Vallarta Tribune Digital 012 by Vallarta Tribune

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020 Year 01 Online Issue 012

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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

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Welcome

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

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

CALLING IN MEXICO

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.

Sept. 21 - 27, 2020 Year 01 Online Issue 002

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GU ID E

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

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Teléfono: (322) 226 3870 Proa #111, Marina Vallarta, C.P. 48335. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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.

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

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT: 322.223.9476 AMBULANCE: 322.222.1533 IMMIGRATION: 322.224.7719 CONSUMER PROTECTION: 01.800.468.8722

Emergencies: 911 Red Cross: 065

The 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

TOURISM OFFICES Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006 CONSULATES American Consulate 24 hrs 01-332-268-2100 Canadian Consulate 322.293.0098 322.293.0099 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

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. * www.vallartatribune.com * www.facebook.com/VtaTribune/

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Local Voices

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Through the Lens

Matt Werter

www.nomadfamilyphotogroup.com

Matt Werter and his wife Ashley Werter teach workshops and private photography lessons in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and abroad through their business, Nomad Family Photo Group. Resident and visiting photographers looking to improve their skills, try new techniques, and engage with other like-minded shutterbugs are encouraged to reach out to them at www.nomadfamilyphotogroup.com.

Amazing Culinary Experience

ining and date nights in the era of Covid-19! So much has changed this year in how we do everything including a simple night out. No longer is it just a case of what you want to eat, but what is going to be safe and reliable. My wife and I rarely have date nights with our young child at home but recently we found ourselves searching for the perfect evening getaway. Our research quickly and overwhelmingly led us to Trattoria Di Nuovo located in Zona Romántica. Trattoria Di Nuovo offers open air dining that veils a beautiful and well-thought-out decor in a way that really makes the place come alive. With palm trees and lush foliage, you maintain the feeling of being in a tropical location; however, the lighting and artwork are classic Italian fine dining with pictures of vintage staple Italian products. There are also black and white photos of people with massive twirls of spaghetti, including Joe DiMaggio which, as a New Yorker, I can definitely appreciate. To add to this scene, the music in Trattoria Di Nuovo is always enjoyable, simultaneously creating feelings of happy tranquility mixed with some nostalgia. Taken all together, it creates the perfect environment for a romantic night out or a group event with lots of laughter and, of course, plenty of vino. And we discovered that they have events where they serve a 3-course meal focusing on the food of a specific region of Italy so we are looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about Italy as we eat our delicious food. For many of us, all it took was one foot in Vallarta to fall in love. It was no different for the owner of Trattoria Di Nuovo. Noemi recalls telling her parents as a child vacationing from Michoacán that one day she too would live in Vallarta. Lucky for all of us, that little girl was right. Noemi moved to PV after graduating university and found her paradise. In her travels she discovered Spain and Italy, founding and shaping her love of

Italian cuisine. Her time working for Italian restaurants in Ibiza taught her the arts and responsibilities of running a business and she began dreaming once again, this time of bringing Italy to Puerto Vallarta. Noemi runs the restaurant with her brother, and the feeling of family is present as the entire staff are so friendly and welcoming. She attributes her success to the love and support of her own family. After 10 years, they are still offering the same stellar Italian gastronomic experience and, unsurprisingly, Noemi’s passion for what she does trickles into every aspect of the business. You can feel her determination to give the best possible experience through her friendly employees, the perfect ambiance and the fantastic music that Noemi carefully selects to suit the appropriate mood. And though she is proud and passionate about the food that she serves, I’m sure she would be the first to admit that it is extremely difficult to compete with her mother’s home cooking. Now, as I already mentioned, I’m a New Yorker. I was born in Queens and raised just outside of the city. I can trace my family back all the way to my great-greatgrandparents who emigrated from Eastern Europe to Manhattan in the late 1800s. I have plenty of Italian family, including a 100% Italian grandmother. Basically,what I’m getting at is I know good Italian food because I’ve been eating gourmet Italian food all my life and I have to say that Trattoria Di Nuovo knows how to make some incredible Italian food. You can tell that the pasta that is used is fresh and it is always cooked to an al dente perfection. My wife and I have

had several dishes here and have never been disappointed: my favorite is the linguini with clams and my wife is partial to the vegetarian lasagna. The dishes are always well-seasoned and have plenty of flavor. The cream sauces are rich, the tomato sauces are aromatic and flavorful, and the white wine sauces are light and compliment the seafood dishes well. Trattoria Di Nuovo has plenty of delicious wines to suit any palate. What else is there to say about the food? Dessert! The desserts here are

delicious and worth making a little extra room to accommodate them. And if you are lucky enough to be a guest for a special occasion, be sure to let your server know; you will not regret it. So if you are craving a romantic night out with your significant other or looking to meet with some friends and have a decadent and fun experience with delicious food and plenty of excellent wine, Trattoria Di Nuovo is a must try! Thank you Noemi for never failing to provide an all-around amazing culinary experience..

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Local Voices

• Edhuardo Sevilla thanked the opportunities for art creators to continue in difficult times.

fter the awarding of the mural contest “We are Water” carried out by the Municipal Government of Puerto Vallarta through SEAPAL and the Instituto Vallartense de Cultura, the creators expressed their pleasure for the opening of this space of expression in the municipality and their contribution to the Culture of Water. Adrián Téllez, an architect by profession, assured that with this call they have the opportunity to promote the care of water through art, pointing out that his idea was to capture water as a vital element that gives life to all living beings in its environment. Alex Páramo, a local artist, stated that it is a didactic and social dynamic that

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Seapal Vallarta Project and the IVC

Artists are grateful for the expression space “Somos Agua” contributes culturally and recovers special importance in times of uncertainty. About his work, he explained that it is a water mandala, which represents natural resources and an infinite cycle that is transformed or improved over time. Alán César “Arkano”, showed his appreciation for the opportunity to show his talent, in a space of great attendance and very visible, in addition to supporting them with the material. He indicated that

his work talks about the great biodiversity that we have in Puerto Vallarta, which stands out at the national level, therefore in his representation the tones of fresh and salt water stand out. The graphic designer Celeste Navarro, coinciding with the promotion of the water culture contest, said that her proposal expresses the importance of the liquid as a vital element, representing a metaphor of the mother water that creates life, for which

she used a palette of vivid colors, capturing typical animals of the region. Finally, Edhuardo Sevilla, stressed that in difficult times the opportunities for creators continue, in addition to the financial support that it represented. She said that her work expresses that “we are connected through water by means of a thread that connects everything, as it is the main source of food and life on the planet.”

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

SEAPAL Vallarta and the Vallarta Institute of Culture

Winners of the mural contest “Somos Agua” are awarded • The five winning works are reflected in the perimeter of the North I Treatment Plant.

or their originality, creativity and message, the winners of the “We are Water” Mural contest were recognized and awarded, in a simple and emotional ceremony led by the director of SEAPAL Vallarta, Santiago de Jesús Centeno Ulín and by the head of the Vallarta Institute of Culture, Marina de los Santos Álvarez. The director of SEAPAL thanked the artists and creators of urban art who participated by submitting their proposal and congratulated the winners for their contribution in the tasks of raising awareness of water care, in addition to beautifying the urban environment through their talent. He emphasized the importance in his management of continuing to extend the promotion of the Culture of Water to all sectors of the population, given the supply challenges that Puerto Vallarta faces in the coming years. For her part, Marina de los Santos, head of the IVC, highlighted the quality of the local talent that was revealed and thanked the artistic community for their trust in strengthening this space for expression. He stressed that it is important to continue providing this type of murals, color and art to the city, in the walls that can be used, in a job -in this case- to try to raise awareness in the responsible use of the vital liquid. The recognized artists and their proposals are: Alex Páramo with “Mándala

de agua”; Alán César “Arkano”, “The water another universe”; Celeste Navarro, “I am water that nourishes life”; Héctor Téllez, “We are water, we are life” and Edhuardo Sevilla, “Continuous water”; who also received an economic stimulus, as stipulated in the call. The ideas and vision of the artists are reflected in the perimeter fence of the North I Treatment Plant, located on Las Palmas avenue at its junction with México avenue, a point of great influx for the exhibition of these works. It should be noted that the Judging Committee was made up of Ada Colorina, Marcela De Niz Villaseñor and Misael Iván López Martínez, prominent members of the artistic community, who were in charge of selecting proposals.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

About to finish the tunnel from San QuintĂn to the Cruz de Huanacaxtle

t is only a matter of days before the 1,200-meter-long tunnel in San QuintĂn a la Cruz de Huanacaxtle is finished. Those in charge of the work stated that they were many months of work, meter by meter to be

able to drill 1,200 meters of solid rock at the point of bars and the help of special explosives. According to construction workers, they pointed out that it is only a matter of days to finish the tunnel in its first phase, there is

still a need to carry out the complementary work, such as lighting, fixing entrances and exits, placing the pavement and signs, fire fighting equipment, among others. . Another part of the new highway that is

also in process is the installation of elevated bridges to make the crossing at this point at kilometer 135, to get from the East point to the west point and connect with the new tunnel.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

For a safe, sustainable and sustainable tourism

ighth Blue Flag Award for the Nuevo Vallarta beach and Fifth Award for the Riviera Nayarit Marina in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, by Anthia Viloria Gómez Lastiri, Senior Officer of the Fundación para la Educación Ambiental México, in the presence of the Secretary of Tourism of Nayarit, Antonio Riojas. The mayor of Bahia de Banderas stressed that with responsibility and love for this land, we are changing the way we communicate with nature, “when we see these flags waving at the top of each beach, it means that the work of each of the citizens, tourists and public officials, it has paid off, and the time, dedication and effort have paid off. But it also highlights that during the pandemic we did not lower our guard, we worked intensely and prepared ourselves to promote our commitment to our economic engine and therefore to the present and future for Bahía de Banderas and Nayarit. The economic reactivation taking care of your health continues.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Eighth Blue Flag Award for the Nuevo Vallarta beach and Fifth Award for the Riviera Nayarit Marina in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Diego Maradona dies at 60 Diego Armando Maradona died this Wednesday, November 25, at the age of 60, at his home in the town of Tigre, in the San AndrĂŠs neighborhood, as confirmed by various media in Argentina.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Singer Flor Silvestre dies at 90 This Wednesday 25th the death of the actress and singer Flor Silvestre, at the age of 90, was announced. According to information released by Televisa, "Fatigue stopped her heart surrounded by her children and grandchildren." Her death occurred in Zacatecas, at her El Soyate ranch.

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Puerto Vallarta continues with firm steps in its tourist recovery -Before the winter season, this beach destination receives more tourists, without exceeding the limit set by state authorities

rior to the winter season, the solid tourism growth that Puerto Vallarta has had is notable, which according to various studies on tourism trends, leads the recovery at the national level of beach destinations in Mexico, by generating confidence among visitors and expectations of trips that will take place during the next weeks. Data from Grupo Aeroportuario del PacĂfico indicate that Puerto Vallarta has received 289,100 passengers -national and international- by air from June to October, after the reopening in the destination of most of the activities that it offers to its visitors, such as beaches, tours tourist attractions and the renowned mountain and sea natural attractions. The same source reports that from June to October the number of flights -national and international- has not stopped growing, going from 322 in June to 1,006 in October, and for November it is expected to close with 1,323 frequencies. Meanwhile, hotel occupancy continues

to grow: in September it was 30 percent and in October it was 40 percent; the expectation for November is to reach 45 percent of the monthly closing, given that the weekends of the month are already above 40 percent; particularly, the last bridge of the year, and a great weekend of Thanksgiving (November 26-29) is expected, in which thousands of Americans seek a warm refuge to celebrate. TEAMWORK The recovery is undoubtedly the result of teamwork between state authorities and the tourism sector; the state government has implemented a meticulous management of the pandemic, and therefore Jalisco is a leader in the economic reactivation of all sectors, including tourism. This beach destination continues to take firm steps towards its reactivation, since the vision that has been had is of 360 degrees from the hand of the hotel industry, with constant and punctual actions of promotion, advertising, marketing, public relations and digital strategy, With a clear slogan,

promote a responsible recovery, following the guidelines set by the state government, said Luis VillaseĂąor, interim director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Promotion and Advertising Trust. The manager stressed that the destination is a leader in promotional actions; As an example, specific visits were recently made to potential markets in the BajĂo and the Northwest. Work has been constant in conducting trainings with webinars aimed at travel consultants; public relations actions have been carried out that have generated 1,199 notes for a value of more than $ 128 million pesos; marketing campaigns are maintained with national and international partners; Added to this is the Revive Puerto Vallarta digital campaign that keeps us current on social networks. SPECIFIC ACTIONS From April to date, 49 activities have been carried out aimed at the United States market, among which are training

(webinars), live events, conferences and virtual tradeshows with important commercial partners such as Apple Leisure Group, Costco Vacations, Expedia, Vax Vacations, Classic Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, American Airlines Vacations, Delta Vacations, RCI, Volaris, Aeromexico, Volaris, ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) and AFWPI (Association for Wedding Planners International) The previous activities have been aimed at different segments, in addition to leisure such as romance, golf, MICE, adventure and wellness, which adds up to a total of 4,712 travel consultants trained to date. It is important to mention the recent familiarization trip with ALG (Apple Leisure Group), which received travel agents from different parts of the Midwest and Western United States. With these actions, the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Promotion and Advertising Trust promotes economic recovery that has the health of the population and visitors as its central axis.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020 News 20 The Eighth Naval Zone Commemorates The “Day Of The Mexico Navy” And Recognizes The Naval Health Personnel In The Framework Of The Marina Covid-19 Plan

uerto Vallarta, Jalisco. - The Secretariat of the Navy informs through the Eighth Naval Zone, that today the Commemorative Ceremony to the "Day of the Mexican Navy" was held, where the Naval Health personnel who actively participate in the framework of the COVID Marine Plan were recognized. 19, in support of the civilian population affected by the health emergency in our country. During this act, Vice Admiral José Manuel Pomares Contreras Commander of the Eighth Naval Zone, was accompanied by naval authorities. In this Commemorative Ceremony to the "Day of the Mexican Navy", a special recognition was made to the elements of Naval Health, who during these months of contingency, have shown signs of being exemplary sailors, who know Honor, Duty, Loyalty and Patriotism, serve the nation, with the objective of saving lives, committing all available resources for this purpose. It is noteworthy that the Naval Health personnel have solid professional naval training and training to provide quality medical care, which allows maintaining the health of the personnel and their beneficiaries, as well as the population that requires it, in this case with the implementation of the COVID-19 Marine Plan, adding to the effort made by the Government of Mexico to care for patients affected by the pandemic. Likewise, on this significant date, the Mexican Navy Secretariat proudly recalls that on November 23, 1825, the Independence of Mexico was consolidated at sea when, after lowering their flag, the Spanish abandoned the San Juan Fortress. de Ulúa and once the Mexican forces took possession of it, the national flag was raised accompanied by a salvo of honor, thanks to the courage of the Captain Pedro Sainz de Baranda y Borreyro and his sailors, showing an unbreakable commitment to our nation.

195 years after such noble deeds, another anniversary of the Navy is celebrated, an Institution that was born to serve Mexico with naval sailors who give their best effort to ensure national sovereignty, at Sea, in the Air and on Earth. . -HONOR, DUTY, LOYALTY, PATRIOTISM-

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Cartonero book presented at CEINJURE Puerto Vallarta

he General Director of Prevention and Social Reintegration of the State of Jalisco, Mtro. José Antonio Pérez Juárez, led the presentation of the cardboard book "Soñar awake", written and edited by 16 women deprived of liberty from CEINJURE Costa Norte, through cardboard workshops coordinated by the Jalisco writers and editors Sergio Fong Gollaz and Israel Soberanes. The ceremony, in which the prison authorities also inaugurated a gym and delivered four new guitars to the female population, was attended by Lic. José Adolfo López Solorio, Regional Coordinator of Social Assistance of the State, and Lic. Marina de los Santos Álvarez, Director of the Vallarta Institute of Culture –who delivered 60 books as a donation-, on behalf of the Municipal President of Puerto Vallarta, Arturo Dávalos Peña. Also present were Lic. Paula Celina Lomelí Ramírez, Director of the Puerto Vallarta DIF System; Lic. Susana Rodríguez Mejía. Director of Beach Tourism of the Secretary of Tourism of the State of Jalisco;

local businessman, judges, Lic. Juan Manuel Murillo Vega, Regional Delegate of the State Attorney's Office in Puerto Vallarta; and the MPF, Carlos Fernando Fernández Ortiz, head of the Attention and Retention Agency of the Attorney General's Office. Accompanied by Jorge Eduardo Díaz Santana Vázquez, director of CEINJURE Costa Norte, the Director of Prevention and Social Reintegration indicated that “the social reintegration of people deprived of liberty is enhanced and strengthened with public institutional co-responsibility, with the solidarity of society organized civil service, alliances with the productive sector and public reflections with the media ”. He added that “from this linkage, collaboration agreements and joint actions derive that materialize the formative principle that within the reintegration centers allows the development of individual freedoms and social benefits, legality and coexistence in peace, within the framework of the re-founding of the public life of Jalisco ”. Pérez Juárez highlighted that in Puerto Vallarta, DIGPRES has had an excellent

response from the municipal government, business organizations and civil society associations. “Dreaming awake” presented at CEINJURE Vallarta, is the third cardboard book emanating from Jalisco prisons, after “Words at a distance, from CAIJEJ, Center for Comprehensive Youth Care of the State of Jalisco, in which young people are cared for; and “Espejo y viento”, from the Puente Grande women's prison. The General Director of Prevention and Social Reintegration reported that in matters of Education - one of the five axes of reintegration, along with Health, Sports, Training and Work - the Jalisco prison system already registers 2,440 people deprived of liberty, pre-released and released, in basic, middle and higher education; and 6,213 in productive training workshops. “However, in addition to Education in a strict sense, we promote the practice and enjoyment of art in different manifestations. During this year we have a record of 2,218 diverse activities in the field of art, culture and recreation, including spiritual ones.

We do it through our Artistic and Cultural Development Program, which includes Theater, Folk Ballet, Modern Dance, Plastic Arts, Yoga and Cardboard Book Workshops ”, he added. WHAT IS A WORKSHOP AND A CARDBOARD BOOK? A cardboard publisher is a group of people who organize themselves to produce and distribute book runs, in a community way, with authors and readers excluded or at risk of exclusion from institutional and commercial cultural and artistic circles. Cartoneras publishers bring together those who, for disadvantageous socio-cultural or economic reasons, find themselves far removed from reflective language, books and literary practice, in community practices that are part of the micro-topia. The cardboard books are author's texts printed on sheets that are stapled or sewn, bound with recycled cardboard covers that are illustrated and painted by hand, resulting in copies of books as artistic works of unique value.

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Award “Iguana de Oro” to Jalisco filmmaker Samuel Kishi * In addition to the recognition of Inna Payan Stoupignan, producer of the film “Los Lobos” The International Film Festival in Puerto Vallarta (FICPV) reaches its 20th edition this year. It is the most important film event in this tourist destination, whose guest of honor is the country “Peru”.

t the opening ceremony, held in the Juan Luis Cifuentes auditorium, Doctor Jorge Téllez López, Rector of the University Center of the Coast, of the University of Guadalajara, gave the welcome message while noting that the pandemic has not expired, the impetus for this event. From what he said, it is a sample that Puerto Vallarta and this house of studies have a lot still to do, to approach this great region through art, and nothing better than the art of cinema ”. He added that throughout this Twentieth Edition, all sections of cinema that are sought to be inclusive for the population of the region will be enjoyed. “I also want to point out and be able to recognize that those young producers, Samuel, who is not accompanying today, is an exhibition like today, youth has an important role in the production and direction

of cinema. Surely we will also enjoy today’s film, and it will be an example that today at UdeG is built through the cinema ”, he concluded. The inauguration was in charge of Marina De los Santos Álvarez, Director of the Vallarta Institute of Culture, who recalled the origin of the CUCosta and in the case of the Puerto Vallarta International Film Festival, without neglecting sanitary measures, and the healthy distance , recommended by the corresponding authorities, enjoy the seventh art of the Festival.

Before the presentation of the film “Los Lobos”, Doctor Jorge Téllez López gave a certificate and recognition to Inna Payan, producer of the film “Los Lobos”, who thanked the distinction and having been able to collaborate with the director Samuel Kishi “I hope you like it a lot, that the cinema lives, that Jalisco lives, that the culture lives; Let’s support young people, let’s work so that they can continue, creating, and showing their imaginations, their voice, and let’s let nothing stop us ”. Subsequently, Doctor Téllez López,

presented “La Iguana de Oro” to Samuel Kishi, director of the film “Los Lobos”, the highest award from the FICPV. For his part, Samuel Kishi was very moved, not only by the recognition, but because this International Film Festival has been held in Puerto Vallarta. And he said that it is wonderful to see how cinema and culture persist. “Puerto Vallarta is looking for culture, and watching movies, to be in theaters. I thank you again for the effort today to be present, despite this pandemic, to be in the dark, thank you very much to the Centro Universitario del Costa, the FICPV, the University of Guadalajara, thank you for believing in culture and in the movies”. Finally, Samuel Kishi presented his film “Los Lobos”, screened at the Doctor Juan Luis Cifuentes auditorium, at the Centro Universitario de la Costa, in the presence of the special guests. Among the guests were: Martha Susana Rodríguez Mejía, Director of Beach Tourism, on behalf of Enrique Alfaro Ramírez, Governor of the state of Jalisco; Marina De los Álvarez, Director of the Vallarta Institute of Culture, representing Mayor Arturo Dávalos Peña, and university authorities such as Doctor José Luis Cornejo Ortega, Academic Secretary, and Master Mirza Lazareno Sotelo, Administrative Secretary. ** Diffusion Unit

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Governor of Jalisco meets with Ambassador of Vietnam

he Governor of the State of Jalisco, Enrique Alfaro RamĂrez, and the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Mexico, Mr. D. Duong Nguyen Hoai, held a working meeting with a view to strengthening international ties. During this meeting, it was possible to talk about the relevance of strengthening the relationship between Jalisco and Vietnam on various issues, among which they highlighted, promoting the twinning between the city of Guadalajara and the city of Ho Chi Minh, which

will have a great commercial and economic, this will be signed in order to seek alliances in strategic sectors such as advanced manufacturing, information technology and traditional sectors such as footwear, furniture and textiles. These types of meetings strengthen Jaliscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ties of friendship and collaboration with the world, as well as economic alliances to take advantage of free trade agreements, which lead to more and better opportunities to position the entity as a state at the forefront in the country and internationally.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Have a good end of the year in the tourism sector in Vallarta and Nayarit

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Have a good end of the year in the tourism sector in Vallarta and Nayarit By Brenda Beltrán

oth Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit project good numbers to end the year in the tourism sector. For its part, this destination expects occupations of at least 50%, although it could increase, if it is authorized to increase the percentages of hotel occupancy, reported Susana Rodríguez Mejía, director of Beach Tourism. “The strategy of the emergency button tries to lower the rate of infections and hospital occupancy to have greater stability in the coming months, now we will only measure the occupancy of beds for which the State Government has made a large conversion of beds, therefore that we consider that we could increase from that 50% that we are allowed, to be closing the last quarter above that 50% ”. For his part, the director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau, Marc Murphy, mentioned that it is important to first reduce COVID-19 cases in the region, but there will be a decent season, with the reactivation of markets . “I think we will have a decent peak season for what we are allowed, in addition to a reactivation with flights already growing

and a much more robust domestic market during these four months.” It is worth mentioning that Puerto Vallarta operates at this time with all its hotels but

with a 50% occupancy limitation; while the ceiling in Riviera Nayarit is at 30%, hoping to increase in the next few days to at least 50% and 75% in the winter season.

Both destinations are safe, all hotels, restaurants and other tourist establishments are following all the health protocols established by the health authorities.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

A Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy.

Italian shipbuilder chooses Yucatán for LatAm’s biggest shipyard Fincantieri will partner with the state in building the facility in Progreso

atin America’s biggest shipyard will be built in Progreso, Yucatán, the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced. The company said it signed a letter of intent on Tuesday with the Yucatán Ministry of Economic Development and Labor to participate in designing and building a new ship repair, conversions and maintenance yard in the port city located on the Gulf of Mexico about 40 kilometers north of the state capital Mérida. “Fincantieri will be granted a 40-year concession for the exclusive management of the new yard,” the company said in a statement. Construction of the shipyard, which will include two dry docks on a 40-hectare site, is expected to cost between US $300 million and $500 million. Fincantieri said the shipyard will be able to handle ships up to 400 meters in length,

“particularly cruise ships, large cargo and oil and gas vessels, which need complex operations.” It also said the yard will have “a lifting platform for units up to 150 meters in length” as well as “cranes, workshops, special equipment, offices, and warehouses.” The yard is slated to start operations in 2024 but the project is not expected to be finished entirely until 2027. “Initially, the creation of the yard will be carried out by the government of the state of Yucatán,” Fincantieri said, adding that the project will start in the first half of 2021. “Indeed, the government will directly manage initial works through a special purpose company that will handle the dredging and the construction of infrastructure and [the] main plants,” the company said. “Fincantieri is to provide advice from the

very beginning,” the firm said, adding that it will build the yard’s “advanced facilities” with other partners. Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, also said it will be involved in the training of staff that will be employed at the facility. Prospective employees will undertake training before the shipyard begins operations “locally and in Italy at higher education institutes and at Fincantieri Academy,” it said. The newspaper El Financiero reported that the Yucatán government will open a tendering process in early 2021 to find companies to work on the initial construction. State Economic Development and Labor Minister Ernesto Herrera Novelo said in an interview that two companies set to benefit are Grupo Millet, a window manufacturer that has recently increased its production capacity in the Yucatán municipality of Baca,

and Niplito, a Mérida-based construction supplies firm. The new Progreso shipyard will have the same capacity to build and repair vessels as yards located in Houston, Texas, and Panama, Herrera said. The minister said legal certainty in Yucatán was a crucial factor in attracting investment from Fincantieri. He added that the positive impact of the investment will be comparable to that generated by Grupo Modelo’s opening of a new brewery near Mérida in 2017. Fincantieri said that once the Progreso shipyard reaches full operational capacity, it will employ an estimated 700 full-time workers, “and supply a downstream network involving up to 2,500 workers during peak times.” Source: El Financiero (sp)

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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Ontario’s new financial literacy curriculum covers financial literacy, including budget-making, credit cards and compound interest. (Shutterstock)

Priscila Correa Assistant Professor in Mathematics Education, University of Windsor

his fall, Ontario elementary schools launched a new mathematics curriculum. It was introduced in June by Premier Doug Ford as part of a remedy for a “broken education system … inherited” from the Liberal government. He described it as a back-to-basics approach, something he promised in his election campaign and since becoming premier. The new curriculum was crafted by competent scholars, informed by extensive research and innovates in different ways. But the highly politicized “back-to-basics” language favoured by Conservatives both exaggerates what has changed and fails to capture some important and relevant new directions. Considering that there is often criticism and controversy about mathematics teaching, it is appropriate to understand the new document teachers from grades 1 to 8 are now expected to use. Here are some changes to the new curriculum. 1. Times tables Education Minister Stephen Lecce introduced the new math curriculum noting that memorizing times tables was back. This was after the premier blamed Ontario students’ standardized testing scores on the former Liberal government’s curriculum. Meanwhile, the Education Quality and Accountability Office that administers Ontario’s large-scale standardized testing has said “Ontario students’ basic knowledge of fundamental math skills is stronger than their ability to apply those skills to a problem

6 changes in Ontario’s not-so-basic new elementary math curriculum or think critically to determine an answer.” The new curriculum frames specific outcomes around multiplication differently. While the specific language of memorizing times tables doesn’t appear in the new curriculum, the word “recall,” meaning simply to remember, does. For example, a curriculum expectation for Grade 3 is now “recall and demonstrate multiplication facts of two, five and 10, and related division facts.” Does this suggest the teaching of multiplication will be based on rote memorization? Not really. The fact that the word “recall” is followed by the word “demonstrate” emphasizes that the curriculum expects conceptual understanding, not simply memorization. Recalling is a natural part of developing fluency in mathematics. Although the word “recall” wasn’t in the previous curriculum, it doesn’t imply students weren’t recalling or remembering these facts before.

these two areas have a lot in common and it makes sense to approach them together. For instance, you measure areas of 2D geometric shapes, so why split measurement and geometry?

2. Thematic organization changes There were some changes to “strands” — big umbrella themes of how curriculum is organized. Three of these strands (number, algebra and data) were preserved, albeit some changes in names and content. Number was previously called number sense and numeration, algebra was patterning and algebra and data was data management and probability. Measurement and geometry and spatial sense are now considered one strand, spatial sense. This advances the idea that

4. Financial literacy The new financial literacy strand invites teachers to discuss methods of payment, exchange rates, financial transactions, financial goals, financial awareness, budgets, debit and credit, decision making, compound interest and credit cards. These are additions beyond what the previous curriculum covered (Canadian money, taxes and simple interest). Students will have to make financially informed decisions in their lives. This may be the most common and critical scenario students will use math. It’s necessary to ensure students are financially educated.

Two new strands were added. 3. Social-emotional learning The inclusion of the strand social-emotional learning seems to be a trend for curricula revised from 2019 on. Both math and health and physical education new curricula now teach social-emotional learning. Considering the feelings students may encounter when doing mathematics, such as confusion, frustration, anxiety, anger, hopelessness, among others, addressing social-emotional skills is crucial. Students may transform these feelings into resilience, perseverance, hope, joy, pride or confidence, if they are supported to identify, acknowledge, normalize and cope with these emotions.

5. Coding and modelling A major change to the algebra strand is the addition of coding and mathematical modelling. Teaching coding from Grade 1 can sound far-fetched or intimidating. However, the way the curriculum is proposing this inclusion is realistic and well-structured. Coding can also be integrated with the learning of mathematical concepts, fostering enjoyment and engagement. In a society that is more and more relying on technology, knowing the foundations of coding is needed. Mathematical modelling is yet another highlight of the curriculum. It fosters the learning of mathematics through investigation, understanding, analysis, modelling, conjecturing and validation of scenarios that students are likely to encounter outside school. Mathematical modelling promotes rich experiences that emphasize the value of studying mathematics. 6. Earlier approaches Some content in the curriculum is now explored in earlier grades. Integers, for example, which used to be taught in grades 7 and 8, are now taught in Grade 6 also. Teachers will have more time to explore the topic, slowly starting from the fundamentals. This change offers more time to conceptually teach students. Teachers, educators, parents and students should be delighted and enthused about the topics and discussions that the new curriculum invites us to experience. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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The complicated origin of the expression ‘peanut gallery’ “No comments from the peanut gallery!” For many Americans who were born in the 1940s or 1950s, this phrase conjures up fond memories of the “Howdy Doody” show. It launched in 1947 as one of the first children’s television programs.

n that show, Buffalo Bob Smith – the host – his marionette sidekick, Howdy Doody, and Clarabell the clown entertained children who sat in bleachers onstage. Each episode opened with the kids singing the “It’s Howdy Doody Time” theme song and were then filmed reacting to the performers’ antics. Buffalo Bob referred to them as the “peanut gallery,” but the term didn’t originate with his show. In fact, “peanut gallery” predates Howdy Doody by at least 80 years. Its first reference dates to an 1867 review of a vaudeville show published in the New Orleans Times-Picayune – and the term has a surprisingly controversial history. Vaudeville came to North America from France. You could find almost any kind of act at a vaudeville show. On a given evening, spectators might be entertained by a comedian, acrobat, juggler, ventriloquist, magician or trained animal acts. Music and song-and-dance acts were mainstays. The lineup sometimes included burlesque acts, one-act plays or movies. These traveling shows toured cities and towns from the early 1880s through the early 1930s. They were especially popular among the working class and recent immigrants who sometimes made up a majority of the audience. Just like Broadway shows or concerts today, ticket prices varied, according to the location of the seats, with the most expensive up front. Those who sat in the most inexpensive seats in the back had a

habit of throwing concession snacks at any performers who displeased them. Since peanuts were the cheapest snack, they were the projectiles of choice for hecklers. Untalented – or unlucky – entertainers were pelted from the back of the theater – a section that became known as the “peanut gallery.” Vaudeville fell into decline with the rise of motion pictures and lower-priced entertainment. But the phrase “peanut gallery” was given a new lease on life – and was cemented into the lexicon – with its use on “Howdy Doody.” The term lives on, with a few meanings. One refers to any noisy or disorderly group of spectators. Another is a racial slur. During vaudeville’s heyday, the cheapest seats were usually high up in a balcony, a section often reserved for Black patrons. As a result, “peanut gallery” is now among a long list of terms becoming socially unacceptable because of apparently racist origins. But since those seats were also occupied by poorer people and immigrants, there is some debate over whether the expression was racially motivated or was a more general derogatory term for less affluent people. “Peanut gallery” is just one of many phrases whose problematic origins have become obscured, in this case by smiling, excited children laughing at a cowboy puppet. It’s more common for terms to acquire an unsavory connotation over time. Many terms fall out of fashion as cultural sensitivities shift. For example, just a century ago, “imbecile” and “moron” were considered scientific terms describing mental development – and are now considered offensive. The passage of time can obscure a term’s problematic origins or illuminate facts about a widely used and seemingly innocent term. As with “the peanut gallery,” an awareness of a term’s history can be essential to avoid giving offense. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Children in the live audience of ‘Howdy Doody’ were seated in what was known as the peanut gallery. NBC Television via wikimedia.org An 1867 review of a vaudeville show published in The New Orleans Times Picayune. Credit: The New Orleans Times Picayune

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Know the ideal weight of your dog, avoid those extra kilos and take care of his health

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Know the ideal weight of your dog, avoid those extra kilos and take care of his health Arnold Fregoso PR Trainee

rom birth, dogs go through a period of growth that will modify their needs over the years and cause changes in their body, weight being one of them. It is very important to know the ideal weight of your pet, the veterinarian is the one who calculates it every time you take him for consultation, but it never hurts to monitor your pet periodically to see if he is in a correct development within the recommended. There are several factors that influence the weight of your pet, such as race, sex, age and also the space where it develops, for example, in a garden it will have the opportunity to run and have a more active life than being in a small place . Beyond having a scale to weigh it from time to time, you can identify it through certain attitudes that reflect its condition, here are some tips: Movement: You should always pay attention to the way your pet walks, if he

walks slowly and becomes fatigued without having done any activity before, he may have a few kilos left over. Body shape: It is very easy to detect when a dog finds himself with a few extra kilos, since fat accumulates more easily in certain parts of the body that makes them lose their natural curves, fat usually accumulates in the area abdominal and waist. Touch: Another way you can tell if your dog is overweight is by feeling their ribs, when pets have more fat than normal it is difficult to count their ribs. A sedentary life and an excessive intake of calories in relation to the energy expended are determining factors for your dog to become overweight and develop certain problems such as joint damage, immobility, liver problems, leg tears and heart failure among others . This condition is quite common in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society, since pets have also become used to enjoying a more comfortable and calm life, but taking care of their diet will always be the most important thing.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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40 Squirrels are animals known to all. About 200 species of squirrels live around the world, with the exception of Australia

he smallest squirrel is aptly called the African pygmy squirrel and measures about 13 centimeters from nose to tail. There are other squirrels that reach a giant size such as the Hindu squirrel that measures almost one meter. Like other rodents, squirrels' four front teeth never stop growing, so they don't wear out. Tree squirrels are the best known. They are usually seen running around with great grace and jumping from branch to branch. Other squirrels live in burrows or tunnels, where some hibernate. These types of "ground" squirrels eat nuts, leaves, roots, seeds and other plants. They can sometimes catch and eat small animals, such as insects or caterpillars. They must always be on guard, because for some predators they are morsels with few natural defenses, except for flying squirrels. Sometimes there are groups of "ground" squirrels that work together to protect themselves and warn each other with a kind of hiss when they feel danger lurking. Tree squirrels can be found in forests and also in city parks. Despite being expert climbers, they usually go down to the ground to look for food such as nuts, acorns, berries and flowers. They also eat bark, eggs, or small birds. Tree sap is a delicious delicacy for some species. Flying squirrels are a third type of squirrel. They have a lifestyle similar to that of birds, living in nests or holes in trees. Although they don't really fly, they do glide in the sky. They spread their legs and slide from tree to tree. The skin that joins the limbs and the body makes it look like they have wings. These "jumps" that make them glide in the air can exceed 46 meters. Flying squirrels eat nuts and fruits, but they can also hunt insects and even small birds. Whether they live in trees or burrows, females usually have between two and eight young. They are blind and completely dependent on their mothers for two to three months. Females can have several litters a year, making it a large population. Source: National Geographic

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Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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42 Pelecanus

elicans are a genus of large water birds that make up the family Pelecanidae. They are characterised by a long beak and a large throat pouch used for catching prey and draining water from the scooped-up contents before swallowing. They have predominantly pale plumage, the exceptions being the brown and Peruvian pelicans. The bills, pouches, and bare facial skin of all species become brightly coloured before the breeding season. The eight living pelican species have a patchy global distribution, ranging latitudinally from the tropics to the temperate zone, though they are absent from interior South America and from polar regions and the open ocean. Long thought to be related to frigatebirds, cormorants, tropicbirds, and gannets and boobies, pelicans instead are now known to be most closely related to the shoebill and hamerkop, and are placed in the order Pelecaniformes. Ibises, spoonbills, herons, and bitterns have been classified in the same order. Fossil evidence of pelicans dates back at least 30 million years to the remains of a beak very similar to that of modern species recovered from Oligocene strata in France. They are thought to have evolved in the Old World and spread into the Americas; this is reflected in the relationships within the genus as the eight species divide into Old World and New World lineages. Pelicans frequent inland and coastal waters, where they feed principally on fish, catching them at or near the water surface. They are gregarious birds, travelling in flocks, hunting cooperatively, and breeding colonially. Four white-plumaged species tend to nest on the ground, and four brown or grey-plumaged species nest mainly in trees. The relationship between pelicans and people has often been contentious. The birds have been persecuted because of their perceived competition with commercial and recreational fishing. Their populations have fallen through habitat destruction, disturbance, and environmental pollution, and three species are of conservation concern. They also have a long history of cultural significance in mythology, and in Christian and heraldic iconography.

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Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

What’s cellular about a cellphone? Daniel Bliss Professor of Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University How did wireless phones work before cellular technology? The idea of wireless communications is quite old. Famously, the Marconi system could talk all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. It would have one system, which was the size of a building, talking to another system, which was the size of a building. But in essence, it just made a radio link between the two. Eventually people realized that’s a really useful capability. So they put up a radio system, say at a high point in the city, and then everybody – well, those few who had the right kind of radio system – talked to that high point. So if you like, there was only one cell – it wasn’t cellular in any sense. But because the amount of data you can send over time is a function of how far away you are, you want to get these things closer together. And so that’s the the invention of the cellular system. How are cellular systems different? The farther your phone and the base station are from each other, the harder it is to send a signal across. If you just have one base station and you’re too far away from it, it just doesn’t work. So you want to have many base stations and talk to the one that’s closest

to you. If you draw a boundary between those base stations and look down on it on a map, you see these different little cell towers which your phone is supposed to talk to. That’s where the technology gets its name. The amazing thing that happened during the development of cellular systems is that it automatically switched which base station the phone talks to as its location changed, such as while driving. It’s really remarkable that this system works as well as it does, because it’s pretty complicated and you don’t even notice. What are the major improvements to cellular networks that have enabled faster data rates? If you go back to the first-generation cellular systems, those were primarily analog systems. It was just a way of converting your voice to an analog signal. The second-generation systems focused on taking your voice, digitizing it and then sending it as a data link to improve stability and security. As an accident, it could also send data across. People found that it’s really useful to send a photo or send some other information as well. So they started using the same link to send data, but then complained that it’s not fast enough. Subsequent generations of cellular networks allocated increasingly wider bandwidths using different techniques and

were powered by a denser network of base stations. We tend to notice the big tall towers. But if you start looking around, particularly in a city, you’ll notice these boxes sitting on the sides of buildings all over the place. They are actually cellular base stations that are much lower down. They’re intended to reach people within just a kilometer or a half-kilometer. The easiest way to achieve much higher data rates is for your phone to be close to a signal source. The other way is to have antenna systems that are pointing radio waves at your phone, which is one of the things that’s happening in 5G. 5G networks are still being rolled out around the country, but work on 6G technologies is already underway. What can we expect from that? We don’t really know which technologies that are being developed right now will be used in 6G networks, but I can talk about what I think what’s going to happen. 6G networks will allow a much broader set of user types. What do I mean by that? Cellular systems, from the very start, were designed for humans to communicate. So it had certain constraints on what you needed. But now, humans are now a minority of users, because we have so many machines talking to each other too, such as smart appliances, for example.

These machines have varying needs. Some want to send lots of data, and some need to send almost no data and maybe send nothing for months at a time. So 6G technologies need to work well for humans as well as a broad range of devices. Another piece of this is that we often think about communication systems as being the only users of the radio frequency spectrum, but it’s very much not true. Radars use spectrum too, and pretty soon you won’t be able to buy a car that doesn’t have a suite of radars on it for safety or autonomous driving. There’s also position navigation and timing, which are necessary for, say, cars to know the distance between each other. So with 6G, you’ll have these multi-function systems. And then there is a push to go to yet higher frequencies. These frequencies work for only very, very short links. But a lot of our problems are over very short links. You can potentially send really huge amounts of data over short distances. If we can get the prices down, then it can potentially replace your Wi-Fi. We can also expect a refinement of the technologies currently used in 5G – such as improving the pointing of the antenna to your phone, as I mentioned earlier. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

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Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cellular about a cellphone?

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020 News 50 Laughing is good for your mind and your body – here’s what the research shows Janet M. Gibson Professor of Cognitive Psychology, Grinnell College

musement and pleasant surprises – and the laughter they can trigger – add texture to the fabric of daily life. Those giggles and guffaws can seem like just silly throwaways. But laughter, in response to funny events, actually takes a lot of work, because it activates many areas of the brain: areas that control motor, emotional, cognitive and social processing. As I found when writing “An Introduction to the Psychology of Humor,” researchers now appreciate laughter’s power to enhance physical and mental well-being. Laughter’s physical power People begin laughing in infancy, when it helps develop muscles and upper body strength. Laughter is not just breathing. It relies on complex combinations of facial muscles, often involving movement of the eyes, head and shoulders. Laughter – doing it or observing it – activates multiple regions of the brain: the motor cortex, which controls muscles; the frontal lobe, which helps you understand context; and the limbic system, which modulates positive emotions. Turning all these circuits on strengthens neural connections and helps a healthy brain coordinate its activity. By activating the neural pathways of emotions like joy and mirth, laughter can improve your mood and make your physical and emotional response to stress less intense. For example, laughing may help control brain levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, similar to what antidepressants do. By minimizing your brain’s responses to threats, it limits the release of neurotransmitters and hormones like cortisol that can wear down your cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems over time. Laughter’s kind of like an antidote to stress, which weakens these systems and increases vulnerability to diseases. Laughter’s cognitive power A good sense of humor and the laughter that follows depend on an ample measure of social intelligence and working memory resources. Laughter, like humor, typically sparks from recognizing the incongruities or absurdities of a situation. You need to mentally resolve the surprising behavior or event – otherwise you won’t laugh; you might just be confused instead. Inferring the intentions of others and taking their perspective can enhance the intensity of the laughter and amusement you feel. To “get” a joke or humorous situation, you need to be able to see the lighter side of things. You must believe that other possibilities besides the literal exist – think

about being amused by comic strips with talking animals, like those found in “The Far Side.” Laughter’s social power Many cognitive and social skills work together to help you monitor when and why laughter occurs during conversations. You don’t even need to hear a laugh to be able to laugh. Deaf signers punctuate their signed sentences with laughter, much like emoticons in written text. Laughter creates bonds and increases intimacy with others. Linguist Don Nilsen points out that chuckles and belly laughs seldom happen when alone, supporting their strong social role. Beginning early in life, infants’ laughter is an external sign of pleasure that helps strengthen bonds with caregivers. Later, it’s an external sign of sharing an appreciation of the situation. For example, public speakers and comedians try to get a laugh to make audiences feel psychologically closer to them, to create intimacy. By practicing a little laughter each day, you can enhance social skills that may not come naturally to you. When you laugh in response to humor, you share your feelings with others and learn from risks that your response will be accepted/shared/enjoyed by others and not be rejected/ignored/disliked. In studies, psychologists have found that men with Type A personality characteristics, including competitiveness and time urgency, tend to laugh more, while women with those traits laugh less. Both sexes laugh more with others than when alone.

Laughter’s mental power Positive psychology researchers study how people can live meaningful lives and thrive. Laughter produces positive emotions that lead to this kind of flourishing. These feelings – like amusement, happiness, mirth and joy – build resiliency and increase creative thinking. They increase subjective well-being and life satisfaction. Researchers find that these positive emotions experienced with humor and laughter correlate with appreciating the meaning of life and help older adults hold a benign view of difficulties they’ve faced over a lifetime. Laughter in response to amusement is a healthy coping mechanism. When you laugh, you take yourself or the situation less seriously and may feel empowered to problem-solve. For example, psychologists measured the frequency and intensity of 41 people’s laughter over two weeks, along with their ratings of physical and mental stress. They found that the more laughter experienced, the lower the reported stress. Whether the instances of laughter were

strong, medium or weak in intensity didn’t matter. Maybe you want to grab some of these benefits for yourself – can you force laughter to work for you? A growing number of therapists advocate using humor and laughter to help clients build trust and improve work environments; a review of five different studies found that measures of well-being did increase after laughter interventions. Sometimes called homeplay instead of homework, these interventions take the form of daily humor activities – surrounding yourself with funny people, watching a comedy that makes you laugh or writing down three funny things that happened today. You can practice laughing even when alone. Intentionally take a perspective that appreciates the funny side of events. Laughing yoga is a technique of using breathing muscles to achieve the positive physical responses of natural laughing with forced laughter (ha ha hee hee ho ho). Researchers today certainly aren’t laughing off its value, but a good deal of the research on laughter’s influence on mental and physical health is based on self-report measures. More psychological experimentation around laughter or the contexts in which it occurs will likely support the importance of laughing throughout your day, and maybe even suggest more ways to intentionally harness its benefits. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Give the guys a break: a case for even more women on Mexico’s currency By the end of 2020, Mexico's currency will have two bills in circulation featuring women By Sarah DeVries

hen I saw a new 200-peso bill begin to circulate without Sor Juana on it last year, I was crestfallen. Hidalgo and Morelos are cool and all; don’t get me wrong. But after getting rid of the second-tolast woman on any Mexican bill — the artist Frida Kahlo had been featured on the back of the 500-peso bill, but that was changed in 2018 — they got rid of Sor Juana too? Not cool, Bank of México. I decided to do some reading to find out what had happened, and discovered that Mexico had decided to move her to the 100-peso bill instead … but not until the following year. “Well,” I thought, “at least she’s coming back.” Even so, I was nervous that the future plan would somehow get lost in the shuffle and we’d end up with an all-male cast on Mexican bills. Fortunately, she has returned! One thing I love about Sor Juana is that she’s such a respected figure in Mexican

history that, as a woman, falls outside two of the most pervasive female archetypes in Mexican culture: she’s neither “la virgen,” the all-sacrificing and all-suffering perfect mother, nor “la malinche,” the ultimate disloyal woman who betrayed her people by fighting for the other side. These are, of course, simplistic descriptions, but that’s just the nature of archetypes: they’re cultural shorthand. No, Sor Juana was, quite simply, a badass. She was a writer, a philosopher, a feminist, a genius. I often wonder if she really wanted to be a nun or if she simply saw it as the safest option to pursue her intellectual interest without men who felt threatened by her accusing her of witchcraft. Actually, I don’t wonder; she made it very clear that she intended to be a nun so that she could study. Might we work at creating another archetype for Mexican women in her likeness? I can think of five women right off the bat I know personally that would fit into that mold perfectly. Anyway, back to women on bills. All this is not to criticize. My own country, the United States, has had woefully few women featured on its own currency, and when they have appeared, it’s nearly always

been on “commemorative coins” with the exception of Pocahontas on the back of $20 bills in 1865 and Martha Washington appearing briefly on $1 “silver certificates” in 1886. Harriet Tubman was supposed to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill by 2020, but that was postponed until 2030. I don’t know about you all, but the last time I went to the U.S. I didn’t use cash for a single thing. By the time 2030 rolls around, I’m betting our neighbors to the north will have to explain to children what bills actually are. I still hope that Tubman makes it onto the $20 bill, but it feels a little like showing up to a party after nearly everyone has left. But in Mexico, cash is still king, and plenty of places that I frequent don’t take cards at all. As a result, I see Mexicans bills quite a lot and love seeing the beautiful new designs when they come out. It just would be nice to see a few more women on there, that’s all. Here’s a bright spot: the Revolution-era feminist Hermila Galindo and revolutionary Carmen Serdán will appear with Francisco I. Madero on the 1,000-peso bill sometime this year. This is great news! It would be even better news if I actually ever get to see a 1,000-peso bill; I’ve been here for almost 20 years and never have! But you take what

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

you can get, am I right? Another upcoming bill change I’m excited about that I will definitely get to see is an “all-nature” one: the new 50-peso bill will not feature any major figures but rather the famed axolotl (a salamander native to the lakes of Xochimilco). I haven’t been able to find an image of what will go on the reverse side, but it’s said to commemorate the founding of Tenochtitlán, so I have my suspicions. So I’m glad Sor Juana is back, but if a salamander can make it onto legal tender, how about some more women too? The only other woman who’s appeared on Mexican peso bills in recent history is Josefa Ortiz, a.k.a. “La Corregidora,” who hasn’t been seen since the 1990s. Why not bring her back? Heck, why not bring them both back and add some more? As you may have guessed by now, I have some more suggestions for future bills. I was not asked for any, but I’ve got some anyway! Here they are: Elena Poniatowska, one of the most important Mexican journalists and authors of the 20th century would be an excellent choice. True, she was born in France, but she worked and lived (still lives, actually) in Mexico throughout her adult life and is a Mexican citizen. Or how about Tessy María López Goerne, nominee for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, who has overcome health scares that would knock most of us out completely and keeps on being brilliant? Silvia Torres-Peimbert, the first Mexican woman to receive a doctorate in astronomy and former president of the International Astronomical Union would also be an excellent choice. There are, of course, many other great choices, and I’d love to see Mexico take the lead worldwide on this one. Let’s give the guys a break. Source: Mexico News Daily

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

‘In the future, it will be furniture:’ a Puebla town adapts to a changing market A 100-year-old dairy community trades in its milk pails for saws and chisels By Joseph Sorrentino

he whine of power saws cutting wood in the carpentry shop fills the air while, just a few feet away, a cow calmly chews its cud, looking completely unconcerned. It’s an apt image for what’s happening in Chipilo, a town in Puebla that, for over a hundred years, had been known almost exclusively for its dairy products but now is becoming more famous for its furniture. “In the future, it will be furniture,” said José Armando Piloni, whose family has had the dairy farm for 38 years and the attached carpentry shop for 25. “The price of milk has dropped; people are consuming less. In two years, we will not have the dairy.” Chipilo was settled in October 1882 by 38 families from the Veneto region in northern Italy who were enticed to move to Mexico by the government’s promise of free, fertile land. Soon after they arrived, they learned that the land wasn’t always free but it was good, and chipileños (as they’ve come to be called) settled down and started farms and dairies. It seems like every other building lining Chipilo’s streets houses a dairy or carpentry shop, although the carpentry shops now greatly outnumber the dairies. “Before there were probably 300 [dairies],” says Antonio Zaraín García, who opened one of the first large furniture factories in the pueblo. “Now, maybe 80 and many have transformed to making furniture.” Mexico has a long history of furniture-making. “The Spaniards brought furniture from Spain to Mexico,” said José Eskawratz, the founder and CEO of Mexsol, a furniture exporting company. “Puebla was the first city in the Americas to make furniture. The first items were basic trunks. Of course, there was a lot of Spanish influence.” Although artisans in Puebla have been making furniture for centuries, the first furniture factory in Chipilo didn’t open until 1970, and it wasn’t until 1982 that Zaraín García started his, which he called Segusino.

Veteran carpenter Francisco Castillo has seen Chipilo's economy transform. “Segusino is … the pueblo in Italy where about 20% of chipileños come from,” he explained. He began attending furniture shows in the U.S. and started exporting furniture, first to California, Washington and Dallas. In the early 80s, a different style began to develop. “The style changed to rustic furniture and wood,” said Zaraín García. “It was much stronger.” According to Eskawratz, that style has an American influence. “Rustic furniture came out of the [Great] Depression,” he said. “Many Americans survived the Depression by making rustic furniture, putting it on the road in front of their houses and selling it. That’s what, in the 80s, was brought to Chipilo. The Chipilo style, if there is one, is traditional rustic with a wax finish and wrought-iron fittings. It’s solid, heavy furniture. In Chicago, they call this rustic style, ‘hungry furniture.’” The fact that the style grew out of the Depression doesn’t mean it’s inexpensive. “In Chipilo, all furniture is made by hand, and it costs more,” added Zaraín García. “A machine makes it perfect, but many people in Europe and the U.S. want furniture made by hand. People feel that it is more like the furniture they remember from their nonna [grandmother] or from the countryside. People value things more when they are made by hand.” In addition to running Mexsol, Eskawratz has four furniture factories in Chipilo, the largest of which is Seguisino, which his

father bought from Zaraín García in 2010. The Seguisino factory, which he renamed Muebles Rústicos y Forjados de Chipilo, is a whirl of activity. In one section, sparks fly as workers cut and weld metal strips together to make frames for the furniture while in others, dust hangs in the air as the wood is cut and assembled into furniture. “We use pine from Chile, Brazil and Mexico [and] walnut and poplar from the U.S.,” says Eskawratz. “Old wood has been bought from the favelas (slums) in Brazil. They’re paid $10,000 for their shack, and then they build another house out of cinderblock.” The Seguisino factory alone employs 350 workers and ships out 3,000 to 4,000 pieces a week; his other two factories ship about 2,000 pieces a week each. He estimates that in Chipilo, a pueblo with a population of less than 4,000, about 30,000 people work in the furniture factories and carpentry shops, the workers coming from the 12 surrounding towns. “Before, they were vaqueros [cowboys] and campesinos [farmers],” said Zaraín García. Now they’re furniture makers. Although the larger factories dominate furniture manufacturing in Chipilo, there are about a dozen medium-sized ones. Eskawratz figures there are at least 200 small shops. Francisco García Castillo owns one of the small carpentry shops, located a mile or so outside of Chipilo’s town center. Although he never had cows, like many people in Chipilo, he did work in a dairy for some time. “I have been a carpenter for 20 years,” he

told me, “and have had this business for 10.” He has seven employees and ships 50 or 60 pieces a week — mainly small bureaus and tables — to an exporter. Although his shop is small, he expects the furniture business in Chipilo to keep growing, and he hopes to expand his shop soon. Piloni, who has both the carpentry shop and the dairy, is finding it increasingly difficult to sustain the latter. He doesn’t have enough land to grow forage, so he has to buy it, adding to his costs, and it’s difficult to find workers. He’d like to get out of the dairy business and put all his energy into furniture, but there’s a problem. “Right now there are no buyers, only sellers,” he says. Still, despite the challenges, not everyone in Chipilo’s ready to give up on dairy. Luís Stefanoni Precoma’s dairy has been in his family for four generations, and if Flavio Stefanoni Merlo, his 17-year-old son, has his way, there will be a fifth. “I will continue with the dairy,” Stefanoni Merlo said proudly. “It is a family tradition.” The dairy has 300 cows, which he says is large for Chipilo. “You need that many to survive,” he explains. He is unfazed at the information there are fewer dairies in the pueblo and that many of the owners were looking to transition to furniture-making. “I believe we can continue. I believe we can grow.” After a pause, he added, “I do not think we will change to furniture.” Source: Mexico News Daily.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Flavio Stefanoni Merlo, left, plans to succeed his father Luís, a fourth-generation dairyman. He’ll be a dying breed in Chipilo.

In Chipilo, dairy farms reigned for a century but have given way to carpentry.

José Eskawratz, founder of the furniture exporting company Mexsol.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Avoid saturated fats with this delicious dish

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Avoid saturated fats with this delicious dish

ear after year worldwide, the number of cases of people with conditions such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, strokes, high blood pressure, among others, grows. To address this growing problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended having a higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains, as well as the replacement of saturated fats of animal origin in our diets. Following these recommendations, today, Humane Society International Mexico, one of the most important animal protection organizations in the world, invites you to prepare this delicious brown rice with coconut and tofu, perfect for lunch and dinner. .

Makes 4 servings Ingredients • 1 cup of brown rice • 2 cups of water • 1/2 cup onion (chopped) 1/8 of cup of vegetable oil • 1 cans of coconut milk • 1 bay leaves • 1.5 green cardamom pods (crushed) • 1/2 cinnamon stick • 200 g firm tofu 1 teaspoon Cajun-style seasoning 1 teaspoon soy sauce • 1/2 teaspoon fresh garlic • 1/2 cup coconut (toasted) • 1 teaspoon of salt • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper

Preparation 1. Pour the oil into the pan, add the onion, garlic and rice. Fry until lightly browned. 2. Add the water, bay leaves, cardamom, and cinnamon stick. Cook until the rice is tender. Remove it from the heat. 3. Add the toasted coconut and coconut milk. 4. While the rice is cooking, bake the tofu in a 175 degree C oven with oil and Cajun seasoning for 10 minutes. 5. Flip, pour soy sauce over tofu and bake for 10 more minutes. 6. Arrange the tofu strips on the rice. 7. Season with salt and pepper and serve. 8. Decorate with toasted coconut.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Brown rice with coconut and baked tofu

Image by Lance Murphey

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Polypropylene, the material now recommended for COVID-19 mask filters: What it is, where to get it

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020 News 64 Polypropylene, the material now recommended for COVID-19 mask filters: What it is, where to get it Catherine Clase Physician, epidemiologist, associate professor, McMaster University Charles-Francois de Lannoy Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, McMaster University Scott Laengert PhD Student, Chemical Engineering, McMaster University

dding a third layer to cloth face masks is now recommended for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Non-woven polypropylene fabric is the material of choice for this third layer, but many people may not know what this material is, or where to get it. With masks being made at home and by local clothing companies, here’s what you need to know about Public Health Agency of Canada’s new recommendations. Every study that has examined layering has found that using additional layers in face masks improves filtration, but some fabrics provide more filtration than others. We support the public health recommendation, and specifically recommend the use of industry-grade “spunbond” polypropylene as a middle layer in washable cloth masks. Spunbond polypropylene destined for the clothing and furniture industries has a fabric-like feel. It is washable and will not divert supply of medical-grade polypropylene from the manufacture of formal personal protective equipment. Our research group, with expertise in epidemiology, chemistry, textiles and the mask industry, seeks to improve cloth masks for community use. Types of non-woven polypropylene Traditional materials for clothing and furniture have a woven or knitted structure. Non-woven materials, by contrast, have a random arrangement of fibres, like spaghetti on a plate. This randomness enables high particle filtration while remaining highly breathable. There are many types of non-woven polypropylene. The most common are spunbond, meltblown and spunlace materials. In some spunbond polypropylene the randomly oriented fibres are compressed and melted together in a pattern of small, closely spaced welds, called point bonds. Lightweight medical-grade spunbond polypropylene, found in the outer layers of three-layer certified medical masks, has been tailored for medical uses. But as a single-use material, it is not designed to be washed. Washable spunbond polypropylene is used in the clothing and furniture industry. It is one of several materials used as interfacing, to give structure to waistbands and collars, and around zippers. It is also used to seal the bottom of couches and chairs. It is readily available from fabric distributors and is not

currently in short supply since it is not part of the supply chain for personal protective equipment. This material likely aligns with public health recommendations. Recommended material For community mask manufacture, we suggest using industry-grade spunbond polypropylene. Manufacturers produce single and double layers of spunbond. There are few published data on its filtration properties, but we suggest using a fabric with a rating of 68 grams per square metre, or two layers of a less dense one. The material can be integrated as a middle layer when masks are being made. Alternatively, a rectangle of spunbond polypropylene can be inserted between the two outer layers of a cloth mask. The material does not fray easily. If using two layers of polypropylene, we suggest folding the material in half and sewing it together with a simple stitch or an overlock, to make a washable filter. The polypropylene can be cleaned as recommended by Health Canada: a hot wash with detergent. It can be washed with the mask or separately. It should not be tumble dried: it should be removed from the mask and hung or laid flat to dry before reinserting. Do not iron it: it is plastic and will melt. Our website and previous research summarize what is known about choosing suitable material for the other layers. Fabric distributors have these materials in bulk and are working to get them to retail. Mask makers can expect to see them in stores by late November. Unsuitable materials It is important to recognize that not all interfacing is polypropylene. Many brands

are polyester or polyester-rayon blends. This is a completely different material. In the retail market, interfacing is sometimes sold as a fusible product. This means that it is pre-glued to help with accurate placement before it is stitched into place. These pre-glued fabrics should not be used for face coverings because the glue may affect filtration and breathability. Some reusable shopping bags made from spunbond have a shiny plastic coating. These are not breathable and should not be used. Meltblown polypropylene is used as the middle layer of many certified medical masks and in the manufacture of respirators such as N95s: it filters very well. It remains in short supply, with many distributors in Canada fully committed to July 2021. It is not intended to be washed, though novel programs for limited reuse of respirators have been developed for hospitals. Because of the supply issue and because it is not washable, we do not recommend using meltblown polypropylene for reusable non-medical masks. Disposable non-medical filters intended to be inserted into pocket masks are sold commercially and may contain meltblown, spunbond and other components; it is not always possible to determine their composition from the packaging or advertisements. Currently no standards define their use in Canada. They are designed to be discarded after each use. Spunlace polypropylene tends to be naturally springy and in contrast to spunbond and meltblown, it absorbs liquids. Some wet wipes are produced by spunlace methods. However, the material used is often not polypropylene but rather viscose-polyester

blend, to increase absorbency. The composition of the wet ingredients is clearly specified on packaging, but many wipes do not include the fibre composition of the material. These materials are not intended to be laundered and reused. Some wipes contain active ingredients that might be harmful if inhaled. For all these reasons, we do not recommend using dried-out wipes as filters. Non-woven polypropylene made with a needle-punch method is a continuous material that is completely perforated by thousands of fine needles on a roller. These holes offer a low-resistance path for airflow without fibres projecting into the gap. We predict they would filter poorly and do not recommend them. Imperfect does not mean unhelpful Imperfect use of imperfect masks has the potential to help control the spread of COVID-19. Important decreases in transmission have been observed following mask mandates, using the masks currently available. Industry is working to respond to the new guidelines by increasing the availability of polypropylene fabrics. At the Centre of Expertise in Protective Equipment and Materials, engineering faculty and graduate students are working to identify the best materials to use for cloth masks. We hope to be able to describe textiles that are likely to filter well and be breathable using standard industry descriptors such as the type of material and the weight. Barry Diamond, managing director of Veratex Lining Ltd., co-authored this article. He is a member of the Cloth Mask Knowledge Exchange. This article is republished from The Conversation a Creative Commons license.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

News

Charities

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations For visitors to Puerto Vallarta who wish to support the less privileged in our paradise, this is a list of some of the many organizations that could benefit from such kind gestures. If you would like your organization recognized here, please email details to cpsmedia.pv@gmail.com You can find all of our local charities online at vallartatribune.com Amigos de La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, A.C. – contributing to the quality of life in La Cruz through cultural, educational, environmental and charitable assistance programs. Tax Deductible. www. amigosdelacruz.org Contact Amy Welch amywelchpdx@comcast.net Alcoholics Anonymous: In English Puerto Vallarta Alanon Club – Basilio Badillo 329 recoverpv.com Amazing Grace Missions Assisting families in Magisterio & Progreso with necessities and job training and English. slw2014nv@gmail.com American Legion Post 14: raises resources and manpower to improve facilities needing building maintenance americanlegion14.org Amigos del Magisterio – Food delivered directly to workers at the PV dump, their families and schools in Magisterio and Volcanes. Also, food to New Beginnings, Pasitos de Luz, and Caritas. 100% of donations to the people, no overhead. amigosdelmagisterio.com lysephilrioux@ hotmail.com Asilo San Juan Diego Home for the Elderly – Contact: Lupita Sanchez Covarrubias 222-1257 or malupita88@ hotmail.com or mexonline.com\ asilosanjuandiego.htm Asociación Down – Assistance to persons with Down’s Syndrome – Contact: Ana Eisenring at 224-9577. Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter – Safe shelter for women & children victims of domestic violence. compassionforthefamily.org Becas Vallarta, A.C. – Provides scholarships to high school and university students. Tax-deductible in Mexico and USA. Polly Vicars at (322) 223-1371 or Buri Gray at (322) 221-5285. CANICA – Centre for Children with Cancer. Provides aid for treatment and services including transportation to GDL. Contact Director, Evelia Basañes 322-123-5688. Casa Hogar – A shelter for orphaned, abandoned, disadvantaged or vulnerable children. Luz Aurora Arredondo at 221 1908, casahogar_maximocornejo@hotmail. com Centro Comunitario SETAC-GLBT – Services the GLBT community, including treatment and referrals, education, English classes, HIV testing and counseling. Paco Arjona 224-1974

Clinica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara – Rehabilitation of the handicapped. Contact: Laura Lopez Portillo Rodriguez at 224-2754. COLINA Spay and Neuter Clinic – Free and by-donation sterilization clinic in Old Town. Only open Saturdays, Contact: cez@rogers.com or 322-104-6609 CompassionNet Impact – Transforming the lives of people living in chronic poverty. Job creation, education, emergency & more. Tax-deductible. Cell: (322) 133-7263 or ric@4compassion.org Corazon de Nina A safe, loving, home-environment for 40+ children and youth rescued from high-risk situations. Donations & volunteers always welcome! Totally self-funded. www. fundacioncorazon.mx Cruz Roja (Red Cross) – Handles hospital and emergency service in Vallarta. It is the only facility that is authorized to offer assistance to injured people on the street. Contact: 222-1533, 222-4973 Desayunos para los Niños de Vallarta A.C. Feeding programs, education programs, day care centers for single mothers. 2234311 or 22225 72 Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C. (DIVAC) association of handicapped individuals dedicated to helping one another. Ivan Applegate at 221-5153. Ecology and Conservation of Whales, AC. National Coordination Network for the Assistance of Entangled Whales. Biol. Astrid Frisch Jordán, Arce #541. Col. La Primavera Puerto Vallarta, Jal. 48325, Mexico, Tel/Fax: (322) 29 37 851

fibbcatalogo@yahoo.com Families At The Dump: Supporting families living in the landfill or garbage dump thru education and sustainable opportunities. familiesatthedump.org Fundacion Punta de Mita LDG. Ana Lilia Medina Varas de Valdés. ana@ fundacionpuntademita.org Tel. (329) 291 5053 Friends of PV Animals Volunteers working to enhance the lives of shelter animals. For info and donations visit friendsofpvanimals.com Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta: Arq. Luz del Carmen Pérez A cayro_13@ hotmail.com grupoecologico.com Horizonte de Paz: Welcoming shelter for men of all ages who are troubled w/alcohol & drug addiction.In great need of cash or material resources Contact MAYNOR Tel 281 0644 horizontedepaz@live.com International Friendship Club – Provides medical, educational and social services to those in need in Puerto Vallarta. www. ifcvallarta.com La Brigada de la Basura: A weekly meeting of neighborhood children to clean Vallarta Streets. Contact Que?Pasa 223-4006 Mexico Ministries & Mission, Inc. raises funds to the poor in Vallarta. Contact Fr. Jack+ 044 322 229-1129 christchurchbythesea.org Navy League – assists in the transportation of donated medical supplies from the U.S., organizes work groups to paint and repair facilities New Life Mexico – Challenging Child Poverty with health and education

programs. Philippa Vernon pvp@ newlifemexico.com Paraíso Felino AC Refuge and Adoption Centre for cats and kittens in the Bay of Banderas. Luis Donaldo Cel. (322) 120-4092 Pasitos de Luz – substitute home for low income children with any type of handicap, offers rehabilitation services and more. 299-4146. pasitosdeluz.org Purr Project – no-kill feline rescue located near Puerto Vallarta providing homeless cats and kittens a recuperative stay with the ultimate goal of adopting them out to loving homes, sterilized, vaccinated and disease free. www.purrproject.com PEACEAnimals – Free mobile spay/ neuter clinic operating 48 weeks a year, primarily in Puerto Vallarta. Tax-deductible. peaceanimals.org Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza Orphanage for children aged 0-14. www.ccshf.ca SETAC - Effectively reduce the incidence of HIV / AIDS in Puerto Vallarta and promoting respect for human rights of people living with HIV / AIDS www.setac. com.mx SPCA PV – Provides long term no-kill shelter and vet services as well as rehabilitation and adoption to rescued animals. www.spcapv.com Vallarta Botanical Gardens - An award winning botanical garden that offers research & education of native plant life, city beautification programs, bird and butterfly watching, orchid garden and more etc. www.vbgardens.org

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020

ARIES

You have a strong inclination and facility to help people in trouble. However, you may not have allowed yourself to develop these natural gifts. If you have noticed that many people spontaneously come to you and tell you about their problems, whether they are friends or people in your professional life, it is time that you think about honing your skills and perhaps even using them professionally. Never thought of becoming a therapist?

TAURUS

You may not feel as fit as usual. Perhaps you have noticed an uncharacteristic lack of energy in yourself. This is the time to find the cause of the problem. Why don’t you see a doctor or ask a friend for advice? The celestial energy at stake suggests that you pay attention to any minor physical annoyance before it becomes serious.

GEMINI

Psychic trips to the mind will bring you satisfaction today. Take a creative approach to exploring your own consciousness and see what kinds of self-discovery you can make. The aspect at stake today is helping you find stability in your artistic tendencies. Look for the answers within yourself instead of asking outside institutions. Trust your own knowledge.

CANCER

Close partnerships and intimate relationships are in your favor today. Stability in this area of your life is rewarding and very comforting right now. Speak confidently but not too much. You can communicate many things without words. Today’s special alignment is uniting love and dependence in your world. Take advantage of this wonderful combination of forces.

Entertainment LEO

Your home and family are going to play a greater role than usual today thanks to the energy at stake. You will restore a greater sensitivity and sympathy towards the members of that area of your life. It is possible that a slow restructuring is taking place at this time. Add a little creativity and you will see that your efforts have not been in vain.

SAGITTARIUS

The current astral alignment generally favors dreams over reality. Therefore, if someone openly declares their hostility towards you (which is probably the case today), you can easily take refuge in your own dream world. When you imagine yourself above all things, as a Zen master, you can transcend the frustrations of the day.

VIRGO

How eloquent you are today! You simply refuse to get off the stage. You may have convinced yourself that people are being deceived and feel that it is your duty to open their eyes. Unfortunately, with the celestial aspect at stake, your efforts will yield little result. But who was ever able to stop you in creating a better future!

LIBRA

Today you will be like an enlightened spokesperson! Wherever you go, it will undoubtedly be difficult for you to come up with your own ideas. Astral alignment will connect you with “collective” thinking to such an extent that your ideas may well mirror those of many other people.

SCORPIO

Don’t think that your relationship with your partner may be better than it is right now. Express your dreams, doubts or disagreements that you may have with her. The celestial energy at stake will help you formulate what is normally expressionless, so take advantage of it! If you don’t confess your most intimate thoughts, you could remain in a state of permanent dissatisfaction.

CAPRICORN

Today, your intuition is at maximum, since with the astral energy at stake today, there will be little that escapes your attention. Will you take advantage of your perceptions to climb more echelons of power? You could at least give it a try. Your intentions seem good and pure.

AQUARIUS

Do you pay attention to your inner being? Do you examine the motivations behind your actions and thoughts? Do you take notes on your dreams sometimes? If you make introspection a habit, today gives you an opportunity to get to know yourself in depth. Be it your psychological or spiritual focus, the influence of the day will facilitate the analysis and understanding of everything you know, without being aware that you know it!

PISCES

Some transformations may be taking place in your professional life. The celestial aspect at stake will bring new and unexpected openings where you work. Perhaps an artistic dimension appears in your professional life, if it hasn’t already happened. This is a good time to work collaboratively with other people. The days to come will point you in the right direction.

Nov 30 - Dec 6, 2020