Issue 992, April 7 - 13, 2016 by Vallarta Tribune

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com

News

popo explodes

April 7 - 13, 2016 Year 19 Free Issue 992

Local mexican kitchen

Riviera Nayarit NORTH SHORE EVENTS

Parachute courtesy of Madeline Milne

now distributed in sayulita!

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 in Puerto Vallarta 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 18th year in a row, Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for human consumption. The quality of the water tested at the purification plant varies greatly from what comes out of the tap at the other end. So do be careful. If you want to be doubly sure, you can pick up bottled water just about anywhere. 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

April 7 - 13, 2016 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

Emergencies: 060 Red Cross: 065 Non-Emergency Police 322.290.0507 Fire Department: 322.223.9476

Ahoy Cruisers! Day Ship 7-Apr Norwegian Jewel 8-Apr Celebrity Infinity 12-Apr Crown Princess 13-Apr Carnival Miracle 14-Apr Celebrity Infinity 14-Apr Norwegian Jewel 15-Apr Ruby Princess 19-Apr Carnival Miracle 19-Apr Zaandam 20-Apr Carnival Miracle 20-Apr Zaandam 21-Apr Norwegian Jewel

Passengers 2,376 1,950 3,120 2,124 1,950 2,376 3,080 2,124 1,432 2,124 1,432 2,376

Ambulance: 322.222.1533

Consulates American Consulate Immigration: Nuevo Vallarta: 322.224.7719 322.222.0069 24 hrs Guadalajara: Consumer Protection: 333.268.2145 01.800.468.8722 Tourism Offices Canadian Consulate Jalisco: 322.221.2676 322.293.2894 Nayarit: 322.297.1006 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

In port this month Day Ship Passengers 22-Apr Nieuw Amsterdam 2,106 26-Apr Norwegian Pearl 2,394 27-Apr Carnival Miracle 2,124 28-Apr Norwegian Jewel 2,376

In the month of April Puerto Vallarta welcomes 37, 588 passengers!

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

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Editor’s

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com

his time of year is full of last’s. Last Sidewalk Shuffle, last show at The Palm, last hurrah at Luna Lounge and soon we have the last days of the Farmers Markets around the bay. Restaurants are changing gears and slipping into summer schedules and lighter menus. But do not despair! There are still a million things happening and for those of us who experience Puerto Vallarta yearround it’s a chance to slow down, take stock of the year past and plan for the one ahead, much-needed summer cleanings and time to finish that novel you put down last November. I’m in a new house this summer, so I’ve been using my time to get ready for the inevitable heat wave. In fact, we bought a new AC unit for the bedroom and got the one in the living room tuned up. I’ve got some reed curtains to hang around the deck, and I’m seriously contemplating black out curtains. Really what I need is a swimming pool but budget constraints and all that. Maybe an inflatable one will do the trick. Of course, I’d pass out if I had to actually inflate it by hand...mouth? Hmm. I think this is what husbands are for. I can pretend that fans and an ocean breeze are all I need, but my miserable attitude will tell you different. I have always been a sun-seeker, but summers here are intense.

Now with two AC units, I can rest assured I’ll be able to go from the couch to the bed relatively sweat free. In this new house, I’ve been growing a lawn, and this has been a slow process, one that has resulted in mostly weeds because the birds eat all the grass seed when I lay it out. I planted these lovely little flowers that bloom in pink, red and yellow. Then the cutter ants came and ate all the yellow flowers. The lesson here – don’t plant yellow flowers. Sometimes I think I should start all over, and then I realize in just a couple more months the rains will encourage all the plants, lawn included, to grow with reckless abandon; ants be damned. There are still many events around the Bay in April including the Bugambillia Festival, the Aztec Folklore Festival and the Cuisine of the Sun Festival we have the Capoeira and Batizado Festival and the 17th Annual Guayafest this weekend. The very popular Salsa and Mambo Festival takes place in Nuevo Vallarta April 21-24. More information on these events can be found in this week’s Vallarta Tribune. This week we have the second of a three-part series by Virginia Fox. She is hilarious! I hope you enjoy reading her stories as much as I do. If you miss an issue of the Vallarta Tribune or just want to go back and reread an article you can find all thecomplete issues at issuu.com/vallartatribune and you can find most of the contributed articles online at vallartatribune. com. Have a great week! Safe travels, Madeline

Gastrointestinal Surgeon Gastrointestinal Diseaases. Weigth loss Surgery (Gastric sleeve, Gastric By pass) Accepts National and International Insurance

Abdominal Pain Gastritis Gall Bladder Appendicitis Colitis Hemorrhoids Hernia Certified by the Mexican Council General Surgery

www.drsergiodelhoyo.com Appointment: (322)223 55 21

Facebook.com/Dr.SergiodelHoyo

Emergency: (322)1506291

dr_sergiodelhoyo@me.com

Av. Los Tules 160 int.9 Col. Díaz Ordaz, Pto Vallarta. Gracias y Hasta Luego!! While we still have some readers in town I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our advertisers this season at the Vallarta Tribune. From the Puerto Vallarta ArtWalk to Janice Chatterton and Hacienda San Angel, the Old Town Farmers Market, John Warren and the International Friendship Club, Boardwalk Realty, Vallarta Medical Centre, Natural Gourmet Vanilla, Dr. Hoyo, Green Bay Condominiums, Mexican Joe’s, Caffe del Mar, Christ Church by the Sea, June Rosen, Kathleen Carrillo and Merv Buchanan and his tribute shows at Luna Lounge, along with Kurt Sinner and El Rio BBQ, Tracy Parks and The Palm, and all those I have missed, this year has been a resounding success because of your ongoing support. Thank you! For those who have closed their doors for the season, we wish you a relaxing holiday and look forward to see you here in the fall. For those of you still here we will continue publishing each week just as we have for the past 19 years. Thank you - Madeline and all the staff at the Vallarta Tribune

Airline Angels Wanted

wo kittens whose new adoptive parents are eagerly awaiting their arrival, need airline angels to accompany them to the Vancouver airport. If you’re headed in that direction in the next few weeks and would like some furry company in the cabin, please contact Tere Kimball at tere@viacapitalepv. com. All travel expenses will be paid. Muchas gracias in advance!

Old Town Farmers Marke

“Make it, Bake it, Grow it” Find By Erin Staley

Cell. 322 134 4162 MEXICO, (952) 583 0329 USA & CANADA info@muchococo.com www.muchococo.com

iscover something new and exciting this Saturday at the OTFMTC. We have live music, warm weather, a cool downtown vibe, and 90+ vendor stands filled with “make it, bake it, grow it” products and services. Be sure to experience them all while you can as the market's season is coming to a close on Saturday, April 30th.

Farm-Fresh Fun Do your body good with a rainbow of herbs, greens, and gourmet baby vegetables from Hortalizas Palomera. You'll love the locally-grown strawberries and blackberries from Fresas de Michoacan. Plantas Regionales Puerto Vallarta's regional plants and flowers add vitality to living spaces, and Flores-e-Vallarta's tropical arrangements will wow loved ones and guests. Fashionable Finds Complete your

wardrobe with fashions from Laura Lopez Labra Boutique. Children love apparel from The Art of Embroidery & Looms. Girls happily twirl in original dresses from El Rincon de Zoe. Custom sandals are all the rage from Begoña Sandalias, and jewellery is abundant from Joyería Margarita (wrap bracelets), Karen Mical Designs (polymer clay wearable art), Frida Kahlo Necklaces, Chantel Vintage Spoon Jewelry, and more!

You’re Invited! We’re open 9:30-2 every Saturday, from November 7 to April 30, 2016. We’re located at Lazaro Cárdenas Park in Vallarta’s Emiliano Zapata neighbourhood. For only 14 pesos an hour, you can park in the garage directly beneath park. Public buses and taxis also come this way with a Pino Suarez Street drop off.

Traditional Works Deer, cacti, serpents, jaguars, peyote, and the distinctive "eye of Gods" make up Huichol Art's indigenous line. Woven bags, shirts, table runners, and small carpets are a must from Isabel Ramirez. She is a member of the Oaxaca-based Triqui Ribe tribe, and continues to honour her family’s 500-year tradition of weaving. Music lovers go gaga over prehispanic musical instruments from Instrumentos Musicales

Prehispanicos. And nothing says “eco-friendly” like 100% handcrafted brooms and brushes from Escobas Artesanales de Mexico. Home Goods Get your very own museum-quality dry clay piece from Tomas Esparza Leon of Barro Brunido. His works have been shown in distinguished museums and galleries around the world. Beautiful home accents can be found from sculptor Patricia Gawle and glass

et - Tianguis Cultural

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

ds at the OTFM-TC next smoothie, and Shining Spouts (lentil sprouts and dressings) amp up your next salad. Improve digestion with Small World Probiotics' fermented foods and natural vinegars.

Gift Ideas Stock up on unique gift ideas from Glass Design (stretched glass figurines), Greeting Cards by Helen, and The Bag Ladies (wine bottle gift bags). Children will adore wool animals from Artesanias de Chiapas. Bring the ocean home with sea shell products from Tesoros de Mar y Tierra. Melly Milagro's photo-onwood pieces and Wiki's whimsical wooden boxes offer perfect gifts for all ages.

blower Carlos Rosas. Like trash-to-treasure décor? You'll love the sun catchers and stained glass ornaments from Adriana Coss Vitrofusion Reciclado. Tlamatini offers beautiful palm baskets, and Milagro del Arte features elegant wooden crosses.

Body-licious Pamper yourself with 100% natural soaps, oils, lotions, and scrubs from Banderas Soap Blends. Then work out the kinks with a treatment from U.S. Board-Certified Chiropractor Dr. Erik Fulfer at Bahia Chiropractic. Let Pure Chia (chia seeds) top off your

Get Involved! Interested in becoming a new vendor? Stop by the information booth for an application. For the latest in market news (both in English and Spanish), visit www. oldtownfm.com and “like” us on Facebook (Old.Town. Farmers.Market.PV).

Food, Glorious Food Freshly baked goods are in abundance from Hecho en Mexico Pasteleria, Vallarta Bagel World, and Artisan Bakery (sourdough bread and pastries). You'll find dried pasta, sauces, and liquors at La Dolceria Produzione Italiana. Then top your favourite dishes with jams, jellies, and chutneys from Jan's Specialty Condiments; dips, salsa, and infused oils

from Los Sabores de Cristy; and pestos, mole, and condiments from Miriam's Mexican Kitchen. Be sure to stop by the International Food Court for tasty Thai, Indian, traditional Mexican favourites, and vegan entrées (hamburgers, al pastor, falafels, and sticky buns). Fresh beverages provided too. Dessert includes hand crafted chocolates and chocolate-covered bananas from Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates and candied nuts from Mr. Pistaches. But these are just a few of the goodies we have waiting for you at the OTFMTC. For a complete list, visit www.oldtownfm.com. Meet the Market The OTFM-TC is a North American style market that celebrates the tradition and culture of Mexico’s outdoor tianguis markets. It is also a registered non-profit/ association civil organization that focuses on nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of Puerto Vallartans. All OTFM-TC products are either locally grown or handmade within 75 kilometres of the city.

Artisan Bakery

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

ChelowVallarta

Swimwear and beachwear made to order!

Teresa Moreno Fb: TYBikinisYMas

Tel. 322-137-04-77 ty-bikinis-y-mas@hotmail.com Federalismo #1383 Colonia Lomas del Coapinole Pitillal, Jal

Tel. 224-6670 Cel: 322-116-9908

Authentic contemporary jewelry

Heriberto Saucedo Pérez Artista Diseñador Cel. 322.190 56 32 Fb: Heriko Joyeria herikojoyeria@hotmail.com Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

news

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Holy Week tourism surges

ederal tourism officials are forecasting higher numbers than last year for Holy Week, and indications from some tourist destinations are that they might be right. Despite crime gang violence, Acapulco recorded an 87% hotel occupancy rate yesterday, while elsewhere in Guerrero, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo was at 90% and Taxco, 72%. Holy Week figures from last year were significantly lower for the three destinations: this year’s figures are up 54%, 34% and 52%, respectively. The Tourism Secretariat, Sectur, is forecasting that most destinations will see higher numbers this year. Among them are Cancún, where an 89% occupancy rate is expected, Cozumel

with 85%, Isla Mujeres with 69%, and the Riviera Maya 90%. One busy place this week is the Cancún International Airport, where close to 60 airlines are handling on average 200 flights a day. On the Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is forecast to have 100% occupancy, Los Cabos 95%, La Paz 62% and Loreto 74%. Not all travelers are happy, judging by information provided by the consumer protection agency Profeco. It says it has received 10,000 complaints so far during Holy Week, mostly in relation to service by airlines. But Profeco chief Ernesto Nemer Álvarez said 70% have already been resolved.

Fill ‘er up, please, and Wind farm projects here’s my laundry Original: mexiconewsdaily.com

push MX into top 10 C

nvestment in renewable energy grew 105% last year Investment in wind generation of electricity has propelled Mexico on to the list of the 10 countries that recorded the greatest spending on renewable sources of energy. That spending in Mexico in 2015 totaled US $4 billion, representing a growth of 105% over the previous year, revealed the United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP’s) annual report, Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2016, presented Thursday. The creation of nine wind farm projects was a major contributor to the increase in wind power investment, which shows no signs of slowing. The construction of another new wind farm has just started in the northern border state of Tamaulipas, where the 45-turbine Tres Mesas park will be one of the biggest in the country. It will generate enough power to serve the needs of 71,000 households. The state has a high investment potential due to its stable, yearround winds, an asset the state government is eager to exploit. Mexico was also one of the three emerging economies with the highest yearly growth in renewable energy investment, only behind Chile and South Africa, where growth was 329% and 151%,

respectively. Future growth will be encouraged by goals approved in December by Congress. The Energy Transition Law established among other things that 35% of electrical energy must be generated from clean sources by 2024, a percentage that is supposed to reach 60% by 2050. The International Renewable Energy Agency, Irena, agrees that Mexico has enough potential, estimating that by 2030 the country could well be capable of generating 46% of its electricity needs through sustainable sources. Irena estimated that Mexico is capable of generating 26% of its electricity through wind and solar farms, 12% through hydroelectric generators, 5% by harnessing geothermal energy and 2.5% though biomass. All this could mean that by 2030 Mexico could reduce its demand for coal by 62%, natural gas by 21% and oil by 6%. Another detail of the UNEP report showed that for the first time investment in renewables by emerging economies surpassed that of developed countries. The former saw investments of $156 billion, while the latter registered $130 billion.

Original: mexiconewsdaily.com

ustomer service to be an important focus of Gulf gas stations The first Gulf gas stations will open in Mexico City and Monterrey in July and while they will seek to be competitive in their pricing, says a company spokesman, customer service will be an important focus. Mexico general manager Sergio de la Vega said the new stations will sell cell phone time and offer laundry service, depending on the region they’re in. Customers will be able to leave their dirty laundry and pick it up later, washed and ironed. Another offering that will set Gulf apart from its competitor, Pemex,

will be loyalty discounts for frequent customers, he said. But what people want to hear is whether prices will come down, acknowledged de la Vega. But he said there are two factors that affect prices and fuel distributors have no control over them. One, he explained, is international prices and the other is taxes. After Mexico City and Monterrey, new stations will follow in Puebla and Guadalajara, with the objective being 2,000 gas stations in three years and 20-25% of the market. Other customer service initiatives will include the use of technology to keep track of customers’ vehicles and their needs, the availa-

Spanish Bloopers

bility of facturas on line and training employees to offer a service more akin to that of a concierge than a gas jockey, said de la Vega. He told El Economista that a Gulf franchise will cost 700,000 pesos, or US $40,000, but that price will be discounted to 240,000 pesos for franchisees who switch from Pemex. Gulf Oil is the first foreign firm to announce its entry into the Mexican retail fuel market, a move made possible by the government’s sweeping energy reforms. The market will be completely free of government controls in 2018.

Original: mexiconewsdaily.com 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: MENSAJE (MESSAGE) MASAJE (MASSAGE) Another reader writes: My friend who works as a hotel operator gets

MENSAJE (MESSAGE)

MASAJE (MASSAGE)

a chuckle every day when guests commonly confuse these two words. “Necesito dejar un masaje por favor.” Roughly translated this means “I want to leave a massage please!” when they really want to

leave a message! Do you have a trick to keep these two similar words straight? Send me your bloopers and a little story to go with them: sandra. learn.vallarta@gmail.com

news

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

El Popo explosion strongest in 3 years

Mexico’s Economic Activity Rises 2.9%

xplosions have destroyed the lava dome formed in January. There was an explosion described as “relatively strong” at the Popocatépetl volcano last night, sending a two-kilometer column of ash skyward and shooting incandescent fragments to a distance of up to 3.5 kilometers. The fragments ignited bush fires on the volcano’s upper slopes, reported Volcano Discovery. An overnight flight Saturday by officials aboard a helicopter found that a new lava dome that had formed in January was gone,

M destroyed by a recent series of explosions. The dome contained an estimated 2 million cubic meters of lava. The National Disaster Prevention Center (Cenapred) said a new inner crater could be seen in the volcano and predicted another lava dome will soon be growing inside it. The earthquake and volcano alert system called SkyAlert said last night’s explosion, which took place at 8:30, was the biggest in three years measured in terms of its force. The volcano, also known as

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

rom the Old Town Farmers Market this past week, we hear from our friend Lynnette: “We had a very successful day at the Farmers Market this week, considering that we're almost at the end of the season. Tee shirts and tank tops sold well as did our Lisa Love tote bags. We're hoping soon to receive a new range of tee shirts for next season. We were given two separate donations of $500 pesos each, by two ladies who wished to remain anonymous. Thank you so very much for your generosity and many thanks to everyone else who donated. Every peso counts towards the upkeep of the Sanctuary. We had an offer from Cheryl Wheeler to transport a dog to Vancouver in May - thank you, Cheryl.

Our 2017 calendar is almost filled - the front cover has been sold and today one of our visitors purchased the month of April, with a fantastic Easter photo of dogs Scooter & Lulu. The months of July and September are still available if you'd like to put your dogs or cats (or both) on show next year. We welcomed back volunteer Michelle from Canada, who brought her beautiful new granddaughter, Adelaide to visit. The Market has only three more weeks before closing, so if you still need to buy some souvenirs or a month in the calendar, or simply to drop off those remaining holiday pesos, call in to see us - you know where we are! Thanks to volunteers, Doreen, Michelle, Chris and Mark.” And thanks for your report Lynnette! Come and spend a rewarding

El Popo, remains under a yellow, phase 2 alert. Civil Protection recommends that residents near the volcano remain indoors during periods of ash fall and take measures to protect themselves should they have to go outside. Popocatépetl is one of Mexico’s most active volcanoes after it began producing powerful explosions in 1994 following a 50-yearlong dormant period. The 5,426meter volcano lies 70 kilometers southeast of Mexico City.

Original: mexiconewsdaily.com

exico’s economic activity rose 2.9 percent in January, compared to the same month in 2015, thanks to strong performances by all three sectors of the economy, the National Statistics Institute, or INEGI, said Tuesday. The figure comes from the Global Economic Activity Index, or IGAE, which shows that the primary sector of the economy grew by 4.3 percent, while the secondary sector expanded by 1.8 percent and the tertiary sector grew 4.3 percent, the INEGI said in a statement. The IGAE rose 0.60 percent in January, compared to December, on a seasonally adjusted basis, thanks to increases of 0.50 percent

in the agricultural sector, 1.2 percent in manufacturing and 0.20 percent in the service sector. The IGAE is a preliminary shortterm gauge of economic trends in the country since it does not include all the economic sectors used in calculating the gross domestic product (GDP). Mexico’s GDP grew 2.5 percent in 2015, marking a recovery from the 2.1 percent growth registered in 2014 and the 1.4 percent growth experienced in 2013. The government estimates that Mexico’s GDP will grow between 2.6 percent and 3.6 percent in 2016, while the Bank of Mexico is forecasting growth of 2 percent to 3 percent this year. Original: Laht.com

donations you can bring for our rescues and also please feel free to bring treats for sanctuary staff as they truly appreciate it. 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. 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/. You can drop off any donations for the SPCA at Hacienda San Angel located at Calle Miramar 336, above Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in El Centro. 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.

By Janice Gonzalez

afternoon cuddling the animals at Puerto Vallarta’s SPCA Sanctuary. Our dogs and cats are awaiting “forever homes” and your help is needed to jump start their socialization. The goal is to get these animals adjusted and ready to interact in the real world. The majority of the SPCA animals either come from extremely abusive situations or they have been abandoned. Your love and attention can make up for that sad history. During your visit, you can interact with the animals and even take a dog (or two or three) for a walk. Tours will be each Tuesday and Thursday leaving from the Costco parking lot at noon. Please note that reservations are required and space is limited. To make a reservation, contact us at spcapv@ gmail.com. We appreciate any

local

08 By Marcia Blondin Comings… Next month, CK Productions (Janette Mason, Moruno Gypsy Jazz Trio, Diego Mondragon) will introduce their “Summer Listening” Series at Casa Karma starring Grant Maloy Smith, an American singer/songwriter who creates an intriguing mix of Bluegrass and Country Music. Until then, catch Chris Kenny along with Alberto Montejano on keyboards every Wednesday night at Casa Karma from 8 to 10 pm. I am going this week and will let you know how the concert went. And Goings… A fairytale ending to be sure was held at the Palm Cabaret for the absolutely final, last, will-not-everappear-on-stage-again, Princesas Desesperadas. The brilliant and hilarious production has been laid to rest. The Palm was packed… over-packed with mostly Mexican locals (the play done in its original language) who started giggling/ laughing/guffawing, from Juan Pablo Hernandez’s first step on the stage as Bella (Beauty and

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Comings and Goings

From Here by Marcia Blondin marciavallarta@gmail.com

the Beast), and did not stop until the final curtain. My face ached from laughing afterwards…the ‘girls’ were having a lot of fun onstage, ad-libbing wildly but maintaining character, regularly falling into laughing jags that set off the entire room howling along with glee. I chatted, after the show, with Alain Perreault, co-producer and set designer of Perro Bravo Productions. He had just been informed by a radio personality (who was in the audience), that his station had received more calls about Desperate Princesses over the last three seasons, than any other Spanish-language produc-

tion in the history of Vallarta! Take a long curtain call Juan Pablo Hernandez (Bella/Beauty), Cesar Trujillo (Aurora/Sleeping Beauty), Juan Carlos Ramirez (Cenicienta/ Cinderella and in charge of makeup) and Cesar Bravo (Blanca Nieves/Snow White; also co-producer and costume builder) and Ramiro Daniel, the Director. I saw this play many times in the last three years – my woeful understanding of Spanish aside – I enjoyed this last delightful romp (stomp?) through the latter lives of Walt Disney’s most adored princesses. Will it ever be seen in Puerto Vallarta again? OMG, I hope so!

www.cuisineofthesun.villagroupresorts.com

early three years ago, my editor Madeline Milne, sent me off to a small restaurant in downtown Vallarta to review the entertainment for the Tribune. That was my first encounter with Andrea and Luis from Argentina… otherwise known as Bohemia Viva. To say they have come a long way is only to ask how far they will go. From a local teeny restaurant to an ancient palazzo in northern Italy, back to Vallarta and headlining for their third season at The Palm Cabaret and now they are poised on the brink of International stardom with the next twelve months to be spent touring in the United States. Their final show last week at the Palm was polished and techie (great tango video by the always brilliant Paco Ojeda) and interrupted often with spontaneous standing ovations. Andrea and Luis personally welcomed and spoke to every person in the audience; some of whom have become very close friends. Complimentary Argentinean hors d’oeuvres were passed around by the Palm’s great wait staff. Amy Armstrong was a special guest whose show ‘Spanglish’ features Bohemia Viva and has the distinction of being the Palm’s last production of the 2015/16 season. Another guest was Geo Uhrich, of Luna Rumba – another headliner for the Palm, who played ‘Unchained Melody’ on his violin with a soulfulness that ran sweetly underlying Luis’s powerful vocals. Andrea told a poignant story about asking Tracy Parks, the Entertainment Director for the Palm if Bohemia Viva could audition for him. (At this point, Bohemia Viva had been playing professionally for less than three years.) Tracy said, sure, and then requested ‘La Rose

en Vie”. Andrea was taken aback because they didn’t know it and asked if they could do ‘Guantanamera’ instead! After all, both songs contain roses and red ones were given as gifts to all who came to their last performance this season. Bohemia Viva’s rendition of ‘La Rose en Vie’, that signature Edith Piaf song, touched the audience’s heart almost as much as did ‘Don’t Cry for me, Argentina’. I will pass along more info about Bohemia Viva’s upcoming Tour in the next couple of weeks. While we are saying adios, not goodbye, to many venues in town, I have to send happy summer wishes to the Luna Lounge in Bucerias for having Madeline and me there for their last dinner and show of the season. Samira sent sparks flying in all directions in her dynamic portrayal of Tina Turner. None of us had ever witnessed that much energy! Hugh and Simon, the gracious owners of the Luna Lounge, will spend the summer in Ireland. Merv Buchanan, who brought the Luna Lounge and El Rio BBQ-Bar fantastic Tribute shows this season, is on his way back to Calgary, Alberta. Merv will spend the summer hunting for new talent to produce and promote in Canada and to possibly bring down to Mexico next season. I will be in close communications with him to find out who-is-coming-where this winter and will, of course, pass the information along so you can plan your vacation entertainment calendar accordingly. I may very well be the only person NOT leaving Vallarta this summer: That is NOT a complaint! Summers are gloriously hot and humid and quiet. The oncea-month monsoons are spectacular…I will keep you abreast of what you are missing!

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Cuisine of the Sun Set to Shine in Vallarta Dawna L. Robertson

n a region long lauded for its culinary prowess, Vallarta is prepping to add yet another foodie feather to its cap with the inaugural Cuisine of the Sun International Food Festival slated for April 13-17. Celebrity chefs from the U.S. and Latin America will gather at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit for a star-studded fare affair curated by Food Network Celebrity Chef and USFOODS Culinary Specialist, Penny Davidi. Joining Davidi will be Stephen Kalt (Wynn Las Vegas Corsa Cucina), Michele Ragussis (Food Network Star), Rahm Fama (host of the Food Network’s Meat and Potatoes), Mia Mastroianni (founding bartender of Soho House West Hollywood), Marita Jara (Season 8 of The Next Food Network Star), Adam Gertler (host of FX Movie Download) and Patrick “Pat” Neely (restaurateur, television personality, author and co-owner of Neely’s Bar-B-Cue restaurant in downtown Memphis). Olivier Coupat, Villa La Estancia’s general manager, notes that Cuisine of the Sun chefs’ culinary talents will span the palate spectrum. “And that is what cuisine is all about – expanding your knowledge, experiencing new flavors and trends and, of course, enjoying a simple and tasty meal in the company of those you hold in the highest esteem,” said Coupat. The Cuisine of the Sun schedule will run the gamut, from an opening night Gastronomic Fair Wednesday, April 13 Gastronomic Fair Opening Thursday, April 14 Recipe For Meat Lovers with Rahm Fama The Best Home Cooking Show with Celebrity Chefs Most Famous Mexican Wineries with Sommeliers and Wine Makers The Secret Recipe with Michele Ragussis Grand Degustation Menu with Tequila & Liquor Pairing at Four-Diamond La Casona Friday, April 15 Highlight of Modern Cuisine with Stephen Kalt Road Tasted BBQ with Pat

where guests mingle amid gastro gurus to Sunday’s finale Vallarta Beach Brunch with live music and seafood specialties. Aside from exhibition cooking and mixology classes, each day’s agenda will also feature an afternoon “Most Famous Mexican Wineries” session held poolside with vino producers and sommeliers. In conjunction with the festival, Villa La Estancia has created a Cuisine of the Sun package catering to diehard foodies. Available on a daily basis as an a la carte all-inclusive plan, it covers lodging, single-day festival access, all-inclusive resort dining, access to the resort’s Tatewari Spa hydrotherapy area, resort activities, entertainment, non-motorized water sports equipment, taxes and service charges from $430 per person per night. Located on Banderas Bay, the AAA Four-Diamond resort further appeases foodies with its hacienda-style villa accommodations designed with gourmet-style kitchens where private chefs will prepare in-villa dining experiences. As the host location to Thursday evening’s Grand Degustation Menu event, La Casona is considered Villa La Estancia’s gourmet dining option. For Cuisine of the Sun package reservations or more details on the International Food Festival, visit cuisineofthesun.villagroupresorts.com/packages or call (800) 831-1191.

Original: www.travelpulse.com Neely Most Famous Mexican Wineries with Sommeliers and Wine Makers Incredible Cocktail & Bites Experience with Manouschka Guerrier Dine ‘N Style with Celebrity Chefs Saturday, April 16 Sweet Treats with Adam Gertler Most Famous Mexican Wineries with Sommeliers and Wine Makers Modern Mixology with Mia Mastroianni Cuisines of the Sun Under the Moon Dinner & Beach Party Sunday, April 17 Vallarta Beach Brunch

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Slicing and Dicing at My Mexican Kitchen By Anita Draycott

couple of weeks ago I spent a delightful evening with six new friends learning how to make some delicious Mexican dishes at My Mexican Kitchen in Bucerias (Lazaro Cardenas, #11, just south of the Kissing Bridge). Run by the dynamic duo of chefs, Travis Dietz and Edgar Garcia Cordova, My Mexican Kitchen offers cooking classes several nights per week. Travis, originally from Oregon, and Edgar from Puebla, Mexico, met in Bucerias some years ago and decided to make it their home. Through their company, My Mexican Kitchen, offering both catering services and cooking classes, they are able to share their passion for authentic, unadulterated Mexican cuisine. “What I like to show in class is real, traditional Mexican food that is completely different from what you often find up north. Mexican food is much more than burritos and nachos,” says Edgar as he deftly roasts a poblano pepper on a hot comal griddle. “I also want to show that Mexican food is actually very healthy and based on natural ingredients, not processed ones.” Edgar, who grew up in a large Mexican family that had various restaurants, also points out that you don’t need a lot of gadgets or appliances to make traditional Mexican dishes. A good knife, a comal, a tortilla press and a lime squeezer are the “workhorses” of Mexican chefs. Travis adds that with a limited palette of ingredients (tomatoes, onions, garlic, chilies and corn flour) you can make an amazing number of dishes. Travis informed us that for most Mexicans, lunch is the main meal of the day and that seafood is a lunchtime dish because it’s

light and cool for the body. That probably explains why my favourite fish taco stand in Bucerias closes in the evenings. I had signed up for a five-course seafood class. Our group of seven gathered around a tiled table. We were each given a knife, cutting board, apron and recipe book. With directions from our chefs we created mango agua fresca, scallop tostadas with avocado salsa, crab soup, battered cauliflower with cheese from Oaxaca and fish filets Veracruz-style—a veritable feast. Along the way we learned all sorts of culinary tricks—from how to easily slice a mango without mangling it to de-seeding and roasting peppers. All of their classes include a recipe for Mexican fruit infused aqua fresca and at least one salsa. The motto at My Mexican Kitchen is, “Learn or just eat.” Folks are given lots of opportunity to participate in the preparation, but if you’d rather sit back, enjoy some snacks and wait until dinner is ready, that’s fine too. “Our most popular class is Salsas and Appetizers,” says Travis. “We sometimes call it the 'Chilies 101 class'. It is a great jumping off point to learn how to use that very basic Mexican ingredient—the chili.” Indeed, Travis taught us much about the complexity of various chilies and how their flavours and heat volume change depending upon whether they are roasted, boiled or sautéed in oil. Not all chili peppers are Hades hot, but if you do get some chili oil on your fingers, it’s more effective to wash your hands with shampoo than soap. Trying to teach seven people how to make a five-course dinner from scratch could be a disaster if you’re not organized, but Travis

and Edgar have mastered the art of making everything look easy and they encourage folks to have fun, bring their own wine and ask lots of questions. As such, the classes are also a springboard to talk about various other aspects of Mexico and Mexican culture, from the random, black tanks on the top of most Mexican homes (tinacos, to hold water when the town water shuts off) to the Mexican penchant for focusing on the fun in life to where to buy the cheapest and best local produce (family-run abarrotes.) After all the slicing, dicing and cooking, the evening at Mexican Kitchen culminates in sitting down at a round table and enjoying the fruits of our labours. “For me,” remarks Travis, “travel is a chance to partake in the culture of your destination and food is such a mirror of a culture. So our idea for My Mexican Kitchen seemed like a good way to combine enjoying a cultural activity and eating good food.” Travis and Edgar run several classes per week and they are constantly changing the menus. The evening ends with Mexican café de olla laced with cinnamon, cane sugar and a shot of almond or aged Tequila. Cost per class person is about $75 U.S. Buen provecho. www.mymexicankitchen. com Anita Draycott is a freelance travel journalist from Toronto who has chosen to spend her winters in the Puerto Vallarta area for the past decade.

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Paradise

and Parenting Leza Warkentin

mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

Getting to Know the Hobbit My parents read to me a lot when I was a child. My mom read me the classics, which I still love today: Little Women, Pilgrim’s Progress, The Narnia Series. My dad ushered me into the wild world of Dr. Seuss and into the hilariously weird poems of Dennis Lee, which I still read to my children and students. It is natural, then, that I read to my kids as well. And, being a teacher, I could go on and on (and on) with a lot of really boring statistics about reading to children and the correlation to their future success, brain growth, and lifelong desire to learn. I’m warning you. I really could. I even have graphs. But, to keep things simple and probably a lot more interesting, I’ll share what reading means to our family. There’s something gorgeous about curling up with Charlotte’s Web with two kids that are leaning into you so that you can barely turn the pages. And then when you get to the last paragraphs, and you can barely choke out “No one was with her when she died”, you look over, and both kids are blinking back tears for that good ol’ spider. Those are the times when you realize you actually might be doing something useful with your life. On the other hand, I am equally

passionate about protecting childhood, especially in media usage. My children love technology and current popular media, and I don’t deny that they get more than their fair share of time playing and exploring with technology. But it’s always been my goal that they are exposed appropriately, according to their ages and developmental levels. Unfortunately, the movie and video game giants forgot to consult with me about when and to what age group they would market movies based on classic books. So, we made a rule in our house early on: the book comes first. If you want to see Percy Jackson or Harry Potter movies, you read the books first and then we’ll talk about the movies. When my son was seven, we read The Hobbit together. We were both completely enthralled with the story, and the old and formal vocabulary and intricate descriptions of the landscape didn’t hinder our enjoyment in the least. When the movie came out near Christmas, I went first with my husband because a) we are Lord of the Rings geeks who literally go to Tolkien movies wearing our own Hobbit ears, and b) I wanted to make sure it was not going to give him nightmares. As it turns out, the fine folks at MGM studios thought it would be nice to embellish the original story with demonic-looking giant albino

orcs that behead other folks. I had to go home (carefully hiding my Hobbit ears in the car first) and tell my son that he couldn’t see the movie that he had been anticipating since we first set foot in the literary Shire. I even checked the website commonsensemedia.org to make sure I wasn’t overreacting. Nope. The website suggested eleven years of age to see the movie. My son took the news well, especially when I told him that he would be scared because he’s always been pretty pragmatic when it comes to nightmares. It’s hard to get out of bed and find your mom when there’s a Tolkenien creature under your bed waiting to disembowel you. But, fortunately, time does pass. This Easter break I realized that the boy was not only eleven, he was eleven and five months, and the Hobbit was waiting on Netflix for us. I reminded him of this, and he couldn’t believe it was actually four years later. So, just yesterday, we sat shoulder to shoulder enjoying some popcorn and Bilbo’s riddling scene with Gollum. When the Goblins showed up, I covered his eyes automatically, before remembering that we were in 2016, and the boy was going to be twelve in October. He probably could handle some goblins, even though they were plenty awful-looking and very unmannerly. I sheepishly pulled my hand away. He grinned at me indulgently across the popcorn bowl and said “It’s ok mom. Just tell me if I miss something important.” At that moment, I was so glad I had waited and that I listened to Common Sense Media. I was also pleasantly surprised because it appeared that I may have had some common sense of my own. And then I just let him watch and enjoy the thrill of seeing the story come to life, uncivil goblins and all.

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Wellness

Latina

Marcella Castellanos

info@wellnesslatina.com

The Power of Journaling

ournaling can be a therapeutic, relaxing experience allowing us to de-stress from the clutters of the mind. It can be difficult to find the time, but here are some tips on making it work in your schedule: 1. Before the house becomes fully alive, try waking up 20-30 minutes earlier in the morning. 2. Use the quiet time once everyone is out of the house. Or you might try going somewhere else where there is quiet space. 3. Find a neighborhood coffee or juice shop and stop there for 15 minutes during a morning stroll or on your way to work. This will help you take in the surroundings, and inspire you to write. Spending time journaling can buy you more time through the day even though you spend time doing the writing. Your head will be clearer from the chatter that goes on in your brain and you'll be able to handle people more efficiently and effectively. Journaling every day is most beneficial, but even just as often as you can has its benefits; better some than none. Other ways or techniques to journal include poetry, blogging, letter writing or morning pages

when you just start writing. The idea is to allow what's inside to be documented on paper for better understanding and perspective. Expressing ourselves is important and this is a powerful tool to 'let it all out.' Here's another example of what can become a daily ritual or create your own version of this for healthy happy living: Gratitude Fitness Home cooked meal Visualization Alone time Quality sleep Fresh air and sunshine Meaningful connections Quality sleep

Marcella is a certified Wellness Lifestyle Coach helping people lead healthier lives with attention to compassion and sustainability in the world. Her mission is to empower you to become the greatest, most vibrant version of yourself. She looks at the whole picture and helps you incorporate plantstrong nutrition, movement, and essential oils to support physical and emotional health. If you want to receive health and wellness updates about vibrant healthy living in Vallarta sign up for her newsletter at www.wellnesslatina.com

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Under the Palapa By Chris Dalton

www.majorscorner.com

f I am honest, and I try to be in these columns in spite of a few people who think I make this stuff up, I am not sure how we would get by here without the miracle of Costco. What did ex-pats do without it? I am being slightly facetious, as I know I would simply become used to the Mexican equivalent: Mega, Soriano and Leys. I am a fan for the fresh produce side of things already, but Costco is in a realm all by itself. With a friendly wave of my Costco card I am suddenly in the kingdom of conspicuous consumption. The mind boggles at the variety, from furniture that could fill every room in any house to the latest kitchen appliances and colour TVs large enough for a stadium. Think of almost anything you might need and they have it. But you have to be quick, as the sales come and then there are no more, to be replaced by something else but not the same as what you saw last week. But I love it, I love it. Others will perhaps not understand our joy at finding things we could get on any day at home but nowhere else but Costco here in Mexico. Cheddar cheese, for instance. Here in Puerto Vallarta there is nothing orange in the cheese sections of local stores, only every shade of white cheese imaginable. That is fun for a while. “Darling, how cute. They only have the white stuff,” you shout over the disco music in the meat and cheese section. I always think of my Jewish friends staring at sausages beside the curd. You don’t have to be orthodox to think that this is unorthodox. After several weeks, white cheese is no longer cute. “I don’t care if it is only Kraft cheddar, I want it now,” you say, but you can’t find even that. That is why God made Costco. There is a small section of cheddar in the grand store; we come to look at it and tremble with desire. You never miss something until you can’t get it. I never thought of cheese, and especially cheddar, as something I might

miss someday, but I do. Thank you, Costco. Before I leave the subject, I must mention one other type, feta. Because so many of us live on salads, feta cheese has become a staple of our cold lunches. However in spite of being of the “white” variety, there seems to be very little around, even at Costco, where it is available intermittently at best. So much so that there have been fights over the king of salad toppings. The other week I was told, after three weeks without, a shipment of feta had arrived with no fanfare and was simply stacked on the floor of the cheese section still in its carton. It was quickly snapped up, until only two containers remained. One senior took both as another senior reached forward. Outrage was expressed and chaos ensued. I am told, by more than a few oldies, that the cheese section is a good place to meet future partners, as it is place where the like-minded gather. I suppose that, and the wine section, would both qualify. I do seem to meet almost everyone I know near the wine shelves, pondering the labels as if they were the Dead Sea scrolls. And why not, eh? Without wine, life loses some of its lovely hue, at least in my view.

We all know the name “Kirkwood” is the house brand for Costco products and it generally is pretty good, especially for bulk products. Now I see it on wine and vodka, can this be true? A few weeks ago I saw K vodka being served at an upscale party and I must say my Bloody Mary was superb. I have not yet ventured towards the Kirkwood wine, but if the Canadian dollar keeps falling I could be splashing around in that barrel before long. Let there be no mistake, we love Mexico, which is why Michelle and I have made it our home. However I think if there were no Costco, we would miss it enormously, even if I generally walk out with five jars of peanut butter when we only need one. By the way, in spite of Costco being a Seattle company, it is also a very Mexican experience. Last week my wife was buying kitchen detergent when an elderly lady approached her, saying: “Where are the paper towels? No one speaks English here,” which is partially true. Then the lady said, “This is an American store and it is not right that there is only Spanish!” She began to shout, “PAPER TOWELS, PAPER TOWELS, PAPER TOWELS!” Finally Michelle said to her quietly, “ ‘Paper towels’ in Spanish is toallas de papel.” “PAPER TOWELS, PAPER TOWELS,” continued the frenzied woman in spite of my wife’s translation. Perhaps it is a good idea to look up a few words of Spanish before going to Costco in Mexico. Copyright Christopher Dalton 2016

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Foreign Bank Account Reports — FBAR traps by Orlando Gotay, Tax Attorney

S persons are required to report annually to the US Treasury, financial interest or signature authority over foreign financial accounts that exceed certain value thresholds. You should treat this only as “food for thought” primer; space does not permit an authoritative explanation. An “FBAR” is different from other forms that are filed with income tax returns. It is filed electronically with Treasury, not the IRS. It is due on June 30, 2016. Are you a “US person”? Those are US citizens, green card holders and others who meet the U.S. “substantial presence test”. Some people may be US citizens without realizing it. Typical cases are those born in the United States who left at an early age; or children of a U.S citizen parent born abroad. The former are virtually certain to be U.S. citizens; children of U.S citizen parents abroad need to examine their particular circumstances. Some may be citizens, and therefore “US persons”. Some people are deemed “US persons” when they spend enough time in the US, meeting the “substantial presence test”. Typical inadvertent cases could include some Canadian snowbirds, believing they are “ok” because they only stay for the 180-day yearly period allowed them under US immigration law. Financial interest: If you are the owner of record, you have a financial interest over the entire account, even if other owners are not US persons. You also have a financial interest if the account is for a corporation, trust or other

entity that you control. Signature authority: One has signature or other authority over an account if you (by yourself or with others) can control the disposition of money, funds or other assets held in the financial account. Foreign financial accounts: Besides bank accounts, quite a few other things also fall in the definition of financial account such as life insurance policies with a cash surrender value, even if no money actually is disbursed. Mutual funds, brokerage accounts, prepaid debit cards, and many similar items also come in. Excluded are stocks bonds, and most mercifully, Mexican Land Trusts (fideicomisos). But note: an ‘account’ held by the Fideicomiso itself could be reportable. Who files? U.S. persons with a financial interest or signature authority over foreign financial accounts that in the aggregate exceed $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. The maximum yearly balance for each account is added up. If that total is greater than $10,000, all foreign financial accounts are reportable. Be diligent. Look into this now, when there is enough time to figure if you need to file a FBAR, collect the information, and file. Orlando Gotay is a California licensed tax attorney (with a Master of Laws in Taxation) admitted to practice before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court and other taxing agencies. His love of things Mexican has led him to devote part of his practice to the tax matters of U.S. expats in Mexico. He can be reached at tax@orlandogotay.com.

Same Owners Since 1981

MARSOL MARKET is having ANOTHER BAZAAR 10 am to 2 pm, Tuesday, April 12th Furniture, art, clothes, kitchen items, food, jewelry, books and much, much more. Live music by Gabriel Reyes VENDORS: Tables are only 100 pesos Please set up by 9:30 am Contact Barbara or Sherry at the Friday Marsol Market

The Real BBQ

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The Real BBQ

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April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Life

In La

Fun on the Riviera Nayarit Cat Morgan www.rivieranayaritfun.com Cat@RivieraNayaritFun.com

can already feel myself slowing down as the two weeks of Spring Break is over and folks return back to their summer homes. Many of us work so hard during the “high season” and are ready for the slower pace. I know I am! Of course, I do work year around, but there is no way I could keep up the high pace all year. The pools are warmer now and perfect for swimming and relaxing. As summer comes upon us they will get too hot to swim in for many people. Me? I live for swimming and it is how I get a lot of my exercise in the summer months; swimming, beach walking and tennis in the morning. As I have mentioned before, many restaurants and clubs will close for the season due to the lack of business. But, a few will remain open for us locals and I will be keeping you posted on the events, time and menu changes; all of the fun summer specials! I had thought that JAX Bar and Grill were going to close, but recently spoke with the owner and he will be open all summer with live music. He is also planning on changing the bar structure a bit… Sounds like it’s going to be a lot larger and better for the music

scene. Mark’s Bar and Grill is now closed for lunch, but will also remain open all summer with their fun summer snacks and drinks, as well as Esquina 22 Bar and Lounge with their daily bar specials, who are now closed on Sundays…the only place I know with air conditioning! The Gecko Rojo in La Cruz will also be open all year around with their schedule changing to Monday, 12-10 with Darts at 5pm, Wednesday from 4-12pm with Live Music from Cantus Eterna, Friday 12-10 with Darts again at 5pm and Sat from 12-10. The summer menu is out with summer pricing. Happy Hour 6-8. Sharon always makes it fun at the Gecko Rojo and enjoys having theme parties during the summer. Super fun! Enjoy the tranquility and smaller crowds on the playa… and get in on all the entertainment that is still going on! Check with the allBucerias.com and allLaCruz.com calendars for the changes and events. Right now, it’s a daily changing of itineraries! As reminders: The last La Cruz market day for this season will be April 17th. The “Semana del Mezcal” from April 15th to 27th with the Tequila Fun at the Black Forest Restaurant in La Cruz on Thursday, April 21st starting at 6:30 pm.

By Cindy Bouchard Octopus Garden “Thank You Organic Breakfast Buffett” / Wayland Fundraiser This season at the Octopus Garden, Alef Gallardo has been running the kitchen and the coffee bar, serving delicious organic breakfasts and smoothies and coffee, and Alfredo and MaryChuy operating the Palapa Bar upstairs for the evening food and fun. Alfredo and MaryChuy will be taking over the entire kitchen and restaurant. Sharing the kitchen is a difficult task! With this said, Alef Gallardo’s last day serving the delicious organic breakfasts, smoothies and other health drinks will be on April 30th. In celebration of the year, Alef is hosting a “Thank You Organic Breakfast” in thanks to Wayland and Aruna and everyone at the Octopus Garden and all of the wonderful people with a Special Organic Breakfast Buffet on Saturday, April 16th beginning at 9am. This is also going to be a fundraiser for Wayland, as he continues on his healing journey. The Buffet will include an Omelet Bar with the buffet filled with fruit salad, veggie salad, chiliquiles, enchiladas and more with a Smoothie Bar and Coffee Bar. You ticket will include one coffee and one smoothie / health drink of your choice and the breakfast buffet. She will also be making Kambucha! We will all enjoy the live music with Enrique and David. There will also be a 50-50 Raffle with Wayland and Aruna receiving the other half for Wayland’s medical expenses. Tickets are 300 pesos with 50% going towards Wayland’s health care. There are only 50 tickets available. You can purchase the tickets at the Octopus Garden Monday through Saturday 8am-4pm, with the last sale day on Thursday, April 14th. She will need to know how much food to order, so get your tickets NOW! The International Festival of Altruism This event was so much fun last year…Good drinks, delicious food and fun entertainment all night. What a fun time with friends! They also have an incredible raffle with tons of prizes! And all for the non profits.

One of the year’s most popular charity events, the 12th annual International Festival of Altruism is once again hosted at Casa Magna Marriott Resort Puerto Vallarta and American Consular Agent, Kelly Trainor. This popular event will be held in the beachfront garden at the Marriott Casa Magna Resort in Marina Vallarta at 6 pm on Sunday, May 8, 2016. Those who attend will not only have the opportunity to learn about some of the local charities and non-profit organizations, but they will enjoy food and drink served by the bay’s best restaurants and entertained by the area’s top dancing, musical and cultural groups. Every year, over one thousand Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors turn out for this event, with all proceeds donated to twenty Banderas Bay area charitable organizations chosen to participate, including Amigos de La Cruz. Tickets, which include food, drinks and entertainment, cost $400 pesos in advance or $500 pesos at the door. Contact Amy Welch with the La Cruz Amigos for tickets amywelchpdx@ comcast.net Thanks for tuning in! Have a super fun weekend. For any questions, comments or rental information, please contact me at Cat@ RivieraNayaritFun.com. Please visit our Facebook page at RivieraNayaritFun for the latest and give us a LIKE! Gracias!! For Energy Medicine Healing contact me at Cat@NewEnergyConsciousness. com. See ya on the playa!!!

Cindy Bouchard, an expat Canadian runs a B Huanacaxtle. She and her husband Chris are more info on La Cruz or desire… A very special

Introducing Crystal Ra and Wantra

met Crystal Ra at Pat Henry’s organic stretching class, in La Cruz, a few years ago. Pat raved about her energy sessions! Crystal Ra’s eyes are bright and she truly radiates energy. Although curious, I never took advantage of what she was offering; ‘Access Consciousness™’ body and mind sessions and ‘Auratransformation™’ and energy healing. She explains, “I help people with clearing the energy in houses as well businesses. Auratransformation™ is a treatment method which powerfully activates the influx of the New Time energy. In short, an AuraTransformation™ provides a permanent and radical expansion of consciousness which anchors a synergy between your charisma, drive and intuition, together with physical action (quote by Anni Sennov).” Since that meeting about four years ago, Crysta Ra has been focusing on a water modality called Wantra which she developed herself. She’s been developing it since 2009 in Hawaii, Estonia and now also in Mexico. It’s a marriage of water and tantra as well an infusion of other healing modalities and brings forth expansion and liberation from inside out. It heals our mind, body and soul. Everything gets amplified as all of the work happens in the body temperature water. Wantra can be offered as a passive floating session above and under water to heal and relax or it can work on deeper emotional issues as well. She customizes sessions for those who have a very intense fear of water. It can also be done as an active session, where she teaches different moves for clients to do and practice afterwards to keep the body in optimal health. She also performs group classes for adults, kids, teams and corpo-

riviera nayarit

Boutique Inn, Villa Amor del Mar in La Cruz de living and lovin’ in Vallarta–Nayarit. If you want l vacation contact cindy@VillaAmordelMar.com

oxygen into the brain as well as to the blood; boosting the immune system strongly. It also helps to heal relationships as the person who gets the session recieves insights on new ways to look at situations. Some clients have even noticed that their memory has gotten better after the sessions. Most people experience more flow and ease in life. This work has so many different layers and levels that it would take too much space

rations. Not to leave out couples, Crystal Ra, declares “Work with couples is so fun. Experiencing the warm water washing away all the resentment, anger and problems and the couple melting together again is priceless.” Wantra sessions also help to reduce stress, promote better sleep, heal body injuries as well as emotional wounds. It also helps to detox everything in the body, mind and soul and increases blood flow, circulation and cellular hydration. It activates the digestive system as well as benefits creativity and intuition. It slows the heart rate down and helps to reduce high blood pressure. Because clients learn to breath differently, they get more

to mention them all. Each person’s experience is the best! Crystal Ra is offering her services around the Bay mostly during the season (November till May). “I feel like a mermaid who has come out of the sea to serve the sea on land. I would love to bring people back into their natural being and world through my being and Wantra. The work I do is so much deeper than I even realized.” To experience something different... buy a ticket to liquid heaven with Wantra. For the longer story on what brought Crystal Ra to the area and her special healing energy go to http://www.villaamordelmar.com/blog/

a Cruz

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Hector Reyes G. La Negra Cervecería + Sabor

Bucerias Art

hat does it take to turn a humble house on a side street in a small fishing town into a bastion of music, art and gastronomy? First, you need someone who is themselves an artist, bearing the wherewithal to take vision and turn it into the tangible. Then, that person needs to fall in love with a community, a sense of belonging that is undeniable to them and to pledge themselves to become an integral part of it. Lastly, they need the motivation that comes from a longing to share all things beautiful and delightful with those who wish to discover it. Hector Reyes G. is exactly that someone. Growing up in Guadalajara, Hector first satisfied his desire to create and share as a fashion designer. Building his own brand and maintaining it for ten years, Hector felt he was content with where he was until he had opportunity to visit a friend who was running a Kite Surfing business in Bucerias. As happens to so many of us, Hector fell in love with Bucerias instantly. The weekend he was supposed to spend helping his friend with the business stretched into a two week stay and quickly became a commitment to relocating and becoming a part of the community. From that point forward, Hector spent every weekend in Bucerias without fail, seeking to find his niche, taking scuba lessons and kite surfing to try to participate in the burgeoning economy already in place. While happy to participate, he noticed that there was an opportunity to expand the allure of Bucerias. He had experienced the community and folded into the welcome there but found that he wanted to create a space where the excitement and vibrancy of the music and foods of Mexico could be used to draw young people into the area. It was then that he found what he wanted to create and share. It started with a beach club that knew great success where great music and food were combined with the zest of youth to create a high energy vibe. But circumstances turned against this first project and sent Hector looking for new digs. Desiring to continue to be a part of the community, he found a humble home with space enough to house the vision he had and quickly transformed it into La

District Beat

By Gordon Mayer

Negra Cervecería + Sabor. More than just a restaurant, La Negra was purposely created to be an organic experience of music and food which naturally led to the infusion of art and the inclusion of La Negra in the Bucerias Art District (BAD). Hector had found his niche and let his creativity guide the way to success. As true partners in the BAD, Hector and his wife have made art the centerpiece around which they dance to a medley of foods they have created, celebrations of local creators like the local craft brewers

they serve and a variety of music that regularly fills the street in front of the house that has become that bastion of music, art and gastronomy. Not content to simply participate in the BAD, Hector has also made commitment and plans to lobby government and fellow community members to further recycling and green practices, starting at home with projects like making La Negra’s take away containers recyclable and biodegradable. This is the beauty of what Hector shares from La Negra all year round and it is truly art.

entertainment

Bette Davis – A Classic Great Actress

UPCOMING EVENTS If you have an event you would like to publicize, please email

By Fred Jacobs

ette Davis was born in 1908, in Lowell Massachusetts into a well to do family for the time. Her father was a patent lawyer but separated from Bette’s mother Ruth, in 1915. Bette and her younger sister were sent off to boarding school. In 1921, Ruth moved to New York City with her two daughters to work as a portrait photographer. Bette loved New York and the Arts it offered. Bette herself was inspired to become an actress after seeing Rudolf Valentino and Mary Pickford in movies. After graduating Cushing Academy, Bette auditioned for and was rejected by several Manhattan repertory companies, so she enrolled in Drama school. Bette did finally manage to squeak through an audition for a stock theatre company and eventually made her Broadway debut in 1929. In 1930, Bette went to Hollywood to do a screen test for Universal. She failed her screen test but did end up getting used as a stand in for several screen tests of other actors. A second test was arranged for Davis, for the 1931 film “A House Divided”, but again she did not get the part. The third time was the charm as Bette tested for “Bad Sister” (1931) and got the role leading to her finally making her screen debut. Unfortunately, the film was not a success. After nine months, and six unsuccessful films, Universal decided not to renew Bette’s contract. Bette was beaten and preparing to return to New York, but fate brought her a big break. Warner Brothers chose Bette to play the lead in “The Man Who Played God” (1932). The film was a success and critics raved about her performance. Warner Brothers Studio signed Bette to a 5-year contract and in all, Bette would be with Warner for 18 years. In 1932, Bette married her first of four husbands, and the press had a field day with the fact he earned $100/week compared to Bette’s $1000/wk. This caused much strain on the marriage, and they divorced in 1938. Bette also “ended” several pregnancies during the relationship, so not to impact her career. 1934 saw Bette’s first big hit for Warner in “Of Human Bondage.” It was a dark film which included

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

editor@vallartatribune.com. April 13 Becas Vallarta Breakfast at Coco’s Kitchen 9:30 a.m., $200 pesos info and tickets: Suzanne Erikson 221-5599 or Terry Prill 221-5465, or Mariel or Carlos Fregosa 221-0789 April 13-17 Cuisine of the Sun: Gastronomy

poverty, neglect and a death scene, which Bette made look very real. The film received huge critical acclaim and Life Magazine said: "probably the best performance ever recorded on the screen by a U.S. actress." She was overlooked by the Oscar nominating committee when the nominations were announced. The outcry following led to changes on how the whole Oscar nomination process worked. In 1935, Bette starred in “Dangerous”, which was well received and won her an Oscar. Bette later said that Oscar was a “consolation prize” to make up for the previous years’ snub. In “The Petrified Forest” (1936), Davis co-starred with Humphrey Bogart, but it was his first important role and Bogart received most of the critics' praise. Davis appeared in several films over the next two years, but most were poorly received. In 1938, the film “Jezebel” marked a big upward swing for Bette. It earned her a second Oscar nomination and led to three other box office hits in 1939. “The Old Maid,” “Juarez” and “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex” opposite Errol Flynn. Playing Queen Elizabeth I was Bette’s first color film. She went so far as to shave her hairline and eyebrows for the role. Bette also liked to play “unlikable characters”, such as in “Little Foxes” (1941). With World War II fully underway in 1942, Bette along with Cary Grant and other Hollywood notables transformed an old bar into a servicemen’s club called The Hollywood Canteen. Hollywood's most prominent stars volunteered to entertain servicemen there, and Bette ensured that every night there would be a few famous "names" for the visiting soldiers to meet. Later, Bette was even awarded the Distin-

guished Civilian Service Medal, the United States Defense Dept.’s highest civilian award, for her work with the Hollywood Canteen. 1950 saw what some call, Bette’s best performance ever in “All About Eve” in which she coined the infamous phrase "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night." The rest of the 1950’s were not kind to Bette onscreen. Not until 1962 and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” did Bette shine on the screen again, opposite Joan Crawford. It would be Bette’s last Oscar nomination as well. The rest of the 60’s and 70’s saw Bette get heavily involved in TV including several mini-series. This earned her multiple Emmy Awards. 1981 saw Bette enter pop culture to a whole new generation when the hit song “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes topped the charts for more than two months. But after a lifetime of famously smoking 100 cigarettes a day, it caught up with Bette. In 1983, Bette Davis was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. Within two weeks of the surgery she suffered four strokes which left her paralyzed on the left side of her face and left arm. Her speech would never be the same. Davis had managed enough physiotherapy to make public appearances again over the next five years, mostly honoring her lifetime achievements. In 1989, Bette found out her cancer had returned, but she continued. While in Spain receiving an award, her health declined rapidly, and she was too weak to return to the US. She instead went to France where she passed away in hospital on Oct 6, 1989, at the age of 81. Fred Jacobs is a full-time resident of Puerto Vallarta and the author of three books.

Event Held at Villa La Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, celebrities, chefs, sommeliers and connoisseurs of the finest in food and luxury will enjoy this four-day event. More info: cuisineofthesun.villagroupresorts.com April 22 Traditional Passover Seder Puerto Vallarta Jewish Community is observing its annual, traditional Passover Seder. For detailed information: Facebook:Puerto Vallarta Jewish Community or e-mail: helth1@sbcglobal.net

Events around Riviera Nayarit 5th Capoeira and Batizado Festival (April 8-10) San Pancho welcomes some of the top exponents of this martial art as they present workshops, batizado ceremonies and everything relative to this culture.

17th Annual Guayafest (April 9-10) Rincón de Guayabitos will be host to dozens of classic, modified and tuned-up Volkies, which will take center stage during this unique festival in this lovely seaside village. The 2016 Laser World Championship (April 12-20 / April 22-30) The first two of four phases of an international event that brings together the best sailors in the world will take place in April: first the Laser

Women’s World Championship followed by the Laser Masters World Championship – Radial, both in Nuevo Vallarta. Salsa and Mambo Festival (April 21-24) This fabulous event returns to Nuevo Vallarta as it does every year, bringing with it the best salsa players on the continent to share their rhythm and talent, not to mention have some super fun times in Mexico’s Pacific Treasure. Open Water Swimming Tournament (April 23) One of the most intense competitions in the Destination takes place in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. It’s quite the show to see the swimmers break the line and race to be the first to reach the finish.

PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE TRIBUNE AT PUERTO VALLARTA TOURISM OFFICES A PAGE IN THE SUN - ZONA ROMANTICA FREDY TUCAN´S - ZONA ROMANTICA REMAX - MARINA VALLARTA FAJITAS BANANA - MARINA VALLARTA NUEVO VALLARTA RESORTS PLAZA PARADISE - NUEVO VALLARTA CONSULATE OFFICES DECAMERON RESORT - BUCERIAS YO-YO MO´S - BUCERIAS MARINA RIVIERA NAYARIT - LA CRUZ PHILOS RESTAURANT - LA CRUZ CHOCO BANANA - SAYULITA AND 100’S OF OTHER LOCATIONS AROUND THE BAY OR ONLINE AT VALLARTATRIBUNE.COM

Ask

a realtor By Michael Green Broadwalk Realty

Q: I have been searching for a place here for a few years. I just found a great option; it has an ocean view, a big kitchen (I love to cook), nice terrace, elevator, second bedroom and allows pets! I would really like to buy it now, but my friend thinks I should wait for the price to go down. What should I do? Kim J. Toronto A: Great question! After giving this careful consideration, I have come up with a magic formula that will tell you the exact time to buy, right down to the day! There are clearly some good buying opportunities right now. The looming US elections, large inventory of available properties, and strength of US dollar, have brought some real buying opportunities into our market. My experience is that sale prices here in general have fallen

real estate approximately 25 percent. We are seeing a lot of buyers return to the market, and American buyers are out in force based on the strength of their Dollar. February and March were very busy months. Fortunately, many sellers are still willing to negotiate in order to make a sale. There are some factors unique to our area that has helped stabilize prices: 1. The vast majority of sellers do not have a mortgage on their property. Hence, they are not under tremendous pressure to make a mortgage payment. Many owners are retirees, already have their “nest egg” and are not concerned about an imminent job loss. 2. The strong US dollar has made living here in Puerto Vallarta extremely affordable. 3. The “baby boomer” generation is reaching retirement age and even with this current economic downturn, is the wealthiest generation ever. 4. Our area is still seen as an inexpensive haven in comparison to many other world class vacation and retirement destinations. So that may be a bit of bad news for you now, but it will be good news

when you are ready to sell. From your letter, it looks like you have several important criteria that you are looking for in your property. If you were willing to settle for just any generic condominium, you could probably wait to see what happens, as I do not expect the market to turn around overnight. However, if the property you are looking for must have several unique features, you should give serious consideration to purchasing if you find just what you are looking for. I can tell you from experience that, there are active buyers looking in the market right now, (we had a multiple offer scenario last month) and your “dream home” could certainly be purchased by someone else. Well, enough of this. Let’s get down to the reason you have read this far, the “magic formula”. It is really quite simple; the exact day you should buy your dream home down here is: the day you decide to quit worrying about what everybody else thinks, (myself included) and invest here with a time horizon of at least the next 5 years! Anything else will just lead to “analysis paralysis” and frankly, you

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Marsol Friday Market By Los Muertos Pier

Open Every Friday 9:30-1:30 pm

Art, Handicrafts, Jewelry, Clothing, Leather, T Shirts, Dog Treats, Gifts, Home Décor, Specialty Food & Pastries

Marsol Hotel Lobby

Special Bazaar On Tuesday, April 12 9:30-1:30 Fca. Rodriguez 103, Olas Altas are just better off renting. The time to buy is when YOU decide the time is right. So make your decision, and when the time is right, go out there and make the best deal you possibly can, quit stressing out about it, and enjoy your new home in the sun! Do you have a question about Real Estate in Vallarta? Just ask!

Michael Green is the Broker of Boardwalk Realty. Active in local and national Real Estate boards; published author and acknowledged expert on Puerto Vallarta Real Estate, Mike moved here in 1997 to take advantage of the unsurpassed lifestyle PV offers. E mail Mike at: Michael@boardwalkrealtypv.com

local

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

San Pancho Debut by Virginia Fox v@vcfox.net

hat’s some kind of partying going on,” I thought, rudely awakened from a sound sleep and hearing crowd sounds in the distance. Knowing - if it’s Mexico, it’s noisy - doesn’t help. My watch says 3:00 AM, many hours before I have any intention of getting up. On and off, I hear a group of high-pitched sounds in the distance. “Must be college kids singing in a bar,” I conclude. We’d had a rocky start to renting for a week in San Pancho. Pedro had suggested Jose, our Airbnb was a “fraudster” and Jose had surprised us by saying the condo we’d rented online was not available and we had to move to a little Mexican casita in a cul-de-sac of colorful casitas. My nerves are on high alert. Every negative media scare scam is crowding my brain. I’m a planner. This rustico adventure isn’t one I had planned. But it was Semana Santa and there are no vacancies in town. I’d asked the neighbor next door if this little community were safe. “Si Senora,” he had smiled. “Su es familia.” The bare-bones décor and modest rental cost didn’t suggest pillow top mattresses and high thread count sheets, but this mattress was “muy fuerte” and my neck felt like a bad yoga posture from my head resting on a bale of hay. The only clue I had that it was a pillow was that it had a pillowcase on it. Breathe deeply, I told myself and soon drifted off again. This time, I am awakened by a loud buzzing noise in the bathroom. I recognized the sound. “Why are you shaving while I’m sleeping?” I ask my husband, Cal. “I didn’t know you could hear it,” he says. “It’s my routine.” It may be his routine, but this bathroom is a few steps away, only partially separating us by a cracked half size Plexiglas door. In Vallarta, our two bathrooms are separated by a long hallway and two solid wood doors. I let it go using his deafness as an excuse and hear the loud, high-pitched sounds again outside. This time,

they’re closer. “Do you hear that?” I ask Cal. “It’s the roosters, “he says. “Roosters?” The only roosters I’ve been close to are the folk art ceramics perched high on our black condo beam in Zona Romantica, It soon becomes clear; roosters are “the voice of San Pancho. “ Drinking coffee later on our terrace, we watch our little cul-de-sac community greet the day. Each of the five houses is colorfully painted orange, yellow, green or blue with contrasting trim. Neighbors are backing out dirty pickups filled with building equipment, and a sitter arrives to take care of two young children in the blue and green casita on the corner. The little girl with curly hair that’s blue on one side and pink on the other, waves to me. “She goes to the Montessori school,” her mother tells me later, exposing her butterfly tattoos. “I figure why not let her wear those colors in her hair.” Turns out the father works on tugboats, is gone much of time, and when they aren’t here, they live in Oakland CA, where Cal and I once lived. I’m working on accepting this rustico scene as much as I can. (You can take the Gringa out of Old Town, but you can’t take Old Town out of the Gringa!) If I filter out the paint cans, piles of junk, mismatched terrace furniture and rows of empty cervazas, there’s a gentle ambiance of Mexican tranquility and simplicity. Jose introduces us to the mother who owns all five of these casitas as she shows us the beginnings of a watercolor of a horse. “Eres artiste!” I say. “Estudiante,” she says humbly while

Jose explains she is taking a painting class. Using my best Spanglish with Jose’s translation, I ask if our casita has a name. She laughs and answers in Spanish: “I am A, next one is B, then C, yours is D and next door is E.” “D like delicioso!” I say wanting to compliment her on her real estate holdings as she laughs and quickly moves on to her house. “Let’s have breakfast,” Cal says, taking out a papaya and yogurt we bought the night before in a “mini super” store on the main street. We ate ripe sliced papaya topped with our favorite La Hacienda yogurt mixed with fruta chunks out of the two matched porcelain bowls. We’d save the two orange plastic plates for a big meal. Ignoring the broken handle on the other mug, Cal figured out a three-fingered hold on the pumper to get purified water from the jug. I had a pack of Kleenexes we used as napkins. “Why doesn’t he, at least, have nice dish towels,” I ask getting disgusted. “I remember when Octavio gave us a bottle of tequila when we bought our condo,” Cal says. “It was wrapped in a rag. Octavio said ‘everyone in Mexico needs a huerga.’ Casita D was clean. We had

hot water, Internet, no bugs, and one of us had slept most of the night. The shower worked fine and I managed to dry off with a well-worn towel showing a faded image of Barbie. I find those words again, “let it go.” I scan the room longing for a deeper understanding of what I’m calling, “Feather karma”. I spot a purple feather boa under the counter, which intrigues my theatrical side. Carefully selected stones are placed in circle formations on counters and shelves. A handpainted wine bottle serves as a vase for different colored feathers. This is good karma, I tell myself, and it didn’t look or smell like it was a drug den. I’m getting the picture Jose is just a guy who moves in with friends when he gets a rental to make money to support his surfing addiction. I thought of my nephew, Andrew, carving out a similar life in Jamaica. “This is really quite nice,” says Cal, smiling from his now favorite low-slung canvas chair on the terrace. “You could live anywhere and be happy, “ I say. “I’m trying, and I am the only woman I know who would do this. You’re so lucky,” I add, always adding points to my side to offset the deficits. I hear singing and see our neighbor leaving the yellow and white house on our right, the melodic sounds of a Mexican song following him as he goes out to the street. He nods his head and sings louder as I peek out from the window. I can’t help but wonder what they think about this older American woman who smiles and waves and throws out Spanglish every time they walk by. Let’s make some ice cubes,

I say, always anticipating Happy Hours. “No ice cube trays,” says Cal. “But I can make some.” Using his best Boy Scout techniques, he fills the bottoms of plastic glasses with water, puts them in the freezer, and that night while waiting for friends to go out, we pop out cubes for our drinks, sharing more laughs. Things were looking up. That night we go to an event I’ve anticipated for two months. A fundraiser for Circo de Los Ninos, a circus arts school in San Pancho that was started several years with the help of a founding member of Cirque du Soleil. Located in three venues within a large concrete building, each room was individually decorated in relation to the featured circus art such as tight wire, silk scarves, tumbling, rings, the wheel, unicycling, juggling and trampoline. Displaying youth, exuberance, talent, and vision, students from about five years old to twenty, performed various levels of circus skills. Along with the sold-out crowd, we marveled at the creativity of the sets and the obvious pride and joy emanating from each student teetering on the threshold of fear and stardom. Reflecting later in the evening, it wasn’t just the skills we remembered. Whenever a performer dropped a baton, fell off the wire, or missed a landing or beat, they stopped center stage and faced the audience, took a bow and with a smile that said, “Oh well. Here I go again,” jumped back in to begin again where they’d left off. Making a mistake was nothing to be ashamed about. ‘It’s about taking risks, persevering, and believing in yourself,” we agreed. That night I exchanged my hay bale pillow for Cal’s squishy one and morphed it into a perfect size to rest my small head. I slept through the night embracing the crowing roosters as a comforting soundtrack. In the morning, I couldn’t wait to see our little community come alive. I wasn’t sure if I could survive the week, but a new feeling was seeping into me. I came up to learn about San Pancho. What I’m really learning about is me.

Virginia Fox is a storyteller, writer, actor, in Puerto Vallarta and Chicago, She’s a member of the PV Writer’s group and is working on a story collection, “Moon Lady’s Wild Rides.”

art & culture

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Milagros, Our Little Miracles

Passover in Vallarta

uerto Vallarta Jewish Community is observing its Passover Seder on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the River Café. The time is 6 PM. Our traditional Seder will include a delicious Passover dinner consisting of gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, brisket, roasted chicken and herb potatoes, steamed mix vegetables, dessert, coffee, tea, and Kosher wine. The cost for adults is 710 pesos or $42 US, 315 pesos or $20 US for children ages 5-12, and free for children ages 4 and under. Pre-payment with the reservation is required. Three methods of payment are available: Bring an envelope with your payment, names in the party, and contact information to the River Café, Paypal with the restaurant, or Western Union. For

By Tom Swanson

sales@colibridesignvallarta.com

am sure many of us have seen the rustic and unique religious art coming out of Michoac án. W ooden crosses and hearts, among other things, hand carved and painted, they are then festooned with little metal figures, taking the shape of many different things, from chickens to typewriters. These little figures are called milagros, and the folk art that is being made is steeped in ancient tradition.Milagro is the Spanish word for a miracle or a pleasant surprise. They are sometimes called ex-votos or dijes, referring to the vow one takes in their traditional use. The use of milagros is a folk custom in Mexico and the US southwest that can be traced back to the pre-Christian inhabitants of the coast of the Iberian peninsula, especially in Andalusia, Majorca, and Catalonia. The use of milagros is almost exactly the same as the tamata used by Eastern Orthodox Christians, and may have a common origin in ancient Greece. The Spanish conquistadores brought milagros with them from Europe as part of their Catholic faith. The church has at least tacitly allowed the practice for centuries, and in many places it actually promotes their use as a source of revenue and as a strong act of devotion on the part of the faithful. Traditionally, milagros have been used by people to show their sincerity and piousness when asking God, or the Virgin Mary or a patron saint for help with a special need. They are usually made of a mix of silver and tin, bu t can be made of anything from clay to solid gold. Though the tradition has faded in many places, where they are still used, they can often be found being sold in churches and cathedrals, or from street vendors in the square outside. People would buy them to leave on an altar, in a shrine, or pinned to the clothes of a statue of the saint to whom they wish to pray. It serves

as a reminder of the person’s particular need or desire, and of their petition. The symbolism varies. A milagro in the shape of a leg could refer to a broken bone, running a marathon, learning to dance, and so on. Milagros are often used as talismans, and can be found in jewelry, or adorning some personal object. They are often carried in a purse or pocket for good luck and protection. A common use in Mexico is offering a milagro in the shape of eyes to the popular Santa Lucia, who is traditionally depicted carrying a tray with a pair of eyes on it. Sta. Lucia is the patron saint of good vision. Milagros in the shape of t he Guadalupana, the Earth Mother, are found everywhere, left in shrines and pilgrimage places all over the country. Priests and caretakers of these places often have to remove milagros quickly to make room for new ones. Also, traditional healers, called curanderos, might bless a milagro and tell their patient to carry it with them as part of the healing process or to ward off evil, or

just to change their luck. wn as a manda. If a person needs help, say with an arduous journey, they pray to the Santo Niño de Atoche for protection. When they successfully complete their journey, they are bound by the manda to go to a shrine or church dedicated to El Niño and place So, what do you need? Find an appropriate milagro, have it blessed, and may your prayers be answered.

group seating, reservations should be made for everyone in the party at the same time. Please contact Donna at: helth1@sbcglobal.net to pay by Western Union and/or to answer questions. VOLUNTEERS are needed to: Read Hebrew Parts • Work at the registration table • Assist in the typing and printing of song sheets • Hand out and collect song sheets and Hagaddahs • Assist children with the Four Questions • Give the Blessing over the candles • Donations of long white candles (tapers) are appreciated Your participation in our Seder will not only make it a success, we will have a true sense of community.

Havre No.111 Col. Versalles Fluent English Spoken

Christ Church by the Sea Worldwide Anglican Communion

Services Sunday 10:00 a.m. Now! Services held each Sunday year around English-Traditional Holy Communion All faiths welcome-Casual Dress Across from airport, northbound service road next to Sixt and Thrifty Car Rental Blvd. Fco. Medina 7936, Puerto Vallarta Father Jack cell: 044-322-229-1129 E-Mail jackandshirley1@att.net

www.ChristChurchByTheSea.org www.IglesiaCristoDelMar.org

healthcare

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Facelifts in Vallarta By Guillermo Ramos-Gallardo M.D.

hy do we get Blepharoplasty and Rhytidectomy? The goals of a blepharoplasty procedure are two-fold and can address both the aesthetic and function the eyelid(s). This is achieved by removing the excess skin from the eyelid(s), smoothing the underlying eye muscles, tightening the supporting structures, and resetting and re-draping the excess fat around the eye in order to produce a smooth transition from the lower eyelid to the cheek. A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy (from Ancient Greek (rhytis) “wrinkle” + (ektome) “excision”),is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to give a more youthful facial appearance. A facelift improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as: • Sagging in the middle of your face. • Deep creases below the lower eyelids. Deep creases along the

now open for dinner Enjoy Live Mariachi All Week except Saturdays

nose extending to the corner of the mouth. • Fat that has fallen or has disappeared. • Loss of skin tone in the lower face that creates jowls • Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can give even a person of normal weight the appearance of a double chin The loss of youthful contours in the face can be due to a variety of factors, including heredity, gravity, environmental conditions, and stress. Rejuvenation procedures typically performed in conjunction with a facelift are brow lift, to correct a sagging or deeply furrowed brow,

and eyelid surgery to rejuvenate aging eyes. All procedures can be safely performed here in Puerto Vallarta by internationally trained surgeons in modern and clean facilities. It is important to verify that your plastic surgeon is certified by the Mexican Society of Plastic Surgery. Be sure to ask for references. For any information you can contact Dr. Guillermo Ramos-Gallardo at the Vallarta Medical Center, #136 Los Tules Av. Puerto Vallarta Office tel: 322 293-6628. Guillermo Ramos-Gallardo is a plastic surgeon trained in Birmingham, Alabama and an active member of many different medical societies.

Adorable Dog In The Spotlight... Lucia

Diners familiar with Hacienda San Angel's stunning views, outstanding cuisine and topnotch service will feel right at home at The Iguana, the new Mexican specialty restaurant at the new Casa Kimberly Hotel; the former homes of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton that have recently undergone a meticulously luxurious renovation. Reservations only - 322 222 1336 Open for dinner 6-11 pm Zaragoza 445, El Centro, Puerto Vallarta www.casakimberly.com

by Janice Gonzalez

sn’t Lucia just the cutest!?!?! She is a Pittie mix and we are thinking maybe part of that mix is Beagle. She is about 2.5 years old and weighs 40 pounds. Check out her winning smile, and boy does she enjoy giving out kisses. She just loves people, is good on leash and relishes

her playtime. Lucia can be good with other dogs although she is a bit selective. She is not good, however, around cats. Lucia has been spayed and is up-to-date on all her vaccines. She just needs a loving home that is looking for an affectionate, energetic four-legged friend. If that’s you, contact us for an application at spcapv@gmail.com.

VALLARTA SHOPPING AND EVENTS www.puertovallartadining-shopping.com

Marsol Friday Market By The Pier

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CLUB

Thank you!

e invite all our local residents and new visitors to come to the Marsol Friday Market every week from 9:30 to 1:30 to find the great selection of products produced and shown by our local vendors. It is like a little mall inside the lobby of the Hotel Marsol, protected from the sun and rain and has the advantage that you can browse and easily go back to the items you like most. For instance there are a number of booths offering sterling silver jewelry, but all the designs are different and some do custom designs. You will find one of a kind designs in amber, turquoise, coral, pearls, onyx, lapis lazuli, jade and ethnic creations, vintage pieces, as well as bronze and brass jewelry. Art is an important part of the market with original paintings by Jalisco artists in realistic or abstract styles. A new addition is Arte Cautivo offering paintings and handicrafts by talented prisoners. Also you

to all of our homeowners The IFC Home Tours has just finished another very successful season. We raised hundreds of thousands of pesos for the club’s medical and social services and for local charities. None of this would have been possible without the compassion and generosity of the homeowners who allowed us to show their homes.

Muchas Gracias! www.ifcvallarta.com 322-222-5466

will find prints on canvas, posters, cards, calendars and maps. We are soon planning to offer pet portraits in oil or prints on canvas of your favorite pet. There are lots of choices in clothing-unique T-shirts, men´s rayon printed shirts, guyaberas, Oaxaca embroidered clothing, Buddaful Threads, hand painted tops and dresses, special aprons, manta clothing plus accessories like scarves, hats, bags. and leather goods. Aroma Deli serves delicious chili, coffee, tea, cookies and muffins and Kim has the richest pastries like sticky buns,

pumpkin rolls, blueberry treats and brownies plus treats for your dogs. Tony makes toys and clothes for your dogs as well as doggie treats. You will find home decor items, furniture and sculpture in metal and mixed media. On Tuesday, April 12 from 9:30 to 1:30 we will present our special monthly BAZAAR, with new and used items such as furniture, clothing, books, shoes, household goods, jewelry, crafts and souvenirs. Come join us and enjoy live music and a friendly atmosphere

“Remodeling and Renovations”

Wheeling Vallarta Segway Tours

Located across from McDonald’s

322-223-8014 31 de Octubre 107 Col. Centro Puerto Vallarta Malecon

Fine Art and Furniture

Juarez 599 El Centro 322 222 1383, 322 111 6359 www.colibridesignvallarta.com galeriacolibri@gmail.com

entertainment

Birdwatching Routes Established In Lo De Marcos

nformational signage has been placed along the observation routes on the Camino a Las Minitas, La Laguna and La Boquita, as has a general information placard in the main square. Four informational signs have been placed along the birdwatching routes in Lo de Marcos during the month of March of this year as part of the many local projects undertaken by the San Pancho Bird Observatory in the communities around the Riviera Nayarit. “The birds are allowing us to create different programs aimed at local sustainability,” commented Luis Morales, Director of the San Pancho Bird Observatory. A general information sign was placed in the village’s main square, as have been three additional signs with additional details along the Camino a Las Minas, La Laguna and La Boquita. The signs include geographical information and a list of the birds, including images of the main ones and a listing of the 40 most common

species in the area. They also have a detailed route map with distances and warnings, for example, regarding the presence of crocodiles in the area. They also include QR codes that link to Google maps and a web page created specifically for networking: http://www.averaves.org/.  The signs include logos from the different local businesses and organizations that are sponsoring them and are interested conservation and ecotourism. The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau is also participating in this initiative because of the importance these

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

Celebrities Vacationed in the Riviera Nayarit

birds have as part of the natural heritage of the Destination. Birdwatching is a recreational activity that can become a source of income for the locals, generating ecologically balanced sustainability and encouraging more responsible citizenship. Chacala is one example where the training workshops are already bearing fruit. Here the locals have become involved in ecotourism thanks to the programs set in place by the San Pancho Bird Observatory in collaboration with the Guayabitos Rotary Club and the International Rotary.

unta Mita and Nuevo Vallarta welcomed Kellan Lutz, Halle Berry, Joey Kramer, Jason Derulo and Mekel Herrera, who came to enjoy Mexico’s Pacific Treasure. Recently spotted four big movie and music industry stars in the area: actor Kellan Lutz, actress Halle Berry, rock legend Joey Kramer, singer-songwriter Jason Derulo and Ragazzi ex-vocalist Mekel Herrera. The first to arrive was Kellan Lutz from the Twilight saga. He stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta in Nuevo Vallarta for four days accompanied by his girlfriend, during which time they took advantage of the natural beauty of the Riviera Nayarit for a photo shoot. The news quickly spread through the international media. US website TMZ published photographs of Halle Berry on the beach at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, which was confirmed by the uniforms of the hotel’s beach staff. The actress was accompanied by ex husband Olivier Martinez

and their two children.   Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer also visited the Four Seasons and published it on social media, thanking everyone for his stay. He posted “Happy Easter! Thanks to @FSPuntaMita for a spectacular holiday” on his Twitter account, where he said he’d be back soon. Hot Miami singer-songwriter Jason Derulo stayed at Casa Haramara in Punta Mita. He shared a photo of himself enjoying the beach at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort on his Twitter account, where he has more than 3.6 million followers. Last but not least, Mekel Herrera—ex vocalist for Ragazzi— enjoyed a stay at the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit with his girlfriend Giovanna Salazar, winner of Nuestra Belleza Colima 2015. Herrera is currently president of the Professional Polo Association of Mexico and Mexico’s Tourism Ambassador, as well as being among the top 500 most influential entrepreneurs in Mexico.

games

23 Markets and More – Weekly Events in Banderas Bay If you have an ongoing weekly event you’d like to add, email editor@vallartatribune.com TUESDAY Malecon Sculpture Tour – 9:30am Hosted by Gary Thompson. The tour starts at the “Millennium” sculpture next to the Hotel Rosita at the north end of the Malecon. Riviera Farmers Market – Nuevo Vallarta from 9am-2pm WEDNESDAY Forever Spring Farmers Market - 50 Lazaro Cardenas, opposite Sandrinas, Bucerias 9am-1pm Three Hens and a Rooster Market on Carranza 466, Old Town, Puerto Vallarta 9am to 1pm Artwalk – In the historic center of Vallarta 6-10pm Art collectors, local residents and interested visitors are invited to discover the great variety and exceptional quality of art available in Puerto Vallarta. THURSDAY Bucerias Artwalk from 7-9pm Calle Lazaro Cardenas Marina Night Market – 6-9:30pm vendors and artisans set up along the marina FRIDAY Marsol Market by the Pier, Vallarta – 9:30am – 1:30 Sayulita Farmers Market – 9am-2pm SATURDAY Old Town Farmers Market - 9:30am2pm Parque Lazaro Cardenas, Vallarta Three Hens and a Rooster Market From 9am to 1pm, on Carranza 466, Old Town, Vallarta Lo de Marcos Tianguis - 9am - 2pm SUNDAY Live Music in the Main Plaza, Vallarta – 6pm La Cruz Farmers Market – 9-2pm

April 7 - 13, 2016 www.vallartatribune.com

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Crossing State Lines

Sunday, April 3, 2016 Evan Birnholz Puzzle Content © April 3, 2016, The Washington Post This crossword contains a metapuzzle that leads to a unique answer suggested by the puzzle's theme. The answer is the U.S. state that should be in the puzzle, but isn't.

A CROSS 1 Uppercut target 4 Raise 8 Obliterate 13 Recedes, as the tide 17 Tavern purchases 19 Discontinued Dodge 20 Sarge, e.g. 22 Source of milk and mohair 23 Recipe amount that rhymes with 73 Across 24 Swordmaster in the "Dune" series 26 Take a lascivious look 27 Menu selection 29 Greenlights 30 Loch of song 32 Bobby aptly contained in NORRIS TROPHY 33 Victor's exclamation 35 Dizzy Gillespie's genre 37 Move stealthily 39 Fast Eddie's rival in "The Hustler" 45 Try 46 Rice products? 47 Roofing substance 48 Palindromic vigor 49 Tesla, e.g. 50 Dumbstruck feeling 51 Oscar nominee for "Sideways" 56 With 133 Across, 1975 King novel 60 Oven cleaner chemical 61 Claudius's successor 62 Pillow filler 64 Does course work? 66 Shows unsteadiness

69 "Dance Mania" musician Puente 70 Defender's blunder at the World Cup 73 Make ashamed 74 Language heard in Valletta 76 Jackie of "The Tuxedo" 77 Fearsome felines 79 Chilling 80 Bit of turf 82 College recruiters, briefly 83 Interminable time 85 Afloat asea 89 "Pelvis With the Distance" painter 93 2016 Olympics host 94 Declined, with "down" 95 UV ___ 96 Correct 97 Scratching (out) 99 "Wow, that's fancy!" 102 Brendan Fraser's role in "The Scout" 105 UPS logo shape 106 Kiefer, to Donald 107 What TwoFace flips 108 With 36 Down, Red Sox star's nickname 109 Sailor in Scheherazade's tales 114 Professionals who deliver, briefly 116 Erotica pioneer 120 Dept. of Labor org. 122 Vicki Lester's love in "A Star Is Born" 125 Dumped 126 Bassoonist's item 127 Record feature 128 Climber's challenge 129 Rest stop sight 130 Stock character in teen comedies

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131 Grilled, say 132 "Howdy there!" 133 See 56 Across

D OWN 1 Ornamental gemstone 2 Bletchley Park's Turing 3 Bridge position 4 Clowns' shows, maybe 5 Tasmanian ___ (extinct bird) 6 AD half 7 NBA Hall of Famer who shot free throws underhanded (and hit 90 percent of them) 8 John King's network 9 Agitate 10 CtrlZ command 11 Fraudulent practice 12 Cylindrical treat 13 Selfimage 14 Andean capital city 15 Fierce demon slain by Gandalf 16 DJ's setup 18 Decrease 21 Fictional idol Hannah 25 Starting on 28 Females in a field 31 Do some basic math

96 103

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34 Grounding rule, maybe 36 See 108 Across 38 Spot checker, say? 39 CEOs' degrees 40 Siouan people 41 Festive time 42 Follows closely 43 "Orpheus Descending" writer Williams 44 Jordan who won the 2015 Masters 45 "Let's just try it once" 52 Take vengeance on 53 "___ there others?" 54 Falco known for "Nurse Jackie" and not "Rock Me Amadeus" 55 Fisherman's equipment 57 Flat pasta piece 58 Meadow murmur 59 Marble piece 63 Notable plaintiff 65 ___ Evans (Esther Rolle's role on "Good Times") 67 Take plaice? 68 "Love Song" singer Bareilles 70 Condition for Hannah on "Girls," briefly

109

13 22

61 67

48 52

77 81

8 20

71 Opponent of a Jacksonian Democrat 72 Pew place 73 Those making a scene? 75 Ragu jar top 78 "Snakes on a Plane" menace 79 "In conclusion," in France 81 Events in John Grisham novels 84 "Le papillon" composer 86 Bearded perennial 87 Bad singer? 88 Campus party garment 90 One of only seven Preakness winners 91 Spider's octet 92 Suit, for short 97 Lake that's a homophone of 79 Across 98 "Point of Know Return" band 99 "Morning's at Seven" playwright Paul 100 "Now it's clear to me" 101 Raised, say 103 "Va va ___!" 104 Barrio corner store 110 SNL alumna Dunn

133

111 Frat house buds 112 In a frenzy 113 Comic Chappelle 115 Her answer to "What's the best cellphone?" is "Wait ... there are other phones?" 117 Skating maneuver 118 Aspiring star's sample 119 Make Life changes? 121 Do some basic math 123 Beatty of "Network" 124 Senatorial response

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