Issue 849, July 12 - 18, 2013

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MEXICAN BY CHOICE

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People

Buying your tropical dream

Real Estate

TEN TIPS ON BUYING

July 12 - 18, 2013 Free Issue 849

17

Travel

TURTLE CAMP

Welcome

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

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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.

Cover Photo Courtesy

by Michel Striekwold Royal Club Real Estate

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fernando Gonzalez Corona EDITOR Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@vallartatribune.com SALES Dora Luz Luna 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 Visit VallartaTribune.com

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.

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

BUSES: A system of urban buses with different routes can bring you from one end of the bay to the other and all the spots in between.

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.

We recommend you always confir m pr ior to attending or visiting an event or establishment.

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

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 long-distance 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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What I find amazing about ex-pats in Mexico...

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Dear Editor, The three articles on school selection are very detailed, and I think for a beginning level child just entering school, the requirements for preparing the child for school are on the parents. For example, when we visited the school for admission for our 5 year old daughter, she ran into the building ahead of us to meet the teacher, and as my wife an I entered the building, my daughter Lynn walked hand in hand with the teacher and introduced us.

The teacher asked what grade Lynn was in, and we explained that she was entering kindergarten , and that this was the first time she had been to a school.

The teacher said that she did not

I

s the huge amount of human capital that they bring to this country when they choose to live/retire/visit. Millions of years of combined knowledge and experience that very often is channeled into caring, lifesaving, positive change for humans, animals, environment and more. According to some stats I could find over 70% contribute financially to Mexican based charities and over 60% dedicate time.

Human capital is basically the accumulated knowledge and expertise that we gather in our lives both professionally and personally.

There is a whole university economics course you can take on the subject and apparently the term is hotly debated amongst ‘those’ people. But what I’m getting at is that for many of us that have moved to Mexico, we are in the latter half of our lives and we hold considerable human capital worth significant economic value. Even those of us that are younger bring value to the table but we are often busy with children, work, paying bills and don’t spend this capital in the way that I am inferring.

The economic and sociological benefits of this huge, relatively recent influx of human capital has enormous implications on Mexican society. Getting past any arguments of ethnocentricity and assuming we are all coming from a good place in our hearts, the ability to change human and animal lives for the better is a powerful force. Considering there is an estimated one million North American expatriates living in Mexico and that each has 40+ years of human capital, we are looking at billions of dollars of potential contributions.

This started because of a question posed on a local Yahoo Group Board about why there appears to be so much charitable support for animals and not orphans. (That’s

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Dear Editor Despite my insane jealousy that you live in paradise and my unbelief that sweating is a bad thing, I can imagine (when I try hard) that summers would be stressful in that it is too hot to do my simplified version.)But really what’s important here is that whether we choose to invest our human capital in rescuing puppies or babies or lakes or cultural markers it is our privileged but well-earned life experience that we control and can use to better the lives of all around us.

I could only source US Retiree data but presumably this is similar for Canadian and European nationalities.

• Nearly 60% of respondents volunteer their time to a charitable cause in Mexico and over 29% volunteer at least once a week or on a regular basis. Respondents engage in a wide range of volunteer activities, most prominently with education-focused charities, community projects, and the environment.

• 42% of American retirees surveyed are actively involved in at least one or two Mexican charities in their adopted communities, while another 11% are affiliated with more than three

with those less fortunate. Whether you are retired with time on your hands or young parents looking to set an example for your children, the opportunity to give back is immense. The Vallarta Tribune publishes a list of organizations each week that encompass everything from kids to pets to the environment and there are many other worthy publications and websites available if you wish to get out there and make a difference.

I, for one, really enjoy the fundraising events that involve eating… and drinking. The International Friendship Club (IFC) Christmas in July event is coming up on July 20th at the River Café. $350 pesos gets you a Christmas dinner with all the fixin’s and all funds raised go to support their cleft palate program and other charities that they support. There is more details on page 20 in this issue. Look forward to seeing you there! Call me maybe we can car pool.

Your Editor, Madeline Source: “U.S. Retirement Trends in Mexi-

Puerto Vallarta, the Bay of Banderas and Mexico offer thousands of opportunities to share our knowledge and experience

co’s Coastal Communities,” International Community Foundation, www.icfdn.org

Registration of Canadians Abroad

have students in the second grade that could speak as well as Lynn.

You see, we had taught Lynn to speak in sentences with adults, read, count to 100, and know her alphabet. You see, both my wife Loretta and I had gone to U.S. public schools from kindergarten through high school, and knew what was required.

The lesson here , is , of what purpose is there of selecting the school, if the student is not prepared for school? Or if the parents are unable to assist in the child’s education at home? So many parents put the cart before the horse when it comes to sending their children to school, and drop the reins when it comes to helping their child with homework in the home.

Frank Norton

much. It takes more than a few brain cells for me to imagine that, as we flood out in Canada and rain/snow is imminent. I hope you find something to occupy yourselves this summer and keep from maiming small, sweaty people.

Marcy

Inscription des Canadiens à lʼétranger

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:

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

NOW Hiring Newspaper Advertising Sales Position * Male or Female * Full time * Bilingual * Excellent presentation Send curriuclum to ventastribuna7@yahoo.com Free calendar listings in the Vallarta Tribune

NEWS BITES

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BUSINESS NEW IN MEXICO Lamborghini and Ferrari see Mexico as one of the most attractive markets for their products.

Lamborghini has delivered over 100 super luxury vehicles in Mexico since 2010, while Ferrari has distributed 450 super sports cars since 1998.

Vinexpo: Mexican spirits seek growth

By Felicity Murray

The Drink Report

M

exico participated for the first time in Vinexpo, the global wine show, in Bordeaux, France, to promote Mexican beer and spirits. Mexico’s tequila and mescal producers tussled for premium recognition at Vinexpo in Bordeaux this week.

With sales of tequila and mescal are dominated by three large brands in Europe, the bulk of Mexico’s distillers are seeking to grab a larger share, particularly of export business. But the picture is complicated by what the producers see as poor perceptions of tequila, virtually no understanding of mescal, small promotional budgets and complex export and re-export structures.

In an attempt to solve the last two problems, the Mexican government’s Pro-Mexico promotion body was exhibiting at Vinexpo, Bordeaux, this week for the first time to showcase six tequila and two mescal distillers.

It is estimated that there are between 150 and 170 tequila and mescal distillers in Mexico producing around 25 million cases in 2012, according to Vinexpo/IWSR data. In the next four years sales are forecast to reach nearly 28 million cases.

Tequila is distilled from Mexico’s blue agave plant to produce two qualities: premium, 100% agave spirit and Mixto, agave blended with up to 51% other spirits. Mixto probably accounts for 90% of sales.

The smaller and medium sized distillers such as La Cofradia or Distilleria Santa Lucia producing 100% agave spirit claim that Mixto damages the image of tequila. “We must create aware-

Vallarta Tribune

ness of premium tequila in Europe,” says Carlos Hernández Pérez, Cofradia’s export manager.

“Tequila is getting a bad image,” he says. “People drink it as shots.

But 100% agave tequila should be discovered as a sipping spirit to delight the palate.”

At present Europe accounts for circa 10% of premium tequila. Most of that finds its way into other European markets via Germany and Spain. Germany in particular is a large re-exporter; and the UK to a smaller extent.

Rodrigo Castro Vieyra, international sales and logistics manager for Distilleria Santa Luca, says Germany is a huge bulk importer of tequila. “In many cases the spirit is rectified, mixed with other spirit and re-exported.”

Mescal, meanwhile, made from other varieties of agave using small artisanal methods, claims to be benefiting from the tarnished image of tequila.

Mario Mendoza of family-owned Sin piedad mescale brand sees tequila’s image issue as an opportunity. “People want authenticity. Mescal is 100% agave and has a distinctive, smokey aroma and full taste. Chefs and mixologists are discovering it.

Mescal is the coming thing.”

For the moment, though, mescal accounts for as little as 1% of agave distillation in Mexico. Finding distributors in Europe is a crucial part of the brand’s strategy. Brands like the top three – Heradura, Cuervo and Patron – besides being premium tequilas also have huge budgets.

“We can’t compete with that level of budget,” says Santa Luca’s Vieyra. Both he and Cofradia’s Hernández Pérez came to the show seeking distributors with the ability to be co-investors in their brands.

Vesta, the Mexican industrial real estate company, collected 194.7 million dollars in a stock sale on local and international markets; 90 million will be allocated to build a supplier park in Aguascalientes, next to Nissan’s facilities.

Grupo México plans to invest more than 7 billion dollars in several mining projects between 2013 and 2017.

General Electric (GE) opened the Santa Catarina Wind Park in Nuevo León, with an investment of 51 million dollars.

InnVentas, an e-commerce firm, will be the first professional online art and design sales platform in Mexico.

The fashion industry accounted for close to 10% of the national manufacturing GDP in 2012, according to data from the Council of Industrial Chambers of Jalisco (CCIJ) and the National Chamber of the Clothing Industry (CANAIVE) of Jalisco.

Mexico’s Wise International and China’s Jiangsu Palarich Food will invest 20 million dollars to establish a fruit dehydration plant in Jalisco.

TOURISM

GOVERNMENT

Tourism accounts for close to 9% of Mexico’s GDP, according to SECTUR.

During a tour of the United Kingdom, President Enrique Peña Nieto met with peers from the group of eight (G8), whom he backed by signing an agreement to end trade protectionism

Mexican customs offices will receive more than 6 billion pesos on average, for modernization and equipment in 2012, informed the Tax Administration Service (SAT).

Mexico is ranked seventh globally in investment attraction among 21 countries, according to the World Investment Prospects Survey 2013-2015 carried out by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The federal government will invest over 187 billion pesos in infrastructure –roads, rural roads, trains and ports, as well as in water and electricity systems and Pemex– during the second half of 2013.

The longest passenger aircraft, the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, landed for the first time in Mexico from Frankfurt, in a flight operated

by German Lufthansa.

Starwood, the US hotel chain, will open five additional hotels in Mexico: three in Quintana Roo, one in Mexico City and one in Guadalajara. While the investment amount is undisclosed, it is expected to exceed 250 million dollars.

Sunwing Travel Group, the Canadian tour and hotel operator, will invest over 250 million dollars in Mexico in 2014, informed the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR).

MONEY & INVESTMENT The Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior (Bancomext) and the UK’s Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) signed a collaboration agreement to support export companies in both countries, particularly small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

HSBC will create a 1 billion-dollar fund to operate with Bancomext funding for export SMBs. Consumer prices fell 0.05% during the first half of June 2013, compared to the second half of May 2013, placing annual inflation at 4.24% –below expectations–, revealed INEGI.

“Gold fever in Mexico among global aviation players”

INTERNA

Le Monde, 06/17/2013 Aeroméxico and Delta Airlines’ new maintenance center is soon to be built in Querétaro, Mexico. Both companies, from Mexico and the US, have allocated 40 million dollars to this shared project that will create jobs for 3,000 specialized technicians. During the 50th International Aviation and Space Show in Le Bourget, held from June 17 to 23 in Paris, manufacturers and their equipment suppliers will have their gaze fixed on Mexico, a country that dreams of being admitted into the club of the 10 leading global suppliers of the sector.

“Tourism seen jumping to No. 3 Mexico cash source by 2018,”

Bloomberg, 06/24/2013

Mexico’s tourism industry, already the nation’s fifth-biggest source of revenue, is seen taking on more economic importance by the end of 2018 as international visits rise and new infrastructure is built.

Tourism’s participation in Mexican GDP will climb 100 basis points to 9.4% by the end of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s administration, said Tourism Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu. The “upward trend” for the industry, which employs about seven million people, will be driven by more visitors from countries outside of North America and better tourism facilities.

Your best source for English news in the Bay of Banderas

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Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

Mexico gets creative in London

M

ake a date for the second week of July 2013, when Mexico will be showcasing its creative industries at the London MexFest.

Mexico will be crossing the Atlantic and taking up temporary residence in London this July 11-14 to celebrate the MexFest cultural festival, which features an exciting program of Mexican film, art, music, architecture, gastronomy and tourism.

“Culture for exchange” within a framework of bilateral cooperation is the motto of this year’s MexFest, where Mexico’s creative industries will have the chance to prove they can be counted among the best in the world.

The goal is to promote investment opportunities for British companies in Mexico and serve as a platform for Mexico’s cultural enterprises looking to invest in Great Britain. MexFest was first held as part of Mexico’s official presence at the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, a program of cultural events across the United Kingdom that took place alongside the 2012 Summer Olympics. In 2012, some 50 Mexican documentaries, feature films,

short films and sci-fi classics were shown, including the movies of mythical Mexican wrestler El Santo. This year’s program was put together by the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), Canana productions and the Ambulante documentary festival, and will include 22 feature films and three programs of short films by famous home grown directors like Michel Franco, Otilia Portillo and Diego Luna, to be screened over four days at various venues in London.

On July 12, at the Rich Mix cultural center in Shoreditch –a trendy multicultural district in Lon-

ATIONAL NEWS “Top travel destinations for medical tourism”

Bloomberg, 06/25/2013

Mexico now attracts over one million visiting patients, many of whom are Hispanics from California, Arizona and Texas, according to the medical guidebook Patients Beyond Borders. Dental work and weight-loss surgery are the most popular procedures.

“Mexico eyes China as new tequila market,” Fortune, 06/26/2013 Mexican tequila distillers are ready to get the party started in a huge new market: China. The two countries agreed to increase tequila imports from Mexico when their presidents met earlier this month.

“We are expecting to export 10 million liters of tequila to China in five years, and make China the second largest market after the United States,” said Francisco Soltero Jiménez, general manager of Mexico’s National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT).

The only English paper in the Airport

don’s East End– you can catch a series of conferences and panels on the film and tourism industries.

Mexican and British film experts will be discussing investment programs, distribution channels, financing and co-productions, while tour operators, travel agencies and specialized media will be introduced to the new cultural and luxury tourism products Mexico has to offer, including destinations suitable for film locations.

At the Royal Academy of Arts (RA), architects Víctor Legorreta, Michel Rojkind and Miquel Adrià will be airing their views on contemporary Mexican architecture and bilateral cooperation mechanisms between Mexico, the United Kingdom and the creative industries.

One example of such cooperation is Torre Bancomer, a project currently being executed by Legorreta’s studios and the British

architect Richard Rogers.

Mexican artists Daniel Guzmán and Pablo Delgado will be displaying works made expressly for the London MexFest and Gil Cerezo and Mono Blanco, a folk band from Veracruz, will be performing live.

Bringing the show to a close on a high note, a nighttime extravaganza of Mexican food and music will be held at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

The festival enjoys the backing of institutions like ProMéxico, the

National Council for Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA), the Tourism Board, Marca País, Arquine, the Mexican embassy in the United Kingdom, the British embassy in Mexico, Special Envoy to Mexico Baroness Bonham Carter and British Ambassador to Mexico Judith Macgregor. The hope is that, in the longer term, constant exposure to contemporary Mexican culture will help strengthen cultural, diplomatic and trade ties between the two nations. www.MexFest.mx

Support Pasitos de Luz

By Marcia Blondin

L

ast week a few of us went to see the special kids at Pasitos de Luz, talk to some of the staff and volunteers and to learn a bit of the history behind this remarkable place. From their beginnings in 1999 with five kids and an unstoppable mother/founder Yolanda, the clinic has grown to include 120 disabled kids and their families living in extreme poverty that receive all their services free.

There is no government funding to speak of and it is only through donations this remarkable place continues to exist, grow and thrive. Last week Kathleen Palmer

of Deja New presented Yolanda with cash and bags of donated clothing for their Thrift Store.

Open from 7 to 7, Monday to Friday, Pasitos de Luz provides day care so the parents (mostly single women) can work and/ or volunteer and the kids receive specialized care therapies including massage that are performed in part by Eliseo, papa of three kids and himself blind.

He could not find work because no one wanted to hire a blind massage therapist; that is until he met Yolanda. Eliseo continues to keep young muscles from atrophying.

Some kids cannot eat solid food and are fed by a syringe - a job that can take 45 minutes. The

clinic feeds the kids two meals a day with much of the food donated by big box stores. The children receive special education, are bathed daily and see a doctor when necessary and are all surrounded by loving care givers.

There is laughter and giggling, games to play and artwork to be created in an atmosphere filled with gentleness, kindness and love.

Please everyone - go through your closets and donate what you don’t want to wear anymore to the Pasitos de Luz account at Deja New Consignment store at 280 Jacarandas, Tuesday to Saturday, 11 to 7. Learn more on facebook/ pasitosdeluz

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PEOPLE

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Mexican by Choice A

rtists, entrepreneurs, students, teachers, retirees, all of them have found in Mexico a place where they feel free to express themselves and an opportunity to put their talents to good use. Almost one out of every 100 people living in Mexico is a foreigner. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), in 2010 there were 961,121 foreigners living in Mexico, equivalent to 0.9% of the total population. The majority come from the US, making Mexico the country with the largest population of American citizens outside their own country.

Spaniards and citizens of other Latin American countries –Guatemala, Colombia, Argentina, Cuba, Honduras, Venezuela and El Salvador– appear next on the list, with Canadians coming in 10th. Further down on the list are Europeans, followed by Asians, mainly residents of Japanese and Chinese origin. Mexico has a tradition of taking in immigrants.

During the Spanish Civil War and the Chinese Revolution, refugees came here in droves but the last two decades have seen an influx of immigrants. Some 151,793 foreigners made Mexico their home between 1990 and 2000, rising to 468,504 –more than double– between 2000 and 2010. And every day there is another knock at Mexico’s door.

The father of Mexican Taekwondo

SYLVIE MILVERTON For a Higher Cause

By Omar Magaña

N

o matter how many countries she lives in, Mexico will always have a place in Sylvie Milverton’s heart. Sylvie Milverton admits she loves the beaches, food and people of Mexico, but her connection to this country where she has lived for the last six years with her husband, Damian Milverton, runs deeper.

The Canadian-born financial operations director of Laureate Education for Mexico and Central America gave birth to her first son, Jack Felix, here.

“My son is going to have Mexican nationality, so we have to make sure he speaks Spanish and is familiar with his birthplace.

Even if we take him somewhere else, he will always have this connection and we will always remember having him in Mexico, the doctor and the hospital,” recounts Milverton.

Sylvie is 38 and has a background in Humanities, French Literature and Business Administration. And with 15 years’ experience in finances, the world is her oyster.

Proving it takes two to tango

by Omar Magaña

C

ésar Olguín brings a piece of Argentina to Mexico to keep him company when he can’t make the trip back to his homeland. A busy schedule of concerts and studio sessions has prevented César Olguín from setting foot in his native city of Río Cuarto, Argentina, for more than four years. “I’d give anything for a good Argentinean roast,” he sighs. Olguín relieves his nostalgia by promoting the music of his country.

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DAIWON

In Mexico, her professional accomplishments are on a par with her personal ones. Milverton has managed to reduce the cost of higher education at the three private universities that belong to the Laureate International Universities network: Universidad Tecnológica de México (UNITEC), Universidad del Desarrollo Profesional (UNIDEP) and Universidad del Valle de México (UVM).

“When we acquired UNITEC, the first thing we did was lower the fees to make it accessible to more students. As a result, the population at that university has grown considerably over the last three years,” she says.

Founded in the US in 1998, Laureate International Universities is a network of quality higher education institutions that has more than 55 credited universities spanning over 27 countries.

It was the board that suggested Milverton to uproot from the US and make the move to Mexico. “In Mexico, we saw an opportunity to help people improve their patrimony and that of their children,” she says, ad-

By Diego Flores Magón

O ding that in Mexico, where growing investor confidence is spawning new enterprises, it is essential to sponsor economic growth by educating the new workforce.

Milverton and her family take to the road whenever they get the chance, visiting places as far flung as the Sea of Cortés in Sonora and Playa del Carmen at the other end of the country. She also enjoys visiting the colonial towns of San Miguel de Allende, Puebla and Guanajuato in the surroundings of Mexico City.

And although she plans to spend some time in Europe or Asia, Milverton has no doubt whatsoever she will return to Mexico.

“When I think about retiring, I’d much rather return to Mexico than the US. I love the people and the respect they have for their culture, museums, pyramids and history.”

CÉSAR OLGUÍN More recently, he has embarked on a musical expedition of sorts, compiling, adapting and playing tangos composed by Mexican musicians.

The list is long and includes bolero and ranchero composers who flirted with the tango at some point or another in their careers: Agustín Lara, Tata Nacho, Luis Alcaráz and María Grever; and singers such as: Pedro Vargas, Jorge Negrete, Cuco Sánchez and Los Panchos.

Olguín and his Mexican Tango Orchestra have already recorded a small selection of these songs and the album is now available.

“I’ve tried to give expression to the songs within my reach. The re-

cord includes a couple of contemporary Argentinean composers, who wrote their music in Mexico for Mexican audiences,” he says.

Only a talented musician and self-confessed lover of Mexico like Olguín could put together such an album. Influenced by the films produced during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema in his childhood and teenage years, he first came to Mexico in the late 1970s, not to escape the military dictatorship governing Argentina at the time, but as any young traveler: to pursue his thirst for adventure.

“Back then, Mexico was known for granting asylum to South Americans. There was a large community of some 75,000 Argentineans

n his first visit to Mexico, Daiwon Moon devoured 52 tacos. Accustomed to the spicy food of his native Korea, he’d walk around with a bottle of Tabasco sauce in his pocket when he lived in the US. When he ordered food, he’d ask if they had Tabasco. If not, he’d produce his own. The year was 1968 and Daiwon Moon was 29 years old. He had already won the US Taekwondo Championships three times in a row and “had very ambitious plans.” He was lying in wait, biding his time like a true strategist. And when he learned that the local taekwondo school in Houston had closed, he opened a center of his own.

Although taekwondo was a relatively unknown discipline in Mexico at the time, Daiwon Moon’s name was familiar in karate circles and in 1968 a group of karateists invited him to teach a course on Korean karate, as it was known then. The course was a resounding success and his students begged him to open a school in Mexico, but he turned down the offer and went back to Houston.

here, according to the figures circulating at the time.”

Initially, it wasn’t easy for him to get by but in the end he was able to make a living off the bandoneón, an accordion-like instrument he had learned to play at a young age.

Indubitably, Olguín is the musician who has done the most to popularize the music of tango composer Astor Piazzola in Mexico; although he can also turn his bandoneón to jazz.

For decades, he has played with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Mexico, the Fine Arts Chamber Orchestra, the UNAM Philharmonic, the Latin American Tango Quartet ensemble and the Mexican Tango Orchestra, which he co-founded with young musicians interested in learning about the sensual subtleties of tango.

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Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

Joe Sanchez

MOON

Balancing two worlds and building a new Mexico

By Madeline Milne

I

Then he had second thoughts.

“I thought… Mexico is virgin territory. They don’t have taekwondo. Maybe it would be easier to fulfill my dream there than here in Houston.” His Mexican students finally managed to persuade him to burn his boats in Texas and conquer uncharted lands on the other side of the border. From a business perspective, it was a calculated risk but there was also the human and cultural factor. “In the US –how can I put it?– people were more educated (laughs), more polite, if you will, but colder.

I always felt I was different: there was a certain distance between me and them.” But in Mexico, it was “like in Korea.” For example, a student invited him to his parents’ house out of town and he thought it was strange that this elderly couple lived alone but they owned a table that could seat 50 people.

Until his student explained that on weekends some 50 relatives would come over. “I really loved that aspect.” And for the man who hankered after Korean food, solace was to be found in charcoal grilled tacos.

In Mexico, Daiwon Moon devoted himself heart and soul to teaching. He was in his element. And in 1973, when Korea held its first Taekwondo World Championships, he returned to Seoul after a

10-year absence as coach of the Mexican team. He remembers it was May when he got off the plane and took a deep breath of air that smelled “like the countryside,” a smell he’d almost forgotten.

No one in Korea had heard of him because he’d left the country to study architecture in the US. No one even knew where Mexico was. But when Mexico came in third, after Korea and the US, it became clear it was a taekwondo force to be reckoned with.

Daiwon Moon’s chain of Moo Duk Kwan schools has expanded over the years. Now, he has 350 taekwondo centers, across the length and breadth of the country. But the maestro is far from satisfied.

He wants to open an international center for the martial arts in Querétaro, the geographic center of Mexico, which is, in turn, the center of Latin America and, according to Daiwon Moon, the center of the world because this is where East meets West. And, as anyone who knows Daiwon Moon will tell you, that is no pipedream.

He already has plans and a scale model in the shape of a pyramid that replicates the proportions of Chichén-Itzá and that has symbols of Asia and America on each side.

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t’s another gorgeous day in Puerto Vallarta and lunch at Barracudas on Playa Camaron leaves us with nothing to complain about. It’s easy to get brought into Joe Sanchez ‘s vision of Vallarta. It’s clear that he loves this city and the bay in everything he says. Eloquent with impressive verbal ease, it is also clear that he has put a lot of thought into his vision for the future of this city he now calls home with his wife and young son.

Born from two Mexican parents and raised in Chicago since the age of ten, Joe and his family travelled back to Puerto Vallarta every year. He parents originally from Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta became their holiday home.

Influenced by these annual vacations and looking for an opportunity, Joe and his high school sweetheart, Nicole packed up and moved to Vallarta in 2007 where they began Max Living & Design.

From a young age Joe knew he wanted to be an artist. A painter specifically, but he was influenced by the construction work of his father and found that combining his skills of drafting, sketching and painting into creating buildings was the best way to combine his ambition with talent.

Leaving a successful architecture career in Chicago, Joe has many impressive buildings and communities under his belt in the

United States and Mexico including the esteemed remodeling of Casa Jalisco in Chicago. Commenting that architecture is at its most basic a problem solving endeavor, Mexico offers Joe the flexibility to reinvent technologies that would otherwise be limited or cost-prohibitive in the United States. “Many of the problems Vallarta faces can be addressed with building living systems that are fluid and flexible.”

Building condo towers doesn’t have to be a bad thing. With the limited land available in the Bay, high-density housing is a viable option for maintaining the green space we currently enjoy. What Joe enthusiastically conveys is the need to modernize so that we can hold on to the qualities of the past that makeup the Vallarta of today. A theory of balance and compromise that is often lost in the rush to build shiny new buildings. With a young son, Joe and Nicole strongly embrace the need for sustainable change that will not only benefit the planet but also the communities they now lovingly call home. “Sustainability has to be affordable to everyone,” says Joe. Sustainable living in a tourist destination can be a challenge at the best of times. People come for only a week or two and most of what they consume is single-use, non-recyclable quick fixes but ironically for many the natural beauty and charm of the Bay of Banderas is what draws them initially. In order to live sus-

tainably in a place like Puerto Vallarta, it is important to balance the theme park aspects of high tourism with the basic needs of a rapidly growing community while retaining the nostalgia of the ‘Old World’. Much of Joe Sanchez’s spare time has been dedicated to building a modular, off-the-gird sustainable home that utilizes a number of existing conservation practices such as capturing rain water and using a slow sand filtration process. At 20 feet long the space has been designed to accommodate four people and includes a small plunge pool – perfect for that weekend getaway in the hills of San Sebastian del Ouest.

Puerto Vallarta has a way of forcing a balance into your life.

From too hot to too fun to too delicious, it seems there is always a good reason to take a break, even if it is from saving the world, the Sanchez’s make time to enjoy the beaches of Boca de Tomatlan, an evening stroll on the Malecon or visiting their avocado plantation outside of town.

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Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

By Leza Warkentin rhythm2rain@gmail.com

By Marcia Blondin marcia.blondin@ymail.com

W

ced the price of her original designs to $250 pesos each! See her new leather and metal bracelets and neckbands for men and unique necklaces made with natural stones.

Mark’s Smoking Good Meats features corned beef and sauerkraut this week. His usual smoked and natural cheeses combine beautifully with smoked ham, bacon, breakfast sausage, beef sticks and crunchy dill pickles.

Torri by the Sea is giving away a 42” long, hand-dyed silk cord with the purchase of any of her lovely pendants. A sterling silver chain always accompanies Torri’s exquisitely organic pendants and this Saturday only you will get both!

From our returning Leek & Thistle Mark...a selection of his delicious quiches are just $100 pesos for three! Pair those with Mark’s frozen meat pies - six of them for the price of five. Excellent value.

Diva Jan of Jan’s Specialty Condiments has perfected her Rum/Raisin sauce to glaze meats and to add to protein milk shakes for a tasty treat.

“Xel”, Guillermo’s name for his extensive line of jewelry combines unique artisanal techniques with the colors of his beloved Mexico using stones, metals, leather, wood and other natural elements.

His custom designs reflect tranquility and peace so his clients take home an original especially dedicated to them. Stop by and see Guillermo’s glorious delicately hand painted hearts!

Our extraordinary bagel maker, Peter, made me a pastrami sandwich on (his own) rye bread to eat on the plane last weekend. Everyone around me was subjected to the irresistibly spicy aromas and no, I did NOT share! Great coleslaw too, Peter, thank you. Get your own every Saturday to eat at the Community Center or take it home to enjoy later. Or fly somewhere and be the envy of all your fellow passengers!

The PCC charity CompassioNet needs your donations to help stock our coming-soon “Fashions for Charity” by Deja New. We especially need MENS clothes, please! You can either drop your donations at Marcia’s table during Market hours Saturday 9 to 1, or, Tuesday to Saturday 11 -7 at Deja New Consignment, Jacarandas 280.

Until next week, saludos from Canada, the Frozen North to be sure, Calgary was eight degrees, four days ago when I arrived!

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Paradise and Parenting

This is Paradise...

elcome everyone to the Paradise Community Center’s Saturday Co-op Market via Drumheller, Alberta, Canada - the dinosaur capital of the world. While so many thousands of Albertans were recently inundated by flood waters, Drumheller remained relatively dry.

What DID happen here with the torrential rains is rare and beautiful...

Drum now looks like a lush fertile piece of Earth rather than a piece of the moon’s surface.

Thanks to the Co-op vendors who have sent me their enticing specials for this week. Don’t miss out and read on!

For hot summer days Barbara’s hand painted cotton tops will cool you off in style. She has redu-

8

San Blas Getaway

I

t was week two of summer vacation, and I was sitting in my bedroom with my son, watching Super Johnny Smart Mouth (or whatever) on Cartoon Network, huddled around the most powerful fan in the house. He asked me, without turning his head, for a glass of “that drink I usually drink at home”. He was referring to water.

Just as I was about to unplug the TV to rescue my son from his catatonia, my daughter began to howl from the studio where she was playing a computer game. I ran in, expecting to find her in some sort of imminent physical peril, only to find that she had misplaced her Puffle on Club Penguin.

Change of scenery, take one. I decided it was time to revisit a favorite of my husband’s and mine, the tiny fishing village of San Blas, Nayarit. Nestled on the coast about 2 and a half hours north of Vallarta, it’s a getaway without being too “away”.

The kids and I were into the idea of jungle boat tours, a visit to a real old fort with cannons, and swimming in various bodies of water. As for my husband, all he wanted was an air conditioned bungalow where he could sit and enjoy a bowl of hot soup. I know.

I pretty much won the lottery with a man whose happiness bar is set this low. I’m the light of his life when I melt the cheese on his tuna sandwich.

The drive to San Blas is really, very beautiful. At this time of year, everything is so green and lush. The scent of maturing fruit follows you the entire way, and the landscape is dotted with orchards. Everywhere you look are trees, some dripping with jewelred mangos, the frilly ones with their stacks of green bananas, and others with their impossibly thin branches doubled over with the heavy yaka fruit.

For any of you who are interested in the San Blas adventure with your family, I recommend the spacious, clean rooms of Casa Roxanna. For 800 pesos a night, we got a huge bungalow with three beds, a small, equipped kitchen, cable TV, A/C, and a screened-in porch (but even with the screens you MUST bring mosquito spray to San Blas. Just take my word for it, amigo). There’s a shared pool outside. We were able to walk downtown in about 10 minutes (with kids), and it is located a few blocks from the beach.

I also recommend La Tovara Jungle River Tour, where you will see crocs in their natural habitat, birds, lizards, and perhaps even a wild boar on a 3 hour (round-trip) boat tour. You can walk directly down to the river and contract a boat for between 440 and 560 pesos, depending on whether you want to go to the crocodile sanctuary and/or swimming area.

It’s best first thing in the morning.

And hey, the upside to travelling with kids is that “first thing in the morning” means having a leisurely breakfast and swim before you head down to the dock at 8am.

Definitely take a beach day at San Blas’ Playa El Borrego and let your kids enjoy the gentle waves and long beach break. The beach itself stretches out for miles.

Oh, and of course, take a jaunt up to the old hillside ‘fort,’ or Contaduria, that was built in 1770 as accounting offices for the town’s extensive sea trade with the Orient at the time. There are cannons outside the old stone building that, while they may no longer fire, brought a wide, if not unsettling smile to my 8-year-old son’s face.

Go on, take the wind-y road less traveled to this charming, mellow Mexican pueblito. And since you’re there anyway, bring me back a loaf of some signature San Blas homemade banana bread.

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Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

PV Sea Dive

By Erin Staley oldtownfm.com

By Sue Keevil pvseadive.com

Color Your World

E

ach week the Old Town Farmers’ Market honors its “make it, bake it, grow it” vendors. They comprise of international artists, soap makers, jewelers, doctors, farmers, bakers, distillers, and chocolatiers. This week, we are featuring two vendors that color our world with their creativity: glass designer, Adriana Coss Vitrofusión-Reciclado, and dressmaker, Caroline DelMar Collective.

Adriana Coss de Gortari, the owner of Adriana Coss Vitrofusión-Reciclado, has been working with glass for 21 years. She uses Vitrofusión, a high-heat, glass fusion technique.

An advocate of environmental responsibility, Coss de Gortari combines Vitrofusión with recycling to create one-of-a-kind glass jewelry and décor.

“My products are made from broken windows, wine bottles, cans and electrical equipment,” says Coss de Gortari.

She draws her inspiration from the natural beauty and lively art scene of the Centro Cultural Educativo in San Pancho, Nayarit. There she has a workshop, allowing her to fashion trash-to-treasure designs.

“Adriana Coss Vitrofusión-Reciclado is my way of taking care of the environment,” says Coss de Gortari. “Each piece is liquefied, hand painted and adorned with embellishments to bring out its unique charm.”

Now in her second season as a Market Vendor, Coss de Gortari is delighted to further immerse herself in the local color of the community. “I love to meet the Market shoppers, to learn where they come from and what inspires them,” she says. You, too, can be inspired by her artistry as you find the perfect piece for your home or a treasured keepsake for friends and family. To learn

more about Coss de Gortari’s Vitrofusión techniques, visit Facebook.

As you make your way through the Old Town Farmers’ Market, be sure to stop by Caroline DelMar Collective.

There you’ll find a colorful array of designer-made clothing to keep you cool and fashionable in tropical Puerto Vallarta.

“My mom bought me my first sewing machine when I was 8 years old,” says Caroline Caliz-DelMar. “She taught me how to sew, and I’ve been designing ever since.”

Caliz-DelMar believes that color affects mood and influences life experiences, and her Caroline DelMar Collective line adds vibrant colors to any wardrobe.

Designed for travel and for life, her handmade, all-in-one skirts are comfortable, light weight, wrinkle resistant and come with easy wash instructions.

“It can be worn as a dress, a blouse, or a beach cover-up depending on how it is folded and worn,” says Caliz-DelMar who

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once worked as a home organizer and color consultant. She has since combined her “paring down” expertise with her dressmaking talents.

The result is a collection of colorful basics that are perfect for travel and tropical living.

“The skirts are feminine, flowing, and fun,” says Caliz-DelMar. “They allow you to go from the beach to a nice dinner and everywhere in between.”

While shoppers fall in love with the comfort and versatility of Caroline DelMar Collective fashions, Caliz-DelMar is quick to pass on a warning. “My customers tell me that these skirts are addictive, and they often come back for more colors!”

Stock up on your colorful Caroline DelMar Collective must-haves this Saturday.

Color your world 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.

Another Tough Week in The Office

G

uests often tell me that I have the best job in the world, and apart from doing the end of month accounts, I have to totally agree. All of my guests seem to be the nicest people ever. I scuba dive most days, and intersperse this with private beach hopping tours, snorkeling tours, and, in the winter, whale watching tours. This last week has been a perfect mix, with one private beach hopping tour and four diving days. Wow, every day was a winner.

First, diving is my passion. Each day when I dive, I see or experience something I have not seen before. At the end of every dive, we do a 3 minute safety stop at fifteen feet. This is to expel as much nitrogen from our bodies as possible.

While doing one of these at Los Arcos last Wednesday, a dolphin came to play with us. In over 4,000 dives I have never seen a dolphin underwater before. It was swimming around us, playing with a piece of sea grass that was floating. It pushed the sea grass close to me, I moved it, it took it to someone else, they moved it, and it brought it back to me. We could have done this all day, but after about 5 minutes, the dolphin swam away. All four of my divers were over the age of sixty and seemed fairly conservative before the dive. To say the air turned blue when we surfaced would be the understatement of the year! Diving with father and his two sons was another WOW diving

day spent on our little wreck at Caletas on the south coast. These little wrecks are home to some huge moray eels, and on this day, the resident turtle that lives in the shallows was perched on top. Looking around the wreck I found a cute little frogfish.

These are super rare little creatures, and I had not told my divers about them, so they had no idea what I was showing them! They are amazing little fish. They swim by perpetual motion, can change their color in 5 days to match their surroundings, walk around on little feet and catch their dinner via a fishing lure on their heads. When other fish swim by and see the tasty snack on its lure, the frogfish opens its huge mouth so quickly that is causes a vacuum that sucks the fish in! They are so ugly it makes them cute.

Then, I enjoyed a non-diving beach hopping day! I took seven lovely people snorkeling at Los Arcos, and then hugged the beautiful coastline down to my favorite beach in Vallarta, Caballo, where we picnicked on this deserted beach and participated in some more relaxation.

On the way back, we stopped off at Ocean Grill at Colomitas where we polished off a couple of margaritas before cruising in to the marina.

After this tough week at work, I spent the weekend with my friends in Punta de Mita to regenerate my batteries before another “tough” week in the office begins.

Yes, I have to agree, I do have the best job in the world.

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REAL ESTATE 10

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

10 Tips on bei

My life in Vallarta

By Madeline Milne

T

By Lois Ellison

LICENSED TO DRIVE

H

ere we are in a taxi on our way to get our drivers’ licenses in Puerto Vallarta. Renewing our US licenses is not an option. The last US state we lived in requires proof of insurance for license renewals. No US residence, no car, no insurance, means no renewal. But we need a license to rent a car periodically.

My first step on this journey was a visit to Google. Not surprisingly, the official information didn’t always agree with the anecdotal information. I read a couple of articles and learned that, like so many things here in Mexico, the process and requirements can vary greatly from day to day, depending on where you go and who’s on duty when you get there.

One thing was certain; the exam would be in Spanish. Not too daunting for me but nightmarish for my husband. I downloaded a list of 103 test questions in both English and Spanish.

Supposedly the actual test would be 20 questions drawn from this pool. It was unclear whether or not we’d have to drive a car (we don’t have one) or take a vision exam. We’d also need to know our blood types.

After discarding options like bribing someone or bringing a translator along, we decided to study hard and take our chances. We didn’t want to risk arrest or lose a friend.

The English version proved to be almost as challenging as using the Spanish version. Many things had been lost in translation so we plunged into the Spanish version, memorizing key words and answers.

The big day is here now and we feel fairly confident.

We exit the taxi and enter UNIRSE, a mammoth white building, housing various State of Jalisco offices on two floors. Hundreds

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of people are patiently waiting in dozens of lines and seating areas scattered around the cavernous first floor. 99% of the customers are Nationals and the employees speak almost no English.

Breathing deeply, I approach an information booth, dig into my brain for some Spanish words and ask where we should go for the drivers’ licenses. Score one!

He points us in the right direction

and we get in our first line of the day. It’s 9:30. We have an hour to get through the first phase of documentation before attending the requisite 1 hour video driving course.

A sign announces the required documents: Original and copy of Passport, immigration card, proof of residency. So far so good but then it said “CURP” is mandatory.

Uh oh. What is it? Do we have it? After about 20 minutes, it’s our turn. A very helpful young woman reviews our documents, shows us the CURP is on the immigration card and sends us off to pay our fees. Now we are back waiting for the class to start.

Just past 10:30, a small group of us are ushered into a classroom to watch a video on traffic rules and safety, similar to what we had studied. We are the only gringos in the room. Surprisingly the entire section on seat belts is in English without Spanish subtitles.

The subject is communicated by depicting the dead driver’s spirit rising from his body after a crash.

After class, we’re told that we don’t have to take a road test because we have a license in another state. It doesn’t seem to matter that the state is in another country.

We then return to the document processing area to wait for final approval of our documents, have photos and fingerprints taken and ultimately take the test.

By this time my confidence is slipping and my stomach is churning. At the counter, our documents are pronounced approved and we give our blood types. I start feeling better until the official announces that there’s a problem with my CURP. It seems CURP contains your individual information, like birthdate and gender, but mine has “H” for hombre.

Here in Mexico, Lois is not a name they often hear so I am mistaken for Luis. She tells me that I will need to return to Immigration to get a new CURP or this error may create future problems. I thank her and move to the next line only to notice that she’s written my name as Luis!

Finally it’s time to take the test.

We are given the option of taking it simultaneously or one at a time and helping each other! What a relief. As a bonus, it turns out there are only 10 questions.

Three hours after arriving at UNIRSE, we’re out the door, licensed to drive.

Of course this was just our experience on that particular day.

Yours could be another story. I think I’ll take a few weeks off before heading back to Immigration.

he global economic crisis has had a significant impact on home prices around the world. Prices have gone down, and most sellers know this. They know they will be presented offers lower than their asking price. They know they will have to negotiate.

A few still think their homes are worth top dollar and will not budge off the price, or tell their agent, “I’ll wait for my price.”

This is a good time to buy your first home in Mexico. There are plenty of homes on the market, and prices are down considerably.

Here are some tips to navigate your first purchase.

1. Be fair in your offer. You are not 007. This market, also known as a “Buyers’ Market” is not

rest you, ask your agent about them. That way, she can be get a good understanding of what you like.

4. Know your budget. Be open and honest about how much money you have to spend.

Remember that closing costs are much higher in Mexico than in the US or Canada. You need to factor in that amount. Your real estate agent can give you an idea of closing costs so that you know what the transaction will cost.

5. Prepare your bank. Visit your bank and let them know you are buying in Mexico. You will be arranging a large transfer of funds and will need everyone to be aware of the situation. Be prepared to wire your good faith deposit to escrow

Ten Ways To Be a Good Buyer 1. Become informed about Mexican real estate practices 2. Do a lot of online home shopping before you come to Mexico 3. Choose one agent per area and be loyal 4. Get your mortgage approved before you get on the plane 5. Make fair offers 6. Keep your eyes wide open when you visit the property 7. Inform your bank before you leave that you may be wiring money to Mexico 8. Get it in writing 9. Put it in writing 10 Ignore the barstool experts a license to kill. Making drastically low offers will infuriate the seller and cause her to reject your offer outright or make a higher counter offer than she would have if you had presented a fair offer. Your real estate agent is duty bound to present all offers. If she thinks your offer is too low, your agent will tell you and try to prepare you for a counter offer from the seller.

2. Use an experienced agent.

Choose one real estate agent in each area you are thinking about.

Make contact with that agent and tell them what you absolutely must have in a home, including price, amenities, proximity to a beach etc. Professional agents are not going to work with you and take their time and money to prepare home tours for you only to find out you are working with other local agents.

3. Educate your Agent. Most buyers spend a few weeks or months looking at homes online. As you find homes that inte-

at the time you write your offer.

The escrow companies all have US accounts, so this will be easier to do than you think.

6. You can get a mortgage.

If you are going to need a home loan, follow the instructions of the loan officer and be patient.

There is much more paperwork involved in a loan transaction in Mexico. And yes, there are competitively priced US dollar loans available in Mexico for Canadians and Europeans, as well. Have your loan pre-approved before you get on the plane.

Nothing is worse than spending days looking at properties, making an offer, picturing yourself having margaritas on the terrace, and then finding out you cannot qualify for a loan.

7. Patience and multiple copies of everything. Although the buying and selling process works much the same way as it does in the US or Canada, the closing portion of your tran-

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Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

ing a Good Buyer saction is completely different. It is time consuming and paper intensive and it costs more. Don’t compare the closing of a Mexican transaction with what you know from home. There is no comparison and the process of comparison will drive you and your agent crazy.

8. Don’t be blinded by “house love”. Beautiful colors, giant cactus, and gorgeous bougainvillea near the crystal clear, infinity edge pool do not make up for poor construction, faulty plumbing, and cheap/old fixtures.

Turn on the faucets, flush the toilets, open the refrigerator, light the stove, and flip switches. Do not take anyone’s word about the condition of the property. Open your eyes wide and look around you. In Mexico, there are no certified physical inspections, termite reports, or roof reports. It is up to you to be aware and obtain competent advice from experts.

9. Get what you want. If you love the house, can afford it but there are obvious repairs, ask the seller to repair or credit you and do this in writing in your offer.

Don’t try to knock thousands off the price for some cracked stucco or chipped tile. When you want something from the seller, the best way to get it is to offer as close to their price as possible, show them your approved loan and that you are prepared to wire a deposit to escrow. Do all of this in writing.

That has clout and the seller sees that you are serious.

10. Get informed. Read about Mexican real estate practices online. Understand what a fideicomiso is and who does what. And stay away from all the “barstool experts”. There is no “better way” or easier way to buy property in Mexico than using a professional.

Your agent is a professional and can guide you.

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

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

12

Beat the Heat Looking to escape the heat of Summer in Puerto Vallarta?

Look no farther!

Vallarta Tribune will bring you refreshing articles, tips and deals all summer.

Isn't that so cool?

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Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDENS

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

RIVIERA NAYARIT

14

Non-stop ‘celebrity shower’ in Riviera Nayarit This summer seems to have attracted a non-stop ‘shower of stars’ in Nayarit. Former bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky recently visited to spice-up the romance with her boyfriend Kevin Manno, also a TV star.

According to People Magazine’s online site, the couple was spotted walking on the beach after arriving on Friday June 28th. Their source also said that Ali and Kevin indulged in plenty of cozy couple time – including afternoons spent hanging around on hammocks – while relaxing at the Villa La Estancia resort.

In the past few months, Riviera Nayarit has become one of the preferred destinations for celebrities, with the visit of important personalities like Thierry Henry, Kate Hudson, Felicity Huffman, Gerry Lopez and Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Courtenay Cox, Charlie Sheen, Mario Lopez, Sofia Vergara, Kristen Dunst, Juliette Lewis, Eva Longoria, Justin

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Ritmoson Latino returns to Riviera Nayarit “Oh my God!” exclaimed Bazooka Joe, one of the presenters of Ritmoson Latino, who was amazed by the beauty of Riviera Nayarit, where he recorded over 120 spots that aired last 2012.

He is back with Carolina Moran, where they will be recording on July 9th about new attractions and magical spots they missed last year.

The production crew of ‘El Break’, a Ritmoson Latino show that provides useful information on how to spend summer holidays, toured Riviera Nayarit from end to end to record these spots.

This resulting media exposure is valued at over $600,000 pesos, but will be provided at no cost to our destination.

Mini-spots will be aired at the

end of July between shows. This television channel is part of one of the main cable companies in Mexico and 45 other countries in America and Europe.

Bieber and Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and most recently Kendra Wilkinson, Mayim Bialik, Tori Spelling and Angela Bassett.

Riviera Nayarit gets exposure in Brazil In 2013, to date Riviera Nayarit has attracted the attention of journalists in Brazil, who published forty-nine articles on Mexico’s Pacific Treasure with an estimated value of $482,677 USD as a result of the PR efforts of the CVB of Riviera Nayarit.

“The articles promoting Riviera Nayarit have an estimated value of almost half a million USD, and in turn have been obtained through PR efforts at a low-cost, since we only had to pay for Scritta, our PR Agency in Brazil”, said the Managing Director of the CVB, Marc Murphy.

O Popular, Folha de Alphaville, Jornal de Pampulha, O Hoje, JBA, Jornal Jundiaí, Eco Financas, Mercado e Eventos, Brasilturis, ParanaShop, Viajar é Simples, Portogente, Brasil Fashion News, Portal Eventos, Panrotas, Viagem Incrível, Coluna de Turismo, Vitrine Hotel, Embarque na Viagem, O Fluminense y Revista Travel, are some of the publications dedicating articles to promote Riviera Nayarit’s attractions.

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RIVIERA NAYARIT

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15

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit

By Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com

However, its summertime now, and non-profit organizations like the BBCC need our help.

The BBCC summer program for the children has just begun.

It’s really fun for the kids, and all of the teachers and volunteers are absolutely NOT paid in any way. I will be teaching kids how to swim and help out with the bird watching fun.

The BBCC

The BBCC in Bucerias, Nayarit

I

love living on the Riviera Nayarit.

The color of Mexico makes all of my senses come to life. Bright colors abound, ones I would not have considered wearing together in Colorado, but do now with much delight. The heart centered energy of the Mexican culture opens my heart; their faith and love of family and life renews my spirit.

Living on the Riviera Nayarit and owning websites allows me to help non-profit organizations get their word out and about. They must be truly non-profit to get my attention. There are so many ways to help the communities located on the Riviera Nayarit. When one visits, they see abundance of tall condo buildings, restaurants and tourism. Little do they know that only a few blocks away from the playa, there are some very poor people that need our help. Chil-

dren that want to learn. Adults that want work, or to learn how to speak English, or how they may be able to better themselves, and in turn provide a better life for their families. This is what the Bucerias Bilingual Community is all about.

Now, don’t get me wrong! I know that some tourist work all year long and save for the one week of vacation to get away from it all. They work hard, and there is nothing wrong with that.

They are here to relax on the playa, eat Mexican cuisine and cheap tacos. I greatly promote tourism. It brings monies into the communities, supports jobs and everything trickles down. During the winter season, many expats visit for the 5 or 6 months to enjoy the warm weather.

These people help out immensely with all kinds of non-profit events, sign up for all kinds of classes and become volunteers.

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Bucerias has a community center, called the BBCC, or Bucerias (Bilingual) Community Center. The BBCC was founded in 2007, and offers a central hub for all residents and visitors to the area who wish to make new friends, learn different cultures and know more about their neighbors and their way of life.

The Bucerias Community Center is an activity center dedicated to cultural appreciation for peoples of all ages and nationalities.

They offer a summer program for disadvantaged kids so they can learn new hobbies and skills.

The children have fun learning and experiencing bird watching with Luis Morales who heads up the San Pancho Birding Observatory, clay sculpture, guitar lessons, swimming lessons, art and yoga and dance, as well as learning English. There will be story-telling and fun and games.

The children’s summer program fun started this week, so it’s not too late to get your children involved for the classes. Call the BBCC at 322-102-0382, or stop by to Calle 16 De Septembre #40 Col La Unidad. You may also email them at: BuceriasBilingualCenter@ yahoo.com Find out how you can support your Riviera Nayarit community!

Cat Morgan is owner of RivieraNayaritFun.com Regional Network Please contact me, Cat Morgan, at Cat@ RivieraNayaritFun.com with any questions, comments, or Riviera Nayarit news! Gracias!!

The Sayulita Summer Secret

A

Sayulita summer vacation is perfect for the intrepid traveler. Come play in the hot summer sun and cool off in short, refreshing, rainshowers.

Enjoy the summer season benefits of green scenery, empty beaches, uncrowded restaurants, and low-priced vacation rentals. The summer season is perfect for those who truly like a getaway from the crowds.

Take pleasure in having yoga instructors, spas, and the surf scene almost all to yourself. Some say the weather is too hot, and the rain showers too sporadic. But for us who are here year round it is the perfect mix and we almost don’t want to let the secret out.

So, hurry up and get here before the word spreads.

Summer Deals & Weather Tips If you are concerned about hot weather and the rains, we assure you that the heat of the sun is cooled by the short daily drizzle. It’s just enough to cool your off and the nightly showers are soothing and refreshing to sleep to! Summers in Sayulita are undoubtedly

the best time deals on beachside, luxury vacation rentals that you cannot find during the high season.

Don’t miss Sayulita’s many outrageous drink and food specials at plenty of the local restauants.

Also, Sayulita is known for its bohemian boutiques and fashion, and they also have summertime deals to attract and entice.

Sayulita All to Yourself So, instead of visiting Sayulita along with the crowds of November-March, paying the higher-prices, and dealing with the hustle and bustle; come when it is quiet, the prices are low, and the beaches and restaurants of Sayulita are your private playground! Think private fishing trips and exclusive sailing adventures.

There is no better time to visit Sayulita than when the crowds clear out and the weather warms.

Uncrowded beaches, restaurants, and streets give Sayulita summers and uber-relaxed vibe and allow you to have Sayulita to enjoy for all your own, as you please! (Did we mention it’s baby turtle hatching season?)

Originally published on sayullitalife.com

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FOOD

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

16

Chiles in Mexico

By Minerva Zamora

E

nchiladas, chilaquiles, salsa verde, salsa roja, chiles rellenos… if there is a staple in Mexican food that is recognized around the world, it is its variety of hot peppers or chiles. In fact, evidence shows that this has been true for thousands of years.

Archeologists have found seeds and other related items in Puebla which show the domestication of several species of chilies in sites that date back as far as 6,500 B.C. It is no wonder then, with so many years of study and experimentation of these wonderful fruits (yes, chile is a fruit!), that Mexico has such a close relationship with it.

Of course we use it for food, who hasn’t tried a delicious salsa Mexicana with Serrano chilies, a black mole with a rich mixture of chile ancho, chile mulato, chile pasilla, and chipotle, or a fiery habanero sauce? However, we also use it for its various medicinal properties. They stimulate circulation, and can therefore highly increase the effect of other medicinal teas and ointments.

Add a couple of drops of chile tincture to equinacea and licorice, and you have a highly effective potion against sore throats.

Grab some chile ointment to reduce the pains of rheumatism, arthritis, and aching articulations.

Their antimicrobial and circulation increasing properties work well in hair-loss treatment shampoos.

There have also been very recent studies showing that capsin, the substance that make chilies spicy, can increase the anti-carcinogenic properties of green tea about a hundred times. Regularly

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in places like Italy, India, China, and Thailand. In fact, they are so ingrained in those cultures that most of their inhabitants call it sacrilege if you suggested it to them that their loved curries, siracha and arrabiata sauces, ghost peppers, kimchee, and Szechuan spicy dishes are all descendants and new uses of an ingredient

that did not even exist in their continents just 500 years ago.

So think about your chilies the next time you are savoring that guacamole, or asking the street vendor for some extra tajín on your freshly cut coconut, and embrace that spicy little of bit of history and tradition you are about to enjoy!

eating any variety of chile will give a boost to your metabolism and your circulatory system. There

are a lot of traditions regarding chiles in Mexico. As anyone who has had too much chile in a table full of Mexicans will know, you will probably have as many recipes for how to get rid of the heat as there are people there: salt, milk, tortillas, and ice all are supposed to magically put out the fire in your mouth.

The fascination with this tiny little fruit extends far beyond Mexico and the rest of Mesoamerica.

Although all chili peppers come from the New World, and did not start their spread across the globe until after Columbus mistook the continent for the Indies, they are very important, and now even considered traditional ingredients

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TRAVEL

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Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

Unique Summer Travel Sea Turtle Conservation Camp Costalegre, Jalisco, Mexico

A

re you looking for a new adventure? Volunteer vacations are not a new concept but the La Gloria Sea Turtle Conservation Camp is a new opportunity just a few hours from Puerto Vallarta. Starting this August 18th, you can apply for one of the limited spots available from one to ten weeks long. You will be trained in aspects of Sea Turtle conservation, the day-to-day running of the Conservation Centre, sea turtle biology and the local ecology and its biomes.

Sea turtles, or marine turtles, are distributed throughout all the Earth’s oceans except for the polar regions. There are seven extant species of sea turtles. These are the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys

FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION

imbricata), the Pacific green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the Kemps ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), the flatback turtle (Natator depressus) and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). Unfortunately all are endangered globally due to by-catch, poaching and climate change. The leatherback and hawksbill turtles are facing extinction.

Of the seven species of sea turtles, four of them (olive ridley, hawksbill, leatherback & Pacific green) can be found in the waters along the ‘Costalegre’, an area of pristine tropical Pacific coastline stretching 280 kilometers from Barra de Navidad to south to Playa Mismaloya (just south of Puerto Vallarta) to the north. The olive ridley is the most common species here with the Pacific green a far second.

Each year, since the La Gloria Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Station was opened back

in 1985, the project has saved the lives of thousands of sea turtles from poaching, by-catch and predation giving these ecologically important and beautiful animals a fighting chance against extinction.

But more can be done and you can be a part of it by joining the volunteer program. You can make a difference.

La Gloria urgently requires an ongoing stream of sea turtle conservation volunteers who will take an active working role in the dayto-running of the La Gloria Sea Turtle Conservation & Research station. The very affordable fee includes transportation to and from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, accommodations and food and drinks for your stay. Space is limited and the program can be flexible to meet your goals as well.

For more information visit http:// www.tierralegre.org/sea-tur tle-conservation-program or email davison.collins@gmail.com

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SPORTS

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

By Joel Hansen

H

ockey and basketball are over, baseball is not deep enough into its schedule to start following it closely, the CFL has just kicked off, and the NFL is still a month away from training camp.

Little things keep us interested, free agency in hockey, the Doc Rivers drama in basketball, but for the most part July is a sleepy time for pro sports. Unless you’re a tennis fan in which case this past week has seen you on the edge of your seat. Congratulations are in order for Scotland’s Andy Murray.

Or is that England’s Andy Murray?

But for me personally, living in Mexico full time, right now my own sports calendar is full.

Summer storms have brought some great swells up and down the west coast, I am writing this from Manzanillo and I can tell you that hurricane Erick has brought some great surf here. Liga de softball is in midseason and we play a game under the lights this week vs

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The dog days of summer. We are in the dog days.

Andy Murray.

the feared Barrio Boys. And my favorite sport is watching my eleven year old play American football.

This past weekend they played here in Manzanillo vs the aptly named Cyclones. After falling behind early they managed to make a close game of it before losing by a

touchdown late in the game. I love, really love, watching my son play a game that is pure for kids at that age. The work that the coaches and team managers put into the Torpedos football program is truly inspiring. Three months of practice and hard work have translated

into some very good, very inspired football. This coming weekend the Torpedos travel back to the state of Colima to play in Colima City vs the Jaguars. The atmosphere at these games is incredible with the host team’s housing the visiting teams player over the weekend.

There is a fiesta like environment on game day as the tiny, peewee, midget and bantam teams face off for an entire day of football, with plenty of food and cheers being provided by the host team. And as a sports junkie really what more could you ask for?

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EVENTS

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IFC Invites you to Celebrate Christmas in July!

by Janie Albright Blank

W

ho needs snow?! The International Friendship Club (IFC) is hosting a festive evening at the River Café on Saturday, July 20th including a Holiday dinner with all the trimmings! Get in the spirit joining with your family and friends in Vallarta to celebrate – best part is no need to wear a Christmas sweater and no presents to buy! However if you bring a new children’s toy or toiletry item you will be entered

in a special raffle. There will also be live entertainment and a mini fashion show with “seasonal fashions” from Carol’s Boutique.

A welcome cocktail is included and the cocktail hour begins at 6:30 followed by dinner at 7:30.

The elegant meal begins with assorted lettuce, spiced cheese, plantain banana, grilled Chistorra and apple vinaigrette followed by hand-carved slices of tender oven-roasted turkey paired with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables, served

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with a side of house-made apple sage stuffing and cranberry mango chutney. Dessert will be pumpkin spice crème brûlée, a house-made pumpkin spice custard baked and topped with caramelized sugar.

The cost is $350 pesos and includes tax and tip. A Vegetarian menu is also available. As always, proceeds go to fund the Cleft Palate Program and other charities supported by the IFC. Phone: 322222-5466. Website: ifcvallarta.com.

Email: ifcvallarta@gmail.com.

Homage To Eugene Peters

By Barbara Peters

Galerias Vallarta

G

aleria Vallarta is hosting an homage to Eugene Peters, founder of the gallery on July 12, the anniversary of his birthday from 6 – 9 p.m. at Calle Guerrero 187, 110 in Centro Puerto Vallarta.

“Gene” Peters chose Mexico as his second home in 1978 and lived here full time until he passed away in 2002.

Born in Decatur, Illinois in 1928, Gene served in the U.S. Marines, attended Millikin University and graduated from George Williams College in Chicago in group work education.

He pursued a career as youth work director with the YMCA in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, where he raised his family of three children. He also

served as Director of Student Activities at Lamar University for several years.

Eugene and wife Barbara started their business, Bridals and Formals Unlimited in Beaumont in 1958.

Gene was a talented photogra-

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

pher, taking photos of weddings and portraits and as well as an avid collector of antiques and collectibles.

He had a great interest in art, ceramics and glasswork and was constantly studying new techniques and ideas.

Upon selling his business in Texas Gene and his family first lived in Puebla, Mexico, then moved to Rincon de Guayabitos, where he loved to fish, then Bucerias, Playas de Huanacaxtle and finally settled in Puerto Vallarta as his favorite place.

He opened Galeria Vallarta in 1989 and worked to promote Vallarta as the cultural and art center of Mexico.

With a great interest in preserving the historic center Gene participated with various groups to promote and maintain the center of Vallarta as a place of interest to worldwide tourism.

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 India Gate Allende 124 Centro 322.223.2424 Mon-Sat 3:00 pm 11:00 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

Galeria Vallarta Invites you to a homage for Eugene Peters, founder of Galeria Vallarta Featuring Impressionist landscapes by Juan Martin Del Campo Sculptures

by William Aguilar Figurative abstracts by Marco Friday, july 12, 2013 6 – 9 P.M. Galeria Vallarta Guerrero 187, 110, upstairs 222 5125…

Webart@prodigy.Net.Mx

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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.

American Legion Post 14: contributes through fund raising 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 Asilo San Juan Diego home for the elderly - Contact: Lupita Sanchez Covarrubias 222-1257 or malupita88@hotmail. com or 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 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 Clinica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara - Rehabilitation of the handicapped.

Contact: Laura Lopez Portillo Rodriguez at 224-2754.

CompassionNet Impact - strategic partnerships & programs that provide for people living in chronic poverty to transform their own lives.

Bookmobile, homes, jobs creation, loans, Engli-

CHARITIES

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Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations sh & computer classes, emergency food, medicine & clothing, etc.Tax-deductible 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. 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 Desayunos para los Niños de Vallarta A.C. Feeding programs, education programs, day care centers for single mothers Candelaria 143 Col. Barrio Santa María Phone: 22 343 11 or 22 225 72 www.facebook.com/desayunosninosvallarta Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C. (DIVAC) association of handicapped individuals dedicated to helping one another.

- Contact: Ivan Applegate at 221-5153.

Families At The Dump, Ac Foundation Supporting the families living in the landfill or garbage dump in Puerto Vallarta thru eduation and sustainable opportunities.

FAD is tax deductible in Canada, USA & Mexico. www.familiesatthedump.org info@ familiesatthedump.org or 297-7425 GrupoEcològico de Puerto Vallarta – Contact: R.C. Walker at 222-0897, rc_ walkermx@yahoo.com.mx La Brigada de la Basura A weekly meeting of neighborhood children to clean Vallarta Streets. Contact Que?Pasa 223-4006 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 funds for Los Mangos Public Library. Tax-deductible 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 tax-deductible 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

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. - 322-222-5466. www.ifcvallarta. com. ifcvallarta@gmail.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, research & 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.

BRAIN TEASERS 21

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SUDOKU easy

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

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?

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.

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.

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.

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Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

{ 22

Feb 25 - March 3, 2013 Vallarta Tribune 844841 Vallarta Tribune

The Natural Beauty of OUR Mountain

Plants

2000

Mammals

80

Birds

300

23 23 23

VALLARTA May -TRIBUNE 23, 2013829 June 7 - 17 13, 2013 www.vallartatribune.com

Amphibians and Reptiles

Butterflies

85

500

50% of these species are endemic to MĂŠxico.

We propose the area to be designated a

Natural Preserve Because for Vallarta,

Without the Mountain...

There is no future

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23

Friday July 12 - 18 , 2013

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Authentic Mexican Food!

Seafood & Steaks Mention this ad for ONE GUACAMOLE per table with dinner

Olas Altas 474 , Romantic Zone Reservations 222 8382