Issue 1134, December 27 - January 2 , 2018 by Vallarta Tribune

VICES&VICES

REAL ESTATE

Page 17

Page 18

The Tribune Party at Incanto

Market Analysis for 2019

Dec 27 2018 - Jan 2 2019 Year 21 Free Issue 1134

GU ID E

ALL-INCLUSIVE NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE FOR VALLARTA AND RIVIERA NAYARIT

2nd A NN UA L

FR EE

Galería Pacifico Presents: Alfredo Langarica Opening Page 15

S CHOICE AWAR ER’ DS D A RE VALLARTA TRIBUNE

Best Banderas PRESENTS

Bay2019 Vote for all your favourites at www.vallartatribune.com

MAP OF BANDERAS BAY

PAGE 20-21

VALLARTA SHOPPING PAGES 34-35

EVENTS PAGES 36-37

CROSSWORD PAGE 38

WWW.VALLARTATRIBUNE.COM | FB/VTATRIBUNE | TWITTER @VALLARTATRIBUNE | INSTAGRAM @VALLARTATRIBUNE

DO YOU REALLY NEED

THAT STRAW?

IF YOU DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T NEED THAT STRAW, THEN THE NEXT TIME YOU ORDER A DRINK SAY -

Sin popote, por favor!

welcome

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

t the Tribune we want you to have the best experience possible while you explore Puerto Vallarta, the Bay of Banderas and Riviera Nayarit. Here are some helpful tips for traveling. TIME ZONE: The entire state of Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the southern part of the State of Nayarit starting from San Blas 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. If you’re going further than San Pancho, head to the main bus terminal to catch a ‘Pacifico’ bus. Current fare is 10.00 pesos. TAXIS: There are set rates within defined zones of town. Do not enter a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver first. Make a note of the taxi number in case you leave something behind. Drivers typically do not carry change. UBER: New in 2017 to Puerto Vallarta, Uber is still experiencing some growing pains particularly in the state of Nayarit. Uber is about 25-50% cheaper than a taxi, but this is subject to change. The benefits of using Uber are set fares and the ability to follow up directly with your driver if there is an incident or you leave an item behind. MONEY EXCHANGE: Typically a bank 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. Note that ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and charge lower fees. DRINKING WATER: While Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for the past two decades, the quality

of the water tested at the source 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 in love with the street dog outside your hotel is easy to do and it’s also easy to bring them home with you too. The process is inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You need a certificate of health from a local vet among other things. 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 belligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here. While Mexico is a tolerant culture, basic politeness is appreciated. Don’t pee in the streets. Don’t flash your money or expensive gadgets. Pay attention to your surroundings. Know where you are going. Pay your bills (and don’t forget to tip). And have fun! DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off – just don’t. The consequences are not worth it. Taxis or Ubers are cheap and plentiful. Fines are as much as 12,000 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 a 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. Immediately contact your consulate for assistance.

Director Noemi Zamora noemi.zamora@cps.media Editor Lic. Madeline Milne mmilne@Vallartatribune.com Sales Team editor@vallartatribune.com Designer Antonio Fuentes Novak antonio.fuentes@cps.media Web Manager Aldo Rocha aldo.rocha@cps.media

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

CALLING IN MEXICO Calling phones in Mexico can be tricky. 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 (U.S. and Canada 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, the 10 digit number. 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. CALLING TOLL-FREE NUMBERS Some toll free numbers work from Mexico to the US and Canada, but many do not. Those that do work are often not toll-free. 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: 911 Red Cross: 065

IMMIGRATION: 322.224.7719 CONSUMER PROTECTION: 01.800.468.8722

FIRE DEPARTMENT: 322.223.9476 AMBULANCE: 322.222.1533

TOURISM OFFICES Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006

Ahoy Cruisers! DATE

CONSULATES American Consulate 24 hrs 01-332-268-2100 Canadian Consulate 322.293.0098 322.293.0099 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

In port this month

In the month of December Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit welcomes 47,915 passengers! Bienvenido!

NAME

PASS

VISION OF THE SEAS STAR PRINCESS NORWEGIAN JEWEL EURODAM VOLENDAM GRAND PRINCESS CORAL PRINCESS STAR PRINCESS NORWEGIAN JEWEL EURODAM CRYSTAL SERENITY GRAND PRINCESS CARNIVAL SPLENDOR STAR PRINCESS NORWEGIAN JEWEL EURODAM CARNIVAL SPLENDOR

2,435 02/12/2018 2,600 05/12/2018 2,240 06/12/2018 2,104 05/12/2018 1,850 06/12/2018 2,600 07/12/2018 1,974 10/12/2018 2,600 12/12/2018 2,240 13/12/2018 2,104 13/12/2018 1,080 15/12/2018 2,600 17/12/2018 3,200 19/12/2018 2,600 19/12/2018 2,240 20/12/2018 2,104 20/12/2018 3,200 26/12/2018

NAME

PASS

EURODAM STAR PRINCESS NORWEGIAN JEWEL VOLENDAM

2,104 26/12/2018 2,600 26/12/2018 2,240 27/12/2018 1,200 31/12/2018

DATE

Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and 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 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 * www.vallartatribune.com * https://www.facebook.com/VtaTribune/

Cut out and put near your phone for handy reference

editorial

Editor’s

Note

editor@vallartatribune.com

Resolutions vs. Intentions – See you later 2018. New Year’s Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” — Mark Twain, American Author & Humorist

s we close out 2018, and frankly good riddance, it’s the time to reflect on the events of the past and prepare for the future. Perhaps it’s a diet, less booze, saving money or simply enjoying life more – or all of the above. Personal resolutions are a lesson in reminding ourselves we can do better. If we actually do it, well that’s another story. Lord knows I’ve been keeping the extra weight around for years now. So, rather than place undue pressures on an already stressful time – how about we put some global intentions out there and see what 2019 brings. My global intentions for 2019 For the Bay of Banderas to wholeheartedly embrace the upcoming restrictions on single-use plastic. I would love to see businesses and consumers rally behind Mother Earth and take bold steps in protecting our paradise by rejecting styrofoam, straws, plastic bags and excessive over packaging. Imagine a recycling program that collects paper, plastic , aluminum and glass. Positive social and political change. The new federal government has made some bold promises that will affect the citizens of Mexico. I hope the outcomes are as great as the potential. A new healthcare system that cares for all. A decent raise in the minimum

wage. Better access to education. A more just legal system. Legalization of cannabis. Protection of indigenous cultures. Protecting the rights of women, children, LGBTQ. Protecting animals. A crack down on corruption. Peace and stability for the people around the world but specifically for those who are migrating across often unwelcoming countries in search of better lives for their families. Strong collective action that recognizes the potentially devastating effects of global climate change and works to provide sustainable and affordable energy to the people of Mexico and beyond. If you’re going to set intentions - you may as well solve the world’s problems, right? There are dozens of New Year’s Eve dinners, parties and events around the bay. If you haven’t made reservations there is a small selection included on the Events pages. Or like most of us, grab a bottle or two of your favourite beverage, a couple of blankets and head to any of the beaches around the bay to watch the spectacular fireworks shows put on by the various resorts and municipalities. I hope your 2018 goes out with a laughter-filled bang, and 2019 brings you all you need. Safe travels, Madeline

Read the first edition of the Best of Banderas Bay and Riviera Nayarit guide online now!

www.vallartatribune.com

pages of information designed to make your stay in the area the best! From the best beaches to the best activities and more, you can download and view online at www.vallartatribune.com and watch for copies at your favourite VallartaTribune distribution points.

VOTE FOR YOUR

FAVORITES

Vote Dec. 4 to Jan 13 Open to residents and visitors www.vallartatribune.com

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Letter to editor

hile we live in P.V., my wife and I do not drive and rely on public transportation. I’ve noticed an occasional inconsistency with taxi fares but nothing like we experienced yesterday when we left the Co-Exist restaurant in El-Centro and took a cab to Costco. As we pulled into the Costco parking lot I asked the driver the charge and was told 200 pesos. When my wife and I called to the driver’s attention that we’ve lived here for years and have never paid such an outrageous charge he locked the doors. I’m still not sure how I avoided responding more aggressively but I calmly let him know it was too high then

proceeded to give him the money. After we shopped in Costco we caught a cab back to our home in Colonia Buenos Aires for 80 pesos which is further than the trip I had previously paid 200 pesos to make. This incident will serve as a reminder to always ask the cost before getting in the cab but I regret not getting the cab number and drivers name. I understand many taxi drivers are angered over the competition with Uber in P.V. It would behoove the taxi industry to police their own business before so many look for alternatives to their service. Sincerely, Darryl Rhoades

News

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

New QuebecVallarta Flights T he first-ever Sunwing flight from Quebec City to Puerto Vallarta departed from Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport last week; marking the beginning of the tour operator’s seasonal weekly flight service to Puerto Vallarta which will depart Mondays until April 15, 2019, inclusive. Sam Char, Executive Director for Sunwing Travel Group in Quebec, commented on the news, “We are pleased to introduce a convenient direct flight service connecting our Quebec City customers to new

and exciting destinations. Puerto Vallarta is a consistently popular choice among our vacationers and we’re sure our Quebec City travellers are eager to experience Pacific Mexico’s warm and friendly culture, tropical climate, captivating views and golden-sand beaches.” Gaëtan Gagné, President and CEO of Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport also commented on the news, “Puerto Vallarta is a popular destination for our passengers and we are happy about the launch of this route for the winter season.”

News

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Electric Scooter Rentals now in Vallarta L ate last week Lime, a company that supplies shared electric scooters in cities around the world, rolled out operations in Nuevo Vallarta and Marina Vallarta, making Vallarta-Nayarit the first beach destination in Mexico to offer this service. During the first phase of the project, the scooters, which can go as far as 50 kilometers per charge for urban use and can reach a maximum speed of 25 km/hr, will gradually be added to more streets in Jalisco and Nayarit. “By systematically deploying electric scooters in Vallarta-Nayarit, we join environmental actions to improve mobility conditions with a sustainable alternative that reduces pollution and vehicle saturation,” said Alexander Wieland, general manager of Lime Mexico. The Lime app, which can be downloaded for iOS and android devices, allows consumers to find available Lime-S e-scooters using

GPS technology. The scooters will cost 20 pesos per unlock plus three pesos for every minute of the ride. Lime scooters debuted in Mexico when they arrived in Mexico City in October. Bernardo Baranda, Director of the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy spoke highly of Lime’s presence in Mexico saying, “We should have more options other than cars in particular which is why

we welcome new services that of course should operate with order, security and be part of a public policy of sustainable mobility.” To promote the use of Lime scooters in the Banderas Bay area, the promo code “LimeVallarta” is being offered during the first six months of operations and will give users four free trips of up to 10 minutes each. Original: www.travelpulse.com

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Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Celebrating the New Year F

ireworks, ringing bells, 12 grapes, a family dinner, sparkling wine, hugs and music set the stage for a typical New Year’s celebration in Mexico. It’s traditional to eat 12 grapes at the moment that the countdown begins to welcome the New Year, representing 12 wishes; lentils are spread around the door as a symbol of abundance; sweeping toward the outside of the home, to drive everything bad from the previous year out of it, or using red underwear that night to attract love, or yellow to attract money... Rituals are still preserved in Mexico whose origins date back to pre-Hispanic times. The various cultures that inhabited what is now Mexico also celebrated the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. And although each had its own calendars and rituals, in general, they shared some fundamental concepts and elements. For them, time was not linear, but cyclical. That is, every so often, the most important events were repeated, such as the seasons and the movements of the stars, as well as the periods of war, the dreaded

years of drought or devastating floods. That’s why the ancient Mexicans were great observers of nature and even had several religious and agricultural calendars, which determined all the activities within every sector of society, from planting to the most favourable time to wage war. Both the Mayans and the Aztecs performed very solemn ceremonies, rituals and sacrifices to thank the gods for the beginning of a new era. Fire was a fundamental part in all of them, because in Pre-Hispanic cultures, fire is the purifying element. And it is precisely these two things, fire and the observation of the natural environment, which have survived in the New Year celebration. Some other traditional ways of celebrating include: In Oaxaca, young zoques dress up as “huehues” (elders) and “burn” the old year to then go celebrate at a carnival held in the community’s homes. In other villages, the elderly use rockets to illuminate the sky and carefully observe it at the precise arrival of the New Year. That’s how they know whether it will be a year of rain or drought.

The cabañuelas have great importance in rural Mexico. The name derives from the sixteenth month of the Mayan calendar: Caban, and refers to the detailed observation of the climate during the initial 12 days of the year, in order to predict the weather for the next 12 months. It is known that this system of observation, which seems so empiric, was also used by the most ancient cultures of humanity; Babylon and Israel. Most charmingly though, the custom called el “recalentado” (the “re-heated”) is a long-standing tradition rooted throughout Mexico, quite in keeping with the festive and generous character of the Mexicans and also with the abundant and delicious national gastronomy. It consists simply of sharing the next morning what was left over from the dinner with either the same or other guests. It is said that the recalentado is even more delicious than the dinner itself... Feliz Año Nuevo! Original: www.inside-mexico.com

Anglican Church Puerto Vallarta Formerly Christ Church by the Sea Worldwide Anglican Communion

“Celebrating conservative family values” Services Sunday 10:00 a.m. English-Traditional Holy Communion All faiths welcome-Casual Dress “Join us as we celebrate the love of Jesus Christ

in our beautiful palapa, excited for a new season” Fr. Jack continues to welcome people from all walks of life and denominations. Across from airport, northbound service road next to Sixt and Thrifty Car Rental Blvd Fco. Medina 7936, Puerto Vallarta

Venecia 290 Col. Díaz Ordaz Fluent English Spoken Porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges. Dental implants, Dentures Go to www.pvsmile.com.mx for address and directions

Father Jack Wehrs/Lay-minister Fer Sandoval e mail: jackandshirley1@att.net Text 1 619 300 7377 Tel 044 322 229 1129

Web site: www.anglicanchurchpuertovallarta.org Complimentary parking at Sixt Rental Car

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Movement as Medicine By Via Anderson

yogawithvia@gmail.com

Via Anderson, E-RYT 500, is a yoga and movement coach and teaches a weekly Intelligent Movement Forever class on Thursday at 1 pm at Yoga Vallarta. She also teaches online and in private sessions at her studio. This 76-year-old grandmother practices what she preaches and teaches. She is the author of “How to Move Out of Pain: A Compendium of Intelligent Movement,” to be released in 2019.

How to Create Healthier Movement Habits for the New Year

s we age, it’s easy to stop moving as often as we did when we were younger. Especially if we are experiencing chronic pain. Moving less may seem like the obvious solution. But not moving is not the answer. Moving well, taking baby steps, is. When your body starts to move well, it will start to welcome and long for movement. And then, you are on your way to a healthy movement lifestyle. You may currently have the habit of moving as little as possible. Modern conveniences and inventions and our busy lifestyles support this habit. It’s the beginning of a New Year. Your New Year resolutions may include the desire to move better or move more. I am here to cheer you on. You can do this, one new habit at a time. Here are 8 tips to help you create a new, healthy movement habit. Caveat: Do not start your new habit challenge if there is a big distraction on the scene. Your journey should feel like an adventure, not obligation. 1. Choose a New Behavior To begin, find one new movement pattern than you can repeat every day. That will make a difference in

the quality of your life. Write it down. “I want to include [calf raises] in my everyday behavior without thinking about it”. Feel free to contact me if you need help choosing a new behavior. 2. Identify Its Reward Describe in writing the rewards you expect from creating your new habit. Fill a page. Keep it as a reference and an inspiration. 3. Weave It Into an Existing Habit Attach your new behavior to an existing habit or pattern or time of day that will act as a cue for you. For example, add it to your morning routine. Stretch your [calves] while you are brushing your teeth in the morning. Don’t wait for some “free time.” You will always find something else to do. A habit doesn’t stand alone in your brain. It is woven in with and supported by a whole network of other behaviors. Some suggestions for weaving a new behavior with an existing habit, pattern, or time of day: Stretch your calves while you brush your teeth Sit on the floor instead of a chair Side-bend at the bus stop Circle your ankles when seated Balance on one foot in the grocery

store line Stretch your shoulders in a doorway 4. Repeat Every day Repeat your new behavior every day. Morning is better. Willpower is less involved in creating a new habit than science. Repeat the new behavior enough times for it to become ingrained and embedded in your brain. How long will it take? Science says it will take 66 days, more or less, depending on the individual and the situation. At some point, the brain moves a repeated behavior from thinking to non-thinking (habit). It does this to free up space in the thinking side of the brain for more creative activity. Repetition is your friend! 5. Ask a Friend to Join You Invite your friends and family to join you. You can support and inspire each other. (But keep going even if they don’t.) 6. Track Your Progress Record your progress each day. Keep a journal if you like journaling. 7. Notice the Feel Good Each time your practice your new behavior, focus on how good it feels. And think of your rewards list. This will help keep you going. What you pay attention to grows bigger. It’s the law of attraction. Tell yourself, “I can do this.” “I am very good at this.” “I feel good when I do this.” “This is easy for me.” “This is fun.” “I am already reaping the benefits of this.” Say what is true for you right now. Loving, supportive self-talk will create a bridge to your destination. 8. Keep Going If you miss a day, keep going. If you miss a lot of days, start over. If after 30 days your behavior is not yet an involuntary habit, start the 30 days again. Keep going until your new behavior because inevitable and habitual. “At first dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable.” Christopher Reeve When your new habit becomes habitual, pat yourself on the back. Then choose another behavior and repeat this process. Soon you will be moving like a boss. Summing Up In truth, we are the sum of our habits. We have thousands and thousands of them. We are also the sum of our movement habits. They make up our movement lifestyle. If we hurt when we move, we need to change the way we move. But the solution isn’t to start with a big goal or a big project. We need to make baby steps back to healthy movement, one new habit at a time. [Medical disclaimer: This article is for education and information only. It is not a substitute for a doctor’s opinion.]

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

From Here Marcia Blondin

marciavallarta@gmail.com

Arcano

o, what is everyone doing New Year’s Eve? If you are at loose ends, go to the Malecon where “Arcano” will be kicking off the free celebrations at 8 pm. I saw Arcano’s concert at Teatro Vallarta last week – absolutely fantastic. It was an ingenious mish-mash of genres, cultures – indigenous and so very avantgarde – delightful to the eye and curious at times to the ear. All of it exceptionally well put together, lights and sound wonderfully in sync with cameras strategically placed and showing all the action on a big screen behind the stage. There was dance – beautifully fluid, muy sexy tangos and folkloric dances from every corner of Mexico and not just on the stage but dancing in the aisles. Aztec dancers like I have never seen with extraordinary face and body paint and feathered wings so dense and huge I swear the young man could have flown over the crowds. Burning copal filled the theatre and invited a Scotsman in full regalia and bagpipes to join Arcano on stage. Two of my favorite singers in Vallarta – the beautiful soprano Vanessa Amaro and Ana Adame, winner of Voice of Vallarta a couple of years ago. What a treat to hear both of them on the same night. Two percussionists on stage kept the beat all night long. At one point Erika left her brother Vick and walked up and down the two aisles in the theatre playing her violin all the while, stopping for photos with whoever asked. It was extraordinary. Now my complaint: how hard is it to make a flyer and give proper respect to all those people who worked on this spectacular and seamless program? Ultimately, who the hell is to blame? How many more people would have attended had they an inkling of what was in store? For all the directors and managers of theatres/venues out there – if it’s worth producing at all then produce a program. Period. Another event coming up January 22 is the Vallarta Garden

Club’s Annual Fiesta. This year celebrating the sun. There is a color theme each year, so this one should be a riot of sunset hues. Tickets for Fiesta del Sol are already half sold so get on it. This is the biggest money raiser for the Garden Club and if you believe all they do is sit around, drink tea and embroider flowers on tea towels, guess again! This hard-working, get down and dirty group plant, weed, construct planters, water, paint, fertilize and prune to exhaustion all year round. Any streets you consider spectacular with their plantings, think Vallarta Garden Club. Every time you walk on the Malecon or cross the Presidencia stop and look around. This is the work of the Garden Club. They receive no funding from the government and so depend on donations of time and money to beautify Vallarta then keep it that way. And it’s a hell of a good party, too! More on La Fiesta del Sol as the day approaches. A group of Vallarta Tribune colleagues got together at Incanto last week to celebrate Christmas and another year, another 52 issues of the longest-running English newspaper in the Bay of Banderas. All the staff at Incanto took terrific care of us with food and copious amounts of vino. Extraordinary hors d’oeuvres – stuffed dates? Yummy! Many thanks to our editor Madeline Milne for being such a super boss and a great hostess. Hope everyone’s Christmas was merry and bright; onwards to more festivities next week. Be kind and hug each other hard, From Here.

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Medical Matters Pam Thompson

pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com

Pamela Thompson operates HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, a multi-faceted, independent, resource network that is here for your total health and well-being. We offer assistance to help find a physician, hospital and diagnostic service for any healthcare needs. www.healthcareresourcespv.com

Wishes!

y the time you read this, Christmas day will have been put to bed and we will be sliding into the New Year. Of course I wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season. Here are a few other wishes on the list: I wish that you as a patient have patience. Patience and kindness to an over-worked, non-bilingual physician receptionist, who is doing his/her best to accommodate your appointment, who is dealing with a physician running late, a room filled with sick people, maybe a credit card that isn’t working, someone being nasty with her because the appointment has not begun on time, a person who has left without paying among a bunch of other thing. I wish that you as a patient do not rely on advice from Facebook when the people giving you advice do not know your medical history, your medications, and your allergies or in many cases, even know much of what they are talking about. I wish that you as a patient remember to bring your medications with you on vacation and

understand that sometimes we cannot find a replacement and that you cannot have them shipped to you from north of the border. I wish that you as a patient do your homework and have a plan for a medical emergency and how you will pay for it here. I wish that you as a patient understand that just because you can obtain Seguro Popular for free, doesn’t mean it is the best option for you and that every time a non-Mexican is admitted to the Regional Hospital, you are taking a

space that rightfully should go to a Mexican in need. I wish that you as a patient understand that ‘the very best’ and ‘cheap’ do not always go hand in hand. Cheaper is not always better. I wish that you as a patient understand that Botox is not an emergency. I wish that you as a patient do not expect a physician to answer an email within 24 hours, or sometimes even at all. I wish that you as a patient do not tell me you are in the throes of death sick and then post a photo of yourself on Facebook, that same day/evening, out at a bar or restaurant with friends. I wish that you as a patient sick with the flu, cold, cough, green gunk do not attend every party in the entire Banderas Bay while you have symptoms. The old Scottish proverb “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride”. So most likely my wishes will not really come true but it cannot hurt to put them out there. Ultimately my wish for you is some peace, minimal drama, good health, grace and a lot of coffee! Here’s to a wishful week!

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Blood Study Six Element Blood Chemestry (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Glucose Test, Urea, Creatinine, BUN. General Urine Test General Coprologic Study Chest X-Ray Nutritional Assessment and Recomendations Physical Examination and Consult by G.P. EKG

Do you need glasses now? WE CAN HELP!

PUERTO VALLARTA FRANCISCO VILLA 1319 322-225-2202 FLUVIAL VALLARTA (FTE. A KUBLIS) BAHÍA DE BANDERAS PLAZA LAS PALMAS LOCAL 58 329-688-2536 SAN VICENTE-NAY. (JUNTO A CINEPOLIS) OPTICAOCIVALLARTA

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Sustainably Yours Emily Magewski

emilyannmajewski@gmail.com

Emily was a sustainable landscape designer and consultant for 15 years prior to moving to Mexico in 2011. She and her husband live off grid and are dedicated to helping increase the sustainability of homes and gardens in our region.

Legacy Building

e are all shelter makers. Perhaps you have built your home with your own two hands. Maybe you conceptualized its design on napkins. Or you may have moved into a house and with a little love and sweat equity you made it your home over time. Our homes form a second skin to our bodies, protecting us from the elements. Since an enormous chunk of our time is spent in them, they form a second cranium, harboring our memories. Our homes, when crafted to endure, shelter the generations of our family tree. Unfortunately, many homes created today do the bare minimum in all of these regards. They are steeped in offgassing and harmful chemicals ranging from formaldehyde to Alkylphenol ethoxylates. While protecting us from the worst of the elements they simultaneously marinate us in carcinogenic toxins. Many modern homes are composed of flimsy, rot prone and highly flammable materials that do not foster structural longevity, let alone the sheltering of generations. The built environment today contributes to 50% of global carbon emissions (Architecture 2030). And, as commendable as the NO STRAW movement is, let’s talk about plas-

tics, especially foam, in the building industry. Personally, I can wrap my head around the selective use of plastics, where durability is a priority and recyclability minimizes impacts at the end of life cycle. But foam? Giant blocks and sheets of foam are hidden away in countless homes as insulation. This foam will never biodegrade, no matter how you slice it, and is considered a fire accelerant. Insurance companies refer to foam as ‘solid gasoline’. As described by a 1989 OSHA technical memorandum, burning foam releases carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene, oxides of nitrogen, hydrogen cyanide, acetaldehyde, acetone, propene, carbon dioxide, and alkenes. And to top it off, when fire retardants are added, these additives represent even more carcinogens! So, while I am very glad straws are going out of fashion and hopefully there are fewer turtles with nasal straws in the end, we need to start talking about the non-biodegradable and toxic materials we are constructing our homes out of on a massive scale. Contemplating this massive scale and the whole overwhelming notion of making one’s home sustainable can be counter productive. Counter productive in the ‘paralysis through over analysis’

sense. In fact, despite the name of this column and my own liberal usage of the term ‘sustainability’ I do find the word non-helpful much of the time: poorly defined, confusing and often fraught with contention due to varying standards. I think we need a new standard when it comes to building our homes. Let’s call it Legacy Building. It’s a term that’s already out there, but without much traction. With some clearly defined features, I think legacy building can become a much more useful platform for moving forward. Let’s start with these baseline characteristics: The Legacy Home: 1. Is composed of 100% biodegradable and/or recyclable materials 2. Promotes occupant wellbeing with 0 VOCs or noxious chemicals 3. Is designed for maximum resource efficiency and 0 waste during construction 4. Uses materials that are enduring enough to house multiple generations 5. Is designed with a modularity that is adaptable to evolving occupant needs (from family rearing to aging) There. 5 points that, if implemented, would change the built environment in radical and profound ways. 5 points that would leave an entirely new legacy for coming generations. As mentioned in a past article, I am collaborating with the firm TerraMar in Lo de Marcos, in designing a new type of planned community. For more information on how we are crafting Legacy Building Standards in our architectural protocols, please write me at sustainablyyourscolumn@gmail. com

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Face off with the Greeks

on’t you just love it when things work out all by themselves? The other day I woke up knowing I was going to have a few of my favourite treats in the heart of Puerto Vallarta. Obviously, my taste buds are making some of my decisions for me, before I even get up. Now when it comes to pampering oneself, I think my taste buds are in prolonged debate with my second brain; apparently we all have one. Making the final decision so that I wake up foot-loose and fancy-free. This is because the variety of things for pampering oneself are so plentiful and reasonable here especially with friends about to enjoy these delights. It could be as simple as a foot message on the beach, or a day pass at your favourite resort. Maybe a plate full of oysters with foodie Amnon Medad. Yet for others it might be hanging from cables flying over the jungles canopy with movie producer Wendy Grean or scuba diving around Los Arcos with travellers Dan & Rebecca Terrible or going for a ride in a beautiful parachute over the bay with Nancy and Dwight Druick. Or just hang out with artist Martin Jimenez Garcia talking about Mexican art. First, isn’t life wonderful when you have choices to contemplate? So I get up knowing I am going to have a few of my favourite dishes at the Traviata Restaurant located on the top floor of the Hotel Paloma del Mar. This fine establishment is located slightly uphill, overlooking the city with a wonderful breeze that makes dining there just excellent. And yes, I am going to have these treats in the company of friends too, Maitre D Edmundo Ramos and his star Chef Ezequiel Gonzalez. So with my culinary foodie partner Byron Ayanoglu, we head over there for their wonderful sautéed Portobello Mushrooms and

their marvelous Seafood Ravioli. This will be accompanied with great homemade bread that you can dip in olive oil. I will also enjoy a very tasty Mescal-Jamaica Margarita. A truly wonderful drink in both flavour and style. So we arrive and upon looking around for the best seat; We are sunset birds, I notice the huge wall mural that graces the adjacent building. It is a new work of art in the city because it was not there last year. What is striking about it is that is so meticulously painted. Almost 3D. What I love about this painting is that it looks like the person in the painting is holding a mask that seems like the face of Socrates or a number of other famous Greek faces due to its design. It makes me wonder, did the painter of this mural also know that the word for Gringo comes from the word Griego which is the Spanish word for Greek? Now how did that come about? Or does anyone else know that according to the hypothesis of T.R. Fehrenbach in his book Fire and Blood, that the Mexicans could have been psychic? Upon reading this myself, I was in complete accord with his thesis. This is because some details in the vast body of Mexican art and architecture have design elements that are similar or copies of Greek designs from over 1000 years ago? The Hellenistic Meander being one of them. Now this is food for thought! So if you too want to contemplate the greater picture yourself you can at La Traviata Restaurant which is located on the top floor of the Hotel Paloma del Mar. Honduras # 309 Col. 5 de Diciembre, Puerto Vallarta PS. If you know of any secret Murals you would like to direct me to go see. You can address them to algis.kemezys@gmail.com Subject Puerto Vallarta Street Art.

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Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Winter in Vallarta— Time for Chocolate! By Christie Seeley Vallartasounds.com

I Four Reasons to Enjoy New Year’s

Eve Dinner at Casa Cupula

ew Year’s Eve in Puerto Vallarta is without a doubt, the most popular and festive of the year. Here are the top four reasons why you may want to enjoy New Year’s Eve Dinner at Casa Cupula, Puerto Vallarta’s most luxurious LGBT boutique hotel: 1. Live music by Piel Canela. We are delighted to have Piel Canela back. They are one of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular latin music band. 2. Great value. $1999 per person includes live music, all you can eat buffet, a welcome glass of champagne, and free entrance to our Fireworks party at 11pm with a great view of the entire bay. Add full premium bar to your dinner for only $500 pesos extra per person. Members of the Amapas Neighborhood Association receive a 10% discount. 3. A warm, LGBT-friendly environment. New Year’s Eve at Casa Cupula welcomes hotel guests, local community members and neighbors. So it is a great opportunity to make new friends! 4. Gourmet dining. This year’s menu includes our popular carving station with prime rib, ample options for vegetarians, and a broad variety of choices, including pastas, meats, seafood, soups and appetizers. To make a reservation for New Year’s Eve dinner at Casa Cupula, please email concierge@casacupula.com or call (322) 223-2484. A 50 percent

deposit is required for every reservation, and a 15 percent gratuity is added. Not Just For Hotel Guests As Puerto Vallarta’s premiere boutique gay hotel, Casa Cupula offers outstanding service and memorable experiences to all of its guests. For those living in Puerto Vallarta full- or part-time, Casa Cupula also offers several opportunities for the public to enjoy the property: Taste Restaurant is open for Saturday and Sunday brunch, 10 am - 2 pm, as well as breakfast and lunch weekdays. The Spa at Casa Cupula

features a a salt-water zen pool, jacuzzi and special spa lunch menu. A variety of professional facial and body treatments, and steam room to relax before or after any service. The Gym offers everything you need for a productive workout, including free weights, cardio equipment, and multi-station machines. Basic and VIP weekly and monthly memberships are available. Casa Cupula is located at Callejon de la Igualdad 129, Amapas. For more information, please call (322) 223-2484, visit www.casacupula.com, or www. facebook.com/casacupula.

magine yourself in Vienna this winter with piping hot chocolate and melt in your mouth pastries at the famous Démel Cafe with the ghost of Emperor Franz Joseph. Or maybe you are at Angelina’s on Rue de Rivoli on the right bank of Paris sipping her famous chocolate, l’Africain and nibbling on her renowned Mont Blanc cake. Stop dreaming. We are in Mexico where excellent cacao is produced in abundance! While we may associate chocolate with Europe due to the fame of Swiss, Belgian and French chocolates, these countries do not produce cacao and no doubt import most of their cacao from South Africa. The earliest use of chocolate actually is seen in Mesoamerica as far back at 350BC where it was used in beverage form most probably for religious practices and medicine. When Christopher Columbus was first made aware of the substance, he found that local people placed such a high premium on the cacao beans that they were actually used as currency. When the Aztecs, who did not know how to grow cacao, took over most of Mesoamerica, cacao was used as a tax on the conquered people. The beans were used principally to make beverages, hot, cold and tepid, for rituals involving the strengthening of a man’s prowess in war, athletics and love. After the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs around 1590, chocolate was imported to Europe. Initially the Europeans used it only as a cure for abdominal pain but once sugar or honey was added to the bitter drink it became a favorite in the courts of Europe. My Mexican father-in-law who traveled all over the country and loved to bring back the best products he found taught me to appreciate Mexican artisanal chocolate in the form of “chocolate con agua” made with water instead of milk. That rich drink wins me over every time it is offered. The chocolate for this drink should be pure, not augmented with heavy spices or an excess of sugar. My love for hot chocolate made either with milk or water springs from my experience in Oaxaca where they produce some of the world’s best chocolate both for drinking and for cooking. According to Arcelio Gallardo Oaxaca in an article called Cacao and Chocolate in Oaxaca, “Oaxaca is the only place in the world that has such

a strong and visible cacao consuming culture”. When I first came to Puerto Vallarta I was shocked to find it was not such a coveted drink here and even had some difficulty finding a great cup. Some more traditional cafés had chocolate available, but it was often the Nestle variety and I can pass on that. For selfish reasons I made it my job to find the best hot chocolate in town. The first place I found that really did hot chocolate justice was perhaps the most obvious. The Choco Muséo (Chocolate Museum) just off the malecon at Calle Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez 128, was a great place to start. Not only do they offer workshops and classes about everything chocolate, they also have a café on an upper floor where they will prepare for you a wonderful cup. I had them make mine with water and definitely put them on my list. Visiting the Botanical Gardens one morning I ordered hot chocolate and was amazed at the quality. Of course since they do grow cacao, I should not have been surprised. Sipping that dark, creamy cup while looking over the canyon and river below as hummingbirds flitted around feeders and other exotic birds swept by definitely made my trip worthwhile! I was visiting a favorite coffee place of mine, Puerto Cafe on Madero #540, when I noticed one of the owners Aldo drinking hot chocolate. I knew they were dedicated to making a perfect cup of coffee, but was thrilled when he produced a wonderfully smooth cup of artisanal chocolate for me. The chocolate was made by a family in Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco, Chocolate Rey Amargo. Known for it’s deep and rich flavor it produced a smooth and delectable drink. They say we are in store for a cool winter so as the temperatures continue to fall I plan to dig out a sweater and head out to enjoy much more of this luscious drink.

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Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Holiday Greetings from El Parque de los Azulejos By Emily Murray

rrrrr!! Winter is in full force here in Vallarta, and each morning as the team reports for duty at El Parque de los Azulejos, we do it through shivery shoulders and chattery teeth! Joking aside, the cooler weather is actually a nice change of pace; the art of mosaic is a bit more physical than some might think, so while the mornings are definitely chilly, we’re still quite warm. With the New Year upon us, our thoughts turn toward reflection on where we’ve been, and where we’re going. Parque de los Azulejos has already had so much love and attention poured into it over the last couple of years, and it’s got plenty more coming. We have a strong and dynamic team, each person with their own unique skill set to bring to the table. Every day, each person brings their best, and it really shows in every corner of the park.

Our supporters, people like you, are perhaps the biggest piece of the puzzle. We have the vision for the project, sure, but without the resources you provide, it would stay just like that: a vision. Never realized, never shared. The Parque is wholly funded by the public, so without you, it would simply never happen. As we move toward 2019 and take this time to reflect, we see that indeed we’re most grateful for the relationship we share… Parque de los Azulejos is being nurtured to life by two teams: ours and yours. Without your team rooting for us, literally fueling us, our team couldn’t create the beautiful park. The park that we’ll all enjoy for generations to come, a new public home for all of us. The vision will be realized thanks to you. We are honored, thank you. Happy 2019, from our team to yours.

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Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Alfredo Langarica Opens In Galeria Pacifico

he first Art Walk for 2019 in the Historical Zone downtown will present Galeria Pacifico with an opportunity to offer a second cocktail reception on the day after New Year`s for the exhibition of new paintings by the highly regarded Guadalajara artist, Alfredo Langarica. Traditionally this week has even more visitors than last week`s Christmas crowd, and it also gives the artist a chance to show a few paintings that weren`t quite finished in time for the cocktail reception on December 26th. Alfredo`s paintings can vary from

abstract to figurative, with the latter sometimes showing the artist`s well developed sense of humor, while both styles display his high level of painterly skill. The hovering angel in the form of a Mayan stone sculpture with ant sized humans inhabiting it on his invitation is an example of both. This is repeated in a couple of other images of mini humans seeking shelter in seed pods or a tennis shoe stuck in the sand. Occasionally what first appears to be an abstract painting or an abstract background

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for a figurative painting is actually composed of so many tiny figures and objects blended together that it appears to be abstract until viewed more closely. Regardless of the subject or style of a particular painting, Langarica has built up a reputation during his over thirty year career as one of the most highly regarded and collected artists in Guadalajara.

He has been included in numerous museum exhibitions throughout Mexico and is in many private collections in the United States and Canada. The full exhibition continues through January 22, but Galeria Pacifico always has an ample display of Alfredo Langarica`s paintings at their spacious second floor location at 174 Aldama, just 100 feet up from

the Malecon ocean promenade. The gallery also sponsors the Free Malecon Sculpture Tours on Tuesday mornings at 9:30, but the tour will be canceled on New Year`s Day. However, The Free Sunset Malecon Sculpture Tour will occur at 6:00 PM as scheduled on January 3, and both tours will then continue their weekly schedule through mid-April.

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Paradise and Parenting Leza Warkentin

mommyinmexico.wordpress.com

I am the preschool coordinator and nursery teacher at the American School of Puerto Vallarta. I am also both unsurprised and not a bit sorry that this list of my favorites is mostly about places to eat. If you can live in Vallarta without appreciating some of the good eatin’ around here, you have to be at least half Vulcan.

New Year’s 2019

o here we are, approaching the end of 2018, and I’m wondering how to make a list of resolutions when things are already going perfectly. I have everything a person could want and so much more. I have luxury items such as my very own car. Not only that, it spits out black smoke every time we start it (and I didn’t even pay for that option). Also, our mechanic has closed up shop until the New Year, so I can really enjoy the surprise on everyone’s face as they walk behind our car at a red light. Also, I have two healthy children who have enough energy to find a sarcastic remark no matter what time of day it is. They are growing at an admirable rate, and eat more food than a construction crew at a taco stand. Obviously there’s nothing I can do about the car or the children. Both of them have needs that I am simply going to have to meet in one way or another. But there ARE probably ways that I could head into 2019 with some fresh ideas for self-improvement. Besides, New Year’s resolutions are a great idea, because then you have goals to work

toward and then give up on and feel guilty about later. If you grew up with a Mennonite background like I did, you will know how important guilt is in our culture. If you have nothing to feel guilty about, what will you do with the extra time and headspace? It’s possible that one of my resolutions should be about changing my mindset about guilt. But, since I am pretty sure guilt is an essential part of my Jenga tower of personal qualities, I will go a different direction with resolutions such as: Health: 1) Eat vegetables, since I refer to myself as a vegetarian. Either that, or come up with a name for a person who doesn’t eat meat but does eat quite a few cookies. 2) Exercise, because 1) seems unrealistic. Unless the term “carb-o-tarian” somehow catches on. 3) Get up earlier so I can do 2). 4) Stay up later since getting up earlier sounds like it might actually do irreparable harm to my body and to my psyche. 5) Come to accept that exercise is not my thing and wear a step-counter so that I can

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

announce loudly each day how many steps I took and thus calories I have burned. Parenthood: 1) Help the children with their ever-more-difficult homework by studying up on the subject matter. 2) If I run out of time for 1), then I’ll find a tutor that is really smart and wants guitar lessons from my husband in payment. 3) If that fails, then I’ll change the WiFi password until they figure it out themselves (I know all about motivation). Marriage: 1) Spend quality time listening to my husband without changing the subject to my own issues. 2) Or at least make his favorite snacks so that when I do change the subject, he’ll have something good to eat. Cultural: 1) Learn all the Spanish verb tenses besides the simple present and simple past. Stop using the language excuse to have my husband make all my phone calls for me. 2) Listen to banda and tambora music on low volume every once in awhile in order to build up my tolerance level. 3) Stop erasing number 2). 4) Come to accept my deep dislike for banda and tambora and go see a mariachi band instead. Regardless of your own New Year’s resolutions and dreams, I wish you all a prosperous and happy New Year. I wish you a car that helps you appreciate the need to be flexible, children that have a sharp sense of humor, and an excellent stereo system that drowns out music that isn’t your absolute favorite.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES

Vote Dec. 4 to Jan 13 / Open to residents and visitors www.vallartatribune.com

Welcome Home Sheryl Novak

sa.novak@solutionsmexico.com

Sheryl Novak is an expat Canadian who has owned a home in Mexico for over ten years. She is the owner of SOLutions Mexico and The Furniture Store by SOLutions Mexico. She is an expert on sourcing all styles of furniture for all sizes of budgets, in Mexico.

Holiday gingerbread greetings

‘T

is the time of year we celebrate the holidays with family and friends. That means preparing our homes for entertaining and decorating with festive items that reflect our traditions. One long-standing tradition that is popular in many homes around the world is to make a gingerbread house. Since my articles are about decorating homes, I thought it was fitting at this time to write an article about the history of this tradition. I have always found it interesting when someone at a social occasion shares how some of the customs that have been passed down through the ages came to be. I hope you will enjoy sharing this with your

families and friends this season. According to legend, ginger was a gift that was to be given to the baby Jesus by a fourth wise man of the Magi. The three wise men with gold, frankincense, and myrrh made it to Bethlehem. The fourth unfortunately did not make it. He ended his journey in a city in Syria. There, he gave all his ginger to a local Rabbi. The students of the Rabbi were accustomed to assembling and eating small houses made with baked bread to as an homage to their Messiah and his birthplace. Bethlehem, in Hebrew, means “House of Bread.” The fourth wise man suggested that ginger be added to the bread to make it spicier and more flavorful.

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Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Vibes & Vices:

Vallarta Tribune Holiday Party at Incanto AJ Freeman

cosmiccapt@gmail.com

AJ Freeman is an adventurous spirit, serial friendmaker, and general enthusiast. He lives his everyday life hoping to demonstrate the nearly infinite potential for discovery and wonder on this small wet rock orbiting a dim yellow star in the backwoods of the Milky

From an historical perspective, records date back to ancient Roman times that show ginger being used in cakes and drinks. Most historians believe however that using ginger in baking did not become a regular occurrence in Europe until the end of the 11th century. It was at this time that crusaders likely brought back spicy bread from their travels to the middle east. Before this time, it was uncommon to add any spices to bread. The gingerbread we eat today is made with recipes very much the same as what was used in German monasteries in medieval times. Most historians believe that the making of gingerbread houses began early in the 16th century. This was when Grimm’s fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel was published. As the story goes, the two children who were left in the forest come across a house made from gingerbread and candies. Just as the witch enticed the children, enterprising bakers baked and created tiny replicas to attract purchases of their baked goods. There is some question as to whether the gingerbread house came as a result of the story, or whether the story followed the fable. Nonetheless, due to their colorful designs, and use of white icing that emulated snow, over time these ornate, tasty and colorful creations became part of Christmas tradition for many families. Gingerbread houses are assembled using melted sugar. The yard is made with white icing, giving the appearance of snow. The roof of a gingerbread house is usually covered in tiles made from gumdrops and other colorful candy. For families, spending an evening creating their unique gingerbread house is one of their many time-honored traditions. Wishing everyone all the best this holiday season!

s there anything that brings colleagues together like an office holiday party? Not in my experience. The right setting and a few tasty beverages can make for an outstanding team-building exercise...for me, meeting those you work with unfettered by all but the most basic pretenses of professionalism is an important part of seeing them as people and not office equipment. As it relates to this week’s entry, I had yet to meet most of the fine folks that help keep the Tribune rolling, and so at the last minute I begged our editor for a seat at the holiday staff party at Incanto. While she was gracious enough to indulge me, she may not have known I was going to write an article about it although I’m not sure how she didn´t. The Vibes: I walked into Incanto on the evening of the event and immediately proceeded into the wrong area, which actually turned out not to be a bad decision. At the top of a flight of stairs lay a dining room, where apparently I had walked in on a cultural exhibition. A pair of women in elaborate costumes performed a ceremonial dance, their long skirts and broad smiles whirling around the room as they stepped and spun to the drum beat. The deepening twilight cast a spellbinding shadow on their forms through the glass doors of the upstairs balcony, and it was more than a few minutes before I could tear myself away from the display. In fact, it wasn´t until the dancers had taken their bows and slipped away into the recesses of the building that I finally went back downstairs to find Team Tribune clearly enjoying their evening on the river-facing downstairs patio. What can I say, it was important research. The Vices: The river deck was a beautiful backdrop for the evening´s affair. Full glasses and loud laughter made for the perfect

decor, and finally putting faces and hugs to the names I so often read in the credits was a treat. For full disclosure, I had arrived expecting more of a ¨punch bowl and cheese cubes¨ kind of office party--nothing wrong with that, love me some cheese cubes--but the fact that the festivities instead took the form of a multi-course dinner came as a pleasant surprise, particularly for someone who had spent the last few hours drinking at another nearby event I was nominally hosting. Marcia in particular ensured that I didn’t miss out on the featured appetizer, bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with bleu cheese. They arrived alongside a glass of red wine which I didn’t write down the license plate on, but hit my palate in a most agreeable fashion. Next up was a salad of crisp green apples, leafy greens, and candied walnuts topped with a rich and tangy dressing. I´m not a huge salad guy--hell, I´m not sure I have ever typed the word ¨salad¨ in this space before--but this one was such a standout I could have eaten another out of pure flavor greed. Maybe it was those candied walnuts, I could eat those indefinitely. Between courses I remembered that I was double-booked, but the ladies at the table were kind enough to excuse me from the table for about half an hour while I went to check in at the brewery...being in two places at once is a useful skill

in this business. Thanks to an uncanny sense of food timing developed over hundreds of social gatherings, I managed to make my return just in time for the main course. I made the tough choice between the chicken and beef dishes and was rewarded for my decisiveness with tender steak wrapped around a filling of savory mushrooms and served on a bed of peach-glazed vegetables. Do I really need to explain to you how good that was? After the initial moment of silence that follows the serving of something truly delicious, the conversation continued on while the wine flowed freely. Preliminary chatter about nations of origin and tenure in the area gave way to deeper discussions about life, love, and longing, and after the honey pecan ricotta cheesecake finished its short stint on the table, I was able to walk away secure in the knowledge that I was working alongside my kind of people. Thanks for everything you guys...you better accept my friend requests. The Verdict: I had been meaning to visit this cabaret in Centro for quite some time, and getting to finally check it out in the company of cool coworkers was one of the best gifts I have received this year. I really have to come back for a scheduled show....or maybe make one myself at the weekly open mic on Wednesdays. Maybe I´ll catch you there.

ASK A REALTOR BY: MICHAEL GREEN BOARDWALK REALTY A: What is your market forecast this year? Betty K. Sacramento Q: 2018 has been a banner year for Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta. Our office has made significantly more sales this year as we did last year; in fact, have just added a second floor to our Hotel Zone office and built a new office in our luxury development D’Residences in Zona Romantica to help with the increased demand. We are seeing sustained buyer interest and confidence going into 2019. This summer/fall was quite busy for us with a surprising number of buyers in town. Our website traffic is up 20% from what it was at this

time last year. Our local MLS reports that sales are up 18% from 2017 to 2018 and prices are up 9.5%. Time on market is down 25%. In spite of divided politics, American buyers are out in full force and are snapping up some great deals. Our friends from up north in Canada are also quite active and once the snow starts flying, they will too! Mexican nationals are also feeling confident with their new president and strong economy. I expect our mix of buyers to be approximately 60% American, 20% Canadian, 15% Mexican national and the remainder from elsewhere. Properties priced from $200k to $300k will be right in the sweet spot for most buyers and this market will

be extremely active. Upper end properties are also coming back as many of these properties have been reduced 25-30% in price from the market peak in 2008. Existing properties that were well priced and well located were in high demand; as buyer’s really like to see, feel and experience the property first hand before buying. Luxury properties priced over $1 million USD have never been a large percentage of the overall market; however, sales have increased by 16.5% year/year in this sector as motivated sellers have priced their properties at levels that are irresistible to sophisticated and savvy buyers. The area of downtown south will remain very popular as many buyers love the walkability of this vibrant neighborhood. The hotel zone is also attracting a lot of attention with new, well priced and luxurious developments, the upscale mall “La Isla” and some fabulous new restaurants and nightclub opening on a regular basis. The government’s continuing investment in infrastructure with improved roads, sewer, water, airport and communication are the keys to attracting new and upscale buyers to our market. This season buyers fuly realized that the Real Estate market in Puerto Vallarta is strong, stable and offering excellent bargains for retirement and mid to long term investing. Property taxes that are a fraction of what they are in the US or Canada helps keep carrying costs low. Our friends that specialize in rental and property management report that it is getting very difficult to book vacation rentals as most of the prime properties are fully booked through the entire winter and spring season already. The natural beauty that surrounds us and the friendliness and work ethic of the local residents is truly inspiring. Despite a cooling of some major markets in the US and Canada, here in PV we are seeing inventories reduced, prices climbing and the market switch from a very strong “buyers” market to a more neutral and in some higher demand areas a “sellers” market. Multiple offers have been presented on two of our properties in just the last month, this is always a strong signal to sellers that they may be able to raise their prices and for buyers to act before prices go up. 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 or visit their website at www.boardwalkrealtypv.com

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Featured Property CASA REAL MONTESSORI 445 4 bed / 2.5 bath, 2,152 sq.ft. $ 149,000 USD

ust steps from Puerto Vallarta’s active Hotel Zone and settled on a tranquil street is Casa Real Montessori. Blending the convenience of single-level living with the flexibility of a spacious four-bedroom floorplan, this open-concept home is set on two lots and contains beautiful garden patios and vibrant interior space. The Hotel Zone/ Palmar de Aramara neighborhood is centrally located and offers convenient access to everything you may want and need. The beach is just 10-15 minutes-walk from the home, Galerias mall, Las Islas luxury shopping village, grocery stores, and schools are all an easy distance. PV’s top hospital is just down the block, and quaint local cafes and restaurants, traditional markets and local parks abound. Contact information: Swanson-Larson Team Cell: 322 429 8561/ 322 151 3412 john@boardwalkrealtypv.com https://www.boardwalkrealtypv.com/properties/real-montessori/

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SAYULITA

Sayulita, Nayarit. (329) 298 8909

Marina Office: (322) 209 0696, Downtown Office: (322) 223 3080, Mega Flamingos Office: (329) 29 661 63 Marina Office: (322) 209 0696, Downtown Office: (322) 223 3080, Mega Flamingos Office: (329) 29 661 63

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BUCERIAS PUNTA ESMERALDA PLAYA LA MANZANILLA B NAYAR 1 VILLA AMORE DEL MAR

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29 22

PLAYA LA MANZANILLA

Agustin Flores Contreras Municipal Stadium Agustin Flores

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PUERTO VALLAR

Try the best Italian style pizza, made by artisans trained in Italy by master Pizzaioli and cooked in our traditional wood fire oven, an authentic product you cannot find elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta. Try our vegetarian and vegan pizzas!

PUERTO VALLAR

5 5DEDEDECIMBRE DECIMBRE

ISLAS MARIETAS

VOTE FOR YOUR

FAVORITES

Vote Dec. 4 to Jan 13 Open to residents and visitors

BY SEA TOWNS & COLONIAS BEACHES

RESORTS TOWNS & MALECON COLONIAS BEACHES SHOPPING/ARTWALK

RESORTS MALECON SHOPPING/ARTWALK

1. MARINA RIVIERA NAYARIT BY SEA2. NUEVO RIVIERA NAYARIT 3. MARINA VALLARTA MARINA 1. MARINA4.RIVIERA NAYARIT CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL LOS MUERTOS PIER/ WATER TAXIS 2. NUEVO5.RIVIERA NAYARIT

3. MARINA VALLARTA MARINA 4. CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL 5. LOS MUERTOS PIER/ WATER TAXIS

LAND & AIR 1. CENTRAL BUS STATION VERSALLES BUS STATION LAND2. & AIR 3. OLD TOWN BUS STATION 1. CENTRAL BUS STATION 4. BUCERIAS BUS STATION 5. INT’L AIRPORT - PVR 2. VERSALLES BUS STATION

3. OLD TOWN BUS STATION 4. BUCERIAS BUS STATION 5. INT’L AIRPORT - PVR

SHOPPING

1. GALERIAS VALLARTA 2. WALMART/SAMS CLUB SHOPPING 3. COSTCO 1. GALERIAS 4. LA ISLA VALLARTA 5. PLAZA CARACOLCLUB 2. WALMART/SAMS 6. MEGA/ LA COMER BUCERIAS 3. COSTCO 7. WALMART NUEVO VALLARTA

4. LA ISLA 5. PLAZA CARACOL 6. MEGA/ LA COMER BUCERIAS 7. WALMART NUEVO VALLARTA

GOLF

1. PACIF 2.GOL BAHI 3. LITIB PAC 4.1.FLAM 5.2.EL TI BAH 6. & 7 V 3. LITI 8. MARI FLA 9.4.VISTA

5. EL T 6. & 7 8. MAR 9. VIST

STATE OF JALISCO

BUENAS ARIES

PUERTO VALLARTA

GRINGO GULTCH CASA KIMBERLY HACIENDA SAN ANGEL

5 DE DECIMBRE 11

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GRINGO GULTCH CASA KIMBERLY HACIENDA SAN ANGEL

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BOCA DE TOMATLAN

BOCA DE TOMATLAN LAS ANIMAS COLOMITOS LA TROVA XINALANI RETREAT CASITAS MARAIKA QUIMIXTO HOTELITO MIO LAS ANIMAS

Open Monday to Saturday from 5-11pm

MISMALOYA

Reserve Your Event on Our Terraza for 12 - 50 Guests

EL NOGALITO

HOT NCA R NEGR AN EL M ESO A OUS RT AII

CENTRO

HOT

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POINTS OF INTEREST

FICO GOLF COURSE IA GOLF COURSE LFING BU GOLF COURSE CIFICO MINGOSGOLF GOLF COURSE COURSE IGREGOLF GOLFCOURSE COURSE HIA VIDANTA IBU GOLF COURSE INA VALLARTA AMINGOS GOLF COURSE A VALLARTA

1. TURTLE RESCUE CAMP 2. WHALE OF A OF TALEINTEREST HOLE POINTS 3. PLAYA ESCONDIDO 1. TURTLE RESCUE CAMP 4. KISSING BRIDGE 5. EL2.CORA CROCODILE SANCTUARY WHALE OF A TALE HOLE 6. PUERTO VALLARTA SIGN 3. PLAYA ESCONDIDO 7. ESTERO EL SALADO 4. KISSING BRIDGE 8. PITILLAL PLAZA

PALAPA MARACUYA

19 15

FING

TIGRE GOLF COURSE VIDANTA RINA VALLARTA TA VALLARTA

PALAPA MARACUYA

15 18

‘OLD TOWN’

9. 5 DE DEC. CEMETARY 16. HIDALGO PARK 24. FOREVER SPRING MARKET 10. MIRADOR CERRO DE LA CRUZ 17. THREE HENS MARKET 25. BUCERIAS ARTWALK 11. MALECON 18. MARSOL MARKET 26. RIVIERA FARMERS MARKET 9. 5DE DELADEC. CEMETARY 16. HIDALGO 12. VIRGIN GUADALUPE CHURCH 19. MUNICIPAL MARKET PARK 27. MARINA ARTISAN 24. FOREVER SPRING MARKET MARKET 13. LOS10. ARCOS AMPITHEATRE 28. MOVIE + PICNIC MIRADOR CERRO DE LA CRUZ20. EMILIANO 17.ZAPATA THREE MARKET HENS MARKET 25. BUCERIAS ARTWALK 14. ISLA CUALE 21. CUALE CULTRAL CENTER 11. MALECON 18. MARSOL MARKET 29. RED CROSS 26. RIVIERA FARMERS MARKET 15. LAZARO CARDENAS PARK 22. 5 DE DEC MARKET 30. LOS ARCOS NATIONAL PARK 12. VIRGIN DE LA GUADALUPE CHURCH 19. MUNICIPAL MARKET 27. MARINA ARTISAN MARKET 15. OLAS ALTAS FARMERS MARKET 23. HUANACAXLE MERCADO

5. EL CORA CROCODILE SANCTUARY 6. PUERTO VALLARTA SIGN 7. ESTERO EL SALADO 8. PITILLAL PLAZA

13. LOS ARCOS AMPITHEATRE 14. ISLA CUALE 15. LAZARO CARDENAS PARK 15. OLAS ALTAS FARMERS MARKET

20. EMILIANO ZAPATA MARKET 21. CUALE CULTRAL CENTER 22. 5 DE DEC MARKET 23. HUANACAXLE MERCADO

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Health and Wellness Cat Morgan cat@NewEnergyConsciousness.com RivieraNayaritFun.com

Cat Morgan is owner of RivieraNayaritFun.com and also NewEnergyConsciousness.com If you have any questions, comments or Riviera Nayarit news please contact her at Cat@CatMorgan.me

The Law of Attraction

FARMERS MARKET: Sábado: Olas Altas en el parque Lázaro Cárdenas de 9:00am a 2:00pm. Domingo: La Cruz de Huanacaxtle en la Marina de 9:00am a 2:00pm. Lunes: Guayabitos Nayarit de 9:00am a 2:00pm. Martes: Nvo Vallarta por la Marina en el Paradise Village de 9:00am a 2:00pm. Jueves: Marina Vallarta de 5:00pm a 10:00pm

Fb TYBikinisYmas ty-bikinis-mas@hotmail.com (322) 137-0477 Hecho a tu medida!!

Mapa/Map - www.vallartaartwalk.com 11

Wednesdays Miércoles 6 - 10 pm

Historic Center

CORONA 176

LOFT

THE

10 CORONA 176 - A

INTERNATIONAL

galería (322) 222 6353 ROS

MALECÓ

Origen y Destino

Main Square

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Neptuno y Nereida

Rotonda del mar

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ZARAGOZA

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Arte Contemporáneo de México

Aldama No. 174 • Centro 2nd Floor / Piso Tel.: (322) 222 1982 Fax: (322) 222 5502

FINE ART GALERIA

LGO

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A non-profit dedicated to contemporary art. Juárez 598 · Col. Centro Tel. (322).222.0541 opcvallarta@gmail.com

www.oficinacultural.org

appy New Year everybody! In this time of New Year’s we begin to start thinking what we want to change in ourselves or lifestyles. One of the problems with sticking to your resolutions is most folks have not thought all the way through what they are going to have to change. They haven’t considered the mental thoughts and the emotions that are connected with all of the old patterns. And of course prolonging and putting off any changes that need to be made. To make lasting changes start orienting yourself to look for the positive. The universe is always on our side, and has no judgment of good, bad, right or wrong. My mother always told me, “Life is what you make it Catherine Laura.” What is the Law of Attraction? Nothing is happening TO you. It’s all being invited BY you. Feelings are Magnetic and Thoughts are Electrical. When we combine our thoughts with our feelings and send them out via vibrations to the universe, the universe, who

loves us dearly, says, “yes, I love you so much that I will send this energetic experience to you”, and so we are literally attracting our own experiences. All thoughts combined with emotion (and they all are) turn into things eventually. If your focus and attention point is positive, creating goals that you would like to achieve, you will have an easy time finding the way to achieve them. Of course, you will need to take action as opportunities present themselves. Continue to work and not just sit on the sofa eating bon bons. For example, if you want a new car; see it in your mind’s eye. You know you’re “worthy” of this new car. You can smell the new leather. Notice how great that “feels”. However, when you attach a “feeling” and “words” like, “because my old car is awful”, you are then intertwining what you want to create with a negative vibrational feeling, and perhaps you will have some problems with this new car, or other difficulties. It is important to be Clear

23 and Focused on your point of attention in the present moment when you sit to meditate on what you would like to create. You do not need to tell everyone, as they then have their own “feelings” and vibrations about your ideas, which can get into the mix if you let that in. Everyone is using the Law of Attraction whether they are conscious of it or not. 3 basic rules of the Law of Attraction. 1. ASK. It is very important to KNOW what you really desire; setting out a clear plan to get there, and thinking and feeling positively about the outcome. NOT what you DON’T want! When you focus on manifesting a positive destiny, you’re naturally and automatically aligning your intentions and your behaviors with positive vibrations. Learning how to control your thoughts and emotions is crucial! If you are not paying close attention to your Point of Attention, and choose to hold the vibrations of fear, failure or anger, this will manifest negative outcomes. Letting go of lower vibrational thoughts and feelings are imperative to creating positive results. 2. Trust and Allow. It’s already created. Stop Pushing! It’s important to find a way to speak softly about what you want

to manifest. Think about WHY you want what you want. What will this bring in? Understand you have already asked and now it can be realized by you. Feel this into being. Thoughts and ideas will begin coming to you. 3. Be Open to Receive. Stop Offering Resistance. When you take the time to go for a walk, or meditate, you become in alignment with your vortex, the space that you create from. EVERYTHING comes to you. ‘Everything always works out for me.’ This statement holds the energy of alignment and activation. Begin by practicing with easier manifestations that you do not have resistance to. It’s so fun to feel passion and clarity! We are vibrational beings. All of our physical abilities, like taste and smell etc. are vibrational. Be selfish by being in alignment with self. Who is self? Self is Source. Putting yourself on the top of your totem pole is so important. Speak, think, feel and act with deliberation and LOVE. Stay in your Vortex and be open for your highest good to come in. BE INSPIRED! Be in concert with the energy that creates worlds. Questions, comments or assistance, please email Cat@ NewEnergyConsciousness.com INJOY!

Christ Church by the Sea

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          ~   Christmas Eve ~ Monday ~ December 24 Caroling 6 pm English Service & Communion 6:30 pm The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, Celebrant Jean-Guy Comeau, Music Director Joseph Cisneros, Soloist SYNG, Guest Choir Plaza Genovesa ~ Center Courtyard Palapa Avenue Francisco Medina Ascensio 2015 christchurchbythesea.org ~ mypvchurch@gmail.com

Providing financial services HOA’s can rely on?

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charity

IFC Invites you In John Warren

john3984@me.com

John Warren is in charge of Publicity for the International Friendship Club (IFC). His articles describe the programs and charities that IFC supports, the sources of income of IFC and the social experiences, lectures and classes that members can enjoy. During the summer John writes about Puerto Vallarta.

Against all odds

his lovely young lady is Geydy Bautista Díaz. She comes from an indigenous community in Jalisco’s Sierra Madre mountains where the poverty rate is three times higher than that of the non-indigenous population and where over one third of the children between the ages of six and fifteen work. Geydy, however, is in her fourth year of university in Tepic where she is studying logistics engineering and holds a 9.6 GPA. Amazing! Geydy and four other Huichol university students, named Isaías, Aquileo, Ángel and Herminio, recently received scholarships of $5,000 pesos each from the Huichol Scholarship Fund of the International Friendship Club (IFC) in Puerto Vallarta, to help support them in their university and college studies. The others are studying forest engineering, electromechanical engineering, financial administration and law. How these five students beat the odds and arrived at this point in their lives is a mystery that your humble scribe plans to unravel in the future.The Huichol, or Wixarika, like other Indigenous peoples in Mexico, are very poor. Their home communities in the mountains have

worse living conditions, educational and social services than those enjoyed by other Mexicans; and that’s saying something! Marriages are arranged by the parents when the children are very young. Huichol usually marry between the ages of fourteen and seventeen. Extended Huichol families live together in rancho settlements, consisting of individual houses built of stone or adobe and thatched with grass and each settlement has a communal kitchen and the family shrine, called a xiriki, which is dedicated to the ancestors of the rancho. The buildings surround a central patio. It’s a very simple and rural life. World-wide, Indigenous students face greater barriers to entering and completing college and university programs than others because they are poorer, tend to have access to inferior primary and secondary education, face more pressure to leave school and work, must leave isolated home communities to attend university in a culturally different community, and are required to study in a second language. So how does someone like Geydy or Isaías wind up studying logistic engineering and forestry engineering? It must take a huge amount of dedication and foresight to do that.

Brian McDougall, who is the IFC member driving this program, was asked why do these students want to change their lives so drastically? His answer is “I can’t answer that question for the five HSF students. However, based on a decade of work with indigenous students in Canada, I can tell you that a higher proportion of them, compared with non-indigenous students, are motivated by social concerns, instead of being focused solely on personal advancement. They often have ideas about how they can contribute to the survival and advancement of their communities. One of the five recipients, Isaias, asked for the names of the other recipients because he viewed them as potential members of a team who could cooperate to advance their communities. That’s a pretty good indicator of the mind-set many of these students will have.” In the future we hope to find out what role the university trained Huichol students are playing in their communities once they graduate. More specifically, what role do they play in defending the Huichol nation from the many threats it faces including resource extraction projects on their lands, ongoing disputes about their land with governments, companies and local ranchers, increasing presence of drug cartels in their territory and the loss of community members to cities because of a lack of employment opportunities. IFC’s mandate includes the enhancement of educational opportunities and these Huichol scholarships certainly fit into that goal. The success of helping these five young Huichol adults is possible only by the cooperation between IFC, Volcanes Community Project, Rotary Club Sur, all from Puerto Vallarta, and the Wixarika Research Centre in San Diego. More information on the Huichol Indians and the IFC Scholarship Fund and a discussion of the paradox in our expat community, where we experience the omnipresence of Huichol art and symbols, but know little about their history or current circumstances. This will be presented by Brian McDougall at IFC on 24th January. See http:// www.pvorchids.com/IFC/Jan.html . If you would like to contribute to this scholarship program please follow this link http://www.ifcvallarta.com/class_custom1.cfm and click “Donate to IFC Scholarship Fund”. You will be doing nothing less than changing a life and, maybe, a community. It will help a poor but gifted student beat the odds and make a difference to their world.

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

SPCA of Puerto Vallarta

ue to the holiday, we will not have a tour on Tuesday, January 1. We will get back on schedule for regularly scheduled tours beginning Thursday, January 3. If you are interested in visiting us at the sanctuary, our tours are each Tuesday and Thursday during high season. To reserve a spot on a tour, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com. We appreciate any donations you can bring for our rescues and if going to the sanctuary, please feel free to bring treats for the staff as they truly appreciate it. Those items we ALWAYS need include: collars, harnesses and leashes; toys and more toys! both stuffed and hard plastic (no soft plastic as they can chew off pieces and swallow); large towels; blankets; sweaters and coats; post-surgical cones (both the cone shaped and donut inflatable ones). Our rescues are now fed a total raw diet so

please refrain from bringing any dog food or treats. The mission of SPCA de PV is to help fund and promote sterilization, adoption and healthcare efforts for companion animals in the Puerto Vallarta area, with the goal of eliminating the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable animals. 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. You can learn more about the SPCA Puerto Vallarta by checking us out at www.spcapv.com/home or on Facebook.

ADORABLE DOG IN THE SPOTLIGHT DANCER by Janice Gonzalez

his sweetheart has had a rough early start in life as evidenced by her scars. Dancer is between 1.5 and 2 years of age, a Labrador mix currently weighing almost 40 pounds. She is a survivor of distemper, which has left her with a slight tic in her back leg. But for all her early suffering, she has blossomed into a wonderfully sweet and loving companion animal. Dancer has a medium high energy level and is very playful

enjoying her canine friends. She is even okay with cats. But mostly she relishes any attention she gets from her people. This special girl has been spayed, dewormed and vaccinated and we are now looking for the most perfect home that will appreciate such a survivor. If you can look beyond her blemishes and would love to provide her a safe and loving forever home, contact us at spcapv@gmail.com for an application to adopt Dancer.

entertainment

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Celebrate with Los Bambinos this New Year’s Eve 2019!

his NYE, join Los Bambinos and Bambinos Trattoria’s talented kitchen team for a memorable meal and celebration! This special event will be perfect for those that may prefer to catch a show on the early side of the evening. Dinner & Show begins at 7:00 and will last through 10:00, featuring two options for dinner: an exquisite four-course meal or regular restaurant menu accompanied by a delightful show. Don’t miss a great time with Los Bambinos as you ring in the New Year! This season Los Bambinos present three nights of Rock n’ Roll in a highly anticipated two-hour

New Year’s Eve Special with Los Bambinos December 31st 7 pm – 10 pm

FOUR COURSE DINNER+LIVE SHOW! ONLY $890PESOS |ANTIPASTO| 1* SPECIAL APPETIZER DI MARE Exquisite shrimp, octopus and squid, perfectly marinated in lemon with garlic, onion and celery 2* INSALATA CAPRESSE Slices of tomato with fresh mozzarella, olive oil, oregano and basil |ENTRÉE| 3* SURF AND TURF SUPREME Delicious combination of Salmon in orange sauce and fillet medallions with pepper, served with vegetables |DESSERT| 4* HOMEMADE CARROT CAKE RESERVATIONS AT 222-4357 OR losbambinosmusic@gmail.com

shows, and their classic Latin show. The group brings their cabaret-style entertainment to the stage at Bambinos Trattoria for over a decade running in Old Town Vallarta. This season, the Morales brothers do not disappoint. “Rock n’ Roll” is a great sound for Los Bambinos, who bring the favored sounds of the Rolling Stones, the Doors, Elvis, and the Bee Gees to the stage right here in Puerto Vallarta! They add their unique spin on the music, setting the well-loved songs into the Mexican musical landscape… true to the group’s upbringing in classical Latin guitar. They set the show off with tight harmonies and sweet banter, which only brothers can pull off. So, get on your dancing shoes and bring friends for a good time with Los Bambinos at Bambinos Trattoria. Reserve your table early for the best seat in the house. Los Bambinos concerts this week • Monday Night 8pm New Year’s Eve with Los Bambinos! As always, the brothers add their unique spin on the International rock selections in a special thematic show, setting the wellloved songs into the Mexican musical landscape… for an exciting and upbeat show. • Wednesday Night 8pm | Big Girls Don’t Cry featuring Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons This dynamic show beautifully presents the authentic range of

the group’s voices. Los Bambinos music does justice to this iconic musical era and artist. • Thursday Night 8pm | Legends of Rock n’ Roll Los Bambinos bring to life these different styles of Rock n’ Roll that have been so influential over the last few decades. They present for you The Kings of Rock n’ Roll- as only Los Bambinos can- through a loose chronology of Rock legends from the Rolling Stones, the Doors, the Eagles, the Monkees, Elvis, to Little Richard and Chuck Berry among many others! • Friday & Saturday Night 8pm | Fiesta Latina This is the show for an exquisite mix of rhythms and beautiful vocals. It is a show just as spicy as it is sweet. Each song sweeps you away to a Brazilian Carnival or a romantic evening in an Old Mexican town square. Don’t be surprised if you hear your favorite Mexican tune set in a foot-tapping Cuban rhythm! Let Los Bambinos awaken your senses with vibrant music, and inspiring four-part harmonies.

Since 2004 Los Bambinos voices fill the Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone nightly. Their Dinner-Show performances at Bambinos Trattoria are the perfect way to enjoy the tradition of music in Puerto Vallarta. Delicious and authentic Italian (www.bambinostrattoria. com) is served Monday through Saturday 3-11pm. Please reserve early, as seating is limited. Find

Bambinos Trattoria on Facebook @ losbambinostrattoria and unbiased reviews on Trip Advisor. Bambinos Trattoria is located at Aguacate #314, at the corner of Carranza street in Old Town Puerto Vallarta, just before Mundo de Azulejos. For Los Bambinos reservations: Online www.losbambinosmusic.com or 222-4357 (English Spoken). See you at Bambinos Trattoria!

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Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

What’s up for New Years Eve? Christie Seeley

vezelay@mac.com

Vallartasounds.com

From Oakland, California to Puerto Vallarta…lured by music of guitars and sounds of the sea. vallartasounds.com

will arrive back in town after Christmas with family on the 31st and will be ready to celebrate. Since my son and his family will be with me, I probably won’t make formal plans as you never know when 5 and 7-year-old grand daughters might run out of steam. However we will certainly try to be at the beach for the magic hour and take in friends Lenny Lopez and Enrique Jimenez as they play in front of Daiquiri Dicks on a stage set up on the beach. With the fireworks and happy crowds, that sounds perfect to me. Last year was sensational at the beach and on Olas Altas! Check out your favorite night spot for their schedule and have a fun time! This has been a big year for

music in Puerto Vallarta: Tatewari celebrated 12 years together with wonderful concerts at Puerto Vallarta’s Incanto and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle’s Tree House Bar. They released their 4th and most beautiful CD The Bambinos enter their third very successful year at Trattoria los Bambinos (Carranza and Aquacate) with a New Years celebration! (call for details) Babel bar on the River Cuale (Aquiles Serdan #437) expanded their music venue to offer great sounds in the afternoons as well as special dinner shows—two year anniversary this February 2019 Incanto at Insurgentes #109 celebrates two years of great entertainment in January 2019 and

will ring in the New Year with a fun musical celebration—for details see incantovallarta.com. Cuates y Cuetes turned 25

years old and continues giving us some of the finest music in the area at their seaside location next to the pier in the Romantic Zone Qulture, a brand new venue for jazz and art opened its doors at Carranza #466 Tree House Bar in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (Coral 66) is pulling a great variety of talent to the southern Nayarit area. Media Luna will be featured for New Years Eve! New combinations of musicians in the area offer even greater

variety—classic jazz, bosanova, flamenco, jazz manouche, gypsy rumba, traditional Mexican music and mariachis. Zoe y Leon, the new band of Piel Canela, el Proyecto de Willy of Oscar Terrazas and Diego Matteo, Suite Sounds of Nacho Flores and Magali Uribe are all new this year. And that is just to name a few! It is time to make new years resolutions! My number one promise is to enjoy more and more live music! Feliz Año Nuevo a todos!

Basilio Badillo 269 A. 2ndo piso, Col. Emiliano Zapata. Mon-Sat 2-11pm Tel. (322) 22 3 3734 info.divinodante@gmail.com, www.divinodante.com

Luna Lounge Bucerias Keeps the Good Time Rollin’ on the North Shore By: Debbie White

ne of the most exciting entertainment experiences on the North Shore is the highly acclaimed Luna Lounge in Bucerías. With superb shows, wonderful food and all around fun, ‘tribute dinner shows’ rule the night and continue to sell out at a record pace! This season, Luna Lounge continues to bring in first-class shows. The delicious dinners, full bar, extraordinary entertainment and value pricing are favorites with folks from all around Banderas Bay! Coming up are The Crazy Senoritas (formerly The Crazy Bitches) who perform on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights this season. Join the fun starting at 7 pm with a delicious meal of barbecue chicken, steak and ribs along with salads and side dishes. The Crazy Senoritas Drag Show, starring Miss Diva Divine and the gals, will entertain you with gorgeous costumes, great choreography and hilarious musical parodies. ‘The Spirit of Whitney Houston and Friends’ starring, Geri Dafoe will be presented on Thursday, Dec. 27. Geri has the look, style and sound of the legendary Whitney Houston. You’ll love Geri’s incredible performance! Dame Edna, ‘Mouth of the Border,’ debuts at Luna Lounge on Dec. 29. Michael Walters is outstanding in his portrayal of the legendary, comedic Australian star, Dame Edna! On Sunday, Dec. 30, rock out to ‘The Rolling Stone’s Tribute’, featuring the music of Mick and Keith.

The New Year’s Eve Show is sold out, but tickets are available for the 30th. With songs like, “Paint It Black,” “Wild Horses,” “Jumpin Jack Flash,” you’ll enjoy the very best of the Stones. Coming up in the New Year, on Jan. 3, Jeff Brewer returns with his Billy Joel tribute, Piano Man and on Jan. 6 he’ll perform his John Fogerty/CCR tribute. The Eric Clapton show returns on Jan 10 and Amy Armstrong with Piel Canela star in a night of comedy and fabulous music on Jan. 11. The Frankie Valli tribute will be presented on Jan 13 and The Garth Brooks show is on tap for Jan. 17. The Roy Orbison show is scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21. The Eagles tribute will be performed on Jan. 24. Returning favorites, Bohemia Viva, bring us their show, ‘Reflections’ on Jan. 26. The Beach Boys show is slated for Jan. 27 and the month ends with the ‘ABBA Tribute’ on the 31st. In February you’ll see tributes to Patsy Cline, Adele, Tom Jones, Dwight Blake with Memories of Motown, Neil Diamond, ZZ Top, Us Two, The Blues Brothers and Freddy Mercury/Queen. March shows feature tributes to Cher, Johnny Cash, Dwight Blake, Rod Stewart, David Bowie, The Saint Patrick’s Day Party, The Beatles, The Bee Gees and Elvis, The Vegas Years. Go to www.lunaloungebucerias. com for information about shows & tickets. Luna Lounge is located in El Centro Bucerias at Ave. Mexico #27. Join the North Shore’s top entertainment venue for fabulous food and top-notch entertainment.

entertainment

JEFF BREWER IS “PIANOMAN” The tribute to piano man Billy Joel Merv Buchanan merv@uvs.com illiam Martin Joel was born in 1949 to a Jewish couple who had moved from Germany to Levittown, NY, to escape Nazi persecution. Although his family was very musical, William was at first reluctant to attend the piano lessons his father arranged for him. But as it turned out, the senior Joel’s persistence eventually paid off in an unimaginable way. By the time he was a teenager, “Billy Joel” played the piano and sang well enough to work at a local piano bar to support his now divorced mother

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

and his family. But the long hours and late nights took their toll, causing him to miss classes and exams and not graduate from high school. Fast forward a few decades and the story changes dramatically. Following his 1973 hit recording “Piano Man”, Joel’s career skyrockets. In the process, he sells more than 150 million records, earns multiple Grammys, is inducted into both the Rock’n’Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has become an international superstar. And his high school has finally let him graduate! For more than 10 years, in concert halls, casinos, nightclubs and theatres, from Halifax to Las Vegas, Canadian keyboard wizard Jeff Brewer has been performing Billy Joel’s songs for wildly appreciative audiences. “Pianoman”,

“Only The Good Die Young”, “Uptown Girl”, Joel’s instantly recognizable songs are brilliant pieces of Americana that people can’t help but sing along with. And Jeff Brewer is widely recognized as one of the best Billy Joel tribute artists in the business. The Pianoman show has no orchestra, back-up singers, no pyrotechnics. Just one very talented man rocking out at a piano and singing some of the best-loved pop songs of all time. Audiences across the continent say that’s the way they like it. On January 3rd, Pianoman appears at The Luna Lounge and on January 5th, at Incanto. More information is available on the venue web sites and here in The Tribune. *Copyright 2081. All rights reserved.

Mick & Keith Mike & Paul’s lighthearted tribute to The Rolling Stones Merv Buchanan merv@uvs.com

ince Mick Jagger and his songwriting partner Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones hit the London music scene more than 5 decades ago, their place in music history has been assured. That unmistakable sound, stage swagger and anti-establishment image have become locked in the collective psyche of rock’n’roll fans throughout the world. They re-defined how a rock band could act, look and sound, on and off stage. And Richards’ unique 5-string guitar technique has set the pattern for legions of rhythm guitar players. Others have co-opted their style, but none have matched their staying power. Apparently, Paul McCartney’s “When I’m 64” has no meaning in the rock’n’roll business, especially for Mick & Keith. British stage manager Sam Cutler once described The Stones as “the greatest rock’n’roll band in the world”. Looking at the facts, it’s hard to disagree. So far, they have recorded 78 albums and 120 singles, selling some 250 million copies. Their Hot Rocks 1964-1971 compilation sold 12 million copies alone, remaining on the “Hot 100” for 264 weeks. Inducted into The Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, they have also been awarded a Lifetime Achie-

vement Grammy and are #10 on Billboard Magazine’s “top artists of all time” list. Their concerts draw huge audiences, including 490,000 to a Toronto concert to help fight a 2003 SARS epidemic. Their 2007 tour grossed a staggering $558 million. Paul Martin and Michael Danckert both have strong Rolling Stones tribute backgrounds, Paul, in the popular Blushing Brides and Michael in Hot Rocks, led by the late Robert Wotherspoon. So putting a “Mick & Keith” tribute together was a no-brainer for the duo. Paul, a well known guitarist, famous for forsaking effects pedals, has been involved in live and film music in Canada, the US, UK and India

for decades. Michael is a popular sideman and studio musician, well known for his highly successful Roy Orbison tribute. Among the 30 Stones songs in the Mick & Keith repertoire of hits are “Satisfaction”, “Honky Tonk Women”, “Miss You”, “It’s Only Rock’n’Roll” and “Time Is on My Side”. On December 30th and 31st, Mick & Keith perform at The Luna Lounge, in Bucerias. On January 1st, they are at La Pina Colada, in Guayabitos, followed by a show at Incanto, in Puerto Vallarta on January 2nd. More information is available on the venue web sites and elsewhere in this publication. *Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

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Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

JEFF BREWER’S Tribute to John Fogerty & CCR Merv Buchanan merv@uvs.com ot since Buddy Holly’s time has a rock’n’roll band been treated as shabbily as CCR was treated by Fantasy Records. In his 2015 book Fortunate Son, John Fogerty relates how they were trapped in a one-sided, 10 year contract more suitable for an unproven artist than a million selling band. And, not only were they tricked into to giving up their song

copyrights, they were also robbed of their life savings by the company’s scheme to put millions of dollars of their royalties in a shady offshore bank which later collapsed. The Blue Velvets was formed in the early sixties by John Fogerty, Stu Cook, Doug Clifford and Tom Fogerty. On the suggestion of Fantasy Records executives, the band’s name was changed to The Golliwogs when they signed with the label in 1964. But prior to the release of their first album in 1968, it was again changed to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Performing their own unique brand of California swamp rock, CCR became a worldwide phenomenon, headlining at Woodstock, drawing hundreds of thousands to their concerts and selling truckloads of albums. Their most popular song, “Proud Mary”, written by John Fogerty, has been covered by more than 100 artists. But problems with Fantasy Records, the strain of touring,

and discontent with John’s singleminded, highly successful leadership and domination of the band’s music, led to their break-up in 1972. Regardless, CCR’s recordings have remained a radio staple and have sold more than 26 million copies. They were inducted into The Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and are one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “top 100 bands of all time”. New Brunswick native Jeff Brewer is the ideal artist to perform a tribute to the music of John Fogerty and CCR. Adept at both piano and guitar, he knows CCR’s music inside out and has the voice and stage presence to meet the challenge. Equally popular are his “Pianoman” tribute to Billy Joel and his dueling pianos style “Face To Face” tribute to the hugely successful Elton John/Billy Joel world tour, in partnership with the brilliant Jeffrey Scott. Casinos, cruises, concerts and dinner shows are all part of Jeff’s life. He is an energetic, exciting crowd pleaser who loves to “get’em dancin’ in the aisles”. No stranger to Mexico, Jeff appears at The Luna Lounge, in Bucerias, on January 18th and at El Rio BBQ, in the Paso Ancho neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta, on January 6th. More information is available at www.lunaloungebucerias.com and here in The Tribune. *Copyright 2018.Allrights reserved.

Comings and Goings Marcia Blondin

marciavallarta@gmail.com

Long-time columnist Marcia blondin resurrects this preview/review column each season evoted to local entertainment that he has had the pleasure of seeing lately or in seasons past.

Dame Edna

he long-anticipated return of Michael Walters is now. Dame Edna takes center stage for her opening night Wednesday the 26th, at thePalm Cabaret on Olas Altas. I think Michael is here for two weeks only so run and get your tickets. I will have a full review next week. Over at Incanto, the Tribute artists start arriving in earnest next week. I am planning on a minimum of five shows in January. Before the close of 2018, Frank Sinatra and Elvis will have come and gone. The line-up for next year is so impressive and includes tributes to theRolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and OMG….Garth Brooks…, and Roy Orbison. The Blues Brothers in February, and Rod Stewart and Queen in March. I have seen perhaps half of these entertainers so be prepared for some true Comings before the Goings! At the Boutique Theatre, those Desperate Princesses aren’t finished

celebrating Christmas in Switzerland yet. Catch them – if you can still get tickets!!!! December 29th at 8:30 pm and 7 pm on the 30th. Had the great privilege to attend another of Paco Ojeda’s music appreciation lectures last week at the Boutique Theatre. TheIntroduction to Opera contained a full explanation of Turandot which, coincidentally, opened Opera Season this year in Guadalajara’sTeatro Degollado. We also got to hear one of my favorite arias from that Puccini opera “Nessum Dorma.” Beautiful. I will try and get a full schedule of Paco’s super-interesting lectures so that I can tell you about them beforehand. Until next week.

cans specifically for Doña Mari and for the gentle people who help her over a curb or up a hill. Love always multiplies, as her beautiful smile exudes love and appreciation for all of the above. Each time I speak with her she ends our conversation with “Que Dios la Bendiga” which translates to “May God Bless You”. This wells me up, whatever one might believe it’s a lovely sentiment. I’m filled with appreciation that indeed God has blessed me. Ending a year of challenges and many blessings I’m filled with gratitude for those who serve me so greatly in La Cruz. From the business people who help make it easier for me to serve my guests; specifically restaurants and

bars to the vendors of all kinds… and the musicians… wow! Daily my guests tell me how this enhances their vacation and is why they return. One guest recently reiterated a sentiment I hear often “I’m amazed by the variety of great music and restaurants in such a small town… we’re coming back!” Appreciating and giving thanks is appropriate and necessary for me at this time of year. To all who have made my life better, taught me a lesson, volunteered in our community, donated to causes, brought items for those less fortunate, called, emailed or otherwise reached out to me when they suspected I needed it… and for all those who give to Doña Mari. May 2019 bring you blessings beyond your wildest imagination. May the world experience true peace. May love be the energy we feel in all interactions. I have Faith of this. I Hope you achieve your goals and/or intentions. I LOVE you for reading my column. I appreciate Madeline for allowing me the opportunity and I shall continue to share about the wonderful people of La Cruz with you. Que Dios la Bendiga

Life in la Cruz Cindy Bouchard

cindy@VillaAmordelMar.com

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

Faith, Hope and Love in La Cruz

y the time you read this Christmas will be a memory, and celebrations for New Year’s Eve will be in full swing. This time of year has me reminiscing of all things beautiful and those not so. I don’t set goals anymore, more like intentions. Focusing on what I desire, how I’d like to BE in the world and what I’m willing to let go of, inspires me.

I’ve been eager to write about a lovely lady in our town but as I need someone to help translate it keeps getting put on the backburner. Doña Mari turns 99 soon - on July 22nd, 2019, as she told my hubby, so I better get to it. I don’t know her story and I hope to get more info later. What occurred to me in setting my intentions for 2019 is that so much of how Doña

Mari affects our world is who and what I want more of in my life. Faith… Doña Mari seems to have a certain faith, every day collecting tin cans, enough to feed her family, trusting there’s always enough. Hope… I’m surmising she must have hope that there will be enough each day as she returns to the marina property and the streets of La Cruz collecting more each day. AND the most important is LOVE… the love of our community for Doña Mari; from the guys who provided her with her cart, and Leon who customized it by painting her name on it, to all those who slip pesos to her, to the many folks around town who keep the

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Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Busing Banderas Bay Bruce Howells

busbanderasbay@gmail.com

Bruce is a retired Canadian, who along with his wife Velma, took a “mulligan” on life and escaped the cold of Canada and settled in the Vallarta area. Fulfilling a retirement dream of not driving anymore, Bruce will use public transportation to tour the bay and tell his tales here. Tips and itineraries welcome.

Gracias Rockscue Team

Life in the Slow Lane Kelly Wilson

mybucerias404@gmail.com

Upon retiring in Ontario, Kelly and her husband finally arrived in Puerto Vallarta. Via a one way ticket during the summer of 2017, they now call Bucerias home. As avid adventurers, they enjoy exploring the entire Banderas Bay area. Kelly owns an on-line career coaching business, and spends time volunteering for various local organizations.

Sandrina’s celebrates Mediterranean in Bucerias

ou can feel the pride. You can taste the passion. Since 2001, Sandrina and her husband Andrew have been serving sumptuous treats at Sandrina’s Restaurant & Boutique in Bucerias. Initially an internet cafe with eight computers and a cooler, offering such delights as homemade mac and cheese and shepherd’s pie, Sandrina’s has bloomed into a sophisticated yet casual eatery with a Mediterranean flair. Andrew’s Greek ancestors have been in the restaurant business since 1918, and the menu includes many authentic family recipes created and passed on by his grandmother, “yiayia”. From western Canada, Sandrina has mastered numerous roles in the restaurant industry since she was fifteen years old. To succeed with her business here in Bucerias she worked fourteen hour-plus days preparing, stocking, cooking, serving, and managing paperwork and banking. Along with her daughter Chelsea, and her sister Roberta, whom she says are “her right hand people, and she couldn’t do it without them”, she now relies on many employees but still marvels in the day to day operations. She says she, “finds it interesting, the least boring business in the entire

world, although it can be incredibly stressful.” But the rewards are reaped when she greets repeat customers who once brought their little children and now bring their grandchildren. The courtyard, or, “back garden” was eventually designed for outdoor dining after so many requests from customers to enjoy their meal outside. “It was not very pretty at the time.” After landscaping and finishing the space, including adding an elaborate water fountain that spans the back wall, the restaurant had changed. These days the courtyard, full of lush tropical plants and

twinkling lights, draws people to it’s romantic, cozy, musical and artsy ambience. You name the occasion, wedding rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, a quiet corner for two, and Sandrina’s back garden will shine. Aside from serving as a dining area, the back garden is also the location of the Arte y Vino sessions. Although not formally trained, Sandrina patiently walks her group of students through brushing paint on canvas as they each create their personalized art. This author can attest to the fact that everyone goes home with their own masterpiece. “It’s super rewarding and I love to encourage people to paint, to find their talent”, Sandrina says, “Enjoy a nice lunch and share time together.” On top of all this, the boutique in the front area of the restaurant displays stunning art pieces, paintings, statues, colourful glassware and entire sets of hand painted pottery dishes. When asked how the boutique sales started, Sandrina explains, “Customers kept wanting to buy their glass, or inquired if they could purchase the plates they used for lunch. I ended up ordering extra dishes and it grew from there.” One of the chefs has been with them since three weeks after opening, and several other employees have worked as team members for many years. “I’m very proud of our restaurant, and it is what it is because of our staff”. Sandrina shares, “We have many long term employees, really loyal and amazing staff members working here and I love them all. Muchas gracias to all of our staff” Sandrinas is located at Calle Lázaro Cárdenas 33 Bucerías, Nayarit 329 298 0273 www.sandrinas.com Open noon-10:00pm. Closed Tuesdays

eople are familiar with the story of the Grinch who stole Christmas, but only those who live or travel in the Vallarta area are privy to the goodwill and helping hands provided by Vallarta’s “Gecko Band”. The band has been in existence in one form or another for eighteen years, and Che Victor, the front-man, singer, and showman, reckons he has played with almost every musician in the bay at one time or another. The current members of the band have been together five years, but it was three years ago when a health emergency in the local music family prompted the Gecko Band to organize fundraisers at the Roxy House and Captain Don’s as well as in Bucerias at The Drunken Duck. Most of the musicians in the Bay participated and they raised 500,000 pesos. For the first time, the band realized what a powerful instrument their music and compassion could deliver. The Geckos are the official band of The John Ozzello Food Bank and Humanitarian Aid and have participated in Bucerias Children Christmas Programs and various performances for the Food Bank; Whale Watching, Woodstock Tribute, and Halloween tributes. The Geckos have performed at Los Arcos on the Malecon for a Red Cross fundraiser as well as for the 2017 Earthquake and 2018 Hurricane Willa victims. I was drawn to the band’s humanitarian effort after the Earthquake in November 2017, which affected

Mexico City and neighboring states when they were collecting supplies to deliver to the devastated areas; pitching in and doing what Mexicans do, helping each other directly. The group “Brigada de Mano en Mano (Hand to Hand Brigade)” was formed, but they prefer “The Rockscue Team” since all the help originates from playing Rock and Roll music. People from all Mexico, mostly well-known friends, have joined in helping. Their goal is bringing help “HAND TO HAND” to the people who require it. Some of the many amazing people and business that step up during a time of need: - PRIMERA Plus, a bus line who delivered medication, food, and clothes to the state of Morelos, no charge - Friends in Jeep and Motorcycle Clubs - Katie O’Grady who lined up Telemundo 20 and NBC for TV interviews - Volunteers everywhere in Mexico with availability and resources to travel anywhere - People offering homes and businesses as warehouses, collection centers, or their vehicles to transport people and supplies The Brigade assisted with the 2018 hurricane Wilma disaster, providing roughly fifty electric stoves, fifty mattresses, dozens of cases of water, fifty bags of clothes and shoes, hundreds of cans of tuna, sardine, and boxes of medicine, thousands of diapers and sanitary napkins, and dozens of sheets and blankets. All

riviera nayarit

31 items the Brigade delivered directly to the people. The Brigade does not have a web page but can be reached via their Facebook page at Brigada de Mano en Mano. When asked if the Geckos provided assistance all year Victor replied “Mainly after disasters, but, there is always someone in need. We carry clothes and shoes in our vehicles, and whenever we see someone who needs help, we just stop and help”! Victor and his wife Rosy coordinate all the activities, and if time allows, he, she, or both, travel to the Relief site and help. Without imitating an Academy Award presentation, I would like to honor and recognize the “Gecko Boys” and the volunteers who make it possible to provide relief to those in need. The Gecko Boys: Che Victor, Ricardo Mancha, Julio Ceasar Reyes, Alfredo Lopez Castenada Key Volunteers: - Keith Montgomery Ashwood; Victors “sensei on these matters”. - Rosy Vera; coordinates the field work and visits the sites. - Glen Eric and Tanya of the Drunken Duck; provide their facilities

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Vintage Spoon Jewelry & Boutique

and donate their profits. - The Ducks staff; most fundraisers occur on their days off, yet these guys serve on. - Bernice Martin Del Campo, who provides Captain Don’s for fundraisers and collection centers - Hugh Gaffney and Simon Lopez from Luna Lounge and Simon’s Bistro, who provides their businesses as Collection Centers and encourage people to make donations. Receiving their Just Rewards: The band made trips the last two summers to Western Canada, and were aided in their Mexican Music Invasion by their Vallarta area fans

providing accommodations, travel, and most importantly, venues to play at. While speaking with Victor about the Geckos Canadian escapades, he expressed gratitude for the assistance they received. The humility in Victor’s voice when he described how people “not only provided us places to sleep, but they even cooked for us and treated us like rock stars,” proved to me that good things happen to good people. One discerning note; since the Gecko Bands Canadian trips, they been indoctrinated with “Rider Green”. Go Stamps Go, 2018 Grey Cup Champs.

Handcrafted in Puerto Vallarta, México Basilio Badillo 325, Puerto Vallarta, México www.chantelvintagespoonjewelry.com Olas Altas Farmers Market Park Lázaro Cárdenas Saturdays 9-2

La Cruz Market La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Marina Sundays 9-2

charity

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8th Annual American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Raises Significant Funds For Local Charities

unta Mita, Mexico celebrated four days of golf and culinary experiences to raise funds for Lorena Ochoa Foundation and Punta Mita Hospital Foundation Golf legends Lorena Ochoa and Craig “The Walrus” Stadler faced off in Punta Mita Golf Challenge tradition Punta Mita, Mexico, December, 14, 2018 – Punta Mita Resort, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted the 8th annual American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf event from November 29 to December 2, 2018. As part of event tradition, an online auction raised $91,703.00 to benefit the Lorena Ochoa Foundation and the Punta Mita Hospital Foundation. The Lorena Ochoa Foundation “Ayudar Es Posible” raises funds for children and teenagers with social and economic disadvantages. In total, Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf has raised over USD $500,000 for a variety of charities in its eight impactful years. “This year’s event was the best yet with a record number of participants, special guest Top Model Alexandra Ambrosio, the first American Express Platinum House in Mexico and most important we raised over $80,000 for our 2 charities, the Lorena Ochoa Foundation and the Punta Mita Hospital Foundation”, says Carl Emberson, Marketing and Operatings Director of Punta Mita. Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf drew over 450 guests over four days of exceptional culinary experiences with more than 20 featured chefs, innovative mixology featuring tequila and mezcal, wine tasting programs, and epic golfing on two signature Jack Nicklaus golf courses. The event’s three main features – food, spirits and golf – were beautifully featured throughout the gated, iconic beach resort community just 40 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. The two-day Punta Mita Cup festivities kicked off on Thursday, November 29th with Mexico’s most famed golfer, Lorena Ochoa, considered the best Mexican golfer of all time, who faced off against Craig “The Walrus” Stadler, for the traditional Punta Mita Golf Challenge. Participants were then treated to an inaugural cocktail party at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort presented by Aeroméxico-Delta Airlines, the

official airline sponsor of the event. The resort’s talented culinary team, together with guest chefs John Signorelli from The St. Regis Houston, Erik Guerrero from DOS Restaurant in Veracruz and Alex Branch from Hakasana Group in Los Cabos, welcomed guests with an array of culinary delights, along with mixologists creating signature cocktails from Grey Goose and Tequila Patrón. On Friday the 30th, 200 golfers played Punta Mita’s two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, overlooking Banderas Bay, while non-golfers enjoyed culinary experiences from chefs Abraham Salum, Alfredo Villanueva, Leslie Durso in beautiful settings throughout Punta Mita. In addition, guests enjoyed the American Express Platinum House®, an exclusive space for wine tastings and cooking classes in American Express style. In the evening, guest chefs Antonio de Livier, Andrew Ormsby, Atzin Santos, Angel Vázquez, Betty Vázquez, Alexander Branch and Erik Guerrero delighted with exquisite menus in their own unique styles. “Day Two” of the tournament continued with more food, drink and play on the Pacifico and Bahia courses. The golf tournament concluded with the Tequila Patrón Cup Prizegiving Luncheon on Saturday, December 1. This year

winners included: Juan Rosales and David Rosales in the men’s division, Lisa Mahoney and Katie Hollern in the women’s category, and Ricardo Escamilla and Lucero Rosales in the mixed set. Each were awarded with exquisite pieces of art glass hand-made by Studio Orfeo Quagliata. This year’s 8th edition of the American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf featured the destination’s most celebrated resident chefs: Pato Pérsico, Executive Chef Punta Mita Beach Clubs; Jorge González, Executive Chef, Esther Sánchez, Chef Aramara Restaurant, Sandra Herrera, Chef Bahía Restaurant, from the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita culinary team. Participating chefs from The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort include Manuel Peruyero, Executive Chef, Sous-Executive Chef Angelina Ramos, Tamsy Guillen, Pastry Chef, Miguel Soltero, Sous-Chef Carolina Restaurant, Julio Curiel, Chef Sea Breeze and Mita Mary Boat Bistro. Punta Mita thanks the sponsors of the 8th edition of the American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf: American Express, Tequila Patrón, Chubb Insurance, Grey Goose, Aeroméxico-Delta Airlines, Las Marietas, Monte Xanic, Bocanegra Beer, Golf Digest, Golf Channel Latam, Adidas, TaylorMade, Ronda Pro and Bridgestone Golf.

The Punta Mita Golf Academy Tom Stickney

tom.stickney@puntamita.com

"Tom F. Stickney II is the Director of Instruction and Business Development at Punta Mita, (www.puntamita.com) He is a Golf Magazine “Top 100 Teacher,” and has been honored as a Golf Digest Best Teacher and a Golf Tips Top-25 Instructor. Tom is also a Trackman University Master/Partner, a distinction held by less than 15 people in the world. For more information please email: tom.stickney@puntamita.com"

Find Your Speed

ver heard of the term Tempo? What about Timing? Of course you have and if you don’t know how to master your swing’s tempo and timing you will never hit the ball consistently. Your overall speed is the key to making this happen more consistently. If you swing too hard or too slow and you have “lost” your timing and tempo. If you have desired to hit the ball with your practice range swing then this is the tip for you. Finding your speed is a very individual thing and can only be decided through practice and actual on the course acti-

vities. Do you know what your best speed is? Watch the video on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/QOZONCwfDbA

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Music Tributes, NYE Dinner and Show with Andrew Johns, Natalie Douglas and Spencer Day at Incanto I ncanto’s Season Tribute Series continues with a highly acclaimed tribute to Whitney Houston by Geri Dafoe on Dec. 26 at 7pm. On Friday, Dec. 28 and Saturday, Dec. 29 at 7pm, renowned tribute artist Matt Cage is Elvis Presley, ‘The Early Years’. On Jan. 2, at 7pm, it’s the music of The Rolling Stones starring Paul Martin and Michael Danckert. On Sat. Jan. 5 at 7pm, Jeff Brewer stars as piano man Billy Joel, followed by Cliff Stevens starring as Eric Clapton on Wed. Jan. 9 at 7pm. All shows feature spot-on impersonations and all-live vocals. Ring in the New Year with the hilarious antics, voices, and comedy of Andrew Johns at the piano playing Elton John, Queen, Adele and many more! A one-man show that will have everyone dancing in the aisles! The dinner and show package includes your choice of three premium entrees with sides and dessert and a champagne toast at midnight. Three dinner seatings at 7pm, 7:30pm, and 8pm. Showtime 9:30pm. There is also a show and midnight toast only option. Reservations required. Visit Incanto’s website for more details. Extended again by popular demand, Incanto’s clever and popular off-Broadway hit, Naked Boys Singing! has taken this fun, sassy, and witty musical comedy to new heights! Six young Latino actors sing and dance their way into your heart completely naked. Presented in English. Now playing through Jan. 30. Award-winning NYC cabaret singer, Natalie Douglas, the acclaimed vocalist hailed as “a true, true star” by BBC London Radio, will appear at Incanto again this season accompanied by pianist/ Music Director, Mark Hartman. She is an eight-time MAC Award-winner and has appeared at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center among many others. In her all-new show, ‘Scrapbook’, she sings the hits of the 70s and more with offerings from her musical influences including The Eagles, Judy Garland, Nina Simone, and many others. These are ticketed events in the piano bar. Jan. 4 - 17 at 7:30pm. Fresh off his sold-out run in NYC, singer-songwriter Spencer Day returns after a stellar year cele-

brating the worldwide release of his new Billboard chart-topping album ‘Angel City’. His heartfelt, clever lyrics, affable personality, and velvety smooth vocals have never been better! He will welcome some local musicians to join him. These are ticketed events in the piano bar. Jan. 10 - 24 at 7:30pm.

Miss Margarida’s Way, a stage play by Roberto Athayde, transports audiences back to eighth grade, where Miss Margarida teaches the real facts of life. This “tragicomic monologue for an impetuous woman” is an interactive, hilarious, and ultimately poignant dark comedy which

looks deeply into the heart of power and the futile attempt to create order out of chaos. Starring Celeste Innocenti and directed by Ramiro Daniel (Princesas Desesperadas), Visit Incanto’s website for tickets. Presented in English. Jan. 3 - Feb. 28. All shows at 3:30pm.

Voted “Best Live Music Venue” in Vallarta in 2018. Hours 4pm-11:30pm daily. Happy Hour 4-6pm. Casual dining 4-11pm. Visit Incanto’s all-new website www. IncantoVallarta.com for more information and online tickets. Located at Insurgentes 109 at the Rio Cuale. Phone: 322-223-9756.

BANDERAS BAY SHOPPING AND SERVICES LOCAL FOOD. LOCAL PLACES. LOCAL PEOPLE Enjoy a Culinary & Cultural Journey though Old Town, Pitillal & Downtown Neighborhoods of Puerto Vallarta!

rated on

MX: 322-222-6117 US: 1888-360-9847

NEX T TOU R DEPARTS SOO N!

vallartafoodtours.com

Sherry Vallarta HOME DE’COR

Personal Shopper

Buy & Sell ~ Anything & Everything

sherryvallarta@yahoo.com 044 322 137 7063 PUERTO VALLARTA’S FAVORITE

MARSOL FRIDAY MARKET BY THE PIER

FOR OVER 19 YEARS

CADA VIERNES 9:30 am - 1:30 pm ART ARTE JEWELRY JOYERÍA CRAFTS ARTESANÍA CLOTHING ROPA PASTRY PASTELES HOME DECOR MUEBLES HERBALIST HERBALISTA FOOD COMIDA MUSIC MÚSICA HOTEL MARSOL 103 FRANCISCA RODRIGUEZ OLAS ALTAS

Find me: Sucesos Boutique Hidalgo 113-b, Centro (322)2220868 La Cruz Market in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Sundays at 9am-2pm La Marina PV Boardwalk in La Marina Thursdays 5pm-9pm

www.gillianleone.com

NEW ACTS NEW UPDATED SPACE Olas Altas 508, Zona Romántica (Old Town) Puerto Vallarta, Jal. P. 322 222 0200

BELOVED RETURNING STARS FRIENDLY SERVICE Box Ofﬁce open 10AM Daily Buy Tickets online at: www.thepalmcabaret.com

www.vallartatribune.com

Marsol Friday Market by the Pier

MURPHY’S IRISH PUB Located on the Historic Malecon across from the lighthouse statue (El Faro) beautiful sunset views every night! Delicious traditional pub menu. Live Rock Music - Wed - Sat @10:30pm Watch all sports w 2 satellites. Pool Table.

by Marcia Blondin

Take Tequila!

ith “Christmas” parties behind us, there is still one more biggie to celebrate - New Year’s Eve. If you’ve been invited to a house party, nothing is more welcome than a bottle of spirits to lift up those in attendance! Don’t be satisfied with the ‘usual’! Take a sensational bottle of tequila. Remember, I said sensational. Step out of the box and talk to Freddy about his amazing, artesanal collection of tequilas. From tiny yet lovely bottles to an excellent añejo that will make the most ardent Scotch drinker smile. Wrap up your bottle in gaily printed cotton wine/gift bags available at Marcia’s table and you’re good to go. This coming year, indulge yourself in essential oils. Meet Carmen - this lovely young woman can guide you on which ones to choose and how to combine the oils to fix whatever ails you and make you smell glorious at the same time. The Marsol Friday Market by the Pier presents, accompanied by live music: city and country walking tours; durable cotton wine/gift

484 Morelos - 2nd floor - Centro Vallarta Open daily 11 am

Murphys Puerto Vallarta

VOLUNTARIO / VOLUNTEERING VALLARTA THE JAY SADLER PROJECT MAKING A DIFFERENCE

www.jaysadlerproject.com

bags; natural herbal extracts and creams, and Louisiana peanut brittle. Organic coffee from Chiapas, ground or whole bean. Home Décor advice; !00% cotton clothing; fine baked goods and pickled beets. Fresh-baked bread, Talavera pottery, and Huichol crafts; fabric and leather purses; Bark art, cornhusk flowers, and animalrescue info. Mexican nuts, candies, and fine-art paintings. Jewelry made with: sterling silver; faceted glass and semi-precious stones; repurposed fabrics; leather for men and women; sea glass and beach tile, estate jewelry, and more. Join us year-round at the Marsol Friday Market by the Pier. Open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

EL PROYECTO JAY SADLER HACIENDO LA DIFERENCIA

COMMUNITY SERVICE / SERVICIO A LA COMUNIDAD

Tel. (322) 222 2675, (322) 222 5402, w Celular: 322 175 0412 mundodeazulejos@hotmail.com www.talavera-tile.com

Eat Guilt-Free this Holiday Season learn how! 10:30 am to noon - Wednesday, Dec 19, Babelbar on Isla Cuale 10:30 am to noon - Thursday, Dec. 20, Medica Vallarta, Avenida Los Tules 116, #8 RSVP REQUIRED Call for information and cost 322 225 3440/3445

DECEMBER 10-17-2019 Merida/Uxmal/Chichen Itza/Becal “Experience the Archaeological Wonders of the Yucatan” DECEMBER 20-2018 Mascota/Talpa 1 Day Tour 7:am-7:00pm To benefit “Purr Project” A touching spiritual encounter JANUARY 09-11-2019 Tonala Original Special “Shop Till You Drop” Tour www.thewitcherysalon.com

FEBRUARY 02-07-2019 Valle de Bravo/Mexico City Butterfly tour of magical wonder An utterly breathtaking natural spectacle APRIL 06-13-2019 Cuba/Havana/Varadero Beach A nostalgic journey into the past APRIL 16-19-2019 Wine and Food Adventure Explore the best wineries Mexico has to offer MAY 12-17-2019 Mexico City Spa Getaway Retreat Rejuvenate & Revitalize your Body & Soul

Reservations & Information: Roberta Valdez 951.760.1068 rvaldez714@hotmail.com

events

36 Are you hosting an upcoming or ongoing event? To be included please add your listing at www.vallartatribune.com/list-eventfree/. Deadline for print publication is Friday before the Thursday publication date, but events appear online instantly and may still be included in our email newsletters.

NEW THIS WEEK Friday, December 28 SOUTH SIDE SHUFFLE - Come on down to the liveliest street in town (Basilio Badillo) and enjoy a festive evening of entertainment, dining, drinks, and the BEST shopping around. From 6-10pm ABELARDO FAVELA OPENING – At Galeria Contempo (Basilio Badillo 252) from 6-10pm Saturday, December 29 WIXARICA CEREMONY – Held at Rancho Madre Tierra, (Calle Golondrina 60 Campo Verde) from 9pm to 9am Sunday morning. All are invited to this Circle of Medicine of the Wirrrika tradition. The ceremony consists in spending the night around Tatewari, the Fire Grandfa-

Artisan and Farmer’s Markets in Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

very year at the end of October through the first week of November we welcome back the many artisan and farmer’s markets that pop-up around the bay and north through the towns of Riviera Nayarit. These markets represent local producers, artisans and entrepreneurs selling homemade food, organic products, arts and crafts, jewelry and more. They are an excellent resource for fresh baked treats, hard to find items and unique souvenirs. Here is an up to date list for most markets, if you know of another please email and we’ll add it to the list. Editor@vallartatribune.com

Friday

Marsol Friday Market by the Pier - 9:30 am -1:30 pm Open every Friday all year located on Francisca Rodriguez Sayulita Mercado del Pueblo - 10 am -2 pm – On Calle Revolucion before the bridge Southside Shuffle every second week from 6 pm - 10 pm On Basilio Badillo, Old Town

Saturday

Olas Altas Farmer’s Market - 9:30 am - 2 pm at Lazaro Cardenas Parks, Old Town Three Hens & a Rooster Market 9 am - 1:00 pm at the Lions Club, Madero # 280 Old Town Tianguis Lo de Marcos – Located at Main plaza

Sunday

Huanacaxtle Farmer’s Market - 9 am -3pm Located at La Cruz Marina

Tuesday

Riviera Market 9am - 2 pm In Nuevo Vallarta in the parking lot behind the Casino.

Wednesday

Bucerias Forever Spring Market - 9 am - 1pm In the parking lot of Chedraui Bucerias Vallarta ArtWalk - 6 pm - 10 pm Various locations in downtown vallartaartwalk.com

Thursday

Bucerias ArtWalk - 7-9pm - along Lazaro Cardenas Marina Vallarta Night Market- 6 pm -10 pm along the marina boardwalk

ther, and connecting through it, giving us a space for our own personal development directed with the songs of the Marakame and its violin. Eating the medicine of the Hikuri cactus that since ancient times is used by the Wixaritari to awaken self-knowledge and used as medicine to heal and obtain from it CLEAR ANSWERS TO FACE OUR PRESENT. 800 pesos – contact: Mayte Kuauhtli at 322 274 23 25 and Ocelotzin Mexika at 322 274 23 25. Sunday, December 30 BEERS, BOYS AND BURGERS – Join us every Sunday for Hotel Mercurio’s signature party, where you’ll meet hotel guests and many locals who join us week after week. Unlimited beer and hamburgers for $200 pesos! Monday December 31 Rammstein – Flamingos Beach, behind Mega The best German band of all time returns after two years to Mexico and chooses paradisiacal Mexican beach to close 2018, offering two incredible nights with an exclusive show on December 31 and January 2. Tickets on stubhub.com Tuesday, January 1 Music Trivia – From 6-9pm at Café Roma (Encino 287, Centro) Every Tuesday Night for Music Trivia, Cafe Roma style! Bring your team or be your own team. Challenge yourself to trivia questions, guess that song, artist or year the song was released. Happy Hour specials extended to ALL Participants. Wednesday, January 2 Rammstein – Flamingos Beach, behind Mega The best German band of all time returns after two years to Mexico and chooses paradisiacal Mexican beach to close 2018, offering two incredible nights with an exclusive show on December 31 and January 2. Tickets on stubhub.com

ONGOING EVENTS ART

MALECON SCULPTURES 101— Enjoy a relaxed walk by the ocean while chatting about the sculptures on the Malecon and the local art scene, plus a delicious Mexican brunch or snack at a charming and very unique spot. A fantastic cultural experience with a local friend. Wed, Thu and Fri at 9:00am. Make reservations through Vallarta101 (facebook.com/welovevallarta | 01 322 100 2253)

HEALTH & WELLNESS BEACH YOGA— Bring your mat down to the beach for a gentle morning flow, every Wednesday at 9am at playa los camarones, in front of Barracuda restaurant. 70 pesos per person and children under 12 are free when accompanying an adult. Barracuda (Calle Paraguay 1290) DANCING BODIES— Dancing bodies is a dance workshop focused on movement and body awareness aiming to improve physical mobility, creativity, body strength, balance and flexibility and overall feelings of well-being. Directed to adults with an interest in working with sensory stimulation, the creation of your own dance, creative movement, and body consciousness. Tuesdays from 10 to 10:45 at ART VallARTa (213 Calle Pilitas | artvallarta.com) VINYASA YOGA— Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a dynamic and vigorous practice in which breathing and progressive movement lead to a meditative state. This style is focused on developing consciousness and awareness of the proper alignment for each body as we go through the different postures (asanas). Directed to people of all ages and levels. Thursdays from 9 to 9:45 am at ART VallARTa (213 Calle Pilitas | artvallarta.com)

Dec. 20 - 19, 2018 www.vallartatribune.com

PILATES CLASS— The Pilates Method is a physical workout method that builds strength, flexibility and lean muscle tone. It focuses on lengthening and alignment of the spine with proper engagement of core muscles. For people of all ages and levels of training, immediate benefits of the method include improvement of posture, balance and overall wellness. Tuesdays from 9 to 9:45 am at ART VallARTa (213 Calle Pilitas | artvallarta.com) SPIRITUAL & METAPHYSICAL LECTURE— Journey of self-discovery at the Center For Spiritual Living Puerto Vallarta. Each week offers inspirational talk using spiritual tools for personal growth, along with discussion and fellowship afterward. An open and inclusive spiritual community, all are welcome. Saturdays from 12:00 - 1:00 pm at Centro Cultural Cuale (Aquiles Serdan #437) SPIRITUAL LIVING CIRCLE— Join the Center For Spiritual Living Puerto Vallarta (www.cslpv.org) for weekly discussions based on articles in the Science of Mind magazine. It’s a new discussion each week. Enjoy a great cup of coffee, great discussions in the comfort of air conditioning and stay for the sunset on the beach afterwards. Love offerings welcomed and appreciated. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 pm.

OTHER BINGO WITH PEARL— Saturdays at 4pm. Drink specials, gift certificates, and cash prizes. Special guests Ballet Folklorico Tradiciones will perform. Incanto Vallarta (Insurgentes 109, Old Town Puerto Vallarta | 322.223.9756 | www.incantovallarta.com) CHARITY BINGO AT NACHO DADDY— Win big and support local causes. A new season of Nacho Daddy Charity Bingo will be played every other Wednesday at 4:00 pm throughout the Winter/Spring to raise money for two fantastic local charities: Pasitos de Luz and the Colina Spay & Neuter Clinic. More info at nachodaddypv.com CORAZON DE NINA HUMANITARIAN TOUR AND BRUNCH— Corazon de Nina is a non-profit, registered charity in Mexico and the U.S. Our mission is to provide a nurturing family environment for at-risk girls and boys of all ages. For a donation of $250 pesos, you will receive a nice brunch, a tour of the home and interaction with the children. More info through facebook.com/CorazonDeNinaPv. Tuesdays through April from 9:30 to 11:30 am in Colonial Primera de Mayo, Calle San Luis Potosi #355, Puerto Vallarta.

NEW YEARS EVE DINNER AND EVENTS A selection of New Year’s Eve events and dinners around the bay. Check with individual restaurants for reservation information and availability. Warique - 6-10:30pm, Aquiles Serdan, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta Seating will be available between the hours of 6PM and 10:30PM. Your meal will feature three delicious Latin courses with a glass of a white sparkling wine, all for only $435MXN per person. Almar Resort – Beachfront Party, The Top Sky Bar, Santa Barbara 380, Old town, Puerto Vallarta The best spot to see New Years fireworks! Sassy Girls Drag Show DJ all night $1,950 Dinner, 1 glass of Champagne, grapes and party kit! Casa Cupola Fireworks Party, Callejon de la Igualdad

37 129, Col Amapas, Puerto Vallarta Enjoy poolside drinks, live DJ music and a beautiful view of the fireworks from all over the bay at midnight. Only $500 pesos includes a champagne toast. Casa Cupola New Year’s Eve Feast, Callejon de la Igualdad 129, Col Amapas, Puerto Vallarta Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style at Casa Cupula; great food, live music, and fireworks! Only $1999 pesos per person includes a welcome drink, all you can eat buffet, live musical entertainment and free entrance to our Fireworks viewing party at 11pm next door. River Café - New Years Dinner, Isla Río Cuale 4, Puerto Vallarta Stunning 4 course menu, live music & Champagne toast in your favorite riverside restaurant The Gardens of Babylon NYE Secret Getaway at Maraika - Casitas Maraika Beach Club, Playa Cabello The Gardens of Babylon is a global family that creates mythical nights around the world. Sound healing and meditation, welcome cocktail and bonfire, live music, Midnight celebration with bubbles and fireworks. Includes dinner Café des Artistes – New Year’s Eve dinner – Five course dinner for 2495 mxn from 7pm to midnight. Guadalupe Sanchez 740, Centro Puerto Vallarta Blakes Restaurant - Villa Vallarta 16G, Hotel Zone, Puerto Vallarta Come to our New Year Eve party presenting Soul Trip live! and a four course dinner. Includes one glass of Champagne $625.00 pesos Azafran –New Year’s Dinner – Olas Altas 507 We have a fantastic menu created for the occassion by Chef Andreas. Have dinner at Azafran before heading to the beach to see the fireworks. 2 seatings – 6pm and 9pm 4-course – 1,100mxn 5-course 1,400mxn La Negra - Dinner & Dancing NYE 2019, Abosolo 11, Bucerias Dinner & Dancing: MX$1,000 Includes dinner and Fiesta and new years toast La Postal - Cena de año Nuevo, Morelos 11, Bucerias New Year’s Eve dinner from 8pm. 600-900 pesos

events

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com

Live Music Calendar This listing features ongoing acts and events at bars, restaurants and venues. We do not take responsibity for misinformation. contact the venue if you have questions.

VALLARTA NEW YEARS EVE

Blakes Restaurant and Bar (Plaza Los Glorias #16) 4 course Dinner 6 pm, Soul Trip 8 pm $625 pesos per person Kelly’s Pour Favor Saloon and Cookhouse(Lazaro Cardenas 245) 4 course Dinner 6 pm, 2 bands (Tres Cuartos, The Others) $850 pesos per person Bambinos Trattoria (Aguacate #314) The Beatles Tribute on Mon at 8 pm ELV1S on Wed at 8 pm Fiesta Latina! On Fri and Sat. at 8 pm Babel Bar (Aquiles Serdán 437, Isla del Cuale) Esaú Galván on Wed and Sun from 1 to 3 pm Moruno on Thu from 1 to 3 pm Ruiz and Rentería on Fri from 1 to 3 pm Zoe & León on Sat from 1 to 3 pm Bistro Teresa (Zaragoza 160 4th floor) Guitar Duet Zoe & Leon every Wed from 6-8pm Blakes Restaurant and Bar (Plaza Los Glorias #16) Tres Cuarto on Tue from 3 - 6pm Soul Trip on Fri from 2:30 – 5:30pm Hugh and the Mexpats on Sat from 2:30 – 5:30pm Café Roma (Encino 287 near flea market) Tequila Rush on Sat from 6 – 9pm Captain Don’s (Honduras 126) Gecko Band on Tue from 3 – 6pm Calvera Beach on Wed from 3 – 6 pm Tequila Rush on Fri from 8pm to 11 am Da Crew on Sat from 8 pm to 11 am Cuates y Cuetes (Francisca Rodriquez 101) Tatewari on Wed from 8 to 10 pm Daquiri Dick’s Flamenco Guitar by Esaú Galván on Tue from 7 to 9:30 pm El Bar at Food Park PV The Black Tequila on Sat at 9:00 pm El Rio, (Paso Ancho) The Jokers on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. The Zippers on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. La Trez Cuartoz on Thursdays at 4 p.m. Bob & Gilberto on Fridays at 4 p.m. Da Crew on Saturdays at 4 p.m. Gringo Loco Cantina (Francisco I Madero 403) The Band Paranoia on Wed from 7 to 10 pm Martin (solo) on Thu from 7 to 10 pm The Change Band on Sat from 7 to 10 pm

13th Sinergiarte Festival in San Pancho The 13th incarnation of this San Pancho, Nayarit festival will take place from December 26-30. The San Pancho Sinergiarte Collective Cultural Festival 2018 offers exhibitions and workshops for dance, theater, music, literature, performance art, photography, video, multimedia, painting, sculpture, martial arts, sports, and other disciplines. The Sinergiarte Festival was created 13 years ago as a way to showcase and share the different manifestations of art and culture created in San Pancho, hailed for its united, participatory, and responsible community. For more details: facebook.com/colectivosanpancho

Incanto (Insurgentes 109) Red Suitcase Band on Sun and Wed at 7:30 pm Zoe Wood & Eduardo Leon on Mon at 7:30 pm Open Mic on Thu at 7:30 pm Joan Houston on Fri at 5:00 pm Luis & Fernando on Fri at 7:30 pm Dennis Crow on Fri-Wed at 9:30 pm Cheko Ruiz Gypsy Kings on Sun at 9:30 pm Joby & Tongo on Mon at 5:00 pm Edgar Roxha on Tue at 5:00 pm The Blue Knotes Duet on Tue at 7:00 pm Jay-Gee, Romantic Piano on Wed at 5:00 pm Salsa dancing lessons on Sun & Wed at 8pm Lady Zen Fridays at 9:30pm More @ incantovallarta.com Kelekai’s (Liberdad 516, Col. Playa Grande ) The Bay Roots on Sun from 2 to 5 pm

Kelly’s Pour Favor Saloon and Cookhouse (Lazaro Cardenas 245) Hoochie Coochie Men on Mon 8 - 11 pm Trez Cuartez on Tue from 8:30 – 11:30 pm Tequila Rush on Wed from 8 – 11 pm 3Tones on Thurs from 8 – 11 pm The Others on Fri from 8:30 – 11:30 pm Soul Trip on Sat from 8 – 11 pm Dr Groove on Sun from 9 pm to 12 am La Ingrata (Abasolo 169) Soul Trip on Sun morning 1 am – 3pm Murphy’s Irish Pub (484 Morelos, Malecon) Anna and the Others - Thurs and Sat at 10:30pm Tres Cuartos on Fri at 10:30pm Nacho Daddy (287 Basilio Badillo) Cat Daddy’s on Tue at 8:30 pm Joker Band on Wed at 8:30 pm Texas Embassy Blues Band on Fri at 8:30 pm Warique (Aquiles Serdan 280) Live Music on Fri and Sun from 7 to 10 pm Que/Pasa (625 Aquiles Serdan) Bob Tansen & Son every Mon from 7 to 9 pm Dennis Decrenet every Tue from 7 to 9 pm Da Crew every Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 pm Revolution Restaurant & Bar (Matamoros #235 Col. Centro) The Sunset Raiders on Sat at 8 pm Roxy Rockhouse (Ignacio L Vallarta 275 Gecko Band on Thurs from 8 – 11 pm

RIVIERA NAYARIT Chasers Sports Bar (Avenida Mexico 570A | Nuevo Vallarta) Tequila Rush Tuesday at 8pm Gecko Band on Fri from 8 – 11 pm Cesar Medina Saturdays at 8pm Encore Restaurant & Lounge (51 Lazaro Cardenas | Bucerias) Live Jazz Thu and Fri from 7 to 10 pm Buzzos (In front of Bungalows Princess | Bucerias) Hugh and the MexPats Fridays at 6 - 8pm Sweet and Sour on Sat from 6 – 9pm El Chivero (Avenida Pacifico 9, Centro | Bucerias) The Gecko Band Saturday at 3pm Drunken Duck (Avenida Mexico, Centro | Bucerias) LaBandra Tuesday at 9pm The Gecko Band Wed at 9pm, Sun at 5pm Soul Trip Thurs at 9pm Da Crew Sunday at 9pm Punta Esmeralda Beach Club (Highway from Bucerias to La Cruz) Damaged Goods on Wed and Sun from 7:30 – 9:30pm Ana Bananas (Tiburón #42 | La Cruz) Soul Trip on Mondays at 7pm JAM on Fri at 7 pm Rhythm Roosters Sun at 7 pm Greene Tomatoe (Town Square La Cruz) The Traveling Band Wed around 8pm The Remedy Thur around 7pm Rock in Trio Fri around 8pm Crazy Boys Sat around 8 OSO’s Oyster Bar ( La Cruz Marina) The Remedy on Sat at 7 pm Masala (La Cruz) Blue Knote on Thurs from 7 – 9pm Las Palapas Beach Bar (Arroyo Seco. Playa La Manzanilla, La Cruz) The Remedy on Sat at 7 pm

To be included in this directory: Add your listing at www.vallartatribune.com/list-event-free/ Deadline for Publication: Friday before Thursday publication date.

Sunday Crossword by Evan Birnholz, Washington Post

crossword

Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan 2, 2019 www.vallartatribune.com