Issue 922, December 5-11, 2014

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Live Music CLASSIC ROCK FEST

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Dec 5 - 11, 2014 Free Issue 922

Interview

TROY MARTZ-PERMACULTURE

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Entertainment SULTRY AND SEXY MUSIC

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Photo Bud Ellison

Everyone has a story

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Friday Dec 5-11, 2014 Director noemi zamora noemizamorareynoso@gmail.com Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Editorial Board Marcia Blondin Raymond C. Beaty Lois Ellison John & Christie Forget Landon Hollander Nancy Van Landingham Robina Oliver Sales Team Rebeca Castellón rebeca.castellonn@gmail.com RAMIRO LOPEZ ventastribuna7@yahoo.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 Guayabitos 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.

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-todate 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!

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 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.

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.

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.

Spanish Bloopers

Sandra Cesca

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his new biweekly column is for all of us who are still struggling with the Spanish language…and for those who just want to enjoy a good laugh! Although I have lived here seven years, I still make many mistakes with words that sound the same but are entirely different or with the same word that has double or triple meanings, some resulting in various degrees of embarrassment.

So here’s mine for this week: CAMARÓN (SHRIMP) CAMIÓN (AUTOBUS) So now that I had learned to use “hay” when asking for an item, I was confident asking for a shrimp cocktail for my dinner companion.

“Hay cóctel de camión?” I asked the waiter. With a smirk he said in his very good English,

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

“No we have no autobus cocktails! Perhaps you are thinking of shrimp?”

Send me your bloopers and a little story to go with them. I

will even credit you if you wish.

Let’s share the fun, have some laughs, and perhaps learn a bit more: sandra.learn.vallarta@ gmail.com

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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Editor´s Note

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his week is another full edition with plenty of events and fundraisers around the bay of Banderas to enjoy. Please check out the event listings on page XX and be sure to read Cat Morgan’s column on Riviera Nayarit which features many holiday events in the north end of the bay.

This past weekend I attended the SPCA Evening under the Stars event where guests were treated to the best iew in the city, an excellent five-course dinner and amazing mariachi music.

It was a beautiful evening for a great cause and the perfect opportunity to wear sequins.

This week I’m hitting the markets, malls and shops around town looking for the perfect gifts to send home for Christmas and next week in the Tribune I’ll report back on some great places to pick up ‘authentic’ Puerto Vallarta gifts for your loved ones. Of course, since Tequila is produced here in Jalisco, grabbing a bottle at duty free on your way home is always an acceptable ‘authentic’ gift.

I had an email from Barbara

Peters this week letting me know that a number of the Saturday Co-Op people have joined together to create a new market in the lobby of the Marsol Hotel (across from the Los Muertos Pier) Fridays 9:30am -2pm starting December 12th until April. I’m sure this will be an excellent stop on your holiday shopping expedition through town. Please get out and support these vendors if you can. The demise of the Co-Op market has scattered some of our favourite people far and wide across this town. Hopefully they will all find success in their new incarnations.

Plenty of live theater events nearly every night at The Palm, Act II Entertainment, The Red Room Cabaret, Boutique Theater and Teatro Vallarta it’s hard to find time for all of them. So many wonderfully talented people both local and visiting for all of us to get out and enjoy. Consider purchasing tickets for upcoming events as gifts this holiday. Read Marcia’s column to get her always refreshing take on the different performances around town.

I’ll be out and about this week, then stringing lights and maybe even trim a tree.

Christmas in Puerto Vallarta is always a little strange to this northerner but nothing some retail therapy and Christmas punch won’t solve. Have a great weekend.

Get out and support local business and be sure to experience at least one night of the Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe downtown.

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

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n o t h e r wonderful “ E ve n i n g Under The Stars” on Saturday, November 29, in the gorgeous special event room, Puerta del Cielo, of the Hacienda San Angel.

As usual, this was a sold out event, totally underwritten by our founder Janice Chatterton. Guests were treated to delicious appetizers and a scrumptious five course meal and serenaded by the wonderful “La Joya de Mexico”.

Guest speaker, Steve Dale, along with his wife Robin came to visit the SPCA sanctuary from Chicago. Steve is a world renowned animal behaviorist and hosts a one hour weekly talk show on over 65 stations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Special thanks to SPCA dear friend Laura Miller for helping make this happen. Check out his show at petworldradio.net/. Everyone was treated to a wonderful video produced by the dedicated volunteer and dog groomer extraordinaire Carol Martin which recaped some of the rescues from this year. If you haven’t

Letter to Editor A great hamburger!

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or those visitors from the states that miss a taste of home you need to go to Jonnies on Basilio Badillo. It is like stepping into a small Mom and Pop’s back home.

The food is American and is cooked like it should be; I have enjoyed the pork chop breakfast

there many times.

Walking by there yesterday I saw that he had a menu board sitting outside. New items listed included a Moma and Papa hamburger. I love hamburgers so I went in and ordered a Papa with french fries.

Heaven on a plate! The fries are fresh fries not those frozen

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

things that others try to make us believe are good.

The papa burger was a half pound on a bun the same size as the meat and yes, the beef tasted like meat - not fat.

All I can say is if you want a taste of back home this is the place to go.

The old gringo

seen the video yet, check it out and be prepared to shed a few tears. http://bit.ly/15Pe2f3 Special thanks to Mark McCoy, Cassandra Shaw and Candace Shaw for helping with the auction and raffle ticket sales.

And as always, the crowd appreciated the participation of the renowned auctioneer, Robert Burkheimer.

Thanks needs to be said to the many vendors, restaurants and hotels that provided donations for both the silent and live auctions.

The generosity overwhelming.

To see more photos, go to our album on Facebook: www. facebook.com/spcapv. We are grateful to our dear friend and incredible photographer, Josef Kandoll. Check him out http:// on.fb.me/1vlhva1

Everyone welcome to the first Marsol Friday Market by the Pier DECEMBER 12, 9:30 A.M.-2 P.M. HOLIDAY FIESTA with all your favorite vendors--specialty foods, art, jewelry, clothing, artesanias, Huichol art, Zapotec rugs, Tshirts, Christmas gifts and toys, and much more. Marsol Hotel lobby, next to the pier on Olas Altas.

Every Friday morning from Dec. 12 through April. Come join the fun.

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Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

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Mexico’s Trade Deficit Down Mexico advances against hunger AO awards 13 nations after Brazil, Cameroon, Ethiopia, 48.2% in First 10 Months of 2014 achieving Millenium Goals the Philippines, Gabon, Gambia,

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exico posted a $1.6 billion trade deficit between January and October, down 48.2 percent from the same period of 2013, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) said on Wednesday.

Mexico’s exports were valued at $331.1 billion, up 4.7 percent from the first 10 months of last year, while its imports amounted to $332.7 billion, up 4.2 percent, INEGI said in a statement.

Oil exports totaled $37.3 billion between January and October, down 9.9 percent, and non-oil exports amounted to $293.7 billion, up 6.9 percent.

Mexico posted a trade surplus of $143 million in October,

compared with a $135 million trade deficit in the same month of 2013.

Exports in October came in at $37.1 billion, a 5.7 percent increase from the same month of last year, while imports totaled $36.9 billion, up 4.9 percent.

Oil exports last month plunged 21 percent year-on-year to $3.4 billion due to lower prices and a lower volume of crude exported, but non-oil exports rose 9.5 percent to $33.7 billion.

Mexico posted a $1.2 billion trade deficit in 2013 after registering an $18 million trade surplus in 2012.

Source: LAHT

Internet access grows more than expected

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he program México Conectado has made Internet access available in 65,149 spaces, surpassing the projected goal of 65,000 for December 2014.

The Communications and Transportation Secretariat estimates that upon the conclusion of the last contracting processes for this year, the total coverage would increase during the last month of the year.

Of all the spaces with coverage 74 percent are in educational spaces, 12 percent in health centers, 8 percent in community centers, 5 percent in government offices and the rest in open spaces. México Conectado is a program with the objective to decrease the digital gap.

That being said, in 50 percent of the connected areas throughout the country, an interior and exterior Wi-Fi antenna was installed so that those without other access to the Internet might be able to use the service.

The process to connect public sites to the service consists of five phases: the installation of the coordination dish, planning, bidding, implementation and operation. Currently, Morelos, Tabasco, Colima, the State of Mexico, Puebla, Sonora, Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Michoacán are in one of these phases.

México Conectado looks to optimize the expenses associated with being connected. Its competitive pricing is the result of various public bidding processes.

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Mexico and 12 other countries were awarded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for their “notable progress in the fight against hunger,” after achieving the international objectives before the 2015 deadline.

The awards were given to representatives of the 13 countries by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva at the organization headquarters in Rome.

Representing Mexico was the Undersecretary of Planning, Evaluation and Regional Development in the Social Development Secretariat, Juan Carlos Lastiri Quirós.

Iran, Kiribati, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius and Uruguay also received awards.

The first objective of the Millennium Development Goals — to reduce the proportion of people suffering from hunger by half — was just one of the advances that these countries made, said Graziano da Silva.

Another goal, proposed during the 1996 FAO World Food Summit — to cut the total number of starving people in half by 2015 — was the toughest objective, according the FAO Director-General.

“You have overcome great challenges in worldwide economic conditions and diffi-

cult political environments. You have demonstrated willpower and used the necessary means,” Graziano da Silva said.

The progress made toward the eradication of world hunger in the next 10 years “is gaining momentum,” said the FAO director-general, adding that 805 million people still suffer from chronic malnutrition.

To reach this objective, we must “improve the quality and the efficiency of nutrition systems, promote rural development, increase productivity and rural incomes, improve access to food and strengthen social protection, said Graziano da Silva.

Source: The News

Mexico heads Puebla Process

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orld committee will focus on migration issues. Mexico was selected as the next “pro-témpore” president of the Regional Conference on Migration, known as the Puebla Process, which is charged with strengthening capacity and collaboration between officials from member nations.

The member nations are Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic, said the Interior Secretariat in a statement over the weekend.

The federal dependency said that members will participate in training groups beginning in January 2015, after the announcement of the “Immigration Accountability Executive Action,” presented by U.S. President Barack Obama on Nov. 20.

In representation of the Mexican Government, Interior Secretariat Population, Migration and Religious Affairs Undersecretary Mercedes del Carmen Guillén Vicente received the “pro-témpore” presidency of the Regional Conference on Migration.

During the ceremony celebrated in Managua, Nicaragua, Guillén Vicente said that there needs to be organized migratory regulations to ensure conditions of absolute dignity for foreigners that travel through the country.

Speaking before representatives of the conference, the

undersecretary said that Mexicans who return to their homeland receive support through the Somos Mexicanos (we are Mexicans) program. The program provides options for employment, the possibility to receive identification documents, health security, transportation to shelters and tickets to their destinations.

Through the implementations of the Frontera Sur program, announced July 7 by President Enrique Peña Nieto, the country is moving forward to provide more tools and effective mobility of documented and legal people inside of Mexico.

The government is also working to strengthen the efficiency of handing out “Regional Visitor Cards” and “Border Worker Cards” so that foreign nationals from neighboring countries can visit the states on the southern border of Mexico in a documented, orderly and free way, said Guillén.

The conference president designate also announced that she will meet with representatives from the Foreign Relations Secretariat and governments

from member states in June 2015. A meeting of the Regional Migration Consulting Group will be hosted in November 2015, she said.

The American migration conference, also known as the Puebla Process, was formed with the objective to compare and share perspectives based on experiences in situations of origin, travel and destination of migration, said the statement from the secretariat.

The president of the conference is decided by consensus among member countries during the annual Vice-Ministerial Meeting. During its term, the chosen government must facilitate the coordination between governments to conduct regular meetings, ask member countries to designate delegates for the Drafting Committee at the start of each meeting, identify high priority initiatives, cover the cost of meetings and take on a role regarding the administration of the Fund for the Return of Migrants in Highly Vulnerable Situations.

Source: The News

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Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

Remittances to Mexico Rise 7.1% in First 10 Months of 2014

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emittances sent to Mexico by emigrants totaled $19.62 billion in the first 10 months of 2014, up 7.19 percent compared to the same period last year, the Bank of Mexico said.

Mexico received $2.03 billion in remittances in October, a figure that was up 6.5 percent from the $1.91 billion received in October 2013.

The average remittance was $293.41 in the January-October period, up slightly from the $293.29 average registered in the same period last year.

The number of transactions, however, climbed from 62.4 million in the first 10 months of 2013 to

66.9 million in the same period this year, with the majority of remittances sent via electronic funds transfers, the central bank said.

Mexico received $21.89 billion in remittances in 2013, a figure that was down 3.8 percent compared to 2012, when emigrants sent $22.44 billion to their homeland.

Remittances sent by Mexicans living abroad, mainly in the United States, are the country’s second-largest source of foreign exchange, after oil, and help cover the living expenses of millions of people.

Source: LAHT

Mexico-Canada ties not strong enough

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ormer foreign affairs minister laments weak relationship at federal level There are strong ties between Mexico and Canada at the personal, business and provincial levels, but that’s as far as they go, says a former Canadian foreign affairs minister.

Bill Graham, who served in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, says there isn’t the rapport there should be at the federal level, and not just between Mexico and Canada, but with the United States as well.

Graham says focus on trade agreements with other regions, particularly Asia, is partly to blame.

He said in an interview with the Mexican news agency Notimex that North America ought to be a priority for the governments of the three countries, but that of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has not given relations with Mexico the importance they deserve.

He cited the visa requirement as one policy that has cooled bilateral relations, but argued that it has served its purpose, to slow Mexican applications for refugee status, and is no longer required.

“There is no reason why a Mexican who has a U.S. visa shouldn’t automatically have a Canadian visa.”

The U.S. has an immigration issue with Mexico, but Canada does not, said Graham. The Mexicans who travel to Canada

are businesspeople, academics, teachers and students, he argued.

However, he expressed optimism for the requirement being suspended before too long because he understands that Canadian officials are now working on it.

While bilateral relations at senior government levels are cool, that’s not the case in the business community, where Canadian firms such as Bombardier have a strong presence in Mexico.

And the provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Quebec have their own presence with offices here.

Meanwhile, some million and a half Canadians visit Mexico every year, “a high number considering we only have 30 million people,” said Graham.

Graham has been active in promoting relations between Mexico and Canada for several years, and has served as co-chairman of the Canada-Mexico Initiative, a consortium of think tanks that was formed for that purpose.

mexiconewsdaily.com

Book lovers congregate in Guadalajara

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he Guadalajara Book Fair opened November 29th and runs to December 7th at Expo Guadalajara. The largest and most important book fair in Latin America, with Argentina as the Guest of Honor country for 2014, brings together more than 650 authors from more than 32 countries.

Claudio Magris, Nélida Piñón, Fernando del Paso, Elena Poniatowska, Ernesto Cardenal, Thomas Piketty, Alberto Manguel, Gioconda Belli, David Byrne, Ruy Pérez Tamayo, Margo Glantz, Ken Follet and John Katzenbach are some of the over 650 writers from 32 countries who will be attending the most important Spanish-language literary festival in Latin America. Germany, Austria, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Slovenia, Spain, the United States, Finland,

France, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Quebec, United Kingdom, Serbia, Sweden, Uruguay and Venezuela will be represented at the 28th annual FIL Guadalajara.

The Guadalajara International Book Fair is the most important publishing gathering in Ibero-America. It is also an amazing cultural festival. Created 28 years ago by the University of Guadalajara, the Fair is aimed at professionals and the general public alike, a characteristic that sets it apart from other book fairs around the globe. With business as one of its main goals, it is also a cultural festival in which literature plays a major role including a program where authors from all continents and languages participate, and a forum for the academic discussion of the major issues of our time.

The income generated by the

FIL Guadalajara for the state of Jalisco is over four million pesos each year, added to the 520 million generated in publishing deals.

Over the past 27 years the FIL has hosted more than ten million, one hundred thousand visitors, who along with authors, academics and book professionals have had the thrilling experience of participating for over 200 days in the most important Spanish-language literary festival in Latin America that for nine days turns Guadalajara into the book capital of the world.

For nine days, people willingly stand in long lines to listen to their favorite authors, the book industry makes Guadalajara its beating heart and the whole city is filled with the music, arts, cinema and theatre from the featured Guest of Honor which this year is Argentina.

Santander Mexico Buys Loan Portfolio

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he Mexican unit of Spanish banking giant Banco Santander reached an agreement with Scotiabank Inverlat to purchase a consumer loan portfolio worth 4.1 billion pesos ($300 million) to expand its customer base.

The deal will boost the loan portfolio and improve market share in the personal lending segment, Santander Mexico said in a statement.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement to acquire this part of Scotiabank’s consumer lending portfolio,

an agreement that is aligned with our strategy focused on this highly profitable product,” Santander Mexico CEO Marcos Martinez said.

Some 97 percent of the more than 47,000 customers are in the “attractive middle-high income segment,” helping expand the current customer base, Martinez said.

The deal provides an opportunity to cross-sell Santander Mexico’s wide range of products, opening new business channels, the executive said.

Santander Mexico expects

the purchase to close in the next three months, with closing subject to the acquisition of loan documents, approval by federal regulators and other standard conditions. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico is the country’s third-largest bank, trailing only BBVA Bancomer and Citigroup Banamex.

The bank has 930.4 billion pesos ($68.16 billion) in assets, more than 11 million customers, 1,042 branches and 15,404 employees.

Source: LAHT

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Wellness Latina

Tales to Tell

By Marcella Castellanos info@wellnesslatina.com

Kathleen Phelps

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ith all of the talk about Bill Cosby and the allegations that have been made against him, I asked the anonymous Bunny if she’d ever met him. Indeed, they had been friends in 1968 during the time that she lived in Hefner’s mansion in Chicago. Here’s just another side to the story.

“I lived in Hefner’s mansion on North State Parkway on the Gold Coast of Chicago during 1968. Just about the time I had been hired by Playboy, my apartment sharing arrangement was dissolved and it was very fortunate for me that there opened up a space in one of Hefner’s dormitories. For $50 a month, I rented a bunk bed, a closet, and a dresser in one of the suites created for up to 22 Bunnies.

There was no privacy and no men allowed, but the price was right and I was working my way through college. I met Bill Cosby around April, 1968 at one of Hefner’s parties. Shel Silverstein and I were friends as were Shel and Bill, so we all hung out at the party. Bill and I hit it off and he asked if he could call me to go out the next time he was in Chicago. I gave him the dormitory number and was surprised to get his call a couple of weeks later.

He was coming to Chicago on Friday, could I join him to go to Mr. Kelly’s Cabaret on Rush Street?

Well, yeah, I’ll make sure that I’m available. He picked me up on Friday evening and his limousine took us off to Mr. Kelly’s. It was quite a blast to arrive with him because, by then, everyone was aware of him and there was a lot of yelling and clapping as he got out of the car. Inside, we were shown to a front row table and the place was abuzz!

Frank Sinatra came out on the stage and started singing his “My Kind of Town”. Fabulous! After his first song, he introduced his buddy Bill Cosby in the audience. Two big celebrities in one night! The audience loved it!

Of course, I was just arm candy of no real importance at all, but I loved having the experience. Of course, now that I’m almost 70, it’s wonderful to have these memories.

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4 Good Reasons You Should Eat Avocados

I I’m so grateful that I didn’t listen to all of the nay-sayers and behave myself! After the performance, we went back to Hefner’s mansion and went down to the game room that Hef had on the lower floor. There was a pool table, some pinball machines, a dart board, and a variety of other games. It became routine for Bill and I to go there after our “dates” to sort of finish off the evening. I had absolutely no skill at these games and would lose about 99% of the time. It became a joke that I’d lose, Bill would call the butler to bring me a shot of green chartreuse and I’d drink it as punishment. Of course, after an evening of drinking, 2-3 green chartreuses would do me in. BILL COSBY NEVER LAID A FINGER ON ME! He would call one of the butlers, usually my friend James, who would physically carry me up to the 5th floor where my dorm was located. Somehow, James and I struggled to get me up into the top bunk and I woke up the next morning fully clothed and with a terrible hangover! There wasn’t an elevator all the way up, so this poor guy carried me up the stairs! I can remember him trying to help me get up the ladder to my bed. Crazy memories!

I guess my biggest faux pas was when Bill called me one day to say that he’d be coming to town and oh, by the way, “ I just won my 3rd Emmy for I SPY”. Dumb, small town girl that I was, all I could say was “Bill, what’s an Emmy?” In my defense, Emmys hadn’t been around too long in 1968.

bet you thought those mushy green things were just good for guacamole and sandwiches!

Well, they are, but the "alligator pear" as it is sometimes called boasts a variety of other benefits and uses and its beauty can't be judged by its cover. It's often been touted as a superfood and it is one of Mexico's treasures.

Here are the top four reasons you should indulge: 1. Skin Beauty:Aguacates ( pronounced: ah-wa-kah-tehs) contain monounsaturated fat vital for maintaining good moisture levels in the epidermal layer of your skin. This makes you look and feel soft, healthy and gorgeous! Or as we say in Mexico, guapa (wa-pa not goo-ah-pa)! Omega-9 fats help repair damaged skin cells and reduce redness and irritation. Due to vitamin E and antioxidant carotenoids, avocados also protect your skin from wrinkles and other visible signs of aging from sun-exposure.

Now you can eat more avocados and stay in the sun (just kidding). Elastin and collagen are produced from vitamin C to help keep your skin firm and maintain elasticity.

2. Slimmer figure: Because many of us have been told differently, people are surprised to discover that a food high in fat would be considered beneficial to losing fat. With over 77% of the fruit being fat, it isn't just any fat, it's great, beneficial fat! Research has shown that monounsaturated fatty acids are less likely to be stored as fat and more likely to be used as slow

I cannot judge whether these allegations happened to these women or not. However, my experience with Bill Cosby was terrific.

He often talked about his wife and children, so that explained to me why he wasn’t interested in being

burning energy. And because we're also satiated after eating avocado, it helps to reduce hunger and appetite. Additionally, it's loaded with fiber. All of this helps you stay trim. Go ahead, order another side of "wa-ka-moh-le."

4. Stay healthy: When you're healthy, you get to have more fun! And when you eat healthy, you make more room for cocktails. Over half of an avocado contains oleic acid, the same fat found in olive oil which helps reduce harmful inflammation.

In a study published in the Nutrition Journal scientists concluded that avocado consumption is associated with improved nutrient intake, diet quality, and reduced risk of metabolic syndrome. Diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease are all diseases that can result from an increase of metabolic syndrome the term used to describe symptoms leading up to those disruptive diseases.

4. They're cheap and easy: In a good way! Here in parts of Mexico they're about 7-9 pesos

anything but platonic friends. He was a great guy to me and I’ll always be grateful for having known him.”

There are so many fascinating people in Puerto Vallarta! Why don’t you share your story? If you

an avocado, equivalent to .60 to .80 cents compared to about $1.50 in the U.S. and Canada.

You can get the common, dark-colored Hass kind or the giant, vibrant green, organic ones that grow like bugambilias around here.

They're called criollo (kreeoh- yo) avocados or aguacate de la región (avocado from the region). They're both buttery and delicious. And they're easy to pick out for ripeness - when it's a little soft to the squeeze, that means it's ready to eat that day. If it's still green simply wait a day or two and voila -easy breezy, ready to eat. There are a plethora of foods that can be made with an avocado; I recently made a chocolate, avocado mousse - delicious!

And because you're not stressing about the price to eat these tasty nutrition dynamos and they don't require much fuss, you stay sane, healthy, and happy and that keeps your grey hair at bay.

How's that for anti-aging advice? *Avocados have a multitude of other benefits, besides the ones listed. It's definitely a rockstar whole food! For more information visit my blog at www.wellnesslatina.com Marcella Castellanos is a bilingual, bi-cultural certified Health & Wellness Coach.

She works with expats over forty to help spice up their vitality by adopting healthier, sustainable habits through workshops and holistic coaching. Sign up for a free online Happy, Healthy Holiday program to help you transform your holiday season at www.wellnesslatina.com.

have a Tale to Tell, contact me at 322-142-2245 or kphelps1948@ gmail.com.

Your name and picture can be featured or you can choose to be anonymous. We’d just like to hear your story!

NEWS 07

www.vallartatribune.com

Virgin of Guadalupe festivities begin in Puerto Vallarta

By Alan Yamil Hinojosa Tribuna de la Bahia

A

t five pm as the sun begins to set, the crowds come together along Juarez Street in downtown Puerto Vallarta each night starting December first until the twelfth.

The colors, the food stalls, and the traditional parades change nightly. The reason? Traditional pilgrimages in thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe.

It is a nightly event that draws crowds of onlookers, out to enjoy the festivities, the traditional food and drink and meet up with friends under the colourful banners to celebrate the upcoming holidays. The first to parade down Juarez this year was the

ISPAC College, but after them came the most traditional and established families of Puerto Vallarta.

The GonzĂĄlez, the Palacios, the Bernal, the Macedo, the VillaseĂąor, the families of Old Vallarta, the torchbearers of Talpita, the missionaries, were some of the first to bring offerings and give thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Traditional music played in the street and pre-hispanic dancers entertained those who lined the streets to watch the spectacle, as others enjoyed the traditional foods of tamales and warm cups of vanilla atole, all coming together to experience something deeply Vallarta.

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

Old Town Farmers Marke New Vendors are a Big Hit at the OTFM-TC Download 200,000+ brand logos in vector format for free http://www.logoeps.com/

By Erin Staley

O

ur farmers, producers and artisans are the heart and soul of our “make it, bake it, grow it” market. They are dedicated to working hard each week – in the kitchens, fields and work

rooms across the Vallarta area – to share their goodies with thousands of national and international shoppers.

This season we’re delighted to share farm-fresh produce and berries, flowers, traditional British fruit and meat pies, gree-

ting cards, custom made apparel, natural body products as well as homemade dips, dressings, bread, baked goods, salsas, moles, artisan cheeses and much, much more.

We’re also proud to introduce 18 new vendors with exciting ware

and fare! Stop by to discover what they have in store for you this Saturday. * Mauricio Vargas Ruiz crafts whimsical (and must-have) paper mache figures. * Ana Maria Betancourt Manjarrez cuts fresh coconuts on site for a healthy beverage and snack combo. * Roberta Seeburger creates decorative cloth gift bags for wine bottles. * Torri Lynn Burden fashions fun and flirty beach glass jewelry. * Veronica Colin Esparza bakes up a wondrous variety of traditional Mexican breads. * Margarita Flores Diaz creates wrap bracelets for fashionistas worldwide. * Anais Foulon entices market goers with French style baked goods. * Peter John Hardy prides himself on scrumptious bagels & bread. * Antonio Lozada serves up deliciously baked goods (a gluten free selection included). * Brian Kines treats furry pals to tasty dog and kitty food & treats. * Francisco Javier Serrano Hernandez completes your grocery list with tender deli meats. * Giovanna Cruz Olea designs and sews fancy little girls’ party dresses. * Gustavo Avalos scoops up the earth’s plenty with farm-fresh local produce.

Sweets & Eats

After you have shopped from booth to booth, be sure to visit

our International Food Court where you will find Thai, Indian, Taiwanese, Vegan and traditional Mexican favorites. Simply head on over to the area under the shaded pergolas on the eastern side of Lazaro Cárdenas Park and meet our new food court vendors. * Monica Moreno Chavez indulges market shoppers with traditional Mexican food served in clay pots. * Elia Lucia Meneses Gonzalez stirs up her savory traditional Mexican green pozole. * Oscar Fernandez Fernandez serves up his “can’t get enough” sweet candied nuts. * Sandra Elena Tiznado Avalos delights patrons with her mouth-watering Vegan entrées (hamburgers, al pastor, falafels and sticky buns). * Hsin Lan Lin wows the crowd with always-popular Taiwanese food.

You’re Invited This Saturday Come on out this Saturday to enjoy live music, warm weather and the vibe of downtown life.

We’re a registered non-profit/ association civil organization which is open from 9:30 am – 2 pm every Saturday from November 1 to April 25. For only 10 pesos an hour, you can park in the garage directly beneath our Lazaro Cárdenas Park location. Public buses and taxis also come this way with a Pino Suarez Street drop off, just steps from the market. For events and updates, please visit www. oldtownfm.com and “like” us on Facebook.

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et - Tianguis Cultural

Find us at Parque Lázaro Cárdenas Romantic Zone Saturdays 9:30 - 2:00 pm

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Artisan Bakery Artisan Bakery

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Artisan Bakery

Artisan Bakery

…where bread is an art.

Na tu rally leave ne d sou rd ou g h s pe cialt y b r ead s …where bread is ba ke d in ou r ow n ma so nry ov e n.

an art.

Na tu rally leave ne d sou rd ou g h s pe cialt y b r ead s ba ke d in ou r ow n ma so nry ov e n.

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…where bread is an art.

Na tu rally leave ne d sou rd ou g h s pe cialt y b r ead s ba ke d in ou r ow n ma so nry ov e n.

…where bread is an art.

Na tu rally leave ne d sou rd ou g h s pe cialt y b r ead s ba ke d in ou r ow n ma so nry ov e n.

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Swimwear and beachwear made ​​to order!

Heriberto Saucedo Pérez Artista Diseñador Cel. 3222.190 56 32 Fb: Heriko Joyeria herikojoyeria@hotmail.com Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Teresa Moreno Fb: TYBikinisYMas

Tel. 322-13-04-77 ty-bikinis-y-mas@hotmail.com Federalismo #1383 Colonia Lomas del Coapinole Pitillal, Jal

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local 10

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

Mamas in PV do it again with the event Piñatas de Luz

Paradise and Parenting

B

y all accounts a total success, the November 22nd event Piñatas de Luz organized by Mamas in PV at El Río BBQ Restaurant to kick-off their Christmas festivities, and also to help the children in care at Pasitos de Luz. Always with an open heart to help those in need, Mamas in PV invited those who wanted to be part of the difference to make the Christmas of Pasitos de Luz kids a merrier and brighter one.

Given the opportunity to sponsor a child, Vallarta’s community of mothers stepped up - just as expected. Attendees at the event chose special needs children who are cared for at Pasitos de Luz to support with Christmas gifts based on their profiles to be delivered on December 12th.

The event couldn´t be more enjoyable; adults and children alike had a great time participating in the many activities prepared for the occasion. Thanks to the all of the mothers who are sponsoring a kid with special needs.

Thanks to Mamas, Ana Uribe and Aimee Jewel, for the cookies, to Sweet City for the cupcakes, to Kim Kuzma for her performance, to Miki and friends for a Mickey Mouse super show, to Sweet Bar Cassian for more cupcakes,

Leza Warkentin mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

My Seventy-Two Hours Away to Betty Pichardo for setting up the photo booth and the piñata contest, to Verity Leslie for taking the pictures, English Connections for Christmas story time and to the Koala Club team for taking care of children with Christmas activities during the event.

Mama in PV, Veroshka Medina who made the Piñata Sol (sun pinata) was the winner of the sensational Piñata Contest.

Veroshka included the Piñata Sol as part of the gifts that Benjamin, her sponsored child will enjoy during these festivities.

Thanks also to Puerto de Luna Hotel, to Kurt Sinner of El Río BBQ, to Entre Amigos San Pancho, to Los Muertos Playeras for donating juice boxes, to Dr. Leticia Quezada and her husband

Dr. Ramiro López who took apples for everybody, to Michelle Mayer Fulfer of Provecho Vallarta for donating food for the Pasitos de Luz kids, to Mario Jiménez for donating the printouts, to Nicole Marie who organized a table to make Christmas masks – a huge success! – and to CupoCity for all the support and organization of the event. The event was organized by Nicole Martin of CupoCity who ‘did it again! Her unwavering and fabulously fearless dedication to others has moved mountains, one project at a time.’

If you want to see pictures of the event, visit www.facebook. com/groups/MamasInPV/photos and stay tuned for all the events of Mamas in PV to be published at www.cupocity.com

Canadian travellers now enjoy discounted mobile service in Mexico

R

oam Mobility has begun offering service in a second country, after a successful rollout to the U.S. Now available in Mexico, the Vancouver-based company says that starting December 10th customers can travel to popular resort destinations like Cancùn, Cabo, Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen, as well as interior cities like Mexico City, using their same Roam Mobility SIM card.

The plans are not nearly as generous as Roam’s U.S. alternatives, but they offer considerably more value than most equivalent plans offered by Rogers, TELUS and Bell, with some exceptions.

Roam plans are good for seven days while most of the big three offer month long travel add-ons.

It’s also worth noting that unlike the major Canadian three

carriers, Roam users will use, or be assigned, a U.S.-based number.

Existing Roam customers will continue to make and receive calls and texts from the same

number they were assigned travelling to the States. And Roam Mobility, unlike a carrier plan, requires an unlocked device, something that many travellers don’t, or can’t, have.

I

f you are a truly dedicated professional, then you will continuously seek out ways to improve and grow in your chosen career. If you are a teacher at an international school, this means you also need to be creative, because it’s not as easy to find opportunities a) in your particular teaching area and b) in a language that you can comprehend.

Fortunately my colleague and I were offered a chance to go to an early childhood conference in Mexico City last weekend involving many international schools in Latin America. The speakers were from Reggio Emilia, Italy. To an early childhood teacher, this is kind of like being a kid with a magic kit and David Copperfield coming over to show you how to use it.

So I was certainly very excited to participate. But here’s the thing: the more I looked forward to the conference, the more convinced I become that my family would never survive seventy-two whole hours without my careful scheduling/meddling in their lives.

The mother’s ego is a terrible thing. We are able to talk ourselves into the idea that we are indispensable. And surely we are, because if we aren’t, then why are we so ridiculously tired at the end of every day? What would be the point?

The weird part is, I am not a Type A sort of personality. You can ask my own mother about my organizational skills and she’d probably begin to sob.

However, for some reason, the one part of my life where I became obsessively controlling is the day to day routine of my children.

To this end, I decided to write out in point form what the schedule would be for those 72 hours, excluding the sleeping hours of course (now THAT would be overbearing). I hired sitters, booked play dates, and packed

beach bags. I made meals and called friends for backup in case my husband’s work schedule changed.

Then I submitted it all to my husband for review in a rather formal presentation.

He smiled, gave me a hug, and told me he’d manage just fine. It was terrifying. I don’t even think he looked at my school uniform closet system.

It was a quiet flight, which is ridiculous because for the first time in about two years (since the last conference, to be exact) my colleague and I had a full hour and a half to chat without being interrupted by any person who urgently needed his juice box straw unwrapped. I was preoccupied in trying to remember if I packed sunscreen for my daughter’s play date on Saturday. It was killing me.

We checked into the hotel and decided on dinner. My husband texted me to assure me that I had packed the sunscreen and that, from here on out, he would not be requiring any more helpful advice.

And that he loved me. And that it was time for me to relax and enjoy my well-deserved break from the grind. And that I should get off my phone and talk to my friend.

Of course he was right. He’s mostly right except when it comes to which days that the children need their soccer uniforms washed. I was being irrational. I was being arrogant. I was being unfair to myself and my husband.

In that moment I decided to let it all go. I had a little chuckle and turned to my colleague to make small talk.

She told me that she was glad I was finally off my phone. I agreed and apologized. She told me not to worry, but if she could borrow my phone she’d appreciate it.

Her daughter was in a dance in an hour, and if her husband found the dress she needed it would be a miracle.

Only sixty-eight hours to go.

Not that anyone’s keeping track.

local 11

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Random thoughts from the Tribune Sports desk

By Joel Hansen joel@mexi-go.ca

S

uck it Cowboys! The Eagles crushed the hated Cowboys last Thursday on Thanksgiving on a national stage. Seeing Jerry Jones and his bad teeth, looking like someone kicked his dog, up in his sky-box surrounded by all the usual hangers-on, the celebs, Derek Jeter for some reason, all those old Cowboys I hated as kid made my day. Actually that's not true; the bottle of very good bourbon I won in a wager with a Cowboys fan made the victory that much better.

Next up. The Turmoil Bowl for me. Seahawks vs Eagles. Bird on bird violence, my team vs my son’s team. The Eagles have looked great since the Packers thrashed them in Green Bay and Seattle is rounding into shape and looking like the Superbowl champs they are. Should be a great game, even if the Fx broadcast team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are calling the game.

Maybe someone can tell me what’s up with those weird beards they are both growing? Anyways, the Eagles are giving one point and if you want a wager, meet me at Los Muertos this Sunday.

Me and the Eagles Nation will be firmly entrenched at the Puerto Vallarta headquarters of the 12th man. Gonna be a good one.

So the new Playoff system in NCAA CFB was supposed to clean up the BCS bowl system.

Yet, they still seemed to get it wrong. TCU leaped FSU into 3rd place and a playoff berth. Yet, teams that are clearly better, to

both the eye test and strength of schedule - namely Baylor and Ohio State - are still out of the final four. They release these rankings every Tuesday and it does nothing but create debate.

I feel like the whole process is to create controversy and making TCU a 3rd seed when it does not really deserve it keeps the NCAA in the headlines all week.

I listened to Mike and Mike this morning and it was all they talked about, a three hour national sports show and that is all they discussed.

On a serious note. It is an exciting and interesting time to be here in Mexico. I believe that the protests that are taking place around the country and particularly in Mexico City are leading this country towards a much needed crossroads. The citizens of Mexico are fed up with the violence that lead to the deaths of the 43 students in Guerrero as well as by the grow evidence of corruption by Pena-Nieto.

Mexico is sick of the corruption and the violence and I want to believe that positive change can come out of this. I only hope that the protests can continue in a peaceful manner.

One important note for any foreigners thinking about protesting, it is 100% illegal for a non-citizen of Mexico to take part in organized protests in Mexico. If you are caught, you are automatically deported and banned from ever returning, it is a very serious offence and is often a law that is enforced.

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

1st Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival

T

he first Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival is set to take place from December 11-14, 2014 in Nuevo Vallarta. It’s billed as the “Only Classic Rock Festival In The World” and will feature an entire week of some of the best music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

The project is the first big event put together by the Vallarta-Nayarit joint promotions committee with the support of the Nayarit and Jalisco state governments, the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta Convention and Visitors Bureaus, plus both destinations’ hotel associations, among others.

John Zaring of the Zaring Group, producer and creator of the festival, said: “Vallarta-Nayarit is the perfect stage to present this first-ever festival of its kind to the world. The climate in December is amazing and the beaches are absolutely stunning.”

Everything is all set up to buy your tickets to these concerts on the beach, which run from December 12-14: $95 USD gets you a day pass, $250 USD gets you in for all three days, plus 10% added for DIF donations.

You can purchase them at www. vallartanayaritclassicrockfest. com or http://www.ticketmaster. com.mx/Vallarta-Nayarit-Classic-Rock-Festival-boletos/artist/2058694?tm_link=edp_Artist_ Name.

Confirmed bands include the BoDeans, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, rockabilly gods Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom from the Stray Cats, country rockers Poco, Pure Prairie League and Firefall, plus icons of classic rock such as Jefferson Starship, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Foghat and Spencer Davis Group.

Soloists ready to hit the stage include Dave Mason (Traffic); Gary Wright (known for his hit “Dreamweaver”); Craig Fuller (lead vocalist for Little Feat and Little River Band); Steve Augeri, ex lead vocalist for Journey; Micky Dolenz, lead vocalist of the Monkees; Mark Farner, ex lead vocalist from Grand Funk Railroad; plus blues legend Sam Moore (Sam and Dave).

All will be accompanied by a House Band with luminaries such as Jeffrey ‘Skunk’ Baxter, ex lead guitar for the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan; Fleetwood Mac y rockabilly guitar legend Billy

Burnette; The Cars guitarist, Elliot Easton; base players Kenny Lee Lewis of the Steve Miller Band and Kenny Gradney from Little Feat; drummers Curly Smith (Boston) and Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, John Mellencamp); and piano Teddy ‘Zig Zag’ Andreadis, who’s played with various artists including Carole King and Guns ‘n Roses.

They expect approximately 5,000 attendees per day, who will not only enjoy the music, but also the cuisine of local restaurants as well as art expos and plenty of other attractions.

Classic Rock Fest Charity Golf Event The premiere edition of the Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Fest is set to end on a high note on December 15th at 10 a.m. with the Charity Golf Outing, Fairways to Heaven, to be held at the Vista Vallarta Golf Club, where rockers, tourists and the population at large will enjoy a good time with a cause.

As announced during the festival presentation, a percen-

tage of the ticket sales and registration fees for this friendly golf tournament will be donated to the Sistemas de Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay. This entity is a public institution of social assistance in Mexico that focuses on strengthening and developing the welfare of Mexican families.

The specially discounted registration fee for the charity event will be $150 USD per person and includes participation in the game, a golf cart, one meal, drinks and a gift kit. The tournament will host teams of four players each with a rock star as captain. There will be prizes for holes in one, the longest shot and the closest to the pin.

Don’t miss this grand event where the rock stars will leave their guitars for a while and pick up their golf clubs to spend some time with their fans and support a good cause. To register for the tournament call (322) 290 0030 or visit: http://www.vallartanayaritclassicrockfest.com/.

Kathleen Carrillo Galleries new location!

T House Red Wine Glass 2x1 Venustiano Carranza 276 Tel. 322 223 2267

he acclaimed Painter and Printmaker, winner of several art prizes worldwide, the latest having been added to the “top artists of the year to watch”, in the most recent issue of “ART BUSINESS NEWS”.

Come to admire the newest collections done by Carrillo and her husband, who is also an amazing sculptor.

Andy and Kathleen collaborate on the one of a kind whimsical wooden sculptures from table top to free standing colorful works.

WHIMISICAL ARCHITECTURE COLLECTION, is a collection in which Kathleen portrays the “Colorful Magic of Life”, one of her most popular series. She travels the world to find beloved, inspirational cities and villages to paint.

Stop by Constitution 325 and admire the Inspired...Energetic...

Colorful Paintings of Kathleen Carrillo and enjoy other series such as: FRIENDS AND DIVAS COLLECTION, or the SMOKÍN JAZZ COLLECTION which has

been ongoing for about eight years and is one of her most popular series to date.

One of the newest series, SPICY SLICE OF LIFE COLLECTION shows her Foodie paintings and the beautiful patchwork quilts of Mother Nature in all its beauty and abundance.

For information contact Kathleen at 044 322 141 8867, or go to www.KathleenCarrilloGalleries.com Constitution 325, old town

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta!

Real Estate 14

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

Let’s Hear from You: First Person Expat Interviews

By Fabien Madesclaire Fabien@g3mex.com

T

roy Martz is a true Renaissance man; web developer and designer; Permaculture expert; alternative energy entrepreneur. He’s passionate, smart and is working to form a non-profit to promote hands-on techniques to teach urban agriculture here in Puerto Vallarta.

Tell me a little about your background and where you are from originally?

I was born and raised in San Diego. And received my B.S. degree in Agribusiness, and graduated in 1995 from Arizona State University I moved back to San Diego in 1997, and somehow veered from the “agriculture stuff,” and got myself into “internet stuff.” The early days of the web was explosive, and the demand for website designers and developers kept me busy for the next 17 years.

In 2003, I married my wonderful wife, Pilar. She is a Mexican national. We’ve lived in Baja, on and off, for 12 years. We have three beautiful daughters, and my family is the driving force in all that I do.

When did you first visit Puerto Vallarta?

My first visit to Puerto Vallarta was the day we moved here, July 23rd, 2014. We have never visited before, nor have we been to the State of Jalisco. We did do our homework, however.

I spent many hours investigating everything from land prices, culture, weather, safety, distances to major cities, etc. In the end, Puerto Vallarta was the clear winner. So, our first visit was quite literally a “leap of faith” into a whole new life – Life 2.0., if you will.

Why did you decide to move here?

We moved here for a greater opportunity. Being practitioners of Permaculture, my wife and I decided to move to a place that would allow us to express ourselves on a broad-acre farm.

I’ve always lived in a desert.

San Diego, Phoenix, and Temecula are all deserts, and extremely brittle landscapes. When you have an opportunity to start fresh, a lush, green paradise such as Puerto Vallarta is an incredibly attractive proposition.

You mentioned Permaculture. Can you expand on that subject a bit?

Permaculture is a design science. It’s really not much different than being a website designer, or an architect. There are three simple ethics that form the foundation of Permaculture; Care of earth, care of people, and the return of surplus. If you’re breaking any of those three ethics, it’s not Permaculture.

I will be teaching an Introduction to Permaculture class on Saturday, December 13th from 10:00AM-1:00PM, at the Centro Cultural Cuale (i.e. Cuale Cultural Center), which is located on the Eastern tip of the island where the river splits. This course is free to anyone who wishes to attend.

Additionally, I’m working with Curtis Stone right now on coming down to PV in late February for a 2-day intensive workshop on urban farming. Curtis is an urban farmer from Kelowna, B.C., and a rising star in the local food movement. He’s also somewhat famous as the guy who can show you how to make $80K on half an acre. I encourage everyone interested in producing local organic food to attend this workshop.

Can you tell me about your professional activities here?

My professional activities are somewhat divided into three parts; website development, Permaculture, and gasification.

Gasification is the process of converting biomass to power.

This is a clean, renewable, and sustainable technology if managed holistically. It’s also very much in line with the triple-bottom-line approach to business.

Off Grid Pro, (my other company) is a for-profit venture. In addition to gasifier systems, we provide other innovative energy solutions.

I recently attended the Expo Forestal, in Guadalajara, and the amount of interest I received for our technology was remarkable.

Some of the vendors – especially in the lumber industry – couldn’t believe that their massive piles of sawdust waste could be used to power their entire operation.

In fact, the demand has been so great; we decided to seek investment capital in order to ramp up our staff, R&D, and production. We are currently pursuing funding through various channels. Needless to say, this is a good problem to have.

Aside from the gasification business, my wife and I will be spending our free time building awareness, teaching, and practicing organic farming through the Permaculture framework. Ideally, we’d like to set up a non-profit here in town, so that we may demonstrate and teach these skills and techniques to all who wish to learn them.

How does living in Mexico compare to living in the United States?

I enjoy Mexico. I love the people.

I love the food. I love the culture.

There exists a sense of magic for me here. It feels like I’m on vacation all the time. I love the United States as well, but when I cross that border, and begin to see the homogenous, manicured, franchised utopia, I begin to feel a bit like an animal in a zoo. Everything is planned. Franchises dominate over a diminishing “Mom & Pop” economy, and no matter the city, the same usual suspects show up at the strip malls.

How is it raising children here in Mexico?

It’s been great so far. I’m very pleased with the education-based resources.

Our daughters are taking afterschool music and art classes, as well as German classes now. I’m not even half way to being fluent in Spanish, yet my daughters are starting their third language, and they’re still in grade school!

What part of town do you live in, and why have you chosen to live there?

We live in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood. We landed in this spot by pure accident, through a mix-up with our property manager. However, this was a happy accident, and we’ve come to realize our location is very convenient. We’re within walking distance of Zona Romantica, but also close to some of the other amenities and venues to the North. We like where we live.

What sort of future do you see for Puerto Vallarta and Mexico as a whole?

Puerto Vallarta is unique. First – the obvious – it’s one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world. It’s absolutely beautiful. But very few people understand that PV sits on latitude 20° parallel north. That means it’s also one of the most versatile agricultural locations in the world. When you sit on the border between the tropics and the subtropics, you have the ability to leverage both regions. Mexico as a whole is a bit of an enigma.

The people certainly have an opportunity to make of it what they will. As I see it, the intent of some multinational corporations to exploit Mexico’s resources is a real danger. I hope the people in power, the people in business, and the people on the land resist short-term temptation in favor of long-term stability and natural abundance – the true definition of wealth, in my opinion.

I see a very bright future for Mexico with some occasional political and economic turbulence along the way.

Do you plan on staying here permanently?

Yes, we moved here with the intention of setting roots. Our dream farm/ranch is somewhere out there, and we are patiently waiting for the perfect land opportunity. In the meantime, I’m in no hurry to leave this beautiful city that we’ve come to call home.

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. Or check our website out at: www.g3mex.com

LOCAL 15

www.vallartatribune.com

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

My Life In Vallarta

Is it safe in Puerto Vallarta?

Submitted by -Vallarta4Real

By Lois Ellison loell87@yahoo.com

Everyone has a story

T

he article is part of a series about some of the extraordinary people we’ve met here.

They are not the rich, the famous or the eccentric that you typically read about but each has a story worth telling. They are the people you see every day: the waiters, the cab drivers, the vendors, the business owners and your neighbors.

This week, meet

REINA

It would be impossible to tell Reina’s story without including her late husband Vicente who sold ironwood figures for many years. We met Vicente one year when our daughter was visiting several years ago. Her future husband was named “Fox” so she wanted to buy him a fox figure. The first few vendors we spoke to just laughed. “No hay zorros” (there are no foxes) they’d say. But Vicente was different.

He’d never seen one, but he’d ask around. He never did find one, but from then on he always remembered us and we’d share a few laughs about the zorros.

In time we became friends. We noticed that Vicente was handicapped and as his condition continued to deteriorate, his wife Reina began working with him.

Reina Cristobal Rosas was born in Copalillo in the state of Guerrero. There were five children in her family. Her parents were field workers, but there wasn’t always much work, so life was very hard. After finishing her

primary education, she moved to Puerto Vallarta, found work cleaning houses, then met and married Vicente. Soon they had a son, and then another. Vicente was doing well enough as a figura vendor so Reina was able to stay home and care for the boys.

Five years later, their lives were forever changed when Vicente, who had untreated diabetes, developed diabetic neuropathy. We met him shortly after it all started and each time we saw him, his conditioned had worsened. He went from using a cane, to using a walker and finally to a wheelchair.

This didn’t stop him from working. Reina began helping him; learning the ins and outs of the craft. All the figuras you see being sold around town are made of ironwood. They arrive here from Sonora in rough shapes. Using sandpaper, the vendor spends hours adding details and finishing the shapes. Finally many coats of shoe polish are applied and then buffed to a high sheen.

Over the next ten years, Reina took on ever increasing responsibilities. She had the children to care for, the business to run, and a husband whose health continued to decline. Drawing on her tremendous reservoir of strength and her unwavering love for her family, she managed it all with a smile on her face.

Just before Christmas three years ago, Vicente died of a heart attack in his sleep. I think he knew it was coming because just weeks earlier he spoke to me of his desire for his boys to find a better life. He feared that when

T he died they would wind up as vendors and he wanted so much more for them.

When Vicente died, the family was devastated, but life goes on.

Reina is the only female figura vendor in Puerto Vallarta. She comes to town from Pitillal seven days a week, transporting heavy crates of the works she hopes to sell and puts in eight hours a day, rarely taking a day off. She is rightly proud of her two sons.

Now seventeen, her oldest son is enrolled in a two year program learning to be a baker. The younger son, thirteen, attends school. In their spare time they help their mother.

Although she misses Vicente every day, she has found happiness and contentment with a large informal family of friends.

Some of these are her seasonal friends who stop by when they visit Vallarta. But most are the other vendors who work nearby and support each other. A central figure in her life is Juan, who at age ninety, works side by side with Reina selling his handmade jewelry and some toys. Juan is everyone’s beloved Abuelo.

You can find Reina just across from the northwest corner of Lazaro Cardenas Park. Look for the address Olas Altas 218 painted on the utility poll. You will recognize her by her smile.

he spoiler…Yes, it is very safe! However, Vallarta aside from being one of the most popular, “come back to visit” places in the sun, is a new destination for thousands each year. New arrivals come because others have recommended, and because Vallarta stands out as a value vacation package, especially for high latitude Canadians and many Northern Americans looking for an easy, restful vacation away from cold and snow.

Importantly, Vallarta delivers to most, a marvelous, trouble free vacation.

If it weren’t for the big bad television news and network media hyping anything and everything fear invoking, there would probably be no negative comments at all.

The facts and numbers speak for themselves. Just a glance through the comments on Trip Advisor reveals satisfied vacationers and virtually no reporting of “safety problems”. Many even go out of their way to highlight and compliment how friendly, kind and helpful the Mexicans are, that Vallarta (still) has a small town feel, you can walk around freely, even at night, chat with everybody, and no experience of uncomfortable confrontations with others.

In fact, one poll shows more concern for running out of money, sunburns, too much drinking, and maybe tripping over the cobblestones!

For the North Americans and Canadians that live here, all the apartment, villa, and condo owners, or those reside here part of the year, there is no feeling of unsafety-ness – none! … Being that Vallarta is a distinct tourist based community, separated from problem areas both by distance (over 1000’s of miles),

and very good public security practices.

It helps that it is a compact social, economic, and geographical area of its own; not a border town, not a drug route crossroad, nor a big city with all kinds of other crime. In fact, there are many more stories of good things happening, such as lost items being returned, helpful police, friendly neighbours, nice taxi drivers, extra services at restaurants and hotels, being able to communicate, and importantly getting good value and satisfaction for one’s vacation dollar.

Some good general safety advice: Use common sense as you would in your own city or town! Vallarta has a “let your hair down – have fun mentality”, but it is not a lawless land.

The various public safety officials and police you might have to interact with, generally talk things out with you and are helpful. It goes to say that public areas, downtown streets, the hotels, resorts and Malecons are well watched and patrolled by hundreds of police and there are military forces in special anticrime teams.

Lastly, we do not advocate procuring, using or selling any illegal drug or substance during your visit here. Jalisco and Mexico in general has very strict anti-drug use laws and they can be applied without a hearing.

Why go there, have a cold beer instead!

Vallarta4Real… a source of tips and comments from real estate and health providers, with interesting local information so you might understand and appreciate the area, especially for you lucky visitors, property owners and those seeking of good health. vallarta4real@yahoo.com

www.vallartatribune.com

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

entertainment 16

www.vallartatribune.com

Two new shows debut at The Palm: Colleen’s Cobblestones Consignment Latcho and Andrea: The Blond Gypsies and Luna Rumba

by Marcia Blondin

marciavallarta@gmail.com

S

exy and sultry, The Palm brings to the stage award-winning local and international musicians playing Spanish Gypsy Guitars and hot Rumba, Cuban, and Flamenco rhythms this month.

Latcho & Andrea; The Blond Gypsies are European recording artists who perform Gypsy Rumba and Flamenco Guitar music in Puerto Vallarta. Both of German descent, Latcho and Andrea's music takes influences from around the world and back through time, authentically producing the mysterious and passionate sounds of Gypsy Flamenco music. They have recorded nine albums and a DVD chronicling their long musical career.

In order to trace the origins of this amazing sound, you have to go back some 30 years to El Sacromonte, the gypsy quarter of Granada, Spain, where

Latcho lived and learned how to play Spanish guitar from the masters of Flamenco. Touring with his band Lailo, Latcho played with Antonico Reyes, and members of the Gypsy Kings family and other notable musicians of the time in Europe.

He met his partner Andrea while they were both touring Europe with a wild west show.

Later, they travelled and performed with a circus, living the gypsy life and ended up with many interesting stories to tell. In 1996, Latcho & Andrea decided to leave Europe and relocate to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Since then, Latcho & Andrea’s local popularity has soared and they have been consistently performing throughout Puerto Vallarta and other parts of Mexico, the United States and Europe.

The Blond Gypsies make their debut at The Palm with three shows only Dec. 3 & 24

at 7:00 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 9:30 p.m. Advance tickets are highly recommended as these shows will likely sell out.

Luna Rumba, featuring Cheko Ruiz on vocals and guitar and George “Geo” Uhrich on violin, mandolin, Flamenco and electric guitars, also makes their debut at The Palm this season.

Luna Rumba is a fusion of Gypsy, Latin, Celtic, Flamenco, Middle Eastern and Rock, all spiced up with hot Rumba and Cuban rhythms.

From beautiful, romantic ballads to fiery dance pulsations, the group will delight a diverse audience with its infectious sounds and rhythms.

The story of Luna Rumba started three years ago in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Geo Uhrich met Cheko Ruiz playing in a bar there. The two began to play music together and it had a magical quality. Even though Geo didn’t speak Spanish and Cheko didn’t speak English, they were able to “finish each other’s musical sentences” and create wonderful music together.

Cheko began his music career at age 15. As a young man, he was interested in a wide variety of Latin music and sounds. Born in Mexico City, he has performed in concerts all over Mexico.

Geo is an inspiring, accomplished musician who co-founded the band Luna Rumba in which he plays nylon and electric guitars and 5 string violin.

After retiring from a successful business career, Geo went back to his true passion, music. Luna Rumba opens at The Palm beginning December 8th at 7:00 p.m and December 15th at 8:00 p.m.

Additional show dates and times vary, please see the calendar link on The Palm’s website www.ThePalmPV. com. Advance tickets are highly recommended.

The Palm is well-known for bringing top notch, cutting-edge entertainment to Vallarta. Inside you’ll find an intimate, completely refurbished 90-seat cabaret located at Olas Altas #508, in the heart of Zona Romantica.

W

hat I love about writing for the Vallarta Tribune is they allow me to write about people that I know that happen to advertise their business in the paper.

Everybody enjoys being remembered – everybody. It doesn't happen much when you go shopping – especially for clothes - but every now and then someone will open a business every morning with a smile on her face that reflects the anticipation of the day unfolding – who will stop in to bring a bag of clothes to sell for them?

Who will come in looking for something bright and cheerful and find it with her help?

Who will be wandering through old town and stumble across a cool second-hand clothing store for women, drop in, spend some time and quite likely buy something?

Meet Colleen Bixler from the U.S. and new owner of Cobblestones Consignment – a small store packed with women’s gently used clothes of all colors, sizes and styles.

Shoes, handbags, scarves – you name it. As a tourist in Vallarta more than 30 years ago, Colleen eventually began spending the winters out of the cold.

She teaches meditation and tends bar in Ouray, Colorado, when she’s there and has dabbled in real estate here and now is the proprietor of her own clothing store.

In her words, “I always try to help out the local Mexican ladies in the neighbourhood.

I love the business because it helps everyone…those with clothes that no longer fit and those that want to save money by buying gently used clothing – it gives me the opportunity to be of service and make a living at the same time. I think I have finally found my ‘niche’.”

Guess what, Colleen? We think you have, too!

Cobblestones Consignment Tuesday to Friday 10 to 5 and Saturday 10 – 2 at 497 Francisco Madero & Naranjo. Contact her at 044 322 100 1577 and do like her on Facebook!

EVENTS 17

www.vallartatribune.com

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

Grand Opera at its Grandest

Perceptions

“THE VOICE”: Nurenberg - A Met in HD Series at Teatro Vallarta

By David Rohde

D

o you watch “The Voice” or “American Idol”? If so, you may be interested in a vocal contest that tests more than a singer´s vocal talent. The next presentation in The Met in HD series of live simulcasts is Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

by Richard Wagner to be broadcast on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.

Some people are turned off by the mention of Wagner and the thought of big- chested women in horned helmets singing their,... um,...lungs off.

That is not the case with Die Meistersinger. This opera is rooted in reality in the city of Nurenberg, Germany in the 16th century.

A group of poet-musicians meet to perform in a contest to pick The Master. This is a contest that involves composing as well as singing.

There are many parameters to competing in the competition. A song must be of a certain length and contain “tones” and “melodies”. The competitors are poets who fashion from the tones a new melody to words and rhymes of their own invention.

This is an opera of three acts with the competitors being introduced in the first two acts. Act III is the conclusion with the actual contest performed.

This is GRAND OPERA at it grandest. In a recent interview of the chorus master of The Met, he stated that the regular roster of chorus member is 80 and this opera has a chorus that calls for 149 voices.

A Wagner opera orchestra has an incredible number of musicians overflowing the pit.

There is also a large cast featuring many different personalities competing for the crown.

Many operas today are tending to more stripped down productions.

The last broadcast, “The Barber of Seville”, had a series of moving doors that made up different rooms and settings.

This production of “Die Meistersinger” has a huge staging that encompasses a town square.

Act III is huge with an onstage orchestra for the contest.

Puerto Vallarta is fortunate to be a part of The Met in HD series.

For those who are not familiar with these simulcasts, there is a lot of close up camera work, backstage behind-the-scenes interviews during the intermissions and SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH. Before the broadcast Paco Ojeda will give a talk at 10am on the opera with lots of interesting info to aid in the enjoyment of opera.

Everything available for these broadcasts point to an enjoyable Saturday afternoon in PV being serenaded by some of the top voices in the world of opera.

of Art

By Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

I

managed to get a private concert with Jason Brock of X-Factor fame. I snuck into the Red Room while he was warming up his voice before his evening performance; thousands of fans all over the world would have happily traded places with me.

Anyway we had met several days earlier and he allowed me to sit and enjoy.

He will be back in Vallarta soon – I will keep you posted.

About a year ago, Paco Ojeda, the brilliant managing editor of Lifestyles Magazine decided to go public with his love of music. Make that his obsession with music. He started off with small audiences and word spread – he began offering comments before the televised Met Opera HD broadcasts at Teatro Vallarta. That began to grow as well.

Then on December 1st, Paco opened to a packed house at the Palm to celebrate Bette Midler’s birthday.

As only Paco can do: exhaustive research into Ms Midler’s life unfolded on stage with video clips, her beginnings in show business and – again – as only Paco can do, some of Vallarta’s visiting talent: Kim Kuzma, Spencer Day and friend from Boston, tenor Brian De Lorenzo, got on stage and sang.

So much for Brian and husband John’s ‘vacation’! Juan Pablo Hernandez CAN walk just like Bette Midler and Alain Perrault read a translation of a beautiful song penned by Juan Gabriel. And that segues into Paco Ojeda’s next Tribute coming in January.

Don’t miss any of these fun, entertaining discourses/lectures/ birthdays/shows.

Paco, my friend, take a well-deserved bow with our thanks.

Seventeen years ago John Denver died. His music is still out there, of course, and when I saw the Red Room was featuring “Rocky Mountain High, the Music of John Denver”, I went to opening night expecting a guy with round glasses and a guitar who could imitate John Denver and one

of his former backup singers dispensing some nostalgic tunes we could probably all sing along with. Whoa! I could not have been more wrong.

What unfolded on that cabaret stage tonight was pure unadulterated magic.

Paul Aleman plays six- and twelve-string guitar and piano and CHANNELS John Denver’s love of everything clean and pure like Rocky Mountain air. His personality – Paul’s, I mean - follows each word like a footstep in shadow.

Warm, friendly, profoundly clear and simply…real. Renee Armand stopped singing “John Denver” when he passed.

There was no voice even close that she heard that could capture the essence of her friends’ so she just stopped. Until she heard Paul sing and play and tonight in the Red Room was really their first public appearance as a duo. Not only John Denver tunes but so much more.

To try and describe Renee’s voice is for me impossible. I think it is the most beautiful sound on the earth. From the earth.

Paul and Renee will be here for another 10 days or so….go, get some magic.

Love Letters is this weekend only on the Main Stage – there may be a few tickets left. Greater Tuna at the Palm is extending it’s wild ride through rural Texas and the Nuns are back at the Boutique Dinner Theatre.

Voice of Vallarta opens this Sunday December 7th…talk about a wild ride!

www.vallartatribune.com

RIVIERA NAYARIT 19

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit

By Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com

H

ola a todos! Here comes Christmas… already!

There is so much going on around the beautiful Banderas Bay, Bucerias, La Cruz and along the ever so amazing Riviera Nayarit. Orcas have been spotted in the bay, as they migrate here every year, as well as the incredible humpback whales. I was out paddle boarding with a friend over the weekend when we saw a turtle just outside the La Cruz Marina, and farther out in the bay, a good sized pod of dolphins. I thought they may jump over the end of my board, but dove down just before and went under us! It was so beautiful! I am really looking forward to paddling closer to the whales. Well…not TOO close!

Music and live stage shows are filling restaurants, plazas and galleries. PLEASE take a look at the www.allbucerias.com/ calendar and the www.alllacruz. com/la-cruz-de-huanacaxlte-calendar to see the weekly and monthly events. New events are ADDED DAILY, so please check them out!

I will be highlighting different business every month and new events on the calendars, but let’s face it, there is not enough room in the post to write about everyone each week!

Bucerias Community Fun

The Recycled Christmas Tree event is moving right along….

If you would like to participate

get in touch with Floydilou at the Bucerias Art Gallery and Studio!

Disco Party Fundraiser to benefit Manos de Amor at Breakers on Thursday, December 18th, starting at 6:00 pm. $200 pesos includes a Mexican buffet and two drinks. There will be a disco show/dance contest and a 50/50 raffle. Put your dancing shoes on and join the party!

Purchase tickets at Breakers or from Estelle, 298-0673, Sue 298-2053, or Valiene 298-0377.

Amigos de Bucerias Meeting is the first Saturday in each month.

Please join old friends and make new friends December 6th at IXTA Restaurant, 500 Lazaro Cardenas. They will begin signing people in at 9 am, the delicious buffet breakfast ($100 pesos) will be ready about 9:30, and the meeting will begin around 10am, with adjournment guaranteed by 11am. If you have been wanting to nominate someone (even yourself!) for an Amigos de Bucerias office (president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer), now is the time to do so. The deadline for 2015 nominations is this Saturday, and you can send your nomination to Karen Knapp at amigosdebuceriasac@gmail.com The Bucerias Singers are singing Christmas carols again this season. If you would like to come and hear them sing you can on December 13 at 10:30am at the Beta Sigma Phi Boutique, the Bucerias Art Walk (walking

from gallery to gallery) on December 18 beginning at 7pm, and the Bucerias Monday Market on December 22 at 10:30. Come have fun and sing along with the group!

Live Theater - Memoirs of a Hollywood Gossip Queen Join the most powerful agent in Hollywood, Jacqueline Meyer, as she dishes all the dirt on the lifestyles of the Stars of Hollywood!

This play takes place in the intimate setting of her living room as she prepares for a dinner party with the likes of Burt Reynolds, Barbra Streisand, Richard Dreyfus and more.

Tickets include appetizers from Amanditas Bay Side Curry & a glass of Sangria.

The doors open at 6:30pm; curtain goes up at 7:30pm.

You may purchase tickets at A Broken Art located in The Bucerias Art Walk Plaza, 62 Lazaro Cardenas.

Bucerias locals David Lloyd Austin and Christy Beguesse first met in 2010 when Christy auditioned David to play Judy Garland in a one-woman play, and this is when C&D Productions was created. David is an award winning director and actor for over 35 years who works mostly in Canada, and now Mexico, where he spends six

months out of the year. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, David as worked in Hollywood on a number of occasions including the role of “Grobachev” in “Rocky IV”. Christy owns “A Broken Art” Mosaic Gallery and School at the Art Walk Plaza and also hosts the weekly Monday Market there as well.

Luna Lounge in Bucerias starts their first Dinner/Cabaret Show of the season with my amazing amigo Dwight Blake showing off his many talents with his stage show “Memories of Motown” on December 12th with dinner beginning at @ 6:30 pm. Get your tickets soon as they sell out quickly! Luna Lounge also has a new fun night every Saturday with “Keep it Country” with the “Banderas Bay Country Band”, no cover!

La Cruz Community

Las Palapas Grill is now open and plan to be all year around.

You may know them from when they were called Tres Palapas…

Same great chef and staff, located right on the playa! This season they have the “Hangars” Band from PV every Sunday beginning at 7pm-10pm. I saw them last week and they are great, playing songs from Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and other

favorites I have not heard in a long time! Every Thursday, beginning this week, the “What’s Up Band” plays from 6pm-9pm.

Both evenings will have food and drink specials La Cruz Marina Amphitheater FREE Movie Night is every Thursday at 7pm. Food and drinks are available for purchase during the movie.

There is a German Beer Fest at Black Forest Restaurant with authentic German cuisine and ice cold German beer on December 9th beginning at 5pm.

Hosts Andrea and Yvonne will be dressing in traditional German Dirndls! SUPER FUN! Another new band playing in La Cruz on Wednesdays are Mike & Marty at Pub Britannia playing rock ‘n’ roll. Fun starts at 7pm with food and beverage specials that change weekly.

Again, please check out the www.allbucerias.com/calendar and the www.alllacruz.com/ la-cruz-dehuanacaxlte-calendar for pricing and contact information and oh so much more Banderas Bay fun! The Christmas posadas and restaurant menus are also being posted. We will be highlighting different events and community news each week. Thanks for reading! Have a super fun week!

Namaste.

Cat Morgan owns and operates with the RivieraNayaritFun.com Network team consisting of Riviera Nayarit websites including allBucerias.com and allLaCruz.com. Cat is also an Energy Medicine Specialist and owns NewEnergyConscious. com. For questions, comments or information on rentals, fishing trips with the best gear and rates, or other tour information, or Energy Healing work appointments or information please contact Cat at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com or Cat@NewEnergyConsciousness.com

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

B

umerang Consignment has expanded and is bigger and better with over 1000 sq. ft and everything conveniently in ONE location. We are now located on the busiest shopping street in Vallarta, Juarez #802, corner of Pipila, just two blocks south of Woolworths. Our new location is bright and airy with plenty of room to move around comfortably.

As well as a small playroom for children to occupy themselves - giving you a stress-free shopping experience.

As always Bumerang offers the best selection of casual gently used American clothing for men, women and children. We are now carrying small household ítems such as lamps, end tables, bedding, dishes, decorative ítems and many more interesting finds.

We accept daily on consignment any gently used items, the split being 50-50 for clothing and 70-30 in your favour. Or we will

buy outright any items you no longer need. As well, we offer free pick up for all our consignment accounts.

Although we are a profit based business, we have teamed up with oncologists in Guadalarjara whose patients are Mexican children suffering from cancer.

These children and their

parents often have no means of economic support while seeking treatment away from home.

Bumerang Consignment gives 95% of all proceeds, with only 5% being used for commission to our staff.

We accept donations in the form of household items and clothing to turn into cash.

The cash is used for food and lodging for the family during their stay in Guadalajara, while their doctors offers free medical attention. If you would like to be a donor for this great cause, please call Marly (044) 322 229 9544 for a free pick up and tax receipt of your generosity.

Come in and let the Bumerang

team help you find something unique. And become a friend on our Facebook page BUMERANG VALLARTA for special discounts.

We have great service at great prices.

Conveniently open 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday 10 am to 8 pm and Sundays 11 am to 4 pm. Be Unique, Be Bumerang!

Basilio Badillo 269 A Puerto Vallarta, Jal Mon - Sat 2pm-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

EVENTS 21

www.vallartatribune.com

W

ould you like to include your non-profit event announcement in the Vallarta Tribune? Please send details directly to editor@vallartatribune.com Maximum 50 words. Deadline is Monday for Friday distribution.

Friday, December 5th at 10:00am Corazon de Niña Breakfast at the Marriott $250pesos Tix at CAROL’S BOUTIQUE, KRISTINA’S SALON

Saturday, December 6 at 11 am Toys for Tots Golf Scramble on La Vista Weiskopf Course.

Lots of prizes along the course and delicious Mexican buffet in the clubhouse after the game during the awarding of prizes. Make your own foursome with your favorite golfers or show up and take a chance on our pairings! Come for a day of fun!!

Cost pp: 1300 pesos or $100 USD. Proceeds support Toys for Tots. Contact for info and tickets: Fred and Dorothy 322 209-0064 pvdcp@yahoo.com Saturday, December 6 at 11 am PeaceAnimals 9th annual pet picnic Includes lunch, costume and obedience contests (only for dogs - not cats or humans); at Daiquiri Dick´s on Los Muertos beach (Olas Altas 314) $275 pesos in advance or $300 pesos at the door with funds benefiting PeaceAnimals free mobile spay/ neuter clinics Saturday, December 6 from 4-8pm 2nd Annual Taste of Nuevo Vallarta & 14th Annual Chili Cook-off at the Marina Nuevo Vallarta malecon Using a ticket system ($10 pesos each) you can sample the offerings (over 40 booths last year) as well as purchase beverages. Net proceeds will all go to charity, evenly split between Families at the Dump and the Navy League.

Sunday, December 7 at 6:30 pm Gala Dinner/Dance on at Marriott CasaMagna Resort and Spa. Featured this year: Children's Mariachi during cocktail hour, Patron Tequila in live auction, and a live band! And, as always, a delicious dinner with wine!

Cost pp: 1,000 pesos or $80 USD. 10% discount if you buy a table for ten.

Proceeds support Toys for Tots. Contact for info and tickets:

Fred and Dorothy 322 209-0064 pvdcp@yahoo.com Sunday, December 7th from 12-6pm 3rd Annual Paso Ancho Art Show More than 30 artists at El Rio BBQ with proceeds benefiting Colina Free Spay/Nueter Clinic.

Carolina:doggonegoodcarolina@yahoo.com.

Monday December 8 from 2 – 6pm Bucerias Children’s Christmas Program Fundraiser at the Drunken Duck, Donation $200 pesos. Live music.

Food and Drink Specials. Over 1200 gifts delivered each year to children around Bucerias.

Wednesday, December 10th 4th Annual Chili Cook Off fundraiser for John Ozzello Food Bank Bring your best chili to 62 Lazaro Cardenas, in Bucerias.

Live music and adult beverages.

Register TheBuceriasChiliCookOff@gmail.com Thursday, Dec 11 from 4:30 to late Pro Sayulita Fundraiser Dinner and Entertainment Ruben of Ruben’s Deli and Calypso restaurant in Sayulita is hosting a fundraiser dinner at his ranch out on Manuel Plasencia.

Tickets at the Farmers Mkt in Sayulita or at Ruben’s Deli.

Friday, December 12th at 5:30pm Purr Project Pig Roast & Beach Luau at Sea Monkey $250 pesos tickets include dinner, two margaritas or beer and Polynesian dancers from Academia de Danza Moorea.

Raffle prizes. Proceeds support the 150+ cats and kittens at the Purr Ranch, a no-kill shelter for cats in Banderas Bay. Tickets call Marcia at 322-159-9675 Monday, December 15th at 10am Fairways to Heaven Charity Golf Outing at Vista Vallarta Golf Club $150usd includes lunch, cart, prizes. Fundraising for DIF Tickets and more info at vallartanayaritclassicrockfest.com Tuesday, December 16th 5-7pm Expats in Vallarta at Lagostina’s Restaurant Wine and Appetizer evenings are scheduled for Friday, December 12th in the Marina area and on Saturday, December 27th in the Hotel Zone. For more info and to rsvp www.expatsinvallarta.com

Friday, December 19th 5 -10pm Sunset Christmas Party at Mango's Beach Club Enjoy buffet dinner, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails (Open Bar from 5:30 to 6:30 pm) along with door prizes and raffle items and the best music mixed by the winner of the PV DJ Fest 2014.

Celebrate the Christmas spirit with Mango's Beach Club & Stratos Media at the most beautiful tropical paradise. Cost $250 pesos vallartatickets.com or call 322-199-5081 December 26 – 31st, 2014 International Fireworks Festival This fireworks festival will play host to five countries as well as five states.

Each nightly display will last 20 minutes and be launched from three locations to ensure optimal viewing across the bay.

January 24th, 2015 4th Annual TASTE OF LA CRUZ Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle 3-7pm TASTE OF LA CRUZ will feature restaurants, businesses, artisans and musicians from Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta.

Wednesday February 4th, 2015 John Ozzello memorial food bank fundraiser Enjoy a day of Whale Watching as well as helping to support the local food bank. $650pp 9am-4pm leaving Paradise Village Marina in Nuevo Vallarta Tickets: Sandi or Randy Nystrom 322-103-2828

Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

Unifying Vallarta - Pride 2015

V

allarta Pride will take place from May 17th to 25th, 2015 under the theme of “Unity”. Vallarta Pride has joined together associations, companies and the LGBT community to organize an event that celebrates the lifestyle diversity of Puerto Vallarta in a 7-day festival.

Offering arts and culture events, concerts, entertainment, films, fun, lots of partying and the fabu-

lous Pride Parade on May 23th.

Believing one way to improve our world is if we are united as human beings, not only as a LGBT community, this year's theme of Unity invites all people interested in Vallarta Pride to participate in the week long festivities.

For more information about Vallarta Pride, please visit www. vallartapride.com

YELAPA. Bente Wilson. 60 x 50cm. 24 X 20inches. Oil on canvas. $80 USD

HOLIDAY ART EXHIBIT to benefit Biblioteca Los Mangos Colors on Canvas PV's one day only exhibit on the upper level of the Sea Monkey Restaurant on Aquiles Serdán at Los Muertos Beach (across from the Molino de Agua condos) is from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 11, 2014. Come and enjoy a cold drink and a meal at the Sea Monkey's affordable prices and visit our exhibition to shop and find that Christmas present for a friend or a painting for yourself. 10% of all sales will be donated to the Biblioteca Los Mangos (Vallarta's public library).

Ahoy! Welcome to Puerto Vallarta Tuesday 09/12/2014 CROWN PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES Arrive 10:00 a.m. Leave 06:00 p.m. 2600 guests Thursdays 11/12/2014 AMSTERDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE Arrive 08:00 a.m. Leave 05:00 p.m. 1380guests NORWEGIAN STAR NORWEGIAN CRUISES Arrive 08:00 a.m. Leave 05:00 p.m. 2240guests STATENDAM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE 08:00:00 a.m.

CSL 1266 guests

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Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations

F

or 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. landon5120. wix.com/accionenlacruz Alcoholics Anonymous: In English Puerto Vallarta Alanon Club - Basilio Badillo 329 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 mexonline.com\asilosanjuandiego.htm Asociación Down - Assistance to persons with Down’s Syndrome – Contact: Ana 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. puerto-vallarta.com/amf CANICA - Centre for Children with

Cancer. Provides aid for treatment and services including transportation to GDL. Contact Director, Evelia Basañes 322-123-5688.

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 Corazon de Nina A safe, loving, home-environment for 20+ girls rescued from high-risk situations. Donations & volunteers always welcome! Totally self-funded. www.corazondenina.mx 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 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 Friends of PV Animals Volunteers working to enhance the lives of shelter animals. For info and donations visit friendsofpvanimals.com Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta: 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, 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 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

Charity in Vallarta

By Frank K. Meyer

Introducing: International Friendship Club Part One

T

he International Friendship Club (IFC) is a volunteer organization committed to funding charitable causes. Social activities are also available to the membership, many of whom also volunteer countless hours endeavoring to make the various programs a success.

The IFC began in 1985 with a handful of people from the United States and Canada meeting socially. This blossomed into the well-known charitable organization that exists today. Through financial contributions, as well as devoted and compassionate service, humanitarian aid in excess of ten million pesos has been provided to needy children and families living in this beautiful tropical city.

The IFC takes pride in its unique Cleft Palate Program. It begins with providing fees for transporting doctors who donate their time to perform the surgeries.

It ends with seeing smiles on the children’s faces and their parent’s tears of joy at its completion.

“In May, July and October we had three very successful clinics with more children being seen and treated by our amazing doctors.

We must thank CMQ hospital for their incredible dedication to the Cleft Palate program.”

Much of the funds necessary for the IFC charitable programs are raised by the home tours, which have just started again and continue every Tuesday and Wednesday (except Christmas/ New Year’s weeks) until March 25th, 2015. The Home Tours visit four unique homes each day ranging from small traditional Vallarta style casas to multi-mi-

llion dollar beachfront condos and villas. These tours depart at 10:30am from the Sea Monkey Restaurant. Tickets are available there at 9am, so come early and have breakfast before boarding the bus. Tickets are also available in advance at the IFC office.

Additionally, the IFC provides: free medication; disaster relief aid; educational assistance; monthly financial assistance; a dental hygiene program and food to families as well as gifts to other Charitable Institutions.

The membership has a caring, compassionate camaraderie and love for the less fortunate, in abundance. In order to maintain the programs that they support, your assistance is requested. Be so kind as to consider this an invitation to become a valued member of our organization. The IFC is a registered charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad.

Where aid is provided: Through donations, membership fees and fundraising, the IFC has successfully sponsored many projects. Your donations, which include educational materials and medical supplies and equipment, make it possible for IFC to continue to do more. Volunteer time enhances projects as well as the lives of all concerned. We welcome your participation, which is valued. Your support, which this organization depends upon, is essential to our success.

The IFC offices and clubhouse are centrally located at: International Friendship Club Edificio Parian del Puente #13 Calle Libertad Corner Miramar Colonia El Centro

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Friday Dec 5-11, 2014

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

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

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

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

Havre No.111 Col. Versalles Fluent Englis Spoken

Mention the VALLARTA TRIBUNE this week and receive 25% off shoes and “black clothes”. Normal discounts up to 75% off still going on!

497 Francisco Madero & Naranjo Emiliano Zapata 044 322 100 1577

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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