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Feb 21 - 27, 2014 Free Issue 881
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Friday February 21 - 27, 2014 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 Team Fernando ayala lopez SALES manager salestribune@outlook.com 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 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 of Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the southern part of the State of Nayarit starting from San Blas in the north. BUSES: A system of urban buses with different routes can bring you from one end of the bay to the other and all the spots in between. Current fare is $7.50 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 03
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Editor´s Note The last of my family visitors leaves this weekend. My calendar is clear. Major projects are completed. I might even take a couple days off. What to do? What to do? Let’s imagine that I have an entire three days free to spend as I wish in and around Puerto Vallarta. Money is no object and getting to and fro is a breeze… What to do? Well, besides holing up in an all-inclusive and literally doing nothing, here is how I would (will) spend my mini-vacation. Book an oceanview room at a charming boutique hotel and wake up to perfect coffee and delicious (fat-free because it’s my imagination) eggs benny. Head to Boca de Tomatlan with the dogs in tow for an early(ish) morning hike to Las Animas. Catch the panga back and make my way to the Vallarta Botanical gardens. Exclaim over the cascading orchids, browse the lovely gift shop and take a dip in the river below. Back track to Mismaloya and spend a couple hours in the Vallarta Zoo feeding monkeys and zebras by hand, cuddling baby tigers and getting a friendly lick from the giraffes.
Watch out for the Baboon, he can be cranky. Back to the hotel and dinner on the beach, drinks, a little music and off to bed. Day Two starts off with fluffy waffles fresh fruit and real whip cream and bacon. Today we are going to do a little shopping along Basilio Badillio. Money being no object I’m splurging on that cool Matador painting at Galeria Dante and chunky silver jewelry at Cassandra Shaw. In the afternoon, I am grabbing my son and we are heading out on the water to witness the spectacle that is the Humpback whales. Hopefully we’ll see a pod of dolphins, some sea turtles and manta rays. That night I’m going to catch a show at one of the theaters around town. Maybe one of the Drag Showsthat would be fun! Day Three – Roadtrip! First to Bucerias for the best fresh shrimp salad then up to Sayulita for sun, sand and surf – plus the shopping is pretty amazing here too. Maybe I can find the perfect outfit for my new silver jewelry. Taking the back roads through Higuera Blanca, I stop for the best pizza this side of Bucerias at the road side surf shack. Back to Puerto Vallarta and with my new outfit on, I’m heading to dinner- maybe on the Marigalante (pirate boat)– or maybe something romantic at Café des Artists – we’ll have to see how that goes. Day Four – ohhhh. Right. Back to reality. Whether you are here for a week or year-round activities opportunities abound, right here in the Bay. Looking for more ideas? Send me an email I’ll happily live vicariously through your vacation plans! Have a great week, Madeline
Letters to the Editor Dear Ms. Milne: his may or may not be of interest to your Mexican readers and provide a touch of nostalgia to Canadian tourist/ residents in PV. This is at the back of our home on Whitestone Lake in Dunchurch, Ontario. It was just after a two foot dumping of snow and before a two-day -30 degree freeze. (Notice the snow buildup to the bottom of our bedroom windows) This is the type of thing we’ve been experiencing up here in Canada and which is heightening our desire to be in Puerto Vallarta. We will be there in four weeks from mid-March to mid-April visi-
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ting with local friends while staying at the Grand Beach Pelicanos Resort. We are looking forward to becoming more involved with IFC activities and bringing clothing donations to a local orphanage. Don and Lynn
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
Around Town with Julie
juliemongeau@gmail.com
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feel a little out of the loop these days. Hockey season is at its peek and the Olympics are being cheered across the world, and of course at our sports bars you can feel the enthusiasm and hear the cheers a mile away, but for some strange reason I feel completely aloof and quite honestly, disinterested. I grew up being very much involved in winter sports; my weekends consisted of early morning rises, long johns and of course a cup of hot cocoa, all this before facing the cold and hitting the slopes. Lately, the most gearing up I`ve been doing is throwing on a light sweater in the early morning to beat the ever so bearable chill, other than that my wardrobe as been pretty simple! That is probably some of the reasoning behind being disinterested in winter sports and the Olympics this year - context and environment does have quite a bit to do with it. So if like me you don’t care for the winter sports and you are
looking for diverse ways to fill your evenings, I will gladly list off many very entertaining ways to dress up your evening and give you reason to stand up, applaud and maybe even cheer. As you may know Puerto Vallarta is turning into quite the theatrical town. Off (off, off) Broadway musicals, drag queen shows, stand-up comedy acts, open mic nights, plays, singing competitions and all around enter-
tainment is readily available seven days a week. If you are looking for a great deal every Saturday from 9:00 to 1:00 at the Paradise Community Center, the Vallartatickets.com team, which I am proud to say that I am a part of, is selling 2 for 1 tickets for a wide variety of events showing that coming week. So come on down, come say Hi! and I will gladly tell you about what going on around town in the entertainment world, in PV - of course!
NEWS 04
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
In Mexico
MEXICO IN THE NEWS
“Six markets to watch: Mexico,”
BUSINESS NEWS
Foreign Affairs, bruary 2014
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emex placed 4 billion dollars in international markets, the biggest debt issue in its history. It also announced the construction of a sulfur solidifying plant in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, for 500 million pesos, whose production will be exported to China, India, Brazil and Mediterranean countries. The Mexican oil company also began the export of Olmec-type crude to Europe to diversify and strengthen the participation of Mexican crude in the international market. In addition, along with Guatemala, the state-owned enterprise will build a 1.2-billion dollar pipeline to supply cheaper gas to local manufacturers, due to begin operating in 2016. In Mexico, Pemex signed a technology transfer agreement with leading shipbuilding companies, which seeks to share experiences to enhance the capacities of Mexican shipyards and the supply industry. Pemex also bought Agro Nitrogenados, affiliate of Altos Hornos de México (Ahmsa), for 475 million dollars, to revive the production of fertilizers in the country. Finally, Pemex
Navy History Museum on the Malecon now in English
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ntil today, the treasures of the Museo Historico Naval have been available to Spanish speakers only, through the written information accompanying the 154 displays. Team Teachers and Translators was asked by the Navy to translate everything into English. Now English speakers may take a copy of the translation available at the front desk and tour the many salons at leisure. This is a major cultural attraction in PV, a must-see for locals and visitors alike. Upstairs, there is a lovely breakfast restaurant with good food and great prices, as well as a panoramic view of the bay. Kitchen closes at noon. Museum open Tuesday through Sunday starting a 9 AM.
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January/Fe-
Once hidden behind high tariffs, quotas, subsidies, and hundreds of state-owned enterprises, Mexico’s economy is now one of the most open in the world. Nevertheless, the economic dividends from Enrique Peña Nieto’s ambitious economic reform agenda have yet to appear.
found resources estimated between 150 and 200 million barrels of oil equivalent in Exploratus-1, a deep water well in the Perdido area in the Gulf of Mexico. Cisco, the US networking giant, is to invest 1.35 billion dollars in support centers, engineer training and manufacturing development in Mexico, where it will create more than 900 jobs. Virgin Mobile, the British mobile phone company, will start operations in Mexico at the hands of Telefónica, with a focus on sales, marketing and client services. Blockbuster México, the film and video game rental chain, was acquired by Elektra, of the Salinas Group, for 408 million pesos; the latter will offer on-demand video service and extend its range of financial services through the branches of the former. Bimbo is emerging as the leading candidate to acquire Canada Bread Co. Ltd. from the hands of the main owner Maple Leaf Foods Inc. The acquisition will strengthen the position of the Mexican bakery in North America.
ECONOMIC NEWS
The Mexican economy could grow 3.8% in 2014, and rally to between 4.2% and 4.3% for 2015, thanks to the approved reform package, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit
(SHCP) estimated growth at 3.9% for this year. Enrique Peña Nieto, president of Mexico, enacted a financial reform bill that seeks to promote credit and boost economic growth. The new rules aim to increase competition in the sector, reduce borrowing costs, facilitate the recovery of guarantees by banks and strengthen regulatory bodies, among other measures. The financial reform will double the penetration of credit and contribute 0.5 percentage points to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to estimates by the SHCP and the Bank of Mexico (Banxico).
TRAVEL AND TOURISM
The Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), the National Fund for Tourism Development (Fonatur) and ProMéxico signed a collaboration agreement that seeks to create information, training and technical assistance projects to strengthen and modernize Mexican tourism enterprises. The generation of foreign currency from international travelers in Mexico grew by 8.8% between January and November 2013, reaching 12.303 billion dollars, according to figures from Banxico. The number of travelers from the US to Mexico climbed to 15.1 million by the end of the third quarter of 2013, the highest figure for a similar period in the last three years, informed the US Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
“Alfonso Cuarón wins Directors Guild award with ‘Gravity’”, El Mundo, 26/01/2014
Cuarón has become the first Hispanic to take home the Directors Guild of America (DGA) award for best director. The DGA award is a reliable predictor of who will take the Oscar as best director.
“After 70 years of “Has Mexico’s mo- dialogue, Canada and Mexico ready ment finally arrifor closer relations, ved?” The Guardian, 09/01/2014
José Antonio Meade Kuribreña,” The Globe & Mail, 29/01/2014
Mexico begins the new year bathed in predictions that its “moment” has finally arrived thanks, primarily, to a frenzy of reforms since President Enrique Peña Nieto took office in December 2012.
We are each other’s third-largest trading partner. Total commercial exchanges exceed 35 billion dollars a year, and approximately 3,000 Canadian companies do business in Mexico.
International business convention set for june Doraliz Terrón Moreno TRIBUNA DE LA BAHÍA
Translation by Michelle Mayer-Fulfer
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ith the participation of 450 domestic and foreign enterprises, 2,200 exporters and expected to generate more than $300 million dollars in transactions, Puerto Vallarta will host the Macro Business Round of Pacific Partnership 2014. Enrique Ramos Flores, Minister of Tourism, recently spoke about this agreement whose establishment was bolstered by the efforts of the Governor of the State of Jalisco, Jorge Aristoteles Sandoval Diaz. The governor signed this agreement with ProMéxico . He stressed that this will be the second edition of the Macro Business Round Alliance Pacific which will count as participating countries Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, among others. Ramos Flores clarified that this meeting will take place at the International Convention Center the 19th and 20th of June. Among the convention’s aims is focusing on expanding business and trade in participating countries, along
with finding new ways to open up the Asian markets, namely Japan, Korea and South China. He added that within this framework, the chief sectors that the convention will look at are construction, automotive, mining and agricultural industries. The issue of food development in general will also be on the forefront.
NEWS 05
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
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By Erin Staley oldtownfm.com
Fun from A to Z at the OTFM-TC
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his week, we honor the late, great Shirley Temple (19282014) with our own “make it, bake it, grow it” version of “Animal Crackers in My Soup”. See how many letters you can find this Saturday! Art made with heart is plentiful here with ColorPod, Patricia Gawle’s ceramics, Artisans of Madre Selva’s paintings and Wiki’s wood boxes. Breads – hearty and flavorful – are made fresh by Artisan Bakery & Panart. Cheese, please! We have fresh, all-natural cheeses from Don Queso and Only Cheese. Dresses for girls (size NB-10) and 18-inch dolls are created by Poder de Niña/Girl Power. Empanadas by Vera Bakery Café & Empanadas Angel are a great addition to any meal. Fused glass trash-to-treasure jewelry and décor are handcrafted by Vitrofusion Reciclado.
Graphic work by Tellografia features iconic areas of our beloved city. Huichol art by Marcos Martin Jimènez represents the indigenous beliefs of the Huichol people. India Gate serves up a special blend of authentic spices to create their savory cuisine. Jams and jellies by Mami Jam’s will add locally grown “sweetness” to your weekly menu. Kimchi (Korean side dish) and kombucha (tea) – both fermented goodies – are served up fresh by Good Guttyworks. Leather cuff bracelets by Liliana Arte are perfectly partnered with any outfit. Musical instruments by Nestor Villasenor Garcia make the perfect gift for music and history lovers. Natural fiber is the choice of the day with Artesanias de Oaxaca bags and Escobas Artesanales de Mexico brooms. Organic coffee beans are roasted by El Fortin & Café
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
Yolanda Superior del Pacifico Pets will love Organ-ick’s preservative-free, dehydrated beef and chicken organ treats. Quiche from The Leek and Thistle Pie Company is the perfect to-go snack. Ribs and savory BBQ sauce by El Torito World Famous BBQ Sauce & Ribs – need we say more? Services are plentiful at the OTFM-TC. Treat yourself to a massage or chiropractic treatment. Tinctures by One Plant Herbs promote good health and a better night’s sleep. U What would the market be without U? Vintage spoon jewelry by Chantel is any fashionista’s go-to accessory. Whiskey by Dorwart Whiskey is handcrafted from locally grown Azteca corn. Xocodiva’s chocolate dipped bananas are a tasty seaside treat. Yoghurt is done Greek-style by the talents of La Vaka Gorda. Zancudoff is the area’s favorite all-natural bug repellent from Shining Sprouts. 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. 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 the last Saturday in May. Visit us on www. oldtownfm.com or Facebook.
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.
SHEPARD MISSING
Nina went missing from Olas Altas by Daquiri Dick’s playa Los Muertos on the weekend. Please call 322-111-0864 Reward $2000 pesos
No matter when you visit, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit will share their wonders with you.
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LOCAL 06
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
Paradise and Parenting
This is Paradise... By Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com
By Leza Warkentin
Sibling Harmony and Other Pipedreams
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here’s been some bad juju around here this week. I’m starting to wonder if sibling love levels wax and wane with some sort of lunar cycle. Actually I’d probably call it more of a plummet instead of a wane. Also, I haven’t seen any real waxing for quite a while. At this very moment, we have calm in the house (not dissimilar to the eye of the storm). My daughter is quietly writing her own instruction book on how to draw happy flowery creatures and my son is reading his new Magic Tree House book. After he finishes I plan to point out that the main characters are siblings the same age as he and his sister, and that they never fight, even though they are entirely unsupervised during all of their many adventures. I find that fact as unrealistic as the fact that the children in the book series can time travel. Perhaps you too have heard some of these statements at your house: “If you are going to sing that loud, then I will sing that loud too” (Two loud, equally obnoxious but entirely different songs are then sung for the better part of the drive from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Nuevo Vallarta. There are parental interventions. Let’s not dwell.). “_____________ is touching my dog with his/her foot.” “_______________hit me just for touching his/her dog. With my foot.” To be honest, my husband and I purposefully had our children 20 months apart. This was for the playing thing and the friendship thing and all of the things that make you feel like a Great Parent, like when you’re at a birthday party and your kid is the only one who asks for water instead of soda.
But sometimes the closeness means each one grows weary of: the way his sister always puts bows in his dog’s fur, or how her brother refuses haircuts when it is so obviously necessary. So in other words, sibling conflict is a normal, albeit beastly part of family life. I have a few tips for anyone in the trenches with me. These are preventative measures I’ve taken that are obviously not 100% foolproof. But at least you will feel like you’re doing something. 1. Help them learn to be a team. Mine enjoy tag-teaming to play practical jokes on their parents. But ideally, it would look more like a token-type system, possibly as part of an allowance, when they are “caught” doing something nice to each other or spending time together without one instance of hair-pulling. 2. Create an environment of mutual respect and tolerance. Have you ever been in a home where everyone “uses their words” and “labels their feelings”? Don’t go there anymore. Just model how you want your children to treat their siblings and you should be alright. 3. Facilitate, don’t judge. Ask the combatants what made them angry and to name three ways of solving the situation. As hard as it is not to just tell them that they are both dead wrong and will be spending the next 37 years “thinking it over” in their rooms, it’s nice to use conflict as a learning opportunity. When they figure out how to find solutions on their own and use their own developing empathy to solve problems, they will carry this knowledge over to their daily lives at school. And this leads to more Great Parent Feelings. Personally, I can’t see the downside to that.
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he Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars will be back on the Paradise Stage this Friday, February 21st, at 8 pm as usual. For those of you who know the magic these four incredible musicians create: rejoice! LAST Friday, Valentine’s Day, they celebrated with their wives instead of us and, knowing their wives as we do, we completely understand, but are so very happy V Day is only once a year. Pastor Ric has started a(nother) new thing at the Paradise Community Center - he has a gigantic money vase in his favorite color - orange (to match his favorite pants) - into which everyone who enjoys the food and/or entertainment on the Paradise Stage can give whatever money they want. For those of you who are new to town or are happily visiting Vallarta, the charity that Pastor Ric and wife Joy began a few years ago will be opening an orphanage for abandoned kids very soon. I don’t have space to go into any details but suffice it to say all profits go back into Compassionet Impact to HELP. One small example of where the money from that glass of wine you bought last week goes: The PCC feeds 500 kids a week. A week! EVERY week. Imagine if everyonewho walked into the PCC dropped a 50 peso note in Ric’s orange vase -
that number, for example, is over 2,000 people in just four hours every single Saturday at Market. Thank heaven they don’t all show up at once but it really does take a village and that’s exactly what the Community Center is. And, we have TONS of fun in our Community “Village”. We have some of the finest musicians (Latcho & Andrea on March 5th) from all over the world that come and play nearly every night of the week on our Stage. Our Co-op Market draws huge crowds every Saturday. We have The Puerto Vallarta Garden Club monthly meeting every third Thursday at 11 am. All of you are welcome to come and find out how we are trying to make Vallarta even more beautiful with every tree we plant, every planter we build and maintain. There is so much work to do and we sure would love your help. Right now we are in the planning stages of our second annual Bugambilia Festival coming up in May - it is going to be a sensational three days! We are going global with this one and need volunteers. Please stop by my table every Saturday Market for more information. Also, please come to our fabulous cocktail party/fundraiser on the 27th at Casa Chickie. If you have ever wondered how the Rich and
Famous live - for just 400 pesos you can be a part of it and help out the Bugambilia Festival at the same time. Again, stop by every Saturday if you have any questions. And we have Zumba classes and yoga and line dancing and Spanish classes - great food, Joy’s Margarita’s...the Academy Awards are being celebrated for more than a week prior to that event with all the nominated movies being shown at the PCC. If anybody asks what else there is to do in Vallarta besides relaxing - come to the PCC and get involved in some life changing volunteer work. You may never get to meet any of the people who benefit because you care but keep this thought in mind: because of you a small child left on the street will have his own clean bed and his own teddy bear and will sleep safely, eat properly and grow up with a set of loving parents and siblings in a house... maybe just like you did. Till next week, take care of our tourists: make sure they have a great time here in our wonderful city. The Paradise Community Center, Pulpito 127 between Olas Altas and Amapas Streets in Old Town Puerto Vallarta smack in the middle of the Romantic Zone and/ or The New Theatre District.
Auténtica Comida Mexicana y Mariscos Authentic Mexican Food and Sea Food
OLAS ALTAS Shops and Restaurants Lazaro Cardenas Park
Olas Altas # 220, Col. Emiliano Zapata Nextel: 1862226 Cel. 322 138 8770 email: edward@puertovallartalimo.com
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Facial, Waxing Lazaro Cardenas # 155 Local 4 Col. Emiliano Zapata Reexology Hair Care, Skin, Nail xelhamassages@hotmail.com Tel. 222 0887 Cel. 044 (322) 779 5479
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ale
Electrotherapy
Lumphatic Drainage
Rio Cu
Herbal Bags
Quiromassage
4 7 2
DAILY EXCURSIONS CRUISE SHIP BAY PIRATE SHIP DOLPHINS
CANOPY HORSE BACK RIDING FISHING BOATS DAY SUNSET SAILING RHYTHMS OF THE NIGHT ATV`S TOURS DUNE BUGGYS AND MORE...
JOSÉ GARCÍA GONZÁLEZ
CEL. 044 322 152 9696
Pino Suarez
8 6
to Centro
Basillo Badilio
Obsidian Stones Therapy
Deep Tissue
Lazaro Cardenas
Therapeutic
Francisco I. Madero
Magnets Therapy
Aquiles Serdan
Shiatsu
Swedish
Every Saturday 9am-2pm Nov-May at Lazaro Cardenas Park
Ignacio L. Vallarta
Xelha Massages Massages
Old Town Farmers Market
Lazaro Cardenas Park
Los ABUELOS RESTAURANT-BAR
3 5
Olas Altas
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Lázaro Cárdenas & Olas altas street # 155
3 Blue Bird Special $ 65.00 Beer & Margarita $ 20.00 Blue Bird Special
free shot of tequila with yer
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Lime Margaritas $ 20.00 pesos
Mon - Fri 12pm - 5pm Mon-Fried Chicken plate Tue-Chicken Burrito Wed-Meat loaf & potatoes Thu-Enchiladas plate Fri - Fish plate
Calle Lazaro Cardenas # 175 Eleazar Domíguez 322 206 5691 Email: mamacocoa98@gmail.com / facebook.com/blue.birds.puerto.vallarta
Banderas Bay
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his little corner of paradise has so much to offer. Often when we make plans to meet up in ‘Old
Los Muertos Pier
Town’ we agree to meet at Lazaro Cardenas Park. It’s convenient and the buses and taxis stop right out front.
Roberto Flores Díaz Silver Jewelry Tel. 222 5920
Olas Altas #250 Col. Emiliano Zapata www.internetpv.com/silver
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CANTO DEL MAR Beach Club Restaurant Bar
cattering service events www.cantodelmar.net puerto vallarta mexico
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Olas Altas # 210, Col. Emiliano Zapata Tel. 222 7307 Cel. 331 520 4315
CARNE SIN VINO VALE UN COMINO Jorge Serrano R Lazaro Cardenas 155 Col. Emiliano Zapata Puerto Vallarta, Jal. Tel. 2090 639
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On Saturdays there is the Old Town Farmer’s Market, at night there is often folk dancing and throughout the year many events such as the Bugambillia Festival take place in the park. Just off the beach and centred around many popular restaurants and shops this little park is the social centre of the Emiliano Zapato neighbourhood. You can find beachfront dining at Los Abelos or Canto del Mar, great steaks at Serrano’s, home-style meals at Bluebirds and coffee and comfy chairs with free wifi at A Page in the Sun. Book a day trip with Jose at Daily Excursions (no timeshare!), pick out a great piece of silver jewelry at Roberto Florez or take a moment for yourself and enjoy a great massage at Xelha.
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
ART & CULTURE 08
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Interview with artist Brewster Brockmann by Marianne Menditto www.ColibriDesignVallarta.com
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’m chatting today with renowned local artist, Brewster Brockmann. We’re here in Gary Thompson’s. Galería Pacífico in Puerto Vallarta centro where his works have been displayed for many years. In addition to a BA in biology with a minor in botany from Bennington College in Vermont, Brewster received an MFA in ceramics at the Cranbrook Institute in Michigan. He is the son of an American mother and Mexican father, who met while attending the Rhode Island School of Design. Indeed, many members of his family are artists. His academic training enables him to create works in a wide variety of media. By way of his upbringing in a bi-cultural family of artists, Brewster inherits a wealth of mythology, symbolism and characters, to inform his multi-layered paintings, drawings and terra cotta sculptures. Brewster’s 2014 show will open during the Wednesday Art Walk on February 26th at 6pm to 10pm. Gary welcomes one and all with a hearty laugh and complimentary refreshments. Marianne: For all of us who love México, let me just say that you have been very lucky to have been raised in such a vital bi-cultural household. Brewster: Yes, I think that’s also a part of the work and my persona, I’m not a Mexican, but I’m also not an American. The work has a lot of influence from a Mexican perspective. It’s really the old
México, the kind of religious ceremonial life and that, as well, is very influenced by my academic years in the States and the whole contemporary art movement that’s happened around the world. Marianne: How did you come to live in the Vallarta area? Brewster: I grew up in Guadalajara. Our family visited PV often
during each year, staying at my grandfather’s vacation house. When I finished graduate school in 1995 my wife (who lived in PV until she was a teenager) and I visited PV to decide where and what we were going to do and after a couple of weeks we fell for the local lifestyles, the energy of the town and realized
an interesting life could develop here, so we stayed. Marianne: You’ve had 13 years and 12 shows with Gary here at Galeria Pacifico...that’s quite impressive. Do you have any reflections on that? Brewster: Even though that’s a lot of shows in the same space, for Puerto Vallarta being sort of a traditional “Art Park” it’s still... there’s just something in Galeria Pacifico that’s kind of still very true to the Vallarta Art Spirit. I’ve gotten to know Gary really well and I like the fact that when people come in and show interest in the work, he doesn’t really throw them a sales pitch, he really understands what the work is about and where it’s coming from. So that’s where he’ll start putting the work in focus. So, I think the fact that we understand each other completely kind of keeps it interesting in here. Marianne: ¡¡¡Viva Gary!!! Is there a special focus for the show you’ll be debuting this
coming Wednesday? (Art Walk Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014) Brewster: This show has a strong focus on terra cotta sculpture. After years of working with local ground clay and wood [fired] kilns I reached a point technically where I could construct larger pieces without them feeling brittle. This is partly due to my becoming a better burnisher. I’ve also experimented with firing processes that result in rich color with accidental details that add a lot of life to the clay pieces. I’m also showing a collection of small figures which are a continuation of a clay population I began forming about 12 years ago. These also get burnished now and their dark shiny surface gives them a stronger presence than the earlier figures. The paintings I will be showing are mostly on paper mounted on wood with a lot of drawing. The various layers of images over images create a journal made of
COLECTIKA - The Ancestral Contemporary Art Gallery at 858 Guadalupe Sanchez corner of Allende is proud to present Jacobo and Maria Angeles from San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca on the 26th of February. As part of the traditional Wednesday night ART WALK, a cocktail reception will be held from 6 to 10 p.m.
Come and see why Jacobo and Maria have become two of the most collected artists from Oaxaca. They will demonstrate not only their wood carving but also how they create the natural paints that make their pieces even more sought after by collectors. For more information please call 222-2302 or email peyotepeople@yahoo.com
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
visuals. The images relate to thoughts and memories I’m processing, recent experiences, forms I am fascinated with at a particular moment and my concerns with the destructive nature of humanity as well as humanity’s love and respect for our natural world. Marianne: Do you work on multiple projects at the same time? Brewster: Yes, that’s just sort of the way I’ve been working for a long time. So, these days I make forms out of clay, I do large works on linen or canvas with oil paints, and then I do a lot of mixed media on paper. So that’s kind of the three things that I’m always doing. And basically, I’ll work on one until it gets kind of stuck or I get kind of fed-up with it and I’ll put it aside, so I’m just kind of jumping from those three, back and forth and it makes the work a little more interesting. And a lot of times with these mixed media pieces that are very textured and with all kind of images, I’ll work out little design works for forms in the clay, then I’ll jump to the clay piece and maybe the surface of the clay will effect certain surfaces of the painting. Marianne: Wow, very interesting...now, have you invented any personal technology or tools to facilitate your creations? Brewster: Actually, no, I think that the way I work is quite traditional, hand-built clay, a lot of pencil, ink, acrylic paint...so my techniques are quite traditional. When I was in school, I was exposed to a very contemporary studio environment, with all kinds of gas kilns and electric kilns and wood kilns and the glaze lab and very sophisticated stuff and then when I finished school I came here and I wanted to continue making clay sculpture, so I was immediately faced with this big problem of not having any money and that it
ART & CULTURE 09
would require a lot of money have a studio that resembled what I’d somewhat become accustomed to. And then I met this man who became a good friend and a kind of teacher of mine who makes a lot of pre-columbian figures, some of them reproductions and he said ‘Oh, you can work with what’s right here in the area, you can still make good clay sculpture, there won’t be any glazing but as far as the forms and surfaces go, you can get whatever you need here.’ So, we dug the clay directly out of the ground and then we fired in a traditional Mexican wood kiln, which is what they use to make a lot of the folk art Marianne: What do you want your art to say or do? And do you tell stories? Brewster: Yeah, there’s always a narrative and I think the story I want to tell is just a reminder, as much to myself, as to everybody else, that we’re still a part of this great natural system and as much as we forget about it, in this daily, civilized world. The damage that we’ve done to the natural environment that we’re part of, is tremendous. So, I don’t really want to portray the destruction as much as just to remind ourselves that it’s part of us, you know. That hopefully, at some point, we’ll start respecting the natural cycle and that it needs to become just as important to us as the civilized world. Traveling the villages and searching for the vintage masks is something I’ve been into for a long time. So, that influences my work in a big way. Both literally and figuratively. Through traveling to ethnic parts of México and seeing their sort of Indigenous-Catholic ceremonial life, there are two big fulfillments, the collecting of certain special objects and then also just
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to see people who still make art for cultural purposes and cultural identity more than for pursuing an individual vision. A lot of the traditional culture is a certain respect for the natural world, the natural cycle, which is very unusual in our modern world, so being exposed to that is very fulfilling. Check out Gary’s great website here www.galeriapacifico.com
EXHIBITION
Brewster Brockmann
Wednesday February 26th & March 5th
COCKTAILS 6-10 PM
Aldama 174, Downtown, Tel. (322) 222 1982 galeriapacifico@gmail.com Art Walk - Camino al Arte
NATURE 10
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
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Banderas Taking Flight: The 3rd Vallarta Bird Festival Bay Initiative By MarĂa del Mar Zamora maria.zamora@bbini.org
Pictures By: Greg Homel
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arch 6-9th will see the 3rd Vallarta Bird Festival. With tours from Bioto Road and Tuito to Laguna del Quelele and the Marietas Islands the Festival offers a great way to immerse yourself in the many habitats of the Banderas Bay with a unique outlook: its amazing bird variety. The variety of color, shape, song and size we can see in birds in our region is one of the many magical cards Banderas Bay has up its sleeve. Already it contributes to the overall experience which keeps people coming back for more. However it also has the potential to be one of the pillars of
a more sustainable development for the region. The bird watching market is flourishing and already extremely lucrative. Although the market in Mexico is still largely untapped, in 2006 it brought in at least $23.9 million dollars, 54 times more than bird-capture. The economic spillover in Costa Rica in 1999 from bird watching was $410 million dollars. The Banderas Bay region is home to around 350 bird species which means it could and should obtain wide-spread recognition as a world-class birding spot. The first Christmas Bird count scored 202 species with only around
20 observers reporting over the course of a day. The rapid changes in altitude which grant the region its stunning views also create a huge number of different habitats with distinct flora and fauna. Add to that our location as a stop-over for migratory birds and you have a birders paradise. The Vallarta Bird Festival is organized by a local group effort
which is yielding fantastic results. Last year participants collectively saw 2,617 individuals, averaging over 170 species per day. On their third year with 10 different trails the results should be even more impressive. You can register at: http://www. vallartabirdfestival.org. Simply look at the schedule for each day and add tours and transportation to your cart. You can also register for the
public events, which include Bird Identification workshops for kids, a festival market. They are also offering El Salado and Pitillal River birding tours which are a fantastic opportunity to get started on bird watching (kids $50 pesos, adults $100). Space is limited so make sure to register on their site under Public Tours. There are also some fantastic lectures during the festival which are free for festival participants and only $50 pesos per lecture for the public. If you can’t make it to a full tour or just want to dip your toes in the world of bird watching come down to the festival market on March 9th from 8am-5pm at Estero El Salado (gate 4 across from the Naval Hospital). Can’t make it this year but love birding? The dates for 2015 and the 4th Vallarta Bird Festival are March 5th-8th. Mark your calendar! If you have a small business that might be interested in participating as a seller at the market get in touch with the organizers at puertovallartabirdfestival@gmail.com.
Sites Marina
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Visit these excellent locations and more at Plaza Caracol
W 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.
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. 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.
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Del Prado
Wedding XV years Baptisms First communion Stuffed animals Decorative balloons Banquet decoration Floral and fruit arrangements Decorative and scented candles
Jorge y RosalĂa Zaldivar
Tel. (322) 224 4098 Fax. (322) 224 4606
Delivery service national and international
Accepting credit cards
zaldi_38@hotmail.com
Plaza Caracol Locales 1-H / 2-H Puerto Vallarta, Jal.
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.
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ia Ind Gate
Sunday´s Special Main Dishes
$99 pesos Restaurant Bar
Allende 124, Centro.
A few steps from the malecon.
Tel. 223.2424
NATURE 14
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
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Dance group, Xiutla celebrates 20 years By Noemi Zamora
sary, the group is raising funds to stage an exceptional celebration involving many of the people who have been part of the development and growth of this group over the years. Barrios Limón said that they will need to raise approximately $300,000 pesos for this celebration of gratitude which will include performances, a 15 day tour throughout Mexico and recognition of the amazing efforts of the dedicated students, past and present.
Tribuna de la Bahia
Translation by Michelle Meyer-Fulfer
D
edication, zeal and the love for the traditional Mexican folk dance led to the creation of the group “ Xiutla “ which for 20 years has captivated audiences and been worthy representatives of Puerto Vallarta. Enrique Barrios Limón, the director of the group, expressed satisfaction with the tropes achievements. Through what was at times an arduous journey, Barrios Limon learned the lesson of tenacity and love of art. Originally started in July, 1994 with 30 members the original name was Grupo Folklorico Infantil DIF. Five years later the group was renamed Xiutla (shoot-la). The name refers to a place where herbs are born. In their early years, despite inexperience, the group decided to participate in a state folk dance competition. Competing against 38 expe-
rienced dance companies, Xiutla received its first gold medal and the respect and applause of all of Puerto Vallarta. The director stressed that this group has remained successful because city officials, parents and the students, inject the project with passion and love. Barrios Limón said that currently there are about 150 children and young people who make up Xiutla. During its tenure, the dance troop has seen 10 different groupings, or generations, representing more than 600 children
Neighborhood Association of Colonia Emiliano Zapata And The Folk Group Xitula Invite The Public A Great Mexican Folk Fiesta February 21, 2014 From 5Pm Lazaro Cardenas Plaza and Olas Altas Street Join Us For Dinner, Mexican Food, Tamales, Atole, Desserts
who learned the different Mexican folk dances. Barrios Limón’s passion for dance and his leadership has driven the dance group through sometimes difficult times, some tear-worthy and some frustrating including occasions of a lack of artistic criteria, closure by the authorities, lack of monetary resources and unnecessary interference from parents. Through it all, Xiutla has thrived and become a true benchmark of the best of Vallarta’s youth. To mark its 20 year anniver-
ADORABLE DOG IN THE SPOTLIGHT...SPARKLE
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t is still Black Dog Syndrome month and we have another sweetheart to spotlight. How could anyone just walk away from a dog as cute as Sparkle? Yet that was what his former family was willing to do. They were moving and decided to drop him off at the sanctuary, after thinking this a better solution than just leaving him to fend for himself on the street. Sparkle, just as his name suggests, has the most upbeat winning personality. We think he is about a year old and a Poodle/Terrier mix. Please contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.
RIVIERA NAYARIT 15
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
Forever Spring Farmers Market Every Wednesday In Bucerias from 9am to 1pm
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ocated in the beautiful gardens of Rosa Mexicano restaurant and the Happy Shrimp, we now have 90 vendors offering you gourmet food, high class arts and crafts, and live music from 11 am. Location is one block from the ocean at Lazaro Cardenas 88-90 (opposite Encore who serve great breakfasts from 9 am). Visitors to Rosa Mexicano market are offered a 20% discount on dinner in the R.M. restaurant (ask any vendor for the discount cards) and live mariachi music is on Thurs and Fri nights from 7.30pm. This week we have more
new vendors in the R.M. food court and garden and the return of the Wine Facials in the Happy Shrimp massage tent! Humberto is back this week at H.S. with his tree bark art, Penelope returns with her oven roasted veggie empanadas and salsa, and Monse is bringing her organic Chia which she sells by the half or full kilo at very good prices. See them in the entrance to Happy Shrimp. All your favourites are in the Rosa Mexicano as usual, with the addition of 2 new food vendors offering traditional Mexican savouries.
Special Bridal Package
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Bridal Veil Make-Up Hairstyle MANICURE AND PEDICURE
$1,499.00 PESOS
RESERVATIONS: candy.marina@hotmail.com
Tel. (322) 221 3694 Cel. (322) 105 0183
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Banderas Bay Butterfies Bordered Peacock (Amartia fatima)
*Interesting facts: There are two colour forms, one with a white band and another with a yellow band, which can be produced as siblings from the same female. Apparently some research has indicated that the males of both colour morphs prefer females with a white band. White has high ultraviolet reflectivity and the yellow is more absorptive, although what that means in terms of survival is beyond my research powers.
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his must be the most common butterfly of Mexico, at least in areas that have seen human disturbance, where it thrives in open fields, roadsides and disturbed areas at all times of the year. It is a medium sized (6-7cm), easily recognizable butterfly that lays its green eggs on members of the Acanthacaea family, which include many plants with tubular shaped flowers, such as the wild petunias, thumbergias, and shrimp plants. The caterpillars are black with spines that are covered in short hairs, with two antennae-like projections from behind their head. Males, which are smaller than females, are territorial and will continuously patrol their chosen area, or can be found perching protectively while surveying their domains, apparently where they are most likely to become a tasty
by Moralea Milne
snack for birds and lizards. You will often find individuals with torn and tattered rear wings, which are less strong than the forewings. This can enable the butterfly to occasionally break free of a predator. There is some information that Bordered Peacocks can limit diversity of other pollinators in an area. They are the proverbial early bird who gets the worm as they start feeding as early as 7:30 am, depleting the nectar resources before many other insects, especially other butterflies, have begun to feed.
REAL ESTATE 16
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
Steps for Purchasing a Property in Puerto Vallarta Pt 1: By Miguel Fernandez miguel@g3mex.com
Choosing a Real Estate Agent
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n the next several weeks I’ll look at all of the ingredients that go into purchasing a property safely and intelligently in the Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit. This week we focus on choosing a real estate agent. So you’ve been to Mexico a number of times, and you’ve decided that investing in a property in and around the Bay of Banderas would be perfect for your lifestyle, offering a blend of a beautiful climate, the ocean, mountains, and the types of recreational and social activities that suit your lifestyle. One of the first decisions you’ll have to make is who to trust to help your in your quest to find your own little piece of paradise. Seeing that you may not have any personal or professional contacts within the local business community, you’ll tend to rely on information that you hear from other people living hear in Vallarta. This is a great place to start, as who knows better than a current property owner the pleasures and pitfalls of ownership! Find out who helped them purchase their property, and how the transaction went. Was their agent helpful, honest, and accessible? If so, you might consider choosing that agent to assist you in finding a property. This is a crucial decision, as you will entrust a lot to the agent. As a foreigner purchasing in
Mexico, you will rely upon them to guide you through the legalities of ownership; in finding an attorney; drafting the contract and protecting your personal and financial interests. In Mexico Real estate agents are not licensed, regulated, or monitored. Anyone can sell real estate and anyone can open a real estate office. In light of this, it is essential that you ask around and do your homework. The agent should be a member of our local Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios (AMPI) From the AMPI Website: “AMPI has published ethical and fiduciary standards that its members are required to maintain. Those standards provide some assurance that the often complex process of a real estate transaction is less likely to go awry through a lack of due diligence on the part of the real estate professionals.” Go around and interview some potential agents. Find out about their background, training, education and how long they have been in business. You may even ask to speak with a former client to find our how satisfied they were with their interactions with the agent. Too, find out which notaries and attorneys the agency works with, and see if you can find out about their respective track records. Let the agent show you some properties that YOU want to see,
not just the ones that are listed by their agency. Beware of an agent that tries to isolate you. If they are resistant to letting you do your own research, say “adios” and move on. If you’re interested in purchasing in a development, it is important to choose an agent who is not the representative for said development. That way you can be assured that the agent is negotiating in your favor, and that there is no conflict of interest. You want someone to fight for you, and not the developer. We have some amazingly talented and experienced real estate professionals in Puerto Vallarta, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one to suit your needs. Next week we’ll look at some of the legalities that a foreigner will face when purchasing in Mexico. You can contact my office anytime at 322-209-0832 the agents and staff of G3MEX Real Estate Group are always available to help you with your real estate needs.
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VALLARTA SHOPPING DIRECTORY The only complete guide for Vallarta´s best galleries, boutiques, spas, restaurants and more. vallartashoppingdirectory.blogspot.mx
Shows ramp up in response to sold-out Salute the Beatles show Tuesdays at the ROXY ROCK HOUSE.
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os Bambinos announce a second show on stage entitled ‘Bambinos Unplugged’ (Like you’ve never heard them before). The show will include an exquisite selection of Latino rhythms, and classic international tunes guaranteed to inspire you to clap your hands and tap your feet. This show is set to run for only four shows through March. Puerto Vallarta favorite, the four Morales brothers who make up Los Bambinos Carlos, Lázzaro, Immer and Giorgio Morales began playing and singing together about a decade ago. They perform a diverse selection of Rock and Roll classics by the Beach Boys, Beatles, Everly Brothers and Latin favorites: Carlos Santana, Luis Miguel and Manu Chao
among many others. Fans and novices alike will be delighted to hear selections from their new Original Album MUNDO IDEAL throughout their Tuesday show. This album, now available for purchase marks Los Bambinos
first fully self-produced album, featuring thirteen Latin Rock Fusion songs in an easy-listening album full of the sweet, four-voice harmonies and guitars the group is loved for. The guys describe their process of making
this new CD as “A really inspiring creative process. We each brought our original music to the studio and worked each song as a whole group. We are really proud of the new sound, and think you are really going to like it.” First set Latin and Original selections and a full set Salute to the Beatles
Friday March 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th 8-10 PM ‘Bambinos Unplugged’ Like you’ve never heard them before Reserve to secure your table for both shows at: 222-4357 (English Spoken) or online www.losbambinosmusic.com. Discounts offered for second show purchase.
Basilio Badillo 269 A Puerto Vallarta, Jal Mon - Sat 4-11 pm (322) 223 3734 From USA or Canada 1-269-282-9550 info.divinodante@gmail.com www.divinodante.com
MEN AND WOMEN’S JEWELRY AND ACCESORIES. CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY 223 9734 BASILIO BADILLO 276 OLD TOWN OPEN DAILY
Nacho Daddy Mexico is the place in Puerto Vallarta where American, Canadian and European ex-pats and tourists across the globe gather to drink, eat, dance, listen to great music,watch football and having a rip-roaring good time. 287 Basilio Badillo in old town 322 223 0838 www.nachodaddymexico.com
RIVIERA NAYARIT 18
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
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Fun on the Culinary Tourism, An Undiscovered Riviera Gold Mine Nayarit C By Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com
Banderas Bay Adventure
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recently had the opportunity to get out onto the Banderas Bay a couple of times. One was cruising about in a nice panga boat, and the other was on a tri-hull 31 foot sailboat. Both were very fun experiences for different reasons. But I will say right now, however you find your way out onto the waters of our beautiful Banderas Bay, just do it! A couple of my friends and me, (one who owns a panga boat) went out for an afternoon ride. We motored over to the Nuevo Vallarta Marina to put around the Marina and look at the new boats that have come in. We cruised down the south channel, and to our surprise discovered quite a bit of wildlife, which included huge orange Iguanas. Cteosaura is a lizard genus commonly known as spinytail iguanas or Ctenosaurs. The genus is part of the large lizard family, Iguanidae and is native to Mexico and Central America. I have seen many iguanas before, but never orange ones. These were also quite large! There are about 9 different species of Iguana’s here in Mexico, and some can run up to 21 miles per hour, and can be as long as 5 feet! They are also great swimmers, as a pretty large green one dropped out of a tree right in my pool last summer! I had a feeling that he did it on purpose to cool himself down…or maybe he just felt like taking a dip! These orange iguanas looked like the green style of Iguana, with their gills puffed out, which are a sign of showing off for each other, or cooling themselves down, as
the flaps absorb the heat. Did you also know that Iguanas also have a third eye on top of their head? The third eye, referred to as the parietal or pineal eye, covered by a thin film of skin and therefore does not clearly see color or details, but it does detect sun, shade, and movement of overhead predators. We must have seen at least 25-30 of them hanging out in the trees along with the pelicans. I had thought they were orange flowers at first glance! It was a beautiful ride around the Marina, and then back out to the beautiful Banderas Bay in search of whales as we headed back to the La Cruz Marina enjoying a lovely sunset on the way. If you do decide to go to those back water channels, be aware that they are also full of crocs, so no swimming, or dangling your legs and feet over the edges of the boat!
If you have any comments or Riviera Nayarit news please contact Cat Morgan at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com
hef Betty Vázquez, Nayarit’s top chef and culinary ambassador for the Riviera Nayarit, asserted that establishing culinary routes in Mexico would certainly spark a growth in tourism much in the same way it occurred in France and Spain, which occupy the first and second place, respectively, within Europe as to the number of tourists they receive. The current worldwide tendency towards a growing economy has seen in tourism a path towards sustainability and productive development. Chef Betty Vázquez recently pointed out that Mexico is all about tourism and by combining that with its culinary offerings it becomes a way to generate a better experience for visitors and bring in an enhanced income for the different regions. “I will always join gastronomy and tourism together as being Mexico’s undiscovered gold mine,” she stated. “Culinary tourism has been misunderstood; right now people are seeking new experiences.” She believes that by establishing gastronomic routes within a secure framework and
adding in the correct infrastructure plus great service and Mexico’s innate hospitality that the country will be able to pave the way towards significant growth in this very productive sector. “We must continue to train our people to be proud of their homeland, we need to encourage job growth within the communities so they don’t feel the need to leave, and we need to follow Europe’s lead and have products that sell within less than a 100 km radius,” recommended Vázquez, a pro at generating sustainable communities.
“The culinary level of the Riviera Nayarit is at the altitude of any first world country because it has been influenced by many cultures, both historically and currently,” she said. “It is a new, virgin destination that can open up a world of possibilities.” She recommended those involved in culinary tourism to generate different experiences for their visitors, such as fishing for their evening dinner or offering an incentive to remain an extra day, and to encourage seasonal tourism based on nature and not on the calendar.
Exploring San Pancho Written by: Noemi Zamora Reynoso Translated by: Michelle Mayer-Fulfer
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estled in the Badebadense Coast, San Pancho is not only a beautiful spot but a town that breaks tourism paradigms. To wit, San Pancho is emerging as a cultural center, postulated to be the tourist destination that defines the cultural and artistic identity of Nayarit. Walking the streets, gazing at the houses, talking to people help visitors understand the dynamics of this vibrant community and its inhabitants. It becomes apparent to domestic and foreign visitors that there is something magical about the town – a certain inspiration drawn from its proclivity toward art and culture. A group of enthusiastic residents of San Pancho, some foreign, some Mexicans, want to expand the rapport between San Pancho and its visitors. They want this widening to not only be based on sun and sand but
to showcase its cultural character, one deeply integrated into the community of San Pancho. The origin of this coastal community of Bay of Banderas is not fortuitous one. In the days when Luis Echeverria, whose home state was Nayarit, ruled the country, the president created a project with the theme of the third world. At that time, the community was composed of two villages, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Building began but soon the town and this lofty aspiration was set aside by the next President Lopez Portillo. Nearly a decade ago, a group of professionals and foreigners of different nationalities found value in the existing infrastructure and respect for the identity of this venerable town. Thus today, San Pancho looks like a typical Mexican town replete with charm and authenticity. Currently, there are four civil partnerships with various proposals - all linked in purpose of getting San Pancho recognized
in Nayarit and in Mexico as a national cultural center. Among these proposals is the rehab of abandoned warehouses which can be converted into educational and artistic community centers. The benefit would be to the community at large who would see their quality of life improved by this encouragement of expression and art. Support for these projects has come from the Nayarit DIF System, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Social Development, the Cultural Center for Culture and the Arts and Ministry of the Environment.
CHARITIES 19
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Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations For visitors to Puerto Vallarta who wish to support the less privileged in our paradise, this is a list of some of the many organizations that could benefit from such kind gestures. If you would like your organization recognized here, please email details to editor@vallartatribune.com.
141-6974. casamaximocornejo@gmail.com
Acción En La Cruz: aid residents of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle by providing provisions in exchange for community services performed. www.landon5120.wix.com/ accionenlacruz
Clinica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara - Rehabilitation of the handicapped. Contact: Laura Lopez Portillo Rodriguez at 224-2754.
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)
Centro Comunitario SETACGLBT – Services the GLBT community, including treatment and referrals, education, English classes, HIV testing and counseling. Paco Arjona 224-1974 or paco@setac.com.mx
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. 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 Esperanza- Shelter 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. 322-2225466. 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 Mexico Ministries & Mission, Inc. raises funds to help feed and clothe the poor in Vallarta, as well as provide school supplies, a prison ministry, and baby blankets for the newborns at the Regional Hospital. Contact Fr. Jack+ 044 322 229-1129 christchurchbythesea.org Fundacion Punta de Mita LDG. Ana Lilia Medina Varas de Valdés. ana@fundacionpuntademita.org Tel. (329) 291 5053 www.fundacionpuntademita.org
EVENTS 20
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My Life In Vallarta By Lois Ellison loell87@yahoo.com
The Little Things
W
hen we think about how lucky we are to live here in Puerto Vallarta, it’s easy to list the big reasons why we feel that way: unbelievably good weather, outstanding restaurants, a myriad of cultural offerings, sunsets worthy of Cecil B. de Mille, good cost of living, and so on. But if you take a closer look, it is really the little things that stand out. Last week was Valentine’s Day, or as it’s known here, Dia de Amor y Amistad (Day of Love and Peace). I really like that; so much more all-encompassing. Anyway, as always, we start our day with an early morning walk on the Malecon. One of the first people we see is an older Mexican woman who we don’t know but see almost every day. As we pass her, she smiles and calls out “Feliz dia de Amor y Amistad”. Wow, how nice from an almost total stranger. If that doesn’t put a smile on your face, what will? Further on a man we often see, but with whom we’d never exchanged more than “Buenos Dias”, flags us down, shakes our hands, and says “Have a Happy Valentine’s Day”. The big smile on his face tells us how hard he’d been practicing in order to get it just right in English. Crossing the pedestrian bridge, we stop to admire the proclamations of amor written with stones carefully arranged in the sand. “Te Amo Yessica”, and other messages with big hearts around them. We hope that he has won her heart forever, or at least for the day. Later in the morning, our maid arrives and proudly presents us with some luscious tamales and a big hug. With her boundless energy and optimistic philosophy, she embodies the spirit of so many of the Mexican people These things don’t just happen on Valentine’s Day. On any given day, there are many moments that can warm your heart. There’s the elderly pass-
enger on the bus who gives his seat to a young pregnant woman. Or the bus driver who gets up to help the disabled woman down the steps. The musician on the bus whose efforts are rewarded by coins given by those who can least afford it but who share generously with those even less fortunate. And then there is Juan, the kindly old abuelo who sells toy birds and miscellaneous trinkets. He starts his day around 7:30, carefully sweeping up a large area around his table near
Lazaro Cardenas Park. His eyes always twinkle and he smiles as though he harbors a deep secret that amuses him. He’s still smiling twelve hours later as he packs up to go home. A simple life, but one that serves him well. How lucky to be content with what you have. We can all take a lesson from Juan. There are so many little things here that bring joy to my life. Vibrant yellow egg yolks; the lady down the street selling fresh squeezed orange juice from a table outside her front door; tantalizing aromas from the food carts; really ripe tomatoes and mangoes; happy children honing their soccer skills, content with just an empty plastic bottle to kick on the cobblestones; secret gardens and courtyards; our mozo greeting us like long lost family every time we see him, even if we just saw him minutes before; church bells pealing; clowns at Los Arcos; parades the materialize without notice; trees laden with colorful blos-
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
soms; roosters crowing right in the heart of town. But wait, this is my list. What about yours? Next time you are out wandering around, open your eyes, your ears and your heart. In no time at all you find an abundance of little things that make being here so extraordinary.
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
Academy Award Week and Gala Oscar Night February 22-March 2 Tickets are available for a donation of Gates Open at 5:00 PM 75 pesos in advance or 6 films for 400 Shows Begin at 7 PM pesos. Tickets may also be purchased Her at 7 PM--February 22 at the door one hour before each film American Hustle--February 23 for 100 pesos, subject to availability. Captain Phillips--February 24 VIP seating is available for 200 pesos, Blue Jasmine--February 25 which includes 2 free drinks. Dallas Buyers Club--February 26 Only 10 VIP tickets per show. Gravity-- February 27 Gates open at 5:00 pm with food The Wolf of Wall Street-- February 28 and drink available at that time. 12 Years a Slave-- March 1 Paradise Community Center is located at 127 Pulpito, Puerto Vallarta, directly across from Coco’s Kitchen in the Zona Romantica.
bahiachiro@gmail.com www.bahiachiropractic.com
CLASSIFIEDS 21
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
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IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
UROLOGIST Dr. Pedro López Cueto
SAVE 50 %
OFF IN UROLOGICAL CONSULTATION
Emergency Phone Numbers
BRING YOUR COUPON TO APPLY DISCOUNT
Tel. (322) 225 1183 • www.anku.com.mx
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. Café Roma Encino 287 Centro Mon-Sun 10:pm -3:00 am Beboteros Diaz Ordaz 565 Malecon 322.113.0099 Benito’s Paninoteca Bar Nima Bay, Local 12, “Marina Vallarta” 322.209.0287 El Dorado Pulpito # 102, Playa los Muertos” 322.222.4124
La Bodeguita Del Medio Paseo Diaz Ordaz 858, Malecon” 322.223.1583 Tu-Sun 9:30-2:00 am Paradise Stage Concerts ParadiseCommunityCenter.com Pulpito 127 at Olas Altas 322.133.7263 La Palapa Pulpito#103, Playa los Muertos” 322.222.5225 Las Adelitas Av. Fluvial Vallarta 234 322.293.7778
OWNERS *DEVELOPERS
Murphy’s Irish Pub Morelos 484 Altos 1, Centro 322.113.0373
El Patio de mi Casa Guerrero 311 esq. Matamoros 322.222.0743
Nacho Daddy
El Rio BBQ Bar 322.222.2510 www.elriobbqbar.com
Philo’s Delfin15, La Cruz de Huanacaxle”329.295.5068 Thu-Sat 8:30 pm
Encore Lazaro Cardenas51, Bucerias 329.298.0140
Emergency Phone for Sayulita
Emergency Numbers for Bucerias & La Cruz DEVELOPERS or OWNERS ONLY
287 Basilio Badillo nachodaddymexico.com
Paradise Stage Paradise Community Center Pulpito 127 322-133-7263
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.
Que? Pasa Aquiles Serdan 625, Col Emiliano Zapata 322.223.4006 The River Café Isla del Rio Cuale Local4
Centro 322.223.0788 Vitea Libertad Edificio Malecon 2, Centro” 322.222.8703
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
EVENTS 22
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VALLARTA WEEKLY EVENT GUIDE powered by VallartaTickets.com FRIDAY, February 21 4:30 pm - Forever Elvis Tribute (TP) 7:30 pm - Acustico w/ Kim Kuzma (RR) 7:30 pm - The Rat Pack w/ Sol Rose (TP) 8:00 pm - Mass Appeal (BT) 8:00 pm - Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars (PC) 9:30 pm - Shawn Pelofsky (TP) 10:00 pm - Caida Libre (RR) SATURDAY, February 22 6:00 pm - Milagros (BT) 7:30 pm - Well Strung (TP) 7:30 pm - Caida Libre w/ Jaramar Soto (RR) 8:00 pm - Frida: The Stage Show (MS) 8:00 pm - Mass Appeal (BT) 9:30 pm - Shawn Pelofsky (TP) 10:00 pm - Confessions Dairy Queen (RR) SUNDAY, February 23 2:00 pm - Frida: The Stage Show (MS) 5:00 pm - Mass Appeal (BT) 7:30 pm - Acustico w/ Kim Kuzma (RR) 7:30 pm - BohemiaViva (TP) 8:00 pm - The Voice of Vallarta (MS) 8:00 pm - Alberto Mejia in Concert (BT) MONDAY, February 24 7:00 pm - Joseph (BT) 7:30 pm - Best of Broadway (RR) 7:30 pm - Jorge & Beata (TP) 9:30 pm - Simply Barbra (TP) 10:00 pm - Simply the Best!
TUESDAY, February 25 10:30 am - Luxury Home Tour (IFC) 4:30 pm - Forever Elvis Tribute (TP) 7:00 pm - Shades of the Blues (BT) 7:30 pm - The Judy Show (RR) 7:30 pm - Well Strung (TP) 8:00 pm - Los Bambinos (Roxy) 9:30 pm - Simply Barbra (TP) 10:00 pm - The Judy Show (RR) WEDNESDAY, February 26 10:30 am - Luxury Home Tour (IFC) 7:00 pm - Time 2 Play’s Open Mic (BT) 7:30 pm - The Judy Show (RR) 7:30 pm - Well Strung (TP) 8:00 pm - Katmandu w/ Don Pope (MS) 9:30 pm - Simply Barbra (TP) 10:00 pm - Confessions (RR) THURSDAY, February 27 10:00 am - Botanical Gardens (IFC) 4:30 pm - BeDazzled Broadway (TP) 6:00 pm - Bugambilia Festival (Casa Chickie) 7:30 pm - The Judy Show (RR) 7:30 pm - Well Strung (TP) 8:00 pm - Mass Appeal (BT) 8:00 pm - A Billion Years Too Soon (MS) 10:00 pm - Simply the Best! (RR) BT=The Boutique Theatre || TP=The Palm Cabaret RR=The Red Room - Act II • MS=Main Stage - Act II • PC=Paradise Stage & Community Center TICKETS: 222-4198
* An Artful Event *
Breakfast Buffet and Art Showing Wednesday, March 12 ~ 10:00 a.m. In support of the PuRR Project Event includes breakfast buffet, artwork from Galeria Vallarta on sale at special prices, live music by Martine and a raffle for fabulous prizes! Tickets at Old Town Bistro, Galeria Vallarta (Calle Guerrero 187, 2nd floor), at the PuRR Project booth at the Paradise Community Center Saturday Market, or by emailing: exkhan@usfamily.net. Proceeds benefit the 150+ cats residing at PuRR Project, a no-kill feline sanctuary north of Puerto Vallarta. Old Town Bistro / Basilio Badillo #180 / Wednesday, March 12 ~ 10:00 a.m. $250 pesos in advance / $300 pesos at the door
Flower of the week Sandra Cesca
Queen’s Wreath Trepadora Lija (Spanish) Petrea volubilis
S
andpaper Vine. Due to their rough leaves. This perennial woody vine native to Mexico is often mistaken for Wisteria. Climbing to a height of 40 feet, the foot-long flower clusters are a lovely bluish lavender color consisting of five-pointed stars which bloom most of the spring and summer. Flowers have been used in indigenous folk medicine. This plant is one of over 200 found in Sandra’s new color-coded guidebook, Tropical Plant Walks of
Friday February 21 - 27, 2014
The Met in HD: “PRINCE IGOR” David J. Rohde
A
re you familiar with the Broadway musical “Kismet” that includes the hits “Strangers in Paradise”, “And This Is My Beloved” and “Baubles, Bangles and Beads”? If so, then you are on your way to enjoying the new production of The Metropolitan Opera’s “Prince Igor”, the first new production since 1917. The opera was left unfinished at the composer Alexander Borodi´s death. A top Russian director has refocused the opera to put the lens strictly on the title character. The libretto is based on an epic 12th-century poem. Blackand-white silent film sequences created for the production and the camerawork bring the audience close to the singers. According to the NY Times, Ildar Abdrazakov, the Prince, “ is a confident actor.... his voice is firm and robust...a fine singer of Italian repertory”. This means he is not one of the “typically formidable gravelly Russian basses”. His wife is sung by Oksana Dyka in her Met debut. ..”a classic Russian soprano, with a cool penetrating intensity, fearless high notes and a glint of steel in her sound”. The Times went
on to remark “For all its theatricality, this production focuses your attention on Borodin’s beguiling score. Even during the anthems, dances and elegies, Borodin tapped into depths of Russian sadness that seem part of the Russian culture and heritage. The conductor conveys the Russian character of the music while conducting with clarity and precision. The Met chorus is at
Voices of Vallarta...Track 11 by Marcia Blondin
S
ometimes a full moon creates pure havoc and chaos and upsets so many people all at the same time you have to wonder aloud as did head judge Alain Perrault, “are the planets out of alignment or what has happened?” Something was out of alignment and tune and pitch and the sound system was enjoying a nervous breakdown and the only
thing that worked on stage the first half of Week 11 was the band. And they were close to joining the sound system. That said, host Juan Pablo pleaded with the audience to clap, scream, shout, jump - whatever to dispell the wicked energy that gripped all but the men and a couple of the women in the first half of the show. Again Juan Jose wowed the crowd, this week with
its glorious best”. Please join the growing number of opera lovers here in Puerto Vallarta on Saturday March 1 at 11 a.m. at Teatro Vallarta. The price of admission is 250 pesos and all seats are reserved. By attending you will be treated to a great cultural experience and enable Puerto Vallarta to continue with this program of bringing performing arts of this calibre to PV.
“When a Man Loves a Woman”... did I say ‘wow’? But, Rafael and Hugo are watching and learning and adding a few of their own nuances. And now there are eight contestants. Next week they have to sing duets. Here are the pairings: Flor and Doris; Hugo and Rafael; Rosario and Juan Jose; and Coral with Ofelia. It’s going to be interesting to say the least! Don’t miss the Voice, every Sunday at 8 pm on the Main Stage of Act II. And don’t forget to vote on Facebook.
Forever Spring Farmers Market EVERY WEDNESDAY IN BUCERIAS FROM 9AM TO 1PM Puerto Vallarta. Available now at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens’ gift shop www.vbgardens.org, Page in the Sun Bookstore and from Sandra at the Paradise Community Center Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. Information on her many walking tours can be found at: www.escaperoutevallarta.com.
L
ocated in the beautiful gardens of Rosa Mexicano restaurant and the Happy Shrimp, we now have 90 vendors offering you gourmet food, high class arts and crafts, and live music from 11 am. Location is one block from the ocean at Lazaro Cardenas 88-90 (opposite Encore
who serve great breakfasts from 9 am). Visitors to Rosa Mexicano market are offered a 20% discount on dinner in the R.M. restaurant (ask any vendor for the discount cards) and live mariachi music is on Thurs and Fri nights from 7.30pm. This week we have more new vendors in the R.M. food court and garden and the return of the Wine Facials in the Happy Shrimp massage tent! Humberto is back
this week at H.S. with his tree bark art, Penelope returns with her oven roasted veggie empanadas and salsa, and Monse is bringing her organic Chia which she sells by the half or full kilo at very good prices. See them in the entrance to Happy Shrimp. All your favourites are in the Rosa Mexicano as usual, with the addition of 2 new food vendors offering traditional Mexican savouries.
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