Issue 934, 26 Feb -Marc 05, 2015

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

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Events vallarta seniors

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Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 Free Issue 934

Real Estate

Warranty Policies

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Culture casa mascota

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Photo Madeline Milne

Mascota, Jalisco

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 26 - March 5, 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

Spanish Bloopers

Cucaracha (Cockroach)

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his new biweekly column is for all of us who are still struggling with the Spanish language…and for those who just want to enjoy a good laugh!

Although I have lived here seven years, I still make many mistakes with words that sound the same but are entirely different or with the same word that has double or triple meanings, some resulting in various degrees of embarrassment.

Today’s story: CUCHARA (SPOON) CUCARACHA (COCKROACH) Reader Danielle writes in: “I enjoy eating at

Sandra Cesca sandra.learn.vallarta@gmail.com

Cuchara (Spoon)

various restaurants for I love the Mexican food. It also gives me the opportunity to practice my Spanish.

Early in my explorations I needed a soup spoon so I asked a waitress for “una cucaracha” whereupon she uttered a most surprising sound. I suddenly realized I had asked for a cockroach instead of “una cuchara” or spoon!! Won’t get that wrong ever again.”

Send me your bloopers and a little story to go with them. I will even credit you if you wish.

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

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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Editor’s

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com

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his week there’s not much space as we are filled up with so many great stories, events and wonderful advertisers.

And to be honest I’ve been pretty low-key this past week. Doing laundry and catching up on assignments after my whirlwind tour of Veracruz, so I made the space smaller.

First a quick apology. Last week I was either on a plane, bus, with a dead iphone or out of range for most of Tuesday and as a result were a few things were out of wack in the paper. I apologize. I wouldn’t normally travel on production day but this time it couldn’t be helped.

I’ll try to never do it again!

The plan is to stick close to home over the next few months.

I have tentative trips planned to Riviera Maya and Ixtapa, but mostly I’ll be exploring in my back yard. We recently bought a new (to us) car and the freedom to head out of town or even just to the further away beaches is so great – snorkeling in Conchas Chinas is now a thing I can do with little effort.

Funny story though, I can’t drive

it. It’s a standard and I’ve never learned how to drive standard.

So for now I’m being chauffeured around. The reasoning was that standards are the norm here and it’s high time I learn how to do it.

Of course living at the top of 5 de Deceimbre is making the desire to learn how to shift on steep hills diminish.

If you see a little red Jetta stalled out, it’s probably me. Please give me a wave of encouragement.

Now that we’re mobile plans are in the works for overnight trips down south.

Mayto Beach, Melaque, and perhaps a rancho outside of Tomatlan in the next few weeks.

I’ll report back on some (hopefully) great get-aways in the area.

If you have any overnight road trip suggestions, please pass them on.

If you are quite content here in town, there is (as always) plenty going on including the Puerto Vallarta’s Garden Club annual fundraising event tonight, the International Regatta out of Nuevo Vallarta all weekend, and the San Pancho Music Festival starts on the 28th to the 2nd. In its 14th year this free three-day musical extravaganza features many of your favourite local bands and artists and many more that come from around the world specifically for the festival.

And since there are few hills from here to San Pancho, just maybe you’ll see me and the little red car that can there.

Have a great weekend everyone,

This weekend’s MUST DO EVENT

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 Coco-Ache, 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!

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

SPCA

Janice Gonzalez

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aturday’s Old Town Farmers Market is going strong and we appreciate all the visitors who stop by and say hello, pick up some of our merchandise which is available for sale or leave a donation.

2016 Calendar- Call for models 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 covers the printing.

The calendars sell for $250 pesos, all of which goes directly to support our animal rescue programs.

Flight Companions Needed We have an ongoing need for 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.

Volunteer of the Week – Janet Holmes Janet is a charity photographer who started “Frog out of Water”.

She and her partner Miles spent

time with us at the sanctuary taking incredible photos of our furry family which greatly enhance their placement opportunities. You can check out her work on her website http:// www.frogoutofwater.ca/Pages/ Animal-Rescue.

Thank you and Miles for all the gorgeous photos you took while here.

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.

Visit our Sanctuary Come 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.

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

We meet in the Costco parking lot.

You can either caravan in your own vehicle or ride with us out to the Sanctuary (reservations necessary). The length of the tour is at the discretion of our visitors and can be from 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.

entertainment

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Perceptions

of Art

by Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

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ome gremlins ate my column last week and there a few things I want to resurrect from that before moving on to more current goings on…

I had an extraordinary Valentine’s Day. First off I saw the closing show of the PV Men’s Chorus, “Love Magic” on the Main Stage at Act II. The superb harmonies truly cheered me up as I walked down the hallway to the Red Room to say goodbye to Michael Walters after his final show in the Red Room as Dame Edna. I have written a bit about Michael and his wonderful shows, his great sharp wit and now he can take another bow for kindness. I was sitting upstairs almost next to the sound/light booth where Roberto works his magic two, sometimes three, different shows a night. Anyway, at the beginning of

her second act, Dame Edna came on stage holding a lovely bouquet of red roses; it was Valentine’s Day after all. I am paraphrasing, but she said something like this: “There is someone in our audience tonight who I want to thank for always promoting the performing arts in Vallarta in her columns and reviews in the Vallarta Tribune.” Then he said my name and asked his partner Doug to give me the roses.

I was so touched by the thoughtful and kind gesture by someone I truly admire and care about. And, because he is quite likely Broadway bound, he might not be able to come back with Dame Edna in tow.

I hope that for him. He deserves his name in lights on marquees everywhere immediately after “Tony Award Winner”. Encore, Act II Enter-

tainment’s Art Deco-inspired bar, is showing Francine Peter’s paintings on its otherwise naked walls.

They are lovingly for sale so have a martini and check them out.

A very cool blues concert was held last week at El Patio de mi Casa. Starring Don and Rhonda on guitar and piano respectively and good friend Geoff Watkinson on harmonica and vocals.

Some great old bluesy tunes.

I hope they will make a habit of getting together; old friends making music. It was a real treat for me and obviously for everyone else in the packed bar/restaurant. And the food was different and delicious, too!

There was a Film Festival going on all last week. An important International film festival – the First Annual Puerto Vallarta Film Festival ran February 14 to 23. In typical Vallarta fashion the event started without us; however, the plan is to have another next year with more publicity and necessary hype. In the meanwhile, there will be a monthly series of films shown at Act II Entertainment, beginning in April. Local resident, Brian Bernard, will have the International Premiere of his film “Every Voice has a Song”, a documentary of three gay men’s

BE DAZZLED IN THE RED ROOM CABARET

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

choruses with Puerto Vallarta’s being one of them. Especially for those of us who have lived here for a long time, I would be remiss in failing to mention Vallarta’s Very First Film Festival, dedicated to John Huston, started years ago by the late Wayne Macleod. It began with such hope, searchlights and gala dinners with a special screening of Night of the Iguana and ran three years, I think.

We rubbed shoulders with both Danny and Angelica Huston and shared great stories of Vallarta in the 60’s. I wish much luck to Rudy Salazar and Company for a long run in yet another important aspect of the Arts in Vallarta.

Now, one of my favourite topics: Voice of Vallarta. Fight for Your Life just sucked – contestants and judges. That was then and this is a new week so enough about that train wreck! It being Academy Awards Sunday that was theme for the contest. What a show! Started off with Jason Brock’s signature Over the Rainbow then segued into Bob Bruneau on piano accompanying a glimpse of the up and coming Forever Plaid musical that previews March 6 & 7 with their Grand Opening March 10th. SO looking forward to that production! There is

nothing quite like four-part harmony with some of Vallarta’s finest (and best looking) singers.

The uber-glamorous/seven-foot tall/drag queen/diva Cashetta not only guest-judged (sagely, I might add) but she showed her miraculous talent as a mind-bending magician and is currently appearing in the Red Room.

This Sunday coming up is Disney week and we will have Miss Conception as guest judge so get tickets early, people: This show is going to rock!

Two very important events happening at the Palm this week – Latcho and Andrea, on Saturday the 28th at 7 pm. Twenty-four years ago on Feb. 28th, I moved to Puerto Vallarta from Canada: I am celebrating the smartest move in my life listening to the Blond Gypsies.

On March 1st, Paco Ojeda will be celebrating the birthday of Karen Carpenter in his own fun, lively, well-researched, interesting way at 4 pm. Paco’s shows are a blend of wit, wisdom and, of course, terrific songs always with the best musicians and singers helping out. Seriously, take a break from shopping and beaching and go learn something!

Okay I am done.

EQUUS Ends

ROSLYN KIND

MARCH 2-5 7:30 PM Roslyn Kind dazzles audiences with her vocal prowess when she presents an evening of music, cabaret and family storytelling that is sure to entertain. Recently featured on her sister Barbra Streisand’s World Tour, the acclaimed singer, actress, and comedian has built a considerable name for herself as a headliner at Lincoln Center, London’s Café Royal and Carnegie Hall. Join Kind for “a journey of emotions” in her brand new show featuring both new material and vintage “Rozzie” tunes.

BONNIE KILROE – CELEBRITY IMPOSTERS

FEB 27, MAR 3, 5 AT 7:30PM, MARCH 1, 6 AT 9:30PM A professional and award-winning* entertainer for more than 15 years, the last 10 of which she has dedicated to her one-woman act – Celebrity Imposters – Bonnie has been singing and strutting her stuff to the enjoyment of local, national, and international audiences, in theaters, convention centers, casinos, cruise ships, and less exotic stages. The producer of her own one-woman-shows—Divas: Vegas meets Vaudeville, Country Queens and The Patsy Cline Tribute Show (among others)—this versatile performer is always coming up with new ways to thrill and delight.

EVERY WEEK YOUR FAVOURITES RETURN! KIM KUZMA - 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, Just Kim Wednesdays at 9:30 PM MISS CONCEPTION - The Wonderful World of Miss Conception. An all live singing show with your favorite story book characters with a twist.

Mondays at 7:30 and 9:30 PM, Thursdays at 9:30 PM CASHETTA As a Singer, Comic, Emcee, Magician and Fabulous Psychic Medium, Cashetta is a one of a kind entertainer that is not to be missed!

Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 PM, Fridays at 7:30 PM ELVIS – Rob Knight holds the title of Pacific Northwest 2014 Division Champion as an Elvis Tribute Artist. Forever Elvis is reminiscent of his lively and passionate Las Vegas stage shows and concerts. Wednesdays at 4:00 PM

The Red Room Cabaret At Act II Stages

Insurgentes #300 (322) 222-1512 Basilio Badillo & Insurgentes facebook.com/theredroomcabaret

By Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

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he play that everyone in Vallarta talked about all month long has finished its run. It came in to the Main Stage February 4 and continued to burn hotter and hotter until closing night, the 21st. Three weeks ago, I ended my review of the first night of EQUUS with these words: “There were no mistakes… a flawless and brilliant performance.” At the risk of repeating myself the last performance was even better than the first – something I imagined impossible.

With this production – with its nudity and simulated sex on stage

- and the layers of brutality of the story itself, serious theatre goers are not going to sit back and be satisfied with gentle musical comedies and will want more. EQUUS has opened a floodgate – I HOPE – to serious drama. It will urge actors, directors and producers to leap out of the box and into our midst with their ideas and let us watch their dreams unfold before us in a hushed theatre, open and accessible to the new-to-Vallarta but ancient milieu of DRAMA. Thank you and kudos to Director Alain Perrault, stars Cesar Bravo and Ron Spencer, and the incredible ensemble cast of EQUUS. It is a beginning.

entertainment

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Miss Conception Join´s the Voice of Vallarta for Disney Week

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he Voice of Vallarta returns to the Main Stage April 1st for the audience favourite week, Disney Week with celebrity guest judge, the one and only, direct from Toronto Canada and the Wonderful World of Miss Conception, Miss Conception. The Voice of Vallarta has had its share of drama over the last few weeks with triple eliminations, contestants high jacking the show and dropping out without warning to producers; judges throwing fits and refusing to vote and tears...lots of tears. The Voice is down to the top nine and who goes home, no one knows. Join us every Sunday for Vallarta´s favourite show THE VOICE OF VALLARTA 8:00 pm Sundays.

Forever Plaid Debuts in Mexico for the first time.

FOREVER PLAID opens in the Main Stage Theater March 10th under the direction of Alfonso Lopez and will be performed in English.

Relive an era when doo-wop was king, big hairdos were in, cars had enormous fins, and the harmonizing bands of the 50’s were all the rage. This hallmark jukebox musical comedy by Stuart Ross centers on a quartet whose dream of recording an album ended in a

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Bonnie Kilroe’s Divas ...A Tribute to 16 Celebrities at The Red Room Cabaret By: Debbie White

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bus collision while on their way to their biggest gig. Now they've been miraculously revived for the show that never was.

You’ll be humming along with the great nostalgic pop hits of the 1950's and rollin’ in the aisles from the delightful patter of the original clean-cut boy band – The Plaids.

Featuring such hits as Sixteen Tons, Chain Gang, Three Coins in the Fountain, Perfidia, Cry, Catch a Falling Star, Day-O, Gotta Be This or That, Matilda, and Heart and Soul. The Plaids get a chance to look back at their lives, and they discover that they didn't just have

wonderful lives; their lives were wonderful, because they lived them together. Together they can achieve the unimaginable, the unexplained. Starring local performers, Elvis Martinez, Alfonso Lopez, Roberto Duran and Jose Maria Caudillo with Bob Bruneau at the piano.

Forever Plaid is produced by Act II Entertainment and Mary Amelotte. The Main stage theater is located in the Act II Entertainment STAGES complex at Insurgentes 300 (corner of Basilio Badillo & Insurgentes) 2nd Floor Zona Romántica Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Tel 322.222.1512

THE GOLDEN AGE – Supporting Vallarta’s Seniors

March 8th, San Juan Diego Asilo Fundraiser *Photos by Ric Chamblee

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iving life to the fullest is the best way to age gracefully.

For many of us in Puerto Vallarta, retired from a hectic life we can now enjoy the fruits of our labours.

Starting each morning with a sunrise, coffee on our deck, easing into our day with a book, good meal and our loved ones. Choosing to retire in Puerto Vallarta just makes it all a little bit sweeter.

Unfortunately, this isn’t reality for many in our adopted city. Some have significant financial and health issues which prevent them from covering their basic needs and enjoying a standard of living that accounts for life’s challenges in their senior years.

It is for this reason that we encourage the continued community involvement in supporting the Asylum San Juan Diego through charity events carried out to raise funds for the ongoing needs of this worthwhile association.

Be part of our next event and join us Sunday, March 8th to enjoy a Sicilian dinner at Sapori Di Sicilia located in Plaza Romy.

We´ll also have a unique entertainment

with two pianists playing live music.

Choose between our two seatings at 6pm or 8pm. For more information and reservations call the 322-181-8704 (cell phone).

onnie Kilroe returns to Puerto Vallarta to entertain audiences with her hilarious tribute to 16 well-loved celebrity Divas. A professional, award winning entertainer, Bonnie has been taking her fabulous show to audiences’ worldwide for the past 15 years.

With amazing vocals, fantastic comedy and quick transformations, Bonnie is an Impersonator Extraordinaire. She showcases celebrities from past to present, bringing classic characters like Mae West and Marilyn Monroe to the stage, along with music legends like Tina Turner and Cher. Packing loads of parody into each show, she entertains with her natural comedic talent, striking good looks and versatile vocals. It all adds up to a wonderful evening of great entertainment. With one minute costume changes, this show is non-stop excitement and fun!

Bonnie Kilroe's Celebrity Imposters and Divas shows have taken her on cruise ships from Alaska to Antarctica, to casinos

across North America, and on international stages from Mexico to the Mediterranean. She has won numerous entertainment awards and has been inducted into the Merritt Mountain Music Festival walk of fame.

Bonnie is a versatile performer who is always coming up with new ways to thrill and delight. She combines great music medleys, video and physical comedy, to produce the perfect entertainment experience. With surprising twists, superb comedic timing and versatile vocals, Bonnie creates a mesmerizing entertainment experience. Divas is a show that audiences love!

Bonnie Kilroe will be performing her Divas show at The Red Room Cabaret/Act II Entertainment on: Friday, February 27th at 7:30 pm; Sunday, March 1st at 9:30 pm; Friday, March 6th at 9:30 pm; Sunday, March 8th at 9:30 pm and Tuesday, March 10th at 7:30 pm.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office at Act II Entertainment, Insurgentes #300, Old Town, PV from 6:30pm-12:30 or at vallartatickets.com

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Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Strong Earthquake Rocks Southwestern Mexico

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magnitude-6.3 earthquake rocked southwestern Mexico on Sunday, but no injuries or damage have been reported, the National Seismology Service said.

The earthquake occurred at 8:23 a.m. and its epicenter was located 233 kilometers (about 145 miles) southwest of Cihuatlan, a city in Jalisco state. A magnitude-5.3 aftershock was reported at 8:36 a.m. about 228 kilometers (some 142 miles) west of Cihuatlan.

No damage has been reported following the temblor, national emergency management office director Luis Felipe Puente said.

“The earthquake was felt slightly in some areas of Jalisco and was not felt in Michoacan and Mexico City,” Puente said in a Twitter post.

Mexico, one of the countries with the highest levels of seismic activity in the world, sits on the

news Two Resorts to Join One&Only Palmilla on the Pacific Coast of Mexico

North American tectonic plate and is surrounded by three other plates in the Pacific: the Rivera microplate, at the mouth of the Gulf of California; the Pacific plate; and the Cocos plate.

The Cocos tectonic plate stretches from Colima state south and has the potential to cause the most damage since it affects Mexico City, which has a population of 20 million and was constructed over what was once Lake Texcoco.

The magnitude-8.1 earthquake that hit Mexico City on Sept. 19, 1985, was the most destructive to ever hit Mexico, killing some 10,000 people, injuring more than 40,000 others and leaving 80,000 people homeless.

The most recent powerful quake to hit Mexico was a magnitude-7.6 temblor that rocked Colima on Jan. 21, 2003.

Source: www.Lath.com

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erzner International Holdings Limited, which through its subsidiaries is a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts and luxury hotels, has entered into an agreement with BK Partners, a private equity fund focused on tourism and land development, to develop and operate two new One&Only resorts on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. These new resorts will complement the experience offered at the award-winning One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico.

One&Only Mandarina, located in Riveria Nayarit, approximately 50 kilometres north of Puerto Vallarta’s airport, will offer approximately 145 luxurious villas as well as private residential estates, world-class farm-to-table dining and original retail options. The beachfront resort will maximize the dramatic rain forest location, with each secluded villa individually placed to celebrate where the sky meets the sea and the lush flora and fauna. A wide variety of spectacular accommodation will include Ocean Cliff Villas, Tree House Villas and Mountain Villas, all placing an emphasis on privacy and beautiful vistas.

Built into the bluffs and benefiting from varying elevations, a wide variety of experiences can be enjoyed within this tribute to the natural elements, including cabanas perfect for families.

One&Only Santa Maria de Xala will be part of a new 1200-hectare development located approximately 100 kilometres south of Puerto Vallarta’s international airport.

The authentic hacienda resort will command 8 kilometres of impressive beach front, a connection to traditions past yet offering the latest in ultra-luxury.

The resort will offer approximately 75 luxury villas and suites with private pools, providing the perfect accommodation for both couples and families. The development will also include a prestigious One&Only residential component.

“I am thrilled we are able to partner with BK Partners to further develop Mexico as a worldclass destination, building on the success of One&Only Palmilla.

I am looking forward to introducing both of these resorts to our loyal One&Only guests and new guests alike,” says Alan Leibman,

CEO, Kerzner International. “The locations truly showcase the best Mexico has to offer, each with a distinctive experience, and I am very confident that One&Only will continue to define ultra-luxury in the region.”

“We are proud and excited to work together with Kerzner International towards the development of these two world-class One&Only resorts that will showcase a unique and different experience not seen before in this part of the world,” says Juan Bremer, Partner, BK Partners.

Set in some of the most beautiful locations in the world, each award-winning One&Only resort offers guests a distinctive style and personality borne of its local culture, a genuine hospitality and a lively energy that is unparalleled.

Original: www.oneandonlyresorts.com/mexico.aspx

Mexican President Announces Global Investments

By Magali Marlene Juárez The News

Source: http://thenews.mx/

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n a volatile global market, an investment of $11.17 billion by members of the Executive Board of Global Companies organization signaled confidence in Mexico, President Enrique Peña Nieto said during a meeting Wednesday with the directors of 39 multinational companies whose interests are represented in the country.

“This confirms a continued desire to invest in Mexico,” he said The companies that form the organization have announced a plan to invest more than $11 billion to expand their existing presence in the country, as well as an investment of $13.5 billion for expenditures, the president said.

Enrique Peña Nieto praised multinational businesses for investments. (PHOTO: PRESIDENT’S OFFICE) “Through the direct and indirect creation of jobs fostered by

these investments, 56,000 jobs will be created in 2015,” he said.

In a private meeting with members of the board, the president intro-

duced a detailed report of actions taken by his administration to improve the quality of life for Mexicans.

The structural reforms that have been passed have already improved the education, security, health and employment sectors, he said.

The members of the board are interested in ensuring that Mexico remains as an attractive destination for global investment, as this will help generate better paying jobs and more highly qualified employees, said Pedro Padierna, president of the board and head of Pepsico in Mexico.

The investments will lead to the direct creation of 9,000 jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs in the energy industry, aeronautics, pharmaceutical and in technology.

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07

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Mexican Director wins Academy

Award for Best Picture

B

irdman, a dark satire of show business and fame directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, has won the Academy Award for best picture and best director.

It joined The Grand Budapest Hotel and Whiplash as the big winners of the night, with Birdman also taking out the Oscars for cinematography and original screenplay.

The film about a washed-up

Foreign tourists spending up12.9%

M

exico’s tourism activity expanded by 3.4 percent in the third quarter of 2014, compared to the same period in the previous year, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, or INEGI, said Tuesday Spending by foreign and domestic tourists rose 2.8 percent in the July-September period, compared to the same period in 2013, the statistics agency said in a statement.

Spending by domestic tourists rose 1.8 percent, while spending by foreign tourists surged 12.9 percent during the period, the

INEGI said.

Services offered to domestic and foreign tourists, the biggest

component of the tourism industry within the gross domestic product (GDP), rose 4.5 percent in the third quarter, while the provision of goods contracted by 1.3 percent.

Mexico welcomed 23.7 million foreign tourists in 2014, generating more than $13.8 billion in revenues.

Tourism accounts for 8.4 percent of Mexico’s GDP and ranks as the No. 3 source of foreign exchange, trailing only the oil industry and remittances.

The tourism industry employs about 6.8 percent of Mexico’s population.

Source: www.laht.com

Mexican Central Bank Chief Chosen to Lead IMF Advisory Body

T

he governor of Mexico’s central bank has been selected chairman of the International Monetary Fund’s policy advisory committee, becoming the first Latin American to hold that position, the Bank of Mexico said Friday.

Agustin Carstens, who in 2011 was a contender for the IMF’s top post before being beaten out by France’s Christine Lagarde, was selected as head of the International Monetary and Financial Committee by that panel’s members.

He will take over that position on March 23, replacing Singapore’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

The IMFC, which is made up of 24 finance ministers and central bank governors, is the IMF Board of Governors’ main advisory body and it deliberates on the principal policy issues facing the Fund.

Representatives of different

global financial institutions, including the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, also participate in the IMFC’s meetings as observers. The IMFC’s meetings are

held twice a year – in the spring and at the time of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in the fall.

Its next meeting is scheduled for April 17-18, 2015, in Washington.

Source: LAHT.com

former superhero actor, played by Michael Keaton, and his struggle to make a comeback stood out among eight nominees to receive the film industry’s highest honour.

Inarritu won the best director Oscar, beating Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher), Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) and Richard Linklater (Boyhood).

The second Mexican in a row

to take the best director Oscar after Alfonso Cuarón won last year for Gravity, Iñarritu dedicated his award to his fellow countrymen.

Talking about Mexican immigrants in the United States, he said: “I just pray that they can be treated with the same dignity and respect as the ones who came before and built this incredible immigrant nation.”

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/

Generic medicines grow 15k% in Mexico in past 4 years

G

eneric medicines are the same product in a different package and their rate of consumption in Mexico is among the highest in the world, the head of the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks Oversight, known as Cofepris, told EFE. “We have to look at this in the simplest way – they’re the same products and can be sold when their patents expire,” Mikel Arriola said in explaining that the work of Cofepris is precisely to make sure that consumers get the same product.

Arriola described as a “black legend” the resistance to these products because they are supposedly less effective.

If that were true, consumption would be low, but “in Mexico it is the highest in the world, so there’s no more black legend against generics,” he said.

Over the past four years, the number of generic products sold in Mexico grew more than 15,000 percent, going from 153 in 2010 to 23,000 in 2014.

“We’re the country that’s setting records in providing generics,” Arriola said, adding that the policy has meant savings of around 20

billion pesos ($1.35 billion) and a decline of 60 percent in the price.

In recent years, 340 products were authorized that were developed from 31 substances whose patents had expired, against diabetes, different kinds of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, the three principal causes of 75 percent of deaths, he said.

The average expense for Mexicans dropped from 2,100 to 750 pesos (from $140 to $50) over the same period, while state-run health insurer IMSS provided coverage for 1.1 million additional patients, he said.

At the same time, Cofepris has promoted a policy of innovation, which means that in four years the offer of new medicines will rise by 4,300 percent and that 133 products will be authorized thanks to the modification of criteria.

Federal health authorities have invested for 2015 around 51 billion pesos ($3.45 billion) in the acquisition of some 1,900 brands of generic medicine.

The Mexican pharmaceutical industry has grown 13.2 percent between 2011-2014, Arriola said in stressing the impact of official policy on generics. www.laht.com

Vallarta Shopping Directory and events 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.

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.

Saturday Feb. 28 from 12-3 OPEN HOUSE / MIXER at Academia Ingles Washington, located in the Los Amores Plaza in Bucerias. Meet and chat with students in an informal and fun social setting. Mr Robles will be ready to answer any question you have. Information about sponsorship program will be available through THE HEALING SEED, a non-profit Canadian charitable organization. Drinks and food will be provided.

March 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 IFC Home Tours Visit 4 beautiful homes and support the IFC Cleft Palate Surgery Program and other local charities. Tours conclude for this season on March 25. Tuesday and Wednesday - On tour days tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. at Sea Monkey Restaurant, Aquiles Serdan on the beach. Bus leaves at 10:30 a.m.

The cost: $500 pesos. Reservations can also be made ONLINE www.ifctoursforvallarta.com.

Tuesday March 3 IFC Cleft Palate Informe - Medical staff involved in the IFC Cleft Palate program will update the membership on the program’s recent clinics and surgeries. Refreshments served at close of report. Come meet some of the great volunteers that make our major medical program possible! 7:00 PM 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.

Thursday March 5 IFC Presentation -Travels Though Bhutan - The remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has kept its traditional culture intact while at the same time it has embraced many aspects of the modern world. Zelda Fedder, who gave a well-received presentation on Tibet in the past, will be your guide. Doors open at 6:30. Donation for IFC charities: $50 pesos or 1 Kilo of Aid. 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 Tuesday March 10 IFC Annual Meeting

–

IFC

T

his is the most complete and up to date online directory promoting the best restaurants and businesses of Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit to the world 24 hours a day all year. Founded in 2011, the directory offers 20 pages of various categories such as restaurants, cafes, boutiques, jewelry stores, home decoration, crafts, art galleries, beauty shops and spas, food products, boutique hotels, entertainment, real estate companies and more.

The directory lists the logo, all contact information, link to websites, description of products and services and photos of each business for a nominal fee- Our new website—puertovallartadining-shopping.com links directly to our original site Vallarta Shopping Directory and you can click on the category of your choice. It is a great guide to keep on your desktop for quick reference to phone numbers, emails and websites to make reservations or find out the hours the businesses are open.

Another advantage of this directory is our color page in the Vallarta Tribune English edition exclusively for our members to advertise inexpensively every week all year long.

The Vallarta Tribune is distributed all over Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit.

We welcome new advertisers to this page such as SHAZEL BOUTIQUE, MUNDO DE AZULEJOS AND MUNDO DE CRISTAL. Other projects of the Vallarta Shopping Directory are a Facebook page for promotions of members and the establishment of the Marsol Market by the pier dedi-

Clubhouse. Open to the public.

Bar opens at 6 PM. Meeting starts at 7 PM. This will be IFC Election night with votes being cast by paid members.

Thursday March 12 Kirtan Chanting Classically trained local musician Raoul Diaz de la Garza will lead an hour of Kirtan chanting starting at 7:00 PM. Kirtan is call-and-response chanting performed in India’s bhakti devotional traditions. No background or religious affiliation needed to attend, just a desire to learn and enjoy an hour of relaxing and enlivening chanting! Doors open at 6:30. Donation for IFC charities: $50 pesos at the door.

cated to helping local businesses, artisans and vendors of unique products.

The directory has been continually updated to include only businesses that actually exist due to our policy of renewing membership every 6 months so new visitors and residents don`t waste time searching for places that have closed or moved.

Please visit puertovallartashoppingguide.com And/or vallartashoppingdirectory.blogspot.com For more information or to list your business send an email to puertovallartashoppingguide@ gmail.com or Call 222-5125 or 221-5126.

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

ChacalaVillageMusicFestival.com

Saturday March 14th from 1 - 5pm 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off at El Rio BBQ Put on by the American Legion $200 pesos per person Supports the Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter, Torpedos Puerto Vallarta Football Americano, American Legion Community Relations Projects

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

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.

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

Kathleen Carrillo Galleries

K

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!

local

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Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Paradise

and Parenting

My Life

in Vallarta

By Lois Ellison loell87@yahoo.com

Grandparents are Great

First Timers

W

B

henever I tell my kid-less friends that my parents stay with us all winter, they stare at me like they are waiting for me to burst into tears, even when I tell them that I’m really looking forward to it. My friends with kids totally get it. They are always appropriately jealous and usually make comments such as, “How come MY parents only stay for two weeks? And they always get their own place! No fairrrr!”

When you have children and anyone with a heartbeat comes to lend a hand, you are almost horizontal with gratitude. I know I am.

On the day they arrive I am three hours early to the airport to pick them up.

Of course, they are never early.

In fact, by the time they get past customs and immigration with their overweight suitcases, stuffed with my essentials (Smarties, Jersey Milk chocolate bars, Nibs licorice and Tim Horton’s coffee), I have reported them missing to several security personnel.

I can’t really imagine what it must be like to be a grandparent. I think that it’s because I can’t imagine my children as parents. On any given day I can walk into my daughter’s room and find her beloved and cherished American Girl doll doing a headstand/split combo in a pile of unwashed clothing.

The other day my son told me that he is thinking about naming his firstborn Giant Death Ray. To visualize these people being responsible for someone, including their own fine selves, is both difficult and alarming.

But it will happen, and my husband and I are going to have to allow them to navigate the waters of parenthood just as ours did. And then, one day, we’ll get a call telling us that they would love us to come and “bond with our grandchildren”, (otherwise known as: take these kids off our hands for a couple of minutes before something terrible happens).

We’ll go and stay in a lovely

room for free and everyone will always be happy to see us.

We’ll do all the fun stuff with the grandkids, like kiting, playing tea party, baking cookies, and telling embarrassing stories about their parents, and leave the boring stuff like discipline and piano practice for mom and dad.

Sometimes we’ll offer to help out with the mundane and we’ll look like heroes. Grandparents really need only attend a maximum of three school events before being labeled fantastic.

I guess there are probably cons to being a grandparent that I haven’t really considered. My parents pull off the grandparenting gig so beautifully it looks effortless sometimes.

Quite frankly, I don’t know how we’d pull things off around here without them. But, depending on your individual case, some of these might be as follows: 1) Your own children will definitely not pay you for babysitting.

And, if we’re judging by the way things go around my house, there will be a lot of babysitting.

2) If your kids aren’t great at raising their children, you will possibly go mad trying to mind your own beeswax. And even if they ask you for advice, you can’t speak your mind without a degree in diplomacy. Telling someone they are systemically turning their own children into narcissistic egomaniacs will not guarantee you a room next year.

3) Grandchildren see you as the Bearer of Awesome Things. If you don’t show up with a suitcase full of Stuff They’ll Play with Once, you might as well not show up at all. Oh, they’ll say “It’s ok, grandma, we just want to see YOU”. But remember, you are looking for an open-ended invitation to occupy that extra room.

4) Eventually you’ll have to go home. And once you do, the memory of sticky kisses, fingerprints on your best blouse, and wiping teary faces will make you kind of wish you could do it all over again. In theory.

y all accounts, the high season this year is a big improvement over the past couple of years. This is welcome news. Although many visitors have been here before, for others this may be the first time.

If you are among those first timers to our beautiful bay, you may find some things confusing and others downright confounding.

Maybe you are staying in the Hotel Zone or the Marina. You decide to venture into El Centro and the so called “Zona Romantica” to see the Malecon, the beaches, restaurants and shops.

You’ve no doubt noticed that there is an abundance of buses around town. Someone at your hotel or a friend has explained what bus to take and, after an interesting, if not hair raising ride, you arrive at your destination.

If you are looking for a particular street, be aware that many are not marked in the way you might expect, if they are marked at all. In recent years, a few street signs have appeared that are of the type familiar to you, but that is seldom the case. Instead, look for tiles imbedded in the walls at intersections.

These are much more attractive and don’t require yet another pole to step around as you wander the streets. They might not be on every corner, but if you persist, you will encounter some. The further away you go from the main parts of the city, the greater the likelihood that the streets won’t be marked at all. So how will you find your way around?

Mexicans are incredibly courteous people. If a Mexican greets you with a cheerful “Buenos Dias”, you should always reply. Don’t be surprised if you pass the same person again in just a few minutes and the greeting is repeated. This is customary.

The downside of having such a polite culture is that Mexicans will almost never say no or tell you something they think you don’t

want to hear. So when someone says “si” it might mean yes, or it might simply be an acknowledgement that they heard what you said. It can also mean “maybe” or “no”. To say no is perceived as being impolite, and no self-respecting Mexican would ever want to be rude.

So if you need directions, you may assume that is best to ask a Mexican for help rather than a foreigner. After all, this is their country. Maybe you’ll get lucky but be prepared for an elaborate answer, punctuated by lots of hand gestures and finished with a big smile. Don’t expect the answer to be correct. Courtesy is valued but accuracy shouldn’t be assumed.

This happened to us just recently. I had a doctor’s appointment in an unfamiliar area. Using Google Maps, I located the office and jotted down the street names where we needed to turn. About

half way there, we entered a neighborhood without any street markers. After asking five different people for directions, including two taxi drivers, we finally found our destination.

Your best defense in such situations is to keep an open mind and your sense of humor. After all, what is the worst thing that can happen?

Wandering around aimlessly is the best way to see a new city and it also exposes you to things you might never have found if you’d gone straight to your destination.

Another thing you might find frustrating is that, unlike their neighbors to the north, Mexicans do not value punctuality. Time is amorphous, not linear. If you have a dinner reservation and find yourself running late, no need to panic, they don’t expect you to be on time. On the other hand, if you are waiting for a repairman, don’t assume he’ll arrive as scheduled, or even the same day.

Which brings me to another point, always remember that manaña doesn’t mean tomorrow. It just means “not today”.

That’s it until next time when we’ll explore some of the other cultural differences you might encounter. Meantime, relax, don’t wear a watch, wander off the tourist track, respect the local culture and above all, enjoy yourself.

Bud Ellison

Leza Warkentin mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

local

11

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Wellness

Latina

Terry Connell Terry Connell is a licensed acupuncturist and yoga teacher practicing in Old Town, Vallarta (www.eastmeetseast.net). In his spare time he walks his dog and reads and writes. His first book, “Slaves to the Rhythm” was a Cowley Literary Award Finalist (www.terryconnell.net).

Paco

I

t was around April, 2004 when Paco (not his real name) showed up in the waiting room of AIDS Care Project, where I was working as a acupuncturist. He was part of a new demographic we were seeing; Latino, straight, recovering addicts. Paco spoke little English and mostly stayed to himself, hiding under a baseball cap in a corner of the waiting room until his name was called. In spite of our language barriers, during the intake interview I learned that Paco was a father of three, a former boxer, and a Red Sox fan who worked in construction. He became a regular on my Wednesday afternoon schedule, showing up in the same baseball cap, waiting quietly in the corner until his name was called.

At his first appointment, Paco presented with many of the same symptoms my other HIV/AIDS clients were experiencing. The drugs used to treat HIV were effective at keeping the virus at low or even undetectable levels, but the side-effects were often debilitating: chronic fatigue, severe heart burn and/or diarrhea, circulation issues.

It only took a few treatments before Paco was feeling better. His heart-burn was almost gone and his energy was back to normal. It was an incredible transformation, one that I would witness over and over again in my time working at AIDS Care Project. During his 4th or 5th treatment, Paco grabbed my hand as I was taking his pulse and said, “You are very good amigo.”

One day, before a treatment, I gave Paco a good laugh when I asked, “Paco, what does ‘Muy Guapo!’ mean?” He lay on the table smiling and shook his head, asking “You? Who say?” I pointed to a new Spanish-speaking client on another table across the room.

Paco laughed and look at me, shifting his eyebrows up and down as he whispered, “He like…he say you cute.” Before leaving that day, Paco shook my hand, his eyebrows once again dancing in his fore-

head, as he said, “Adios, Guapo.”

About a year after I started working with Him, Paco showed up at the clinic without an appointment, asking if he could see me.

When I finally got to him, he was sitting in one of the intake rooms, his eyes wide-open, mouth drawn tight. Without speaking, he carefully rolled up his sweatpants….

From the knees down, it looked like he had been dipped in acid. His legs were swollen, red-hot, with scabbed, peeling skin, and, incredibly painful to walk on.

His doctor suspected it was his hepatitis medication and sent him out the door with a follow up referral to a dermatologist and a prescription for pain medication; which Paco couldn’t take since he was in recovery.

I immediately thought of one of my classes at school where we learned about a burn treatment developed by a Japanese doctor back in the mid-forties. I grabbed one of my colleagues and asked what she thought about using this particular treatment. She said it made sense and encouraged me to try it.

Only, given the severity of Paco’s symptoms I decided to tweak the treatment protocol. I thought such an extreme presentation required something bigger than what I’d been taught. It was a simple, profound moment, in the middle of an otherwise busy day, where I learned to trust my instinct – and my skills.

The treatment worked and an hour later, I watched Paco walking out the door in much less pain, the swelling greatly reduced. I wanted to thank him for his trust in me, and the opportunity to learn from him. I wanted to tell him about the future clients I’d work with who would benefit from our unexpected hour in the clinic that afternoon.

But his son was waiting downstairs, and I had another client waiting for me, so the best I could do was wave and say, “Adios, Guapo!” before heading back into the clinic.

By Marcella Castellanos info@wellnesslatina.com Marcella Castellanos is a bilingual Certified Holistic Health Coach. She works to spice up your vitality with health and natural healing workshops and programs by incorporating natural, whole, locally sourced foods and essential oils. For her blog or a list of her upcoming programs and workshops, and to get your free Essential Oils, Natural Healthcare e-book visit www.wellnesslatina.com.

Birdman to Vision Boards

A

lejandro G. Iñárritu, a Mexican director, won three Oscars on Sunday for the film Birdman. Although I haven't seen the film yet, a sense of Mexican pride filled me up to hear the news. Not just that a Mexican won, but that the story is about a man who wants to feel like his life matters after feeling significant and then insignificant. It's a feeling or a thought we all experience - will I matter, do I matter, what's my life's purpose? I find it refreshing, fascinating, exhilarating when a person such as Alejandro G. Iñárritu is living their passion, their purpose, they have a reason they want to get up in the morning. We all have that, we just have to ask ourselves what

we want and then create a "map" for it. One of my favorite ways to "map" out what I want for my life is to create a vision board.

A vision board is an image collage of cut out magazine pictures and words that evoke fantastic emotional responses to how you want to feel. It's a bit different than a ‘To do list’ or an "I want list" and more of an image dream board.

For example, if you want to launch a business, you might cut out words like "entrepreneur" and "focus," with images of how you see your business flourishing. Or if you want to travel to a new country (eh hem, I can't image you'd want to leave Mexico), you might want to add images of what you will find in the country or what you would like to find, as well as words that evoke satisfying emotions about being in

that country.

Interestingly, it was a vision board that brought me to Mexico.

Whether you do a vision board or just envision what kind of life you want and where you see yourself going, there is a lot of power in writing down your intentions or gluing images to a board that you will repeatedly see.

There is powerful mind-body connection that occurs that helps to create living a life with purpose, one we feel good about and that is a part of our health, happiness and vitality. Certainly, a good reason to get up in the morning.

I think my next vision board will include Alejandro G Iñárritu. Also, a vision board workshop is in your near future for details go to www. wellnesslatina.com and click on Having Fun with Healthy Foods. I bet you saw that coming...

Adorable Dog In The Spotlight... VENUS

I

s there anything cuter than a puppy? This darling girl is named Venus, as in the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Venus was rescued and brought to us by the wonderful folks at the FluviDOGS Project. She is 11 weeks old, a Dobie mix and will be a medium size dog when fully grown. Of our recent batch of puppies Venus is the most loving, gentle and playful of the group. She loves everyone and everything. Venus will truly win your heart over. She has been spayed, vaccinated and dewormed and is now ready for her fur-ever home. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com if you are interested.

De Colores Dinner, D

G

et ready for one of PV’s most inspiring and unique events as The Puerto Vallarta Men’s Chorus hosts its 3rd DE COLORES fundraising gala Saturday, March 21, 6 PM, at Oscar’s Restaurant in the heart of Vallarta.

The annual cocktail party, live and silent auctions, dinner and dance under the stars, features performances by the Chorus throughout the evening.

DE COLORES has become one of the season’s most anticipated events and the Chorus is going all out to create another memorable night this year.

The auctions will feature the best the Bay and Mexico have to offer—food, experiences, jewelry, art, as well as a few surprises, like African safaris, adventures across Mexico, and even a Grand Piano…and why not? After all, the Chorus IS about music!

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.

Dance and Auction The evening concludes with dancing alongside the lovely seaside and river gardens.

PVMC is committed to being a year round chorus and partners with many local non-profits to bring music and to build bridges of understanding to our diverse community and other organizations all year long.

Working with organizations like the PuRR Project, the Bucerias Children’s Library,

Pride Festival, and Bugambilia Festival, PVMC has brought its inspiring message of love and understanding through quality choral music performed in Spanish and English to diverse audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Our concerts do not begin to meet our expenses for all of these activities.

Come support the first gay men’s chorus in Mexico!

Advance tickets for this year’s gala are $1000 pesos, and are on sale now at The Palm, Sama Martini Bar, and The Timothy Group (credit cards accepted at Timothy Group). For more information about tickets, or to donate to the auction or become a table host, please contactauction@pvmenschorus.org or this year’s DE COLORES Chair, Allyn Dixon, at allyndsm@gmail.com.

real estate

14

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

S

o you aren’t retired, but you still want to live in paradise and earn a living?

Well, with current technology and more flexible workplaces this may actually be an attainable goal. Especially in a location like Puerto Vallarta, where high-speed internet access is readily available. Our town has been extremely forward thinking and now there is free internet access on the Malecon, many local cafes, restaurants, and condo complexes.

With an international airport just minutes outside of the city center, you can be comfortably perched in the boardroom of your headquarters in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle or San Francisco in the matter of just a few hours. And with VPN technology, such as Witopia, no one will ever know that you just submitted the year-end fiscal report while reclining next to your swimming pool.

Our good friend, Bill Dallas Lewis (http://www.sillybilly.com/), internet geek extraordinaire, gives some great advice regarding living the telecommuting lifestyle in Vallarta: “You really need to have everything set up before you get here. A good internet presence; a client base; good marketing strategies; have all of your banking set up in the U.S., etc. Don’t expect to make much of a living down here, since the wages are much lower

Telecommuting and Living in Puerto Vallarta: You Too Can Become a Digital Nomad than up north.

Make absolutely sure that you are moving into a place with a good high-speed internet connection. You will need to be able to arrive here, and on day 2 begin working.

Also, I recommend that you have at least 3 months worth of income in the bank.

With all of the great online tools like Vonage, Magic Jack, Go to Meetings and Virtual Personal Networks, you can pretty much run your business from anywhere.”

Here are the top 5 desirable characteristics for digital nomads: 1. A sense of adventure: You are willing and open to trying new things and are unafraid of accepting a lot of change in your lifestyle.

2. Employers who are open to your telecommuting choice. You will probably need to have a good track record with your company or clients, and must be able to arrange schedules, which may include daily Skype meetings with co-workers and staff, plus periodic trips back to the U.S., Canada, Europe or Outer Mongolia for face-to-face meetings.

3. Do your research. Explore all of your options and find out exactly what is viable for you and your family here in Vallarta. Look

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

By Roberto Ortiz de Montellano F.

Mexican-Licensed Attorney at Law roberto@ortizdemontellano.com

into immigration requirements, vehicle options, tax implications, etc. Be sure talk with other expatriates about their experience here in Vallarta. The Young Professionals Puerto Vallarta Facebook group is an excellent resource. Be sure to join them.

4. Take your time when choosing a home. Whether you decide to buy or rent, make sure that the area, layout, privacy, air conditioning and noise level will fit into your ability to focus on working at home. No one needs a frantic neighbor’s Chihuahua barking during an important online teleconference.

5. And most importantly, you should LOVE Mexico! After having spent both winters and summers here over the years, you should have a good feel for the culture and the weather. Summers are HOT, so take that into consideration. Learn Spanish! It will expand your horizons, make life much easier, and turbo charge your brain: “Speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain by challenging it to recognize, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems. This skill boosts your ability to negotiate meaning in other problem-solving tasks as well.”

An excerpt from the Telegraph Article by Anne Merritt who is an EFL lecturer currently based in South Korea. She writes at http:// annemerritt.com/

If you have real estate questions, or want help in setting up your telecommuting lifestyle, contact Fabien anytime at G3MEX Real Estate Group email: Fabien@g3mex.com. Or visit us in our new office in Old Town on Calle Amapas, right near the Hotel Emperador.

Roberto Ortiz de Montellano is a Mexican-Licensed Attorney at Law with over twenty years of professional legal experience. He started his own practice in Puerto Vallarta two years ago. His areas of expertise focus mostly on Real Estate Law, Business Law and Estate Planning. www.ortizdemontellano.com

Warranty policies when buying a home in Mexico

W

hen you buy a refrigerator, a dishwasher, a car or practically any product, you also get a warranty policy for that product. In these cases the warranty policy is stated in a piece of paper that comes with the product you are purchasing.

So what happens when you buy a house or a condo in Mexico? Do you also get a warranty policy?

The answer is yes, but unlike if you were buying a TV, when you buy a home in Mexico the warranty policy does no come on a piece of paper delivered with your purchase.

This type of real estate warranty is simply stated in the law and many people don’t know about it.

According to the Consumer Protection Law, the warranties you get in Mexico when buying a brand new home directly from the developer are: • Five years for structural damages.

• Three years for waterproofing.

Good to Know: Warranty Policies • One year for any other defects.

The developer is obliged to correct any defects that may arise within the time periods mentioned above.

These periods will start when you take possession of your home.

If once the developer has corrected the defects, these arise again, then the developer must correct again the defects and compensate you with 5% of the value of the repair in case of minor defects, and 20% of the purchase price of your home in the case of severe defects.

If the defects arise for a third time, you are entitled to ask the developer either to replace your home or to cancel the purchase agreement and get all your money back.

If you are not buying from the developer, you are also entitled by law to a warranty from the seller.

This warranty is valid for one year and is applicable to hidden defects that impede you to inhabit your home or that diminish considerably the value of your home.

The period of one year starts when you take possession of the property and if these hidden defects arise within that period, you are entitled to get an indemnity from the seller.

Once you buy a home and start living in it, you can find several not pleasant surprises that may prevent you from enjoying your real estate purchase. This can happen in Mexico or anywhere else, but now you know that in Mexico you are protected by law.

local / sports

15

Random Thoughts from the Tribune Sports desk.

Wandering

on Olas Altas

Poncho Davalos alfonso@tropicasa.com

B

efore Coco and Clinton Leupp, catch their plane to go home, we met up for a super fun and interesting talk and I was really excited to know a little more about what is behind Coco Peru and his creator.

Coco Peru was “born” 25 years ago in the beautiful Lima, Peru.

Clinton said, “ I had a boyfriend from there and we went to Peru to visit his country, we went to a gay bar that was very hidden, I was introduced to a guy named Coco, he disappeared and later came back as a drag queen - later I found out he was very famous on Peruvian talk shows.” Clinton found it very interesting that in how a macho country in a secret gay bar this drag queen was celebrated.

Also he mentioned “When I grew up I hated to be feminine.

I thought I’m not going to make it in show biz . Then he thought, “Maybe it is time to do something what I hate about myself and instead celebrate it.” And this was how Coco Peru was born.

At the time in New York there wasn’t so much information about AIDS and Clinton wanted to be an activist so when he created the Coco Peru show it was a combination of entertainment but at the same time motivated people on other levels.

Coco Peru always works in support of the LGBT community.

She does some shows in Los Angeles where part of the money raised goes to the gay homeless program which is for young kids who are kicked out of their homes.

“I’m man in a dress who likes share his stories, I want the audience to forget what I’m wearing and enjoy the stories. It is not about drag, my show is about being a human being.” Many people asked if Clinton creates the stories but he said all of them are personal histories.

By Joel Hansen

I

Coffee time with Coco Peru

Clinton came out when he was 22 or 23. “I had a boyfriend and I went to the gay pride parade in New York.

I was surrounded by hundreds even thousands of gay people and I felt so alive and so supported that I thought oh, this how I am supposed to feel every day, alive, supportive and safe. I took the train to the Bronx those feelings started to go away because I was coming back home to reality and then I thought, well now is time for me to make the reality different.

On the train I made the decision to come out to my parents.

I bought books on how to come out to your parents. I read those books. I had to educate myself to educate my parents. I sat my parents down. I sat very confident.

I allowed them to ask very stupid questions without judgement, I made them feel safe; it wasn’t really easy. Later I created Coco and they were at my first show, now my mom is 88 and she still going to my shows whenever she can.”

There are many things I took away from my time with Coco: 1) Enjoy what makes you happy, 2)Enjoy yourself 3) Live in the present moment and celebrate life.

Girls and Guys as Coco says, “Let’s celebrate who we are!”

See you around Olas Altas.

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

just got off the phone with my esteemed editor of this fine publication. As my loyal readers (thanks Aunt Ellen, and thanks for the birthday card with the five dollars in it) may have noticed my column has been absent the last two weeks. My editor was telling me there has been an outcry from the people of PV regarding some omissions to the paper over the past few weeks. “Really?” I asked, my heart filling with pride, “the people have been missing my column? The people want to hear my witty views on the world of sports, they want to hear what I have to say about the pointless amount of topes on the libramiento, I knew it, people want to hear what I have to say!” “No, no, no.” was her reply. “The people are complaining that we didn't have the Sudoku puzzles the last two weeks; nobody mentioned your column” As for my absence from these pages, the Tribune had sent me on assignment to Indianapolis to cover the ridiculous spectacle that is NFL Combine.

Along with my media peers from the NFL network, Fox Sports, ESPN and the Rincon de Guayabitos Gazette we poked and

prodded some of the nation's top college prospects.

Grown men watched kids in tights jump and run, making comments like, “He’s got a good looking body and nimble feet for a 340 pounder; I can see him as a road-grader in the run game.”

Now, in case you don’t know the NFL Combine is a pre-Draft workout camp where NFL prospects perform exercises for scouts.

It consists of a series of drills that barely involves the sport of football.

In NFL circles it's hugely important.

A 0.08-second dip in a prospect's 40-yard-dash time can really hurt his draft stock.

But the Combine is also plagued by a simple truth: it's ridiculous to judge playing ability on random exercises, yet the event has grown into something nearly as big as the Superbowl itself.

While only a handful of people take the athletic portion of Combine as the ultimate evaluation of a prospect, Mike Maylock being the biggest honk of this event. There is one very important aspect to the Combine; it is the first time that teams can meet and interview the prospective draftees. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for example, can meet with Jameis Winston and ask

him why he stole $18 bucks worth of crab legs, yelled obscenities in Florida State’s cafeteria and raped a fellow student. Sorry, allegedly raped a fellow student.

These interviews are where final decisions are made for a team. You can watch all the tape you want, but if you screw up (or ace) these interviews it makes a world of difference to where you get drafted. Look at last year, the Cleveland Browns were totally seduced by Johnny Manziel.

According to some of my ESPN colleagues who sat in on interviews last year he completely fooled a number of teams with his polished answers and spouting on about how he has grown up.

Now 12 months later, Manziel is in rehab and the Browns are considering drafting another QB. When I reached out to Manziel’s camp for comment I was told by his people that while they deeply respected The Vallarta Tribune as a publication they had never actually heard of me and were not willing to make a comment.

Clearly his people have not read my extensive, award-winning reporting on the 2014 Zacatecas Regional Tractor-Pulls.

Old Town Farmers Marke

Look “Beach-a-Licious” in a TY-Bikinis y Más Original Download 200,000+ brand logos in vector format for free http://www.logoeps.com/

By Erin Staley

G

et ready for a “make it, bake it, grow it” adventure for the senses this Saturday at the OTFM-TC. You'll enjoy the colors of our open-air market, the flavors of our ready-to-eat foods, the aroma of freshly-cut flowers, the rhythms of live music and of course, the textures of fine artisan goods.

In fact, you'll love the fashionforward products of this week's featured vendor: TY-Bikinis y Más Meet Teresa Moreno Designer and seamstress, Teresa Moreno, creates some of Vallarta's most elegant (and comfortable) beachwear. Her designs can be found along pools and on beaches worldwide, thanks to a talent she inherited from her grandmothers.

A Family Tradition Moreno's maternal grandmother had a knack for transforming fabric into stunning dresses with mere hand-stitching. Another grandmother, Ramona Sanchez, was wellknown for creating ladies' undergarments and sleepwear. Sanchez taught her daughters, one of whom was Moreno's mother, Teresa Chavez. Being the eldest of 13 children, Chavez often made clothes for her sisters. But Chavez had big

entrepreneurial dreams. She set out to build a large business and borrowed money to buy the first industrial machines on the market.

Chavez, like her mother before her, shared the tradition of sewing with her daughter. At age 13, Moreno was making and selling many of her own designs.

Eventually the family moved to Vallarta where the clientele was abundant. Moreno studied dressmaking and eventually oversaw the production aspects of her mother's shop. The business thrived until the recession affected businesses worldwide and Chavez's shop was forced to shut its doors.

New Beginnings Not ready to hang up her passions, Moreno returned to her sewing machine.

Friends asked for custom beachwear, and before long, she launched TY-Bikinis y Más.

Today TY-Bikinis y Más follows in the footsteps of family tradition.

It offers high-quality sewing techniques, fashion-forward designs and a comfortable fit for each product: swimwear, blouses, dresses and bathing suit cover-ups. You can find your favorite in a variety of colors and styles. Customized work is also available upon request.

A Proud Mexican Company When asked what has been the key to her success, Moreno says, “I have the support of my family, and we make a great team.”

A “great team” indeed as Moreno's mother and several family members have joined her at TY-Bikinis y Más.

Moreno continues: “We work hard to exceed the expectations of our customers. We are a proud Mexican company and are commi-

tted to preserving something that is more than just a job – we preserve our family tradition.”

Treat yourself to family tradition with a TY-Bikinis y Más original.

Look for Moreno's “beach-a-licious” collection this Saturday at the market or connect via Facebook, ty-bikinis-y-mas(at)hotmail. com, (322) 225-2340 or (322) 137-0477 (mobile).

Get to Know 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” move-

ment as well as entrepreneurial and community development.

You're Invited!

Join us this Saturday from 9:30-2 in Lazaro Cárdenas Park, Old Town. And be sure to save your appetite for the 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.

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et - Tianguis Cultural

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

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Artisan Bakery Artisan Bakery

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Artisan Bakery

Artisan Bakery

…where bread is an art.

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

an art.

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

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…where bread is an art.

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

…where bread is an art.

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

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Swimwear and beachwear made ​​to order!

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

Teresa Moreno Fb: TYBikinisYMas

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

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riviera nayarit

18 Riviera Nayarit Events

Nuevo Vallarta hosts Art for Turtles As happens every year, the Hotel Bahía del Sol in Nuevo Vallarta will be hosting the 13thannual Art for Turtles, a free event that will take place on February 25th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; that same afternoon, the Turtle Gallery will be on display from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Both events are fundraisers to support the Nuevo Vallarta Turtle Camp; that afternoon there will be an auction and a dinner.

For tickets contact Ann Carlos at tigresa2555@gmail.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 MCaryle

Community Connections… Let There Be ART!

I

really enjoy discovering the story behind the people who have businesses here on the Riviera Nayarit and around the Banderas Bay. Where do they come from and what brought them to this specific area of Mexico? So many businesses can come and go quickly here in Mexico, and some just “click” and stay for years!

Michael and Floydilou of Bucerias This week, I would like to introduce you to two amazing folks, Michael Caryle and Floydilou Kerr, who own the Bucerias Art Gallery and Studio located at 60 Lazarus Cardenas just down from Mark’s Bar and Grill. Michael is a professional artist and art instructor, and Floydilou manages the art gallery and teaches some of the free expression classes.

Michael Caryle Originally from Canada, Michael first visited Mexico in 2005 traveling to Merida and throughout the Yucatan. Now, 10 years later Michael and wife Floydilou own the Bucerias Art Gallery and Studio in Bucerias.

Michael, who is usually seen wearing a polo shirt and rolled up jeans with Converse, is casual by nature and intense with art.

Reaching folks world-wide, Michael has been commissioned internationally for his portrait work.

As a disciplined artist, he paints every day. “Being exposed to Mexico’s rich artistic history and natural environment has opened up a universe of inspiration and possibilities,” says Mike who counts Alfredo Ramon Martinez and Rufino Tamayo as major influences for

Michael Caryle his work. Michael’s newest series, “Urban Mexico” and “Mujeres Contemporeano” has caught the eye of the curate online gallery, UGallery.com where only 15% of artists who submit are accepted.

He has also been asked by Luminarte of Dallas to exhibit his Jalisco landscapes for May 2015. Currently his “Primitiva” series is exhibited in San Jose del Cabo at Ida Victora Galeria and Chimmaya Art Gallery in Los Angeles. “I look forward to exploring more of Mexico with my wife and growing as an artist by pushing into new styles.”

Floydilou Kerr manages the

Nancy-Hache

15th San Pancho Music Festival and “El Círculo de las Doce” From February 27th through March 1st La Plaza del Sol will host jazz, blues, flamenco, Latin and other genres from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. during the San Pancho Music Festival. This will be the meeting place for a number of musicians from different regions of the American continent. A second stage is new for this year and, as always, the event is free. For more information, click:https://www.facebook.com/sanpanchomusicfestival.

The Colectivo San Pancho announced the art expo titled “El Círculo de las Doce”, a collection of acrylics and oil paintings by Daniel Stone, which will be on display from February 26ththrough March 8th in Bodega 3. The inauguration will be at 7 p.m. with the concert “El Sonido del Color” (“The Color of Sound”). The recovery cost is $50 pesos for early bird buyers and $100 pesos on the day of the event.

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/ colectivosanpancho.

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

art gallery, which includes showcasing local artists and teaching art classes that allow you to really let go and express yourself at the Go Big and Go Home two day workshop - the next one on March 16th and 17th. She also heads up the big Recycled Christmas Tree exhibits you see around town every year. Floydilou is a very caring and genuine person with a fun and outgoing personality which makes her a wonderful people person and terrific friend.

One of my amigas, artist Nancy Hache, is showcasing her art at the Bucerias Art gallery, and also for the Bucerias Art Walk on Thursday the 26th from 7-9pm. Nancy’s art is fun and vibrant. She also incorporates some of her poetry into her artwork. Nancy says, “Living in Mexico is so peaceful and being surrounded by the lush greenery and warm Mexican spirit frees my mind and lets my art and my heart flow. This collection I am currently working on and will be showing is all about women and the spoken word.”Stop by and chat with Nancy..she is a love! allBucerias.com website at: http:// www.allbucerias.com/business/ the-bucerias-art-gallery-and-studio Events Bucerias A couple of terrific new shows at Luna Lounge for the One Night Only Dinner and Cabaret shows with “Kim Kuzma” and her band on Thursday, Feb 26th and “The Wonderful World of Miss Conception” Friday, February 27th. Both dinner shows begin at 6:30.

Esquina 22 Bar and Lounge invites you for new music on Wednesdays with Cesar Medina on guitar and vocals from 8-11pm.

Sunday Brunch at Breakers Beach Club, Bar and Restau-

rant with Chef Pedro’s omelet bar, French toast and fresh fruit, Tim Horton’s coffee, Mimosas…

Perfecto!

Events La Cruz The Free Spay and Neuter Clinic Feb 25, 26, 27, 28 and then Mar 4, 5, 6, 7 in La Cruz, is located on Delfin Ave. (the same street that Philo’s is on) from the proceeds of the last Puppy Love Funny Bones fundraiser. Contact Dani on her facebook page at Suave Bonita for more information. Please, get your pets spayed and neutered…. it’s FREE! Ana Banana Bar and Grill has a new gig on Friday’s, “4 Wheel Drive” playing some fresh songs I have not heard from the other bands with good vocals…Super fun dance night with Fresh Fish and Chips for supper; Sunday Brunch with live guitar music. (LOVE their breakfasts!)

Reminders for Octopus’s Garden Monday Movie Night and Pub Britannia Tuesday Open Mic and Wednesday Bingo (starts at 3pm) Fun at Las Palapas Grill with 2X1 margaritas on Sunday Funday with the Hangars and the Mechanical Bull riding!

San Pancho Music Festival this weekend Feb 27, 28 and 29th…Catch Luna Rumba on Friday, the 27th! :D Please check the allBucerias. com and allLaCruz.com calendars for more information on the entertainment and funraiser scenes. If you have any questions, comments, or are looking for long term rentals (I have a very special casa in Bucerias right now), drop me an email to Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com. Enjoy the week!

local

19

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

New in Town: The Mascota Cutural Center

By Tom Swanson

sales@colibridesignvallarta.com

P

uerto Vallarta’s Central Zone has a new neighbor.

Just two blocks up from the Malecón, the Mascota Cutural Center, or Casa Mascota as it says on the sign, opened its doors on the corner of Calle Juarez and Calle Aldama a few weeks ago. It’s directly in front of the new Puerto Vallarta Office of Cultural Projects.

They pulled off quite a party.

At least 100 people watched traditional Jalisco folk dancing and were serenaded by two truly excellent groups of mariachis.

Mascota rompope and raicilla made the rounds and a good time was had by all.

Mascota is a small town, about 8,000 residents, nestled in a beautiful valley surrounded by pine-clad mountains about a two-hour drive from Vallarta.

Fresh mountain air, scenic vistas, local lakes and rivers are just part of its appeal. It is also an old cultural and commerce center for our region.

Founded in the 1600’s, visiting its quaint plazas and cobblestone streets is like a step back in times.

Small farms and ranches dot the valley floor, gold and silver mines are scattered in the hills, along with some really fine mountain resorts and retreats. Many wealthy Vallartenses (locals) have summer places hidden away up here.

I know, you’re thinking “doesn’t the word Mascota mean a pet in Spanish?”

It does, but Mascota gets its name from a local (and fairly unpronounceable) Teco Indian word which means “the Place of Deer”. Indeed, deer and other game still thrive in this place today, often pilfering pasture from the cows that help produce some really excellent cheeses.

Sounds like a great place to decompress and cool off for a bit, right?

The drive up from the coast is pretty awesome too. Roughly following the Mascota River gorge up from its confluence with our Ameca River, the road climbs up rapidly from our jungle forests to tall pineclad ridges and peaks, crossing through a pass at over 2000 meters (6500 ft.) before the quick drop to the floor of the Mascota Valley (1600 mts).

Mascota is now bringing a nice slice of its culture and charm to Puerto Vallarta.

Available are brochures and more information about the town and the region, plus a sampling of some of the locally made treats.

Candies, cookies, preserved peaches and green figs vie with local alcoholic beverages. They have some excellent raicillas, a distillate of the lechugilla agave, which are very unique. And where would they be without numerous different flavored rompopes, kind of like an eggnog with a kick, including piñon nut and vanilla flavors.

Mascotans like to blend rompopoe with a bit of that raicilla refreshing cocktail.

Soon, we hope, they will start

selling some of the incredible cheeses they make, those that are a special part of many of our local restaurant’s popular dishes.

And the art... Mascota is home to some fine painters, acclaimed in Guadalajara, and some of their work is on display here. Many different styles.

It’s a good place to look for those classic Mexican “paisajes”, landscapes, which no one around here has. Basket weaving, jewelry... definitely worth a look. If you can’t make it to Mascota, Mascota has come to you.

Open 11am to 7pm Monday through Saturday.

La Casa Mascota Calle Juarez 599 Esquina con Aldama Colonia El Centro, Puerto Vallarta

VALLARTA TRIBUNE 829 Feb 25 - March 3, 2013

The Natural Beauty of OUR Mountain

Plants

2000

Mammals

80

Birds

300

Amphibians and Reptiles

23

Butterflies

85

500

50% of these species are endemic to MĂŠxico.

We propose the area to be designated a

Natural Preserve Because for Vallarta,

Without the Mountain...

There is no future

classified and more...

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Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Tianguis and Farmer´s Markets

The Crazy Sale continues at Cobblestones!

Save up to 75% all this week.

Time for Spring Cleaning.

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

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

charities

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Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Non - Profit and Charitable Organizations For visitors to Puerto Vallarta who wish to support the less privileged in our paradise, this is a list of some of the many organizations that could benefit from such kind gestures.

If you would like your organization recognized here, please email details to editor@vallartatribune. com.

Acción En La Cruz aid residents of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle by providing provisions in exchange for community services performed.landon5120.wix.com/ accionenlacruz Alcoholics Anonymous: In English Puerto Vallarta Alanon Club - Basilio Badillo 329 recoverpv.com Amazing Grace Missions Assisting families in Magisterio & Progreso with necessities and job training and English. slw2014nv@gmail.com American Legion Post 14: raises resources and manpower to improve facilities needing building maintenance americanlegion14.org Amigos del Magisterio - Food delivered directly to workers at the PV dump, their families and schools in Magisterio and Volcanes. Also, food to New Beginnings, Pasitos de Luz, and Caritas. 100% of donations to the people, no overhead. amigosdelmagisterio.com;lysephilrioux@hotmail.com Asilo San Juan Diego Home for the Elderly - Contact: Lupita Sanchez Covarrubias 222-1257 or malupita88@hotmail.com or mexonline.com\asilosanjuandiego.htm

Asociación Down - Assistance to persons with Down’s Syndrome – Contact: Ana Eisenring at 224-9577.

Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter - Safe shelter for women & children victims of domestic violence. compassionforthefamily. org Becas Vallarta, A.C. – Provides scholarships to high school and university students. Tax-deductible in Mexico and USA. Polly Vicars at (322) 223-1371 or Buri Gray at (322) 221-5285. puerto-vallarta.com/amf CANICA - Centre for Children with Cancer. Provides aid for treatment and services including transportation to GDL. Contact Director, Evelia Basañes 322-123-5688.

Casa Hogar - A shelter for orphaned, abandoned, disadvantaged or vulnerable children. Luz Aurora Arredondo at 221-1908, Rita Millan (322) 141-6974. casamaximocornejo@gmail.com Centro Comunitario SETACGLBT – Services the GLBT community, including treatment and referrals, education, English classes, HIV testing and counseling. Paco Arjona 224-1974 Clinica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara - Rehabilitation of the handicapped. Contact: Laura Lopez Portillo Rodriguez at 224-2754.

COLINA Spay and Neuter Clinic - Free and by-donation sterilization clinic in Old Town. Only open Sundays, Contact: cez@rogers. com or 322-104-6609

CompassionNet Impact – Transforming the lives of people living in chronic poverty. Job creation, education, emergency & more.

Tax-deductible. Cell: (322) 133-7263 or ric@4compassion.org Corazon de Nina A safe, loving, home-environment for 20+ girls rescued from high-risk situations.

Donations & volunteers always welcome! Totally self-funded. www.corazondenina.mx Cruz Roja (Red Cross) Handles hospital and emergency service in Vallarta. It is the only facility that is authorized to offer assistance to injured people on the street.

Contact: 222-1533, 222-4973 Desayunos para los Niños de Vallarta A.C. Feeding programs, education programs, day care centers for single mothers. 2234311 or 22225 72 Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C. (DIVAC) association of handicapped individuals dedicated to helping one another. Ivan Applegate at 221-5153.

Families At The Dump: Supporting families living in the landfill or garbage dump thru education and sustainable opportunities. familiesatthedump.org Fundacion Punta de Mita LDG. Ana Lilia Medina Varas de Valdés. ana@fundacionpuntademita.org Tel. (329) 291 5053 Friends of PV Animals Volunteers working to enhance the lives of shelter animals.

For info and donations visit friendsofpvanimals.com

Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta: Arq. Luz del Carmen Pérez A cayro_13@hotmail.com grupoecologico.com Horizonte de Paz: Shelter for men of all ages who are troubled with alcohol & drug addiction.

Donato Schimizzi: 322 199 9523 or Roberto: 281 0644 dschimizzi@yahoo.com La Brigada de la Basur:a A weekly meeting of neighborhood children to clean Vallarta Streets.

Contact Que?Pasa 223-4006 Mexico Ministries & Mission, Inc. raises funds to the poor in Vallarta. Contact Fr. Jack+ 044 322 229-1129 christchurchbythesea.org Navy League - assists in the transportation of donated medical supplies from the U.S., organizes work groups to paint and repair facilities, www.vallartanavyleague.org.

New Life Mexico - Challenging Child Poverty with health and education programs. Philippa Vernon pvp@newlifemexico.com Paraíso Felino AC Refuge and Adoption Centre for cats and kittens in the Bay of Banderas. Luis Donaldo Cel. (322) 120-4092 Pasitos de Luz - substitute home for low income children with any type of handicap, offers rehabilitation services and more. 299-4146. pasitosdeluz.org PEACEAnimals - Free mobile spay/neuter clinic operating 48 weeks a year, primarily in Puerto Vallarta. Tax-deductible. peaceanimals.org

Pro Biblioteca de Vallarta Raises funds for Los Mangos Public Library. Tax-deductible Ricardo Murrieta at 224-9966 Proyecto Pitillal, “Busca un Amigo” - Association created by underprivileged mothers of paralyzed children.

Contact: 299-4495.

Puerto Vallarta Garden Club: Beautify and protecting the environment. vallartagardenclub.com PuRR Project - A no-kill cat shelter, a natural un-caged environment. www.purrproject.com Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza- Shelter for Children. Tax-deductible. ccshf.ca Roma’s Kids - Educate the children of the Volcanes and surrounding area: Math, English and computer programs a priority. 100% goes to the kids. kids.romamexico.com The International Friendship Club (IFC) - Supports the Cleft Palate Surgery Program & families in need. 322-222-5466. ifcvallarta.com Toys for Tots Vallarta - Distributes toys and constructs playgrounds for Puerto Vallarta area during the Christmas holiday period. Jerry Lafferty 322 221 6156 or lourdes.bizarro@marriotthotels. com.

Vallarta Saludable (Healthy) – Healthy living through organics, stevias, cooking workshops, serums reversing dialysis and reality show.

NAOTF.org Suzy Chaffee suzynativevoices@aol.com

brain teasers

23

SUDOKU medium easy

Feb 26 - March 5, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

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

Number Blocks

hard

Word Search

What’s a number block you ask?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Commonym

Wuzzles

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