Issue 936, March 12 - 18 March, 2015

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

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News NEW CANADIAN AMBASSADOR

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March 12 - 18, 2015 Free Issue 936

Health wellness latina

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Equality mexico’s marriage laws

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Photo Riviera Nayarit

Visit the Chacala Music & Art Festival this weekend

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

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

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

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

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

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

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

You need to dial a different prefix. To call the following toll free prefixes, dial as follows: 800 numbers Dial 001-880-then the number 866 numbers Dial 001-883-then the number 877 numbers Dial 001-882-then the number 888 numbers Dial 001-881-then the number

PEACE Animal

Gretchen DeWitt www.peaceanimals.org

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he mission of PEACEAnimals is to reduce the future suffering of animals by offering free spay/neuter mobile clinics. The sterilization of approximately 4,000 animals annually greatly reduces the number of animals born to suffer.

Under the current city administration, the Centro de Acopio, our local pound, is a no-kill one. In the past, this has not been the case.

Animals were not always fed and lived in extremely overcrowded conditions with almost no chance of ever being walked.

Euthanasia ("gentle death") did not exist.

Animals were electrocuted.

This method, along with strangling, hanging, poisoning, shooting and drowning, is commonplace in Mexico.

It has been estimated that 85% of cats and dogs must be sterilized in order to avoid a serious pet overpopulation. Mexico is a very

long way from that number.

Please consider donating to our program, which has tax-deductible status in the U.S. and Canada.

And please consider adop-

ting one of the many homeless cats and dogs here. For more information: www.peaceanimals. org www.gretchen-peace-and-pv. blogspot.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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March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Editor’s

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com

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here is not enough space this week , which is great because it means the paper is filled with much more interesting news that what I’ve been up to this past week. (I went out on a friends boat to Las Animas and did the Great Vallarta Race – which I’ll tell you all about next week!)

One of our very own, Noemi

Zamora Reynoso, Director of the Vallarta Tribune and the Tribuna de la Bahia was awarded the woman of Distinction award last week during the City of Puerto Vallarta International Woman’s Day festivities. She works tirelessly to bring informative, balanced news to the readers of the finest newspapers in the bay and rightfully deserves the recognition.

Plenty of events going on around town, live entertainment continues to impress and the markets are immense in their near

daily offerings.

You can spend well your money every day with the local artisans, caterers, bakers, farmers at the markets around the bay. If you haven’t been to the Thursday evening market in Marina Vallarta, I suggest you make some time. It has grown to be one of the largest and there are some excellent restaurants to grab dinner or a late drink after shopping.

The beaches are alive with spring breakers. Remember you were young(er) once too. As for myself, I think I’m going to Tepic this weekend. Might even drive the car. So watch out if you’re on Highway 200. The stalled out red Jetta is probably me.

Have a great week!

Madeline

This weekend’s MUST DO EVENT 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off If you needed yet another excuse to eat too much delicious food, in a gorgeous location then this is it…

Proving to be one of the most popular events of the season, the 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off will be held on Saturday, March 14 at El

Rio BBQ Restaurant in Paso Ancho on the Rio Cuale from 1 to 5 p.m. benefiting the charities supported by the American Legion.

All you can eat chili for $200 pesos, along with ribs and some side dishes.

Tickets available at Steve`s

Letter to the Editor Hi Madeline

Dear Editor,

Thank you so much for keeping our event in your events section right up to the event and a special thank you for the great article you put in your latest edition.

So generous of you! It was a huge success and we couldn't do it without people like you!

Muchas Gracias, Barb Bremner

P.V. Garden Club would like to thank all who supported our fundraiser at the Hacienda Palo Maria on Feb 26th.

Those who contribute to “Beautifying Vallarta” are supporting not only a more beautiful, clean and verdant city, but making it more attractive to tourism, thus creating

Sports Bar on Basilio Badillo or at the gate.

Live entertainment includes Mikki Prost, Murphy`s Dave Whity and Matt Cooke plus the Texas Embassy Blues Band. Get their early, get your vote in and support some great local causes!

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SPCA of Puerto Vallarta This week’s report

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hanks to everyone who visited and donated to SPCA this week. It was another fantastic day at the Farmers’ Market. The weather seems to be heating up fast this season, it was a scorcher! (Sorry if you’re reading this a bit further North) We sold more of Lisa’s fine tote bags and we’re happy to say our new order of men’s T-shirts arrived and sold well.

Several people offered their services to transport adopted animals to the US & Canada and yet more signed up to receive our newsletter to keep up with news when they’re away. As well as sales, we received a generous $1500 pesos in donations. Thanks again for your kindness and also for asking about Prince, who is slowly responding to TLC at the Sanctuary.

Thanks to volunteers Doreen, Michelle & Mark who attended to all our visitors’ needs. And, thanks for this report Lynnette.

Toys needed at SPCA

If you would like to make a donation other than money to the SPCA, here is a list of items we can ALWAYS use: Kong’s or very hard rubber chew toys (we cannot use soft plastic toys anymore due to ingestion worries); Chuck it balls ... hard rubber; stuffed toys for puppies; BLUE BAG Costco dog food salmon – ONLY; all natural dog treats; towels, blankets, Lysol, powdered laundry detergent; office supplies such as paper, pens, clip boards, scissors, plastic cups for water for our staff and volunteers.

Help a dog get home

a vibrant economy to support all the other great causes in P.V.

Help transport dogs to the States and Canada, the SPCA will take care of all the details and cost of transporting the animals. One of our volunteers will meet you at the airport with the animal and get it

Janice Gonzalez

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.

How to become a volunteer?

Volunteers are needed all over!

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

Volunteers do many tasks from visiting our shelter and walking, cuddling or taking care for our animals, driving people to and from the sanctuary, social media and web site work, posting online “For Adoption” ads, airport transportation, crate management in BC and Alberta, home checks, animal delivery to new homes, foster home management, newsletters, adoption stands, Farmers Market booth, networking and fundraising.

Tour the Sanctuary

You can come and spend a rewarding afternoon cuddling the animals at Puerto Vallarta’s SPCA Sanctuary.

Our dogs and cats are awaiting “forever homes” and your help is needed to jump start their socialization. During your visit, you can interact with the animals and even take a dog (or two or three) for a walk. You can also play with the animals, assist the vet or help with dinner time.

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

The length of the tour is at the discretion of our visitors and can be anywhere from one to four hours in length. Please feel free to bring donations and treats for sanctuary staff as they truly appreciate it. We have also begun scheduling tours from Nuevo Vallarta so don’t hesitate to contact Nicole Martin at nicole@cupocity. com to make a reservation.

entertainment

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March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Live From the Red Room

by Marcia Blondin

marciavallarta@gmail.com

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am so excited that Paul Fracassi is coming back! I’ve said it before: I was never a fan of Frankie Valli (or Elvis…and virtually anybody else that my parents liked). But, I could listen to Paul Fracassi for hours and watching him move and dance is nothing short of amazing.

This young man is so blessed vocally and has such star power that I cannot say enough - just don’t miss him this time!

Going to do my best to catch Luna Rumba this Friday. I have seen them in other venues but never in the Red Room; I will review them for you next week.

Took a dear friend to see Cashetta. I just can’t get over the incredible magic! And her shows are never the same…even if she repeats some magic (I refuse to call them ‘tricks’!), there’s always a twist that keeps her show fresh and funny. She finishes up in Vallarta at the end of March…I will miss your warm and gentle energy, Scott.

Kevin Levesque is not a drag

queen! Miss Conception sings all her own stuff – none of this lip-syncing. And dances and has the best designed clothing on the planet!

She adores being onstage and entertaining. Her fans bring her flowers! Seriously! I think that is so cool and completely deserving.

She loves it so keep the bouquets coming! Kim Kuzma’s Acustico

show conflicts every Sunday with Voice but I have seen it when she added an extra show one evening.

I am so not surprised that she sells-out every single night. Every single one. If that doesn’t get you to the box office or to Vallartatickets. com (email me!) and reserve space while she is still in the country then you need to have your heart rate checked. Her show is sensational as is her hand-picked, amazing band and her ‘other’ show, Just Kim, is great, too. At least you might get in to that one!

Paul Aleman and Renee Armand are coming back next week to reprise their incredible Tribute to John Denver. Rocky Mountain High opens Saint Patrick's Day at 7:30 pm in the Red Room.

And speaking of Elvis, Rob Knight - as Canadian as Kim and Paul (and me) - makes a terrific homage to Elvis Presley. See more about Rob Knight in Perceptions of Art and look for video of him as he closed Voice this week. Thanks again, Rob! And thanks to all of you who attend these live shows in Vallarta…keep it up!

PAUL FRACASSI WALKS LIKE A MAN AT THE RED ROOM CABARET PAUL FRACASSI - WALK LIKE A MAN

March 15, 20, 22, 27, 29 at 9:30 PM, March 14, 18 at 7:30 PM “Walk Like A Man” pays tribute to hugely popular New Jersey-based recording stars Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. The show features 23 year old singing sensation Paul Fracassi, a former Star Search and Canadian Idol semi-finalist and graduate of Toronto’s famous St. Elizabeth School for The Performing Arts. His vocal range and showmanship are always a big hit.

Walk Like A Man was inspired by “Jersey Boys”, the hit movie and stage play about the life and times of The Four Seasons. But the songs are all that the two entities share. Walk Like A Man is a sixties-style concert that presents a nostalgic look at The Four Seasons’ amazing body of work. Paul Fracassi’s show, featuring the group’s, is the kind of show that made the young Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and Tommy DeVito rich and famous. It may someday do the same for Paul Fracassi.

Songs featured in the show include “December ‘63”, “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Can’t take my eyes off of you”, “Dawn” and of course “Walk Like A Man”. Powerful music, fabulous vocals, in a word, unforgettable.

LUNA RUMBA

MARCH 13 AT 7:30 PM Luna Rumba thrills audiences with their sonic tapestry of Latin Fusion, Gypsy Flamenco, Arabic Melodies, Cuban Rhythms, Celtic Riffs and even Latin Jazz. Their shows are a celebration of musical fusion, human diversity, creativity, warmth and virtuosity. Fiery violins, rumba-flamenco guitar, hot keyboard riffs and cool bass ride on top of the unstoppable polyrhythmic grooves created by the exotic percussion instruments and drums. If this weren’t enough, be prepared to hear vocals that will melt your heart and warm your soul.

EVERY WEEK IN THE RED ROOM CABARET 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! Tues & Sat at 9:30PM, Wed 7:30PM

MISS CONCEPTION - The Wonderful World of Miss Conception. An all live singing show with your favorite story book characters with a twist. Mon - 7:30 &9:30 PM, Thurs9:30PM

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

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. Forever Elvis Wednesdays at 4:00 PM

The Red Room Cabaret At Act II Stages

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

Perceptions

of Art

by Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

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oice of Vallarta has finally hit full-speed-ahead. And, it’s time for me to start naming names…we are down to the final six. The most welcome surprise was Tashara Smith. Gone is the insecure little mouse and in its place a young woman oozing talent we all knew was there. Her jump into a Tina Turner hit was just the ticket to break her out of her own self-imposed cocoon and wow the hell out of everyone!

Roberto Duran nailed an extremely difficult heavy metal Pearl Jam tune. Unfortunately the really young judges could not appreciate the off-beat-ness (sung in English, I might add) of the song. I am not a Pearl Jam fan, but recognize pure kick-ass rock and roll when I hear it.

And Ana Adame was not scored high enough for her clear, soaring and sultry rendition of Black Velvet… again, in English.

Brava, chica.

The contest eliminated Carmen Duran, Roberto’s sister. She put up a good fight; her voice always powerful but she ran into sufficient difficulties to have to step away. If anybody ever needs a gal to sing Ranchero songs - Carmen is it!

Elvis Presley was in the house for Voice - as guest judge. A good one, too, I might add. Rob Knight also performed to close Sunday night’s love/boo-judges fest. See his tribute to Elvis in the Red Room every Wednesday at 4 pm.

A good time to thank Artistic Director and Producer Danny

Mininni for inviting guest judges to Voice this year. Not only does it give the audience a chance to get a taste of what’s going on at Act II besides Voice, seasoned performers have very good advice to give to the contestants. And, for Walk Like a Man fans, Paul Fracassi is coming back next week! He opens March 15th so don’t miss his tribute to Frankie Valli.

Before I segue into other happenings on the Main Stage, Alas, School of Voice students, gave the audience a demonstration of what is coming up at their fundraiser next weekend. Please turn out and support this terrific group of young people. And, those of you who fell in love with the antics and showmanship of Fernando Jara during early Voice, know he is studying hard with the group. If anyone can teach him to sing, it will be Kharla Barragan.

Forever Plaid debuts before this issue is out; be here next week to find out how Opening Night went.

Incidentally, tickets to all the shows I write about and even those I don’t write about, are available at Vallartatickets.com and, I just happen to be an agent of VT so, you can also buy your tickets through me; that includes info on any shows you may have questions about! Let’s talk!

“Paul Aleman and Renee Armand are coming back next week to reprise their incredible Tribute to John Denver. Rocky Mountain High opens Saint Patrick’s Day at 7:30 pm in the Red Room.”

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entertainment

Comedy classics Anthology show reinvents laughs of yesteryear

Vallarta Falls in Love with the Plaids

By Catherine Beeghly Entertainment Writer

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.J. Hartung hopes people will complain about the show he’s written and directing, “Anthology of Comedy.” But not with the kinds of complaints you might expect. “ ‘My jaw muscles hurt from laughing too much.’ ‘My stomach and side muscles hurt.’ ‘My underwear is wet.’ ‘My mascara is running from laughing so hard I cried,’ ” T.J. quipped. "But I am not responsible for anyone’s running mascara, or wet underwear.” A Puerto Vallarta resident, T.J. is an avid fan of classic comedy sketches, and put his favorites together for The Boutique Theatre’s new original show, “Anthology of Comedy.”

Among the well-known sketches are those made famous by comedy legends George Carlin, Lily Tomlin, Flip Wilson, Redd Foxx, Abbott & Costello, Johnny Carson, Flip Wilson, “Father Guido Sarducci,” and others. In his cast are Boutique veterans Alice Averett, Catalina Meders, Steve Jackson, Catherine Beeghly, and newcomer Gloria Tyson.

“Cast members will be reading various roles in a number of comedy routines, subject to change, based on cast wishes, the weather, phases of the moon, the direction of the wind, and several conditions that are too complicated to reveal,” he said. The performers will also jump in as announcers, and in short comedic bits T.J. wrote to tran-

sition the sketches.

T.J. hopes to tap into people’s nostalgia for some of the “good old days. I want the show to bring up memories--memories of good times, good friends, good TV shows, etcetera.”

T.J. has lived in PV for almost 21 years, and received his Mexican citizenship 10 years ago. He’s active with the International Friendship Club, as vice president of administration, web master, and newsletter composer.

“I'm also on the board of directors of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, where I often give talks on orchids. In May, I'll be on a speaking tour throughout New England and East Central Canada, where I'll be talking to 13 different orchid societies about Mexican orchids, and promoting tourism to PV.” Dates and locations can be found on www.pvorchids.com.

T.J. met his wife Helen in PV more than 18 years ago, and they’ve been married 15 years. He’s written articles for "Orchids Magazine," the official publication of the American Orchid Society, and has been writing articles for local newspapers for many years under a pseudonym.

The March 26, 27 and 28 shows will be presented at The Boutique Theatre, upstairs at Nacho Daddy’s, 287 Basilio Badillo in the Zona Romantica district. For information call 322-192-4616. Tickets for all Boutique Theatre shows are available at www.vallartatickets.com.

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orever Plaid”, The Heavenly Musical Hit opened in the Main Stage Theater March 10th (and runs until April 4, 2015, at 7:00 pm) to rave reviews under the direction of Alfonso Lopez.

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 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 unexplainable.

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 Voice of Vallarta “Walk Like a Man” Week with Guest Star Paul Fracassi The Voice of Vallarta returns to the Main Stage with Walk like a Man week and Music from the

Record breaking season I t’s been a record-breaking season at The Palm Cabaret, with acts that have included established favorites and newcomers alike. Live music & comedy, and two comedic stage productions round out the season, now through April 11.

Vallarta favorite Amy Armstrong, affectionately known as the gal with ‘the voice of an angel, and the mouth of a sailor’, performs both music and comedy in her show ‘Diva Loca’ (Crazy Diva), playing through March 31.

Luis and Andrea of Bohemia Viva star in their own show, featuring steamy love songs and sizzling Latin rhythms, now playing through April 5.

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Celebrity impersonators Joe Posa and Thirsty Burlington are back by popular demand for a second engagement of ‘An Evening at The Birdcage’.

Hilarious comedy and some of the best impersonations of your favorite celebrities outside Las Vegas. ‘An Evening at The Birdcage’ is now playing through March 21. All shows 9:30 p.m.

This season’s biggest hit is the stage comedy ‘Greater Tuna’, now in its third extended run, Tuna has taken literally hundreds of audience members to the third smallest (fictional) town in Texas, where the Lions Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. ‘Greater Tuna’ is now playing through April 1.

80´s. This week Paul Fracassi, star of the Walk Like a Man show now appearing in the Red Room, takes the stage and mentors the contestants; he has selected a song for each of the them that they must sing. Join us on Sunday at 8:00 pm (and don’t be late!). Paul will open the show with a special song to the contestants.

The second part of the night the contestants compete singing songs from the 80’s. One thing is sure: the Voice of Vallarta is hotter than ever! We are down to the top six and who goes home?

No one knows. Join us every Sunday for Vallarta's favourite show at 8:00 pm.

Love Concert to Support the Kids of Alas, School of Music, March 14, 8:00 pm Please join us and the children of Alas, School of Song in a benefit concert on Saturday, March 14 at 8:00 PM on the Main Stage at Act II Entertainment.

Latcho & Andrea; The Blond Gypsies are European recording artists who perform Gypsy Rumba and Spanish Flamenco Guitar music have thrilled audiences and their popularity continues to soar. They have two remaining performances on March 21 & 31 at 7:00 p.m.

Luna Rumba, featuring Cheko Ruiz on vocals & guitar and George “Geo” Uhrich on violin, mandolin, flamenco & electric guitars, is a fusion of Gypsy, Latin, Celtic, Flamenco, Middle Eastern and Rock, all spiced up with hot Rumba and Cuban rhythms has one remaining show on March 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Love, the concert, will feature solo performances by Kharla Barrigan, Michael Gibney and Edoardo Rocha along with choral performances by the incredible children's choir of Alas. Alas inspires, nurtures and brings together the children of Puerto Vallarta, many of whom have come from very broken places and through the art of song, dance and theater, find a new way of expression and freedom, and in the process, healing and love transpires to both the children and their families. We look forward to seeing you and thank you ahead of time for your contribution. 100% of all profits and proceeds will go directly to funding Alas, Escuela de Canto.

The Main Stage Theater is located in the Act II Entertainment STAGES complex at Insurgentes 300 (corner of Basilio Badillo), 2nd Floor, Zona Romántica, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Tel 322.222.1512

news Cameron, Peña Nieto Strengthen Trades Ties between Mexico, UK 06

LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Wednesday held a meeting in London at which they emphasized the need to strengthen trade ties between their two countries.

On the second day of the Mexican president’s visit to the United Kingdom, the British leader welcomed him at his official residence on Downing Street, where the pair held a working lunch.

Before the meeting, Peña Nieto emphasized the “productive” relationship the two countries enjoy, while Cameron said that their links are proving to be ever more solid.

During Peña Nieto’s visit to Britain, which will wrap up on Thursday, the two nations have signed several trade agreements, including a contract involving beverage giant Diageo, which will invest $400 million (360 million euros) in Mexico over the next five years.

During their meeting, the two leaders explored possibilities for cooperation in the energy sector

before Peña Nieto travels on Thursday to Aberdeen, the focal point for the petroleum industry in Scotland.

Cameron said at the meeting that cooperation with Mexico could be relevant in the European strategy to diversify its energy sources given the conflict with Russia stemming from the Ukraine crisis.

The British premier also expressed his intention to support a third term for Mexico’s Jose Angel Gurria as secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, when his current term ends

Mexico’s Peso Biggest Drop in a Year

By Isabella Cota Source: www.bloomberg.com/

M

exico’s peso tumbled the most in more than a year, prompting the central bank to sell $200 million to help stabilize the currency.

The peso fell 1.8 percent to 15.4726 per dollar, the biggest drop on a closing basis since August 2013, joining a slide of global counterparts. The Mexican currency is now at its lowest level in six years, approaching the record of 15.5892 reached in March 2009.

A report Friday showing strength in the U.S. labor market bolstered speculation the Federal Reserve is closer to raising inte-

rest rates, reducing the appeal of emerging-market assets that typically offer higher yields. The central bank’s dollar sales, held under a program started in December, usually are triggered when the peso falls more than 1.5 percent in one trading session. The last time the bank intervened was Dec. 11.

“I would increase the size of the daily auctions,” Eduardo Suarez, a strategist at Bank of Nova Scotia, said in an e-mail. “This is too broad-based. I don’t think you can stop a move like this.”

Central bank board member Manuel Sanchez said in a speech in Mexico City Friday that weakness in the peso is spurring inflation.

Mexico’s Peso Falls Most in a Year, Sparks $200 Million Sale (Photo: Google)

in 2016. Other issues on the table at the meeting were the plans to update the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, as well as how the two countries can increase their defense cooperation, an area in which they agreed to several reciprocal visits by their top military officials.

Before lunch, Cameron and Peña Nieto witnessed the signing of a cooperation accord on climate change, humanitarian aid, international policy and security by British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and his Mexican counterpart, Jose Antonio Meade.

Furthermore, a Downing Street spokesman said that Cameron brought up with the Mexican leader his “concerns” regarding human rights and the judicial system in the Western Hemisphere nation.

According to Amnesty International, the war on drug trafficking in Mexico since 2006 has taken 100,000 lives and resulted in 20,000 disappearances.

Peña Nieto on Wednesday evening will attend a banquet offered in his honor at the Guildhall by the mayor of the City of London, Alan Yarrow.

Original: LAHT.com

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Canada names new Mexican ambassador Pierre Alarie has previously worked in Mexico in the private sector

C

anada’s new ambassador to Mexico is no stranger to Latin America.

The appointment of Pierre Alarie, who was worked in both Mexico and Chile, was announced yesterday by Canadian government officials. He replaces Sara Hradecky.

Alarie first joined the Canadian Department of External Affairs in 1982 and spent some time abroad, including a stint in Santiago, Chile, as first secretary. After that appointment he left government to join the private sector, where he held senior roles in two Canadian firms, aerospace company Bombardier Inc. and SNC-Lavalin, an engineering and construction services company.

The new ambassador subsequently served as managing director for Latin America of the real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de Dépot et Placement du Québec, a pension funds manager,

before becoming the Bank of Nova Scotia’s country representative in Mexico from 1998 until 2004.

Since then he has worked with several Canadian firms, including Brookfield Renewable Energy Group, a manager of renewable energy power platforms, mostly hydroelectric, that operate in 13 electricity markets.

The Canadian government said Alarie’s experience in both public and private sectors “will help strengthen the Canada-Mexico partnership even further, bringing it to a new level.”

Both countries are each other’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade totaling more than US $27 billion last year. Alarie’s role will be supporting the government’s pro-trade plan by helping Canadian businesses succeed in Mexico, said government officials in a prepared statement.

Mexico News Daily

Jalisco, California and British Columbia Among Top Markets for Riviera Nayarit

R

iviera Nayarit CVB’s Annual Visitor Research Report indicates that in 2014 these regions led the markets of origin for visitors to the destination; Guadalajara, Los Angeles and Vancouver were the cities that sent the most visitors last year.

The 2014 Annual Visitor Research Report published by the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau posted the results of the markets of origin that sent the most visitors to the destination; Mexico’s Jalisco, the United States’

California and Canada’s British Colombia held the top spots on the list for North America.

Jalisco occupies first place in Mexico with 34.5%, followed by Guanajuato with 15.1% and Mexico City with 9.3%.

Within the US, the state of California held first place with 27.5%, followed by Illinois with 11.5% and Texas with 8.6%. By cities it broke out with Los Angeles in first place at 11.5%, San Francisco with 10.7% and Chicago with 10.5%.

In Canada, the provinces of

British Columbia and Alberta topped the list with 26.3% and 24.4%, respectively, followed by Quebec with 18.1% and Ontario with 14.5%. By city, Vancouver occupied first place with 21%, Montreal followed with 16.3%, Toronto with 13%, Edmonton with 12% and Calgary with 11%. The Annual Visitor Research Report is put together by the Research and Development Office of the Riviera Nayarit CVB, and is the basis used by the different departments of this office to determine their strategies.

07

Thief visits conference

By Bill Jory

C

aleb Pirtle is upfront about his profession. He is a thief. Worse, he visited Puerto Vallarta last week recruiting accomplices.

“I take people’s most valuable asset, their life, and then steal it,” the Texas author of 59 books and three screenplays told the 9th Puerto Vallarta International Writers’ Conference at Biblioteca Los Mangos.

He was talking about story-telling and the importance of getting out in the world to meet people, listen to their experiences, learn about their lives and then write about them.

“You never know what you are going to find out when you take the time to talk to people,” he said.

Chance meetings and chance conversations are the fodder of story-telling, he told about 40 aspi-

ring writers attending the three-day event sponsored jointly by Puerto Vallarta Writers’ Group and the library. Peoples’ lives should be remembered, he said, and it the job of writers to preserve their stories.

“When you talk to people you never know what you’re going to find out that you can use later.”

He should know. In a career spanning newspaper work, travel magazine writing and fiction he has interviewed old men on porches, country singers in Nashville, cafe waitresses, cowboys, sheriffs and characters in beer joints and honky-tonks. All have unique and powerful stories worth recounting.

For this self-described “usedword salesman,” no matter what you are writing “you are telling a s story.” The importance of those stories, he emphasized, is not to write about things but to write about people.

The Puerto Vallarta Writers’ Group meets every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Red Room of the Act II Stages theatre at the corner of Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes.

New year round service from California

T

he airline is awaiting approval from the United States government to begin a nonstop service from Orange County, California to the Vallarta-Nayarit International Airport.

Alaska Airlines submitted its application on March 10th to begin a nonstop service from Orange County, California, to Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. The flight is pending approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Mexico Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC).

"We're thrilled to add nonstop service from Orange County to two of Mexico's popular leisure destinations," said John Kirby, vice president of Capacity Planning for Alaska Airlines. "Alaska Airlines continues giving our sun-seeking customers low-fare alternatives to vacation in paradise."

Alaska Airlines operates 36 weekly peak-season flights to Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit, more than any other carrier from California. The planned year-round service will operate thrice-weekly.

news Mexico’s Grupo Herdez Buys Helados Nestle for $66.7 Million MEXICO CITY – Grupo Herdez said it was acquiring Helados Nestle’s assets in Mexico for 1 billion pesos (about $66.7 million).

The Federal Competition Commission has approved the deal, Grupo Herdez said in a filing with the Mexico City Stock Exchange.

The deal includes the plant in Lagos de Moreno, a city in the western state of Jalisco, distribution equipment, freezers and “an exclusive long-term license to distribute and sell Helados Nestle’s brands in Mexico,” the company said. The

acquisition is being financed with lines of credit and cash on hand, Grupo Herdez said.

The business should generate annual sales of approximately 1 billion pesos (about $66.6 million), the company said.

The results of the ice cream business will be consolidated on

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Grupo Herdez’s balance sheet as of March 1 and will be reported along with those of the Nutrisa unit.

Helados Nestle, a unit of the Swiss food giant, is a leading manufacturer of ice cream and other frozen desserts, with a portfolio that includes products sold under the Nestle, Mega, PelaPop and eXtreme brands, among others.

The company’s products are sold at more than 40,000 points of sale across Mexico.

Grupo Herdez is a leading producer of processed foods in Mexico, operating 14 plants – 12 in Mexico, one in the United States and one in Chile – and employing more than 9,000 people.

Energy Industry Investment

Expected to Start Flowing into Mexico in Late 2015

T

he funds generated by the auctions of rights to the first 23 oil fields being offered to investors, estimated at $21 billion, should start flowing into Mexico by the fourth quarter of this year, Energy Secretary Pedro Joaquin Coldwell said this week.

“These are investments not in the hundreds (of millions) but in the billions of dollars,” Coldwell told Radio Formula.

The first contracts in Round One will be granted starting on July 15, with signing of the deals taking place “around August, September at the latest and the investments will start arriving in the fourth quarter of this year,” the energy secretary said.

The Mexican government is offering 23 of 169 blocks in the first two phases of Round One, opening the door to private investment in the energy industry after 76 years of state control.

The first phase of Round One includes 14 shallow-water exploration blocks in a 4,222-sq.-kilometer (1,630-sq.-mile) area off the coasts of the southeastern states of Veracruz, Tabasco and Campeche.

The government estimates that $16.7 billion in investment will flow into these fields over the next five years, creating 168,000 jobs.

The nine remaining fields to be awarded are located in a 281-sq.-kilometer (108-sq.-mile) area off the coasts of the southeastern states of Tabasco and Campeche, and contain reserves estimated at 671

million barrels of oil equivalent.

These fields are expected to attract $4.48 billion in investment and lead to the creation of 44,000 jobs.

“Much investment is flowing into Mexico right now,” Coldwell said, citing the national pipeline system currently under construction as an example.

President Enrique Peña Nieto’s energy industry reforms opened Mexico’s oil and gas sector to private investment for the first time since 1938.

Expectations, however, have

been dampened by the plunge in oil prices.

The government said in January that it would cut public spending by $8.02 billion, or 0.70 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), in an effort to deal with the effects of falling crude prices.

The cuts include a reduction of about $4 billion in the budget of state-owned oil giant Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, forcing officials to hold off on several planned projects, including deepwater exploration.

Lath.com

Vallarta Shopping Directory and events www.puertovallartadining-shopping.com

Culinary & Art Festival

A

nother Project of the Vallarta Shopping Directory and the Marsol Market by the Pier is the First Annual Culinary & Art Festival designed to promote local painters, sculptors and photographers as well as our fine restaurants, chefs and caterers.

We welcome our visitors and residents to try the variety of cuisine offered in Puerto Vallarta, and to appreciate and purchase the artwork of our very talented artists and art galleries.

The Culinary and Art Festival will take place on Wednesday, March 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the large lobby of the Hotel Marsol, right next to the Los Muertos Pier on the closed street Francisca Rodriguez.

There will be live music and entertainment for your enjoyment.

There is no cost to enter, but tickets will be available for

continued from page. 3

Dear Madeline, Your Editor’s notes in issue 931 seem to be about breaking away without actually doing the chores ... but I am not going there. Actually I have found another way. Sitting down to do a chore here in my home in San Francisco, I suddenly found myself bouncing around on a blue bus in Puerto Vallarta speeding down the crowded street going around traffic and people walking on either side of the street.

I can remember feeling the joy as the bus approached the Malecon, thinking of the joy of exiting the bus and walking along the bay side walkway as I went to do some window shopping. Only when I got off the bus, I was back in my home in San Francisco, disappointed.

This must happen to many

A Uniquely Beautiful

by Cecile Scriban

purchase of food and for the raffle.

Please put March 25th on your calendar, come and invite your friends.

Check the online Vallarta Shopping Directory often to see

new places that have opened, their hours, telephone numbers for reservations and photos of their locations and products. www.puertovallartadining-shopping.com

folks, as they may have left their thoughts back in Puerto Vallarta.

Some will say it is a form of day dreaming, or self-hypnotism ... or perhaps that the past, present and future are all one.

Frank Norton San Francisco CA USA

“Google translate” to explain in Spanish about the bracelet, I was very happy to learn that the staff had indeed found it.

I must confess I did not expect to see it again and am very impressed, but not surprised, about the honesty of Raool, our waiter and the staff of the “Friendly Lobster”. I know these people work very hard to support themselves and their families, and they should take great pride in their honesty and good character.

Brenda Sigouin Ontario, Canada

Letter to the Editor: I recently lost a valuable bracelet.

I wasn’t sure where it fell off. It could have been in one of two taxis we took to and from the “Happy Lobster” restaurant, or anywhere in between.

I suspected perhaps one of the taxis, and with your help, had begun trying to determine which taxi took us to the restaurant. In the meantime I called the restaurant to enquire about it. After a couple of calls and having used

D

id you know that there's an artist 'extraordinaire' right here in town who's not only a national celebrity but also one of international fame as well?

Attaining international acclaim in Granada, Spain, Melissa Castillo Caviedes became a leading performer combining contemporary dance with choreographic composition and theater. And having eagerly absorbed the classical Butoh dance, she earned her place in the famous Japanese Taiku Dance Company, and emerged as creator of aesthetic choreographic projects and performances of indescribable beauty.

During a three - year 'recess', talented Melissa, inspired by a three verse “haiku” composed by Vallarta's own Rubén Cham, she worked, explored and imagined this new lofty project'.

"Foot on firm ground Scanning the heavens Taking flight"

Foot firmly residing in Vallarta however, another of Ms Castillo's numerous absorbing initiatives has to be her weekly Taller de Baile (Dance Workshop) at the beloved Biblioteca Los Mangos, our popular cultural and community center where she tirelessly teaches to both children and teenagers while raising the level and quality of this important branch of the performing arts in our city.

The Biblioteca Los Mangos is thus excited and proud to present this Spring 'La Magia de la Dance' March 26 at 8.00 p.m in the Exposition Hall under the generous sponsorship of the grand Sheraton Buganvilias Resort Hotel of Vallarta.

This Performance starts in the first half of the program (before Intermission) with 'Seeds of the Sun' or 'Germen de Sol' her own production and choreography with a fresh and dynamic outlook exploring the poetic choreographic expressions in the origins of movement and their 'genuine intentions'. "There is no movement for the sake of move-

l Modern Dance Production ment without a meaning to it, and thus it's essential to get to the source of the true impulse of any movement from the simplest to the most complex" Melissa explains.

As always, our community is committed to promoting excellence in literacy, art and culture at the ever evolving and expanding BLM , while encouraging such impassioned local artists of caliber as Melissa to continue enriching the quality of our beloved PV. Why, with this unique double deal opportunity, dear friends and visitors alike, let's go celebrate this glorious season, and support one of the most worthy causes in town !...

Before the performance at 7.00 p.m , yes, let's meet up again for cocktails at the elegant hotel's cash bar lobby, ( also at Intermission ), to proceed after the show, for savouries and dinner at any of the hotel's attractive restaurants and enjoy a 20% discount on food & beverages with presentation of your hot event ticket for that day/ night. Ticket: 350 pesos, 400 pesos at the door At : Bibloiteca Los Mangos - Francisco Villa : 224 9966 Hotel Belmar - on Insurgentes: 223 1872 Cecilia - 226 4606

Kathleen Carrillo Galleries

K

athleen Carrillo Galleries, Calle Constitution 325, half a block from Basilio Badillo, is in the old Puerco Azul space, next door to the Banderas Bay Trading Company. The Gallery is now showing the newest paintings from her Friends and Divas Collection.

Kathleen has been creating images of women since her college days.

Over the years they have reflected the experiences of her personal journey as a woman.

Women dealing with many issues, being out of balance, learning to heal from abuse, divorce, working mothers, psychological, spiritual and physical healing. In her Masters Thesis “Pathfinders”, she depicted woman of all shapes and sizes in Celebration of growth through these life accidents. The next series of works were reflections of a search for her spiritual truths.

Studies of the Goddess became her muse. Many of the images were empowered woman inspired

“Parasols” from The Friends and Divas Collection

by her studies of the Archetypical Greek Goddesses. Each painting reflected strengths and weaknesses of Diana, Persephone, Athena, Artemis, Demeter, and Hestia. Most recently Kathleen is exploring her personal connection with nature and it’s healing powers.

She is living in the jungle just outside of town on the Rio Cuale at the base of the Sierra Madres in the little magical Colonia of Paso Del Guayabo.

One of the most popular Collections to date is her Jungle Magic Collection which include women who are relearning the healing energies of being in

touch with nature through message from animals.

Finally, as Kathleen softens and matures into the balance of her own masculine and feminine balance she has begun exploring her newest paintings, “Friends and Divas Collection”.

These paintings are a reminder that we are amazing women no matter what shape, size or age we are. It is a reminder that we all need to embrace are own personal Divas! To contact Kathleen: Mex. 044 322 141 8867, US 941 932 8543. www.KathleenCarrilloGalleries.com

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

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March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Paradise

and Parenting

My Life

in Vallarta

Leza Warkentin mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

By Lois Ellison loell87@yahoo.com

Becoming Mama Bear

First Timers

S

omething you probably don’t know about me is that I am a people pleaser. I’ve been this way from the moment I could say “Whatever YOU want to do.”

I still recall the time my teacher appointed me editor of the sixth grade yearbook. She seemed so excited about giving me such an empowering job that I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. So I agreed.

Unfortunately, I was not editor material. The job required a certain amount of organizational ability and also a certain amount of showing up to work. She and her eight-year-old daughter ended up cutting me out of all the meetings by week two and just doing it themselves.

I dislike conflict, and I have a deep well of guilt that can be dredged up at any time (as an aside, if you think Catholics have the monopoly on guilt, you need to share a pew with some one of Mennonite heritage. You’ll end up feeling guilty by association).

If I’m bored with feeling guilty about the ways I am ruining my children, I can work up a memory thirty-three years old of the time I told our neighbor his eyes were too close together. I can still cringe at the time I laughed out loud at a funeral luncheon when I was eleven.

You can probably imagine, then, that moving to Mexico was a challenge for me, and in a tourist town no one wants to hear “No, thank you” in any language.

My first full, awkward sentence in Spanish was Esta bien, voy a comprar dos (ok, I’ll buy two).

Let’s face it, I had to learn to assert myself in this tourist town or I would end up with a whole set of shot glasses decorated with inappropriately clothed clay figurines (you know the ones).

And that’s why having children was the best thing that happened

to me. Nothing takes over all your other personality traits like parental desperation. I am so grateful to my kids for providing me with the motivation to overcome my pleaser tendencies and converting me into what some might call “a helicopter mom” and others might call “a necessary evil.”

You will know what I mean if you have been in similar situations such as these. And honestly, some of them have nothing to do with living in another country and a lot to do with just being a mom on a regular sort of day: - Being eight months pregnant on a bus full of people who insist on sitting in the outside seat.

- Standing for two hours in a passport line with a two-month-old baby and then hearing that your child’s pediatrician didn’t sign the required letter with the right kind of black ink pen.

- Being denounced publicly by total strangers for bringing your six-month-old out on the street with no shoes on.

- Watching your daughter get shoved around in the bouncy castle by a wee princess with a pink bow whose father obviously just got his iPhone 5.

- Having soccer balls kicked very near to your head every evening because your son wants to practice and then going to the game to watch him sit on the bench.

- Noticing proudly that, after years of patient parental tutelage, your child is waiting politely in line for popcorn at a concession stand. And then a grown man inserts himself into the line directly in front of her.

So yes, I’ve learned to assert myself at times. Sometimes I’m more assertive because I need to get things done. And sometimes I am more assertive because I know I’m worth it. But most of the time I’m assertive because my bear cubs need to know that, when they need it, their mama can roar. Even if she feels guilty about it later.

Part 2

I

n my last column I talked about some of the things that might surprise or confuse visitors who are new to Puerto Vallarta. There are many others, so let’s take a look at a few more.

The key to having a great visit anywhere is to always remember it is not going to be like home. Isn’t that one of the primary reasons to travel? It’s an opportunity to experience and enjoy other places and cultures. Respecting the customs and culture of a foreign country will enhance your visit, broaden your horizons, and make the locals appreciate you for more than just the money you spend.

Courtesy is highly valued here.

When buses are crowded, you will observe men standing to offer their seats to women, the elderly or infirm. Young women offer their seats to their elders or to women with young children.

Many foreigners are unfamiliar with bus travel because north of the border it is generally only available in major cities. Adopting this civility as you ride the buses here demonstrates your respect for the

Mexican people. Pride and dignity are also very important. Perhaps you’ve been to a large grocery store and notice the baggers always standing ready to pack up your purchases. In some cases these are senior citizens, in other cases, they are students. Y ou may be wondering why they are there in such large numbers.

Depending on where you come from, you may even be accustomed to packing your own groceries.

Social services for the elderly are not readily available and people find themselves struggling to survive in their later years.

Education is compulsory through sixth grade and those who go further find themselves facing high costs for uniforms and basic school supplies.

The people you see bagging groceries are not paid any wages.

Instead, they rely on tips from the customers. That means you. This is an unfamiliar custom for most foreigners but it is a great way to respect the local culture and help someone at the same time.

A really baffling custom for foreigners when they go to stores is “redondear” which means rounding. For example, you purchase something with a printed price

of 42.35 pesos. You hand over a fifty peso note and receive eight pesos back. Next time, or maybe in another store, the price is 42.85 and your change is seven pesos.

Huh? These prices have been rounded, either up or down, depending on the circumstances. On rare occasions, you may actually be given the exact change with those pesky teensy coins, but mostly stores don’t want to be bothered.

The first time this happened to me was many years ago I was mystified. At first I thought I was somehow being cheated but now that I understand, it makes sense.

In an odd sort of way, it comes out even. Well maybe almost even.

The big unanswered question is how do the stores ever manage to balance their books? I don’t think they can and perhaps to them it simply isn’t that important. Maybe close is good enough.

As for those tiny coins, it probably costs more to manufacture them then they are worth. In fact, I think some of the smallest denominations aren’t even made anymore. The US could take a lesson from this. Whenever someone suggests discontinuing the penny, people go crazy. For a country so concerned about the budget, they’d rather take a big loss on manufacturing an obsolete coin than shift gears.

During your visit here you will no doubt encounter many differences between Puerto Vallarta and your home country.

Try to celebrate these and go with the flow. If it was “just like home” there’d be no fun in being here. Remember we are all guests here, even those of us who live here fulltime. Viva Mexico!

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Vacation

Personality Disorder

By Molly Williams http://inmylifebymolly.blogspot.com/

I am a semi-retired history teacher, a part-time lawyer, an optimistic writer, a contented wife, a forever mom, and a joyous and open-eyed traveler.

F

or the last twenty-plus years, my husband and I have spent a chunk of the miserable Mid-Western winter in Puerto Vallarta. Over the years we have traveled with “the moms” (his mother and mine), the grown daughter, a couple from home we have been dear friends with for most of our lives, and of course our teen daughter, who calls our local condo her “Mexico home.”

What these people don’t know is that they have each been traveling over the years with a very different me.

With my mother and motherin-law, we enjoy a slower pace. I am accommodating, generous with their milder schedule, unselfish with our personal preferences, and

in full-on listening mode.

They are open with memories, affection, motherly concern and attentiveness, and, because of their ages, genuinely grateful for these shared experiences, fully understanding that each trip may be the last international airport they feel up to navigating. I offer my daughter up to her grandmothers freely, as one who knows her treasure is only magnified by the sharing.

With the grown daughter, the week is sometimes of blur of shifting sleep patterns, tossed towels, and empty glassware.

The “big girl” and I are notorious for staggering home in the weak pre-dawn light from Roxy’s or some new found haunt with new found

friends, places which we can never find later in the light of day. With her we try new adventures, lighten our wallets, try to keep the music out of the neighbors’ balconies, and generally laugh a lot. We get to share a closeness we can’t at home, where she works too much and our daily lives rarely intertwine.

Our married couple friends travel with us in a sort of vacation shorthand - with them, I can say, “want to go back to that place we ate that time when we liked the view?” and they will instantly know and be excited by the possibility. I can allow someone else to make decisions, which is a burden I rarely shrug otherwise, knowing that whatever happens we will all enjoy it. With them I can talk or be quiet, order another margarita, or not, dress to impress or simply wear the same shorts from yesterday - whatever I choose, they will be happy in their skins, and we can all peacefully coexist. With them I have the luxury of not having to give a backstory - lifelong friends eliminate the need to explain yourself, or try to be someone you’re not, and especially to try to meet unrealistic expectations. I like their version of Vacation Molly a lot.

The younger daughter through the years has traveled with mom-who-worries-what-toddlerNatalie-will-find-she-likes-to-eat,

mom-who-let-her-wander-offdown-the-beach, must-get-downfor-the-nap-mom, and the mom who never tires of tossing her in the pool and photographing her in the magical light of sunset. She knows that here I allow more freedoms, later bedtimes, unmade beds, and frequently a henna tattoo we’ll need to cover with a bandaid before returning to her parochial school classroom.

This vacation mom smiles a lot, doesn’t wear her watch, encourages new tastes and adventures, and never bugs her about homework.

This personality schism is not meant to be deceiving. My daughter calls what I do chameleon-ing - I subtly alter my style to make those around me more comfortable. I have learned that I am happiest when I can make others happy; by reflecting their own approaches to travel and fun back at them, then we are all at our best, and I am enveloped in a joy marshmallow.

Last year, for the first time in 16 years, my husband and I were here for a week on our own, with no moms that time and the big girl newly married and not traveling.

After our first week Natalie went home with the friends to face the rigors of high school, where a week away is nearly unrecoverable, leaving us looking at one another

dazedly bereft. I discovered yet another vacation personality - one reliving the excitement of pre-child couplehood and previewing empty nesting all at once.

We went where we wanted on our own schedule, walking early every morning along the malecon and Old Town streets without a need to race back for a big group breakfast.

We tried new restaurants at tables for two, had room for both of us under the palapa, and enjoyed quiet moments on our quiet balcony. We missed the child immensely, but found joy in each other we sometimes forget to look for when we’re at home and busy.

This year will be interesting yet again, as all my disparate vacation personalities will merge.

For the first time we will all be in Puerto Vallarta together, and the split second transformations are likely to make my head spin. I am not yet sure how dutiful daughter Molly melds with best pal Molly with mommy-mommy-mommy Molly. Adjustments will be made, compromises forged, pardon begged and easily granted. My familiars will connect more closely with one another, and we will all blend into one big celebratory table at Pipi’s, complete with whipped cream on the nose. I bet I will like this vacation Molly best of all.

Here are 5 health benefits of drinking lemon water that go beyond just taste: 1. Supports immune function: Lemons are high in antioxidant vitamin C, known for its supportive role in healthy immune function which may reduce the risk of respiratory infection. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons has shown anti-inflammatory effects and is used as complementary support for asthma and other respiratory symptoms.

Lemons also contain saponins, which show antimicrobial properties that may help keep cold and flu at bay. And finally, ascorbic acid enhances iron absorption in the body; iron plays an important role in

immune function.

2. Alkalize the body: Lemons are actually one of the most alkalizing foods for the body, although the tartness of a lemon may make them seem acidic. They contain both citric and ascorbic acid, weak acids easily metabolized from the body allowing the mineral content of lemons to help alkalize the blood.

3. Aid digestion: Believed to stimulate and purify the liver, lemon juice is traditionally understood to support digestive hydrochloric acid in the stomach, further aiding digestion. Vitamin C status has been associated with reduced risk of peptic ulcers caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

4. Clear skin: Traditionally used as a liver stimulant, lemon water is believed to help purge toxins from the blood, helping to keep skin clear of blemishes. Vitamin C and other antioxidants in lemons combat free radical damage. Free radical damage is responsible for many symptoms of aging — especially as caused by UV exposure and environmental toxins. Antioxidant intake can help offset this damage, minimizing wrinkles. Additionally,

lemon juice can be applied topically to reduce the appearance of scars and age spots.

5. Promote healing: Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), found in abundance in lemons, promotes wound healing and is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of cartilage, healthy bones and connective tissue. As noted previously, vitamin C also displays anti-inflammatory properties. Combined, vitamin C is an essential nutrient in the maintenance of good health and recovery from stress and injury.

So drink up that lemon water in the morning and save that lemon/ lime margarita for later.

Source: www.thehealthcoachgroup.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

Wellness

Latina

By Marcella Castellanos info@wellnesslatina.com

5 Reasons You Should Drink Lemon Water

W

ho doesn't like a refreshing glass of water on a hot day? I can hear some of you saying, “when there is no beer available”... ha!

In these climates, it's important to stay hydrated. We know that our body is 75% water and our brain is 85% water. If you're thirsty, it probably means that you waited too long and your body is a bit dehy-

drated. It's best to drink before you are thirsty.

A healthier alternative to start your day instead of reaching for the usual cup of coffee or tea is with some warm lemon water first to kick-start digestion. The water doesn’t always have to be warm, but it should be purified. Simply use half a fresh lemon per large glass of water and sip throughout the day.

Drinking lemon water is a ritual in Ayurveda or Yogic traditions, used to stimulate digestion for the day and clear the body of any toxins that may have settled in the digestive tract overnight.

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

real estate

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By Roberto Ortiz de Montellano F.

Mexican-Licensed Attorney at Law roberto@ortizdemontellano.com

Mexico’s Quiet Marri

What to know when buying property in Mexico

Equality Revolution

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

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his check list can prevent you from losing thousands of dollars.

Checklists are a part of our everyday life. We do checklists for our grocery shopping, for our Christmas shopping, when planning a trip, when planning a party, and so on. But there are checklists and there are CHECKLISTS, especially when it comes to your investment. This applies as well if you are planning to acquire property in Mexico, where certain legal requirements must be fulfilled in order to secure your investment and avoid conflicts later.

Here is a checklist of the main legal aspects to consider when buying property in Mexico: 1. If the seller is a Mexican corporation, you must verify that it is duly incorporated and that the legal representative of that corporation has enough faculties to celebrate the contract and

transfer the title, otherwise the contract can be declared null and void.

2. A title verification should be carried out. The documents that the seller provides as proof of ownership over the property must be carefully reviewed in order to certify that the person who is selling you the property is the actual owner and that his title is not subject to any conditions or consent from third parties.

3. It is important to verify that the property is free of any liens, otherwise you can lose it in case the debt or credit that caused the lien is not paid in due form.

4. The property must also be free of any encumbrances such as easements, rights of way, leases or deed restrictions.

5. Yes, even in Mexico we pay taxes, including property tax, so you must make sure that the seller does not owe taxes for

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

the property you are planning to purchase, otherwise the transfer of title cannot take place.

6. In case the property already has utilities (water, electricity and gas), then you must verify that there are no debts regarding these services. You must also verify that the contracts for the utilities are on the seller’s name, so you that you can later change them into your own name.

7. It is important to make sure that the seller is in possession of the property and that he is able to deliver this possession to you without any difficulties.

8. If the seller built any improvements in the property, it is important that these are clearly identified so they can be described in the deed where the title is being transferred to you.

For example, if the seller bought the property without any construction at all, and then he built a house over the property, it is important that the deed where you acquire title describes at least briefly the improvement of the house, otherwise it can be considered that you are acquiring only the land and that the seller remains as owner of the house.

You must also be aware that depending on the type of property you are acquiring, there are many more specific details that should be verified such as: environmental permits, concessions in federal zone, land use, transformation of ejido into private property, maintenance fees, and the list goes on.

As you can see, executing a proper real estate purchase contract in Mexico requires all these conditions (and more) to be fulfilled; otherwise you may face conflicts that will cost you money or even the loss of your investment.

“Outside of Mexico, and even inside of Mexico, these advances are not widely known … but it is irreversiblem.”

By J. Lester Feder ourts in more than two-thirds of Mexico’s 31 states have granted same-sex couples the right to marry over the past two years in a series of rulings that will likely make marriage equality a reality nationwide in the near future.

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The wave of rulings throughout Mexico hasn’t caused the uproar that has followed rulings in the United States over the past year striking down state laws barring same-sex couples from marrying.

Couples have not rushed to marry nor have conservatives organized major protests.

This is in part because the technicalities of Mexican law have meant these decisions have been much more narrow in their immediate impact. Each decision applies only to the individuals who have brought the cases, and other same-sex couples will still have to sue in order to marry.

It takes multiple cases meeting certain technical requirements for the courts to nullify a state law in Mexico — a hurdle that has not yet been met.

But with new rulings being announced almost every week — judges in seven new states ruled in favor of marriage equality in the first three months of 2015 alone — it seems almost inevitable that this day is coming, say legal experts who have closely followed the litigation.

“It’s just a matter of time,” said Geraldina Gonzalez de la Vega, a lawyer who worked on the first of these suits filed in 2011 and is now a clerk to a Supreme Court minister. “This has spread all over the country.”

The first place in Mexico to allow same-sex couples to marry

was Mexico City — a federal district that functions like a state, sort of like Washington D.C in the U.S. A marriage equality law was adopted by the city’s legislature at the very end of 2009.

When opponents took the law

equality

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“It’s just a matter of time,” said Geraldina Gonzalez de la Vega, a lawyer who worked on the first of these suits filed in 2011 and is now a clerk to a Supreme Court minister. “This has spread all over the country.” seemed like a long shot. Unlike in the United States, where legal activists spent years spelling out the grounds for marriage equality and some state challenges attracted A-list attorneys, the idea to challenge a state marriage code came from a law student in the largely rural state of Oaxaca.

Alex Alí Méndez Díaz has now been involved in lawsuits in 19 states even though he is still finishing advanced studies in Mexico City and has an unrelated full-time job. Méndez first thought about challenging state marriage laws when he met a couple named Alejandro and Guillermo while helping to plan a pride parade in his native state of Oaxaca in 2011.

The two wanted to marry, but they couldn’t afford to make the trip to register their union in Mexico City.

“These guys said to me, ‘We want to get married but we don’t want to leave. … Can we get married here in Oaxaca?’”

Méndez recounted during a 2012 interview with this reporter in Oaxaca City. He downloaded the ruling in the Mexico City case and concluded that it laid the foundation for challenging Oaxaca’s marriage code.

Others in Oaxaca’s local LGBT rights organizations thought going to court was a bad idea, Méndez said, in part because they were worried that the state wasn’t ready for a public discussion about same-sex marriage. But he was sure of his legal arguments, so he decided to bring the case by himself.

“I said, ‘Fine, if the collective won’t do this as a group, well, I’m the only lawyer [in the organization]. I’ll do it,’” he said.

to Mexico’s Supreme Court, the judges ruled that it was constitutional for Mexico City to recognize same-sex couples and went one step further: They also held that the city’s marriages were valid in every state of the country.

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

But the Supreme Court left state marriage codes restricting marriage to heterosexual couples in place. The first case to argue that state marriage laws restricting marriage to a man and a woman were also unconstitutional

In August 2011, Mendez filed cases on behalf of Alejandro and Guillermo and another couple he recruited through Facebook.

In early 2012, he filed one more.

These were amparos, a kind of suit in the Mexican system concerning human rights violations.

He lost two of them — including

Alejandro and Guillermo’s — but the third, on behalf of a couple identified as Lizeth and Montserrat, eventually made its way to the Supreme Court. In December 2012 the Supreme Court sided with the couple.

The written decision in the case, published in early 2013, made an impassioned argument for marriage equality. A unanimous opinion authored by Supreme Court Minister Arturo Zaldívar Lelo de Larrea said that the court needed to step in partly because of a provision added to the Mexican constitution in 2011 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of “sexual preferences.”

Unlike in the U.S., Mexican courts recognize rulings from other countries, so Zaldívar also based the decision in part on landmark U.S. Supreme Court judgments striking down racial segregation.

“Like racial segregation, founded on the unacceptable idea of white supremacy, the exclusion of homosexual couples from marriage also is based on prejudice that historically has existed against homosexuals,” Zaldívar wrote, referring both to the 1954 school desegregation case Brown v. Board of Education and the 1967 case striking down laws banning interracial marriage, Loving v. Virginia.

The judgement allowed just the petitioners to marry — Mexican law requires essentially five identical rulings on a subject from a highlevel court in order to establish precedent binding all government officials. But it provided a very clear blueprint for bringing more challenges. Méndez announced on Twitter less than a week after the decision was handed down in December in 2012 that he was preparing to file amparos on behalf of more couples in Oaxaca, and lawyers in several other states immediately began talking about copying the strategy.

Méndez also began working on an amparo colectivo, a petition of 39 individuals from Oaxaca

challenging the marriage restriction. These actions didn’t revolve around specific couples alleging their rights had been violated because they’d been denied the right to marry. Instead, it was a group of gays and lesbians who said it was inherently discriminatory for the state to bar them from matrimony.

This would streamline the process, allowing large numbers of couples to win marriage rights through a single suit, and also allow single people to win the right to marry even if they didn’t yet have a partner.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of this amparo colectivo in April last year. Since then, groups numbering in the hundreds have successfully brought these suits in multiple states.

As of late February, there have been rulings in favour of marriage equality in 22 states, according to local news reports, and cases have been filed in at least four others. This legal wave nudged the legislature of one state on the U.S. border, Coahuila, to pass a marriage equality law in September. And the Caribbean state of Quintana Roo — where same-sex marriages actually began taking advantage in 2011 of the little-noticed fact that the wording of its marriage statute was actually gender-neutral — held two mass weddings of same-sex couples this year.

Méndez himself seems astonished at the pace of change.

“Imagine, in 2012, we won the first judgement in Oaxaca,” Méndez marvelled during a phone interview last week. “In the two years [since], we have succeeded in covering almost the entire country.”

Rex Wockner provided research assistance for this story.

This post has been updated to reflect a March 4 ruling against a law in the state of Chiapas banning same-sex couples from marrying http://www.buzzfeed.com

Old Town Farmers Marke

Let Them Eat “Corn Flan”!

Download 200,000+ brand logos in vector format for free http://www.logoeps.com/

By Erin Staley

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he Old Town Farmers’ Market–Tianguis Cultural has a wealth of treasures and experiences to share with you this Saturday. Fill your eco-friendly bags with farm-to-table ingredients and “make it, bake it, grow it” treasures. Then dance to live music before indulging in ready-to-eat delectables such as Maria Reyes’ Corn Flan.

Meet Maria Reyes Maria Reyes crafted an executive administrative career in the hustle and bustle of Mexico City.

She commuted three hours, twice a day, juggling work responsibilities before heading home to be a fulltime homemaker.

After 40 years of dedication, Reyes found herself jobless due to the global economy crisis and despite her experience, age discrimination prevented Reyes from securing a similar position.

Something had to be done. Reyes boarded a bus for Puerto Vallarta in 2009 and arrived at the home of her recently deceased mother.

She reached out to family friends who had promised help, but it didn't come. And once again, age discrimination prevented Reyes from reentering the work force.

Opportunity Bakes Desperate, Reyes looked to her past. As a teenager, she worked alongside a seasoned baker in a family restaurant.

She helped him use old world recipes to make the traditional Christmas cake. Reyes began baking again with these recipes and added locally grown ingredients to shake up the recipes.

“My Canadian neighbor was expecting her mother for a visit, so I prepared my corn cake as a welcome gift,” says Reyes.

“The next day I found a beautiful pink note at my door. It said, 'Maria, your corn cake is the richest we have ever eaten!'”

Reyes was inspired. She headed for the newly-opened OTFM-TC, knowing that its founder, Charlotte Semple, was looking for local producers to sell their goods. Reyes was nervous – not having spoken English in years – but came with corn cake, choux and baked meringues.

Reyes laughs and says, “Charlotte invited me to be a vendor, but she kept calling the corn cakes, ‘Corn Flan'. The name stuck, and now I tell everyone that Charlotte named my cakes!”

A Market Favorite Every Saturday, Market fans line up for Reyes' traditional Mexican gourmet pastries. Along with the corn cakes that are gluten free

she offers a selection of sugar-free and dairy-free products. Savor the flavor of these baked favorites: • “God’s Dessert” (a chocolate cake) • Habanero and roasted pepper tarts • Portobello/cheese tarts • Vanilla/peach cakes • Vegetable tartsApple/cinnamon/ cranberry cakes • Banana/peanut butter/chocolate cakes • Green apple/pecan/maple cakes

“I am very thankful that Charlotte and the vendor selection committee gave me a chance to begin something new for my life,” says Reyes, proud to make a living on market sales. Reyes also bakes year-round. Place your orders by contacting Reyes at 322-281-6539, 322-128-9667, cornflan(at)hotmail. com or Facebook.

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” movement 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.

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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

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March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit

By Cat Morgan

www.rivieranayaritfun.com

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

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ola a todos! Welcome to March Madness! Springtime is a wonderful time for visiting the Banderas Bay and Riviera Nayarit. Whales will be out in the bay through April, with some stragglers still to be found in May. It’s also a perfect time for weddings and all new beginnings.

Clear out the old and bring in the new! Springtime also means we have daylight saving time changes as we spring forward here in Mexico on April 6th, which is also Semana Santa (Easter).

The United States and Canada time change has already occurred on March 8th.

It’s difficult to list ALL of the events so please be sure to check the allBucerias.com and the allLaCruz.com calendars for classes, events and entertainment!

A Bit of Non Profit Fun… Murder, Mayhem and Green Marshmallow Salad.

It’s a Whodunit?!

Join the fun of sleuthing who the murderer is while enjoying a delicious all-you-can-eat baby back rib dinner (vegetarian available) with your friends as the Amigos de la Cruz Players present: “Murder, Mayhem and Green Marshmallow Salad”.

The dates are set for Tuesday, March 17th, (only a few left) and Wednesday, March 18th at Philo’s Bar in La Cruz. Tickets are $300 Pesos per person.

The play begins at 6:30, so come a bit early as seating is general admission.

Tickets are going FAST! For tickets please call David at 329-2955148 or Florrie at 329-295-5651 or

email LaCruzAmigos@Gmail.com.

You can also purchase tickets at Philo’s.

Tuesday March 17th is St. Patrick's Day. The John Ozzello Memorial Food Bank will have a table set up at El Beso during the 8th annual St. Patrick's Day Festival in Bucerias.

Please bring any non-perishable food donations. 50/50 draws throughout the day.

The festivities start at Noon and go until midnight. Food, live music, beer, and fun for the whole family. El Beso is located at: Lazaro Cardeñas #7 (just before the Kissing Bridge).

Bucerias March Madness Art and Entertainment Thursday evening enjoy the Art Walk from 7-9pm on the south

Playa Destiladeras

side of the Kissing Bridge. Visit the art galleries and meet the artists.

Mark’s Bar and Grill sells very nice Mexican wines as well.

The Bucerias Art Gallery and Studio is hosting a Sangria Meet & Greet Thursday evening during the Art Walk featuring the artist Janis Parrott.

Patricia Villasenor, a new gallery owner who also teaches art classes in Marina Vallarta exhibits at the Bucerias Art Gallery for 3 seasons.

For some new entertainment, Luna Lounge has Thursday, March 12th - Bohemia Viva - Argentinean duo playing and singing in their unique style; a mix of English, Spanish and Italian music that will move you.

Friday, March 13th - Frankie Valli Tribute Show - Star Search finalist Paul Fracassi does an incredible job with this show entitled "Walk Like A Man".

Tuesday, March 17th - St. Patrick's Day - Don't miss the real Irish Fest the St. Patrick's Day at Luna Lounge!

Live Irish music and singing all day from noon till midnight with the best Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Hugh’s grandmother's Beef and Guinness Stew served from 1 pm till they run out!! Friday, March 20th is the Elvis Gospel and Inspirational Show with Rob Knight, his last show of the season!

Breakers Beach Bar, Club and Restaurant is loaded with new fun! Of course, they have the Wednesday Live Music and BBQ Buffet with the What’s Up Band, Sunday’s with 3 to Rock band starting at 3pm and professional Salsa dance lessons every Friday 7-9pm and Sunday Brunch.

If that was not enough, Friday, March 13th at 8pm is Reggae on the playa featuring King David Baily backed by Jamex. Woohoo!

As well as a new Saturday Band with Xanath at 8pm. Party on Breakers!

Esquina 22 Bar and Lounge-

Duo Enlace performs for one more Friday, and Wednesdays Cesar Median on guitar and vocals, both beginning at 8pm. Daily local gastro-pub food specials.

La Cruz March Madness and Entertainment.

There is a super fun beach restaurant called Nahui Beach Restaurant located at Destilideras Beach, left of the parking lot.

Enjoy a private cove with a large restaurant under a palapa overlooking the Banderas Bay and Marietta Islands.

Below are tables, chairs and loungers on the playa.

It’s a beautiful spot for a relaxing day on the playa; buckets of beers or a romantic sunset dinner.

The venue is also perfect for beach weddings and parties.

They are open for lunch and dinner. Ana Banana Bar and Grill is rockin’ the casa Every Monday “The Good Stuff”, Wednesday "Dog Town Trio" and Rusty Debris Band and Friday "4 We'll Drive" Band” with Sunday Brunch / guitar music.

Pub Britannia packs the house every Tuesday for Open Mic Night with Mike Curlette with “The Turn” and Fridays with the Rock Lobster band. Game nights are Monday and Thursday with Bingo every Wednesday beginning at 3pm.

Las Palapas Grill, perfect for lunch and dinner on the beach with live music with the “What’s Up” band on Thursday and Sunday with the mechanical bull riding and “The Hangers” band, along with Sunday 2x1 margaritas all day long!

Masala Bar and Grill has live music with Tatewari every Thursday along with the 3 course meal special.

Thanks for checking in and have a super week! For questions, comments or information email Cat at Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com

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Mud and Magic Part One of Four

by Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

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car accident that should have killed him didn’t. He has scars and lumps and bumps that remind him daily of why he is alive. After flying through a windshield headed straight down a steep decline, a fork in a huge tree stopped him from hitting the ground, thus saving him for a life of constant and continuous pain throughout his entire body.

After the necessary hospital patching up, putting bones back into place, killing the incessant pain with the usual drugs, he remembered a place he had seen years earlier, left his state of birth, Chihuahua, and moved back to Jalisco, just outside of Puerto

Vallarta. He lived within the jungle and learned to heal himself.

Jump ahead in time to late November 2014 and a day trip to Sayulita on the bus with me, my sister Patrice, and her best friend Karen.

A chance conversation on the trip happened to mention a massage therapist that was wellknown in Sayulita who did wonders for pain with a special mud mixed with particular hot springs water.

Karen, who has been suffering nearly her entire adult life with chronic back pain, thought she would give it a try. She had done everything else – physical therapy, lots of painkilling drugs, MRI’s,

CT-scans and chiropractors, a massage would be - at very least – a relaxing way to kick-start her first vacation in Mexico. Two hours later she returned, spotted here and there with greenish-coloured mud, sleepy so we packed up, caught the bus back to Vallarta and that, was the end of that.

Except she wanted to go back a week later for another treatment with the magic mud man, David Chavez. I begged off, not the least bit interested but my sister insisted on going with her and also getting a massage with mud. And so they went.

Two things happened in that two weeks. The first was Karen fell in love with Vallarta, and the second, more important, was that Karen was pain-free. My sister was so impressed that when she learned about the Global Foundation for Integrated Medicines Congress was being held here and that I was going to cover it for the Vallarta Tribune, she insisted that David should go with me.

I reminded her that the cost was $300 USD for the two days. As

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

soon as David said yes, she paid for his ticket, we went to the conference and got to know each other better.

Two weeks ago Karen came back alone for a two-week vacation. First stop, Sayulita, to get a treatment.

I went along for sunshine, moral support and as tour guide. One week after that she surprised me with a picnic/get-a-way/massage for each of us at the place David had gone years before to heal himself and also the hot springs water-supply for the clay David uses for massage.

Here’s where it gets up close and personal for me: never had a massage; always a sceptic of the highest order and truly don’t enjoy being naked with people I don’t know. Even people I do know; there’s a reason for clothing. As it turned out, the place was not completely private so keeping my bathing suit on was okay.

The day was cloudy, not a good sign. Hot sun dries the mud and helps pull toxins out of the body.

However, the air was warm and I

had been soaking in the hot water for over an hour so I was fine and relaxed.

David started on my feet – I know enough about Reflexology to understand why he started there feet know everything and, I have to interject something I learned at the GFIM Congress: all cells have memory. Just when I thought I could not stand the pain one second longer, David would intuitively move to another body part previously battered but now luxuriating with wellness.

I cried throughout the entire massage, snot streaming out of my nose like some colicky child.

One nostril at a time, blowing hard through straggles of wet hair. Who the hell cares?

I seemed to drift in and out of sleep or trance, not sure. The only thing constant was the pain that can only be described as ‘exquisite’…necessary then gone.

Then, I got cold. Teeth chattering, numbing cold.

To be continued next week….

IV International Beach Polo Cup this weekend

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he Sport of Kings will be played in all its glory from March 13-15, sponsored

by Ferrari & Maserati Mexico, the host resort Hard Rock Hotel and tournament host Elite Residences; the competition is part of the Mexico Polo Tours presented

by Tucané.

This year, teams from Italy, Argentina, Canada, U.S and two from Mexico will seek the crown in this Sport of Kings.

“We want the Riviera Nayarit to shine, and we’re grateful that the destination with its gorgeous settings has opened its doors to us,” said José Antonio Amutio,

Managing Director for the event.

“Thanks to the experience accumulated over the past three years the entire event has improved, from the staging, to the playing field and everything in between.”

One of the highlights of the event will be the Ferrari-Maserati Parade, to be held prior to the March 13th inauguration< the vehicles will escort the players and their horses in a spectacular ceremony down Avenida de los Cocoteros in Nuevo Vallarta.

The expected increase in attendees from Mexico and other countries is of approximately 30%; attendance to the event is free.

2nd Music and Art Festival in Chacala 30 bands, dance groups, artists and the community in general come together to make the weekend of the 12-15 of March a very special one in the Riviera Nayarit. The picturesque village of Chacala is celebrating its 2ndMusic and Art Festival from March 12-15, 2015. The event is free and open to the public.

The program is varied, offering several musical genres including mariachi, jazz, folk music, Latin rhythms and more. Performers on stage include Banderas Bay Jazz

Allstars, Luna Rumba, Paul Swan, Trio Tequila, Café Canela and El

Mariachi Garibaldi.

Besides live music, the Festival

will also showcase the Palm Grove art gallery with contributions from its many artists that are currently active Chacala; they will be sharing their art as well as demonstrations on technique that are open to the public. Equinoxio Folklorica and the Ballet Folklorico Ixtaccihuatl dance troupes will be in charge of setting the pace on the floor.

Children and youths are encouraged to participate in the Coro Campo Estrella and the Estudiantina Santa Cecilia choirs.

Chacala is a charming, laid-back destination often touted as the Sayulita of 20 years ago. Beachfront restaurants serving the days catch, charming B&B style rentals abound, there is an excellent surf break, and the community is an eclectic mix of nationals and expats who are working to build a strong destiantion that draws in the informed, intelligent traveler.

For more details www.chacalamusicfestival.com and www. facebook.com/chacala.festival. de.musica.

classified and more...

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March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Tianguis and Farmer´s Markets

Havre No.111 Col. Versalles Fluent Englis Spoken

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

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

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

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

Emergency Phone for Sayulita Dial 066 from any standard land line. Dial 080 from Mexican cell phones. To report suspicious activity in Sayulita, please dial 045-322-141-5994.

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 yearround 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

Emergency Numbers for Bucerias & La Cruz Numbers for the Police Department in case of emergency are 291-0049 and 291-0666.

Emergency number: 066 Police, Bucerias & La Cruz: 298-1020 Civil Protection (Fire, Ambulance): 291-0295 Ambulance, Santa Rosa Clinic: 298-0157

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

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events calendar

March 12 - 18, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Would you like to promote your event across Banderas Bay to over 6,000 weekly readers? Non-profit and charity events receive complimentary listings. Maximum 50 words. Contact Editor@ vallartatribune.com deadline is Tuesday noon.

Thursday 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.

March 12-15 Chacala Village Music Festival This picturesque Nayarit beach town has band together to create an annual week-long celebration of music complete with singalongs and dancing in the street, as well as authentic Mexican food and spirits. ChacalaVillageMusicFestival.com 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 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 Monday, March 16th St. Patrick’s Fundraiser at Murphy’s Irish Pub to benefit the Navy League and American Legion. From 12 noon to 5:00 pm with live music from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Also available is a Raffle draw and 50/50. $200 pesos per person includes Buffet and 2 drink tickets.

Tuesday, March 17th Fundraiser Breakfast at Porto Bello on at 9:00am Funds raised will be used to improve 32 senior care centres around Puerto Vallarta. $160 pesos/ticket – purchase at: CAROL’S BOUTIQUE, on 250 Basilio Badillo, or LUCY’S CUCU CABANA, on 295 Basilio Badillo.

Tuesday, March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day - Live Irish music

and singing all day fromnoon till midnight! The best Corned Beef and Cabbage and, of course, my Grandmother’s Beef and Guinness Stew will be served from 1 pm till we run out!! Don’t miss the real Irish Fest the St. Patrick’s Day at Luna Lounge! bucerias 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.

Thursday March 19 IFC Presentation - Creative Aging - A presentation and dialogue with Norma Schuh and Dan Grippo.

Donation at the door: $50 pesos or 3 canned goods for community services. 7:00 PM Thursday, March 19th, Puerto Vallarta Garden Club meeting at No Way Jose! at 11am Join guest speaker Jane Peabody, a past V.P. of the San Francisco Garden Club. She will be speaking about and demonstrating floral arrangement. Jane was a flower arranger for 27 years at Filoli Gardens in Woodside, California.

Open to the public.

Friday, March 20th features our Elvis Gospel and Inspirational Show with Rob Knight. You may have seen Rob perform at Rhythm and Ribs recently and he will be back at Luna Lounge for his last show this season.

Saturday, March 21st, The First Culinary and Art Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. in the lobby of the Marsol Hotel next to Los Muertos Pier. There will be a number of your favourite restaurants presenting examples of their specialties and talented local artists showing their art for sale.

Live music and raffles add to the fun of the afternoon.

Wednesday March 25th at Bingo at NACHO DADDY’S at 6:00 p.m. Funds raised will be used to improve 32 senior care centres around Puerto Vallarta. Please come out to support some of PV’s most vulnerable citizens.

BINGO on March 25th at NACHO DADDY’S at 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 26th The Magic of the Dance in support of the Biblioteca Los Mangos Library. An evening of dance starting at 8pm. Held at the Hotel Belmar $400 pesos Call Cecila for tickets 226 4606 April 30-May 3 V Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic The 5th annual Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic combines golf with gourmet meals and cooking courses taught by distinguished chefs at the most luxurious resorts in Riviera Nayarit.

The "Punta Mita Cup" is a two day golf tournament played on the signature Jack Nicklaus' courses, Bahia and Pacifico.

PuntaMitaGourmetGolf.com Friday, April 3rd Traditional Seder at the River Café at 6pm Sponsored by the PV Jewish community, a dinner with kosher wine for $570 pesos including tip. Contact Donna at: helth1@ sbcglobal.net Please make your reservations by March 26th. Volunteers are needed for numerous tasks, if you can help please let Donna know.

April 23-26 Salsa & Mambo Festival For the third year in a row the Salsa & Mambo Fest comes to Riviera Nayarit.

The all-star lineups of international and national artists dance over to Marival Resort & Suites for the four day festival. SalsaMamboFest.com

March 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.

May 17-25 Vallarta Pride Focusing on the theme of Unity, this year’s weeklong event is one of the best Pride events in Mexico.

More information at vallartapride. com

Adorable Dog In The Spotlight... CALYPSO

W

e think Calypso is a real champion. When we found him he was guarding over the momma dog and her puppies. Such loyalty in this sweet dog! So, of course, we rescued the entire family. It’s now time to find a forever home for this little guy.

Calypso is a Terrier mix, about two years old and just 22 pounds. He

Flower of the week

is very playful and social, good with other dogs and cats. Calypso has been neutered, dewormed and is current on all his vaccinations.

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

To see all the animals available for adoption, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ spcapv.

Sandra Cesca

Queen’s Wreath Trepadora Lija (Spanish) Petrea volubilis

Sandpaper Vine.

Due to their rough leaves. This fast-growing, perennial woody vine native to Mexico is often mistaken for Wisteria. Climbing to a height of 40 feet, the foot-long flower clusters are a lovely bluish lavender color consisting of five-pointed stars which bloom most of the spring and summer. Flowers have been used in indigenous folk medicine. This plant

is one of over 200 found in Sandra’s color-coded guidebook, Tropical Plants and Walks of Puerto Vallarta.

Available at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens’ gift shop www.vbgardens. org, Page in the Sun Bookstore, and from Sandra at Vallarta Farmer’s Markets on Fridays and Saturdays.

Information on her many area walks can be found at: www.escaperoutevallarta.com.

charities

22

March 12 - 18, 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 (DIF) Department of Human Services is organizing several events to aid 32 DAY CARE CENTERS FOR SENIORS in Puerto Vallarta.

Breakfast at Porto Bello on March 17th at 9:00 a.m. price $160 Pesos p.p. Tickets can be purchased at: CAROL’S BOUTIQUE, on 250 Basilio Badillo, or LUCY’S CUCU CABANA, on 295 Basilio Badillo.

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 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, A. C. - Association created by underprivileged mothers of paralyzed children.

Contact: 299-0976.

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 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.

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

Senior’s Care in Puerto Vallarta gets some local support.

D

IF is hosting a number of fundraisers in the coming months to help improve the 32 Seniors Day Care Centers in Puerto Vallarta.

Senior’s attend these centers often while their caretaker goes to work. 100% of the funds raised will be used to improve the centers by painting them, updating electrical wiring, new tables and chairs, buy

table games and provide food for them, as well as adult diapers.

The general public is welcome to join the volunteer efforts as these are the most vulnerable seniors who depend on someone to take care of them in the last years of their lives. Most of the seniors are between 70 to 100 years old, and need lots of TLC, food and medication. By going to these centers,

they learn to socialize with others as well as eat a balanced diet, which for many of them might be the only decent meal of the day.

Lots of love and care is mostly needed for our elders. Won't you join us?

See the Events Calendar for updated events and more information on how you can support the vulnerable in our community.

brain teasers

23

SUDOKU medium easy

March 12 - 18, 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.