted nor required to carry out any activity beyond holding legal title to Greenacre. Both are traps for the unwary.

This is because those are immaterial issues from the Mexican perspective. A Notary can unknowingly establish a MLT, drafting it in such a way that is “Mexican good” but not “IRS good”. If your MLT does not meet IRS standards, corrective action may be required.

July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

One asset is allowed per MLT. When you bought your land, did you have more than one parcel of land put in the MLT, even if adjoining? Watch out for what I would call “Greenacre 1” and “Greenacre 1a” issues. The reverse is also true.

Did you sell off or subdivide, give away part of your land to someone else, and it is still within the trust?

Also remember that the IRS MLT ruling also does not allow the Bank to do anything other than hold legal title to the property. It would be prudent if the MLT document explicitly states that.

Fortunately, MLT documents can be amended.

There is one extra issue that needs to be considered. If a MLT “fails” the IRS safe harbors, then it can also become a “specified foreign financial asset” and could require reporting (or at least cross referencing) on Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial assets. Failing to file this form when required can also lead to severe penalties…even if no tax is due.

Double check your MLT documents. If you are now in the process of establishing an MLT, make sure the Notary includes only one asset per trust and clarifies the Bank role to solely holding the asset. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.

Orlando Gotay is a California licensed tax attorney (with a Master of Laws in Taxation) admitted to practice before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court and other taxing agencies.

His love of things Mexican has led him to devote part of his practice to the tax matters of U.S. expats in Mexico. He can be reached at tax@orlandogotay.com.

The Travel Bug Bites

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love to travel. I loved it before I had a chance to brag about it on social media. I loved it before I knew how edgy and cool my photos of sheep eating grass by some standing stones in County Kerry would look on Instagram. I loved it before Twitter was invented and before Facebook could post my location in the Vatican Museum standing under the Creation of Adam. In other words, I loved it before I could really make anyone jealous over it.

That’s true love, man.

I didn’t fully develop wanderlust until I was an adult and backpacked across Europe for four weeks in my twenties. It was an ideal time to travel as I was recently debt-free, owned whatever fit in my parents’ basement while I was between apartments, and had no children.

For most of that trip, one that I took with another companion, I was terrified, lost, exhausted, and almost always confused, thanks to the currency of six different countries (pre-European Union), about four different languages that I did not speak, and absolutely no spatial awareness skills (pre-Google Maps.

It was a dark age).

I can honestly tell you that it was the happiest time of my life to that point. When I moved to Mexico, I did a lot of traveling with friends within the country and fell even more deeply in love with waking up in a new place every other day and exploring a brand new city/archaeological site/mind-blowing landform.

Traveling in Mexico is not without its difficulties. Especially if you don’t speak Spanish and you need to ask for directions for a place that is not on any of the regular maps you have (I survived several years without Google maps, actually. I still can’t remember how).

I felt like I had found my own personal heaven on earth.

But then I had children. I know people who travel all over the planet with their babies and preschool-aged children. I think that’s really nice. And their Instagram

photos of the babies smiling at the top of the Eiffel Tower are adorable.

But my husband and I mutually and resoundingly agreed that we would bide our time and only travel to places close to home or where there were grandparents.

When you live in Puerto Vallarta, there are lots of places you can visit that are close by, interesting, and cheap. We went on many great mini-vacations to places like Guadalajara, Lake Chapala, San Blas, Guayabitos, among others. We spent a few days in Sayulita every year in order to get away and use someone else’s A/C unit. We loved those times and we looked back on them fondly. We took bi-annual trips to Canada to enjoy our family and a cooler climate, and went to exciting, bustling Mexico City several times in order to visit abuelos, tios and primos.

But it wasn’t long before we turned a measuring eye to our older school-aged children and began to wonder if they might be ready to stray a bit further from home. Last year we tried it out and took an epic road trip through Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende on our way to Mexico City. On our way home

we took a swing through Hidalgo to the Grutas de Tolantongo.

Our kids weren’t ALWAYS as excited about the history of the Mexican Revolution as we were on our many museum tours, but they got interested when we saw the mummies in Guanajuato, or wandered through the tunnels underneath the city to try to catch the ghost of La Llorona. I think I even caught a glimpse of their pre-maternal mother’s travel fever once or twice, flashing hungrily in their eyes when climbed to the top of a mountain and swam in the dipping pools of Tolantongo.

This year, we found ourselves on the Ruta Puuc in the Yucatan, dropping in on the pyramids of Uxmal and Kabah. We hunted around the caves of Loltun and found pre-historic handprints on the dark walls deep underground. We took a bike ride around the archaeological site of Coba and climbed the only climbable pyramid left in the area.

We were sweaty, exhausted and thirsty at least half of the time. Our rental car, in real life, wasn’t exactly (or anywhere near) as shown on the booking site. Google maps completely gave up halfway through the trip (we survived).

But every night we sat down together for dinner, usually at a different place from the night before.

And every night I looked around the table and realized that my family had never been happier. If travel is a bug, they were all scratching a brand new bite. As a mom and a teacher, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. Nevertheless, my work here isn’t done. We have just gotten started.

local

07

Two Expats Living in Mexico Paul Kurtzweil

marciavallarta@gmail.com

Know Your Legal Rights as a Consumer in Mexico

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f you plan on eating out or shopping in Mexico, it is a good idea to know your legal rights as a consumer. A little bit of knowledge can go a long way to protecting you from scams and excessive fees.

The Law and Profeco In 1976, Mexico passed the Federal Consumer Protection Law (Ley Federal de Protección al Consumidor) with the goal of protecting consumers across Mexico. The legislation also created the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco), a government agency tasked with enforcing the law and investigating possible violations.

Common Violations by Category There are a lot of activities on the part of a vendor or service provider that may constitute a violation. The following are some of the most common violations: 1) Prices must be exhibited within view of the consumer or provided in the menu This is probably the most common violation. If a vendor can only quote you the prices verbally, that is a violation. All prices must be in writing.

2) Tips cannot be made mandatory or included in the price (this includes a "service fee") You should always inspect your bill carefully. If they add the tip or a surcharge for service, that is violation. It is important to note that tipping is customary in Mexico, and you are encouraged to tip waiters and bartenders.

3) Restaurants and bars cannot

make getting a table dependent on buying something This is most common in bars and night clubs. Some businesses will require you to buy a bottle of something in order to get a table.

This is a violation.

4) An establishment cannot have minimum consumption requirements Some businesses require you to purchase at least two drinks or spend a minimum. This is a violation.

5) Providers must honor promotions and exhibited prices Some vendors may refuse to honor promotional prices or may change the price at the last minute due to some "unforeseen circumstances". This is a violation.

6) Providers cannot discriminate based on national origin, gender, sexual preference, race, or disability.

Some vendors may refuse to honor a promotional offer or even charge you more because you are a foreigner. This is a violation.

7) Exhibited prices for goods and services must be the total price to be paid This means that the price must already include all taxes, commissions, interest, insurance or any other charge that the person may be required to pay. In a nutshell, you pay only what’s on the price tag or advertisement.

8) Prices must be exhibited in the national currency (pesos) although additional currency types may be included If you go to a business or

restaurant and the prices are only listed in dollars, that is a violation.

Gas Stations Profeco is the agency that is tasked with investigating any consumer violations related to gas stations. Profeco even conducts inspections of gas stations and measures the liters being dispensed to ensure the meter on the pump is accurate.

If you feel that you have been a victim of a fraud at a gas station, request a receipt. Take some pictures of the pump and of the attendant, if possible. These will be beneficial when you file a complaint with Profeco.

Reporting a Violation Profeco provides various methods to report a consumer violation: 1) Website: http://www.profeco. gob.mx 2) Phone: 55 68 87 22 and 01 800 468 87 22 3) Email: denunciasprofeco@ profeco.gob.mx 4) Mobile Application: PROFECO en 30 (available at the online store for your device)

July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

From Here Marcia Blondin

marciavallarta@gmail.com

Additional Tips

Knowledge is power. Unscrupulous taxi drivers, service providers, and vendors are counting on your ignorance. When faced with a clear violation, advise the person that you aware of the law and that you plan to report the violation to Profeco. In my own experience this has been a very effective way to turn the situation around and receive fair treatment (and a fair price).

Qroo.us Paul Kurtzweil retired as a lieutenant from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida after 25 years of service. He and his wife then disposed of the majority of their belongings and moved to Mexico to start a new life as expats. Paul started a blog about Mexico called Two Expats Living in Mexico (Qroo.us)

W

hat, besides great ambiance and food, do El Rio BBQ and Bar here in Vallarta, and the Luna Lounge in Bucerias, have in common? Merv Buchanan, that’s what. Rather, that’s WHO. And who is Merv Buchanan? Merv is responsible for finding, hiring, scheduling, housing, airport meeting and greeting, chauffeuring, specialfood ordering, and hand-holding when necessary the great Tribute Artists that packed both venues last season. Merv has been hard at work (now based in Calgary, Canada) finessing the upcoming season so that patrons to both restaurants will be well-entertained.

Happily I attended most of the performances last year and am happy to report that crowd favourites Tom Jones (Dave LaFame), Neil Diamond (Will Chalmers), The Blues Brothers, and Shania Twain (Annette LaFond) will be back in rare form. Add Rod Stewart, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis and so many more, I haven’t space this week to mention!

Merv is expanding territory and including Mazatlan for some of his artists. It is no mean feat schedu-

ling local with imported talent that live in three different countries but Merv manages the headaches, surprises and health issues with an always-present smile and an even temperament that amazes me!

Caught La Boquita at the Jazz Foundation: What an amazing Flamenco performance including Maria as ‘clapper’ and dancer.

She is as fluid as rain – fierce one second and as frail as falling stained glass the next. Paolo on Flamenco guitar accompanied by wife Sylvia’s melodic voice and percussion would have been a flawless performance but for one thing: The second music starts at the Jazz Foundation the volume level at their next-door neighbor's bar goes up and so the JF must increase their volume and so on and so forth. A song (La Llorona) I requested – with lyrics bittersweet and quietly riveting but - while beautifully done, was seemingly “shouted”. My only negative observation on the JF; a ‘conversational level’ is impossible. So, do your chatting beforehand and go to the Jazz Foundation for the music; you won’t ever be disappointed!

And that is it From Here!

Visit the Marsol Hotel Summer Market by t

the Pier every Friday 9:30 am to 1:30 pm

charity

10

July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Charity in Banderas Bay Vallarta’s cats receive big donations

By Madeline Milne

F

rom one end of Banderas Bay to the other there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of charitable organizations that work with the poorest, most disadvantaged children, families and seniors, the abused and neglected animal populations and the environment. The opportunity to volunteer or help in some way is limitless. The orphanages need stable volunteers who can offer specific skills and the animal shelters need people who can socialize the animals, clean cages and feed them. There are groups or clubs such as the Navy League and the International Friendship Club who fundraise for different organizations and there are charities that have very specific goals from providing shoes to scholarships.

To learn more about specific organizations, visit the website www.pvangels.com that lists many of the charities along with their contact information and mission statements. When space permits, the Vallarta Tribune publishes a list of local charities and you can find the complete list online at vallartatribune.com. Here is a quick overview of just a few of the many charities in the bay.

The Amigos de Bucerias

A community organization they tackle many community level issues including Recycling; Trash cans and general street beautification; John Ozello Memorial Food Bank; Spay n Neuter; Special Needs; Tercera Edad (Seniors facility). They support their associate charities: BBCC (community centre); Biblioteca Rey Nayar; Human Connections; Manos de Amor (orphanage).

If you are interested in helping in any way email is amigosdebuceriasac@gmail.com.

The Food Bank of Puerto Vallarta The Food Bank collects around 30 tons of food each month to distribute in the communities to approximately 800 families.

Because it is a civil association, they get no funds and depend on donations in keeping needy families from hunger. The food bank servers over 30 colonias in the municipalities of Puerto Vallarta, Cabo Corrientes and Bahía de Banderas. www.facebook.com/BadeAPV

Deep Blue Conservancy

Deep Blue Conservancy is a multinational nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of marine life and ecosystems impacted by human activity, with a focus on using education, scientific research and technology to protect and preserve our oceanic heritage for future generations.

They work in association with Ocean Friendly Tours in presenting responsible whale watching adventures. Oscar Frey from Ocean Friendly Tours, Deep Blue Conservancy and The Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Forum believe in responsible tourism and are dedicated to responsible whale watching and the protection and preservation of the Humpback whales and giving back to our community. www.facebook.com/ Deep-Blue-Conservancy

O

n July 19, 2016 The Richard Reed Foundation provided emergency funds to help the kittens and cats on Cuale island that are being abused and at times poisoned.

Two of Puerto Vallarta’s cat rescue organizations, Puro Gato and Purr Project, each received a grant of over $5,000 USD to help further their efforts to save and find forever homes for the many (mostly abandoned) island cats on the river Cuale.

The Richard Reed Foundation is a private charity that provides grants to promote science and reason.

It has donated monies in 2015 and 2016 to small, non-profits to help children and animals in need in Puerto Vallarta including PeaceAnimal, Pasitos De Luz, Corazon de Niña, Asocia-

ción Down and Proyecto Pitillal un Amigo, a severely under funded day care for children with disabilities.

Their focus is on smaller non-profits and causes where

the grant will make a significant difference in meeting organizational expenses or funding special projects.

Visit www.richardrreedfoundation.org for more information.

need when their children have cancer including furnishing, medications, and transportation for families to Guadalajara to receive treatment.

Direct monetary donations are always urgent. For information contact: asociacionfemenil@ yahoo.com.mx With school starting again in just a few weeks, there are fundraising efforts underway for Cheryl’s Shoebox which provides shoes and school supplies to needy children in the many colonias of Puerto Vallarta.

If you are in town on August 7th from 4-9pm, join in the fun at the Summer Beach Bash at the Oasis

del Holi restaurant. This day on the beach will feature beach games, live music, food and cash bar. www.facebook.com/CherylsShoeBox for more details.

This sorely incomplete list of charitable organizations just scratches the surface of the many groups that are providing non-profit services in the Bay of Banderas.

With the bulk of fundraising done between November and April each year, during the summer the cupboards often run dry as the expat community has long since flown to cooler climates.

Becoming a regular donor helps to ease this seasonal burden.

Source: Pvangels.com

Vallarta Botanical Gardens

The Vallarta Botanical Gardens started in 2004 with a vision of building Mexico's greatest botanical garden in the enchanted tropical highlands of Jalisco.

The success of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens have allowed them to give back to the community in a variety of ways. They provide free admission to the Gardens to over 1,000 visiting school children each year. They have collaborated with grassroots natural resource conservation and indigenous knowledge proponents including the Maya Nut Institute and the Center For Traditional Medicine.

Their conservation initiatives have been recognized by SEMARNAT (Secretaria de medio ambiente y recursos naturals), Mexico's Agency of Environment and Natural Resources, which has registered the Garden as an UMA (Unidad de Manejo Para La Conservacion De Vida Silvestre), an official Wildlife Conservation Management Unit. www.facebook.com/ Vallarta-Botanical-Gardens-AC

The Center for Animal Collection The ACOPIO - the Center of Animal Collection from Puerto Vallarta is essentially the City Pound.

This no-kill shelter runs on nearly 100% donations. The local government supplies less than enough food for two weeks, each year. The ACOPIO needs volunteers, pet care items, food and

money. Contact the Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals to learn how you can help. www.facebook. com/friendsofpvanimals

The Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, A.C. (R.I.S.E.) is a non-profit shelter for infants and children under the age of 14 who have been turned over to R.I.S.E. by DIF (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia), a Mexican government organization that is the legal representative for minors under the age of 14.

Some of the children are only here temporarily while their problems are resolved at home, but sadly, some have been in institutions most of their young lives.

RISE currently has over 40 children in its care. It needs volunteers, donors and donations.

The home is run entirely on donations. With a new board of directors there has been a recent shift at RISE in the care and attention of these children. There are new programs underway to help these children adjust back into society as best they can when the time comes. RISE is now has tax free charitable status in the UK, Canada and USA. www.facebook.com/risepv

CANICA – Children with Cancer This organization focuses on providing the financial support families

Adorable Dog In The Spotlight...

BOUNCER by Janice Gonzalez

B

ouncer is the sweetest young Boxer mix just ten months old and weighing almost 42 pounds. Typical of his breed, he still acts and plays like a puppy. Bouncer gets along with all other dogs although he can be a bit rough so is better with dogs his own size or larger. Bouncer has been dewormed, neutered and is current on all his vaccines. Now he just needs his forever family to make his life complete. If you are ready to take this sweet boy home, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com for an application.

riviera nayarit

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July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Life

In La Cruz

By Cindy Bouchard

La Cruz’n thru summer

T

he lazy days of summer inspire folks to create fun times sharing with others.

One way to find out La Cruz happenings is to join the ‘Meet and Mingle’ group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1012123852155471/).

Locals get together for Sunday night dinner, choosing a different restaurant every week. It’s a great way to meet new people, mingle with some you know, try new food and support a restaurant that stays open in the slow season.

You’re welcome too! The next three weeks are confirmed at 6pm. July 31, Tesclama; August 7, Oso’s fish market; August 14, Octopus Garden.

A fun group gets together at Tesclama (formerly El Coleguita near Alamar) on Friday’s to play Mexican Train and enjoy Happy Hour; 5:00 - 7:00pm. 50% off cocktails!

Roberto's Xocolatl Restaurant and its expansive view of

Banderas Bay has folks marveling at the fajita tower and savouring various options of seasonal seafood.

Octopus garden is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 4:00 pm to 12:00 am. Live music Thursday "The Coyotes" and Friday "The Good Stuff". Special menu items; Thursday: Enchiladas; Friday: Empanadas and Saturday Antonio’s famous BBQ ribs.

Open mic is so much fun Tuesday’s at Britannia Pub! Jam with The Turn or just enjoy the music.

Happy Hour summer specials from 6:30 to 8pm include 2x1 Drinks; 2x1 Fish & Chips.

Check out the Black Forests yummy daily specials.

Tacos on the Street; legendary for their rib-eye tacos; Wednesday-Sunday 6 -10ish.

La Cruz Inn on the plaza has reopened with new owners, Cirilo and Annette, serving affordable homemade goodness. Tantalizing items include burgers, Greek salad, homemade tzatziki and pita chips, Mediterranean flatbread and so much more! The hotel portion of the inn has four rooms with

full kitchens. Open 12-7 pm with Happy Hour prices all day; Closed Monday's.

La Cava de las Martinez restaurant specialties include tortilla soup, enchiladas, pozole and more.

Oso’s Fish market waterfront restaurant serves fresh seafood.

Special of the month is Micheladas with shrimp. Open 11am-9pm; closed Mondays.

La Sarandería on playa la Manzanilla is such a fun place to go ‘shopping’ on the beach as you sip margaritas and dine on sumptuous shrimp and fresh fish. Open 11 am – 7pm daily.

Well this is embarrassing… I’m only allowed so many words and

I’ve used them up, yet there’s so many more… visit La Cruz and enjoy; Langosta Diez Italian food; turn at the only traffic light in town and it’s the first restaurant on your right. Down the street Enrique’s serves fresh seafood.

On the lateral as you come into town is Mariscos el Kiki where the ceviche is fabulous and the owners treat you like family! In the opposite direction is Taco’s Jr. serving tacos pastor.

In my humble opinion great chicken wings are few are far between; at Ocean Wings they are so tasty, as are the onion rings!

You’ll find 3 restaurants on Delfin; Red Chairs serving various options of tacos. El Rey Bon Bon

had me with their fish ball soup.

Creperie Cumarú is tasty and affordable.

Brunch and music on the beach where Zoe performs every Saturday and Sunday $80 peso brunch buffet 9am-1pm, live music 11am-1pm.

Frascati and Le Peska at the Marina Riviera Nayarit share the rooftop restaurant for the summer.

Le Peska serves lunch until 7 pm and Frascati specializing in Italian dinners until 11pm.

Visit the side streets and you’ll find many more, like ‘The Little hot grill’ serving something special every day…

Apparently, La Cruz isn’t so lazy in the summer after all!

Opening Of Grand Sirenis Matlali Brings Announcement of New Development In The Riviera Nayarit

A

fter a recent investment of US$100 million in the newly opened resort set on 30 hectares, the company announced a second beachfront development with an additional investment of US$28.5 million, giving details on what will be known as the Puerto Bahía tourist center, which will have more hotels and services on another 320 hectares of land.

On Friday, July 22, 2016 the Grupo Autofin Monterrey inaugurated the Grand Sirenis Matlali Hills Resort & Spa, which is perched on a mountain in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit. During the event they also announced a new beach development that will complement this resort.

Armando Véjar Cortés, Presi-

dent and Managing Director of the Grupo Autofin Monterrey, and Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, were on hand to deliver the plaque that made the inauguration official.

Nayarit and Jalisco’s state authorities and businessmen were also in attendance.

This is the first time Grupo Autofin Monterrey has made inroads into the tourism industry.

The group chose the Riviera Nayarit thanks to its many natural attractions, as well as its growth as a national and international tourism destination.

Grand Sirenis Matlali was built at a cost of US$100 million and currently offers 170 luxury villas and suites, 109 of them located on the mountainside with ocean

views and 61 set in the jungle. It also boasts four gourmet restaurants and snack bar, a spa, beach club, gym, a linear park, a kids

club, botanical garden, two pools and two yachts for guests.

The second stage of the Grand Sirenis Matlali will be on the

beach to one side of the Marina Riviera Nayarit in the area where the beach club, Eva Mandarina, is located.

The new development will represent an investment of US$28.5 million and is expected to open with 140 suites on December 1, 2017.

Grupo Autofin Monterrey’s future plans for the Puerto Bahía tourist center include several hotels from different chains, residential properties, a golf course, a hospital, a clinic for anti-aging treatments, a school specializing in hospitality and tourism, and a shopping mall, among other amenities and entertainment attractions to be set on 320 hectares in addition to the 30 of Grand Sirenis Matlali.

VALLARTA SHOPPI

Marsol Market by the Pier D id you know that in the State of Mexico you can walk into some bars and order a shot of Garañona? This wellknown aphrodisiac is used

by Mexican men who are trying to have a family and by Mexican women who want to encourage that process.

It is a natural herb extracted

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CLUB

Good people doing good things

If you’re looking to contribute to society in Puerto Vallarta consider volunteering for the IFC. Each winter (November to April) IFC needs volunteers to help run the Home Tours, teach English to Mexicans, contribute to our lecture series, serve drinks, teach bridge and many other activities.

This coming winter we will need good people to do good things. www.ifcvallarta.com 322-222-5466

from a bush that grows mostly in Northern M e x i c o .

Because it is a vasodilator, it’s good for your heart and supports healthy

cholesterol and blood pressure levels as well as leaving

one feeling refreshed and thinking more clearly. For

more information see Ricardo Mazcal and ask him about his creams and lotions he makes by hand. Also get some Garañona extract. It is something men and women can take daily or when “tener familia” is desired. Ricardo – by popular demand – is making his daily-dose packets of magic herbs available in a larger, re-sealable container.

Roman’s wired stones are delightful to wear with his soft, cashmere-like scarves.

Look for his earrings on display as well.

If your rings are too tight, have David or Elizabeth Ruesga make them a tiny bit bigger for you. It doesn’t take much time and the process is not expensive.

Juan Manuel has a new batch of iguanas and necklaces (collares in

Spanish) made with snail shells, mother of pearl, coral, and crystals. Juan wants everyone to know he is a refrigeration expert, so if yours needs repair talk to Juan Manuel every Friday at the Marsol Market.

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Malecon 1, Playa Los Muertos

ING AND SERVICES

www.vallartatribune.com

Three Hens and a Rooster Market News

T

Marcia’s regular earrings are still only $100 pesos each; two pairs for $150. Her “Mixtos” sell for $350 pesos.

The Marsol Market by the Pier is open every Friday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

hree Hens is growing bigger and better with each new vendor we welcome. This week, Alma Nora, whose Manitas Trabajando’s display brightened everyone’s day with splashes of color and happiness. If you are having a party – especially a kid’s party - you’ll need Alma to help you plan your decorations. Check Manitas Trabajando on Facebook first then meet her Saturday at Market.

Gloria Sue’s lunch-ina-box changes weekly but the tuna salad on a baguette was remarkable: a Ziplock bag with crisp romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes and Spanish onion accompanied a separate, sealed container with mayonnaise which meant the bread was as fresh and non-soggy as possible. Carrot salad loaded with raisins – also packed neatly and securely. A plastic fork and knife wrapped tightly in a napkin and scotch-taped closed, with another napkin sealed inside that! And a gigantic heart-shaped cookie with pink frosting from Corazon de Niña for dessert. It tasted even better than the thought that went into creating it.

Pat Wagner is going to

need another table soon!

This week she is adding jalapeño jelly, pumpkin bread, pork tenderloin kabobs with homemade mango chutney, and a veggie lasagne! And, never mind her store full of cushions, wine bags, and reduced-inprice designer clothes!

Christel lovingly sells her husband’s jewellery (Heriko) but she has a deep appreciation for pearls and has a large selection of pearl earrings and bracelets she makes herself. Take a look; they are beautiful.

Corazon de Niña’s Mercado grows daily with new (donated) clothing, shoes, jewellery, kid’s games and toys.

This is located right in the front of the Market and is open six days a week.

The deli, too, grows weekly.

Stop by and shop for what you need; better to help the children running the store improve their lives than spending your money at faceless box stores.

Every Saturday 9 to 1pm at Venustiano Carranza 466 in Old Town Puerto Vallarta.

“Remodeling and Renovations”

Juarez 599 El Centro 322 222 1383, 322 111 6359 www.colibridesignvallarta.com galeriacolibri@gmail.com

entertainment

14

Mae West – The Original Vixen Part 2 Fred Jacobs

L

ast week we looked at Mae West’s rise on the New York stage scene and her battle with “morality” censorship. By 1932, Mae was already 38 years old, but the growing Hollywood machine, was starting to take notice of her.

Despite her advanced age to play a “sexy harlot” on the big screen, her persona and physical beauty seemed to lure the big studios.

Mae was offered a contract

by Paramount Pictures despite pushing 40, which for a woman was unheard of. Her signature character of a freewheeling sexually secure and liberated woman was timeless and ageless.

With a crack makeup team as well, Mae was able to keep her age “unclear for much of her early Hollywood years.

Mae West’s first film was Night after Night (1932).It was a small role, but Mae was allowed to rewrite her characters to her liking. Her next film “She Done Him Wrong” (1933), Mae was able to brought her "Diamond Lil" character to the silver screen in her first starring film role and we heard the famous Mae West line, "Why

don't you come up sometime and see me?".

The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, and also starred new comer Cary Grant in one of his first major roles. The film was a box office hit, and is attributed to saving Paramount Pictures from bankruptcy. In her next movie, “I'm No Angel” (1933) Mae was again onscreen with Cary

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

C

ome and spend a rewarding afternoon cuddling the animals at Puerto Vallarta’s SPCA Sanctuary. Our dogs and cats are awaiting “forever homes” and your help is needed to jump start their socialization. The goal is to get these animals adjusted and ready to interact in the real world. The majority of the SPCA animals either come from extremely abusive situations or they have been abandoned. Your love and attention can make up for that sad history. During your visit, you can interact with the animals and even take a dog (or two or three) for a walk.

During the low season (May through October), reservations to visit the sanctuary need to be made in advance. To make a reservation, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

We appreciate any donations you can bring for our rescues and also please feel free to bring treats for sanctuary staff as they truly appre-

By Janice Gonzalez

ciate it.

To see our animals available for adoption, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/spcapv.

Go to Photos where you will also find individual Albums for all the animals available as well as a bit of their history. Please be aware that our adoption fee within Mexico is $1,500 pesos.

To make donations via PayPal, select the “Donate” option on our Facebook page www.facebook. com/spcapv or on our website at http://spcapv.com/donate/.

You can drop off any donations for the SPCA at Hacienda San Angel located at Calle Miramar 336, above Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Centro.

Get involved…rescue, adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or educate. Contact us at spcapv@ gmail.com. You can learn more about the SPCA Puerto Vallarta by checking us out at www.spcapv. com/home or on Facebook.

Grant. The film was another financial hit giving Mae the honor of being the eighth-largest box office draw in the United States. By 1935, Mae West was the highest paid female and the second-highest paid person in the United States behind publisher William Randolph Hearst.

Like in her New York days, Mae’s Hollywood time also raised the wrath of “moral” code watchers.

Hollywood in those days had “moral” groups authorized to pre-approve films' productions and change scripts and they began to heavily Mae’s screenplays.

Mae shot back by increasing the

July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

number of innuendos and double entendres, in an attempt to confuse the censors, which she did for the most part.

Mae wrote and starred in “Klondike Annie” (1936), in which she played a Salvation Army worker and dealt with religion and hypocrisy. William Randolph Hearst (newspaper tycoon) was so opposed to the film’s plot and Mae's portrayal, that he personally banned any stories or advertisements of the film to be published in any of his newspaper. Despite the controversy, the film was again a hit at the box office and is considered the high-point of West's film career.

In “My Little Chickadee” (1940) Mae starred opposite W.C. Fields.

Both stars ended up having an intense mutual dislike for each other.

Fields's very big drinking problem was not just an onscreen character and the two also had fights over the screenplay. Fields had a definite problem with taking direction from a woman. Despite the working conditions, the film was a box office hit. It also gave us the infamous line “Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?" which Mae was able to get past the censors.

By 1943, Mae was now 50 years old and thinking about retiring from the big screen. A producer friend convinced Mae to make another movie, “The Heat is on”, but it was not written by Mae and lacked her usual double entendre lines thanks to censors. The film was a flop and Mae would not been seen on the big screen again until two final appearances in the 1970’s.

The rest of the 1950’s saw Mae return to her roots and to stage work, which was successful. The 1960’s saw Mae do occasional guest appearances on various TV shows, but her glory days were well behind her now. Mae West made a big mark in Hollywood and with fans, despite only making 9 films in her peak years of 1932-40.

Mae’s last film was in “Sextette” (1978) when at the age of 85, Mae appeared one last time on the big screen for us. This time she costarred with Dom DeLouise and the film was based on the play “Sex” which Mae wrote back in 1926.

The same play Mae was jailed for 10 days, due to immorality laws of the day.

In the fall of 1980 Mae West suffered a series of strokes which left her partially paralyzed and was complicated by pneumonia. Mae West passed away on November 22, 1980 at the age of 87. She was buried in her beloved Brooklyn, New York.

Mae West fought to bring her vision of strong independent women to the stage and the big screen. All this in an era when women were still considered second class citizens and religious zealots “protecting” the public, were the norm. She fought the “morality” police at every turn, who aimed to censor her work. Her films contained no nudity, no profanity, and very little violence-just mild tongue in cheek dialogue by today’s standards. Bravo Mae West!

Fred Jacobs is a full time resident of Puerto Vallarta and the author of 3 books

Christ Church by the Sea Worldwide Anglican Communion

Services Sunday 10:00 a.m. Air-conditioned Now! Services held each Sunday year around English-Traditional Holy Communion All faiths welcome-Casual Dress Across from airport, northbound service road next to Sixt and Thrifty Car Rental Blvd. Fco. Medina 7936, Puerto Vallarta Questions? Call Father Michael cell: 044-322-303-3916 e mail kpadresoy@outlook.com

www.ChristChurchByTheSea.org www.IglesiaCristoDelMar.org

15

games

July 28 - Aug 3, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Not In Town?

Crossword Solve

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