Issue 855, August 23 - 29, 2013

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

FINANCING OPTIONS

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Money

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August 23 - 29, 2013 Free Issue 855

Travel

TRADITIONAL OAXACA

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Discovery

A NEW CREATURE

Welcome

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

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Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

EDITORIAL BOARD Marcia Blondin Raymond C. Beaty Lois Ellison John & Christie Forget Landon Hollander Nancy Van Landingham Robina Oliver STAFF SALES Dora Luz Luna Sales Manager Cel. 044 322 105 0183 dora@vallartatribune.com Sara B. Luna Cel. 322 157 7550 sara@vallartatribune.com M. Yolanda Meza Rojas Cel. 322 134 4191 yoly@vallartatribune.com

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.

For Up-To-Date Information Visit VallartaTribune.com

DRINKING WATER: For the 17th year in a row, Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for human consumption.

The quality of the water tested at the purification plant varies greatly from what comes out of the tap at the other end. So do be careful. If you want to be doubly sure, you can pick up bottled water just about anywhere.

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of error.

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.

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

Our Supporters This free Publication is brought to you with the financial support of our advertisers. Without them, we would not be here informing you, our kind readers, of all the weekly wonders of The Bay of Banderas and points south and north.

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EDITOR Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@vallartatribune.com

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”.

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.

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PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fernando Gonzalez Corona

Calling in Mexico

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Cover Photo Tule Tree Oaxaca, Oaxaca Madeline Milne

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.

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.

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Here is some advice to make your trip a little easier and more enjoyable.

Editorial

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Editors Note: Do you know that Mexico has thirty-two world heritage protected sites, including the Agave fields of Jalisco and the Hospicio Cabañas, in Guadalajara? Ranking 6th in the world after China, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, Mexico has a mixture of historic cultural sites and natural sites. I have had the pleasure of visiting many of these places in the years I’ve traveled through Mexico and last week in Oaxaca was no different. I took the opportunity to cross two more off my bucket list of places to visit in the world.

Explore Banderas Bay

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uerto Vallarta is located in the middle of Banderas Bay, one of the largest bays in Mexico at nearly 100km in length.

It is bounded in the north by Punta de Mita and in the south by Cabo Corrientes. It straddles the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, divided along the Ameca River. The bay is home to many wonderful communities and an abundance of natural wonders. In the winter and spring seasons you can witness the awe inspiring beauty of the humpback whales as they calve in the warm waters of the bay, in the summer you can experience the majesty of the sea turtles hatching and returning to their watery world. The fall brings renewed vigour to the mountains and rivers with the fresh rains and revived vegetation. No matter when you visit, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit will share their wonders with you. Here is a selection of some of the many things you can do while visiting us.

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Like Jalisco, Oaxaca has two properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. One for the historic centre of the city of Oaxaca and the pyramids of Monte Alban and the other describing the Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca, both of which I explored with enthusiasm as I am a lover of all things ancient.

On the UNESCO tentative list is the Arbol de Tule (cover photo), the world’s largest tree around.

Measuring 52 meters in girth, the Tule tree is in the church yard of the town of Santa Maria de Tule, just a short distance from the historic pyramids of Mitla.

The tree is purported to be 2000 years old, well surpassing the arrival of the Spanish, though best scientific estimates put it at approximately 1600 years.

Local Zapotec legend holds that it was a staff planted in the ground about 1,400 years ago

by Pechocha, a priest of Ehecatl, the Aztec wind god which correlates with the scientific estimate; and its location on a sacred site

Romantica – this charming neighbourhood is also called Old Town and is a popular residential area for expats and Mexican families.

Along the main streets you will find shops galore, filled with wonderful authentic crafts, clothing, jewelry, excellent restaurants, spas, theaters and more. Vibrant and friendly, this area offers an excellent day or two (or more!) of exploring. Close to Los Muertos beach, consider ending your day with a sunset margarita at any of the many beachfront restaurants.

Sunsets on the Malecon Sitting on the edge of the Pacific Ocean never fails to give us a sunset each night. Grab a seat at any of the number of excellent bars and restaurants along the malecon, order your favourite cocktail and let it all slip away. Once the sun has set, the malecon comes alive with families out for a stroll, plenty of live entertainment and later in the night, the nightclubs beckon.

Fresh Seafood – The bay is generous and each day we enjoy plentiful fish and seafood. Head to Bucerias where there are a number of excellent seafood restaurants on the beach serving the days catch.

The beach in Bucerias is a pristine eight kms long and an excellent beach to practice Stand-Up Paddle Boarding. During whale season it’s not unusual to see whales breaching and putting on a show just off

(later taken over by the Roman Catholic Church).

Regardless of its age or even its record setting girth, the tree is a magnificent sight to behold.

Its gnarled trunk holds beautiful burls and many claim to see images of animals and elements of nature in the wood.

The tree is just a quick stop on the road to Mitla, the pyramids revered for their geometric stone work and not far from the town of San Martín Tilcajete which is long recognized for its masterful crafting of Alebrijes.

If you are looking for a wonderful trip to a cooler climate, Oaxaca is an easy destination with plenty of cultural activities to experience and it will give you an opportunity to cross a few more UNESCO sites off your list.

If you haven’t yet, consider a trip to the town of Tequila which I will cover here in the Tribune next week. In the meantime, enjoy this week’s paper and send us your comments. We love to hear from you. Have a great week!

the beach. Fresh oysters, a shrimp cocktail or grilled red snapper are some of our favourites.

Sayulita – A short 45 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Sayulita is the surfers mecca of Riviera Nayarit.

A funky town with a wonderful protected beach, this laid-back town has a hippie vibe with the organic cafes and the yoga studios to prove it. Visit the Huichol Cultural Centre for some wonderful handmade beaded jewelry or grab a surf lesson from one of the many vendors on the beach.

Cooking Classes – Recognized as one of the world’s leading cuisines, there are a number of great schools in the Puerto Vallarta area that will teach you how to master tortilla soup, enchiladas, salsas and more. Fresh seafood, abundant fruit and veggies and a sophisticated community make Vallarta a foodies dream destination. Look for a school that will take you to the markets or introduce you to the farmers and fishermen for a truly cultural experience. Don’t want to cook? Try one of the Food Tours available. Eat like a local and for three hours you will enjoy everything from Tacos to Pazole at the food stands and small comidas around town.

Galleries – It is said there are more galleries per capita in Puerto Vallarta than any other place in

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Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

In the Know A local weekly guide to places, people and things

Bryan Savage

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My wife Michele and I love going to Destiladeras Beach, located 10 minutes north of La Cruz.

Once we get to Destiladeras Beach, we love going on the long walks there, as the sand is perfect for walking.

We also love eating at the fish restaurant on the beach there—It’s just a lean-two structure, but they do a great job with fish, and very cheap!

I very much enjoy playing sax and flute with our band, The Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars at the Paradise Stage in the Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta, as well as doing my shows under my own name at Osos Oyster Bar in La Cruz, as well as performing at the Sonora Ala Parilla Restaurant in Bucerias.

On Sunday mornings, we like going to the Marina

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Mexico. Many of these galleries are along the side streets that run through Centro. Stop at the Tourism Office in the Main Plaza for a map or take advantage of their free walking tour. Many galleries carry high quality local crafts, established Mexican and international artists and more.

Canopy Tours, Bungee Jumping, Jet Skis – There is something for every daredevil in Puerto Vallarta. The jungle-mountains lend the perfect back drop to zipline canopy tours while the warm ocean waters below are perfect for diving, snorkeling, swimming or renting a jet ski and exploring the coast line.

Ride the bus - Buses in Puerto Vallarta are an experience all their own. You can tell the general destination of the bus by what is written on the window. Costco, Sheraton, Centro, Mismaloya you can go just about anywhere in this city on the bus. Only six and a half pesos (per bus - there are no transfers) this is a great way to explore the neighbourhoods. Head south on the bus and get a front row seat on some spectacular scenery on your way to the Vallarta Zoo. Or hop the Bucerias bus in front of Walmart and 30 minutes later you are exploring a charming beachside town. Tip: Sit on the non-sunny side of the bus.

Trust me. It gets hot.

Support Local Business -

restaurant Sky Bar in the La Cruz marina. They have a nice buffet on Sundays, and we enjoy listening to our friends Al and Zoe perform there. Great views, too!

We love our morning walks on the La Cruz Marina Malecon.

And finally, we like being able to buy great fresh fish at the La Cruz Marina.

A world class musician who has played with many of the greats, including Al Stewart, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and opened for Santana and Journey, local celeb Bryan Savage has been visiting the Puerto Vallarta area for years and now calls La Cruz home for much of the year. When he is in town you can find Bryan and his Banderas Bay All-Stars band playing around town.

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One of the most popular reasons visitors love Puerto Vallarta is because it’s a thriving city not just geared towards spring-breakers.

A fine example of this is the many small businesses that you can find in ‘Centro’ including galleries, restaurants, clothing stores, spas and more. Venture off the malecon to find the perfect souvenir. Looking for something specific check out the handy vallartashoppingdirectory.blogspot.com Volunteer - There are many wonderful organizations across the Bay that can use your help. Both time or money will be appreciated.

On Tuesdays the SPCA de PV opens up to the public and you can visit with the many animals they have rescued.

On Sundays the Brigada de Basura does a morning of neighbourhood clean-up with the local children and then they all head to Que Pasa restaurant for breakfast, activities and friendship.

They are always looking for more help. Check out the back of this paper for many of the most deserving organizations.

With all of these things to do and much much more, you’ll be wishing you had more time. Don’t despair. We will be here, awaiting your return. Enjoy your time in the beautiful bay and please come back again.

Free calendar listings in the Vallarta Tribune

NEWS BITES

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

Puerto Vallarta Reports 8% Increase in First Quarter Arrivals

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exico’s Ministry of Tourism has reported that Puerto Vallarta had 1,129,649 hotel rooms occupied in the months of January to May 2013, this figure is 11,115 rooms more than the same time period in 2012. June and July have had an average occupancy rate of 1.8% above last year. It also reported 790,102 tourist arrivals during the first half of 2013, an 8.46% increase compared to 2012 figures. Based on a successful first half of the year and ambitious promotional campaign dedicated to local and foreign markets, Puerto Vallarta projects an 80% hotel occupancy and an estimated $78 million USD infusion into the local economy during the rest of this year’s summer season.

Puerto Vallarta is increasingly becoming more accessible for travelers as improvements continue to be made to the destination’s access points and infrastructure. The destination has heavily invested in renovations to sea ports as well as the addition of new flight frequencies and routes.

Delta Air Lines began servicing nine daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta in June

Following a successful first quarter in tourism, Puerto Vallarta is expected to report an 80% hotel occupancy by end of summer with a total capacity for 150 passengers each. In the fall, new flights will also start with Aeromexico from New York’s JFK as well from other cities like Philadelphia and St. Louis. In addition, beginning in May 2014, TUI will offer two weekly flights from Britain projected to bring 12,000 passengers during the summer season.

Further changes in infrastructure include the addition of 3 new hotels totaling more than 110 MMD investment by the end of 2013. Although no opening dates have been announced, construction has started on two hotels in Marina. The completely new Hotel One, with 125 rooms, and a Holiday Inn Express, with 115 rooms, will be located five minutes away from Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport (PVR) and will target meetings and conventions visitors to the city. The hotel zone of Puerto Vallarta will also have a new AM Resorts property

with 450 rooms; a Best Western opened earlier this year when the brand took over what used to be the Presidente Intercontinental.

New properties have continuously opened in Puerto Vallarta with 7,432 rooms added to the destination in the past three years.

Puerto Vallarta’s natural beauty, exquisite gastronomy, superb service and people’s warmth are highlighted on the national campaign “Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s most authentic port” through niche media and digital platforms. Puerto Vallarta’s prime location, nestled between the Bay of Banderas, one of the world’s largest bays, and the lush Sierra Madre Mountains, offers a magical and unique Mexican setting where travelers can experience the destination’s world class infrastructure, attractions and services. Additional information on Puerto Vallarta is available at www.visitpuertovallarta.com

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MEXICO: A home away from home

Mexico has a reputation for welcoming same. Over the last 15 years, the country has shown increasing clemency to migrants who want to make it their permanent abode.

by Dolores Reséndiz Mora

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ariah has only been in Mexico for a year but she plans on making it her home. A native of Australia, she visited Jalisco on holiday and stayed on after meeting and falling in love with a photographer. Love, the people and the food –whose colors and flavors she describes as “intense”– are some of the reasons she cites for settling down here. She also enjoys spending time with her Mexican family that “gets together on Sundays and celebrates birthdays”.

Mariah is one of 961,621 registered immigrants in Mexico, according to the 2010 census taken by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).One million people in a country with a population of almost 112.5 million (according to the National Census 2010) may not seem like much but it goes to confirm Mexico’s long

tradition of offering asylum to foreigners who are drawn by the country’s hospitality, good weather and lively social scene.

Mexico has a reputation for welcoming foreigners, one that was bolstered with the trade opening of the Eighties and Nineties. In fact, over the last 15 years, a report published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveals that Mexico has shown increasing clemency to migrants like Mariah who want to make it their permanent abode.

Foreigners have taken up residence in different parts of the country. According to INEGI and the National Migration Institute (INM), the cities with the largest foreign communities are Ajijic, Chapala, Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Los Cabos, Mérida, Mexicali, Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende and Tijuana, listed in alphabetical order.

CANADA: New medical tourism guidelines for Canadians

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esearchers at Simon Fraser University’s medical tourism research group have come up with some simple medical tourism guidelines for Canadians.

A one-page information sheet for prospective Canadian medical tourists outlines several key points to consider, from unforeseen costs and procedure risks to contracting diseases and patient rights. A Canadian Institute of Health Research grant supported the work. Professor Jeremy Snyder and his colleagues have spent two years talking to those in the industry around the globe, doctors and former patients to examine the pros and cons.

Professor Snyder explains, “It can be hard to gauge what the

Vallarta Tribune

quality of care abroad is like, in some cases fantastic care, but the regulatory systems might be different or they just might have trouble telling. It can be difficult to make sure you have continuity of care. So, if you are getting dental implants in Mexico, there might be linguistic barriers, when you are bringing medical records back home or your local dentist might not be able to get access to those records.”

The group also points out that there can be consequences for people living in the destination country. Professor Snyder explains, “Canadians are not aware of the potential for negative impacts for the people in the countries that are welcoming medical tourists. Medical

resources are going into private care for foreigners. Potentially it is a good thing because it brings in revenue. Medical tourism might direct resources away from low-income settings or redirect health personnel into the private system and away from the public system” Snyder warns of the risks of infectious disease or unforeseen costs, but also beleives that most Canadians return healthy after experiencing treatment that is a lot faster and less expensive than at home, “We have talked to many Canadians who have gone abroad for care for a variety of reasons and most people are happy with how things turned out.

But some return home requiring expensive on-going treatment that burdens people in Canada waiting

in queue. We want to educate people about these concerns.”

For Canadians going overseas the most popular procedures include hip, cosmetic, reproductive and dental surgery, as well as experimental treatments for multiple sclerosis and cancer.

Many travel to Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe each year and the researchers expect numbers to increase.

Snyder and colleagues under-

took a study published earlier this year looking at the legal implications of the risks of medical tourism for patients, which pointed to concerns over unintended and undesired effects on patients’ home healthcare systems. In 2011 a focus group found concerns ranged from surgery and treatment complications to uninformed decision-making.

Originally published at www.imtj. com

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With the loss of Mexico’s mortgage suppliers, private financing grows

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Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

El Foco on C7 Radio: OVERVIEW This week at El Foco we had the pleasure of chatting with Rohini Velasco. President of CEMBAB (Conservation of Wonderful Species of Banderas Bay) and Director of Operations at Aves del Paraiso (Birds of Paradise), Rohini has been in the region, working with animals since 1993. Since a young age his mother instilled in him a sense of empathy for all living things that guides his work today. Aves del Paraiso is a certified wildlife management unit which cares for decomissioned and abandoned birds, especially in the Psitacidae family (macaws, parrots, and parakeets). CEMBAB grew out of a desire to care for more species in the region and currently runs a sea turtle camp and environmental education programs.

Remember to tune in to 91.9 FM C7 Radio with El Foco every Monday at 4:00 pm to learn more about the ways people are taking action in our community.

Yawí Arte Tradicional: A Museum with Spirit

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efore 2005, Mexico was a cash only market. Buyers paid cash if they wanted to buy real estate, simple as that; and many did. Then in late 2005, GE Capital made its entrance into the Mexico real estate market offering for the first time, traditional mortgage financing for US and Canadian citizens. GMAC followed suite shortly thereafter as well as other large brand names such as Wachovia and Deutsche bank. It seemed mortgage financing was here to stay…or so we thought.

Fast forward 6 years to 2012 and Scotiabank, the last remaining lender offering mortgages to US and Canadian citizens exits the marketplace abruptly leaving Mexico a cash – only market again.

It’s no surprise the economic downturn has affected the whole planet; and the real estate market and mortgage market in Mexico are no different. So what happens now?

Thousands of homes listed for sale, the US and Canadian markets appetite for vacation homes in paradise on the rise and no financing options available.

The fact of the matter being it is not a great time to sell your real estate regardless of which country you are in. In Mexico, with it currently being a cash - only market, sellers wait and hope for

an offer, any offer, from a demographic of buyers that has exceedingly less of a desire to spend all their cash in one place. Sellers have been left scratching their heads wondering what they can do.

Some however, have decided to take action against the economic times.

These select few have chosen to facilitate their homes selling faster, have limited the amount of negotiating they need to do on price and have made a little interest in the meantime. You may ask yourselves how this is done and the answer is by offering private financing.

Statistics indicate an increasing number of sellers have offered private mortgages to buyers in this 2012/2013 season with the trend continuing.

Even though Mexico will always be a predominantly cash market, it hasn’t stopped developers and individual sellers from offering private mortgage financing to differentiate themselves from the competition and give their listing agent the ultimate sales tool.. and its working.

With safe lending practices being the unknown element many sellers don’t understand, many have given private mortgages for hundreds of thousands of dollars and transferred title to

buyers without doing so much as a background check… safe lending? I think not.

Seemingly with this in mind, Mexico based ex-mortgage provider Mexico Capital Mortgage has transformed itself into a new animal called Underwrite Mexico and aimed its guns right at the heart of this new trend. Having coordinated a record number of real estate transactions across Mexico during the 2006 -2012 period involving financing, they are likely better qualified than most to tackle this task.

They have taken all that expertise and are now applying it to private mortgage transactions with the goal of creating a safe lending environment.

They offer borrower underwriting, monthly loan servicing, legal protection and even issue homeowners insurance and life insurance coverage for the loan amount for in the case of tragedy befalling the buyer before the loan is paid off.

Their brochure claims to take all current conservative lending practices and apply them to private transactions across Mexico and after a conversation with operator Ryland Apsey and a review of their business, seem to do just that. Now that’s what I call making lemonade out of lemons.

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ndigenous and traditional Mexican art were finally given their very own exhibition space in Mexico City since June 2013 with the opening of the Yawí Arte Tradicional gallery in the city’s Historic Center. Intended to promote indigenous artists and the sale of their work, Yawí will stage three exhibitions a year, said its director, the anthropologist Jorge Martínez Cabrera. The gallery belongs to the Calpulli Nezahualcóyotl cooperative and will bridge the gap between quality crafts and buyers interested in one-of-a-kind works made with traditional materials and imbued with deep spiritual meaning.

Marking the gallery’s debut is an exhibition of beadwork by Gregorio Barrio Montoya and his family, Huichol artists from San Andrés Cohamiata, Jalisco. The artwork of this particular ethnic community tends to reflect their worldview, depicting mythical landscapes and animals in a kaleidoscope of bright, contrasting colors.

Although the materials used today are different, the techniques have remained unchanged for centuries. The gallery is on the first floor of Monte de Piedad No. 15 in Mexico City’s main square

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This is Paradise...

By Marcia Blondin marcia.blondin@ymail.com

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elcome all to the Saturday Co-op Market held every weekend at the Paradise Community Center.

Whether you are a first-time tourist to our lovely city or a long-time resident of Vallarta you will find amazing and unique things available only at our Market. Please don’t let the raindrops deter you from discovering shopping at its very best. Leave the box stores for once and go shopping where you make a difference when you spend your money. The artisans you will meet at Market work tirelessly to create fresh products so you can peruse brand new items every week and you even have the option of ordering a different color or size or whatever!

These artisans are not showing

off their “hobby handiwork” for fun - Markets represent their weekly pay check, and if nobody shops, they don’t eat so: Support Your Local Market! In this case the ONLY Market in town! It’s fun. Go for lunch, take your house guests.

Take your dogs for a walk. Go meet your friends or make new ones. Make a choice and make an artist smile!

Many thanks for the kind words from Ray who sent me an email last week. He wants everyone to be aware that the Co-op Market held every Saturday opens at 9 in the morning and runs until 1 in the afternoon and that we are located in the Romantic Zone on Pulpito right across from Coco’s Kitchen in the Paradise Community Center.

A new vendor starts this Saturday and has Facebook buzzing with his announcement that he will be showing his gorgeous creations made with paper mache, decoupage and decorative painting techniques.

Paco Ojeda is not just the hard working managing editor of Lifestyles Magazine and excellent photographer, he also knows a thing or two about opera and helps spread THAT word to all Vallartenses. He is all those things and more and yes, not just a pretty face! Welcome, Paco, fellow Found Artist!

Good luck Torri at all the shows in the States over the next couple of months and thanks for your beautiful story published last week in this column. See you in late fall, Torri!

I will be heading back to Vallarta soon so until then, saludos de Canada!

Jalisco is the capital of fashion in Mexico

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he fashion industry in Jalisco is a benchmark for the industry at the national level that generates a significant amount of jobs, billions in profits and a high degree of added value in their products.

Considered the “fashion capital” in the country, bringing together clothing, footwear, textiles and jewelry consisting of 32,546 companies, whose market value reached the three billion dollars, this cluster plays a significant role in Jalisco’s economy.

This surpasses the electronic industry (known as the “Mexican Silicon Valley”), which employs 80,000 people, whereas fashion creates 149,926 jobs in the productive sector manufacturing.

When asked, Maximiliano Salinas Moreno, operational coordinator of the Consejo de la Moda, explained that the industry pioneering a unique way to do business, and its purpose is “to be an international leader and guiding axis of fashion and design made in Mexico”.

Salinas Moreno highlights that the strength of the industry is reflected in the huge numbers of pesos the industry generates in employment and investment.

Mr. Saalinas added that Jalisco currently occupies first place in production of footwear for women in the country, produces more than 70% of the jewelry, Guadalajara was recently declared Jewelry capital of North America.

Working to increase international sales, Jalisco has two large Retail tradeshows in Latin

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America including Intermoda, which has an impressive 1,200 booths, 20,000 specialized buyers and 700 exhibitors from 13 countries of America, Europe and Asia, and for each event an income of 1.5 billion pesos is generated.

Expo Joya Octubre, held annually in Guadalajara, is number one of its kind in all Latin America, he said.

Translated from Mexican Business Web

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Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

PV Sea Dive

By Sue Keevil pvseadive.com

DOLPHINS

T

his week I ventured up the coast a little to check out the dives sites in the Bucerias area, and found some classy to amuse myself with.

First spots, I found some coral I had never seen before, and I am researching it to find out exactly what it is before I post photos. The fish species were plentiful with large schools all around me, but, the highlight of the day was the large pod of spotted dolphins that were all over me for a few hours. I have never spent so much time in the water with dolphins.

We have 3 species of dolphins in this area, the spinner, the spotted and the bottlenose dolphins. Like most fish species, they are easy to tell apart as their names are self descriptive! I would love to meet the bright sparks who names marine creatures. Still, it makes it easy for us to remember what they are called.

The spinner dolphins, although endangered, are still seen in the bay here. They like to ride along on the bow of boats and leap out of the water, spinning. It is believed they spin so as to create a large splash to let the rest of the pod know where they are. I think it is just because they can! They are very athletic and powerful dolphins, and can reach speeds of up to 35kph.

The spotted dolphins are quite common around the bay. They tend to hang about with yellow fin tuna, which are plentiful here, so I get to see them nearly every day. They seem to love playing in the wake of the boat and my captain loves picking them up and getting them to follow us. The spotted dolphins I encountered were swimming all around me and around each other with the accuracy of a well drilled fighter pilot simply by using sonar.

Very clever indeed.

The bottlenose dolphins are the brains of the dolphin world.

That is why they are so often seen in aquariums showing their clever tricks off. Flipper, that great 1960´s show, used 5 bottlenose dolphins during filming, all females.

Male bottlenose dolphins are aggressive, so they have more battle scars which are not very photogenic! Although Flipper was fiction, some of the stories were not too far from the truth.

There is a well documented and dumbfounding incident of dolphin intervention and interaction with humans reported from New Zealand in November, 2004.

Four lifeguards, who were swimming 300 feet off the Whangarei coast, encountered a Great White Shark.

As the shark started closing in on the lifeguards, a group of bottlenose dolphins herded the swimmers towards the shore and kept them surrounded from all sides for forty minutes. In this fashion, they kept the shark from attacking while slowly escorting the humans towards safety! Do I have any explanation for such behaviour?

What was their point in saving those 4 lifeguards?

The answer is nothing but highly evolved intelligence and superhuman compassion! I have read that if bottlenose dolphins had thumbs, they would rule the world. Now that would be a fun place to live. All in all, being with the dolphins in their natural habitat is really very special and something that can´t be recreated at a dolphin show.

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Local

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

By Erin Staley oldtownfm.com

“Must-Have” Summertime Goodies from Local Farmers, Artisans and Producers

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ummertime was made for new adventures, and this season is proving to be the best yet for “buying local”. Puerto Vallarta has endless opportunities for you to “rub elbows” with local producers including farmers, artisans, restaurateurs and market vendors.

Although the staff of the Old Town Farmers’ Market-Tianguis Cultural is on a North American Farmers’ Market Tour, we continue to celebrate the community spirit between local producers and conscientious buyers. We encourage you to contact some of our off-season Market vendors for extraordinary products. (Additional vendors will be featured in the next issue of the Vallarta Tribune.)

Banderas SoapBlends – This Zona Romantica shop features handcrafted, all natural soaps, lotions, body butters and scrubs made with tropical oils, pure essential oils and botanicals from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and beyond. Banderas SoapBlends summertime hours are Tuesday through Saturday from August 29 to the last week of September. www.banderassoapblends.com

Bubbe’s Homemade Spreads – If it’s too hot to be in the kitchen, Bubbe’s Homemade Spreads are sure to cool you off this summer.

Chopped liver pate, matzo ball soup, cole slaw, fruit or potato salad and artichoke dips are sure to please. Contact Renee Shapiro for her summertime specials and delivery options. rasbubbe(at)aol. com Cigar Don Martin – Martin Antemate Velasco, a “Maestro Rolador” (Master Maker of Cigars), ferments and hand rolls multi-dimensional flavored cigars.

You can find him in Chile-Tequila y Puros shop located at Juarez Parking Local 8 in the downtown

by Pueblo Viejo Mall.

Color Pod – Kathryn Graves takes coconut pods and transforms them into colorful and captivating works of arts. You can find her “explosion of color” at the Color Pod studio (V. Carranza 363 in Old Town). Appointments to visit during summer hours can be made by visiting www.colorpodpv.com.

Dorwart Whiskey – Larry and Evelyn Dorwart use the Prohibition era Dorwart family recipe and 100% chemical-free Azteca Corn to produce Dorwart Single Cask Sour Mash Whiskey from their Boca de Tomatlán distillery, the first recognized whiskey distillery in Mexico. (322) 223-7330 or www.dorwart.mx Erica Maree – Inspired by the colors of Mexico, Erica Maree fashions colorful handbags and

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accessories from hand-embroidered Oaxaca dresses, oil cloth and indigenous beading. You can find her whimsical creations on Etsy or at www.ericamaree.com.

Ollin Mexica – Cristel Reimink and Heriberto Saucedo blend the artistry of silver jewelry making and the beauty of natural gemstones, pearls and beads to create distinctive must-have pieces. (322) 160-2747 Organ-ick – Sylvie Scopazzo makes 100% natural dehydrated beef and chicken organ treats – the quintessential preservative-free treat for dogs and cats.

Contact Scopazzo for delivery options. (322) 171-8225 Restaurant El Fortin de San Sebastian – Using ingredients from local farmers and producers, Gabriel Cardenas creates an unforgettable blend of traditional Mexican specialties with modern fusion. You can find his charming restaurant in the main square of San Sebastian del Oeste (just over an hour from Puerto Vallarta).

(322) 142-6881 Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates – The “Xocodivas” use a unique blend of Mexican chocolate, European couverture and fine, fresh, local ingredients for their divine “Food of the Gods.” Get your favorite artisan chocolates, confections and gift sets at their 168 Basilio Badillo location before the summer break (Sept 1-Oct. 7).

(322) 113-0352 The Puerto Vallarta area is abundant with local farmers, talented artisans, delicious family eateries and farmers’ markets.

Join in support of local families and lands with your exceptional food and product purchases.

And stay tuned for future articles from our North American Farmers’ Market Tour. We will be sharing our experiences as we visit over 10 farmers’ markets in the Los Angeles and Seattle area as well as in many communities in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

Be sure to mark your calendars as the Old Town Farmers’ Market-Tianguis Cultural will reopen on Saturday, November second Located along Basilio Badillo between Olas Altas and Ignacio Vallarta, the Market is open every Saturday from 9:30 am to 2 pm from the first Saturday in November to the last Saturday in May. For more information, visit www.oldtownfm.com or “like” us on Facebook.

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Paradise and Parenting

By Leza Warkentin rhythm2rain@gmail.com

Back To School!

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es, indeed. It’s that backto-school time of year again. I can almost feel the waves of pure, undiluted joy from my readers as I type this. Being a teacher, I know that on day one there will be those parents (possibly you) who are going to make it look like they can hardly drag themselves from little Johnny’s side at the classroom door.

They will attempt to look wistful and will bravely square their shoulders as he turns to the entrance A Whole Grade Older than last year.

They will nod sagely and wipe a sentimental tear away as one of the The New Parents limps past with her preschooler fastened securely to one leg screaming “I’M NOT GOINGGGGGGG”.

All of this emotion will be just so much more believable for teachers if parents would wait to perform the fist pump and the “BOO-yah” sequence until they are well out of sight of the classrooms.

But hey, no judgment here, because we all know that if we had to think up one more creative activity while vigorously yanking the Ipad out of our kids’ hands, there would be repercussions.

Just keep in mind while you drive away from the school gates that in 10 months your child’s teacher may also be tempted to publicly celebrate with the same enthusiasm.

I, for one, have absolutely no idea how my own family is going to get back into some semblance of a routine by the first day of school. We have been incapable of getting ourselves dressed and out of the house before noon all summer. It’s obvious that there is some need for a return to the structure and routine of the school year. I have compiled a helpful list of signs that this is, indeed, the case: 1) I have a feeling that my daughter bypassed all nutri-

tional decorum and ate Nutella straight out of the jar for breakfast yesterday, judging by the chocolatey spoon in the sink. I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that she ate a combination of palm oil and refined sugar for her first meal of the day or the fact that I’m not sure.

2) My kids need to go to sleep early. Because their parents need to be alone with their thoughts and perhaps even each other for more than 10 minutes before they themselves go to sleep.

3) I can’t solve another argument about a video game that I don’t understand. I. Just. Can’t.

4) The school has A/C , the bill for which I will never, ever see.

On the flip side, it’s my duty to remind you that from this day forward you will need to be checking your child’s backpack for notes in order to stay on top of such things as sending a unique vegetable to school so your child will never ONCE be the only one whose mom forgot. Because that stuff stays with you for LIFE, man.

Also, the school uniforms need to be washed of rainy season closet mold. Once you wash them, you need to try them on your child to ensure that they no longer fit so that you can buy them a whole new wardrobe.

And, of course, best of all, you will need to begin the yearly adventure of inventing clever lunches that your children may actually eat.

Yes, folks, get on the ‘net and you will find helpful articles such as “A Million Creative and Fun Ways To Cut a Sandwich” or “180 Days of School Box Lunches, No Repeats”. Indeed, it’s time once again to devote several desperate hours each day to making sure your children are receiving proper nutrition at school while NEVER REPEATING THE SAME LUNCH… EVER. No pressure.

Happy Back to School.

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Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

Twentieth Century Artists and International Icons: Frida y Diego

C

onsidered to be two of Mexico’s most beloved artists, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera had a deep admiration for their homeland, a mutual respect for one another’s talents, and a love-hate relationship that would rival any Hollywood drama.

To appreciate their work is to take a closer look at the tragedy and controversy, passion and conviction that filled their lives.

Born in 1886 in Guanajuato, Diego Rivera quickly discovered art’s allure as a youth. He advanced his skills at the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts and later immersed himself in Europe’s thriving art scene. While he was drawn to the prevailing styles of the time, the Mexican Revolution (1914-15) and Russian Revolution (1917) altered Diego’s focus.

He turned an artistic spotlight on the oppression of Mexico’s indigenous people and peasantry, believing frescoes would become the people’s art. Upon returning to his native land in 1921, Diego is quoted as saying: “My homecoming produced an esthetic exhilaration which it is impossible to describe. It was as if I were being born anew, born into a new world. All the colors I saw appeared to be heightened; they were clearer, richer, finer, and more full of light. The dark tones had a depth they had never had in Europe. I was in the very center of the plastic world, where forms and

colors existed in absolute purity. In everything I saw a potential masterpiece — the crowds, the markets, the festivals, the marching battalions, the working men in the shops and fields — in every glowing face I had the conviction that if I lived a hundred lives I could not exhaust even a fraction of this store of buoyant beauty.”

A member of the Mexican Communist Party, Diego combined his revolutionary and socialistic ideals in his frescoes. He had already begun to establish himself as the father of mural and modern political art in Mexico by the time he crossed paths with Frida Kahlo in 1921.

Frida, born in Coyocoán in 1907, was afflicted with polio as a young child. This left her with one leg considerably smaller than the other. However, Frida’s permanent limp didn’t stop her from pursuing a career in the medical field. By the time she enrolled in the renowned National Preparatory School, she stood out in the crowd as an intelligent and precocious young lady.

Frida, known for her fervor, joined a socialist-nationalist political group called the “Cachuchas,” a group who was as devoted to literature as they were to mischief.

It was during this time that Diego was commissioned to paint “Creation” in the lecture hall of the National Preparatory School.

Despite Diego’s reputation for being a womanizer and his being nearly

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twenty years her senior, Frida was mesmerized by “El Maestro”. She would watch him paint for hours, believing one day she would bare him a child. However, their time had not yet come.

In 1925 tragedy struck eighteen-year-old Frida. A streetcar accident left her spine, collarbone, and ribs fractured, and she sustained additional injuries to her shoulder, pelvis, and feet. Bedridden and in excruciating pain, Frida found relief in painting. After a long recovery, she jumped into politics by joining the Young Communist League and the Mexican Communist Party. Through these circles, Frida and Diego crossed paths once again in 1928. Impressed by her work and jovial spirit, Diego began courting Frida. The two were married the following year.

Stormy and passionate, Frida and Diego’s on-again, off-again romance was nothing short of a modern-day drama. Frida once said, “I suffered two grave accidents in my life. One in which a streetcar knocked me down ... The other accident is Diego.”

Diego’s professional endeavors – and desire to promote the Mexican Renaissance – took the couple to Europe and to the United States.

Diego often painted rich, vibrant murals overflowing with symbolism.

Much to the dismay of his benefactors, these works contained elements of Diego’s political ideals.

When Nelson Rockefeller commis-

sioned him to create “Man at the Crossroads” in the RCA Building at Rockefeller Center, Diego included a portrait of Russian Communist leader, Vladimir Lenin. Although the Rockefellers protested, Rivera refused to remove the portrait. His work was immediately stopped, and the mural was eventually destroyed.

Homesick and depressed over multiple miscarriages and Diego’s infidelity, Frida threw herself into her artwork and what was considered unconventional behavior at the time. She drank, smoked, hosted wild parties, and engaged in torrid affairs with both men and women.

She draped herself in the colorful skirts, shawls, and exotic jewelry of traditional Mexican cultures. Attractive and talented, Frida’s persona was magnetic.

Eventually, Frida and Diego returned to Mexico. Commissioned work, social gatherings, political functions, and art exhibitions filled their days. But whatever the challenge, the two respected one another’s talents. Frida championed Diego’s vivid murals of

By Erin Staley

Mexican farmers and laborers as well as political notables. In turn, Diego encouraged Frida’s blend of Mexican culture, Mesoamerican mythology, folk art, and surrealism.

Frida drew, sketched, and painted over two hundred pieces in her lifetime; fifty-five of these were self-portraits. She painted her reality, often borrowing the essential elements of 19th century “Ex-Voto” style – a tragic scene, an inscription, and a saint or martyr. In 1953 Frida attended her only solo exhibition.

A local critic wrote, “It is impossible to separate the life and work of this extraordinary person. Her paintings are her biography.”

Despite their tumultuous “art imitates life” relationship, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s shared passion for each other and for their beloved Mexico sustained them until their deaths – Frida’s in 1954 and Diego’s in 1957. Not only are they revered by generations of proud countrymen, but they have become two of the most prolific international icons of the twentieth century.

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Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

10 Great Things About Living in Gringo Gulch

By Miguel Fernandez www.g3mex.com www.pvlifestyle.com

J

ust the other day I overheard a tour guide in Gringo Gulch refer to the area as “North American Gulch”, which made me laugh. I guess he thought that Gringo has pejorative connotations. Curious to find out more about more, I typed the word on my iPhone, and was led to the all-knowing information site Wikipedia, which has a plethora of information regarding the etymology of Gringo. One interesting factoid that popped up: “Gringos is what, in Malaga, they call foreigners who have a certain type of accent that prevents them from speaking Castilian easily and naturally; and in Madrid they give the same name, in particular, to the Irish.” Who knew?

Tours regularly traverse the crooked and enchanting streets of Gringo Gulch, as it a truly quaint and wonderful example of all that is beautiful about our town. Its proximity to shopping, restaurants and nightlife, make it a dream location for residents and tourists alike. Here are some of my top ten reasons for choosing Gringo Gulch.

An Amazing Variety of Properties. This area has everything from quaint little casitas to beautiful big villas surrounded by bougainvillea and

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hanging gardens. And there are also many charming condos and apartments tucked away in hidden alleyways and streets.

A Great Neighborhood Feel. After about one week of living here you will know everyone, and you won’t get 20 ft without stopping to have a conversation with one of your neighbors.

Views. Whether you want a sweeping view of the Bay of Banderas, or to gaze up at the gorgeous mountains Gringo Gulch is your spot.

The New Pedestrian Bridge. With our new pedestrian bridge you can easily access the island on the Rio Cuale. A perfect shortcut into downtown, with the added benefit of seeing all of the wildlife and activities on the island.

Great food. In the mood for tapas? Esquina de los Caprichos is a popular and delicious local eatery. Want some Greek food? Try the new Mediterranean Café and Bakery. The best French food in town can be found at Le Cigale Bistro. For the strict vegetarian we have the daily buffet at Planeta Vegetariano. On the higher end of the scale there is the award winning Trio Café and the exquisitely beautiful Hacienda San Angel’s amazing dining room

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with views of the bay and one of the best mariachi bands around.

Everything You Will Ever Need. Calle Guerrero (at the foot of Gringo Gulch) seems humble, but actually does have everything that you will ever need to sustain yourself. This street includes a hardware store, pharmacy, coffee house, internet café, several small tiendas, Oxxo, a bookstore, a papelaria, a laundry,

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One interesting factoid that popped up: “Gringos is what, in Malaga, they call foreigners who have a certain type of accent that prevents them from speaking Castilian easily and naturally; and in Madrid they give the same name, in particular, to the Irish.” Who knew? a community center at the corner of Calle Miramar, which boasts the International Friendship Club (a great resource for expats) and Proulex and CEPE which offer both Spanish and English classes, and if you are starving, and need a quick bite, the small stand on the corner of Matamoros serves one of the yummiest fresh ceviche tostadas around.

Great Nightlife. El Patio de Mi Casa has a full bar and a pizza oven, and they also regularly host excellent bands and DJs. Cool Breezes. Even on the hottest day, Gringo Gulch seems to be magically situated in such a way that you will always get a great breeze from the ocean or mountains.

7 8 www.villalaestanciaresidences.com

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World Class Lodging.

Gringo Gulch is host to the world famous Hacienda San Angel boutique hotel. For those on a more modest budget check out Casa Amorita, a beautiful B&B, with astounding breakfasts, or for those who want to cook for themselves, La Dulce Vita can’t be beat. We even have our own gay friendly hotel, Villa David.

Landmark: Last, but not least, we of host the landmark home of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Casa Kimberly, with its famous pink bridge, and the ghosts of two remarkable and party loving celebrities. But what’s NOT to celebrate, when you live in this gorgeous spot in paradise?

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It’s a Family Affair:

TRADITIONAL RUG WEAVING IN OAXACA

By Moralea Milne Originally published on Mexi-Go.ca

T

he artisan village of Teotitlan del Valle, located thirty kms from the city of Oaxaca, is renowned for their long tradition of handcrafting high quality, woven wool rugs. Drawing on the ancient cultural history of the Central Valley area of Oaxaca, the weavers have traditionally used the geometric motifs that are found as reliefs on the preHispanic ruins at Mitla. Lately they have expanded their repertoire by incorporating circular, organic shapes, so that rugs are now produced that feature designs from nature including birds and butterflies, the tree of life, historic murals, and reproductions of famous art.

From sheep to carpet is a long and labourious process, starting with the sheep! At one time, families were able to produce most of their own wool, nowadays at least half the wool is purchased.

Newly shorn wool does not hold much resemblance to the finished product, it goes through a number of steps to become the yarn used in weaving. Using traditional methods, it is cleaned by scrubbing with the roots of the amole plant, a native species of yucca, that produces quantities of cleansing lather. After several rinses, the wool is ready for carding, which further removes bits and pieces and aligns the wool fibres so that they can be spun.

After spinning, the wool is ready for dying, using a variety of natural ingredients.

Cochineal is an insect that is found on prickly-pear cactus which, when harvested and dried, produces a grey substance that is ground to create a rich red colour, the basis of many colour combinations. Add a little acid, such as the juice of a lime, and you have a lighter red, add baking soda, which

is alkaline, and you have purple, add the blue created from indigo leaves and you have brown. By using the yellow dye from marigold (cempasuchil) flowers, the brown shades created from pecan bark or walnut husks, and black from the acacia (huisache) pods, you develop a palette that compliments any design.

Rug making is a family affair with children starting to learn the business from age seven through the construction of simple, small, geometric patterned samplers. As their competence increases, they are given larger and more difficult projects to complete.

Only the most skilled masters work on the large, complex designs, which require a fierce concentration to maintain the pattern. A 2 m by 2 m carpet will take three months to complete, use kilos of yarn and quantities of expensive natural dyes.

The craftsmanship, quality, and superb use of design and colour make these rugs popular throughout North America, with large markets in New York City. I’ve bought many of these rugs which always seem to find homes as gifts to my family and friends. Fortunately, that makes further trips to Oaxaca “necisito” as the Mexicans say

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BUSINESS

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

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The relevance of the creative industries in Mexico MEXICO and the Creative Industries

By Maria Cristina Rosas*

T

he creative economy has become a source of development and growth. Mexico is the top creative economy in Latin America, sixth among developing countries and 18th worldwide. The country is fertile ground for new business opportunities in this field.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) states that creative industries are an increasingly relevant component of knowledge-based, post-industrial economies. These industries contribute to economic growth and job creation and are vehicles for the transfer of cultural identity.

The concept of creative economy was introduced in 2001

by John Howkins –a journalist and consultant for over 30 countries around the world including Australia, Canada, China, France, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Poland, Singapore, United Kingdom and the US. The creative economy operates differently than the traditional industrial economy which shows a rigid and hierarchical behaviour that is clearly divided into the stages of origination, production, distribution and consumption. In contrast, there is more flexibility in a creative economy, particularly in the phases of origination, distribution and consumption.

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There are many companies in Mexico that offer cultural, audio-visual and entertainment services. For instance, in 2006, the television content distribution market earned approximately 167 billion usd and is expected to reach 251 billion in 2013.

Howkins considers 15 industries in the concept of creative economy, ranging from arts to the wide fields of science and technology.

These industries, technologies and/or sciences include art (painting, for example); crafts; design; fashion; film; music; performing arts (theater, opera, dance and ballet); editing and publishing (books and magazines); research and development; computer programs; toys and games, excluding video games; television and radio; video games; architecture and advertising.

The common denominator between all these industries is creativity, which is both their raw material and their most valuable economic product. In other words, for a product or service to be considered a by-product of the creative economy, it has to be the result of creativity as well as have economic value.

However, Howkins acknowledges the difficulties of quantifying the economic value of creativity,

which is why there are only a few estimates. Thus, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), that has published a report on creative economies since 2008, global exports of creative goods and services doubled between 2002 and 2008, reaching 592 billion usd in 2008 with an annual growth rate of approximately 14%.

Creative economy is positive for developing countries –which always struggle to access international markets in the traditional branches of economy. For instance, in 2008, developing countries exported goods and services for around 176 billion usd, 43% of total trade in the world’s creative industries that year. That contrasts against the severe contraction of global trade in the same year, which was 12%.

The creative economy can be an option for growth, even a means to reduce poverty in developing countries amid the prevailing international economic crisis.

Mexico is the top creative economy in Latin America, sixth among developing countries and 18th worldwide. According to ProMéxico, Mexico’s trade agency, creative industries rank fifth among the country’s strategic sectors, behind only the aerospace, agricultural, food and automotive sectors.

There are many companies in Mexico that offer cultural, audiovisual and entertainment services.

For instance, in 2006, the television content distribution market earned approximately 167 billion usd and is expected to reach 251 billion in 2013.

The advertising market is significant as well, especially considering that it was valued at 479 billion in 2008, with television recording the largest share. Of Mexico’s creative industries, design is the most important component, accounting for 73%, followed by publishing (9.8%), music (5.8%), arts and crafts (5.2%), visual arts (4.6%), new media (1.5%) and audio-visual products (0.3%).

Other sectors are very promising in terms of development, such as jewellery –the country is the leading silver producer in the world– fashion, leather and shoes, decoration and furniture. One sector experiencing a sweet spot, thanks to tax incentives provided by the Mexican government, is film –close to 70 films have been produced. Furthermore, due to the recent boom in the industry, some 30,000 jobs that are directly linked to film production have been created.

According to the 2012 Statistical Yearbook for Mexican Cinema, 67 Mexican films premiered in national theaters and a total of 112 films were produced, of which 63% received government support. It is important to note that in 2012, 36 Mexican films produced with government support received a

total of 66 awards in international film events. With regard to digital industries, the use of information technology is ever expanding and will have an effect on creativity and the competitiveness of the Mexican economy, particularly in trade, cultural and social activities.

Also of special interest is that Mexican laws are being adapted to recognize and stimulate projects pertaining to the creative industries, opening a window of opportunity for investors.

Originally published in Negocios ProMéxico, August 2013 *Professor and researcher in the Political and Social Sciences Faculty, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

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Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit

By Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com

The New La Penita Malecon

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t was a bright bluebird Riviera Nayarit day when I visited La Penita to get some recent shots of the new malecon and the newly paved street. Standing on the new La Penita malecon and looking out over the ocean viewing Coral Island off in the distance with the pelicans lining the beach was stunningly beautiful!

As it has seemed like forever, the vision that was once a dream for many years is now almost complete. The La Penita malecon is finished, and it looks like it has been well worth all of the dust, torn up streets and the long wait.

Old structures were torn down, as well as the streets being torn up during the high season; enduring all of the dust and the mess last year has now unfolded to a new and very beautiful malecon that all will surely enjoy. There is still some work left to be done on the new sidewalks. There are some deep holes for the electrical work that are not blocked off so watch your step! Especially after a few beers or margaritas!

The new malecon is quite a beauty to behold, with inlaid

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pebbles in a large zig-zag design and a Riviera Nayarit logo painted at both ends. There are plenty of very comfortable benches for seating with Queen Palms planted next to them that will someday bring the cooling shade. The new light posts add to the charm. Easy wide steps lead up to the malecon, as well as wheelchair ramps making the malecon assessable for everyone. It is really adding a nice touch to this pueblo!

La Penita, Nayarit, a very authentic Mexican pueblo, is located between Rincon de Guayabitos and Chacala on the Jaltemba Bay. La Penita has not seen any town upgrades for quite a while.

This pueblo is a family orientated town, but also an industrial type of town where you can go and get anything that you are needing to build, create or fix. It is a favorite for many visitors and snowbirds that relocate for 6 months out of the year during the high season, from November through April, or until Semana Santa begins!

The beachfront restaurant, Las Brisas, use to set up tables on the beach serving ice cold beers and great burgers, now looks like they are remodeling and gearing up for high season with the newly

built malecon right in front of the restaurant. Haitham and Lucy Dlensi of El Rincon Del Arabe have moved to their new location which is up from the malecon on one of the new streets and will be selling all kinds of fun Arabic / Egyptian items, as well as their awesome menu of delicious Arabic and Mexican cuisine.

Things are looking up for La Penita!

The Tianguis runs all year long, every Thursday, starting at 8 am and ending about noon to 1 pm during the summer. It is the largest tianguis in the Riviera Nayarit during the high season.

I am quite sure that everyone venturing to La Penita this year will be quite pleased, as the locals are already enjoying the ambiance of the La Penita malecon this summer.

Cat Morgan, owner of the Riviera Nayarit Fun Regional Network invites comments or any Riviera Nayarit information. Email her at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com

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NATURE

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

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Banderas Bay Initiative

By Minerva Zamora www.bbini.org

Discovery of new species

L

ast week, the world was taken by surprise when the Smithsonian announced its discovery of a new species of mammal, the Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina), in the Andean forests. It is a very cute, 900 gram, bushy-tailed, tree-living mammal, part of the raccoon family. It seems that specimens of this species had been misidentified by scientists as the Eastern Lowland Olingo (B. alleni) for many decades, even housing them in zoos under that name. Although some might argue then, that it is not a true “new” species discovery, it still highlights how little we know about the animals and the habitats that we share this planet with.

Even though we might be aware that there are large areas in the

...Highlights how little we know about the animals and the habitats that we share this planet with. world that are completely unexplored (including the vast majority of our oceans), if you don’t stop to think about it too much, there is this general feeling that we have a decent idea about the existent species. The announcement of the olinguito got me wondering about how often scientists discover new species nowadays. After all, the olinguito is the first member of the Carnivora order described in the last 35 years. As I started looking into it, I was completely shocked and amazed by the numbers I found. Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) reports it has found 1,300 new species in the last 20 years.

The Census of Marine Life, a ten-year project, has formally described (meaning it has named

and classified them) over 1,200 species, with about 5,000 more still waiting formal description.

The yearly State of Observed Species Report presents findings of anywhere between 15,000 and 18,000 newly described species a year since 2008. This last one includes in these numbers the description of fossilized discoveries, but that still means scientists describe, yearly, almost twice as many species than those known to humans in the 1750s!

These discoveries not only include plants, fungi, and insectswhich are often very small, and elude detection even when they inhabit fairly human-populated areas- but also reptiles, amphibians, fish, and even mammals.

Some notable discoveries in the

last two decades include: • A cockroach-like insect that exists in a single cave in Guam.

• The odd-looking species of Litoria frog, from Indonesia, which has a pointy Pinocchio-type nose.

• The now internet-viral blobfish from the deep waters off of New Zealand and Australia.

• The Peruvian Chinchilla Tree Rat, a cat-rodent found near the Machu Picchu archeological site.

• The Walking Shark, discovered in 2006, this Indonesian shark uses its fins to walk along the bottom of the ocean while hunting its prey.

The discovery of all these new species not only reminds us that there is so much left to find out

about our planet and all the living things in it, but also highlights the importance of conservation. How many of these new plants and animals would we have found if the forests of Indonesia had all been cut down for agriculture?

In fact, most 1,300 new species described by Conservation International’s Rapid Assessment Program are probably in some degree of danger, as this program specifically targets their surveys to areas that face increased non-sustainable human activity. I hope that as a species, we can understand and protect our natural habitats before it is too late, and we miss out on the millions of species left out there to discover.

Mexico releases a new coin The bank of Mexico has released a new 20 peso coin. It is very similar to the 10 peso coin so be aware! The differences lie in the size and the designs on the coin.

There are three designs used on the new 20 peso coin. The first celebrating 100 years of the Mexican Army with a stylized image of a soldier in a helmet, the second is a representation of Octavio Paz, Nobel Laureate for Literature in 1990 and the third design features a younger profile of Paz with the inscription Todo es presencia, todos los siglos son este presente. (Everything has presence; every century is today’s present). Regardless of which design ends up in your pocket, your twenty pesos remains perfect for a couple of tacos.

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EVENTS

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

HealthCare Events

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Bottle Caps for Cancer

Hot Topic Mondays All are no charge events Time: 10:00 am August 26, 2013 “Your Gut!” Dr. Armando Joya – Gastroenterologist/Gastric Surgeon Do I really need a colonoscopy? If so, why? Are anti-parasite meds ok to use? I have H-Pilori – why won’t it go away? These questions and many more will be covered – learn how your gut works and how to deal with “local parasites”.

Location: Hospital Amerimed (across from Plaza Marina). Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. After you exit the elevator, veer to your right and you will see a large lobby. Go to the far end of the lobby and the meeting room is located behind the reception area.

Due to limited seating, RSVP is mandatory. pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com Phone 322 107-7007

The Alas en Libertad civil association is inviting everyone in Puerto Vallarta to collect bottle caps and donate them to support the fundraising efforts for this year’s Bottle Caps for Cancer campaign.

The bottle caps will be sold to a recycler to generate funds to support poor people with cancer.

The campaign helps people from various regions of the state, and even the country, who are treated at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara with finances for transportation, food and hotels during treatments.

Bottle cap collection centers have been placed around the city, including Café Kublis on Avenida Francisco Villa, as well as supermarkets and convenience stores in various colonias.

On Saturday, September 7th, Alas en Libertad will be hosting an event in downtown Puerto Vallarta from 12 noon to 10 pm.

The event will include popular artists, musicians, singers, clowns, dancing and more.

Save your bottlecaps and show your support for this very worthwhile cause.

Puerto Vallarta CELEBRATES WORLD TOURISM DAY A three day special event at City Hall to celebrate World Tourism Day will be held from September 25 - 27th. A display of paintings from Vallarta´s art galleries, including Galeria Vallarta will take place in

catch us online

the courtyard of the City Hall located in the heart of Vallarta on the main plaza. Music, Salsa dancing, & more with selections of gourmet food from the top restaurants on Sept. 27th. Stay tuned for more details.

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Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations For visitors to Puerto Vallarta who wish to do a good deed for the less privileged in our paradise, this is a list of some of the many organizations that could benefit from such kind gestures. If you would like your organization recognized here, please email details to editor @vallartatribune.com.

Acción En La Cruz: aid financially burdened residents of la Cruz de Huanacaxtle by providing provisions to their families in exchange for community services performed. Originally called Work for Food, is funded through private contributions and is administered by the FUNDACIÓN PUNTA DE MITA, A.C. http://landon5120.wix. com/accionenlacruz 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 SETACGLBT - 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.

COLINA Spay and Neuter Clinic - free and by-donation sterilization clinic for cats and dogs in Old Town, Puerto Vallarta. Only open Sundays, arrive by 8am, no reservations are taken. Located at 491 Venustiano Carranza Contact: cez@rogers.com or 322-104-6609 CompassionNet Impact - Strategic partnerships & programs that provide for people living in chronic poverty to transform their own lives. Bookmobile, homes, jobs creation, loans, English & 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

Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta, Contact: Arq. Luz del Carmen Pérez Alvarez cayro_13@ hotmail.com /grupoecologico.com

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

Horizonte de Paz: Offers a safe, whealing shelter for men of all ages who are troubled with alcohol & drug addiction. Need non-perishable foods, clothing, shoes, school & art supplies, gym equipment. Contact Donato Schimizzi: 322 199 9523 or Roberto: 281 0644 dschimizzi@yahoo.com

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, 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

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.

Vernon pvp@newlifemexico.com.

EVENTS

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

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LIVE MUSIC VENUES

Café Roma Encino 287 Centro Mon-Sun 10:pm -3:00 am

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

Murphy’s Irish Pub Morelos 484 Altos 1, Centro 322.113.0373

El Jardin del Pulpo Coral 66, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle” 329.295.5071 10:30 am 12.30 pm

Philo’s Delfin15, La Cruz de Huanacaxle”329.295.5068 Thu-Sat 8:30 pm

La Palapa Pulpito#103, Playa los Muertos” 322.222.5225 Mon-Sun 8:00am 1:00pm

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

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 Paraíso Felino AC Refuge and Adoption Centre for cats and kittens in the Bay of Banderas. Luis Donaldo Colosio #5 La Esperanza San Juan De Abajo, Nayarit Cel. (322) 120-4092 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 environ-

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 ment, 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 play-

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 grounds 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

Las Adelitas Av. Fluvial Vallarta 234 322.293.7778 Beboteros Diaz Ordaz 565 Malecon 322.113.0099 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

Trio Guerrero 264 Centro 322.222.2196 Mon-Sat 7:30 pm

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.

Do you have an event you’d like to promote to the readers of the Vallarta Tribune? Send your events to editor@vallartatribune.com

HOROSCOPE TRAVEL

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

Horoscope Aries A sociable Full Moon could make this a good week for a party or celebration. Feelings may come spilling out, so be careful what you say and how you say it. A bolt out of the blue could bring you a small windfall or other surprise. You might find yourself extra busy whether you’re working for yourself or others. Regarding health, you might be eager to get back on track if you’ve lost your way concerning a diet or exercise routine.

Taurus A volatile influence early in the week might affect your career outlook or professional plans.

Don’t overreact to a situation that could seem relatively minor a few days later. An intuitive hunch regarding a deal or contract might pay off. Meanwhile, renewed focus on your romance and creative zone brings fresh potential for good times. A meeting with someone on your wavelength could bring hope for a love relationship. However, remember that all that glitters may not be gold this weekend.

Gemini There’s an unpredictable element to the start of the

I know how disappointed you must be.

I know that when a new issue of the Tribune comes out you flip as fast as you can to this page to read my meandering, confusing and most times unintelligible view on the world of sports.

Well, unfortunately for you (or maybe fortunately) I will be away for a couple of weeks, locked in the basement frantically putting together my mock-draft board for the upcoming fantasy football season and also visiting some family in Canada.

In my place, the very talented editor has decided that I will be replaced by a much more understandable and fact based column, your weekly Horoscope.

See you in October.

Joel Hansen

week. The Aquarius Full Moon could highlight a desire for adventure and a chance to explore new options, especially those with a scientific or futuristic slant. Also be prepared for a surprise in the form of a meeting that might have romantic potential. Home and family matters get the green light, too, so you might want to clear out clutter or redecorate where necessary. Entertaining should be lively and fun.

Cancer

Don’t go off on a spending spree at the time of the Full Moon. If you feel an urge to splurge, consider buying smaller luxuries instead of something expensive. There might be good news on the job or career front, as a lucky influence could mean you’re in the right place at the right time to take advantage of a special opportunity. You’ll need to be quick, though! Later you’ll be busy with communication matters.

Consider advertising your skills and services.

Leo Feelings may be unleashed early on when the Full Moon brings out hidden emotions. Try not to overreact if you find yourself getting irritated or annoyed.

If you need to make a decision, wait a day or two before you do so. There’s the chance of surprise when an upbeat influence could bring an inspired idea or offer

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your way. If it feels good, go for it. Financially, it might be time to take a look at opportunities to create new streams of income.

Virgo High expectations may coincide with great satisfaction, especially in your social life. Don’t let negative fears affect your feelings, particularly in a romantic relationship. The antidote to this may be to open your heart with love. An interesting transit could bring a surprise your way. However, it might be in the form of an opportunity that you’ll need to grab quickly. As the Sun and Mercury move into your sign, your energy and enthusiasm reveal you’ll be back in charge again.

Libra There could be a playful, romantic influence around early this week when the Full Moon in your fun and leisure sector encourages the sharing of feelings. There’s also the chance that an unexpected meeting could have soul-mate potential if you’re willing to move outside your comfort zone. However, despite having so many social opportunities, you’re entering a cycle in which you might prefer to spend more time alone, recharging your batteries and reflecting on your next moves.

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Scorpio

Trust your gut reactions to point you in the right direction. You may find that digging into your past connects you with values that provide the right code of conduct now. Interests associated with travel, adventure, or study might proceed favourably, too. Be on the alert for an unexpected offer or opportunity that could open a new door for you. Your social life gets up to speed. It’s a good time to consider networking as a way to enhance your romantic and business opportunities.

Sagittarius Business and financial moves can produce great results if you play your cards right. Be careful when it comes to taking risks, however.

An opportunity might look good, but you could stand to lose more than you gain if you aren’t careful.

Otherwise, the outlook for career matters is much enhanced as Mercury and Virgo move into the top spot of your chart. You might be in the limelight, but this could be a good thing, especially if it gets you noticed by key people.

Capricorn A Full Moon in your personal financial zone could encourage you to make a risky financial move. It might be best to leave it for a few days and see how you feel further down the line. On the other

hand, a shrewd purchase could net you a bargain. Relationships seem generally fun and upbeat, and your social life is bubblier, too.

You’ll find that you can further your practical and romantic goals by tempering drive and ambition with charm and grace.

Aquarius The Aquarius Full Moon might coincide with a completed goal or effort rewarded.

It could be time to celebrate a positive achievement. Meanwhile, an upbeat aspect could bring a work opportunity that includes the potential to earn more. Listen to your intuition on this, but go for it if it feels right. Also this week, crucial information might come to light concerning joint financial affairs, enabling you to make the right decisions. Your health seems good but for a tendency to indulge.

Pisces You may have ample opportunity to satisfy your heart’s desires. Influences are positive for sharing time with a loved one. Enjoy their company and the pleasure that togetherness can bring. However, a strong desire for freedom could compel you to break away from routine.

Find a gentle way to honor this urge and you will not only let off steam but also avoid taking any drastic measures. Later, relationship matters come into focus and encourage conversation and mutually beneficial ideas.

BRAIN TEASERS 21

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SUDOKU easy

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 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 C Can you find a 9-letter word and at least 20 other words of five letters or more avoiding proper nouns?

MACHINERY Some other words of five letters or more containing the hub letter C: cairn, chain, chair, charm, chary, chime, china, chine, crane, cream, crime, hemic (haemic), manic, march, mercy, mince, nacre, nicer, niche, ranch, reach, anemic, cinema, creamy, enrich, iceman, mincer, archine, carmine, chimera, chimney, machine, chairmen.

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?

hard

BIRDS Can you find the birds hidden in the box? They may be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, forwards or backwards.

ALBATROSS, BUDGIE, BUZZARD, CANARY, CORMORANT, CRANE, CROW, DOVE, EAGLE, EMU, FINCH, FLAMINGO, HAWK, HERON, JACKDAW, KESTREL, KOOKABURRA, LAPWING, LARK, NIGHTINGALE, OSTRICH, OWL, PARROT, PENGUIN, PIGEON, QUAIL, RAVEN, ROBIN, SANDPIPER, SEAGULL, SPARROW, STORK, SWALLOW, TERN, TOUCAN, VULTURE.

NAVIGATOR Some other words of five letters or more containing the hub letter R: agora, antra, aorta, argon, argot, atria, grain, grant, griot, groan, groat, groin, intro, naira, noria, organ, raita, ratio, riant, riata, taira, tiara, train, varan, vigor (US), virga, angora, organa, rating, ration, raving, roving, trigon, virago, aviator, orating, vagrant, variant.

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SPCA de PV ADORABLE DOG IN THE SPOTLIGHT...

Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

KEY DISTRIBUTION POINTS

You should be able to find the paper at these locations. If you’ve missed this week’s paper you can always download the current copy at vallartatribune.com e o n li n h us C a tc

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Tourist Offices: • Rio Cuale • Main Plaza • Lazaro Cardenas Park American Consulate Canadian Consulate

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Old Town & Centro Paradise Community Centre Freddy Tucan restaurant Los Mercados Timothy Real Estate Pages in the Sun Hotel Zone Villa del Palmar - Vallarta Starbucks – Peninsula

SASHA

Look at this face! What a beautiful little girl she is. Not quite a year old, Sasha is an adorable Maltese/Terrier mix. She loves to play and cuddle and gets along with all the other dogs. Please contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

Marina Starbucks – Marina RE/MAX Marina Café Cup Casa Velas

Nuevo Vallarta Paradise Village La Estancia Vallarta Adventures Starbucks – Paradise Village

Bucerias DeCameron Resort Elements Realty Yo-Yo Mo’s Sports Bar La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Oso’s Restaurant Philos Realty Ikuai Restaurant

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Friday Aug 23 - 29, 2013

ONLY PAPER AVAILABLE IN THE PUERTO VALLARTA AIRPORT REACH MORE LOCALS AND TOURISTS ASK ABOUT SUMMER SPECIALS dora@tribunadelabahia.com.mx

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

TIZOC COMIDA MEXICANA

Authentic Mexican Food!

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

Olas Altas 474 , Romantic Zone Reservations 222 8382