Issue 902, July 18 - 24, 2014

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

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News New telecom laws

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July 18 - 24, 2014 Free Issue 902

Travel

sonora

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Sports Stoked on SUP

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Photo Courtesy of Sonora Tourism

welcome 02

Friday July 18 - 24, 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.

Flowers of the Week Royal Poinciana Tabachin (Spanish) Delonix regia Flame Tree, Flamboyant Tree due to its stunning red-orange flowers and green, lacey leaves. A summer-blooming ornamental shade tree growing to 40 feet and eye-catching when in full bloom. Its long seed pods are used for fuel and called “woman’s tongue” because of the rattling noise they make when the wind blows. Since it is a legume, the tree has nitrogen-fixating and soil-improving properties. This plant is one of over 200 found in Sandra’s new color-coded guidebook, Tropical Plant Walks of Puerto Vallarta. Available now at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens’ gift shop www.vbgardens.org and Page in the Sun Bookstore. Information on her many walking tours can be found at: www.escaperoutevallarta.com.

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.

by Sandra Cesca

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

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

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

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

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

You need to dial a different prefix.

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

Emergencies: 060 Red Cross: 065 Non-Emergency Police 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

Editorial 03

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Editor´s Note Editor´s Note

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or the past few weeks I have been up to my eyeballs in work and responsibilities and the day to day that seems to never end. I am currently a single parent to a kid on summer vacation that lacks the motivation to feed himself yet can clearly steal cars and defeat enemy combatants with the flick of a finger or two. I am feeder and walker of four dogs (and a cat), who when let loose run in four different directions, each shedding their own distinct colour of hair and refusing to come when called.

I am owner of one company with the most wonderful employees and the tightest deadlines and I am the tireless editor of this newspaper. I am also friend, girlfriend and confidant, grocery shopper, dishes washer, delivery driver and all around amazing person.

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.

To say I am a little exhausted would be understating the reality.

So, in an effort to offload some of this weight I suggested my son do something. Anything. Just Get. Out. Of. The. House. In a moment of brilliance (of which I enjoy many) I contacted Nicole of SPCA de PV Tuesday Tours fame and she agreed that having Max help out at the shelter as a volunteer was an excellent idea.

T h i s morning I dropped him off at 9am for three hours of video game free, dog walking, kitty cuddling volunteering-work. The SPCA facilities here in Vallarta are akin to the facilities we have in Vancouver. They are clean, bright with spacious

By Gretchen deWitt

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

areas for the animals. The staff is kind, helpful and committed.

The animals are well cared for and provided for until they are adopted. Technically they can live out their lives in the shelter if need be.

During the summer months things get a tight at the shelter.

There are many puppies and kittens dropped off, street dogs that seem to get sicker with the rain and heat and abandoned pets that need a safe place to rest until someone rescues them. But the donations run dry and the facilities continue to take on animals. (You wouldn’t want to know how many are turned away each week.) They are in dire need for many things; volunteers to walk and socialize the animals, foster homes in PV, BC and Alberta, food, toys, leashes, and money.

Always money.

If you can help in any way these animals need your support.

Check out page 9 for an article on a recent yoga group that visited the shelter and more information on how you can play a part in making the lives of these innocent animals better.

As for Max, I suspect he will benefit more than the puppies from his summer volunteer job and I will use that time to nap. I mean, clean my house.

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

Letters to the Editor

mmilne@vallartatribune.com

Dear Madeline, I found interesting the article in Issue 901 regarding Alaska Airlines providing new flights from Portland Ore. to Puerto Vallarta from Nov. 4th thru April 26th 2015 ... the high tourist season (best weather) in Puerto Vallarta.

I just came across a posting on the Internet regarding 10 popular brands that will be gone within the year. One of them was Alaskan Airlines. The reason given was that Alaskan Airlines was one of the few successful independent airlines left that has not been bough tout by one of the major airlines, and there are negotiations underway with one of the major airlines to purchase the airline.

There have been many changes in the airline industry

since my family began vacationing in Mexico, and mostly in Puerto Vallarta.

The early years it was Mexicana Airlines with its Mexican music and many stopovers on the way. When Alaskan began nonstop flights between San Francisco and PV, we flew Alaska as I will this year, perhaps for the last time?

Mexicana Airlines went bankrupt, and was thought to return year before last. It didn’t.

Year before last, due to changing cost of tickets, I flew Virgin America, and last year United. I wonder what will be the name of my airline flight next year; Just wondering?

Frank Norton San Francisco, CA USA

Have a great week.

Madeline

ADORABLE DOG IN THE SPOTLIGHT...PIXIE

This little girl really deserves a loving home to make her remaining years so wonderful she will forget all the love she missed up to now. She is about 8 years old and has spent all her life in horrific conditions. Pixie was used as a breeder and after being used up she was simply discarded. She weighs about 10 pounds and has a minor heart condition and some tumors. Surely someone can find a place in their heart and home and give her the love and companionship she has never known. Please contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

NEWS 04

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

New telecom laws approved

Business Bites Mars Incorporated reaffirms its investment in Guanajuato.

The Virginia-based confectionary company Mars Incorporated, which owns brands like Snickers and Milky Way, will invest $160million in the construction of its second candy-bars manufacturing plant in the state of Guanajuato within the next two years. With this investment, 250 direct jobs will be generated.

The decision was made based on the forecast of the candy-bars market in Mexico which it is estimated a 13% annual growth this year. Therefore, there is a great development potential since consumption per capita per year is steadily increasing. Mars Mexico has five factories in the country.

Magna expands Mexico power train operations. Canadian auto parts supplier Magna International Inc. is expanding its power train operations in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, with a $75million plant to produce all-wheel-drive systems for Audi. The planned 172,000-square-foot operation is scheduled to open in 2016 and will create 230 jobs at full capacity. Magna Powertrain has operated in Ramos Arizpe since 1999 and employs more than 1,400 people at two plants producing AWD and four-wheel-drive systems. The Ramos Arizpe plants produced more than 2 million axles and driveline products in 2013.BRP to add third plant in Mexico Canadian BRP Inc., the former recreational products division of Bombardier Inc., reinforces its presence in Mexico by investing $51million in a third manufacturing facility that will be located near its existing facility in Juárez City, Mexico.

The investment will expand its Can-Am product offering and meet future demand in the fast-growing off-road market. The 46,000-square-meter manufacturing plant will be completed by 2017 and will employ 900 full-time workers.

Johnson Controls will expand its Ramos Arizpe plant. The metallic division of the Wisconsin-based company, Johnson Controls, is expanding its manufacturing plant located in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, with an investment of $10 million.

Once completed, the expansion is expected to add 100 new direct jobs.

BNSF and Ferromex set intermodal service…The Texasbased, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., a leading railway carrier in North America,and Ferromex, Mexico’s largest railroad, launched a new international cargo intermodal service five days a week between Chicago and Silao, a fast-growing manufacturing hub in the state of Guanajuato. The new intermodal service provides customers with a reliable and fast transportation option to move goods across the U.S.-Mexican border, reducing shipping costs and delays.

KCS will increase its investment in Mexico. The Missouri-based Kansas City Southern will invest $145 million in equipment and infrastructure in Mexico this year through its wholly-owned subsidiary Kansas City Southern de Mexico (KCSM) as a response to the increasing demand. The company will purchase new locomotives and cars in order to increase cargo by 4%.

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.

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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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he lower house of Mexico’s Congress approved tough restrictions on dominant companies in the country’s telephone and television sectors early Wednesday after 20 hours of debate and discussion.

The new rules must still be signed into law, but they have already forced the nation’s leading telephone carrier to offer to sell off part of its business.

The lower house passed the enabling legislation on a 318-107 vote; it imposes fee limits and infrastructure-sharing requirements on any company that controls more than half the market in sectors like telephones, Internet or television.

The rules were already passed by the Senate, but must still be signed into law by President Enrique Peña Nieto, whose party supports the measures.

They give teeth to Mexico’s 2013 telecom reforms.

Billionaire Carlos Slim’s América Móvil phone company

announced Tuesday that it will sell off unspecified assets and businesses to get the company below the 50 percent limit.

Under the telecom reform rules, companies judged to have “preponderant” market positions face limits on how much and who they can charge, what fields they can enter and what kind of exclusivity arrangements they can make.

Slim’s mobile and fixed-line

telephone carriers — which control 70 and 80 percent of their respective markets — would have to provide free interconnection for competing carriers, could not charge long-distance fees and would have to share infrastructure with competitors.

The rules also include bans on exclusive broadcast rights to sporting events. Mexico is poised to auction off rights for new television networks soon.

Mexico beats Netherlands, without a penalty, in beer sales

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exico has beaten The Netherlands, and it didn’t take a penalty to do so.

Mexico is the world’s largest beer exporter, according to the latest figures, for the fourth year in a row. Exports hit a record US $2.21 billion in 2013, an increase of 4.2%. The Netherlands, of all countries, was in second place with sales of $1.99 billion, a 1.7% increase, and Belgium, which recorded a hefty 14.4% rise for sales of $1.55 billion.

Mexico is the primary beer provider for the United States, Australia, Chile, Guatemala, Argentina and New Zealand, not to mention the domestic market, which is in itself very large.

“In Mexico there is accelerated urbanization and a growth in the middle class, which is opening opportunities for the premium segment,” said Marc Busain,

president of Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, makers of Sol and Dos Equis, among others, and owned

by Heineken of the Netherlands.

Corona, made by Grupo Modelo, is the brand leader in Mexican exports, going to 180 countries.The Netherlands, which knocked Mexico out of the World Cup with a penalty that wasn’t really a penalty, was the world leader in exports from 2007-2009, when Mexico returned to first place, where it had been in 2006.

In the eyes of at least one beer lover, though, the Netherlands is tough to beat for its beer culture.

Writing in the Los Angeles Times a few weeks ago, John Verive made several predictions on World Cup outcomes based on the beer produced by the teams’ countries. He pointed out that while Mexico has a reputation as a beer-loving country with

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.

a surging craft beer movement, “the Dutch make some of the finest beer in Europe (and I don’t mean Heineken).”

He cited three breweries as evidence, but conceded that Mexico might have the upper hand with its “perennially underrated” Bohemia. “. . . but taken as a whole, beer culture in the Netherlands is tough to beat.”

But when it comes to exports, Mexico is the clear winner. And we’ll say it once again (and for the last time), “No era penal.”

Source: Los Angeles Times Published originally at mexiconewsdaily.com

NEWS 05

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

How the new telecoms laws will affect you and your wallet

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hile the new telecommunications laws are having a major impact on people such as Carlos Slim and companies such as Slim’s América Móvil, it’s not quite clear what they mean to the average person. CNN Expansion has answered that question with a list of things that will benefit individual users and have a positive effect on their wallets.

• The portability of your cell number: Within 60 working days of the laws’ taking effect, the Federal Telecommunications Institute will establish the rules that eliminate requirements that impede the process of changing one’s service provider, and taking your phone number with you.

It can take 10 days at present; it is to take no more than 24 hours in future and all you’ll need is your official identification. You’ll no longer need to take along the invoice for your refrigerator or details of your life history, joked Gerardo Osoria, president of IDET, a telecommunications thinktank.

• Effective January 1 of next year, you will no longer pay any additional cost for domestic long-distance phone service, which should amount to a savings to users of 22 million pesos a year, says Osoria. There is no longer any justification for them, he explained.

• Roaming fees are no longer charged by América Móvil, or Telcel, due to its dominance in the market (a change that took effect in April). Other companies will be allowed to, but Osoria thinks they won’t in order to be competitive.

• The law will require providers to offer plans that include charges by the second, rather than just by the minute.

• Your airtime will no longer expire within two or three months if you don’t use it. When the law is official, your credit will last for at least one year. Also, providers will not be allowed to charge for calls to check your airtime.

• You will be allowed to cancel a contract within 60 days without penalty if the provider of your phone service modifies the original conditions.

• People with disabilities — mobile, visual, or auditory — will be able to get the equipment necessary for phone service, although this may come with a charge.

• There will be a mechanism for users to make complaints against providers if the service doesn’t meet standards.

The new legislation has now been approved by Congress and awaits its promulgation and official publication.

Source: CNN Expansion http://mexiconewsdaily.com

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The Beach Cleanup Continues

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each cleanups are now being slated for every second Saturday of the month in order to align the different efforts currently spearheaded by the beach towns of the Riviera Nayarit. Punta de Mita recently joined the group.

This past Saturday, July 12th, cleanup crews visited the beaches all along the Riviera Nayarit.

The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau coordinated this inclusive event, which is aimed at organizing the efforts of the different groups that all have the same objective.

This month, the Punta de Mita Foundation will be joining the cleanup teams. The goal is to keep adding different groups to this activity, especially during the sea turtle nesting season.

Community leaders from San Pancho, Sayulita, Guayabitos and Platanitos are already aware of and interested in the project, which will be part of a campaign that’s currently underway to help the people of Nayarit identify with their destination.

This is an open invitation to everyone and anyone who would like to join in to contact the different groups and become a part of the project to maintain the beaches in the best shape possible.

There’s a reason the Riviera Nayarit is the domestic leader in certified clean beaches with a total of ten certified beaches.

In Punta de Mita those interested can contact the Punta de Mita Foundation at (329) 291 50 53 or (322) 779 29 06.

For La Peñita de Jaltemba, please contact the Grain of Sand Association (322) 116 94 40.

The Volunteer and Friends of Bucerías Group awaits those willing to come and help out.

The contact number is (322) 140 68 81.

If you’re part of a group that would like to join in the cleanup of our communities or you would like to put together a group of volunteers in your community, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (322) 297 25 16 ext. 108.

Mexico appoints south border envoy

BY TRACY WILKINSON Los Angeles Times/MCT

W

ith pressure mounting from the U.S. government, Mexico appointed a commissioner to take charge of largely unimpeded migration from Central America, which sees tens of thousands of people each year enter southern Mexico and cross the country en route to the United States. Interior Secretary Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, in an announcement before reporters in

Mexico City, said the new system, headed by senator Humberto Domingo Mayans, would guarantee the safety of migrants as well as their eventual repatriation. He called on the mayors and governors of key states along the migration route — Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco and in Chiapas — to cooperate with federal authorities to eventually stem the flow of migrants.

Most of those traveling north board the notorious “La Bestia,” or “the Beast,” the freight trains that

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

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.

traverse the country toward the northern border with the U.S. Migrants have been clambering atop the trains for years.

Many die every year, falling from their precarious perch or being tossed off by marauding gangs who attempt to extort or rape the migrants.

With new attention focused on the latest surge of young migrants, some of them children traveling without parents, U.S. authorities are urging Mexico, Honduras and other Central American origin

countries to do their part in stopping the flow.

Osorio Chong’s announcement was bereft of concrete details and fell far short of what many obser-

vers had expected. He did not specify security measures for “La Bestia.”

Originally published on www. thenews.com

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

news 06

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

Jessica Simpson, Eric Johnson Honeymoon at the Four Seasons Punta Mita

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8th Annual International Banderas Bay Fishing Tournament

alm trees and blue skies in Paradise! Newlyweds Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson unraveled from their fourth of July wedding weekend at the luxurious Four Seasons Punta Mita.

Following their swanky July 5 nuptials at the San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, Calif., the couple flew down to the stunning property for a secluded (and sexy!) honeymoon, where the couple stayed at one of the hotel’s presidential suites.

The Punta Mita resort is located along the country’s Riviera Nayarit and boasts of world-class services and amenities.

Johnson, a former pro football player, and Simpson had their choice of numerous ocean activity options, including snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, surfing, and even chartering a private yacht.

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César Díaz, VP of CDM on their official CDM website.

n July 19th Paradise Village Marina will welcome 50 boats from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 8th annual International Banderas Bay Fishing Tournament will take place on July 19th, hosted by the Paradise Village Nuevo Vallarta in the Riviera Nayarit.

This competition expects to welcome about 50 vessels, 80 percent of them from the United States and Canada, with the balance made up of Mexican competitors from Tepic, Guadalajara and Tampico, among others.

“We want the event to promote the destination, since it has the best facilities for water sports and the nautical industry,” commented David Zaragoza Camacho, President of the Banderas Bay Fishing Club. “We have three marinas, excellent fishing, good wind, good hotel infrastructure—in fact, we have everything with which to compete against other destinations.”

The first place purses include $60 thousand Mexican pesos for marlin; $50 thousand pesos for tuna; $40 thousand pesos for

mahi-mahi and $25 thousand pesos for sailfish. All species receive prizes from first through fourth place, each with different in-kind awards from sponsors.

For the mahi-mahi and the sailfish there will be a jackpot for the largest fish caught for $500 pesos per registered boat; this fee covers the $7 thousand peso registration fee; for the marlin and tuna, those who wish to participate need to chip in an extra $200 US dollars.

Registration is July 18th at the Paradise Village Yacht Club from 5 p.m. through 10 p.m. The tournament begins on the 19th at 4 a.m. leaving from the Paradise Village Marina. It ends at approximately 6 p.m. with the awards ceremony at the Amphitheater.

“The Riviera Nayarit CVB has lent us a hand, as have the people from the marinas and the hotels.

By working as a team we’ve been able to give Banderas Bay this exposure,” added Zaragoza.

“We can be out on the water 365 days of the year—I’m sure there are many athletes in other countries that wish they could say the same!”

For more information visit www. fishingnayarit.com.

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

Sayulita on Netflix Mexico

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he series Mi Vida En Sayulita (My Life in Sayulita) is now available to the subscribers to this popular on-demand Internet streaming medium.

Sayulita, the hippie chic village and surf capital of the Riviera Nayarit, is making the rounds of Latin America via Netflix, the popular, international on-demand Internet streaming medium.

The series Mi Vida En Sayulita (My Life In Sayulita) from Cisneros Media Distribution (CMD) and produced by Sayulita Life Productions, was launched in June to all the Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas. The story revolves around a group of youths who experience an extraordinary vacation while visiting the marvelous beaches of Sayulita’s tropical paradise. It showcases the free spirit that pervades this coastal village and how it changed the life of the seven protagonists.

“I’m sure Mi Vida En Sayulita will be a total hit on Netflix, especially among young, passionate tify with the cast and the tropical Latin Americans that will iden- beauty of Sayulita,” commented

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

OPINION 07

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

Racism In Mexico

by Thomas Swanson

http://www.ColibriDesignVallarta.com

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t really doesn’t exist. As with the case of the two-legged pigs in Murrieta, California this last couple of weeks, America is far more bigoted and racist than México and always has been (citizens of Murrieta blocked the transport by the Border Patrol of women and children fleeing Central America that were apprehended, mostly turning themselves in of their own volition, to a processing center where they could be held pending release to their love-ones or deportation).

This kind of hatred doesn’t happen in México. Most Mexicanos are what is called Mestizos, people of mixed blood. They are Native American, Spanish, African and a little of just about everything else under the sun. Very few people try to keep count of how much of which one

they are. For example, probably the most popular and beloved president of México, Benito Juarez, whose tenure ran for 14 years in the middle of the 19th century and who is credited with instituting the original Constitution that today’s modern version hinges upon, was a pure-bred Zapotec Indian.

Could you imagine an Iriquois or Dakota Sioux as president of the USA or prime minister of Canada?

José María Morelos, one of the most famous heroes of the War of Independence from Spain, had a lot of African blood in his veins.

Vicente Guerrero is another example. Both are important heroes in Mexican history.

Race and racial origins just don’t mean much in this country since México broke away from Spanish rule. Before that being pure-blooded Spanish, preferably a “Peninsulare” born in Spain.

Most were “Criollos” born here

José María Morelos

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

www.vallartatribune.com

Benito Juarez

but of pure Spanish decent, therefore somewhat acceptable.

These were the people who ran everything. A good thing to get shut of and México did, 200 years ago.

Yet, it is the Spaniards themselves that fostered this racial blind eye. The Catholic church was an early defender of indigenous rights, espousing that the Native Americans, newly converted to the “True Faith”, were human beings too, a novel thought at the time.

Unlike further north, this attitude encouraged the racial blending that we formally call mestizaje, that makes our country what it is today.

However, México still has indigenous communities, thousands of them, that are as racially pure as they were a thousand years ago.

They are finding life more and more difficult, as an expanding nation butts heads with them and the natural resources they try to keep control of.

For the most part, they don’t much like Mexicans, but their continued reclusive existence is respected by the majority of the Mexican people. For how much longer, is yet to be seen. Increasingly, México finds itself at odds with its indigenous peoples.

At least, the México that wants so desperately to be seen as a first world nation, but at the same time, the ruling class will sell anything to anyone, no matter what the cost.

These people, though they are currently in control of the “presidency” and most state and local governments, are still very much in the minority by percentage of votes.

Enrique Krauze, a noted historian, refers to this as “classism”. It doesn’t make any difference what color a person is, what makes the difference here is what kind of clout one has, societal and political clout, that is... and those that do not have much, don’t get much attention.

How pragmatic can you get?

We don’t even cut eye-holes in our bedsheets.

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.

Vicente Guerrero

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

LOCAL 08

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

The Zona Romantica

Kathleen Phelps

The place to be for tourists and residents

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he Zona Romantica is truly the most well known neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta.

It’s the area that tourists flock to for the abundance of restaurants, galleries and Los Muertos Beach. It has also become the LGBT capital of Mexico with its large year round population and visitors annually. riginally, Colonia Emiliano Zapato, it was one of Puerto Vallarta’s earliest neighborhoods after El Centro and Cinco de Deciembre. It has been dubbed the Zona Romantica within the last two decades.

Today, it’s the neighborhood that the most new residents and travelers request when they come to Puerto Vallarta.

Every type of accommodation exists from rustic Mexican studios to large elegant villas.

The restaurants provide a variety of cuisines from traditional Mexican, Sushi, and Italian to tasty shrimp, mahi mahi and the huachinango (salmon) that flourish offshore.

Enjoying a lovely dinner on Los Muertos beach and watching the sunset over Bandara Bay is truly an evening to savor.

Artists of every kind have visited or made Puerto Vallarta their home and this provides residents and tourists alike with a treasure trove to see, enjoy and buy.

For those interested in indigenous works, there are selections of Huichol beading and handicrafts, silver from the Mexican mines provide a variety of every type of jewelry, textiles from all over Mexico and other local artisans offer artistic works that incorporate the vibrant colors and energy of Mexico.

The pier at Los Muertos Beach is also the place to find parasailing and boat trips to Los Marietas, Los Arcos, Yalapa, and whale watchin g expeditions.

Recent new developments such as The Park, V177, and The Pinnacle offer studios to 3 bedroom units from roughly

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$200,000 to $900,000 USD. The rental market for both long and short term is very active year round ranging from $350 to $5000 USD per month. Developers offer investors a high return

on investment with brand new boutique style luxury condominiums competing against hotel rooms with outdated facilities, sometimes 30 year older.

Thanks to developers, investors/condo owners and rental agencies, Puerto Vallarta offers a wide array of inventory available for any type of client from a modest simple studio, a luxury boutique 1 or 2 bedroom condo, or a ten-bedroom villa for large groups such as spring breakers from the U.S. or Canada.

Many children and college students have come to Puerto Vallarta early for their first memories of Mexico only to keep coming back throughout their lives and then choose to retire and move full time to our beautiful paradise.

www.vallartatribune.com

Scrumptious summertime in La Cruz

By Cindy Bouchard

Cindy@VillaAmorDelMar.com

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ome favor this time of year while others flee. Those who stay, embrace the heat playing cards, pool volleyball and floating in the ocean with friends.

The rain, usually at night, is welcomed as it cools pools and lowers the humidity.

Visit the amazing, La Cruz Fish market; open daily, summer time is tuna time and the price is right!

Bring a cooler, they’ll give you ice, then enjoy a meal at one of the many fabulous restaurants providing enticing specials as they experiment with new items for next season.

Oso’s waterfront restaurant and oyster bar is open everyday and has 2 for 1 drinks all day everyday. For an extra great time, enjoy the Traveling Band; Good Ol’ Rock and Roll, live, every Friday Gecko Rojo open breakfast, lunch & dinner, Tuesday to Sunday; 9am to 10 pm. Mondays 4 to 9 for Dart Tournament. Asian Dinners & Special Meals, bands every other

week. Our Next Party; August 3rd and its a Sunday. Wednesday play Mexican train 5pm to 7pm Tacos on the Street; Open Wednesday – Sunday, 6pm till closing for the VERY best rib eye tacos!

Frascati’s open everyday for dinner until 10pm. The Flambe festival of shrimps runs from July 15 to 31 Black Forest Restaurant; Sunday to Friday, 6 pm to 10 pm.

Closed August 30th for 4 weeks.

Summer Schnitzel Madness, Every Sunday Philo’s; Thursday nights; Jam with Philo and the Mexican Shuffle Band; two for one pizza night. Friday nights; Philo and the Mexican Shuffle band; all you can eat Ribs. Saturday nights: Philo and the Mexican Shuffle including Ajim & Alessandra; two for one mixed well drinks.

Always the full dinner menu as well as specials. Doors open at 5 pm; Music starts at 8:30 pm.

At the Marina Riviera Nayarit, the deli is open all summer and Cruzer’s, the restaurant is open Wednesday – Sunday.

spca news 09

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

Paradise and Parenting Leza Warkentin

The S Word

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he Davanna Yoga Students returned this year to do a day of service giving our dogs love and lots of exercise!

Thank you Anna Laurita!

You too can come and spend a rewarding afternoon cuddling the animals at Puerto Vallarta’s SPCA Sanctuary. Our dogs and cats are awaiting “forever homes” and your help is needed to jump start their socialization. The goal is to get these animals adjusted and ready to interact in the real world.

The majority of the SPCA animals either come from extremely abusive situations or they have been abandoned. Your love and attention can make up for that sad history. During your visit, you can interact with the animals and even take a dog (or two or three) for a walk. You can also play with the animals, assist the vet or help with dinner time.

Every Tuesday at noon, we meet in the Costco parking lot beside the large tree. You can either caravan in your own vehicle or ride with us out to the Sanctuary (reservations necessary).

The length of the tour is at the discretion of our visitors and can be from two to four hours in length.

Please contact Nicole Martin at nicole@cupocity.com to make a reservation.

To see all the animals available for adoption, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ spcapv. Go to Photos where you will also find individual Albums for all the animals available as well as a bit of their history.

Please keep in mind that we are always in need of towels and blankets for the Sanctuary. Also, toys for large and small dogs would be appreciated.

To use your credit card to make

tax deductible donations through PayPal, go to our website www. spcapv.com/donate/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ spcapv/app_117708921611213 Are you or someone you know returning from Puerto Vallarta to Canada and want to help us get more animals to FURR-Ever Homes? Please contact us if you can be a travel companion spcapv@gmail.com.

o you ever look at your children and realize, with an electric-like jolt, that you are their primary role model?

That EVERYTHING you do and say is being carefully recorded and filed away to be used later in mortifying ways?

My daughter remembers everything. The other day we were eating breakfast and she told me “Remember when you said the s-word?” Her father’s head swiveled in my direction, which caused a wave of blood to rush into my face (hiding embarrassment is not a luxury blonde people enjoy).

“What do you mean, honey?” I said with what I hoped was interpreted as a smile. “I don’t use curse words!” It’s true. I am conscious of my language when I am around my children. I stepped on a bee in their presence once and I almost slipped up, but managed to turn it into “fudgey booger nuggets!” as only a mother could.

I try not to imagine what their teachers must think sometimes.

She said “YES, mom YES, you did! Remember??? When we went to Mexico CITY???”

This was three months ago.

Three months ago seems like another lifetime in my world, but to an 8-year-old whose mother said the s-word, this is yesterday, man. She reminded me of exactly what I said: “This is so STUPID!” Relieved, I recalled the proud fact that my children still consider “stupid” to be the s-word.

Now, I don’t want to rationalize it away, but you should know why I would be so cavalier with my vocabulary in the presence of minors. We were in Mexico City on some personal business, sitting in a family restaurant with an entire menu of ham and cheese dishes, the only difference between them being the manner in which they were fried.

I don’t know about you, but if I am going to clog my kids’ arteries before they are old enough

for blood pressure medication, I am not going to do with pressed ham product. We had been on our feet all day, and we obviously hadn’t had any luck finding good street food in the area. Both kids were cranky and wanted chocolate milk, every toy being waved around by every street vendor, and a piggy back ride every 17 minutes. I had narrowly avoided being mowed down in the street by non-rush-hour Mexico City traffic. So if someone can please tell me how this WASN’T stupid, I’ll gladly apologize.

But, of course, this isn’t cutting it in my house. If I make this very reasonable case to my daughter, sitting at the breakfast table in ponytails eating her Cheerios, she will then want to know if she can say stupid when the kid next to her in class tells her that Hello Kitty is demon-possessed. And while she would clearly be able to make her own very reasonable case to the principal in this instance, it’s going to be a slippery slope.

And so I did apologize. I said that sometimes grownups make mistakes when they are tired, or upset, or in the state of general existence. And then I told her to ask the kid casting shade on Hello Kitty if HE made 500,000,000 dollars in sales last year. Because you really don’t need an s-word to make a pretty decent point.

TRAVEL 10

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

The Charm of Sonora

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he sun paints Sonora every day, illuminating its major cities, beaches and the mountains. Giant sunset landscapes, that many have captured in pictures and photographs, in an attempt to preserve the red light of the sky, join together the enigmatic beauty of the sea and mountains, its rich flora and fauna.

Located in the northwest of Mexico, Sonora’s wide geography, second in size after Chihuahua, is similar to a diamond that illuminates whomever appreciates it carefully.

The border city of Nogales is the gateway to the famous Route of the Missions, founded by the Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino.

There are twelve municipalities proud to have preserved its temples and historical legacy linked by the unique sound of their names, that have inspired great writers like Roberto BolaĂąos: Trincheras, Sonoyta, Caborca, Pitiquito, Altar, Oquitoa, Atil, Tubutama, Saric, Imuris , Cucurpe, Santa Ana and Magdalena de Kino. Nogales, is considered the front door to Mexico for tourists from Arizona. Its wide range of restaurants and shopping has grown in parallel with their sources of employment in the maquiladora sector (manufacturing free trade zone).

The sea, desert, mountains and vegetation, welcome tourists with its beauty that is compounded by the warmth of its people and the many outdoor activities ranging from scuba diving,

fishing, swimming, biking, mountaineering, hiking, hunting, and ecological and cultural tourism.

Even the business tourism sector has become increasingly important in the capital city of Hermosillo and in other cities such as Guaymas, Ciudad Obregon, Navojoa and Nogales.

The Sea of Cortez is undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions of the State of Sonora. Puerto PeĂąasco is a place that offers beauty, pristine beaches and all hosting services, restaurants, nightclubs and communication, ready to meet the most demanding tourist.

There is a State Government initiative to promote charter flights that has opened new routes and thus attracted more visitors.

A large number of species make Sonora a must visit for the hunting or eco tourist.

These include bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyote, hare, ocelot, black bear, mountain lion, badger, wild cat, deer, and larks, owls, roadrunners, hawk, owl, dove and quail.

In desert regions, Sonora has a great variety of vegetation such as saguaro, mesquite, white wood, ironwood, palo verde and torote.

At the top of the mountain there are forests of pine, fir and oak.

The traditional indigenous dances and customs still exist in various parts of the state.

The Yaquis, Mayos, Guarijios, Tohono O'odham, Seri and migrant ethnic groups, with their customs alluding to Easter and

New Year Seri, to name a few, have been preserved.

Their songs, clothing and dishes can be appreciated on a daily basis in their ceremonial centers. For music lovers, the Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Festival attracts 80,000 visitors that appre-

ciate salsa, classical, indigenous and popular music.

Held in Alamos, the only colonial city in the state, it showcases international performers as well as honouring individual musicians.

Sonora is waiting to welcome you, safe and with open arms.

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

Bumerang Consignment Boutique

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umerang Boutique is a place where you will find a great selection of gently used American clothing for men and women along with accessories even some jewelry - If you are looking for brands such as Old Navy, Levis, DKNY, GAP, Guess, Addidas.

Dockers and more, just pay a visit to Marly at her convenient location at 31 de Octubre #171

diagonally across from Woolworth´s and Lans in the heart of downtown. She has dresses, shorts, slacks, Tshirts, from the top manufacturers at very reasonable prices and even has a layaway plan.

Ask about her daily specials.

The store hours are Monday to Saturday10 am.- 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Email: nobadays2008@hotmail.com

Basilio Badillo 269 A Puerto Vallarta, Jal Mon - Sat 4-11 pm (322) 223 3734 From USA or Canada 1-269-282-9550 info.divinodante@gmail.com www.divinodante.com

MEN AND WOMEN’S JEWELRY AND ACCESORIES. CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY 223 9734 BASILIO BADILLO 276 OLD TOWN OPEN DAILY

Nacho Daddy Mexico is the place in Puerto Vallarta where American, Canadian and European ex-pats and tourists across the globe gather to drink, eat, dance, listen to great music,watch football and having a rip-roaring good time.

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

Sites Marina

El Tigre Villa For Sale Located on the 10th Tee

The Best Price $/m2 in El Tigre Fully Furnished 4 Beds 4.5 Baths This stunning home includes maids quarters, stunning kitchen and majestic living room that looks on to a glorious pool and outdoor entertainment area. Enjoy magnificent golf course and heavenly views from this divine residence. If you are looking for a Million dollar home, but not the price, this is your only option.

www.remaxinpv.com

Charming tranquility in the mountains San Sebastian del Oeste, Jalisco

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his magical town was officially recognized as a Pueblo Magico in 2012.

Originally settled in 1605, this secluded 17th century mining town reached its peak of prosperity in the 1700s, when over 30,000 people inhabited the area.

Over the years, the town’s population fluctuated wildly as gold and silver were mined intermittently between the 1600’s and the 1930’s.

A historic town with a rich past, this once booming mining town was the second city in Mexico to get electricity. Although those gold rush years are long gone and settlers have since moved on, this beautiful mountain village of just 600 residents has kept its true colonial heritage.

A shining example of an ancient Mexican village and well known for its corn and cattle trade, San Sebastian is now cultivating coffee and agave in its lush mountainsides. It was also home to Hollywood celebrities and today is a haven for Guadalajarans and Puerto Vallartans looking for tranquil nature and a respite from the summer heat.

The white and red buildings, cobblestone roads, stone bridges and stunning mountain vistas transport visitors to a time before iphones and flatscreen tv’s. But don’t worry, there is wifi in the town plaza and at most of the restaurants and hotels.

The town continues to grow with the inauguration of the new business association. There are approximately ten hotels and twenty restaurants. Freshly prepared meals made from local ingredients, flaky pastries from the Italian bakery and warm, rich

cups of coffee will give you the energy to spend the day exploring the town and surrounding hills and a couple raicillas will mellow you out after a long day.

How to Get There From Puerto Vallarta take Highway 70 north past the airport.

Watch for signs but as long as you stay straight you can’t get lost.

The trip takes about an hour and a half. It’s 60kms of often single lane highway that winds through the farmland of the Ameca Valley, through the jungles, to the sierras of pine and oak forests at about 1,500 meters above sea level.

The air can be a little thin but it’s humidity free which is a blessing in the summer heat.

Enjoy the culinary tradition of this destination, offering treats such as huitlacoche stewed with onions and spices, or mixed platters that include a stuffed chili pepper, gordita, machaca and nance flavoured aguas frescas.

And you can’t ignore the “chocorraiz”, a chocolate drink with “Raicilla” (a local moonshine) and, for desert, enjoy peaches with rompope and cinnamon.

Above all, take advantage of nature’s generosity, offering guavas, lemons, plantains, oranges, peaches, arrayan and “faisan” berries.

To truly enjoy the local fruits visit now.

High in the mountains, only one hour from Puerto Vallarta, San Sebastiรกn offers a different experience.

Cool mountain air, tranquil nature and historical charm await you.

Lรณpez Mateos Nยบ 15, downtown San Sebastiรกn del Oeste, Jalisco Tel. (322) 297 2854 losarcosdelsol@gmail.com www.losarcosdelsol.com

REAL ESTATE 16

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

Let’s Hear from You: First Person Expat Interviews

www.vallartatribune.com

Ariel O’Donnell

By Miguel Fernandez miguel@g3mex.com

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his week we had the pleasure to sit down with Ariel O’Donnell, a freelance writer and blogger, originally for the San Francisco Bay Area.

When did you first come to Puerto Vallarta?

My uncle and I were down here for a visit. He eventually ended up retiring in Vallarta. It was almost exactly 20 years ago. I remember because it was during the tail end of the OJ Simpson trial and we watched the “not guilty” verdict on the television in the bar of the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International airport while waiting for our flight.

When did you decide to move down here?

Fast-forward about 11 years— I was working for the Federal Judiciary in Washington, DC and had grown restless. I desperately needed to break away from the gray cubicle world, and a respite in sunny Mexico seemed like just what the doctor ordered. Luckily my Uncle was fully ensconced here after taking an early retirement, and selling his house for a bundle during the first Dot Com boom up in San Francisco.

My plan was to come down for a few months, and then resettle in San Francisco. But, as is so often the case in life, and most espe-

cially in Mexico, my plans radically changed. I managed to fall in love with a Frenchman, Fabien Madesclaire, who of course works with you at G3MEX Real Estate.

Not only that, but I magically became pregnant, and ended up moving here permanently to raise our son.

How do you find this area for raising children?

Mexico is the best! Everything is very family and community oriented. Plus, this is a country that truly knows how to have fun.

Sometimes I’m envious of my son, and wish that I’d been born here.

He has it all, a great school, lots of friends, the beach, and he’s fully bilingual.

How has your experience as an expatriate been?

Very eye-opening. I think that everyone should live in another country for a period of time. You not only learn a lot about another culture, but you also develop personally. Mexico is such a unique melding of Spanish and Indigenous cultures. I find living here incredibly enriching.

I still go back to the U.S. regularly to visit family, and to reconnect with friends, but living here is very special. I truly have the best of both worlds!

What was your impression of Vallarta?

I loved it! We rented a condo at Puesta del Sol on Playa Los Muertos. The whole experience was magical.

We did all of the tourist things: Jungle tour, Mexican fiesta, and had a spectacular dining experience Café des Artistes. I found the atmosphere here incredibly relaxing and welcoming.

Are you an expat, and do you have a story to tell. If so, please contact us a G3MEX Real Estate

Group, and set up a time to be interviewed. Our helpful staff is always available. The office

number is: 322-209-0832 or you can contact us via email at: info@ g3mex.com.

AMPI Summit – Global Takeaways, Impact to NAR Members

By JoAnne E. Poole, 2014 NAR Vice President had the pleasure of leading up nues to debate immigration a 100+ member delegation of reform, Mexico is quietly builREALTORS® from across the ding a robust and diversified country to attend the second economy, and its continued “AMPI Int’l Summit,” held in Tulum economic success may create and focused on Mexico interna- more opportunities at home for tional real estate opportunities. Mexico’s citizens.

The 11th largest economy in The primary goal of the conference was to showcase Mexican the world, 80% of its exports are manufactured goods with Mexico real estate opportunities.

What struck me about the being the #1 exporter of refriconference and what I learned gerators, flat screen televisions, was that while Congress conti- and the fifth largest exporter of

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cars. Tourism is one of Mexico’s main income generators, and specifically, the Cancun and Riviera Maya corridor which is the most important destination with more than 100,000 hotel rooms spread out along a 100-mile corridor.

Over the past 10 years or so, this region has become an international real estate destination, with fractional ownership and whole ownership of

mainly beachfront residential developments, offered at numerous price points, and aimed at the Canada, US, and Mexico markets.

International buyers come to this region to enjoy a low cost of living, idyllic beaches, and easy accessibility to the US and Canada.

At the AMPI Summit, Mexico professionals, who belong to AMPI, anecdotally, told me that

they are very optimistic on the US real estate market, and current inquiries, sales, and target markets are US buyers.

US buyers largely disappeared from the Mexico real estate scene over the past few years, with Canada buyers picking up the slack.

Rising home equity, baby boomer retirement, and tight US inventory mean more US buyers in Mexico.

ENTERTAINMENT 17

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

Perceptions

of Art

By Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

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hat do you get when you mix half-price cocktails, no cover for women, a handsome, sexy entertainer who can dance and sing in more than two languages? The answer is, first, Happy Hour at Encore then, Ladies Night every Friday in the Red Room at Act II Entertainment.

I do love Opening Nights and last Friday was no exception.

A small crowd of very happy women greeted Jose Maria Caudillo for a couple of hours of song, dance and fun.

(Act II just might need a gentle bouncer to keep the overzealous off the stage and, more importantly, OFF Jose!)

The Voice of Vallarta competition opened a lot of doors for Vallarta singers and Jose was a personal favorite of mine – he was innovative onstage and truly charismatic then and he has grown exponentially since.

He graciously added “Oh! Darling” to his repertoire as a personal favor to me. That song garnered him perfect tens during Voice; his interpretation surprised and delighted everyone in the Red Room.

Would I go see Jose Maria Caudillo again? Only every Friday night at the Red Room! Incidentally, people of the male persuasion are also welcome just be prepared for the heart of your significant other to temporarily

leave you and fly onto the stage.

Speaking of Opening Nights, I attended karaoke for the first time…I know, I know, I am the only person in the world who hasn’t been to a karaoke bar.

Act II does something different (of course), “CLASSY-OKE” - I did have Kathleen Palmer with me to explain that: it means leave your shirt on... Every Thursday night you can converge on Encore – the exquisite art deco bar at Act II Entertainment – let David and Carol know what song(s) you would like to perform, then sit back, enjoy a martini or whatever and wait to be called to sing your heart out.

I was surprised that all those who took to the mike were good!

The crowd was informal – everyone knew everyone and it was very much like being at home with friends.

So, if you think you can sing, come every Thursday from 8 to 10 pm, have a couple of drinks, share some laughs, hugs and some wonderful tunes.

And Carol does a respectable Janis Joplin. Very respectable.

Saturday night, Act II presents singer Elvis Martinez Morales on the Main Stage with the Piel Canela band. Elvis is equally comfortable with classical opera or traditional Mexican favorites so expect to be swept away.

Tickets at the box office or at vallartatickets.com

Beautifying Vallarta!

Special Summer Opportunities with the P.V. Garden Club

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e hope you are enjoying your summer wherever you are. If you are in PV and would like to be invited to occasional socials, garden visits, or to work parties, please email me, Bonnie Mott, bonmott@ hotmail.com and indicate your interest. We’d love to see you.

Trimming help. Our trees and plants are thriving and growing!

We trim and weed every Tuesday

and Thursday mornings. Our gardener, Carlos Macedo, and club member, Matthias Vogt, are pruning and shaping the plants.

Someone to assist them helping cut up and bag all the trimmings is desperately needed. I can attest it is very rewarding! Another benefit is the visibility to passers-by to ask about the work and get involved.

Email me if you can help.

Dedication and Lunch. The Botanical Gardens is having a

special dedication of the new Vallarta Conservatory of Mexican Orchid Conservatory on Saturday, July 26 at 12:00 noon. A group of us from the Vallarta Garden Club are planning to reserve a special table at the Gardens’ Hacienda de Oro Restaurant that afternoon to have lunch together after the dedication. If you would like to join, please e-mail me. To get more information on this special event, go to https://www.vbgardens.org/ july-2014-leaflet/.

sports 18

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

Stoked on SUP

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UP is perhaps the fastest growing water sport in the world. It is accomplished by standing feet-square and shoulder-width apart on an oversized surfboard and then propelling yourself over the water with a long, canoe-like paddle.

In addition to being addictively fun, much of the popularity is due to SUP’S versatility. Unlike surfing, where wave conditions can make or break your day, you can SUP in almost every condition the ocean can throw at you, from riding waves - both big and small, paddling on open ocean or calmer bays, and now increasingly, on inland lakes, rivers and even light rapids.

This has enthusiasts, young and old, from Saskatoon to Sayulita, stoked on SUP. As popularity of the sport and the many different ways to enjoy SUP expands, so does the variety of board shapes and sizes being offered.

Like cross-country vs. downhill skis; in SUP, longer, narrower boards (up to fourteen ft long) are better suited for gliding across flat water and shorter boards (as short as seven ft) are best for manoeuvring on waves. Wider, thicker boards offer better stability for beginners and can float heavier weights.

These are also perfect for bigger boned riders or those looking to bring along extra weight like kids, dogs or even camping gear.

Further pushing the boundaries of SUP, there are now fitness boards that come equipped with extra padding and tie downs for resistance bands, to perform yoga and Pilates while balancing on the water, and oversized, superstable boards with mounts for your fishing rod and tie downs for your catch.

Regardless of the application you choose, SUP will always involve using your core stabilizer muscles to balance, and every other muscle to paddle, making it a truly amazing full-body workout.

For this reason it has become the new favourite cross-training sport for personal trainers of the stars, who are looking for the perfect body, and for professional athletes seeking that extra edge on the competition.

Perhaps the most important component of any fitness regimen is that SUP is really enjoyable and ensures not only large doses of exercise but also fresh air and fun.

Despite being a great workout, SUP is easy to learn. You first start on your knees and then work towards standing. Most begin-

ners pick up the basics quickly and find themselves standing and paddling in the first hour. Now with SUP shops popping up all across Canada, you can practice the sport practically anywhere that has some (unfrozen) water and then apply those skills while on your next Mexican beach vacation.

Sayulita has one of the most consistent surf breaks in the area and one of the best surf cultures in all of Mexico. Sayulita will always be a surf town first but it has also totally embraced SUP with many of the local surfers competing nationally and internationally in SUP. Sayulita is the perfect place to rent a paddle

board and take a lesson or even check out a pro-competition, like the annual Punta Sayulita Longboard and SUP Classic.

Most of Sayulita’s surf rental shops now also offer SUP rentals and lessons, but one new shop has dedicated itself fully to SUP. Sayulita SUP offers Sayulita`s biggest selection of SUP boards for sale or rent. In addition to their own brand of boards, they also offer high performance brands like Naish and Rogue, as well as a great selection of paddles, clothing, and accessories.

Whether you are a beginner or looking to add a new skill, this is also a great place to take a lesson.

Besides providing the basics of SUP, they offer classes on how to ride waves and, coming this fall, SUP yoga!

The store’s owner, Leyla Morris, is a certified yoga instructor who recently moved to Sayulita from

is home to a crew of amazing iguanas. This space has long been a hangout of these locally famous lizards and is now quickly becoming a favourite for SUP enthusiasts.

Sayulita might be the SUP epicenter in Mexico but the love of the sport extends throughout the bay. One of the best SUP companies in all of Mexico is Pacific Paddle out of nearby Bucerias.

Canadian-born owner Adam Finer is a true pioneer of SUP in Mexico and was the first to bring a SUP board here in 2006.

As more and more amigos took notice of Adam having a blast on his SUP, so did their requests for him to supply them with boards of their own.

Soon Adam was making regular road trips to the States and importing boards for friends. As the demand became greater than his truck could hold, Adam decided to become a distributer.

Today his shop sells more paddleboards than anyplace in Mexico and has expanded to offer sales and rentals in Sayulita and Punta de Mita.

In addition to having a huge inventory of SUP boards, paddles and accessories for sale or rent, Pacific Paddle is also the first certified SUP School in Mexico, and the creator of SUP excursions such as the Las Marietas SUP Safari, and Los Arcos Safari.

These day trips to offshore rock formations are perfectly suited to SUP as it affords an amazing perspective of your surroundings, both around and in the water beneath you. If you choose a day trip to Los Arcos or the Marietas, be sure to pack a waterproof camera because you will certainly see amazing sea life, birds and have plenty of fantastic photo ops.

Whether you are about to dip your paddle for the first time or you have already taken the plunge, you will be sure to find many great ways to be stoked about SUP during your next vacation to the Riviera Nayarit.

Sayulita has one of the most consistent surf breaks in the area and one of the best surf cultures in all of Mexico Hawaii, and her store provides a welcoming aloha/namaste vibe.

In back of the well-appointed shop is a beautiful green space with a ping-pong table, a smoothie bar (also serving ice cold beer), and the famous Iguana Tree, which

CHARITIES 19

www.vallartatribune.com

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations

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

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

BRAIN TEASERS 20

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

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

Number Blocks

hard

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.

Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards. BIRDS ALBATROSS, BUDGIE, BUZZARD, CANARY, CORMORANT, CRANE, CROW, DOVE, EAGLE, EMU, FINCH, FLAMINGO, HAWK, HERON, JACKDAW, KESTREL, KOOKABURRA, LAPWING, LARK, NIGHTINGALE, OSTRICH, OWL, PARROT, PENGUIN, PIGEON, QUAIL, RAVEN, ROBIN, SANDPIPER, SEAGULL, SPARROW, STORK, SWALLOW, TERN, TOUCAN, VULTURE.

1. Green - Moola - Dough 2. Playing - Time - Greeting 3. Punch - Hair - A Volleyball 4. High - Balance - Laser 5. Human - Rat - Relay 6. Cat - Dog - Gold 7. Toad - Foot - Bar 8. French - Eskimo - Hershey 9. Area - Fire - Zip 10. Gray - Red – Timber

Commonym 12 Answers 1. slang for money 2. types of cards 3. they can be spiked 4. beams 5. races 6. fish 7. stools 8. kisses 9. codes 10. wolves

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 12 Answers 1. Better safe than sorry 2. Wheel of Fortune 3. Hard times ahead 4. Black eyed peas 5. Jumbo Jet 6. Minimize

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.

CLASSIFIEDS 21

Friday July 18 - 24, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

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

TIZOC COMIDA MEXICANA

Authentic Mexican Food!

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

Olas Altas 474 , Romantic Zone Reservations 222 8382

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