issue 870, December 6 - 12, 2013.

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

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Real Estate

Beachfront Properties

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Dec 6-12, 2013 Free Issue 870

Life in Vallarta GUADALUPANA

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Art & Culture KEN EDWARDS

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Photo by Bud Ellison

Welcome

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013 PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fernando Gonzalez Corona Director Victor Falcon victorfalcon@Outlook.com Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Editorial Board Marcia Blondin Raymond C. Beaty Lois Ellison John & Christie Forget Landon Hollander Nancy Van Landingham Robina Oliver Sales Manager Dora Luz Luna dora@vallartatribune.com Sales Team Ma. Yolanda Meza yoly@vallartatribune.com Rebeca Castellón rebeca.castellonn@gmail.com Community Manager / Sales Julie Mongeau juliemongeau@gmail.com Designer Cynthia E. Andrade G. cisandra@vallartatribune.com Distribution Oscar Villalobos - 225 4982 Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and merely publishes information as it is provided by the advertiser or event host. We do not assume responsibility in errors or omissions other than to correct them as soon as they are made known to us regarding event schedules, locations and/or prices. In addition, we do not assume any responsibility for erroneous inclusion or exclusion of information except to take reasonable care to ensure accuracy, that permission has been obtained to use it, and to remove it as soon as is practical upon receiving your notification of error. We recommend you always confirm prior to attending or visiting an event or establishment. Weekly publication edited, printed and distributed by Ediciones y Publicaciones Siete Junio, SA de CV Grupo Editorial Tribuna Calle 21 de Marzo # 1174 Col. Lomas del Coapinole Del. El Pitillal, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco México CP 48290 Tel. (322) 226-0829, 226-0800 editor@vallartatribune.com * www.vallartatribune.com * www.facebook.com/vallarta.tribune

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

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

of is of in

BUSES: A system of urban buses with different routes can bring you from one end of the bay to the other and all the spots in between. Current fare is $6.50 pesos per ticket and passengers must purchase a new ticket every time they board another bus.

There are no “transfers”.

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

MONEY EXCHANGE: Although you may have to wait in line for a few minutes, banks will give you a higher rate of exchange than the exchange booths (caja de cambio). You will need your passport. Better yet, use your bank card to withdraw funds from any ATM machine.

Note that ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and generally charge lower fees.

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

EXPORTING PETS: Fall in love

with the street dog outside your hotel or a puppy on the Malecon doesn’t mean they can’t come home with you. The process is fairly inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You need a certificate of health from a local vet among other things. The time of year that pets can travel in the cargo section of the plane may be your biggest challenge. For the most up-to-date information contact the Puerto Vallarta SPCA at spcapv@gmail.com.

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

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

DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off – just don’t. The consequences are not worth it. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Fines are as much as 10,000 pesos. You can be taken to jail and your vehicle impounded.

There are many checkstops on the weekends and you will be asked to blow if they suspect you have been drinking.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You need to dial a different prefix.

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

Emergencies: 060 Red Cross: 065 Non-Emergency Police 322.290.0507 Fire Department: 322.223.9476 Ambulance: 322.222.1533

Consulates American Consulate Nuevo Vallarta: 322.222.0069 24 hrs Guadalajara: 333.268.2145

Immigration: 322.224.7719 Consumer Protection: 01.800.468.8722 Tourism Offices Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006

Canadian Consulate 322.293.2894 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

Editorial

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Editor´s Note

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his past week, between the paper and my other job at Mexi-Go!, I was moving into a new house. Moving always sucks but this time I rented the place next door and thought, “Well, this will be easy.” Then the powers that be struck me with lightening for being so flippant.

I went from having no home on Thursday to having three on Friday, moved into one on Saturday (which required cleaning and painting amongst a million other things) only to find out Sunday that the owner was certifiable. Monday saw me and my dear, wonderful best friends ever… E V E R … moving into house number two (also requiring cleaning and painting and a million other things).

Tuesday, I hired movers because what was supposed to be the very few things I own, ballooned into an entire house when my old landlord asked if I could take all the furniture because he didn’t have anywhere for it to go. Today (Wednesday) I spend most of the day at the Tribune offices and I

have no idea what will greet me when I get home. I’m tempted not to go home…

My mother says this will only make me stronger, and it’s character building. Like I need any more character… but for sure, that is one thing about living in a foreign country. It is character building and it makes you stronger in ways you had no idea about.

This is what I tell my constantly grumbling son, moving to Mexico is good for him and one day he will thank me. And I believe it. For every stressful moment, if I just stop and evaluate, I can see that the benefits outweigh the negatives. Things might not always be perfect but they’re going to get better and besides where else can you rent a big house with a pool and gorgeous views for $450.00.?

Now if only I can get a plumber to show up so I can take a shower.

Have a great weekend everyone. Make sure you check out the Virgin de Guadalupe parades from now until the 12th of December.

Get down to the weekend farmers

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bands, paraded their dancing horses with flowing manes.

Did you know that every year on the 1st of December is beginning of the yearly Tradicionale Prergrinaciones Quadalupanas? What an inspiring homage. I come from a rather traditional background but nothing like this. I feel so grateful to be initiated to such a season filled with deep-rooted traditions.

Once again Puerto Vallarta and the Mexican culture has won my heart.

So put in your agenda for the next week every night until December 12th you will find a parade of various organizations, unions, businesses and other community organizations marching to the Lady of Guadalupe Church in Centro, it is quite a spiritual spectacle.

And please keep in mind that holiday season has begun, and that during this time of year

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

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

Sylvie Scoppazo

and artisan markets for some unique Christmas gifts. (Walmart does NOT need your money.)

Check out a live show – with our support we can continue to enjoy world class events in this city. And please, don’t hesitate to invite me to any good cocktail events, I could use a drink.

All my best, Madeline

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am putting on my tourist hat, thinking about the top seven things I would recommend to do in this beautiful town of ours.

Here it is:

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I took the ‘Sculpture walk’ led by _____ (His name escapes me at the moment) and was quite impressed with the history behind each of the statues that sit on the Malecon. The cost for this tour is by donation that goes towards the Los Mangos Library.

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If you love animals, the SPCA is always looking for people to walk dogs. I spent my first summer in years in P.V. this year and I have to tell you, spending time at the SPCA everyday was a beautiful experience. For those who miss their pet or can’t commit to one but need some animal love, this is a win/win situation!

Around Town with Julie he holiday season has officially begun in Puerto Vallarta. Sorry, let me catch my breath and tie my shoes. So where to begin, the invitations are flowing in, the festivities are commencing and I’m trying not to miss a thing. Being that this is my first holiday season away from the cold and the snow, I am especially excited to watch the city of Puerto Vallarta turn into a tropic winter wonderland.

Lights, reindeers and snowmen are popping up from under palm trees. As I started my weekend in search of the holiday spirit I did not have to look very far, once again I was caught by surprise on the Malecon. (There is always something happening on the Malecon!) This past Friday, a mob of 200 Charros accompanied by marching

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there are many fundraisers and charity events happening in and around PV all with the intention of giving to the less fortunate during these holidays.

Remember as we get prepared for the holiday season many families wish they could do the same, if you can give a helping hand and donate either your time and or pesos it will be greatly appreciated.

Feel free to contact me if you would like to volunteer and I will put you in touch with various non-profit organizations and charities. juliemongeau@gmail.com

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Buying a natural fruit Popsicle at the Michoacán ice-cream shop and sit on the beautiful Malecon (boardwalk) and watch the world go by. Vallarta is a revolving door of interesting people.

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On Sundays, there is a huge flea market in a small town called, MOJONERAS which is approximately a 40min bus ride from downtown central. I am talking a ten block radius of ‘stuff’!

Catch a BLUE bus on Pino Suarez Street between Lazaro Cardenas and Carranza, right in front of the park that says, “Mojoneras” on it.

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If you want to see the, “Other side” of Puerto Vallarta, put on your good walking shoes on and hook up with a, “Power Walk the Hidden Streets of Vallarta” tour. A top pick on Trip Advisor for people who want to get away from the touristy areas.

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If you’re a woman travelling alone and want to explore Puerto Vallarta with other adventurous women or are a woman on vacation whose husband is only interested in playing golf, check out the LOCA group. Short for, “Ladies Outdoor Club Adventures”, you will make new friends while discovering the beauty of P.V.

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Live music is a huge part of Puerto Vallarta. If you like to dance to good old time rock n’ roll, check out a local cover band called, THE ZIPPERS. They play at Nacho Daddy’s every Thursdays nights! Good food, good company and good fun is had there.

Sylvia is a long time Puerto Vallarta resident having just celebrated her sweet-sixteen here.

In addition to the many projects Sylvia has on the go she also makes natural dog (and cat) food and treats for sale at the Saturday Old Town Farmers Market.

Would you like to share your favourite things to do in Banderas Bay? Each week we feature a local resident who shares their insider tips with us. Send your 7 Things to mmilne@vallartatribune.com

MEXICO NEWS

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

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National Digital Strategy to transform Mexico

Mexico Tourism Board: Summer Numbers Predict an Excellent Winter

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his summer Mexico saw an increase of 8% in tourists from Canada as compared to the summer of 2012. The overall increase in tourists traveling from Canada increased 3%, meaning the number of tourists from Canada that visited Mexico actually tripled.

The talked-about increases in the Canadian tourist market coming to Mexico during the

BY Enrique Peña Nieto

summer of 2013 predict an excellent winter season, according to the Director of the Canadian office of the Mexico Tourism Bureau (MTB), Rodrigo Esponda.

It’s a logical assumption to say that tourism coming from Canada indicates a strong winter season this year, which means the summer numbers will no doubt be reflected in the tallies for the Riviera Nayarit and

Juárez 189, downtown

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Explore Banderas Bay Shopping in the Zona 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

Puerto Vallarta.

“The fact that we had such a strong summer showing in Mexico with an 8% increase in travelers from Canada in comparison to the summer of 2012 as well as the total growth of all Canadian travelers to any destination, which was 3%, indicates there were three times as many Canadian visitors to Mexico this year,” said Esponda.

The three-part promotional effort put forth by the MTB includes images of Vallarta-Nayarit and Mexico in the Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver airports.

There has also been a strong sales campaign for the Riviera-Nayarit undertaken by Canadian tour operators, plus a public relations effort that has generated great press by the journalists who have been invited to the destination to experience Vallarta-Nayarit.

“The Canadian market has responded very well,” added the Director for Canada. “We have polled the tour operators and all of them suggest the winter season will be very good for Vallarta-Nayarit.”

“The proposal to promote these two destinations together has been received very favorably in Canada for several reasons,” added Esponda, “and the tour operators and the wholesales have been implementing these dual-destination promotions in order to incentivize sales.”

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,

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oday, we have taken a key step towards transforming Mexico on the basis of innovation, so that Information and Communication Technologies will work for the benefit of all Mexicans.

The Constitutional Amendment of Communications and Technologies establishes that, “The state will guarantee right of access to Information and Communications Technologies, including broadband and the Internet.”

In order to implement public policies and actions that will enable all Mexicans to exercise this new right, we presented the National Digital Strategy today.

The goal is very clear: to

make the best use of technology to trigger Mexico’s development. The digital development to which we aspire not only implies having better technology, but also using it to improve the quality of life of Mexicans.

President Peña Nieto declared that the National Digital Strategy is not an end in itself, “But rather a means to achieving the social goals we have set.” Its five main objectives transcend the scope of the public domain and encourages all Mexicans to make greater use of technology.

We are facing a historic opportunity to transform our country and write a better future for all of Mexico.

Originally published at http:// en.presidencia.gob.mx

El Foco Summary In honor of the International Book Fair being held in Guadalajara, this week on El Foco we talked about how books can have lasting effects on our perspective of the world around us, and spur us into action to create the society we would like to live in.

Some books expose us to poignant social criticism, others take us on thought experiments on what would happen if we let small showings of inequality and injustice get out of control, others show us the difference a single, unsuspecting character can make all the difference in the fight for good.

Join us again next Monday at 4:00pm on 91.9fm C7Radio to continue these interesting reflections.

Listen in every Monday at 4:00 pm (4:50 pm for the English summary) on C7Radio 91.9fm, or follow us on twitter @C7ElFoco to learn more about the civil society of Puerto Vallarta.

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.

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NEWS

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

Mexico among the Top 14 winter destinations for Canadians

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uerto Vallarta - Riviera Nayarit and Cancún Riviera Maya are the only two sun and fun destinations on the list; the only other destinations outside of the Unites States were London and Paris.

According to a study performed in early November by FlightNetwork.com, Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit and Cancún-Riviera Maya were the two destinations that put Mexico squarely on the list of favorite vacation spots for Canadians during the wintertime.

The destinations were 14th and 11th on the list, respectively, which was published in an article

titled “Top 14 Winter Destinations for Canadians.” This classification of the destinations is one of the most precise and detailed descriptions of the Canadians’ air

travel patterns ever revealed by a travel agency, the second largest online travel agency in Canada.

The article states Canadians that come to the destination “choose to simply stroll along the cobbled streets of the city for the old world romantic feel and soak up the warmth of the people, the surroundings, and the culture of this wonderful Mexican city.”

Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit and Cancún-Riviera Maya are the only two sun and fun destinations on the list; together with Paris and London, they were the only ones mentioned that are located outside the United States.

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International LGBT Business Expo Returns to Puerto Vallarta

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nternational LGBT Business Expo, Latin America’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travel business conference and consumer expo will return to its birth town, Puerto Vallarta, from June 12-14, 2014 with the host hotel being Casa Magna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & SPA. Over 400 international, Mexican and local business who are interested in targeting the LGBT market are expected to gather during the three-day B2B trade show and networking events, including representatives from airlines, hotels, tourism offices, tour operators, travel agents, international media, international organizations and governmental offices.

The only Mexican destination to be a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, Puerto Vallarta made its debut as a tourism destination in the 1960s when celebrity visits by Elizabeth Taylor and

Tennessee Williams launched the destination into the eye of international media, and has since developed into the country’s leading LGBT destination. Puerto Vallarta offers an all-inclusive atmosphere in its Romantic Zone area which is home to many businesses that are LGBT-owned and/or target the consumer, including beaches, tours, activities and restaurants bars and clubs to choose from.

On October 31 the state of Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located, approved a civil union law that allows couples co-habiting to register their union with the state and allowing for certain rights, including that of inheritance, property ownership, and medical rights among others.

Vallarta Pride will take place from May 22-26, 2014, the three-day celebration of LGBT culture and Puerto Vallarta’s welcoming community will include music festivals, beach parties, fashion shows and activities in participating bars and clubs.

Banderas Bay Butterfies

by Moralea Milne

Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia)

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he Bordered Patch is a smaller butterfly with a 1 1/4 inch to 1 7/8 inch wingspan, it is also known as the Sunflower Patch, named for its preferred host plant, on which it lays clusters of light green eggs (which become reddish) on the underside of a leaf. The young caterpillars are found in large congregations but become solitary as they mature.

They are renown for their extreme pattern diversity, with variable amounts of black, yellow and red markings, even the caterpillars show these traits.

They can be considered a pest of commercial sunflower production but I believe the damage to a

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.

Walking Tours Take a tour through Puerto Vallarta’s Historic Downtown to learn

few leaves in your garden is worth the joy of supplying life to these flying jewels.

about this city’s rich history, famous people, architecture, and cultural and ecological heritage; all this on an easy to moderate two-hour stroll led by a certified guide. Tours leave from the Municipal Tourism Office every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.

LOCAL 6

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

Safety Operation Deployed for the Holidays Translated by Michelle Mayer

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he municipal government of Puerto Vallarta, through the Commission of Preventive Security, Roads, Civil Protection and Fire announced a new operation - “ Safe Christmas Vallarta 2013 - 2014 “, or Navidad Segura Vallarta 2012-2014. This initiative seeks to guarantee citizens and visitors a peaceful and safe holiday season.

The head of the task force, Rogelio Hernández de la Mata, reported that there will be 870 preventive police, traffic, civil protection and fire personnel deployed for this operation which was first implemented last Friday and will conclude January 12, 2014.

Hernández de la Mata explained that specific security strategies have been designed for this holiday season, New Year’s and for when schools return in January 2014. These strategies will aim to ensure the safety of local citizens, as well as national and international visitors arriving in Puerto Vallarta during this time – allowing for the enjoyment of the city’s multitude of attractions.

Particularly with so many upcoming festivities including the festival to honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s and Three Kings Day, this renewed focus is welcome. During this period there will be an amplified monitoring and relief of roads, streets, avenues and other thoroughfares. Foot, bike and segway patrols will be ensuring that congestion is minimized and public safety is paramount.

Regarding roads, Deputy Jesús Rodríguez Campoy announced that personnel will be directed toward areas of

expected congestion including the delegations surrounding the Church of Guadalupe during the pilgrimage taking place the first 13 days of December, as well as more traffic congestion expected during holiday shopping around Pitillal, Priscillian Sanchez and Francisco Medina Ascencio, Gallerias Mall, Plaza Caracol, Macroplaza, Soriana Pitillal and the Marina Square.

Meanwhile the coordinator of Civil Protection and Fire, Sergio Ramírez López said the agency will undertake preventive work to avoid traffic and the sale of local fireworks in the city. The sale of fireworks is a federally regulated activity that is often risky to citizens. During the holidays, accidents and injuries due to fireworks, especially in children, increase. He emphasized that fireworks when not handled properly can generate fire, cause serious injury and damage concrete surfaces where they are detonated.

Confiscated material is given to competent authorities for destruction.

In addition to the aforementioned safety initiatives, the presence of life guards will be strengthened as part of Navidad Segura.

With these actions, the Commissioner of Police and Roads Preventive endorses the commitment of the Municipal Government led by Ramón Guerrero Martínez to ensure that Puerto Vallarta is a safe place for everyone.

The commission encourages the public to confidentially report any crime by phone 066 and 290 0502. They also invite the public to visit the www. puertovallarta.gob.mx page and twitter account@segptovallarta to follow the actions and services in real time.

Buying a Beachfront Property in Puerto Vallarta

By Miguel Fernández Miguel@g3mex.com

Playa Los Muertos, Playa Olas Altas, Playa Camarones and the Malecon

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’ll spend the next couple of weeks giving our Vallarta Tribune readers a tour of the wide variety of beachfront property opportunities available around the Bay of Banderas. We have a lot of options, with different choices for different lifestyles. This week I start with our beaches at the foot of Old Town Puerto Vallarta.

Playa los Muertos and Playa Olas Altas Playa Los Muertos and Playa Olas Altas, located in front of the Romantic Zone in Colonia Emilio Zapata are all about action. There are always a lot of people enjoying sand and surf during the high season, and restaurants and businesses abound.

Though, surprisingly, mornings and the low season can feel tranquil and even private. Los Muertos and Olas Altas are the perfect spot for taking your daily morning walk or run, and having a leisurely breakfast, lunch or cocktail in the afternoon.

An amazing location for people watching, and enjoying the flavor of Mexico: Mariachis, beach vendors (I have a friend who visits every year and only shops for gifts on the beach), fresh sliced mangos, barbequed shrimp on a skewer, a foot massage, parasailing—you can get whatever you want and never leave the comfort of your beach chair and your cocktail.

As real estate investments go, a condo on Play Los Muertos or

Explore Banderas Bay 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

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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

Playa Olas Altas is an excellent one. Resale is a breeze, and if you want to rent it out, it will rarely sit empty.

Playa Camarones

The beach is very pretty and open, though, for swimming it is a little more treacherous, with some odd tides.

This is where the lifeguards train, so that might give you some idea of recommended swimming level.

Property investment in this area is also great—with a number of smaller, seasonal units available. Here, too, you will have a brisk rental business, with a lot of repeated clients, as many visitors want the convenience of being in town, but also want a more quiet beachfront experience.

Playa Camarones is located at the foot of Colonia 5 de Diciembre, and is comparatively tranquil.

Fewer restaurants and vendors, though there are a couple of favorite spots.

El Barracuda is a great brunch and cocktail hour restaurant. Here you can still be in town, but there is not the high level of activity that you have on Playa los Muertos and Playa Olas Altas. Playa Camarones is conveniently situated near shopping, and buses, so you can easily get to another part of town. More street parking options are available, and owning a car is less of a headache around here.

If you have real estate questions, or want to know more about beachfront properties, contact me anytime at G3MEX Real Estate Group: 322-209-0832.

Saludos!

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 Pozole at the food stands and small comidas around town.

LOCAL 7

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Wanderings on Olas Altas

This is Paradise...

By Poncho Davalos alfonso@tropicasa.com

By Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

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he Paradise Community Center is jam packed with all kinds of things going on. By the time this issue of the Tribune goes to press the Tuesday Film Series will be up and running as will our Christmas Market. Latcho and Andrea won’t be back until December 18th but I will let you know how their concert went.

Last Saturday night I could not make the BEDAZZLED BROADWAY performance held on the Paradise Stage. I understand I missed the biggest crowd yet for this wonderful show. One of the stars told me that a big chunk of the audience were or had been singers in different choirs and the segment with the “Edelweiss” singalong was so terrific! I hope some of them return this week. If you haven’t seen it yet, get your tickets at the door of the PCC or at VallartaTickets.com and BE DAZZLED! The Garden Club meets every third Thursday (19th coming up) of the month at 11 am at the PCC. You are all welcome to sit in and even more welcome to join the Club and help beautify Vallarta. Plans are full speed ahead for the upcoming Second Annual Bougainvillea Festival that will be held May 9, 10 and 11, 2014. See the Garden Club

people at every Saturday Market for information and please, if you can volunteer your time and energy, help us make this Festival the most important event in Puerto Vallarta’s social calendar.

Every Saturday, one corner of our Market is full of glorious blooms and lovely scents brought to you by Flowers to Go. But, did you know that besides being a talented florist our Bob Bruneau is the founder and director of the Puerto Vallarta Men’s Choir?

This talented bunch of guys are presenting their Christmas Concert at Teatro Vallarta on Sunday, December 15th at 7:30.

Please go and have fun at any Bingo game being thrown by the Purr Project and always have a look at the darling kitties they bring in every Saturday. Buy a tee shirt, donate some money for cat food and the best thing - give a kitten a Forever Home. If you’ve never had a cat before in your life, now is the time. Your life will be better for it.

Help a tourist and smile at someone on the street today that you don’t know; pass the Paradise around. Until next time, ciao!

The Paradise Community Center, Pulpito 127 between Olas Altas and Amapas Streets in Old Town Puerto Vallarta smack in the middle of the Zona Romantica across from Coco’s Kitchen.

Explore Banderas Bay Art Galleries – It is said there are more galleries per capita in Puerto Vallarta than any other place in 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.

Ride the bus - Buses in Puerto Vallarta are an experience all their

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

A

s I walked around Olas Altas in the Amapas Neighborhood, I was surprised to see that the sidewalks and streets were cleaner. One morning, I saw two business owners Bill and Jorge washing the sidewalks. I decided to approach them to see what they were up to.

Bill explained that about three months ago as he was walking his dog, he got tired of all the trash on the sidewalks and street, so he informally started picking it up.

“We live in paradise; the Amapas Neighborhood has the most beautiful beaches, why should residents and visitors have to walk through trash to get to the beach?”

Jorge who owns the store next to Bill’s had been washing the sidewalk in front of his location and a few stores on either side for a few years now. Jorge and Bill were talking about what a great opportunity having the Atlantis cruise ship spend the night in Puerto Vallarta for the first time is for the community. With potentially 1900 visitors to the area, they thought it was important that the streets leading to the beach look their best. When the cobblestone and sidewalks are clean, the Amapas neighbourhood shines with the charm of old Mexico and it is what Zona Romantica is famous for worldwide. The hope is that if the 1900 visitors have a great time in Puerto Vallarta, they will return for a vacation and tell all their friends.

And the day of the cruise, Bill and Jorge got up early and washed the sidewalks leading to the Blue Chairs hotel. Bill stated, “it was great that all the neighbours along the way came out to help pick up trash, sweep and wash the sidewalks. Everywhere

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

we cleaned, everyone pitched in.

It was a real community effort.

Bill said the biggest problem is the smokers. Most of the trash on the sidewalks and street are cigarette butts, boxes and the wrapping. It would be nice if smokers could take responsibility and put their garbage in the garbage cans at the Oxxo or Kiosco.

Since those days, William and Jorge started to talk with the other neighbours in the area about the benefits of this non-official cleaning “program” with great success. Every morning they sweep and pick up the trash from Rodolfo Gomez to Amapas street, down Abedul to Malecon Street and stop at the Blue Chairs

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.

Hotel. Once a week they wash the sidewalks on Rodolfo Gomez and Amapas Street.

Bill reports that there has been a decrease in trash. As people see that we care, they are no longer just throwing the trash in the street.

As Bill says ‘why should we live and work in garbage? Vallarta is paradise.” Bill stated the best way of saying thank you is to make sure that the sidewalks and trash around your building, house or business are clean every day.

Help your neighbour out; if the building is empty clean in front of it. Puerto Vallarta has tourist all year round and needs to be clean for our visitors and for ourselves.

Many cities around the world have adopted street programs such as Monterrey, Veracruz, Mexico City, Thornton, Colorado, Seattle, Washington, Phoenix, Arizona and Surrey, BC. The common goal is to promote civic responsibility and community pride. Most of these programs are support by the local government with bags and a sign. Here in Puerto Vallarta, unfortunately, that is not the case yet. In the meantime as residents and business owners we should take the small amount of time needed to clean up rather than step over that trash and soon we will all see big changes in this city.

Guys and girls, see you around Olas Altas. If you want to know more about what to do in Puerto Vallarta, feel free to contact me, I’ll be happy to help you.

PS. I want to correct a mistake in my previous column. I misspelled Paco Arjona’s last name. My apologies for the inconvenience and confusion.

LOCAL

www.vallartatribune.com

New Tendencies in psychologial help

A

HOW DOES IT WORK?

First of all it deals with the “here and now”. The person in therapy relates only the problem pertaining to the present. Depending on the patient and the therapist there are many paths that might be taken in order to ensure the best outcome.

It may include guided medita-

tion, movement, music or what is called the “empty chair” where the person may let out their feelings and then come full circle by taking the other person’s place and really understanding the reason they may have had for their wrongdoing and therefor letting go.

Usually it’s a case of insight where the truth has been all along, a therapist only helps to find it. By letting out negative energy we allow ourselves to thrive and become the person we want to be. The following session you may choose to work on another bothersome situation, becoming a better person each time you sort out your problems one week at a time. The most important part is that you will become responsible for yourself, for being happy or allowing others to intrude in your life and continue to make you miserable. It may be scary at first but it then becomes a choice of great empowerment.

Gestalt Therapy is confrontational and fast because it doesn’t go to the past with talking endlessly. Most patients are in therapy for three to nine months.

Think about it as being a ‘gestational’ experience with a fabulous new person emerging at the end.

Jean Martin Bilingual Guestalt Psychotherapist pv.psychotherapy@gmail.com specializes in areas such as Body/Movement therapy Regressions, Family Constellations and Emotional Development Profile Mobile: 322 1416731 Skype: Jeannefly1705

Explore Banderas Bay Support Local Business - One of the most popular reasons visitors love Puerto Vallarta is because it’s a thriving city not just geared towards tourists.

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.

Volunteer - There are many wonderful organizations across the Bay that can use your help. Both

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

Paradise and Parenting

By Leza Warkentin

By Jean Martin pv.psychoterpay@gmail.com Gestalt – Part 1 lthough Fritz Perls coined the term Gestalt therapy there were many different influences in what is now considered Gestalt. From the Avant guard thinkers of the time (1920), such as Wertheimer, Wundt and Frank Kafka, continuing with William Reich, and the holism of Jan Smuts during 1929, to mention only a few.

Perls grew up in the bohemian scene in Berlin, a son of a loving artistic mother and an ambiguous father. He studied law, medicine and psychiatry.

He participated in theatrics and expressionism, tools that he would later incorporate into his therapy. In the years to come he also became familiar with Zen during his travels to Japan using the idea of mini-satori or brief awakening, an insight.

8

Getting in the Spirit

M

y holiday spirit is prodded awake every year on December 1. Every night from December 1 to 12, there are peregrinaciones, or pilgrimages, to the Church of Guadalupe in El Centro, to pay homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe. This tradition, steeped in culture and spirituality, has become our family’s official start of the holiday season.

I think anyone who uproots themselves to a new country and culture probably deals with homesickness around the holidays. If you move from a country where your Christmas is a white one, coming to one with palm trees during the winter season can cause some angst. When I was a child, my family always celebrated the season with very traditionally Canadian activities.

One of ours was dragging an unbelievably heavy tree through several feet of snow to a freezing car that wouldn’t start because it wasn’t plugged in for 6 minutes. It just wasn’t Christmas if someone didn’t spend the day nursing at least one frost-bitten extremity.

It was also a family tradition to watch my dad string the lights with the thickest, most unwieldy gloves ever sewn together before falling off the ladder in a dramatic, amusing fashion.

During my very first Vallarta Christmas, I hit the beach on Christmas day and I thought I would never recover. To this day I feel that that the year 2000 was Christmas-free. It’s so odd for a Canadian to feel the warm sun all over her body while listening to carols. I didn’t know that people

time or money will be appreciated.

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.

could actually buy Christmas trees in Vallarta, so the gifts were stacked under a small houseplant that I had thrown a string of garland around.

The homesickness didn’t set in because I actually just couldn’t feel a thing. Because it simply wasn’t Christmas, you see. No one was asking where their toques were. No one was trying to work off Christmas turkey belly by shoveling the driveway free of snow. No one was striking their heads on the edge of the frozen roof while trying to change the Christmas lights that worked perfectly well inside the warm house.

However, it didn’t take long for things to change inside my Christmas spirit. Four years later, I had a little boy in my arms, and I realized that if we were really gonna do this whole living in Mexico thing, I would have to start making Christmas

Conchas Chinas The south of Puerto Vallarta is a thick jungle full of adventure and excitement. Head south along the 200 highway and you will find the architecturally inspiring community of Conchas Chinas. The beach cove here is excellent for snorkeling.

happen and not use the holiday as an excuse to set up my own beach hut for two weeks straight.

Which takes me back to the peregrinaciones. One of my good friends saw me muddling about, trying to make things special for my kids, and she asked me why I didn’t take my children down to the Malecon and try making some new traditions (you might wonder why their Mexican father wouldn’t have thought of it first. As it happens, so have I. However.).

We took them there for a gander and once I saw the taco vendors, the atole vendors, the cake vendors, the corn vendors, the orange trucks, the pambaso vendors, the baked potato stands, the tamale vendors (I’m just getting warmed up), I knew that Mexico had Christmas joy with depths that I hadn’t yet begun to explore. And not just for the food (although I think it’s apparent that food, for me, is key).

While it may not be what I grew up with, every year our family walks the cobblestone streets and watches the candlelight processions, the floats of beautiful scenes with La Virgen and Juan Diego and the glowing church of Our Lady while sipping a cup of steamy atole.

This has become part of what our family Christmas story is all about. Take a walk down to El Centro and make it part of yours too.

LOCAL 9

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

www.vallartatribune.com

Notes from the Tribune sports desk

By Erin Staley oldtownfm.com

The Perfect Gift for That “Hard to Shop For” on Your Shopping List

W

e’ve all been there, scratching our heads, wondering what to get that “Hard to Shop For” person on our holiday shopping list. But scratch no more. The Old Town Farmers Market-Tianguis Cultural has some “make it, bake it, grow it” treasures that will bring extra joy this holiday season.

The Fashionista • Chantel~Vintage Spoon Jewelry

Using silver plated cutlery, Chantel Mann fashions signature rings, bracelets, watches, earrings, key chains and necklaces for clients of all ages. She also customizes to make something truly extraordinary. 322-182-2144 or Facebook

• Laura Lopez Labra Designs

Made from pure white cotton, Laura Lopez Labra’s tropical tops and dresses are perfect for the the beach and evenings out on the town. Be an original with one of her spectacular designs. (322) 125-1069

The Man Who “Has it All” • Cigar Don Martin

Martin Antemate Velasco, a “Maestro Rolador” (Master Maker of Cigars), uses a special fermentation process to perfect his

By Joel Hansen

tobacco leaves. He then hand rolls the multi-dimensional flavored cigars and packages them in handsome gift boxes.

• Pre-Hispanic Musical Instruments

Artisan, musician and educator, Néstor de Jesús Villaseñor García, has been honoring his Mexican heritage by handcrafting Pre-Hispanic musical instruments.

CD’s are also available.

The Health Nut • Cacahuate Carlos Puerto Vallarta Peanuts

If you love peanuts, this is the place to shop. Select from natural, garlic or honey roasted nuts as well as regular and chocolate peanut butter. And don’t forget the peanut brittle! (322) 181-9736 or Facebook

• One Planet Herbs Tinctures

These easy-to-absorb natural tinctures are powerful, promoting a better night’s sleep and a stronger immune system. They also prevent anxiety and inflammation. (322) 159-5499 or Facebook

The Service Provider • Adriana Coss Vitrofusión-Reciclado

Artist Adriana Coss de Gortari partners Vitrofusión, a high-heat, glass fusion technique, with recycling products to create unforgettable trash-to-treasure jewelry and décor. Facebook

• Huichol Art

Each Marcos Martin Jimènez piece represents the religious beliefs of the indigenous Huichol people who are native to this part of Mexico. Colorful and imaginative, his work is perfect for educators, historians, travelers or art lovers. (322) 132-5862.

Impassioned by responsible food production, entrepreneurial development and the “buy local” movement, our OTFM-TC is a North American style market celebrating the tradition of Mexico’s tianguis markets. Stop by for home décor, fashions, accessories, farm-fresh produce, international cuisine and readto-eat foods. Located in Lazaro Cárdenas Park, the OTFM-TC is open every Saturday from 9:30 am to 2 pm from the first Saturday in November to t he last Saturday in May. Visit us on www.oldtownfm. com or Facebook.

• Two words. “The-Iron-Bowl” Sorry three words.

• Mexico has confirmed Miguel ‘Piojo’ Herrera will coach the national squad at the World Cup finals in Brazil next year. It was the right choice for Mexico and will make decisions on the teams Euro-based stars very interesting moving forward.

• USC loses to UCLA on the weekend and then in typical USC fashion and in an effort to control the message, they announce Steve Sarkisian (a very uninspiring hire) as the new head coach.

• The USC hiring is bad timing for Jack Del Rio, you know he wanted that head coaching job, but with John Fox’s health scare in Denver, Del Rio did the honourable thing and stayed as the interim coach of

the Broncos.

• Ok. I have many more words on the Iron Bowl. That was the greatest and most unexpected ending to a football game I have ever witnessed. This game is now an instant classic and for what my 2 pesos are worth, I say it is above both Doug Flutie’s Hail Mary against Miami and the Stanford Band game vs Cal. This was #1 vs. #4 in America’s arguably most bitter college football rivalry.

Cal-Stanford is a very big rivalry, no doubt, but it’s just that the Alabama-Auburn is a much bigger rivalry. Four of the last five national champs have been one of these teams amigos.

• I have never seen a game of the magnitude of the 2013 Iron Bowl decided on such an unusual,

rare and final play as a 109-yard return off a missed FG. To add to the drama was Cade Foster’s rough game. He had missed two field goal attempts and had one blocked before Saban made the ill-fated decision to replace him with freshman kicker Adam Griffith for what turned out to be the most incredible play in college football history.

• Jacoby Ellsbury is a Yankee.

What has happened to the world when RedSoxs wear the pinstripes?

• With Alabama’s loss there are a lot of very happy Florida State fans here in Puerto Vallarta and you can find most of them lounging around over at Icon’s pool this week.

• I cannot stand Nick Saban.

• I will be looking to win a few of the pesos I lost when the Kansas City Chiefs blew my 3 game parlay Sunday night at the weekly poker game at Que Pasa.

This week’s top five playlist in my iPod. 1. White Denim: Corsicana Lemonade.

2. James Mercer: End-sessions from the RedHook brewery.

3. Conway Twitty: You’ve never been this far before.

4. Sheepdogs: Big Stand 5. Hecho en Mexico soundtrack: Various artists from Mexico See you in the buffet line on Sunday at El Rio BBQ.

www.vallartatribune.com

riviera nayarit 10

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit

By Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com

Viva Bucerias!

T

his Sunday, December 8th, the Viva Bucerias International Music Festival 2013 will be taking place in the Bucerias Centro Main Plaza, starting at 3pm, and going into the evening.

The musical festival is a free family event. The musicians are donating their time as well, with prominent and well known musicians performing at the festival.

This event is organized by Cheko Ruiz, a musician on his own, and who also performs with the Luna Rumba Band, a Latin music group who has recently won two awards; the USA International Song Writing Contest (second place) and the John Lennon Award for World Music (third place). The AllStars will also be performing with musicians Chas Eller on keyboards and Bryan Savage on flute and

sax. This is the first festival of its kind, and will continue to be an annual event.

The Mayor of Bahia De Banderas will be assisting coordinating the event, and has given the green light to provide the stage and sound as well as lighting for this event. Miguel Angel will be feeding the musicians and event staff. Lupe Dipp, owner of Los Arroyos Verdes will be the Master of Ceremonies, and I have not a doubt in my mind that she will be keeping us informed and entertained between band setups.

Cheko Ruiz has located many top musicians from different bands and different types of genres to play at the Viva Bucerias International Music Festival.

The bands that will be performing, along with the country they are representing are: Luna Rumba Trio for world music – Canada and Mexico. Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars-USA and Canada, Cuba playing Jazz, Italy Rumba, Flamenco World Music, Tatewari-Mexico, Flamenco Los Monda-Mexico, Funk and Rock Trem De Minas-Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Playing Jazz and Funk, Son De Afuera-Denmark, Son Jarocho Trenzas Negras-Mexico, Andina Music Quilombo-Mexico Salsa, as well as Samba and African Dancers to liven up the show.

WOW! What a great lineup! A show not to be missed!!! Come one, come all, to the free musical event of the season the Viva Bucerias International Music Festival 2013. I’ll be the crazy blond girl taking photos!

Cat Morgan owns RivieraNayaritFun.com Regional Network.

Give us a LIKE on our Facebook page (Riviera Nayarit Fun) to check out the weekly community news blasts and other information regarding Mexico. You may also contact Cat Morgan directly with any comments or Riviera Nayarit News at Car@RivieraNayaritFun.com

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Beau is such a good boy! He loves to go for walks and gets along just great with the other dogs. Beau really deserves a loving home with a family who will enjoy his good natured company. Please contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

By Riley Hunter

E

very year Pepe Montana of Sayulita’s radio station organizes and hosts a community toy drive for children from low income families who otherwise would not receive gifts for Christmas. Leading up to the holiday season, local residents, business owners, home owners and even tourists visiting Sayulita donate toys for girls and boys up to age 13. Last year’s toy drive was a success with over 400 children participating in the annual fiesta and hundreds of toys given out to the children of Sayulita and San Ignacio.

This year, Pepe is expecting the annual event to be even bigger, better and put smiles on the faces of our local resident children. On Sunday December 22nd the Christmas Fiesta for the kids will take place at 5 PM on Calle Miramar, outside the bookstore where the street will be closed off to traffic and the children will have their Christmas party.

Everyone in the community is invited to this event. There will be food, piñatas, Christmas carols sung by the children and the Catholic church’s father Ignacio and the gifts collected between now and December 22nd will be distributed to the children who most need them.

Pepe Montana along with his wife, Angeles Iniges have been hosting the toy drive and fiesta for kids for the last 6 years in Sayulita.

Previously, toys were collected at the Rotisserie chicken at the top

of town on Calle Revolucion. This year, with their new smoke shop located on Calle Jose Mariscal, just beside Burrito Revolution, Pepe and Angeles will be accepting donations of toys there at the new centrally located smoke shop.

With a few gifts already donated to the cause, Pepe says there is a need for many more gifts for boys and girls. “We are so very grateful to the community for their donations and we will continue thanking all community members and visitors to our town who drop off toys for the children.

The smiles on everyone’s faces at our annual Christmas party is priceless” stated Pepe who has received letters from local children written to Santa Clause or “nino de dios” (God’s child). Pepe Montana has become Sayulita’s real life Santa Clause with his efforts every year to make children’s Christmas special and memorable. Anyone wishing to donate toys can drop them off before December 22nd at the Sayulita Smoke Shop on Calle Jose Mariscal, down from the church. Pepe and his wife, Angeles hope to see everyone in the community out celebrating with the children on December 22nd at the annual Christmas Fiesta.

For further information or to make a monetary donation through PayPal, please contact Pepe Montana atsayulitaradio@ hotmail.com, PayPal: sayulitaradio@hotmail.com.

HOLIDAY 11

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

My life in Vallarta

By Lois Ellison loell87@yahoo.com

12 GREAT DAYS

I

f you are lucky enough to be reading this here in Puerto Vallarta, you owe it to yourself to head to El Centro at least once and experience the Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe (also known as the Guadalupana) before it ends on the 12th. I’m not going to tell you the story of the Virgin of Guadalupe, you can (and should) read that elsewhere. Instead, I’d like to share with you some of my best memories of this incredible event.

We first learned of the festival in the early 1990’s when a taxi driver asked us if we were here for “the parades by the Church”. We had no idea what he was talking about but who doesn’t love a parade?

So off we went to find out what was going on. We soon learned these aren’t “parades” they are pilgrimages, or peregrinaciones. I still get chills down my spine when I think of that first experience.

Previously, we’d always come in October or November. In the mornings we could hear groups of school children practicing a drum and bugle marching routine.

Often a little off key, but always enthusiastic. Now in December,

suddenly, there they were, those wonderful school bands, girls on drums, boys on bugles, proudly marching down Calle Juarez en route to the Church. The piercing wail of the bugles mingled with the trombones and trumpets of traditional Mexican bandas and mariachi. Groups of pilgrims on foot, carried candles, their voices rising heavenward with songs that would haunt us into the night and long after we’d returned home.

At that time, we didn’t know the story of Guadalupe but by just standing and watching, the story began to reveal itself to us.

Interspersed with the bands and singers, were floats depicting the miracle of Juan Diego. On many, young girls dressed as Guadalupe stood motionless, their eyes reflecting enormous pride at having been chosen for this honor. Most of the groups had banners declaring their faith and gratitude to the Virgin of Guadalupe. You didn’t have to be religious to appreciate the intensity of their emotions.

Outside the Church, a group of Aztec dancers enacted a story of worship and sacrifice to the ancient gods. This particular group was fantastic. They had it all: elaborate feather headdresses, tall drums, incense burners, a conch shell to trumpet, and, at the finale, a real baby presented to the gods.

Hundreds of onlookers but not one person uttering a sound as we all watched breathlessly. I’ve seen dozens of Aztec groups each year since then, but none even comes close to that first experience.

Puerto Vallarta was smaller and less modern 20 years ago.

Electric wires along the route had not yet been buried underground and formed a tangled mass over

the street, often drooping low above the marchers heads. Many of the taller floats were accompanied by men with long notched polls that they used to push the wires up so the floats could proceed. Truly an amazing sight.

After arriving at the Church, the groups wait for the bells to invite them inside. As the singers and Mariachi enter, the walls reverberate with their joyful sounds.

Along the parade route, there were only a handful of food vendors. All of their booths were connected by extension cords leading to a single electric outlet.

Sometimes sparks would fly but no one seemed to care. On several cross streets, youngsters set off fireworks. The lack of injuries was a miracle of its own. There were no Christmas decorations or reindeer hats to be purchased.

Those came years later as holiday

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customs from north of the border began to arrive.

The final day is reserved for Los Favorecidos (the favored ones).

These are the families and individuals who didn’t come with the sponsored groups on the earlier days. Numbering in the tens of thousands, they fill the streets completely, for as far as the eye can see. Some carry candles, icons, or offerings of food and flowers. Children are dressed as Juan Diego or Guadalupe. Some are in wheelchairs or walk with canes. A few even crawl all the way to the Church. It is difficult to describe and impossible to forget.

There’s no better way to experience the culture of Mexico than to participate in one of her festi-

vals. And the Guadalupana is the best of the best: a collage of food, song, dance, costumes, and music; all wrapped in a mantle of faith and hope. So what are you waiting for? Head to El Centro and immerse yourself in an incredible tradition. Oh yes, don’t forget your camera.

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LOCAL 14

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

www.vallartatribune.com

Christmas on the Mexican dinner table

By Gary R. Beck

nally served as a first course. The fish is soaked to remove the salt in which it was cured, then flavored with olives, chiles and tomatoes.

T

he usually bustling markets all over Mexico become even busier in December when displays of fruit for ponche navideño (Christmas punch) leading to the posadas intensifies.

For nine days before Christmas, friends and neighbors get together for posadas which are reenactments of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem for the baby Jesus.

The group ends up at the home of whichever neighbor lets them in, where piñatas are broken, fruit and candy are devoured by the children and Mexican punch, tamales and deep-fried fritters called buñuelos are offered.

When Noche Buena(Christmas Eve) arrives it one of the most festive dinners of the year is served. A Mexican Christmas dinner is varied with foods ranging from tamales to tortillas to turkey and tejocote.

The dishes served at this meal vary from region to region in Mexico: mole and romeritos in the central areas, tamales in the north, pozole in the western states with the south favoring chocolate with churros and buñuelos. But in modern day Mexico, turkey is the main attraction, stuffed with

Pozole

Pork, chicken or both (surtido) and hominy stew is seasoned in its broth with chile and garlic. It is served with garnishes of shredded lettuce or cabbage, thinly sliced radishes, avocado, oregano, and lime wedges. It makes a hearty meal and a great party food.

Romeritos

A green small leafed vegetable resembling rosemary, for which it is named, is often served as romeritos en revoltijo, with shrimp cakes and drizzled with mole. ground meat, olives and raisins or with nuts and bread, regardless which dishes accompany it.

Not unlike back in the US or Canada, Christmas is a time to get together with family and friends to celebrate and food plays a big part. It is not unusual for Christmas Eve dinner to last until three in the morning and this is why Christmas Day is a quiet non-event in most Mexican towns.

Many families attend the Misa de Gallo (Christmas Eve Midnight Mass) and do not begin feasting until afterward.

Here are some of the foods that are traditionally eaten at Christmastime in Mexico, either at Christmas Eve dinner or during the festivities leading up to Christmas (posadas). If you are in

Mexico for Christmas, be sure to sample these holiday dishes and if you cannot be in Mexico during this time, add a Mexican touch to your celebration by including some of these foods:

Ensalada de Noche Buena The Mexican Christmas Salad is particularly festive and attractive being composed of beets, lettuce and seasonal fruit with more tropical versions found in the warm coastal areas. Recipes may include apple, carrot, orange, pineapple, jicama, pecans, peanuts and pomegranate seeds, varying according to availability and the chef’s preference.

Cochinito pibil

Stewed pork (also puerco pibil or cochinita con achiote) is traditional slow-roasted pork recipe from the Yucatan Peninsula with Mayan background. Preparation involves marinating the meat in citrus juices, adding annatto seed and roasting, wrapped in banana leaves.

Pavo

Bacalao

Native to Mexico, turkey is another popular choice for a Christmas Eve dinner. Turkey may be roasted and stuffed and often served with mole.

In Oaxaca, chile-rubbed turkey is a holiday time treat. Roast one hour, then flip so that the breast is on the bottom. The result is juicy white meat and wonderfully tender legs and thighs.

A Spanish influence, is a dried then reconstituted codfish traditio-

Most

Chiles rellenos

commonly

made

with

poblano chiles, sometimes ancho, they are stuffed with either ground beef or soft Oaxacan cheese which melts as pierced. Thin tomato sauce may be plated first with the chiles atop.

Menudo

Usually eaten with tortillas or bolillos, this stew is made with beef tripe and red chiles, often with chopped onion, lime, cilantro and oregano. It is believed to be the medicine for a hangover.

Buñuelos

This crispy fried creation is like a sweet tostada sprinkled with sugar or doused in syrup.

Holiday times, stands appear selling buñuelos and atole.

Some towns are fortunate to have a stand year-round. After enjoying the fritter, some Nationals make a wish and throw the clay plate onto the ground, smashing to bits. This tradition is thought to have arisen from a Prehispanic festivity when all the dishes were broken at the end of a calendar cycle.

Churros

Known as the Spanish doughnut, dough is fried until crispy and coated with sugar.

The pipe used may be tipped with a star-shaped nozzle resulting in a straight prism pastry.

They are best eaten immediately when hot.

Ponche Navideño This hot fruit punch is made with seasonal fruits like tejocote (Mexican hawthorn fruit), prunes, apples, tamarind, guava, pear and orange flavored with cinnamon and sweetened with piloncillo.

Served at the Noche Buena dinner. This is a good warming beverage, with or without a splash of alcohol.

Other popular traditional drinks are Jamaica which is brewed from dried dark red hibiscus flowers, café de olla, chocolate caliente, rompope, atole, spiced cider and Chimayo cocktails (cold apple cider spiked with Tequila, creme de cassis and lime).

Explore Banderas Bay Nogalito The first town is that of Nogalito. Set back in the jungle it is a charming Mexican village that also is home to one of the most popular day tours - the Canopy Mundo Nogalito Tour with the only tunnel zip-line in town.

If you’re feeling the heat, stop at the Punta Negra bridge and take a drip in the river. Lovely fresh water, lots of little pools to splash in and rocks to dry off on. If you’re lucky a vendor will come by with snacks and drinks - otherwise pack your own.

Mismaloya 15 minutes further is Mismaloya, a small town set back from the water along a river that leads to the ocean and a number of beach restaurants. This bay looks onto Los Arcos and is a great place to grab a panga boat for a tour of the impressive rocks. If you have

time, book a snorkel or dive trip.

This is one of the deepest ocean valleys in the world and home to turtles, whales, dolphins and the blue-footed Booby. Back behind the town, check out the Vallarta Zoo where you can play with baby monkeys, tigers and lions.

Boca de Tomatlan Boca de Tomatlan is the last town along the ocean and the place to grab a boat to the small beach communities of Quimixto, Las Animas and the very popular Yelapa. Looking for romance book a table at the nearby Le Kliff for spectacular views and sunsets.

Events 15

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

www.vallartatribune.com

Puente Guadalupe-Reyes

By Daniela Ruedz

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ver heard of the phrase “puente Guadalupe-Reyes”?

As the holidays approach, you might come across it once or twice, or maybe you already have more than a few times. The term refers to the celebrations occurring between the Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, which falls on December 12, and Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day) which is celebrated on January 6th. The word “puente”, in turn, has to do with the colloquial term used to refer to the three day weekends. There is said to be a bridge (“puente”) on that day off, which usually falls on Monday.

Of course, we don’t actually take the days off from December 12 to January 16th. However, there are a lot of motives for celebration.

These precise days are overfilled with tradition, history, religion and, most certainly, family. December 12, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, is a celebration of our Lady

of Guadalupe, Mexican’s matron saint who appeared to Juan Diego in 1531. She was the first Hispanic Virgin in the Nueva España (New Spain).

The following week, around December 19-20, school’s out!

From kindergarten to grad school, students from all over the country take their winter break. Among this bustle of celebration are work posadas, classmate posadas, family posadas and even friend posadas. Nowadays, this expression refers to a celebration (basically, a party among friends) hosted near Christmas Day. However, the word posada dates back to the stories of the Bible, when Mary and Joseph were looking for lodging.

On December 24, we celebrate Christmas Eve in a big way. The old neighborhoods literally close their streets to cars. Tables full of food, mismatched chairs, enticing scents of turkey, or pozole, or bacaloa, maybe even a little churros and atole fill the coblestoned streets. About three diffe-

rent songs (that may or may not be related to the holidays) blast away while the children break piñatas and the adults break bread. At midnight, there is the traditional hug and well-wishing and only then (after giving thanks and spreading joy) are we allowed to open the presents. As you can imagine, the cheerfulness goes on until the wee hours of the night and so, Christmas Day receives the after-party. Some may get sleep; others may cruise straight to the family breakfast (maybe menudo or birria) and enjoy the new presents. Christmas Day is usually taken to recover from the Christmas Eve celebration.

In a blink of an eye, December 28th arrives. Although not a traditional holiday Día de los Inocentes is the equivalent to April Fools; only instead of a month, it’s only a day long. Several mischievous jokers may take advantage to get away with a long awaited prank; for others, it may pass by unnoticed. New Year’s Eve marks the

Israel ZZepda at Galleria Dante during this month of December

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rtist Israel ZZepda was born in 1971 and recently celebrated his twenty-seventh anniversary as a professional artist. He has been painting and drawing for more than thirty-five years, but also sculpts in paper mache, bronze & cast aluminum. The general public is constantly surprised at the huge body of work he has produced for a man so young.

He became an apprentice at the age of fifteen. A full time art teacher at the age of nineteen, Zzepda has influenced many young artists, including various members of his own family who are aspiring artists. He taught art and fashion illustration for more than thrteen years. He has also painted more than a thousand meters of murals in both public and private spaces in Cancun, Uruapan, Michoacán and Jalisco. And in addition to this, he completed six murals in Sardinia, Italy in 2011. After visiting museums in Florence, Rome and Spain, he vowed never to exhibit his work unframed again. It is worth a visit to his show, just to view the frames created for each painting, a work of art in themselves. There is sensitivity, innocence and a refined discipline

end of the year celebrated with friends and/or family, the traditional 12 grapes and toast to a happy new year.

Finally, Día de Reyes has arrived. On January 6th the family gets together once more to break the rosca de reyes (three kings cake) with the accustomed hot chocolate to see who gets the trinkets hidden inside the bread and is responsible for providing the tamales and atole (or another type of food, depending on the

family) on the Día de la Candelaria (Candle Mass Day), which falls on February 2nd.

Everything goes back to normal around Día de Reyes, when the kids officially go back to school and the streets once again make way to hastened cars trying to get to class on time. It may seem like after days like these, we would need a vacation from the vacation. Nevertheless, we are back to the bustle and hustle as soon as Semana santa is right around the corner.

Ute Hagen opens at Galleria Dante, December 13th, 2013 Cocktails 6 to 10 pm

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about this young man. His work penetrates into the religious, spiritual, sexual and existential realms, reflecting the truth and questioning established thinking. He is not afraid to, express himself.

“The artist is a reflection of daily life. I want to be a chronicle of my time,” says Zzepda who seeks to be honest and reflect his own unique style in all of his work. Texture also plays an important role in the idealized handling of the human figure. He can paint photo-realistic portraits, but instead sacrifices a little of the perfection of the human figure, in hopes of revealing the interior of himself. “We are all good and bad, we construct and we destroy,

we are of light and somewhat dark, journeying daily through the streets of the planet.”

His imaginative capacity is perhaps, the most dominant visual feature of his work. The viewer will be intrigued and will wish to understand the themes in his paintings. He reveals himself as a witness of human suffering.

The work of Zzepda appears to be recreating ambiguous and mysterious worlds. Therefore, at times his paintings portray strange, desolate environments. Zzepda also displays serene and sometimes humorous eroticism. The artist also embraces notoriously religious topics, as well as ontological and metaphysical subjects.

TE HAGEN – born in 1944 in Meissen, Germany, emigrated to Canada in 1965 and moved to Mexico in 1973. At the age of 16, she entered an apprenticeship for cabinet making in Oberursel, Germany.

Later she studied art under the tutelage of artists: Gerda Werner & Georg Hieronymi in Germany, Gita Segerscog in Mexico City & “Emily Carr College of Art” in Vancouver, Canada.

Ute realized her first solo show at age 15 at the Heinrich Olle Gallery, Oberursel, Germany (1959) “Expressing on canvas is what speaks to my heart, my objectives are color, movement and feeling. It is important to me that a painting ‘sings’, has ‘life’ and projects emotions.”

Her work captures the colors and textures of Mexico and presents them with a powerful clarity of European design. With perfect technique her paintings are powerfully executed and exciting to view.

Never static, full of movement, her work is reminiscent of Van Gogh, a brilliant spirit shining through. Fascinating is a word to both describe Ute, as well as

her paintings. Ute has spent the last 2 years living in Vallarta - the positive experience of exploring Vallarta brings a new light to her latest works.

Galleria Dante is located at Basilio Badillo 269

www.vallartatribune.com

EVENTS and reviews 16

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

June Rosen Holiday Shopping

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ust in time for holiday shopping, June Rosen Lopez opens her home for a holiday get-together. June is a local jeweler, who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for the past 33 years. Now a 12 year tradition, visit June’s gallery, share in a toast and say hello old and new friends. This year, June will be serving wine and treats for 3 days: Friday, December 13th from 4 to 8, Saturday, December 14th, (come by after the Farmers Market) from 2 to 7pm and Sunday, December 15th, from 2 to 7pm.

June‘s gallery has a great holiday collection, in all price ranges.

She has many new pieces, with lots of interesting stones and she also represents crafts people from other areas in Mexico.

This year 10 % of her holiday sales will be donated to two of her favorite charities, Becas Vallarta and New Life Mexico.Her gallery is in her home on 200 Francisca Rodriquez, the same street as the new pier, one block up from Olas Altas.

Drop by and say hello!

Le temps des fêtes arrive à Puerto Vallarta

By Julie Mongeau

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a saison des Fêtes a officiellement commencé à Puerto Vallarta! Désolée, mais permettez-moi de reprendre mon souffle et d`attacher mes chaussures. Par où commencer, les invitations sont nombreuses, le décompte a commencé et les festivités du temps des fêtes sont entamées. Étant donné que c’est mon premier Noel loin du froid et de la neige, je suis excitée de voir un Noel tropical. Les lumières scintillent au couché de soleil, les rennes aux nez rouges et les bonhommes de neige font leurs apparitions sous les palmiers.

C’est majestueux!

Vendredi soir en route pour la galerie Contempo pour le vernissage « The world According to

Lencho » j`ai pris mon chemin préféré, le Malecon, et encore une fois je me suis fait surprendre par un évènement inattendu. Une foule de plus de 200 Charros paradaient leurs chevaux dansants avec leurs crinières au vent, une vraisemblance au spectacle Cavalia. Saviez-vous que Jalisco était la capitale du Charro?

Alors moi non!

Le 1er Décembre marque le début la Tradicionale Prergrinaciones Quadalupanas. C’est un hommage à la Dame de Guadalupe. Je viens d’un milieu plutôt traditionnel, aujourd’hui je me sens chanceuse d’avoir l’opportunité d’être initiée à une saison des fêtes remplie de traditions.

Une fois de plus la vie à Puerto Vallarta et la culture mexicaine ont gagnés mon coeur. Donc, mettez

dans votre agenda jusqu’au 12 décembre tous les jours vous pouvez voir un défilé de diverses organisations; soit les syndicats, les entreprises des organismes communautaires, les chauffeurs d’autobus, des groupes de jeunes etc. A leur tour ils défilent jusqu’à l’église de la Dame de Guadalupe dans la colonie Centro. Étant dans l’esprit du temps des fêtes il est important de d’appuyer les organismes de charités, Il y a plusieurs collectes de fonds et d’évènements qui se déroulent dans les prochaines semaines, alors si jamais vous avez quelques heures ou pesos à donner je suis certaine qu’une ou plusieurs familles y seraient reconnaissantes.

Contactez-moi et je pourrai vous mettre en lien avec un organisme quelconque.

Et n’oubliez-pas si vous êtes intéressés à participer au « Souper rencontre parler pour parler », glissez-moi un petit mot.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CLUB TOURS

HOME TOURS BOTANICAL GARDENS & ZOO TOURS Tours operate November to April.

See our web site for details.

ifctoursforvallarta.com or call (322) 222 5466

Voices of Vallarta...the Contest!

by Marcia Blondin

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very Sunday at 8 pm for the next 12 weeks you can be an active ingredient in Vallarta’s artistic scene and make a difference in a singer’s life. Reality TV comes alive at Act II Entertainment’s MAIN STAGE where 24 talented singers, culled from months of open auditions around Vallarta will vie to become THE VOICE of Vallarta & Bahia de Banderas.

So, the contest will go like this: 24 made the cut, one didn’t show up for opening night and was eliminated. Everyone sang one song of their own choosing – some accompanying themselves with various instruments. After

a delightful few opening tunes presented by Daniel Portela (one of the five judges) the contestants were introduced one by one, sang, their performances critiqued and scored by each of the judges.

At the end of the show scores were tallied and the top three were called out...and so were the bottom three.

Now here’s where YOU come in...you can vote using a “ballot” at the theatre or do it online at The Voice of Vallarta Facebook page; either way you will make up 50% of the total scores. What is so cool about this contest?

Every week the producers of the show will tell the singers in what genre they will be singing. Perhaps jazz one week, rock ‘n roll the

next and coming up this Sunday, December 08: Latin Pop. Personally I can’t wait to see if some of the contestants – most of them very comfortable indeed within their chosen style – will be able to “un-do” that familiarity and excel at something completely different!

This is just what Vallarta needs – an interesting contest (that costs only $100 pesos!), that changes in genre and personages every single Sunday evening AND you get to add an integral part in the whole process. I, for one, will be there cheering for the few that knocked my socks off (well, if I owned any) this past Sunday; and to everyone involved at Act II Entertainment you have done it again, take another bow.

ERIK A. FULFER, D.C. CHIROPRACTOR Quality affordable chiropractic care at your: Home, Office, Resort or Spa by appointment only Mon-Wed-Fri 10am to 6pm

Call Now! 322 182 5045 Vonage (404) 719 4744

bahiachiro@gmail.com www.bahiachiropractic.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

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www.vallartatribune.com

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

UROLOGIST Dr. Pedro López Cueto Tel. (322) 22 5 11 83 www.anku.com.mx

Emergency Phone Numbers Havre No.111 Col. Versalles Fluent Englis Spoken

The police station or the fire department is 060. For Non-Emergency calls, dial (322) 290-0507 for the Police Dep & (322) 224-7701 for the Fire Department.

Ambulance Services Red Cross Ambulance: 222-1533 Global Ambulance: 226-1014

Hospitals Ameri-Med Hospital: 226-2080 Cornerstone Hospital: 224-9400 San Javier Hospital: 226-1010 Medasist Hospital: 223-0444 C.M.Q. Hospital: 223-1919 I.M.S.S. Hospital: 224-3838 Regional Hospital: 224-4000

Other Important Phone Numbers American Consulate: (322)222-0069 or 01-333-268-2145 Canadian Consulate: (322) 293-0098 Motor Vehicle Dept: 224-8484 Consumer Protection (PROFECO): 225-0000 Immigration Office: 221-1380 National Telegraph: 224-7970 Electric Company (CFE): 071 Water Company (SEAPAL): 223-1516 Municipal Services: 223-2500 Tourist Protection: 223-2500 Ministerio Publico: 222-1762 Animal Protection: 221-0078 Wake-Up Service: 031

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

Beboteros Diaz Ordaz 565 Malecon 322.113.0099 Benito’s Paninoteca Bar Nima Bay, Local 12, “Marina Vallarta” 322.209.0287 Café Roma Encino 287 Centro Mon-Sun 10:pm -3:00 am El Dorado Pulpito # 102, Playa los Muertos” 322.222.4124

Emergency Phone for Sayulita Dial 066 from any standard land line. Dial 080 from Mexican cell phones. To report suspicious activity in Sayulita, please dial 045-322-141-5994.

El Patio de mi Casa Guerrero 311 esq.

Matamoros 322.222.0743 El Rio BBQ Bar 322.222.2510 www.elriobbqbar.com

Emergency Numbers for Bucerias & La Cruz

Encore Lazaro Cardenas51, Bucerias 329.298.0140 India Gate Allende 124 Centro 322.223.2424 La Bodeguita Del Medio Paseo Diaz Ordaz 858, Malecon” 322.223.1583 Tu-Sun 9:30-2:00 am

La Palapa Pulpito#103, Playa los Muertos” 322.222.5225

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

Las Adelitas Av. Fluvial Vallarta 234 322.293.7778

287 Basilio Badillo nachodaddymexico.com

Nacho Daddy

Numbers for the Police Department in case of emergency are 291-0049 and 291-0666.

Emergency number: 066 Police, Bucerias & La Cruz: 298-1020 Civil Protection (Fire, Ambulance): 291-0295 Ambulance, Santa Rosa Clinic: 298-0157

charities

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Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations PASITOS DE LUZ

“Together for Vallarta’s Kids.”

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ocated in El Pitillal, Pasitos de Luz is a day care facility for children with special needs. This non-profit organization provides children with various handicaps with a caring and loving environment, along with treatment for individual rehabilitation, nutritional meals, physical stimulation and therapy.

This non-profit organization has existed for more than thirteen years as a lifeline for families from the poorest parts of Puerto Vallarta. These are the colonias that don’t make it into the tourist brochures and which many overseas visitors will never see. They are, however, the parts of Vallarta most in need of assistance. Children at Pasitos receive breakfast and lunch, alongside rehabilitation and education. Most importantly, parents can be safe in the knowledge that their children are being taken good care of, while they go out to work to provide for their families. All the services provided at Pasitos de Luz are 100% free-of-charge.

Every peso (or quarter, nickel etc.) counts! Some of PV’s finest businesses have agreed to collect money on their behalf. All we need you to do is drop off your spare pesos or dollars. You can donate money until the end of December to Pasitos de Luz at the following locations: • Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Basilio Badillo 276 • Nacho Daddy, Basilio Badillo 287 • La Cigale French Bistro, Hidalgo 398 • Peyote People, 222 Calle Juárez • JD’s BBQ, Basilio Badillo 283 • Pitt Bar & Grill, Basilio Badillo 229 • Lucy’s Cucu Cabana, Basilio Badillo 295 • Thirsty Cougar, Olas Altas 443 For more info visit pasitosdeluz.org,

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

Acción En La Cruz: aid residents of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle by providing provisions in exchange for community services performed. w w w. l a n d o n 5 12 0 . w i x . c o m / accionenlacruz Alcoholics Anonymous: In English Puerto Vallarta Alanon Club - Basilio Badillo 329 www.recoverpv.com American Legion Post 14: raises resources and manpower to improve facilities 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 - 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. www. compassionforthefamily.org Becas Vallarta, A.C. – Provides scholarships to high school and university students.Tax-deductible in Mexico and USA. Polly Vicars at (322) 223-1371 or Buri Gray at (322) 221-5285. www. puerto-vallarta.com/amf Bucerias Bilingual Community Center: Supporting families, seniors in Bucerias. www.buceriasbilingualcommunitycenter.org Casa Hogar - A shelter for orphaned, abandoned, disadvantaged or vulnerable children. Luz Aurora Arredondo at 221-1908, Rita Millan (322) 141-6974. casamaximocornejo@gmail.com Centro Comunitario SETAC-GLBT – Services the GLBT community, including treatment and referrals, education, 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 in Old Town. Only open Sundays, arrive by 8am, no reservations are taken. Contact: cez@ rogers.com or 322-104-6609 CompassionNet Impact – Transforming the lives of people living in chronic poverty. Job creation, education, emergency food, medicine & clothing. Tax-deductible. Cell: (322) 133-7263 or 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 Desayunos para los Niños de Vallarta A.C. Feeding programs, education programs, day care centers for single mothers. 22 343 11 or 22 225 72 FB/desayunosninosvallarta Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C. (DIVAC) association of handicapped individuals dedicated to helping one another. Ivan Applegate at 221-5153.

Families At The Dump: Supporting families living in the landfill or garbage dump thru education and sustainable opportunities. www. familiesatthedump.org or 297-7425 Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta: Arq. Luz del Carmen Pérez Alvarez cayro_13@hotmail.com grupoecologico.com Friends of PV Animals Volunteers working to enhance the lives of shelter animals. They supplement food, medications and socialization for unwanted and stray cats and

dogs housed in PV´s city pound. For info and donations visit www.friendsofpvanimals.com

Horizonte de Paz: Shelter for men of all ages who are troubled with alcohol & drug addiction. Donato Schimizzi: 322 199 9523 or Roberto: 281 0644 dschimizzi@yahoo.com La Brigada de la Basur:a A weekly meeting of neighborhood children to clean Vallarta Streets. Contact Que?Pasa 223-4006 Navy League - assists in the transportation of donated medical supplies from the U.S., organizes work groups to paint and repair facilities, and operates the local Toys for Tots program. www.vallartanavyleague.org.

New Life Mexico - Challenging Child Poverty with health and education programs. Philippa Vernon pvp@ newlifemexico.com Paraíso Felino AC Refuge and Adoption Centre for cats and kittens in the Bay of Banderas. Luis Donaldo Cel. (322) 120-4092 Pasitos de Luz - substitute home for low income children with any type of handicap, offers rehabilitation services and special support to their families. 299-4146. www.pasitosdeluz.org PEACEAnimals - Free mobile spay/ neuter clinic operating 48 weeks a year, primarily in Puerto Vallarta. Tax-deductible. www.peaceanimals.org Pro Biblioteca de Vallarta - Raises funds for Los Mangos Public Library.

Tax-deductible Ricardo Murrieta

at 224-9966 or Jimmie Ellis at 222-1478.

Proyecto Pitillal, “Busca un Amigo” - Association created by underprivileged mothers of paralyzed children.

Contact: 299-4495.

Puerto Vallarta Garden Club: Beautify and protecting the environment. www.vallartagardenclub.com PuRR Project - A no-kill cat shelter, a natural un-caged environment. www.purrproject.com Refugio Infantil Santa EsperanzaShelter for Children. Tax-deductible.

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: Math, English and computer programs a priority. 100% goes to the kids. www.kids.romamexico.com The International Friendship Club (IFC) - Supports the Cleft Palate Surgery Program & families in need.

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

Toys for Tots Vallarta - Distributes toys and constructs playgrounds for less-advantaged kids in the Puerto Vallarta area during the Christmas holiday period. Jerry Lafferty 322 221 6156 or Lourdes Bizarro lourdes.bizarro@marriotthotels.com.

Vallarta Saludable (Healthy) – Healthy living through organics, stevias, cooking workshops, serums reversing dialysis and reality show.

NAOTF.org Suzy Chaffee suzynativevoices@aol.com

ART

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Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

Ken Edwards: National Treasure

by Tom Swanson www.ColibriDesignVallarta.com

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n 1963, when I was still a boy, my parents took a vacation in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. They came home with a gorgeous set of dinnerware that I will always fondly remember as the “Christmas and Thanksgiving Dishes”. I’ve had a love for it ever since. Some of my brothers and sisters have collected it all their lives. To this day it is still being faithfully made in Tonalá, Jalisco.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., Ken Edwards graduated from the K.C. Fine Arts Institute. He also studied in the Far East. After moving to Guadalajara, he began producing the “Tradicionál” stoneware in 1960.

The product has two main influences; techniques Ken mastered while studying in the Orient, the famous traditional technology of reduction-fired celadon glazes and production in Tonalá without losing popular tradition.

Tonalá has long had a reputation for producing world-class pottery, with artists like the Bernabes, Lucanos, and Jorge Wilmot featured in the National Ceramics Museum located in that city. Having himself worked and shared with many of these artists, KE is truly one of the leaders in this most special of Mexican cities.

Ken Edwards pottery is referred to as stoneware. His special clays produce a very dense type of pottery fired at very high temperatures resulting in a very hard and durable product. All KE

stoneware is certified Lead Free.

It is also dishwasher, microwave and oven safe.

The ceramics of Ken Edwards, with unique designs and shapes, fashioned with the highest quality and artistic value, have always been characterized by the freedom of expression which its painters and potters manifest in each piece.

Edwards allows his craftsmen to choose which of his personally designed elements of flora and fauna, to combine on each item.

Every piece, from small birds and animals to giant vases and lamps, is signed by the artist using the KE logo and a ‘chop mark’, or symbol, which is individual to that particular artist.

Ken Edwards has been strict in his control of quality and content, which is what makes his work so distinctive. Using decorations and patterns based on over 400 year old Nautle civilizations’ traditional

designs from the area around Tonalá, Jalisco.

The wonderful variety of forms and decoration has helped to bring KE wide acceptance in international markets.

His original style, which KE uninspiringly refers to as “Tradicionál”, has changed very little in the last 50 plus years. It can be found in fine restaurants around the world.

Paradise Community Center Events Saturday, December 7: Bedazzled Broadway We celebrate fifty years of Broadway’s best with Bedazzled Broadway! This is a great show! Featuring a professional cast of favorite Vallarta entertainers, this dazzling production showcases best loved numbers from Broadway hits like Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Beauty & Beast and South Pacific. Gary Beck says, “A new musical revue not to be missed.”

EVERY WEEK – Closed Mondays Paradise Church Sundays at 10:30am Zumba Exercise Tuesday - Friday 9:45am Fashions 4 Charity Tuesday – Sat 10am-2pm Book and Bean Coffee Shop Tuesday-Saturday 9:30-2pm Saturday Farmer’s Market 9am-1pm Spanish classes spanishpv@gmail.com Line Dance Class Tuesday at 11am Every Tuesday Film Series at 7pm Yoga Tuesday- Friday at 8:30am

Bedazzled Broadway: Saturdays 8pm thru Dec 14 The Blonde Gypsies: 8pm Wednesday December 4 and 18 Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars: Friday December 13 and 27 at 8pm PV Chamber Orchestra Christmas Concert: Sunday December 15 at 3pm Time to Play Christmas Show: Friday and Saturday December 20, 21 Christmas Eve Service: Tuesday December 24 at 4pm and 5:30pm More details and tickets at ParadiseCommunityCenter.com

Paradise Community Center 127 Pulpito Across from Coco’s Kitchen Community Centre Box Office Tuesday through Saturday 9:30-2pm

Los Pinos, the Mexican White House, has a full set. In fact, a few decades back, Ken Edwards was officially declared a National Treasure of México to honor his contribution to the ceramics art of Tonalá.

Another of his accomplishments...Ken Edwards was influential in the creation of the pottery line “El Palomar”, which is similar to “Tradicionál” and is also still

being made today. In the 1990’s he started a new line, known as “Colección”. Using all of the same hundreds of shapes, “Colección” uses a much more delicate and complicated painting style.

Ken Edwards still has a factory in Tonalá, where his grandson is at the helm. Ken himself has moved to the mountains of northern Guatemala, in San Antonio Palopó, where he has been teaching the locals to make stoneware using traditional Maya decorations.

Using totally different shapes and colors, we look forward to this new work becoming popular among his many fans and collectors.

EVENTS AND SHOPPING 20

Friday Dec 6 - 12, 2013

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Holiday Shopping Information Opera´s Dirty Old Man

By David Rohde

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his is the time of year when our thoughts go to Christmas shopping so if you are in Vallarta you want to find the most unique gifts.

The best way to find something special is to go online to: http://vallartashoppingdirectory.blogspot.com where you will find pages for the best boutiques, jewelry stores, art and handicraft galleries, leather stores, glassware, antiques and collectibles with all their locations and contact information.

Many of these are located off the beaten path and offer items that you won´t find in the malls and chain stores and at special prices. You will also find pastries, breads, specialty foods, imported food and catering for your holiday parties and decoration stores to spice up your home.

There is a page with a complete

list of our best restaurants with photos of their special dishes and Christmas dinner specials. The directory makes it easy to find the phone number for reservations or hours.

There are even travel agencies if you want to gift a trip and real estate agencies if you decide to give yourself a new home for Christmas.

Keep a copy of this directory on your computer desktop for a quick reference to phone numbers, hours and websites to make your shopping super easy.

This guide is kept up to date so you won´t go searching for places that have moved or no longer exist, plus you will find new places that have recently opened.

Vallartashoppingdirectory.blogspot.com

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eatro Vallarta will be the scene for the Metropolitan Opera´s HD broadcast of Verdi’s “Falstaff” on Saturday, December 14th at 12 noon. This is a transmission of a live matinee performance in New York and seen in theaters around the world. Stars of the Met act as hosts and welcome you, giving behind the scenes information and interviews. Due to a lack of Mexicans attending these simulcasts in PV, the subtitles are in ENGLISH!!!

“Falstaff” is Verdi´s last opera and his only comedy. Sir John Falstaff is a down-at-the heels knight that is as round as he is tall.

His seeks financial security through wine, women, song and cuckoldry. The character

of Sir John was derived from Shakespeare´s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “Henry IV, Parts I & II. This production updates the setting to England in the 1950´s with appropriate costumes and color palette. For a synopsis of the opera, google “metopera.org” and click on to the heading “HD Broadcasts”.

Cast and story line are available there.

For an article about the costumes and color palette and the tweaking necessary for the camera closeups, google “What Becomes a Diva Most?” and click on to the nytimes link.

Tickets are available in advance at the Teatro Vallarta box office usually open at 10:30 a.m. There was rumor circulating about the closure of the Theater. The entire season of these HD broadcasts is listed on the Teatro Vallarta website.

Bucerias this week Encore Restaurant Live Music this week - starts at 7 pm Dec 1, 2, 3 - Ms. Armi Grano Dec 4 and 6 - Ms. Armi Grano and the Viva Jazz Trio Dec 5 - Armi and Gerry on Keys Please make reservations at 329 298 0140

PURR PROJECT BINGO Wednesday, December 4 - 4:30 AT MARGARITA GRILL STARRING THE PV MEN’S CHORUS

The Vallarta Chamber Orchestra Sunday, December 15, at the Paradise Community Center (3 PM) Monday, December 16 at the Marival Hotel and Convention Center (8 PM)

Cruise Ship Arrivals

Ahoy! Welcome to Puerto Vallarta STATENDAM HOLLAND STATENDAM HOLLAND

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Viva Bucerias International Music Festival 2013 Sunday, December 8th – free family event in the Plaza starts at 3pm

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

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

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ith businesses to serve all your needs including a major grocery store, media and design, gym, dental care, healthcare, beauty, fashion, first run English and Spanish movies, arcades for the young at heart, and international and Mexican cuisine, plus the services you need like cable, internet and telephone. It is truly a one-stop shopping centre.

Plaza Caracol holds regular community oriented events including musical presentations, pet rescue, art shows and holiday festivities.

There is always something exciting going on here! Visit Plaza Caracol today to experience the warmth and hospitality of a truly Vallartense destination. We welcome you to Plaza Caracol.

Located across the street from Canto del Sol and the Cornerstone Hospital, Plaza Caracol is centrally located in Puerto Vallarta’s Versalles neighbourhood, only minutes from downtown, Fluvial and the hotel zone.

Plaza Caracol is the most established shopping centre in Puerto Vallarta with over 25 years in the community.

At Plaza Caracol you will find more services, shops and events than any other shopping centre in the city.

Visit these excellent locations and more at Plaza Caracol Boutique simarik: everything for the modern woman. Most current fashion trends with the best prices. Season clothing, shoes, accessories, perfumes, bikinis. We pride ourselves on offering the best personal attention. For christmas we have an excellent selection of gifts. Visit us to learn why Simarik is the best fashion boutique. We are waiting for you.

TK: Original designs of necklaces, bracelets and earrings made with natural stones, pearls, crystals, gold-plated, silver-plated and aluminum. We create custom designs to your style.

Optical Alvarez: is the top vision care provider serving Puerto Vallarta since 1990.

We give your eyes the best care possible

using advanced equipment. Same day on-site service for most eyeglass and contact lenses.

DESIGNER LIMAC: With 25 year of experience with all types of electronic accessories including audio, video and computers. Now offering repairs services for computer equipment and security systems. We also offer home delivery.

Dr. Carlos Diaz-Medical Spa is a health and beauty medical center that offers: anti-aging treatments, Botox, facial fillers, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), micro-peels, facial rejuvenation, mesotherapy, massage, laser hair removal, vein removal, diminished sun and age spots and homeopathic medical services.

Located across the street from Canto del Sol and the Cornerstone Hospital, Plaza Caracol is centrally located in Puerto Vallarta’s Versalles neighbourhood, only minutes from downtown, Fluvial and the hotel zone.

www.skinlasser.blogspot.com Tel. (322) 222 88 99 Email: skunlasserspa@hotmail.com PLAZA CARACOL LOCAL D-7 PUERTO VALLARTA, JALISCO