Vallarta Tribune - Issue 1173 September 26 - October 2, 2019

LOCAL VOICE

LOCAL VOICE

LOCAL VOICE

Protecting Jaguars with Strangers

Tips for Biking Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón

Page 08

Page 16

Pages 18

Ecosystems of Banderas Bay vs.

Climate Change

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 Year 22 Free Issue 1173

FR EE

GU ID E

ALL-INCLUSIVE NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE FOR PUERTO VALLARTA AND RIVIERA NAYARIT

Celebrating Octoberfest Around the Bay

MAP OF BANDERAS BAY

PAGE 12-13

VALLARTA SHOPPING PAGES 14-15

ENTERTAINMENT PAGES 20-21

CROSSWORD PAGE 22

WWW.VALLARTATRIBUNE.COM | FB/VTATRIBUNE | TWITTER @VALLARTATRIBUNE | INSTAGRAM @VALLARTATRIBUNE

03

Editor’s

Note

neilg@vallartatribune.com

O

ctoberfest. Definitely not a Spanish word, yet it fits in just fine in Puerto Vallarta parlance. While September brings us the “Grito de Independencia” and all the patriotic charm of its associated festivities, this is also notoriously the annual slump month for tourism. Many business owners use this as a time to take over-due vacations or work out repairs that they’ve been saving for a rainy day.

Now that I’ve brought up rainy days, of which we’ve had our fill lately, our brush this week with Hurricane Lorena left the region happily unscathed, but kept many people indoors and businesses closed for a solid day of rain. One of the places where the rains from high in the sierras were especially well evidenced down at sea level was in Boca de Tomatlán whose residents saw their town’s pedestrian bridge temporarily rendered impassable in the wake of the passing storm.

Hurricanes like Lorena provide forceful reminders of the importance of our bay’s natural defense system of mountains, forests, and estuaries to shelter us from the full fury of nature and mitigate the impacts of

big storms when they do hit. Andrés Martínez, a guest columnist this week, wrote an excellent overview of the functions of these natural ecosystems right here at a local level, and implores us to protect these wild areas for a prosperous future.

But moving on from storms for a moment and back to the passing of months and reasons to be festive, many Vallartenses have been eagerly anticipating October.

Those who don’t find enough work with gainful wages in September begrudgingly refer to this outgoing month as “Septi-hambre” —a play on words eluding to failure to put enough food on the table. October, on the other hand, means a sure and steady return of visitors and the blessings of a prosperous autumn and winter season.

While those in more northerly latitudes are already bundling up and some are even stocking vehicles with snow scrapers (just in case), we in Puerto Vallarta won’t see our big break in the weather for about another month. But that’s no excuse to not celebrate our month of October like our friends up north do—with tasty seasonal beers!

Two of our columnists covered local establishments beckoning us to imbibe with friends and fall flavors—from the shores of Ireland and the British Isles to a new craft brewery in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

But there’s no shortage of great options for us to put down a few pints from our pioneering Los Muertos Brewing in downtown Puerto Vallarta to a trip several miles north beyond the bay to the Cerveceria Artesanal San Pancho, so choose a few to visit this month and invite some amigos to join you. ¡Salud! Prost, Santé, Nazdarovya, Cheers!

Neil Gerlowski Interim-Editor

Conner Watts, Los Muertos Brewing

editorial Letter to editor

M

y wife and I are owners of condo 15-A, at the Peninsula Tower III. The peace and beauty of this area are what drew us to the Playa del Oro. We were enchanted by the peace, quiet and abundant natural wildlife.

Since March of this year (2019), the Chicabal Beach Club has produced sound as high as 122 measured by the NIOSH sound app and has averaged over 70 decibels.

I personally measured it regularly above 80dbs consistently in April.

The Club produces bright lights and shoots off fireworks which cause massive disruption to life for people and animals. The club has also been destructive to the local flora as well. Palm trees that are supposed to be protected can be seen dying in the river. These were placed and left to die by the beach club. Garbage is left to flow out to sea. The loud music can even attract drugs.

The Chicabal Beach Club operates on the Blue Flag Beach and violates the basic rules on noise and disturbing sea life. The Blue Flag Beach club actually was built next to the Blue Flag Beach sign, which you can see below, in the picture. As an American citizen, we were very fearful when we first made our purchase, about the possibility of our condo investment being destroyed by things outside our control. We never considered an entity such as this beach club destroying our investment, but now we are gravely concerned with this reality. Our property is worthless, per local realtors and renters are fleeing this area. We are concerned with the sound and other effects of the club. If this becomes more widely spread, it could adversely affect tourism and real estate, throughout Puerto Vallarta.

We are hopeful you might be willing to address this problem. We understand that the government of Jalisco has passed a new law yet to be adopted to limit noise. Currently, the limit in this area is 68 decibels which the club violates routinely.

Inspectors do not come when called.

We are relying on the government to enforce the laws. We implore the government of Puerto Vallarta and you to assist us in maintaining the quality of life which this area used to offer and which we have been privileged to enjoy. Below you can see pictures of Turtle nesting disrupted, dead palm trees left in the river by the Chicabal Beach Club and Flag Beach Sign, next to Chicabal Beach Club.

Joseph E Wanner jwanner66@gmail.com

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

welcome

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

A

t the Vallarta 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 and the southern part Nayarit are on Central time – if you’re heading further north than Lo de Marcos, Nayarit, remember the time change so you don’t miss your flight.

BUSES: A system of urban buses can bring you from El Tuito in the south to San Pancho in the north and all the spots in between.

Fares vary according to distances travelled, but the base fare is 10 pesos. If you’re going further than San Pancho, head to the main bus terminal to catch a ‘Pacifico’ bus.

TAXIS: There are set fares within defined zones of town. Do not enter a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver. 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 cheaper than a taxi usually.

GETTING AROUND: In many places such as Centro Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta there are paths for bikes and pedestrians. Please be respectful of these designations.

MONEY EXCHANGE: The most hassle-free way to exchange money is to use your debit card in the ATM to withdraw pesos.

Exchange houses offer higher rates and banks are remiss to change dollars to pesos if you don’t hold an account with them. Best to use ATM’s that are affiliated with a reputable bank located in well lit secure areas.

TIPPING: In general you should tip 10-20% in restaurants and bars. Taxi or Uber drivers – 10-20 pesos. The person who bags your groceries or helps load your car – 10-20 pesos. Don’t forget to tip

your maid, bell boy, masseuse, the band, the entertainment on your tour. And by all means, tip more if you want, wages are extremely low in Mexico.

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. Don’t wreck your holiday – buy bottle water.

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. The process is inexpensive and only takes a day or two.

You only need a certificate of health from a local vet and check with your airline for additional requirements.

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, politeness is paramount. 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 very expensive. You can go to jail and your vehicle impounded. There are many checkstops on the weekends, and you will be asked to take a breathalizer test 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 often 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 noemi.zamora@cps.media Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Sales Team editor@vallartatribune.com Designer Cynthia Estela Andrade Gutiérrez cysandra@gmail.com Cover Photo by Ulises Delgado

CALLING IN MEXICO

(UPDATED AUGUST 2019)

LOCAL CALLS WITHIN MEXICO All calls within Mexico can now be dialed using the 10-digit telephone number (usually a two- or three-digit area code plus an eight- or seven-digit number) from a landline or cell phone, eliminating the need for prefixes, such as 01, 044 or 045. In Mexico, most cities use a three-digit area code, notable exceptions being CDMX, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

LONG DISTANCE CALLS WITHIN MEXICO Same procedure as above applies.

LONG DISTANCE CALLS TO MEXICO FROM ABROAD If you are making a long-distance call to Mexico from abroad, simply add the country code (52) to the 10-digit number as described above.

Emergencies: 911 Red Cross: 065

INTERNATIONAL LONG-DISTANCE CALLS FROM MEXICO US & Canada: Dial 001 + Area Code + Number Elsewhere: Dial 00 + Country Code + Area Code + Number

CALLING TOLL-FREE NUMBERS

(The following procedure predates the August 2019 update. We are waiting for specific information regarding toll-free calls within Mexico and to numbers elsewhere.)

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

IMMIGRATION: 322.224.7719 CONSUMER PROTECTION: 01.800.468.8722

FIRE DEPARTMENT: 322.223.9476 AMBULANCE: 322.222.1533

TOURISM OFFICES Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006

Ahoy Cruisers!

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 September and October Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit welcomes 59,044 passengers! Bienvenido!

NAME

CARNIVAL CARNIVAL CARNIVAL CARNIVAL PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES CARNIVAL CRYSTAL CRUISES LINE HOLLAND AMERICA PRINCESS CRUISES PRINCESS CRUISES WINDSTAR CRUISES

PASS

DATE

3,200 04.09.2019 3,200 11.09.2019 3,200 18.09.2019 3,200 25.09.2019 1,974 25.09.2019 2,600 27.09.2019 3,200 02.10.2019 940 03.10.2019 2,106 06.10.2019 2,600 07.10.2019 3,600 10.10.2019 212 11.10.2019

NAME

NORWEGIAN CRUISES CARNIVAL PRINCESS CRUISES NORWEGIAN CRUISES CELEBRITY

DISNEY CRUISES LINE ROYAL CARIBBEAN HOLLAND AMERICA HOLLAND AMERICA PRINCESS CRUISES DISNEY CRUISES LINE

PASS

DATE

3,883 14.10.2018 2,680 15.10.2019 2,400 21.10.2019 2,240 22.10.2019 2,850 23.10.2019 2,500 24.10.2019 2,435 26.10.2019 1,820 27.10.2019 2,104 29.10.2019 3,600 30.10.2019 2,500 31.10.2019

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

04

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

local voices

05

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

On The Water

Capt. Gregory Pilkington greg@fishfc.com

With Capt. Greg Pilkington onboard TOPLESS II out of Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Sayulita www.fishtfc.com +1(435) 901-4564

Y I AM PV - Helping the Next Generation of Musicians

T

hose who enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant art and music scene know that our local talent pool is in a class of its own. It is incredibly inspiring when those who have taken their talent to the highest levels of accomplishment then dedicate themselves to the next generation of artists and performers.

One such musician, Grammy Award winner Donald Moline, was the principal cellist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for years.

He has performed often in Puerto Vallarta, generously donating all proceeds to the Instituto de Artes Musicales Puerto Vallarta (I AM

PV), a music education non-profit enriching lives throughout the Puerto Vallarta area. Donald works with student musicians directly when he is in Mexico and even tutors one young boy long distance when he is home in Chicago.

Don’s generosity of time and talent have inspired many others to contribute to I AM PV and through the years they have provided dozens of young musicians with instruments to pursue their aspirations. More can be accomplished with your help.

To learn about I AM PV and donate to this great cause, visit: <https://iampv.org/en/

ou only live once, so live right - get out on the water and create unforgettable memories!

Due to the close encounter with Hurricane Lorena, not much fishing occurred last week. By the time this hits the press, the seas will be calm and the fishing red-hot once again.

In the meantime, instead of our normal fishing report, here is something a bit different - a guide to 5 of the most sought after species of fish commonly caught around the Bay of Banderas region this time of year.

We are blessed to have such a world-class, year-round fishery with so many options. There is something for everyone, regardless of age, experience or budget.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get on the water!

BLUE & BLACK MARLIN Catching and releasing a Marlin is viewed by many anglers as the pinnacle of sportfishing.

There is nothing better than seeing the bill of a big Marlin show up in your spread and jumping on your bait or lure. The ensuing aerial show and awe-inspiring blistering runs will challenge and impress even the best angler and crew. Our Blue Marlin and Black Marlin are quite large by world standards with fish over 500 pounds frequently encountered.

Grander Marlin (those over 1000 pounds) are mixed in and can show up at any time, particularly from September to December.

Better make sure you have a top crew and the best heavy tackle if you want to tangle with these monsters.

DORADO/MAHI-MAHI Arguably the most popular offshore game fish in the world.

Dorado are not only beautiful but they also have voracious appetites, will strike almost anything, put up a good fight with spectacular jumps, and taste great.

Not near as daunting as a

marlin, running more in the 10-50 pound range, Dorado are great for inexperienced anglers and children on medium tackle and experienced anglers on light tackle.

Look for floating debris and weed lines and you should find the fish. For this reason, fishing is best in the rainy season as more debris is pushed out of local rivers into the bay and waters just offshore.

YELLOWFIN TUNA We are famous here for having the largest Yellowfin Tuna on the planet. Those over 200 pounds are called Cows and the ones over 300 pounds are called Super Cows.

The vast majority of these Cow Tuna are caught on multi-day trips to the Tres Maria Islands some 70 - 120 miles offshore. In closer at Corbatena and El Banco, the fish tend to run a bit smaller but are still big enough to test even the best angler (20-150 pound fish are common).Most often taken on live bait, these fish will also take poppers and jigs which provides for some of the most active and exciting fishing known.

ROOSTERFISH You will never forget your first Roosterfish hot on the trail of your live bait, lure or fly. The distinctive plume of a dorsal fin cutting thru the waters just off our beaches is one of fishing’s great sights.

Roosterfish fight with the stamina of a Yellowfin Tuna and are known to jump from time to time which adds to their appeal.

Fish up to 50 pounds swim our beaches and can be caught from shore or by boat. This is inshore fishing at it’s best!

CONSERVATION CORNER While Yellowfin Tuna and Dorado are two of the best-tasting fish you will ever come across, Marlin and Roosterfish are not particularly tasty and are much more valued as sport fish.

Please employ sustainable fishing practices (use only circle hooks with live bait and don’t pull big fish out of the water for photos) and release these fish to make someone else’s day in the future.

A sustainable fishery benefits all of us.

TOPLESS TIP Most people think that Tuna sashimi is best just after the fish is caught. The truth is that if you can wait a couple or three days the taste gets noticeably better.

For best results, wrap your tuna fillets in paper towels and seal tight in a ziplock bag. Replace the paper towels each day and reseal. You will be amazed by the difference.

Don’t forget the wasabi and soy sauce!

local voices

06

From Here

Marcia Blondin

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Curator’s Clippings Horticultural Tips Robert Price

marciavallarta@gmail.com

www.vbgardens.org

Long-time columnist Marcia Blondin resurrects this preview/review column each season devoted to local entertainment that she has had the pleasure of seeing lately or in seasons past.

Robert Price, Founder and Curator of the Vallarta Botanical Garden

“Tributes”

Traveling for Garden Design Inspiration

I

am amazed and delighted by the number of people who move to Vallarta and instantly find ways to give parts of themselves away for the greater good of our community. It takes a whole page in the Tribune to list the registered charitable groups in the Bay; to list the volunteers to those organizations would fill up the rest of the paper. I met one such man last week; his name is Alan Kelly. We began our chat at the Vallarta Cigar Factory which has become my office away from home and not just for their fabulous mango smoothies. The hurricane had them closing early so we wandered through the rain and parked at Babel Bar on the river; office number two. Hours passed talking about Vallarta, of course, Canada and strange northern parts that we were both familiar with. He has a foundation in India and wants to start one here. How I love intriguing people and they sure do surround me in our city. We will be hearing more about Alan Kelly…

Update on the Artist’s Co-op: we are this close to signing a lease in downtown Vallarta on a quiet but beautifully kept street… with parking! The just-off-the-Malecón-locale is smallish but with amazing potential and great energy…some paint, some lights! It is so exciting. We have interest from painters, sculptors, craftspeople, clothing designers, chocolate makers, coffee growers, herbalists, chefs and more. We

will be happy to take care of our tourists but we really want our expats to have a centrally-located store, open seven days a week, for a kilo of coffee, that luxurious bath soap, curiosities that will only exist in our boutique/gallery/shop.

The first place you want to bring your friends and family to look for gifts knowing that every single item within our walls was made by hand. OUR hands! Local artisans that live here in Mexico, not far, far away in a distant land! Two names we are considering: Living Art and Artistry. If you have a brilliant idea – send me an email.

If you create something that you think is brilliant, send me an email with a photograph.

My friend Merv Buchanan, from Trend Records in Canada sent me his list of Tribute Shows slated for this coming season: 43 shows in Vallarta alone! A stunning line-up that will take place at Incanto, The Palm and El Rio BBQ Bar. The great addition is Tribute Tuesday matinees at the Palm. That means you can see two shows a night; maybe three! Just to tease you a wee bit - Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, The Eagles, Cher, Tom Petty, and not one, but two Elvises: one from 1956, the other, 1968. And around 20 more! Going to be a tuneful season.

The weather has cooled off a bit and the stores are packed with long pants and sweaters…and some Christmas stuff, dammit.

Take care of one other; take care of our earth every day, From Here.

W

hether a snowbird returning to Puerto Vallarta or a year-round resident waiting for the right time to make major changes to your garden—or even completely redesign it—the weeks following the rainy season provides a perfect window of opportunity. The soil is soft and humid but unsaturated meaning you can usually dig with relative ease and not kick up too much of a cloud of dirt.

To start the creative juices going in anticipation of your design phase, travel is often the best way to gain new inspirations and perspectives.

For me, Mexico City provides infinite opportunities for exploration and learning and horticulture is one the many themes it covers o so well.

One especially unique and memorable horticultural destination there is the Xochimilco neighborhood. Its name is Aztec for “flower field” and Xochimilco’s flower markets continue to provide some of the best opportunities in the city for buying cut flowers and a host of live plants perfect for home gardens. If you find yourself shopping there, just consider that many of the plants which thrive in Mexico City’s cooler, drier climate won’t necessarily do well here in

the costal tropics.

Xochimilco also features remnants of the vast system of canals and manmade islands that converted marginalized lands in the time of the Aztec’s arrival to the area, into some of the most productive agricultural grounds in the Americas. What remains has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Irregular developments encroaching upon this site have cast doubt into its future, but touring through these canals aboard colorful trajineras piloted in gondola-like fashion is an obligatory part of the Xochimilco experience.

Among the most impressive and carefully curated botanical gardens in the country is that at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM).

The gardens are laid out among ancient lava flows and that serve as perfect backdrops for some of the garden’s most extensive and well attend collections—cacti and

agaves.

When visiting the UNAM’s botanical garden, save plenty of time for the gift shop and plant nurseries. The gift store is incredibly well stocked and is an excellent source for books on everything from horticulture to natural ecology.

The UNAM also has a plant adoption program based around a novel concept—they propagate rare native plants threatened by extinction and put these up for adoption for people to grown in their gardens, patios, or window sills.

Cacti, agaves, and plants of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) are especially well represented.

The accessible prices of these botanical treasures are such that you’ll probably want many, but for each you’ll need to fill out an adoption form.

UNAM staff maintains communication channels to keep tabs on the success of this program.

By keeping their prices accessible they are able to keep an income stream intact for their work while alleviating the economic pressure that drives poaching of these plants in wild areas.

These are just two spots within Mexico City to delight those with an affinity for plants. Of course if long-distance travel isn’t on your immediate horizon, come up and visit us at the Vallarta Botanical Garden. We’re a convenient daytrip from anywhere in the Bay of Banderas region and there’s always something new in flower or in fruit to fascinate and further inspire our love of nature.

07

local voices

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Insight

Martin Rosenberg, PhD

martysanmiguel@gmail.com

Marty journeyed from Anthropology Lecturer at the Museum of Natural History, N.Y.C., President of Illinois’ CPA Society, CEO Tomorrows Software, film producer, and author of three books and many articles. As Director of Posters International Gallery in Puerto Vallarta he is surrounded daily by creativity and European history. www.rosenbergcollection.com

The Compass In My Voice

W

hy do some magnets pull together and others repel each other? Is there an inner compass within our physical body that has similar properties? How will I know when I’ve found my voice?

The Pacific Ocean is described as the largest and deepest of our world’s ocean basins. This is about half of the free water on the Earth.

Feeling taller in PV? Fascinating fact…Banderas Bay in the Pacific is about 40 cm higher than the Atlantic Ocean.

Each day the ocean surrounding Vallarta (and the majestic Sierra Madres) enliven us with energy and seems to restore the soul. It’s not our imagination. In our walking we take in the healing ions and our mind dismisses minor details and worrisome issues. Even better if we’ve turned off the phone. In a future article we’ll share more about the PV vortex energy flow.

It is no wonder that many of us in Vallarta include meditation, yoga and nature walks.

Neuroscience studies have validated that “ocean advocacy” is very healthy. Whether resident or visitor Vallarta offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with people and be creative.

Yet this potential freedom doesn’t effect everybody the same way.

A popular understanding of the laws of attraction has expanded the consciousness of millions of people. Applying these concepts requires a belief in them and a clear intention to activate the forces within us. The compass always points to true north because of the energy fields generated deep within the earth’s molten core. So we have to go deeper within ourselves to

open our potential to attract all that we desire.

Doing what we love and loving what we do is easy to say but we are challenged by everyday responsibilities and events. When I taught Anthropology I didn’t know that Aboriginal Dreamtime would one day make more sense and demonstrate that universal laws do not fade away in our notion of time. The first Australian natives understood that there are laws governing knowledge and survival. They embodied these laws in their stories much like writings preserved in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Emerald Tablets, Phaistos Disk, New Testament, and the Egyptian and Mayan

Codex. Scientists and medical practitioners have increasingly adopted knowledge from their peers of thousands of years ago.

These include that of shamans, alchemists and primitive cultures. That’s the good news.

Modern institutions and media, however, keep us mired in superficial information and world events well beyond our control.

Thus anxiety, fear and mistrust distract us from our natural state of compassion, respect and peacefulness. Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

The Law of Attraction popularized today came from 19 th century writers and was adapted into our materialistic

desires in Rhonda Byrne’s 2006 film, The Secret. Her interviews of philosophers, scientists and authors presented how we can learn to visualize and manifest our goals. The focus, however, was more on how to get financially wealthy. We intellectually know that money can’t buy happiness. How often have we heard the phrase “have a heart”. Why not ask the universe to provide us with all that we desire? Money, health, love and family. We have the power and the free will to exercise our inner energy forces. Can we channel our thoughts to produce positive energy pulses in our body?

When our desires and positive attitude are clear, we open the doors for the universe to provide its abundance.

Our body cells, tissues and organs generate electrical fields that can be detected on the skin surface. These fields create a magnetic field in the surrounding space.

Highly sensitive magnetometers can now measure these frequencies.

Our entire nervous system is an “antenna”. Brain waves move throughout the body so we project energy outside our body. If we can send electrical impulses then we can also receive them. The laws of attraction have science confirming their existence. There are no coincidences.

Consider the human heart.

This amazing organ provides us with oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood. Scientists at

the HeartMath Institute proved the heart generates the most powerful electromagnetic field in our body. Research showed that when people touch or are close, transference of this energy from the heart occurs. Love at first sight is beyond fantasy.

With this new information began practices such as healing touch, chi gong and reiki. But wait, we’ve also established that “intentionally generated positive emotions” can alter the make-up of our electromagnetic fields.

By self-regulating our intentions and emotions we can replace unhealthy patterns in our field.

Positive emotions can reduce stress, enhance relationships, improve mental acuity and enhance healing.

We don’t know yet know the effect of human energy fields over longer distances.

Quantum field theories describe the interaction of microscopic and sub-atomic particles that flow around and through us. As scientists consider the mystery of our consciousness and thought, research will bridge the gap between our physical and metaphysical existence. We don’t need to wait.

The Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean waters meet at Cape Town, the southern tip of South America. It is an imaginary border like between our countries. Who will we meet this week to enrich our spirit?

Like attracts like, so spread the smiles and gratitude Vallarta provides.

local voices

08

Adapting Tourism in Response to a Changing Climate Andrés Martínez

andres.martinez@giz.de

Andrés Martínez is the Puerto Vallarta Regional Coordinator of ADAPTUR, a program of Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Their ADAPTUR program is designed to help communities adapt tourism to minimize the local impacts from our planet’s changing climate.

Ecosystems of Banderas Bay vs.

Climate Change

C

limate change is a fact confirmed by experts from around the world and its impact on human life is already undeniable.

Although the picture is adverse, those of us who live in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay Region must feel fortunate that we still have important “natural defenses” as we face this climatic emergency.

Our region’s coast still maintains some functional wetlands including El Estero El Salado and La Lagua El Quelele, which are true protections against the effects that could be generated severe weather phenomena such as tropical cyclones and storm surges.

In addition to providing habitat

for hundreds of species of flora and fauna, wetlands serve as natural barriers to curb the impact of waves and are natural flood sites.

Even though our tropical Pacific coast location exposes us to potential hurricanes, most residents feel relatively safe her and often say that “the mountains protect us.” There’s much truth in that statement as both the Sierra de Vallejo in Nayarit and the Sierra El Cuale in Jalisco form natural barriers that can help diminish the force of hurricanes, especially if their natural forest cover is kept intact. This allows them to absorb much of the impact of torrential rains and powerful winds.

However, if this forest cover is eliminated, the same mountains that have protected us could be converted into one of our greatest threats, compounding the damages of hurricanes with

landslides and multiplied levels of flooding.

These mountains provide not only a complimentary hurricane defense system, they serve as our natural water tanks. Given that nearly all climate change predictions warn us of probable diminished rainfall in the Puerto Vallarta region, taking care of our water tanks and aquifers becomes essential.

This summer, we have seen global increases of heat waves in greater intensity and duration.

Prolonged widespread increases of just two or three degrees Celsius have surpassed a matter of comfort and are becoming major matters of health concern internationally.

Acknowledging these threats, the role of ecosystems such as coastal wetlands and mountain forests is of enormous relevance.

In addition to the benefits already discussed, they also regulate our local microclimate.

Accepting climate change as reality and increased acute local impacts as imminent forces us to ensure the protection of these ecosystems as one of the most pressing issues for our community.

For us in Puerto Vallarta, Bahía de Banderas, and northward through the Riviera Nayarit, conserving and, when necessary, restoring ecosystems such as La Sierra El Cuale, La Sierra de Vallejo, El Estero El Salado and La Laguna El Quelele will not just be a matter of environmental responsibility, but our very survival.

Famous Mosaics For the Love of Public Art

By Emily Murray Tile Park is taking the show on the road! We’re paying a virtual visit to the most famous mosaics of the world... from China to Spain to the US... tile parks, record-breaking installations, ancient murals, points of interest and so much more. Join us!

The Electric OM

T

his well-known piece in the Tile Park is so good, it’s tattooed right on Natasha’s arm. Or is the tattoo so good that it’s a piece in the Tile Park? Sometimes it’s hard to determine what is inspired and what is inspiration.

Regardless of which it is, the electric om(s) are near and dear to our hearts. They’re the pulse of the park.

What Is “Om”? In many eastern philosophies, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism the word “om” is regarded as the sound of all things; the vibration from which literally everything and everyone originates. It is found in the hum of the earth, the bedrock itself. It is the sound of ants marching, and bees making honey. It’s in the ocean waves, and the screech of a hawk.

It’s in every sound we make, and indeed, just like the earth itself, it’s in us even when we aren’t making any noise at all.

Om is that low level thrumming that underpins everything happening in this world, from the beat of your own heart to the roar of a jet engine.

If you’ve been to many yoga classes, you likely know that “om” is also a chant, a verbal totem. It is an anchor, a home base. It is a sound we can all make, from the moment we are born. From the universal om it builds into what will ultimately be our unique voice.

Just as one candle can light 1000 more without dulling its own flame, something magical happens when people add their unique voices to a chant of “om”.

Everyone’s voice comes together as an auditory prism, with uniform yet singular facets, each as beautiful and rare as the last. It’s the most gorgeously-sung chorus you’ve ever heard, and it’s never the same twice.

Om is the silence after the chant too. The om after the om, if you will. On Sundays here in Vallarta, at the painfully early hour of 6 am,

the church bells come a-calling, reminding you that you’re alive. And to get to church. Over the course of about thirty minutes there is a series of bell tolls, each with a different rhythm to them. Om is in every gong of every bell, and it carries the silence afterward too. Om is the void that’s left when the vibration stops.

Because om is the sound of all things. It is the true vibration and it never stops.

Om, Light and Dark - The Tile Park has two om pieces, a light and a dark one. Our oms have a certain electric quality to them. These oms illustrate vibration, bounce. They’re bright and they sparkle, even the dark one does. They are round and they are sharp too. They are happy little oms, a centerpiece of the park. They were among the first pieces to go up, because om is the original vibration. Just as the voices build in the room, the energy builds from what came before it. So the roots of the park are the most important things to us, the closest to our heart. The things that light the spark, the things that inspire.

Stop in and check them out!

They’re near the west edge, by the amphitheater. Or if you happen to see Natasha out and about, just ask her to roll up her sleeve, it’s right there on her upper arm, close to her heart.

09

local voices Paradise and Parenting

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

A Table in the Corner

Leza Warkentin

Bronwen White

Leza is a nursery teacher and preschool coordinator at the American School of Puerto Vallarta.

Originally from London, Bronwen White has moved to Puerto Vallarta from the US, where she lived in many of its great cities. She is presently embarking on her journey of discovering the local culinary scene delights.

walesbw@gmail.com

mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

Meeting Lorena

Murphy’s Irish Pub

I

f you were a visitor to Vallarta about a week ago, you will have likely been warned about the arrival of Hurricane Lorena along the south-western coast. If you have never been to a country in a hurricane zone, you may have found this disconcerting. You may have lined up at the hotel’s customer service desk and commiserated with other guests while you waited for information. You may have called your country’s consulate and asked them if you should be getting on the next flight out of town. You probably had to talk calmly to your families back home, even if inside you were as wild-eyed as they were on Facetime.

You probably wondered a little at the unnerving calm of the hotel staff as they let you know that everything was going to be fine. But you didn’t wonder much, because that’s what they are paid for, after all. They can’t panic because then they would upset the guests, who would never return. These erstwhile guests would also be sure their wild-eyed families and friends would never travel to Vallarta either.

Allow me to let you in on a little secret: the staff you spoke to didn’t remain calm because they were paid to (because no one is paid enough to be that cool under hurricane pressure), or because they want your return business (even though they certainly do, as long as you’re nice).

Did you hear anyone say “well, it’s only a category one” or “we’ll get a lot of rain, that’s all”? Did you watch them laugh and congratulate their colleague Lorena on getting school canceled not one but TWO whole days?

When I first moved to Mexico, I absolutely did not get how people could remain in a place where wind is determined to flip your car on its back. I couldn’t imagine myself sitting in a shelter wondering if my house would be there when I returned to it. I couldn’t picture losing everything but what I was wearing (and it would

A very likely be pajamas or an outfit I didn’t really care for).

But then I lived through Hurricane Kenna in 2002. It was a category 5 storm. Vallarta received a slap from Kenna’s tail end, and it was devastating. I huddled in my little apartment and watched my one and only palm tree get the beating of its life.

Once the storm was over, I crept out to find some people with whom to commiserate. What I found were people who were fascinated by the enormous waves that Kenna left us.

I found people who were already smiling, even though the power was out and we didn’t know when it was coming back. I saw people beginning to help pick up the debris littering the streets.

And there was the answer I had been seeking. Even in the face of such destruction, people simply began to clear away the wreckage, rebuild and keep going.

Every time we have a hurricane or tropical storm warning, I go into Preparation Mode. I get water, candles, food, snacks, and extra food. I keep myself current on the latest news. I share it with others.

But I’m calm, and I would be hard put to find a single person ready to panic. People are smiling at the gas stations and grocery stores. Nobody is rushing, but everyone is ready.

Let’s reach out to the communities affected by Lorena, such as Chamela, Jalisco whose town was flooded. Let’s help them clear the wreckage, rebuild and keep going. You can drop off food, clothes and hygiene products at any Starbucks store in PV, Quetzali Spa & Steve’s Bar in Old Town .

s we are still in the summer doldrums, I thought I’d write about something else close to my heart, that great British institution – the pub. The lives of anyone brought up in the British Isles are punctuated by memories of them. My father did not like them; he didn’t like the smell of stale beer and cigarettes and preferred napkins and dessert trolleys, but it didn’t stop him from taking me to pubs in Fleet Street (then the center of London’s newspaper industry) to drink with his pals who were all the leading journalists - and boozers of the day.

How I got in at my tender age, I don’t know, but things were rather lenient back then. But, when we moved to the country, and I discovered the opposite sex, my dates would consist of hitting the local pubs where I would invariably drink Babycham, a “champagne” made of pears, then considered the height of sophistication for a young lady. So, much pub food has become synonymous with Britain, such as Scotch eggs, bangers and mash, Welsh rarebit, and Melton Mowbray pork pies.

There are fantastic pubs north of the border (don’t get me started on them in New York; I love Irish New Yorkers – I live with one!) and sooner or later expats will hear the siren song of a pint of Guinness and a bar or two of Danny Boy and that is why it is good to know we have Murphy’s Irish Pub for just those occasions.

Affable owner Jonathan Murphy was on to that when he opened about ten years ago. Located up a flight of stairs along the Malecón, you get a great view and a refreshing breeze. It has all the Celtic prerequisites - lots of posters wishing you Sláinte!, a huge bar (which coincidentally serves several Mexican craft beers), signs with witty Irish slogans; the whole awash in bright Kelly green.

Pubs cater more to nostalgia than to food, and after all, we are in Jalisco, not County Cork, so don’t expect colcannon, boxty or coddle; how about some Irish or gringo nachos? And if you add the magic of Guinness to cheese, stew fries or chili they become suitably Irish.

I find the menu quite inventive – there’s a Celtic Salad and an Irish House Salad; their main claim to Irish fame is that they are green.

They have beer-battered fish and chips, Guinness pot pie and the old favorite, shepherd’s pie, made with beef, not lamb which technically makes it cottage pie.

Of course, the potato is synonymous with Ireland, and as the entrees all come with mashed or fried potatoes you can have fish and chips (with chips!) and shepherd’s pie (with mashed potatoes!), which could be too much potato even for an Irishman.

Murphy’s is very busy, natch, around St. Patrick’s Day. Call and make a reservation for their pre-Saint Paddy’s Day Jay Sadler Project Charity Dinner; they also operate a booth at the fun Vallarta Celtfest, and the pub celebrates all-day March 17th with traditional Irish music and live music from their house band. Mark your calendars as you won’t want to miss their excellent corned beef and cabbage and your annual quota of Guinness, Jameson, cider, or Bailey’s. Shout it out – Erin go Bragh!

local voices

10

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.

Get more for your HOA fees

I

think one of the best furniture inventions ever was the sofa bed.

Did you know that this space-saving solution was patented over 120 years ago? Leonard C. Bailey is considered the inventor who came up with the idea to fold up a metal bed frame into a sofa. In those days, it would not have been the most comfortable piece of furniture. In Mexico, you can now

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

get sofa beds made with quality mechanisms that will not rust or corrode. They are also available with gel-cooling memory foam mattresses.

Sofa beds are also called hide-a-beds, sleepers, pullout sofas, and bed-couches. No matter how you refer to them, they are the perfect way to accommodate a couple of guests who come to visit for a few weeks. Monthly HOA fees (homeowner fees) in Mexico are usually calculated based on square meters. That’s why it makes sense to optimize your living space. Using your spare bedroom as a home office or an entertainment room is much more practical.

If you rent out your home when you are not in Mexico, a sofa bed can add to your revenue. Some rental units in the Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit area charge an extra USD 50 per night, per person. With additional rental income, you can get a quick return on your investment.

Sofa beds are available in different sizes. Most prefer a queen size since it is more comfortable from a width perspective. Sofa beds also come in matrimonial and individual. In the past, it was difficult to find individual chair beds in Mexico. Luckily this has changed. For those with limited space or a smaller condo, you can more easily incorporate a couple of sofa chairs into your design.

The average sofa bed mattress thickness is about 4.5 inches or

just over 11 cm. That’s about half as thick as a standard mattress.

When selecting a sofa bed, invest just a little more and get the memory foam.

The difference between a standard mattress and memory foam is night and day! If your guests are going to use the sofa bed or sofa chair bed for more than a few nights, it is worth the minor upgrade cost. It gives better support, molds better to the body and will last longer without losing its shape.

I recently checked out the new Anya memory foam sofa bed made

by Palliser and now available in Mexico. With trepidation, I sprawled out on the mattress at a recent trade show in North America. I fully expected to feel that uncomfortable metal bar through the mattress. I was pleasantly surprised to find that with the memory foam mattress, and new frame design, it was like lying on a regular bed.

Another significant update to the design was the ease of opening and closing the unit. With new, easy-glide mechanisms, you can convert from a sofa or chair to bed with one hand. There are even spaces to store pillows, so you don’t have to cram them into a closet.

For those looking for additional rental revenue, or to maximize the use of space in their home in Mexico, consider a sofa bed or chair bed.

If you have furniture questions, please feel free to email me at furniture@ solutionsmexico.com.

Would you like a Bank that adapts to your needs

?

Discover all the options that INTERCAM offers you: Trust | Insurance | Personal Loans | Mutual Funds Foreign Exchange | ATM network | Private Banking and much more...

Contact our offices: Marina Office: +52 (322) 209 0696 | Downtown Office: +52 (322) 223 3080 Mega Flamingos Office: +52 (329) 29 661 63 | Sayulita Office: +52 (329) 29 88 921 Find terms and conditions at intercam.com.mx

9

8

PITILLAL

1

az Ord Díaz tavo port Gus l Air Lic. nationa r Inte

6

7

5 3

RIO AMECA

STATE OF NAYARIT

VIE

TOM

NU

EV

OV AL

LA

RTA

S ATE

26

R

A VALL

CA

DE

GRAND MAYAN PARADISE VILLAGE MEZCALES OCCIDENTAL NUEVO VALLARTA 5 HARD ROCK HOTEL GRAND VELAS RIVIERA NAYARIT DREAMS VILLAMAGNA HOTEL MARIVAL 6 RIU JALISCO 4 ACQUA FLAMINGOS RUI PALACE PACIFICO FLAMINGOS VILLA DEL PALMAR FLAMINGOS 4 VILLA LA ESTANCIA 25 4 ROYAL DECAMERON 24 BUCERIAS 23 PUNTA ESMERALDA B NAYAR 29 1 VILLA AMORE DEL MAR 5

7

INA MAR

BAY

6

CA

2

1

BO

VIDANTA

7

27

R B CLU ESTIN CE A W L O TA THE AN PA SALAD LLAR A Y MA A EL TO V IOTT R Y R PLA PUE AR LIA GNA M ME A ND SAM GRA W

8

1



TO SAYULITA 

Christ Church by the Sea The Rev. Canon Robert Webster, Rector Welcoming ALL to worship with us.

W PUNTA MITA

HOTEL LA QUINTA DEL SOL

in the ANGLICAN ~ EPISCOPALIAN TRADITION

 10 AM SUNDAYS 

123

2nd Annual Reader’s Choice Awards

2

 1000’s of votes for the Plaza Genovesa ~ Center Courtyard Palapa 

Francisco Medina Ascencio 2015 ‘bestAv.of everything’

in Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay and Riviera Nayarit

www.christchurchbythesea.org mypvchurch@gmail.com

Best

Restaurants

Best Hotels

Best Salon

Best

Dentist

Best

MESON DE MITA PUNTA MITA FOUR SEASONS

FRANCISC

O VILLA

PARA

ST. REGIS PUNTA MITA

SHERATON BUGAMBILLIAS

3

ISLAS MARIETAS

Happy Hour

All the results are now online at: www.vallartatribune.com/best-of-banderas-bay-2019/

Agustin Flores Contreras Municipal Stadium

GRAND PALLADIUM VALLARTA

ENGLISH SERVICE & COMMUNION enEnglisngli

 

22

PLAYA LA MANZANILLA

Iglesia Cristo del Mar

P

TOWNS & COLONIAS BEACHES

RESORTS MALECON SHOPPING/ARTWALK

BY SEA

LAND & AIR

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

1. CENTRAL BUS STATION 2. VERSALLES BUS STATION 3. OLD TOWN BUS STATION 4. BUCERIAS BUS STATION 5. INT’L AIRPORT - PVR

SHO

2

1. GA 2. WA 3. CO 4. LA 5. PLA 6. ME 7. WA

BUENOS AIRES

8 8

5VERSALLES 5

5 DE DECIMBRE

HOTEL ZONE HOTEL ZONE

RTA RTA

11 11

GRINGO GULTCH CASA KIMBERLY HACIENDA SAN ANGEL CASA KIMBERLY HACIENDA SAN ANGEL 14 CENTRO 12 14 CENTRO 12 13 13

AMAPAS AMAPAS CASA CUPOLA CASA CUPOLA RESORTS

BY PINNACLE 15 RESORTS BY PINNACLE CONCHAS CHINAS

15

EL NOGALITO EL NOGALITO

CONCHAS CHINAS

PLAPL YA ALYA OSLO VILLVIL P P SANSANARSCAORC A MLA MLAYALAYEMPEMPMARMA S OS ERCER LOA LERAERA INORIN EDCEED S MOS MDORDO O R E U TROTSR PESTIPETERUTOERATO A A A PICOPICT HOIT H S S PLAPL VALLVALMLLALRMAARN HAON HTOEOL TEL A A RE R T T Y AY HYAHY TT AZTT A COANCON L RTLARSTHASSOERSTOERLT EL IVAZIVA CHACHINADOIND ORHOR GRAGR CO PCUOEPRUTECRASCAASSCHSINCHMIAORMAESR ES NDAND STA STAO VTAO VKAARKAASNAS F F S A R GARGA PLAYPLAIEYSTIAESTUARSRUERLRLEARLLTAMRATMA ZARBZA A PUA PUAMEAMESORSOAR A LABL NTANT RIC RIC T T HOTHNOCAANRCA NEAGNREGAN AN EL TMEL ESROES A RA OUMSOURTORT AII SAII

4 4

5 DE DICIEMBRE

VERSALLES

28 28 4 4

PUERTO VALLARTA PUERTO VALLARTAGRINGO GULTCH 5 DE DECIMBRE

2 2

STATE OF JALISCO STATE OF JALISCO

BUENAS ARIES BUENAS ARIES

10 10

NESNES MAROARO ND D A CA CAM GRAGRAN PLAPYLAVYEANTEUNRTAURA A AV E E S BUEBNUEPNREPMRIEERMIEARMBILMLBIAILLIAS VILLVAILLTAONTBOUNGBUGA A SHESRHERSA ET TS SECSREACMREBEMRBER NOWNOW LA SOLLSOL O DE DE CANCTANTLOAZAAZA ET P T PL S S SUNSSUNPSEELPICEALNICOANO A PLAPZLAUZLAESLES TA TA R LOSLTOSLTYUVLAYLVLAALLAR D FRIEFNRIEANPDEAPE AR R C SUNSSUNDSECL PEALLPMALNMAA A D VILLVAILLAAMEARMICEARICAN A FIESFTIESHTOALI OLI L A H A L RA A PLAPYLANYA KNRYKSRTYNSATVANEANVTEUNTNURRESROERSTORT HILTHOILTNODA BDUAEBUEEGOLGDOELDEN HACHIEACIPEANRPAADRISADISCELUBLUB N N E C CROCWROWPARAADRISADISE P N N CROCWROW ES S PA A AR ARE & S SP S M S M INA INA RT RT & TRE TRBE REBGREG RESORESO U

2 2

9 9

HOTHOT EL REL R OSITOSI A TA

FLUVIAL 3 FLUVIAL 3

30 30

LOS ARCOS LOS ARCOS

MISMALOYA MISMALOYA

BARCELO BARCELO

TO EL TUITO TO EL TUITO

BOCA DE T

BOCA DE TO COLOMITOS COLOMITOS LA TROVA TROVA CASITAS LAMARAIKA MIO HOTELITO MARAIKA CASITAS HOTELITO MIO

PUERTO VALLARTA VALLARTA PUERTO

20 20

LAS ANIMAS LAS ANIMAS

17 17

XINALANI RETREAT RETREAT XINALANIQUIMIXTO QUIMIXTO

MAJAHUITAS MAJAHUITAS RESORT MAJAHUITAS MAJAHUITAS RESORT HOTEL LAGUNITA HOTEL LAGUNITA

3 3

21 21

16 16

AGUAY

11 11

DE DICIEMBRE 5 DE5DECIMBRE 5 DE DECIMBRE

OPPING OPPING ALERIAS VALLARTA ALMART/SAMS CLUB ALERIAS VALLARTA OSTCO ALMART/SAMS CLUB A ISLA OSTCO LAZA ISLACARACOL EGA/ LA COMER BUCERIAS AZA CARACOL ALMART NUEVOBUCERIAS VALLARTA EGA/ LA COMER ALMART NUEVO VALLARTA

12 12

CENTRO CENTRO

GOLFING GOLFING 1. PACIFICO GOLF COURSE BAHIA GOLF COURSE 1.2. PACIFICO GOLF COURSE LITIBUGOLF GOLFCOURSE COURSE 2.3. BAHIA FLAMINGOS COURSE 3.4. LITIBU GOLF GOLF COURSE EL TIGRE GOLF COURSE 4.5. FLAMINGOS GOLF COURSE & 7TIGRE VIDANTA 5.6. EL GOLF COURSE VALLARTA 6.8. &MARINA 7 VIDANTA VISTA VALLARTA 8.9. MARINA VALLARTA 9. VISTA VALLARTA

PALAPA MARACU PALAPA MARACUY

19 19

15 15

13 13

POINTS OF INTEREST POINTS INTEREST 1. TURTLEOF RESCUE CAMP WHALE OF A TALECAMP HOLE 1.2. TURTLE RESCUE PLAYA ESCONDIDO 2.3. WHALE OF A TALE HOLE KISSING BRIDGE 3.4. PLAYA ESCONDIDO EL CORABRIDGE CROCODILE SANCTUARY 4.5. KISSING PUERTO 5.6. EL CORA VALLARTA CROCODILESIGN SANCTUARY ESTERO VALLARTA EL SALADOSIGN 6.7. PUERTO PITILLALEL PLAZA 7.8. ESTERO SALADO 8. PITILLAL PLAZA

18 18

‘OLD TOWN’ ‘OLD TOWN’

9. 5 DE DEC. CEMETARY CERRO DE LA CRUZ 9.10.5 MIRADOR DE DEC. CEMETARY 11. MIRADOR MALECONCERRO DE LA CRUZ 10.

12.MALECON VIRGIN DE LA GUADALUPE CHURCH 11.

13. VIRGIN LOS ARCOS 12.

DE LAAMPITHEATRE GUADALUPE CHURCH 14. LOS ISLAARCOS CUALEAMPITHEATRE 13.

15. ISLA LAZARO CARDENAS PARK 14.

CUALE 15. LAZARO OLAS ALTAS FARMERS MARKET 15.

CARDENAS PARK 15. OLAS ALTAS FARMERS MARKET

16. HIDALGO PARK 17. HIDALGO THREE HENS MARKET 16.

PARK 18. THREE MARSOL MARKET 17.

HENS MARKET 19. MARSOL MUNICIPAL MARKET 18.

MARKET 20. MUNICIPAL EMILIANO ZAPATA 19.

MARKETMARKET 21. EMILIANO CUALE CULTRAL 20.

ZAPATACENTER MARKET 22. CUALE 5 DE DEC MARKET 21.

CULTRAL CENTER 23. 5HUANACAXLE MERCADO 22.

DE DEC MARKET 23. HUANACAXLE MERCADO

5 5

24. FOREVER SPRING MARKET 25. FOREVER BUCERIASSPRING ARTWALK 24.

MARKET 26. BUCERIAS RIVIERA FARMERS MARKET 25.

ARTWALK 27. RIVIERA MARINA FARMERS ARTISAN MARKET 26.

MARKET 28. MARINA MOVIE +ARTISAN PICNIC MARKET 27.

29. MOVIE RED CROSS 28. + PICNIC 30. RED LOS CROSS ARCOS NATIONAL PARK 29.

30. LOS ARCOS NATIONAL PARK

BANDERAS BAY SHOPPING AND SERVICES 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 - Thurs - Sat @10:30pm Watch all sports w 2 satellites.

Pool Table. Happy Hour Daily 3 to 6 pm.

2 x 1 Corona or Pacifico. 50 pesos Well Drinks.

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

Murphys Puerto Vallarta

LOTE IMELDA 15,558 square-feet $599,000 USD abulous lot with partial ocean views and easy road access.

Located in a neighborhood of magnificent villas between Boca de Tomatlán and Mismaloya, close to the landmark Los Arcos, it has direct access to public services. This 1,353 square-meter lot is already fenced; ideal to build an exclusive home or a larger project by acquiring neighboring lot Baltazar.

Contact information: BOARDWALK REALTY Office: 322 224 0014 / 322 223 0001 john@boardwalkrealtypv.com https://bit.ly/2mo6iOS

F

www.vallartatribune.com

www.vallartatribune.com

Find us at: Show Room @ SUCESOS BOUTIQUE Tuesday Market @ Nuevo Vallarta Thursday Market @ La Marina Vallarta Sunday Market @ La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

www.palmaleone.com

Tel. (322) 222 2675, (322) 222 5402, w Celular: 322 175 0412

LUNES-VIERNES: 9:00am - 7:00pm (Monday to Friday)

mundodeazulejos@hotmail.com www.talavera-tile.com

local voices

16

I Talk To Strangers

Robbie Sylvester Stokes, Jr.

strangernation@ittsfoundations.com

Robbie Sylvester Stokes, Jr. is the founder and executive director of I Talk To Strangers (ITTS), a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the United States and a global social movement that unites various ethnic, racial, political, and socio-economic groups through conversation.

Protecting Jaguars with Strangers

T

he jaguar is one of the most powerful symbols of Mexico’s majestic landscapes and the cultures who have inhabited them since time immemorial.

But their ranges are being encroached upon and severed at an unprecedented and alarming rate.

The species is currently in danger of extinction, at least locally, due to poaching, habitat destruction, and a decline in available prey. How can a stranger help?

Our NGO, I Talk To Strangers (ITTS), heard about the work of the Vallarta Botanical Garden in conjunction with their colleagues at Panthera México and Alianza Jaguar and reached out in hope of lending a hand in their efforts.

The response of the Vallarta Botanical Garden was nothing short of amazing! They invited ITTS staff and one of our student volunteers to accompany the Garden’s staff biologist, Leo Campos, in his monthly camera trap monitoring field work in the Garden’s vast and growing forest preserve.

Through the generous support of just a single member, the Garden was able to fund five state-of-the-art IBM custom-designed Panthera camera traps. For over a year, they’ve been experimenting with locations throughout their forest preserve with their camera traps in pursuit of the ultimate goal of capturing the elusive Panthera onca, known locally as “jaguar” or “el tigre.” This species is the king of the jungle in the Americas and serves the critical role of maintaining the balance between predators and prey, with ultimate influence over the very composition of our forests and the flow of our rivers. While yet awaiting the moment that their camera traps are awarded the premium prize of a much anticipated jaguar, they have

already captured several exciting images of fascinating wild animals including ocelots, deer, coatis (often called “tejones” locally), and raccoon. They also have dozens of other images of native birds and even bats, all helping build a better understanding of the composition and status of local ecology.

I Talk To Strangers Foundation sees the Vallarta Botanical Garden’s Camera Trap Program as a perfect way to engage volunteers, especially student volunteers, in meaningful work to document local wildlife and inform decisions regarding their conservation.

Our organization has the capacity to train, motivate, and

equip students with opportunities to join environmental efforts. Our campus-community curricula are based around our the concepts of hands-on approaches to science and humanitarian studies which we refer to collectively as “4C” (campus, community, corporate, culture). ITTS´s STEM-focused criteria (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) equips pupils to implement the latest technology to gain practical life development skills.

As ITTS pushes its’ mission through partnerships and collaborations with schools and NGO’s to train the next generation of global citizens, we see programs such as the Vallarta Botanical Garden’s work in camera trapping to be perfect opportunities for non-profits to tap in to the volunteer base within their community for mutual benefits of limitless potential.

With the aim of uniting strangers in positive dialogue and seeking to inspire innovative solutions that local youth can leverage to motivate and inspire them to reach their full potential, we hope to help create positive scenarios for the benefit of plants, animals, and humans— one person, one conversation, one stranger at a time!

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

local voices

17

Vanishing World Vanishing Home

John Warren

john3984@me.com

John Warren is in charge of publicity for the International Friendship Club in Puerto Vallarta (IFC). During the summer, he writes about traveling while also raising environmental awareness.

The Elephant in the Room

T

wo-hundred years ago, Russian novelist Ivan Krylov wrote a story about a man who goes to a museum and notices all sorts of tiny details but fails to notice an elephant also present. The story became a proverb.

“The elephant in the room,” is now used to describe problems or controversial issues that everyone knows about but no one wants to talk about because to do so would cause embarrassment, sadness or arguments. There are many examples of “impolite topics” that apply to situations within families or between friends…sex, politics, addiction, religion.

In this week of Climate Strikes and the U.N.’s meeting on how to keep the climate catastrophe to a manageable level, the one topic that seems to be missing from the demonstrations and discussions is that of the world’s population; its relentless increase and how it will impact us. Why is no one talking about it? The answer is that no one has a clue about how to stop it.

In June, the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations issued its “2019 World Population Prospects” report. The report makes

for fascinating reading to anyone interested in what the future holds for us, our children, and grandchildren.

As an example, Mexico’s population in 1960 was 38 million, now we have a population of 129 million; it is expected to peak at 157 million in 2065 and then decline to 141 million by the end of the century.

Life expectancy for a Mexican baby born in 1960 was 58 years, and that has improved to 75 years today, which is the good news.

The bad news is that older people rely heavily on government and employers’ pensions to keep body and soul together. They need young people to pay taxes and to make contributions to their pension plans. This is known as the “Old Age Dependency Ratio” and means the number of people aged 65 and older compared to 100 people in their “earning years”, aged between 20 and 64.

In Mexico, in 1960, there were 8 “old” people over 65, compared to 100 people in their earning years.

Now that number has increased to 13; by 2050 there will be 29 old people compared to 100 earners, and by 2100 the figure rises to 62!

Who is going to pay those pensions when for every 100 working people there are 62 pensioners?

In Canada and the USA, the number of “over 65s” compared

to wage earners is now about 29 to 100. By 2050 the number will have risen to 45 in Canada and 40 in the USA, and by the end of the century, there will be 56 pensioners in Canada per 100 earners and 54 in the USA. Kids born today, whether, in Mexico, Canada or the USA, are going to find very different conditions compared to the ones that many of our readers enjoy today.

The United Nations report < h tt p s : / / p o p u l a t i o n . u n . o rg / wpp/> includes interactive pages showing population by country, life expectancy, fertility, migration and more. I’ll provide you with just a few more.

The world’s total population was 2.5 billion in 1950, the start of the reporting period. Today, 70 years later, it is now 7.8 billion, and by 2100 will be 10.9 billion. That means that for every two people on the planet today there will be three by then.

Life expectancy has increased hugely, which is good for individuals but bad for Mother Earth. Worldwide, a person born in 1950 could expect to live until they were 51. Now, the average life expectancy is an astounding 73, and it is expected to be 82 by 2100. I have no idea how the demographers, who came up with that figure, factored in the support required for just water and food to keep10.9 billion people eating and drinking, 80 years from now. Hopeful forecasts indeed!

China tried to limit its population growth by initiating its “One Child Policy” in 1979 but, by 2015, it was abandoned. Some religions are still actively encouraging their flocks to have more children. Others limit their families to consume less of Earth’s finite resources.

We will not stop procreating, so we should, perhaps, introduce the elephant in the room. We must manage Earth’s resources so that future generations can survive.

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Starting over in Vallarta

Jennifer Mann

jenniferwriter@gmail.com

Jennifer Mann is a long-time business writer who has covered everything from the maker of Twinkies to Hallmark Cards who now makes her home in Puerto Vallarta.

Time

L

ong before I moved to Mexico, or dreamt of doing so, I read a book called “On Mexican Time.” It’s about a couple, a writer and an artist, who, like many, visited Mexico, fell in love, and ended up moving here.

The couple, on a whim, buys a charming but run-down hacienda in San Miguel de Allende and decide to bring it back to life. But they find as the days, weeks and months ensue, doing so amid the lánguido approach of craftsmen hired to chase their dream, becomes a bit, ahem, challenging.

It’s a concept all of us who love Mexico know – that nebulous idea of time here south of the border, which can mean different things, but generally, it merely means, “in due time…”

It might mean hoy (today; not likely), perhaps manaña (tomorrow; iffy), more likely la próxima semana (next week), or the week after next.

Or more likely, the next…

I was reminded of that concept shortly after I moved to Vallarta and set out to get a post office box. After all, I wasn’t going to let me living at the end of a dirt road, high in the hills over the city, deter me from getting my beloved copies of The New Yorker, which my voracious reader-of-a-mom first gave me when I was just seventeen.

She’s now ninety, and still, each year, she renews my subscription to The New Yorker, providing us delightful fodder for our weekly phone conversations.

With Pitillal as the closest neighborhood to me with Correos, I went there to find and secure my

buzón.

During the first visit we established that I wanted a postal box, and was told of the documents I would need to make that happen.

Upon the second visit, I brought my 400 pesos and the requested documents that included a copy of my passport, my actual passport, and a Comprobante de Domicilio – proof of address from my landlord.

Me, being a silly American, thought that, let’s call him Juan, would process my paperwork, give me a key to my post office box, and todo bien - we’d be done. Silly American!

Instead, without explanation (he spoke decent English, I speak broken, very broken Español), he told me to come back “next week”…

And so I did. When I went back for week three, he’d processed my paperwork, and then weirdly - to an American anyway - asked me which number I wanted. I shrugged and chose 13, seeing as how I was born on a Friday the 13th, and it’s always been my “number.”

Juan went over to check – and yep, number 13 was available. Ah, but it had no lock. So, he told me, come back “next week.”

By now, approaching week number four, I start to giggle and begin to understand what “Mexican time” means. I go back for the fourth week in a row – now the postmistress and other employees start to recognize me and give me lovely, heartfelt “holas” and it makes me feel like I’m becoming part of the community. But oops, Juan had forgotten to move a lock to box No. 13. He slaps his head, and says – you guessed it – come back “next week”…

local voices The Healing Power of Plants

Ricardo Mazcal

mazcalteotl@gmail.com

Ricardo is a fourth-generation herbalist from Nayarit and is available year-round at Marsol Friday Market by the Pier

Gut Health

M

odern life yields high-stress levels; we sleep less, eat processed foods, take antacids and antibiotics, which all damage our gut microbiome. Gut microbiome affects many aspects of our health such as the brain, heart, and immune systems, skin, weight, hormones, absorption of nutrients, and may develop into cancer and diabetes.

Processed foods and a high-sugar diet are ruthless for the gut - sugars decrease the number of good bacteria in your gut and cause increased sugar cravings, which further damages your gut.

High amounts of refined sugars have been linked to increased inflammation in the body - the originator of a significant number of diseases.

Sleep disorders: such as insomnia or poor sleep lead to chronic fatigue.

The body’s serotonin, the hormone that affects mood and sleep, is produced in the gut. Food intolerances: these are the result of having difficulty digesting certain foods, and are caused by the poor quality of bacteria in the gut. This can result in unpleasant symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Immune system: an unhealthy gut may increase systemic inflammation which can lead to autoimmune diseases where the body attacks itself rather than harmful invaders.

Skin problems: such as eczema can be related to a damaged gut.

Inflammation in the gut caused by a poor diet or food allergies may cause increased seeping of proteins into the body, which can, in turn, irritate the skin, and create conditions like eczema.

Upset stomach: a damaged gut can produce stomach gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn.

Uncontrolled body weight: gaining or losing weight without

making changes to your diet or exercise habits is a sign of an unhealthy gut. Imbalanced gut injures your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, regulate blood sugar, and store fat. Weight loss is caused by small intestinal bacteria; weight gain is caused by insulin resistance or the urge to overeat due to decreased nutrient absorption.

The gut microbiome has paramount importance to our health and is the link between the gut and the immune system.

It communicates our mood, mental health, autoimmune disease, endocrine disorders, skin conditions, and cancer.

What is the Gut Microbiome?

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic living things are referred to as microorganisms or microbes.

Trillions of these microbes exist mainly inside your intestines; those in your large intestine are called Cecum, and they are referred to as the gut microbiome.

Our digestive system is not a

simple one; it is quite complex, housing between 400 to 600 different species of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract with billions of microorganisms of different species living in the intestines.

Some organisms are harmful to our health; however, many are exceptionally beneficial and necessary for good health.

Make sure fiber starts at breakfast. Most traditional breakfast foods, like bacon and eggs, lack fiber. Integrate fiber into the first meal of your day by eating oatmeal or whole-grain cereal.

You can also add a piece of fruit and nuts to your regular fare or eat yogurt and live probiotics for breakfast. Diet and gut health are very closely linked. Avoid eating processed foods, high-fat foods, and those high in refined sugars.

These are extremely important to avoid as they destroy good bacteria and promote the growth of damaging bacteria.

There are several foods you can eat that actively promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, contributing to your overall health. They include: High-fiber foods such as amaranth, beans, bananas, chia, legumes, peas, oats, berries, asparagus, lentils, and leeks.

Garlic and onion have immune system enhancing properties which are closely tied to some of the primary functions of the gut. Black garlic and black garlic honey have abundant immune properties.

Fermented foods are excellent dietary sources of probiotics that benefit the gut microbiome: kvass, kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, tempeh, miso, kefir, and Mazmix herbal fermented drink.

Mazmix is a fermentation which provides the following: billions of probiotics, prebiotics, antibacterial compounds, and much more. Most fermented foods are single-source fermentations; Mazmix is a multiple-source fermentation from herbs moringa and organic chia.

Be healthy and be happy with the healing power of plants.

Biking Around Vallarta Ricardo Murrieta

ricardomurrieta@gmail.com

Ricardo Murrieta is the owner of Aequilibrium Bikes + in Puerto Vallarta’s Versalles neighborhood on Calle Vienna near its intersection with Francisco Villa. He’s also on the board of Vallarta En Bici, a local non-profit dedicated to promoting biking in and around Puerto Vallarta.

Tips for Biking Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón

B

iking Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón provides one with nearly two kilometers (over a mile) of incredibly scenic oceanfront riding on almost completely flat surfaces. Add to that entertaining people watching opportunities an incredible array of restaurants to stop at to relax or meet up with friends, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular bike rides for Vallartenses and our visitors from all over the world.

I’ll share a few tips for making the Malecón ride as enjoyable, and even more importantly, as safe as possible. Let’s start this pedal from Plaza Las Glorias in the Hotel Zone. Biking from here to the Muelle (pier) and back again is about 4 kilometers (two and a half miles).

For starts, let’s gear up properly.

Mountain bikers can be especially unprepared for easy rides like this if they don’t take them seriously. Just because there are no boulders and death-defying descents doesn’t mean they are to be taken lightly.

Anytime cars can be found along your ride, there are great inherent risks for bikers. So, as a minimum, wear a helmet and make you’re your bicycle is outfitted with standard

reflectors. Reflective clothing and LED lighting on your bike go a long way to make you more visible and therefore safer.

An essential piece of equipment for a Malecón ride is a bell or other noisemaking devise (the louder, the better!). Even though much of the ride outlined here has designated bike lanes, pedestrians often disregard them and they can be unpredictable in their movements. Ringing a bell when a approaching pedestrians can draw attention to your intent to continue along the bike lane and gives them a chance to either move out of the way, or at least not move into your way. At any rate, be sure to slow down sufficiently to break or turn away from the sometimes erratic movements of pedestrians. Young children are especially prone to sudden rapid changes in direction and are also most vulnerable.

Dogs on long leashes can create additional hazards with trip lines that can can stretch the entire width of a sidewalk.

Some countries strictly enforce the rules respecting bike lanes.

Here in Mexico, it’s better for us bikers to think of bike lanes as tools for helping us share public spaces with other non-motorized users.

The other option is for us to use the roads, but it is usually safer to avoid them as much as possible.

Enough with preliminaries,

Photos by Ulises Delgado

18

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

local voices Life in the Slow Lane

19

Kelly Wilson

mybucerias404@gmail.com

Upon retiring in Ontario, Kelly and her husband finally arrived in Puerto Vallarta—via a one-way ticket during the summer of 2017—where they now call Bucerias home. As avid adventurers, they enjoy exploring the entire Banderas Bay area. Kelly owns an online career coaching business and spends time volunteering for various local organizations.

Tips for Biking Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón, continued let’s start our ride! Heading south from Plaza Las Glorias in the Hotel Zone there are many wide sidewalks smooth sidewalks, but a few of the street crossings can be tricky, especially after rains that can channel water and debris to these areas, so use caution. Pay special attention to traffic turning from Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio (Highway 200) and onto it from the side streets. Even if you cross from sidewalk to sidewalk, as a biker you are still expected to observe the indications of the traffic lights.

Shortly after passing by some empty beachfront lots used throughout the year for tournaments and performances, you will cross Calle San Salvador after which a bike lane begins. If you notice the bike lane blocked by taxis, delivery trucks, or other vehicles, it sometimes becomes necessary to steer aside adjusting your velocity appropriately and always giving pedestrians the right of way.

The following street is Calle Nicaragua and a right turn here provides the option of a parallel route along Calle Paraguay, or you can continue along the marked bike route following what is still the Highway 200, but designated along this stretch as Avenida México.

After passing by Parque Hidalgo you then cross Calle Jesús Langarica and the bike lanes disappear for one block before the start of the Malecón. Since the sidewalk is very narrow in this section and often crowded with people, you may need to bicycle along the cobblestone street (Paseo Díaz Ordaz), but be careful of the traffic pulling in and out and double parked taxis.

Finally, you’ve arrived to the Malecón and are back on a bike lane. The bike lane then continues

until a curve near El Faro (the lighthouse). Beyond this curve, there is no longer a designated bike lane by you may continue pedaling as long as you exercise caution as described above.

Upon passing Parque Lázaro Cárdenas a sidewalk to the right continues a paved public pedestrian way all the way to the Muelle, but it is quite narrow and normally too crowed for a bicycle to pedal along without dismounting.

This is another instance where continuing along the road is usually the better option. Three blocks along this road, Olas Altas, takes you to the intersection with Francisca Rodríguez. A right turn here takes you down a traffic-free street to the Muelle which you can continue pedaling down for some great photo ops with your iron steed (or aluminum, carbon fiber…).

When returning back along this route, there are two important things to keep in mind: 1.) Many drivers don’t look to their right when pulling out onto the main street.

2.) You won’t be able to see the traffic lights in this direction. Plan accordingly.

Are you an avid biker looking for an adventure this fall? Then mark your calendars for the weekend of November 16 and 17 for the annual Puerto Vallarta to San Sebastián Challenge—a 70 kilometer route climbing from our coast up to a Pueblo Mágico of nearly 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) in elevation. Register today: www. aequilibriumbikes.com.mx. If you don’t feel quite in shape for that much of a climb, now just might be time to buy an e-bike or install a conversion kit!

Remember: keep Puerto Vallarta safe and friendly by always sharing the road with care and looking out for bicycles.

Bahía de Banderas Brewery

A

aron Diaz is a man driven by passion.

When he was twenty, Aaron visited a friend in Colorado, who took him to a small brewery. He sampled his first craft beer and knew then and there he would one day brew and sell his own artisanal beer. After years of working hard, scraping and saving to fund his dream, and learning and experimenting with the intricacies of the brewing process, it has come to fruition. Bahía de Banderas Brewery will open its doors to the public at 4:00pm on Thursday, October 3.

You may know Aaron from Tacos on the Street in La Cruz. His family has owned and operated that business for the past twenty-six years. His father, in teaching a valuable life lesson, saved all of young Aaron’s tips from working at the family restaurant. Aaron became a property owner in Bucerias at the age of thirteen. “I hated it. Who wants to own land at thirteen years old? I wanted to hang out with my friends, go to the movies, you know? I thank him for it now.”

Aaron describes his first beer flight experience, with his friend in Fort Collins, Colorado as so, “I wasn’t much of a drinker. That beer actually tastes good, smells good, has different notes. You can smell the hops. I was amazed at the process. This is what I want to do when I grow up.” He stayed in Colorado, applied for a work permit and took steps toward fulfilling his plan. For income, he built a food stand. “I did what I knew how to do.

I sold tacos.”

Aaron then bought the equipment to start brewing batches, and turned his friend’s garage into a brewing area. For four years, Aaron took weekend

courses, “whenever I could afford.”

He learned how to grow yeast in Petri dishes, and about the German Beer Purity Law, a decree that allows for only hops, barley, water and yeast as true beer ingredients.

On every day off he would brew a different kind of beer. “Sometimes it was real bad. I had to throw out entire batches. But sometimes it was good. I just had to learn.”

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Winter in western USA is too chilly to sell street tacos, so Aaron would always come back here to help his parents with the restaurant during the busy season. Of his property in Bucerias, he says, “Every winter I came here it was all weeds and big, tall grass. I poured myself a piece of concrete right here”, he points out a spot on the current brewery floor, “and put up a tent, continuing to brew beer as practice, always planning on opening a brewery here.”

During one of those winters, Aaron met his wife, Jennah, who will look after the food at the brewery and their three small children.

“When I was ready to start working on my brewery, I sold my business in Colorado and we moved back here full time. It’s taken me three years to prepare the site and build the brewery, doing everything myself, without investors.”

Aaron gave me a crash course on the process of making different beers. As he moved among the apparatus with an awe inspiring energy, his enthusiasm was contagious. The Bahía de Banderas Brewery will offer five beers; golden ale; blond ale; pale ale; IPA; and stout, eventually introducing new beers. “Maybe a wheat beer or a Belgian. I love making beer almost as much as I love my kids. If I could make and sell beer every day, I’d be a happy man”. Stop in. You, too, will be amazed.

Find the Bahía de Banderas Brewery on Google or Facebook.

entertainment

20

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Music Across the World

Christie Seeley

vallartasounds.com

From Oakland, California to Puerto Vallarta…lured by music of guitars and sounds of the sea.

Django and Paris Part II

I

’ve just enjoyed a trip I’ve been looking forward to for some time, visiting some of the most significant places in France where Django Reinhardt, father of jazz manouche, lived, played and created his incredibly beautiful music. A trip of this nature runs the risk of falling short of one’s expectations. For that reason, I decided to have none. I hoped to absorb feelings but did not expect to experience real personal encounters.

My first evening in Paris changed everything. Looking through listings on a jazz site I use, a name popped out—Simba Baumgartner playing Jazz manouche at a club on the left bank of the Seine called Monk at the Taverne de Cluny. At first I thought it a coincidence but soon learned he indeed was the great grandson of Django Reinhardt, grandson of Lousson Baumgartner, Django and his first wife Bella’s son. Bella had remarried and he took the name of her husband. My daughter, who was visiting from California, headed over with me for a marvelous evening of music in a lively atmosphere.

Simba and his trio were wonderful. Monk at the Taverne

de Cluny is an intimate venue and much of the music the trio played was from Simba’s new CD, which while faithful to Django, was infused with Simba’s own creative embellishments. All the musicians were top notch! In Paris I was able to catch many great shows but none impressed me more than what I experienced this evening due both to the superb talent of these musicians and them fulfilling the purpose of my trip.

After a visit to Nice, where Django played throughout the years and participated in the very first Nice Jazz Festival in 1948, I came to Samois Sur Seine, the last home and final resting place of Django. I knew they held a grand festival each year in Django’s honor but doubted I would see anyone connected with his life as he passed away in 1953.

On my first walk from my Airbnb down to the Seine, I spotted a plaque on a house and discovered it was Django’s former home. When a gentleman appeared from within, dog in tow, a gentleman with his dog and we started a conversation.

Informed of my mission he offered to show me the house. The man was the grandson of Django’s great friend in Samois sur Seine, Fernand Loisy. The family owned

the home and also the bar/café, Chez Fernand, where Django took his tea in the morning before fishing and then often winding out days playing billiards with neighbors. My new acquaintance, Raynard, told me of their friendship and I learned Chez Fernand had since changed hands but his family owned a very special Italian Restaurant next door called Le K. Django’s home had gone through some changes but it was impressive to stand in the rooms he and his family had occupied just steps from the river where he fished and a block from where he spent his leisure hours.

On my second day in Samois I took a walk early in the morning to the old cemetery to pay my respects

to Django. It took me awhile to locate his tomb, but once there, there was no question. I was surprised that so many members of the family were buried in the same tomb where their names were also inscribed. Various groups had decorated it with lovely memoirs of Django and his music but what most moved me were two guitar pics placed on the tombstone.

I wished I had something significant to leave him but hoped my fondness and admiration would suffice.

That evening I wandered down to the river again hoping to have a glass of wine at the restaurant that had once been Chez Fernand, now owned by a young man named Pierre. Pierre’s place was beautiful and the original bar was still there

giving a feeling of how it must have been in Django’s days. A fire burned in an oversized fireplace and the tables were immaculately set with beautiful old china and crystal. I decided to stay and enjoy the fresh fish the restaurant was known for. The cod was the best I have ever sampled and the view of the Seine was peaceful and thought provoking. At every turn this town becomes more magical to me.

I will return to California in a couple of days and soon be back in Puerto Vallarta where a friend and I are working diligently on an upcoming project we hope will become a thriller. Stay tuned!

For updates, please visit my website: <vallartasounds.com>.

entertainment Live Music Calendar

21

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

This list features bars and restaurants that may have live music and ongoing acts. We do not take responsibility for misinformation. Listings are published free of charge but are subject to space availability.

Email editor@vallartatribune.com to update or add your listings.

VALLARTA

Wed: Tequila Rush 8 - 11 pm Thur: 3Tones 8 - 11 pm Fri: Dr. Groove 8 - 11 pm Sat: Soul Trip 8 - 11 pm

Aloha Bar (Plaza Parabien #16) Thur: Dr. Groove 10 pm BabelBar (Aquiles Serdán 437, Isla del Cuale) Every Sunday in September at 1 pm Captain Don’s (Honduras 126) Fri: Tequila Rush 8 - 11 pm Sat: Da Crew 8 - 11 pm Chasers Sports Bar (Avenida Mexico 570A) Fri: Gecko Band 8 - 11 pm El Oasis de Holi (River mouth by La Isla Mall) Sat: Dr. Groove 6 pm Kelly’s Pour Favor Saloon and Cookhouse (Lazaro Cardenas 245) Mon: Hoochie Coochie Men 8 - 11 pm

Murphy’s Irish Pub (484 Morelos, Malecon) Fri: Adriana and the Freaks 10 pm Sat: Adriana and the Freaks 10 pm Que/Pasa (625 Aquiles Serdan) Tues: The Change at 7-10 pm Sun: Sylvie&The Zippers 7 - 10 pm

NUEVO VALLARTA Eddies (Boulevard Nayarit 70) Weekly - Live music 6:30 - 9:30 pm

BUCERIAS Drunken Duck(Avenida Mexico, Centro | Bucerias) Wed: The Gecko Band 9 pm Sun: The Gecko Band 5pm

Roxy Rockhouse (Ignacio L Vallarta 275) Nightly music after 11 pm with the house band

LA CRUZ Ana Bananas (Tiburón #42 | La Cruz) Sun: Live Music 7 pm OSO’s Oyster Bar ( La Cruz Marina) Sat: The Remedy 7 pm Britannia (Coral, La Cruz) Tues: Open mic with The Turn 7pm

SAYULITA & SAN PANCHO

Starwings (Avenida Fluvial 223) Wed: Black Mamba 9 pm

Don Pato (Marlin 12, Sayulita) Live music nightly

View these listings and more online at www.vallartatribune.com/eventos/live-music-calendar/

Come get wet!! Join us on our SPCA River-Walks!

T

o bring some fun to our shelter dogs and have them experience something different than just the sanctuary and the area around it where we usually take them for walks, we have started River–Walks! Every Sunday, we load our van full with dogs, and drive up to El Nogalito, 15-minutes south of downtown Vallarta, and take the pooches for a pleasant two-hour walk along and through the river. We usually have two or three staff members and can take up to ten dogs in the van, but that means we also need a handful of volunteers who can help us walk them, one dog per walker. It is so much fun for the dogs and really a joy to see them there. We are looking for volunteers who can help us, if you have any Sunday available, email

us and we can sign you up. Best if you have a car, or you can just take a taxi or Uber to El Nogalito and meet us there. You do need to be quite fit since we will walk in the water, over rocks - just be prepared to get wet from your shoes to your shirt! The river is refreshing, and there is always Nogalito restaurant at the end of the hike if you want to stay for lunch or a cold beer! Email us at spcapv@gmail.com to join any of the upcoming Sundays! Our dogs say thank you!!

Upcoming Events September 26 – October 04 San Francisco (San Pancho) Patron Saint Days Fairs, dances and jamborees with a special twist are a specialty in the charming village of San Pancho. These festivities honour San Francisco, also known as San Pancho, and are a very Mexican tradition.

September 27 Carlos Rivera in Vallarta 8 pm Mexican pop singer Carlos Rivera will present a concert at the city’s Convention Center. With a huge following throughout Latin America, Rivera rose to fame by winning the third generation of La Academia, a reality television singing competition produced by TV Azteca, has released four studio albums and participated in six theatre productions. Details at facebook. com/events/1552558258212321.

Adorable Dog in the Spotlight: MOSES

W

e just love this guy’s black patch! Moses is just a cutie. He is an Australian Cattle Dog mix, 11-months old, and weighs 48 pounds. This playful guy gets along well with other dogs and is joyful and loves any attention he can get from his humans. Moses has

spent almost all his life at our shelter, so he will need someone to be patient with him during the transition period to living in a home environment. Moses has been neutered, dewormed, and vaccinated. We are looking for the most perfect home for this guy and are accepting applications at spcapv@gmail.com.

September 28 – 29 Riviera Fest 7th annual exhibition of VW cars organized by the ANCVM (National Association of Volkswagen Clubs of Mexico). Music, food, pop-up market and more details found at www.facebook.com/Rivierafest/ September 29 – October 03 11° Vallarta – Nayarit Gastronómica This is a gourmet week where professionals and lovers of gastronomy can come together to enjoy different events in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit.

There will be workshops, pairings, tastings, dinners and special events for academia, culinary professionals and the most demanding foodies. vallartanayaritgastronomica.com/ October 2-3 Mexican Pacific League Baseball Exhibition Baseball fans will be thrilled with the return of the two day event featuring the best teams in the Mexican

Pacific League to be held at the Augustin Flores Contreras Stadium in Puerto Vallarta’s downtown.

Tickets to go on sale shortly.

November 14-17 American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf For the ninth consecutive year, the ultra luxury residential community of Punta Mita, will host the American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf, one of the most sophisticated culinary and golf events in the country.

The American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf will feature international guests such as Craig “The walrus” Stadler and Lorena Ochoa, two golf legends.

Nayarit treasure and Chef Betty Vázquez and Antonio de Livier, founder and creator of the annual Pacific Cooks, as well 20 other nationally and internationally recognized chefs will create unique meals through the event as well as host cooking classes and more.

22

games

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Palos Sculpture Studio Open House Anglican Church Puerto Vallarta

Iglesia Anglicana Puerto Vallarta

Worldwide Anglican Communion Anglican Church in North America

DO YOU REALLY NEED

THAT STRAW?

Wednesday, October 16, 6 – 10pm, 2019 1039 Brasil, entre Argentina y Venezuela Colonia 5 de Diciembre, Puerto Vallarta www. palosstudio.net

Email: palosstudiopv@gmail.com

Palos Studio and Casa Alexandra

2nd Annual Reader’s Choice Awards

1000’s of votes for the

IF YOU DON’T NEED THAT STRAW, THEN THE NEXT ‘best of everything’ TIME YOU ORDER A DRINK SAY in Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Sin popote, por favor!

Bay and Riviera Nayarit

Best

Restaurants

Best Hotels

Best Salon

Best

Dentist

Best

Happy Hour

All the results are now online at: www.vallartatribune.com/best-of-banderas-bay-2019/

Looking out over the waters of Puerto Vallarta, Palos Studio at Casa Alexandria is an arts destination designed to inspire and enable your creativity. Palos Studios offers year-round classes for beginners and accomplished artists to build their work in paradise.

Master Sculptor Manuel Palos honed the ancient skill of stone carving and sculpture by living and studying in Italy and now holds workshops and retreats for others to learn first- hand the philosophy and practice behind these ancient art forms.

Manuel will be teaching a sculpture workshop that will begin on October 6 -18 with students from the USA and Puerto Vallarta. His daughter Alejandra Palos also a sculptor, coordinates and hosts all of the workshops and will be available to answer any of your questions about the program.

During the Open House the public will have an opportunity to meet Master Sculptor Manuel Palos, along with other guest artists and students, tour the studio, guest house, and participate in the unveiling of the mosaic mural by artist Nancy Page.

In addition to his work, Manuel also has an Architectural, Ornamental and Custom sculpture company and also teaches stone carving in his San Francisco studio.

To learn more please visit: www.manuelpalos.com www.palosstudio.net Email: palosstudiopv@gmail.com Whatsapp: 01 510 472-6604