Issue 901, July 11 - 17, 2014

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News bmw builds plant

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July 11 - 17, 2014 Free Issue 901

Local

life behind the butcher

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Travel CAMPECHANEALE

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Photo Jhovana Jacqueline Ramírez Godínez

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Friday July 11 - 17, 2014 PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fernando Gonzalez Corona Director DAVID ROJO sjcbcs@yahoo.com.mx 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 salestribune@outlook.com Rebeca Castellón rebeca.castellonn@gmail.com Community Manager / Sales Julie Mongeau juliemongeau@gmail.com Designer Cynthia E. Andrade G. cisandra@vallartatribune.com cysandra@gmail.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.

Carving Wood

By Madeline Milne rom left over scraps of wood, twenty-seven year old Alan Tapia Martinez creates 3D works of art. Originally from Celaya, Guanajuato this carpenter turned artist began carving animals and other designs into the pieces of wood left over from the shelves, cabinets and bed frames he was constructing during the day.

For the past three years he has been making small pieces and giving them mostly to friends and family as gifts.

The subjects change according to the wood. Alan carves faces, animals, and nature scenes but can carve just about anything upon request.

In addition to working with wood, Alan has also worked as a tattoo artist.

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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

Photo Jhovana Jacqueline Ramírez Godínez

Emergencies: 060 Red Cross: 065

His most recent piece features the head of a mountain goat with impressive horns extending inches from the frame.

This carving took about two days to complete and is then

painted and varnished to look lifelike. Alan is looking for a gallery to feature his works and hopes that you will have a chance to see his work displayed soon in the prestigious galleries of Vallarta.

Non-Emergency Police Immigration: 322.224.7719 322.290.0507 Consumer Protection: Fire Department: 01.800.468.8722 322.223.9476 Ambulance: 322.222.1533

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

Tourism Offices Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006

Canadian Consulate 322.293.2894 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

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Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

Banderas Bay Butterfies

by Moralea Milne

Texan Crescent (Anthanassa texana)

Editor´s Note Editor´s note

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t’s sleepy out there. If it wasn’t for the earth shattering thunder I think I’d sleep through these summer months. I can’t complain though, the past few weeks have been a pleasantly cool 90 (32c) in the day and a down right chilly 75 (24c) at night. If this keeps up, I might just make it through the summer without air conditioning.

(I may have just jinxed myself.)

In light of our continual search for just a little cooling off we have a great piece this week on Cuernavaca, the capital city of Morelos about 120 kms from Mexico City.

This popular colonial city offers a wonderful break from the humidity of Vallarta and the opportunity to do some great shopping for some of the fabulous pottery that comes from Morelos. Or check out

PEACEAnimals This past weeks clinic.

Close to the foothills of the Sierra Madres, COLONIA PRIMERO DE MAYO is a mixed neighbourhood a few minutes east of central Vallarta, with close-up views of the Sierra Madre foothills.

The clinic took place in an empty house next door to “Corazon de Niña,” a shelter founded by Melissa Leigh Canez for approximately two dozen abused girls, ranging from the ages of four to twenty-three.

On Wednesday, the clinic´s first day, fifteen people were already queued up when the vet team arrived at 8:15 AM. Paulina and the vets are always excited to see people waiting with their pets and have been doing high numbers. Because work is so intense and fatigue does set in, the team would like to limit animals accepted to thirty during the week and fifteen on Saturdays.

STERILIZATIONS IN COLONIA PRIMERO DE MAYO: Male dogs - 13; Female dogs 32; Male cats -24; Female cats

Ramiro Lopez’s latest piece on the cuisines of the Maya. This time focusing on Campeche, I know I was convinced that a visit in my near future is a must.

If you’re in town there are still plenty of things going on around the bay. The ocean waters are warm and perfect for getting out on the boat.

The rivers are filling back up and soon will be perfect for a cooling splash. (or take a dip in any number of the swimming pool/ pot holes littering our streets. With school coming to an end we will soon see many Mexican nationals returning for vacation and the events along the Malecon will start up again.

There are live shows throughout much of the week and you can always catch a Hollywood flick with free air conditioning at one of the many movie theaters around town. Restaurants and many resorts offer special summer pricing for locals. Most importantly be sure to get out and support our community when you can.

Until next week, keep cool.

Madeline

By Gretchen deWitt

– 33 Total: 102 Plus pregnancies terminated for one cat with 5 foetuses; one cat with 4 foetuses; one dog with 9 foetuses STERILIZATIONS CLINICS July 9-12 Colonia Emiliano ZapataVenustiano Carranza #491 (Colina clinic location), opposite carnicería Colín, one block after exiting small tunnel that brings you into town.

July 16-19 San Vicente, Salón Ejidal July 23-26 Los Portales, Calle Villa Colonial, next to the new Presidencia (UMA: Unidad Municipal Administrativa) From the Blvd. Medina Ascencio turn at La Paloma Bullring. Go all the way in a straight line until the light, where you must make a right.

The next big building on the right is the UMA and we will be right behind it .

July 30-2 Mojoneras (TBA) Schedule, including directions and other clinic information are on website: www.peaceanimals.org

Texan Crescents are small (approx. 1.5 in or 4 cm) butterflies found throughout Mexico, in many different types of ecosystems.

They lay their eggs on low lying members of the Acanthus family which generally have colourful, tubular flowers such a wild petunias, flamingo plants, black-eyed Susan vine, shrimp plants and others. These delightful small butterflies are quite common, but information on them is not.

A paucity of information on most butterflies found in Mexico is more the rule than the exception. Still, I

am grateful to find out any facts, particularly their identification and their larval food plants

STARTING ON

IT´S A CRIMINAL OFFENSE

From 6 months to 3 years in prision and from 200 to 1,000 days salary fine minimum for those who intentionally cause the death of an animal.

TAKE PHOTOS OF THOSE WHO ABUSE ANIMALS DENUNCIATE!

For abusing, hitting or cruelty you will be fined 20 to 80 days of community service and pay equivalent of 20 to 50 days salary minimum.

For those who risk the life of an animal you will be fined 80 to 120 days of community service and pay 100 to 300 days of salary minimum.

ADORABLE DOG IN THE SPOTLIGHT...CHLOE

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hloe is one unique looking girl. We believe she is an albino Dalmatian. She has these very pale blue eyes that are a bit sensitive to the bright sunlight. As a consequence, she tends to squint a bit to protect them. This normal response caused her previous family to believe she was blind and they decided to get rid of her. Well she sees just fine, thank you, and deserves a loving fur-ever home. She is just the sweetest little girl, about a year and a half old. She weighs 17.5 kilos or 38.5 pounds. She is friendly and good with other dogs. Please contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

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Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

News bites Improving Airports

Hitachi Builds a New Plant in Mexico

Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) plans an investment of approximately 380 million usd in its 12 airports between 2015 and 2019. Projects include unifying the two terminals of the Guadalajara airport as well as runway repaving, construction of access roads, acquisition of passenger transport vehicles, and other upgrades at various airports.

GAP will invest 13.8 million usd in upgrades at the Tijuana airport, on the northern border with California. The new additions to the site will include a bridge within the terminal connecting the Mexico side of the airport with arrival facilities on the US side of the border.

Japanese multinational corporate group Hitachi plans a 90 million USD investment to build a manufacturing plant in Estado de México. The new site will produce cast metal parts for the region’s automotive industry.

This new plant, third for the company and fifth for Hitachi Automotive Systems Group within Mexico, is being established to support the production of vehicles in Mexico and to further strengthen the supply for the car makers throughout the Americas using Mexico’s preferential trade agreements.

The new plant will begin production of pistons for automotive parts as well as aluminum diecasts in May 2015. Further expansion of production is to be expected in the future.

Mexican Art Travels the World

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our Mexican projects from different parts of the country received awards at the 9th Latin American Architecture and Urbanism Biennial (BIAU) and another 26 Latin American projects were selected.

The “House of Ideas” library, the San Pablo Academic and Cultural Center, the Alfonso Reyes residential building and La Tallera Siqueiros art studio all took home accolades. Located in Tijuana, Baja California, the “House of Ideas” library by CROStudio is built along a canal that crosses the Camino Verde district and has an innovative design spread over platforms that open up onto interior and exterior landscapes.

In Oaxaca, Taller de Arquitectura Mauricio Rocha made aesthetic and structural modifications to the

San Pablo Academic and Cultural Center, a group of colonial buildings owned by the Alfredo HarpHelú Foundation. Meanwhile, at La Tallera Siqueiros in Cuernavaca, Morelos, a team spearheaded by the architect Frida Escobedo opened up the courtyard of the artist’s studio and rotated a series of murals so they could be seen from an adjacent square.

Last, but by no means least, Gabriela Etchegaray and Jorge Ambrosi were presented with an award for the design of the Alfonso Reyes residential building in the Condesa district of Mexico City.

An initiative of the Spanish government in collaboration with various Latin American institutions, BIAU has consolidated itself as a window onto the future of architecture and urbanism.

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

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Banks Dropping International Money Transfer

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t’s getting harder for immigrants to the U.S. to send money back to their countries of origin as U.S. government regulators are cracking down on terrorists and drug traffickers by pursuing their money sources. In response to the increased regulatory scrutiny, big banks stateside are simply abandoning the international money transfer arm of their businesses.

Though Mexico will be the most affected—nearly half of the $51.1 billion in remittances sent from the United States in 2012 were ultimately Mexico bound —other countries in Latin America and parts of Africa will also be sharply affected.

“This is transforming the busi-

ness and may increase the costs of international money transfers,” Manuel Orozco, a senior fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue, a research group in Washington, told The New York Times.

Among major banks that have dropped low-cost money transfer services are JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.

BBVA is exploring selling off its wire unit for Mexico, and Citigroup’s Banamex USA unit has a large number of branches in Texas, California and Arizona.

Banamex was created to appeal Mexicans living in the U.S., and has recently run afoul of federal regulators for it money

laundering and risk assessment procedures.

“The money transfer business has become the whipping boy of regulators who want to show how tough they are,” said Paul S. Dwyer Jr., chief executive of Viamericas, a money transfer company based in Maryland with a large focus on Mexico.

The price of international transfers had been falling for the last five years, according to the World Bank, though the increased regulatory scrutiny is expected to reverse that trend.

Originally posted on yucatantimes.com

US Praises New Border Policy

By Devon Vanhouten-Maldonado

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n a statement released Tuesday, the U.S. embassy praised the announcement by President Enrique Pena Nieto of a new initiative to secure the southern border with Guatemala and Belize, in the midst of a crisis of unaccompanied minors crossing the border into the U.S. The statement said that the U.S. government has been routinely briefed on the initiative and that the Peña Nieto administration has been working on the plan with their Guatemalan counterparts for more than a year.

“Under the Merida Initiative, we have existing programs available to support the Mexican government’s plans for its southern border,” said the statement.

The Merida Initiative is an agreement between the U.S. and Mexican governments signed in 2008 with the purpose of combatting drug trafficking and organized crime. Under the agreement the U.S. government provides material support and training to Mexican law enforcement and judicial organizations. The U.S. congress has allocated $2.1 billion to the initiative since it was implemented in 2008.

Peña Nieto was joined by Guatemalan President Pérez Molina

when he announced the Southern Border Security Campaign in Chiapas on Monday. Peña Nieto said that the initiative has two main goals: On one hand the safety and human rights of migrants crossing the boarder and on the other the security of the border.

As part of the initiative the president announced that five new border traffic control centers will be opened to efficiently monitor border activity and increase security. He also emphasized that the centers will provide adequate space to hold unaccompanied minors attempting to cross the border illegally until they can be reunited with their families.

Similar border security agree-

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.

ments have been made between Mexico and the governments of Honduras and El Salvador, said Peña Nieto. The statement from the U.S. embassy said that over the past several months Mexico and the U.S. have been engaged in border negotiations and have agreed to continue joint cooperation in areas of border enforcement and to enhance Mexico’s biometric and other information systems.

“Both of our countries share the responsibility in protecting those crossing our borders – especially the most vulnerable,” said the statement.

The U.S. government said that there is a need for bilateral cooperation between the U.S., Mexico and other Central American nations in order to clarify the situation and to disseminate networks spreading disinformation about the journey and the legal process of immigration.

It has come to light that many of the unaccompanied minors taken into custody by U.S. border agents are under the false impression that the U.S. is not deporting minors. This misinformation has been attributed to the networks of human traffickers.

Originally posted on www. thenews.com.mx

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Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

Mexico City Roof Gardens Take Root to Combat Smog, Warming

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n one of the world’s biggest and most polluted cities, rooftop gardens are springing up in an effort to battle the smog, part of an initiative driven by Mexico City’s government.

Roof gardens absorb heat, boost energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.

The government plans to increase dramatically the number of green roof projects, which covered more than 6,000 square meters last year, with the goal of planting 100,000 square meters by the end of the project — mainly targeting schools and hospitals.

“The patients can come and

in tourism projects.

Gov. of Yucatán Rolando Zapata Bello stressed that “ecotourism projects could serve as springboard to create more appealing activities for tourists in the southeastern part of the country, which will translate into economic growth for families, especially those who are less advantaged.”

General director of the CDI Nuvia Mayorga Delgado said the agreement will strengthen local tourism through the creation of projects that will allow indigenous economies to flourish.

In signing the agreement, 11.9 million pesos ($918,000) was allocated to Yucatán and 3.9 million pesos ($300,800) to Campeche and Quintana Roo for the development of ecotourism projects, which will directly benefit close to 900 people.

Tourism in Mexico has also encouraged development of ecological conservation, as seen with marine biologists who have been working with hotel owners in the Rivera Maya, Yucatán to conserve nesting areas for turtles to lay their eggs, demonstrating the benefits of linking tourism with local cooperation.

f you build it, they will come.

That’s the hope and plan for a cruise ship Home Port in Rocky Point, Mexico. Once completed, people living in Tucson and Phoenix will be only a few hour’s drive from being able to catch a luxury cruise ship that will sail up and down the Sea of Cortez.

Construction on the massive project is in full swing and it has the backing of the Mexican federal government which has already spent 190 million pesos for the first phase and has committed 300-million pesos this year; that equates to roughly $360,000,000 U.S. dollars.

Building began in mid-December and crews are working seven days a week, hauling in rocks by the truckload, to build the future Home Port that will stretch a kilometer, or about 6/10’s of a mile, out into the sea on the west end of Sandy Beach towards Cholla Bay. Last week Guillermo Padrés, the governor of Sonora, Mexico, visited the Home Port to view the progress first hand and show his commitment to the project telling the crowd, “the best is yet to come,” and “we proved that dreams do come true,” saying the project will create steady and stable tourism that will benefit everyone in the region. Puerto Penasco is a popular getaway for Arizonans, with thousands owning condos and homes there, and even more who visit every year.

The owner of Wrecked at the Reef Cantina and Grill, which is right next to where the port is being built, told me while the town isn’t ready right now, it will be by the time the port is finished sometime next year.

He’s one of the business owners banking on the port’s success and is working hard with other community leaders to get the once-sleepy fishing community ready for a potential boom in business and economic development. Cristina Garcia and her family own one of

the most popular restaurants in Rocky Point.

El Capitan sits on a hill next to the lighthouse overlooking the marina and the old-port area filled with shops, bars, and eateries.

In her broken English she says the community is coming together to make it work, “everybody talk about this. We are training to do good things, to learn how to receive that (many) people. We have to seat everything for how many people.”

For Arizonans with homes and condos in Rocky Point, a cruise ship port will most likely bring a boost in property values. They’ll have the opportunity to rent out to passengers as they arrive a day or two early to catch a cruise or if they want to unwind for a day or two after the cruise.

Jim Ringquist is the sales director at Sonoran Resorts, a company that operates four luxury resort/condos on Sandy Beach. He says the Home Port will be a game changer for Puerto Penasco, “progress and change is inevitable and this will be great for property values, infrastructure advances, local jobs and the overall economy of Rocky Point.”

Ringquist says many local residents have been struggling for years and this is what they need, “it will most certainly attract tourists from all over the world to visit our very unique area. The Sea of Cortez is a truly wonderful and diverse place and this new route will give the world a chance to appreciate her.”

Joe Houchin part of a team studying the progress and putting together an economic impact study on what Rocky Point can expect from the cruise lines and passengers. You can watch for that by clicking here.

Although some are uncertain about the future of this Home Port, many more are excited and banking on the future of this project with the hopes of bringing a much need economic boost to a town that’s seen its fair share of ups and downs.

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 margarita at any of the many beachfront restaurants.

Sunsets on the Malecon Sitting on the edge of the Pacific Ocean never fails to give us a sunset each night. Grab a seat at any of the number of excellent bars and restaurants along the malecon, order your favourite cocktail and let it all slip away.

Once the sun has set, the

I enjoy this area not only because of the view but because of the green environment this rooftop has,” said Dr. Rolf Meiners y

Huebner, director of Obdulia Rodriguez Rodriguez Hospital.

“You could say physically and emotionally it can contribute to the recuperation of our patients.”

Agreement aims to promote sustainable projects

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growth in the communities of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan through increasing opportunities for local involvement

Explore Banderas Bay Walking Tours Take a tour through Puerto Vallarta’s Historic Downtown to learn about this city’s rich history, famous people, architecture, and cultural and ecological heritage; all this on an easy to

Construction underway for Rocky Point cruise ship port

By Dan Marries

States sign new tourism deal he Tourism Secretariat (Sectur), along with representatives from the governments of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan, as well as the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples (CDI) have signed an agreement while meeting in Pixilá, Yucatán in order to boost support for ecotourism projects.

The new agreement will benefit more than 30 indigenous communities located in the municipalities targeted by the National Campaign Against Hunger.

Secretary of Tourism Claudia Ruiz Massieu said that the signing of the agreement will secure close to 20 million pesos ($1.5 million) in sustainable tourism projects as well as the expansion of tourism infrastructure in Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán in order to better accommodate travelers.

Ruiz said that the southwestern region of the country and particularly regions of Mayan origin “are a source of pride for Mexico as well as a source of cultural and historical wealth for tourists, with other parts of the country not having as strong of a cultural presence.”

The initiative is meant to propel development and economic

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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.

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Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

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Mexico: stepping up to Premium-Level Production of Global Vehicles

L Children Absorb Environmental Education Through Art

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he younger generations are being encouraged to develop environmental awareness through drawing contests centered around the care and protection of marine turtles, as well as an invitation to participate in a contest to illustrate a storybook.

Art is the most holistic way to accomplish the science of communication: it’s informative, entertaining and educational. In the Riviera Nayarit, art and environmental education are coming together as local entities reach out to children.

On June 28th, the El Naranjo Turtle Camp held its 2nd Marine Turtle Drawing Contest organized by the Nayarit Ecologists Group.

The group secretary, Ricardo Villaseñor, commented they received 1,100 drawings this year, 200 more than last year.

Some 20 elementary schools participated this time, spanning from Tepic all the way through the Riviera Nayarit to Puerto Vallarta.

They designated two categories: from first grade through third was denominated “lower elementary,” and fourth through sixth “upper elementary,” There were 18 awards handed out in each category.

“Several people have asked me what do I gain by putting together these contests; the answer is always ‘environmental education.’ It’s our most important work, because if a child does not know the marine turtle, he or she can’t

protect it,” Villaseñor pointed out.

“I learned that we must care for and respect the turtles, that we mustn’t hunt them or poach the eggs. This is a great contest,” enthused the winner of the first place in the upper elementary category, Fernanda Narváez, an 11-year-old student at Puerto Vallarta’s Alfred Novel School.

Yael Peña Soltero, a 9-year-old student at Banderas Bay’s Benito Juárez School, was the winner in the lower elementary category.

He said he “learned to draw the marine turtle: they’re endangered and that’s why we must care for them by not throwing trash in the sea and not stealing their eggs.”

This event marked the start of the marine turtle season, which will conclude on November 30th.

Call for entries for the Illustration Contest The Instituto Tecnológico de Bahía de Banderas (ITBB by its Spanish acronym), the Grupo de Investigación de Mamíferos Marinos (GRIMMA by its Spanish acronym) and Vaitiare began their call for entries for a contest to illustrate a storybook on environmental conservation aimed at children 6 to 10 years of age, Mexican illustrators from all over the Republic are welcome to participate. The award ceremony will take place during National Conservation Week, celebrated from October 25-31 at the ITBB. The winner will take home $3,000 Mexican pesos. For rules and regulations visitwww.vaitiare.org.

Explore Banderas Bay malecon comes alive with families out for a stroll, plenty of live entertainment and later in the night, the nightclubs beckon.

Sayulita – A short 45 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Sayulita is

uxury car maker BMW revealed a $1 billion Mexican plant investment on Thursday July 3rd 2014, becoming the latest major automaker to take advantage of the country’s growing industrial base and tariff-free access to the U.S. market. BMW outlined plans to build a factory in the central Mexican city of San Luis Potosi, reducing the German company’s dependence on higher-cost plants at home.

The plant will begin assembling models in 2019 with an initial workforce of 1,500 and annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, the company said.

“Mexico is an ideal location for the BMW Group,” production chief Harald Krueger said in a statement.

“We are continuing our strategy of ‘production follows the market.’”

Germany’s luxury car makers – BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz are expanding overseas as their domestic plants struggle to meet strong demand for new vehicle offerings in the United States and Asia. “With this investment, Mexico is stepping up to premium-level production of global vehicles,” Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said as the plant was announced. BMW did not reveal what type of vehicle it will build, and a spokeswoman for the company said no decision had

A BMW car is seen inside a BMW car dealership in Mexico City July 3, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

been made. Guajardo added that at least one other big auto investment would be announced this summer but did not elaborate. Reuters reported last month that Kia Motors Corp plans to break ground soon on a new plant in Mexico.

“Mexico is being considered as a possible location of our next overseas production facility,” Kia spokesman Michael Choo said in a statement, adding that the company faced a “supply shortage situation in the Americas region.”

Mexico’s auto sector is gaining critical mass as more global brands open production lines, boosting the supplier network.

BMW’s move comes days after Daimler announced new Mercedes production in Mexico with partner Nissan Motor Co Ltd which already operates two plants in the country where it had recently increased

capacity. “The premium brands are finally realizing that Mexico has the capacity to build signature vehicles,” IHS Automotive analyst Guido Vildozo said.

“We are going to see all these plants starting with one or two products at the very beginning, but they will gradually become critical pillars of profitability for the premium manufacturers,” he added.

Mexico benefits from tariff-free exports to the United States as well as Europe, while its factories are beyond the reach of the United Auto Workers union, which has been struggling to boost its influence in the U.S. South.

The plant also increases BMW’s bet on the United States, which is the world’s largest luxury-car market along with China.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/

Canadian honorary consuls participate in Sixth Meeting of Honorary Consuls held in Mexico

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he Sixth Meeting of Honorary Consuls of Mexico was held at the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry (SRE), with the attendance of over 100 participants from 60 countries. Participants from Canada included Mexico’s Honorary Consul in Quebec City, Madeleine Therrien; the Honorary Consul in Winnipeg, James Erwin Downey; the Honorary Consul in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Galo Carrera Hurtado; and the Honorary Vice-Consul in Quebec City, Micheline Dessureault.

The meeting brought together those who perform consular

duties in an honorary capacity on behalf of Mexico, as well as senior Foreign Ministry officials and representatives from federal and state governments and the private sector.

The main purpose of the meeting was to update Mexico’s honorary consuls on the country’s progress and challenges and the nation’s priorities for trade, tourism and culture. The meeting’s agenda reflected two of the guiding principles established

by President Enrique Peña Nieto at the beginning of his administration: prosperity for Mexico and Mexico as a globally responsible

stakeholder.

President Enrique Peña Nieto hosted a working breakfast for Mexico’s honorary consuls at the National Palace.

The Secretaries of Finance and Public Credit, Tourism, and the Economy, the Chair of the National Council for Culture and the Arts, and the CEO of ProMéxico gave presentations on their respective spheres of responsibility to the honorary consuls, who also visited the states of Estado de México and Campeche, where they met with state authorities and representatives from the business sector.

the surfers mecca of Nayarit.

A funky town with a wonderful protected beach, this laid-back town has a hippie vibe with the organic cafes and the yoga studios to prove it.

Visit the Huichol Cultural Centre for some wonderful hand-made beaded jewelry or grab a surf

lesson from one of the many vendors on the beach.

Cooking Classes – Recognized as one of the world’s leading cuisines, there are a number of great schools in the Puerto Vallarta area that will teach you how to master tortilla soup, enchiladas, salsas and more.

Fresh seafood, abundant fruit and veggies and a sophisticated community make Vallarta a foodies dream destination. Look for a school that will take you to the markets or introduce you to the farmers and fishermen for a truly cultural experience.

Don’t want to cook? Try one of

news 07

Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

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Candidate who joked about theft goes on to win election

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on’t just steal a little this time, take it all!”

That was one of many comments that have appeared today on online news sites following the election of Layín, possibly one of Mexico’s most famous politicians.

Hilario Ramírez Villanueva admitted during his campaign for mayor of San Blas, Nayarit, that he stole from the public purse, “but only a little.” He later said it was a joke, but not before it

became international news.

Today, election officials announced that Ramírez had won reelection. Not only that, he made history in the state for being the first independent candidate ever to win election. He was previously elected in 2008 on the National Action Party ticket.

Ramírez admitted his guilt during a campaign speech last month: “They say I robbed a lot of money. Yes, I robbed some money, but just a little, because

there wasn’t any . . . yes, I stole from the municipality, but a little, because it’s very poor. I gave (the treasury) a shave, nothing more than a little shave, because what I stole with this hand (raising his right hand) I gave to the poor with this hand (raising his left).”

He added: “Who doesn’t like money? Everyone likes money.

But I like to work too!”

Ramírez won with 40% of the vote.

Source: Nayarit En Línea

Alaska Airlines New Flights from Portland, Ore., to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

C

ustomers can now book travel on Alaska Airlines new nonstop flights from Portland, Ore., to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Pending approval by the Mexico Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC), the airline plans to begin seasonal service between Portland and Los Cabos from Nov. 3 through April 27, 2015, and between Portland and Puerto Vallarta from Nov. 4 through April 26, 2015.

“We’re happy to expand our longtime flying to Mexico with new flights to these two popular leisure resorts for our Portland travelers, who can take advantage of our award-winning service and low fares for their travel adventures,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines’ senior vice president of communications and external relations.

Alaska Airlines began flying to

Mexico a quarter century ago and operates 240 flights a week during the winter between the West Coast and Mexico—more than any other

carrier. Alaska flies an average of 1.5 million passengers a year to six Mexico beach destinations— Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Loreto, Los

Cabos, Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta—in addition to Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Alaska also will begin flights

between Seattle and Cancun on Nov. 6. The new flights between Portland and Mexico will be operated with Boeing 737 aircraft.

Federal Judge Declares Nayarit Marriage Definition Unconstitutional

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federal judge in the Mexican state of Nayarit has declared section 135 of the Local Civil Code, which states that marriage is the exclusive union between

a man and a woman, unconstitutional. The Mexican Supreme court found that the laws of Nayarit violate the principles of equality and non-discrimination under the

Mexican Federal Constitution and has granted an injunction to a gay couple who had previously been received the right to marry.

The court found the law discri-

minatory because it unjustifiably prevents gay couples from enjoying the same benefits as heterosexual couples. The court in its ruling stated part of the full deve-

the Food Tours available. Eat like a local and for three hours you will enjoy everything from Tacos to Pozole.

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.

Volunteer - There are many

wonderful organizations across the Bay that can use your help. Both time or money will be appreciated. On Sundays, the Brigada de Basura does a morning clean-up with the local children and then they all head to Que Pasa restaurant for breakfast, activities and friendship.

Ride the bus - Buses in Puerto Vallarta are an experience all their own.You can tell the general destination of the bus by what is written on the window. Costco, Sheraton, Centro, Mismaloya you can go just about anywhere in this city on the bus.

Only seven and a half pesos

lopment of homosexual individuals is to freely and voluntarily establish an emotional relationship with another men. www.gaypv.com

NEWS 08

Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

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Mexico has achieved 74% development goals Solar and other energy sources are

T

ime is running out for completion of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG), but Mexico has completed 74% of the indicators of progress in the United Nations project.

At a presentation yesterday in Mexico City it was revealed that of the 51 indicators used to measure the eight goals, 38 have been met.

The MDG is a United Nations project that was signed by all the UN’s member nations in 2000.

All eight goals, which range from reducing poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, are to be met

by September next year.

César Garcés, a member of the special information committee on MDG in Mexico, said that of the 13 unmet indicators five are progressing favorably, five have shown insufficient progress and two are stalled. The progress on another is unknown.

However, in comparison with many other countries, Mexico is doing reasonably well. Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, is not

expected to achieve any of the targets with the exception of reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Benin, in West Africa, is expected to meet none of them.

Garcés said among the indicators that haven’t been met are the rate of growth in GDP per capita, the number of children vaccinated for measles, incidence of tuberculosis, increasing the forest cover, controlling carbon dioxide emissions and better management of water supplies.

The eight millennium goals are: • Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; •Achieve universal primary education; • Promote gender equality and empower women; • Reduce child mortality; • Improve maternal health; • Combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases; • Ensure environmental sustainability; Global partnership for development.

In its annual report on progress

on reaching the goals, released yesterday, the UN said there has been “significant progress” but much remains to be done. It urged governments to intensify their efforts.

Among the achievements so far: • The number of children dying before the age of five is nearly half what it was 20 years ago.

• The maternal mortality rate has dropped by 45%.

• Some 3.3 million deaths from malaria have been prevented.

• The global target to improve access to safe water has been met.

But many other goals lag behind. Meeting gender equality targets and reducing maternal and child deaths are far off the mark. The UN’s children agency UNICEF said last year that the goal to reduce child mortality by two-thirds won’t be achieved until 2028 if the current rate doesn’t change.

Sources: El Economista, The Guardian

Quake Slams Mexico, Guatemala

A

magnitude-6.9 earthquake on the Pacific Coast jolted a wide area of southern Mexico and Central America Monday, killing at least three people while damaging homes, hospitals and churches.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at 6:23 a.m.

(7:23 a.m. EDT; 11:23 GMT) on the Pacific Coast 1 mile (2 kilometers) north-northeast of Puerto Madero, near the Guatemala border. It initially calculated the magnitude at 7.1 but later lowered the figure to 6.9.

Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina said a baby died when parts of the ceiling collapsed on the newborn in the San Marco medical center. He said there were reports of other deaths, but this was the only confirmed fatality in Guatemala. He added that there were 33 injuries.

Earlier, the national spokesman for local fire departments, Raul Hernandez, had said that at least two people died in their homes from collapsed walls in the Guatemalan town of Pati, in the border province of San Marcos, and another woman in Quetzaltenango died from a heart attack.

Civil protection officials in the Mexican state of Chiapas raised

the future, says Green Party Deputy

E

nergy reform in Mexico is mostly about Pemex and CFE, the electric company, and opening up the markets in which they prevail. But it’s also about renewable energy, a fact that a Green Party Deputy was keen to discuss in a recent interview. On the eve of the opening of the energy reform debate in Congress, the Ecologist Green Party coordinator Arturo Escobar y Vega says Mexico has renewable energy resources that it could take advantage of and place itself among major energy producers.

Mexico has potential in alternative energy “which could allow us to transit in the medium and long term from the current system of dependency on oil and natural gas to new systems . . . such as solar, wind, geothermal and bioenergy, among others.”

“Our wealth is characterized by diverse elements,” said the Deputy, “and one of those is solar, which has enormous potential but we’ve barely begun to use it.”

Escobar y Vega forecast that by 2030 solar power could be providing at least 5% of total energy requirements, “an important savings in non-renewable resources and a significant reduction in pollution.”

The north of the country is

among the sunniest in the world, for which reason Mexico is considered to be rather better off than Germany and Spain, yet they are seen as world leaders in the use of solar energy.

The Green Party representative said 80% of the energy consumed in Mexico derives from fossil fuels, producing “grave pollution” of the environment.

Harnessing the sun’s rays is already well under way in Mexico, and a solar energy lobby group forecasts that photovoltaic capacity could treble this year, driven by installations by wealthy households and the first large-scale plants.

Alvaro Lenz-Herrera, president of the National Association of Solar Energy, says output will at least double to 60 megawatts and could treble if the Federal Electrical Commission (CFE) calls a tender for solar parks in Baja California.

The largest solar power plant in Latin America went online in March in Baja California Sur. The Aura Solar I plant has a capacity of 39MW, and will supply electricity to about 64% of the population of the city of La Paz. Sources: Notimex, Wind Energy & Electric Vehicle Review, Fox News

Chichen Itza will be part of a “Master-Planned World Class Resort”

D the death toll to two, and said at least a dozen people were injured by falling tiles and other debris.

Perez said the quake was felt in 12 of Guatemala’s 22 states.

There were reports of power outages and rock slides on some roadways in Guatemala.

Photos posted on social media sites and published by the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre showed buildings with huge cracks across their facades in San Marcos, and one which apparently suffered a partial collapse.

Classes were suspended in at least three western states bordering Mexico.

In Chiapas, where the quake was centered, panicked people poured into the streets and the Red Cross said it was treating

some frightened adults and children.

“I thought the house was going to collapse,” said Claudia Gonzales, 32, who ran to the street in the town of Comitan with her 1-year-old daughter.

The quake was felt across a broad swath of southern Mexico and as far away as Mexico City, but officials had no immediate reports of damage.

The quake was centered 37 miles (60 kilometers) beneath the surface.

In the city of Tapachula, near the epicenter, city employee Omar Santos said “buildings were moving, windows broke in some houses and businesses, and people ran through the streets in the dark.”

uring a meeting of the Yucatan Strategic Plan Foundation, the State Secretary of Economic Development, David Alpizar Carrillo, officially announced the creation of a tourist development around Chichén Itzá, including the construction of a golf course and other attractions.

Additionally, he announced that the Museum of Maya Civilization Yaxcabá Project is being seriously contemplated but which has been kept in standby mode for more than two years.

Both projects are included in the National Infrastructure Plan of the Federal Government, which was released a few weeks ago in Mexico City.

The archaeological site of Chichen Itza will be “a MasterPlanned World Class Resort”, the first of its kind based on the cultural attractions. José Canto Vivas, President of the Yucatan

Strategic Plan Foundation, declared that the modernization of urban transportation services and the creation of a condominium law are top priorities that need to be finalized before the end of the year.

One of the objectives of the project is to entice tourists to spend the night in the Mayan city and archaeological site of Chichen Itza.

LOCAL 09

Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

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Paradise and Parenting

My Morning Commute

By Terry Connell

Living Behind a Butcher

W

e live behind one of the few butchers in Old Town, Vallarta, which, on the surface, sounds innocent enough. The storefront is small but charming and very clean.

There is a cold case that fills most of the store stocked with various cuts of meat, an old hand register and scale sit on a small table, the butcher handwrites receipts.

At the front, by the door, there is a small heated container with various types of fried meat. It’s a quaint, simple little place that serves our small neighborhood.

But, if timed right, you can catch the other side of this life, the work in the back of the store.

I have been lucky enough to see all kinds of carcasses with dripping blood, hauled into the back of the shop and hung from huge hooks. More than once, I’ve walked past and watched as skin and meat are sliced away from each other. Yesterday, I saw the butcher, Rudi, trying to figure out how to pick up two massive, skinless cow heads, with thick white horns and empty eye sockets off the back of a track.

After trying a few diferent approaches, he simply stuck his hands up into the base of the skulls to get a good grip, and headed into the shop like it was just another day – and for him, it was. It is a horrible, bloody world behind the storefront, where the meat is literally butchered, and I can’t stop myself from peeking every time I walk past.

There is another aspect of life behind the butcher that is unavoidable, and unfortunately, it lacks the fascinating horror of whatever animal is getting slaughtered. I am talking about chicharones – a seasoned, fried pork rind used in tacos and gorditas.

Rudi fries them daily in a huge vat that sits at the very back of the building. They are a staple of the Mexican diet, especially here in Puerto Vallarta.

I have tried chicharones more than once, but haven’t, as my

Leza Warkentin father would say, “developed a taste for them.” I don’t know that I ever will, because I have to smell chicharones being prepared every morning.

It is 7:30 and still dark, when I hear, Rudi, turn on the pilot to start heating the oil for the chicharones.

Then he goes to sit on the stoop and wait for one of his brothers to pull up in their red Chevy pick-up to deliver whatever animals and animal parts will be sold that day.

At first, a this pleasant, bacony smell floats through our apartment and makes me think of Sunday mornings at the family table when I was a kid.

By 8:30, though, once the grease is hotter, that pleasant breakfast aroma has been replaced by a heavy, bitter/sour smell that becomes so dense you can taste it.

By 9:00, when Rudi drops the chicharones into the oil with a violent “TSSSSSSSSSHHHHH!” it is impossible to breath without gagging.

Our defense tactics are simple but effective.

We keep the windows facing the butcher shop closed and the ceiling fans cranked up to high…. and we hide out on the balcony until the air clears; usually by 9:30, though in the humid weather, the smell will hang in the air until after 10. If, for any reason, we need to leave the apartment during the height of the smell, we run quickly past the butcher shop, holding our breath for as long as possible down three flights of stairs and into the long hall.

When our lungs feel like they are going to burst, we cover our mouths with our T-shirts and, still moving, gag while trying to take in some air.

I am not exaggerating when I say that the smell of chicharones is still noticeable three blocks away.

On the plus side, if I have to spend an hour and a half hiding from some ferocious odor, at least I have a balcony where I can sip my coffee and watch the river rolling by. The air will clear.

It always does.

Summer Vacation Strategy

M

y goal each summer has always been to engage my kids in at least one interesting learning project of their choosing. They chose from a variety of topics that I would offer, but they always insisted that the project involved at least one paper-mache activity/incident/ situation. We have studied dinosaurs, artists, magicians, and, last summer, inventors.

We have set up our own grocery stores, restaurants, magic shows and movie theatres.

And I have, to this day, been unable to find a way to remove paper-mache paste from skin without also taking off several layers of epidermis.

Now that the children are 8 and 9 years old, when I mention anything to do with school or learning they give me a look that can only be described as flinty, a look that hardened criminals might send FBI agents in the interrogation room.

This doesn’t mean that learning won’t take place this summer.

This just means that I have to change my strategy; just like those FBI agents, who would perhaps try a game of good cop/bad cop if a confession was hard to extract.

So it looks like this will be a paper-mache-free summer, but it won’t be unproductive by any means. Here are some things we have done already. If it helps you, then I’m the good cop.

1) Summer camp –My kids went to the American School’s Sharks Sports Camp last summer.

They came home happy and exhausted.

High fives all around. From what I’ve seen on posters all over town, there are all sorts of day camp programs being offered.

2) Volunteer – Since many of our dedicated expat volunteers have left Vallarta for the summer months, volunteers are needed at many non-profit organizations.

Our kids help out with groups like the SPCA/PV, where animalfriendly people are needed to help socialize cats and dogs and help with Saturday adoptions at the Biblioteca Los Mangos.

The great part is that my kids see volunteering as a fun thing to do. Cuddling puppies and kittens isn’t a bad gig.

3) Conversations – I feel like vacations give me so many opportunities to listen to my children without also thinking about whether we are going to get to their swimming lesson/soccer practice/violin class on time.

There’s stuff they tell me that I didn’t realize they even thought about. Yesterday on our way home from downtown we discussed their current future ambitions (veterinarian and boat taxi operator/gold miner), and then debated the differences between the Big Foot and the Yeti.

After a brief song interlude I was able to share with them that there is just so much more to Mick Jagger than his moves, although they are not to be underestimated.

This led to an introduction to the music of The Rolling Stones. You see? So much summer learning for us all!

4) Overnighters – We took an overnight trip to Yelapa yesterday. We hit the waterfall, the natural pool and the ocean.

We ate out on the beach and slept with the windows open so we could hear the waves crash.

This morning my husband and the kids had their first exhilarating experiences on a sea kayak.

As we drove back into Vallarta I caught myself saying, “Oh well, back to reality”.

And then I started to laugh like I was the hardened criminal, getting off scot-free. Because if Puerto Vallarta is our reality after the escape then this summer vacation is already legendary.

VALLARTA SHOPPING DIRECTORY The only complete guide for Vallarta´s best galleries, boutiques, spas, restaurants and more. vallartashoppingdirectory.blogspot.mx

Vallarta Shopping Directory News

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ach month Barbara Peters, owner of Galeria Vallarta sends out an info packed newsletter. Here’s one of the articles in the July issue. If you’d like to sign up for her newsletter send an email to webart@prodigy.net.mx.

Enjoy!

Canadian Artist Looks Forward to Painting in Mexico

C

anadian artist Angie Roth McIntosh was delighted to move in to her new home in Puerto Vallarta this weekend. She feels like she is coming full circle as she first stayed at the Casa Corazon and painted the street

scene there in water colours when she first came to the area almost 30 years ago. Over the years she would often go out to paint in Bucerias while visiting her friend Yvonne Dubeau. Angie first fell in love with this part of Mexico in the mid 80’s when she came with her husband, physician Dr. Robert McIntosh.

Over the years they brought their children to the Villa Del Palmar for spring break holidays and Angie vowed to have a place of her own in Puerto Vallarta one day.

Angie works in watercolours, acrylics, and oils and loves to paint all around the world where she travels. Last December and March she was in Puerto Vallarta and spent a lot of time south of town in Boca de Tomatlan and at the wonderful beaches beyond.

She has captured the botanical gardens in acrylics in a painting of bougainvilla and white curtains.

Angie studied painting in China at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing back in 1987. She travelled back to the country to paint eight times and has spent several months painting there in the last few years, working in oils and acrylics. She was recently painting in Shanghai, Guilin, Yangshou, Shangli and Chengdu.

Angie completed a trip through the Rocky Mountains painting last summer where she had the exciting adventure of watching a mother brown bear feeding her twin cubs in the wilderness of Jasper National Park, in Canada.

That evening she made sure to stay in her car due to close proximity of the grizzlies, especially as she painted in the park until dark.

Angie goes to northern BC and Alaska at least every summer and has been working on an extensive series of works from life there.

Angie is looking forward to meeting other artists from Mexico and around the world and painting in Puerto Vallarta when she returns next winter. Angie is represented by several galleries in Canada.

She is always trying to encourage others, beginners and professionals to get out and paint. You can check out more information about her adventures in paint on her website at www.WorldArtTours.net.

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287 Basilio Badillo in old town 322 223 0838 www.nachodaddymexico.com

REAL ESTATE 14

Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

Business Etiquette in Mexico

By Miguel Fernandez miguel@g3mex.com

R

eal estate transactions in Mexico can differ somewhat from those in the U.S. and Canada. Certainly some of the laws and procedures are not the same, that is a given, but another consideration is the etiquette of Mexican culture. Here are some ways that we differ from our Northern friends: A handshake upon greeting someone is extremely important.

And, frequently, even a short embrace, if you are more familiar.

Also, it is not uncommon to kiss a woman on the side of one cheek, if you have met her on a number of occasions.

Mexicans don’t have the same concern for personal physical space as many U.S. and Canadian residents do. Generally, we stand and sit in closer proximity to another person. In fact, it’s considered quite rude to move away from someone. If you are attending a meeting, or dining with a group of people, it is viewed as extremely rude to have your back facing someone in the party.

Depending upon where you are in Mexico, and the level/status of the businessperson or individual that you are meeting, time and punctuality is a slightly different concept. In a relaxed town like Puerto Vallarta, thirty minutes past a scheduled meeting is not unusual if the meeting is less formal. If it is more formal, people usually are good about being on time. So, I recommend that you plan accordingly. Since I grew up in both countries, I find that I am usually on time or early, and fortunately now we have Smartphones to keep ourselves occupied while waiting.

Negotiations may tend to move more slowly, and may require some patience. Also, we Mexicans really like to build a personal relationship prior to a professional one. So always expect at least ten to fifteen minutes of small talk before getting down to business.

We respect people who take time to consider a proposal before agreeing to anything. Quick decisiveness is viewed as hasty and imprudent in Mexico.

We Mexicans love conversation, and often make a lot of suggestions and promises, as we really want to make the other party feel happy and comfortable.

In light of this, it’s a very good idea to get important agreements in writing. Important negotiations and deals almost never occur over the phone or via email.

Mexicans prefer to do business in person. If, for some reason you cannot be present at an important meeting, always choose your local contact person or representative VERY carefully.

Also, be persistent! Don’t give up if you don’t receive a response to your phone calls or emails right away, or if your meetings are continually postponed or canceled. If you give up, your Mexican counterparts might assume that you weren’t serious in the first place.

And be aware that deadlines are often little more than general target dates.

Having lived in the United States, I’ve grown to appreciate the more laid-back style of business interactions. It’s not uncommon to see very casual attire at business meetings these days. Especially in the youth oriented Dot. com culture. Some, but not all of this has crept down here to Mexico. Certainly the beach resort influence of Puerto Vallarta (not to mention the hot weather) makes people dress more comfortably, but, we are still somewhat formal when it comes to important business engagements, and dressing in business attire is expected for both men and women.

Note: If you are invited to visit the home of a Mexican business associate, it’s best to wear business attire unless specifically told otherwise (beach party, etc.).

Helpful Hints: Any attempt to speak Spanish is appreciated by Mexican counterparts.

Demonstrating knowledge and appreciation of Mexican culture will always win friends. We are very proud of our independence and have a very strong sense of national identity and pride. Never compare the way things are done in Mexico with the

way they are done in the United States, and Canada, though sometimes, I do, having spent so much time in both the U.S. and Mexico. But I’ve really learned to switch gears, when I’m north or south of the border.

Little things count. Not saying hello and good-bye, for example, may well offend and adversely affect your relationship to a much greater extent than it would in the United States.

In the end, so much cultural exchange has occurred, via

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immigration and the media, that some customs have fallen a little by the wayside. And, admittedly, Puerto Vallarta is a melting pot of cultures, and people, that in a lot of ways, pretty much anything goes, though, as a Mexican, I’m

proud of my heritage and country, and I think our formality and graciousness are great traditions to preserve.

I’m always available for real estate and business advice.

You can contact me at my office G3MEX Real Estate Group, here in the Marina Vallarta. Saludos!

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SPORTS 15

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Random thoughts from the Tribune Sports desk

By Joel Hansen

I

f you are reading this you already know who is playing for the World Cup. For me it is still Wednesday morning, all of my hopes and dreams for the Dutch national team have not been ruined or realized. The match with Argentina is still five hours away.

I am writing this from Canada, from Victoria BC to be exact and soon I will be getting in a car and driving to my grandfather-in-laws (if that is a thing) to watch with him. He is an eighty-nine year old Dutchman and the most fierce and loyal supporter of Dutch soccer that I know.

Many moons ago Jan Janbroers was a young up-and-coming prospect with Amsterdam powerhouse Ajax. He had great potential and there was belief he would be a fixture with the team for years to come. But that was before the Nazis, before

he climbed down the hatch of his first submarine to battle them, before his first cigarette. After the war, he never regained that early promise; he played some semi-pro soccer before beginning a long and successful career with Shell Petroleum.

After retiring and the death of his first wife, Jan relocated to Victoria in 1988 where he met Florence and they were married shortly after.

A few years later, when I met Jan for the first time, his accent was thick and his English was limited, but we immediately connected over our love of Ruud Gullit, the Deboer brothers and all things Dutch soccer related.

Unfortunately, in the interest of being polite, I also accepted some salted black licorice (a Dutch treat) and assured him that I really enjoyed it. A myth that still exists to this day, and every time

I visit I am forced to eat a few of these vile little candies, with a smile on my face.

Over the next couple of years I spent many of our family visits sequestered with him in the living room talking and watching soccer, discussing all things related to the Dutch. The other members of the family had little interest in the beautiful game, so we both looked forward to these visits where we could chat about who we thought should be the next national coach or if Van Nistelrooy or Kluivert should be featured as the attacking forward.

These times were very happy moments for both of us.

Back four years ago when the World Cup was being played in South Africa, I traveled from Vancouver to Victoria to watch a group match between Holland and Cameroon with him.

I remember thinking to myself that this would most likely be the last time I would watch a World Cup game with Jan. His health had been in steady decline and I was preparing for my impending move to Puerto Vallarta. At that moment Brazil and 2014 seemed like a long ways away.

I was happy that Holland made it to the final and remember calling him the day after they lost to Spain to express my disappointment, as always he yelled into the phone (after years in a submarine and working for Shell, and age I suppose, he is a little hard of hearing) that Spain was the better team and had earned the win, gracious as always.

For the next couple years his health declined, but then it stopped getting worse and miraculously he began to get better, stronger.

He had always had an iron handshake, a man’s grip, but I had noticed it weakening in those years since South Africa.

But I am happy to say that he looks great, that his famous grip is back and now here we are, nearly ready for kickoff, a cold Amstel for me and a small glass of Cognac for him, looking forward to a great match with the Argentinian team and a spot in the final against the Germans.

I truly hope that fate will come together for Jan and we get that final and he is able to see Oranje lift the cup.

But win or lose I am most happy that I was able to watch one more game with a man whom I love and respect, and with whom I have shared so many great memories.

Hup Holland.

Friday July 11 - 17, 2014

Riviera Nayarit Hosts 2014 OPTINAM

F

rom July 9th through the 16th, Nuevo Vallarta is poised to welcome 227 young sailors along with 176 vessels from 19 countries, including trainers, judges and the news media. About 1,000 adults are expected during the competition, which is estimated to bring in an estimated 20 to 30 million Mexican pesos.

The 2014 Optimist North American Championship (OPTINAM) will be celebrated for the first time in the Riviera Nayarit from July 9-17. It will be hosted at the Vallarta Yacht Club located in Nuevo Vallarta.

This international competition—taking place in Mexico for the second time—has already registered 227 sailors aboard 176 vessels from 19 countries; together with their trainers, family members and news media, the total of participants in the event will be one thousand adults or more.

The Asociación Mexicana de Veleristas Clase Optimist (AMVCO, by its acronym in Spanish) organized the event along with the Federación Mexicana de Vela (FMV); their intent is to raise the event to the highest level in order to increase tourism.

They also wish to increase the promotion of this sport, practiced by over 150 thousand children and

youths between the ages of 7 and 15 years old in 100 countries; 70% of the Olympic contestants in different sailing disciplines began their careers at the Optimist.

Thanks to the coverage of over 30 domestic and international news media, the 2014 OPTINAM will be followed by thousands of people in 50 countries around America, Europe and Asia.

The organizers also estimate the event will generate anywhere from 20 to 30 million Mexican pesos for the region.

This international competition includes three championships: the Optimist Individual North American Championship (INAM); the Optimist Team Racing North American Championship (TRNAM) and the Optimist Nations Cup (NC).

Participants from the United States, Canada, Uruguay, Venezuela, Argentina, Switzerland, New Zealand, Singapore and other Mexican states began arriving July 1st. Mexico is participating with 27 of its best athletes.

Mexico’s Pacific Treasure continues to showcase its abilities to host events of this magnitude, which generate international exposure that will certainly benefit cultural, eco and sports tourism in the short, medium and long terms.

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Campechaneale: Exploring Campeche´s Cuisine

By Ramiro Lopez

Palizada, a Pueblo Mágico

I

n Campeche life is very relaxed and calm; there is no need for daylight savings time, or clocks, and malicious tongues wag that time in Campeche must be an hour behind, because the people there are constantly late.

Today the term ‘campechano’ applies to one who is simple and cordial, with no regard for ceremony or formality. This term is also applied to food, and although campechanos are accused of consuming “pan de cazón” or cuchero for both breakfast and dinner, in reality they enjoy a varied gastronomy, and it is for this reason when you request your taco ‘campechanos” you receive ones that contain a little bit of everything.

So you take it “campechana”: eating slowly and leisurely.

I was already in that calm ‘campechano’ mood when I beheld Palizada, a Pueblo Mágico, due to its beauty and well-maintained traditions; a town where one can breathe pure air and eat pure delicacies. The churches, houses, and elaborate front doors reflect a past wealth generated by commerce in precious woods that were transported across the Palizada River to the coast, where they were then shipped to distant European shores.

Old Acquaintance, New Tour In Palizada there is an interesting tour one can take, through its quiet streets embellished with gabled houses, under whose French tile ceilings a cheese maker, or chocolatier, or better still, a restaurateur, await their customers as in days gone by.

The surrounding area of Palizada offers entertaining tours such as cattle ranching on horse trails through indescribable landscapes. But why travel on one horse when you can enjoy the 100 horsepower of “El Palizeño Catamaran”? Utilizing the same waters that once carried wood, they have created a river tour that includes the activity of cooking regional recipes on board, combining fishing with lessons in regional cuisine.

Touring and Cooking The tour begins at the dock of City Hall, where aboard the Catamaran Palizeño boat, you will traverse lush landscapes

following the Palizada River, enjoying the view of vegetation, birds and mammals such as manatees and howler monkeys. Through its course, the river feeds into beautiful lagoons, the largest of which is Términos, where you can fish delicacies such as garpike, tilapia, and topota (1), whose roe is also consumed, and is quite similar to caviar. Another of the most sought after in the waters of Campeche is the fish ‘snook’, and in April they organize a fishing tournament in its honour. With this fish they prepare “macum”: fish brushed with a marinade of red achiote and lemon, which is wrapped in banana leaves with sweet peppers and xcatic peppers, tomato, and onion - you should try it! They also prepare the typical “Campechana” fish, which is the same as the “Veracruzana” or “Vizcaina” in Spain, but the difference is that this one is made in Campeche.

If after the two hour journey to Ciudad del Carmen, the river fishing has not been successful, the second round begins at sea; there’s an opportunity for warm sea bream; crappies, saws, snapper, and snooks await the expert’s fish hooks and hot casseroles. On the return trip, the capture is prepared with typical dishes of the region,

stopping in vegetable-producing areas, where you collect the ingredients for your dinner. But if you were distracted by fishing for mermaids, or in the opposite case, for sharks, don’t worry, you can go down to Ciudad del Carmen, where the food is as precious as a pearl; as the locals say: “la comida esta de perlas”.

Food of Pearls Ciudad del Carmen, known as the “Pearl of the Gulf”, is a city surrounded by water and beautiful natural areas, which are a sanctuary for numerous plant and animal species. In the waters of its rivers and lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico, fishing is abundant. For fisherwomen of sharks, and even fishermen, they serve here the tope fish, a small shark prepared in “pan de cazón” : 3 stacked layers of corn spread with beans and stewed tope fish, bathed with a tomato and epazote sauce, and served with avocado and “salsa tamulada”, a smoked sauce of habanero pepper. The tope fish is also prepared roasted, in “empanadas”, in tikin xic (2), tomato sauce, croquettes and in stuffed xcatic peppers.

Octopus here is one of the most precious gifts of Campeche´s sea, in its waters is caught

“

There is an interesting tour one can take, through its quiet streets embellished with gabled houses, under whose French tile ceilings a cheese maker, or chocolatier, or better still, a restaurateur, await their customers as in days gone by”

most of the production of the country and it is prepared in a thousand ways in inns (fondas) and restaurants; care for a recommendation?- “La Puntilla”, next to the iconic bridge “the Zacatal”, one of the longest on the American continent.

I also recommend you take a tour through the city around July 30th, when they celebrate the Virgin del Carmen. Also do not forget to visit the Regional Botanical Garden, where edible herbs are exhibited, like chaya, a plant native to the peninsula and grown in family gardens, whose leaves are used to prepare all kinds of dishes like tamales dzotobichay (3), and “chai way”; in soups, stews, boiled, with egg, tacos, “ papain” and even in fresh water

with lemon. For fruits we found the cashew apple, an astringent and juicy with the seed growing outside of the fruit. With the pulp they make flavored waters, ice cream and conserves. With the seed they make raisins or the prized snack- toasted cashews.

Natural and Gourmet Paradise The road awaits, with many surprises waiting to be discovered. Most of the important populations are concentrated along the coast of Campeche, and for those looking to live the “campechana” life with an ocean view, the city of Champotón is the answer.

Champotón is also the name of the river that runs through the zone and extends its arms of mangroves; ideal for bird watching

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City of Campeche

or for fishing. What is caught in the river by the locals is sold at restaurants where regional cuisine and seafood delicacies are enjoyed; fried oysters, wrapped pompano, squid stuffed with shrimp, strained tamales, or filled with chaya leaf ... mmm!, and especially the ceviche with shrimp champotonero, which is packed by a local company and marketed to the rest of the country.

Sea flavor, cooler than ever!

And as usual, the main course comes at the end, and this is the case of Campeche, a World Heritage Site and one of the few state capitals in the country with access to the sea. There you can find many places where stately architecture is as appreciated as their great cuisine. You will also have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of regional food in the various workshops offered in the city, skilled cooks will teach you how to develop rich Mayan food, such as cochinita pibil, papadzules (4), pork and bean stews. They also offer a workshop on “Mayan Ritual Food “ held on the outskirts of the city. In this workshop you will

participate in an event that will revive your senses and make you marvel at the richness of this beautiful culture.

The peninsula has a lot of practice in making traditional candies from fruits and roots of the region; they are made with coconut, tamarind, cassava arepas, coconut crème, yuca fritters; or a range of fruit in sugar syrup, honey or brown sugar (piloncillo) such as ciricote, yellow currant, white cucumber, plum Tuxpana, sweet potato, nance, papaya, cocoyol, pumpkin, papaya, icaco, cashew, cider, papaya root and more. After knowing this land you will not be able to say goodbye, you will rather say “see you later alligator” and don´t forget one of these ‘sweet for the bitter taste’ of parting goodbyes. And be sure to go for all of this little bit varied: Campechaneale!

1. Topota: Literally tope fish, this little native fish from the region of Campeche each year spawns from the marshes to the Rio Palisade and is used by local people as much for their meat as their roe is highly appreciated.

2. Tikin Xic Whole Grouper

Ciudad del Carmen

Fish: achiote and sour orange rubbed, stuffed with julienne of chili peppers, tomato and onion wrapped with banana leaf and grilled over hot coals.

3. Tamales dzotobichay: also known as Indian arm it is traditional tamale from the Yucatan Peninsula. With ingredients like egg stuffed with pumpkin

seed sauce and chaya leafs, its undoubted origin is Maya.

4. Papadzules: tacos of chopped boiled eggs with pumpkin seed sauce.

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Cuernavaca, Morelos Explore the City of Eternal Spring

T

he “City of Eternal Spring” charms those who visit it.

Less than 50 miles from Mexico City, Cuernavaca has acquired a cosmopolitan face due to the emergence of new recreational facilities, amazing spas, cafes and restaurants, and luxury hotels. Located on the slopes of the Neovolcanic axis, at 4,921 feet above sea level, Cuernavaca is one of the best year-round climates and hosts lush vegetation ranging from cool forests to the low jungle.

Walking Through History Colonial buildings, historic residences and beautiful gardens are part of the main landscape in the capital of Morelos. Places such as the Cathedral, the Cortes Palace, which houses the Cuauhnauac Museum, the San Jose El Calvario Church, the Borda Garden Museum, the Juarez Garden Kiosk. Famous characters such as Maximilian of Hamburg, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and others made of the “City of the Eternal Spring” their home, and several of these historic homes

are open to the public today.

Morelos Flavours Cured meats, tlacoyos, huitlacoche with corn and pipian, along with pulque and refino, delight the tastebuds of Cuernavaca natives and visitors. Visiting Cuernavaca means delighting yourself with a variety of flavours from the city and the state of Morelos. Dishes such as pepita green mole with meat, fish mixiotes, tamales, goat and lamb barbecue, clemole, cured meat with cheese, mushrooms that grow on the oak tree trunks and cazaguate, pigeons called huilotas en escabeche, (marinade), quesadillas, marrow tostadas, Yecapixtla cured meat, bean tlacoyos and insects known as jumiles, are part of the endless list of food that you can enjoy here.

Admire the Craftsmanship Real works of art are sculpted by the hands of people from Morelia. Clay pots, lacquered wood masks and figures, glazed clay items, decorative figures, forged iron and wooden furniture, pre-Hispanic instruments, amate paper art, wood figures,

coarse cotton clothing, beading and stone collars, wax products, palm woven purses and baskets and any amount of pottery items can be acquired in several spots of Morelos. Even though towns such as Tlayacapan, Ocotepec, Tepoztlan, Tlaltizapan are specialized in elaborating different types of craftsmanship, Cuernavaca brings all the artisans together. Beside the Cuauhnahuac Museum is the Arts and Crafts market, with a wonderful selection of specialized crafts for this area.

In Tlayacapan, one of the main activities is pottery. The peoples of this town have their own high temperature pottery factories, in

which they produce clay pots of all sizes, flower pots, mugs, mortars, figures, moneyboxes, griddles, pans and complete sets of dishes of glazed clay with great color tinges.

Amate paper art is one of the main crafts you’ll find in Morelos.

This elaborate type of paper made by the Tepoztlan people, from tree pulp has beautiful woven designs.

It is often used to create lamps.

Cuernavaca in 24 hours Touring the city in one visit and appreciating all of its attractions is an almost impossible task, however, if you want to make a whirlwind visit to the “City of Eternal Spring”, there are three can’t miss places to visit to get a real taste of this historic and beautiful city.

The first stop is the Palace of Cortes, an extraordinary building located next to the main square, right in the city center. This is one of the oldest colonial civilian buildings in Cuernavaca. The former home of the famous Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes, today houses the Cauhnáhuac Museum and preserves the state’s history, from pre-Hispanic times, to the agrarian revolution led by Emiliano Zapata. Here you will find armours, coins, costumes, carriages, the large clockwork brought from London, as well as a military cannon, guns, and the remains of some pre-Hispanic burials.

Undoubtedly, the star of this museum, which is something you just cannot miss, is the mural

painted by Diego Rivera entitled “History of Morelos: Conquests and Revolution”, where the artist embodied the most important historical moments in the state’s life, with an unparalleled critical eye, typical of Mexican muralist paintings. Here you will see the famous representation of José María Morelos, where Rivera placed his own face on the unmistakable figure of the famous leader, giving its gaze a unique effect, as it seems to follow the viewer from any angle of the corridor from where he is watching.

The next required stopping point is Cuernavaca’s Cathedral, or former monastery of the Assumption, located at the corner of Morelos avenue and Hidalgo street; a few blocks from the Palace of Cortes. This church is the oldest building in the entire monastery complex, consisting of four buildings. The monastery was the fifth Franciscan construction established in Mexico in 1525 by the first twelve Franciscan friars who arrived in the country. It was here where the monks began their work of evangelization in the state.

Almost on every wall, the visitor can admire seventeenth century paintings of great artistic and historical value.

Behind the cathedral, at number 4 Nezahualcoyotl street, you will find one of the best kept cultural treasures in Cuernavaca: the Brady Museum. This building is the former home of Robert Brady, an American collector who purchased the property in

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1961 and decorated the house with a collection comprising more than1,300 artworks, from paintings, to sculptures, engravings and handicrafts from all over the world. Among the small treasures you will admire, you will find the work of renowned painters such as Rufino Tamayo, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Miguel Covarrubias, Francisco Toledo, Jose Guadalupe Posadas, among many others.

If you are hungry, you cannot leave without eating at one of the most traditional restaurants in Cuernavaca, Casa de Campo; a Boutique Hotel that is part of the region’s most recent history.

The property, recently appointed Historical Monument by INAH, has an exquisite menu, offering, among other dishes, delicious fish filets prepared with garlic, a la talla, with a mojo sauce made from garlic, citrus and vinegar, a la diabla (in chipotle sauce), or empapelado (wrapped). For breakfast, you must order delicious huitlacoche crepes, with mushrooms and Gouda cheese, bathed in poblano chile sauce, or a delicious vegetarian omelet served with mushrooms and zucchini blossoms. You must try its famous biscuits with cream and guava jam, served with delicious water chocolate; or its nut muffins

and criollo chocolate, all of which are prepared in an artisanal way by local cooks.

Xochicalco: Home of the Feathered Serpent Mystic sacred site located in the municipality of Temixco, Xochicalco finds the meaning of its name in Nahuatl language as “Place of the house of the flowers”.

This ancient ceremonial center, which was declared a Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, was in its heyday during the Epiclassic period from 650 to 900AD Its .most emblematic building is the

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Feathered Serpent Pyramid, with its well preserved engraved images. 38 kilometers away from Cuernavaca, this prehispanic ceremonial site was one of the main power centers after the fall of Teotihuacan.

Xochicalco has a Plaza Central and the Great Pyramid where 20 round altars, the Palace and the South Ball Game court, the largest of the site, are located.

The Plaza Principal is the most important space of this sacred city which houses the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, decorated with engraved images on its four sides,

of great significance for ancestral life. Here you will find the Acropolis, the residency of the main sovereigns in the city, and the Stele Temple, where the stone tablets related to Quetzalcoatl were found.

Always impressively ahead in relation to the study of stars, there is an observatory, located in the Western side of the site, it was built to study the movements of the Sun. Inside it, a hallway and a great chamber with a chimney of more than 8 meters, allow the suns rays to create a hexagon on the cave floor. It’s very Indiana Jones.

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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.

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 Alcoholics Anonymous: In English Puerto Vallarta Alanon Club - Basilio Badillo 329 www.recoverpv.com Amazing Grace Missions Assisting families in Majisterio & Progreso with necessities and job training and English. Children’s programs also. Tax-deductible in USA & Canada.

Contact slw2014nv@gmail.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, 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 Fundacion Punta de Mita LDG. Ana Lilia Medina Varas de Valdés. ana@fundacionpuntademita.org Tel.

(329) 291 5053 www.fundacionpuntademita.org Friends of PV Animals Volunteers working to enhance the lives of shelter animals. For info and donations visit friendsofpvanimals.com Grupo Ecológico de PuertoVallarta: Arq. Luz del Carmen Pérez Alvarez cayro_13@ hotmail.com grupoecologico.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 Mexico Ministries & Mission, Inc. raises funds to the poor in Vallarta.

Contact Fr. Jack+ 044 322 229-1129 christchurchbythesea.org 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. pasitosdeluz.org PEACEAnimals - Free mobile spay/ neuter clinic operating 48 weeks a year, primarily in Puerto Vallarta. Tax-deductible. 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. 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. 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. kids. romamexico.com The International Friendship Club (IFC) - Supports the Cleft Palate Surgery Program & families in need.

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

Toys for Tots Vallarta - Distributes toys and constructs playgrounds for 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

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IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS OFF

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

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 Patio de mi Casa Guerrero 311 esq.

Matamoros 322.222.0743 Encore Lazaro Cardenas51, Bucerias 329.298.0140 La Bodeguita Del Medio Paseo Diaz Ordaz 858, Malecon” 322.223.1583 Tu-Sun 9:30-2:00 am Murphy’s Irish Pub Morelos 484 Altos 1, Centro

PLACE YOUR AD HERE

La Palapa Pulpito#103, Playa los Muertos” 322.222.5225 Las Adelitas Av. Fluvial Vallarta 234 322.293.7778 / 22.113.0373 Nacho Daddy

287 Basilio Badillo nachodaddymexico.com Philo’s Delfin15, La Cruz de Huanacaxle”329.295.5068 Thu-Sat 8:30 pm 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

LIVE MUSIC VENUES

Vallarta´s only English newspaper

ADVERTISE HERE FOR ONLY $ 250 PESOS / WK

PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE TRIBUNE AT TOURISM OFFICES SATURDAY MARKET A PAGE IN THE SUN FREDY TUCAN´S PANCAKE HOUSE CONSULATE OFFICES YO-YO MO´S MARINA RIVIERA NAYARIT

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

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.

Emergency Numbers for Bucerias & La Cruz 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

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SUDOKU easy

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

medium

hard

Number Blocks

Word Search

What’s a number block you ask?

The numbers in each row add up to the totals to the right. The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right. Some of the numbers are missing. Try to fill in the missing numbers between 0 and 12.

EXPLORERS Can you find the hidden explorers? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards. AMUNDSEN, BARBOSA, BASS, BOONE, BURKE AND WILLS, CABOT, CARTIER, COLUMBUS, COOK, CORTES, DIAS, DRAKE, ERIKSSON, FAWCETT, FLINDERS, FROBISHER, GRAY, HAWKINS, HERIOLFSSON, HUDSON, KINGSLEY, LIVINGSTONE, MAGELLAN, MARCO POLO, PARK, RALEIGH, SCOTT, SHACKLETON, STURT, TASMAN, TENZING, VANCOUVER, VASCO DA GAMA, VESPUCCI.

1. A tennis racket - A marionette - An orchestra 2. Babe Ruth - Hank Aaron - Marge Simpson 3. Line - Pie - Bar 4. Carson - Bench - Cash 5. Bird - Jordan - Magic 6. Pantyhose - Candidates - Track Stars 7. Pay - Princess - Cell 8. Cane - Brown - Powdered 9. Monkey - Box - Crescent 10. Blood - Piggy – Sperm

Commonym 13 Answers 1. all have strings 2. they have Homers 3. graphs 4. Johnnys 5. basketball players 6. they run 7. phones 8. sugars 9. wrenches 10. banks

What’s a commonym you ask? A commonyms is group of words that have a common trait in the three words/items listed. For example: thewords; A car - A tree - An elephant.. they all have trunks. These will make you think!

Wuzzle 13 Answers 1. Decide 2. Spaceship 3. Multiple Choice 4. Floor Model 5. Noone Knows 6. Thunderstorm

Commonym

Wuzzles

What’s a wuzzle you ask? A wuzzle is a saying/phrase that is made up of a display of words, in an interesting way.The object is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, place, or thing that each wuzzle is meant to represent.

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