iSSUE 1100, May 3-9, 2018

news

Ramiz Barquet Sculpture Unveiled Page 06

Vibes & Vices

Vallarta Botanical Gardens Page 10

VallartaTribune.com

riviera Nayarit

Beautiful Baños Page 15

FR EE

GU ID E

May 03 - 9, 2018 Year 21 Free Issue 1100

Beachfront Penthouse on Vallarta’s Famed South Shore $599,000 Pages 12-13

CROSSWORD paGE 22

VALLARTA SHOPPING paGES 18-19

charitable organizations 21

FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE ALTRUISMO

INTERNATIONAL ALTRUISM FESTIVAL de Vallarta por Vallarta

Gastronomic Festival of the Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit • Andales Restaurant • Barcelona Tapas • Buonissimo Gelato • Café des Artistes • Café Gourmet

SUNDAY, MAY 6 6:00 Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa

TICKETS:

Include food, drinks and entertainment 100% of monies collected go to 20 charity organizations

• Champions Sport Bar

by Marriott • Charme Repostería • Chilito Mio

$400 pesos at the Sunday La Cruz Market

• El Dorado

$420 pesos online www.amigoslacruz.org $500 pesos at the door

• Kaiser Maximilian

& Lucy’s CuCu Cabana 295 Basilio Badillo 322 222 1220

For more information visit us at the Amigos de la Cruz table at the Sunday La Cruz Market

With the support of:

• Ceviche & Tequila Bar

by Marriott

AMIGOS

DE LA CRUZ

O’Rourke Investments & Insurance, Toldos Chalita, Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, Fundación Punta de Mita A.C.

• Gaby’s • La Palapa • Mauricio’s • Mikado by Marriott • Pie in the Sky • Porto Bello • River Café • Starbucks • Tequila Mama Lucia • Tuna Blanca • Vista Grill • and many more!

welcome

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

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t the Tribune we want you to have the best experience possible while you explore Puerto Vallarta, the Bay of Banderas and Riviera Nayarit. Here are some helpful tips for traveling.

TIME ZONE: The entire state of Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the southern part of the State of Nayarit starting from San Blas 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. If you’re going further than San Pancho, head to the main bus terminal to catch a ‘Pacifico’ bus. Current fare is 7.50 pesos 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. Make a note of the taxi number in case you leave something behind. Drivers typically do not carry change.

UBER: New in 2017 to Puerto Vallarta, Uber is still experiencing some growing pains particularly in the state of Nayarit. Uber is about 25-50% cheaper than a taxi, but this is subject to change. The benefits of using Uber are set fares and the ability to follow up directly with your driver if there is an incident or you leave an item behind.

MONEY EXCHANGE: Typically a bank 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. Note that ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and charge lower fees.

DRINKING WATER: While Puerto Vallarta’s water has been

awarded a certification of purity for the past two decades, the quality of the water tested at the source 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 in love with the street dog outside your hotel is easy to do and it’s also easy to bring them home with you too. The process is inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You need a certificate of health from a local vet among other things. 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 belligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here. While Mexico is a tolerant culture, basic politeness is appreciated. Don’t pee in the streets. Don’t flash your money or expensive gadgets. Pay attention to your surroundings.

Know where you are going. Pay your bills (and don’t forget to tip).

And have fun!

DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off – just don’t. The consequences are not worth it. Taxis or Ubers are cheap and plentiful. Fines are as much as 12,000 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 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. Immediately contact your consulate for assistance.

Director Noemi Zamora noemizamorareynoso@gmail.com Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Sales Team editor@vallartatribune.com Designer Cynthia E. Andrade G. cysandra@gmail.com Web Manager Rachel Drinkcard Racheldrinkcard@gmail.com

May 03 - 9, 2018 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 EURODAM 2,104 01/05/2018 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 3,200 02/05/2018 NORWEGIAN SUN 2,240 05/05/2018 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 3,200 09/05/2018 ECLIPSE 2,850 11/05/2018 CRYSTAL SERENITY 1,080 13/05/2018 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 3,200 15/05/2018 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 3,200 23/05/2018 CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 3,200 30/05/2018 MS SEVEB SEAS NAVIGATOR 490 31/05/2018

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 May Puerto Vallarta welcomes 24,764 passengers!

Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and 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 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 * www. vallartatribune.com * https://www.facebook.com/VtaTribune/

Cut out and put near your phone for handy reference

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editorial

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Editor’s

May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Dear Editor

Some Notes By PV’s Newest Expat

Note

By Paul Glickman

T editor@vallartatribune.com

Plans for this weekend

A

nd with that my favourite month is upon us. If you haven’t been here for May, you’re in for a month of festivities!

Plus the weather starts to warm up, the ocean is once again temperate enough to go swimming, and it’s mango season. Win. Win. Win. All this week until Saturday we have the first PV Tennis Open. I know quite a few people who are excited about this event which is open to the public all day and each evening. More details directly below this column. If you’re looking for things to do, we recommend supporting this high profile addition of annual events to our town.

On Sunday evening everybody will be at the Marriott CasaMagna Resort in Marina Vallarta for the Altruism Festival. Not only is it one of the most popular fundraisers of the year, but it also has excellent food and beverages, entertain-

Altruism Festival - Sunday May 6th ment and perhaps the best raffle prizes of any event. Don’t miss it.

More details on where you can grab your tickets on page 8 – or get them at the door.

May is also the month of Puerto Vallarta’s birthday. Celebrating 100 years as a municipality (and 50 as a city), there are some major events planned in the coming weeks. I have asked for updates from the tourism department of the city, but well… mañana. Their suggestion is to keep checking www.puertotvallartaalcien.com for updated event information. Rest assured, if nothing else we will have cake and fireworks in the main plaza on May 31.

Pride also takes place in May. I joined the members of Act LGBT AC on a private sunset cruise (Thanks Bahia Alegre for the fun times!) to learn more about their plans for the upcoming events. If

you’re available, they are looking for volunteers. Check out their facebook page for updates and details at facebook.com/ACT. LGBT.PuertoVallarta.

And finally, Restaurant Week, which is a bit of a misnomer as it now spans nearly an entire month starts on May 15 and runs until June 10. A record 59 restaurants are participating across the bay and into Riviera Nayarit. Now is your chance to try out all those great establishments you’ve had your eye on.

I’m planning on being at all of these events, and more so hopefully I’ll see you around town.

Have a great week. Tip well.

Support local businesses. Say no to that straw.

Safe travels, Madeline

he moment I exited my Southwest flight from Chicago and took a breathe of PV air, I felt “I’m home”.

I was born in N.Y., and my first encounter with Mexico was when I was seventeen. On my way to register for NYU I was waylaid by a fellow folksinger. He encouraged me to come with him to a school in Mexico City… Mexico City College, a former G.I. Bill destination for vets of the Korean War and now the college choice of hippies and yippies. I bunked with my friend until I saw that he and another roommate had come to Mexico to party.

I on the other hand had promised my dad that if I were in Mexico, I’d get much better grades than I got previously (and, I reminded him, the tuition was waaaaaay cheaper.).

I spent three of the most exciting years of my life studying art and Spanish in the D.F., basking in the strangeness of a new and different culture. I returned to N.Y. and spent the next twenty years as a motion picture cinematographer. (You can still catch some of my stuff on the internet.)

In my thirties I returned to Mexico with my family. A Mexican producer/ director of commercials had worked with me a number of times when he flew up to New York to make tv commercials for Liverpool and I did all of his NY shoots. He encouraged me to come down to his town of Cuernavaca. I did, with a

wife, a preteen son and a new teen daughter. In exchange for a very small salary, a house, a maid, a pool man, and a Volkswagen “Thing”. I skipped out on my American career and spent another three very happy years in Mexico. When I was about 46, I divorced, retired and found a new wife.

We made a beautiful life for ourselves in NEW Mexico. Twenty years flew by dream, and my wife, twelve years younger, was now on a completely different life track. And she had it up to here with my magic, my jokes and my non-stop talking So we decided to separate. I remembered my good times in Mexico and decided to leave the COLD winters of Chicago behind.

I had decided on PV and was making living arrangements when I was diagnosed with impending renal failure. At seventy-five I wanted no part of dialysis, and I thought an available kidney should rightfully go to a younger person. So it turned out my plans for a life in PV turned out to be a plan for death as well. Most of my friends and family were horrified by my choices. My daughter disowned me, and my son was extremely skeptical.

But things are working out better than I could have imagined. I gave myself the “nom de performer” Pablo El Magnífico, and started doing magic along the Malecón.

I’ve garnered quite a following, and shouts of “MAGO” follow me as I bike through the streets and along he beach I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and doing magic for many expats, so I look forward to being a part of the expat community. Say hello when you see me working or biking along the shore.

We Recommend: First PV Tennis Open All This Week

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ur own ‘Wimbledon’ - The inaugural PV Tennis Open started Monday, April 30 and runs until Saturday, May 5 in Parque Parota (in Hotel Zone right off the main avenue between Marbella and Puerto de Luna Hotel). This event will bring worldclass professional tennis players from over 30 countries to Vallarta and will be televised throughout

Mexico.

Matches start at noon and run all day until late evening. The evening session starts at 7:30 pm.

On Tuesday evening, Vallarta’s very own professional player, Jerry Lopez will take the court.

Enjoy the outdoor lounge with featured beverages by Siete Leguas Tequila, Aperol Spritz and Heineken. Some great food

choices and music add to the festivities. What a great way to spend the day or evening in PV! Tickets are available at the site and are very reasonably priced.

This is a great way to see some world-class professional players and work on your tan at the same time!

Boardwalk Realty is a proud sponsor of this event. Please stop

by their booth, say hi and pick up a souvenir T-shirt and enter their drawing for a special prize.

For more info and live streaming of this event, visit:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/ atp-challenger-tour

By Michael Green, Boardwalk Realty PV

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May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Mexico and the European Union Marina Vallarta Receives modernize their trade agreement a New Ramiz Barquet Sculpture

By Juan Pablo Green

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exico and the European Union have agreed to modernize their current trade agreement previously established in 2000. This modernization of the trade agreement comes after the uncertainty left during NAFTA’s latest round of negotiations. The agreement opens Mexican exports to another high-income market, giving Mexican producers another region to diversify their exports.

The diversification of the country’s exports has been one of Mexico’s main priorities since the turn of the millenium, as 80 percent of its exports still go to the United States.

These moves for commercial aperture have made Mexico the country with the most trade agreements as it holds ties with 46 nations around the globe. In the near future Mexico is seeking even more global outreach as it has moved on with the Trans-Pacific Partnership with the absence of the United States and is planning to strike a deal with South America’s MERCOSUR. The European Union has also seeked to increase trading to new markets as potential trade agreement talks with the United States froze with the election of Donald Trump in 2016.

Brussels recently negotiated a free trade agreement with Canada in 2017, this now leaves Europe with trading deals

with both of America’s NAFTA partners.

Mexican consumers can expect the end of tariffs on specific products such as a 20 percent on gorgonzola cheese, while the European Union will be able to expand their pork exports to Mexico. Details are still pending on a dispute between the labeling of manchego cheese, originally made from goat milk in central Spain as to the cow milk version made in Mexico. European consumers should also expect lower prices for Mexican agricultural products, as the European Union now sees Mexico’s products as complementary and non-disruptive to their closely protected agricultural sector.

“The E.U. has for at least 10 years been knocking on the door of Mexico to upgrade the trade agreement, and it is only very recently that they have come along” said Fredrik Erixon, director of the European Centre for International Political Economy.

Amidst an uncertain political environment, Mexico has moved forward to stretch ties with other nations across the globe.

Juan Pablo Green is a second year student at Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) in Guadalajara, majoring in International Relations.

A keen student of Mexican history and politics, JP plans a career in the diplomatic corps after graduation. JP can be reached at jpgreen.lopez@ gmail.com

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he ninth monumental sculpture in the Puerto Vallarta area by deceased artist Ramiz Barquet was inaugurated in the median area of the main avenue entering Marina Vallarta this past April 25 during an early evening ceremony. This bronze portrays a pelican nearly five feet tall on top of a tall boulder situated near to the intersection with Pelican Avenue. The title of the sculpture is “Aleki: Poet of the Space,” and the inauguration was part of the annual international poetry symposium, “Letters of the Sea,” held in Vallarta during that week.

The sculpture inauguration was attended by the artist´s widow, Nelly Wulff Barquet, and five generations of her family along with another 30-40 Vallarta residents and dignitaries.

Afterwards a cocktail reception was held at the pool area of Marina Golf Condominiums where commemorative editions of some of Barquet´s other public sculptures were on display, such as “San Pascual” by Vitea Restaurant, “Isidro the Fisherman,” by the northbound bridge downtown, and the “Shark in Spiral” on Los Muertos Beach.

The ninety-three-year-old Nelly Barquet has been called the Grand Dame of Vallarta, first arriving here in the late 1950´s and becoming a

pioneer restaurant and boutique owner. Ramiz Barquet is often referred as the artistic godfather of our city for his eight monumental sculptures previously installed publicly in and around Puerto Vallarta. Ramiz died in 2010 at 90 years old while still living a very active life of sculpting, writing, traveling and living with his second wife Nelly, who was his first love since they were teenagers growing up in the San Angel area of Mexico City.

His famous sculpture on the Malecon, “Nostalgia,” which portrays he and Nelly sitting on a bench, is a tribute to that love and has become an important symbol of the city. It captures the romantic nature of Puerto Vallarta made

famous by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the 1960`s and reinforced by hundreds of weddings and thousands of honeymooners from around the world ever since.

Barquet´s sculptures have been in exhibitions in museums and galleries throughout Mexico and the United States. His monumental sculptures are in several major cities throughout Mexico, and two nineteen-foot versions of a Lebanese immigrant are in the ports of Veracruz, Mexico and in Beirut, Lebanon.

Ramiz Barquet´s work has been represented in Puerto Vallarta since 1998 by Galeria Pacifico at its location at 174 Aldama Street downtown.

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news

Canadian experts receive training in endovascular surgery at Hospiten Spain

The specialists will practice new techniques guided by Dr. Tobias Zander and Professor Manuel Maynar, pioneer in applying innovative procedures in this field

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his international educational project is part of the Chair of Medical Technologies of the ULPGC in which Hospiten participates Internationally renowned Canadian surgeons will visit the Canary Islands this April to train at Hospiten Rambla on new endovascular surgical techniques and their application in the aorta/lower limbs sector at the hands the head of the Endoluminal/Endovascular Diagnostics and Therapeutics Service at Hospiten, Professor Manuel Maynar, pioneer in applying innovative procedures in this field in 1980.

During this medical meeting, which took place from April 15 to 17, specialists shared the latest advances in the field of minimally invasive surgery related to endoluminal/vascular techniques and in interventional radiology in diagnostics and therapeutics.

The doctors participating in the training program practiced their profession in some of the most advanced health centers in Canada.

This international educational project, co-directed by Manuel Maynar and Tobias Zander, is part of the Chair of Medical Technologies program of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is also managed

by Professor Maynar and of which the Hospiten Group is an official collaborator.

It is a chair that covers all the scientific areas that are used or are liable to be used in the field of medicine. All activities developed within the program will be transferred to the community through participation in R + D projects, scientific publications, social outreach of results, socio-health education of the public and university teaching, in addition to educational innovation tasks at all levels of health education.

With this type of action, Hospiten consolidates its commitment to the continued education of its professionals in order to position itself as an international benchmark for high quality services, whose ultimate goal is to ensure the wellbeing of patients and their families and for the motivation of

the company’s employees.

The Hospiten Group is an international healthcare network committed to providing a service of the highest quality, with almost 50 years of experience, and has twenty private medical-hospital centers in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and

Panama, and more than one hundred ambulatory and associated medical centers under the Clinic Assist brand. The group is chaired by Dr. Pedro Luis Cobiella and attends more than 1,700,000 patients around the world each year, and employs more than 5,000 people.

local

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May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Altruism Festival This Weekend

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he 14th Annual International Festival of Altruism is set to take place on Sunday, May 6 at the Marriott CasaMagna Resort from 6pm. This popular event is typically the last major fundraiser of the winter season. Hosted by U.S. Consular Agent Kelly Trainor, this who’s who of Banderas Bay society is a whirlwind of fabulous food, drinks all night and great door prizes.

Held in the beachfront garden at the Marriott CasaMagna Resort in Marina Vallarta the Altruism Festival offers everyone the opportunity to learn more about the needs of some of the local charities and non-profit organizations.

Every year, hundreds of Banderas Bay residents and visitors turn out for this event, which

features top restaurants offering food and refreshments, live entertainment, and plenty of door prizes, with all proceeds donated to Banderas Bay area charitable organizations including: Amigos de La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, A.C., Angeles en Libertad, Biblioteca Los Mangos, Biblioteca Rey Nayar, Casa Hogar Maximo Cornejo Quiroz Orphanage, CEMBAB, Clinica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara, Club Rotario Puerto Vallarta Sur, Conservacion de Especies A.C., Desayunos por Los Niños de Puerto Vallarta, DIF Puerto Vallarta, Fundación Down A.C., Fundación Punta de Mita, Horizonte de Paz A.C., Jay Sadler Project, Orquesta Escuela de Puerto Vallarta, Paraiso Felino, Pasitos de Luz, Red de Asocia-

ciones Altruistas, SETAC, Sociedad Animal A.C. Each non-profit will have a booth at the festival where you can learn more about the organization and how to volunteer or help in other ways.

Funds received through ticket and raffle sales are divided equally among the participating charities to help support their continued efforts throughout the bay.

Purchase your ticket from any of the charity organizations listed above for $400 pesos or at the door on the day of for $500 pesos. Don’t miss this fantastic event.

Pro tip: Come early to avoid long lineups and get first access to the food and drinks. Purchase as many raffle tickets as you can afford, the prizes are plentiful and varied.

Tourism secretary: 50mn visitors by 2021

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ast year saw a record 39.3 million, which could grow by 4 million a year The number of international tourists visiting Mexico annually could reach 50 million by 2021, the federal tourism secretary said recently.

At a press conference to announce that a record 39.3 million foreign visitors came to Mexico last year, Enrique de la Madrid said that figure could continue to grow by a further four million each year.

If the 50 million number is achieved, it would likely make Mexico the world’s fifth most popular tourism destination.

Mexico overtook Turkey in 2017 to become the world’s eighth most visited country. In 2012, it ranked 15th.

Visitor numbers in 2017 increased by 4.2 million or 12% compared to the number of foreign arrivals in 2016, and international travelers spent just over US $21.3 billion while they were in the country, de la Madrid said.

Figures for both arrivals and expenditures broke previous records for the fifth consecutive year.

The latter represented growth of 8.6% compared to 2016, when visitors spent US $19.65 billion.

Almost half, or 18.5 million, of all international tourists arrived at the nation’s airports. That figure was up 9.9% on 2016 numbers.

De la Madrid said that more flights were arriving in Mexico, not only from the United States but

also from other countries including Canada, Argentina, Colombia and the United Kingdom.

Visitors crossing into Mexico by land increased by 17% to almost match the number of visitors arriving by air.

Almost 17 million arrived via border crossings that Mexico shares with the United States, Guatemala and Belize. The remainder arrived by sea at the nation’s ports, with cruise ship visitor numbers up by 18.3% compared with 2016.

“We have many vocations but tourism is definitely the most natural vocation for Mexico,” de la Madrid said, adding that tourism was growing at a faster rate than

other tourism-oriented countries.

Between 2012 and 2017, the number of international tourists grew on average by 10.9% compared to an average of 5% in the rest of the world, he said.

The spokesperson for the federal government said that tourism success was driven by unprecedented support for the sector from the current federal administration.

“The tourism sector is one of the pillars of the president’s economic project. Today, more than 10 million Mexicans live directly or indirectly from tourism, an industry that has grown more than our economy as a whole . . .” Eduardo Sánchez said.

Original: Mexico News Daily

From Here Marcia Blondin

marciavallarta@gmail.com

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ow, May already and not a moment to waste (or relax!). There is so much to do this month and what fun we’ll have celebrating Mother’s Day and Gay Pride. Restaurant Week starts on the 15th (I reminded RW General Coordinator Juan Pablo Hernandez, it’s a mere five days from becoming Restaurant Month!)

The new location for the Saturday Three Hens Market opens this Saturday (come and see me, by the way!) and the double anniversaries for Vallarta at the end of May. I’m leaving out Cinco de Mayo because we don’t bother with it much on this side of Mexico.

Another reason to celebrate: those grandes dames, those sweet-talkin’ and still complaining Princesas Desesperadas are coming back to a castle near you. That’d be Incanto’s theatre where the gals wreaked havoc last year. This outrageously funny play opens Saturday, May 12th at 8:30 pm. I’m not sure how many times I’ve seen it, but I will be there at least twice during this run. It’s that funny, people. And, Juan Pablo (Bella) told me there are lots of new jokes so just because you’ve seen it before doesn’t mean a thing!

Two of the sweetest people in

Vallarta – Jim Davis and David Wilhoit had a big party at their lovely home early in April during which they collected 11,500 pesos for charity. My apologies gentlemen for not posting the amount you raised and divvied up sooner; I just found the note I wrote myself this morning. That was their second Annual FROHAP brunch; thank you both again for having David and me.

Speaking of great parties, the JG Group starring Julie Guerrero and Dean McConkey had their end-of-season party last week.

The waiters, bartenders, and fab food all came from Julie’s restaurant “No Way, Jose” – Winner of the Tribune’s Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Traditional Mexican Restaurant AND the Best Margarita! The eclectic mix of people invited made the fantastic atmosphere; many of whom I rarely see. At the top of that list was Bob Price, founder, and curator of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. I well and truly love that man. In the next issue of the Tribune, I will let you know how The Gardens did in the US Today Best of awards.

Until then, be kind to one another, From Here.

09

local Medical Matters

Pam Thompson

pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com

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

Physician Offices

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couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that receptionists at doctors (private) offices take a lot of heat from patients, from time to time. I decided to pursue this a little bit further and ask them what suggestions they could offer to help make appointments run smoother. Some very interesting comments!

They all said it is not necessary to arrive to a scheduled appointment an hour early. Fifteen minutes is just fine! Oftentimes, these early birds are upset because other patients go in before them but in reality, the patients going in prior to them have appointments at a set

time, which is before the one who arrived early. For some reason, people who arrive early, feel that they should be able to go in early.

Nope. It does not work that way. I know from years of doing speakers programs that many people arrive an hour (sometimes more!) early to a presentation here. It no longer bothers me because regardless of how early one arrives, I am still going to start the program at the scheduled time.

Sure, I understand that one cannot always be sure of traffic, buses, etc. When one arrives super early and then perhaps the appointment starts a bit late, tempers flare.

Another important point to

make: If the doctor gives the patient an appointment directly, you can almost bet that the physician does not pass this information on to his receptionist. So, the patient arrives and is not on the agenda. This of course, creates a problem for everyone. If a physician gives you an appointment (and in reality, appointments should not be done this way in most cases) it is important to call the receptionist to confirm. Please do not contact the physician by email, text, whatsapp or phone for an appointment.

They went to medical school, not to secretarial school. And of course you are always more than welcome to contact me to confirm or make an appointment.

Take your labs/studies with you to an appointment and take them with you when you leave. There is a dark hole in nearly all physician offices where these studies are put. Oftentimes I will forward studies to both the receptionist and the physician if I am the one making the appointment but if that is not done, take your studies with you!

Do not be sneaky and try leave the physician’s office and head straight to the door or elevator to escape making a payment. Oftentimes for a follow up appointment there will not be a charge but one must go to the reception desk and check out. Believe it or not, among our circle of receptionists and myself, we actually have a list of people well known for ducking out on a payment. Oftentimes never to be seen again. Seriously, how can one say they forgot? Do they forget to pay at the grocery store? At a restaurant?

Flipping out an insurance card is not going to work here. Nearly everyone heading in to a physician consult knows this but time and time again, it comes time to pay for the consult and someone hands over a Medicare card or some other type of insurance card. No way. No how.

If you need a receipt for the consult, ask for it at the time of service, not three months later.

For the most part, the receptionists say, people are very nice and things run smoothly. But there are emergencies. There are errors (believe me I make my fair share!).

There is miscommunication. There is no need to go ballistic when things do not go exactly as scheduled. It’s not good for your health!

Of course we are more than happy to assist you with all of the above! From appointments to receipts, the works!

Here is to a tolerant week!

May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Paradise and Parenting Leza Warkentin

mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

I am the preschool coordinator and nursery teacher at the American School of Puerto Vallarta. I am also both unsurprised and not a bit sorry that this list of my favorites is mostly about places to eat. If you can live in Vallarta without appreciating some of the good eatin’ around here, you have to be at least half Vulcan.

Dia Del Niño

L

ast Monday Mexico celebrated Children’s Day, or Dia Del Niño. It’s a fantastic, fun, exhausting day where all children enjoy outrageously fun activities planned for them by adults. The adults genuinely desire that the children have the best day ever, and they also hope to tire them out by midday.

Generally, the children are so excited and amped up early on that they are often tired out by about 10am instead, and have several crying meltdowns until the fun activities are concluded at 12pm and everyone can go home. I work with young children, so I know this. And it’s ok, because they’re adorable about 97% of the time, so they get a pass on the other 3%, especially on Children’s Day. My own children are eleven and thirteen years old. Last year they spent most of the morning forgetting they no longer consider themselves children and just having a fabulous day. This year they are even more convinced of their extreme sophistication and aged wisdom, and yet I have photographic evidence of them flinging themselves down a slip and slide, mouths about as wide open as is humanly possible. They, like all of mankind, are powerless to resist the sheer juvenile delight of sliding down a greased up sheet of plastic.

And really, what’s better than celebrating what it means to be young and innocent and unencumbered by credit card debt? I love that Mexico believes so deeply in this fleeting, yet critical stage of human development. Just as one example, the childhood years are a vital time for brain development.

Relationships and experiences of a child affect permanent wiring of the brain that, in turn, will impact their chances for success and happiness later on in life. So yeah, it could be a good idea to emphasize that childhood is a significant part of our lives as human beings, even

if those human beings feel that they are “too mature” for a clown show at the local mall.

Mexico does it best with their Dia Del Niño on April 30, with celebrations taking place across the country in schools, town squares, and local shopping plazas. Many restaurants will offer special activities and menus for children, and don’t mind a little extra exuberance from their littlest customers on this special day.

I love to participate in the day because I love children, and I believe in the significance of childhood as a stage in life. Children bring out the best in me.

As a teacher, children draw out my creativity. They don’t put up with a boring lesson, and they let me know that I missed the mark when the nearest ones start untying my shoelaces and the ones farthest away start singing Skinnamarink and pulling each other’s pigtails.

Children bring out my sense of humor. They make me laugh harder than I’ve ever laughed, even when I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t be laughing. Like the time one little girl asked me to “keep my hair on” after I told her it was time to clean up the baby dolls. I had to hide my face behind a book for a moment so I could remind her of the rules with a straight face.

Children also draw out my deepest compassion. I’ve advocated for many of my students when they don’t have the words to speak up for themselves. I’ve given out so many in hugs so they know that they aren’t alone and that I understand how hard it is sometimes.

Children are the best of us, the shiniest element of the human race.

They have the sparkle that we often leave behind as we grow and start trying to find medical insurance with the best dental plan. Whether you have children or not, I hope you celebrated with Mexico last Monday and enjoyed, even just for one day, the sparkle of childhood that you thought you left behind.

local

10

Vibes & Vices: Vallarta Botanical Garden AJ Freeman

cosmiccapt@gmail.com

AJ Freeman is an adventurous spirit, serial friendmaker, and general enthusiast. He lives his everyday life hoping to demonstrate the nearly infinite potential for discovery and wonder on this small wet rock orbiting a dim yellow star in the backwoods of the Milky Way.

Evolution is a mystery

A

small change that no one sees can be the spark that ignites the full potential of a life form, as when tiny tweaks gradually led us Sapes out of our ancient caves into the chrome-plated future of today. A visit to the Vallarta Botanical Garden, one of Mexico’s foremost conservatories of its kind, is an opportunity to consider the profound nature of this ongoing phenomenon.

Its thousands upon thousands of flowering blooms and kalaidoscopially verdant flora all share some common, likely unrecognizable ancestor some one billion years ago. This most unlikely development, the only known instance in the Universe thus far, played an indispensable role in transforming Earth from an inhospitable poison space rock to the bounteous home planet we enjoy today.

Flowers are also really pretty, which will grant you some influence over this space every time.

The Vibes: My first visit to the Garden was for Mexico’s National Botanical Garden day, which seemed like as good an excuse as any to finally visit this underappreciated attraction after actual years of curiosity.

On the day’s agenda were a variety of presentations and themed

activities spotlighting the impact of this world-famous conservatory and its role in preserving both culture and horticulture. I arrived just in time to hear a shaman dressed in colorful garb with seemingly impossible day-glo accents play a traditional tune on his handcrafted guitar-like instrument, a storytelling song of a type which I was told could last up to 4 hours.

Thankfully he played the shortened radio version, but I did enjoy what I heard.

In the Garden itself, seemingly endless fields of exotic plant life extended as far as the eye could see, creating a truly immersive experience in the untamed jungle just a few minutes outside of the city proper. Rainbow explosions dotted the canvas of green like stars in the darkest night sky, and if only for a few hours, everything in the world

was beautiful.

The Vices: In case aesthetics are not as essential to your existence as it is mine, perhaps you’ll find merit in another timeless human obsession: food. The Vallarta Botanical Garden is also home to a well-reviewed restaurant, and I will now confirm the veracity of these reviews.

This priveleged perch seats guests in a prime viewing position for taking in the lush surrounding landscape, with practically countless shades of green unfurling up into the mountainous terrain. The menu includes an appetizing selection of North American favorites, and my choice was the Texas-style burrito, a shredded pork and rice dish that included a tasty grilled nopal lead along with a stuffed jalapeno that they wrapped in bacon without telling me.

I can always dig surprise bacon.

The drink selection is inspired by the sights and scents of the Garden, and my Libertador, essentially creatively spiked agua Jamaica involving bourbon, diced watermelon, red wine and 7Up, was delicious down to the flower accent. Dessert was a delightful little plate of shortbread, whipped cream, and berries stacked into a tantalizing tower. It was all very tasty, and almost worth the half-hour ride from downtown PV by itself.

After lunch came a visit to the International Peace Garden, a nondenominational den of human potential dedicated to the next and most necessary step in our own evolution. It is the only one in the country, and it was my privilege to visit this shrine to our most ambitious advancements to reflect upon the future for our magnificently mercurial species.

The Verdict: The Vallarta Botanical Garden is visually spectacular in the truest sense of the word, and selecting just a few pictures for this piece was by far the most difficult process of elimination yet. In my opinion every visitor should make an effort to see it. Locals should make a decision to do so. Maybe I’ll catch you there.

May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Welcome Home Sheryl Novak

sa.novak@solutionsmexico.com

Sheryl Novak is an expat Canadian who has owned a home in Mexico for over ten years. She is the owner of SOLutions Mexico and The Furniture Store by SOLutions Mexico. She is an expert on sourcing all styles of furniture for all sizes of budgets, in Mexico.

Murphy Beds Mexico

T

en years ago, most buyers preferred to purchase a condo in Riviera Nayarit with two to three bedrooms. Today, one bedroom and studio condo units seem to be more popular. One of the best ways to maximize use of space is with a wall bed.

A wall bed, also called pull down bed, fold down bed or Murphy bed, is hinged to the wall and concealed in a cabinet when not in use. For those with company only a few weeks a year, this is a great solution. Around the bed cabinet, you can custom build shelving, a bench or even a desk for when friends and family are not here.

The Murphy bed is named after William Murphy from San Francisco. He was the first person to patent this space saving solution in the early 1900s. Legend has it that he was quite smitten with a lovely opera singer. Unfortunately for poor William, it was not considered proper to invite a woman back to your studio apartment with the bed in the middle of the room.

To address this, William improved what was in existence at the time (apparently Sears Roebuck & Co. were already selling a type of bed that folded away). He patented a disappearing bed with a pivot and counterbalance. Whether he was successful in wooing the opera singer is unknown. What we do know is that his invention became a popular piece of furniture.

Murphy beds have two basic components. The first is the mechanism. The second is the cabinetry

that stores the mattress.

The mechanism, arguably the most important part of the bed, is sold in a kit. You get the mechanism, screws, nuts and bolts and instructions. The same size mechanism works for individual, matrimonial and queen. For a king size bed, a stronger mechanism is often required. There are low cost kits with cheap mechanisms and then there are the right ones. For our environment, get the right mechanism that wont rust or corrode, with a warranty of 10 or more years. With the cheap, rusty mechanisms, you constantly fight to put the bed up and down if you can get it to move at all.

Unless the bed needs to hold a lot of weight, the cabinetry. slats and frame are built from wood. Liston wood is our favorite to use in Mexico.

You can get slats and frames in aluminum or steel, however these types cost more and are more for commercial use. In Riviera Nayarit, we have the benefit of a specialist who sells and builds Murphy Beds.

Most people don’t realize that Murphy beds can fold down horizontally or vertically. Almost all rooms can accommodate a wall bed either one way or the other. Another interesting point – custom mattresses are not required.

Regular mattresses will work so long as they are not over the maximum height allowance.

With the increase in studio and one bedroom condos, what better solution than a well built, space saving Murphy bed!

Banco_VallartaCredito_IntercamDOBLEPLANA.pdf

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Located on Av. Revolución 231, Municipio Bahía de Banderas, Sayulita, Nayarit. (329) 298 8909

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ISLAS MARIETAS TIME YOU ORDER A DRINK SAY -

ISLAS MARIETAS

Sin popote, por favor!

BY SEA TOWNS & COLONIAS BEACHES

RESORTS MALECON SHOPPING/ARTWALK

1. MARINA RIVIERA NAYARIT 2. NUEVO RIVIERA NAYARIT 3. MARINA VALLARTA MARINA 4. CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL 5. LOS MUERTOS PIER/ WATER TAXIS

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BY SEA

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1. MARINA RIVIERA NAYARIT 2. NUEVO RIVIERA NAYARIT SHOPPING 3. MARINA VALLARTA MARINA 1. GALERIAS VALLARTA 4. CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL 5. LOS PIER/ WATER TAXIS 2.MUERTOS WALMART/SAMS CLUB

1. GALERIAS VALLARTA 1. CENTRAL BUS STATION 2 2. WALMART/SAMS CLUB 2. VERSALLES BUS STATION GOLFING 3. COSTCO 3. OLD TOWN BUS STATION 4. LACOURSE ISLA 1.

PACIFICO GOLF 4. BUCERIAS BUS STATION 5. PLAZA CARACOL 5. INT’L AIRPORT - PVR 2. BAHIA GOLF COURSE 6. MEGA/ LA COMER BUCERIAS 3. LITIBU GOLF 7.COURSE WALMART NUEVO VALLARTA

3. COSTCO 4. LA ISLA 5. PLAZA CARACOL 6. MEGA/ LA COMER BUCERIAS 7. WALMART NUEVO VALLARTA

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¿ Do you need glasses now ?

Celebrate Mother’s Day Mothers who are accompanied by 3 or more family members are 10 invited to dine for RTO VALLARTA FREE on May 10th

Open Saturday 11 14 CENTRO Now with air conditioning 12 9

322-225-2202

CASA CUPOLA RESORTS BY PINNACLE

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Open throughout May

Tuesday - Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m Ribs, River, Relax, Rejuvenate! elriobbq • www.elriobbqbar.com

AMAPAS Optica Oci Vallarta

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4 bed, 4 bath, 2,733 sq.ft. $599,000 usd

AMAPAS

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CASA CUPOLA RESORTS BY PINNACLE

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MARSOL MARKET 15. LAZARO CARDENAS PARK 22. 5 DE DEC MARKET 7. ESTERO EL SALADO 12.PLAZA VIRGIN DE LA GUADALUPE CHURCH 19. MUNICIPAL MARKET 15. OLAS ALTAS FARMERS MARKET 23. HUANACAXLE MERCADO 8. PITILLAL

ORA CROCODILE SANCTUARY RTO VALLARTA SIGN RO EL SALADO LAL PLAZA

13. LOS ARCOS AMPITHEATRE 14. ISLA CUALE 15. LAZARO CARDENAS PARK 15. OLAS ALTAS FARMERS MARKET

20. EMILIANO ZAPATA MARKET 21. CUALE CULTRAL CENTER 22. 5 DE DEC MARKET 23. HUANACAXLE MERCADO

24. FOREVER SPRING MARKET 25. BUCERIAS ARTWALK 26. RIVIERA FARMERS MARKET 27.24.

MARINA ARTISAN SPRING MARKET MARKET FOREVER 28.25.

MOVIE + PICNIC ARTWALK BUCERIAS 29. RED CROSS 26. RIVIERA FARMERS MARKET 30. LOS ARCOS NATIONAL PARK

27. MARINA ARTISAN MARKET 28. MOVIE + PICNIC 29. RED CROSS 30. LOS ARCOS NATIONAL PARK

T

his absolutely stunning beachfront Penthouse overlooks the golden sands and crystal blue waters of Vallarta’s famed south shore. The open floor plan features a gourmet kitchen with granite counters, custom hardwood cabinets and bar seating. The elegant and tasteful living room and gorgeous indoor dining open to the beautiful covered outdoor terrace overlooking the beach, bay and

town! The spacious bedrooms are havens of restful relaxation that take full advantage of the stunning views and include private bathrooms and separate air conditioning zones.

Some other features of this beautiful beachfront home include: remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, new plumbing, wiring, “mini-split” air conditioning, private storage locker and wood beamed ceilings. www.boardwalkrealtypv.com/

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real estate

May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Important Considerations of the Construction Contract

W

hether you are hiring a contractor for new construction or a renovation project in Mexico, it is imperative to have a contract with your contractor. Construction contracts are designed to establish the obligations between a builder and an owner of a property concerning the execution of work. Its primary purpose is to determine the price, terms, and the manner in which work must be carried out according to the conditions agreed in the contract.

The construction contract between individuals is regulated by the Federal Civil Code and the commercial code.

Before proceeding with a construction contract, it is important to consider some important aspects that must be specified in the contract, such as: The work must be carried out under the contractor’s direction and supervision, using his own materials and equipment.

The contractor will be responsible for the actions of the workers, companies or subcontracted persons during the execution of the work.

The contractor will be responsible for third parties regarding the work, as well as hidden defects.

The builder must be responsible for obtaining all permits and construction licenses from the municipal or state government authorities, and on completion of the work, must provide all original documents to the owner.

The payment plan for the project may be paid upon completion of the job, or throughout the construction after each stage, depending on the agreement between the parties.

Once the price is agreed, the contractor has no right to request an increase, unless the cost of materials or wages has increased by twenty-five percent.

The contractor cannot increase the price when there have been any changes in the plan or design unless the change was authorized in writing by the owner and includes a specific cost increase.

When the construction is carried out on property within a condominium complex, the contractor must request authorization from the administrator of the condominium, as the plans must be held in accordance with

the provisions and specifications of the regime.

The contractor will be obliged to register with the Mexican Social Security Institute; the start date of the work, any incident, suspension, resumption or cancellation of the work, and must provide the notice of completion of subcontracted jobs by presenting the corresponding forms.

The contractor is the employer of the workers and must deliver to the owner proof of compliance with their obligation to the IMSS, obliging and pledging to cover the amount to be paid to the Mexican Social Security Institute, for employer and employee’s contributions, as well as a savings program for withdrawal, and Infonavit.

Other Factors to Consider in the Contract The contractor should be obligated to use the quality of materials set out in the contract.

Include penalties and fines for a breach of contract by either party.

Document in the contract what

will happen if the project does not start or end on time.

Acts of God or Force Majeure, situations that exempt the contracting parties from fulfilling their contractual obligations due to causes which are beyond their control.

As we know, things do not always go as planned and it is possible the project will not be finished by the delivery date specified in the contract. Will you be compensated if the project time runs late? Are you able to back out of the deal with the full deposit?

Be prepared for any scenario, for example, people have sold their previous home and end up waiting months to move into the new one. Will you be compensated for the extra cost you will incur during this time? If you are renovating a condo as a rental, and your guests move in to find some of the amenities are not complete, is there any recourse for you?

It is advisable to consult a lawyer to review any contract before you sign.

Original: mexlaw.ca

riviera nayarit

15

The Bucerias Beat

By Kiri Westby

kiri.westby@gmail.com

Kiri Westby is an international activist and a writer, whose unique blogs have been featured on HuffPost and Good Morning America, and translated into multiple languages. Kiri is a mother of two and a practicing Buddhist, who was born in Boulder, Colorado, but has lived all over the globe. She recently relocated with her family to Bucerias. Nayarit.

Beautiful Baños

I

f you haven’t noticed the stunning murals dignifying the walls of Bucerias’ public beach bathrooms, then you’re not paying attention. The final mural was finished this week and, thanks in large part to the inspiration, perseverance, and support of Harold Sokolove and Sue Fornoff, we now have seven beautifully adorned baños, one for each andador (public beach access).

I spent time down at Bucerias’ andadores this week talking to tourists, beach sellers, and the few residents who have taken on responsibility for their care and upkeep.

My first chance to discuss the restrooms came early one morning as a group of beach vendors gathered to make change for one another, use the facilities, and prepare in the shade for another hot round in the sun. We spoke about how helpful the baños are for those who work on the sand, and one man commented that Bucerias is his “favorite beach to sell along, because of such shady places to sit un-harassed, with clean bathrooms and showers to use.”

In addition to clean toilets, sinks, and showers each access point also provides trashcans, recycling bins and free plastic bags for visitors to pack their garbage, wrap-up wet clothes, or take their new shell collections home.

The next andador I visited is proudly maintained by a husband and wife team who have cleaned and cared for their baño on Calle Augustín Melgar for more than three years. Hugo and Norberta explained how they earn a small income by selling toilet paper and exchanging the plastic and aluminum they collect from people’s garbage. Some folks also give them tips for their service, but they receive no money from

the government. Hugo shared that he enjoys helping visitors understand the process of separating their garbage, as many tourists they encounter have never been taught to recycle, nor question the lingering effects of plastics in our bay. Norberta’s smile was genuine as she explained that she and her husband know they are doing something important for the town of Bucerias, and for the environment we all share.

Lastly, I spent some “andador-time” with Harold, who was refilling the plastic bag dispensers, while admiring the final mural to be completed. He explained the wins and losses throughout the two-year process he and his team endured to get these beach bathrooms painted.

Spanning two municipal administrations (they practically had to start over when political power changed hands last year), there

is nothing like Mexican bureaucracy to make one want to throw in the beach towel. Harold credits Claudia Guzman-Vidal from the new Office of Municipal Tourism for helping their vision finally become a reality. She’s worked hard with his team of private donors and artists to finish this year and each baño now features a different local muralist!

Harold’s vision for beautifying Bucerias does not end with bathrooms, and we spoke about the current trend to highlight and commission urban street art.

“This is the Bucerias Art District!” Harold exclaimed, “I would love to see a lot more murals instead of concrete walls.

We have many talented artists in our town, and if you check out shops like Bici Bucerias and Galeria Monarca, their murals have already become popular tourist attractions.” In fact, a quick online search now leads to hundreds of “Street Art Tours” in cities from Guadalajara to Berlin to New York.

As Bucerias hosts more and more visitors annually, with it’s weekly “Art Walk” along the South end galleries, I too would love to see original street art gracing our ever-expanding walls, and more community support for similar projects that keep our beaches clean and our town unique.

If you’d like to get involved in beautifying Bucerias, from mural painting to plastic bag donations, give Harold and Sue a shout at harold.sokolove@gmail.com

Before and after shots of Bucerias’ new beautiful baños!

May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Beach vendors share shade and water at the latest andador to be painted.

Hugo Eduardo Martinez and Norberta Pichardo have been maintaining their andador daily and educating tourists about recycling for more than three years!

entertainment

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May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Princesas Desesperadas – Happily back in Vallarta

P

erro Bravo Productions returns to Puerto Vallarta this spring with the Spanish adapted version of Tomas Ustusastegui’s comedy “Princesas Desesperadas”.

Under the clever direction of multi-award winner, Ramiro Daniel, and with the participation of award-winning actors Juan Pablo Hernandez, Juan Carlos Ramirez, Cesar Trujillo, and Cesar Bravo, “Princesas Desesperadas” is a fast-paced comedy that tells the story of four Disney Princesses

who get together fifteen years after their “happily ever after.” None of them are happy that they are not yet queens, and the sharp vaudeville-esque comedy quickly puts the audience in a voyeuristic situation as the characters, one by one, become unraveled as they peel off the tragedy of their lives piece by piece, drawing the spectators into a very private conversation among women; a conversation not meant to be heard by anyone else.

“Princesas Desesperadas” – in Spanish – began in Puerto Vallarta

in April 2014, and has enjoyed overwhelming success ever since, playing to over two thousand people and receiving accolades from the media and the public.

Pero Bravo’s co-founder Cesar Bravo says “those who have seen this joyful production have become ardent – very ardent fans, with some having seen the production seven times!”

“Princesas Desesperadas” plays Incanto on Saturdays at 8:30pm, May 12, 19, 26 and June 2, 16, 23.

Gipsy Kings and Juan Gabriel Tributes begin, Soprano Vanessa Amaro, and Cinco De Mayo at Incanto

G

ypsy Rumba plays traditional and original flamenco, gypsy and Latin rhythms on Sundays at 8pm in the main theater. Bandleader Cheko Ruiz will also present a tribute to ‘The Gipsy Kings’ on alternate Sundays starting May 6 at 8pm, featuring an irresistible blend of traditional flamenco styles. A variety of Special Guest musicians will join, including Eduardo Leon (Piel Canela) and Alex Gonzalez (Gypsy Rumba).

Loteria with Pearl and Renzo kicks off Incanto’s Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, May 5 at 4pm. The party starts at 7:30pm with a variety of live entertainment, including Renzo ‘The Sexy Mariachi’, Ballet Folklorico Tradiciones, Tongo and surprise musicians. Mexican food and 2x1 margaritas all night long! No cover.

Paco Ojeda’s ‘Dinner and a Movie’ series is on Tuesdays at 7pm. He introduces the films, which are presented in English with Spanish subtitles (when available).

Movies are shown on a new giant screen in air-conditioned comfort with a special menu available. Visit Incanto’s website for more details.

Vocalist Luis Villanueva presents a tribute show to iconic Mexican entertainer Juan Gabriel, accompanied by Music Director Fernando Uribe at the piano on May 3 at 8pm.

Present local ID for discount tickets.

Opera soprano Vanessa Amaro presents ‘The Beautiful Voice’ on two Thursdays, May 10, 17 at 7pm.

Stunning renditions of works from Puccini, Verdi and others will be performed, accompanied by pianist

and composer David Troy Francis.

Hit comedy Greater Tuna starring Ron Spencer and Tracy Parks plays on Wednesdays at 8pm. The hilarious story of small town Texas with twenty-two eccentric characters played by two actors, with forty-two costume changes during the show.

In the piano bar Tongo plays Latin/Cuban rhythms on his handmade flutes/ drums on Tuesdays at 7:30pm.

Also select mornings starting at 10am on the riverside terrace.

Joby Hernandez plays pop/rock favorites in English and Spanish on

guitar most Wednesdays at 5pm.

Also select mornings starting at 10am on the riverside terrace.

The Red Suitcases band plays classic rock/pop covers in English and Spanish Sundays and Wednesdays at 7:30pm.

Singer-songwriter Zoe Wood and Eduardo Leon (Piel Canela) play Nuevo Flamenco and Latin standards featuring originals and covers on Thursdays at 5pm.

Open Mic is on Thursdays at 7:30pm. Sing, dance, play an instrument. The stage is yours.

Arrive early to sign up.

‘The Joan Houston Show’ with

Bob Bruneau at the piano features The American Songbook Fridays at 5pm. Classic music and lots of laughs.

Bingo with Pearl is on most Saturdays at 4pm. Drink specials, gift certificates and cash prizes.

Special guests include Ballet Folklorico Tradiciones.

Cheko Ruiz and Alex Gonzalez present acoustic Latin/flamenco covers in the piano bar on select Saturdays at 7:30 or 9:30pm. See calendar.

Luis Villanueva sings Mexican

favorites, as well as American pop/ classics in English and Spanish accompanied by Fernando Uribe at the piano on Fridays at 7pm.

Salsa dancing/lessons is on Wednesdays & Sundays at 8pm on the outdoor upper terrace. Friendly, supportive group. Newcomers welcome.

Incanto is located at Insurgentes 109 (at the Rio Cuale). For online tickets visit www.IncantoVallarta. com email Incantopv@gmail. com and call 322 223 9756 for reservations.

17

local

May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

The Long Drive Series Tom Stickney

tom.stickney@puntamita.com

Tom F. Stickney II is the Director of Instruction and Business Development at Punta Mita, (www.puntamita.com) He is a Golf Magazine “Top 100 Teacher,” and has been honored as a Golf Digest Best Teacher and a Golf Tips Top-25 Instructor. Tom is also a Trackman University Master/Partner, a distinction held by less than 15 people in the world.

Be Realistic https://youtu.be/BuuZHifcqPI

I A Night With The Masters

Y

ou are cordially invited to a cocktail show and sale of Mexican masters of art coming to Vallarta from the private collection of a Mexico City art connoisseur on Friday May 4 at 7pm at Prolongación de Brasil 1786, on the corner of Sierra

Aconcaqua RSVP:dreamptovta@gmail.com ART WORKS BY: Leonara Carrington José Luis Cuevas Rafael Coronel Manuel Felguerez Raul Anguiano

Where Is This?

Sandra Cesca

B

ronze sculptures are one of the most recognizable art forms in Vallarta. Encountered in many outdoor locations, most have been donated to the city be the sculptors who have created them, paid for them and in most cases are responsible for their upkeep. Enjoy!

Find this on a guided walk around historic Vallarta with Puer-

toVallartaWalkingTours.com. Stroll the cobblestone streets, typical of Spanish Colonial architecture, while absorbing the sights, smells and sounds of daily life. Visit markets, historic buildings, and workshops.

Get immersed in the culture while exploring areas you might not find on your own. www.puer tovallar tawalkingtours.com

Roberto Cortazar Carmen Parra Trinidad Osorioo Enrique Marron Pablo Weiz Carrington Heriberto Mendez Feliciano Bejar

n this first video series, we will examine the one of the most asked questions I hear on the Lesson Tee, “How can I hit my driver further?” Enjoy this eightpart series on adding distance!

Each week Tom will share some tips on golfing a better game and a link to his YouTube videos. Fore!

For most players, the quest for more distance can cloud even the most realistic of attitudes.

Just because you were a great football player or you work out daily that does not mean that you are automatically able to add 50 extra

yards to your drives. In fact, reality says that with perfect impact conditions the best amateur golfers may add 10 to 15 yards’ tops including carry and roll without a bunch of extra practice.

The best thing to do is ask your buddies or your professional gold instructor what do you think is the furthest I could hit the ball with a touch of work?

You will find that the answers might surprise you- it’s shorter than you think.

If you have unrealistic expectations, you will always be an unhappy golfer when it comes to distance production. Be realistic and accept what you can do and you will enjoy the game to its fullest!

BANDERAS BAY SHOPPING AND SERVICES

Marsol Friday Market by the Pier

M

other’s Day is coming May 10th!

The Marsol Market offers so many choices to please the mother in your life: from food products and jewelry; to clothing and accessories. How about an assortment of beautifully packaged salsas? “Pajarilla” sauces are made from family recipes over 100 years old.

Entirely prepared by hand using seven different kinds of organically grown, non-GMO chilies; the results will enliven all your culinary dishes. Use

LOCAL FOOD. LOCAL PLACES. LOCAL PEOPLE Enjoy a Culinary & Cultural Journey though Old Town, Pitillal & Downtown Neighborhoods of Puerto Vallarta!

MX: 322-222-6117 US: 1888-360-9847

rated on

NEX T TOU R DEPARTS SOO N!

vallartafoodtours.com

Tel. (322) 222 2675, (322) 222 5402, w Celular: 322 175 0412 mundodeazulejos@hotmail.com www.talavera-tile.com

them for dipping, marinades or while barbequing. They have a long shelf-life and are gluten-free.

Ricardo, our herbalist, is having a sale: 20% off his Day Cream. Your mother will love you!

Marcia has brand new clothes and shoes along with her silk collars and Mixto earrings.

The choices in jewelry are huge. Take your time looking around something is bound to catch your eye.

We have a new vendor this week: Dawn Nichol, a Registered Massage Therapist specializing in professional dancers and musicians. She has worked with some of Canada’s most prestigious ballet companies and has written a book

on foot care. Dawn will also work on ‘regular’ people!

The Marsol Friday by the Pier is open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm year-round.

www.vallartatribune.com FABFABRICFELLOWS Aprons - Pillows Masks - Cooling Ties Three Hens & A Rooster Market Aquiles Serdan 518 Saturdays 9 to 1 Contact Bill Kelly at

unonumerobomb@gmail.com

MURPHY’S irish pub Located on the Historic Malecon across from the lighthouse statue (El Faro) beautiful sunset views every night!

Delicious traditional pub menu.

Live Rock Music - Wed - Sat @10:30pm Watch all sports w 2 satellites.

Pool Table.

484 Morelos - 2nd floor - Centro Vallarta Open daily 11 am

Murphys Puerto Vallarta

Three Hens & A Rooster Market

W

hat exciting times!

Three Hens is moving to ENCANTO Restaurante (not to be confused with Incanto across the river from Le Bistro). We will be there for the summer – at Aquiles Serdan 518 - or until a larger, permanent home can be found for all of us. So, please join us this Saturday for our inaugural Market at our new digs. For those who

feel it’s too far away now, please remember it is less than one block further away from Insurgentes than our old location. Almost all of us summer folks will be there; we will miss Barbara Bubon who is back in Chicago squeezing her children and grandkids. Also, Pat Wagner is taking some well-deserved time off but assures us she’ll be back!

Barbara Peters makes

all kinds of different pickles, and she pickles beets; a rarity in Vallarta and hers are the best! She also makes jewelry and represents many artisans and painters in Mexico. Talk to her about larger paintings for your new condo!

Our Jewish mama, Gloria Sue, is frying chicken and handing out guilt like candy.

It’s what she does! Her salads are lovely and refres-

hing for the hot summer days ahead.

Head Hen, Jeanine, will be flying solo without her sister Barbara yet still producing great entrees and desserts for you to enjoy at home.

Please come this Saturday and celebrate with us! Three Hens & A Rooster Market is open from 9 am to 1 pm at Aquiles Serdan 518 in Old Town Vallarta.

Sherry Vallarta HOME DE’COR

Personal Shopper

Buy & Sell ~ Anything & Everything

sherryvallarta@yahoo.com 044 322 137 7063

VOLUNTARIO / VOLUNTEERING VALLARTA THE JAY SADLER PROJECT MAKING A DIFFERENCE

www.jaysadlerproject.com

EL PROYECTO JAY SADLER HACIENDO LA DIFERENCIA

COMMUNITY SERVICE / SERVICIO A LA COMUNIDAD

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

mexicasupplement@gmail.com

www.thewitcherysalon.com

charities

20

May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

By Janice Gonzalez

W

Aquiles Serdan

What’s in a Name?

By John Warren

W

hy would someone name a street after a specific date, like 5th of February?

Who was killed in a hail of bullets defending his house and family from local police and soldiers? Who went to school in the USA and Paris, is considered to be the Father of the Mexican Revolution and was assassinated while President? Who was Basilio Badillo?

Unlike many towns in Canada and the USA, the streets here in Puerto Vallarta are named after significant people from Mexico’s past, like presidents and generals, quite a few dates that are significant in Mexican history and fruits and vegetables. For the next few editions of the Trib I’ll be searching the old, downtown area for interesting street names and their significance to past people and times.

Starting at the Rio Cuale, the first street you come across if you’re walking south on Insurgentes, is a two-block stretch of cobbles and very narrow sidewalks heading towards the ocean, named Calle 5 de Febrero or 5th of February Street.

That date is one of the most significant in Mexico’s history because it was on 5th of February 1917 that the Mexican Constitution was adopted and ushered in profound changes in Mexican law and politics that framed life here for the next hundred years.

The major changes included starting a system of free, compulsory and secular education, introducing land reforms and impo-

sing restrictions on the power of the Roman Catholic Church. The Constitution, which was finalised after many months of deliberation, drafting, and lobbying for support, came at a time of world turmoil and became the basis for the Russian Constitution and for the Weimar Constitution in Germany. Why don’t we know more about this stuff? It’s important!

5th February is also one of the 148 official holidays in Mexico and is very popular, even if the majority of Mexicans are totally unable to tell you what it is about. Although the official anniversary is on 5 of February, the holiday takes place on the first Monday of February regardless of the date.

A few good places to visit on this street are the tortilleria, close to the swinging bridge over the river, where you can buy half a kilo of steaming hot, fresh tortillas for 8.5 pesos and, across the street is a small fish market, El Guero, that supplies many of the restaurants in the downtown core with shrimps, mahi-mahi and red snapper. Mmmmm! A block to the west is the excellent ‘gringo’ restaurant of No Way José.

Walking one block south along Insurgentes you’ll come to Aquiles Serdan (pronounced “A-kill-is Serrr-dan). Aquiles Serdán was born in the city of Puebla, was a shoemaker by trade and a supporter of the Mexican Revolution led by Francisco I. Madero. Serdán became a revolutionary, opposing

the hated, dictatorial President Díaz.

In November, 1910, Madero called for a country-wide rebellion against the government to occur on the 20th of that month. Serdán, who was living in Puebla, tried to organized a revolution there and bought guns to equip some of the local revolutionaries. But the local police chief found out about the family’s plans and raided the family’s home on 18th of November, two days before the rebellion was due to start. Aquiles Serdán, his brother Máximo, and his wife, his mother, and sister Carmen, along with nine men, defended the house. It was a bloodbath. The two brothers, Aquiles and Máximo, and their men all died in a hail of bullets.

When Madero, their fearless leader, heard of their death he is alleged to have said “It does not matter. They have shown us how to die.” Nice eulogy! Never mind, they are still celebrated Heroes of the Revolution The Sea Monkey restaurant anchors this street to the Malecon and is great place to have breakfast on the beach or to watch the sunset while seated at the bar with a margarita in your hand. If you walk inland for a couple of blocks you’ll come to Warique restaurant where the owners hail from Poland and Peru and where the potato balls are wonderful.

Follow Aquiles Serdan eastwards, across Insurgentes, and you’ll find a more relaxed part of town that hosts a couple of restaurants, a hardware store and Mexican homes that were built along the banks of the Rio Cuale long before some of us were born. Take a stroll and check it out.

e said goodbye to the folks at the Olas Altas Farmers Market this past Saturday. We will return so look for us there beginning November 3.

A reminder to everyone that schedules have changed for visits to our sanctuary. At this time of the year we lose our volunteer drivers and tour guides who return to their homes out of country for the low season. We will continue to offer one tour per week, either Tuesday or Thursday but special arrangements will be necessary. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

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

There are photos and also individual albums of our rescues as well as a bit of their history. Please be aware that our adoption fee within Mexico is $2,000 pesos. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com to obtain an adoption application.

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 dona-

tions for the SPCA 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...SAILOR

S

ailor is an incredibly happy dog who gets along with all his humans. We think he would make a good family dog as he is friendly with everyone he meets. He is a Shepherd mix about two years old and currently weighing around 35 pounds. He has a medium energy level and gets along with other dogs although his preference is the ladies! Sailor is not good with cats however and will give chase.

He has been neutered, dewormed and vaccinated. Sailor’s eye was damaged when he came to us and had to be removed.

But he has adapted quite well and has no problems getting around in the world with just one eye. Sailor is deserving of a loving forever-after home of his own and is now available for adoption.

If you are interested, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com for an application to adopt Sailor.

charities

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May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Non - Profit and Charitable Organizations

F

or visitors to Puerto Vallarta who wish to support the less privileged in our paradise, this is a list of some of the many organizations that could benefit from such kind gestures.

Alano Club of Puerto Vallarta to provide resources to keep you in touch with your recovery program while you are visiting Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area RecoverPV.com Amigos De Bucerias - to help make Bucerias a better place to live, work and visit. Projects include community improvements, food drives and help for the needy.

AmigosDeBucerias.com Los Amigos de Jaltemba several community efforts to improve and enhance the lives of the people who live in the Jaltemba Bay area.

LosAmigosDeJaltemba.com Amigos de La Cruz de Huanacaxtle: Contributing to the quality of life in La Cruz through cultural, educational, environmental and charitable assistance programs. Tax Deductible. www.amigosdelacruz.org American Legion Post 14: Raises resources and manpower to improve facilities needing building maintenance americanlegion14.org Amigos del Magisterio - Food delivery to workers at the PV dump, their families and schools in Magisterio and Volcanes. Also, food to New Beginnings, Pasitos de Luz. amigosdelmagisterio.com Asilo San Juan Diego Home for the Elderly - Housing and care facilities for senior citizens www.asilosanjuandiego.com.mx Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter - Safe shelter for women & children victims of domestic violence. compassionforthefamily.org Becas Vallarta, A.C. – Provides scholarships to high school and university students. Tax-deductible in Mexico and USA. becasvallarta.com CANICA - Centre for Children with Cancer. Provides aid for treatment and services including transportation to GDL. canicapv.org.mx Casa Hogar - A shelter for orphaned, abandoned, disadvantaged or vulnerable children. maximocornejo.org Cheryl’s Shoebox - increase the quality of education in disadvantaged schools throughout the Banderas Bay region by providing shoes, and school materials to students as well as educational supplies to teachers. cherylsshoebox.org

Clinica de Rehabilitación Vallarta- Santa Barbara AC Therapy for physical and speak rehabilitation, for childrena and adults. rehabilitacionfisicapv.com COLINA Spay and Neuter Clinic - Free and by-donation sterilization clinic in Old Town. Only open Sundays.

FB/@ColinaSpayAndNeuterClinic CompassionNet Impact Canada – Changing the lives of people living in chronic poverty. Job creation, education & more. compassionetimpact.ca Corazon de Niña - A safe, loving, home-environment for 50+ children and youth rescued from high-risk situations. Donations & volunteers always welcome! Totally self-funded. fundacioncorazon.mx Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Handles hospital and emergency service in Vallarta. It is the only facility that is authorized to offer assistance to injured people on the street.

Desayunos para los Niños de Vallarta A.C. Feeding programs, education programs, day care centers for single mothers.

FB/@desayunosvallarta Ecology and Conservation of Whales, AC. - research, protection and conservation of Mexico`s natural resources, specially the Humpback Whale in Banderas Bay. www.ecobac.org entreamigos Centro Comunitario Educativo - Focus is to increase educational opportunities for the children of San Pancho in Nayarit Mexico. entreamigos.org.mx.

Families At The Dump: Supporting families living in the landfill or garbage dump thru education and sustainable opportunities. familiesatthedump.org Food Bank of Puerto Vallarta - collects and distributes 30 tons of food each month to approximately 800 families.

BancoDeAlimentosPV.org.mx Fundacion Punta de Mita - Promote sustainable community development in Punta de Mita and around the Banderas Bay in the areas of community development, education, environment and health. fundacionpuntademita.org Friends of PV Animals - Volunteers working to enhance the lives of shelter animals. friendsofpvanimals.com Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta: To protect the ecology of Banderas Bay. grupoecologico.com

Grupo Pro Sayulita - to bring together the Sayulita community and to recognize and preserve the benefits of its cultural and ecological diversity while improving the quality of life in Sayulita. ProSayulita.org International Friendship Club - Provides medical, educational and social services to those in need in Puerto Vallarta and area. www.ifcvallarta.com Manos de Amor por Bahia - A home for 15-30 children that provide these children with food, clothing and shelter, ensure that they attend school and church, and give them a safe haven for as long as necessary. www.manosdeamor.com Lions Club Puerto Vallarta offering medical services for the blind, disaster relief and building elementary schools LionsClubs.org Mexico Ministries & Mission, Inc. raises funds to support the poor in Vallarta. christchurchbythesea.com Puerto Vallarta Garden Club - striving to improve and beautify Vallarta through planting trees and

flowers in public areas.

VallartaGardenClub.com Puerto Vallarta Navy League AC – Constructs playgrounds, organizes work groups to do painting and light repair work for other charities, schools and government facilities.

New Life Mexico - Focusing on social, health and education programmes both in Mexico and Guatemala matching donors to projects. www.newlifemexico.com Paraíso Felino AC - Refuge and Adoption Centre for cats and kittens in the Bay of Banderas. www.paraisofelino.com Pasitos de Luz - Substitute home for low income children with any type of handicap, offers rehabilitation services and more. pasitosdeluz.org PuRR Project – no-kill feline rescue providing homeless cats and kittens a recuperative stay with the ultimate goal of adopting them out to loving homes, sterilized, vaccinated and disease free. www.purrproject.com PEACEAnimals - Free mobile

spay/neuter clinic operating 48 weeks a year, primarily in Puerto Vallarta. Tax-deductible. peaceanimals.org Pro Biblioteca de Vallarta raises funds for Los Mangos Public Library. bibliotecalosmangos.com Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE) - Provides a home, education, and healthcare for children rescued from high risk situations. Donations are tax deductible and volunteers are welcome. For more information see our website: www.risepv.com Roma’s Kids - educate the children of the Volcanes and surrounding area. Math, English and computer programs a priority. 100% goes to the kids. www.kids.romamexico.com SETAC - Effectively reduce the incidence of HIV / AIDS in Puerto Vallarta and ​ promoting respect for human rights of people living with HIV / AIDS. setac.com.mx SPCA PV – Provides shelter and vet services to rescued animals. www.spcapv.com

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May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

riviera nayarit

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May 03 - 9, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

Life in la Cruz Cindy Bouchard

cindy@VillaAmordelMar.com

Cindy Bouchard, an expat Canadian runs a Boutique Inn, Villa Amor del Mar in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. She and her husband Chris are living and lovin’ in Vallarta–Nayarit. If you want more info on La Cruz or desire… A very special vacation contact cindy@VillaAmordelMar.com

Magic Touch

T

o enjoy a massage by Luz is a blessing. Our guests adore her magic touch as much as I do! Luz Rivera was so enamoured by the quality of life in La Cruz, that she moved here. The tranquility, security and what she says are “the kindest people; humble, happy, always sharing a smile and beautiful greetings. I love the community and the life style here is very supportive, always promoting cultural and social programs.” She loves the surroundings, sunrises and sunsets and night skies full of stars.

Luz was born and raised in Monterrey on a farm in the mountains of Chihuahua. Before La Cruz, she worked for several years in an Italian restaurant-bar in Guanajuato, México. She performed all roles including working in the kitchen to serving and managing.

She’s also worked for a project investment firm, a communication agency, in journalism and had her own coaching firm. Luz received her certification in Naturopathy and Holistic Therapy and opened a health center in Monterrey for three years before moving here.

Now Luz dedicates her time to her business ‘Live & Love’; a group of life lovers and co-workers that provide services from La Cruz to Chacala, Riviera Nayarit. Their

services include Health & Wellness, Real Estate, Sustainable Projects, Events, Concierge and Community Services. Luz created her team and business over the past seven years.

She’s a certified holistic therapist and naturopath coach and her focus for the last fifteen years has been on the health and wellness.

She’s an experienced professional in Ayurveda, yoga and personalized detox programs.

She told me “I love my work helping people to reconnect with their natural energy, their prana, breathing, unblocking and healing the physical and emotional body to live a better quality of life. Once you live the experience of a therapy session you feel more alive and in love! It`s like being born again, balanced, aligned and so open!

Seeing my patients so happy and free, is something that makes me happy and in love, so it is therapy for me at the same time, it is like breathing.

The therapies Luz and her team provide: Holistic Therapy, Shiatsu, Lymphatic drainage, Reflexology, Deep tissue, aromatherapy, Naturopathy, Alternative Medicine Therapies, Nutrition and Psychology and Personalized Detox Program. She works with the patient as a whole, not only on the physical but also emotional and mental, that is the

meaning of Holistic (“HOLOS”) the whole body.

Luz is inspired by “Life, love, happy and sad people, healthy and sick people, well being, nature, music and yoga, work, opportunities, community, education for chil-

dren, the beach, ocean, sky, and good food and wine of course!!

If Luz had a magic wand she’d improve the streets of La Cruz, have folks recycle more and there’d be more gardens and parks. Her favourite quote which her daughter

handmade and had framed for her “Let all you do, be done in love”.

Luz says “So here we are… whatever your heart is beating for, listen to it, like the winds whisper, and let it be. Live & love, then come and share it with us!”