Issue 847, June 28 - July 4, 2013

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8-POINT POLICY

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Environment

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Chactun

“NEW” MAYA CITY

June 28 - July 4, 2013 Free Issue 847

21

Lorena Ochoa Golf’s greatest

Welcome

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Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit Here is some advice to make your trip a little easier and more enjoyable.

TIME ZONE: The entire state of Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the southern part of the State of Nayarit starting from San Blas in the north.

Cover Photo “Cangrejos” Madeline Milne

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fernando Gonzalez Corona EDITOR Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@vallartatribune.com SALES Sylvie Scopazzo ventastribuna7@yahoo.com EDITORIAL BOARD Marcia Blondin Raymond C. Beaty Lois Ellison John & Christie Forget Landon Hollander Nancy Van Landingham Robina Oliver Staff Photographer Marcy Strear DESIGNER Cynthia Estela Andrade G. cisandra@vallartatribune.com

For Up To Date Information

BUSES: A system of urban buses with different routes can bring you from one end of the bay to the other and all the spots in between. Current fare is $6.50 pesos per ticket and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board another bus. There are no “transfers”.

TAXIS: There are set rates within defined zones of town. Do not enter a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver first.

Price is per trip not person.

MONEY EXCHANGE: Although you may have to wait in line for a few minutes, banks will give you a higher rate of exchange than the exchange booths (caja de cambio). You will need your passport.

Better yet, use your bank card to withdraw funds from any ATM machine. Note that ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and generally charge lower fees.

DRINKING WATER: For the 17th year in a row, Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for human consumption. The quality of the water tested at the purification plant varies greatly from what comes out of the tap at the other end. So do be careful. If you want to be doubly sure, you can pick up bottled water just about anywhere.

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Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and merely publishes information as it is provided by the advertiser or event host.

We do not assume responsibility in errors or omissions other than to correct them as soon as they are made known to us regarding event schedules, locations and/ or prices. In addition, we do not assume any responsibility for erroneous inclusion or exclusion of information except to take reasonable care to ensure accuracy, that permission has been obtained to use it, and to remove it as soon as is practical upon receiving your notification of error.

We recommend y o u a l wa y s c o n f i r m p r i o r t o a t t e n d i n g o r v i si t i n g an event or es tabl i s h m e n t .

Weekly publication edited, printed and distributed by Ediciones y Publicaciones Siete Junio, SA de CV Grupo Editorial Tribuna Calle 21 de Marzo # 1174 Col. Lomas del Coapinole Del. El Pitillal, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco México CP 48290 Tel. (322) 226-0829, 226-0800 editor@vallartatribune.com

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EXPORTING PETS: Fall in love with the street dog outside your hotel or a puppy on the Malecon doesn’t mean they can’t come home with you. The process is fairly inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You need a certificate of health from a local vet among other things.

The time of year that pets can travel in the cargo section of the plane may be your biggest challenge.

For the most up-to-date information contact the Puerto Vallarta SPCA at spcapv@gmail.com.

COMMON SENSE: Just as you wouldn’t walk around your hometown drunk and beligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here. While Mexicans are a forgiving bunch, basic politeness is appreciated.

For the guys, peeing in public is a major faux pas and if you are caught, can get you tossed in jail or an expensive fine. Pay attention to your surroundings. Pay your bills.

Be courteous. And have fun!

DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off – just don’t. The consequences are not worth it. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Fines are as much as 10,000 pesos. You can be taken to jail and your vehicle impounded. There are many checkstops on the weekends and you will be asked to blow if they suspect you have been drinking.

LEGAL SYSTEM: Not knowing the law is not an valid excuse in Mexico or anywhere. If you find yourself caught in a legal situation be aware that guilt is presumed until your innocence can be proven.

This is a very difficult lesson to learn if you are visiting from the United States or Canada in particular. Immediately contact your consulate for assistance.

Calling in Mexico Calling phones in Mexico can be tricky as it is different than in the US or Canada. There are different codes you need to use depending if you are calling landlines or cellular phones and if they are local or long distance.

Long-distance calls from within Mexico For national long-distance calls (within Mexico) the code is 01 plus the area code and phone number. For international longdistance calls, first dial 00, then the country code (for the U.S. and Canada the country code is 1, so you would dial 00 + 1 + area code + 7 digit number).

Calling Cell Phones (from a land line) If you are calling from a landline within the area code of the Mexican cell phone number dial 044, then the 10 digit number including area code. Outside of the area code (but still within Mexico) dial 045 and then the 10 digit phone number. Cell phone to cell phone only requires the 10 digit number.

Phone Cards Phone cards (“tarjetas telefonicas”) for use in pay phones can be bought at newstands and in pharmacies in denominations of 30, 50 and 100 pesos. Pay phones do not accept coins. When buying a phone card for pay phone use, specify that you would like a “tarjeta LADA,” because pre-paid cell phone cards are also sold in the same establishments.

Calling Toll-Free Numbers Some toll free numbers work from Mexico to the US and Canada, but many do not.

You need to dial a different prefix.

To call the following toll free prefixes, dial as follows: 800 numbers Dial 001-880-then the number 866 numbers Dial 001-883-then the number 877 numbers Dial 001-882-then the number 888 numbers Dial 001-881-then the number

Emergencies: 060 Red Cross: 065 Municipal and Transit Police: 322.290.0507 Fire Department: 322.223.9476 Red Cross - Ambulance: 322.222.1533 Consulates American Consulate Nuevo Vallarta: 322.222.0069 24 hrs Guadalajara: 333.268.2145

Immigration: 322.224.7719 Consumer Protection: 01.800.468.8722 Tourism Offices Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006 Canadian Consulate 322.293.2894 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

Editorial

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I took a small road trip this week up to Sayulita solely for the purpose of photographing the land crabs. I took the time to clean and sort my lenses, double checked the memory card was in its place and predictably failed to ensure the battery was changed. So I have some cute iphone photos…

Visitors to the beaches around Hierra Blanca and Sayulita during the rainy season that find themselves walking through the jungle are likely to be surprised to find the jungle floor literally

teeming with thousands (sounds like millions) of purple-and-yellow and red land crabs. Crabs seem to be foraging everywhere in the leaf litter, wildly waving their claws and scurrying away at the slightest sign of danger.

It’s pretty awesome.

You are the star of your own National Geographic special.

There are two species of land crabs in the area. The red ones are Gecarcinus lateralis and the more prolific dark purple yellowish are Gecarcinus quadratus. The red ones usually grow larger, the purple and yellow ones more numerous. Commonly called Mexican Land Crab, Halloween Crab, Mouthless Crab,or the Harlequin Land Crabthese little crustaceans only return to the ocean to reproduce and spend the rest of their days burrowed in the jungle, as much as 600 meters from shore. They have adapted to life on land so much so that they even drown in water and only take to the sea shore for releasing their larvae. Once the eggs are laid the adult crabs return to the forest to molt, forage and hibernate.

It’s a breathtaking sight, though eerie and off-putting for many, I’m sure. They make a clicking noise that could come straight from a horror movie soundtrack but their funny faces, frantic claw waving, and bright colours should be enough to ensure anyone that these guys are relatively harmless. (Unless they overrun your house or fields, in which case they can be a real nuisance.) Having been raised on a steady diet of nature, I’m not one run at the sight of insects, crustaceans or bears and I find

Recent efforts to improve the overall visual appeal of Puerto Vallarta have included the removal of noncompliant business signs, uniform exterior wall colour (white with red tile). Now the city has begun replanting and replacing trees from meridians and gloriettas that are not in conducive growing areas.

These plants are being replanted in other areas around the city in parks and other public spaces. Where trees have been removed, grasses, flowers, palms and other appropriate vegetation is being planted.

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these fellas very charming.

Take a day and explore. There are some excellent beaches around Sayulita that are near deserted and perfect for getting close to the land crabs. Bring your camera, water and decent jungle shoes. When you’ve got a portfolio of photos perfect for NG, head into Sayulita for some great fish tacos at Miguel’s Taco Stand on Calle Delphines. They’re my go to when I’m in town. Give me a call, maybe I’ll join you.

Madeline

Good morning, We are vacationing in Puerto Vallarta and picked up one of your Vallarta Tribunes and have enjoyed it so much! We have found several new things to do.

I have a question - since we are not going to be here on SAturday, which is the day of the Paradise Community Centers Market, is there somewhere that we can see some of the sea glass jewelry of Torri? I collect sea glass on our travels and would love to see some of her jewelry.

I would appreciate any information you can give me.

Thank you!

Edie and Bob Van Sprange Hello Edie and Bob,

Welcome to Vallarta! It’s a shame you are leaving so soon.

We found Torri at www.facebook. com/torribythesea and she sent us this message: Thanks for contacting me and letting me know.

They can reach me on my cell at 322-192-8322 or contact me via email at torribythesea@hotmail. com. I’d be happy to meet up with them and bring my jewelry for them to see.

Hopefully you get to meet up with Torri and that you’ve had a wonderful time in our city. Until next time. MM

ABOGADO O PARTIDO SIN ABOGADO Mendocino County HHSA/Social service Family & Children´s Division PO Box 839 , Ukinh CA 95482 Teléfono 707-463-7990 Fax 707-463-7748 Superior Court Of California County of Mendocino 100 Nort State St. Ukiah CA 95482

Fashions for Charity

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Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

Dear Editor,

Puerto Vallarta Replants

ith more than two dozen worthy charity/ non-profit organizations in Vallarta who do you choose when you really want to help?

And, with cash flow at its typical summer low, now what?! Easy answer: open your drawers, closets and hearts and make a pile.

Clean everything first then CONSIGN them. You can turn your under-utilized clothing into cash for yourself or, better yet, donate the clothing to the charity account of your choice and help support someone in great need.

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So how exactly, does consignment work? Take your bags and boxes to “Deja New” on Jacarandas and sign owner Kathleen´s three-month contract. That will guarantee that 50% of all sales will go to you in cash –or- store credit. After the 90 days are done any and all “leftovers” will be either returned to you, or donated to charity. Kathleen has over 14 charity accounts currently running in her store and, if your favorite one isn´t there you can create an account for the charity yourself with your clothing donation. All Deja New´s unsellable

clothing is gifted weekly to the Thrift Store of Pasitos de Luz in Pitillal. Consider this your invitation to join us on a tour of Pasitos de Luz! We will meet next Wednesday morning, July 3rd in front of Deja New, Jacarandas 280.

Call or email us for more information: 044 322 157 4965 dejanewconsign@hotmail.com with your name and number of people coming with you. Pasitos de Luz provides rehabilitative care for children with severe development disabilities. We will end our tour with a visit to the Thrift Store so come prepared to shop!

NOMBRE DEL CASO: Isabella Leigh Rangel LA CITACION DE COMPARECER PUBLICADA POR EL DEPARTAMENTO DE BIENESTAR Y SUS INSTITUCIONES DEL CODIGO ARTICULA 294 (F) (7) (A) NUMERO DE CASO: SCUK-JVSQ-12-16505-01 1. Para Arturo Vargas Rangel y cualquier otra persona que esta reclamando ser el padre de Isabella Leigh Rangel, nacida el 8 de diciembre del 2004 en Santa Rosa, California, EEUU. 2. Habrá un junio de Departamento de Bienestar y sus Instituciones el 6 de agosto del 2013 a las 9:00 a.m. en el Departamento F localizado en la corte superior mencionada arriba.

3. En el juicio, las recomendaciones de la trabajadora social serán consideradas por la corte.

4. La trabajadora social va a recomendar que la niña este libre de la custodia legal de usted, para permitir que sea adoptada. si la corte sigue las recomendaciones, todos sus derechos paternales serán terminado.

5. Usted tiene derecho a estar presente en este juicio y presentar evidencia, y tiene el derecho de ser representado por un abogado. Si no tiene un abogado y no tiene manera de pagarlo, será nombrado por la corte para usted.

6. Si la corte termina sus derechos paternales, la orden podría ser final.

7. La corte procederá con este juicio este usted presente o no.

Fecha: 5 de junio del 2013 CARYN A. DOWNING. Empleada Provisional por PEGGY MELLO. Diputado La Citación de Comparecer Publicada por el Departamento de Bienestar y sus Instituciones Del Código Articulo 366.26 será publicada en las Siguientes fechas: 10, 17 y 24 de junio y el 1 de Julio del 2013.

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President Peña Nieto promotes an environmental policy to ensure a better quality of life

D

uring the inauguration of National Environment Week, President Enrique Peña Nieto presented the National Climate Change Strategy containing adaptation and mitigation measures to counter the effects of global environmental issues. President Peña Nieto said that in order to care for the planet, our shared home and common heritage, “It is essential that we adopt the Inclusive Green Growth paradigm,” as established in the National Development Plan 2013-2018.

Inclusive Green Growth is, “The great promise of a better future for humanity; it is the ability to grow and create wealth without damaging our environment or our natural heritage,” he added. The president stressed that the measures contained in the National Climate Change Strategy are divided into eight areas of action:

First: Reduce the vulnerability of Mexicans living at risk and strengthen their capacity to adapt to climate change.

Second: Reduce the vulnerability of production systems and strategic infrastructure to weather contingencies.

Third: Promote the resilience of ecosystems to the effects of climate change.

Fourth: Accelerate the energy transition towards clean energy sources.

Fifth: Reduce the intensity of energy consumption through efficiency and rationality schemes.

Sixth: Move toward sustainable city models, with intelligent mobility systems, integrated waste management and buildings with low carbon footprints.

Seventh: Promote better agricultural and forestry practices, with schemes for Reducing Emissions from deforestation and degradation.

Eighth: Reduce emissions from “short life” pollutants such as black carbon and methane, to improve the health and welfare of all.

“Natural Resources Are Not Only Ours; They Also Belong To Future Generations” The president said that Mexico is one of the 17 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world. “These abundant natural resources are not only ours; they also belong to future generations, and they deserve to be preserved and not lost through carelessness or negligence,” he explained.

He noted that Mexicans have assumed this enormous challenge for what it is: an environmental emergency.

He therefore insisted on the importance of green growth, “Which allows us to have a strong commitment to the environment and, in turn, improve the population’s quality of life.” Within this framework, he announced three important measures that meet this dual purpose: “We will soon publish the Official Mexican Norm 163, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in new cars, as well as to increase the performance of their fuel.”

Furthermore, “The Environmental Quality Commission of the Metropolitan Areas in the Center of the Country to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in the most populated region in our country.

Participants in this organization will include Mexico City authorities together with those from the states of Hidalgo, Mexico, Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala as well as the government.”

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And lastly, “The Nevado de Toluca National Park will be transformed into an area for the protection of flora and fauna to enhance the quality of life of the 23 million people who live in that region.

As a result of this change of status, the first in 77 years, the area will have a more comprehensive preservation program, and actions will be promoted to protect its scenic beauty, use their natural resources sustainably and restore their ecosystems, which are home to a rich biological diversity.”

The president pointed out that through the National Climate Change Strategy and the operations concerned, “The government confirms its determination to move the institutions, programs and mentality of the authorities and society forward in order to promote an environmental policy with long-term vision.”

He recalled that in Mexico, due to its geographical location and diversity of climates, global warming has resulted in various natural phenomena, and in order to address these adverse effects, the country has taken a proactive stance in the country and assumed a position of international leadership.

Nationally Mexic has the new General Law on Climate Change, which is truly cutting-edge legislation.

Four months ago, the Intersecretarial Commission on Climate Change was created as well as the National Climate Change System, featuring a Council composed of experts, chaired by Mexican Nobel Laureate Dr. Mario Molina.

Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources Juan José Guerra Abud said that a healthy environment is a constitutional right of Mexicans which translates into a binding responsibility for future generations and which, far from being a burden, should be seen as an opportunity to create jobs, added value and therefore, economic development and poverty alleviation.

He explained that the National Climate Change Strategy was developed with the participation

with information from the latest results of climate science and based on sound economic principles. He also declared that this is an important step towards implementing the Climate Change Act, since it offers short, medium and long term views, provides strategic axes for government action and encourages joint responsibility with society as a whole on mitigation and adaptation.

For Mexico’s entrepreneurs, the National Climate Change Strategy promoted by the government is undoubtedly the essential path to sustainable development that will drive growth and help alleviate poverty, through more efficient use of the country’s natural resources.

This was expressed by the President of the Business Coor-

“THE NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY WILL BE A PILLAR OF THE COUNTRY’S INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT”~Juan Carlos Belausteguigoitia of academics, non-governmental environmental organizations and on the basis of nearly 13 000 opinions received from the general public.

It was also was enhanced and passed by both the Council for Climate Change, composed of 15 experts in the field, and the 13 government agencies comprising the Intersecretarial Commission.

For his part, Juan Carlos Belausteguigoitia, Secretary of the Board Climate Change, said that the strategy presented is objective, adheres to the law, is updated

dinating Council (CCE), Gerardo Gutiérrez Candiani, who also noted that the National Climate Change Strategy must be an inclusive effort that will guide all sectors and activities in the transition to a more efficient, low-carbon economy with low greenhouse gas emissions.

Originally published on presidencia.gob.mx

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BUSINESS

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Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

GROWTH

During the first quarter of 2013, Pemex sent 104 million barrels of crude oil to the US market, for which it received 10.882 billion dollars, informed the US Department of Commerce.

Solartec, the solar cell manufacturer, will become the first Mexican company to export this type of photovoltaic panel to the US.

According to the World Bank (WB), Mexico’s economy will grow 3.3% in 2013 and will accelerate and reach 4% growth in 2014 and 2015, boosted by telecommunications reforms.

According to the US Census Bureau, Mexico will have a talent surplus of 5 million people by 2020, compared to the 17-million deficit globally.

Nokia received the support of 25 Mexican designers from Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA), who created innovative proposals for the Asha smartphone, particularly the 306 and 311 models.

Universidad Aeronáutica en Querétaro (UNAQ) will invest 1 billion pesos in expansion works to serve more than three times the students in 2020.

Soriana, the Mexican supermarket chain, plans to invest 400 million dollars in the next four years in green energy co-generation projects.

Mexico could become the fourth largest global auto parts manufacturer between 2018 and 2019, when production value exceeds 100 billion dollars, informed the National Auto Parts Industry (INA).

Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Belgian-Brazilian multinational, finalized the purchase of the remaining 50% of the Mexican brewery Grupo Modelo, in an operation valued at 20.1 billion dollars.

The Mexican government, through the Meso-America Project, will fund the construction of the Sixaola bi-national bridge, which will connect Costa Rica and Panama with a fifteen million-dollar investment -ten million from Mexico and the rest from Costa Rica.

The US clothing retailer, Gap, will open its first Banana Republic store in Mexico in 2013, through its partnership with Distribuidora Liverpool.

TOURISM Grupo Financiero Banorte is planning a share offer in Mexico, the US and certain markets abroad for up to 3 billion dollars.

IRS Offers Good News for Mexico Property Buyers the definition of the U.S. tax Original By Kevin Brass

A recently announced ruling by the Internal Revenue Service could save U.S. citizens buying homes in Mexico thousands of dollars and endless headaches.

After lengthy discussions, the IRS formally acknowledged this month that fideicomiso--the Mexican land trusts foreigners must use to buy property along the coast--are not “trusts” under

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code. The IRS explored three different scenarios for buying a residential property through a fideicomiso--buying with a U.S. limited liability company, using a C corporation or a direct individual purchase. In all three scenarios the IRS concluded that Mexican trusts do not constitute the IRS’ definition of trust, KPMG reports.

Originally published on worldproper-

Between January and April 2013, 4,356,713 foreign visitors arrived in Mexico by air, 6.3% more than in the same period of 2012, according to data by the National Immigration Institute (INM).

Mexico received 4.958 billion dollars in currency from international visitors during the first quarter of 2013, 6.6% more than in the same period in 2012, informed SECTUR and Banxico.

The Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) and the Tourism Promotion Council (CPTM) will inject more than 10 million dollars in one year to promote Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit abroad as a unique product, given their shared natural beauties and world-class tourism infrastructure.

Don’t get cloned!

Protecting Your Money As is the case the world over; ATMS, Debit Cards and Credit Cards are cloned right here in our little town. It would appear every few months a new surge of ATM scams occurs and the chat groups become a volley in frustration and reason. If you been lucky enough to avoid cloning, excellent, but for many it is an unfortunate reality. In an effort to minimize the number of people being affected we have compiled some of the most logical of helpful tips.

1.

Go Local If you are in town for a longer period of time or a frequent visitor you may want to consider opening a local account. As long as you have a valid visa (from tourist to resident) you are able to open an account. Many banks in the Bay offer excellent English language support including Bancomer, Santander, Actinver and HSBC. Every bank has different account options and charges so it is wise to do your research.

2.

Sister Banks Many US and Canadian Banks have relationships with Mexican banks. This can save you on fees and will make dealing with any problems that arise easier to sort out. Be sure to ask your home branch about any associations they might have in Mexico.

3.

Separate Accounts Transfer only what you need and can stand to lose for a specific amount of time and keep a separate debit for that account.

4.

Be Smart Use ATMS that are inside reputable banks, with security systems in place. The ATMS inside bars, convenience stores or randomly placed on the side of the road are not the safest options available.

5.

Avoid ATMS Altogether For a small fee, usually percentage based, it is possible to Western Union yourself money from your bank. All you need is your passport to pick it up at any Western Union office.

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China and Mexico build partnerships Chinese president Xi Jinping visited Mexico to promote investment exchange between the two economies. The countries signed a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding on free trade, energy, infrastructure, emerging industries, mining, commercial defense, science and technology, among other areas. One of the major benefits to Jalisco will be the increase in Tequila sales with a plan to export 10 million liters per year to China, equal to 100 million dollars, which could triple the number of jobs in the sector, informed the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT).

Number of Chinese Visitors to Mexico Rises 35% Chinese tourist arrivals to Mexico grew 35.1 percent in the first quarter of 2013 over the same period last year, the Tourism Secretariat said.

From January to April, “Mexico received 19,635 tourists coming from China,” the secretariat said.

The favorite destinations of Chinese visitors are Mexico City, Cancun, Tijuana, Guadalajara, Los Cabos, Monterrey and Puerto Vallarta.

Recognizing this increase, Puerto Vallarta recently attended a travel fair in Vancouver, Canada to promote the destination to 100 travel agents that focus mainly on the Asian consumer market. Nearly 40% of Vancouverites are of Asian descent and have significant buying power.

It was noted that it is easier to

travel from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta than Tokyo or Shanghai.

Of all the tourists, 54 percent traveled to Mexico for recreational purposes, and in that group 69 percent bought package tours with everything included at fourand five-star hotels for vacations from five to seven days, spending an average of $2,000 to $4,000 during their stay.

The secretariat noted that Mexico “occupies second place in the world” in a classification of luxury destinations, something that is a great attraction for Chinese visitors, who “love shopping” and who particularly like the fact that it’s a tax-free destination.

The World Tourism Organization estimates that in 2015 some 100 million Chinese will travel abroad.

El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and Gran Desierto in Sonora declared World Heritage Site

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he El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and the Gran Desierto de Altar, located in the state of Sonora, were recently designated World Heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Mexico now has five natural World Heritage sites. The other four are: The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve; the El Vizcaino Whale Sanctuary, the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California and the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.

In order for the El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and Gran Desierto de Altar to be given World Heritage status, their state of conservation was taken into account, together with their resource management scheme. The fact that it is home to over than a thousand species of flora and fauna, making it the most biologically diverse desert in the world, was also considered. In addition, it is home to several endemic, endangered species, such as the Sonora pronghorn antelope, the desert tortoise or Gila monster, as well as birds, amphibians and freshwater fish.

This decision by UNESCO places Mexico in an important position regarding conservation and constitutes a significant acknowledgement of the work done by Mexicans regarding the protection of natural resources. Source: SEMARNAT

First bi-national airport to be built in Mexico

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he first bi-national air terminal in the Americas will be built in Mexico in 2014, with a 180 million-peso investment. It will connect Tijuana with San Diego and handle an estimated two million passengers annually.

The project was approved in March 2013 and intends to improve transportation for people traveling to Mexico while reducing traffic at San Diego and Los Angeles Airports.

The new pedestrian bridge for

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the bi-national airport terminal will be ready in July 2014, according to Mexican authorities. The bridge will connect the actual International airport of Tijuana with a new cross-border terminal in Otay Mesa. The terminal is intended to be used exclusively by ticketed airline passengers who will pay a toll.

Development in Otay Mesa is being funded by Otay-Tijuana Ventures LLC, who are building the 45,000-square-foot terminal

and the access roads in Otay Mesa. Otay-Tijuana Ventures LLC, has been in negotiations with U.S. Customs and Border Protection over issues that include who would pay the salaries of federal officers assigned to the facility.

The complete project will include public transportation to the area from San Diego, and is estimated to be finished by 2018.

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Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

The Trash Brigade

by Marcia Blondin

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his team of kids has grown from 17 to well over 40 youngsters who want a cleaner neighborhood and a trash-free river. They have met at Que?Pasa, Aquiles Serdan 625 in Colonia Emiliano Zapata, every Saturday morning at 11:30 since 2010 to make a positive difference in our city.

Michael, owner of Que?Pasa, has made garbage a big deal to these children; instilling in them a tremendous sense of respect for our earth that will last them a lifetime. They, in turn, pass down that ecologically sound message to their brothers and sisters and often, their parents. Michael makes sure all the kids have trash bags (in suitable sizes!), latex gloves and an adult to keep them safe on their tour around the neighborhood picking up rubbish.

When they return to Que?Pasa after their appointed rounds, Michael treats them to hotdogs, chips and sodas. The kids also have their own wall in the bar covered with photographs of them at task – smiling, knowing they are doing a good thing and will be rewarded when they are done.

If any of you parents out there are wondering what to do with your kids when they get out of school for summer break, encourage them to take part in this small beautification project every

Angela Bassett, visits Riviera Nayarit Saturday morning. If you aren´t up to actually joining them while they work, buy yourself a beer , have some lunch, play some pool and enjoy the ambiance of this local neighborhood bar until they are finished. Your children will be well chaperoned while you take a break; totally a win-win situation!

Registration of Canadians Abroad We encourage you to sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service if you are travelling or living in Mexico.

Registration enables us to reach you in case of an emergency abroad or inform you about a family emergency in Canada.

Sign up online at travel.gc.ca/register or register by mail, fax or in person.

For more information, contact the Consular Agency of Canada in Puerto Vallarta:

Another good thing to do: donate garbage bags or gloves, make it a habit to buy extras when you are grocery shopping. Cash donations to keep the kids in hotdogs are always appreciated.

See all of you soon in Que?Pasa!

Inscription des Canadiens à lʼétranger Nous vous encourageons à utiliser le service dʼInscription des Canadiens à l’étranger si vous voyagez ou habitez au Mexique.

Nous pourrons ainsi communiquer avec vous dans le cas dʼune urgence à lʼétranger ou dʼune urgence familiale au Canada.

Inscrivez-vous en ligne à lʼadresse voyage.gc.ca/inscription ou par courriel, par télécopieur ou en personne.

Pour de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec l’Agence consulaire du Canada à Puerto Vallarta :

Plaza Peninsula, Local Sub F Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2485 Zona Hotelera Norte, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México

' 52 (322) 293-0098 / 293-0099 | 7 52 (322) 293-2894 | * pvrta@international.gc.ca

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Actress Angela Bassett recently visited Riviera Nayarit, adding to a long list of stars that enjoy this magical getaway.

According to JuicyMagOnline.com, the actress stayed at Villa La Estancia with her children, Slater and Bronwyn. They enjoyed both the beach and the pool. She was also spotted with Bronwyn having pedicure at Tatewari SPA.

Bassett was spending quality time with her children before the premiere of FX’s American Horror Story third season, but it’s not the first time she has been spotted at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit; she and her husband, actor, Courtney B. Vance previously spent Thanksgiving 2012 with their children there.

Cena con Causa to Benefit Vallarta Firefighters On June 29th attend the ‘Cena con Causa’ coordinated

by DIF Puerto Vallarta in support of the firefighters and lifeguards who work tirelessly to protect our citizens and visitors. Funds raised will support training and equipment. Join the 90 person strong team and celebrate the efforts of these important community members. The benefit Bu-

ffet Dinner will include live music, and an auction with great items up for bid. Starting at 6:30 pm at the Krystal Hotel and Resort, tickets are $300 pesos. Tickets are available at the Fire Department located at Avenida Las Américas 565 in Colonia Lázaro Cárdenas as well as from volunteers on the Southside, in the Marina, Bucerías and Nuevo Vallarta. For more information, contact Gary Green at 322-150-7214 or email gary(at)andalesonthebay.com.

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LOCALS

Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

Myles Wallingford, Investours Intern

P

I can think of no better place to work, or who better people would want to work with.

Three months ago my entire experience started with the simple click of a mouse. And now it’s ending, at least for me, but not before getting to know fourteen drastically different minds.

People are like stray dogs. You can never fully know the entirety of who they are, what they know, or what they’ve been through.

To that extent, every person I’ve come to work with is a stray dog.

Along the way we pick up bits and pieces of each one another’s’ lives and pasts, drives and laughs.

It’s a game. Like a pyramid we build up our perceptions of one another- from what we like eating for breakfast to our opinions thoughts on cultural imperialism.

We all make these pyramids, all the time. We do it with our coworkers, friends, even our family.

But I find myself especiallyMy amusement amused by it now that I’m here. at this phenomenon simply comes from environment in which I now find myself.

The paradise-like country of Mexico is the perfect place to learn about other human beings, where they are extracted from daily routines and relatively free of the stresses that “our” society often bringsentails.

I wonder sometimes if it’s truly possible to know another person in their entirety. The same way all that you know of your waitress is the brief time that you she spends at your table with her, all people know of you is the brief moments they experience you, and you are always changing, hiding, revealing, evolving.

At a bar in Sayulita one the other night, it hit me during an uncoordinated attempt at salsa dancing, it hit me that in the same way I’m moving with this person, right now is the same way I could also be dancinge with a seven billion other people on this earth.

Even if we only spent 10 seconds interacting with everybody alive, it would still take us over 2000 years to get to barely know every person.

So I guess all we can do is just keep moving, just keep meeting and dancing, and try to leave everyone happier than when they first met you.

ED NOTE: And with those parting words, Myles leaves Investours where he has been interning for the past month and heads to new lands. Thank you to Alex for sharing your thoughts with the readers of the Vallarta Tribune.

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Paradise and Parenting

Pyramids

roductivity seems to only happen at night on the roof of my hotel. It’s late and the wind is low you can hear the waves crash with much more clarity.

My fellow interns and I sit in a circle drinking beer while and filling our the hours with talk about how we’re going to help people.

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By Leza Warkentin rhythm2rain@gmail.com

Learning to Regulate

S

o we went for dinner at the home of some friends the other day. Our children went happily with their children to play, and we went happily to the terrace. All was well until we heard some shrieking. Once it became clear that the shrieker did not belong to me, I went back to my chat while the shrieker’s dad went to deal with the problem.

When he returned, things were much quieter, with just some muffled snuffling and hiccupping in the background. The dad’s expression was one I was familiar with. You know the one: that smile just for guests, meant to convey a casual, oh-those-crazy-kids-again sort of sentiment, while inside one is wondering what sort of diabolical consequence could possibly match the chagrin you are currently feeling.

He sort of sighed, and then complimented me on my column in the Tribune. I was impressed by the effective diversionary tactic, but then he asked “But next week could you answer a question I have?” Sure, I answered, wondering where this was going. “Why do kids do things like bite their siblings, and then can’t seem to give you any type of rational reason for doing it?”

This is a question that we all have at some point or another, or, in my case, at many points or another. As a matter of fact, if I had a peso for every time I have asked myself some form of this question, I would easily have enough money to build a special room for just me, designed to muffle my screams. There was the time that I wondered idly, over the course of two hours, where the dog was, and then found her locked in the bathroom with a blue stripe painted down her back. There was another time when I found the contents of my spice rack emptied into a large mixing bowl, combined with vinegar, water, and chocolate milk.

And then there is every time that

one of them asks me to close my eyes for a second.

But I AM going to try to answer this question, because the dad who asked it is a good friend, he makes a mean veggie burger, and we always get dessert when we go to their house.

Preschool teachers are familiar with the term “self-regulation”, because it is notably not well integrated into the skill set of most preschool age children. Self-regulation refers to several complicated processes that allow children to appropriately respond to their environment (Bronson, 2000).

In other words, when children throw down every time their siblings call them “potato heads” they are not showing self-regulation skills. When they continue to play, apparently deaf to your desperate entreaties, threats and finally bribes, when they are already late for school and you are late for your very interesting work meeting, this is a lack of self-regulation.

This may sound counter-productive to you, but really the best way to teach self-regulation is to provide children with opportunities to make decisions.

This helps them learn how to govern their own behavior and feel as though they are in charge (while we are still pulling the strings like the evil puppet mas-

ters we are). So if you really need to get to that meeting (do you really?) ask your child to decide if he/she would like to pick up the blocks or the books first.

Another way to introduce selfregulation is by anticipating problem situations. If your children tend to get aggressive with each other when company shows up, have them help plan what activities they’ll invite their friends to play when they get there.

Give them reminders and cues to help them transition.

Preschool teachers are great at this, and always remind children that it’s time to clean up with an overly cheerful, fun song that would drive most adults straight to the liquor cabinet, but tends to work well with young children and early childhood educators.

These are valuable tools for the future, my friends. Let’s face it; years down the road do we want to hear that they are pulling straight A’s in college or that they are being taught to drink homemade gin from different types of used plumbing apparatus?

As for me, I am currently drawing up blueprints for that adult time-out room I mentioned earlier. Let me know if you have some good sound-proofing tips.

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Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

PV Sea Dive

By Erin Staley oldtownfm.com

By Sue Keevil pvseadive.com

Celebrating Mexico’s Culture

E

very Saturday we celebrate the many cultures of our Old Town Farmers’ Market – Tianguis Cultural community.

This week we are honoring our host country and its talented artisans and skillful producers.

One such artisan is Néstor de Jesús Villaseñor García who honors his heritage with handmade Pre-Hispanic musical instruments.

“My instruments represent an important part of our culture,” says García who has been fashioning his original pre-Hispanic instruments for over 30 years.

The sounds are soothing, reminiscent of a time long ago. Not only is García a talented instrument maker, but he is a teacher and skilled musician.

As a teacher at the Instituto Cultural Cuale for over 20 years, García has been sharing his love of music with students from all over the Banderas Bay area.

He plays the harp and pan flutes as a member of Tajin, a local

duo. Take home the comforting sounds of Tajin’s repertoire by purchasing a CD from García at the Market. And while you’re having the CD signed, be sure to select your very own handcrafted, pre-Hispanic instrument.

Both make an ideal gift for music lovers of all ages.

The celebration of Mexico continues with freshly roasted peanuts and peanut products from Cacahuate Carlos. Owned

by Carlos Valdivia and Lisa Gilroy, Cacahuate Carlos is built on a longstanding family tradition.

Having moved to Vallarta, Valdivia met Canadian, Lisa Gilroy in 2008. The two fell in love, and soon found themselves roasting small batches of peanuts to sell at the Market and at local candy stores and restaurants.

“We use old family recipes and organic ingredients to make our quality products,” says Gilroy who is quick to note that Cacahuate Carlos is free from pesticides, chemicals and oils. Market shop-

pers rave about the variety of flavors and come back time and time again to get their favorites.

• Flavored peanuts: sweet, salty, spicy and garlic • Natural peanut butter (crunchy and smooth) • Chocolate peanut butter • Peanut butter cookies • Peanut brittle • Peanut butter fudge • Peanuts in the shell “We love to share the peanutgrowing process with our customers,” says Gilroy. “We love our customers and selling our peanuts is just icing on the cake.”

To pick up your favorite peanut products, stop by Cacahuate Carlos this Saturday.

Join us in celebration this Saturday at the Old Town Farmers’ Market – Tianguis Cultural. Located along Basilio Badillo between Olas Altas and Pino Suarez, the summer Market is open 9:30 am to 2 pm until the last Saturday in July. For more information, visit www.oldtownfm.com.

A

TOYS

s if diving is not enough fun on its own, we have underwater toys to play with. This week, I have been looking at buying some sea scooters. These are James Bond style toys that are a lot of fun. They are battery powered and can reach speeds of up to 4.8kl/h.

This may not seem fast, but underwater, it feels very quick.

You simply hold onto the handles, adjust the speed, and steer it wherever you want to go.

As you don´t have to use your fins, you don´t use as much air, so you can get a longer dive and see more of an area. I once dived around an island in Egypt using one, and while everyone else got a quarter of the way around the island, I lapped them! I stopped to look at nothing, simply enjoying the scenery as it whizzed by and laughed too much at the stupidity of what I was doing. Anyone who has dived with me will tell you, I am slow as a snail and look into everything, so for me it was a real change.

When I teach the deep diving course, I never dive without my toy that is designed for 2 year olds. It is made of plastic and is hollow box with various shapes on all sides. Inside are 8 different shapes with each one going into the corresponding hole. I have seen smart people struggle for over a minute trying to put the wrong shapes into the wrong holes while they are laughing. I like to video this as no one believes me when I tell them how long it took them. Adults have no problem putting the shapes in the holes on the surface in less than ten seconds, but at 100 feet, things get a little bit silly.

Narcosis usually occurs around 100 feet, otherwise called the Martini effect. Jacques Cousteau called it this as he says every thirty-three feet you

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descend is the equivalent of having a Martini, so at 100 feet, you are well on your way to having a good night out! The effects usually wear off when you ascend to less than 90 feet, but it´s not an exacting science. Some people don´t get narcosis, or narked, and some people get narked easily. I am in the later group, but no one seems to know why. It is not something you can develop a tolerance too, and we ensure you have had the correct training so that you how to deal with it.

Something I always have in my pocket when I dive is my Action Man diver. I like to get him out to show people their body position in the water, and my man is an easy way of showing people what to do without having the ability of speech.

I have an underwater Frisbee too for the pool. It´s completely neutrally buoyant and when people play with it they stop thinking about buoyancy and it seems to just come naturally. I also have underwater rockets, but they sinks if you don´t catch them quickly enough, so this is another shallow pool toy.

Underwater toys don´t need to be expensive to be fun. A good old fashioned egg and spoon race is a great way to entertain kids and adults alike. The important thing is get out in the water and have fun!

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Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

This is Paradise...

By Marcia Blondin marcia.blondin@ymail.com

Check Fernando´s stock of organically grown coffees from Chiapas, Veracruz and San Sebastian. Yes, he has decaf and yes, Fernando will grind up your beans for you.

James has a new flock of mermaid prison dolls. Gorgeous all!

Peter has added sensational pastrami sandwiches on (his own) rye bread served with coleslaw and spicy dills. Have a chocolate croissant if you leave space for dessert!

Phillip and Brenda are making their magic clay into gaily painted “Tequila Heels”. These decorative high – and I mean high!- heels detach themselves and become tequila shot glasses! I keep hinting to include a bottle of Don Julio to encourage sales but so far no luck…

From Oaxaca, new patch work-type bedspreads and round embroidered (and zippered) pillow covers have arrived. Veronica and Oscar have all their lovely handbags on sale for 30% off!

What do African designs, Marilyn Monroe, tools, chilies, cupcakes and lobsters have in common? Find all of these and more on Bill´s newest cooling ties.

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Banderas Bay Initiative

By Maria Zamora www.bbini.org

Experience conservation

If you wake up to pouring rain Saturday morning don´t even think about not going shopping! We at the Paradise Community Center have you covered at the Co-op Market; our huge palapa roof will keep you dry and not dodging big tropical raindrops.

Lively music and lots of ceiling fans will have you humming along, sampling and gathering food for the coming week and finding very cool gift items if you are travelling to foreign lands.

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Enrique the Gorgeous has been adding to his collection of watercolor paintings he has for sale next to his stunning photographs.

Three-layered cappuccino brownies and cranberry scones are going fast from Todd and Lolita´s Saturday Co-op table.

Chef Miguel Angel Calic from “Cook in Vallarta” is offering Caesar salad with dressing as well as complete frozen dinners to take home.

Get your tickets for only $300 pesos and attend the dinner and show at the Krystal June 29th and help support Vallarta´s brave firefighters. ¡Viva!

I have mentioned Benita´s fabulous sandals in the past. She has branched out and is making the most darling booties for newborns.

Of course all booties are darling and tiny but these are in the shape of high top sneakers, taxi cabs and trucks. Way past “cute”!

Until the grand opening of “Fashions for Charity” here at the Paradise Community Center in November, you are welcome to drop off donations to Marcia during Market hours – 9 am to 1 pm every Saturday or at Deja New, Jacarandas 280.

Have a great week everybody and stay dry!

The only English paper in the Airport

Studies in psychology have suggested that spending our money on experiences, rather than material possessions leads to greater and longer lasting happiness. In the many years I have lived in Puerto Vallarta, the beautiful Banderas Bay has given me some amazing experiences and happy, long-lasting memories.

Several of my most cherished memories come from community service activities I have participated in. People taking an active role in their communities can reap, not only the benefits of the results obtained, but also the benefits of participating in the experience.

One of these treasured memories is available to all visitors and residents of the Banderas Bay from the months of June to November, during the Olive Ridley turtle nesting season. My friends and I spent an entire night walking along a stretch of beach, helping the camp technicians monitor the beach for nests and females coming up to lay their eggs. It is a wonderful means to experience the beach in a different way. Without the sun and gaggle of gulls and people the beach is a different beast at night than it is during the day.

Most of us know about the releasing of the turtle hatchlings which are carried out in various turtle camps and hotels around town. Few of us however, quite realize the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make these camps work; I think we are missing out.

Volunteers and managers at the camps patrol the beaches during the night, preventing the poaching of nests and turtles alike. They gather the eggs and replant them in a protected nursery which keeps predators and poachers at bay. Upon hatching, the newborns are released into the sea around sunset, a time which decreases the likelihood of

predation by birds.

The biologists and technicians could always use an extra hand and I think we can all use a new experience every once in a while.

There are many different camps throughout the region. Don’t postpone your visit this year.

Red Tortuguera, A.C. is a nonprofit organization which consists of a network of turtle camps and researchers in Jalisco and Nayarit looking to unite their efforts in

sea-turtle conservation. You can visit their site at www.redtortuguera.org or on Facebook as: Red Tortuguera A.C. On their site you will find profiles to 10 different turtle camps, each offering a different experience and character.

They learn from each other and support each other, increasing the impact of their work and strengthening ties in our community across the Banderas Bay.

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Shopping & Restaurant Guide

www.vallartatribune.com

Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

多PLEASURE OR BUSINESS?

RESERVACIONES 293.09.00 / ZONA HOTELERA NORTE, PUERTO VALLARTA / WWW.LALECHERESTAURANT.COM

Francisco I Madero # 202, corner Pino Suarez, Emiliano Zapata Olas Altas Reservations 222 6593 www.latiavallarta.com e-mail latiavallarta@hotmail.com

Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

12

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Beat the Heat Looking to escape the heat of Summer in

Look no farther!

Vallarta Tribune will bring you refres tips and deals all summer.

Isn't that so cool?

13

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Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDENS

Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Guide

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shing articles,

390 Restaurant Reviews in over 130 pages. The largest restaurant guide in Puerto Vallarta by long-time resident and dining connoisseuer Gary R. Beck.

To download Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Guide Beck’s Best, Kindle e-book: www.amazon.com/dp/B004NEVX7I Apple iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/becks- best- puerto-vallarta/id429588300 B & N Nook: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1106980846 2013 Bound print: www.cafepress.com / vallartaguide

TRAVEL

Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

14

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Ancient Maya city found in Mexican nature reserve

Chactun may yield clues about civilization’s collapse

A

rchaeologists have found an ancient Maya city that remained hidden for centuries in the rain forests of eastern Mexico, a discovery in a remote nature reserve they hope will yield clues about how the civilization collapsed around 1,000 years ago.

The team, led by Ivan Sprajc, associate professor at the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, found 15 pyramids — including one that stands 23 metres tall — ball courts, plazas and tall, sculpted stone shafts called stelae. They named the city Chactun, meaning “Red Rock” or “Large Rock.” Sprajc said it was likely slightly less populous than the large ancient Maya city of Tikal in Guatemala, and could have been home to as many as 30,000 or 40,000 people, though further research is necessary to make a more precise estimate.

Chactun likely had its heyday during the late Classic period of Maya civilization between 600 and 900 A.D., Sprajc said.

The team’s research was approved by the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History and funded by the National Geographic Society and two European companies.

Sprajc said the site — which covers 22 hectares and lies 120

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kilometres due west of Chetumal — is one of the largest found in the Yucatan’s central lowlands.

The nearest settlement to the ruins is the small town of Xpujil, around 25 kilometres away.

“The whole site is covered by the jungle,” he said in Spanish.

While the site was unknown to the academic community, Sprajc found evidence that other people had been to the site as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, but not since.

ve, Sprajc and his team saw suggestions of ruins and marked the coordinates.

Researchers visited the site after seeing traces of it in aerial photographs taken 15 years ago to monitor the nature reserve.

They then spent three weeks clearing a 16-km path through the jungle to reach the site. After mapping the site for six weeks and documenting the monuments, they blocked the path before leaving to prevent access.

The presence of multiple ball game courts is an indication that Chactun was a very important city, Sprajc said. It was likely abandoned around the year 1,000, probably due to demographic pressure, climate change, wars and rebellions. He hopes the find could shed new light on relations between different regions of the Maya empire during that period. The Maya civilization was one of the most advanced in the pre-Columbian Americas

and ruled over large swaths of the Yucatan, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras at its height. Tikal, which was first mapped by archaeologists in the late 19th century, had a population estimated at up to 90,000. In December, 2012, thousands of people traveled to the Yucatan to celebrate a new cycle in the Maya calendar amidst fears that the Maya had actually predicted that Dec. 21 would mark the end of the world.

“Lumberjacks and gum extractors were certainly already there, because we saw cuts on the trees,” Sprajc said. “What happened is they never told anyone.”

Clues in aerial photographs While reviewing aerial photographs taken by the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity 15 years ago to monitor the nature reser-

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FOOD

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15

Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

History of Chocolate (Cacao), as we know it

By Gary R. Beck

All you need is love.

But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.

Charles M. Schulz

T

heobroma cacao beans were roasted, fermented then ground to a powder by pre-Olmec people in Mesoamerica, with evidence it was made mainly into beverages.

Then experts found traces of chemical substances (markers for chocolate) on fragments of plates uncovered at the Paso del Macho archaeological site in the Yucatan, Mexico, demonstrating that culture about 2,500 years ago influenced the modern Mexican cuisine. Markers were found on flat vessels used for serving in other ways than a beverage. PreHispanic Maya may have eaten foods with cacao sauce similar to mole, extending the roots of Mexican cuisine and the importance of chocolate further back into the past than previously thought.

Historians had long thought cacao beans and pods were mainly used as a beverage, made either by crushing the beans andmixing them with liquids or fermenting the pulp of the beans in the pod.

Such a drink was believed to have been reserved for the elite class. Chocolate played a significant role in both Maya and Aztec royal and religious events. Cacao seeds were offered to the gods and chocolate drinks were served during sacred ceremonies.

The Maya carved images of cacao pods on many of their stone temple walls. The Aztecs called their prized cocoa bean drink “chocolatl”.

In the 1500’s, the Spanish explorers/conquerors learned about cocoa from the Aztecs and brought it to Europe where it was enjoyed by the privileged who added refined sugar for usage in sweets and desserts. Cortés presented the Spanish King, Charles V with cocoa beans. The bitter beverage was blended with sugar or honey and often vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves.

The results were coveted and reserved for the Spanish nobility. Chocolate was a secret that Spain managed to keep from the rest of the world for nearly 100 years. Popularity spread through the European royal courts and by the 1600’s, it was widely enjoyed by the wealthy, remaining too expensive for commoners.

For hundreds of years, the chocolate-making process re-

mained unchanged. When the Industrial Revolution arrived, many changes occurred that brought this sweetened candy fame. In 1730, mechanical steam engine mills were created squeezing out cocoa butter, which in turn helped to create hard chocolate making it affordable to most Europeans. Chocolate production became faster and easier once the steam engine was invented.

North America’s first chocolate factory opened in the United States in 1756.

The invention of the cocoa press in 1828 greatly improved the quality of chocolate. The first chocolate bars were produced in England in 1847. By 1875, London chocolate houses became the to-be-seen meeting places where society sipped this new liquid luxury. Not long after the revolution, companies began advertising this new invention to sell a wide variety of chocolate treats seen today.

Milk chocolate was invented in Switzerland in 1876. Although chocolate was popular with Europeans, chocolate production in the United States rapidly exceeded Europe’s. When new machines were produced, people began experiencing and consuming chocolate worldwide in large quantities.

But devastation of tropical forests is of grave concern: cocoa trees thrive in the shade of towering, equatorial rain forests. While these forests dwindle in size and the demand for chocolate increases, scientists are studying how to manage cocoa farms, thus preserving the environment.

Although cocoa is originally from the Americas, today Western Africa produces almost twothirds of the world’s cocoa.

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EDUCATION

Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

16

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The School Visit Here are a few key questions to ask on your visit: • What is the school’s philosophy and/or mission statement?

• What extracurricular activities are offered?

• How does this school monitor and help children reach the curriculum standards?

• What is the school’s discipline policy?

• What accreditation does this school hold?

• What hiring requirements do you have for teachers?

• How is technology used to help children reach their potential?

• What emphasis does this school place on the arts in education?

• What kinds of library resources are available?

• How does this school help students with difficulties in learning?

• How does this school help students whose first language is not English/Spanish?

• What entrance requirements do the students need to meet?

Private Schools

Tepeyac Institute

American School of Puerto Vallarta www.aspv.edu.mx/ Phone: (52) 322-221-1525 Email: Info@aspv.edu.mx Albatros 129, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48354

Leza Warkentin

S

o, you’ve read the first two articles in the Tribune on how to choose the perfect school for your child. You know what to look for and you are ready to make those first phone calls. You call the school and ask for an appointment to see the school.

What now?

It’s important that you get all the school’s literature so that you can check for the things on the priority list I’ve been writing about in the other two articles.

I recommend that you get you pick up the literature and check the schools’ websites before you actually step onto a campus so that you know what questions still need answering. But it’s critical to go and visit the school campus to get a feel for the physical facilities. There’s so much you can learn about a school community when you actually walk around and look inside classrooms.

I checked some websites and found a great resource for the school visit at www.greatschools. org. They had some great focus questions and tips for the school visit. When visiting, you should look for cheerful classrooms with sufficient space for the number of students, with student work displayed.

Teachers in classrooms should be enthusiastic and engaged, asking questions and discussing with groups of students. Students should seem interested and positive. Check to see how students behave as they move from class to class or at recess. Request that you meet the principals. They should be knowledgeable, confident and comfortable around the students they encounter on campus. Look around at the school grounds.

Are they well maintained with facilities in good repair? Above all, be sure they look safe and secure.

Of course, price may also be important to you, so don’t forget

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(as if you would!) to ask for a complete price list for your child’s age level. In any private school you will find there are many extra costs you may not be expecting, such as an often hefty registration cost, materials fees, uniform costs, and book fees.

So here we are at last, at a list of a few of the schools you may want to contact. These are just a few of the well-known private schools in Puerto Vallarta, most of which have been open for many years. A couple of schools on this list are relatively new, but with schools in other major Mexican cities. Choose carefully, ask questions, and visit those that really stand out once you see their literature and websites.

And remember that almost all vital educational, social and intellectual skills children will need in college and adult life are learned long before college, in elementary and secondary school. Use this Tribune series as a guide to make the best decision for your children. They are worth it!

British American School www.britishvallarta.mx Phone: Primaria:(322) 22-456-14 ; 22-493-54 y 22-410-11 Secundaria y Preparatoria:(322) 22-505-62 y 29-330-99 Pavo Real 171 48328 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Instituto Tepeyac www.institutotepeyac.edu.mx Phone: (322) 226-6430 al 48 y (322) 293-7953 Av. Manuel Lepe 181, Parque Las Palmas, C.P. 48317, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.

Instituto SPAC (ISPAC) www.institutospac.com/ Phone: 322 2263660 Manantial # 157 Col. Ojo de Agua. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48328 Colegio Anglo Americano Phone: 322 224-8766 Viena 89 Díaz Ordaz, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Harkness Institute (high school only) www.harknessinstitute.org PHONE: 322-297-0603 Av. Paseo de los cocoteros No. 67 Nuevo Vallarta, CP:63732.

EMAIL: controlescolarharkness@gmail.com

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RIVIERA NAYARIT 17

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Fun on the Riviera Nayarit

Friday June 28 - July 04 , 2013

Sayulita Life

By Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com

Exploring La Peñita

T

he small beach town of La Peñita de Jaltemba in Bahia Jaltemba is a perfect example of authentic Mexico.

This practical, down-to-earth fishing town is bustling with activity and a population of over 7,000 friendly people, always willing to lend a hand. Located about 30 minutes north of Sayulita on Highway 200, along the Riviera Nayarit, La Peñita is an RV traveler’s dream with several RV parks and affordable vacation rentals, such as charming Bed & Breakfasts and small hotels.

In an effort to boost tourism and attract more folks to the beach areas, the town is building a new malecon.

Before it became a tourist town, years ago in 1938, a 7,700 hectare parcel of land was established by the government as the Ejido de La Peñita (communal land shared by the community) consisting 154 ejido members. In 1958, an additional 4,948 hectares and 49 members were added to the ejido, although some residents already had their own small fields of beans, corn, chiles, and tomatoes. Before the ocean’s abundant fish supply at the La

Peñita beach was identified as a source of fishing income, the area had – and still has – plentiful fruit orchards of pineapples, bananas, mangos, guanabana and other native fruits.

Several years later, in 1963, Highway 200 was built which improved access between Bahia Jaltemba Bay, Compostela, Puerto Vallarta, and all the pueblos in between. Today, La Peñita is the primary service town for the neighboring tourist town of Rincon de Guayabitos to the south, where most go for the beach scene.

La Peñita provides practical services, such as banks, grocery and vegetable markets, public utilities, the post office and library. In fact, the two towns are so close that there’s a convenient shuttle service (Rincón – La Peñita – Rincón) between the two towns at the corner of La Avenida and Highway 200 in La Peñita.

There is also a foot bridge if you feel like walking.

The busy but short main avenue is delightfully presented with palm trees and benches in a center median where people visit while going about their business.

This is the place to find almost anything, from food markets, furniture shops, clothing and shoe stores to tourist shops, street vendors, restaurants and bars at lower pricing than the northern pueblos.

At the end of La Avenida to the left is a charming town square (zócalo) with a nice church, large shade trees, and benches.

This is also the entry point to La Peñita’s Tianguis (open-air market) held every Thursday all year around, with vendors selling traditional Mexican arts and crafts, clothes, shoes, food, vegetables, housewares, hardware, and much more.

This active little town is filled with passionate people that support its development and is the hub of a few service clubs in the area: • Jaltemba Bay Rotary Club (Club Rotario), a business organization that supports ethical business practices.

• Los Amigos de La Peñita, a community service organization that advocates for town residents and those in nearby communities.

• JEEP (Jaltemba Equine Education Project (J.E.E.P) George Leavitt, founder. This foundation was started when George rescued a small herd of horses that were starving to death. He now unites special horses with special needs children and more! He can be reached at the La Peñita Los Compadres Resort.

See you on the Riviera Nayarit!

For more information on the Riviera Nayarit, visit RivieraNayaritFun.com Owner of RivieraNayaritFun Regional Network, Cat can be reached at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com

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Dinner Event Keeps People Employed and Streets Clean

T

he group Gente Trabajando or “people working,” is a non-profit volunteer organization that has banded together with people from all over Mexico.

Their mission is to help people without jobs support themselves in times of need. As most volunteer organizations, they rely on donations for funding, and with the low season coming, they anticipated a forthcoming lack of jobs in the Sayulita area to help keep desperate times at bay, Gente Trabajando coordinator Michael Alejandro Castro or “Alex,” teamed up with Sayulimpia and merged the two, creating an all-star clean up crew to keep people employed and streets clean! Alex says, We find work for people in need. Often times they have children and no source of income. We like to be able to help good people who have the desire to work and want to do work with a purpose and make a difference. Working with Sayulimpia really brings us smiles and gives the feeling of importance and accomplishment.

Alex and the crew, being pragmatic about jobs in the low season, threw a fundraiser atChoco Banana to raise money for cleaning supplies. The event featu-

red scrumptious chile rellenos and juices made and served by the clean-up crew! When asked about what the funds will go towards, Alex replied, Well we pay the rent for all of our volunteers, and sometimes they come from states far away so that is very important to secure. We also pay a small stipend for basic food necessities and such, but this event is primarily to buy cleaning supplies so that our volunteers can find jobs cleaning in peoples’ houses in Sayulita.

We would like to come by to clean pools, yards, kitchens, floors, whatever needed. We also want to give a big thanks to Grupo Pro Sayulita for helping us along and to Tracie from Chocobanana for letting us use her space. We want everyone to know that we are very trusted by Grupo Pro as well as the Sayulita municipality and promise to uphold our reputation while cleaning your houses.

The dinner event brought many donations and Sayulita residents together, and turned into a nice social outing. To continue to support the community, please contact Michael Alejandro Castro “Alex” at 322-200-5144 and have his lovely volunteers come clean your casa!

Originally published on El Sayulero.com

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Curry and Classics Bohemiaviva at India Gate

By Marcia Blondin

I

have eaten at the sister India Gate restaurant in Vancouver many, many years ago and loved it, and last week I finally made a trip to India Gate, Puerto Vallarta to review their Wednesday night live entertainment.

Fully expecting eerie horns, finger cymbals and lots of veils I wasn´t sure what to make of the small stage set with two stools and an electric acoustic guitar. At 9pm a stunning blond dressed in electric blue sat in front of one mike while her partner picked up the guitar and the two began to sing. Ancient India instantly vanished and was replaced by some of the sweetest and truest harmonies I have heard in a long while.

Andrea and Luis, both Argentinians, have worked together professionally for only two years but their voices were honed to perfection.

Luis´s polished guitar accompaniment was just as it should be - an accompaniment – leaving their voices beautifully becoming their main instrument. The volume was set exactly right – loud enough to hear and not overriding the quiet dinner conversations in the restaurant.

Andrea and Luis, formally known as “Bohemiaviva Music Experience” chose an eclectic mix of songs from Sade to Santana and performed them all with panache and great style. I loved that one song melted into the next without a break creating an uninterrupted flow of melody.

Bohemiaviva will perform every Wednesday all summer long at 9pm at India Gate downtown on Allende. The restaurant is very comfortable and welcoming.

Do enjoy Luis and Andrea´s show and don´t forget to nibble on some Veggie Pakora.

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LIVE MUSIC VENUES Please be sure to contact the venue to confirm all events.

La Bodeguita Del Medio Paseo Diaz Ordaz 858, Malecon” 322.223.1583 Tues-Sun 9:30 2:00 am El Jardin del Pulpo Coral 66, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle” 329.295.5071 10:30 am 12.30 pm La Palapa Pulpito#103, Playa los Muertos” 322.222.5225 Mon-Sun 8:00am 1:00pm Benito’s Paninoteca Bar Nima Bay, Local 12, Marina Vallarta” 322.209.0287

El Patio de mi Casa Guerrero 311 esq.

Matamoros 322.222.0743 Encore Lazaro Cardenas51, Bucerias 329.298.0140 Wed-Mon 9:00 am 10:00 pm The River Café Isla del Rio Cuale Local4 Centro 322.223.0788

Vitea Libertad Edificio Malecon 2, Centro” 322.222.8703 El Rio BBQ Bar Felipe Angeles 245 Col Paso Ancho 322.184.1200 Tue-Sun 11:00 am 7:00pm

Las Adelitas Av. Fluvial Vallarta 234 322.293.7778 Beboteros Diaz Ordaz 565 Malecon 322.113.0099 Café Roma Encino 287 Centro Mon-Sun 10:pm -3:00 am Murphy’s Irish Pub Morelos 484 Altos 1, Centro 322.113.0373 Philo’s Delfin15, La Cruz de Huanacaxle”329.295.5068 Thu-Sat 8:30 pm Barcelona Tapas Matamoros esq 31 de Octubre Centro 322.223.0831 El Dorado Pulpito # 102, Playa los Muertos”322.222.4124

Que? Pasa Aquiles Serdan 625, Col Emiliano Zapata 322.223.4006 Trio Guerrero 264 Centro 322.222.2196 Mon-Sat 7:30 pm

PVSPCA ADORABLE DOG IN THE SPOTLIGHT...BELLA Bella is a beautiful Weimaraner mix and approximately a year old. Typical for these poor street dogs, she had been injured after being hit by a car and was taken in by a kind woman who cared for her during her recovery period. Unfortunately the woman was unable to keep Bella and brought her to us.

She has one of the sweetest temperaments and just loves everyone. The Weimaraner is known for being easily trainable, friendly and an obedient member of the family. At 12 kilos and basically full grown she

will be on the petite side for a Weimaraner. Please contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

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Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations For visitors to Puerto Vallarta who wish to do a good deed for 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 editor @vallartatribune.com

Centro Comunitario SETAC-GLBT - provides essential services to the GLBT community, including physical & mental health treatment and referrals, education & recreation, free AA meetings, English classes, HIV testing and counseling. Paco Arjona 224-1974 or paco@setac.com.mx

American Legion Post 14: contributes to the community through fund raising and providing resources and manpower to improve Day Cares, Senior Homes, Schools for the Disabled and Deaf, Public Schools in rural areas and other private institutions needing building maintenance www.americanlegion14.org

Clinica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara - Rehabilitation of the handicapped. Contact: Laura Lopez Portillo Rodriguez at 224-2754.

Asilo San Juan Diego home for the elderly - Contact: Lupita Sanchez Covarrubias Tel. 222-1257 or malupita88@hotmail.com or visit the website www.mexonline.com\asilosanjuandiego.htm Asociación Down - The Foundation for assistance to persons with Down’s Syndrome – Contact: Ana Catalina Eisenring at 224-9577.

Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter Safe shelter for women & children victims of domestic violence. Enables women to become financially independent through jobs, education and non-interest micro loans, professional counseling for them & their children. www.compassionforthefamily.org Becas Vallarta, A.C. – provides scholarships to approximately 300 high school and university students. Donations are tax-deductible in Mexico and the USA. Polly Vicars at (322) 223-1371 or Buri Gray at (322) 221-5285. www.puerto-vallarta.com/amf Bucerias Bilingual Community Center Support local families in Bucerias. 16 de Septiembre at calle Matamoros www. buceriasbilingualcommunitycenter.org Casa Hogar - a shelter dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned, abandoned, disadvantaged or vulnerable children.- Contact: Luz Aurora Arredondo at 221-1908, Rita Millan (322) 141-6974. casamaximocornejo@gmail.com

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CompassionNet Impact - forms strategic partnerships & initiates programs that provide opportunities for people living in chronic poverty to transform their own lives. Bookmobile, homes, jobs creation, loans, English & computer classes, emergency food, medicine & clothing, etc. Taxdeductible in Canada & the U.S. Cell: (322) 133-7263. ric@4compassion.org 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, transport them to their facility or other ones indicated by the injured person.

Contact: 222-1533, 222-4973 Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) A municipal service, part of the federal System of Family Services that assists not only in times of emergency, but also with ongoing education, health, and training programs for the whole family.

Contact City Hall 222-0058 Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C. (DIVAC) association of handicapped individuals dedicated to helping one another. Contact: Ivan Applegate at 221-5153.

GrupoEcològico de Puerto Vallarta – Contact: R.C. Walker at 222-0897, rc_ walkermx@yahoo.com.mx

Navy League - Meets and greets visiting Naval vessels from all nations, assists in the transportation of donated medical supplies from the U.S., organizes work groups to paint and repair schools and other public/charitable facilities, and operates the local Toys for Tots program.

Contacts: Bill Clark at 222 3616 or Jerry Lafferty at 221 6156. www.vallartanavyleague.org.

New Life Mexico - a British Charity working in Mexico. Challenging Child Poverty with Health and Education Programmes. Contact: Philippa.VernonPowell@facebook.com Pasitos de Luz (Mamas Unidas por la Rehabilitación de sus Hijos) - substitute home for low income children with any type of handicap, offers rehabilitation services and special support to their families.

299-4146. www.pasitosdeluz.org Pro Biblioteca de Vallarta - raises fundsfor Los Mangos Public Library. Taxdeductible receipts for Mexico and USA. Contacts: Ricardo Murrieta at 224-9966 or Jimmie Ellis at 222-1478.

Proyecto Pitillal, “Busca un Amigo” - association created by underprivileged mothers of paralyzed children who need society’s help. Contact: 299-4495.

Puerto Vallarta Garden Club: Beautify and protecting the environment. Open to all: Mtgs held at Paradise Community Center, third Thursday every month at 11am from October to May. www.vallartagardenclub.com PuRR Project - a no-kill cat shelter with approx. 250 resident felines living in a natural environment, un-caged, kittens in the Kitten Nursery, on-site clinic with daily veterinarian services. www.purrproject.com

Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza Shelter for children. Donations are taxdeductible in Canada and the U.S. Contact: Madre Mari at 222-7857 or Sudy Coy at 222-5765. www.ccshf.ca Roma’s Kids - educate the children of the Volcanes and surrounding area, to provide them with the skills necessary to become employable by the major industry here in Puerto Vallarta – tourism: math, English and computer programs a priority.

100% goes to the kids. www.kids.romamexico.com Toys for Tots Vallarta - is a non-profit organization that is celebrating 15 years in Puerto Vallarta. Distributes toys and constructs playgrounds for less-advantaged kids in the Puerto Vallarta area during the Christmas holiday period. Contact: Jerry Lafferty 322 221 6156 or Lourdes Bizarro lourdes.bizarro@marriotthotels.com.

SPCA PV – provides private vet costs for rescued animals, volunteers to create & maintain a data base of adoptions, to walk dogs at the foster home, Casita de Guadalupe, foster homes for dogs & cats, trap & release program for feral cats, etc. www.spcapv.com Un MañanaBrillante (A Brighter Tomorrow) - partnership of Americans and Canadians to support the ColegioMexicoAmericano. Contact: Margi Baughman mach1@prodigy.net.mx or David Bender dbender@prodigy.net.mx Vallarta Botanical Gardens - To build Mexico’s greatest botanical, rwesearch & education of plant life, city beautification programs, bird watching, etc. Donations to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens are tax deductible in the USA. Contact: 223-6182 or info@vallartabotanicalgardensac.org.

The International Friendship Club (IFC) - a registered charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta A.C. The IFC supports the Cleft Palate Surgery Program & families in need. Funds are raised through Membership & Home Tours.

- Contact:322-222-5466. www.ifcvallarta. com. ifcvallarta@gmail.com.

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Picture by local photographer Graham Mattock www.Mattock.com

Barry Bonds

Jet Skis make you skinnier and more exciting

By Madeline Milne

W

hen you think jet skis, do you think hot babes with long sun bleached hair and men with strong, shirtless, upper-bodies? Get me on the back of one and the visual is much different. That didn’t stop me from feeling like I was staring in my very own Mountain Dew commercial when I rode my first jet ski ever last week in Mismaloya.

Last week, friends of ours Gail Fuller and Rodrigo Garcia, invited us to the grand opening party to celebrate their new ownership of the Making Waves Jet Ski Rentals in Playa Mismaloya.

Excellent food, a couple of Cielo Rojos and a spin or two along the coast and around Los Arcos with Dolphin sightings made for a wonderful Sunday funday. Check out the photos of the beautiful people on facebook.com/ MakingWavesVallarta

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“Uplifting, inspiring, role models”

By Joel Hansen

his team and voiding a new contract worth over 40 million dollars.

Like I said, bad choices.

I

have made some bad choices in life. I assume everyone has.

Now if you are reading this, then odds are that you are here in PV either on vacation or full time so we both got that one right.

Some were financial and some were of the heart, some effected my family, some effected my career, some were based on bad advice from friends or family, some from strangers and some simply because I was young and dumb.

Fortunately for me none of these bad choices ever landed me in any real trouble. I have a clean criminal record I am somewhat buoyant financially, I have a healthy, happy family that I like to think loves me.

None of my bad choices will ever compare to the ones former New England Patriot tight end Aaron Hernandez has made. His tragically bad decisions have left a man dead, a daughter without a father, wife without a husband and a promising career in tatters.

Putting aside the most obvious fact that a man is dead, his actions have resulted in being charged with a murder, losing his endorsement deals, being cut by

I love sports because it is an escape, it is something to focus on and rally around and take my mind off of everyday things, a place where Barry Sanders or Cal Ripken can be a hero and an inspiration.

It gives me hope that even at thirty-nine my curveball might actually start curving and I finally make it to the “bigs” or my golf game will suddenly improve twenty-five strokes and I will qualify for my PGA card.

I always dislike when real life tragedy enters the sports arena and I am always disappointed when it does. But for every Hernandez, Rae Carruth, or Barry Bonds, a guy who makes the wrong choice, there is an Orr, a Sanders, a Ripken or a Gretzky, a guy who can inspire you and make you believe.

Now, just in case there happens to be a major league scout out there reading this column I play for the Mighty Marineros in the Liga de Softball de Puerto Vallarta at Agustin Flores Contreras Municipal Sports Stadium.

Ask any local, they can give you the directions, they will tell you it’s just across from the Sheraton.

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Mexico’s golf dynamo chats about life after the tour, being a mom, her academy and philanthropic works

By Anita Draycott

M

exico’s Lorena Ochoa led the pack in Women’s World Golf Rankings up until she surprised the golf world with the announcement of her retirement on April 23, 2010 after marrying Aeromexico executive, Andres Conesa. Ochoa explained that she wanted to get out of competitive golf in order to devote time to her new husband and start a family. True to her words, she delivered Pedro Conesa Ochoa, a bouncing baby boy on December 8, 2011.

In a country where golf is enjoyed played by only the wealthy, she still enjoys “rock star” status from her loyal fans in all echelons—from politicians to taxi drivers. In 2001, President Vicente Fox presented her with Mexico’s highest athletic accolade, the National Sports Award.

But fame never went to Ochoa’s head. She remains approachable and stays close to her roots. Back in her days on tour she would actually cook breakfast for the maintenance staff.

We caught up with the dynamic, 30-year old in between practice sessions at the Bosque Real Country Club, near Mexico City. If you could hear the noise in the background, it would be the babbling baby Pedro.

Tell me about your decision to leave competitive golf and your life these days.

It was not a rash decision. I knew two years before I retired that it was the right thing to do. I had discussed my plans with my husband, family and coach, Rafael. It was the natural thing for me to do. I am enjoying my new life. I still practice golf but not as much as I used to. Now I have more time to relax and sleep. Pedro keeps me busy; sometimes

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LorenaOchoa he watches me practice on the driving range. Every other weekend we have Andres’ children: Andres, 16; Isabel, 13; Marines 9. They aren’t really interested in golf but we play tennis and soccer. It’s fun.

How and when did you get involved in golf?

I started when I was five years old thanks to my dad. Our house was beside the Guadalajara Country Club so it was easy for me to play after school. I have always been competitive so I began entering tournaments when I was six.

What are your favourite golf courses?

There are many wonderful courses throughout Mexico. Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita have great golf, so does the Cancun and Playa del Carmen area. My favourite is the Guadalajara Country Club in my hometown where I’ve always played.

Other golfers such as Annika Sorenstam and Greg Norman have become very entrepreneurial with careers in clothing and golf course design, even wine.

Do you have such plans?

Tell me about the Lorena Ochoa Foundation.

Mexico is very important for me and I feel proud to represent my country. Being an example for children in Mexico is a huge responsibility and I try to do my best.

I would like to influence kids to believe in themselves and their dreams and for that reason I started my Lorena Ochoa Foundation.

The main objective is to give an education to under-privileged kids at La Barranca elementary school in Guadalajara, my hometown.

We currently have 350 kids enrolled from grades one to nine. It’s a great program and the families get involved. For example, the moms do the cooking. I really consider education a key to success.

I understand that duffers like myself now can learn to play golf the Ochoa way?

Yes. The Ochoa Golf Academy by Rafael Alarcón (the name of my personal coach) is a golf school where children and adults can learn using my own techniques with specially trained coaches.

The flagship academy is at Turtle Dunes at the Fairmont Princess in Acapulco.

Tell me about growing up in Guadalajara. Where did you like to hang out?

Growing up there was fantastic. I love waterskiing on Lake Chapala, fishing at our beach house or going for a hike in the mountains near Tapalpa.

I will continue to be very active in promoting golf in my country. I will devote more time and energy to my Foundation and Academies.

Do you have any fond memories of Canada?

Canada is a really nice country with beautiful scenery. There are lots of Canadians living around Guadalajara. I have a great memory of winning the CN Canadian Women’s Open at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, which was my next tournament after my victory at the British Open in 2007. I loved skiing with friends in Whistler.

Tell me about your long relationship with your coach.

Rafael Alarcón is an important part of my career and success.

He was with me since the beginning. Now, we still work together and make visits to the Turtle Dunes Academy in Acapulco. I miss not seeing him on a daily basis but we’re both happy. He can rest a bit more. And so can I! When I’m in Guadalajara we try to have lunch and catch up.

What are your plans for the immediate future?

I intend to stay very active. I would like to put my name on some golf course designs. I have a book coming out this summer on my years in the LPGA. No. I won’t tell you the title; it’s a surprise. I’d like to have a least one more child as company for Pedro.

A sister would be nice.

Quick Shots Favourite food?

Torta. It’s a huge two-handed Mexican sandwich filled with meat and smothered in salsa.

And chocolate is a joy.

Person (dead or alive) you most admire?

I don’t have one. I think you can learn from all sorts of people.

Proudest moment.

When Pedro was born.

One regret?

One shouldn’t regret things but instead learn from them. We can always do better but I am happy

with my achievements. I’ve tried hard and played hard.

Favourite place?

Home in Guadalajara.

Indulgence or weakness?

We all have them but I’m not going to tell.

Your dream foursome (including you)?

A quality day with my family: my sister, my dad and my husband.

Your best golf shot ever?

I don’t remember one in particular, but it was a great feeling walking off the 18th hole at the Women’s British Open in 2007.

Ochoa’s Guadalajara Golf Trail Mexico’s second largest city has plenty of excellent golf facilities where you can play in the soft-spike steps of Ochoa herself at some of her favourite local courses.

Guadalajara Country Club Ochoa’s home turf is ranked as one of the best private clubs in Mexico. Non-members may play at certain times, but don’t hold your breath. http://www.gcc.com.mex El Cielo Country Club Cielo means heaven in Spanish and this new 6,763-yard tract, perched 500 metres above Guadalajara, lives up to its name. www.elcielocc.com El Rio Country Club Located about an hour from Guadalajara this challenging Jack Nicklaus Signature course takes maximum advantage of steep valleys and canyons. After your round, head to the nearby town of Tequila for a tour and tasting of Mexico’s national tipple. www.elrio.com.mx Atlas Country Club This semi-private gem is designed by Joe Finger. The course and clubhouse facilities rival any top-shelf golf club anywhere in the world www.atlascountry.com

Where to Stay Villa Ganz, a colonial mansion and member of Mexico Boutique Hotels, was once the home of Lorena’s grandparents. There are ten suites furnished with fine antiques and a private garden with outdoor fireplace. www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com/villaganz

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SUDOKU easy

BRAIN TEASERS

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Challenge your brain! Sudoku is easy to play and the rules are simple. Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain only one of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

medium

HUB-WORDS How many words can you make from the letters in the wheel?

Each word must contain the hub letter R. Can you find a 9-letter word and at least 20 other words of five letters or more avoiding proper nouns?

ACROBATIC Some other words of four letters or more containing the hub letter R: airt, aria, boar, brat, brit, cart, coir, crab, crib, riot, rota, taro, tori, trio, abort, actor, aorta, atria, bract, carat, carob, circa, cobra, orbit, raita, ratio, riata, tabor, taira, tiara, aortic, rabato, acrobat, carioca.

How many words can you make from the letters in the wheel?

Each word must contain the hub letter B. Can you find a 9-letter word and at least 20 other words of five letters or more avoiding proper nouns?

hard

Gone fishing Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, Vertical or diagonal, forwards or backwards.

Anchovy, barracuda, bass, bream, carp, catfish, Chub, dogfish, flounder, goldfish, grouper, guppy, Hake, halibut, herring, jellyfish, krill, lamprey, Marlin, minnow, mullet, perch, pike, piranha, roach, Salmon, sardine, seahorse, shark, snapper, sole, Stickleback, stingray, sturgeon, swordfish, trout, Tuna, tunny.

BEAUTIFUL Some other words of four letters or more containing the hub letter B: abet, able, abut, bail, bait, bale, bate, beat, beau, belt, beta, bile, bite, blae (Scot), blue, flab, flub, tabi, tuba, tube, beaut, befit, bleat, built, fable, table, tubal, albeit, albite, fibula, tubful, tubule.

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