Issue 924, December 19-25, 2014

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

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Life in Vallarta Joy in the world

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Dec 19 - 25, 2014 Free Issue 924

Expat Interview nemi eco villa

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Traditions posadas

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Photo Archive

M erry Christmas

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Friday Dec 19-25, 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

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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www.vallartatribune.com

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: GUACAMAYA (PARROT) GUACAMOLE (AVOCADO DIP) While visiting my friend “up river” past Paso de Guayabo, we were sitting on the terraza chatting with her veterinary doctor. All at once a flock of green military macaws (guacamayas) flew past her house into the jungle. “Look at those beautiful guacamoles” said I. They both broke into loud

laughter as I realized what I had said! Dang, those words just slip out when I least expect it. Now if I could only speak faster.

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 GUACAMAYA (PARROT) GUACAMOLE (AVOCADO DIP)

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

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

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

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

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

You need to dial a different prefix.

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

Emergencies: 060 Red Cross: 065 Non-Emergency Police Immigration: 322.224.7719 322.290.0507 Consumer Protection: Fire Department: 01.800.468.8722 322.223.9476 Ambulance: 322.222.1533

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

Tourism Offices Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006

Canadian Consulate 322.293.2894 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

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www.vallartatribune.com

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

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o all our valued readers, contributors and advertisers, I wish you the most joyous and peaceful Christmas. Thank you so much for all of your support this past year. Without all of you we wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t have this excellent job in this amazing city, in this beautiful country.

I am blessed to have this opportunity to speak to all of you each week and to work with such great people.

Please be safe, be happy and remember there are only a few more days to stay off the naughty list - If I can do it, you can too!

Feliz Navidad

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

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Madeline

ADORABLE DOG IN THE SPOTLIGHT...A.J.

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e think A.J. is a pretty regal looking little guy. He was one of the rescues we nicknamed The Backstreet Boys! He is not quite a year old and though still young he is quite gentle and good with other dogs and even mellow around cats. He weighs 30.8 pounds, or 14 kilos, and will be a medium size dog. A.J. just loves to cuddle and enjoys nothing more than getting lots of snuggle time with his humans.

If you are looking for a wonderful companion animal to enjoy walks around the neighborhood and snuggling in front of the tube, A.J. is for you. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com.

e invite everyone to stop by the SPCA table at the Old Town Farmers Market. For you ladies, we will soon receive a shipment of scoop neck t-shirts that you requested in both black and white. We will also have some aprons and bags which Lisa Love makes for us. If you have any leashes, collars or dog/cat accessories you would like to donate, you can drop them off at the SPCA table.

We have an ongoing need for help transporting dogs to the States and Canada. The SPCA will take care of all the details and cost of transporting the animals.

All you have to do is show up at the airport in Vallarta and one of our volunteers will meet you with the animal and get it checked in for the flight.

Another SPCA volunteer will meet the plane at your destination and pick up the dog. Stop by our table and we will answer any questions you might have.

Get involved…rescue, adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or educate. Contact us at spcapv@ gmail.com. You can learn more about the SPCA Puerto Vallarta by checking us out at www.spcapv. com/home or on Facebook.

How to become a volunteer?

Volunteers are needed all over!

We have pawesome volunteers in Canada, the United States and of course here in Puerto Vallarta.

Volunteers do many tasks from visiting our shelter and walking, cuddling or taking care for our animals, driving people to and from the sanctuary, social media and web site work, posting online "For Adoption" ads, airport trans-

portation, crate management in BC and Alberta, home checks, animal delivery to new homes, foster home management, newsletters, adoption stands, Farmers Market booth, networking and fundraising.

Our special volunteer of the week is Corinne Eastham, our Transport Coordinator. Corinne works to ensure all of our transports go as smoothly as possible at both ends of their trip. She works closely with the foster or fur-ever family who will be receiving one of our rescues in the U.S. and/or Canada, as well as our staff here in Puerto Vallarta.

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

The majority of the SPCA animals either come from extremely abusive situations or they have been abandoned. Your love and attention can make up for that sad history. During your visit, you

can interact with the animals and even take a dog (or two or three) for a walk. You can also play with the animals, assist the vet or help with dinner time.

We have scheduled tours each week and vehicle space is limited.

We ask everyone to meet in the Costco parking lot beside the three large trees in open grassy area. You can either caravan in your own vehicle or ride with us out to the Sanctuary (reservations necessary).

The length of the tour is at the discretion of our visitors and can be anywhere from one to four hours in length. Please feel free to bring donations and treats for sanctuary staff as they truly appreciate it.

And now, we have begun scheduling tours from Nuevo Vallarta so don’t hesitate to contact Nicole Martin at nicole@cupocity.com to make a reservation.

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

news 04

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

www.vallartatribune.com

Spanish Adventurer Miquel Silvestre Retraces Conquistador’s Steps in Mexico

U.S., Mexico, Canada Reinforcing Energy Cooperation

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he top energy officials for the United States, Mexico and Canada on Monday agreed to the outlines of a “new roadmap” for the sector by signing a 15-point agreement including the promise to exchange information and recognizing the need to work together on energy security and environmental policies.

Washington hosted the first meeting in seven years of top energy officials of the three nations, who signed a memorandum of understanding.

“One of the biggest results of the meeting is the 15 points.

These 15 points constitute a roadmap for the ... region to integrate itself more from the energy point of view and, in particular, so that our people win in efficiency and energy security,” said Mexican Energy Secretary Pedro Joaquin Coldwell.

At a press conference at the Department of Energy, the three officials discussed Mexico’s energy reform designed to open the sector to private investment, a move that U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said was impressive.

On that subject, Coldwell expressed his desire for an increase in commercial exchanges among the energy companies of the three countries after the Mexican reform, a move that included constitutional changes in the country approved in 2013 despite the rejection by the leftist opposition.

It was in that context of change in Mexico’s energy sector that the three officials agreed on the need to exchange information to be able to work together.

Moniz said that figures

compiled by the three governments are not always coherent or available, adding that the transparency policy will allow the governments to move forward in the meetings the officials will now hold more frequently, adding that 2015 will be a period of “serious efforts and action.”

At the press conference, reporters asked about the statements last week of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who said that his country would commit to a program of reducing greenhouse gases in the oil and gas sectors only if the United States did likewise.

Moniz responded that “reducing carbon emissions is good for the economy and for the environment,” and he mentioned the plan unveiled last June by U.S. President Barack Obama to reduce carbon emissions from the country’s thermoelectric plants by 30 percent by 2030.

Meanwhile, Canadian Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford said that using coal to generate electricity is a “challenge” and an “opportunity” and the nations of North America must find a solution for it.

He said that Canada was ready to cooperate in that area, given that it has one of the world’s cleanest electricity-production systems, with 79 percent of its energy coming from sources that do not produce greenhouse gases.

After the meeting, Coldwell promised that at the next meeting the teams from the three countries will have “concrete results” regarding the roadmap they traced the outlines of on Monday.

Source:LAHT.com

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panish adventurer Miquel Silvestre, an admirer of his country’s explorers, is ready for a new motorcycle trek after retracing the route blazed by conquistador Juan de Oñate in 1598. Silvestre told Efe in an interview that he traveled “along historic roads or (followed) historical itineraries opened by Spanish explorers of all times,” producing documentaries about his trips.

The most recent lap of his worldwide bike ride covered the old Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Inland Road) from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Mexico City, a road included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The itinerary, he said, follows

the 1598 trek of De Oñate, born in Zacatecas, then part of the colony of New Spain.

“Oñate is considered the last conquistador because the land he explored, now New Mexico, was the last territory Spain grabbed, the empire’s northern border, the region most distant from the metropolis,” Silvestre said. The conquest “of such an arid, vast and hostile territory, far from any supply base, was a complicated endeavor, one of history’s epic undertakings across 2,500 kilometers (1,555 miles), most of it very difficult and more so in those times,” the adventurer said.

De Oñate’s trail remained an important trade route for centu-

ries and is considered the oldest in North America or, according to Silvestre, “the true mother of all highways.”

Silvestre said he started retracing De Oñate’s road in November from its ending point, departing from Santa Fe, “the oldest state capital in the United States,” a city founded in 1610 that still has a colonial look with adobe buildings, no skyscrapers and an abundance of churches.

His next stop was the city of Las Cruces and after that El Paso, Texas, where an 11-meter (36-foot) statue weighing 16 tons in memory of De Oñate is the biggest equestrian monument in the United States and one of the largest in the world.

“Crossing the border, we were in Ciudad Juarez, where the ride across Mexico begins,” Silvestre said. “The problem is that the historic road disappears and then you have to continue over new highways heading south.”

From Juarez, the route leads to the city of Chihuahua and from there to Durango across some of the most inhospitable terrain in the Chihuahuan desert, the region that caravans had to trek through once a year in the past to take supplies from Mexico to New Mexico.

Source: LAHT.com

Low oil prices no problem for budget

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rotection is in place in the form of world's largest state-run hedging program With oil revenues representing about one-third of government revenues, a drop in the price could mean serious problems for the Mexican economy. But not this coming year as the country continues with its historical practice of hedging prices.

The Finance Secretariat uses an oil hedging program to protect its budget, and spent about US $750 million in September and October for the coming year. So it doesn’t matter how much oil costs, the country will receive $76.50 for every barrel it exports, estimated to be 228 million barrels. Mexico oil is currently selling for $56 a barrel, so the hedge, accomplished by purchasing put options, will prove useful if the price remains low. But this year things have gone the other

way because the hedge price of $85 has been a bit less than the average oil price of $90.

“It’s like buying insurance — life insurance or health insurance, you buy it because you may need it, but you do not wish that you use it because something bad happens,” Finance Secretary Luis Videgaray told

CNBC. If the price remains low in 2015, he said, the country’s finances are protected.

The coming year’s budget was based on an anticipated price of $79 per barrel.

Mexico’s is the world’s largest state-run hedging program in commodity markets. mexiconewsdaily.com

NEWS 05

www.vallartatribune.com

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

Southwest Airlines files applications for additional flights to PVR

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outhwest Airlines announced this past week their application with the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting approval for flights from Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport to the Vallarta-Nayarit International Airport.

“Service to Mexico will be the cornerstone of our international operation at Hobby; the four cities we are announcing today provide exciting travel and business options for consumers,” stated Gary Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President and CEO.

Southwest Airlines’ request intends for service to commence in October 2015. There are three additional destinations in Mexico included in the request besides the Vallarta-Nayarit region, as well as Belize and Costa Rica.

Just a month ago this airline also announced flights from Santa Ana, California, to the Banderas Bay area beginning June 7, 2015.

These results confirm the success of uniting the promotional efforts of Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit.

Lourdes Martinez

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General Motors Announces $3.6 Billion Investment in Mexico

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.S. auto giant General Motors on Thursday announced $3.6 billion in investment to be made in Mexico through 2018, with the funds destined mainly for modernizing and expanding the firm’s manufacturing plants in the cities of Toluca, Ramos Arizpe, Silao and San Luis Potosi.

At a ceremony at the Los Pinos presidential residence, the president of General Motors’ affiliate in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Ernesto M. Hernandez, said he was confident that “the necessary economic conditions exist for these investments to translate into the creation of up to 5,600 new jobs.”

According to the GM Mexico chief, that will also create almost 40,000 additional jobs in related industries.

With Enrique Peña Nieto in attendance, the GM Mexico official said that the investment package will improve the firm’s production capabilities, especially in the areas of manufacturing, motors and transmissions and vehicle assembly.

In addition, it will contribute to the production in Mexico of new vehicles for the local market and for export, something that will consolidate GM as the country’s

Celebrate Christmas on the beach his Friday, December 19th you are invited to try something a little different at Mangos Beach Club.

While many visitors spend their holidays at their resort and those that live here for longer periods of time might have a place they are used to, Stratos Media has put together a Christmas sunset party on the beach to offer everyone the chance to try something new.

Says Edgar Cicernos, Director of Straatos Media, “The idea is to offer a different holiday event for visitors in Puerto Vallarta, since December 19th is the start of the holidays in Mexico”. From 5:30 -6:30 there is a buffet and open bar along with samplings from other local restaurants including delicious ribs from JD’s BBQ Sports Bar. There is a live DJ and a raffle with some spectacular gifts sure to make someone on your list very happy this Christmas.

For only $250 pesos you enjoy a live DJ, buffet dinner, Ribs, drinks and the chance to win Huichol art, gift certificates to local restaurants, and jewelry from Diamont, all while watching the spectacular sunset on the beach in beautiful Puerto Vallarta.

This is a great time to bring your family, your friends or your colleagues for a Christmas break!

Tickets are on sale in Vallartatickets.com and 322-199-5081.

Top off your holiday with Kim Kuzma’s Acoustico show at The Red Room Cabaret. YOUR CABARET HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! KIM KUZMA

No. 1 vehicle exporter, he said.

Peña Nieto, meanwhile, said that between January and November 2013, vehicle production in Mexico exceeded 3 million units, an increase of 8.7 percent over the same period last year.

The president said that GM’s investment will “put its plants in the front rank” of the industry ... and “without a doubt, these investments will contribute to pushing even more the successful automotive development our country is experiencing.”

With a 79-year presence in the Mexican market, GM operates four manufacturing complexes in the country, directly creating about 15,000 jobs and indirectly creating more than 105,000 in the supply chain and related industries.

Source: LAHT.com

Sundays 7:30pm SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOW December 25th at 7:30 PM

Kim Kuzma’s extensive vocal range and sassy stage presence have earned her a reputation as a dynamic performer. Her casual often candid conversations with her audience have earned her a loyal and rapidly growing following of fans.

Heard worldwide, Kim’s award winning debut CD Contradictions received rave reviews from critics and fans alike and held the No.1 spot on the HMV Vancouver Indie Sales Charts for over seven and a half months.

Interlaced with the strong, soaring vocals that Kim is best known for, Who You Are is a bold new release from Kuzma. A pulsing collection of remixed pop songs and original dance music.

Kuzma has performed across Canada, throughout the United States, South America and in Europe. She has shared the stage of the Palace of Fine Arts and The Castro Theatre with the renowned San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and opened for legendary singer Harry Belafonte in the wine country.

HELEN HONG

December 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 26th

Helen Hong is a comedian, TV personality, dating coach, and star of TV Guide Network’s “Count it Down” series and Logo Channel’s reality dating series “Setup Squad.” Helen’s has and adorable stage presence and mischievous point of view Helen is the creator and host of a popular comedy-matchmaking event called “Laugh Match.” She stars as a professional wing-woman in Logo Channel’s “Setup Squad,” a reality series about a New York dating agency. When she’s not playing cupid or making people laugh, Helen enjoys karaoke, NPR, and cheese.

THE AMAZING CASHETTA

December 19, 20, 22-24, 26, 29th

Cashetta has delighted audiences for over 18 years with her outrageous wit, charm and crossover appeal and remains one of America’s most beloved, unique and sought after female impersonators. A Singer, Comic, Emcee, Magician and Fabulous Psychic Medium, Cashetta is a one of a kind entertainer that is not to be missed! Her numerous television credits include The Today Show, Late with Conan O’Brien and the Outlaugh Festival – Wisecrack on Logo with Margaret Cho.

The Red Room Cabaret @ ACT II Stages Insurgentes #300 Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes Act II Stages (322) 222-1512 www.facebook.com/Theredroomcabaret

ELVIS FOREVER S IS M ’T M DON AYS AT 4P WEDNESD

LOCAL 06

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

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My Life In Vallarta

By Lois Ellison loell87@yahoo.com

Joy In The World

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o matter what your personal beliefs, December is a joyous month. Around the world people put aside many of their problems and come together to celebrate life and await the New Year.

It’s easy to find evidence of this all around you here in Vallarta. We just finished the twelve day Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The last day is my favorite day, not just of the festival but of the entire year, because it is an opportunity to watch Los Favorecidos.

This time, I noticed a banner explaining that the first Favorecidos were a group of thirty-five in 1946.

They made their pilgrimage to give thanks to the Virgin for saving their lives in a terrible

accident. Now there’s a miracle to be sure.

From that small group, Los Favorecidos have grown to the tens of thousands you see today, filling the streets for several hours. You will never see more joy than in those faces.

From now until Christmas, traditional posadas will be held in neighborhoods, homes and public places throughout Mexico.

Posadas re-enact the story of

You will never see more joy than in those faces.

Joseph and Mary searching for a place to stay on their way to Bethlehem.

From the simple to the elaborate, these all have one thing in common: the posada ends with the smashing of at least one piñata. Nothing beats the children’s faces as they shriek with glee each time one of them swats the piñata. You may be surprised to learn that despite the poverty, corruption and gang violence (in some parts of Mexico) a recent Pew survey showed that Mexicans are the happiest people on earth.

Mexico ranked first among all nations, not just emerging nations, even beating the United

States by ten percentage points.

The Economist magazine observed this to be a shift in the “fraying link between happiness and income”.

The level of happiness in Mexico didn’t come as a surprise to me. Just walk around town and you will see evidence of it everywhere. Watch young children playing in the streets, their laughter ringing out as they kick an old can over the cobblestones. They may not have the latest toys but their joy is contagious.

And then there’s my neighbor Maria. Every morning she opens her door, puts out a little table, some simple equipment and a basket of oranges.

She spends her days making orange juice and chatting with her customers. It is a modest life by some standards but she is happy. Her smile lights up her whole face and brings joy to those who are lucky enough to know her.

The Mexican people have an endless ability to see the glass half full, no matter what.

One of the mozos in our building recently moved up to a small town in Nayarit.

It now takes him an hour and two buses to get to work. When we said that it seemed like a long hard trip he lit up with a big smile.

From his perspective, it is a beautiful ride and, more importantly, his wife is much happier

there. I’d say his glass is more than half full.

So while the holidays remind us to slow down and celebrate the joys of life, here in Mexico we are truly blessed with an abundance of happiness every day

of the year. As the year draws to a close, if you are planning to make any New Year’s resolutions, why not resolve to see the glass at least half full, like your Mexican neighbors.

You’ll be glad you did.

LOCAL 07

www.vallartatribune.com

Paradise and Parenting

Leza Warkentin mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

Calling Mr. Grinch

I

know what you’re going to think. You are going to think I don’t like Christmas. You will picture me as an evil, green, plotting creature in a sleigh full of stolen home decorations and bottles of children’s tears.

But I actually love Christmas.

I love the busy-ness and the parties and the cookies and the joy and the love. I do.

I just want you to know what our family did this weekend and then you will understand that I am not getting out of bed tomorrow. Well, actually I have to get out of bed because I have to go to work and then come home and make about 135 dozen sugar cookies. But I refuse to enjoy it.

This past weekend was the Christmas posada for the staff at my school. The children attended three birthday parties.

We went to the Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra concert.

My husband worked five gigs.

All of these things in and of themselves were wonderful.

The parties were, in my son’s own well-worn description, “epic”.

Gilberto working like a musical madman during the high season means we get to have nice things again.

And the concert? Only superlatives can describe our musical experience at Teatro Vallarta.

In my finest, most Christmas Spirit-y moments, I am grateful for the merry season, bustling and festive. But not all my moments are fine.

Some are like the one where I got to take my kids to my Christmas party while my husband worked.

But they were bored and want to leave early, you see, because it was a party for GROWN UPS (um, exactly). Some are like the one where no one but me saw the irony in baking candy cane cookies with no mint extract in them (but then again, nobody but me likes mint cookies).

Some are like the one that found me at 11pm, looking

through my closet for anything that could pass for a gift for my son’s Secret Santa person (what about a full, unopened pack of light bulbs? 1,000 hours!).

Some are like the one where I got an email saying that the ONLY gift my child has asked Santa for is currently out of stock.

And that’s when I yank out my happy Christmas thoughts and let them go on a clanging, obnoxious parade in my head. If the holiday madness is getting you down, here’s my list of Things That Make Me Smile during an extra busy, but extra joyful time in our lives: 1. My dogs in their very own mini Santa hats. It’s that mixture of deep embarrassment and grudging obedience that gets me every time.

2. Friends that put up with their pack mule status. If you commute between Canada and Puerto Vallarta, chances are you’re bringing down a video game for my son that’s not yet released in Mexico.

3. My son, now ten years old, who asked me yesterday “Do you think Santa will be mad at me if I stop believing in him?”

4. My Christmas tree, which is a lopsided collection of homemade, preschool ornaments, delicate, glassy gifts from Nana, photos of my children in Santa hats, and rusty, tin ornaments collected from an unforgettable trip to Oaxaca.

Nothing matches.

There’s no color scheme. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

5. Watching my daughter sing her very first solo at the Christmas concert. Yes, I can videotape and sob at the same time. Part of my job description.

6. Tamales and atole. If you can come up with a better combination of foods made from corn, I’d like to hear it.

7. Spending my holiday in a place that stole my heart, surrounded by the people who make every Christmas the best one ever.

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

Old Town Farmers Marke “Get Your Shop On” with OTFM-TC Holiday Gifts Download 200,000+ brand logos in vector format for free http://www.logoeps.com/

by Erin Staley

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ho needs big box retailers when you can shop local from Vallarta-based vendors for the holidays? Here at the Old Town Farmers Market-Tianguis Cultures, over 80 “make it, bake it, grow it” vendors will help you “get your shop on” this holiday season.

Stop by this Saturday for choice gifts for everyone on your shopping list:

A Touch of Mexico • Pre-Hispanic instruments • Huichol art • Traditionally woven items Hearth & Home • Paper mache figures • Eye-catching décor • Wine gift bags

Fashion-Friendly Wear • Clothing for all ages • Beach glass and silver spoon jewelry • Wrap bracelets • Embellished sandals • Little girls’ party dresses • Custom made bikinis and

resort wear • Handcrafted bags, wallets and purses “Treat Yourself” Gifts • Natural body products • Freshly cut tropical flowers • Greeting cards Market Eats & Sweets With all of that holiday shopping, you will be likely to develop a healthy appetite. Naturally, we have plenty of scrumptious international entrees to tempt your taste buds: Thai, Indian, and traditional Mexican favorites (tacos, empanadas, burritos and green pozole). Our vendors also serve up vegan dishes, such as hamburgers, al pastor and falafels. All of these menu items go perfectly with a refreshing agua fresca (flavored water) and fresh

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coconut water. Then top it all off with your favorite dessert: cakes, cookies, sticky buns, chocolate-dipped bananas and much, much more!

Simply head on over to our new International Food Court which is located under shaded pergolas on the eastern side of Lazaro Cárdenas Park. Relax and dine to the rhythms of local musicians.

We also have some eats and sweets to round out your weekly grocery shopping: • Farm-fresh produce and berries • Bagels, artisan breads, Mexicanand French-style breads (glutenfree options available) • Deli meats • Pickles • Greek yoghurt

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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

• Nut butters • Traditional British fruit and meat pies • Flavorful cheeses • Homemade dips, dressings, salsas and moles (Even your favorite dog and kitty will love our pet food and treats.)

You are Invited We'd like to invite you to join us this

Saturday for artisan products, live music and unforgettable moments in sunny Puerto Vallarta.

Ours is a festive “make it, bake it, grow it” North American style market that celebrates the tradition and culture of Mexico’s outdoor tianguis markets.

As registered non-profit/association civil organization, we focus on the “buy local” movement as well

as entrepreneurial and community development.

Join us Saturday (9:30-2 in Lazaro Cárdenas Park, Old Town), and every Saturday, from November 1 to April 25.

For market updates, please visit www.oldtownfm.com and “like” us on Facebook.

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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.

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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an art.

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eNTERTAINMENT 10

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

Perceptions

of Art

By Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

R

ocky Mountain High closed to a packed Red Room with an audience that would have kept Renee Armand and Paul Aleman on the stage for the rest of the night had “Swinging on a Star” with Elizabeth Ensor, David Lyons and Bob Bruneau not been waiting in the wings for their 9:30 show.

Renee and Paul will come back sometime in March – they have just discovered each other’s talents and want to do more shows together and not exclusively John Denver either. I will let you know when they will return.

Kim Kuzma’s Acoustico continues to wow Red Room audiences every Sunday night at 7:30. I could write an entire page on each of the musicians in her band – they deserve at

least that much space. Put them together with Kim’s voice and you have the answer to “Why Can’t I Get a Ticket for Tonight?”

Buy in advance and don’t miss this Canadian star’s show!

The eclectic ensemble Time 2 Play brings their Christmas Dinner show to the Boutique Theatre December 22 and 23.

The 6 pm start includes dinner so be there early and be prepared to be royally entertained.

Many of you have enjoyed the concerts of Time 2 Play at the Paradise Community Center the past few years – a delightfully talented group of mostly Canadian singers/musicians/slightly crazy entertainers.

Voice of Vallarta had its second show (Salsa and Cumbia) and first elimination on the Main Stage at Act II last

www.vallartatribune.com

Sunday. Be there on the 21st for the Holiday Show with lots of Christmas favourites. A preview with Canadian Idol star Paul Fracassi in his Tribute to Frankie Valli, caught everybody’s attention; great energy, great voice.

Paul’s show continues the 19th, 20th and 23rd. Full report next week!

I revisited the Palm to see Greater Tuna. Some tweaks, some finessing here and there have improved the play which had everyone humming with laughter. I can see Tracy and Chaz running with the entire series of four Tuna plays. My god, it is hilarious and close to impossible to explain; it is so far off the wall. Just go and see it and if you find you start echoing lines like “we did, we did; it is, it is” forgive yourself with a chuckle and move on! Latcho & Andrea will be at The Palm Christmas Eve at 7pm…they will be my Christmas tree.

Have a great and safe holiday everyone. Get out and support all the delicious live entertainers that are in town and take care of our tourists and assist them in any way you can.

Peace and Love… Peace and Love.

Wandering on Olas Altas

By Poncho Davalos alfonso@tropicasa.com

H

ola everyone, I’m back guys and girls!

The last few months I’ve been very busy with the office construction and helping clients who have decided to move to PV full time or find an investment property in our town.

I moved here almost six years ago and I want to share with you a little bit about my life and experiences when I moved to Vallarta.

I’m from Monterrey, located in the north of Mexico, close to Texas. Honestly, I never thought to live in a beach town. I had a misconception about living on the beach, thinking it was just a party all the time, without much consideration for work life.

But the reason I moved to Puerto Vallarta was for a job opportunity. I used to work in a

restaurant in Monterrey and when they closed, they opened another one here in Puerto Vallarta. I was a little anxious jumping at this opportunity since at the time I had not yet seen or read ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. But, the timing was perfect and two weeks later I was flying to Vallarta, to start my new adventure.

It was a big change being an only child from a big city, starting out with nothing, with no local family support. Believe it or not, everything happens for a reason.

A friend of mine, Paola, told me, “you’re here, try it, don't reject it,” and I’m proud to say that I am still around. You might be asking yourself, how I ended doing real estate instead continuing with my hospitality career? The answer is very simple. Everything happens

for a reason. When I worked at the restaurant, I met Susan.

Susan tried to launch her real estate career, she was a realtor in Denver but, at the time real estate was moving nowhere fast in Mexico between the swine flu and the bad publicity that Mexico was receiving as a result. She decided to move back to the United States.

But then was offered a job in

Puerto Vallarta as a concierge in a vacation rental company. She declined, as she was happy living in the United States, but referred the job to me.

After a few years, of happily working as a concierge it was time for a new adventure. I was walking one day on Olas Altas and ran into another friend, Maricruz, my friend from San Pancho, who

after a little chat she asked me if I was working and she referred me to my current boss at Tropicasa Realty. I was so excited to have this interview and with the possibility to start another new adventure.

And here I am today. Still happy to serve people and help them enjoy the best that Vallarta has to offer whether it’s fine food or fine real estate.

EVENTS 11

www.vallartatribune.com

Would 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 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. See this week’s edition for a list of events and times.

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

Christmas Cheer with Time2Play

O

n December 22nd and 23rd, Time 2 Play, six mostly Canadian musicians and singers will bring their unique combination of tight vocal harmony, instrumental prowess, and seasonal humor to the Boutique Theatre’s new ‘dinner theatre’ venue, upstairs at Nacho Daddy on Basilio Badillo.

Over the past three seasons T2P’s highly entertaining shows have become “must-sees” for their growing PV audience. This year’s “Always in Season” will include an eclectic mix of popular folk, rock, contemporary novelty numbers and Christmas favourites.

Garry Carson, Lois Rogers, Joy Lehman, Don and Mary MacLachlan, together with Enrique Jimenez, their guest drummer, will present an exuberant celebration of tropical Christmas.

Come join us and celebrate.

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

9th Sinergiarte Festival Dec 20-28

T

he Colectivo San Pancho extends an open invitation to its 9th annual Sinegiarte Festival. Titled “Por todas mis relaciones” (To All My Relations), the event celebrates the fusion of art and culture in San Francisco, also known as San Pancho and named the Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit. For the past nine years the main objective of the festival has been to share the work of the local arts community, providing visibility and exposure while giving the community at large a look at art and trends from other regions, all of

which serves to enrich the area and encourages exploration and growth within the sector.

Artists engaging in different disciplines will come together from December 20th to 28th to exhibit and share their talent. Several multidisciplinary activities will take place simultaneously, including workshops, conferences, debates, projections and shows.

According to the Colectivo San Pancho: “We live in an era of great change and it’s a multifaceted reflection on how and to whom we relate; this event will suggest new

tools for the development of healthier, sustainable and, of course, more creative relationships.”

The Colectivo San Pancho alone has hosted over 70 concerts, 40 performance and dance presentations, 25 circus performances, 10 theater performances, 12 projection cycles, 25 individual exhibitions and 15 collective multidisciplinary exhibits during festivals, expos and collaborations.

For more details and information about the festival please visit: http://www.facebook.com/ colectivosanpancho.

Journey to Ixtlán, Nayarit

By Ramiro Lopez

T

he title reminds us of the work by the same name from the Peruvian writer, Carlos Castaneda, who explored the themes of naturalism and traditional spirituality of Mesoamerica.

However, the following journey is a real journey, to Ixtlán del Rio, a little town located in the southeast of the state of Nayarit. After three hours of traveling from Puerto Vallarta, one arrives at Ixtlán, shining magnificently, sheltered by the hill of Cristo Rey, where you can see the gigantic Christ statue, whose outstretched arms appear to bless the town of Ixtlán. The most significant inheritance from the history of Ixtlán rests in the archeological zone of Los Toriles, where authentic jewelry from the Toltec empire was discovered in the temple of Quetzalcoatl. The relics found at this archeological site belong to the western culture of Mexico (10th to 15th century) and can be admired in the regional Museum of Ixtlán.

In the municipal seat one can see the Franciscan temple of Santiago Apostol dating from the 19th century. In front of this place lies the center of this little town, where a large number of colonial buildings are concentrated; a true architectural patrimony of Mexico, and a perfect scene through which to admire the personality of this town.

The Food of The Real Road There exist a great variety of options to eat and enjoy in Ixtlan, such as the “Birria de Chivo” of “El Guero” a traditional open-air cafe that since 1966 opened its doors for all who enjoy the spiciness

of this traditional dish. The place is located on what was once the called the Royal Way of Ixtlán, and today is called Hidalgo. Another typical fare of Ixtlán is the Taqueria Talamantes, which is located in the alley in front of the Church of St. Santiago Apostol.

The founders began in 1962, selling their tacos in a modest cart, and after 23 years finally relocated to where they can currently be found, to the delight of all.

Also along this path you’ll find the seafood restaurant “Moby Dick” as well as “Don Miguelito”, who sold his artisanal sweets, every day pushing his wagon through the paved streets of Ixtlán. Another place recommended to go to eat like a king, is the restaurant “La Casona”, located in front of the archeological zone of Los Toriles and in which they serve regional cuisine as well as serving as a gallery for local artists.

The Chicken that Invited me

It is not rare to hear in Nayarit the use of the word “pichen” meaning to invite, as in 'pichen' a bottle (usually a beer) a meal, or to the movies.

The constant interchange between tourists from here and immigrants from there has provoked the emergence of new words such as this.

Pitcher in Castilian means a baseball pitcher. Therefore we have the pitcher that offers the food, and example of this is “Pollo a la Picha”.

What is Pollo a la Picha?

While looking for this dish in the central gardens, I was asking at a kiosk of handmade sorbets (which is another tradition), and I was directed to one of the alleys where they assured me I would be able to find the famous chicken “a la picha”, created by Doña Maria who had a small restaurant in the alley (also known as Portal Redondo).

It was around 1940 when Doña Maria, who lost her husband when she was still young and with many kids to fed, prepared a delightfully rich chicken for those avid diners of new flavors.

Since then and up to now, locals and travelers are able to enjoy this distinguished recipe of fried chicken prepared by the descendants of Doña Maria Reyes, With the priory mentioned, and many other things besides, when you come to Ixtlán don't forget to try the “Pollo a la picha”, and better if they invite you! Also do not forget the sorbets, because in both there embodies the histories and flavors that fuse to your palate and remain in your mind forever.

Let the Fireworks begin!

B

eginning on December 20 and continuing through New Year’s Eve, the first International Fireworks Festival in Puerto Vallarta will highlight many cultural events, concerts and opportunities for locals and visitors alike to join in the holiday festivities in town. Each night starting at 9:30pm the skies above the bay will be alit with fireworks displays from one of the five participating countries: Canada, Mexico, USA, Italy and Spain. The show will last about 20 minutes and will be the kick-off for the nightly show held at the municipal stadium each night at 10pm.

With three launch locations the spectacle will be viewable from across the bay and most of the performances will be held at the Municipal Stadium, Teatro Los Arcos and Park Hidalgo. The freshly released list of events and venues

December 25 Pyromance 9:30pm Municipal Stadium

December 26 El Forito 6:00pm / Teatro Los Arcos Mapping 8:00pm / Iglesia Plaza Hidalgo Mike Laure 8:45pm / Plaza Hidalgo Castillo 9:30pm / Municipal Stadium

December 27 Lila Downs 10:00pm Municipal Stadium

December 29 Orquesta Ti 6:30pm Municipal Stadium Municipio de Talpa 7:30pm Municipal Stadium NOVUS AER 8:30pm Municipal Stadium Los 3 Zenzontles 10pm Municipal Stadium El Forito 6pm Teatro Los Arcos

December 30

Malvolia 6:30pm Municipal Stadium Galgo 7:30pm Municipal Stadium National Theater Company Pancho Madrigal 6:00pm 8:30pm Municipal Stadium El Forito 6:00pm Municipal Stadium.

Teatro Los Arcos Castillo 9:30pm Los hijos del Sol 6:30pm Municipal Stadium Municipal Stadium Azul Violeta 10pm Orquesta Sinfónica de la Marina 7:30pm Municipal Stadium Municipal Stadium Plástiko 8:30pm Municipal Stadium Santiago Cumplido 8:30pm Municipal Stadium Ballet Folkrórico de Tomatlán Castillo 9:30 7:30pm MunicipalStadium Municipal Stadium La Cuca 10pm Mariachi Tipico de Tecolotlán Municipal Stadium 8:30pm Municipal Stadium Sonora Dinamita 10pm Municipal Stadium

December 28

December 31

THE STAFF OF VALLARTA TRIBUNE WISHES YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS MERRY CHRISTMAS

LOCAL 14

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

First Person Expat Interviews

By Fabien Madesclaire Fabien@g3mex.com

A

nd you thought that pre-fabricated houses were boring? Well, not at Nemi Eco Villa, the brainchild of Joe and Nicole Sanchez.

Nemi Eco Villa has been architecturally designed to embrace the natural beauty and flow of the surrounding landscape, while leaving as little environmental impact as possible.

The villa has been completely constructed from repurposed, sustainable or locally sourced materials.

The six individual bedroom pods are placed on various tiers along the property on a hillside in Amapas. Each with incredible ocean and mountain views, large decks, dipping pools, gravity fed outdoor showers and all the bedrooms are solar powered!

We sat down with Joe and Nicole and talked about what brought them to Puerto Vallarta to construct this unique paradise.

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

We moved to Puerto Vallarta in 2008 from Chicago where Joe had his own architecture practice and I worked for Telemundo as and editor/producer.

When did you first visit Puerto Vallarta?

Though my husband came to Puerto Vallarta throughout his childhood on family vacations, our first trip here as a couple was in 2001, when we got engaged.

Why did you decide to move here?

There is a charm and lure here. The culture is beautiful, the people are loving and it doesn’t hurt that the weather is amazing year round. From our very first trip, we began a dialogue on how we could make a permanent move.

Can you tell me about your professional activities here?

We run our own architecture and construction company Max Living and Design through

most. There’s a tranquility that you cannot find in a big city.

How is it raising children here in Mexico?

Mexico is all about family.

Anywhere we go with our children, people are always anxious to interact with them.

We never feel limited about where we can take them, because they are not viewed as a nuisance.

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

We have lived in many areas in Puerto Vallarta.

Amapas, Conchas Chinas, the Marina and currently we are in the Hotel Zone. Our needs continually change, and for now, with the kids, this area makes the most sense. It’s easier to get around and schools are close by.

which we have created Max T Living Systems. Our main focus is ecologically sustainable design in which we have produced a line of pre-fabricated housing.

What’s your greatest passion?

When we became pregnant with our first child, our focus was directed towards the future of our planet. Sustainability has become a passion in our home.

We are constantly looking to create architecture that is in harmony with the environment and can improve ones quality of life.

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

The pace of life here is so different here compared to Chicago. It may be what we love

www.vallartatribune.com

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

The future can be great if we can keep the old charm without stunting the progress that every tourist city needs.

Do you plan on staying here permanently?

It is our plan to stay and raise our children here. I cannot imagine us living anywhere else.

For information on renting or purchasing one of these unique units, visit: www.maxlivinganddesign.com or www.nemiecovilla.com

Come by and visit our new G3MEX Real Estate office, just one block from Playa de los Muertos at Calle Amapas 114-B (near the Hotel Emperador), Zona Romantica. Phone: 044-322-1350424. www.g3mex.com

Wellness Latina

By Marcella Castellanos info@wellnesslatina.com

Beauty Tricks from the Mexican Kitchen

I

t’s no secret that the food we put in our bodies nourishes, strengthens and rejuvenates us, but how many of us know the health and beauty benefits of putting food on the outside of your body?

Marypaz Juarez knows a thing or two about beauty tricks from the Mexican kitchen.

With over 30 years of experience in cosmetology, she has worked in Mexico City, owned a salon in Guadalajara and now resides in Puerto Vallarta.

She prefers to use natural ingredients that you can find in the kitchen instead of commercial products because she says you should be able to eat what you put on your body. I sat down in an interview with her which has been translated from Spanish to English.

1) How many years have you been working with natural food ingredients in skincare?

Since I started many years ago, I’ve been working with natural products, but it wasn’t in style then. People were wanting to buy stuff. The majority of people were wanting commercial products without knowing what the ingredients were. Many products were made with natural ingredients plus chemicals that weren’t necessarily good for them.

2) What other food elements do you use in your beauty treatments?

I use a great variety of whole food ingredients from the kitchen such as peanuts, pumpkin, avocado, egg, strawberries, flaxseed, and aloe vera for body, skin and face.

3) Can you give me an example of a beauty treatment you do with food ingredients?

For someone with wrinkles who would like to diminish them, I use 1/2 a cucumber with the gel of two aloe vera leaves, a bit of olive oil, and I blend it. Then I apply this to the face and leave it over night and don’t rinse off. This will absorb into the skin and give

it nutrients and hydrate. I have many other remedies that involve yeast, honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, avocados, almonds and so many other foods you can find in your kitchen.

4)What do you think is important for women to know regarding beauty?

Every woman wants to look good, and most can look and feel good if they put a bit of effort into it. There needs to be a paradigm shift. We tell ourselves we don’t have time, but when you make it a priority it’s only minutes a day.

5) Can anyone benefit from using natural foods in their beauty regimen?

Yes, and guaranteed. They have such great results that you will see right away whether your skin is dry, extra dry, oily, normal, acne-prone or lined. It’s like putting a meal on your face. We forget that our skin is the largest organ and it breathes in what we give it. I have a menu for every face.

6) What kind of women do you like to do treatments for?

I like challenges. Many women don’t have the tools and knowledge to take their skin from where it is to an optimum state of beauty. I would like to empower them and give them those tools and knowledge so that they can see it is easy, inexpensive and only takes a few minutes a day.

I will be offering a workshops in this upcoming year to teach women these skills.

Marcella Castellanos is a bilingual certified Health & Wellness Coach. She works with expats to help spice up their vitality by adopting healthier, sustainable habits.

For her blog or a list of her upcoming holistic programs and workshops including “Beauty Tricks from the Kitchen” mentioned above visit www.wellnesslatina.com.

www.vallartatribune.com

riviera nayarit 15

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit

H

ola A Todos Y Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas and happy holiday cheer to everyone! What a beautiful Banderas Bay we have! What lucky people we are to be able to live, and visit, and for many their second home away from home.

I had a terrific day out on the bay last Sunday fishing with fun friends. It was completely relaxing to get out on the bay. We saw whales, and dolphins having fun making huge jumps out of the water.

I fit perfect in the front of the boat relaxing out over the ocean.

I also caught the first fish, (setting the bar for the boys!) Even if it was a baby Needle nose that we threw back of course! Randy caught another yet slightly bit bigger one that we also threw back.

The big catch of the day was

by Martin Boser, who caught a very nice size Amber Dorado.

What a beauty…Thank you Martin, and Mr. Dorado, some of which is filleted and in my fridge.

Proven to be an excellent captain and fisherman, Captain Manuel knew all of the hot fishing spots. Captain Manuel is with “Erasmos Tours” out of Punta de Mita. We were on a 28 foot panga (with bathroom) named La Sugunda Olas.

If you’re interested in this or any other fishing tour with a guaranteed catch on boats ranging from pangas, 32ft sports fishers to 72 foot yachts out of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo, or La Cruz Marinas and Punta de Mita, email me for discounts! (See address below) Whomever you decide to go with… Get out on the bay and have some FUN! Bucerias Christmas Program - The fundraiser at the Drunken Duck being a great success with donations of money and gifts! It does take a village!

Every year this program makes around 1,200 children happy with a new wrapped gift and candy. Their bright smiles and happiness shining in their eyes is so wonderful and absolutely

priceless!! Mothers and grandmothers are gifted with Crown Royal bags filled with hotel type soaps, shampoos and lotions.

If you would like to come when the gifts are given out, or help, please visit the little Catholic church on the arroyo (east side of Carretera 200) at 3 or 4 pm on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). For more information please contact 322-222-5101.

In Bucerias the Recycled Plastic Christmas Trees have been created and WOW what a variety of Christmas trees indeed! The first of the trees was revealed last Monday, Dec. 15th at Luna Lounge in Bucerias.

You can pick up a “tree map” at any location with a tree. Starting on the south end of Lazaro Cardenas you can walk along several blocks and over the footbridge into Centro and along Mexico Ave. where Luna Lounge is, or down on the beach front street where Breakers is, (or vice-versa) and back over by Mark’s Bar and Grill side to view many trees located in front of or inside the various businesses.

The event is designed to raise awareness; raise funds for local charities and to boost the image of Vallarta/Nayarit worldwide by sharing photos of the event.

Come out for a special Bucerias Art Walk on Tuesday Dec. 23rd at 7pm to view and participate in the photo taking. What a fun way to bring the community together!

Christmas Eve Dinners are planned with care by amazing chefs for the folks that enjoy dining out for the holidays. The amazing cuisine offered by local Bucerias and La Cruz restaurants all sound amazing. Everyone is a bit different, with their own entertainment styles, and most with several options to choose from. All are served with appetizers and dessert. Here is a brief overview, with those listed below on the allBucerias.com and allLaCruz.com calendars, as they are quite extensive! The calendars are keeping this girl busy this season..so check them out!

Bucerias Christmas Eve Menus Mark’s Bar and Grill: Choices of Turkey, Snapper, Gras Fed Filet Mignon, Organic Pork Chops and more! Christmas carolers singing favorite songs.

Breakers Beach Club, Bar & Restaurant: Homemade Eggnog, Turkey, Perogies, Meatballs, Ham and after dinner showing the Christmas Classic, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

Esquina 22 Bar and Lounge: Grand Marnier Lobster bisque, Baked Chicken Breast stuffed with asparagus, Flambéed prawns bacon wrapped and sautéed in Kahlua & Brandy Luna Lounge: Brie Cheese Salad, tomato Basil Soup, Turkey Dinner with Trimmings (vegetarian on request) One Time Cabaret show Kinsey Hicks star in “Oy Vey in a Manger!” Hilarious!

La Cruz Christmas Eve Menus Masala Bar and Grill: Lamb Crostini, Clam and Lobster sautéed, Gras Fed Beef Carpaccio, Butter Herb Roasted Turkey or Pan Seared Chilean Salmon. Music with Mango Duo, Alfredo and Zoe. Black Forest Restaurant: Enjoy Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Dinner! Baby Greens Pear and Walnut Salad, Tender Turkey Breast, pommes dauphine, homemade chicken liver paté The new restaurant El Asadero in La Cruz has some fun new events with DJ Kalidad – AKA Crazy Dudes from PV who recently played and will be back in 2 weeks, and Taco Tuesday…All tacos are half price until the end of January. He has a state of the art fryer…can’t wait to try the Fish and Shrimp tacos! The architecture in the restaurant is amazing!

Open from 5pm.

Photo courtesy Luna Lounge

By Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com

Find El Asadero at the rounda-bout in La Cruz.

Thanks so much for tuning in this week. Check out the community calendars…If you have any questions, comments or would

like more information please email to Cat@RivieraNayaritFun. com or Cat@NewEnergyConsciousness.com Tis the season to be jolly….fa la la la la laaaaa…la la la laaaa! :D

Vallarta-Nayarit: Holiday Shopping guide vallartashoppingdirectory.blogspot.com

C

hristmas is a time to get together with family and friends to celebrate, and food plays a big part in any Mexican Christmas celebration.

In Mexico it is customary to have a family dinner late on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena). Here are some of the foods that are traditionally eaten at Christmastime in Mexico, either at Christmas Eve dinner or during the festivities leading up to Christmas such as las posadas.

In Puerto Vallarta and around the bay you will find many pop-up stands offering things like tamales and ponche. Head to the

plaza and you will find many of these Christmas treats. With our wide array of restaurants you are likely to find variations on these specialty dishes. Here’s some of our favourites.

become a common component of a traditional Mexican Christmas feast. Bacalao a la Vizcainais a popular recipe in which the cod is stewed with tomatoes, capers, olives, and potatoes, but it may be prepared in a variety of ways.

Ensalada de Noche Buena

The combination of colors of the Mexican Christmas Salad make it particularly festive. This salad usually contains lettuce and beets, but other ingredients vary according to location and the chef's preference, and may include apple, carrot, orange, pineapple, jicama, pecans or peanuts, and pomegranate

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.

Pozole

seeds as a garnish. Mexican Christmas Salad is served at Christmas Eve dinner.

Tamales

Tamales are cornmeal dumplings which may be prepared with a variety of different fillings. They are wrapped in corn husks (or occasionally banana leaves), and steamed. Because tamales

are time consuming to prepare, they are a special holiday food made a few times throughout the year, in large batches.

Pozole is hominy soup made with pork or chicken and seasoned with chile and garlic. It is served with garnishes of shredded lettuce or cabbage, thinly sliced radishes, avocado, oregano, and lime wedges. It makes a hearty meal and is made in large batches, making it a great party food, which besides being a

Bacalao

Bacalao (dried salted codfish) starts showing up in markets and grocery stores throughout Mexico as Christmas approaches. This dish of European origin has

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

popular choice for a Christmas dinner, is also served during Mexican Independence Day or Cinco de Mayo parties.

Buñuelos

Served with a hot drink, buñuelos make an excellent treat on a cold night. This crispy fried treat is like a sweet tostada which is sprinkled with sugar or doused in syrup.

In Oaxaca there are special stands set up at Christmastime selling buñuelos and atole. After enjoying the sweet fritter, you make a wish and throw your clay plate on the ground, where it smashes to bits. This tradition is said to spring from a Prehispanic festivity in which all the dishes were broken at the end of a calendar cycle.

Ponche Navideño

2

Mexican hot fruit punch is made with tejocotes (Mexican hawthorn), which look like crab apples but have large pits and a unique flavor. Guavas, apples, and other fruit are added and the drink is flavored with cinnamon and sweetened with piloncillo.

This is a wonderfully warming beverage, whether taken with or without piquete (a splash of alcohol).

POSADA SONG

I

Traditional Christmas Celebrations in Mexico

n all the colonias (neighbourhoods) of Puerto Vallarta and across Mexico, there are nine days of celebrations. Each night families, groups and organizations gather for Posadas.

Posadas are an important part of Mexican Christmas celebrations. The word posada means "inn" or "shelter" in Spanish, and this tradition re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Posadas are held in Mexico on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 16 to 24th.

Posadas are held in neighborhoods across Mexico and are also becoming popular in the United States. The celebration begins with a procession in which the participants hold candles and sing Christmas carols. Sometimes there will be individuals who play the parts of Mary and Joseph who lead the way, or occasionally images representing them are carried. The procession will make its way to a particular home (a different one each night), where a special song (La Cancion Para Pedir Posada) is sung.

Asking For Shelter

There are two parts to the traditional posada song. Those outside the house sing the part of Joseph asking for shelter and the family inside responds singing the part of the innkeeper saying that there is no room. The song switches back and forth a few times until finally the innkeeper decides to let them in. The hosts open the door and everyone goes inside.

Celebration

Once inside the house there is a celebration which can vary from a very big fancy party to a small get-together among friends. Often the festivities begin with a short Bible reading and prayer. Then the hosts give the guests food, usually tamales and a hot drink such as ponche or atole. Then the guests break piñatas and the children are given candy.

The nine nights of posadas leading up to Christmas are said to represent the nine months that Jesus spent in Mary's womb, or alternatively, to represent nine days journey to Bethlehem.

Source: gomexico.about.com

En el nombre del cielo os pido posada, pues no puede andar mi esposa amada.

Aquí no es mesón sigan adelante, yo no puedo abrir, no sea algún tunante.

No seas inhumano, tenos caridad, que el Dios de los cielos te lo premiará.

Ya se pueden ir y no molestar porque si me enfado los voy a apalear.

Venimos rendidos desde Nazaret, yo soy carpintero de nombre José.

No me importa el nombre, déjenme dormir, pues ya les digo que no hemos de abrir.

Posada te pide, amado casero por sólo una noche la Reina del Cielo.

Pues si es una Reina quien lo solicita ¿Cómo es que de noche, anda tan solita?

Mi esposa es María. es Reina del Cielo, y madre va a ser del Divino Verbo. ¿Eres tu José? ¿Tu esposa es María?

Entren, peregrinos, no los conocía.

Dios pague señores vuestra caridad, y que os colme el cielo de felicidad.

Dichosa la casa que abriga este día a la Virgen Pura la hermosa María.

The doors are opened and those outside enter as all sing: Entren santos peregrinos, peregrinos, reciban este rincón no de esta pobre morada sino de mi corazón.

Esta noche es de alegría de gusto y de regocijo porque hospedaremos aquí a la Madre de Dios Hijo.

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

CHARITY 18

www.vallartatribune.com

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

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

Charity in Vallarta

By Frank K. Meyer

Domestic Violence

O

n the surface, the city of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico seems to be a very modern and prosperous community, but not unlike most places in the world, the reality can be far from the illusion. The fact is that women are often relegated to a roll of second class citizen, which lends to a high rate of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Women are often forced into prostitution in order to support their families and others find themselves in the trade as a result of human trafficking. Few women who have been sexually assaulted or physically abused seek assistance.

Those that do seek assistance find that there is very little assistance available to them.

There is no safe refuge for sexually assaulted and battered women in Puerto Vallarta or the surrounding area. These women often have no option but to return to the abusive environment.

Compassion for the Family/ Vida Reavivida Inc. takes domestic violence against women very seriously. It is imperative that women and their children be offered a safe refuge.

Compassion for the Family/Vida Reavivida Inc. is committed to providing this service that is so badly needed in Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area.

In order to provide this service, Compassion for the Family/Vida Reavivida Inc. is constructing a shelter in a discrete location in the greater Puerto Vallarta area. Non-disclosure of the location of the facility is imperative if the organization is to be able to provide a safe refuge.

Compassion for the Family/ Vida Reavivida Inc. does not actively seek out women that are physically abused.

It does not remove women from an abusive environment nor does it involve itself in domestic disturbances. Compassion for the Family/Vida Reavivida Inc. accepts women and their chil-

dren to the shelter exclusively by Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (the social services organization in Puerto Vallarta and the municipality of Bahia de Banderas).

Building Project The building site for the shelter was purchased in 2010 and is owned by Vida Reavivida A.C., a not for profit organization.

The shelter is almost completed and when finished will house up to 34 individuals.

Operating Costs When construction is completed, the shelter will require ongoing support in the way of donations to help cover the costs of food, hygienic items, cleaning products, clothing, educational materials, maintenance, taxes, utilities and insurance.

Staff Staffing of the shelter will consist of a male/female couple that will function as live in volunteer facilities managers, professional counselor(s) that will volunteer their services and additional volunteers to assist with basic education, English second language education and job specific education.

The mission of Compassion for the Family/Vida Reavivida Inc. is to provide an immediate, temporary and lifesaving environment and to provide the basic needs for women and their children who are the victims of domestic violence.

Compassion for the Family/ Vida Reavivida Inc. is dedicated to ensure that the victims and survivors of domestic violence increase their knowledge of their options around domestic violence, receive ongoing support through counseling services, developing and reaching their goals for safety and self-sufficiency through various programs and services including education, referrals, assistance in the court process, assistance obtaining employment, interest free small business loans, transportation, housing and other basic needs.

ROMANTIC ZONE / OLAS ALTAS

Kathleen Carrillo Galleries new location!

T

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

11:June Rosen

Galeria June Rosen Lopez

O

ne block up from the pier at Los Muertos Beach, Galeria June Rosen Lopez is located at Francisca Rodriquez #200, on the same street as Archies Wok, continue up the hill until you reach the corner of Francisca Rodriquez y Pino Suarez. Here you will find June’s charming gallery located in her home on the bottom floor.

June has been creating one of a kind jewellery since 1973.

She studied both in New York City and Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico’s silver capital. June’s world travels are reflected in her unique designs, often inspired from the beautiful gems that she collects along the way and the aesthetic of the places that she visits.

All this adds up to a collection of jewellery known for its unsurpassed craftsmanship , delightful

11

originality and reasonable prices.

June carries work of other artists as well. If you are looking for that special something, look no further than Galeria June Rosen Lopez. From December through April, Junes hours are 12 to 6, but best to call ahead to check with her first.

Why not make a visit to the gallery an event and combine it

with dinner plans?

Galeria June Rosen Lopez is located at Francisca Rodriquez #200, in old town.

Mexico gallery number:322 2225049 Mexico cell : 322 779 6491 U.S line:1 646 291 6852 U.S cell:646 3387373(ideal to call from u.s cell phones) Email:junesjewel74@hotmail.com

FRANKIES Newly opened, Frankie’s is fast becoming the new favorite Italian restaurants. They sell delicious, thin crust pizza. They also have incredible artisan pastas and salads. Their Italian chef, who definitely knows his way around the kitchen and their Italian owner guarantee you are eating an authentic Italian Mangiare. Prices are low to moderate. Try their Italian wines; the list is small but carefully selected.

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

Friday Dec 19-25, 2014

BRAIN TEASERS 20

SUDOKU medium easy

www.vallartatribune.com

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

Number Blocks

hard

Word Search

What’s a number block you ask?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Commonym

Wuzzles

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

www.vallartatribune.com

CLASSIFIEDS 21

Friday Dec 19-25, 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

​Just m​ention the ​VALLARTA TRIBUNE and get 20% off store-wide ​until ​Christmas​.​ ​Colleen is​ continuing the 75% off sale​as well​. ​Hours are Tuesday to Friday​10 to 5; Saturday 10 to 2.

Christmas Eve 10 to 3 pm and closed Christmas Day. 497 Francisco Madero & Naranjo Emiliano Zapata 044 322 100 1577

Emergency Phone for Sayulita

ADVERTISE HERE!

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.

Ask for better prices!!

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

ventastribuna7@yahoo.com PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE TRIBUNE AT

PUERTO VALLARTA TOURISM OFFICES OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET A PAGE IN THE SUN FREDY TUCAN´S

PANCAKE HOUSE CONSULATE OFFICES DECAMERON RESORT ELEMENT REALTY GROUP

YO-YO MO´S MARINA RIVIERA NAYARIT LA CRUZ FARMERS MARKET OSO RESTAURANT

VALLARTA TRIBUNE 829 Feb 25 - March 3, 2013

The Natural Beauty of OUR Mountain

Plants

2000

Mammals

80

Birds

300

Amphibians and Reptiles

23

Butterflies

85

500

50% of these species are endemic to MĂŠxico.

We propose the area to be designated a

Natural Preserve Because for Vallarta,

Without the Mountain...

There is no future