Vallarta Tribune Digital 001 by Vallarta Tribune

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020 Year 01 Online Issue 001

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

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Welcome

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

t the Vallarta 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 and the southern part Nayarit are on Central time – if you’re heading further north than Lo de Marcos, Nayarit, remember the time change so you don’t miss your flight. BUSES: A system of urban buses can bring you from El Tuito in the south to San Pancho in the north and all the spots in between. Fares vary according to distances travelled, but the base fare is 10 pesos. If you’re going further than San Pancho, head to the main bus terminal to catch a ‘Pacifico’ bus. TAXIS: There are set fares within defined zones of town. Do not enter a taxi without agreeing on the price with the driver. 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 cheaper than a taxi usually. GETTING AROUND: In many places such as Centro Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta there are paths for bikes and pedestrians. Please be respectful of these designations. MONEY EXCHANGE: The most hassle-free way to exchange money is to use your debit card in the ATM to withdraw pesos. Exchange houses offer higher rates and banks are remiss to change dollars to pesos if you don’t hold an account with them. Best to use ATM’s that are affiliated with a reputable bank located in well lit secure areas. TIPPING: In general you should tip 10-20% in restaurants and bars. Taxi or Uber drivers – 10-20 pesos. The person who bags your groceries or helps load your car – 10-20 pesos. Don’t forget to tip

CALLING IN MEXICO

your maid, bell boy, masseuse, the band, the entertainment on your tour. And by all means, tip more if you want, wages are extremely low in Mexico. 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. Don’t wreck your holiday – buy bottle water. 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. The process is inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You only need a certificate of health from a local vet and check with your airline for additional requirements. 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, politeness is paramount. 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 very expensive. You can go to jail and your vehicle impounded. There are many checkstops on the weekends, and you will be asked to take a breathalizer test 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 often 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.

Teléfono: (322) 226 3870 Proa #111, Marina Vallarta, C.P. 48335. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México.

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

LOCAL CALLS WITHIN MEXICO All calls within Mexico can now be dialed using the 10-digit telephone number (usually a two- or three-digit area code plus an eight- or seven-digit number) from a landline or cell phone, eliminating the need for prefixes, such as 01, 044 or 045. In Mexico, most cities use a three-digit area code, notable exceptions being CDMX, Guadalajara and Monterrey. LONG DISTANCE CALLS WITHIN MEXICO Same procedure as above applies. LONG DISTANCE CALLS TO MEXICO FROM ABROAD If you are making a long-distance call to Mexico from abroad, simply add the country code (52) to the 10-digit number as described above.

CALLING TOLL-FREE NUMBERS (The following procedure predates the August 2019 update. We are waiting for specific information regarding toll-free calls within Mexico and to numbers elsewhere.) 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

INTERNATIONAL LONG-DISTANCE CALLS FROM MEXICO US & Canada: Dial 001 + Area Code + Number Elsewhere: Dial 00 + Country Code + Area Code + Number

FIRE DEPARTMENT: 322.223.9476 AMBULANCE: 322.222.1533 IMMIGRATION: 322.224.7719 CONSUMER PROTECTION: 01.800.468.8722

Emergencies: 911 Red Cross: 065

The 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

TOURISM OFFICES Jalisco: 322.221.2676 Nayarit: 322.297.1006 CONSULATES American Consulate 24 hrs 01-332-268-2100 Canadian Consulate 322.293.0098 322.293.0099 24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900

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. * www.vallartatribune.com * www.facebook.com/VtaTribune/

03 Puerto Vallarta Q&A: Resort occupancy rates, visitor stats and more amid the pandemic Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

News

he dismantling of its national tourism board and closure of its worldwide Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) offices in 2019 have made it a challenge for Mexico to get messaging out about travel and tourism amid the pandemic in 2020. To fill the gap many regional tourism boards have stepped up to keep the travel trade in the loop as tourism gradually reopens. A top destination for Canadians and Americans, Puerto Vallarta, is working hard to get the word out that it’s open for business with health and safety protocols in place. Here’s a Q&A put out by the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, with Luis Villasenor, interim general director. Q: What is the occupancy at Puerto Vallarta’s hotels and resorts these days? “Puerto Vallarta has had an orderly and careful reopening since June 15 when the Government of Jalisco announced the gradual reactivation of activities in the destination. “The hotel industry can operate at 25% of its capacity, restaurants and tours at 50%, and bars and discos can operate with reduced capacity until 2 a.m. “Hotel occupancy in June was 12.5% (i.e. 50% of the 25% capacity cap) and July was 14.4% (i.e. 56% of the 25% capacity cap), with peaks up to 24% (i.e. 90% of the 25% capacity cap) on the weekends. “Mostly of our visitors are coming from regional markets by land but also thanks to the current connectivity to major cities in México and some hubs in the USA, and Canada numbers are being positive for airlines. “The state of Jalisco, and Puerto Vallarta along with it, was recently recognized with the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp from the WTTC. “As of June 15, beaches located in front of Puerto Vallarta’s hotels have opened to visitors, and hotels are now authorized to operate with controlled capacity. Hotel swimming pools, beach clubs and restaurants are permitted to open, but hotel gyms and spas will remain closed.” Q: What about flights and inbound visitor stats? “Puerto Vallarta International airport kept reduced connectivity from the U.S. from the beginning of the pandemic. Since the reopening on June 15 there has been an increase of 46% in operations from June to July, which represented 600 flights coming in and out to Puerto Vallarta in the last month. “International flights come from key sources of tourism arrivals, such as: San Diego, Los Ángeles, San José, San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas and Houston. Domestic are coming from Ciudad de México, Monterrey, Guadalajara, León, Aguascalientes and

Tijuana. “In terms of passengers, in June Puerto Vallarta received 15,000 visitors from the U.S. and in July [there was] an increase of 136%, to reach 35,400 people. National arrivals represented in June 20,900 people, and in July up to 63,700 passengers, an increase of 205%. “In total in June represented 35,800 passengers and in July 99,300 visitors. This is a 177 % increase month over month. “From January to July 2020, there has been a 49.6% decrease in terms of passengers compared to the same period in 2019 (1,612,300 visitors vs 3,201,400 people respectively).” Q: What’s open in terms of resorts, beaches and attractions? “Currently we have 62 hotels operating in their 25% of room capacity. “Tourists are enjoying the wide range of services under the new strict protocols; the nature or outdoors options are taking a lot of force as well as the unique experiences that add value to their trip after so many days of being at home. “The smallest beach in Mexico, Colomitos, the longest suspension bridge in the world for RZRs and the hidden beach in Marietas Islands, are attractions with high visitor interest. Our gastronomic offer is another attraction with high demand.” “We are also seeing a lot of interest in private tours like Viva Tequila Festival’s Mexico Experience which provides VIP tours of the Tequila area in the state of Jalisco.”

Q: Where can travel agents and their clients get the latest practical information about Mexico and COVID-19? “Covid infection rates in Puerto Vallarta are low, thanks to the measures implemented by the Government of Jalisco who monitor the situation of the pandemic every Sunday to take specific measures that allow managing the current control that has meant being leaders at the national level in the management of the pandemic. On our site you can find the most up-to-date information https://visitpuertovallarta.com/ covid19.” Q: Is there reason for optimism? “Obviously the numbers are not as desired if we think about the past, but seeing the present and the situation in other destinations in the world, the fact that Puerto Vallarta, one of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico and in the world, is open and operating for more than two and a half months, in addition to taking firm steps in the opening of other activities related to tourism in our city is a message of optimism, especially in a place where the population depends directly or indirectly on the sources of income of the tourism.” Q: What is the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board doing to drive tourism right now, while keeping safety top of mind? “We are working under two channels, one local with an awareness campaign to reinforce the use of biosafety measures with the population and visitors, the other a digital

promotion campaign to reach the consumer and awaken their desire to travel. Additionally, we are working very closely with national and international wholesalers with whom the destination has advertising campaigns. Other actions include virtual training for our partners and public relations activities.” Q: Are most of the current visitors American? “The majority of international visitors come from the U.S. because it is the main international market of the destination and with which we currently have direct flights. “Canada and the United Kingdom which are the next [largest] international markets still have travel restrictions on their citizens. “In general terms and for the season, the national market is the one that currently contributes the most visitors, mainly from regional markets such as Guadalajara, Aguascalientes, León, San Luis Potosí and Querétaro, cities that have a significant propensity to travel to the destination due to proximity in addition to the fact that they are important industrial cities. “Puerto Vallarta has an important competitive advantage in relation to other destinations such as Cancun or Los Cabos, it is not necessary to fly to get here [from major centres like Mexico City], our geographical position is strategic with a market reach of up to 8 hours by road to an audience of almost 20 million population.” Source link: www.travelweek.ca/news/puertovallarta-qa-resort-occupancy-rates-visitor-statsand-more-amid-the-pandemic/

News

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

New artisan market in Puerto Vallarta Over 100 vendors at Magic Market and Festival every Friday evening

uerto Vallarta, Jalisco - Launching last week, the new Magic Market and Festival by Puerto Magico offers guests a bright clean covered space to browse the over 100 local producers including clothing, art, jewellery, fresh produce, prepared foods, drink and desserts!

From 5pm – 10pm every Friday evening, the newest market in Vallarta gives visitors the opportunity to shop from local makers and creators while enjoying family-friendly entertainment including traditional dancers, musicians and even a mime!

Located in the new Puerto Magico cruiseship terminal, just kitty-corner from Galerias Vallarta on Blvrd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, the large open space gives plenty of fresh air and room to move freely amongst the vendors and the performers while economically benefiting an intrinsic and hard-hit community within the Bay of Banderas. Visit the facebook page of Magic Market and Festival to learn more about the individual artists and vendors as well as the programming for each evening. www. facebook.com/magicmarketandfestival

PV malecons to get one kilometre extension Boca and Mismaloya to also get new malecons

n a recent address, the mayor of Puerto Vallarta, Arturo Dávalos Peña, announced the intention to expand the Malecón in Puerto Vallarta’s Centro neighbourhood, to the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort in the 5 de Diciembre and the Hotel Zone, adding an approximate one kilometre to the north end of the existing malecon. The intention is to help increase tourism in along this part of the city. “The continuation of the Puerto Vallarta Malecón from Hotel Rosita to the Sheraton Hotel, where we are going to reactivate the entire 5 de Diciembre

neighborhood and Paraguay Street, which will become a very important economic area,” the mayor said. The mayor also announced that the municipality indends to add hydraulic concrete along the Highway 200 from Palmares to Boca de Tomatlán, because “it

costs us a lot to maintain that section,” which is currently made of asphalt. In the same report, Arturo Dávalos Peña proposed to build a new section for the Boca de Tomatlán malecon, and a new malecon in Mismaloya, where the movie “La Noche de la Iguana” was filmed in 1964.

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

News

Mexico attracts people not only of this world, but from outer space too The country ranks seventh in the world for UFO sightings By Leigh Thelmadatter

o the Pentagon has admitted studying UFOs, and not a single person is shocked. I thought it would be fun to find out if our alien friends visit Mexico as well. Looks like they do! In fact, Mexico ranks seventh in the world for the number of UFO sightings. One of Mexico’s ufologist pioneers was Pedro Ferriz, who even advised former president Gustavo Díaz Ordaz on the matter in the 1960s. He has since been followed by others including UFO hunter Salvador Guerrero and journalist Laura Castellanos. By far, the best-known is Jaime Maussan, who has hosted a show on UFOs and the paranormal called Tercer Milenio (Third Millennium) since 2005. There are reports of UFO sightings from all over Mexico, but some places seem to be more popular with aliens. One early incident is something that appears on a home video taken at Mexico City’s 1968 Olympic Games during the opening ceremony. Perhaps the best known are the sightings that occurred on July 11, 1991 during a total eclipse. In both Mexico City and Puebla, one or more gray disk-shape objects were reported in the skies and were even filmed in both places. The event remains unexplained and launched a new generation of UFO enthusiasts.

In 2017, the X Files filmed an episode in Mexico City, even bringing a “damaged gray flying saucer” into the main square of the capital. The capital has, by far, the most reports of UFOs. One area with many sightings is the San Mateo corridor, where planes coming in from the north approach the international airport.

Sightings here usually describe a light or spherical object that moves off to the side as a plane approaches and returns after it has passed. Even more reports come out of an area called the “Ruta OVNI” (UFO Route) that extends around the southern perimeter of the megalopolis. The big magnet for the aliens seems to be the Popocatépetl volcano. Because of its

height and location, sightings related to it have been reported from Puebla, Morelos, the state of México and Mexico City. The installation of 24/7 webcams to monitor the volcano’s activity has only served to heighten interest in strange lights, and movements are regularly seen around the crater, especially during eruptions. Such images have made the news at various times, including those in which an object appears to pass through the eruption, come out from the crater, or dive into it. Even lenticular cloud formations around the crater lead to speculations about alien activity. Popocatépetl has drawn foreign ufologists such as Scott C. Waring, who believes that there is an alien base kilometers below the crater’s opening. Like in Egypt and other places, there has been speculation that aliens had something to do with the advanced ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica. Some claim that there are artifacts that indicate extraterrestrial contact, and UFO sightings are still associated with pyramids. Chichén Itzá was featured in UFO specials produced by NatGeo, Discovery Channel and Fox. In November 2017, Uruguayan Matias

Ferreira and a film crew reported a sighting at Teotihuacán where they were working and claim to have caught something on film. Local residents in Tepoztlán, just south of Mexico City, regularly claim that strong blue and yellow lights can be seen flying around the small pyramid on a nearby crag. Other sightings have occurred in Guerrero, in southwest Mexico. In 2019, a UFO was spotted over Acapulco, causing a local government official to quip that the tourist destination was “not only recognized nationally and globally, but also outside of the planet.” But the best known incident occurred in the rural town of Mezcala. For three days starting on December 31, 2007, circular lights appeared in the sky over the Pie de Minas Mountain, with one person recording video of part of the event. Sonora has had more than its share of reports in various parts of the state, including the capital of Hermosillo. One of these sightings was later proved to be a hoax when a helium balloon with LED lights was found in the area where the UFO “landed.” Monterrey is noted for one particular sighting over the city’s iconic Cerro de la

Silla mountain, filmed accidentally during the making of a commercial for Coca-Cola. No one saw it at the time, but review of the footage showed an elliptical object moving fast, in daylight hours. Sightings in Durango date back at least to 1955 when two adolescents reported being stopped in their car by a light that then disappeared over the horizon. Not to be outdone by Popocatépetl, residents of Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, also talk of an alien base. The “evidence” for its existence includes the fact that there have been no major hurricanes in the area since 1966. Supposedly, the aliens divert them northward to Texas. The stories prompted the erection of a statue of a “Martian” on Miramar Beach, where sightings are reported regularly, but the statue was stolen. The interest in UFOs is not going way anytime soon in Mexico. There are various groups that watch the skies and document sightings and other evidence of extra-terrestrial visits to the country. One of the most active groups is Vigilantes del Cielo (Sky Watchers), whose work can be seen on Facebook. Source: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/

Viva México

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

Viva! Mexico

Mexico's Independence Day - September 16: Mexico celebrates its independence every September 16 with parades, festivals, feasts, parties and more. Mexican flags are everywhere and the main plaza in Mexico City is packed. But what’s the history behind the date of September 16? Prelude to Mexican Independence: Long before 1810, Mexicans had begun to chafe under Spanish rule. Spain kept a stranglehold on her colonies, only permitting them limited trade opportunities and generally appointing Spaniards (as opposed to native-born Creoles) to important colonial posts. To the north, the United States had won its independence decades before, and many Mexicans felt they could, too. In 1808, Creole patriots saw their chance when Napoleon invaded Spain and imprisoned Ferdinand VII. This allowed Mexican and South American rebels to set up their own governments and yet claim loyalty to the imprisoned Spanish King. Conspiracies: In Mexico, the creoles decided the time had come for independence. It was a dangerous business, however. There might have been chaos in Spain, but the mother country still controlled the colonies. In 1809-1810 there were several conspiracies, most of which were found out and the conspirators harshly punished. In Querétaro, an organized conspiracy including several prominent citizens was preparing to make its move at the end of 1810. The leaders included parish priest Father Miguel Hidalgo, Royal army officer Ignacio Allende, government official Miguel Dominguez, cavalry captain Juan Aldama and others. The date of October 2 was selected for the insurrection against Spain to begin. El Grito de Dolores: In early September, however, the conspiracy began to unravel. The plot had been found out and one by one the conspirators were being rounded up by colonial officials. On September 15, 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo heard the bad news: the jig was up and the Spanish were coming for him. On the morning of the 16th, Hidalgo took to the pulpit in the town of Dolores and made a shocking announcement: he was taking up arms against the tyrannies of the Spanish government and his parishioners were all invited to join him. This famous speech became known as "El Grito de Dolores," Or the "Cry of Dolores." Within hours Hidalgo had an army: a large, unruly, poorly armed but resolute mob. March to Mexico City: Hidalgo, assisted by military man Ignacio Allende, led his army towards Mexico City.

Along the way they laid siege to the town of Guanajuato and fought off the Spanish defense at the Battle of Monte de las Cruces. By November he was at the gates of the city itself, with angry army large enough to take it. Yet Hidalgo inexplicably retreated, perhaps turned aside by fears of a large Spanish army coming to reinforce the city. Fall of Hidalgo: In January of 1811, Hidalgo and Allende were routed at the Battle of Calderon Bridge by a much smaller but better-trained Spanish army. Forced to flee, the rebel leaders, along with some others, were soon captured. Allende and Hidalgo were both put to death in June and July of 1811. The peasant army had disbanded and it looked as if Spain had reasserted control over its unruly colony. Mexican Independence is Won: But such was not the case. One of

Hidalgo’s captains, José María Morelos, took up the banner of independence and fought until his own capture and execution in 1815. He was in turn succeeded by his own lieutenant, Vicente Guerrero and rebel leader Guadalupe Victoria, who fought for six more years until 1821, when they reached an agreement with turncoat royal officer Agustín de Iturbide which allowed for Mexico’s definitive liberation in September of 1821. Mexican Independence Celebrations: September 16 is one of Mexico's most important holidays. Every year, local mayors and politicians re-enact the famous Grito de Dolores. In Mexico City, thousands congregate in the Zócalo, or main square, on the night of the 15th to hear the President ring the same bell that Hidalgo did and recite the Grito de Dolores. The crowd roars, cheers and chants, and fireworks light up the sky. On the 16th, every city and town

all over Mexico celebrates with parades, dances and other civic festivals. Most Mexicans celebrate by hanging flags all over their home and spending time with family. A feast is usually involved. If the food can be made red, white and green (like the Mexican Flag) all the better! Some people mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo, or May Fifth, is Mexico's independence day. That's not correct: Cinco de Mayo actually celebrates the unlikely Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Sources: Harvey, Robert. Liberators: Latin America's Struggle for IndependenceWoodstock: The Overlook Press, 2000. Lynch, John. The Spanish American Revolutions 1808-1826 New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1986.

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

Viva México

Chiles en Nogada Recipe Submitted By Chef LaLa

(Stuffed Poblanos in Walnut Sauce)

hef LaLa says she loves the history behind this recipe. Chiles en Nogada is a Mexican dish, whose name comes from the word nogal, meaning “walnut tree” in Spanish. The dish represents the Mexican flag: green chiles, white nut sauce and red pomegranate seeds. A chef, nutritionist and owner of catering business, SAVOR!, in Los Angeles, Chef LaLa regularly doles out her savvy solutions for better living on national television shows including NBC’s TODAY, Martha Stewart, Dr. Oz, Univision and CNN en Español, and as an expert on America Now. INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup chopped salt pork or bacon 5 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 pound lean ground beef 1/2 pound pork 1/2 pound veal 3/4 cup dried finely chopped apricots 4 cups finely chopped peaches 2 cups peeled and chopped 1/2 ripe plantain or banana, chopped 1/2 cup raisins 1 cup pitted prunes, finely chopped 2 cups chopped tomatoes 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 4 sprigs fresh thyme 4 bay leaves 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 cup white wine 1/2 cup dry sherry 2 teaspoons salt 16 medium to large poblano chiles 2 cups shelled walnuts 2 cups raw slivered almonds 4 ounces goat cheese 2 ounces queso cotija 1 slice white bread, crust removed 2 cups half-and-half 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup dry sherry 1/4 teaspoon salt pomegranate seeds (optional) granny smith apples DIRECTIONS Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salt pork and brown. Add garlic and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add beef, pork and veal. Cook, stirring occasionally to break up and separate meat. Stir in apricots, peaches, apples, plantain, raisins, prunes and tomatoes. Lower heat and cook for 20 minutes. Add cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, thyme, bay leaves, pepper, wine, sherry and salt. Simmer for 1 hour. Place chiles over high flame and sear until black but still firm.

Place chiles in plastic bag 10 minutes; peel. Make a slit on one side about three-fourths the length of the chile. Remove seeds and veins. Place on paper towels and wipe dry. Stuff with filling and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Boil walnuts 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and peel skins. Place walnuts, almonds, goat cheese, queso cotija, bread, half-and-half, sugar, cinnamon, sherry and salt in blender or food processor. Puree until smooth.

Refrigerate until ready to serve. Place cold chiles on plate topped with walnut sauce. Garnish with pomegranate seeds. Serve. Source: The Latin Kitchen

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

‘OLD TOWN’

9. 5 DE DEC. CEMETARY 10. MIRADOR CERRO DE LA CRUZ 11. MALECON 12. VIRGIN DE LA GUADALUPE CHURCH 13. LOS ARCOS AMPITHEATRE 14. ISLA CUALE 15. LAZARO CARDENAS PARK 15. OLAS ALTAS FARMERS MARKET

16. HIDALGO PARK 17. THREE HENS MARKET 18. MARSOL MARKET 19. MUNICIPAL MARKET 20. EMILIANO ZAPATA MARKET 21. CUALE CULTRAL CENTER 22. 5 DE DEC MARKET 23. HUANACAXLE MERCADO

24. FOREVER SPRING MARKET 25. BUCERIAS ARTWALK 26. RIVIERA FARMERS MARKET 27. MARINA ARTISAN MARKET 28. MOVIE + PICNIC 29. RED CROSS 30. LOS ARCOS NATIONAL PARK

11 Comic-Con@Home: Virtual comics event declared a failure by industry critics, but fans loved it Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

News

Benjamin Woo Associate professor, Communication and Media Studies, Carleton University Erin Hanna Assistant Professor of Cinema Studies, University of Oregon Melanie E.S. Kohnen Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Media Studies, Lewis & Clark

ith the vast majority of North America’s thousand-plus fan conventions cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual conventions (called cons) have been a bright spot for fans in an otherwise bleak year. Although organizers have experimented with different ways to run an online convention, none had as high expectations as the San Diego Comic-Con’s Comic-Con@Home. The virtual event, held July 22–26, featured content distributed across several platforms, including video panels, a virtual exhibition hall and a cosplay masquerade on Tumblr. From the beginning, it promised not only to fill the Comic-Con-shaped hole in regular attendees’ summers but also to make a Comic-Con experience accessible to fans who ordinarily can’t attend or are turned off by the scramble for badges and hotel rooms or by endless lines. Comic-Con@Home inevitably drew comparisons to the in-real-life event, but some critics promptly branded it a failure — perhaps most prominently in Variety, the entertainment industry trade magazine. But calling Comic-Con@Home a flop for not having enough exclusive movie reveals or failing to produce enough social media buzz assumes too much. Not all participants share the same goals as the largest industry players. While Comic-Con has always had a relationship to Hollywood, to many fans, gaining virtual access to panels that might have been otherwise capped by space constraints and the sense of community matter more than a simplistic analysis about metrics or interactivity. Industry views of Comic-Con Variety’s Adam B. Vary’s story, “Why Comic-Con ‘At Home’ Was a Bust” cites data from social media analytics firm ListenFirst, which found “tweets that mentioned Comic-Con@Home were down 95 per cent from 2019’s live convention.” Vary is unimpressed by YouTube views of around 15,000 per panel, and he laments the lack of fan interaction — “the most elemental

reason for Comic-Con’s 50-year success” — in Comic-Con@Home’s video panels, which were pre-recorded and disabled user comments. But the relationship between fans, Comic-Con and big media companies has often proven a point of tension. When a major studio skips a presentation in the celebrated Hall H or an apparent cult classic in the making bombs at the box office, the media are quick to speculate whether Comic-Con attendees have lost their most favoured audience status. If anything, Variety’s focus on analytics proves that, when it comes to the entertainment industry’s attempts to shape and define the Comic-Con experience, the virtual con wasn’t really all that different than other years. Another look at numbers Evaluating at-home participation by the same yardstick as an in-person event doesn’t account for differences in format and mode of engagement. These metrics need to be understood in context. Even then, they don’t tell the whole story of Comic-Con@Home. For instance, the more than 84,000 views logged for AMC’s The Walking Dead panel, (now over 95,000) would be an impossibility in Hall H, which seats 6,500 fans. This same panel also aired on gaming and entertainment site IGN’s official Comic-Con hub, which did feature live chatting among users. (As of this writing, the IGN version of The Walking Dead panel has garnered another 63,000 views, and their livestream of that day’s programming was accessed over

180,000 times.) Add the 11,900 tweets about this panel alone cited in Variety, and these impressions and engagements begin to rival, if not exceed, the 103,000 social media mentions logged by The Walking Dead in 2017.

SDCC blog stated, “we had an amazing time,” a sentiment echoed by many virtual attendees. Experiences like these are absent from industry-oriented assessments of Comic-Con@Home.

And let’s not forget fan- and community-led panels. Their views this year frequently outstripped the capacity of the rooms they are typically assigned in the San Diego Convention Center. For example, this year’s Super Asian America panel has received 1,700 views on YouTube so far; in 2019, it was scheduled in room 5AB, which has a maximum capacity of only 504.

Comics go beyond Hollywood’s needs Instead of definitively capturing the meaning of Comic-Con@Home, criticisms of the event illustrate how media companies still claim pop-culture pride of place for themselves, even as the popularity of Comic-Con and other con events is frequently cited (often by these same outlets) as evidence of fandom’s growing influence.

Sense of community Throughout Comic-Con@Home, fans used social media, blogs and forums to share memories and connect with friends they made at previous Comic-Cons. Some went so far as to travel to San Diego and hold socially distant meet-ups, including cosplay photo shoots, in beloved locations nearby.

This is not to suggest that cultural industries should be understood in simplistic, fan-versus-industry terms.

The San Diego Convention Center’s video tribute prompted an outpouring of love for the building, which for many attendees symbolizes the experience of Comic-Con (an “I Miss SDCC” pin featuring the convention centre sold out in two minutes).

The Comic-Con experience may have looked different this year, but competing attempts to define this experience — as either failure or success — made it just another Comic-Con.

Fans even bonded over negative experiences, such as the glitches in the online sales of exclusive merchandise. In these moments, the sense of community mattered more than the relative absence of Hollywood buzz and hype. Contrary to Variety, the largest fan-run

But with fan events moving mostly online for the foreseeable future, the debate about Comic-Con@Home is a useful reminder that these relationships don’t start and end with Hollywood’s needs.

This analysis was collaboratively authored by the members of the Swarming SDCC project team, including Anne Gilbert, Felan Parker, Suzanne Scott and Matthew J. Smith. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the theconversation.com

Culture

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

An opt-out organ donor system could address Canada’s shortage of organs for transplant Ajnesh Prasad Professor & Canada Research Chair, School of Business, Royal Roads University Karly Nygaard-Petersen Doctoral student, School of Business, Royal Roads University

n 2018, there were 4,351 Canadians on waiting lists for an organ transplant. In the same year, 223 Canadians died while awaiting organ transplants.

These numbers have been growing over the last decade. For example, between 2009 and 2019, the number of Canadians in end-stage renal failure increased by 35 per cent, significantly raising the number of individuals requiring kidney transplants. The situation is only expected to worsen, as it is anticipated that more Canadians will require organ transplants over the coming years. Cross-sectional illustration of a human kidney In the backdrop of these sobering statistics, Nova Scotia is set to become the first jurisdiction in North America to enact legislation to tackle the shortage of organs for transplant. Passed on April 2, 2019, the Human Organ and Tissue Act is scheduled to come into effect on Oct. 1, 2020. The act institutes an “opt-out” system to organ donation, which functions on the idea of presumed consent. In its essence, this idea presumes that individuals have consented to having their organs harvested upon their death for transplantation into others in need of those organs. Nova Scotia’s opt-out system goes against prevailing practice in Canada. Currently, organ donation is based on the “opt-in” system, in which individuals must sign up to be organ donors while they are alive in order for their organs to be harvested for transplantation upon their death. The case for presumed consent There is ample evidence to substantiate the effectiveness of presumed consent policy. Take the case of Spain, the country with the most robust opt-out system, which it established over 40 years ago. In 2019, Spain had 49 deceased organ donors per million population — by far the highest in the world. This compares to Canada’s paltry rate of 20.6 per million population on the same measure. Despite Canada’s lagging donation indicators, most Canadians support organ donation. For example, 85 per cent of Ontarians support donation, although only

one-third have opted-in to the current system. This discrepancy has been attributed to apathy in registering as a donor rather than serious moral objections to donating posthumously. If surveys of public opinion are correct, then an opt-out system would get it right more times than it gets it wrong when making assumptions about individuals’ wishes. Moral objections Those who object to organ donation for religious or other reasons are more likely to make their wishes known in an opt-out system as compared to those wishing to donate for altruistic reasons, who are less likely to make their preferences clear in an opt-in system. In a system designed to save more lives, putting the onus on those who object to donation to opt-out is not only morally justified, but follows other initiatives in which public interest is placed at the forefront of policy. For instance, the introduction of mandatory seat-belt laws have often come under fire for infringing on individual autonomy, but the prevailing benefit to public interest has resulted in a now widely accepted legal and social norm. Illustration of kidneys, heart, lungs and liver with a green ribbon, symbol for organ donation support Eighty-five per cent of Ontarians support organ donation, but only one-third have

opted in to the current system. (Canva) Policy debates over whether a jurisdiction ought to have an opt-out versus on opt-in system to organ transplantation are replete with thorny ethical questions. There are usually no simple, clear-cut answers and not all members of the public will be satisfied with any decision reached. But given the number of Canadians detrimentally affected by types of organ failure that can be medically remedied through transplantation, the country has an ethical responsibility to consider how best to approach the ongoing shortage of donor organs. Lowering costs while saving lives Beyond the moral reasons for instituting an opt-out system, there are financial incentives too. For example, where it concerns end-stage renal failure, the British Columbia Renal Agency found that the annual cost of dialysis treatment is $50,000 per person. This is meaningfully higher than the cost of kidney transplantation, which has a one-time associated price tag of $15,000 and $5,500 per year for anti-rejection drugs. To be sure, it would be wholly unreasonable to expect Nova Scotia’s new act to be implemented without any hiccups. There will likely be unforeseen, complex and difficult issues that emerge as the province begins to put the act into operation in the coming weeks. Moreover, as evidence from jurisdictions that have established presumed consent policy reveals, the effects of the

End-stage kidney disease increased by more than 35 per cent in Canada between 2009 and 2019. (Pixabay) opt-out policy are tenuous unless sufficient financial and political support buttress it. While there may be challenges, instituting policy on organ harvesting based on presumed consent could be an important initial step in addressing the ever-growing shortage of organ donors in the country. Other provinces in Canada ought to pay close attention to the forthcoming experiment in Nova Scotia, and consider how their own jurisdictions might respond to the shortage of organ donors — a phenomenon that is causing many avoidable deaths and much unnecessary suffering to Canadians.

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

Events

sep 15 - oct 10 Restaurant Week the culinary event that pampers your palate Bocados STK Presents New Menu

ur food festival in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit will take place from September 15 to October 10. During these three weeks, the participating restaurants offer innovative three-course menus, with three options available for each course to delight both residents and visitors alike seeking to explore our destination’s outstanding cuisine at a reduced price. Recently, Bocados STK (located within Garza Blanca Preserve · Resort & Spa) presented its new dinner menu with the addition of dry-aged steaks, pastas and more. In this way, foodies can try “Premium Culinary” dry-aged chops of cowboy, bone-in rib eye and porterhouse steaks. Any of these cuts will melt in your mouth and offer the perfect amount between spice and tenderness. The steaks are perfect on their own, but they also can be served with a freshly made gourmet sauces, such as the béarnaise, chimichurri or the signature

Bocados sauce. A choice of oregano, smoked plantain leaf or sea salt can be added. On the other hand, Mussels Alla Sorentina, which has been added to the appetizer selection, is made with fresh mussels from Baja California and served with garlic bread and a flavorful tomato sauce prepared with garlic, white wine,

and shallots. The pastas menu includes spaghetti, penne, tagliatelle, linguine, rigatoni or mini tortellini with a choice of pomodoro, ragu or arrabiata sauces. Pork ribs come either spicy with chile flakes, soy sauce, and ginger or BBQ Bourbon Style. In addition, two different types of fluffy risotto, mushroom or

asparagus can be selected. To accompany all these specialties, it is recommended the cocktail Purple Ninja, which is made with vodka, pineapple and lemon juice, blackberries, Chambord and natural syrup garnished with a slice of grapefruit. As a dessert, you can try the Orange Tree (a tree full of sweet bites), Chocolate Fondant and/or Panna Cotta.

Travel

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

5 Safest Beaches For Kids in Riviera Nayarit Bucerías, Destiladeras, Matanchén, Rincón de Guayabitos and Las Islitas top the list of best choices to take the kids for a swim. #4- Destiladeras, Punta de Mita, Bahía de Banderas Even though this beach has waves of up to 3 and 4 meters and is located at the edge of the bay where the currents are stronger, it’s on the list because those waves break some 10 to 15 meters from shore, giving it many meters up front of solid sand with very little irregularities, making it a perfect spot for kids to wait for the gentle ripples that make it to shore. Destiladeras also offers beachfront dining with chair and umbrella rental. While busy with families on Sundays, this huge beach has plenty of space and is perfect for a lazy day at the beach.

he Riviera Nayarit offers hundreds of miles of beaches for every taste thanks to the different conditions present along the coast. Here’s a list of the Top 5 Safest Beaches for kids. In addition to these beaches there are dozens of excellent places to enjoy with your children including the Blue Flag beach in Nuevo Vallarta. #5- Bucerías (Northern Area), Bahía de Banderas

Beaches on bays are usually safer than those on the open water: case in point, the beach at Bucerías, especially the Northern area that’s closest to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. This beach has the best wind in the region, mild waves and firm sand. And, the small waves that do break on the sand don’t make it past burrito class. Bucerias is also a charming fishing town with excellent beachfront restaurants and a cute souvenir market.

#3- Bahía de Matanchén, San Blas This ample bay comes with waves, but it also boasts one of the widest stretches of sand in the entire state. Though there are a lot of waves, they’re usually on the small side and the currents are light and easy to manage. Also renowned for its fresh oysters, many Nationals from the nearby cities of Tepic and Guadalajara have beachfront vacation homes along this beach.

#2- Rincón de Guayabitos, Compostela This one is considered by many to be Mexico’s largest swimming pool. Just like Matanchén and Bucerías, Guayabitos has the privilege of being on a bay: the Bahía de Jaltemba. Its small waves and firm, sandy bottom allow kids to wade in as far as they’re comfortable, making it a very safe choice. The town of Guayabitos is in a bit of a renaissance with huge improvements being made to the infrastructure and new hotels and dining options opening each day. If you haven’t been in a while, its worth a revisit. #1- Las Islitas, San Blas If Guayabitos is considered a swimming pool, then Las Islitas is a wading pool. For most of the year there aren’t waves, not even burritos or anything, just a small tide that moves the water. And, as if that weren’t enough, you can walk into the water for at least 10 meters without it going over a meter in depth. For a special treat stop along the way at one of the many road side stands selling fresh baked banana bread and nut muffins.

Sept. 14 - 20, 2020

Games