Issue 938, March 26 - 1 April, 2015 by Vallarta Tribune

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Real Estate A SANCTUARY BY THE SEA

March 26 - April 1, 2015 Free Issue 938

Wellness Latina lemon vs lime

Riviera Nayarit APRIL EVENTS

Photo Courtesy of Liza Wallace

welcome

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

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Calling in Mexico Calling phones in Mexico can be tricky as it is different than in the US or Canada. There are different codes you need to use depending if you are calling landlines or cellular phones and if they are local or long distance. Long-distance calls from within Mexico For national long-distance calls (within Mexico) the code is 01 plus the area code and phone number. For international long-distance calls, first dial 00, then the country code (for the U.S. and Canada the country code is 1, so you would dial 00 + 1 + area code + 7 digit number). Calling Cell Phones (from a land line) If you are calling from a landline within the area code of the Mexican cell phone number dial 044, then the 10 digit number including area code. Outside of the area code (but still within Mexico) dial 045 and then the 10 digit phone number. Cell phone to cell phone only requires the 10 digit number. Phone Cards Phone cards (“tarjetas telefonicas”) for use in pay phones can be bought at newstands and in pharmacies in denominations of 30, 50 and 100 pesos. Pay phones do not accept coins. When buying a phone card for pay phone use, specify that you would like a “tarjeta LADA,” because pre-paid cell phone cards are also sold in the same establishments. Calling Toll-Free Numbers Some toll free numbers work from Mexico to the US and Canada, but many do not. You need to dial a different prefix. To call the following toll free prefixes, dial as follows: 800 numbers Dial 001-880-then the number 866 numbers Dial 001-883-then the number 877 numbers Dial 001-882-then the number 888 numbers Dial 001-881-then the number

Spanish Bloopers

by Sandra Cesca

his column is for all of us who are still struggling with the Spanish language…and for those who just want to enjoy a good laugh! Although I have lived here seven years, I still make many mistakes with words that sound the same but are entirely different or with the same word that has double or triple meanings, some resulting in various degrees of embarrassment. Today’s story: PULPO (OCTOPUS) PULPA (PULP) Reader Candace George Thompson writes, “Our daily routine begins with fresh-squeezed orange juice from Abraham at his cart on Francisco Rodriguez. After pressing the oranges he holds up a sieve and asks if we want our juice strained, “Con pulpa o sin pulpa?” To which my husband once replied, “Me gusta con pulpo,”

PULPO (OCTOPUS)

PULPA (PULP) asking for “octopus” in his juice!” Send me your bloopers and a

little story to go with them: sandra. learn.vallarta@gmail.com

Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and merely publishes information as it is provided by the advertiser or event host. We do not assume responsibility in errors or omissions other than to correct them as soon as they are made known to us regarding event schedules, locations and/or prices. In addition, we do not assume any responsibility for erroneous inclusion or exclusion of information except to take reasonable care to ensure accuracy, that permission has been obtained to use it, and to remove it as soon as is practical upon receiving your notification of error. We recommend you always confirm prior to attending or visiting an event or establishment. Weekly publication edited, printed and distributed by Ediciones y Publicaciones Siete Junio, SA de CV Grupo Editorial Tribuna Calle 21 de Marzo # 1174 Col. Lomas del Coapinole Del. El Pitillal, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco México CP 48290 Tel. 226-0800 editor@vallartatribune.com * www.vallartatribune.com * www.facebook.com/vallarta.tribune

editorial

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Editor’s

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com

ast week I had the hilarious pleasure of eating all-youcan-eat ribs (again) at Philo’s in La Cruz while being a participating audience member of the Amigo’s de La Cruz dinner theater fundraiser: MURDER, MAYHEM and GREEN MARSHMALLOW SALAD. Long-time Tribune contributor Cat Morgan murdered her character to perfection! Funds raised go to support the Amigos De La Cruz initiatives which include recently hiring two local men to keep the 200 Highway through town clean and maintained. My dent in the ribs may have affected their ability to may payroll this week. Sorry, but they were so delicious! You’ll notice we have a lovely home featured on the cover. Casa Mizpah is located just south of Mismaloya and is a canvas waiting for your finishing brush strokes. Starting this week the Tribune will have a weekly feature showcasing

a home for sale or rent around the bay. A little bit like the IFC Home Tours, but mostly because I wanted to check out the contents of other people’s medicine cabinets, we will be touring homes, big and small and in the process, hopefully bringing you ideas on home decoration, gardening, some great places to stay for a week or even for the rest of your life! If you would like to feature your home contact me directly madeline@vallartatribune.com. Do you have comments on this week’s newspaper? Please feel free to send letters to the Editor. Who knows? You might just get what you ask for! See the new Washington Post crosswords and Sudoku games on page 23. Have a great week. Please let our advertisers know you found them in the Vallarta Tribune, Puerto Vallarta’s longest publishing English newspaper. Remember you can always find the paper online at vallartatribune.com

This weekend’s MUST DO EVENT The Real Estate Fair

aturday, March 26 – 9am-2pm Continuing on this week’s theme of Real Estate, my recommendation is to head on over to the Real Estate Fair in the plaza on the corner of Ignacio L. Vallarta and Aquiles Serdan, just over the bridge into Old Town, Vallarta. The event is spearheaded by Timothy Real Estate and features local realtors, architects, interior decorators, tax consultants and more. Mexi-Go! has a table where

we’ll be handing out copies of our magazine and talking to fellow expats who are looking for information on how to make Mexico their international home away from home. So, stop by on your way to the Old Town Farmers Market – there’s not many Saturdays left! Also, bring your credit card because the home decoration store Elements Design is having their HUGE sale on Saturday (90% off select items), conveniently located just across the street from the Real Estate Fair.

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

here were quite a variety of visitors to the SPCA table at the Old Town Farmer’s Market this week. Not a Saturday goes by when we don’t meet one or more visitors to Puerto Vallarta that are involved in animal rescue back home. Many of our visitors like to buy a small SPCA gift to they can take home and give to a friend that supports animal causes. We have at least three volunteers that greet our visitors each Saturday. We listen to stories about their pets back home which they are missing and often they are rescued animals. We try and answer the very difficult questions. An example from last Saturday is: “A drunk guy has a little black puppy with a string around its neck and wants to sell me the puppy for 200 pesos. What should I do?” or “I’m moving to Puerto Vallarta in May and need to find someone to bird sit. I’m bringing my cockatiel here with me and need someone to take care of it for a few days when I travel.” We never know what the next visitor to our table will have to share or will need help with. A friend stopped by with some photos of Cooper to share with us. You may remember Cooper, he came to the SPCA in a milk

Janice Gonzalez

crate, along with three of his siblings. When Cooper was about two months old he was flown to Edmonton, Canada picked up at the airport by one of our volunteers and put in a foster home. Then in June of 2013 Cooper was adopted, thru Petfinders, and went to his forever home on the shores of Lac Sante. When the SPCA, all of our volunteers and supporters work together this is what can happen. Thanks very much to our volunteers Doreen, Michelle and Brian.” And, thanks for this report Mark.

ADOPT

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

DONATE

To make donations via PayPal, select the “Donate” option on our Facebook page www.facebook. com/spcapv or on our website at http://spcapv.com/donate/. 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.

TRAVEL

We have an ongoing need for help transporting dogs to the United States and Canada. The SPCA will take care of all the details and cost of transporting the animals. Stop by our table at the Old Town Farmers Market and we will answer any questions you might have. You can come and spend a rewarding afternoon cuddling the animals at Puerto Vallarta’s SPCA Sanctuary. We have scheduled tours each week and vehicle space is limited. We have also begun scheduling tours from Nuevo Vallarta. Contact Nicole Martin at nicole@cupocity.com to make a reservation. Get involved…rescue, adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or educate. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com. You can learn more about the SPCA Puerto Vallarta by checking us out at www.spcapv.com/home or on Facebook.

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I wanted to thank you for listing the Free Malecon Sculpture Tour in your calendar of events in the Vallarta Tribune and for your other efforts to help publicize theses tours that I´ve been conducting for the last nine years. I also wanted announce that these Tuesday morning tours will

continue as usual on March 31st during Semana Santa and on April 7th during Semana Pascua. The last tour of the season will be a week later on April 14th, so those interested have three more opportunities this season to participate. No reservations are required and one must only show up a 9:30am on those Tuesday mornings at the

Millennium Sculpture next to the ocean side of the Hotel Rosita at the very north end of the Malecon. After April 14th these two hour tours will resume in mid-November next season. Muchas Gracias, Gary Thompson Owner/Director Galeria Pacifico continued on page 21

entertainment

Forever Plaid Continues to Break Box Office Records F orever Plaid, the heavenly musical hit has taken Vallarta by storm. What happens when you take four of the most handsome, talented men who sing like angels and put them on a stage? Forever Plaid happens. If you think you have seen Forever Plaid before, you have never seen it like this. For the first time on this or any other planetForever Plaid is being performed in Mexico. Relive an era when doo-wop was king, big hairdos were in, cars had enormous fins, and the harmonizing bands of the 50s 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. Forever Plaid performs at 7:00 PM in The Main S tage Theater at Act II March 26, 28, 31. April 2, 3, 4. 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 - Cabaret Week - with the top four fighting it out for the semi finials. Join us this week for the exciting Cabaret week as the top four take the stage and compete to win a fully produced cabaret show in the Red Room Cabaret. Each of the contestants must take the stage and perform at least three songs along with host-type chat. The stage is set up like a cabaret with all the judges and contestants sitting on the stage cabaret style, waiter service and all. The contestant will be mentored all week by the judges, host and production

team. The singer with the most points will be awarded with a show to open this summer. One thing is sure The Voice of Vallarta is hotter than ever! The Voice is down to the top four and who makes it to the finales is up to you. Join us every Sunday for Vallarta's favorite show The Voice of Vallarta 8:00 pm.

Elviz Martinez - Appearing in The Red Room Cabaret Local performer and co-star of the smash hit FOREVER PLAID, Elviz Martinez opens his new show ¨ An Evening with Elviz Martinez, Come Fly Away¨ in the Red Room cabaret for three days only with Musical Director Bob Bruneau at the Piano. Last year Elviz debuted his first concert at Act II to sold out, standing room only shows so get your tickets fast! Elviz will be performing April 1, 10 and 17 at 7:30 pm Box office opens daily at 12:00 pm or buy online at www.vallartatickets.com The Main Stage theater is located in the Act II Entertainment STAGES complex at Insurgentes 300 (corner of Basilio Badillo & Insurgentes) 2nd Floor Zona Romántica Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Tel 322.222.1512

Live From the Red Room by Marcia Blondin

enee Armand and Paul Aleman are already heading into their last week of shows celebrating the music of John Denver. And what a celebration it is! Many years ago, while Paul was perfecting his guitar playing along to his mother’s favourite recordings of John Denver, Renee was actually on the road touring the world with him. s a matter of fact, Paul was at a concert unknowingly watching and listening to the woman “sing backup” with whom he now shares the stage. Go and hear their amazing stories and enjoy some of the sweetest harmonies ever. And, not just John Denver songs. Renee has written “I Want to Go

to Mexico,” which debuted on their opening night. Paul Fracassi, the 23 year-old sensation from Toronto, made full use of the Red Room stage during his tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. His energy never lagged…neither did his charm. And he incorporated – beautifully – Try to See it My Way (Beatles), California Dreamin’ (Mama’s and Papa’s), with a couple of operatic arias, disco tunes and Herman’s Hermits! An amazing mix from an amazing performer. Time 2 Play is coming this weekend! If you have ever attended any of their delightful and slightly naughty concerts at the Paradise Community Center, you will definitely want to see them again. If they are going to “Rock the Red Room” I am going to be there to help!

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Perception of Art by Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

oice of Vallarta hit the ground running this weekend with last year’s winner Coral launching her CD and bringing back five of last year’s contestants to team up with this year’s in Dance, Music and Duets. It was announced that Voice of Vallarta Infantil will be coming this summer to the Main Stage. Facebook voting is finished for this season – you want your best friend to win this contest? Only the judges and the audience will determine this year’s winner so be in the theatre every Sunday at 8pm until the final and get to Act II early if you want to get in! Three perfect scores: First one went to Daniela and Ofelia’s duet. (This song was the turning point in last year’s competition for Coral who was arbitrarily and out-of-her-league teamed up with Ofelia and matched her note for powerful note.) If Voice uses this song as a benchmark we already have this year’s winner. But! In the second-half solos, Roberto Duran and Ana Adame each earned perfect scores. Roberto’s rap song had the audience and the judges on their feet; absolutely outstanding in every way. Ana Adame finished the night in first place overall, faring better in her solo than in her duet with my fave from last year, Jose Maria Caudillo. Ana has stood out this year from the start with her innovative costumes, choreography and wild song choices that almost always work; constantly in motion if the song requires or solitarily still… remember Black Velvet. Next week is Cabaret and will be the biggest challenge presented to the contestants thus far. Each will have 20 minutes to fill with talk, song and movement with the winner of the night receiving their own show in the Red Room this summer. Forever Plaid continues to delight both the cast performing it and new audiences pouring in to the Main Stage to see it. The natural, warm personalities of Elviz, Alfonso, Roberto and Jose Maria combine and mesh in a leap back to the 50’s that involves the audience throughout to unleash their imaginations freely and revel in this wonderfully sweet musical. The Plaids talk to the audience and truly invite all to sing along. Those of us old enough - none of the cast by the way! – who remember all the lyrics to all the songs are more than happy to oblige. My favourite song is the opener of the Second Act. A week later “Matilda” continues bee-bopping in my head. I am going back for more this week to see what has been tweaked and to hear those gorgeous vocals and piano by Bob Bruneau and relive my childhood. Join me! By the way, if you love Elviz Martinez as Jinx, and in last season’s Bedazzled Broadway, catch his concert April 1 in the Red Room at 7:30 pm. Last year Elviz’s show was SRO!

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Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Grupo Vidanta Invests Product offers light Millions in New Bond Film to rural communities Spectre to Advance Tourism Interests U for Mexico 007™ project is latest Vidanta initiative to drive global interest in region

exico-based Grupo Vidanta, developers of luxury resorts and tourism infrastructure in Latin America, announced at a recent press conference their contribution to the filming of Spectre, the next installment of the internationally popular James Bond franchise. The film's opening scene will be set in Mexico. In conjunction with Interjet Airlines and the Mexico Tourism Board, Grupo Vidanta, which was founded by Mexican resort mogul Daniel Chavez Moran, works to attract premier tourism projects such as the Bond film to the Mexican economy, and noted that the film's production will create hundreds of new jobs locally. Said Daniel Chavez, Vice President for Grupo Vidanta, "Tourism is one of the most important growing sectors for Mexico. We're proud to be part of the team – from both the private and public sectors – leading the recruitment and development of new entertainment and tourism projects that benefit all of Mexico. The fact that such a storied international franchise as James Bond chose to film scenes of their latest blockbuster in Mexico is an honor and a testament to the growing appeal of

Mexico as a destination. We're grateful for the opportunity to help bring a new vision of Mexico to life." Filming for Spectre began this week. Grupo Vidanta's contribution to the film's production is the latest in a series of major tourism investments made by the privately owned luxury travel development company, which operates more than 25 resorts and hotels throughout Mexico and counts Cirque du Soleil, Nicklaus Design and Greg Norman among its partners.

NAM students created solar power system for remote areas. As many as half a million Mexican homes have no electricity due to their location in remote, rural and hard-to-access places. For light, they burn candles or oil, which can create health problems. In those same communities where electrical infrastructure is non-existent, the schools, too, go without. A census of school facilities found 18,000 did not have electricity. But wherever you go, there’s always sunlight. On that premise, Manuel Wiechers, an engineering student at the National Autonomous University, and seven other budding electrical engineers decided in 2009 they could transform the lifestyles of marginalized communities with renewable energy. They developed a prototype of

a mini-solar power plant and began knocking on doors. But it wasn’t until they won a 600,000-peso (US $39,000) prize in a sustainability competition sponsored by Banco Santander that they were ready to get serious about their product. That money, along with funding from the business accelerator Ashoka and the organization Pase Usted de Innovación, helped launch Iluméxico and its product Prometeo. It’s a simple device: a small panel of photovoltaic cells, a battery and a couple of LED lights that will burn all night on a full charge. It has since been installed in 3,500 homes in 254 communities, delivering light to 18,000 people. Iluméxico sells its product for 3,000 pesos but a key to its sales success in rural areas has been the offer of credit for one year to families with limited resources. It’s not only homes that are benefiting from Prometeo, but

schools as well. Company sales manager Ana María Martínez says that with support and donations from other businesses and organizations, Iluméxico has installed its system in 28 schools in rural communities since 2010, and has plans to take it to another 100 over the next four years. Manuel Wiechers, now 27 and operations manager, describes Iluméxico as a social enterprise that sees providing the basic service offered by Prometeo as an important opportunity to improve the quality of life in rural areas. “Not having access to energy limits opportunities to generate income and receive a quality education.” He and his associates have also built a solid business in the process. Iluméxico employs 30 people and recorded sales of nearly 7 million pesos last year. It expects to install its product in more than 50,000 homes in the next five years and expand into other Latin American countries and the Caribbean. All they need is a few rays of sunshine. Original: mexiconewsdaily.com

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Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Index sees decline in homicides, violence Real progress in peace' seen in Mexico”, says institute

iolence and crime have declined in Mexico since 2012, says a report by an international research organization, with current conditions being similar to what they were in 2007. The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) says falling homicide rates and activity by organized crime have not only made the country more peaceful but have helped boost the economy. It also concludes that there is great potential for peace in the long term based on institutional strengths. Advertise Here The Mexico Peace Index shows the national level of peace has improved 16% since 2011, with improvements in 26 states, but also notes that under-reporting of crimes and the lack of prosecutions are a concern. The justice efficiency indicator, which measures the ratio of homicides to homicide convictions, continues to worsen: the ratio doubled from 1.45 in 2006 to 3.43 in 2013. The ratio of people sentenced to prison terms also worsened, falling from 210 per 100,000

people to 104, which combined with the deterioration in the justice efficiency indicator represents “a troubling trend that highlights the urgent need to fully implement the current justice reforms.” The institute said another serious issue is that most violent crimes go unreported: only 8% of rapes and 23% of assaults are reported to authorities. However, that under-reporting has been

taken into account by adjusting figures to create a more accurate index, say its authors. The reliability of crime statistics has been called into question by many over the years, a concern to which the IEP has responded by comparing other data and victim surveys against official figures. The results, says the institute, “strongly suggest the progress in peace is real.”

That progress means Mexico is almost as peaceful now as it was in 2007, says the study, which is when the war on drug trafficking escalated under former President Felipe Calderón. Homicides have seen the greatest improvement, having decreased by almost 30%, while the level of organized crime dropped by 25%, though weapons-related crimes were up 11%. The most favorable states in terms of peace were Hidalgo, Yucatán, Querétaro, Campeche, Tlaxcala and Chiapas; the worst were Guerrero, Morelos, Sinaloa, Michoacán and Guanajuato. The most peaceful metropolitan areas were Orizaba in Veracruz, Tulancingo in Hidalgo, Campeche in the state of the same name, Los Cabos in Baja California Sur, and Pachuca in Hidalgo. The least peaceful were Culiacán in Sinaloa, Chilpancingo in Guerrero, Tecomán in Colima, La Laguna in Coahuila and Durango, and Acapulco, Guerrero. Regionally, the east is best while the north remains the most violent, but the gap is narrowing. In economic terms, the index estimates that violence cost the economy US $233 billion in 2014, which represents 17.3% of Gross

Domestic Product. “The recent improvements in peace have had a beneficial impact on the Mexican economy. However the impact of violence is still three times greater than the total Mexican health budget,” Steve Killelea, the IEP’s executive chairman, said in a statement. One peace index indicator which bodes well for the future is the positive peace surplus, which is derived from an analysis of the relative strength of the country’s attitudes, institutions and structures. That analysis suggests Mexico can become more peaceful based on the strength and quality of its institutions, which ranks much higher than its actual level of peace. Its potential to improve peace levels gives it a positive peace surplus that is one of the largest in the world. In the words of the report: “. . . there is great potential for reducing violence, improving developmental outcomes and improving wellbeing, provided that appropriate reforms are undertaken.” The IEP’s Global Peace Index last year placed Mexico in 138th place on a list of 162 countries. Mexico News Daily

Tourism industry saw record visitors in 2014

isitors totaled 29.1 million, up 20.5% over last year. There ought to be celebrations in Acapulco this week when the tourist industry gathers for its annual conference, Tianguis Turístico. Mexico’s biggest tourism fair, which this year expects 100 foreign and 120 domestic buyers of travel-related products, follows a year in which the industry bounced back in a big way after some years of economic and security woes. A record 29.1 million visitors arrived in 2014, an increase of 20.5% over the previous year, a big turnaround after some dismal years following the 2.5% decline recorded in 2009. It is also significant in relation to the growth recorded during much of the last 30 years, when Mexico saw only modest increases in tourism. Its 1.1% growth during that period was shadowed by Turkey with 11.6%, Hong Kong with

8.6% and Malaysia with 7.8%, for example. Another gratifying figure for the industry was in the estimated amount of money spent by visitors last year, a total of US $16 billion, a massive increase over annual revenues generated between 2000 and 2012, which fluctuated between $8 billion and just over $13 billion. Last year’s numbers are expected to move Mexico into 12th place from 15th on the list of the world’s most-visited countries. Although tourism promotion efforts have widened their geographic focus since the economic downturn of 2009, the United States continues to be the principal source of visitors. And with a stronger economy and lower fuel prices more Americans are on the way. Their numbers were up 11.8% last year and many more are expected in 2015, particularly with the rise in the value of the dollar

against the peso. But by broadening marketing efforts, the Mexican Tourism Promotion Council (CPTM) has succeeded in attracting more visitors from Canada, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Spain and Brazil, all of which have seen double-digit increases. Improved security in places such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez

have also led to a recovery in tourism on the U.S. border; nearly half of all international visitors arrive by land. But it’s those who arrive by air that bring the most money: last year they spent $950 each on average. For that reason, the CPTM has concentrated on marketing golf, luxury tourism and gastronomical and cultural experiences to visitors

with higher disposable income. Campaigns in the U.S. have encouraged baby-boomers and seniors to visit cultural destinations such as San Miguel de Allende. Meetings and conferences are another market and the CPTM’s 23 offices around the world have been promoting Mexico’s 70 convention centers. Original: mexiconewsdaily.com

07 By Devon Peña

he legal battles over the existing ban on the planting of GM maize in Mexico continue to unfold with a string of four important court victories by the Acción Colectiva del Maíz. On February 28, 2015, the collective of organizations known as Acción Colectiva del Maíz announced that they had secured four more favorable court decisions involving amparo (shelter) corporate challenges seeking to end the GMO corn ban in Mexico. These are pivotal victories but the group explains that more administrative and judicial reviews remain to be adjudicated, including five by Monsanto and Syngenta against the use of precautionary measures to manage the bio-safety risks posed by GM corn. We last reported in 2014 how these decisions reveal a very significant shift in Mexico’s federal civil law judiciary since the legal logic upholding the GMO corn ban privileges Mexico’s signatory status in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Cartegena Biosafety Protocols, and Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization over the nation’s other countervailing obligations under investor-state trade treaties like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the pending TransPacific Partnership (TPP). The most recent set of court decrees upheld the continued suspension of authorizations to plant transgenic maize in Mexico. According to a press release posted to the Sin Maíz no Hay País home page, the judges recognized “the supremacy of the right of the collectivity of corn over the transnational seed companies.” On Friday morning, February 27 two courts upheld two injunctions ordering the suspension of the

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Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Monsanto and DuPont Lose Initial Appeals over Mexico GM Maize Ban

planting of GM maize and verified the continuing status of the class action lawsuit, which was filed in July 2013 by agroecologists, indigenous and traditional farmers and plant breeders, human rights and environmental activists, and artists. The group that filed the lawsuit seeks to defend corn in all its biological diversity and socio-cultural significance. The upholding of the ban adds to a growing list of victories that includes the multinational corporation Monsanto, which last week saw its latest appeal rejected unanimously. On Wednesday February 25, the DuPont Corporation also lost an appeal. The class action case faces one more juridical review but there are an additional five amparos pending over limits the corporations seek, in effect, to block verifiable and effective application of precautionary measures previously ordered by the courts. The current set of four court

rulings all reveal a willingness on the part of these four federal civil law judges to recognize the preemptive and superior right of the corn protection group over seed companies in the defense of biodiversity and the quality of corn as the nation’s principal staple food item. Corn producer Emiliano Juárez explains the significance of the upholding of the ban: “It is clear that if the planting of transgenic corn is contaminating our countryside and foods; the effect is the same as tobacco, both on our health and in the fields, and there is no way to avoid dispersion in the environment while the damage to our bodies is seldom immediate.” Meanwhile Cati Marielle, one of the plaintiffs and a researcher with the Environmental Studies Group, shared the statement of the Mexican Chapter of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal in support of the court decisions: “The Mexican government

must take all necessary measures to ensure conservation of native maize as the main source of our food and nutrition and as a cultural element of cohesion and social coordination. Since Mexico is the gene pool reserve of this pillar of global food security, the planting of GM maize should be banned in the country.” The lawyer handling the collective judgment, René Sánchez Galindo, detailed the language of the legal resolutions: “Today the Fifth Civil Collegiate upheld the injunction, reserving a right of future audience for Dow AgroSciences, but the seed suspension continues to remain in effect. Even today, the Second Collegiate Civil discarded a Pioneer claim under DuPont. On Wednesday, the Sixth Collegiate Civil denied a defense by DuPont and last week the Fourth Collegiate Civil declared another Monsanto claim as inadmissible. All of the injunctions sought to lift the suspension of planting in

World's oldest woman passes away

oña Leandra Becerra Lumbreras, quite possibly the world’s oldest woman at 127, died yesterday at her home in Zapopan, Jalisco. Doña Leandra made international news last August when she celebrated her birthday. Though deaf, age had not affected her ability to converse and she still had some mobility. She told a reporter at the time that she was looking forward to blowing out the candles on a tasty cake. Her long life was attributed to a healthy appetite and lots of sleep. She enjoyed singing to her gran-

dchildren and flirting with young men who came to visit. She never married — and attributed that, too, to her long life — but had five children, all of whom died before her. The last passed away two years ago at the age of 90. She also enjoyed eating chocolate, which was allowed, and tortillas and beans, which were not. Born in 1887 in Tamaulipas in the 50th year of the reign of Britain’s Queen Victoria, Doña Leandra was 23 when the Mexican Revolution began and is believed to have been one of the Adelitas, women who joined the revolutionary soldiers

in the fight against Porfirio Díaz in 1910. She supported her family with her work as a seamstress, and was sewing and weaving until just a few years ago, said a great-granddaughter last year. Doña Leandra moved to Zapopan, 41 years ago to live with her daughter. Her door was always open to visitors and she was known for her hospitality. That hospitality lived on last night and the door remained open when friends and family gathered to pay their respects. She leaves 153 descendants. Original: mexiconewsdaily.com

various ways.” Sánchez Galindo explains that a total of 22 amparo claims have been filed by agribusiness corporations and the Mexican government agencies, SAGARPA (Agriculture Ministry) and SEMARNAT (Environmental Ministry). The social movement collective has won 16 of these legal skirmishes. We will continue to provide updates on the status of these legal proceedings in Mexico until the process runs itself out. If the pattern continues, it may very well be the case that Mexico will be first nation in the North American free trade area created by NAFTA to bolt from compliance with so-called environmental side agreements that hitherto had blocked the assertion of other international treaty obligations, especially those under the CBD, the Cartegena Protocols, and ILO Convention 169, which requires participation and ascent by indigenous peoples of any development activity seen as posing threats to native sovereignty and cultural rights. The principles of consultation and participation under Convention No. 169 affect review of specific development projects, “but also to broader questions of governance, and the participation of indigenous and tribal peoples in public life.” This convention has been used in related legal battles over the planting of GMO soy affecting beekeepers and traditional farmers in Campeche and Yucatán states in southeastern Mexico. Source: sustainablepulse.com

Old Town Farmers Marke

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

by Erin Staley

ure, we're loaded with an abundance of can't-miss "make it, bake it, grow it" products, but did you know that we also have some good-for-you personal services? If your body is aching for an “ahh” kind of chiropractic treatment, then you'll love the talent and expertise of American-trained and board certified Dr. Erik Fulfer.

Meet Erik Fulfer, DC

Dr. Fulfer is the proud owner and practitioner of Bahia Chiropractic & American Chiropractic. He started his professional journey by following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a World War II veteran-turned-chiropractor. Fulfer enlisted in the U.S. Military and served four years with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 508th Airborne Battalion. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1994. Then, like his grandfather who attended chiropractic school in the 1950s, Fulfer went on to complete his science-based undergraduate studies in order to attend the largest chiropractic institution in the country at the time. Fulfer graduated from Life University School of Chiropractic in March 2000 and successfully passed all four parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Exams as well as the physical therapist exams. In the following nine years, Dr. Fulfer applied every bit of his training to helping

patients reclaim their health and vitality in his practice in Atlanta, Georgia, serving as Associate DC, Clinic Director and owner. Big Dreams in Mexico Although Dr. Fulfer was fulfilling his life's passion in the U.S., he dreamt of practicing chiropractic care in Mexico. He shared this dream with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Sofia. It took

them three years, but they finally arrived to the Banderas Bay area in 2010. Same Day, On-Site Chiropractic Care In 2011, Dr. Fulfer joined over 80 vendors at the Vallarta's favorite weekend attraction: the OTFM-TC. His mission? To share his passion for good health and over 15 years of experience with international visitors. He set up a chiropractic table under a shaded tent and happily treated market goers to highly effective on-site treatments.

Today, Dr. Fulfer continues to help thousands enjoy their stay in sunny Mexico without pain and discomfort. And now you, too, can experience what it means to be free from troublesome symptoms. Simply stop by Dr. Fulfer's tent in Lazaro Cárdenas Park to make a same-day appointment.

et - Tianguis Cultural

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

o the Market Mobile Chiropractic Services Along the Bay Not only does Dr. Fulfer treat patients at the market, but he also operates Vallarta's only mobile chiropractic service. Don't miss out on the opportunity to have a chiropractic treatment in the comfort of your home, office, resort or spa. Dr. Fulfer's mobile service is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm. To schedule an Vallarta-based appointment, contact (044) 322-182-5045 or bahiachiro(at)gmail.com.

Dr. Fulfer also serves the north side of the Banderas Bay from his Bucerias office. It's conveniently located inside the Mega store across from the Flamingos Golf Course. Appointments are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. To make a Bucerias-based appointment, contact (044) 322-180-7393 or megachiropractic(at)gmail.com. To learn more about Dr. Fulfer and his approach to chiropractic care, visit www.bahiachiropractic.com.

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. We have everything from live music to artisan décor and natural body products to handmade apparel. 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 serving Thai, Indian, traditional Mexican favorites and vegan dishes, such as hamburgers, al pastor and falafels.

Artisan Bakery Artisan Bakery

Artisan Bakery

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

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

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

…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.

Swimwear and beachwear made to order! Heriberto Saucedo Pérez Artista Diseñador Cel. 3222.190 56 32 Fb: Heriko Joyeria herikojoyeria@hotmail.com Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Teresa Moreno Fb: TYBikinisYMas

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

an art.

local

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Find the Top Cities for Retiring in Mexico

Food

for thought, while you wait 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.

By Jean Folger

exico is home to a growing number of retirees from around the world, including those from the United States, Canada and Europe. Known for its pleasant climate, rich cultures, and abundant natural beauty, retirees also get access to affordable healthcare, a robust retirement benefits program and a lower cost of living. At nearly 2 million square kilometers, Mexico offers a wide range of lifestyle choices for retirees – from quaint colonial villages to vibrant beach towns. If you’re thinking about Mexico for your retirement destination, here are five cities/regions worth considering.

Lake Chalapa Region

Lake Chalapa is the largest freshwater lake in Mexico, and the climate is regarded one of the best in the world. Low humidity and yearround, spring-like temperatures help make the numerous towns along the coast of Lake Chalapa popular retirement destinations. The area also has a low cost of living, a strong sense of community for both locals and expats, and a safe and secure environment. Good-to-excellent medical care is available in nearby Guadalajara, and Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) is about 30 minutes away, making travel relatively easy.

Merida

Merida is a Spanish-colonial city and is the largest city of the Yucatan Peninsula, with a population of

nearly one million people. Despite hot summers (temperatures can get above 100° F during the summer months), more and more expats are heading to Merida for its excellent infrastructure, modern amenities, museums, markets, arts and fine cuisine. Retirees will find an excellent healthcare system, with numerous public and private hospitals

Puerto Vallarta and Bay of Banderas The Pacific coast town of Puerto Vallarta has long been a popular destination with tourists and retirees alike. In addition to beaches, lush jungles and waterfalls, Puerto Vallarta offers a hip downtown scene with great restaurants, world-class shopping and lively street performers. English is widely spoken. Because it is a tourist destination, prices are generally higher here than you might see in less-visited areas of Mexico. The city’s well-rated hospitals and modern medical care make Puerto Vallarta a medical tourism destination.

San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas is situated more than 7,000 feet above sea level in the Central Highlands region of Chiapas, close to rainforests and ancient Mayan ruins. While a bit on the chilly side compared with other areas, the climate is generally regarded as pleasant, with warm summers and

cool winters. The city is designed for walking and features Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, red-tile roofs and iron balconies decorated with colorful flowers

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is one of Mexico’s colonial silver-mining cities, located three hours northwest of Mexico City. Considered one of the prettiest small towns in Mexico, San Miguel is set amid rugged mountains and has warm summers and cool winters. You'll find a friendly, small town atmosphere where beautiful architecture, rich history, and plenty of culture abound. The local healthcare system is considered good and affordable.

The Bottom Line

Most of Mexico is reasonably safe, particularly in well-known tourist destinations and resort areas. Of course, just like any city at home, there will be areas that are more desirable than others. If you don’t know where to look, it can be helpful to visit first, speak with expats in the area, and work with a qualified real estate agent when it’s time to rent or buy. Note: To make sure you are up to date on visa and residency requirements, local taxes and U.S. tax regulations for expats, work with a qualified attorney and/or tax specialist before you leave.

Original: www.investopedia.com

here are places in the world where people will wait as long as it takes to get a table for dinner. Stroud’s in Kansas City is one; smart Mike Donnegan who refuses to take reservations knows that people will wait for the world’s hands-down best fried chicken, and will order abundantly after having been enveloped in the smells of other people’s dinners for a hour or so. My daughter’s first solid food was the mashed potatoes and gravy at Stroud’s when

she was four months old. My eyes still open wide at the first bite each time just as hers did 15 years ago. There are simply no words for how good the cinnamon rolls are, or for how full you feel after. New Orleans’ French Quarter fixture Galatoire’s main first floor dining room is another. Tiptoeing its way through time, it has picked up the lights and mirrors of the Belle Epoque, the stiff tuxedoed waiters of the Continent, and the calorie-defying cooking of gene-

local

11 rations of French Creole grandmothers. Lines snake down Bourbon Street to get a seat in that room, and I will gladly be in it as long as it takes. Café de Olla in PV is another of those. Legendary to locals, mysterious to visitors until they try it, it is a tiny open-air place away from the beach on Basilio Badillo. The queue wraps between the tables on the sidewalk, so that those who have yet to have a seat may feast their eyes on the plates of those underfoot. Here is where, after a margarita or two, I coined the word “doidle” - it perfectly describes how you feel loitering or dawdling at your table while hungry folks lined up around you become annoyed at you taking up their table. Americans and Canadians LOVE this place - I think because the food tastes like we think good Mexican food should taste like, whether accurate or not. The tortillas are flour, the cheese is melty, the veggies are crisp, the meat is cooked perfectly. Recently we had one of the sidewalk tables, and ate under the baleful glare of the half-hour line. Worth it, though - plus there is the promise that you will almost always see someone you know from somewhere waiting in that line. This year it was a former student of mine and her family, and I felt like I was in one of those legendary sidewalk cafes in Paris - in which if you sit long enough everyone you know will walk by. Some of my favorite Puerto Vallarta eateries don’t really exist on a map, but pop up at meal time and are gone just as quickly as your sated appetite. Street taco stands dot Old Town, each with different specialties and regulars. Last year we watched as our aproned hostess expertly cut, stuffed, coated and fried a piquant red pepper into something Food Network would reward with her own show, all with about three square feet of cooking space and a knife and griddle. Just follow the lines to the good, safe, deliciosos ones. The locals know how to lunch. Picking restaurants in Puerto Vallarta is hard for us seasonal visitors, as our meals are limited, and there is so much I want every year. But I know that I am choosing among some of the world’s finest eateries, and that if they are good, they will be here next year, as will I. But for today, I will spend my beach moments eagerly anticipating tonight, knowing that sometimes the wait makes it all the more delicious.

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Paradise

My Life

and Parenting Leza Warkentin mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

Burrowing In

’m always happy to have a vacation. I think I’ve made it clear how much I love my job, but I don’t know a single teacher who wouldn’t like to sit down sometimes. However, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that Easter vacation in Vallarta isn’t my favorite. If you need to ask why that is, then you a) haven’t spent Semana Santa in Puerto Vallarta and/or b) you adore having your arms pinned to your sides while you try to take a family walk down the Malecon with the rest of the multitude. You see, under the definition of “introvert” in the dictionary, there is a picture of me backing into a cave of blankets. My idea of a good time doesn’t include a beach day spent defending our family’s towel space like a badger hissing in front of her den. Sometimes, if we are able to do so, our family will go somewhere that has been abandoned by that population in favor of Easter in Vallarta, like Mexico City. If Semana Santa is new to you, the fact that we consider Mexico City a quieter option than Vallarta during Easter week should give you an idea of what you are going to experience. This year, we will spend a few days in our beloved Sayulita pretending that we are in Bali. Then we will come home and, while the rest of our friends are in Disneyland lining up at Space Mountain, we will go to Costco and take turns in the Shiatsu Massage Demo Chair. We will also do some of the things on this Fun Alternatives to the Beach List: 1) Follow Daddy to work as long as it’s not on the beach or the Malecon. That narrows it down a lot. But we still have El Rio BBQ on Fridays, 4 to 6pm. See you there. 2) In addition to the Shiatsu

Chair, if we time it right we can get an entire meal of free samples at Costco. Also I will go and admire the Magic Bullet that I will never own because I told my husband when we were still dating that women hate getting household appliances as romantic gestures (I was in my twenties at the time. Stupid girl). 3) Decorate Easter eggs – my kids are starting to get over how great this activity is. But if you go on Pinterest you can see a) how inadequate you are as a parent and b) how many cool and schoolage-kid-friendly ways there are to decorate an Easter egg. If you don’t mind buying new furniture the next day, you’ll be busy for hours. For example, google Sharpie Tie Dye Easter Eggs. Totally worth the couch cushions. 4) Clean out my closet – I start this in a fit of rage and I run out of steam once I’ve dumped the contents on my floor. I don’t recommend this one. 5) Botanical Gardens – I’m reluctant to tell the world how great this place is during Easter Week, because then it may stop being our oasis and start being a River of Kid Soup. But honestly, it’s a gem of a place and, in our experience, not crowded. You can hike and swim all day. My kids usually choose a plant and promise to water it and hug it and love it forever. I go to the shop and get lost among the aisles of organic saffron and vanilla bean pods. If you go then stay for lunch at the restaurant. It’s one of our favorites. Above all, I will enjoy getting to spend time with the people I like the very most. We’ll read, play some Battleship, watch some movies, find a few faraway beaches, and, more than likely, burrow ourselves into some blanket caves. Hopefully the Easter bunny will know where to leave the chocolate.

in Vallarta By Lois Ellison loell87@yahoo.com

Keep The Change

hen you hear the words “keep the change”, you probably think it is something to say when you pay your bill in a restaurant or receive a home delivery. A reward for a job well done. Well here in Vallarta, it takes on a whole new meaning. You see, change is something you will always need, but it is often impossible to find. The problem often starts when you go to an ATM and make a withdrawal. All those five hundred peso notes fit easily in your wallet, but spending them is another matter. You can’t use one to ride the bus or buy some milk, or pick up a kilo of strawberries from the truck that comes through your neighborhood. Sometimes you can’t even use one in a pharmacy or supermarket without having to wait what seems like an eternity while the clerk hunts around for change. At our house, we keep a small bowl by the front door. Coming in the front door, all coins go in the bowl. On the way out, a few get stuffed in our pockets. These come in handy for all sorts of things, from bus fare to tipping the grocery baggers. And let’s not forget the sand sculptors along the Malecon or the legless man in his wheelchair. We also sort and hoard smaller bills, making sure the supply gets replenished on a regular basis. Bear in mind that almost everyone has the same problem. You’ve probably heard that you should always confirm the fare before getting into a taxi. You should also verify whether or not the driver has change. For example, if the fare is fifty pesos and you only have a two hundred peso note, you should ask “hay cambio de doscientos?” If you’re not comfortable with your command of Spanish, just show him the note and say “change?” The driver may say yes but that doesn’t mean he has it. Don’t be surprised if the first part of your ride involves a couple of stops at food carts or small

tiendas while he searches for change from his friends. At least you’ll get change. If you don’t ask, you may wind up paying more than you owe at the end of the ride. Once we went to Radio Shack to buy a couple of small electronic batteries. We patiently waited our turn while the clerk went in the back to make change for the customer ahead of us. We then handed him a note that was much too big for our purchase. He shrugged and said he was out of change. No problem. He left the store looking for some, leaving us alone at the counter with the cash drawer wide open. Mexicans are a trusting lot. This sort of thing is not an isolated event. At one major department store, there was no typical cash drawer, just an envelope full of various sized notes. When the clerk couldn’t put together the correct change, she just took the rest from her purse. You wonder how their books ever come out straight at the end of the day. On rare occasions it may work to your advantage. Stopping for a cono one hot afternoon, the clerk couldn’t make enough change for the customers ahead of us so he told them to keep the difference. Were we ever surprised when he then gave us a discount so it would more or less come out even. Go figure. So what to do? You need to implement a strategy. This involves always paying with the biggest bill the store can cash, and then stowing away your change. Even if you have the exact amount for your purchase, never, ever, hand it over. You get the picture: keep the change!

The best pizza in Vallarta

real estate

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Real Estate Questions

Answered

Vallarta Real Estate Fair: March 28th 9am- 2pm. Open to the public. No charge. Located across the street from Elements Design, on the corner of Ignacio L. Vallarta and Aquiles Serdan, just over the bridge into Old Town, Vallarta.

T A sanctuary by the sea Casa Mizpah

s the driver pulls off at Carraterra Barra de Navidad, or palms to pines Hwy 200, a tropical vision comes to view. Perched at the base of the Mismaloya mountains and among the jungle of trees is the petite jewel of a house known as MIZPAH. She rises up like a white tower from the ocean’s edge watching over Iguana Cove. MIZPAH is surrounded by nature’s chorus, a symphony of crashing waves against the rocky shore and chattering wild parakeets. You are lured in by the charms of this South Shore sanctuary. A gently sloped cobblestone driveway framed by an indigenous landscape of grey granite rocks enveloped with a garden of native flowers and palms creates a natural welcoming path. Lined on top of the white Mediterranean roof are fuchsia coloured bougainvillea and green palm fronds waving against the azure sky. As you wander down the garden lined stairs and cross the wooden railed bridge there is an anticipation of what is hidden behind the copper coloured door. Immediately as you step inside and you move towards the dramatic view of the bay with the Los Arcos rocks sitting a short distance from the Night of the Iguana peninsula. Your senses are onset with the abundance of ocean and jungle life as you soak in the ever changing array of activity, sounds and smells. Scanning the vista above the peninsula are the Mismaloya mountains with its colourful villas

stacked liked Legos spilling down to the sea. A resplendent view, you can’t help but wonder, “Have I been transported to the European coast of Italy?” You would be hard pressed not to immediately fall in love with this location or the potential this property has to offer. MIZPAH is a semi-finished house waiting for personal touches to make it your dream home. But I am getting ahead of myself, let me back up and describe more of her charms. For one; the spiral staircase, which looks like a tower from the exterior, is the heart of the house and joins together all 3 levels. Viewed from below or above, it resembles a lovely caracole seashell. The main entry level is a large welcoming space designed for the kitchen, dining room and living room to overlook the wide balcony facing the ocean. There is a convenient half bath and an additional small room. The lower level has an infinity pool off the terrace and

is a finished, fully functional living space, a comfortable retreat with its own kitchen, living room, dining, 2 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The upper 3rd level is the master bedroom with on suite bath and an additional guest room with on suite bath. There are endless possibilities of a sky bar on the roof, a floating dock at the ocean’s edge, additional lower levels for meditation room, game room and bedrooms. I want you to imagine a house that reflects your personal choices and style. You never need ask a condo board for permission or pay HOA fees. When it’s your home you have the liberty to do as you please and most of all enjoy the privacy in your sanctuary by the sea. We can oversee construction and or recommend builders. Please visit www.VillaMizpah or contact LISA WALLACE @ 322-28-0128 / US 401-608-2600 Carraterra Barra de Navidad 4916, 12 KM, Mismaloya. Presently listed with a local realtor.

he Vallarta Real Estate Fair makes it easier for Buyers, Sellers, and local residents to receive up to date information on important issues that affect their real estate investments and lifestyle in Puerto Vallarta. There were a number of changes in regulations made by Hacienda (Mexican IRS) in 2014 that effect Buying and Selling property and another new change in early 2015. This has left some clients confused about Capital Gains exemption and taxes in general. Lic. Fernando Castro is returning and will be addressing the topic again along with other important changes in laws and regulations that affect us. We are often asked what happens in the United States when I sell my Mexican home and pay Capital Gains Tax? Do I have to pay Capital Gains Tax in the US as well? Cindy DuChateau is speaking about this topic as well as rental income reporting and requirements for the reporting of foreign bank accounts to the IRS. Also speaking at the event will be the team from PVRPV about pitfalls in property management and how to successfully keep your

vacation home rented. David Schwendeman and Terence Reilly from Mexlend will bring everyone up to date on available loans for the foreign investor including US Dollar loans. There will be a Real Estate Market update presented that will help Buyers and Sellers understand market trends and where the market is today for Puerto Vallarta. 2015 Exhibitors Include: • Stewart Title Escrow • Notario #5 • Casa Vallarta Design • Josef Kandoll Photography • Cindy DuChateau • Vallarta Botanical Gardens • Lic. Jessica Reidesser • Mexi-Go! Canada • Timothy Real Estate Group • Mora Design and Construction • Mexlend Mortgages • PVRPV Property Management and Rentals • Opciones Legales Inmobiliarios • TLA Escrow • Medasist Hospital • AXA Insurance • Mannermex International Recruiting • Elements Design • VonBorstel Attorneys at Law • Intercam

real estate

Bill the Geek’s 10 Reason to Live in Cinco de Diciembre Fabien Madesclaire and Ariel O’Donnell Fabien@g3mex.com

G3MEX is currently looking for talented agents to become part of our team. If you love sales, and want to work in a welcoming and fun environment, contact Fabien Madesclaire at Fabien@g3mex.om.

his week we asked expat Bill Dallas Lewis to give us his take on living in Cinco de Diciembre. One of the more affordable neighborhoods adjacent to Old Town Puerto Vallarta “Hi, I'm Bill the Geek. I do web consultation in English speaking countries all over the world and offer web design information to people in 132 countries. You can visit my site at: http://billthegeek. com/members/. I love Cinco de Diciembre! While in college, years ago, I studied Spanish in San Luis Potosi. The people were wonderful. I loved the culture. I loved the warm weather. Later on, when I figured out that I could do business and live

anywhere in the world (but within a U.S. friendly time zone) Mexico was my first choice. I moved to Puerto Vallarta, about 8-years-ago, and the first place I lived was three blocks from Old Town, near Olas Altas. It was great in the beginning. The complex I lived in was nice, but it was literally all Americans and Canadians. Wonderful people. Sort of like being in lock-down. Heavy security and kind of like a hospital with a pool. After a year, I found a great place in Conchas Chinas. It was awesome. I work where I live, so my desk overlooked the entire bay. What a freakin' view! I had a swimming pool perched above the bay.

It was fantastic. The downside was that it was like living on the moon. I would go into town every day to see people. Taxi in-taxi out. Impossible to walk with groceries. After three years, I decided I wanted to see people and be able to walk to places for shopping and really experience Mexico. By accident, I stumbled upon Cinco de Diciembre. I found an apartment that had been totally gutted and updated by some Americans from Kentucky. They made the place look like a Marriot. Even all of the electric is American. Gated doors and video cameras all over, but very discrete, and all brand new appliances (even a dishwasher), air conditioning and high-speed internet. I’ve lived in Cindo de Diciembre for 5 years, and here are some of the reasons why: 1. Convenient Shopping: I walk to the open market everyday for fish, vegetables, fruits, and meat. Now, when I see any of those items at Costco it's just an insult. Why would I buy corporate when I can buy fresh and local for a much better price? 2. Recreation: I walk to the Stadium, across from the Sheraton Buganvillas. What an amazing place! Every hour of the day you can find people jogging on the track, playing soccer, pick-up games of basket-

Pre-sale contracts and developers: How to avoid buying air

By Roberto Ortiz de Montellano F.

Mexican-Licensed Attorney at Law roberto@ortizdemontellano.com

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

n Mexico, when you buy something that is not tangible yet, many people joke saying that you are “buying air”, meaning that what you are paying for is something that doesn’t exist and, and in the worst case scenario, may never exist. This saying is also used when buying real estate in pre-sale, since there is always a risk that

the developer might never finish the construction and therefore you are likely to lose your investment. However, there are certain things you can do to minimize this risk: • Reputation First you should make inquiries about the reputation of the developer. Serious developers care about their reputation, and they want satisfied customers to give good references

to future clients. You should ask about the previous developments and the delivery of the units. • Agreement A Promise Agreement to Sell - Buy or a Promise Agreement to Establish a Trust (in case of foreigners acquiring in the restricted zone) are the correct agreements to execute in this case. However, these agreements

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

ball, handball courts, and excellent skateboarding. Why pay for the gym, when you can exercise for free! 3. Services: Telcel, CFE, Telecable and even Seapal are all walking distance. So it’s easy to handle bill paying. 4. Oxxo’s: I have 5 OXXO’s all within one block from my door. So, if I get a hankering for a snack at midnight, it’s just a stone’s throw away. 5. You feel like you’re in Mexico: All of my neighbors are Mexican Nationals. They have jobs and businesses. Some of them work from home. I know every person's name on my block and they all know me. We are like a family. 6. Close to the beach: I can grab my beach chair and walk just 5 blocks to the ocean on Playa los Camarones. 7. Close to the Malecon: The Malecon is only 10 minutes away. 8. Public transportation: I can take a bus to Walmart or Costco for less than a dollar. I have a car, but don't need one. I start it up once a week just to keep the battery charged. 9. Views: If you go farther up the hill there are some excellent views of the Bay of Banderas. 10. North American fix:

And if you really feel like you need a North American fix, Starbucks and McDonald’s are just down the hill. Sure, it is a Mexican neighborhood, so you can expect loud music, which used to annoy me, but now I look upon it as people enjoying life and I go back to sleep. And, every morning the roosters wake me up from the neighbor’s house across the street. I used to hate it. If I had had a gun 4 years ago, all the roosters would be dead. Now, I don't hear them. Their voices are like the chirping of robins or cardinals or sparrows in my hometown, Columbus, Ohio.” If you have real estate questions, or want to know more about Marina Vallarta properties, contact Fabien anytime at G3MEX Real Estate Group email: Fabien@g3mex.com. Or visit us in our new office in Old Town on Calle Amapas, right near the Hotel Emperador.

must include certain terms and conditions that will protect you in case of controversy such as: a fixed closing date, an escape clause, clear penalties against the developer for not complying with delivery of the unit, and so on. • Payments You should try to establish a calendar of payments that will allow you to gradually pay the price of the unit so that you can verify that the developer has initiated the construction of the development and is executing it without delays. • Due diligence You should ask to see any documents the developer has regarding the property where the development will be

built, such as proof of title, development and construction permits. If the development will be located in the state of Nayarit, the developer is required by law to establish a trust that will have title over the development, so you should ask for that document as well. Even though buying on pre-sale is a way to get a lower price for the unit you will be acquiring, the truth is that there is no guarantee that you will get your unit until you sign the deed when you acquire title. The best way to be protected is to do your due diligence and sign a presale contract that is not lacking the basic clauses beneficial to the buyer.

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

Wellness

Part 3 (Parts One & Two see issues #936 and #937)

Latina

By Marcella Castellanos info@wellnesslatina.com

Lime vs. Lemon

ast week, I wrote an article about the health benefits of lemon water and received inquiries about whether limes have the same benefit since they're more abundant in Mexico. Great question! I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. ;) Lemon water typically gets more attention due to its Ayurvedic origins. Ayurveda was developed in India thousands of years ago and is one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems. It is based on the philosophy that health and wellness depend on a balance between the mind, body, and spirit. However, although lemon gets a lot of attention, lime is not a shabby second. In Mexico, the lime, or limón in Spanish, is everywhere, found in almost every neighborhood store, served with nearly all food. Limes are a staple in Mexico and you will rarely find a kitchen without them or any kind of chile. Lime wedges accompany everything besides your shot of tequila. Growing up, they were always served with pozole, tacos, in the salsa, or in my father's amazing seafood soup...ahh, nostalgia. They go with fruit such as papaya, to late night tacos, tostadas, and are served with salads, soups, fish dishes, and even snacks like jicama, sliced fresh coconut or peanuts. Regardless of their differences in color, flavor and size, lemons and limes share many of the same nutritional perks. They are both good sources of dietary fiber,

and lemons and limes contain compounds called limonoids, which may help prevent and treat cancer. Additionally, they help you meet your daily needs for vitamins C and B-9. Like lemons, limes also aid in digestion, help boost your immunity, are good for skin and eye care, and help alkalize your blood even though they are acidic by nature. It is believed that the more acidic your internal environment the more prone you are to disease. Eating alkalizing foods help stave off illnesses; hence, lemons and limes are good for this. Although both citrus fruits have many benefits, the higher vitamin C content of lemons gives them a wedge up, I mean an edge up. According to livestrong.com, 100 grams of lemons provide 71 percent of a woman's and 59 percent of a man's daily intake on vitamin C. By comparison, 100 grams of limes provide 29 milligrams of vitamin C, 39 percent of a woman's and 32 percent of a man's daily vitamin C. So drink up, eat up or pucker up. That tarty, sour little zesty fruit is good for you in more ways than an embellishment on your Corona. 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.

by Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

ill it (the pain) come back? And, what if it doesn’t?...” It has been nearly a week since my third treatment by Magical Mudman David Chavez, again in Sayulita. It was a perfectly clear hot day - just right to wander down to the beach afterwards and sit in the sand and watch my mud dry, the waves in the open ocean ceaselessly rolling in. Small children and dogs completely freaked out when they saw me (adults were polite but still stared). A soft mound of pale green muck just sitting there with two eyes and two feet of hair piled high on my head also receiving bentonite blessings. I have pictures… I must have glued myself to the sand for a couple of truly blissful hours: drying, caking, flaking, talking to the odd person who spoke to me first but mostly breathing and rejuvenating happy new cells. I felt like a snake shedding skin and indeed my skin feels new,

like a babies (doesn’t look like baby skin, worst luck) and something else – people that know me say I look different. Better, without anything precisely being different. I have no pain. None. And I am working fairly hard around my house. Another thing I have to ask David about – my lymph nodes have disappeared completely for the first time in my life. I could always find them and now I can’t find or feel one. I have heard about lymph drainage and because mine were so prominent I actually thought about pursuing it 30 years ago but never did. Always sounded ghastly anyway. Another thing this week: because I have no pain I thought I would try just going to sleep at night; I have been taking a bit of clonazepam every night because my right hip would hurt just by turning over and would wake me up and the drug took care of that. So, no more drugs to sleep. During Treatment # 3 David

commented that my scoliosis was nearly gone as was my hump. My what? Apparently my posture was getting so poor I was developing somewhat of a hump. Not sure about that but happy it’s gone. Of course I have asked a lot of questions but the most important and pressing thing to me is: do I have to keep on going to Sayulita once a week forever in order to maintain this pain-free existence? No, is the answer, provided I keep moving, eat properly and don’t reload my body with intoxicants. A fair trade, I think. The third treatment elicited no tears and the pain was minimal and fleeting. David and I kept up a conversation through most of it. Fourth Treatment is less than 48 hours away. I am looking forward to the next one; it certainly can’t hurt (for long) and as much as I really hate to say this, I have to: it has been life-changing. No pain, nothing unnatural, no more drugs because there is no longer a need. If that changes I certainly know where to turn for help. More news next week in this space for the last column in this series. If anyone has any questions, comments or queries feel free to email me and I will answer them immediately or pass them on to David Chavez. Is the magic in the mud or in David’s hands?

Art and Culture during Vallarta Pride 2015 The Vallarta Pride Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that during the third annual event that celebrates the vibrant LGBT community in our destination, a number of art and cultural events will take place to add to the various entertainment options scheduled from May 17 to 25, 2015.

II Stages will welcome the Puerto Vallarta Men’s Chorus, composed of talented Mexican and foreign singers. This will be the fourth gay pride concert offered by the famous local gay choir. Time: 8:00pm Location: ACT II Stages - Main Stage Event Sponsor: Puerto Vallarta Men’s Chorus

• International Art Show The week long Art Exhibition showcasing local, national and international artists will take place from May 18 to 25, 2015 at the local Art Gallery, Galería Omar Alonso. The main theme of the exhibition will be "Unity", the official motto of Vallarta Pride 2015. The LGBT community contributes in many ways to society and art is one of them. The exhibition will open Monday, May 18, 2015 at 6:00pm. A wine and appetizer reception will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 to coincide with the last ArtWalk of the season. Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00pm Location: Galería Omar Alonso

• International Film Festival Screening An International Film Festival Screening will take place from Tuesday, May 19 to Sunday, May 24, 2015. This event was recently added to the Vallarta Pride festivities and will mark UNITY as the theme and celebrates the creativity and diversity of the LGBT community worldwide. Appetizers and refreshments will be available at the movie screenings. Time: 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM Location: ACTII Red Room, ACT II Main Stage, Puerto de Luna and Mantamar Beach Club

• The Puerto Vallarta Men’s Chorus On Monday, May 18 and Friday, May 22, 2015, ACT

For more information on the events scheduled for the 2015 Vallarta Pride, please visit http://vallartapride.com/ or the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/orgullovallartapride.

“Parasols” from The Friends and Divas Collection

Kathleen Carrillo Galleries

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 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

Casa Yvonneka would like to invite you to: The 3rd Annual Fundraiser to save dogs and cats of Puerto Vallarta When? Sunday, March 29, 2015 as of 6 pm. Where? At Casa Yvonneka: www.casayvonneka.com Calle Hortencias 187, Amapas just above Vista Grill What? An evening of Live Music, Open Bar, Hors d'oeuvres followed by a full dinner, a Silent auction and Fireworks and plenty of Surprises • 100 % of ticket sales go directly to following groups helping the Dogs and Cats of Puerto Vallarta Colina Clinic Spay and Neuter • Puro Gato: Cat rescue and adoption program • Angelica: Cat rescue and adoption

• Amigos del Acopio volunteers at Acopio to feed and care for animals • Las Animas Dog and Cat rescue Tickets are available at the price of 900 pesos all inclusive at: Galeria Dante, Basillo Badillo Nr 269, Tel. 222 24 77 or via email: matthias.pv@gmail.com

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

riviera nayarit

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 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

ola a todos! Spring has sprung! Flowers are blooming everywhere and the temperature is a perfect 80 degrees. The bay has been unusually warm for this time of the season. A couple of weeks ago I went out on the Chica Locca (so much fun!) with a girlfriend and the water was amazingly warm! Last year in late February I jumped in to go snorkeling and practically walked on water back to the ladder! This is very strange weather we are having, that is for sure! What is with the rain in March? Can you say “Climate Change”? Over where I live, by La Cruz, I received 3.15 inches of rain in the last storm, with over 8 inches for the year so far!!It’s certainly great for the jungle, my well and cistern and all the plants, but not so great for the restaurants and business that have outdoor entertaining, beach bars and the like; and I do feel very sorry for the folks that are here for only a week! Luckily for us, it looks like we have some sunshine coming our way with only a few scattered clouds in the afternoons. Semana Santa (Easter) is just around the corner and is early this season, beginning on April 5,

which also happens to be the day that we “Spring Forward” and move our clocks ahead one hour. Enjoy the peace and quiet now, because hundreds of thousands of Mexican Nationals will be headed to the beaches to celebrate the Easter holiday. The Bucerias Monday Market is finished for the season, and there are only two Bucerias Art Walks remaining, one on March 26 and the last one on April 2. The Bucerias Art Gallery and Studio has two special events planned. For the Artwalk on the 26, drop by and check out the “Go Big, Go Home” show featuring pieces by those who come in for workshops. The pricing is right and the artists are excited to show off their creations. The following Thursday they will be highlighting Michael Carlyle’s artwork and the end of the season by raising a toast with “Champagne Cocktails and Chocolate” located at 60A Lazaro Cardenas, just down from Jan Marie ‘Boutique, next to Mark’s Bar and Grill who will also be open for the remaining Artwalks. Jan has a wonderful selection of Talavera tableware and delicious Mexican wines for sale. Jan does her homework and tastes a lot of wines before purchasing them.

Stop by and say, “Hello”. Mark’s has a lovely patio and is open for lunch and dinner staying open all year. Bryan Savage will be performing his last show at Los Arroyos Verdes Pool Party this Sunday! I am SO there!

Community Connections in La Cruz Gloria Martony is one amazing woman who loves to empower other women. Her style and grace moves me. She is now in her 70’s and all I can say is what an inspiration to us all! Born in Milwaukee and shooting to nearly 6’ tall, Gloria started modeling while she was in high school. She worked and taught at modeling agencies while going to the UW Madison and raising her son as a single parent. She graduated with a Fine Arts

and MSSW in Social Work. “Those degrees defined me from that point on. I was a seeker of balance, and my Art and my Social Work Career provided that balance, and continues today”. She chose to work with the mentally ill at a time when they were emptying the residential institutions, developing innovative programs to teach daily living skills and find homes for these folks. Her next career move was as a psychotherapist, finding “normal neurotics to be quite boring” she chose to work with Schizophrenic patients. During this time she met her husband Larry. “The day I decided he was "the one” occurred during a road trip when a small plane crashed almost in front of us. I saw Larry trying to get the unconscious pilot out of the plane while others refused to help. He was able to

drag the pilot from the plane before it burned up. The pilot never found out who saved his life.”¬ The last 25 years of her career combined her love of fashion, and helping people in the hospital. Most of the hospital work was done in the ER. Her balance was the two boutiques she had opened during this time. Gloria’s love for Mexico began many years ago. Ten years ago she and Larry bought a condo in Mismaloya. They both loved the area. After leaving last year, they decided it was time to make Mexico full-time move. Larry came first looking for rentals and discovered La Cruz. He fell in love with the Punta Esmeralda development and convinced Gloria to rent! Packing up their three parrots (which was a nightmare getting the paper work!) they arrived here to stay in 2014. Gloria tells me she has been a painter and jewelry designer for more years than she wants to admit! Her passion right now is working with exotic Keishi pearls. When they arrived in June she was not sure how to market her jewelry in Mexico. One of their traditional stops every year was a shop in Vallarta that sold only cotton gauze clothing. Larry loved the shirts. She talked with the owner about opening her own shop; a perfect idea! The combination of 100% cotton gauze clothing and her jewelry is what defines her newest store called “Gloria’s Place” located across from Philo’s Bar in La Cruz. Gloria’s Place carries sizes from small to 3x. The gauze clothing is machine washable and made in Guadalajara. Men’s shirts are also available. Right now Gloria’s Place is having a sale for the end of the season. The store is open from 11am to 4pm on Calle Delphin 14. This sale starts March 26th and ends on Saturday, April 4th. So, before you leave for the summer, come on by and purchase 100% cotton to keep yourself cool all summer! You can check out her page on the allLaCruz.com website under “Shop” to see the different clothing and jewelry. She also has created these super cool swim bags so you don’t have to leave your stuff behind while swimming. They are actually made out of dry bag material, but oh, so very stylish, like Gloria herself!

Thank you for reading each week. Have a super week everyone! For more information on rentals, tours, or questions or comments drop me a line at Cat@ RivieraNayairtFun.com

riviera nayarit

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

The 10th annual WesMex Regatta

ot off to a great start because the wind did not blow as organizers expected, but the tenth annual WesMex Regatta in Riviera Nayarit still managed to break participation records and end on a sunny, windy note. International WesMex Regatta 2015 was held March 20-22 at Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta. Two hundred forty-five entrants competed in the Optimist, Laser Radial, Laser, RS:X, Techno 293, Club 420, and J/70. Now in its tenth year, the event was a qualifier for the Mexican Sailing Team to represent the country in various international youth competitions. WesMex is also the largest of the four main regattas of the Mexican Sailing Racing Circuit, as this regatta is a qualifier to select the Mexican Sailing team to represent the country in various International Competitions throughout the year. Boat Classes competing this year were Optimist, Lasers (Standard, Radial and 4.7), sail boards (RSX and Techno 293), the 420 Class 2-person crew collegiate standard and, for the first time, the rapidly growing J70 fleet with crews of 4 - 5 persons. Keeping everyone on their toes, the weather offered up a variety of options, beginning the first day

with cloudy skies and just 4 knots, ending the third day of competition with sunny weather and winds up to 14 knots. Participants vary in age from 6 to 70 years.

RESULTS

Optimist - Beginner Eduardo Sebastián Plata Beckmann Carlos Zamora Alvaro Zunzunegui Optimist – Advanced Bruno Aloi Timeus Hernandez Meza Carlos Sainz Iker Loza Ramírez. Laser Standard Andrey Quintero Yanic Gentry Sandy Beatty Laser Radial

Ander Belausteguigoitia, Leopoldo Seifert Hector Guzman Casas C420 Class Gabriel Toribio partnering with Hugo Miranda Reyes; Camila Velasco Flores and Maria Inés Fernández, Casilda Flores J70 Class Erick Brockmann, Franco Ambrosi Ricardo Brockmann Windsurfing - RSK Daniel Quintanilla Perez, Juan Bosco Barela Isaiah Minor Huerta. Windsurfing - Techno Christopher Hagerman Marcelo Melgarejo Adrian Varela

Making plans for April? Plenty going on in Riviera Nayarit Oyster Festival (April 12) Open to the public and celebrating its 12th year, the Oyster Fest is held on El Punto Beach in Bucerias. Organized by the co-op of fish producers and acquaculture fishing entities of Chila, La Peñita and Boca Ameca, the event includes a historical look at Bucerías and oysters.

Guayafest (April 18-19)

The Plaza de Rincón de Guayabitos is transformed into a playground for hundreds of Volkswagens from all over Mexico, many traditional bugs and combies which have been jazzed up to show off and strut their stuff in this expo for lovers of these classic cars. For more event information, visit www. facebook.com/fbtpcbugs

III Salsa Mambo Fest (April 23-26) Are you ready to party to the Latin rhythms of the Salsa Mambo Fest 2015? A series of presentations and dance classes with the experts, as well as a fabulous concert and plenty of fun. The event takes place at the Marival Resorts & Suites in Nuevo Vallarta. Reserve your spot at SalsaMamboFest.com.

5th Annual Open Water Competition 3-5K (April 25) The Annual Open Water Compe-

tition is turning into a tradition in the waters of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Hundreds of swimmers from around Mexico meet to compete, from the littlest ones to the most tested veterans. Categories include Child, Youth, Master, Special Needs and Professional. More details at NadoSeguro.com.

Gran Fondo Riviera Nayarit Tour (April 26) This bicycle race is divided into two competitions: 150km for the Gran Fondo and 75km for the Medio Fondo. The tour begins in Nuevo Vallarta, continuing on through Sayulita, along the coasts of Punta de Mita and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, through the incredible landscapes of Fortuna de Vallejo ending in Bucerías. More info: BiciBucerias.com.

V Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic 2015 (April 30 – May 3) Punta Mita, Mexico's most exclusive development offers three days of extraordinary culinary experiences along with a two-day golf tournament on the Pacífico and Bahía golf courses. The event was created to pair the best wines and local and international dishes with the best golfers and chefs. Find all the details here: PuntaMitaGourmetGolf.com.

Run for your lives! By Shannon Morrelli Amigos de La Cruz is hosting a 5K Zombie Fun Run in La Cruz on Saturday April 11th. The fun run is designed to bring more awareness to the work that is being done for Highway Beautification project that Amigos has taken on by hiring two full time employees, local to La Cruz,

who provide landscape maintenance and trash/debris clean up along the 200 HWY section running through town. Registration is $100 pesos. All proceeds from the run will go toward this project. Participants can either sign up as a Runner or a Zombie. Runners be given a belt with

two "lives" on streamers and can purchase as many additional lives as they want for 20 pesos each. Sponsors can also purchase "lives" for their favourite runners. Runners and zombies will start the race at two sections of the highway, with zombie's attempting to steal runners "lives" (streamers) and runners trying to evade

and outlast the zombies. Prizes will be given the first runner and zombie to complete the finish line and also to the runner and zombie in the first top ten finishers with the most lives intact or taken, respectively. The course will start at the entrance to La Cruz and take a turn at the streetlight, main road

down to marina, thru the marina out to the point on the malecon/ seawall and return along the route up to entrance of town. Registration and starting point is on the highway between Vallarta Gardens and Subway. Registration starts at 8am and the race begins at 9am. Come out and join in the fun.

charities

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 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.

CANICA - Centre for Children with Cancer. Provides aid for treatment and services including transportation to GDL. Contact Director, Evelia Basañes 322-123-5688. Casa Hogar - A shelter for orphaned, abandoned, disadvantaged or vulnerable children. Luz Aurora Arredondo at 221-1908, Rita Millan (322) 141-6974. casamaximocornejo@gmail.com Centro Comunitario SETAC-GLBT – Services the GLBT community, including treatment and referrals, education, English classes, HIV testing and counseling. Paco Arjona 224-1974 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

Adorable Dog In The Spotlight... SPICE

ur very own Spice girl! She is a beautiful Dalmatian-Pointer mix, about a year old and weighs in at 30 pounds. Spice has a submissive temperament and is good with all other dogs. She is very playful and would be a great running buddy. If you are looking for a companion to spice up your life, look no further than our sweet Spice. Contact us at spcapv@gmail.com if you are interested.

self-funded. www.corazondenina.mx Cruz Roja (Red Cross) - Handles hospital and emergency service in Vallarta. It is the only facility that is authorized to offer assistance to injured people on the street. Contact: 222-1533, 222-4973 Desayunos para los Niños de Vallarta A.C. Feeding programs, education programs, day care centers for single mothers. 2234311 or 22225 72 Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C. (DIVAC) association of handicapped individuals dedicated to helping one another. Ivan Applegate at 221-5153. Families At The Dump: Supporting families living in the landfill or garbage dump thru education and sustainable opportunities. familiesatthedump.org Fundacion Punta de Mita LDG. Ana Lilia Medina Varas de Valdés. ana@fundacionpuntademita.org Tel. (329) 291 5053 Friends of PV Animals Volunteers working to enhance the lives of shelter animals. For info and donations visit friendsofpvanimals.com Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta: Arq. Luz del Carmen Pérez A cayro_13@ hotmail.com grupoecologico.com Horizonte de Paz: Shelter for men of all ages who are troubled with alcohol & drug addiction. Donato Schimizzi: 322 199 9523 or Roberto: 281 0644 dschimizzi@yahoo.com La Brigada de la Basur:a A weekly meeting of neighborhood children to clean Vallarta Streets. Contact Que?Pasa 223-4006 Mexico Ministries & Mission, Inc. raises funds to the poor in Vallarta. Contact Fr. Jack+ 044 322 229-1129 christchurchbythesea.org Navy League - assists in the transportation of donated medical supplies from the U.S., organizes work groups to paint and repair facilities 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

by Janice Gonzalez

events

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.

EACH WEEK

ArtWalk in Puerto Vallarta’s Centro Wednesdays from 6PM to 10PM A self-guided tour of downtown galleries, art lovers can explore the streets of Centro stopping into select galleries for cocktail exhibitions every Wednesday evening from 6-10pm through May 27, 2015. You can often meet the artists, gallery owners and other creative people. www.vallartaartwalk.com Gentle Yoga on Saturday mornings at IFC 9:30 - 10:30, every Saturday through June (subject to further change or extension) Instructor: Adriana Bedolla Donation (minimum $50 pesos) supports charity Thursday March 26th La Magia de la Dance at the Sheraton 8:00pm in support of the Los Mangos Library Enjoy 20% discount at the Sheraton restaurants the evening of the performance with your proof of ticket. Tickets: 350 pesos in advance or 400 pesos at the door. Available at: Biblioteca Los Mangos (credit cards accepted); Hotel Belmar on Insurgentes; or by calling Cecilia at 226-4606. Friday, April 3rd Good Friday services at 11:00 am Baptist Church, Argentina 180 across from Hidalgo Park 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.

PEACE Animal

Puerto Vallarta Tourism offers free tours in Downtown Puerto Vallarta Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:00AM and 12:00PM Saturdays 9:00AM. The local tourism office offers a free sightseeing tour of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Staff will take you off on a fabulous walking tour of the streets and legendary locations in the center area of Puerto Vallarta Tours start at the Tourism Office at City Hall. For more information call 222-0923.

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Sunday April 12 IFC End of Season Brunch Casa Fantasia, Pino Suarez 203, at 10:00 am. Tickets $250 pesos available at the IFC office M-F 9 - 2, or online at IFCvallarta.com under Special Events. 322-222-5466 for more information. 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

EACEAnimals endeavours to prevent the future suffering of cats and dogs by providing free mobile spay and neuter clinics, primarily in communities throughout the Bay of Banderas. Held weekly, these clinics are fully supported through donations and grants. Clinic schedule, including directions and other clinic information are always on the website: www. peaceanimals.org and www.gretchen-peace-and-pv.blogspot.com

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

LUNCH DONATIONS NEEDED FOR VET TEAM: PEACEAnimals has a budget of 70 pesos per vet team (three persons) per day for 4 days a week for lunches. Please consider bringing lunches for our vet team to the clinics. If you can do this, please let me know so we can create a lunch schedule. By having lunches donated, these savings can be used

Gretchen DeWitt www.peaceanimals.org

for purchases of supplies and medicines.

ONGOING NEEDS INCLUDE:

Centro de Acopio (local pound) dogs are only walked twice a week by volunteers organized by Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals. Food is always needed. The government only contributes two weeks of food annually. Friends of PV Animals accepts donations and purchases supplies and medicines for the Acopi and is in the process of securing its AC ("Asociación Civil). PEACE can now include this support organization for the Centro de Acopio under its umbrella, thereby offering tax deductions for donations. Any help is appreciated. RIDES FOR RESCUE DOGS NEEDED for Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. All expenses for dogs paid for. Please contact MEXPUP or NOBARS - patty@mexpup.com; robin.nobars@gmail.com

May 1, 2 & 3, 2015: Puerto Vallarta Bugambilia Festival 2015 Free event with many events in support of the beautifying of Puerto Vallarta and Zona Romantica in particular. Folklore, fashion, cultural events, floral exhibitions. www.bugambiliafestival.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

Hi Madeline, My first season bringing tribute shows to Vallarta has been pretty successful. Paul Fracassi’s “Walk Like A Man” tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons did well enough in December at Act II Stages to be invited back this month. The show was also a sell-out, last Friday, at the Luna Lounge, in Bucerias. Gino Monopoli’s “Elvis! Elvis!” show and Amberley Beatty’s “Legendary Patsy Cline” show

did well at the new Stage & Forum theater in Nuevo Vallarta. So, both will be back next season. In addition to repeat bookings in Vallarta, I’ll be adding dates in Mazatlan and Lake Chapala, next year. The prospects for developing business in the Vallarta area look very promising. Thanks for your encouragement and support. Best regards, Merv Buchanan, Trend Records Entertainment

continued from page 21

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I love your newsy publication especially the local (people) articles such as the new sewing school for the ladies of the Volcanes area. It has inspired me to try to get tourists to bring down sewing machines. There is so much that could be done to help families as well as provide self-employment. I save all my copies of the Tribune for reference. I do love Soduku and bring books down but still enjoy your puzzle page when it appears. Alas,

it often seems to be a repeat. Is this a mistake or can you not get new ones each week? Hope you can resolve the problem Best regards Patricia Graham from Kelowna, BC Canada

Ed. Note: Patricia, Thank you for the kind words. The Sudoku is often a repeat which is really just laziness on my part. Ask and you shall receive - you now have all fresh games.

classified and more...

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com

Tianguis and Farmer´s Markets

Havre No.111 Col. Versalles Fluent English Spoken

Sanctuary by the Sea

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

home for sale

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.

3 level oceanfront home just south of Mismaloya Waiting the final touches to become your dream home Contact Lisa Wallace www.VillaMizpah.com

Local: 322-228-0128 US: 401-608-2600

WWW.VALLARTATRIBUNE.COM

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

SUDOKU 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.

easy

medium

hard

brain teasers

Mar 26 - Apr 1, 2015 www.vallartatribune.com