Issue 1057, July 6 - 12, 2017

NEWS

Tribuna gets 3 FM Radio Channels Page 06

Nature

Mexico moves to safe smallest porpoise Page 07

VallartaTribune.com

Mexico retirement plan Page 14

July 6 - 13, 2017 Year 20 Free Issue 1057

DE I U G

a or Ah en l ño pa Es

E E FR

EXPAT

LAS JUNTAS Y LOS VERANOS Page 10 & 11

Weaving home decor Page 16

Featured Property of the Week Page 12

GET IN THE WATER Page 08

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 to the Ameca River and including Nuevo Vallarta.

BUSES: A system of urban buses can bring you from one end of the bay to the other and all the spots in between. Current fare within Puerto Vallarta is $7.50 pesos per ticket and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board a bus. Hold on to your ticket. This is your proof and insurance should anything happen.

Bus destinations are typically written on the front of the window.

Those with a ‘centro’ sign will drive through downtown Puerto Vallarta and those with a ‘tunel’ sign will drive through the tunnel roads that go behind the city.

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 unless there are more than four passengers.

Take note of the taxi number on the outside door and where it picked you up. If you lose an item this information will be vital to attempting to get it back.

MONEY EXCHANGE: To exchange money you will need your passport. Best option is to use your bankcard to withdraw funds from any ATM machine. ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and generally charge lower fees.

USING PESOS OR USD: Businesses must display their prices in pesos and they may also post the prices in any other currency they choose. They cannot refuse to accept pesos. Some service staff may appreciate being tipped in USD and others in pesos. If you are concerned, ask.

TIPPING: How much and when you tip are personal choices and unless otherwise noted a 10-20%

tip on food and beverage and services is standard. Tip the kids and seniors who bag your groceries. They work exclusively for tips. Have change at the ready for musicians and clowns that ride the buses – typically tipping 5 pesos or less. Taxi drivers do not receive tips unless they go to extraordinary lengths.

DRINKING WATER: Puerto Vallarta’s water (at the source) is certified pure enough to drink. For many who live here long term, we drink from our taps with no issues.

For those on vacation, it may be better to stick to bottled water.

EXPORTING PETS: Falling in love with a rescue animal is easy – and it’s easy to take them home with you. The process is quick and inexpensive. You need a certificate of health from a local vet with the appropriate inoculations, among other things. The time of year that pets can travel in the cargo hold of the plane may be your biggest challenge. Contact your airline to double-check their requirements.

COMMON SENSE: Just as you would not walk around your hometown drunk and belligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here. While Mexicans are a forgiving bunch, basic politeness is appreciated. 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 15,000 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 a valid excuse in Mexico or anywhere. If you find yourself caught in a legal situation be aware that the system works much differently here than you are likely used to. Immediately contact your consulate for assistance.

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

July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Calling in Mexico Calling phones in Mexico can be tricky. 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 (U.S. and Canada 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, the 10 digit number. 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 newsstands and in pharmacies.

Pay phones do not accept coins. When buying a phone card for pay phone use, specify that you would like a tarjeta LADA. CALLING TOLL-FREE NUMBERS Some toll free numbers work from Mexico to the US and Canada, but many do not. Those that do work are often not toll-free. 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: 911 Red Cross: 065 Fire Department: 322.223.9476 Ambulance: 322.222.1533

Ahoy Cruisers!

NAME PASS DATE CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 05/07/2017 CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 12/07/2017 CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 19/07/2017 CARNIVAL MIRACLE 3,200 26/07/2017

Immigration: 322.224.7719 Consumer Protection: 01.800.468.8722 Tourism Offices Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006

Consulates American Consulate 24 hrs 01-332-268-2100 Canadian Consulate 322.293.0098 322.293.0099 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

In port this month

In the month of July Puerto Vallarta welcomes 12, 800 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

Cut out and put near your phone for handy reference

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Editor’s

editorial

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com Your Spanish lesson, fuzzy baby kitties and more.

If you are flipping through the pages and realize some of it doesn’t make any sense, consider this your weekly lesson in the Spanish language. During the months of July and August the majority of the visitors to our fair bay are Mexican nationals taking advantage of the joys found in their backyard. We thought we’d try something a little different and run some complimentary Spanish/English articles side by side so that everyone can enjoy the Tribune.

If you take a moment to read these bi-lingual articles, comparing sentences as you go, you may just find you know more Spanish than you think. Thankfully, a good portion of the words are nearly identical in sound and meaning.

Having lived here six years, I continue to struggle with Spanish, mostly because I am too lazy to learn more than necessary. Occasionally when watching Netflix I’ll goof and forget to change the language from Spanish and then I’ll realize I understood most everything and I think, “Hey, maybe

I know more than I give myself credit for!”

Two weeks ago I found five adorable kittens and brought them home so I could get them fixed and then adopted out. Two quickly found a good home and now I have three, or so I thought. A couple nights ago my husband started to yell, “Babe, babe. Come here. Help. Oh, no, what is this?”

Since I was on the other side of the house, I yelled back, “Don’t yell across the house, it’s annoying!”

You have to embrace those teachable moments. Except this moment quickly became a situation when a fourth kitten appeared. This tiny ball of frightened calico fluff was found by my equally terrified husband.

The thing is, for her to get in there she has to pass by two kitten-eating dogs and go either

scale twenty-foot walls or go through solid metal doors. No one gets past those beasts.

My best guess is she fell from the talons of a giant bird of prey into the obstacle course that is my back yard and she made it through the house to the bathroom, uneaten, and ultimately a winner. Fearlessly I scooped her up in a towel and knew she was going to be special kitty for a lucky person. She was in relatively good shape considering but there was no mistaking she had an issue with her eyes and would require surgery.

Lucky for her I know people, and a heartfelt plea to Marilyn Khan and Linda Brasseal who volunteer with the Purr Project (http://www.purrproject.com), helped to secure little baby ‘Milagra’ the medical care she needs to grow up.

This little creature is so grateful to have been rescued, she is now purring like a freight train. If you wish to foster or adopt Milagra or

Milagra any of her three compadres, let me know. FYI: it’s fairly simple to fly (or even easier if you drive) home with a rescued animal.

There are a few restrictions but for the most part, if you’ve fallen in love with an animal here, you can bring it home with you. Contact me if you have questions, I’d be happy to help.

That’s it for me this week. I’m sticking close to home for the most

Alegre Tours Calendar:

part. Perhaps a trek to the movies for some respite from the heat and humidity, otherwise maybe I’ll stay home and practice Spanish, just in case I end up on that island with an empty glass.

Stay dry. Say “Sin popote, por favor,” the next time you order a drink and enjoy your time in Banderas Bay. Safe travels, Madeline

Alegre Tours

Sept 29-Oct 09-2017 Argentina/ Buenos Aires/IguazuFall/Mendoza Wine Country November 04-11-2017 Cuba Havana and Varadero Beach November 28-December 05-2017 Mexico City/Cernavaca/Valle de Bravo/Xochimilco/Taxco December 15-2017 Mascota/Talpa 1 Day Tour January 13-19-2018 Guanajuato/San Miguel/Leon February 12-15-2018 Tonala Original Special “Shop Till You Drop” Tour Visit Tonala Marketplace and Furniture Expo March 17-24-2018 Merida/Chichen-Itza/Becal/Uxmal

Reservations & Information: Roberta Valdez 951.760.1068 rvaldez714@hotmail.com

spca

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SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

By Janice Gonzalez

W

ishing our friends in Canada and the United States a very happy

birthday!

The SPCAPV has started a new opportunity for businesses to contribute and become sponsors.

Write to clare23leach@gmail.com to join us.

Come 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

July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

three) for a walk.

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 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.

You can learn more about the SPCA Puerto Vallarta by checking us out at www.spcapv.com/home or on Facebook.

ADORABLE DOG IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

BETSY

B Hello, we are here, to ensure your well-being.

We have come to Puerto Vallarta now to offer you the best healthcare and well-being that our 45 years of experience can provide.

etsy is a Lab/Shepherd mix, weighing 44 pounds and she is around 2.5 years of age.

She is a high energy girl so needs a family who enjoys long walks and exploring the great outdoors. Betsy would do best in a home where she has plenty of space to run and play with her toys. She loves her people and is almost puppy like with her high energy and playfulness. Betsy is sociable with other dogs but can be a bit selective when making friends. She is not good with cats, however. We think Betsy would be a great companion animal for a family with older children. Betsy has been spayed, dewormed and vaccinated. If your active family is looking for the perfect pet, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com for an application.

THANK YOU, VALLARTA!

With your help, more than 500 meters of beaches were cleaned on 06 May 2017.

On the same day, dozens of Intercam employees and their families throughout the Republic cleaned more than 10 kilometers of Mexico’s coastline.

Just one way Intercam Bank is responsibly caring for our planet.

CENTRO VALLARTA (322) 223-3080

MARINA VALLARTA (322) 209-0696

BUCERIAS/FLAMINGOS (329) 226-6162

news Alain Perreault To Star In New Perro Bravo Theatrical Production In Puerto Vallarta

July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

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Incanto’s Piano Bar Wows With Local Talent!

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ncanto isn’t slowing down for summer, if fact just the opposite! Packed houses night after night, as they showcase a widerange of gifted local talent. One of the most recent finds is new local band Azúca. They continue to draw nice crowds for their unique Gypsy swing, Latin jazz and Cuban music. Often, their Special Guest Tongo Letongue (formerly a local fireman), plays percussion and a handmade flute with them.

His outstanding vocals and musicianship only enhance the band’s already great sound. They play on Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30pm.

Open Mic on Thursdays at 7pm is also consistently drawing big crowds and lots of new talent weekly. Hosted by Tracy Parks, with Chris Kenny accompanying on guitar, local acts are encouraged to come network with one another and to take the stage, sometimes together, making for some great impromptu collaborations.

Other nights are equally popular with Sylvie & Jorge on Tuesdays at 8pm packing them in week after week! (please note, no shows July 4 & 11). ‘The Joanie Show’ with Joan Houston and Salvatore on Fridays at 7:30. And Chris Kenny’s solo show with Special Guests, including Diego Mondragon and Cheko Ruiz of Gypsy Rumba most recently, is a big hit as well.

One of the best things about Incanto is their wonderful and attentive staff. General Manager, Gilberto Figueroa is responsible

for a large part of its success.

Originally from Guadalajara, Gilberto, or Gil for short, studied International Business at the university there. Since then, he has worked in and managed other businesses in the service industry over the years, and was part owner of the former Los Equipales bar in the Romantic Zone.

A member of owner Tracy Parks’ team for several years now, Gil is an integral part of the organization’s daily operations, from the box office and cabaret theater, to the cafe, piano bar and everything in-between. You can also catch him filling in behind the bar. When not working (which is rare!) he enjoys reading and writing short stories, taking influences from Edgar Allan Poe among others.

In addition to managing Incanto, Gil hopes to once again own his own bar in the future. “It’s a challenge and I enjoy it a lot. I am very proud of the success of Incanto and look forward to another great season ahead”, he said. Be sure to say hello, next time you’re there.

Singer/Spanish guitarist Gabriel Reyes plays Fri. & Sat. at 10:30.

BINGO with Pearl fundraisers are held on Saturdays at 5pm with lots of comedy, great prizes, and entertainment.

And Beverly Fairfax, Incanto’s Marketing Director, will celebrate his birthday with a big party in the piano bar with a variety of great entertainment, including Azúca, on July 6th starting at 6:30pm. All are welcome!

uerto Vallarta-based actor/ director/producer Alain Perreault will star in the firstever local production of Jonathan Tolins comedic masterpiece, Buyer & Cellar in December, 2017, under the direction of Cesar Bravo.

“The most talked about comedy of the year,” according to Ben Brantley of the New York Times, focuses on the life of Alex More, an actor who has reached a career roadblock and is hired for a job at a mysterious location, none other than living legend Barbra Streisand’s basement. “It’s a play that primarily considers crossing the gap of the great divide of renown that separates the idol from the idolized,” explains Perreault who plays multiple roles in this extremely funny one-man show. “It’s also

about the numerous what-if questions we ask ourselves, and the attitude we have toward relationships and where we belong.”

Buyer & Cellar opened Off-Broadway on June 24, 2013 starring Michael Urie, who made his claim to fame starring in the hit TV sitcom Ugly Betty and won multiple awards for originating the role of Alex More. Since then,

productions of Buyer & Cellar have been staged in important theater destinations throughout the world.

Performances of Buyer & Cellar will take place at Incanto during the month of December.

For specific dates and ticket information, please visit incantovallarta.com.

Perreault most recently starred in My Broadway, Anyway…, a selfpenned, one-man cabaret show about his experience attending theatrical performances throughout most of his adult life. Prior to that, he directed Peter Shaffer’s Equus to glowing reviews.

For more information about Perro Bravo, the production company behind both projects, please visit their Facebook page, facebook.com/perrobravopv.

Grupo Editorial Tribuna to receive 3 new FM radio concessions

A

fter 22 year, the wait has ended and on June 29, 2017, Fernando Gonzales Cornoa, President of Grupo Editorial Tribuna received titles of concessions from the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT) for three FM Radio stations.

“Success is measured by results,” summarized Gonzalez Corona. With these three new stations added to the publishing house, Corona Gonzales continues to build his media empire which includes five daily newspapers, one weekly magazine and four websites, the largest commercial print shop in Baja California

Sur and another here in Puerto Vallarta.

For more than 20 years no new radio licenses have been made available in Mexcio, begining in 2015, the government opened up the sector to tender. The IFT President, Gabriel Contreras, described the bids as historic, acknowledged that “for more than twenty years no new concessions had been granted for commercial use in our country for radio broadcasting; this, as a result of the Telecommunications Reform, will allow the public in different regions of the country to have new options for information and entertainment. “

Twenty-five new conncessions in total were granted around the country. “With this tender we increase by nearly 10% the total number of commercial concessions - - this promotes competition in the field of radio broadcasting, promotes the efficient use of the radio spectrum, introduces new broadcasting services, promotes freedom of expression and access to information.

It is planned that before the end of 2017 the three new Grupo Editorial Tribuna stations using the most modern digital radio technologies will be on air in Puerto Vallarta, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.

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July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

New Parrot Species In Mexico

By Brooks Hays

Mexico bans gillnet fishing in endangered porpoise’s habitat

Photo credit: The blue-winged Amazon parrot is distinguished by blue covert feathers and a uniquely green crown. Photo Courtesy Tony Silva/PeerJ

Researchers say the parrot’s limited range and relatively small population make the species a conservation priority

S

cientists have identified a new parrot species living on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Researchers believed the bluewinged Amazon parrot diverged from its closest relative, the whitefronted parrot, about 120,000 years ago.

Ornithologist Miguel A. Gómez Garza first noticed the blue-winged Amazon parrot while doing field work in 2014.

Garza was initially struck by the parrot’s unique color pattern, but the species also boasts a uniquely loud, short call.

In a new paper describing the species -- published this week in the journal PeerJ -- researchers say the parrot’s shape and behavior also set it apart from its closest relatives.

The parrot species, Amazona

gomezgarzai, is named for its blue covert feathers. The parrot also features a green crown. Most Amazon parrots boast a blue crown.

Though the new species doesn’t hybridize or mate with the Yucatán Amazon parrot or white-fronted Amazon parrot, all three species share habitat on the peninsula.

Researchers said the species’ call is loud, short and sharp during flight, but longer and mellower while perched.

Like its relatives, the species is a strict herbivore, mining the tree canopy for seeds, fruits, flowers and leaves.

The parrots form flocks of roughly 12 birds, and mates often remain monogamous pairs.

DNA analysis of the blue-winged Amazon parrot suggests the species split and evolved from the white-fronted parrot lineage about 120,000 years ago.

The species is a fresh branch on the parrot family tree.

Researchers said the parrot’s limited habitat range and relatively small population make the species a conservation priority. The bluewinged parrot currently receives no protections.

Original: upi.com

M

exico enacted a permanent ban on gillnet fishing in the northern Gulf of California on Friday in a bid to protect the critically endangered porpoise known as the vaquita marina.

The measure, which makes permanent a temporary ban in place since April 2015, is the first step toward fulfilling an agreement reached this month by President Enrique Pena Nieto and the foundations of actor Leonardo DiCaprio and telecom billionaire Carlos Slim to try to save the vaquita.

The diminutive vaquita is the world’s smallest and most endangered marine mammal, with only about two-dozen remaining in their

habitat in the upper Gulf.

Their numbers have been greatly reduced in recent decades by the illegal use of gillnets, which are primarily used to catch the totoaba fish but can ensnare and kill vaquitas as well.

The World Wildlife Fund issued a statement supporting the ban.

“This is a fantastic and encouraging step forward in the path to saving the vaquita, provided the ban is fully enforced and accompanied by fishing alternatives for local communities,” acting CEO Jorge Rickards was quoted as saying.

Despite authorities’ oft-expressed commitment to saving the vaquita, enforcement has not been

entirely effective. The swim bladder of the totoaba is prized in China and can sell for huge sums, offering a powerful financial incentive for fishermen to pursue that catch at the vaquita’s expense.

The newly permanent measure provides for monitoring in the region especially for fishing vessels and landing sites. It will be illegal to transport gillnets into the area, and fishermen will be required to report any lost gear to avoid harming the delicate ecosystem.

Mexico is the first country to enact such a ban on gillnets, also known as ghost nets due to their invisibility to marine mammals.

Original: Washington Post

Mexico consumer agency targets airline bag fees, delays

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exico’s consumer agency has announced fines and new rules meant to protect travelers from airlines, especially in the areas of bag fees and delays.

The federal consumer prosecutor’s office fined five airlines more than $1.2 million (22.4 million pesos) for charging passengers to

check their first bag for flights to the United States and Canada originating in Mexico City.

It also established that airlines must not charge for the first checked bag up to 55 pounds (25 kilograms) and two carry-ons up to 22 pounds (10 kilograms) for national and international flights

originating in Mexico.

For delays that are the airlines fault of more than two hours, but less than four hours, the rules also establish levels of discounts that must be offered, as well as free food and drinks.

Original: Washington Post

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July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Get in the water this summer!

The temperature is rising and everyone’s feeling the heat: summer’s here and it’s time to hit the beach! Below you’ll find a list of 10 things to do to enjoy the water on your next vacation, specially picked out for all you adrenaline lovers!

7. Flyboard This innovative form of venturing over the waves arrived recently to Mexico’s Pacific Treasure via Vallarta Adventures or if you’re on Los Muertos Beach in Vallarta’s popular Old Town neighbourhood, check out Flyboard PV. Imitate the leaps executed by dolphins and whales via water propulsion and sail across the water.

10. Snorkel There’s no doubt enjoying the coral, the colored fish, the starfish and the other underwater species is much more than just a visual charge. The best part about snorkeling is that you don’t have to be an expert in the water to enjoy it. Favorite spots for visitors who want to peek under the waves include the Islas Marietas and the Isla del Coral in Nayarit, the coves in Conchas Chinas and around Los Arcos south of Puerto Vallarta.

9. Kayak Paddling a kayak along the beach is a classic activity and it’s a must along the coast of Banderas Bay. While this service is available primarily through the destination’s hotels, there are a few places that rent kayaks like Paddlezone in Mismaloya. It’s a fantastic exercise that strengthens the upper body and helps you keep in shape, so next time you’re here, rent a kayak and get to paddling!

8. Kitesurfing It’s not easy, because it’s considered an extreme sport. However, if you’re a beginner and you want to check out kitesurfing, then Bucerías is the perfect place for you to start. It has the best breezes in the Pacific to practice this discipline, as well as top-level instructors. Pacific Paddle in Bucerias offers lessons and rentals.

6. SUP Stand Up Paddle is a sport that’s been trending around the bay for the past few years thanks to the many paddlers and surfers in the destinations, many of which are on the national team and some of which offer SUP classes on the beaches. You can either surf or paddle on an SUP board.

Most of the popular beqaches have places to rent SUP boards. Especially cool is a night paddle through Los Arcos to see phosphoresce – take it one step further and do it during a full moon. Book through Paddle Zone in Mismaloya.

5. Sailing Conditions on Banderas Bay are perfect for sailing in any category, as the wind is always right to fill the sails and the waves are very kind to boats.

The marinas of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, La Cruz and San Blas await sailors all along the coast of Jalisco and Nayarit to help them along their way. Book a sailboat for a romantic sunset cruise or a power yacht for a day trip with a group of your favourite people. Check out Rockstar Sailor for a luxury sailboat around the bay.

4. SUP Yoga Those who seek the peace and tranquility of the sea can choose this wonderful option. Imagine paddling your board to find the perfect spot and then practicing your yoga as you search for a better connection to the inner you. This sport is gaining in popularity up and down Banderas Bay. Most SUP rental places offer these classes.

3. Sport Fishing Sport fishing is a true tradition in Banderas Bay—there are actually several tournaments held around the area during the year. The options for boat rentals are many and the plentiful fish in the waters guarantee the success of your next venture. Try deep sea fishing or fly fishing on your next visit to Vallarta.

2.-Scuba Diving This is for those who know the beauty of the sea. There are ample diving programs available that will allow you to enjoy the wonderful variety of underwater life and the submarine scenery in the warm waters of the region. From beginner to advanced, scuba dive around the Marietas Islands, Los Arcos and the favourite local spot of Majahuitas.

1. Surfing The Bay of Banderas and further north into Riviera Nayarit is a paradise for surfers thanks to its year-round waves, some of Mexico’s best surfers hail from these beaches. There are more than 20 spots for surfing all along the coast, from small waves for beginners to waves that are strictly for those who know what they’re doing. It’s a well-known destination for surfers around the world.

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July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

From a Yurt the Perfect Beach Driving down the Baja

a Wild West frontier feel.

Further south, you will run into Mulegé, which looks like a portion of a South Pacific island that been cut out and set on top of Baja. There are palm trees everywhere, set inside a strict demarcation the existence of which probably has something to do with water. We didn’t stop, because we wanted to visit the next beaches that were so highly recommended.

Chuck Bolotin

Chuck.bolotin.writer@bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com

D

riving south on Highway 1 from after it intersects Highway 5 is fairly uneventful, if by “uneventful” you mean “the hundreds of times when you’re confronted with the fact that even a slight miscalculation on your steering wheel will result in certain death.”

A half inch to the left, and you’ll crash head-on into a semi barreling towards you at 60 miles per hour. A half inch to the right, and you’ll go over the roughly 12-inch shoulder to plunge either into a ditch, or down a canyon.

For most of the trip, Highway 1 is just two lanes; the one going your way, and the one with possible death hurtling towards you. Both lanes look to be narrow, and the shoulder varies from what seems like about a foot in width to maybe a few inches. Don’t let anyone tell you that Mexicans

don’t know how to drive; they’re excellent drivers in general and, given the width of the trucks, their speed, and their very small margin for error, Baja truck drivers are first rate athletes.

You cross from Baja Norte into Baja Sur at Guerrero Negro, on the western, Pacific side of Baja. We didn’t stop, because we had a reservation that night at a yurt (yes, you read that right) in the tiny community of San Ignacio and didn’t want to add darkness as an additional thrill to our periodic near-death encounters.

San Ignacio has less than 1,000 residents and is about in the middle going east and west on the peninsula. Even though Wikipedia will tell you that San Ignacio has an elevation of just above sea level, it has the feel of being up in the mountains. It’s definitely much cooler than being at the ocean as the

We were not disappointed.

desert landscape is replaced by the unlikely sight of tightly packed palm trees and a lagoon.

More than likely, the only yurts you’ll find in San Ignacio will be at Ignacio Springs B & B. Although my yurt experience is very limited, I can report that these yurts were very comfortable, with a couch, a bed, and a full bathroom. Given that we were traveling in low season, our yurt was right next to the lagoon, and we could easily have taken out the kayak that was left for us steps away from our front door.

We drove the very short distance to town, which has a town square in front of a beautiful and very gold church. The size and impressiveness of the church would lead you to believe that there were more people living in the area in the past than now.

As the only ones at what looked to be the nicest restaurant in town, we sat down to dinner outside and had a fantastic and what at that time seemed to be a surprisingly inexpensive meal. (We were in Mexico for just two days at that point, so we hadn’t yet become accustomed to the countrywide 60% off sale.)

San Ignacio had the feel of a place that responds only to natural rhythms and is not concerned with the issues of more modern and hectic life. My wife and I agreed that, given how out of place we must have looked there, someone taking a picture would think we were eating dinner on a movie set.

Back at our yurt and thoroughly content in this pleasant, unhurried town, we sat on the wooden benches next to the lagoon and watched the stars, as several ducks watched us.

Starting Day 3, we headed almost due east, where we came across the port city of Santa Rosalía, on the other coast, the Sea of Cortez. My wife said that the town had a Caribbean feel to it, with architecture similar to what you would find in New Orleans. It also reminded me of a well-kept cowboy town because, instead of the block buildings we were becoming more accustomed to seeing in Mexico, Santa Rosalía had wooden buildings and red brick buildings with wooden signs and balconies, and because of its remoteness, Santa Rosalía had

On the Bahía Concepción about 20 minutes south of Mulegé are a series of the most sublime beaches you will find anywhere on the planet. Rubbing our eyes and trying to comprehend and to process the postcard perfection we saw to our left, we turned off the highway and approached the first beach, Playa Santispac. Several cabanas beckoned us, set against dark and light blue shimmering water and perfectly white, powdery sand.

In the near distance, we could see a peninsula. To the side, several islands dotted the horizon. Farther away, was the other side of the bay.

In between us and the object of our immediate desire was a smiling young man standing next to a sign that had handwriting on it informing us how much it would cost for the dogs and us to enter. Quite frankly, I don’t remember the amount, other than it was very reasonable. We paid our pesos and he let us in.

There were perhaps six other people on the beach that was several hundred yards wide. We pulled our van directly up to side of the cabana, turned it off, and looked at each other.

We had arrived.

Within three minutes, a man appeared with ceviche for sale for some very small amount of money.

In another few moments, another vendor drove up with ice cold drinks and ice cream. All prices were Mexican scale.

It’s like you’ve been placed in the middle of a Corona commercial, but much better, because it’s real. You have no concerns or worries. All you have to do is to sit back on your chair in the shade of your cabana, decide what to eat or drink from the traveling vendors, swim in the calm, clear water with your dogs, take a walk along the almost completely deserted shore, admire the view, and appreciate how you are able to experience what in the past was almost impossible to achieve and now you are part of. That night, we spent in Loreto, and the next morning headed to what would be our home base of operations for the next six weeks; a tiny fishing village south-east of La Paz.

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July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Los Veranos: Original North American canopy adventure tour doesn’t disappoint

By Rachel Drinkard (www.freerangerachel.com)

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here’s a certain adrenaline rush that comes with zip lining that is basically impossible to replicate in everyday life.

The whir of steel running through the pulley, the rush of humid jungle air on your face, the death grip on the handlebars, and the constant internal recitation of “lean back, keep your feet up, side-to-side to brake but only if they signal you” all come together in an almost overwhelming way on the first few lines as you make your way through the course at Los Veranos Jungle Canopy Tour.

Though there are now a number of canopy tours in Puerto Vallarta alone, Los Veranos has the distinction of not only being the first zip line adventure tour company in the area, but the first in all of North America.

“I’d been down in Costa Rica and saw zip lines in action there,” says owner Jeff Coates as he pauses at our table to introduce himself after the tour. “So I came up here and bought this valley and started building my own. That was in 2002. People thought I was crazy.”

Maybe they were right, as it certainly hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Of course, there wasn’t exactly a how-to book available on how to build a zip line course at that time, but Coates managed to figure it out through trial and error with the help of a good team of engineers and contractors. The entire Orquideas River valley where Los Veranos is built has been wiped out by flooding twice so far, forcing them to rebuild much of the infrastructure from the ground up, and the economy hasn’t always been kind to a new kind of tourism business in the area. But now, fifteen years later, it seems to have come together and the business is hitting its stride.

Tours start daily Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. and departures from any of the multiple pickup locations around town are timed accordingly. You’ll ride to Los Veranos in an open air Mercedes jungle cruiser, so you may want to bring rain gear during the rainy season.

Upon arrival you’ll check in and have a chance to store belongings in lockers and hit up the bathrooms

one last time before suiting up with helmet, gloves, and harness and getting the safety briefing from the bilingual crew.

From there, grab a pulley and start hiking. The first of four short “practice” runs launches from a spiral staircase attached to a huge tree. (Clenching your eyes closed and screaming apparently isn’t required, but I did it just to be safe.)

The tour does a good job of easing you into the experience if you’ve never tried hanging from a harness hundreds of feet above ground while rushing through the air at speeds up to 30 mph.

The first four lines of the 15-line course zig zag through the canopy with gently increasing speed and distance. From the top of the canyon you’ll face the big (longest, fastest, highest) lines spanning the valley back and forth on your way back down. The highlight of the trip is the ¼ mile long “Big Enchilada” which dangles you above the river canyon 500 feet below.

The professional guides are methodical in safety checks as they hook and unhook your harness and pulley from each line.

Remarkably, they also manage to calm the nerves of even the most uncertain adventurer (me) as they hold your harness back before releasing you into the abyss, and then stop your descent with a duct taped length of old tire, the so-called “Mexican braking system,” on the receiving end.

Be sure to wear good shoes that are strapped on tightly to your feet as some hiking up the mountain is involved in order to cruise back down through the trees.

A bathing suit and towel is also recommended in order to enjoy the water park-like area surrounding the restaurant after the tour.

Los Veranos is a top rated attraction for the area on Trip Advisor and both children as young as six and retirees alike seem to enjoy the rush the tour provides.

Those who aren’t up for zip lining

are welcome to pull up a chair next to the waterfall and enjoy the view.

In fact, there’s much more to Los Veranos than just their adrenaline-pumping canopy tour, and the base camp experience after the zip lining is a highlight in its own right.

After you unstrap your harness and check out the videos and photos from your turn through the trees, you have a couple of hours to enjoy the bar and restaurant, tequila tasting, swimming and kayaking in the river, and playing with monkeys, coatis and other animals who call Los Veranos home.

The restaurant is situated in a stunning spot overlooking the river and surrounded by tropical gardens and water features. It’s perfect for a long lunch in the jungle whether you’re booked for a tour or not and patrons are always welcome to enjoy everything the base camp has to offer at no additional charge.

There are water slides from the restaurant deck into beautiful still pools in the river, and kayaks are

available to be launched from a small sandy beach downstream.

The giant langostinos caught fresh from the river and the cocktail menu are in and of themselves worth the trip, though. If you want to go just for lunch, you can jump on Los Veranos’ transportation from town for $20 or make the drive down south of Boca de Tomatlan yourself. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to approximately 6 p.m.

Los Veranos canopy tour is available to visitors age six and up. It is recommended you be in moderate physical condition since some hiking is required. They cannot accommodate pregnant women for safety reasons, and the tour is not recommended for people with back or neck problems. This is a good tour for cruise passengers as tours start several times per day and pick up is available at the cruise terminal. For prices and booking information go to www. canopytours-vallarta.com.

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June 8 - 14, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Los Veranos: La original gira de aventura canopy de Norteamérica que no decepciona

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ay una cierta adrenalina que viene con tirolesa que es básicamente imposible de replicar en la vida cotidiana.

El zumbido de acero que corre a través de la polea, la ráfaga de aire húmedo de la jungla en tu cara, el agarre mortal en el manillar y la recitación interna constante de “inclínate hacia atrás, mantén los pies en alto, de lado a lado para frenar, Si te señalan “todos vienen juntos de una manera casi abrumadora en las primeras líneas como usted hace su camino a través del curso en Los Veranos Jungle Canopy Tour.

Aunque ahora hay un número de tours de canopy en Puerto Vallarta solo, Los Veranos tiene la distinción de no sólo ser la primera compañía de viajes de aventura de tirolesa en la zona, sino la primera de toda América del Norte.

“Había estado en Costa Rica y vi tirolesas en acción allí”, dice el dueño Jeff Coates mientras hace una pausa en nuestra mesa para presentarse después de la gira.

“Así que vine aquí y compré este valle y empecé a construir el mío.

Eso fue en 2002. La gente pensó que estaba loco. “ Tal vez tenían razón, ya que ciertamente no siempre ha sido una navegación fluida.

Por supuesto, no había exactamente un libro de instrucciones sobre cómo construir un curso de tirolesa en ese momento, pero Coates logró averiguarlo a través

de ensayo y error con la ayuda de un buen equipo de ingenieros y contratistas. Todo el valle del río Orquideas, donde se construye Los Veranos, ha sido destruido dos veces por inundaciones, obligándolos a reconstruir gran parte de la infraestructura desde cero y la economía no siempre ha sido amable con un nuevo tipo de negocio turístico en la zona.

Pero ahora, quince años después, parece que se han unido y el negocio está dando grandes pasos.

Los tours comienzan diariamente de lunes a sábado a las 9:00 a.m., 11 a.m. y 2 p.m. Y las salidas de cualquiera de los múltiples lugares de recogida alrededor de la ciudad se cronometran en consecuencia. Usted viajará a Los Veranos en un crucero al aire libre de la selva de Mercedes, así que usted puede desear traer el engranaje de la lluvia durante la estación lluviosa.

A su llegada se registrará y tendrá la oportunidad de guardar sus pertenencias en los casilleros y usar los baños una última vez antes de adaptarse con el casco, los guantes y el arnés y obtener la información de seguridad de la tripulación bilingüe.

Desde allí, tomar una polea y comenzar a caminar. La primera de cuatro cortas “prácticas” se ejecuta desde una escalera de caracol unida a un enorme árbol.

(Cerrando los ojos cerrados y

gritando aparentemente no es necesario, pero lo hice sólo para estar a salvo.)

La gira hace un buen trabajo de facilitarle a la experiencia si usted nunca ha intentado colgar de un arnés cientos de pies sobre el suelo mientras corriendo a través del aire a velocidades de hasta 30 mph. Las cuatro primeras líneas de la línea de 15 líneas de zig zag a través de la copa con el aumento de la velocidad y la distancia.

Desde la parte superior del cañón se enfrentará a las líneas grandes (más largas, más rápidas y más altas) que atraviesan el valle de ida y vuelta en su camino de regreso. El punto culminante del viaje es el ¼ de milla de largo “Big Enchilada” que oscila por encima del cañón del río 500 pies más abajo.

Las guías profesionales son metódicas en los controles de seguridad, ya que enganchan y desenganchan el arnés y la polea de cada línea.

Sorprendentemente, también logran calmar los nervios incluso del aventurero más incierto (yo) mientras sostienen tu arnés antes de soltarte en el abismo, y luego detener tu descenso con una longitud de cinta adhesiva de viejo neumático, la llamada “ Sistema de frenado mexicano “, en el extremo receptor.

Asegúrese de usar buenos zapatos que están atados con firmeza a sus pies como algunos

de excursión hasta la montaña está involucrado con el fin de crucero de vuelta a través de los árboles. Un traje de baño y una toalla también es recomendable para disfrutar de la zona de parque acuático que rodea el restaurante después de la excursión.

Los Veranos es una atracción clasificada superior para la zona en Trip Advisor y tanto los niños como los jóvenes,adultos y los jubilados por igual tambien disfrutan de una experiencia inolvidable.

Aquellos que no están para la tirolesa son bienvenidos para tirar de una silla al lado de la cascada y disfrutar de la vista.

De hecho, hay mucho más en Los Veranos que su gira de canopy de adrenalina, y la experiencia del campamento base después de la tirolesa es un punto culminante por derecho propio.

Después de desarmar su arnés y ver los videos y fotos de su vuelta a través de los árboles, tiene un par de horas para disfrutar del bar y restaurante, buen gusto de tequila, natación y kayak en el río, y jugar con los monos, coatis y otros Animales que llaman Los Veranos a casa.

El restaurante está situado en un lugar impresionante con vistas al río y rodeado de jardines tropicales y características de agua.

Es perfecto para un largo almuerzo en la selva si estás reservado para una excursión o

no y los clientes son siempre bienvenidos a disfrutar de todo lo que el campamento base tiene para ofrecer sin cargo adicional. Hay toboganes desde la terraza del restaurante en hermosas piscinas todavía en el río, y kayaks están disponibles para ser lanzado desde una pequeña arena Y playa aguas abajo. Los langostinos gigantes capturados frescos desde el río y el menú de cócteles están en y de sí vale la pena el viaje, aunque. Si desea ir sólo para el almuerzo, puede saltar en el transporte de Los Veranos de la ciudad por $20 o hacer la unidad hacia el sur de Boca de Tomatlán usted mismo.

El restaurante está abierto de lunes a sábado de 10 a.m. aproximadamente a las 6 p.m.

Los Veranos canopy tour está disponible para los visitantes de seis años o más.

Se recomienda que esté en condición física moderada ya que es necesario hacer ejercicio. No pueden aceptar a mujeres embarazadas por razones de seguridad,problemas de corazon no se recomienda para personas con problemas de espalda o cuello.

Este es un buen recorrido para los pasajeros de cruceros, ya que los tours comienzan varias veces al día y la recogida está disponible en la terminal de cruceros.

Para obtener información sobre precios y reservas, visite www. canopytours-vallarta.com.

T

his quaint one bedroom condo is located in the ‘’Beverly Hills’’ of Puerto Vallarta on the South Shore. The home, located in a lovely, boutique complex, has great indoor-outdoor flow, with a terrace spanning the length of the condo. Great contact with trees and gardens. Peek view of the ocean from the bedroom. Private washer/ dryer, walk-in closet and a pet-friendly building. Rooftop pool with small, kid-friendly area and stunning view across the whole bay! http://www.boardwalkrealtypv.com/ properties/condo-karla-13/

Featured Property of the Week

CONDO KARLA 13 $ 155,000 1 Bed, 1 bath, 745 Sq.

0.00 USD Ft.

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Marcia Blondin

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mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

tax@orlandogotay.com

glorious shop that is run by her niece Mariana who makes nearly everything in the store that’s edible!

A staggering amount of chocolate products – seriously, you must check out this store!

I went back to the Cigar Factory to meet Paco Ojeda who has just returned from Colombia. His video productions are always amazing but what he produced onsite in Colombia with what he had to work with are extraordinary. Our Library – Los Mangos – was well represented in Colombia in conference and you can see Paco’s videos on YouTube. The iced coffees were great and the conversation – as always with Paco, was stimulating and lovely fun just to sit and yak.

The Vallarta Garden Club is meeting Wednesday, July 12th from 6 to 8 pm at Babel Bar on the Isla Cuale. You are so welcome to come even if you aren’t a member.

There is a great bunch of expats from all over the world that come together with a singular thought – how to make Vallarta more beautiful. If you are new in town – and I know you’re out there – please know you are welcome to join us.

And we likely will not have a serious meeting/meeting. We’ll likely just chat, catch up with one another and drink.

And that, my friends, is it, From Here.

M

any of my readers live in Mexico, enjoying retirement funded by US-based pension plans. US persons who work in Mexico, however, may have been offered a local financial vehicle known as an AFORE account. AFOREs are Mexico versions of what you and I may visualize as 401(k) accounts.

There are big differences as well. Because these are foreign retirement plans, established according to non-US rules, they are not recognized as “qualified plans” from the IRS perspective. Because of that, very different IRS rules apply to them. In a nutshell, they have virtually none of the tax benefits of US-qualified plans. Read on.

Monies put into IRAs and 401(k) plans are generally deductible, and investments inside those plans grow on a tax-free basis. Why? Because US tax law says they are.

Guess what US tax law says about AFOREs, the Mexican retirement accounts? Nada.

They don’t have the tax benefits granted to US plans. The IRS treats them very differently. In fact, the gains in your AFORE may be taxable in the US the very year they are earned and may even be taxable as ordinary income and not as a capital gain. Ouch.

Bottom line: many foreign pension plans and deferred compensation arrangements are virtually toxic to US citizens (and green card holders). They require reporting in special IRS forms.

July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Leza Warkentin

Orlando Gotay, Tax Attorney

marciavallarta@gmail.com t has been a week of celebration with Canada’s 150th birthday and the 4th of July will have already passed by the time you read this.

My roommate Hank’s 76th reason to have a party! It has also been a time to renew and refresh friendships with some Vallartenses that I love and simply do not see often enough and over wonderful food and drink… to segue into…lunch, nope, brunch with Jovany from Ropero de Jovany at Mi Café. We split French toast, a panini sandwich and French fries. Any one of those three gigantic orders would have sufficed however; we did yeoman’s work and finished everything. Jovany’s fabulous store is jammed with wonderful vintage clothing/accessories/art/shoes, handbags and so much more. He was full of news from his visit to Los Angeles and many surprises coming to his store. I am sworn to secrecy for now but when he says “GO!” I will tell you all about it.

Dinner with Hank to celebrate his 76th birthday was at the Vallarta Cigar Factory. Pizza – yummy; Caesar salad dressed with whole anchovies – heaven; red snapper in Hank’s words, “the best fish – ever!” and there’s more! The Cigar Factory is opening another locale AND they have a new Vallarta Chocolate Factory right around the corner at #350 Libertad. Marcia Applegate decorated this small,

local AFORE— The Toxic Investment for Americans in Mexico Penalties for not reporting them are incredibly steep. Ready for more? Tax years in which you were required to report those accounts and didn’t, remain “open” for audit until you file the required forms. It really is that bad.

You may be tempted to run to the AFORE people and say “why didn’t you tell me this?” Truth is, it’s not their job to warn Americans as to the US tax consequences of a Mexican financial product.

To them, it’s an innocuous thing, because they see it from the normal, Mexican perspective. To them, it is a great tax-deferred vehicle. To Americans, AFOREs and their ilk may be the financial equivalent of Ebola.

You say you don’t have an AFORE account? What about your Mexican spouse?

I don’t mean to scaremonger, at all…rather, open my esteemed reader’s eyes as to the many tax issues that arise from being a US person that lives, works and plays outside the United States. More to follow.

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, online radio at mixlr.com/orlandogotay or Facebook: GotayTaxLawyer.

Summer Vacation?

S

o now I’m on summer vacation, which is supposed to be my time for unwinding from a busy school year. My goals are always similar: direct household affairs from the comfort of my bed train the dogs to turn on the coffee machine finally watch an entire season of something on Netflix in one sitting.

I usually have trouble with goal-setting, because I tend “think big”, and end up getting only halfway there. Plus, the goals you see here are fairly interconnected, so if I fail at one, my carefully crafted house of cards is going to come crashing down.

If my children lure me out of bed, for example, by claiming to be hungry and threatening to try to turn on the gas stove, then I will probably just flick the coffee machine on by myself. Once I’ve had my coffee and made breakfast, I’m already behind in my Netflix watching, and by then the children say they wonder when lunch will be ready.

And the other thing is that we are leaving for Canada in two weeks, so that means that I am going to be anxious for the next fourteen days.

You see, not only do I find flying to be one of the most stressful activities since the Boer Wars, I am trying to get Everything done before we leave.

The cute thing about me is that when I am faced with something stressful, I begin to clean things that I used to not care about. So I start organizing closets that spent ten months hanging out and smoking with their friends, and trying to match Tupperware containers with their tops, and attempting to open rusted paint cans to see which ones are still usable (my guess is zero out of twenty).

It’s like watching a movie when the happy tourists in the kayak don’t see the waterfall coming up. But you see it, and you are helpless to warn them. Probably you also see what is about to happen to my peace of mind. The difference is that I also see, and yet I am swirling toward the precipice anyway. Which

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Medical

Two Expats in Mexico

Paradise

and Parenting

probably explains what has already happened to my peace of mind.

I blame it entirely on the airline and ticket agency with whom I purchased our tickets. We bought our tickets in November.

Two weeks ago, I went into the website to choose our seats so that Gilberto would be next to both a window and both children somehow.

I opened up the site and found my reservation.

I stared for a moment, wondering if it was too late in the day to finally buy the progressive lenses I’ve been putting off because the idea of wearing them makes me feel old (plus I feel like I can guess the dose on a medicine bottle just as well as read it). There, on the page, was my reservation, except it had been altered to the point that my family and I would have to actually enter a time machine and make our mid-flight connection two days before we would even leave Puerto Vallarta.

As intriguing as that sounds, I called the airline (who probably would enjoy remaining nameless at this point) and the representative took a moment to laugh heartily at their error of time and space.

After a lot of clicking and grunting and chuckling noises, he said he couldn’t help me because the ticket agency had to contact them to make the change, not me.

I managed to avoid asking sarcastically if the ticket agency was going to also be attending my parents’ fiftieth anniversary dinner and try to tell my twin cousins apart, who are both forty-nine and professional clowns. I got off the phone and started the grim, dreary process of dealing with bureaucracy.

Two weeks. Two weeks later and I’m hip dip in old bathroom towels, waiting for the final email of the schedule change. My dogs aren’t even interested in talking about the coffee maker, and my kids want dinner every day.

Yes, it’s summer. I’ve heard from some that it’s summer vacation.

Have a good one, wherever you are.

As long as you don’t use a ticket agency, it’s almost guaranteed.

July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Matters

Paul Kurtzweil

Pam Thompson

www.qroo.us

pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com

Foreigners Purchasing Property in Mexico

Pamela Thompson operates HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a multi-faceted, independent, resource network that is here for your total health and well-being. We offer assistance to help find a physician, hospital and diagnostic service for any healthcare needs. www.healthcareresourcespv.com

D

ear Q-Roo Paul: “I heard that foreigners aren’t permitted by law to own property in Mexico. How were you able to buy a condo there?” — Reader from Philadelphia, PA It sounds like you’re referring to foreigners purchasing property in the restricted zone, which is within 50 kilometers of any coast or 100 kilometers of any border. There are fewer restrictions on foreign ownership outside of that area.

My condo is only a few minutes from the beach, so it clearly falls within the restricted zone. Nevertheless, I was able to acquire ownership of the property by establishing a bank trust, called a fideicomiso in Spanish.

Basically, it works like this: The bank holds a naked title for the property and serves as the trustee for the property. The buyer of the property is named as the beneficiary of the trust and enjoys full ownership rights. That means that they can occupy it, rent it out, borrow money against it, make improvements to it, leave it to someone in their will or do anything else that can typically be done with real estate. Just to be clear, the bank does not own the

property. The naked title means that it is a title without benefits.

The bank cannot sell, depreciate, lease or exercise any control over the property. In fact, the bank is not even permitted to list the property as an asset for accounting purposes.

The trust is valid for a maximum of 50 years (Artículo 13, Ley de Inversión Extranjera), but it can be renewed indefinitely. The cost to maintain the trust averages around $500 USD a year. This fee is charged by the bank for providing the service.

I’ve known several potential foreign investors who have gotten cold feet once they found out about the fideicomiso.

I have to admit, the concept concerned me a bit at first too, but once I thoroughly researched it, I felt completely comfortable with it.

When it comes down to it, I have the same property rights that I would have if I bought in the U.S. The only thing I don’t care for is the reoccurring yearly fee to maintain the trust. However, as Linda often reminds me, that’s a very small price to pay to live in paradise — and as usual, she’s absolutely correct!

Take control of yourself – health clinics all summer

T

his week is going to be short and sweet! I am running late!

Our July and August newsletter is out and if you would like a copy (it is way too long to put here) just send an email! All of our July and August clinics are listed and we are going to rest in September although we are still available for any type of assistance you might need. Just send an email!

We are excited about our NEW Urinary Incontinence Clinic! This is a very common condition affecting between 30 to 50% of women over the course of their lifetime!

Pelvic organ prolapse is common in which a woman’s pelvic organs are displaced from their normal position resulting in a vaginal bulge or a feeling of pelvic heaviness of fullness. The objective of our new clinic is to screen and assess the degree, identifying those patients that require further diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Performed by bi-lingual urologist.

Our New Breast Imaging Center is opening within the next couple of weeks! This is with a state-of-the-art Digital Mammogram Machine with Tomosynthesis.

Digital breast tomosynthesis differs from traditional mammography in the same way that a chest computed tomography differs from a traditional chest x-ray. Think about the difference between a ball and a circle. The ball is three-dimensional and the circle is flat. We are thrilled to have this available in the area. And we are, as always, thrilled to have this headed up by Dra. Claudia de Moral, our breast specialist. Watch for grand opening tours!

First Responder CPR Course In August, we will be offering a First Responder CPR Course and CPR Adult and Infant CPR Course.

If you would like details and to sign up – please send an email.

Here’s to an air-conditioned week!

local

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Creative

My Fitness Journey

hands of Mexico Leigh Thelmadatter

Katy Saunders

osomadre@hotmail.com

Weaving home decor

C

ompared to the United States, Mexico has very little in the way of lakes.

The largest is Lake Chapala on the Michoacán/Jalisco border. But perhaps the most culturally significant is Lake Patzcuaro. It was the center of the Purhepecha Empire and still holds a special place in modern Michoacán.

Mexican lakes tend to be shallow, allowing for the natural growth of reeds and rushes that form the basis of most basket making. The same plants used millennia ago are still gathered and worked into both utilitarian and decorative items.

Most are traditional but even this humble craft has seen innovation.

The Tzumundi workshop is located in the basketry town of Ihuatzio, on the eastern shore of Lake Patzcuaro. It was founded and is run by Mario Lopez Torres, who grew up in Mexico City but found his calling here.

Although from a creative family (his father was a photographer), he does not have artisan lineage.

Initially, he studied the fine arts, leaving home as a teen to learn wicker techniques in San Francisco el Tepeji in the state of Puebla.

But Lopez is a multifaceted crafts-

July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

tksaund@gmail.com person, able to work in metal, stone and wood and had the idea of making basketry items with metal frames, an idea he could not explore in the small town.

Friends living in Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán invited him to stay a while and work out his idea at their workshop. He arrived there at age 18 over four decades ago, but by the time he was 19, he had decided to move to and live permanently at the Tzimundi site in Ihuatzio. All the rugged stone buildings with wrought iron and wood were made by his hands.

The Lake Patzcuaro area has a millennia-old tradition of basketry, using reeds and rushes that grow along the edges of the shallow lake. The eastern side of the lake in particular is still noted for the making of basketry items.

But the technique that dominates Lopez’s and many other workshops in this area today is not pre Hispanic. It is particular method that originated in the Philippines, and introduced to the area by a handcrafts dealer from Texas about 40 years ago.

Instead of using split stiff stems, the leaves of bulrushes (called “chuspata” locally) are twisted into a kind of cord, than woven like fabric over a frame. This frame can be of various materials, including stiff wicker, but Lopez focuses on the use of frames shaped by bending

What’s My Intention?

Lopez with a large “cradle” piece thick steel wire and soldering joints.

Despite the foreign origin of the technique, the bulrushes used are local, still collected from the lakeshore. Lopez himself directly works with the making of the steel frames, employing various people in Ihuatzio and surrounding communities to do the weaving work. This is true from small plates and animal figures to large sofas, with only the thickness of the wire used varying.

The cord is woven tightly so that metal frame is not visible, making the piece look a whole lot lighter than it really is. After the chuspata cord is woven, the piece is varnished for preservation and for looks.

A large lounge chair takes about 20 days, from start to finish.

The business is still in the family but it has had its ups and downs.

Early in its history, Lopez sold principally in Mexico City but over time this became impractical. He began working with exhibiting at various fairs and other events in central Mexico, particularly from Guanajuato to Jalisco, and he still exhibits and sells regularly in San Miguel de Allende and the Feria Maestros del Arte in Chapala, Jalisco.

At the business’s height, Lopez was shipping items regularly to small stores and galleries in the U.S. and Europe. However, Michoacán went into economic crisis a couple of decades ago, principally due to the steep drop off of tourism, itself due to drug trafficking and some political violence. Tourism and the overall economy has begun to recover somewhat according to Lopez, but there are far more artisans can he can re-employ.

Lopez’s children have mostly gone into professional occupations, with the workshop benefitting with one’s career in computers, resulting in a website at http://www.tzumindi. com/ All photos by Alejandro Linares Garcia or Leigh Thelmadatter

W

hen it comes to fitness I have to admit for me it’s all about intention and motivation. I don’t think I could have embarked on this journey without them, and I believe they’re the what drives me to keep going all those times I could have quit.

So, how do you use intention or motivation to drive you closer to your dreams and goals? Here’s a hint...it’s part of the word motivation or rather “m-o-t-i-v-e”. Yes, ‘motive’ if we condense the word further becomes move, which is where I am going, but to get there we need some set intentions!

Intention #1: Look my best. I want to look my best, looking my best means feeling my best, and so far, I’ve never heard anyone say they want to look bad, which brings me to #2.

Intention # 2: Feel good. When we feel good we not only look good, but our energy level is greater, we get more accomplished, we interact better socially, and have the confidence that naturally draws others to us.

Intention # 3: Think clearly.

When I am active my brain works so much better. I’m not sure about you, but I think it’s worth trying!

Intention # 4: Sleep better. This one I have tested time and time again, the best night’s sleep I’ve had is when I’ve worked out that day, whether it be cardio or strength training. I take in more oxygen, and I sleep like a baby.

Intention # 5: Reduce fear. I

have a few intentions that fought for the fifth spot in this list but I think this one encompasses one of the many reasons we push ourselves to go out there and try something, or when we quit too soon. Fear is a great inhibitor and a great motivator. Use it to motivate and not inhibit yourself. Each time you give yourself permission to be that person you want to become, you push past your limits, overcoming fear and reaching a new threshold.

These are great, but not enough of a driver to get you out the door, right? If you’re at all like me, they don’t fully convince you to get outside, run three miles, or spend forty-five minutes four times a week with a programmed fitness routine.

So, what then?

It’s simple. Take the things that motivate you anyway and use them. Here’s what I mean: You love Chilaquiles in the morning, or ice cream on a hot day? Do this first, go for a ten minute walk, go say “Hi!” to friends, take the dogs for a walk, or a stroll to check out a nearby store. Then...have your frozen treat, but don’t indulge until after you do the task you set for yourself. Try it for one week, write down a few highlights from your walk, and see if it inspires you. I promise, you’ll love your walks, and your treat even more.

Stay happy! Stay healthy, stay fit! Send me a message on Facebook: Fitness Etc! and share with me know how it goes. You know I love to hear from you about the struggles, and your success!

Keep on moving, find your motive, and then use what motivates you most!

From those of us at the Vallarta Tribune we wish to

Congratulate Hospiten and its president, Pedro Luis Cobiella Suรกrez in the inauguration of its new hospital in Puerto Vallarta!

With its grand opening on July 7, Hospiten brings to our city a new level of quality and care!

We wish you great success!

Felicidades!

riviera nayarit

19

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com

H

ey Everybody! The RHA Festival was a big hit at the Marina Riviera Nayarit (La Cruz Marina) with 2000 people in attendance. Catrina Liana, event coordinator for the La Cruz Marina told me, “It was well organized and the lightening storm the first evening was amazing!” She also mentioned that they would like to return and continue the RHA Fest at the La Cruz Marina next year.

It’s a wonderful way to bring more young people to our lovely town of La Cruz, which also stimulates the economy for the small businesses during the off season. SWEET! Lots of Love for Bucerias!

When you arrive in Bucerías, the first thing to enchant you will be the simple charms of this traditional Mexican town with cobbles-

tone streets, brightly colored homes with enormous wooden doors and an overall feeling of tranquility, further enhanced by the serene ocean and 8kms of near pristine beach. Don’t forget the friendly people and impressive sunsets that can be admired from the panoramic highway.

Bucerías is one of the most visited destinations of the Riviera Nayarit among national and international tourists alike. These visitors come in search of fun and relaxation while enjoying its fine sands, colorful hotels and tranquil surf. It is the perfect destination for families with young children who enjoy floating over the gentle waves on inflatable toys.

Here, everyone loves to sail, kayak or jetski, and tourists of all

ages delight in the wonders of the beach as they rest under thatched-roof palapas.

It is common to see people bicycling down the streets of Bucerías towards the beach or walking through the communal market to shop for items such as silver jewelry, handicrafts, clothing and traditional sweets.

On the corners of the main streets of town are restaurants and bars where you can relax while drinking a glass of lemonade or enjoying a delicious ceviche (lime-marinated seafood) tostada or shrimp cocktail.

At the Main Plaza, you can observe the daily comings and goings of the locals as you enter the picturesque church or walk a few meters towards one of the safest beaches in the region.

This beach also happens to have recently been listed among the cleanest on the Mexican coast by the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

In fact, Bucerías is so attractive that many visitors, especially foreigners, decide to establish their second home in this enchanting town. Surround yourself with the delightful smells, tastes and sounds as you are immersed in the living tradition of this time-honored small town on the ocean shore.

Please, support your local businesses during the summer months. Enjoy the local talent of Zoe Wood at Tescalama La Cruz every Wednesday evening (LOVE HER MUSIC); they also have all of the sports action in comfortable seating and great views. Looking for AC? Check out Esquina 22 in Bucerias.

They also have cheap beers and weekly dinner specials.

The Bucerias Sunday Market runs all year around as well as the La Cruz weekly market on Wednesdays. The La Peñita Tianguis also is a year around market if you’re headed that way. There are so many things to enjoy on the bay. Take advantage of having the beach practically to yourself and go swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and walking on the playa.. just to name a few!

Check out our Facebook page at RivieraNayaritFun for more fun and Mexico news. Give us a LIKE while you’re at it! If you would like to attract more folks for your business the Vallarta Tribune has amazing summer specials for advertising.

Send me an email at CatPVTribune@Gmail.com.

As always, thanks for tuning in.

Create a great week everyone. AHO!

July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Planning ahead! August Events In The Riviera Nayarit!

La Patrona Atlético de Madrid Football Camp (July 17 to August 11) Spain’s Club Atlético de Madrid will be holding a Summer Camp - San Pancho Campus in the Riviera Nayarit at the La Patrona Polo Club (July 17 – August 11).

This will include four weeks of training for kids and teens. For more information call 044 (322) 146 7714 or 01 (322) 297 2334 ext. 106.

Corn Festival (August 6-15) A visit to Jala and Xalisco this August can be a great way to experience the Riviera Nayarit and its traditions. Located just a short distance from the coast of Nayarit, the communities of Jala and Xalisco plan all sorts of events including dances, entertainment, horse races and cockfights.

The festivities originated with the celebration of Our Lady of the Assumption and in Jala the biggest ear of corn wins a prize.

Gastronómica Kick Off (August 14-16) Top chefs both domestic and international unite in this culinary event that will be held within the Vidanta complex. Big names in Mexican gastronomy include chefs Paco Roncero, known for his mastery of Spanish vanguard cooking; Aaron Mizrahi and Elías Sapién, both banquet pros; and Betty Vázquez, the Riviera Nayarit’s Culinary Ambassador.

Grupo Delfin National Convention Program (August 16-19) The National Convention for Scientific and Technological Research of the Pacific is focused on strengthening the culture of collaboration between centers of higher education and the research centers that are part of the Program via an exchange with professors, researchers and students and the distribution of scientific and technological programs. Some 3,500 attendees are expected to be staying in the destination’s hotels in the area of Nuevo Vallarta.

Disfruta los eventos de agosto en Riviera Nayarit Campamento de Verano de Atlética Madrid La Patrona (17 de julio al 11 de agosto) El Club Atlético de Madrid de España tendrá un Campamento de Verano Campus San Pancho, Riviera Nayarit, en las instalaciones del Club de Polo La Patrona. Serán cuatro semanas de entrenamiento para niños y jóvenes. Para más información llamar al 044 (322) 146 7714 o al 01 (322) 297 2334 ext. 106.

Feria del elote (6 al 15 agosto) Visitar Jala y Xalisco durante agosto puede convertirse en una gran experiencia al conocer mejor la Riviera Nayarit y sus tradiciones. Ubicadas a corta distancia de la costa nayarita, las comunidades de Jala y Xalisco, preparan todo tipo de eventos entre los cuales se incluyen bailes, presentaciones artísticas, carreras de caballos y peleas de gallos.

Originalmente durante estas fechas se celebra a la Virgen de la Asunción y en Jala es premiado el elote más grande.

Kick Off Gastronómica (14 al 16 de agosto) Reconocidos chefs fusionarán sus sabores en este evento gastronómico que tendrá como sede el complejo Vidanta. Se contará con la presencia de grandes figuras de la gastronomía mexicana como los chefs Paco Roncero, Aaron Mizrahi, Elías Sapién y Betty Vázquez.

Congreso Nacional Programa Grupo Delfin (16 al 19 de agosto) Congreso Nacional de la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica del Pacífico, tiene como objetivo fortalecer la cultura de colaboración entre las Instituciones de Educación Superior y Centros de Investigación integrantes del Programa, a través de la movilidad de profesores-investigadores, estudiantes y de la divulgación de productos científicos y tecnológicos.

Se esperan 3,500 asistentes que se estarán hospedando en diferentes hoteles del destino, en el área de Nuevo Vallarta.

VALLARTA SHOPPING AND SERVICES FABFABRICFELLOWS Aprons - Pillows Masks - Cooling Ties Three Hens & A Rooster Market V. Carranza 466 Saturdays 9 to 1 Contact Bill Kelly at

unonumerobomb@gmail.com

Sherry Vallarta HOME DE’COR

Personal Shopper

Buy & Sell ~ Anything & Everything

sherryvallarta@yahoo.com 044 322 137 7063 Pandamonia Boutique

Wine bags - Paintings Women’s Clothes & Shoes Tote Bags - Kitchen Linens All things “CAT” Three Hens & A Rooster Market V. Carranza 466 Saturdays 9 to 1 Contact Pat Thunherst Wagner at ptwagner@comcast.net

Marsol Friday Market by the Pier Three Hens & A Rooster Market on Saturdays

Farmer’s Markets

M OLD FURNITURE, NEW BEGINNINGS WE PICK IT UP AT YOUR DOOR!

Hand-made Mexican Tiles, Talavera, Saltillo, Mosaico

599 Juarez, El Centro, Puerto Vallarta 322 206 2536 sales@colibridesignvallarta.com

English Spoken Puerto Vallarta & Banderas Bay Real Estate * Trusts * Wills * Inmigration * Civil Criminal Specializing in Immigration.

Real Estate. Condominium Law

Cell. 322 278 6694 felixzaratelawyer@gmail.com

LET YOUR DONATION OF GENTLY USED FURNITURE / HOUSEHOLD ITEMS HAVE A HUGE IMPACT THROUGH US! WE MAKE DONATION AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE, PICKING IT UP AT YOUR DOOR AND ISSUING A RECEIPT ON THE SPOT. IT HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY! YOUR DONATIONS ALLOW US TO PROVIDE A SAFE, STABLE, LOVING HOME FOR 24 GIRLS - ALL FROM HIGH RISK SITUATIONS INCLUDING ABANDONMENT, ABUSE & EXPLOITATION - WHEREIN THEY NOW HAVE A SENSE OF PERMENANCE, ACCESS TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION PLUS ONGOING COUNSELING, MEDICAL/DENTAL ATTENTION AND MORE

BY DONATING, YOU ARE HELPING US CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY ONE GIRL AT A TIME!!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 224 9209 322 217 2401, 322 180 8086 CASAHOGARCORAZONDENINA@HOTMAIL.COM WWW.FUNDACIONCORAZON.MX

ost Farmers Markets run from November through April, though a couple are all year round. Typically they start about 9am and end between 1 and 2pm. Each is a little different and all of them are fabulous!

PUERTO VALLARTA Three Hens and a Rooster Market Saturday 9 – 1pm Year round at Venustiano Carranza 466 in Emiliano Zapata Marsol Friday Market by the Pier Friday 9:30 – 1:30 pm Year round at Marsol Hotel Lobby in Old Town.

SAN PANCHO Mercado del Sol in San Pancho at the Plaza del Sol Tuesdays 10-2pm LA PEÑITA Mercado is every Thursday all year!

www.vallartatribune.com

Marsol Friday Market by the Pier

T

he best thing about Summer Markets – besides the fact there are no crowds – is T-I-M-E. Our vendors have time to explain their products thoroughly and with enthusiasm.

Ricardo Mazcal is a fourth-generation herbalist who takes a keen interest in his clientele.

An integral participant of the Marsol Friday Market for more than a year, Ricardo has built up a steady stream of expats and longterm tourists who visit our Market weekly.

Ricardo will give as much time as you need to be confidant in what you are buying from him.

He will happily tell you the story of his great-grandmother who lived to be 112 years old (with a forty-year-old lover…) who started

collecting herbs in her native Nayarit and documenting their properties.

It is from translating her journals that Ricardo began his fascination

with herbal medicine.

Juan Manuel Hernandez makes beautiful and interesting things from found objects – two silver forks wrapped with copper

wire become wonderful bracelets.

A stone, a shell, a piece of driftwood - or in combination - can and does become art to wear or display in your home or garden.

Need a ring sized? Talk to David or Elizabeth Ruesga about all things gold and silver! The Marsol Friday Market by the Pier is open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

silk scarves, fresh honey, gorgeous jewellery, coffee from Chiapas and peanut brittle from a Louisiana recipe, herbal remedies and so much more.

Three Hens and A Rooster Market is open Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm at Venustiano Carranza 466 in Old Town Puerto Vallarta.

munity of Platanitos, serves up activities aimed at protecting the environment and the conservation of the sea turtles.

Three Hens and a Rooster Market News

P

at Wagner is back! And so much merchandise followed her into Market last Saturday that her newly-named “Pandamonia Boutique” has spilled out into the courtyard. Clothes that haven’t even been unpacked yet… so many new tee shirts with cats on them; cat kitchen towels; cat-embossed trays; placemats; coasters, and so much more; she – and we – will need a few weeks to get everything sorted out!

Pat brought back fabrics for Bill Kelly, so check with the Fab Fabric Fellows Boutique to see what new designs and patterns pop up on cooling ties, aprons and cushion covers. More kitties to be sure, Day of the Dead themes and perhaps a rooster or two.

If you have tried Mark Hughes’ quiches, you already know they are the best in Vallarta; now you have

Events Calendar Have an event you want to promote? Email the details: Where, When, Who and What by Monday 5pm to Editor(at)VallartaTribune. com to be included in that week’s paper.

All events can be found online at www.vallartatribune.com/events NOW ADD YOUR EVENT ONLINE – FREE ONLINE LISTINGS!

to try Mark’s mixed berry crumble.

Individual-size pies that are so

overstuffed with fresh berries they tend to burst when you poke

them with a fork. Different kinds of crumble pies – the apple is sensational. Sweet or savoury, take home a bunch; they freeze beautifully.

Three Hens offers up Jewish comfort food, sausages, perogies, cinnamon buns, croissants stuffed with spinach and cheese, oil paintings, fabulous desserts, vintage

July 8-9 11th Bahía de Banderas International Fishing Tournament Organized by the Bahía de Banderas Fishing Club, this traditional event that focuses on catching marlin and tuna returns to the waters off of the Riviera Nayarit with a slew of national and international participants.

July 15 San Blas Pee Wee Surfing League It’s San Blas’ turn to host this itinerant tournament, which visits different coastal villages of Nayarit in search of new talent in this sport.

July 17 – August 11 La Patrona Atlética Madrid Summer Camp will be holding a Summer Camp - San Pancho Campus.

This will include four weeks of training for kids and teens. For more information call 044 (322) 146 7714 or 01 (322) 297 2334 ext. 106.

July 21-23 Abierto Mexicano de Surf (AMS – Mexican Surf Open) Mexicans and foreigners, professionals and amateurs: all surfers are invited to participate in this competition, which offers 100 thousand pesos in prizes and will take place in San Pancho.

July 22 Corona Sunsets San Pancho Riviera Nayarit This spectacular Sunset Corona concert returns to the Riviera Nayarit, this time to San Pancho, which will host nine national and international DJs led by Duke Dumont, Bakermat and Goldroom.

Thousands of attendees will be on hand to enjoy this magical spectacle held at the Hacienda San Pancho.

July 22-23 V Sea Turtle Festival This festival, held in the com-

entertainment

22

July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com

Tony Bennett the last of the original pop stars Part One: The Early Years

By Fred Jacobs ony Bennett was born, Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926, in Astoria, Queens, New York. His father was a grocer and his mother, a seamstress. Both his parents came from the same rural area of southern Italian in the Calabria region.

Tony’s father became very ill and passed away when Tony was only 10 yrs. old. This left the family to live in dire poverty during the Great Depression years. Tony grew up listening to Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland, and Bing Crosby as well as jazz singers like Louis Armstrong. Tony’s uncle was a dancer in Vaudeville, which gave Tony an early peek at show business.

By age 10, Tony was already singing, and he even performed at the opening of the Triborough Bridge, and stood next to Mayor La Guardia at the ceremony. Tony began singing for money at the age of 13, performing as a singing waiter in several Italian restaurants around Queens. Tony then went to New York’s School of Industrial

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Over the past month we have been making small changes to our distribution locations; hopefully making it easier for you to find a copy. The Tribune will be available for pick up at the tourist offices in the main plaza as well as in Park Lazaro Cardenas, in Puerto Vallarta.

You can shop and pick up a

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the Associated Press in Manhattan.

Tony got drafted into the Army in the final days of WWII, but did manage to see action in France and Germany at the end of the war.

Tony called his time on the front lines as a “front-row seat in hell.”

After getting discharged from the Army in 1946, Tony studied at the American Theatre Wing paid for by the GI Bill. Tony picked up a unique style of singing which led him to improvise as he interpreted a song.

In 1949, Pearl Bailey recognized Tony’s talent and asked him to open for her in Greenwich Village.

She had invited Bob Hope to her show and Bob was so impressed, he decided to take Tony on the road with him, and simplified his name to Tony Bennett. In 1950, Tony made a demo of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and was signed to the Columbia Records label.

Tony began his career as a “crooner” of commercial pop tunes, with his first big hit “Because of You”.

It started out gaining popularity on jukeboxes, and reached number one on the pop charts in 1951 and stayed there for ten weeks, selling over a million copies. Tony’s recor-

Where can I find the Vallarta Tribune?

8 222 667 .net : 322 Office@ronmorgan net an. info

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Art where he studied painting and music, but he dropped out at age 16 to help support his family. He worked various low paying jobs such as a copy boy and runner for

ding of “Blue Velvet” was also very popular and attracted screaming teenaged fans at concerts at the Paramount Theater in New York, where Tony did seven shows a day, starting at 10:30 a.m.

In early 1952, Tony then married Ohio art student and jazz fan, Patricia Beech, whom he had met the previous year after a nightclub performance in Cleveland. Two thousand female fans dressed in black gathered outside the ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, New York, in mock mourning. The couple had two sons.

Tony again hit number-one in 1953 with “Rags to Riches”, which was more of a big band sound, and stayed number one for 8 weeks on the charts. Once the rock and roll era began in 1955, the music industry changed and it became harder for existing pop singers to do well commercially. But Tony managed to continue respectable success, placing eight songs in the Billboard Top 40 during the latter part of the 1950s.

In 1956, Tony also hosted an NBC Saturday night television variety show, “The Tony Bennett Show”, as a 30 day summer replacement show, which gave him national exposure. In 1957 Tony’s album “The Beat of My Heart”, took things to a more Jazz theme. Tony followed this by working with the “Count Basie Orchestra”, becoming the first male pop vocalist to sing with the band.

The albums “Basie Swings, Bennett Sings” (1958) and “In Person!” (1959) were big hits, with “Chicago” being one of the standout songs. Throughout this period, Tony built up the quality and the reputation of his nightclub act, following the path of Sinatra and other top jazz and pop singers of this era. Next week, we’ll look at Tony becoming the unique sound and legend that everyone wanted to sing with.

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

LLARTA OF VA PEOPLE Page 18

copy of the Tribune at the Friday Marsol Market, the ‘Three Hens and a Rooster Market, Venustiano Carranza 466, on Saturdays’ and at the Amigo’s de La Cruz table at the La Cruz Sunday Market. In addition to all of our advertisers, look for the Vallarta Tribune in restaurants, resorts, galleries and salons around

the Bay of Banderas and north into Sayulita and San Pancho. We distribute 10,000 copies in high season from Mismaloya to San Pancho each week.

Marina Vallarta: Benittos, The Coffee Cup, Re/Max, San Javier Hospital Nuevo Vallarta: Eddies, Barra-

cuda’s, Nopalitos, US Consulate, Chasers Sports Bar Bucerias: Mark’s, Sandrina’s, Yo-Yo Mo’s, Luna Lounge, Esquina 22 La Cruz: Oso’s Oyster Bar, Octopus Garden, Tescamala Sayulita: Don Pedro’s, Punta Sayulita, Choco Banana, Sayulita Wine Shop San Pancho: Hotel Cielo Rojo

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July 6 - 13, 2017 www.vallartatribune.com