Issue 1010, Aug 11 - 17, 2016 by Vallarta Tribune

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

Events

Comings and goings

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 Year 19 Free Issue 1010

Charity children with Cancer

Riviera Nayarit Life in La Cruz

Photo by Leza Warkentin

welcome

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

Aug 11 - 17, 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

Editor’s

Rounding Up Campaigns

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com

ow the German Oom-pah bands made their way to Mexico is well-researched, but why Mexicans choose to embrace this type of music is beyond me. Don’t get me wrong; I can grit my teeth and get through a few songs on the radio while driving from A-B but an all night cacophony of mashed-up musical notes and caterwauling screeches of lament, nope. Not always, but most often it sounds like everyone in the band is literally marching to his or her own beat. So, suffice it to say after ‘enjoying’ the festivities on Saturday evening (Sunday morning) at the Corn Festival in Jala, Nayarit, I may never need to listen to Banda again. Festivities run until the end of this weekend and it is a great road trip. Jala, on the other hand will be revisited again, not only because it is a beautiful old town with gorgeous architecture, or because the drive (particularly if you go to

Tepic, by Santa Maria del Oro, through the volcano fields, past the towering waterfalls) is stunning but because my husband’s family makes the most delicious carnitas, ever. A blown out radiator hose (yes, again) delayed our return and I missed the Cheryl’s Shoebox Beach Bash, which makes me really sad because I love games. I do hear that it was a huge turnout, and a ton of cash was raised for the children. Congratulations to all who organized what is said to be the most fun event of the year. And thank you to everyone who did turn out, donate and participate. Coming up on the 17th is the CK Productions Splash and Dance Summer Concert with a Cuban buffet, pool, dance floor under a beautiful palapa and music by the hottest Latin band in town, Pacifico Tropical. More details in Marcia’s revived Comings and Goings column. I made a brief stop at the Vallarta CoWork Marketing Mixer event last week to hear co-founder Chase

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

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.

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

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 appreciate 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

Buckner speak about marketing through social media channels. Excellent, informative presentation and a huge blockbuster crowd. So many familiar faces. If you are looking for an air-conditioned, shared workspace with the best internet in town, Vallarta CoWork is the place. Its convenient location to Old Town means you’re just a few steps from excellent shopping, dining and the beach for when you are finished with all your pesky work tasks. They’re on Facebook. Check them out. Plans are most likely on hold to embark on the summer road trip because of this never-ending saga of car repairs. If all goes well, we will drive to Mexico City by way of Morelia, Toluca and return through Cuernavaca, Guadalajara in about two weeks. If not, then I’ll probably sulk for a few days and pony up to a swim-up bar in town to drown my sorrows. The fact that I can drown my sorrows in a swim up bar is pretty amazing. It’s all about perspective. #countyourblessingshoweversmall. Have a great week. Shop local. Say yes when the cashier asks if you would like to donate your centavos and please, no more straws – nasty bits of useless plastic. Safe travels, Madeline

By Janice Gonzalez

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.

n many stores around Mexico and in Puerto Vallarta specifically there are rounding up campaigns where the cashier will ask if you would like to donate (Quieras donar?) Assuming you say yes (Si!) they will round up the centavos (really tiny amounts of money, represented by really tiny coins) on the balance of your bill and donate to the beneficiary. Each store brand rotates the different organizations, usually every three months. Recently Pasitos de Luz was the beneficiary at all the Soriana Grocery Stores in the Bay of Banderas and, for the next three months, they are the beneficiary for all your pesitos donated in Oxxo. So, the next time a cashier say ‘quieras donar?’ and you are skeptical if the money actually makes it to the organizations, know that it does indeed and is a huge part of many fundraising efforts. Excerpt from the Pasitos de Luz Summer Newsletter Pasitos de Luz is very fortunate

to announce that we are the beneficiary of two "rounding" campaigns this year - Soriana occurred in spring and Oxxo is happening now! Soriana Rounding: To all our friends who agreed to round up and donate their pennies in the Soriana rounding campaign this spring, we would like to say THANK YOU. We received $93,589 pesos! All of the Soriana stores in Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas participated. We would like to recognize the store managers and cashiers for who were integral in our success through their promotion of the campaign to customers. Their enthusiasm took us above and beyond our dreams by supporting the work of Pasitos de Luz.        Oxxo Rounding: Oxxo has also identified Pasitos de Luz for their August, September and October rounding campaign. Please support our cause by saying YES to rounding when shopping at the Oxxo stores in Puerto Vallarta through these months

Unite in the movement

# sinpopote

Daily we use 500,000,000 popotes 1 person will use 38,000 popotes in their lifetime. In Mexico 95% are non-recyclable Taking over 100 years to bio-degrade.

Please take care of your environment and stop using straws. The next time you order a drink, say “sin popote, por favor.”

events

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Comings and Goings By Marcia Blondin

o much is going on in the middle of our hot, sultry summer; I had to resurrect this column!

Comings… Dionisio, Grupo de Teatro, presented the premiere of La Ley del Ranchero last Friday to celebrate the group’s 4th anniversary. The production will run every Friday and Saturday at 8 pm throughout August. Please attend this award-winning/packed with local talent/ community-oriented Spanish-language theatre group, on the Main Stage at Act II Entertainment. You will recognize cast members like Juan Pablo, who is the emcee of the long-running Voice of Vallarta; Cesar who was brilliant in Equus and charming as Snow White in Desperate Princesses; Samantha and Juan

Carlos who co-starred in Hombre sin Adjectivos. And Cesar Trujillo who was amazingly funny in Princesas Desesperadas is hilarious as the bar owner in La Ley del Ranchero. Vallarta is so lucky to have five or six theatre groups like Dionisio – they share sets, lighting equipment, set designers, directors, actors, whatever is needed. They support each other by cheering in the audience and helping pay for bus tickets to get to the next city to perform. They are all friends who work hard together and separately to do one thing: keep live theatre living and thriving in Vallarta. This Thursday at Los Mangos Library at 7 pm, the history of the saxophone is presented by Paco Ojeda whose day job is managing editor of Vallarta Lifestyles magazine. He is not only a thorough researcher; his audio/ visual presentations along with

his commentary will keep everyone royally entertained for 90 minutes. And, you are sure to hear the best saxophone music ever recorded! Next week – Wednesday the 17th, CK Productions is having another concert with summer fun first and foremost. The Splash and Dance concert will take place around a gorgeous swimming pool where you are welcome to get some sun, swim and enjoy cocktails without sand! The group – Pacifico Tropical – will provide hot Latin rhythms and the dance floor will be well used. The concert will go ahead rain or shine under a gigantic palapa. The ticket price includes Cuban food so expect some fresh bites with tuna and pulled pork. Doors open at 4 with food and music starting at 5 pm. For more information and tickets please go to: TICKETS. CK-Prod.com

…and Goings The First Annual Summer Beach Bash went beyond anyone’s wildest expectations in every single way. More than 150 people came to eat, drink, dance and party. The live music started promptly at four, with Chris Kenny warming everyone up; it continued with Adriana Ramirez Gomez and ended with Sylvie and the Zippers. By the way, Ms. Kenny made $2,000 pesos in tips and turned over the entire amount for the kids. The Event was held to collect donations for Cheryl’s Shoebox, a charity that was begun a few years ago. (Go to www.CherylsShoeBox.org to learn more.) Cheryl has since passed away but her legacy continues under the directorship of Vicki Steuteville and friends to give school shoes to more than 200 children and now to also provide school supplies to some of

Vallarta’s poorest colonias. A rough count of just under $40,000 pesos was raised Sunday night and the generous owners, Jose Montaño, and his wife, Julieta Rosales Hamden, have offered to give back 20% of all food and beverage sales sold throughout the event. I will have those numbers next week and it should be substantial! To all the teams that participated in some outrageous games: thanks for making us all scream with laughter; to the musicians, the drag queens, the sponsors, the incredible staff at Oasis del Holi Restaurant who did not stop for a minute and kept smiling throughout; thank you. The size of Vallarta’s heart never ceases to amaze me; all of you who gave so generously of your time, energy and money; thank you. And please, just one more thing: let’s do it again next year!

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We offer to demonstrate the unit in your house or condo, free of charge. You would also have almost all live If you wish a demonstration in our sporting events, all movies and all TV office, that is free of charge. series. Again, with no monthly fees. The purchase price is 1800 Pesos. The most important aspect is this is If you decide to purchase it with a completely internet-based; you have to personal installation and demonstrahave 7 Mb/S of speed, more is better. tion, the additional charge is only 200 In my office, we only have 7 Mb/S and Pesos. it works fine. If you are unsatisfied after 7 days, I will With 10, it is like watching TV, Period. refund your entire amount paid. The I also offer a complete manual of how installation charge is not refundable. to truly enjoy this experience, as well as instructions on how to even make Tel. 221 0111 Local 20, it better for you. We provide YouTube Las Palmas 2, Marina Vallarta. videos, as well as written instructions todd@remaxinpv.com

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

local

Paradise

and Parenting Leza Warkentin

mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

Family Hike to Las Animas

very once in awhile I get the idea that a family hike would be nice. I am not sure why. My daughter loves to run and play but doesn’t enjoy the “feels like 42” weather forecast, and my son has claimed for years that hiking is for scrubs. I don’t know what a scrub is, but I don’t think it’s someone he considers himself to be. My husband enjoys hiking a lot, and would be all for it except he spends at least 35% of most hikes trying to ensure that I don’t hurt myself, and about 25% of the hike checking to see how badly I’m hurt. I like it because nature is often quiet and doesn’t expect me to hold up a conversation. Also, I like to be active without buying a gym membership. Unfortunately I am not very physically coordinated. I am not saying this because I would like you to snort and say “Oh, c’mon, of course you are!” I can see through your lies. I have scars to prove it. However, I must suffer from memory loss, because no matter how many times I hurt myself I continue to claim that I love hiking. Some of my friends have been on the hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas and rave about the beauty of the small beaches and jungle terrain along the way. This hike starts out in the tiny village at the mouth of the river, just south of Mismaloya, and ends in beautiful Playa Las Animas, a beach that we have

previously visited when we took a boat taxi from Boca. This is the same boat taxi you could take to other beaches south of Las Animas such as Quimixto and Yelapa. The path begins when you park your car along the river at Boca and follow the footbridge over the water. You continue to follow a path marked by signs that say “Playa Colomitos” , one of the spectacular tiny beaches that dot the coastal path. You can stop and swim and picnic at one of these beaches, and continue on to Las Animas. We decided to go for it, despite The Boy’s mutterings about belonging to a family of scrubs. I really need to look up that word. I was told that the hike wasn’t necessarily easy and could be a bit perilous in some places where the path cut along the side of the jungle and dropped off sharply to the rocks on the beach below. I

thought I’d just leave that part out when describing the grandeur to Gilberto, and packed a few extra Band-Aids instead. The hike itself was really fantastic. My only mishap, and actually it was kind of major, was the complete undoing of my footgear. By the time we got to Las Animas there was no longer rubber on the bottom of my feet. Otherwise, my husband was able to predict where I’d probably slide noisily off the path and into eternity and prevent any major catastrophes, ie, my children going home without a mother. My son suddenly had a change of heart and either decided that he, himself, is a scrub, or that hikes aren’t just for scrubs, and he enjoyed the challenge of bounding over the rocks. He said it was just like Parkour. I don’t know what that means either, but since he said it like that was a good thing, I was happy. My daughter powered through the sweat and used her enviable resources of energy to get through what really was a challenging trail. Unlike me, she is unbelievably coordinated and had very little trouble remaining on the trail, even with her large pieces of her mother’s rubber soles flying off all around her. It took us about two and a half hours because we stopped a couple of times along the way. We ended up catching a boat taxi back to Boca de Tomatlan from Las Animas, and at 150 pesos for the whole family, it was a great value. It was a memorable experience for me, because I ended up learning new things about my family, such as: 1) The Boy likes to talk while he walks, and he is never, ever out of breath 2) The Girl will go anywhere and with great enthusiasm if she has any chance of swimming at the end 3) Everyone wants to help Mom into the boat. They seem to know instinctively that, if left unaided, I will fall from the dock into the boat, and we will run out of Band-Aids right there. I still love hiking. Actually I love it more, now that I have three fellow hikers to enjoy it with me. If you love hiking, try the hike to Las Animas. Just bring real shoes.

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

From Here Marcia Blondin

marciavallarta@gmail.com

hat a busy, wet and wonderful week it was – renewing, cementing, and falling into new friendships in a matter of mere hours…incredible. And, wrapped all around the friendships, of course, is food. Starting on the street (Lazaro Cardenas between Constitucion and Insurgentes) for shrimp quesadillas or tacos. There is more on the menu but I am more than satisfied with shrimp anything. Everything is cooked in front of your eyes – fresh, fresh, fresh. Want more cilantro and/or garlic with that? No problem. Lupita (properly Maria Guadalupe) is happy to oblige. This lovely woman works in a tiny, very hot space, every day 11 am to 6 pm, except Tuesday. When she doesn’t have customers she is sorting and making beans and salsas – the air pungent with a variety of chiles melding in her frying pan. Her prices are reasonable and she so cheerful in her work; all of that trickles down to great food! Last Wednesday, Vallarta CoWork had their first in a series of seminars about online marketing and to introduce their space to Vallartenses in business and to “Digital Nomads” who can rent their air-conditioned/wired space to work online in peace and quiet with like-minded people who don’t need to physically go ‘to the office’. The large space was packed; as co-owner Chase Buckner said, “Offer free beer and pizza and they will come.” The food and beer came from Los Muertos Brewing Company – a super favourite of locals and tourists and a gigantic success story for Vallarta CoWork that has worked with Los Muertos owner, Conner, from the beginning. A goodly amount of networking and catching up with old friends and business associates took place before and after Chase’s presentation. I’ll let you know when the next one is coming up. Vallarta CoWork is located at 101 Morelos

in Centro, just before the bridge. Welcome, Chase and Miguel and thanks for pizza! Talking theatre is better for Alain Perreault over an extra-dry vodka martini at Garbo’s bar, across from Tropicasa Realty and up the street from the defunct Paradise Community Center. I wore a jacket, knowing the temperature in both Alain’s car and the bar would be hovering around the zero mark. Garbo’s is always such a welcoming space to an eclectic mix of clientele. All our catching-up chitchat made us hungry so we ran through options for a late dinner and decided on The Swedes. My first – and most certainly not my last – time eating there. The home-made pasta with beef tenderloin and Gorgonzola cheese was truly fabulous. And we shared Gravlax. A perfect end to a great evening that also started a new friendship that began at Garbo’s bar, pre-Swedes. A few comments exchanged back and forth with a gentleman who looked familiar from around town, led to him shopping in my Boutique and later, brunch at La Palapa. Vallarta will be hearing and seeing much more of my new friend, Alnoor Kassam, in the very near future. Ropero de Jovany is almost finished with reno’s in Jovi’s large locale on Venustiano Carranza. Do go and visit…and ogle. And that, my new and old friends, is it From Here.

local

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Wellness Latina Marcella Castellanos

info@wellnesslatina.com

Some like it hot!

he Benefits of Eating Chilies. I used to think it was a bit weird that my mother can't sit down to eat a meal without a chili pepper on her plate. It's usually a fresh jalapeño or a serrano - she doesn't mess around with the milder ones. Growing up in the U.S. this was an anomaly as my non-Mexican friends had an aversion to those pointy, hot, green and red things. I thought it was a bit strange myself as my affection to chilies was limited to a little bit in my guacamole, tomatillo sauce or a bit in some amazing sauces my father would make as I grew up with our family running a Mexican food restaurant in California. Later, I came to realize it was used in mole, one of my favorite dishes back then. Turns out chilies aren't just a sadistic way to make you want to drink more water. There are many health benefits to these little plants with heat. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and various unique plant compounds such as capsaicin and are very high in antioxidant carotenoids. Capsaicin is responsible for the pungent, (hot) unique taste as well as many of the good-for-you qualities. One of them being supporting weight loss - yup, you heard that right. Obesity has been on the rise in many countries. It's a serious condition that increases the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. There is some evidence that eating chili because of its bioactive ingredient can help reduce appetite and increase fat burning, all contributing to weight loss. Keep in mind this is a small part of following a healthy lifestyle. However, when it comes to losing weight or following a healthy lifestyle, it's all about making baby steps that lead to sustainable lifestyle changes. With that being said, not everyone reacts favorably to chili. They can cause a burning sensation, stomach pain and diarrhea in

some individuals. It's important to always listen to your body. These are some of the popular chilies found in Mexico: 1) Guajillo - brick red in color, and medium to hot spicy. Mostly used in sauces, and pastes. 2) Pasilla - color is black, and it's mild to medium in heat. Used in rubs, sauces, and pastes. 3) Poblano- forest green color, mildly spicy, used mostly roasted or stuffed in dishes. 4) Jalapeño - can be red or deep green. Medium to hot spicy and used in salsas, pickling, roasted, stuffed. 5) Chipotle - it's color is deep reddish brown, and is hot and smoky. Mostly used in rubs, sauces and pastes. 6) Árbol - bright red or green in color, very hot in spiciness. Used in various ways depending on if it's dried or fresh - salsas, pickling, pastes, and condiment. 7) Ancho- deep red in color, mild to medium in heat and used in rubs, pastes, sauces. I guess my Mom was on to something. It turns out having a chili on her plate wasn't so strange after all and gives me more reason to eat fresh salsa with no restraint. Marcella is a bilingual certified wellness lifestyle consultant. Her mission is guiding people to lead happier, healthier lives with attention to more compassion and sustainability in the world. She looks at the whole picture and helps you incorporate plantstrong nutrition, soul work, movement, and essential oils to support physical and emotional health for vibrant, conscious living. If you would like to be receive inspired, natural living updates go www.wellnesslatina.com.

Children with Cancer

n 1970 a group of Vallarta women funded the first civil association for helping those in need in Puerto Vallarta called Asociacion Femenil Vallartense. The main goals were mainly a service to the community in all areas: social, civic, cultural and sports, working with the municipal authorities, as well as state and federal in programs that would help the community. With the valuable collaboration of the people community, there have been many achievements throughout the years, such as building the first home for homeless children, the reconstruction and maintenance of the Municipal Cemetery for 14 years, participating in the reconstruction of the Crown of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the Center for Orientation and Rehabilitation for Adolescents, the Center for Integral Attention and Training for Women, as well as the continuous work to preserve traditions and customs, the ecology, etc. At this time, the main program is the attention to children and youngsters of low income with cancer in Puerto Vallarta and their families through the Civil Association CANICA – Centro de Apoyo a Niños con Cáncer A.C. (Support Center for Children with Cancer), which is located in the city of Guadalajara. Through fundraising and advocacy, the children and their families receive medications, assistance with travel and housing and support services after treatments. Many of these families cannot afford the cost of a simple bus ticket to Guadalajara let alone the expense of hotels, medications etc. For what is often just a few dollars, the difference can

mean life or death for these children.

Upcoming fundraising event

The River Café and the Asociacion Femenil Vallartense are proud to announce the Disney CANICA benefit breakfast on Friday, September 9 at 9:00 am. This event will help to raise funds for children's medical treatment, school supplies, uniforms, meals, bus transportation among other emergencies as they arise. The Asociacion Femenil Vallartense works in conjunction with CANICA Vallarta (Support Center for Children with Cancer) with one of their main programs giving aid and attention to children and youngsters of low income with cancer in Puerto Vallarta. Donation tickets are 200 pesos or $15 US and are available at The River Cafe. There are door prizes and a raffle. For more information: (322) 224-9906 or 293-2276.

Introducing Haidee Haidee is 14 year old girl who at the age of 13 came to the CANICA program with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Haidee has just finished her first year of High School year and loves dancing, reading and wants to be a dentist. In the picture she is wearing her new wig, which she likes to make fun of. During the summer she will have to do extra schoolwork to make up for the year she was hospitalized. In October 2014, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and in April 2015 started chemotherapy, and is now in remission, and follows up with the doctor as needed. She is so happy to be alive, and thankful to the many friends who support her trip to Disneyland. Last year she wanted to go, but was too sick to travel. She lives at Las Juntas with her family. Your support will help send Haidee and four other sick children to Disneyland where they will spend a week filled with wonder and magic and not their illness.

Visit the Marsol Hotel Summer Market by t

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

riviera nayarit

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

You Bucerias Collect Art? Art The Taxman District Beat Lurks! by Orlando Gotay, Tax Attorney

By Gordon Mayer

any collect things— artwork, antiques, paintings, stamps, prints, media and other items, for the enjoyment in owning and exhibiting them. Some may not realize this can become a meaningful tax issue— both for the IRS as well as in Mexico. Collectibles are capital assets. When sold or exchanged they subject to tax on the gain—the difference between cost and what they sell for. Unlike regular capital assets, collectibles are subject to a tax of up to 28%. But watch out—selling to related persons will make the gain ‘ordinary income’ at your regular rate—a bad thing for folks in high-income brackets. Any work of art, rug or antique, metal or gem, stamp or coin, and even alcoholic beverages (wines come to mind) can be “collectibles”. Under a “catch all” provision, many other items can come under the collectible category. Sports memorabilia and classic cars are just some examples. Some of these items may significantly go up in value over time. Selling them may provide a nice windfall, but remember the taxman. How and when did you acquire the item? Do you have evidence of what you paid? If inherited, the “cost” becomes what the item was worth at the time of the previous owner’s death. Do you have documentation supporting that value? Otherwise, the IRS may try to assume your “cost basis” is zero, making you subject to tax on the entire sale amount, as opposed to just the actual gain. Don’t forget that if your foreign bank account(s) has a balance of over $10,000 or equivalent—even for one day-- you will be required to file a Foreign Bank Account Report. There are several ways to prevent the gain to the owner. Making a gift is one of them. Even better, possibly earning a deduction for donating the item to qualified charitable organizations that can use the item in their

10 Days Difference

H regular activities. Each option should be explored closely with your advisors. If you are selling the item in Mexico— do not lose sight of investigating any Mexican tax consequences. Without delving too deeply, I can think of the possibility of a 16% IVA. Remember— an ounce of prevention is always, always worth 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.

ola amigos! At last this writer can say that his column is being written about and more importantly FROM the beautiful Bucerias Art District. After a few weeks absent to make final arrangements, pack the car and make the formidable drive from Canada, we are here, my fiancé and I, and we could not be more pleased. The last ten days have been most powerful. While the Bucerias Art District changes rhythm to a slower pace to find time to create and be inspired, this writer and his fiancé Teri, have been in a hurricane of activity and change that has proven to be challenging and fulfilling. For the first time since beginning this column I am writing to you from Mexico. Not as a tourist but as a “residente temporal” in Bucerias where we now make our home. After selling everything we owned, save for some keepsakes in storage and what would fit in the back of our old Volkswagen Jetta, we set out for Bucerias on a sunny Friday afternoon in Aylmer, Ontario. The friends we had stayed with

wishing us well with heads turned sideways like the dog in that old RCA Victor ad puzzled at hearing his master’s voice from a machine. Driving 4,200 kilometers over the course of some fifty hours behind the wheel during the five-day trip we experienced somewhat of a metamorphosis. As we hurtled along in our metal cocoon through field and forest, desert and jungle, open highway and construction delays, and construction delays, and construction delays… you get the idea, we fixed our minds on the bright future. As we watched the geography change from familiar to unknown and saw each of the obstacles cleared away before us, we experienced something we could not achieve in our old home in Canada. There was something different about our residency not only in the physical but also emotionally and spiritually. The new place we have arrived at in life is remarkable. Having shed the fear and the negativity that plagued us we are now experiencing our first days of new wings. How do we know there is a change? Without dragging you kind readers through a miry past, suffice to say that there were relationships with

family that had been estranged and we had been concerned that our move could either sever or restore them. Thankfully and the reason I am gratuitously hijacking my own column for selfish purposes I can report that shedding the negative for the positive and opening our hearts to forgiveness and love has brought about remarkable changes. Just this next week Teri’s youngest daughter is already coming to visit us followed shortly thereafter by my oldest daughter and we couldn’t be happier. Be it Karma, curiosity or some other factor, the most important people to both Teri and I, our seven shared children, are beginning to connect with our new life and lifestyle. Wow. Positive, loving and forgiving hearts win. And Teri and I owe a great deal of the confidence we have stood upon to make this change to the artists and entrepreneurs of the BAD whose stories are similar and even more inspiring. As we have met and gotten to know them and written their stories, it has fueled us to allow this metamorphosis to occur. All we can say is, “Muchos Gracias!” to them and to you dear reader we say, “What are you waiting for?” Make that change. Overcome that fear. Let that creative, wonderful, loving positive person within you be entirely who you are and watch your life take wing and change with you. Stay tuned to hear more from the artists and entrepreneurs of the BAD and occasionally from Teri and I as we walk the district and share the great stories of the BAD. Saludos y benediciones para todos ustedes.

riviera nayarit

Riviera Nayarit, An Ecotourism Destination With Environmental Accolades

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Life

In La Cruz By Cindy Bouchard

L A

beach, a lagoon and a marina all boast the Blue Flag; the Riviera Nayarit leads the way in Mexico with 12 Certified Clean Beaches; Nuevo Vallarta is the first certified Clean Tourism Destination in Mexico and is poised to receive certification as an EarthCheck Community. The Riviera Nayarit is synonymous with nature, which is why it has been working hard to preserve these treasures, receiving environmental accolades along the way that strongly validate its commitment to ecotourism. “Our objective is to promote the Destination’s tourism but also to preserve the natural bounty of the region,” said Marc Murphy, Managing Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s our duty because these riches are the top attraction we have to offer our tourists.”

Three Blue Flags

Since 2015 the Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle has been the first Marina in Mexico to obtain the International Blue Flag. The beach at Nuevo Vallarta Norte also boasts this accolade and has had it for the past several years. The Riviera Nayarit’s sister brand, Lagunas Encantadas, achieved this certification in 2016 when it added a third Blue Flag for the state with the Santa María del Oro lagoon.

National Leader in Certified Clean Beaches

The Riviera Nayarit is the national leader in Certified Clean Beaches with 12 beaches that comply with Regulation NMX-AA-120-SCFI-2006: Nuevo Vallarta Sur, Nuevo Vallarta Norte, Nuevo Vallarta II, Bucerías, Los Muertos, Playa Palladium, Costa Capomo, Rincón de Guayabitos, Coral Island Beach, Chacala, Platanitos and El Borrego.

Nuevo Vallarta is the first certified Clean Tourism Destination in Mexico The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT by its acronym in Spanish) awarded Nayarit the recognition of “Clean Tourism Destination” for the Fraccionamiento Náutico Turístico de Nuevo Vallarta neighborhood, making it the first in Mexico to receive this environmental certification.

Nuevo Vallarta poised to become an EarthCheck Community

Nuevo Vallarta has been working hard since back in December, 2014 to become the second tourism destination in Mexico to receive an EarthCheck Community certification. The process was put in motion by the Riviera Nayarit CVB and is set to conclude this year; the destination is expected to receive a Silver EarthCheck certificate.

ovin’ La Cruz, each other and their new adventure; meet Cirilo and Annette! La Cruz’s newest entrepreneurs purchased, cleaned up and opened… The La Cruz Inn is back in business. The epitome of love in all ways… Annette and Cirilo love each other, they love La Cruz, and they love serving others; they simply are filled to the brim with LOVE! Their blossoming love was evident when they met five years ago; Cirilo, the strong silent type courted vivacious Nettie, creating a life together that everyone admires. They shared, “We met in Mexico and were married a few years later. We worked on cruise ships, both together and separately.” After marrying they both had to keep working in other areas, sadly sometimes apart, but they spent as much time together as possible here… in paradise! They simply love La Cruz and every effort was to return here, live here, and retire here one day! Why? “The people, the weather, the affordability and the lifestyle. Living here is life at its fullest, every day!” They’re proudest about, “Living our dream! We’ve dreamed of owning and running the La Cruz Inn for many years, we used to sit in the plaza in front of the Inn dreaming of it and brainstorming over a cold cerveza. We moved to Canada for one year to work together and missed Mexico so much we made it our focus to save up and return to La Cruz and it happened!” Before moving back to La Cruz, Annette had worked on cruise ships for over fifteen years. Cirilo worked in the service industry on land and sea for most of his adult years. With their extensive backgrounds in hospitality, travel and tourism they are the absolute perfect, in my opinion, Innkeepers for the La Cruz Inn. They both intend to be fully immersed in all areas of the business; the hotel rooms, the restaurant, the administration, and more! Folks will be coming back for more once they visit the restaurant, that’s for sure! Annette loves

to cook and plans to create a wide variety; pasta and BBQ are some of our favorites. Cirilo chimed in, “Both of us love to eat!” Somehow I think I know who the #1 taster will be! Annette told me “In the restaurant we want to prepare and serve homemade food (and foods that expats miss from their home country) with great value. The menu will be varied based on seasonal options, the creations they come up with and what their clients most appreciate. They’re already getting expats, nationals and tourists and they’ve been open like, a minute! I’ve heard many rave about their hamburgers and Mediterranean flatbread! In serving

guests they’re most excited about “Seeing others enjoy our area and Inn as much as we do. Sharing our area of the bay with new visitors and new sights with return visitors. We know every guest is different, we may be new to running our own Inn but we have vast experience in similar roles and its always interesting to figure out peoples wants and preferences. We embrace challenges and try to turn any concerns into a positive outcome.” When in La Cruz, enjoy a bite to eat or just say hola; located beside the church and across from the town square La Cruz Inn is a quick taxi or bus ride from Bucerias and around 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. www.lacruzinn.co

VALLARTA SHOPPI

Three Hens and a Rooster Market News

o much good food at Three Hens! Starting with artisan tortillas (Corazon de Niña) to bagels (Peter Hardy) to pies (Mark Hughes); brownies, peanut butter cookies and jalapeño jam (Pat Wagner), lemon slices and extraordinary scones (Jeanine Frank), fried chicken and matzoth ball soup (Gloria Sue, our Jewish Mama), and more. So, don’t bother cooking – just stop in any Saturday and load up for the week. On to the artisans: Bill Kelly IS a Fabulous Fabric Fellow! His boutique is a riot of 100% cotton; an explosion of color in aprons, cooling ties, pillow covers, place mats and coordinated napkins. Carol-lynn, new to Three Hens, takes gently used denim and adds (by hand) wonderful whimsy resulting in one-of-a-kind/already super comfortable clothes. Lisa Love adores patchwork when she isn’t knitting or writing books or creating gigantic murals with her own hand-painted tiles. These splashes of colour will brighten your walls and your mood. Marcia’s boutique is full of pareos

books, affordable designer clothing, massage and aroma therapies. Good strong coffee is always available as is the current issue of the Vallarta Tribune. Three Hens & a Rooster Market is every Saturday from 9 to 1 at Venustiano Carranza 466.

and shawls garnered from Indian silk saris with the remnants covering beads and seeds and becoming lovely, lightweight necklaces. Lots of earrings (including singles) and restored vintage pins. New things weekly and it’s cool inside! Upstairs you will find used

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CLUB

Old Dogs, New tricks

Many members of IFC are passionate about learning new things. Starting in November the club will be offering classes in Spanish and bridge.

What to do if you see a turtle laying eggs Maintain a minimum 10m distance If you take photos, don’t use a flash Don’t block the turtle from returning to the ocean Don’t step on or dig around the nest area Report it to the Department of Ecology at 322 160 3279

In January, the Monday evening movie series and the Friday morning lectures start. Add Friday bridge, social hour and dine-around and you have a great place to learn and to meet new friends. Everyone is welcome.

Enjoy this miracle of nature!

www.ifcvallarta.com 322-222-5466

Day Pass 50% off PRESENT THIS COUPON

Wheeling Vallarta Segway Tours

Towel service / Pool / Lounge chairs Delightful cocktails / Superb Bistrot menu Pet-friendly

Fine Art and Furniture

MEXICO

www.sapphire.mx

Expires October 31, 2016

Malecon 1, Playa Los Muertos

Located across from McDonald’s

322-223-8014 31 de Octubre 107 Col. Centro Puerto Vallarta Malecon

ING AND SERVICES

www.vallartatribune.com

Marsol Market by the Pier

aladies common in Mexico and indeed around the world from simple conditions like acne to life-threatening cancers can all be eased and even eradicated by herbs and their extracts. This ancient art of healing is almost always overlooked by those afflicted people who need it the most. The billion-dollar pharmaceutical companies override the simple, cheap, non-toxic herbal methods tried and true for generations and the result is people do not necessarily get well. Ricardo Mazcal is a fourth generation herbalist (among other talents) whose greatgrandma lived to be 114. Ricardo uses her formulae and his own experimentation and additions to create his extracts, creams, lotions and more. He has cured his own cancer and his own obesity problems. Talk to him and

learn. He is happy to answer questions. The Ruesgas – David and Elizabeth sell beautiful silver jewellery, and, if you don’t see exactly what you want, ask David to design something for you. The aroma of chilli will remind you to take some home and don’t forget muffins and homemade doggie treats. Found Artists – Juan Manuel with his scrap metal sculptures and Marcia with her silk necklaces and earrings made from an array of discards will each have something unusual for you to take home as gifts. Amber and sterling silver – a combination lovely to look at and lovely to wear are brought to life at Walter’s table. His expansive collection includes earrings, pendants and more. The Marsol Market by the Pier is open every Friday from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

“Remodeling and Renovations”

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

entertainment

Dustin Hoffman an Actor’s Actor By Fred Jacobs

ustin was born on August 8, 1937 in Los Angeles. His family were Jewish Immigrants from Russia (present day Poland/Romania). The family did not practice the faith and Dustin did not even realize he was Jewish until the age of 10. He never did have a bar mitzvah. His father worked at Columbia Pictures as a set supervisor. After an uneventful high school experience, Dustin enrolled at Santa Monica College with intention to go into medicine. Dustin had studied piano from a young age, but while at college, he also took an acting class. The acting bug bit deeply. After a year at college, Dustin left school to join the Pasadena Playhouse. When he told his family about his career goal, his Aunt warned him "You can't be an actor. You are not good-looking enough." At the playhouse, Dustin became friends with future Oscar winner, Gene Hackman. The two decided to head to New York and ended up living together with actor Robert Duvall for most of the 1960’s. The trio were constantly hustling for acting work in New York City. Dustin took any job available, including commercials, and teaching for a while. Dustin enrolled at The Actors Studio and dedicated himself to become a “method actor”. Dustin found some success on the Broadway stages which lead to

movie screen tests. Dustin made his film debut in “The Tiger Makes Out” (1967), costarring Eli Wallach. Later in 1967, director Mike Nichols cast Dustin in his first major role in “The Graduate”, for which Dustin received an Academy Award nomination. Hoffman played a character who returns to his wealthy parents' home in California after graduating from college. Confused about what to do with his life, he is seduced into having an affair with Mrs. Robinson, (played by Anne Bancroft) an alcoholic and neurotic wife of his father's business partner. The movie was a gigantic box-office hit and got almost unani-

Adorable Dog In The Spotlight... by Janice Gonzalez BABE

mous critical acclaim, making Hoffman a major new star. Time magazine called Hoffman "a symbol of youth" who represented "a new breed of actors." Dustin made studios realize, conventional good looks were no longer necessary on screen. Dustin was not impressed by all the Hollywood hype and turned down many movie roles after The Graduate, preferring to go back to New York and continue performing on the stage. Dustin continued on stage in New York with a lot of success for the next couple of years. He felt being an actor in New York was home and decided not to “sell out” to be in Hollywood.

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

By 1969, Hollywood came with an offer he could not refuse- “Midnight Cowboy”. Dustin wanted this role to prove his range as an actor, but the director was unsure about Dustin for the film, after only seeing him in The Graduate. Dustin met with the director in Times Square, dressed as a homeless person, wearing a dirty raincoat, his hair slicked back and with an unshaven face. The director was sold. The film was a huge box office and critical success. Dustin received his second Oscar nomination and the film won Best Picture. Midnight Cowboy would become a culturally and a historical snapshot of society of the day. It is considered a landmark performance in movie history, with dark and even taboo material. Dustin had no shortage of work in the 1970s and starred in several acclaimed movies including “Lenny” (1974), which earned Dustin a 3rd Oscar nomination. “All the President's Men” (1976) costarring with Robert Redford. He finally won an Oscar for his performance in “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979), with co-star Meryl Streep also winning an Oscar. The film also won Oscar’s for Best Picture, Director and Screenplay. It seems Dustin had an eye for choosing his roles carefully and always something different. 1982 gave us “Tootsie” in which Dustin played a struggling actor who finds himself dressing up as a woman to land a role on a TV soap opera. His co-stars were Jessica Lange and Teri Garr. Tootsie earned ten Oscar nominations,

including Dustin's fifth nomination. With all the Hollywood praise, Dustin always headed back to the New York stage. In 1984, Hoffman starred as Willy Loman in the Broadway revival of “Death of a Salesman”. He reprised the role in a TV movie, for which he won the 1985 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor. The only notable big screen flop Dustin made was “Ishtar” (1987) with Warren Beatty-it would become the butt of many jokes. Next Dustin made “Rain Man” (1988), where he starred as an autistic genius, opposite Tom Cruise. The film was a box office hit and earned Dustin his third Oscar statue. The 1990’s saw Dustin in a host of Hollywood films including “Sleepers” (1996) with Robert De Niro and Brad Pitt. In 1997 “Wag the Dog” again co-starring Robert De Niro gave Dustin his seventh Oscar nomination. Dustin got another chance to perform with Robert De Niro, co-starring with Barbra Streisand and Ben Stiller in the 2004 comedy hit “Meet the Fockers” and the next “Little Fockers” (2010). Dustin continues to appear in front of the camera selectively, direct/produce behind the cameras and also lend his voice to animated movies like “Kung Fu Panda” (2008). Dustin Hoffman is truly a “once in a generation” talent, that hits the mark almost every time… with more to come.

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

e all know that Boxers are happy, joyful and playful and that describes our Babe perfectly. A year and a half old, she’s a big girl weighing 66 pounds. She is very high energy and gets along with other dogs although she can be a bit rambunctious. Babe doesn’t like cats, however. Babe is also quite affectionate and loves her belly rubs. She would be perfect for an active family as she enjoys a good long run on leash. Babe has been spayed, dewormed and fully vaccinated. If you think Babe would be a perfect addition to your family, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com for an application.

Questions? Call Father Michael cell: 044-322-303-3916 e mail kpadresoy@outlook.com

www.ChristChurchByTheSea.org www.IglesiaCristoDelMar.org

games

Aug 11 - 17, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

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