Issue 933, 19 Feb - 25 Feb, 2015

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

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Entertainment Roslyn Kind in Concert

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Feb 19 - 25, 2015 Free Issue 933

Culture

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People Prision art

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Photo Courtesy of Barbara Nettleton

welcome

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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.

MONEY EXCHANGE: Although you may have to wait in line for a few minutes, banks will give you a higher rate of exchange than the exchange booths (caja de cambio). You will need your passport. Better yet, use your bank card to withdraw funds from any ATM machine. Note that ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and generally charge lower fees.

DRINKING WATER: For the year 18 in a row, Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for human consumption.

The quality of the water tested at the purification plant varies greatly from what comes out of the tap at the other end. So do be careful. If you want to be doubly sure, you can pick up bottled water just about anywhere.

EXPORTING PETS: Falling love with the street dog outside your hotel or a puppy on the Malecon doesn’t mean they can’t come home with you.

The process is fairly inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You need a certificate of health from a local vet among other things. The time of year that pets can travel in the cargo section of the plane may be your biggest challenge. For the most up-to-date information contact the Puerto Vallarta SPCA at spcapv@gmail.com.

COMMON SENSE: Just as you wouldn’t walk around your hometown drunk and beligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here. While Mexicans are a forgiving bunch, basic politeness is appreciated.

For the guys, peeing in public is a major faux pas and if you are caught, can get you tossed in jail or an expensive fine. Pay attention to your surroundings. Pay your bills. Be courteous. And have fun!

DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off – just don’t. The consequences are not worth it. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Fines are as much as 10,000 pesos. You can be taken to jail and your vehicle impounded. There are many checkstops on the weekends and you will be asked to blow if they suspect you have been drinking.

LEGAL SYSTEM: Not knowing the law is not an valid excuse in Mexico or anywhere. If you find yourself caught in a legal situation be aware that guilt is presumed until your innocence can be proven.

This is a very difficult lesson to learn if you are visiting from the United States or Canada in particular. Immediately contact your consulate for assistance.

Director Noemi Zamora noemizamorareynoso@gmail.com Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Sales Team Rebeca Castellón Rebeca.castellonn@gmail.com Information office ventastribuna7@yahoo.com Designer Cynthia E. Andrade G. cysandra@gmail.com cisandra@vallartatribune.com

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

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

PEACE Animal

By Gretchen Dewitt

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his is a photo of a nursing dog with her six pups that were at the Centro de Acopio (local pound) about six years ago. I asked one of the employees what would happen to the mama dog after she had weaned her puppies.

The answer was that she would be "put down."

That meant she would go in a truck to Guadalajara with a lot of other cats and dogs for a mass electrocution. The puppies would all be adopted out if they didn´t die first of parvo or distemper. Giving away unsterilized puppies in Mexico almost always means they will never be sterilized, thus continuing the cycle of the birth of unwanted animals. I asked Dr. Guevara if I could take the entire family home with me, and he agreed.

When my husband came home later that day, he playfully asked, "You didn´t bring home another dog, did you?" I replied that no, I hadn´t brought home a dog and suggested he go look in our bodega. The happy ending is that

that "Georgina" flew to Canada to a great home and all six puppies went to equally good homes. All of them were sterilized at a free mobile PEACEAnimals clinic.

Postscript: Under the current administration, the Centro de Acopio is basically a no-kill pound.

Only animals too vicious to rehabilitate or too injured or sick to survive are euthanized. And it is done humanely.

All donations made to PEACEAnimals in the U.S. and Canada are deductible. For information on how to donate: p e a c e m ex i c o. o r g / d o n a t e / other_ways_to_donate.

P.S. Adopting a dog or cat and taking it back to the U.S. or Canada is simple. Donations of anything a vet, cat or dog can use are needed.

Please contact me for further information. gretchen@peaceanimals.org

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. 226-0800 editor@vallartatribune.com * www.vallartatribune.com * www.facebook.com/vallarta.tribune

editorial

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Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Editor’s

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editor@vallartatribune.com

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his past weekend we went to Veracruz for Carnaval. Back in the Fall one of the airlines had a 2 for 1 seat sale and I booked flights all over this country. Two tickets to Veracruz was less than $2000 pesos. A short flight, and we were in the middle of the 2nd largest Carnaval in Latin America.

For 10 days Veracruz closes its streets to parade after parade after parade. Huge professional floats, scantily clad women's and very buff men, dancers everywhere! and music, music, music. It was a feast for the sense.

Each night a free concert is held on the malecon. Mexican music isn't my forte but the bands had name recognition even to me!

The final headlining act was Luis Miguel which will have plenty of women (and some men too) screaming like little girls.

It's a beautiful city with clean wide sidewalks, no topes or potholes and beautiful colonial

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architecture. If you get a chance to visit, even just for a weekend, there is plenty to do, see, eat and hear. Be sure to pack your dancing shoes as the heart of the Veracruz people is definitely filled with marimba, salsa, tango and more.

This weekend’s MUST DO EVENT Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars at the Red Room

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n amazing show with talented performers who do incredible things with their instruments.

If you haven’t heard Bryan Savage’s Whale Song on the flute then you are missing something vital in your life. Likely to be sold out – if you haven’t already, I suggest hopping over to the Red Room now to get your tickets. You can thank me later.

The Banderas Bay Jazz All-Stars consists of Chas Eller, on keyboards, Bryan Savage on sax & flute, Steve York on bass, and Lazaro Poey on drums. Individually these players have had successful careers back in the States, in Europe, in Cuba, and around the world. Now they

are spending winters in the greater P.V. area, and have joined forces to create an amazing musical chemistry the likes of which this area has not seen before. Members of the group have played with Dr. John, Paul Butterfield, Kilimanjaro, Tom Coster, (Santana), the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Al Stewart, Marianne Faithful, Joan Armatrading, and festivals in the U.S., Canada, Europe, The Soviet Union, and Asia.

The uniqueness of these four individual’s musical roots makes for a repertoire that covers the gamut of jazz, blues, and funk style.

February 20 at 7:30 PM at the Red Room

aturday’s Farmer’s Market was packed, not much of a surprise since February is by far the highest of high season months. Lisa Love provided us with some more of her hand made bags with cat pictures on the outside and it took us about 30 minutes to sell all but one. They really are nice bags and seem to last forever.

Surprisingly we still have the three summer months available in our 2016 SPCA calendar. If you would like to have you pet’s picture on a page of the calendar, contact mmccoy777@aol.com. You pay a $100 USD donation, which ends up paying for the printing of the calendar and then we sell the calendars for $250 pesos, all of which goes directly to support our animal rescue programs.

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 at the Old Town Farmers Market 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. Our special volunteer of the week is Eddie Ippolito of Nuevo Vallarta.

Eddie assists us in transporting

Janice Gonzalez volunteers to the sanctuary. As a regular visitor, you will find Eddie walking dogs, cuddling the special needs animals in reception and cheering on our staff with his jokes. Eddie is also known to bring homemade salads and sandwiches for our hungry employees.

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 transportation, 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.

You 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.

We have also 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.

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Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Art and Good Will Unite to Support a Nobel Cause

Photos by: Noemi Zamora

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hen good will, art and sensitivity come together to support whoever needs it, is a good action that bends the heart. Ann is what Angie Roth McIntosh Canadian painter and Aaron R. Hernández from Café del Mar Galleria Rodo Padilla do together.

The gallery located at 146 Basilio Badillo St. in Olas Altas, it is the showcase to display the pieces that the painter has donated heart in hand, to fundraise and donate to “Girl´s heart” civil association, a group home that provides shelter, food, study and healthy growth of children and adolescents.

Works magnificent photographs of scenes from Puerto Vallarta are displayed inside the Café Del Mar Gallery Rodo Padilla, a place of pleasant atmosphere that invites reading and relaxing.

But also its social commitment, leads him to promote this type of good works and charitable souls as the binomial Angie Roth and gallery Rodo Padilla.

Along with the sale of coffee and works, Aaron Hernandez

Angie Roth works for sale recreate scenes from this cute port shared that Rodo Padilla has a social commitment to donate parts for different causes.

For Angie Roth, a beautiful mature woman who travels often from Canada, met the group home and fell in love with their cause.

Sharing it gets her so excited to get to tears.

There are three tables showing the local landscape, are exhibited inside the Café del Mar gallery Rodo Padilla 8 am to 1 pm Monday through Saturday.

And on Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm only in the high season.

The proceeds of the sale will be donated to the group home “ Little Heart”

An explosion of musical chemistry at The Red Room Cabaret Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars February 20 at 7:30 PM Consists of Chas Eller, on keyboards, Bryan Savage on sax & flute, Steve York on bass, and Lazaro Poey on drums. Individually these players have had successful careers back in the States, in Europe, in Cuba, and around the world. Now they are spending winters in the greater P.V. area, and have joined forces to create an amazing musical chemistry the likes of which this area has not seen before. The uniqueness of these four individual’s musical roots makes for a repertoire that covers the gamut of jazz, blues, and funk style.

Luna Rumba February 21 at 5:00 PM Luna Rumba thrills audiences with their sonic tapestry of Latin Fusion, Gypsy Flamenco, Arabic Melodies, Cuban Rhythms, Celtic Riffs and even Latin Jazz. Their shows are a celebration of musical fusion, human diversity, creativity, warmth and virtuosity.

Fiery violins, rumba-flamenco guitar, hot keyboard riffs and cool bass ride on top of the unstoppable polyrhythmic grooves created by the exotic percussion instruments and drums. If this weren’t enough, be prepared to hear vocals that will melt your heart and warm your soul.

THEY’RE BACK… Jason Brock

February 19 at 7:30 PM “Combined confidence, class and just the right amount of sass (a breath of fresh air)” The Advocate Jason Brock is a television, film and stage star. He was seen in homes all over the world as a finalist on X-Factor singing songs like Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.” Jason also starred in the film, “Love is not enough,” which played at film festivals all over the world, including the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco.

Kim Kuzma Just Kim Wednesdays at 9:30 PM Being her 10th year of performing in PV, Kim has learned to simply give what audiences want from her. “Just Kim” is exactly that. Kim’s Acustico show features Kim and her fantastic 5 piece band. Acustico Sundays at 7:30 PM

Miss Conception Thursdays at 9:30 PM The Wonderful World of Miss Conception Mondays at 7:30 and 9:30 PM An all live singing show with your favorite story book characters with a twist.

EVERY WEEK YOUR FAVOURITES RETURN! The Red Room Cabaret Insurgentes #300 Basilio Badillo & Insurgentes Act II Stages (322) 222-1512 facebook.com/theredroomcabaret

Angie committed to the cause ; In Canada there are no group homes and here she was moved to see the place

MISS CONCEPTION - Mon at 7:30 and 9:30 PM, Thurs 9:30 PM Rob Knight - FOREVER ELVIS - Wednesdays at 4:00 PM Vallarta’s Favourite - Kim Kuzma Acoustico - Sun at 7:30 PM Wednesday Night Fever - Wed at 9:30 PM

The painter Angie Roth and Aaron Hernandez Gallery Rodo Padilla, together to support girls in the group home “Girl heart”

AMY ARMSTRONG Returns to The Palm with her New Show, ‘DIVA LOCA’ By: D. White

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uerto Vallarta is pleased to welcome back beloved, song diva Amy Armstrong in her new show, 'Diva Loca' (Crazy Diva) at The Palm from February 19 - March 12. Amy, affectionately known as the gal with ‘the voice of an angel and the mouth of a sailor' will perform both music and comedy in her new show. In her show this season, Amy will be joined by special guest accompanists and performers, including Argentinian duo ‘Bohemia Viva’ on guitar and vocals. A variety of other performers will also join her throughout the show's run.

Celebrating her tenth season at The Palm, Amy Armstrong's popularity with regular partner Freddy Allen have made them two of Vallarta’s favorite entertainers. Based in Chicago, they have graced stages coast-to-coast and in over 20 countries and have performed on many RSVP cruises with their one-ofa-kind wit and musical prowess.

They've been the opening act for many familiar names including Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Phyllis Diller, Bea Arthur, Jennifer Holiday, Judy Tenuta, Lois Bromfeld, and Judy Gold. Amy is known for her brassy, bawdy, over-the-top comedy

and powerful vocals. Originally from Detroit, she has been a professional entertainer since she was a young child. Her powerful and soulful voice mesmerizes listeners while her hilarious and risqué humor keeps them doubled over in laughter. Amy has made Chicago her home since 1995 and quickly became one of the Windy City’s hottest talents. Amy’s beautiful voice, edgy humor and quick wit, create an evening of hilarious, enjoyable and unforgettable entertainment. Her optimistic, upbeat attitude is contageous. With one of the best voices in the business, Amy entertains, charms and captivates her audiences with her superb talent!

This is a show, not to be missed!

Tickets may be purchased online 24 hours a day, and at The Palm’s Box Office, open 11:00-11:00 daily. A full calendar of performances, information and online tickets are available at www.ThePalmPV.com. You can also find the Palm on Facebook at The Palm Cabaret and Bar. *Please note: Amy will do her solo show in place of the previously scheduled Amy & Freddy shows. If you have already purchased tickets, they will be honored at one of Amy’s Diva Loca shows. Originally published at www.vallartadaily.com Reprinted with permission.

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‘Roslyn Kind in Concert’ at The Red Room in Early March

By Debbie White

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he entertainment scene in Puerto Vallarta this winter can only be described as exhilarating. With new and expanding choices in venues along with top-notch entertainers, shows are selling out left and right. Puerto Vallarta is truly becoming a destination for those that love quality theater and cabaret.

The Red Room Cabaret (Act II Entertainment) is bringing many well-known and talented performers to Puerto Vallarta.

One such artist is the fabulous Roslyn Kind who will perform four shows from March 2nd thru 5th at 7:30 pm.

It's an exciting time for singer, songwriter and entertainer, Roslyn Kind. She has done many concert performances through the years and this engagement follows a world tour with her sister, Barbra Streisand and her nephew, Jason Gould. "It was phenomenal," says Kind of joining the 2012-13 'Barbra Live' tour. "It was something I wanted most of my career, to sing with my sister onstage, and it finally transpired.

It was a very exciting and loving experience to be onstage with my sister."

Roslyn believes that the world tour and the enthusiastic response from fans motivated her to return to her concert/ cabaret roots. Her amazing new, solo show debuted last April at New York City's 54 Below. "It was a big success!" she admitted.

The show combines favourites from the classic American songbook, Broadway and her own early recordings from RCA Records. Her return to cabaret has coincided with Sony's release of her first two RCA recordings (dating back to 1969) on one CD. The show features such songs as "It’s a Beautiful Day," "All That Jazz," It only Takes a Moment," and "Can You Read My Mind." She also includes music by The Beatles, Leonard Bernstein, Sergio Mendes, and the Bergman’s.

Backed by Alex Rybeck on piano, Roslyn creates a feeling of intimacy in the cabaret setting. Intelligent, confident and charismatic, she is the consummate, seasoned entertainer.

With a range of emotion, insight and understanding, Ms.Kind captivates and enchants her audience.

The show has been directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. Ms. Kind and Jay-Alexander have known each other for years, but it wasn't until after working with her on the Streisand tour that the two began talking about putting together new material for her.

The director is known for his affiliation with Cameron Mackintosh and directing productions of Les Miserables, as well as serving as Executive Producer for the show, in addition to The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon.

On concert stages he has worked with the best including: Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, Ricky Martin and many more. He says that working with Roz, is like a "family affair."

Roslyn Kind in Concert is only here for 4 Puerto Vallarta shows. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to hear a superbly talented performer. By her own admission, Roslyn is in show business to make her audiences happy. She definitely succeeds in doing so with her new show!

Tickets are available through the box office at Act II Entertainment, Insurgentes #300 (corner of Insurgenetes and Basillo Badillo, PV) from 6:30pm-12:30 daily. Tel # 322 158 4952. *All direct quotes from Roslyn Kind (that are used in this article) are from the August 20, 2014, HuffPost article, 'Singer Roslyn Kind....'

Originally published: www.banderasnews.com Reprinted with permission.

entertainment

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Live from the Red Room

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t has been a fast and furious week in the Red Room with cocktail receptions, greetings and fond farewells happening so quickly we barely got settled in our comfy plush seats before many sold-out shows had come and gone.

Lorna Luft sang and shared some cherished memories of growing up as Judy Garland’s second daughter. Husband Colin accompanied her on piano; her second visit to Vallarta, Colin’s first. They are off to entertain in Ajiic this week then back home toPalm Springs. I hope we will see them again next year.

Joelle Rabu and pianist son enjoyed Mexico for three weeks and will be back in Canada freezing before this issue hits the street here in Vallarta. Again, I hope they will return next season; Piaf laced with a touch of Modern Jazz.

Dame Edna along with partner Doug and Ralphie, their precious Chihuahua, are back in the States…more about that

last night in Perceptions. I still haven’t seen this new show: Just Kim: The Very Best of Kim Kuzma that replaces Wednesday Night (Disco) Fever.

A full report next week!

Every Sunday night she is still packing the Red Room with her Acustico spectacular.

Rob Knight is wonderful as Elvis Presley every Wednesday at 4 pm. And Miss Conception?

Unbelievably talented and off-thechart creative in the new show…

The Wonderful World of…

If you have the Tribune in your

hand, the magical Cashetta and X-Factor star Jason Brock are in the room!

The Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars AND Luna Rumba are back for one concert each!

The BBJA Friday night (20th) at 7:30 then Saturday (21st) Luna Rumba at 5 pm.

Both of these groups played to sold out houses last season at the Paradise Community Center…I know what I’m doing this weekend!

news Over 1,600 Couples Tie the Knot in Mass Wedding in Mexico City 06

The News

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Some 19,927 police officers were assigned to patrol areas across Mexico City on Saturday as part of “Operation Romeo and

Juliet,” with public places, plazas and commercial areas getting priority, the secretariat said.

Source:laht.com

Orbitz sells to rival Expedia Online travel site acquisition valued at $1.33 bln

By Michelle Chapman The Associated Press

New York – Expedia is buying rival online travel site Orbitz for approximately $1.33 billion, adding to the stable of brands it has snapped up recently in order to extend its reach and keep pace in the fiercely competitive travel-booking industry.

Expedia’s acquisition of Orbitz is its second major deal in the past month as the industry continues to consolidate.

Expedia announced the $280 million acquisition of another rival, Travelocity, in late January.

It also follows the company’s July announcement that it was buying Wotif.com for $658 million.

By bringing Orbitz into the fold, Expedia gains access to the Orbitz namesake brand, as well as brands like CheapTickets and HotelClub.

Expedia’s portfolio already consists of nearly a dozen brands such as Hotels.com and Hotwire.

Speculation swirled last month that Orbitz may be bought, when a media report said that the company

Mexico’s Air Force turns 100 President presides over centennial celebration

By Eduardo Suárez

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total of 1,609 couples got married in a mass Valentine’s Day wedding this weekend in the Zocalo, Mexico City’s largest plaza, as relatives and friends looked on.

The civil ceremony was accompanied by performances by different bands in the Mexican capital’s historic downtown district.

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera presided over the ceremony and congratulated the newlyweds, urging them to respect each other in their married lives.

Mexico City’s government waived the wedding fees as a Valentine’s Day gift, the mayor told the couples.

“May each and every one of the couples here enjoy eternal love,” Mancera said.

A total of 1,255 police officers were deployed in the historic district to maintain order and provide security during the ceremony, the Federal District Public Safety Secretariat said.

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

was considering selling itself. An Orbitz spokesman declined to comment at the time.

Expedia, based in Bellevue, Washington, said Thursday that it will pay $12 per share, a 25 percent premium to Orbitz’ closing price of $9.62 Wednesday.

Shares of Orbitz Worldwide Inc., based in Chicago, soared $2.05, or 21.3 percent, to $11.67 in morning trading.

Expedia’s stock surged $9.23, or 11.8 percent, to $87.45.

Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said during a conference call that Orbitz was an attractive acquisition option in part because of its highly recognized brands and loyal customers.

Expedia also likes Orbitz’ loyalty program, with plans to invest in it and grow it further.

Khosrowshahi, along with Chief Financial Officer Mark Okerstrom, said that the deal will help Expedia better compete for customers in a sector that is constantly seeing new players emerge.

“We believe Orbitz can add to scale and add to our ability to run a

more efficient machine,” Khosrowshahi said.

Okerstrom said that these types of acquisitions are important, as it provides a way to avoid being overtaken by rivals like Google and TripAdvisor.

Expedia is also up against competitors like Priceline Group, which owns sites like Priceline, Booking.com, Kayak and OpenTable.

And there are new pressures from sites like airfare search Hipmunk and last-minute deal site HotelTonight.

The Expedia executives said that they are very optimistic they won’t run into any major resistance from regulators on the Orbitz deal, with Khosrowshahi noting that consolidation is natural in a highly fragmented marketplace.

The boards of both companies have approved the deal, but it still requires a nod from the majority of Orbitz shareholders.

Expedia, which anticipates $75 million in savings from the buyout, said it is currently unable to project when the transaction will close.

or 100 years the Mexican Air Force (FAM) has been a pillar of the defense of our national independence and sovereignty, President Enrique Peña Nieto said during the inauguration of the School of the Air in Zapopan, Jalisco.

The celebration of the FAM’s centennial is a well-deserved homage after decades of unconditional service and patriotic courage, Peña Nieto said speaking from his position as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

In 1915, when the Air Force was founded, the world was living through difficult and uncertain times as the great powers fought the First World War and Mexico underwent a revolutionary struggle to form a new project for the nation.

“Venustiano Carranza created the military aviation branch, the foundation of the current Mexican Armed Air Force. He incorporated one of the era’s most important technological advances and put our armed forces on the vanguard,” the president said, speaking before members of the Army, Navy, National Defense Secretariat, security forces of all levels of government, veterans, military schools, and the general public.

He emphasized that the airmen have been faithful guardians of

Mexico’s laws and institutions, as well as protectors of all Mexicans.

Following hurricanes in Guerrero and Los Cabos, where Air Force planes played a crucial role helping thousands of families that were suddenly isolated return to their homes.

“For that and many reasons you must be proud to bear the three-colored shield that defines you as women and men of the air,” he said.

He also used the occasion to honor the memory of the members of the 201st Fighter Squadron who crossed the Pacific during WWII to fight for the freedom of the world.

The Squadron flew together with the United States Army Air Forces in the Philippines against Japan.

The Mexican Air Force event was attended by the commander of the FAM, Carlos Antonio Rodríguez, part of the federal cabinet, the National Defense and Navy secretaries, senator Silvano Aureoles, and the governors of Jalisco and Morelos, among others.

Mexico Sets Automobile Production Record in January

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record 266,424 automobiles were produced in Mexico in January, up 6.8 percent from the same month in 2014, the Mexican Automotive Industry Association, or AMIA, said.

The growth in automobile output “was bolstered by the plants that started operations last year” in Mexico, the AMIA said in a statement.

A total of 103,697 light vehicles were sold last month, a figure that was up 21.3 percent from January 2014. The automotive industry in January experienced “the best level in history for exports of light vehicles in one month, exporting 204,907 vehicles, with 15.2 percent growth,” the AMIA said.

Exports to Asia and Canada

grew strongly, rising 35.8 percent, compared to the 2014 figures for both regions.

Sales to Europe and the United States grew 15.3 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively, while exports to Latin America and Africa fell 25.5 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively.

“Mexico has an important lag ... that it must deal with,” AMIA president Eduardo Solis said, referring to the domestic market.

Mexico is the world’s seventh-largest manufacturer of automobiles and the No. 4 exporter.

About 83 percent of the vehicles produced in Mexico are exported, with most of the units going to the United States and Canada.

Source: lath.com

nature

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Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Discover the Birds

of Paradise Copyright 2014 Greg R. Homel

O

rganizations are teaming up to preserve the Bahía de Banderas region and its natural resources; such dense environment deserves the proportional amount of protection.

The Vallarta Bird Conservancy is an organization focused specifically on the birds of the region.

It believes that protection of the environment can only be achieved by education, making “Education for Conservation” their motto, since most of the biodiversity threats are the result of human activities, such as alteration of habitats, introduced species, poaching, illegal settlements, construction, among many others.

Birds are omnipresent creatures, often taken for granted, but are a very important part of the cycle, some help pollination or spread fish-eggs, others get rid of carrion and even insect pests; so they represent agents of dispersal and biological controls. Just a closer look might get a non-birder interested, given the diversity of colors, behavior, and even The Bahía de Banderas region is home for almost 400 species, migrating, resident, and about 30 endemic to the area. Such diversity is possible through the unique habitats that surround the bay, becoming paradise for these winged fellows.

This incredible numbers of bird species demonstrate the amazing richness of the land they overfly. Observing their behavior and needs can help us understand and learn the importance of supporting conservation efforts.

The Vallarta Bird Conservancy invites everyone to participate in conservation and come into close contact with birds and discover

Black-Throated Magpie-Jay

Great Egret their unique personalities and quirks. Though the Vallarta Bird Conservancy offers actions to contribute and promote educational programs for the local community, it also organizes the Annual Vallarta Bird Festival.

The 4th Festival will take place in March, days 5 through 8, offering four days of tours, workshops and lectures for birders and non-birders.

The tours encompass a wide variety of areas and birds, a privately owned wildlife sanctuary, scenic rural roads high in the mountains with tropical dry forest and ranchlands, little-known wetlands, mangrove ecosystems, the protected wildlife reserve in Puerto Vallarta, an island sanctuary and the hunt to see the protected magnificent Military Macaw.

Last year, participants collectively saw an average of 170 species per day. The Festival’s tours, lectures and workshops are guided by recognized and certified experts from around Mexico and the United States.

Also offering a special free activity for kids (7-12) at Biblioteca Los Mangos, showing them bird identification basics, and get them started early on this fantastic hobby and important duty.

It is a great opportunity to go to the estuary El Salado and the Botanical Gardens and look at those awesome places from another perspective, or > listen to the sounds of the beach, pay attention, and recognize dozens of different birds only from their sounds at the Birding by Ear Workshop with an acoustic ecology specialized Biologist.

The money collected from the Festival, besides supporting the Festival, is used to keep the yearround activities such as work with local communities, creation of education materials, workshops with local schools, support for the local Children’s Bird Club, publication of bird and habitat information as well as birding routes for locals and visitors, and inviting scientists, experts and international authorities to teach, work and share information with local groups.

More information can be found at www.vallartabirdconservancy.org , or stop by the Saturday’s Farmers Market at Lázaro Cárdenas and meet them.

Military Macaw

Mexican Woodnymph At Flight

Roseate Spoonbil

Mexican Woodnymph

08

The Papantla Flyers

by Thomas Swanson www.ColibriDesignVallarta.com

!No one who has walked Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón, the sea side walk on the shore of our city, has failed to notice the local enactment of the Dance of the Papantla Flyers, with their graceful unwinding descent from the top of the tall pole, spiralling down to the sand beach, accompanied by drum and flute music. It’s fascinating to watch. The story behind the dance is fascinating as well. ! First of all, the dance is old, I mean really old. The Totonac people, who live in Papantla and in the jungles and mountains of Veracruz, Puebla and Hidalgo, are an old culture...no one knows how old. Not only do they claim to have created the original dance, they claim to have built Teotihuacán, an ancient city that had been abandoned for almost a thousand years when the Aztecs used it as an annual pilgrimage site. The Totonacs are so ancient that their native language, which they still speak today, has no known origins ! One thing that is known is that, however the Dance of the Flyers began and whoever

started it, it was a popular ceremony across Mesoamerica at least three thousand years ago. Mayan writings about the celebration of the World Tree, the Mayan creation story, decribe a similar ritual, as do depictions on pottery from the same period, found near here in Nayarit. When the Nahua people first entered the Valley of México, before the Aztecs, they integrated with the Totonac and Huastec/ Mayan cultures of the region and took up the tradition of the Dance.

In time, they themselves spread its observance to places as far away as the U.S. border and south into Nicaragua. Like the Sphinx in Egypt or the line drawings on the Plains of Nazca, no one agrees on the origins of things so obscured in antiquity.

We will forever be left to wonder. ! The Dance’s existence as a continuing ritua, is far from over though.

Not only is it re-enacted in various tourist destinations, like Vallarta and the Riviera Maya, but it is a regular ritual in many Totonac communities scattered in the eastern jungles and mountains of the Sierra Puebla.

There its religious significance has remained unchanged over the centuries...if a bit hidden from

art and culture the watchful eyes of the Catholic conquerors. The specific mythology and mysticm varies from isolated village to village, as does the exact ritual of the Dance, but the underlying themes remain the same. For instance, some villages in eastern Puebla are now allowing women to train as flyers, though most Totonac elders consider this highly sacrilegious. In 2006, a master who was training women to fly, fell to his death during a ceremony in El Tajín. His death was touted as a sign of the disapproval of the gods. ! The most famous of these ritual enactments is at Papantla, near Poza Rica, in the state of Veracruz. Here tourism is being sought, to blend with tradition, though tourism in the jungles of the “Fever Coast” has proven illusive. ! Papantla was founded by the Totonacs in the 1200s, who were seeking a new home after fleeing the Chichimec sack of Teotihuacán in the highlands near present-day Mexico City. Papantla has been the cultural center of the Totonac people ever since. It is at Papantla where the Dance of the Flyers has its deepest roots and has been studied by modern researchers the most thoroughly. The Papantla dance has even been inscribed as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. Nominated for the status of Pueblo Mágico, Papantla also boasts numerous large murals and sculptures done by the famed local artist Teodoro Cano García, an ardent student of Diego Rivera, depicting different aspects of Totonac culture and history. ! The meaning behind the dance is profound and its participants are highly trained. Preparation includes observing strict taboos, rituals and meditation. The flyers they are thought to represent birds circling the World Tree, the ancient Mayan symbol of creation. The four flyers also represent the world’s four cardinal points, sunrise, sunset, north and south. The fifth point, is represented by the pole, or tree, being planted in the ground, in touch with the underworld.

These birdmen also represent the gods of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, the elements that make up our world. The dancer perched on the top of the pole represents the heavens, home of the gods. The gods are said to have told man “Dance, and we shall observe.”

While dancing on a very small platform, he plays a drum and flute, representing the sounds of birds and nature. Feathers are an integral part

of the costumes that are worn, each crafted by the flyer himself. In ancient times the flyers would often dress entirely as birds, such as macaws and eagles. ! The ropes used are carefully wrapped around the top of the pole, the four flyers then simultaneously jump off with the rope ends tied around their ankles, spiralling out and down, their arms mimicking birds in flight. ! They circle the pole in their descent exactly 13 times.

The number 13, multiplied by the 4 flyers equals 52, the sacred number of the Mesoamerican calendar solar cycle, at the end of which the sun is hopefully renewed for another 52 years. Every individual year is represented by four seasons and 13 lunar cycles. The Dance of the Flyers is an ancient celebration of this continuing cycle of life. !

One more thing. As we walk by our flyers every day here in Vallarta, we can’t help but notice the increasing numbers of tourists standing as far away as they can from the pole, still filming away of course, obviously trying to avoid the passing of the hat.

Come on people, these young men aren’t paid to do this, they depend on your donations to feed their families.

A couple of pesos is not going to kill you. Please help keep this tradition alive. You’ll get better pictures too.

Hugo Barajas Opens at Galeria Pacifico

T

he internationaly exhibited artist Hugo Barajas will be in attendance at the cocktail inauguration of his new solo show at Galeria Pacifico on February 25th, during the weekly Wednesday night Art Walk held from 6:00 to 10:00 PM in the historical center of downtown Vallarta. This will be Hugo’s seventh annual exhibition at Galeria Pacifico, but it will encompass more separate techniques than ever before, including oils on linen and board, terra cotta sculptures, fused glass hangings, monotypes and tapestry. The usual focus on female faces is evident, but Barajas has also included a series on nude female torsos and even has the face of a jaguar. The artist has continued with his use of polymer resins as textural components and as a way to add brilliant impact to the colors in oil. However, this year Hugo also has experimented with using iron filings sealed onto the linen with the resins, both as three dimensional projections and in lieu of paint where the image is totally composed of rusty metal particles with the color of the linen as contrast.

Barajas has been invited to participate in the last three occurrences of the pres-

tigious Florence Biennial art exhibition in Italy and has participated in several museum exhibits in Mexico and in Canada. He currently shows his work in galleries in Montreal and Guadalajara as well as at Galeria Pacifico’s location at 174 Aldama just up from the Malecon, and has paintings on display at the Four Seasons Hotel in Punta Mita, Nayarit.

This will actually be the second cocktail for this exhibit, the first occuring a week before, but additional work will be featured that wasn´t shown before. Among other pieces, these will include two clay sculptures and the largest painting, which is featured in the invitation.

The exhibit will be mounted through March 10th, but Galeria Pacifico always maintains an ample display of Hugo´s work. Pacifico also sponsors the Malecon Sulpture Walking Tours held every Tuesday morning at 9:30 through mid April.

local

Mauricio Goodrich, Gourmet Vanilla manager Orlando proudly displays the leading product in the region

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Photos by Noemi Zamora

09

Is bean , vanilla pod that goes through a process of maturing to get that delicious flavor

Vanilla Gourmet Orlando A 100% Natural and Mexican Product

T

he vanilla scent is exquisite.

Outside the face of a normal farm; within a successful company that invites to recreate in mind, the most delicious desserts prepared with that peculiar flavor of vanilla.

This is Vanilla Gourmet Orlando company , which for 35 years has cemented its natural production of prepared and has already crossed the borders of Puerto Vallarta.

Founded by its owners,the marriage Paul A. Goodrich and Maria Teresa Ramos Segura in 1974 .

Initially, customers were Mexican; and today had reached the market in the United States and Canada , meeting the required quality standards.

Puerto Vallarta has been the framework for growth and position Vanilla as the leader in its field .

Today, domestic tourists , foreigners and residents seek to products to manufacture countless desserts that give value to taste.

But its fame goes beyond a good taste.

Manufacturing, by a modest team, mostly family goes through a whole process, using the bean , vanilla pod, which is brought from the state of Veracruz ; is cut and the extraction is 100% pure and no synthetic compound is used.

Orlando products sold in craft shops and municipal market But the process takes six months, which three months left to dry in the sun ; at the end is aged to give a special flavor.

Vanilla extract is used in cakes, cookies, puddings, smoothies, breads, chocolates, so that in the end , natural products are offered.

In 1974, when the company was born , a formula that after the years he has perfected and been fully used it and it worked wonderfully well in the taste of customers.

Currently, Orlando products sold in states like Jalisco, Nayarit, Guerrero, Cancun, Baja California

Sur and Norte and City; but also exported to various cities in the United States and Canada.

Locally you can find the product bottled in the tourist center, supermarkets, city market, craft shops, pharmacies and hotels in the region.

Gourmet Vanilla Orlando offers 100 % natural product par excellence, specially made to satisfy the great and traditional Mexican and international cuisines, invites to discover the true, delicate and rich vanilla flavor.

Orders Number 28 12217.

Gourmet Vanilla Orlando is 100% natural product par excellence, produced in Puerto Vallarta

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10

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Up Close with Singer/Songwriter, Chris Kenny

By Deb White

T

here’s something intriguing, alluring and very cool about a talented, mature female blues musician. She sings about the struggles and triumphs of life in a way that only a troubadour with life experience can accurately communicate. Canadian transplant, Chris Kenny is exactly that fascinating, accomplished and truthful musician.

Chris was a constant in Canada’s music scene over the years playing festivals and clubs. She’s shared the stage with many of Canada’s best recording blues artists and musicians.

Since 2011, Chris has been delivering her powerful and diverse vocals to Puerto Vallarta audiences. Her style can be described as jazz, blues and a little rock n roll. As an experienced artist, she consistently delivers a captivating and strong performance.

The Chris Kenny band is in high demand at Puerto Vallarta’s restaurants, bars and other venues. This season Chris Kenny and her band perform: Tuesdays, 9pm-12 at Nacho Daddy’s (Chris Kenny Band) Wednesdays, 4pm-6pm at El Rio BBQ (solo/unplugged show) Thursday evenings at the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort Every 2nd Friday at Cassandra Shaw Jewelry (South Side Shuffle) Every 2nd Saturday morning at the Old Town Farmers Market Saturdays, 9pm-11:30pm at Kabuki In my recent interview with Chris, she opened up about her life and her music. Here’s a glimpse into the life of this extraordinary blues musician.

You have been a world traveler . How has music guided and fulfilled your life?

I have always been restless so music has helped me to move around and still support myself. I have often had to work other jobs in order to make ends meet.

I would not say music has always fulfilled my life. It is a hard road to travel and I had many misconceptions of the sacrifices and work it takes to succeed.

What is your musical history?

I first sang in front of my Grade 3 class at Bells Corners Public School in Ottawa, Ontario. I sang ‘The End of the World’ originally recorded by Skeeter Davis. I received much praise and applause and I was hooked after that. I started playing

the guitar when I was 11. I jumped from picking out notes to chords and figuring out how to play songs on my own. I am self-taught. My moderate success has been through trial, error and persistence.

On the other hand, many people tell me my style is very soulful and heartfelt. You cannot learn that from books.

How did you make the decision to move to Puerto Vallarta?

I crewed on a boat when I was 19 leaving from Marina Del Rey to Cabo San Lucas. I fell in love with Mexico, the climate, the people. It has been my dream to live here ever since. I slowed down to raise my beautiful daughter Lindsay who is now independent and doing very well.

The real opportunity to relocate here arose when visiting in Nov 2011. I was doing a little solo show at Kabuki Sushi on Olas Altas and the General Manager of Dreams Resorts saw me playing solo while dining there and offered me a show at the resort. So I joined the Jalisco Musicians Union and this gave me the ability to legally work here. I worked for Dreams for nearly 3 years.

What was your childhood like?

It was very sheltered and very average. Very cold!!!! Ontario was a great place to grow up though.

I am a first generation Canadian.

My parents are from the North of England. I often wonder why they chose Ontario and not Florida!!!

My father started working for CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) and moved the family to Nairobi, Kenya. It was a huge culture shock for us all.

My first gig with a band was in Nairobi. It was with a group of expats from all over the world.

We had some memorable gigs.

One being at a private residence on Lake Naivasha called the Jin Palace. We spent a couple of crazy days there; bombing around in jeeps, hippos grazing on the lawn and peacocks wandering in the gardens. I met the late Joy Adamson, who wrote Born Free – Elsa the Lion). I was very glad to have seen Kenya in the 70’s.

What is it like to work in a number of different Puerto Vallarta venues?

Most musicians who work with actual live audiences don’t work in a single venue or stage anymore.

We take the work where we can get it. I guess you can call that freedom. There are few live venues left as compared to when I started playing. I still work Kabuki every Saturday evening but now with a full band. The dream never faded and here I am!!!

You have a great love of animals.

Describe what they have meant in your life and the animal charities in

Puerto Vallarta that you have been involved with.

My mom was a great lover of critters. I would bring home half dead things from the forest or off the road and she would try to nurse them back to health. I remember her trying to keep baby field mice warm with a towel in a pie plate over a low watt light bulb.

I have performed shows for various PV animal charities including the Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic that offers free spay and neutering services. I recently performed at a MexPup fundraiser.

MexPup finds new homes in the U.S, Canada and Mexico for Puerto Vallarta strays. I personally have rescued a number of cats and dogs.

Other charities I continue to support here in PV are Corazon de Nina, Bandaras Bay Woman’s Shelter and Pasitos de Luz. What type of music do you most enjoy performing now?

I have jumped on many bandwagons, from jazz standards to new country. The biggest influence, in so far as styles go, would be blues. I think I sing this genre very well and have written some of my best songs in this style.

Who are your band members and how do they contribute to your sound?

I have worked with some fabulous people here in PV. I was very lucky in the beginning to have Steve and Lisa York take me under their wing when I had broken my wrist and was unable to play guitar.

I think a lot of people here in PV do not realize what a big star Steve York is and how much he contributed to the British Invasion and how many super stars he has shared a stage with. Lisa York is a wonderful musician in her own right. I have been working with my current band for 3 years.

Bassist Miguel Cerventas Gonzolas has been with me the longest. He is a fine bass player and my musical director so to speak. I rely on him greatly to keep me grounded.

Enrique Jimenez is my regular drummer. Enrique is a little new to my styles of music but he keeps us swinging, He has a wonderful natural style and is always smiling and positive On lead guitar is Gilberto Luna.

Gil has a long history of playing some of the really great clubs here in PV. I love his style, passion and commitment to music.

I am very lucky to have a back

up guitar player as well, Fernando Lopez who began with the band, but has a great day job he wishes to pursue. He still plays with us at Kabuki on Sat. nights and puts a little different spin on our sound.

Your CD ‘Something So Right’ is fantastic. How did it come together?

My CD, ‘Something So Right’ came together through friends/fans who really wanted me to record some of my originals. They helped me raise the funds for studio time.

I was also lucky to have some great musician friends who assisted. Fabulous players like Whitey Glan – who toured with Bette Midler and Alice Cooper, Michael Fonfara – who toured with numerous great bands including Lou Reed, Sax Player Pat Carey of the Downchild Blues Band and Downchild’s Lead Singer Chuck Jackson who did a duet with me on the disc.

It also could not have come together without the help of my long time musical partner Brian Gauci and the help and support from The Rhythm Ranch Recording Studios.

I have a lot of new original material and hope to put another CD together in the very near future. I want to continue to work on more of my original material and write more songs that reflect my time here in Mexico.

What would you like your fans to know about you?

I have been told I cook like I sing!! I love to cook.

What have you learned in life that you’d like to pass on to others?

Don’t let others tell you what you can and cannot do.

Take some chances and knock on some doors. You can’t win if you don’t play!

Originally published at vallartadaily.com Reprinted with permission.

local

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Paradise Of Markets

and and men Parenting

By R.L. Avery avery1@mac.com

Leza Warkentin mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

Choosing the Right Kindergarten

I

’m really looking forward to going to work tomorrow. After meeting with a constructor and an architect, my colleagues and I are working on designing blueprints for making our own castles. Last week we called in an expert and built an igloo prototype out of cardboard boxes. We are also planning out a building museum we want to set up, because we find that we are so very awesome and we want to show people what we can do.

No, I don’t work in an architect firm.

I work with five-year-olds. I’m their teacher (and my dad is an expert in igloos). Although often I’m also their collaborator, their note-taker, their materials gatherer and their shoulder to cry on (it’s a damp job but somebody’s got to do it). I work with people who want to create, to build and to play. And so that’s what we do. February is the month in Vallarta where schools begin to open up to register students for the next school year. I meet a lot of people who are looking for schools for their preschool and kindergarten-aged children. I’ve been seeing an increasingly popular trend to push an academic agenda down into preschool. There is an emphasis on pencil and paper work such as worksheets and workbooks, and a race to get our children reading as early as is humanly possible.

Let me explain what happens when we steer away from play and inquiry-based programs. When we focus on activities such as worksheets, a child begins to learn that there is generally only one right answer or only one correct way of doing something, and any other way is definitely wrong. Young children quickly become conditioned to finding that “right” answer or doing things just that one way, and are much less likely to take risks or look for new and multiple ways to solve a problem. I don’t know about you, but I would like my children prepared for a future of many possibilities.

One of my students had been working hard on a letter during choice time, and she asked me to read what she had written: GRNE. Knowing what developmental stage of writing she was currently in, I

replied “Oh, you must be writing to your Granny.” She stared at me for a moment and then shouted “OH MY GOSH! YES! I’m an amazing writer!” I wouldn’t trade that moment for 1,000 worksheets.

When we focus on pencil and paper activities in the early years, we remove the most natural way children learn to abstractly represent things. For example, when the children in my kindergarten class used boxes as space helmets and flew the play structure to the moon, they were using concrete objects as symbols. This is a critical prerequisite to the use and comprehension of print (Stone, 1995), and it was also quite a bit more engaging than tracing the “M is for Moon” twenty times. The National Association for the Education of Young Children states that “Young children learn best through direct sensory encounters and not through a formal academic process. Learning should be the outcome of hands-on experience, especially play.”

If you are currently looking for a preschool for your young child, the NAEYC offers the following indicators for an effective early childhood program: - A wide variety of materials with which children can play and experiment - Children making choices about activities - Teachers with training in early childhood education - Plans that consider the interests and abilities of each child to encourage success and joy in learning My students will learn to read. In fact, many of them already have. But it’s less important to me that they learn to decode the words before they are six years old, and much more important to me that they will love to do it for the rest of their lives.

When we went outside to launch that playground space shuttle and collect the moon specimens we had prepared for classification, one of the children came and hugged me excitedly, saying “I’m so happy I feel like I’m in a dream, Miss Leza.”

Me too, kid. Me too.

Y

anis Varoufakis the new finance minister of Greece recently stated in an interview with Zeit Online that “ I am the finance minister of a bankrupt country.” The interview is brief and worth reading for several reasons, particularly his views on history.

He claims during the interview that he’s not trying to reduce the amount of the loans outstanding, only negotiate the interest on those loans. He would like to peg the interest rate to economic growth.

He says that seven billion euros are on the table right now if he only signs the documents that have been placed in front of him. He refuses to do that he says, because “he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night, because it wouldn’t solve the problems.”

I hope he succeeds in the reforms he’s trying to implement, if

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

something is not working there is no sense in continuing down the same path. It takes a strong personality to undergo the scrutiny he faces with a gun to his head in the hopes of actually solving the problem.

I wonder how many countries out there are bankrupt? Perhaps no one is ever bankrupt as long as someone else is willing to extend a line of credit, regardless the prospects of ever recovering the full amount of the loan.

Isn’t that what the subprime mess was all about? Not the ability to repay the loan, just the hopes of servicing it. That ceaseless search for yield since our no yield days started one and half decades ago.

As long as investors are willing to buy another countries debt the machine stays greased and the carry trade rolls from the yen to the euro to the frank to the Dollar.

The dollar, it keeps soaring and that says something. What is it saying? The U.S. will service its debt. As long as it can service its debt, it’s in business and you’ll get you’re money back. That’s the risk.

Getting your money back.

Somewhere along the line investors have forgotten that. They

bought into the idea that one aught to get such and such for their investment. That is not the case, there is risk and it doesn’t matter, until it matters.

In the Grapes of Wrath published in nineteen thirty nine the sharecropper who is being pushed of the land by the banks henchman asks “ Can’t I speak to some one at the bank?” “It won’t do no good” says the bankers man. “ He works for the bank and he does what the bank tells him to do.” “There must be somebody I can talk to” asks the cropper. “ Well I heard there was a guy back on the east coast was in charge of the bank but he probably just works for the bank too.

See the bank is like a monster and you got to feed the monster or he dies.”

We fed the banks and we keep feeding them. When they risked our money and lost it we fed them again. The government made them pay that money back then the Federal Reserve Bank gave them more. They are not smaller, they are bigger, the monster is growing and its appetite grows by what it feeds on.

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta Monday 23/02/2015 STAR PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES arrive 12:00 p.m. leave 08:00 p.m.

3,300guests Tuesday 24/02/2015 CROWN PRINCESS PRINCESS CRUISES arrive 08:00 a.m. leave 04:00 p.m.

2,600 guests Wednesday 25/02/2015 CARNIVAL MIRACLE CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE arrive 09:00 a.m. leave 09:00 p.m.

2,980 guests

ROMANTIC ZONE

Frankies

N

ewly 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.

Casa Corona:

Offered at $369,000 USD

Casa Corona: a gem in Gringo Gulch, 2 + bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fantastic views to town, walking distance to the Malecon, great open space, perfect for a B&B. Contact: alfonso@tropicasa.com

14

Yelapa for the day

By Madeline Milne

F

rom the pier on Los Muertos Beach you take the water taxi to Yelapa.

The cost is $250-300 pesos return. The boats leave throughout the day all week long. Depending on your plans for the day the 9:30am or 11:45 boats are probably the best. The 11:45 is usually less full. The last boat returning is at 3:45, so plan accordingly. If you’re lucky you’ll see the humpback whales and dolphins in transit and the boat ride is a great way to see the extraordinary homes along the south shore cliffs.

Once you arrive in Yelapa you can get off at the hotel pier, directly on the beach or in the town. The town pier is great because then you can explore and grab lunch at one of the many charming restaurants before heading up to the ‘small’ waterfall. The water is cold but relatively shallow.

It’s safe to venture in and stand behind the waters. There is a small restaurant at the base of the waterfall for a drink and snacks. Vendors line the path if you are looking for a new sarong, pipe or woven bracelet.

After a quick run through town, head over to the main beach where you can set up at one of the many beachfront restaurants. Getting to the main beach may mean crossing the river where it meets the beach. There is a bridge crossing about 15 minutes up the river but it’s a lovely walk with plenty of nature to appreciate.

The beach restaurants all offer fresh fish and cold beverages. Pull up a lounger and relax for the rest of the day. A couple of the restaurants offer paddleboards for rent and the hotel on the north end has sea kayaks. If the ‘pie lady’ comes by – be sure to grab a slice of each flavour. They’re divine. The water in the bay is fairly calm and perfectly safe for swimming.

There is some snorkelling on the southern side of the bay and a rumoured resident sea turtle.

If you arrive early you may want to rent horses and check out the ‘big’ waterfall. It’s about an hour up the river passing through fields and crossing the river. It’s a wonderful way to peek into the simple rural life of those who live here and the waterfall is impressive. You can hike the distance as well but leave yourself two hours in each direction.

Yelapa is a natural gem with near pristine lands and bay. It’s great for a relaxing day on the beach or stay for a couple days to truly disengage and unwind.

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Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

real estate

15

Fabien Madesclaire and Ariel O’Donnell Fabien@g3mex.com

Buying a Beachfront Property in Puerto Vallarta: Part 6: Playa el Anclote, Litibu-Higuera Blanca, Punta Sayulita & Sayulita

If you have real estate questions, or want to know more about beachfront properties, contact Fabien anytime at G3MEX Real Estate Group: 322-209-0832. Or visit us in out new office in Old Town on Calle Amapas, right near the Hotel Emperador.

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n our final article on Buying Beachfront in Puerto Vallarta, we are going all the way to the northern-most tip of the Bay of Banderas. Soft tides, and luxury exemplify this part of the Bay. Punta de Mita: Playa El Anclote Playa Anclote is a perfect spot for spending the day—or the rest of your life, if you’re lucky! The beach is protected from some of the stronger ocean currents by a peninsula of land hugging the area.

Here you can spend hours at one of the many palapa style restaurants eating perfectly prepared seafood, sipping a drink and utterly and completely forgetting about your worries back home.

The children have a gentle beach to swim in, which is always a plus for mom and dad.

Punta de Mita has several personalities. One is that of a sleepy fishing village, with easy and less expensive access to boat rental to take advantage of a day on the bay or for an excursion to the Marietas.

The other side of Punta de Mita is that of a super elegant and luxurious resort where the rich and famous (or the rich and discreet) come to play and get away from it all. Fabulous condos and villas abound.

Litibu-Higuera Blanca Heading north from Punta de Mita is the exclusive resort area of Litibu-Higuera Blanca. Great golfing, perfect beaches, with some stronger tides, as you are now directly on the ocean and not protected by the Bay of Banderas.

Excellent surfing and paddle boarding. Also, some very eco-friendly property ownership options are available, nestled in the beautiful jungle. You can purchase your own

lot at Rancho Litibu and build the house of your dreams.

Punta Sayulita and Sayulita Punta Sayulita is up from Litibu and located at the very point on the ocean that leads into the Bay of Sayulita. Another beautiful jungle hideaway, with some spectacular lots and development properties available for purchase and construction.

Sayulita proper is a beautiful and totally unique spot on the Riviera Nayarit. For the health minded you have premiere surfing, paddle boarding, massage and a serious yoga mecca. Fun youth oriented bars and restaurants.

Beautiful hotels and resorts— many with a strong hippie vibe.

Sayulita hosts some excellent music, art and cultural festivals due to its very dynamic community of creative folks.

There is a wide a very busy beach during the high season and on weekends, where you can buy everything from lasagna to “special” brownies. Properties here range from simple open-air casitas to luxury villas. Pretty much anything goes on this beach. A great spot for people watching and for really letting your hair down!

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

A-Z of the Buying Process

Courtesy of the thecaboharrisons.com

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ou’ve made it this far and now you are actually going to buy this property, in Mexico. Dream come true but reality must take the front seat for a moment while we navigate the buying process as it differs considerably from what you have likely experienced in Canada or the United States.

Time and Money Prospective buyers, whether financing a property or paying cash, should always remember to take into account the closing costs and the amount of time a closing will take, as well as the purchase price and down payment. Typically, you will need 20% or 30% in down payment plus the estimated closing costs.

Once your offer is accepted, if you’re paying cash, there are several steps (and fees) you and the closing department of your real estate agents office will need to contend with.

If you are a foreigner, in order to own in the restricted zone, a Fideicomiso en Garantia must be set up.

A fideicomiso is a legal trust held by a Mexican bank, that confers upon its beneficiary every single right that any Mexican owner has when they own a property (including improving, selling, renting, passing on in a will, etc.) except actually holding the legal title in their name. There is a one-time fee for trust setup, and each trust also carries an annual fee with both setup and the first installment due at the time the trust is created.

Note: The "Restricted Zone" is a strip of territory 100 kilometers-wide along the borders and 50 kilometers-wide along the coast.

If you don't live in the Restricted Zone, or are a Mexican citizen, a fedeicomiso is not necessary. You can title the property directly in your own name.

1) Securing the Permiso de la Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE permit), which is your authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Investment to undertake the transfer. This request is made by the bank chosen to be your trustee, using information you are asked to

provide including information on buyers and on the prospective alternate beneficiaries (who would become owners in your place in the event of your death).

2) Obtaining a Certificado de Libertad de Gravamen, which is a certificate that states that the property is free of liens.

3) Avaluo y Deslinde. This is an appraisal of the property for tax purposes.

This has nothing to do with the appraisals for loan purposes, nor with actual market value.

3) A search of the title will also be made, and a cer tificate obtained.

4) Assemble identification papers of both sides, copies of seller's ownership documents, and other materials the Notario will require in order to complete the closing.

5) A Mexican Notario, a federally appointed public records keeper, will be selected to ensure that the property transaction is properly conducted and recorded, and that all government taxes are paid and regulations are adhered to by both parties. They are not working for you, the seller, the lender or the broker. The job is complex and notarios are paid substantial fees for doing it. Though notario fees vary they cannot charge more than the maximum fees as outlined by law. The depth and responsibility of their role in your transaction is exactly why many closings take 90 days.

6) Notarios also collect and pay (without adding a surcharge) the 2% acquisition tax paid by buyer and the ISR (comparable to capital gains tax) charged to seller, and any other state or local taxes in connection with the transaction.

7) The actual signing by both parties, the trustee and, if there is lending involved, by the lending bank, takes place before the notary, who retains the original of the document permanently. The notary will then process a certified copy of the document through the county tax registry (catastro) and

Public Registry (a public record of all such transactions).

8) Finally, execution of the fideicomiso must be registered before the Ministry of Foreign Investment, which issued the permit. Your trustee (a Mexican bank) is responsible for completing this step within 30 days after the title transfer has been approved.

9) Escrow and Escrow Fees – an escrow account is typically set up with instructions on how funds are to be disbursed. Mexican law does not recognize escrow accounts, so one of a select few escrow companies in the US is typically selected to handle all purchase money, receiving and transferring money as directed by the parties, by interbank transfer.

Closing costs may also be handled through escrow, or in some cases deposited in "escrow." Escrow fees are paid by the buyer.

10) Title insurance is available but not required in most cases because lenders know if the sale passes muster with the Notario Publico, it is a legal sale, and the property title is not in question.

Your real estate agent will be watchful on your behalf and can assist you in deciding whether or not to order a policy.

11) A US-style market appraisal will be required.

12) Loan origination fees are paid to the lender, usually direct from escrow at closing.

Closing costs generally run 4.5-5.5% of the purchase price.

To aid you in calculating your potential closing costs, keep in mind that the lower the price of the home, the higher the closing percentage because most fees are fixed and added to the 2% acquisition tax. This would mean, for example, that a lot costing $60,000 will probably garner closing costs of up to 10%, while an $8million villa will run approximately 2.5%.

Also remember, in Mexico it is customary that the buyer pay for everything except agent fees, which are paid by the seller.

Vallarta-Nayarit: Shopping DIRECTORY AND EVENTS guide www.puertovallartadining-shopping.com Events Calendar Would you like to promote your event across Banderas Bay to over 6,000 weekly readers? Non-profit and charity events receive complimentary listings. Maximum 50 words. Contact Editor@vallartatribune.com deadline is Tuesday noon.

Thursday, February 19 PV Garden Club Meeting at 11:00am at No Way Jose! Restaurant. Join guest speaker Troy Martz, local permaculture expert who will be speaking on ways that to develop an urban garden on your deck.

Saturday, February 21 Fashion for Compassion – Fundraiser Fashion Show and Lunch at the beautiful OSCARS Restaurant starting at 12:30 Kim Kuzma and Miss Conception will be performing. This is the last show of the season - get your tickets soon! 3 course lunch and lots of silent auction prizes and entertainment. Benefits the Colina Spay and Neuter Clinic Tix. $350 pesos / Available at Deja New locations, Alexander Salon, Nacho Daddy and Cassandra Shaw.

Sunday, February 22 Purr Project Adult Bingo starting at 3:30pm. The fabulous Amy Armstrong, accompanied by the Greater Tuna Ladies and whoever else might wander onto the stage, will take over the microphone and all sorts of craziness will ensue.

Special *adult* prizes 50/50 Free popcorn/Cash bar. Proceeds benefit the 150+ cats residing at Purr Project, a no-kill feline sanctuary north of Puerto Vallarta.

Tuesday, February 24th ExPats in Vallarta informal Happy Hour gatherings at Langostino’s from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Langostinos is located on Los Muertos Beach just north of the new pier.

Tuesday, February 24 at 7:00pm The Gift of Story: Capturing and Preserving Family Memories An IFC special presentation by author Candace George Thompson. Donation for IFC charities: $50 pesos at the door. www.ifcvallarta.com February 26-28 IFC Mindfulness Meditation Retreat. The retreat will feature Kavindu, Director of Meditation and co-founder, Yogaespacio.com.

The Program is entitled, “A Mindful Path from Difficult Emotion to

Creative Action”. Info and registration material at the IFC offices or www.ifcvallarta.com.

March 3-7: 23rd Banderas Bay International Regatta Known as one of the biggest cruiser's regattas in the world, the Banderas Bay International Regatta brings together serious racers and cruisers for a week of yacht racing and nightly entertainment.

The event concludes in a fun awards banquet held on the beach at Paradise Village Resort in Nuevo Vallarta. BanderasBayRegatta.com Wednesday March 4th Charity Bingo at Nacho Daddy’s Card sales beginning at 5:30 pm and bingo at 6:00 pm.Raffle tickets for great prizes, final game is a cash blackout bingo with the winner taking home half the pot.

All proceeds shared with Pasitos de Luz and Colina Spay and Neuter.

March 5-8: 4th Annual Vallarta Bird Festival The Banderas Bay Region is home to over 300 species of different birds. The Festival is hosted by the Vallarta Bird Conservancy.

Four action packed days of birding and natures walks with expert guides in unique habitats will be sure to satisfy even the most advanced birders, workshops and lectures from local and international authorities on many interesting bird and birding related topics will round out the festival. www. vallartabirdconservancy.org/ Saturday March 7 - 4th Annual Riverfest at El Rio BBQ Live music featuring Kim Kuzma, Regina Zerené, Los Chuyz, Chris Kenny, The Zippers, The Gecko Band, and Texas Embassy Blues Band. 12pm to 7pm $80 peso donation at the gate or purchase a VIP patron ticket in advance for $500 pesos.

All proceeds to Pasitos de Luz! Information at the Pasitos table at The Old Town Famers Market or email Barb at condo211@yahoo. ca

GALERIA VALLARTA as established in Puerto Vallarta in 1989 and has continually presented fine art from talented Mexican and international artists. The gallery is located 1 ½ blocks from the main plaza and the crowned church in the heart of Vallarta´s centro historico at Guerrero 187 between Juarez and Morelos streets. They are on the second floor of the building that was the first bank in Puerto Vallarta and later the Chula Vista Hotel.

The gallery offers art in all forms including original oils, acrylics and watercolors, sculptures in bronze, ceramic wood and mixed media, unique designer jewelry,

unusual crafts, lithographs, serigraphs, giclees, collectibles,and wall decor. We have a selection of signed and numbered ceramic figurines by Alexander Flores, and have access to artworks by Mexico´s most famous artists by special order.

We are the representatives for Victor Gutierrez bronzes, one of Mexico´s most famous sculptors.

We can also special order the whimsical figures by Felguerez, and the paper mache animals by Sermel. Our motto is if we don`t have it we will try our best to find it for you.

Often you will find artists painting in our patio and we encourage talented, emerging artists to show their work. Galeria Vallarta offers the best selection of posters by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Marta Gilbert, and more well known

March 12-15 Chacala Village Music Festival This picturesque Nayarit beach town has band together to create an annual week-long celebration of music complete with singalongs and dancing in the street, as well as authentic Mexican food and spirits. ChacalaVillageMusicFestival.com

Wednesday March 18th Charity Bingo at Nacho Daddy’s Card sales beginning at 5:30 pm and bingo at 6:00 pm.Raffle tickets for great prizes, final game is a cash blackout bingo with the winner taking home half the pot.

All proceeds shared with Pasitos de Luz and Colina Spay and Neuter.

March 13-16 IV Beach Polo World Cup Recognized as the largest in the country, the IV Beach Polo World Cup, features several of the world's tops players competing in this luxury sport in Nuevo Vallarta.

PoloInRivieraNayarit.com

April 23-26 Salsa & Mambo Festival For the third year in a row the Salsa & Mambo Fest comes to Riviera Nayarit. The all-star lineups of international and national artists dance over to Marival Resort & Suites for the four day festival. SalsaMamboFest.com

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artists, as well as custom signed and numbered giclees on canvas or paper by Marta Gilbert. We are currently working by appointment, just email webart@prodigy. net.mx and we will meet you at the gallery. You can also shop much of our selection of art at our website-- www.galeriavallartapv. com and http://artbygaleriavallarta.blogspot.com Our facebook page is: http:// www.facebook.com/pages/ G a l e r i a - V a l l a r ta/333422754139?ref=ts.

April 30-May 3 V Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic The 5th annual Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic combines golf with gourmet meals and cooking courses taught by distinguished chefs at the most luxurious resorts in Riviera Nayarit.

The "Punta Mita Cup" is a two day golf tournament played on the signature Jack Nicklaus' courses, Bahia and Pacifico. PuntaMitaGourmetGolf.com May 17-25 Vallarta Pride Focusing on the theme of Unity, this year’s weeklong event is one of the best Pride events in Mexico.

More information at vallartapride. com

GFIM… Conclusion and Beginnings

by Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

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he two-day Global Foundation for Integrative Medicines Congress is finished. A flame was reignited over the weekend and I think everyone left hoping to reunite in Puerto Vallarta again next year. Wellknown Vallarta healer Doctor Martina Goldberg is vice-president of the GFIM and was host of this amazing get together of doctors and medical practitioners from all over the world; each speaker touching on their own specialities. If we could have strung together the myriad of scientific degrees that crowded the conference room it would have been dozens of kilometres long.

What would have been longer indeed – if it could be measured - was the sense of solidarity with the peaceful and joyous sharing of information some-

times technical but always interesting and graphically presented. The countless hours of preparation on the part of everyone involved, never mind the long distances travelled appeared to come off as effortless. The stellar company was approachable, cheerful and absolutely huggable – all of them.

Held at the Fiesta Americana Hotel, the opening tone of the Congress was set: with a dozen fine mariachi singing and playing their way into the conference room and onto the stage, followed by a pair of folkloric dancers who delighted everyone.

Then a troupe of Aztecan dancers replete with feathered headdresses and copal and fire. What a welcome to the lone participant from the Czech Republic who had never been to

Mexico before! It was an amazing beginning with an extraordinary impact on all of us. The Mexicans (overheard in the Ladies room) chatted about how proud they felt of their Country after the opening ceremony. The rest of us were in awe.

Subjects were Subtle Energies and integrating all forms of medicines from Allopathic to sound and light therapy, ways to reduce electronic (and dangerous!) smog, glucose levels, stress, photons, reversing aging, electricity, energy, chakras, food, sacred geometry, herbs, wellness, meditation, love and kindness.

Names of people like Hippocrates, Jesus Christ, Albert Einstein, Andre Bovis, Nikola Telsa; place names like the Pentagon and NASA, Washington, D.C., Los Alamos, Huatulco and Prague. There were dentists, nutritionists, iridologists, a Mayan Priest, yoga Masters, Massage therapists, osteopaths, acupuncturists, musicians, translators.

All healers. All with different paths.

All heading in the same direction: Global Health. A healthy world will be in Peace.

Puerto Vallarta Garden Club presents An Evening Under the Stars Where: Hacienda Palo Maria at Garza Blanca Beach When: February 26, 2015 6:30 to 10:30 Why: To Fund Beautification of Puerto Vallarta What: Entertainment by Gerardo Ponce and CocoAche, P.V’s premier Cuban Salsa band, Fabulous Food by Chef Luis Villaneuva Tickets: 800 Pesos at Carol’s Boutique, Dante Galeria, R.K Supplements on Calle Rodolfo Gomez 130, and any member of P.V. Garden Club Board, especially Matthias Vogt, Treasurer, at Matthias. vogt@usa.net, 322-222-4019 This event was sold out last year so don’t delay getting your tickets!

Kathleen Carrillo Galleries

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athleen Carrillo Galleries will be receiving her new shipment of giclee prints of “Climb To Gringo Gulch” in the next week. Be sure to stop by the new Gallery located on Constitution 325 in Old Town Puerto Vallarta. It is right next door to the Banderas Bay Trading Company in the old Puerco Azul Gallery space. Kathleen has just finished the newest Whimsical Architecture piece entitled “Balcony Views PV”, which will also be reproduced and available as as a hand Embellished Giclee Print, edition of 100. Two new Jungle Spirits are now hanging in the gallery as well as a brand new

beach painting entitled “The Two Divas”.

It has a wonderful humorous feel and all dog lovers will want to see it! Kathleen still has space available in the 4 remaining One Day Painting Workshops that are also held at the gallery. Contact her soon as the classes are filling up fast.

Sign ups are now easy to do online at her workshop website www.YourCreativeAwakening.com Go to the Studio Class information and find all of the subjects and dates that are still available. KathleenCarrillo80@hotmail.

“Climb To Gringo Gulch” Hand Embellicom, Mexico Cell 044 322 141 8867, US shed Giclee on canvas 30x40” number 941 932 8543, or just come on www.KathleenCarrilloGalleries.com by and visit. www.YourCreativeAwakening.com kathleencarrillo80@hotmail.com www.HouseofWindandWater.com Celebrating the Colorful Magic of Life!

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

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Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Prison Dolls as Prison Art By: Rebecca Roth

The original sewing machine used by Rebecca for the first doll of the project. I for a tune up!

Photos courtesy of Barbara Nettleton

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ccording to the Centre for Prison studies at King's College in London, England, the world’s prison population as of 2014 has reached 9.8 million people. It is impossible to pinpoint the exact figure because many countries don’t publish this information, but it is hard to dispute the enormity of the number of displaced people.

It rivals some of the larger cities of the world, yet this segment of society that has been ostracized from society as a whole has, within its walls, a structure that includes some very talented and creative people. Most of whom are untrained and have never studied art.

With creativity emanating from a vast, yet unlikely source, prison systems worldwide are becoming producers of artists and their work.

The more enlightening administrations view this as a relatively inexpensive way to allow prisoners to express themselves in a non-destructive way. They recognize that prison art is a viable form of collectable, accessible art.

No one is more acutely aware of the above scenario than myself, Rebecca Roth, who at 47 years old was arrested in Mexico and began a four year struggle to prove my innocence and regain my freedom.

I lived through this harrowing experience and in the end, triumphed over it. One of the few tools at my disposal was art and I relied upon the creative process to help me through the emotional roller-coaster which became my life inside of the Mexican prison system. There are several tools available to aid you in your struggle, but you must discover them. The hardest thing I had to realize was that all real and perceived control of my life and future was taken from me the moment they handed me a beige prison dress to wear.

I recommend to anyone finding themselves in a similar situation to first get a grip on your situation as it pertains to Mexican legal processes and freely interpreted legal decisions.

After you have gotten a grip on what is really going on (to the best of your ability), find a way to cope with the hopelessness of the situation. Some find psychiatric drugs to induce euphoria and sleep the days away, which is encouraged by the administration.

Others, find exercise, handicrafts, reading, etc. I found art. As time went on,

Rebecca painting the faces at her desk

In the Guadalajara women’s prison with director Angelica, Rebecca and Esme, an inmate who makes the most gorgeous dolls. She is 28, been in since 21. A sweetheart

The work station I rediscovered my love of painting and drawing, and I wrote poetry, learned to read music, enrolled in primary school (with all classes in Spanish, obviously) and completed up to the second semester of Prepatory, before I was released.

I made my first doll because a baby girl named Lupita born to an internee had no toys and at 15 months old only had empty two liter coke bottles to kick around. Then, later, when my English student, Esmeralda Hernandez Jose was lamenting about needing to make money, I suggested we make ten of the dolls and try to sell them at an upcoming prison art show inside the prison walls. We worked hard to get those dolls ready and it paid off. The Director walked up and bought the first one!

After several were sold that day, we decided to continue the project, which we named Original Friends Dolls. That was over 6 years ago

and to date, we have sold over 1200 one of a kind dolls including fairies, mermaids, dancers, freaks of nature and special orders; each named and numbered and carrying the name of the doll designer on the tag.

What about the future?

Although the project has grown, the Prison project is limited to a tiny space inside the prison and our immediate goal is to raise enough money to build a small cinder block workshop inside the prison.

That way the women currently on a waiting list to work with us can earn the money they need for basic necessities and contribute their talents to the project.

Unfortunately, there are ample prisons in Mexico where this project can be replicated using the same business model of accumulating donated materials for recycling into dolls. We would like

to expand to other prisons in part to give more women a chance to discover their creative selves and find peace inside the turmoil of the legal process.

I am proud to have triumphed over the impossible situation I found myself in and to have been the originator of the beautiful creations that improve the self-esteem of the doll maker and delight the new owners as they buy some-

thing original, made almost entirely of recycled materials, with hand painted faces.

Recently, as I stood selling dolls at a farmers/ artisan market in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I was told by an aficionado that our Original Friends dolls are some of the best examples of prison art he had ever seen. www.prisondolls.com originalfriendsdolls@gmail.com Skype:vallartagal12

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Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

The Reunion

By Rebecca Roth

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t the time I made the doll for Lupita, I had no way of knowing that it would blossom into something as extraordinary as The Original Friends Dolls have become. But after over four years of freedom and telling the story of the 15 month old baby for whom I made the first doll, I made a promise to myself; to find Lupita and her mother Sara.

I knew very little about what happened to Sara and her family after she was transferred to Islas Marias, an island penal colony approximately 70 kilometers off the coast of Mazatlan. Because of its distance from the mainland, Islas Marias is sort of an experiment in detention, allowing families to live together, providing education for children and adults through university. The inmates can live in a house provided by the prison and even run a small business. People meet and fall in love there, too!

Social media became the manner in which I could find Lupitas mother, Sara, and thus find Lupita. Yes, Facebook, you did it again.

Sara has been free for a little over a year. She remarried and they live in a town between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Perfect, since I was coming to Puerto

Vallarta from Guadalajara and I would pass through the small town where she was now living.

We met at the gas station and we began to catch up.

I saved a special doll for Lupita who was now 8 years old, also named Lupita, a mariachi doll with a red and white costume. She was thrilled with the doll and I told her that she-Lupita was sort of famous because of the dolls. I reminded them both how I used to always call her Lupizza!

What I didn’t know or expect was that Sara, her mother, had told her about me since she was tiny, so consequently, Lupita was very warm and friendly to me, which really made my day. I got and gave lots of hugs and when I had to go, she said to me in perfect English: I love you!

No prodding from her mother, she just wanted to say it. Let me just say, “Right back at you, Lupizza!” I love you too!

As I drove away, I couldn’t help thinking about a comment one of the Directors told us again and again, “You can never make friends inside of prison.”

Here, over 7 years later, I made friends inside a very difficult place, and I continue to be friends with them both. I know Lupita for the happy warm young lady she is becoming. Two for the price of one!

A Rare Glimpse inside Woman’s Prison

By Barbara Nettleton

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anadian photographer and avid Mexico traveller, Barbara Nettleton was recently allowed to enter and photograph the inside of the woman’s prison in Puente Grande, Jalisco.

For a number of years Barbara had been collecting Original Friend Dolls, made by a group of women in the prison. Having become friends with the original founder of the co-operative, Rebecca Roth, Barbara was invited into the prison to document the work that is being done by the women in the group.

Here are her words.

The event I was about to embark on, was over a year in the planning. Because of the continuing interest I have in the Original Friends dolls made there, in 2013, I decided I would like to enter the women’s prison, at Puente Grande, Jalisco, located south of Guadalajara, Mexico. Even though

I was assured by Rebecca Roth, the woman who arranged this, that there was nothing to worry about, I was now very anxious and concerned about entering.

Mexperts had warned me away from such foolishness, claiming I might spend the rest of my days inside. Hesitant, dressed all in black as required, carrying a camera for which I had been given special permission, I went anyway.

Going in

Going in was a process, like going through customs when entering a foreign country, which may be why they call it Aduana (customs in Spanish). There were many inspection points - all female guards (called custodians here), some nicer than others, but all dressed in black uniforms wearing big black military boots and armed.

Although I was not alone, I found it unnerving not to know the language, being searched, and

surrendering my passport.

Oops! No boots allowed, so I tried to put my stocking-ed feet into a pair of shoes Rebecca had brought in for a donation.

This didn't work and so we had to ask for special dispensation to wear boots, which was granted.

The picnic lunch we brought was thoroughly inspected, the doll fabrics scrutinized and our money was handed over for safekeeping.

Toilet paper, creams, etc. All were meticulously entered into separate ledgers to be delivered to the recipients later in the day.

NO cameras allowed. Ever. But, lucky me, I had permission! Notwithstanding previous permissions granted , a guard told me “NO camera" and pointed to the sign.

Then after a long wait and many phone calls, I got my arm stamp and my metal token, these being my only two assurances of exit from the women's prison at Puente Grande, Jalisco, Mexico.

Oh, and my camera!

Picnicking in prison

Once we were finally in, it was literally a picnic.

Because of the Director's love of Original Friends Dolls/ the prison project, I obtained first time exclusive permission to photograph the women at work.

We were met warmly by the Director, Angelica, a lovely woman who has been working in the prison system for 28 years.

She ushered us into a restricted area where we met the girls and saw the doll project in operation.

We saw the tiny corner allotted to these creative women. I took a few approved photos.

The Director then took the camera with her to her office, satisfied that we hadn’t taken any pictures that could embarrass.

Next, we met our inmates and we had a picnic of tuna and egg salad sandwiches, vegetables,

chips and dip. Only now, did I understand why Rebecca had encouraged me to come, saying that she couldn't describe what it's like, but that it would be a great experience that I would never forget. She was right about that.

The common area is surprisingly beautiful.

There are gorgeous roses , orange and lime trees, and even a multi-purpose tennis, basketball and volleyball court.

However amenities stop here for the inmates - no cell phones, no internet, no news, no drugs or alcohol.

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with Samantha (who is American and spoke English), Esme, Erika, Berenice and others who stopped in for hugs kisses and a little something to eat.

A truly uplifting and inspiring day, which ended with me reunited with my passport and riding home to tell the tale!

Old Town Farmers Marke

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By Erin Staley

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f you are looking for something special to do this Saturday, then don't miss Puerto Vallarta's favorite weekend attraction: the Old Town Farmers Market (9:30-2 in Lazaro Cárdenas Park, Old Town).

This "make it, bake it, grow it" market will wow you with farm-fresh produce, ready-to-eat goodies, traditional Mexican instruments, artisan chocolates, handmade body products, whimsical decor, fashion-forward apparel and the beauty, craftsmanship and creativity of Chelow jewelry.

Meet Chelow Owner and designer Chelow, began designing jewelry in 2004.

Inspired by nature, the Mexican culture and most importantly, her clients, Chelow creates “fall in love with” pieces that will enhance the style and femininity of the wearer.

Chelow’s unforgettable pieces fall into one of three inspiration lines: • Brilliant and colorful, like Mexico itself.

• Classic and romantic, following Chelow’s heart and fascination with cultured pearls from Mexico, Indonesia, Africa and Australia.

• Comfort and practicality – two things that are particularly important Chelow's pieces.

“One of our most-loved lines is 'Gypsy',” Chelow says. “It

many designs, styles and sizes.

“The necklaces are fully adjustable, matching the outfits my clients love to wear,” explains Chelow.

“For example, one necklace can be fashioned into many styles – short, long, wrap or double wrap.

It's like you're buying four or five looks with just one purchase.”

is inspired by our time on the beaches and surfing in colorful Sayulita [which is located 43 km north of Puerto Vallarta].”

Smart and Fashionable One of the most appealing aspects of Chelow jewelry is that each line is easily converted into

100% Handcrafted Jewelry All Chelow designs are handcrafted by Chelow and her husband, Jorge. They use natural stones, turquoise, quartz, tiger eye, cornalline, coral, amethyst, aqua marine, amazonite, moon stone, jasper, agates, opals, jade, tourmaline, topaz, and much more to fashion their wearable art.

Chelow and her husband love to add an extra special touch to their Chelow line. They often use cultivated pearls and Swarovski crystals in combination with sterling silver .925, 24kt gold plating,

handmade Mexican brass, cow and kangaroo leather or suede.

The result is an exquisite piece that will flatter any client.

Chelow Creativity Continues But don't think you'll come back to the Chelow market stall and see the same pieces season after season. No, she continues to thrill market-goers with new designs and materials.

This season, she has added the smart and stylish appeal of Drusy and quartz pendants. They have been a big hit and promise to make the perfect gift for you or a loved one.

Stop by this Saturday to meet Chelow and find an extraordinary Chelow piece to enhance your style. For additional information, contact (322) 224-5799, (322) 147-7292, Facebook or chelow.84(at)hotmail.com.

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et - Tianguis Cultural Meet the OTFM 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.

We are a registered non-profit/association civil organization that focuses on the “buy local” movement as well as entrepreneurial and community development.

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

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Artisan Bakery

You're Invited!

Join us this Saturday at our International Food Court (located under shaded pergolas on the eastern side of Lazaro Cárdenas Park).

We're cooking up Thai, Indian, traditional Mexican favorites (tacos, empanadas, burritos and green pozole) and vegan dishes, such as hamburgers, al pastor and falafels.

The market is open every Saturday from November 1 through April 25. For updates, visit www.oldtownfm.com and “like” us on Facebook.

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.

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

an art.

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riviera nayarit

22

Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit

By Cat Morgan

www.rivieranayaritfun.com

For any questions, comments or information about tours, rentals, restaurant and entertainment please contact me at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com or Cat@NewEnergyConsciousness.com

H

ola a todos! Many non-profit organizations are having fundraising events with excellent results thanks to all of the good-hearted folks attending and the hard working volunteers. The non-profit group, “The John Ozzello Memorial Food Bank” (headed up by the ever so amazing Sandi and Randy Nystrom) just had their big whale watching fundraiser this month where a total of $68, 850 pesos was raised! That is a lot of food, folks! I think this is one of the most important things we can do; feed hungry people. It helps them not only physically, but also prevents mental illness.

The raffle King - Gary - did

another fantastic job for the fundraiser! He alone raised $30, 300 peso on the raffle! Sandi says that, “In all of the year's we've been doing this, as well as all of the times we've personally gone out on the bay, we have never seen anything so spectacular! There were Two whales breaching at the same time! (photo by Mandy Freeman) It was phenomenal!!”

They have already scheduled the same boat for next season. “The food was excellent as well as the service, with plenty of room on the HUGE boat for dancing!” So much work goes into putting together a big project like this! And,YOU know who you are and Thank YOU volun-

Living

In La Cruz

By Cindy Bouchard Cindy Bouchard, an expat Canadian runs a Boutique Inn, Villa Amor del Mar in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. She and her husband Chris are living and lovin’ in Vallarta–Nayarit. If you want more info on La Cruz or desire… A very special vacation contact cindy@VillaAmordelMar.com

Characters: Max, Vaughn and Colin.

W

hat happens when worldclass sailing athletes come to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle… they open a Laser sailing school, train winners, have fun and bring others to experience the magic.

Often I hear that La Cruz is

for old folks; I resent that as I’m not old, but more so there are so many vibrant young people doing amazing things! I intend to expose those folks!

Since their very first clinic in 2009 Max and Vaughn have managed to exceed expectations.

They've had three of the last four Olympic Gold medalists train here in preparation for the Olympic games.

teers for all you do to help feed the hungry folks.

Another FUNraiser event for The John Ozzello Memorail Food Bank is AN EVENING WITH THE BEATLES, performed by Que Tal on Thrusday, March 12th, 2015 at the Drunken Duck in Bucerias from 4-7pm. $200 pesos per person for admission. You can get tickets at YoYo Mo's Pizza and Sports Bar, or call 322-103-2828, or email Sandy at: RsnyStrom@hotmail.com There will be a 50/50 and Tequila Raffle tickets for purchasing during the performance, along with door prizes. It will be a Cash Bar. Other “Funraisers” coming our way are: The Rhythm & Ribs Fundraiser event for the Manos de Amor orphanage in Bucerias will be on February 21, and ELVIS IS IN THE CASA! Staring the amazing Rob Knight performing his “Tribute to Elvis” show. This will be their 11th Anniversary of this fundraiser to

support the orphanage. Like last season, the event will be held on Ave. Las Palmas, approximately half way between the Royal Decameron and the highway. Food will be provided by local restaurants and residents. Beer, wine, sodas and water are for sale. The popular silent art auction along with T-shirts, and tons more stuff for sale! The festivities begin at 6 pm.

This is a FREE event! Please come to show your support for the kids.

Philos Bar is hosting the annual fundraising benefit for the La Cruz Senior Center, Casa Tercera Edad on March 4th beginning at 6pm. Tickets are on sale now for 250 pesos. All you can eat delicious ribs, with the entertainment with the music with Philo and the Mexican Shuffle Band, and “The La Cruz Folkloric Dance Troupe”.

Prizes along with a raffle tickets will be in the mix. The proceeds will be used to support the La Cruz Senior Center's annual operating budget.

Tickets can be purchased at Philo’s or from Karen at 322 147 4831.

These events always sell out early so buy your tickets soon!

The San Pancho Music Festival is coming our way. Their annual 3-day Music Festival will be held Friday, Feb. 28th through Sunday, Mar. 2nd. The Music Festival is celebrating its 14th year, and as always there is no charge due to the gracious contributions of the artists.The festival will feature performing artists from the region of Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, as well as musicians from the United States and Latin America. The event will begin at 5pm each day, with performances up until 11pm each night.

Thanks for reading everyone!

Please remember to check the allBucerias.com calendar as well as the allLaCruz.com calendar for all of the funraising events, live entertainment and music going on!

Have a super weekend!

Who knew!?! Obviously many; here’s who the International sailing academy’s clientele is: Anyone who has experience sailing Lasers; club sailors, youth sailors, masters sailors and Olympic sailors. Everyone has the same goal: get better and faster at sailing lasers.

Vaugn says “People don't know the caliber of sailing that we bring to La Cruz. For instance, we've had over thirty-five sailing Olympians from all classes and five medalists either sail at or coach clinics here in La Cruz. ISA is a seasonal sailing location for people in colder climates that want to improve upon their sailing skills.”

Max told me, “The school is doing great. Many clients love the laid back feeling of La Cruz, the experience they have here, and the sailing conditions are always so good. We’ve never missed a day of sailing because of lack of, or too

much wind! It’s perfect for training and mimics racing venues around the globe. Our clientele is varied; they are experienced Laser racers who have come from around the world to enjoy winter training and elite level coaching.” They’ve had sailors from all over Mexico join them, as well as sailors from all over the globe.

Colin told me about their new venture; “On a daily basis for years now, we’ve had inquiries about when ISA was going to fire up a sailing instruction and charter program at the quality level of our Olympic and Masters Level Laser Coaching Clinics. With our reputation and visibility as a top racing training centre means we can apply our coaching principles to anyone.

We’ve purchased a Colgate 26, a boat specifically designed for teaching, allowing us to put students in a position of control on

the boat while being safe, having fun and learning quickly!”

They’ll be able to do full certifications and teaching, or just take people for more casual rides if they just want to try out the boat!

And for those looking for a special experience, they’ll be taking the boat out for sunset sails. There’s nothing like watching the sunset from the water with a gentle breeze and possibly some whales jumping around!

Max sums it up perfectly, “La Cruz is a fantastic choice, the infrastructure for what we do is phenomenal and it has kept its Mexican charm. Our clients love walking around and getting to experience the feel, sounds, smells and tastes of real Mexico.”

For the full story; check out the International sailing school on my blog at http://www.villaamordelmar. com/blog/.

classified and more...

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Feb 19 - 25, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Tianguis and Farmer´s Markets

Apres Valentine’s Day, Flag Day (Canada), President’s Day (US), Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, and pre-Academy Awards, Cobblestones Consignment offers 10 to 75% off all week long!

Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 to 5 pm Saturday 10 to 2 pm 497 Francisco Madero & Naranjo Emiliano Zapata 044 322 100 1577

Havre No.111 Col. Versalles Fluent Englis Spoken

All the towns have some type of weekly market. In Banderas Bay and Riviera Nayarit we are blessed with many excellent farmer’s, artisan and co-op markets. Most are open from 9am – 2pm unless stated.

Bucerias Tianguis - Year-round Sundays In the arroyo La Cruz Sunday Mercado Sundays At the La Cruz Marina Bucerias Market - Monday Artwalk Plaza Guayabitos – Mondays year-round In the main plaza Nuevo Vallarta Farmers Market –Tuesdays San Pancho Market / Tuesday in Main Plaza La Cruz Tianguis Year-round Wednesday Below the glorietta La Penita Tianguis – Thursday year-round In the main plaza Marina Vallarta Market – Thursdays In the main plaza Marsol Market to the pier - Friday Sayulita’s Farmer’s Market downtown Friday Tres gallinas y un gallo - Saturdays 466 Venustiano Carranza Old Town Farmers Market – Saturdays Lazaro Cardenas Park Lo de Marcos Tianguis – Saturdays In the main plaza

Adorable Dog In The Spotlight... LUCAS

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ucas is a beautiful Shepherd mix just two years old and weighing 36 pounds. A familiar story around here, unfortunately. Lucas´ family abandoned him and wouldn´t let him back into the house or yard.

Poor Lucas wandered around with other strays until he was rescued.

Since he has been at our sanctuary he has shown everyone what a love he is. Lucas is quite the athlete and loves to jump and is very playful. He is good with other dogs and is even okay with cats. Lucas would make a wonderful addition to any family who will love and care for him fur-ever!

Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com if you are interested.

PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE TRIBUNE AT PUERTO VALLARTA TOURISM OFFICES OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET A PAGE IN THE SUN - ZONA ROMANTICA FREDY TUCAN´S - ZONA ROMANTICA NUEVO VALLARTA RESORTS CONSULATE OFFICES

DECAMERON RESORT - BUCERIAS BREAKER´S BEACH BAR - BUCERIAS YO-YO MO´S - BUCERIAS MARINA RIVIERA NAYARIT - LA CRUZ LA CRUZ FARMERS MARKET OSO RESTAURANT - LA CRUZ