ISSUE
330
www.pvmcitypaper.com
Issue 330
Saturday 21 to Friday 20
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
February 2015
Need to Know
2
ISSUE
330
manners to present the check before it is
requested, so when you’re ready to leave,
ask «La cuenta, por favor» and your bill
will be delivered to you.
MONEY EXCHANGE: Although
you may have to wait in line for a few
minutes, remember that the banks will
give you a higher rate of exchange than
the exchange booths (caja de cambio).
Better yet, if you have a «bank card»,
withdraw funds from your account back
home. Try to avoid exchanging money at
your hotel. Traditionally, those offer the
worst rates.
I
f you’ve been meaning to find a little information on the region,
but never quite got around to it, we hope that the following will help.
If you look at the maps on this page, you will note that PV (as the locals call
it) is on the west coast of Mexico, smack in the middle of the Bay of Banderas
- one of the largest bays in this country - which includes southern part of the
state of Nayarit to the north and the northern part of Jalisco to the south.
Thanks to its privileged location -sheltered by the Sierra Madre mountainsthe Bay is well protected against the hurricanes spawned in the Pacific.
Hurricane Kenna did come close on October 25, 2002, but actually touched
down in San Blas, Nayarit, some 200 kms north of PV.
The town sits on the same parallel as the Hawaiian Islands,
thus the similarities in the climate of the two destinations.
AREA: 1,300 sq. kilometers
POPULATION: Approx. 325,000
inhabitants
CLIMATE: Tropical, humid, with
an average of 300 sunny days per year.
The temperature averages 28oC (82oF)
and the rainy season extends from late
June to early October.
allowed under certain circumstances
but fishing of any kind is prohibited.
Every year, the Bay receives the visit
of the humpback whales, dolphins and
manta rays in the winter. During the
summer, sea turtles, a protected species,
arrive to its shores to lay their eggs.
FAUNA: Nearby Sierra Vallejo
hosts a great variety of animal species
such as iguana, guacamaya, deer,
raccoon, etc.
ECONOMY: Local economy is
based mainly on tourism, construction
and to a lesser degree, on agriculture,
mainly tropical fruit such as mango,
papaya,
watermelon,
pineapple,
guanabana, cantaloupe and bananas.
SANCTUARIES:
Bahía
de
Banderas encloses two Marine
National Parks - Los Arcos and the
Marieta Islands - where diving is
CURRENCY: The Mexican Peso is
the legal currency in Mexico although
Canadian and American dollars are
widely accepted.
Index
BUSES: A system of urban buses
with different routes. Current fare is
$7.50 Pesos per ticket and passengers
must purchase a new ticket every time
they board another bus. There are no
“transfers”.
TAXIS: There are set rates within
defined zones of the town. Do not enter
a taxi without agreeing on the price with
the driver FIRST. If you are staying in a
hotel, you may want to check the rates
usually posted in the lobby. Also, if you
know which restaurant you want to go,
do not let the driver change your mind.
Many restaurateurs pay commissions to
taxi drivers and you may end up paying
more than you should, in a secondrate establishment! There are 2 kinds
of taxi cabs: those at the airport and
the maritime port are usually vans that
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
can only be boarded there. They have
pre-fixed rates per passenger. City cabs
are yellow cars that charge by the ride,
not by passenger. When you ask to go
downtown, many drivers let you off at
the beginning of the area, near Hidalgo
Park. However, your fare covers the
ENTIRE central area, so why walk 10 to
15 blocks to the main plaza, the Church
or the flea market? Pick up a free map,
and insist on your full value from the
driver! Note the number of your taxi in
case of any problem, or if you forget
something in the cab. Then your hotel or
travel rep can help you check it out or
lodge a complaint.
TIME ZONE: The entire State of
Jalisco is on Central Time, as is the
area of the State of Nayarit from Lo
de Marcos in the north to the Ameca
River, i.e.: Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías,
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Sayulita, San
Pancho, Punta Mita, etc. North of Lo
De Marcos, Guayabitos, La Peñita,
San Blas, etc. are on Mountain Time,
i.e.: one hour behind PV time.
TELEPHONE CALLS: Always
check on the cost of long distance
calls from your hotel room. Some
establishments charge as much as U.S.
$7.00 per minute!
CELL PHONES: Most cellular
phones from the U.S. and Canada may
be programmed for local use, through
Telcel and IUSAcell, the local carriers.
To dial cell to cell, use the prefix 322,
then the seven digit number of the
person you’re calling. Omit the prefix if
dialling a land line.
LOCAL CUSTOMS: Tipping is
usually 10%-15% of the bill at restaurants
and bars. Tip bellboys, taxis, waiters,
maids, etc. depending on the service.
Some businesses and offices close from
2 p.m. to 4 p.m., reopening until 7 p.m. or
later. In restaurants, it is considered poor
February 2015
WHAT TO DO: Even if your allinclusive hotel is everything you ever
dreamed of, you should experience at
least a little of all that Vallarta has to
offer - it is truly a condensed version of
all that is Mexican and existed before
«Planned Tourist Resorts», such as
Cancun, Los Cabos and Ixtapa, were
developed. Millions have been spent to
ensure that the original “small town”
flavor is maintained downtown, in the
Old Town and on the South Side.
DRINKING WATER: The false
belief that a Mexican vacation must
inevitably lead to an encounter with
Moctezuma’s revenge is just that:
false. For the 21st year in a row, Puerto
Vallarta’s water has been awarded
a certification of purity for human
consumption. It is one of only two
cities in Mexico that can boast of such
accomplishment. True, the quality of
the water tested at the purification plant
varies greatly from what comes out of
the tap at the other end. So do be careful.
On the other hand, most large hotels
have their own purification equipment
and most restaurants use purified water.
If you want to be doubly sure, you can
pick up purified bottled water just about
anywhere.
EXPORTING PETS: Canadian and
American tourists often fall in love with
one of the many stray dogs and cats in
Vallarta. Many would like to bring it
back with them, but believe that the laws
do not allow them to do so. Wrong. If
you would like to bring a cat or a dog
back home, call the local animal shelter
for more info: 293-3690.
LOCAL SIGHTSEEING: A good
beginning would be to take one of the City
Tours offered by the local tour agencies.
Before boarding, make sure you have a
map and take note of the places you want
to return to. Then venture off the beaten
path. Explore a little. Go farther than the
tour bus takes you. And don’t worry this is a safe place.
ISSUE
330
Dear Editor,
Your Comments
avineberg@yahoo.com
Dear Editor,
Hear, hear, Suzanne Kirkpatrick! I heartily second
your letter to the Editor, printed in last week’s
edition of the PV Mirror. ‘Congratulations on your
impressive - and still free! - publication’ - to quote.
I was, however, dismayed to read this week’s
letter from Charlotte Semple (Executive Director
of the Old Town Farmers’ Market) criticizing the
publication of a letter the previous week. I had
wondered why El Pilon Charcuterie was missing
from the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, and
Richard and Marisa’s letter explained, from their
point of view, the reason.
I have absolutely no interest in the issues
concerning this matter, which I consider to be
between Ms. Semple and El Pilon. However, I
believe in ‘free speech’, and Editor Ms. Vineberg
- as Ms Semple surely knows - publishes letters
which express people’s views... LIKE THEM
OR NOT... as she demonstrated with Charlotte
Semple’s letter, which was extremely vitriolic
towards her, the Editor.
The implication in the letter is that only ‘good’
reviews are to be published!! Very often, I have
seen a letter published that gave a business a poor
review, only to have several, sometimes even a
flood of letters the following week, giving praise!!
THAT, Ms. Semple, is what Free Speech is all
about...
Sincerely,
Suzanne French-Smith
Dear Editor,
As a returning vacationer to Puerto Vallarta, I
was in awe of the reopening of the Los Muertos
Pier in 2013! As time passed (2 years), the scenic
lighting has drastically faded. My accommodation
allows me to view the pier day and night and it is
sad to see the lighting has not been kept up. Has
the downtown renovation program gone by the
wayside? One of the jewels in the crown of Puerto
Vallarta has lost its sparkle!
What can we do to ensure the lighting is
spectacular again for all those who reside in Puerto
Vallarta and those who visit this beautiful city?
Sincerely,
We look forward to picking up our Mirror, and having
a fun time doing the crossword puzzle. Issues 328 and
329 have the same puzzle, such a disappointment. But
I’m sure it’s due to a clerical error.
Looking forward to NEXT week’s, Issue 330 for a
new one?
Lucyna P.
Dear Lucyna,
I thank you for your kindness. Others are not so
gentle with us when dealing with such errors, which
we try our best to avoid.
I hope you enjoy this week’s, it is a brand new one.
The Ed.
Dear Editor,
Bronzes and the Malecon
Art on the Malecon only enhances the walk along the
Bay of Banderas.
Tourists as well as locals stop and enjoy the
enhancements there, so why have these beautiful
pieces of art made by artists with painstaking labour
been desecrated in such terrible ways? The statue of
the world famous Mexican golfer, Lorena Ochoa, is
missing her golf club, and someone obviously wanted
a souvenir. I would presume that the artist. Octavio
Gonzalez Gutierrez, is in total disbelief. Please!
Then we have the beautiful Tritan and Mermaid
statue by Carlos Espino - a real favorite of mine. Tritan
seems to have lost his arm and his weapon. It didn’t
just fall off. Why would anyone tear an arm off of
this most gorgeous sculpture? There are also several
bronze chairs by Alejandro Colunga, missing several
parts such as feet or shoes. This is officially known
as “La Rotonda del Mar” (The Roundabout of the
Sea). All of this art deserves better. The city of Puerto
Vallarta must have had some pride initially when it
decided to commission these fabulous pieces of art.
Why in the world hasn’t the city, the local arts council,
the major, anyone and everyone not said, “STOP! We
need to repair these pieces.”? This is just plan lazy and
someone needs to step up.
On the part of a city that survives on tourism, don’t
you think the locals and the tourists notice this? It is
high time that you wake up and fix the problem. People
just shake their heads when they see the damage, and
then they wonder why a city with such great art, lets it
fall into disrepair. Some of these pieces have been in
this state of disrepair for quite some time.
Make the call!!!!! Contact the artists, invite them to
Puerto Vallarta, and ask them what the process would
be to repair their works of art.
Continued on Next Page
Sharon P.
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Sound Off
3
4
Sound Off
ISSUE
330
Continued letters to editor...
Get off your … and make the calls! Don’t you think we see the
laziness and ignorance and lack of concern for your city? This is only
one issue, but you invested in these pieces of art, and they need to be
PERFECT! It’s a real highlight of Puerto Vallarta. City Government!
The next time you meet, STOP! Go outside and walk the Malecon and
be disgraced! Yes, this is a disgrace, and you need to bring a secretary
along to take notes as you look over the sculptures and what they need.
These pieces took hours to envision and create.
Do something for yourselves, for your city and for the artists who created
these very special works of art. Be Proud! It’s time that the powers-thatbe have a weekly stroll around the city and say, “We need to fix that”!
This is not intended to be a put down; this is a REAL CONCERN!
This is real constructive criticism that will help PV in the long run.
Now, more and more people will look more carefully at Malecon Art,
and they will notice it even more and they will speak up!
William D.
Dear Sir,
We agree with you wholeheartedly but, FYI, most of the sculptures
–if not all- were not commissioned by the City. They were donated by
the artists who raised the funds needed to create them from the private
sector.
The Ed.
Dear Editor,
Allyna Vineberg
avineberg@yahoo.com
Contributors:
Anna Reisman
Joe Harrington
Harriet Murray
Stan Gabruk
Krystal Frost
Giselle Belanger
Gil Gevins
Ronnie Bravo
Tommy Clarkson
Luis Melgoza
Todd Ringness
Christina Larson
Claudia E. Lovera
Tim Wilson
John Warren
Bill Jory
Cecile Scriban
Office & Sales: 223-1128
Graphic Designer:
Leo Robby R.R.
My wife and I can heartily endorse Vickie Jensen’s comments (letter
to the Editor, Feb 7 – 13) regarding El Salado [estuary]. We had often
wondered what was behind the fence and the information in her letter
prompted us to find out and reserve a tour. We reserved via E-mail and
joined the 1 PM tour on Tuesday, the 10th.
The guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and explained the
estuary’s biological make-up and both the plants and animals within it
that depend on its survival.
The web site and the casual signage may tempt you to dismiss the
facility, but we recommend that you overlook these factors and pay them
a visit. It’s very educational and well worth the 300 pesos.
Rick & Marlene Johnson
Webmaster:
PVMCITYPAPER.COM
Online Team
Cover Photo:
“The Pier at
Los Muertos”
by Anna Scheirich
PV Mirror es una publicación semanal.
Certificados de licitud de título y
contenido en tramite. Prohibida la
reproducción total o parcial de su
contenido, imágenes y/o fotografías sin
previa autorización por escrito del editor.
An important notice
Dear Editor,
The PVMIRROR wants your views and
comments. Please send them by e-mail to:
The Out and Proud article by Tim Wilson and Gary Lichtenstien in
issue 329 was very thought provoking. I agree with the message. As a
68-year old gay man, I have seen a lot of change and, in my opinion, not
always for the best.
When they are in touch with Reverend Al Sharpner (name changed
deliberately), they might also tell him what racial profiling is in Puerto
Vallarta. I have been coming to Vallarta since 2006 and on 3 occasions,
this elderly gay white man has been stopped and searched by the local
police. 2007, 2012 and the latest one night in late January as I walked the
two blocks from Reinas Bar to my apartment on Aquiles Serdan. From
experience, I have learned that I must hold onto my money when they
search or I will lose it. I don’t know if it is required that you be gay but
the only English they seem to know is “What bar are you coming from?”
and “Do you have drugs?”
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
Publisher / Editor:
February 2015
avineberg@yahoo.com
250 words max, full name, street or e-mail
address and/or tel. number for verification
purposes only. If you do not want your name
published, we will respect your wishes.
Letters & articles become the property of
the PVMIRROR and may be edited and/or
condensed for publication.
The articles in this publication are provided
for the purpose of entertainment and
information only. The PV Mirror City
Paper does not accept any responsibility or
liability for the content of the articles on
this site or reliance by any person on the
site’s contents. Any reliance placed on such
information is therefore strictly at such
person’s own risk.
Note:
To Advertisers & Contributors and those
with public interest announcements,
the deadline for publication is:
2:00 pm on Monday of the
week prior to publication.
ISSUE
330
I say “No” but they search anyway. I do not
protest because I fear being arrested.
In my years in Vallarta I have never been involved
in or a witness to any other crime except with the
police. That alone has made me question as to
whether I should continue coming here.
If you can not trust the police, who can you trust?
I respect the police. I know that it is not an easy
job to keep us safe but I think the police in Puerto
Vallarta have their priorities confused.
Jim Mason
Dear Editor,
Last Friday our Lunch Bunch went to Krystal
Frost’s Organic Select restaurant on Francia in
Versailles and what a fabulous experience we all had!
This is a small place that resembles a little French
bistro, that sells food and serves it as well. Krystal
made us a lovely Valentine’s lunch and we had a
special table set inside starting with champagne with
a strawberry!
First came the homemade hummus with glutenfree seed-like crackers that she makes. Then we
each ordered either a meat lasagna or a gluten-free
vegetable lasagna, or vegetable quiche. They were
served with a nice sized salad on the side. The meat
lasagna was the best I have ever had. Everything is
organic and homemade right there. For dessert she
had made a heart-shaped perfectly-textured brownie
that she cut into seven servings and served with a
homemade light coconut ice and a beautiful mint tea.
We all were raving about the food and along
with that, the service she herself provided. It was
personal, friendly, efficient and the entire experience
was a very special treat. We will definitely return as
well as recommend to others. Do yourself a favor
and call Krystal for reservations and directions. You
won’t be sorry.
Organic Select Market and Deli, 169 Francia, 2221015.
Dianne
Dear Editor,
More good stuff.
A shoe repair place that is great is at 479 V.
Carranza. The man speaks English and can do so
much with shoes... he put a new piece of rubber
into my keen shoes and across the street is the “Tres
Gallinas y Un Gallo” Saturday market, and a gift
store called Queen Bee. The Queen has wonderful
purses, skirts, tops and decorative pieces.
Of course I want to mention my best find in all the
times I have been coming to this wonderful city...
Dr. Miguel A. Saldana Salas, wonderful plastic
surgeon and yes, I say best in the world... email me
at bjgerber@rogers.com and I’ll tell you why.
Also, at 645 Aquiles Serdan corner of Lazaro
Cardenas, they do dressmaking, design, general
sewing and repairs. These ladies are great and you
will be very pleased with there work. Phone is cell
322 121-2920 and 322 175-7863.
This year, my husband had sun spots removed by
dermatologist Dr. Eduardo Cervantes G. at 146, Col
Diaz Ordaz, really really good job.
Will not take up more space, but I am happy to share
these finds and the retailers are pleased and hope you
will seek them out.
Warm regards,
Judy Gerber
Dear Editor,
Re: Paradise Lost
I have been a visitor to PV for over 40 years and
a resident for 15. I know that a common response
to the expressed concerns of unmanaged and illegal
growth of our development in our lovely city with its
over burdened infrastructure is denial. My purpose
is to ask questions and perhaps there will be some
thoughtful response from other readers that could
result in a positive change to status quo.
1. Why do we accept living in a city that cannot
collect its own garbage effectively?
2. Why do we accept and purchase in condominiums
that are illegal by the city’s own laws and rules - even
when ‘permits’ are provided?
3. Why do we purchase condominiums without any
evidence provided by realtors and developers that the
city infrastructure can handle the occupants need for
clean water, sewerage disposal, and power services?
4. Why do we accept living in a city where the safety
and security concerns increase yet our public servants
are underpaid and over extended?
Please sign me,
Lost in paradise
Dear Editor,
We love the PV Mirror. It is one of the first
things we look for when arriving from up north.
The publication always has interesting things to tell
visitors. Over the past while I have also noted some
of the letters are about us vacationers not considering
the host country’s customs and traditions. Sadly, I
think it is mainly because we don’t take the time to
learn them, figuring that what is good for us is good
for all. I say this based on a single incident, and I
had no intention of even mentioning it until I saw the
number of letters in your magazine. I have decided to
share my experience.
We heard about the neat policy at Blue Chairs
regarding Christmas time, from the PV mirror of
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Sound Off
5
6
Sound Off / Within PV
ISSUE
330
Continued letters to editor...
course. We took your advice and contacted the
lady in charge to see what we could do. From
that conversation we purchased a few gifts and
headed over there on Christmas day early. It
was a thoroughly enjoyable time watching the
children line up to pick a toy. However, we had
heard that the custom in Mexico is to give the
gifts in January, when the [Three] Wise Men
arrived. We were not completely sure of that,
so my wife asked the lady that was in charge
about it. She rather curtly responded “I don’t
know anything about that.” We were a bit
taken aback by the response but did not let it
dampen our enjoyment of the time there. And
I must say it was a very well attended affair,
serving lots of children. But I wonder why,
if the custom in Mexico is in fact to give gifts
in January, those involved would not make
the day in January the day of gifts instead of
the “Gringo” gift giving time. Just one more
example of us not paying attention to our host
country’s customs.
Now if the lady had said she understood their
customs, but for other reasons they did not follow
that custom and instead did it on Christmas, I
would have felt a bit better. However, that was
not the case. She simply indicated she had no
idea what we were talking about.
Jim
Dear Editor,
As you well know, PV has millions of
loyal Canadians, and none more so than the
supporters from Saskatchewan, who follow
their pro football team, the Roughriders. Every
year about this time, they have their annual fan
fest on Los Muertos Beach.
This year, it was on February 10th - their 11th
year, and the first time a real Canadian Hall of
Fame football player attended, Roger Aldag. I
did some research for you. Anyway, I took some
pictures, and one has him in the front row right
side. They all wear the green and white colours.
Marsol Friday Market by the pier
The
new Marsol Market by the Pier
presents more than 50 vendors every Friday
through the entire season in the large lobby
of the Marsol Hotel, next to Los Muertos
pier from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This
market is a project of the online Vallarta
Shopping Directory with the goal of helping
local businesses be located and visited by
our tourists and local residents, as well as
promoting local artisans, artists, restaurants
and food vendors who have unique products
to sell. You can see our pages at www.
puertovallartadining-shopping.com
The advantage of the Marsol market is that
vendors who make more than one product or
who introduce new items can show
what they want to sell. Also because
the market is inside the hotel, their
products and visitors are protected
from rain and hot sun.
At the Marsol Friday market you
will find such a variety of unique
products like jewelry in natural stones
such as turquoise, jade, coral and
amber, silver, bronze, polymer clay,
and ethnic jewelry styles, artists with
original art such as Ada Colorina,
prints, giclées and posters by Marta
Gilbert and others, sculptures, blown glass,
Oaxacan textiles, hand painted clothing, swim
suits, beach wear, hand crafted dolls by the
prison women, cooling ties, aprons, T shirts,
masks, hand woven scarves, decorative items
for your home, hand painted tiles, books,
information on classes and tours, relaxing
massages, bird feeders, honey, handbags,
Manny
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
table cloths, baskets, cigars, amate paper,
collectibles and more.
You will find all type of delicious pastries,
breads, rolls, sauces, smoked meats and fish,
sausages, coffee, fruit drinks, candies, nuts,
dried fruit, liver pate, hummus, pickled beets,
dill pickles, and prepared gourmet style food
to eat there or take home. The Food Court on
one side of the main lobby offers a place to
sit and enjoy Mexican specialties such as blue
corn tortillas and sopes, Spanish empanadas,
tacos, tamales, quesadillas, vegetarian
products, and Jewish comfort food.
The Marsol Market by the pier offers a
festive atmosphere with live Mexican music, a
place to network and meet your friends inside
the lobby of the Marsol hotel, 103 Francisca
Rodriguez, on the closed street leading to Los
Muertos Pier every Friday From 9:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m.
Come join us and invite your frienda and
guests. Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.
com/marsolmarketbythe pier.
ISSUE
330
Children come first
with IFC medical cost share and cancer aid
By
T
John Warren
he International Friendship Club (IFC)
Patrocinio Medical Cost Share Program. How
would you feel if your child were disabled or sick,
the cost of treatment was about $10,000 pesos, and
you didn’t have the money to help? The child would
just have to suffer.
The IFC has a special program that encourages
IFC members to help a local Mexican family apply
for the Patrocinio Medical
Cost-Share Program. The
program focuses primarily
on children under 18
in medical need whose
families lack resources.
The IFC member should
come to the office for the
application form which
explains the steps involved
in securing approval of
financial assistance. A written diagnosis of the
medical condition from their doctor will be required
as well as some personal information on the child in
question and their family. The sponsoring member of
IFC will bring that paperwork to the office to apply
for assistance. Once approved, the IFC will pay 80%
of the approved medical costs to a maximum aid of
$8,000 pesos, once the proper paperwork from the
medical provider arrives. Marco works as a security
guard at a condo building near the Marina and his
wife, Marianna, is a maid in the same building.
Their combined incomes are about $6,000 pesos a
month and rent is $2,500 pesos. That leaves $3,500
pesos a month for food, bus fares to work, clothes
and school supplies for their two children. There is
nothing left at the end of the month.
Antonio, their 7-year-old son is profoundly deaf
and his education, family life and friendships suffer
as a result. He needs two hearing aids. Each one costs
$11,000 pesos, so a total cost of $22,000. Marco’s
brother, who is single and has some savings, will
pay for one hearing aid but that leaves $11,000 pesos
for Marco and Marianna to find.
In this case, the IFC’s Medical Cost-Share
Program will pay $8,000 of the $11,000 and a
very generous IFC member will provide the family
with the balance of $3,000 pesos. Once completed,
7-year-old Antonio will be able to hear normally and
enjoy life in the same way that other kids can.
The program requires an IFC member to serve as
sponsor or patron to guide the process. And what a
great program this is! If you know a local family with
a child in need, we encourage you to become an IFC
member and then contact our office for information
on the Medical Cost Share Program.
IFC Supports CANICA - Kids with Cancer
The IFC helps poor kids with cancer by supporting
CANICA, a local organization that was formed in
2003 to help families with very little money cope
with treating and caring for
children with cancer. CANICA
is part of the International
Confederation of Childhood
Cancer Parent Organizations.
The IFC offers financial aid
each month to CANICA to help
with the costs of sending young
cancer patients with a parent
to Guadalajara for treatment,
arranging for them to stay at a
hostel, receive chemotherapy and other treatments
as well as psychological support for both the child
and the parent. Some children are unable to eat a
normal diet so CANICA provides supplementary
foods.
Last year the IFC also helped to buy optical
prostheses for an 11-year-old girl who had lost her
sight to cancer and whose eyes had to be removed to
stop the spread of the disease. She and her family are
very happy that she now looks like the other children
of her age, even though she will never regain her sight.
The IFC continues to support medical treatment
for kids with cleft palates, more than half a dozen
education projects, a number of local charities, and a
basic nutrition program in a very poor area of town.
We urge readers to support us by joining the club,
taking a Home Tour, or making a donation. You
can help us to change lives in this town that may
be paradise for many of us but can be much more
difficult for those who lack economic resources.
The International Friendship Club is a registered
charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club
Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta
A.C., located at the northeast corner of the Rio
Cuale Bridge above the HSBC Bank downtown.
Phone: 222-5466. Website: ifcvallarta.com Email:
ifcvallarta@gmail.com
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
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It’s our 4th Annual Riverfest!
W
hat: music festival with
7 fantastic bands, silent auction,
50/50 draws, vendors and more!
Where: El Rio BBQ, 245
Felipe Angeles in Paso Ancho Access using the R04 bus
When: Saturday, March 7th,
2015, 12 noon to 7 p.m. - Gates
open at 11:30 a.m.
Proceeds: All proceeds go to
Pasitos de Luz - a wonderful
organization with very minimal
resources that provides loving
care and therapy to children with
acute physical and psychological
illnesses. Your support enables
us to offer love, support and
rehabilitation to the special
children of Puerto Vallarta and
its surrounding areas.
Admission: Gate donation for
entry - $80 pesos OR VIP patron
ticket - this is a great deal and helps
the Pasitos kids so much - please
consider supporting our kids by
purchasing a $500 pesos VIP patron
ticket which entitles you to:
- early bird parking
- preferential seating open to patron
ticket holders only until 3 p.m.
- complimentary snacks
- complimentary non alcoholic
beverages for the ticket purchaser
- complimentary one buffet
from 2 to 5 p.m. (El Rio BBQ and
Barcelonas Tapas)
- provide much needed financial
support for our deserving kids
Patron tickets are available
February 21 and 28 at the Pasitos
be giving professional haircuts
and/or eyebrow threading at
Riverfest and donating 100%
of the proceeds generated from
his stylish services! Get a cut
for the cause at a great price at
Riverfest!
See you there!
de Luz table at the Old Town
Farmers’ Market or by emailing
Barb at condo211@yahoo.ca
To add to the event, Alex
Daoud owner of Alexander A is
sharpening his scissors and will
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Last year we had over 500
paid gate entries and almost
100 VIP patrons attend this
not-to-be-missed event! Here
are some of our past attendee
comments: “easily one of the
top events in Puerto Vallarta”,
“the music was fantastic”, “love
the location and everything
about the event from the music
and the food to the vendors and
the fun.” “I wouldn’t miss it already looking forward to the
next one!”
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6th Annual ‘Duckaton’ Fundraiser for SETAC Center
Join
us for the 6th Annual
“Duckaton” fundraising party
supporting SETAC - Tu Centro
Comunitario - to be held
Wednesday, February 25th, from 7
- 11 p.m., on the poolside terrace of
Boana Torre Malibu, Amapas #325.
You will enjoy an evening of live
music and entertainment, free food,
open bar, and great prizes - all for a
good cause!
Enjoy the festivities while you
anxiously watch and wait for the
“swimming boys” to collect the toy
ducks in the pool and call out your
number to see which of the fabulous
prizes - donated by the some of
the wonderful sponsors from the
Vallarta business community - you
can win. All are welcome!
The SETAC Community Center,
located at the corner of Constitucion
(#427) and Manuel Dieguez, offers
a variety of services meant to
improve the communities in and
around Puerto Vallarta including:
English classes and AA meetings
(to provide the 12 Step Program
for drug and alcohol addiction in
English and Spanish); free walk-in
HIV and Syphilis rapid testing and
counseling along with the promotion
of safe sex through education
and availability of condom for the
asking; mothers living with HIV
are provided free formulas for their
babies along with counseling and
moral support; transportation and
lodging for patients of surrounding
communities (Talpa, Mascota y
Tomatlán) for their appointments;
antiretroviral bank; PEP (PostExposure Profilaxis Program;)
Seguro Popular for foreigners;
specialist referral (free or at low
cost;) and much, much more.
Tickets for the Duckaton
are available at the SETAC
Community Center, Hotel Torre
Boana Malibú, and Piñata Juice
Bar – 322 V. Carranza.
Admission requires a $350peso donation before the event
or $450 pesos at the event.
For
further
information
regarding the event, any of
the services provided, or to
contribute please call 2241974 or e-mail: Paco Arjona,
Executive Director SETAC –
paco@setac.com.mx; Ismael
Mendoza- Event Coordinatorconsejería@setac.com.mx;
Jim
Eckardt-Volunteer
Event
Coordinator – jimel@sbcglobal.
net.
You Can Help! There are a
number of ways you can help
support SETAC and their efforts such as cash sponsorships to cover
expenses that must be paid for
(non-donated goods and services.)
• $8,000 pesos will pay for 4
Health fairs in remote, underserved
communities.
• $6,000 pesos will pay
transportation
and
lodging
assistance for 10 patients needing
to travel to obtain medical care.
• $4,000 pesos will pay for 5
months of infant formula for an
HIV+ mother.
• $2,000 pesos will pay for 2
months of medical supplies for our
HIV testing program.
• Prizes - we need 400 prize items
for the event. Stuff like certificates
for goods or services from your
business establishment or small
items that can be presented to
winners during the event.
Donations like yours make this
ministry of service and support
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
possible for hundreds of Vallarta
residents who otherwise could be
alone and ignored. In appreciation
for your cash sponsorship, your
business logo will be prominently
displayed on the main banner on
the event, on the SETAC website;
mentioned in news and press
releases via internet, print, and
radio; and you will receive special
recognition at the event.
Join us for a night of friendship,
food, and fun while helping to raise
funds for the SETAC - Tu Centro
Comunitario!
An Evening under the Stars
Puerto Vallarta Garden Club presents
An Evening under the Stars
Where: Hacienda Palo Maria at Garza Blanca Beach
When: February 26, 2015 6:30 to 10:30
Why: To Fund Beautification of Puerto Vallarta
What: Entertainment by Gerardo Ponce and Coco-Ache, PV’s
premier Cuban Salsa band, Fabulous Food by Chef Luis Villaneuva
Tickets: 800 Pesos at Carol’s Boutique, Galleria Dante, R.K
Supplements at 130 Rodolfo Gomez, and from any member of
PV Garden Club Board, especially Matthias Vogt, Treasurer, at
Matthias.vogt@usa.net, Tel.: 222-4019.
This event was sold out last year so don’t delay getting your tickets!
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By
There’s
a proverb loosely
attributed to Winston Churchill, and
I’ve always been a big believer in
its wisdom. “A change is as good
as a rest.” Other references suggest
the original quote goes back even
further and was specifically about a
change in work. Nonetheless, there
is a special kind of rejuvenation that
comes from a change in routine or
scenery.
My wife Sandra Gaye and I had a
nice change this week. Our friends
Don & Joanne needed to make a
run down to Mayto for some of the
local kids who were left out when the
gifts were handed out back on King’s
Day. They asked us if we wanted to
come along; since it had been about
seven sad years since we had seen
the serene shores of Mayto, we were
delighted to accept the invitation.
The drive south of town and
beyond the Botanical Gardens
is splendid. I do love my coconut
palms, but the increase in altitude and
the appearance of ponderosa pines on
this drive whisked this Canadian boy
to visions of Okanagan country in
British Columbia’s interior.
Todd Ringness
Our van traveled as if it was either
on autopilot or stuck in a tractor
beam that pulled us straight into
the El Tuito main square to park
right in front of El Patio de Mario
restaurant - for lunch! I chose the
chicken enchiladas, Sandra Gaye and
Joanne had the cheese chile relleno,
and Don went for his favorite, the
Shrimp Diablo (he says, one of the
best versions of that dish anywhere!)
Mario’s food wasn’t fast but it was
authentically delicious, verified
by the sharp reduction in idle chit
chat whilst we scoffed everything
down like we had an important
appointment. By pure coincidence,
we did!
Now we were westerly bound
for Mayto on the coast. Holy moly
what a treat this was… nearly all
paved roads since we last traveled
that dusty trail. Don was our driver
on this day, and since he’s a trophywinning amateur race car driver, we
made it to the ocean PDQ! Time now
for a change of gears.
The beach at Mayto is simply
breathtaking… it stretches for miles
in front of rolling green hills and
zero development.
It honestly
looks like you’ve landed on another
planet, compared to the congestion
on Vallarta beaches. While sipping
our refreshments, I spotted a baby
Humpback and was gifted with the
incomparable sight of totally free
and all natural playing and breaching
in the distant sunny waters. There
is a little hotel with a pool and a
restaurant, making Mayto worth
your consideration for a true getaway
weekend.
We met up with Dulce and she
received all the toys with a huge
smile and a big GRACIAS for Don &
Joanne. Then it was back in the van
for the journey home. It didn’t take
much arm-twisting when Don asked
if we wanted to stop at a roadside
bakery. Oh my goodness! Woodfired clay ovens bringing forth freshbaked goodness, served by smiling
and attentive bakers. My para llevar
$5-peso cream cheese-filled and
still warm pastry lasted about 0.001
kilometres. These delightful goodies
are worth a return trip.
Like hundreds and hundreds of
other generous souls in our town, our
friends give of their time and money
to make a difference and bring about
social change. Collectively, these
supporters with all the charities in
our town create an community of
love and support like no other.
You can check out a number of
charitable events that are coming up
in our town, and conveniently buy
your tickets online. Just click on the
Charity link on the top of the page
at VallartaTickets.com and since
nobody can go to everything, just
take a look and see which events and
charitable causes appeal most to you.
There is a lot of variety this year!
Speaking of variety, our very own
version of American Idol continues on
the Act II Main Stage every Sunday
night at 8 p.m., hosted by Juan
Pablo Hernandez (who dazzles with
alternating Spanish and English!)
The top 10 finalists were recently
revealed, and there’s real talent in the
mix. If you’ve not yet experienced
The Voice of Vallarta, change your
Sunday night routine and give it a
go. The energy is unique and it’s
fun to cheer on the contestants with
their families and friends. It’s not
unusual to become addicted to this
kind of entertainment, so be warned!
Advance Voice of Vallarta tickets are
available now at VallartaTickets.
com or at the box office.
I’ve been enjoying the guests at
my weekly workshop for anyone
who wants to get more PEP in
their life. In under 90 minutes, we
explore your passion, personality,
and spiritual gifts and discover how
they combine to create (or confirm)
your personal mission. You can
get your free PEP Quiz Workshop
tickets at VallartaTickets.com or
call 222-4198 or drop me an email at
toddringness@gmail.com Everyone
is welcome at my PEP Quiz Workshop
on Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. at
the new Boutique Theatre above
Nacho Daddy’s on Basilio Badillo.
Please let me know you are coming
so that I have enough materials for
everyone. Hope to see you there!
Whether you’re creating change or
enduring it, I hope that the end result
for you is refreshment and renewed
vigour in whatever lies before you.
And blessings upon you!
Todd Ringness
Along with his wife Sandra Gaye are the founders of Vallarta Tickets, a Canadian online
ticketing agency serving the Banderas Bay region and beyond. You can usually see this man
about town, or you can email: Todd@VallartaTickets.com
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
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Bahía de Banderas has a brand new theatre!
N
uevo Vallarta Stage & Forum opened its
doors this past December. It is a cozy and intimate
new venue with a capacity to seat up to one
hundred people.
The NVS&F brings more options to residents
of the bay to attend and enjoy live entertainment.
This wonderful experience begins while you’re
walking to the theatre down the Malecon of
Nuevo Vallarta with the sailboats beautifully lit.
You will immediately feel glamorous when you
see the red carpet at the theatre doors, and feel
yourself transported to a different time when you
see a set of painted murals of people dressed up
as in the 1920’s buying their tickets at the front
of the house. The experience continues once you
are inside with a couple more murals of cabaret
girls and a golden framed mirror. Once inside the
theatre, details have been taken care of in order to
enjoy the show. Carpeted walls, a/c, a raised stage
that is topped with a beautiful red velvet curtain
which, once opened, reveals the well lit stage.
If you would like the complete the 1920’s
experience, be sure not to miss Producciones
UNDA’s production of “CHICAGO”. This
wonderful production will leave you applauding
for more. More than fifteen people on stage, all
professional actors, singers and dancers. This
musical, choreographed by Nina Janik (a former
Broadway dancer and musical choreography
professor) and Jennifer Castro, and directed by
Aggie Unda, has been a huge hit. Audiences have
come back to see Alberto Mejia (Billy Flynn),
Mary Jo Nelson (Roxy) and Miriam Tanz (Velma)
in the lead roles, supported by Kharla Barragan
(Mamma Morton), Victor Manuel Hernandez
(Amos) and the talented dancers of Latin Team
Productions.
You can make this a complete night out
experience by dining either before or after in one
of the two restaurants located next to the theatre.
For a full VIP service, just get a group of friends
together and the NVS&F will pick you up on
Basilio Badillo, take you to Nuevo Vallarta for
dinner and theatre, and will bring you back safely.
What better way to spend your Friday night?
Remember to visit the NVS&F web page at
www.nvstageandforum.com
www.vallartatickets.com
f/b stage & forum Nuevo Vallarta
322 3030 572
LET THE SHOW BEGIN!
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
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Calendar / Directories
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February 2015
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Airline Directory
AEROTRON
226-8440
AIR CANADA 01 800 719-2827
AIR TRANSAT 01 800 900-1431
ALASKA
01 800 252-7522
AMERICAN
01 800 904-6000
CONTINENTAL
See United
DELTA 01 800 266-0046
FRONTIER
01 800 432-1359
INTERJET
01 800 011-2345
SUN COUNTRY 01 800 924-6184
UNITED
01 800 864-8331
US AIRWAYS 01 800 428-4322
AEROMEXICO 01 800 021-4000
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Calendar / Directories
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A Biblioteca Los Mangos Public Library Benefit
“The Magic of the Dance”
A uniquely beautiful modern dance production
By
Cecile Scriban
D
id you know that there’s an artist
‘extraordinaire’ right here in town who’s not only a
national celebrity but also one of international fame
as well?
Unless you’re familiar with the Cartelera
Escénica’s past season Friday evenings dance
performance series at the CECATUR which
dancer/choreographer/promoter Melissa Castillo
Caviedes developed to showcase and provide
opportunities for the many artists, acrobats, actors
that have set foot on that stage while collaborating
with musicians and poets, such as, Rubén Cham,
Fernando Vigueras ...., her sheer talent and drive
would be awe-inspiring to most - a born dancer
perfectionist blazing to the stars!
Melissa’s accolades speak for themselves forging ahead in her own creative journey from
the School of Fine Arts of the University of
“Extraordinary Production”
Vallarta Tribune
“Flawless”
Marcia Blondin
“Best live theatre in Vallarta”
Gary R. Beck
“Detaches your mind and soul
from your theater seat”
Paco Ojeda
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Guadalajara, she earned a Degree in Performing
Arts to perform on famous stages in Mexico - not
only in Guadalajara, but also at the Extremadura
in Monterrey, the Cervantino in Guanajuato, San
Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, the Mayan Xcaret....
Attaining international acclaim in Granada,
Spain, Melissa became a leading edge performer
combining contemporary dance with choreographic
composition and theater. And having absorbed
the classical Butoh dance, she earned her place in
the famous Japanese Taiku Dance Company, and
emerged as creator of aesthetic choreographic
projects and performances of indescribable beauty.
Always thirsty for new teachings, Castillo spends
much time traveling to other cities and participating
in important workshops with other choreographers.
Then in a three-year ‘recess’, talented Melissa,
inspired by a three verse “haiku” composed by
Vallarta’s own Rubén Cham, she worked, explored
and imagined this new lofty project’.. !
“Foot on firm ground
Scanning the heavens
Taking flight”
In the grand finale half of this evening’s program,
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Melissa places herself in the spotlight featuring
in one of her most meaningful productions - her
immortal “Scanning the Heavens” or ‘Escudriñando
El Cielo’ in 4 distinct scenes creating pure magic in
this top notch ‘Thing of Beauty’ with a contemporary
ballet montage with fellow dancer Elvia Lizette
Ornelas, fusing movement, music and voice into one
organic transporting masterpiece - a most uplifting
homage in loving memory of her late mother in her
own transcendental flight towards infinity.
Foot firmly residing in Vallarta however, another
of Ms Castillo’s numerous absorbing initiatives has
to be her weekly Taller de Baile (Dance workshop)
at the beloved Biblioteca Los Mangos Public
Library, our popular cultural and community center
where she tirelessly teaches to both children and
teenagers while raising the level and quality of this
important branch of the performing arts in our city.
friends, visitors... let’s celebrate this glorious
season, while supporting one of the worthiest good
causes in town!
Before the performance in the Expo Room at 7
p.m., let’s enjoy cocktails in the lobby, and dinner
after the show, at any of the restaurants, enjoying a
Thus Los Mangos is excited and proud to present
‘La Magia de la Dance’ this March 26th at 8 p.m. in
the Exposition Hall under the generous sponsorship
of the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort of Vallarta.
This performance starts in the first half of the
program (before intermission) with ‘Seeds of the
Sun’ or ‘Germen de Sol’, her own production and
choreography with a fresh and dynamic outlook
exploring the poetic choreographic expressions in the
origins of movement and their ‘genuine intentions’.
“There is no movement for the sake of movement
without a meaning to it, and thus it is essential to get to
the source of the true impulse of any movement from
the simplest to the most complex,” Melissa explains.
Performing this diverse triptych will be Maestra
Melissa’s intermediate level dancers whose ethereal
yet virtuoso movements highlight the ‘luminous
intent’ of each of the these choreographic frames
with the descriptive music of Stoa, Yann Tiersen,
Alex Sirvent and René Aubry.
As always, our community is committed to
promoting excellence in literacy, art and culture
at the ever evolving and expanding BLM, while
encouraging such impassioned local artists of
Melissa’s caliber to continue enriching the quality
of our beloved PV.
With this unique double deal opportunity, dear
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
The 7 Arts
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20% discount on presentation of your ticket.
Ticket: 350 pesos, or 400 pesos at the door,
available at Los Mangos Public Library on
Francisco Villa, tel.: 224-9966 (credit cards
accepted), at Hotel Belmar on Insurgentes, tel.:
223-1872, or by calling me, Cecilia, at 226-4606.
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The 7 Arts
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Roslyn Kind in Concert at the Red Room
T
he entertainment scene in Puerto Vallarta
this winter can only be described as exhilarating.
With new and expanding choices in venues along
with top-notch entertainers, shows are selling out
left and right. Puerto Vallarta is truly becoming a
destination for those who love quality theater and
cabaret.
The Red Room Cabaret (Act II Entertainment) is
bringing many well known and talented performers
to Puerto Vallarta. One such artist is the fabulous
Roslyn Kind, who is scheduled to perform four
shows at The Red Room from March 2nd through
5th at 7:30 p.m.
It’s an exciting time for singer, songwriter and
entertainer Roslyn Kind. She has done many
concert performances through the years and this
engagement follows a world tour with her sister,
Barbra Streisand and her nephew, Jason Gould. “It
was phenomenal,” says Kind of joining the 201213 ‘Barbra Live’ tour. “It was something I wanted
most of my career, to sing with my sister onstage,
and it finally transpired. It was a very exciting and
loving experience to be onstage with my sister.”
Roslyn feels that the world tour opened a new
chapter in her career.
A native of New York City, Roslyn Kind started
recording her debut album the day she graduated
from high school in June 1968. She went on to
appear at the Plaza Hotel’s legendary Persian
Room in 1969 where she played to a packed house.
She performed on the April 16, 1977, episode of
‘Saturday Night Live.’ She also spent several
decades touring internationally as a concert artist.
Having taken a break from singing and
entertaining for a few years, Roslyn believes that
the world tour and the enthusiastic response from
fans motivated her to return to her concert/cabaret
roots. Her amazing new solo show debuted last
April at New York City’s 54 Below. “It was a big
success!”, she admitted.
Roslyn Kind’s show combines favorites from
the classic American songbook, Broadway and
her own early recordings from RCA Records. Her
return to cabaret has coincided with Sony’s release
of her first two RCA recordings (dating back to
1969) on one CD. The show features such songs
as “It’s a Beautiful Day”, “All That Jazz”, “It only
Takes a Moment” and “Can You Read My Mind?”
She also includes music by The Beatles, Leonard
Bernstein, Sergio Mendes, and the Bergmans.
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Backed by Alex Rybeck on piano, Roslyn
creates a feeling of intimacy in the cabaret setting.
Intelligent, confident and charismatic, she is the
consummate, seasoned entertainer. With a range
of emotion, insight and understanding, Ms. Kind
captivates and enchants her audience.
Roslyn Kind’s show has previously been
directed by Richard Jay-Alexander. Ms. Kind
and Jay-Alexander have known each other for
years, but it wasn’t until after working with her
on the Streisand tour, that the two began talking
about putting together new material for her.
The director is known for his affiliation with
Cameron Mackintosh and directing productions
of Les Misérables, as well as serving as Executive
Producer for the show, in addition to The Phantom
of the Opera and Miss Saigon. On concert stages he
has worked with the best: Barbra Streisand, Bette
Midler, Bernadette Peters, Brian Stokes Mitchell,
Ricky Martin, IL DIVO, Donny & Marie, IL
VOLO, Kristin Chenoweth, Johnny Mathis, Norm
Lewis and many more. He says that working with
Roz, is like a “family affair.”
Roslyn Kind in Concert is only here for
four Puerto Vallarta shows. Don’t miss this
extraordinary opportunity to hear a superbly
talented performer. By her own admission, Roslyn
is in show business to make her audiences happy.
She definitely succeeds in doing so with her new
show!
Tickets are available through the box office at
Act II Entertainment, 300 Insurgentes (corner of
Insurgentes and Basilio Badillo, PV). Tel.: 2221512. Tickets can also be purchased online from
vallartatickets.com
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An explosion of musical chemistry at the Red Room Cabaret
Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars - consists of Chas
Eller, on keyboards, Bryan Savage on sax & flute, Steve York on bass, and Lazaro Poey on drums. Individually these players have had successful careers back in the States, in Europe, in Cuba, and
around the world. Now they are spending winters in
the greater PV area, and have joined forces to create
an amazing musical chemistry the likes of which this
area has not seen before.
The uniqueness of these four individual’s musical
roots makes for a repertoire that covers the gamut of
jazz, blues, and funk style. February 20th at 7:30 p.m.
the world, including the Frameline Film Festival in
San Francisco.
February 19th at 7:30 p.m.
Cashetta - has delighted audiences for over 18
years with her outrageous wit, charm and crossover
appeal and remains one of America’s most beloved,
unique and sought after female impersonators.
As a Singer, Comic, Emcee, Magician and Fabulous Psychic Medium, Cashetta is a one of a kind entertainer that is not to be missed!
February 18th at 7:30 p.m.
Every week at the Red Room Cabaret:
Luna Rumba - thrills audiences with their sonic tapestry of Latin Fusion, Gypsy Flamenco, Arabic Melodies, Cuban Rhythms, Celtic Riffs and even Latin
Jazz. Their shows are a celebration of musical fusion,
human diversity, creativity, warmth and virtuosity. Fiery violins, rumba-flamenco guitar, hot keyboard
riffs and cool bass ride on top of the unstoppable
polyrhythmic grooves created by the exotic percussion instruments and drums. If this weren’t enough,
be prepared to hear vocals that will melt your heart
and warm your soul. February 21st at 5 p.m.
They’re back…
Kim Kuzma -Being her 10th year of performing in
PV, Kim has learned to simply give what audiences
want from her. “Just Kim” is exactly that. Kim’s Acustico show features Kim and her fantastic 5 piece band.
Acustico - Sundays at 7:30 p.m.,
Just Kim - Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.
Miss Conception The Wonderful World of Miss Conception
An all live singing show with your favorite story
book characters with a twist.
Mondays at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.,
Thursdays at 9:30 p.m.
Elvis – Forever Elvis
Rob Knight holds the title of Pacific Northwest
2014 Division Champion as an Elvis Tribute Artist. Forever Elvis is reminiscent of his lively and passionate Las Vegas stage shows and concerts.
Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
Jason Brock “Combined confidence, class and just the
right amount of sass (a breath of fresh air).”
~ The Advocate
Jason Brock is a television, film and stage star. He
was seen in homes all over the world as a finalist on
X-Factor singing songs like Billy Joel’s “New York
State of Mind.” Jason also starred in the film, “Love
is not enough,” which played at film festivals all over
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
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Map
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Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
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Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
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The 7 Arts
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Joe Harrington
Kingsman: The Secret Service
The movie’s name confused me.
Before I entered the theater I hadn’t
read anything about this flick so only
had the title to go by and that it had
good actors in it, like Michael Caine,
Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Firth.
King’s man - singular. So I thought
the movie was about a sole protector
of our president and would be about
an assassination attempt. Wrong.
Without going into great detail, this
movie knocks off more people than
any I can remember and that’s saying
something when you consider how
many movies out there kill off seemingly
endless victims. But something makes
this movie different and that’s it does
its killing with an incredible amount of
humor. Scene after scene is delivered,
of course tongue in cheek, with sidesplitting images. And done sometimes
in conjunction with music, and near the
end, classical music is combined with
rockets’ red glare, total slaughter and
belly laughs.
That’s not easy to pull off, but pull
it off this flick does.
This film unabashedly rips off other
movies. Flicks like Mars Attacks and
The Avengers and, of course, 007’s
James Bond. Colin Firth’s character
could just as well have been named
Steed, without the Emma Peel. Great
lines of dialogue are used. One
example, our hero orders a drink,
saying, “Martini, gin of course,
not shaken, but well stirred with an
unopened bottle of vermouth looking
on.” I love this kind of stuff. That
line made me think of Daniel Craig
(aka James Bond) ordering a martini
and the bartender asking, “Shaken or
stirred?” Our man with the license to
kill answers, “Who gives a damn?”
Acting:
Solid throughout.
Cinematography: stunning in places,
spectacular in others.
Running out of time regarding
the upcoming Oscars. Which is my
usual routine, procrastinate and then
slap myself in the face and gasp,
“How could I let myself dig such a
hole regarding time left before the
Academy Awards?” But I have
managed to watch and also review
a few of the nominations like Still
Alice; Wild, Theory of Everything,
The Imitation Game, American
Sniper but have not managed to get
around to Boyhood.
Maybe because I was given a
personality that never grew up, which
is what most writers have as the
number one point on their résumés.
What other job allows you to stare
into space and have other people think
things like, “He must be thinking,”
or, “I wonder what he’s creating?”
When all the while all I’m doing is
wondering where I left my car.
Who do I think will win best picture?
As I haven’t seen all the nominees, I
am not armed with the knowledge I
should be, but based on what I have
seen I thought Birdman was the best until I saw The Theory of Everything.
I have to admit I was fairly
cynical last November or so about
the year’s offerings, and even wrote
and predicted there would not be ten
movies nominated for Best Picture.
I was right, only eight made the cut,
but I was wrong about the quality
of those that did. Some sensational
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
stuff was produced, making things
look rosy regarding the creativity of
future offerings. So many of those
nominated had no murder, no car
chases, no rockets’ red glare, just
intensely human interest stories about
being a member of mankind.
That said, the movie I started this
column writing about is 180 degrees
from that concept, totally violent,
well written, and very funny –
meaning if a movie is well done, it
doesn’t matter, as long as it entertains,
fulfilling the unwritten contract with
the audience on a very basic level.
Getting something that is thought
provoking is just a bonus. The fact
that it’s funny is understandable as it
is based on a comic book.
This Sunday night I will, like so
many movie lovers, be glued to
the television waiting to see if my
favorites win. But for a year that had
one of the worst Summer Blockbuster
seasons in memory, it redeemed itself
as the year wore down.
“And the Oscar goes to…”
The same as every year, to all of
us who love movies, it goes to us.
And our picks, no matter what the
Academy chooses, are what counts –
to us...
Joe Harrington
Is an internationally published true crime
writer and documentary filmmaker.
Send comments or criticism to
JoeMovieMadness@Yahoo.com
Artwork by Bob Crabb.
ISSUE
330
Galeria Colectika
At Galeria Colectika, 858 G. Sanchez and Allende, we are having a great time showing
people how Mexican Folk Art has evolved from simple, primitive pieces to examples of
fine art that can compete against the best contemporary artists today. One of the best
examples of this ‘Ancestral Contemporary’ movement in Mexican Folk Art is Jacobo
and Maria Angeles, the famed wood carvers from Oaxaca. They were in the gallery last
week showing not only how they carve the copal wood they use to create their figures,
but also demonstrated how the natural paints they use to decorate their figures are created.
Jacobo Mendoza, probably the best weaver today from Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, made
a surprise visit a couple weeks ago to show his latest silk weaving with traditional Zapotec
designs. Today, Oaxacan rugs can be found anywhere from the beach to the market, but
Jacobo’s silk weaving’s have an amazing 18 strings per inch.
On the 18th of March, we would like to invite everyone to meet Enrique Flores, a
sensational painter from Oaxaca whose magical realism delights and inspires collectors
and art lovers alike. Enrique was born July 1st, 1963, in Huitzo, Oaxaca. In 1980, Enrique
began studying art in the Bellas Artes School at the University of Benito Juarez and upon
graduating, studied at the prestigious Rufino
Tamayo Art Studio where he specialized in the
plastic arts and metal lithographs. Enrique will
be bringing a selection of his original paintings
as well as his prints so there will be something
to fit just about everyone’s budget.
Gracias,
Beatriz and Kevin
Galeria Colectika 858 G. Sanchez & Allende
Tel.: 222-2302
www.peyotepeople.com
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
The 7 Arts
21
The 7 Arts
22
ISSUE
330
Costa Banderas Dems Abroad Film Series
every Wednesday at 7 p.m.
At the International Friendship Club
February 25: A Place at the Table
Tickets are available at the International Friendship Club Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The IFC is located above the HSBC bank just north of the Rio Cuale Bridge in downtown Puerto
Vallarta, where Insurgentes, Libertad, and Miramar all meet at the curve. Come up the stairs, and
the Clubhouse will be on your right side.
Tickets are available for a donation of 60 pesos in advance and 70 pesos at the door. Doors open
at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be available.
For further information, you can contact Tobe Jensen tjensen1942@hotmails.com or David
Kamp at snowkamp1@yahoo.com
Editor’s Note: Don’t forget that Democrats Abroad has also been showing
the films nominated for Academy Awards and there are still three left:
“Whiplash” on Friday, Feb. 20th at 7 p.m., “Selma” on Saturday, Feb. 21st at 4 p.m.
and “Whiplash” again on Saturday, Feb. 21st at 7 p.m.
Lessons on writing memoirs
By
A
Bill Jory
lot of people dream of writing
their memoirs.
Puerto Vallarta’s
Maurice Monette did more. He did it.
Now he is willing to share the secrets
of how he did it.
The author of Confessions of a
Married Priest promises that guidance
at the 9th Puerto Vallarta International
Writers’ Conference March 6th to
8th at Biblioteca Los Mangos Public
Library. The event – with the theme
Leaving Our Mark ... Awakening More
than Memoir - is sponsored jointly by
the Puerto Vallarta Writers’ Group and
the Library.
“I will offer five tips on how to write
a memoir,” he says. “I’ll describe how
I got started, what obstacles I faced,
and how I succeeded in finishing.”
Then he’ll entertain questions.
Monette published his first article in
the early 70s and has not stopped since.
In recent years, his interest has shifted
from professional books and articles
to what he calls “more right-brained
creative writing.” He says he writes
because he has to and it is his way of
inviting self-awareness
and
savoring
life.
He has been full a fulltime resident of Vallarta
for 10 years where he
and his partner Jeff do
organizational consulting
with non-profits under the
umbrella of “The Vallarta
Institute.”
Another
Vallartan,
part-time
resident
James Callan – author
How to Write Great
Dialogue - will instruct a workshop
on that very subject. He will explain
and illustrate how dialogue for a
novel is not the same as everyday
conversation. The focus will be on
how to achieve written dialogue that
will raise a novel to new heights. In
the workshop, participants will write
some samples for improvement.
“All writers, aspiring and experienced,
understand the necessity of a good
plot and good characters,” Callan
says. “But many think that since they
carry on conversations (dialogue)
every day, they can write quality
dialogue in a novel. Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
But everyday dialogue does not
necessarily make good novel dialogue. I will show the
difference, explain why
this is so, and then show
how to write dialogue
that will improve your
novel dialogue -- and
possibly make the
difference
between
selling a manuscript
or not, or between
publishing a novel that
people rave about, or
not.”
Registration is $125
U.S.
Registration
forms and information are by email at
drjane121@msn.com Payment can be
made via Paypal.
Texas writer Caleb Pirtle, author of
60 books, also promises to motivate
as keynote speaker. Other presenters
- Sarah Cortez, Donna Dahl, Thomas
Pulley and Melissa Frost - will offer
seminars, workshops and interaction
on subjects ranging from song writing
to working with social media. Evelyn
Byrne of White Bird Publishing
and literary agent Elise Capron,
representing the Sandra Dijkstra
Literary Agency, will be on hand to
consider manuscripts.
ISSUE
330
The Best of Vallarta: Los Bambinos 2015 Shows
23
Angeline Kyba’s Annual Show Redux
“Every creature in the world is like a book and
a picture to us and a mirror.” - Alan of Lille
For the 2015 season, the Puerto
Vallarta entertainment community
features quality hit shows, including
Vallarta’s
favorite
performing
brothers, Los Bambinos.
Los Bambinos present two shows
weekly through mid-April: Fridays,
in their Unplugged show, you will
enjoy lavish Latino rhythms and
masterful guitar in a two-hour easylistening show exemplifying the
inspiring music of this colorful
community.
The ever-popular
Tuesday night Flashback Show
brings a two-hour selection of oldies
rock world favorites and Bambinos
originals to the stage, selling out each
week to delighted listeners.
This season, Los Bambinos invite
you to take your private party to the
next level with live music. Their
contemporary spin on traditional
Latin standards and international
rock and roll favorites is guaranteed
to make your party even more
memorable!
They bring choice
entertainment to each and every
event, melding disciplined vocal
study and inherent musical talent
with over ten years international
performance experience. Set the
stage for a perfect wedding dance
celebration for three hundred; add
the touch of live music for a hopping
cocktail party for fourty or bring in
the quartet for a memorable serenadedinner for two. Los Bambinos’
The 7 Arts
music will bring your party to life.
There are many things not to miss in
Vallarta this season... an ice cream
on the malecón… a margarita or iced
tuba beverage at sunset overlooking
the new pier (muelle)… and most
definitely, Los Bambinos Tuesday
and Friday musical performances.
Bring your ticket stub for a $50-peso
discount off your next show; maybe
you’ll catch both shows while you’re
here! Whether already a fan or simply
a music enthusiast wanting some
excellent local music, Los Bambinos
entertainment is sure to satisfy.
See Los Bambinos Tuesday
nights for their Flashback World
Favorites Tour and Friday night’s
UNPLUGGED Latino night 8 to
10 p.m. at the Roxy Rock House.
Reserve your table early for the best
seat in the house. Information and
tickets at www.losbambinosmusic.
com or call 222-4357, English spoken.
The Roxy Rock House has live music
every night at 217 I.L. Vallarta in the
Romantic Zone on the south side of
town. See you at the show!
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
Angeline Kyba’s Annual Show will be held on Wednesday, February
25th, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Kyba’s Studio, 635 Cuauhtemoc, in downtown
Puerto Vallarta.
Announcing the reopening of Angeline Kyba’s show Obras Actuales Due to torrential downpour on February 12, we were rained out on opening
night. Some of you were able to make it to the studio through knee-deep
waters, but others were not, so we have decided to reopen the show with
festivities in the afternoon on Wednesday, February 25th from 3 to 6 p.m.
Please come and enjoy an afternoon of art, food and drink with us at
Kyba’s studio, 635 Cuauhtemoc in downtown Puerto Vallarta. Just follow
Guerrero, it is the same street with the name changing at the first curve
or come by way of the new bridge over the Rio Cuale to one of Vallarta’s
oldest streets, named for the last heroic king of México.
A long time resident of México, Canada and the U.S., Kyba paints people
and places and creatures big and small in oil on canvas or wood with much
gusto. Considered one of Mexico’s fine expressionist painters, Kyba offers
art enthusiasts a behind-the-scenes experience, enjoying work in progress,
work completed, portraits and paintings in the studio which she had built
and where she works.
Her subject matter is broad; neighbors and charros, animals and birds,
and all things organic and living. Animals have been an important part of
art since the time of the cave man and deer have figured prominently, check
the PVMirror Feb. 7 edition for Kyba’s article of the deer she has painted.
Kyba paints what she sees.
The National Geographic recently used her portrait “Carmen” for a
second printing by their educational division, Hampton Brown. Kyba
has the honor of having her painting “Miriam Reclining” accepted into
the prestigious Quinta Bienal de Monterey, and subsequently published in
their catalog. Her painting “Besame” graces the cover of the book Erotic
Journeys and her work is collected by museums worldwide and private
collectors like Cindy Crawford and Connie Francis. She welcomes portrait
commissions, both of people and animals.
Kyba’s studio is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 5
p.m. Please ring the bell. Or by appointment, call 222-4238 or email
angie@angelinekyba.com
February 2015
24
Good Bites
ISSUE
330
Your Comments
avineberg@yahoo.com
Dear Editor,
We have been traveling to Puerto
Vallarta for over 30 years and each year
we love it more. Every year we try to find
new wonderful restaurants. Our Chicago
friend, Rick Bayless, taught us to ask locals
where the best food is; the best cooking;
not necessarily a tourist hot spot; not
necessarily a beautiful view. Sometimes
we find out about a gem.
Last week we discovered an exciting new
restaurant, “Una Familia” located at 159
Calle Libertad (322 178-8920) just to the
south of the Malecon. We were greeted
by the smiling face of Edwin, the owner /
waiter / bartender / bus boy. He patiently
explained his specials of the evening, he
talked about the ingredients that make the
dish so special, guiding us to two dinners
that were absolutely spectacular. The
menu is large and varied and he supports
local farmers as much as possible.
Because PV is such a great restaurant town,
we try to not go back to the same restaurants
during our winter here. We are making an
exception this year, “Una Familia” deserves
a second meal. It is just that good. As with
many new restaurants, Edwin is open 7 days
a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. What
a joy this new restaurant is!
Sandy & Jerry Meyers
Dear Editor,
Had the good fortune to dine at Zia Maria
last night and it was great. Hope you can
find space for my review in your Grrreat
Magazine...
In a town renowned for its great restaurants,
it’s a thrill to find a new one which stands
above the rest. We had heard whispers and
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
rumors of its existence so our expectations
were high. Happily our expectations were
more than met.
Zia Maria is located at 369 Vienna
just off Avenida Francisco Villa in the
Colonia of Versalles. It is truly a gem
which features pasta, pizza, and crêpes in
the finest Italian tradition. Chef / Owner
Ernesto Pagliari has a menu to satisfy the
most discerning palate at very attractive
prices. The pizza is wonderful, the pasta
is superb, the staff is attentive, friendly and
very accommodating. That being said, the
coup de grâce is the live music provided
by a group called “Maktub” which features
different musicians on different evenings.
These guys are good and very versatile.
They are a perfect addition to a fine dining
experience. They make you want to
linger over another glass of wine or other
beverage.
Try it. You will not be disappointed.
Stan Allen
ISSUE
330
By
Anna Reisman
Last weekend, I took a friend to the Botanical Gardens,
because I wanted to visit with owner / curator Bob Price’s mom
who founded the Gardens with him, who was a true friend of
mine and whom I hadn’t seen in three years or so because she’d gone back to
the States. When we got there, Bob told me that she didn’t feel well and was
in no condition to see anyone, but that he’d call me as soon as she felt better.
That was not to be. Betty Price passed away Tuesday.
One lady posted the following on Bob’s Facebook page. I couldn’t say
it better: “She will be remembered. She left us her imprint of her vivid
imagination combined with yours and the legacy of her Love throughout the
Botanical Gardens where she will rest. What a Glorious way to honor her!”
Rest in peace, my friend.
I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, at the risk of incurring
displeasure on the part of Tracy Parks –of www.thepalmpv.com whose motto
it is-: the Gardens “just keep on getting better and better!” If you haven’t
been there lately, please do treat yourselves to one of the most enjoyable days
you’ve had in a long time. They are Betty Price’s legacy indeed, for all of us
to enjoy and admire.
I must congratulate the organizers & participants in this year’s Mardi Gras
parade. They truly outdid themselves. I hope you all went down to see it.
Felicidades to all of them, and especially to my friend Tim Longpré and his
gang! And more entertainment this coming week… just leaf through this
issue to check out everything that’s happening!
For my part, I intend to go see “Chatting with the Tea Party”, and maybe
attend the Garden Club’s “An Evening under the Stars” at Hacienda Palo
Maria next week. A few years ago, it was the site for one of the SPCA’s
most incredible fundraisers ever. (The owner of that spectacular villa was
the President of the SPCA at the time.) That composer, arranger and violinist
extraordinaire Gerardo Ponce will be there once again. Wait ‘till you hear that
virtuoso play - spellbinding! They’ve scheduled other live entertainment as
well. And, knowing the owner, I’m sure that the food is going to be just as
superb as it was back then. We are so spoiled! I love it.
So, get out there, dear reader! Live today as if it were your last, and make
plans as if you’ll live forever. Hasta la próxima vez! sheis@ymail.com
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Vallarta Voices
25
26
By
Health Matters
ISSUE
330
Krystal Frost
Control hypertension… naturally, of course
H
ypertension is such a common
health problem that one out of three of
you reading this have it. Uncontrolled
hypertension is a serious health concern
that can cause heart disease and
increase your risk of having a stroke.
It’s danger­ous because it often has no
warning signs or symptoms. Medical books will tell you that 95% of
the causes of hypertension is idiopathic,
meaning they don’t know what’s causing
it. We (meaning Traditional Chinese
Medicine practitioners) do know what
the cause of hypertension is. The good
news is that over 85% of those who have
hypertension can normalize their blood
pressure through lifestyle modifications.
I know that’s a scary thought... we are
all attached to our lifestyles, diet, and
adored habits of long making. Simply
changing a habit is the easiest to say
and the hardest to achieve.
Consider...
Drugs that treat hypertension will
not change or in any way address
the underlying cause of high blood
pressure. The normal progression
goes something like this... Your M.D.
puts you on a medication... and ups it
or changes it upon your annual checkup. Statistics show that over half of
people taking multiple medications for
high blood pressure are still not able
to manage their condition except by
increasing meds.
What is high blood pressure?
You are generally diagnosed with
pre-hypertension if your blood pressure
is between 120/80 and 140/80, and
anything above 140/80 is generally
diagnosed as hypertension. Keep in
mind that your blood pressure changes
with thought, emotion and action, so
if you have just walked up a flight of
stairs, and are nervous about seeing a
M.D. your blood pressure will be up.
If you’ve been diagnosed with high
blood pressure, you should know that
a common risk factor for high blood
pressure is weight. If you’re more then
20 lbs. over your ideal weight, you
increase your risk for developing high
blood pressure.
What causes high blood pressure? High blood pressure is related to your
body producing too much insulin. As
your insulin levels rise, it causes your
blood pressure to increase. Insulin levels
in the blood rise to break down sugars...
so that’s a no brainer... cut down on the
sugars (and artificial), wheat products
and beer, wine, and liquor.
This connection between insulin
resistance and hypertension is yet
another example of how wide-ranging
the debilitating effects of high insulin,
lepton and blood glucose levels can
have on your body (here we go on the
sugar witch hunt again…)
Treat high blood pressure
without drugs
Exercise – One of the most effective
ways to lower your insulin levels is
through exercise. A regular, effective
exercise program consisting of
aerobics, sprint-burst type exercises,
and strength training, can go a long
way toward reducing your insulin
levels and your blood pressure.
Exercise helps with weight control and
keeping the joints, bones and muscle
tissue in wood working order. Ideally,
you’ll want someone to supervise your
program and monitor your progress.
Acupuncture treatments have been
proven again and again to control blood
pressure, low or high.
Pascal J. Goldschmidt, MD, FACC,
chief of cardiology at Duke University,
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
agrees. “It’s not an accident that people
have been doing acupuncture for so
long,” he tells WebMD. The findings
are “pretty clear that it’s not a placebo
effect. Acupuncture seems to be having
a relatively specific effect on the control
of blood pressure.”
Avoid foods that boost insulin levels
If you have high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, or obesity, you’ll want to
avoid foods like: Breads, Pasta, Cereal, Potatoes, Booze,
Desserts …and Sugar in all forms!
While vitamin C may be helpful,
you’ll also want to avoid eating too
many fruits.
Reduce your stress – You’ll also
want to take steps to reduce your mental
and emotional stress, as that is a factor
for most people. Yoga, meditation...
music therapy, art therapy… there is
a long list these days.
Normalize your vitamin D levels
– Vitamin D levels is unquestionably
associated with an increased risk for
heart disease and diabetes, it’s all linked
together. Take your sun bath before 11
a.m. and after 5 in the evenings.
Balance your omega-6 to omega-3
fat ratio – The ideal ratio of omega-6
to omega-3 fats is 1:1. Therefore, you’ll
want to lower the amount of vegetable
oils in your diet, and make sure you
have a high quality, animal-based
source of omega-3s. I personally like
chia seeds and trill oil supplement.
A warning if you have very high
blood pressure, or are currently on
medication for hypertension As most of you already know, my
path is one of prevention. The long term
goal is to get off as many medications
as possible due to the secondary effects
which many times are worse then the
condition for which the meds are being
prescribed.
It’s VITAL that you do adhere to your
M.D.’s prescribed medication to lower
your blood pressure -if your blood
pressure is very high- while attempting
a more holistic approach. Clearly
make sure you’re not increasing risk
until you’re able to implement these
lifestyle changes. Once the cause of
your problem has been addressed, then
that will allow you to slowly wean off
medication.
ISSUE
330
Do I have to give up being me
in order to be loved by you?
By
Giselle Belanger
H
ow many times have you
thought this or said it out-loud?
How many relationships have
you been in where your partner
manipulates you to give up your
life; your friends, your interests,
your job? Have you been criticized
for the way you do things or say
things? Has it left you feeling
like “no matter what I do, it will
never be enough”? Is your partner
impossible to please or never
satisfied?
It’s all you!
After continual blame and
criticism from your partner, you
really start to wonder “is it really all
me?” Of course not! It is never all
one person’s fault in any situation
or relationship. However such a
one-sided perspective is a sure sign
of verbal and emotional abuse.
When you have a relationship with
someone (partner, sibling, parent,
co-worker, boss) where they only
accuse and never see or accept
their part or role in the problem,
you are being set up for failure.
You will never be able to change
enough to please them. If it’s not
one thing, it’s another. They don’t
understand what they’ve done
wrong or that they need to change;
it’s all you. As long as they don’t
have a problem, they don’t have to
change. Being the victim is a very
convenient position as it places all
of the responsibility on the partner
to repair or change something.
No matter what I do,
it will never be enough
Do you feel like your partner is
impossible to please? One woman
tried so hard to accommodate
RN, LCSW
every complaint and demand of
her husband. She made conscious
efforts not to repeat the same
“mistakes”… cook the food he
likes, take the dog for a walk before
7pm, wear sexy nightgowns and
seduce him on command, etc. She
was crying and exhausted as she
recounted one effort after another
and to no avail. She said “it will
never be enough” and admitted
she just couldn’t do it anymore.
This exhaustion is common. The
misconception is that it leaves the
exhausted partner feeling like they
have somehow failed. A part of
them really believed they should
have been able to keep up with the
endless demands of their partner.
Wrong! Impossible! Stop trying.
My way or the highway
“As long as I do it his way,
everything is fine, but as soon as I
want to do it my way or with my
family or my friends, he throws a
fit”. Unfortunately, I hear this all of
the time. Many people are “fine” as
long as everyone, especially their
partner, accommodates their every
desire. If you go out to eat at his
favorite restaurants with his friends,
watch the TV programs he likes or
go to the movies he likes, spend
weekends doing what he likes, etc,
then everything is fine. This can
be very confusing and misleading
because you may actually enjoy
each other in those moments.
You may wonder why you are
exhausted, resentful, or miserable,
if such “nice” days are possible.
Your partner is happy because all
of his needs were met; he didn’t
have to compromise or sacrifice
anything. For a while, you might
convince yourself that it is worth
it, but eventually, your resentment
builds up, you miss your life, your
interests, your friends, and you ask
him again to do something you
want, and there’s a huge fight, and
he either gets out of it because you
give in or he goes along and makes
you and everyone else miserable.
What fun!
Stop trying to change me!
Do you feel controlled?
Is
someone trying to mold you into
their image of who they think you
should be?! Is everything about you
scrutinized; the way you walk, talk,
laugh, drive, eat, cook…? “Are
you going to wear that?”… “Don’t
do it like that, that’s not how to
do it” … etc. How invalidating to
be considered so “defective” by
someone supposedly attracted to
you or even in love with you. My
friend said, “he makes me feel like
I am ‘not good enough’ and in
order to be please him, I have to
change so many things about me”.
A healthy attraction to someone
should be based on who they are,
not who you want them to be. As
you get to know someone, there
should be an acceptance of them
as whole complete individuals; not
fractions of their personality. You
must capture their “true essence”
and fall in love with that.
Jealousy
Jealousy shows up in new
relationships where you don’t share
a long history and you are just
discovering each other’s ways of
acting and interacting. When one
partner is jealous, it is a sign that
they are insecure and need constant
reinforcement and assurance that
they are “the one” and there is
nothing to worry about. However,
it is irrational and so no matter
what you do or say to calm it or
reassure them, it’s never enough.
A healthy relationship should be
built on trust and both partners
should feel secure. Assuming the
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Health Matters
27
relationship has not been built
on lies or betrayal, then it is safe
to say, this is their issue! It is not
something you are doing or saying
wrong.
How much have you changed
in order to prevent or calm the
jealousy? Have you stopped
greeting your friends with big hugs
because “you are always trying
to attract attention”? Have you
stopped interacting with friends
on facebook or e-mails because
“they might be ex-boyfriends”?
Have you changed the way you
dress or stopped wearing perfume
because he accusingly asks “who
are you trying to impress?” Have
all boundaries been crossed when
it comes to e-mails, text messages,
voicemails, facebook, etc because
“if you don’t have anything to
hide, then give me the passwords
and prove it to me”? It’s endless,
ridiculous, and exhausting! Most
importantly, it hasn’t resolved a
thing; your partner is still jealous no
matter what efforts you’ve made.
NOTE:
These
types
of
relationships are not healthy. In
fact, they are very destructive and
damaging. They leave you feeling
very exhausted with very low
self-esteem, wondering how you
could have been so desperate to
have tolerated that kind of abuse
for so long. Most likely, this is a
pattern that has repeated itself with
increasing intensity and severity in
several relationships over the years.
Stop walking on eggshells! …
Take your life back! …Recover
your “self”!! …Believe that you
deserve to be treated better!
Giselle Belanger
RN, LCSW (psychotherapist) is available
for appointments in person, by phone,
or by skype webcam. Contact info:
ggbelangerpv@gmail.com Mex cell: 044
(322) 138-9552 or US cell: (312) 914-5203.
28
Legal Matters
ISSUE
330
Ask Luis
By
Luis Melgoza
Dear Luis: A person interested in
buying our condo wants to pay cash
(actual cash, not checks or transfers)
for it and wants us to sign a contract
promising to sell, paying us the
price in full at that time; so we can
truthfully tell the notary that the
selling price was paid in full prior
to closing. The buyer says that this
is common to avoid some taxes for
both of us. Is this true?
Dear Reader: That type of
scheme is forbidden by Mexico’s
Federal Law to Prevent and Identify
Operations with Illicit Resources
(Ley Federal para la Prevención e
Identificación de Operaciones con
Recursos de Procedencia Ilícita, or
LFPIORPI by its initials in Spanish).
The same law forbids the purchase
of real properties, paying actual
cash, when the selling price exceeds
8,025 times Mexico City’s daily
minimum wage (or $562,552.50
MXN in 2015, equivalent to
$37,712.93 USD at last Friday’s
exchange rate for USD obligation in
Mexico)
The LFPIORPI not only impacts
real estate sales, but also rentals.
Landlords and tenants are obligated
to accurately identify each other
through government issued picture
ID, if individuals, or most recent
bylaws and power of attorney of legal
representative accompanied by the
legal representative’s government
issued picture ID; information about
the activities of the parties involved
as well as of the use of the real
property; RFC or RFC application,
if Mexican citizens, or temporary or
permanent residents; information on
any beneficial owner(s) exist, and,
if applicable, contact information
for that beneficial owner; obtain and
confirm banking references; include
a statement in the contract, under
penalty of perjury, that all of the
funds used to acquire or build the
property, and those used to pay the
rent, have a legal provenance.
The
LFPIORPI
specifically
exempts all parties involved
in
vulnerable
activities
or
transactions from maintaining
the secrecy of professional
or
banking
confidentiality,
attorney-client
privilege,
confidentiality agreements, and
any other confidentiality or secrecy
agreements.
Any person or corporation
participating as an intermediary
in real property sales or property
management, not an employee of
the seller, buyer, landlord/lady or
tenant, must be registered in terms
of the LFPIORPI, and must report
certain transactions over certain
thresholds.
Failure to maintain the above
mentioned identification file, register
as a vulnerable activity practitioner,
or file the mandatory reports carry
fines ranging from $13,000.00
MXN (equivalent to $871.51 USD
last Friday) to $4,855.000.00 MXN
(equivalent to $325,474.13 USD
last Friday), and, may be construed
as a felony punishable with up to 8
years in prison.
NOTE: The exchange rate for
USD obligations in Mexico is at
http://dof.gob.mx/indicadores.php
and it is a critical tool for anyone
with obligations in US dollars
payable in pesos to determine
the official amount, financial
institutions advertised exchange
rate notwithstanding (by the way, if
payment for any USD obligations
in cash is required by a provider,
landlord/lady, etc., they must still
accept pesos at the official exchange
rate published daily from Monday
through Friday, except in legal
holidays. If any given day the rate
is not published (i.e. weekends and
legal holidays) the rate of the prior
business day applies.
Dear Luis: I have a car that I
bought here three years ago. It came
from the U.S. and was legalized
here. I would like to drive to the
U.S. this summer and I want to
make sure I have no problems at the
border. The title was a totaled title
from the U.S. when it was brought
into Mexico from the U.S. It was
because it is a 2003 and it had hail
damage. Like I said, it is legalized
for Mexico and my car insurance
that I have covers it in the US also. I just do not want to drive all the
way to the border and find out I can
not drive it in the US for a month
while I am there. Thank you for any
information you can share with me
on this. Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Dear Reader: Since your car is
already legalized and, for that reason,
it has Mexican plates; you might
be able to drive in the US without
incident, except if somebody checks
its Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) for any reason, either when
crossing into the US or once there,
if it was entered into the National
Motor Vehicle Information System
(NMVTIS) as totaled.
It really depends on the states
you plan to visit stateside, laws
vary drastically in different states.
Connecticut, for example, does
not allow for totaled or salvaged
vehicles to be rebuilt, registered
or driven; other states allow for
the reconstruction of such vehicles
and, once inspected by authorized
garages, to be re-registered and
driven again.
I would suggest that you check
the DMV web sites of any and all
states you intend to visit, just to
be safe. Just search for total loss,
totaled, salvage, salvaged, and
similar terms.
By the way, totaled or salvage
titles vehicles may not be imported
into Mexico. It is a good thing that
whomever sold it to you managed to
legalize it before selling it.
Send me your questions to
askluis@pvgeeks.com, I am not able
to answer each message privately
due to the volume of mail I receive.
I do not take legal cases, I am retired
from the practice of Law.
Luis Melgoza
Is a former PRI (Mexico’s ruling party)
Head Counsel and Legal Adviser to the
Mexican Congress. Although retired
from the legal profession, he is a highly
respected consultant for both the foreign
and Mexican communities in Puerto
Vallarta. Luis’ PVGeeks is the premiere
wireless high-speed Internet provider in
Puerto Vallarta. For Internet service, you
can reach Luis at lumel@pvgeeks.com
ISSUE
330
Real Estate
29
VIEWPOINT
By
Harriet Murray
We have to understand the culture to successfully
live and own real estate in Mexico
“Simpatico”
One of the most common and
historic cultural traits of citizens
of Mexico is the characteristic
of “simpatico”.
“Something to
strive for” evolved over a period of
generations to become a behavior
emphasizing goodwill toward people
of one’s own kind.
Historically in Mexico, people who
were not of pure Spanish ancestry
experienced little protection from
the law or custom. No help or offer
of aid was given to those who were
not in power. The majority of the
indigenous Indians or those of mixed
blood were victimized in virtually all
aspects of their lives. Their ability to
cope with the human need to mitigate
or lessen one’s feelings of being
vulnerable or powerless resulted in
a formal system of behavior patterns
and customs of “simpatico.”
In its Mexican context, “simpatico”
refers to a person who is sympathetic,
understanding, pleasing, friendly,
well-behaved, and trustworthy.
The trait of simpatico was developed
by those being discriminated against
as a way to combat the opposite
behavior and attitude they experienced
from those in power.
The simpatico character is
especially noticeable to foreign
visitors, who are not always used to
experiencing such demonstrations of
thoughtfulness, caring and hospitality.
This is one of the reasons why so
many Americans, Canadians and
other foreign nationalities become
permanent residents in Mexico.
The qualities of simpatico are
demonstrated by the experience of
living with physical inconveniences
in Mexico, which can be more than
made up for by the laid-back, relaxed
atmosphere. There is a sense that you
don’t have to be busy every hour of the
day. You don’t have to fell guilty if you
don’t produce something every day.
Many believe that there is an
emotional and spiritual quality to
life in Mexico that is missing in most
American homes, even the homes of
Mexican Americans and other groups
who have maintained some of the
cultural ways of their ancestors.
“Respeto”
Another cultural value where
Mexican and Americans, Canadians,
or non-Latinos do not see eye to eye
and misunderstand each other is in
the meaning of “respeto”, which
means respect.
There are significant cultural
differences between the meanings
of “respect” and respeto. Americans
and Canadians tend to respect
people if they are talented, lawabiding, diligent, productive and
successful. Anglos can base their
respect for others on well-known and
recognized principles of fairness and
equality, often without reference to
the emotional side of life.
Mexicans respect people for their
age, their professional position,
their power, their social status and
their level of attention to personal
relationships, which can take
precedence over all other factors.
One of the biggest mistakes an
American or Canadian can make in
their business relationships with a
Mexican is to presume that they can
win and keep the respect of their
Mexican counterparts by setting an
example of hard work and sacrifice
to their personal lives. To Mexicans,
this kind of behavior can be more than
foolish. It is highly detrimental to
one’s own character and personality
to be so focused on work, because it
prevents one from enjoying life and
one’s family.
Family relationships, including
those with distant relatives and
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
godparents have an impact on respeto
in Mexico. Family comes first, and
close friends come second.
Because personal relationships
are based on factors that can change
with circumstances, Mexican-style
respect may appear to be arbitrary
and undependable to outsiders.
Developing and nurturing respect;
therefore, requires more of a
personal, emotional investment than
we may experience in other societies.
Mexicans have not shaped their
lives around mechanical, absolute
rules and limitations. Their world
was, and still is to a significant
degree, based on emotional needs
first and materials needs second.
Mexicans tend to look upon the
American and Canadian way of life
as too robotic, too devoid of emotion
and spiritualism.
In recent real estate negotiations
between a buyer and seller from
different cultures, I experienced anew
the importance of understanding
the different ways we conduct
business. To successfully complete
this transaction, it was important
to operate within two cultures and
methods of handling a transfer of sale.
Information for this article has come
from my own experiences and the
writings of Boye Lafayette De Mente.
Harriet Murray
Can be contacted at:
harriet@casasandvillas.com
30
Fish Tales
ISSUE
330
Fishing poses challenges
with weird water temps, abundant bait,
plenty of action with experienced captains
By
W
Stan Gabruk
e’re seeing strange transitions
and even stranger species hanging
around our world famous fishing
grounds because of the unusually
warm water temperatures. We also
have unimaginable amounts of bait in
and around the bay, which of course
poses challenges when you’re trying
to turn the head of a ¨stuffed¨ to the
gills, so to speak fish! But fear not,
amigos, there are plenty of fish to
be had while we’re seeing limited
amounts of ¨summer species¨ like
Sailfish and Marlin. Now that may
sound bad, these summer species
shouldn’t be here in PV in the first
place, and as hard as it may be to boat
one of these trophy gamefish, you’ve
(Owner of Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle)
still got a shot and what more
can you ask for?
As mentioned earlier, water
temperatures are still hovering
at 77o when they should be in
the low 70s at the warmest. On
the positive side, we have Black
Marlin at Corbeteña taking Skip
Jack Tuna and Bullet Bonito as
bait, running anywhere from
250 to 450 lbs. and they’re more
abundant. Three boats came in
with Black Marlin of nice size
yesterday and this doesn’t make
any sense, but we’ll take it! There
is not much bait at Corbeteña, a
contradiction to the above paragraph,
so you need to make bait before you
get to The Rock. Once there you’ve
got a decent shot at Black marlin to
450 lbs., Sailfish, Jack Crevalle to 50
lbs. -which is large for this species-,
Sierra Mackerel to 20 lbs. El Banco
has Striped Marlin in the 120 to 200lb range, but these Marlin are smaller
in size.
The Marieta Islands are still alive
and well with Skip jack Tuna as thick
as ants and they’re taking any bait
or lure they come across; it’s almost
automatic! They’re good tasting
and abundant. Again, Jack Crevalle,
Sierra Mackerel to 20 lbs., Bonita to
40 lbs., Pompano ¨cookies¨ to 30 lbs.
with multiple hook ups are normal.
Dorado are still possible around the
area between El Moro and Punta
Mita. Very few Rooster fish for now
at the reef area and we’re waiting for
Snapper to turn up, but all in all well
worth an 8-hour fishing trip.
Off Punta Mita, there are tons
of large Jack Crevalle at 45 to 50
lbs. as well. Sierra Mackerel are
abundant at 20 lbs., Skip Jack Tuna
to 35 lbs., Bonito as well, in the same
size range. Very few Rooster fish,
there are still some Dorado but the
numbers have gone down, Wahoo
(yes, I said Wahoo) at 45 to 65 lbs. are
8 miles off the point on the heading of
320, so be prepared with wire leader
and troll a little faster than normal if
using flying fish lures or bullet bonito
as bait …and hold on! The fishing
has moved to this area for now and
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
an 8-hour trip is still your best option
with surprising results. Inside the bay is still great winter
fishing this week and you’ve got the
regular players - Sierra Mackerel
20 lbs., Jack Crevalle to 50 lbs.,
Skip jack Tuna to 35 lbs. or more
and abundant to the max.
Some Dorado are still being
boated around the La Cruz
Area and worth a shot. If
around the river mouths,
Robalo are running 25 to
40 lbs. and this white meat
fish have been feeding off
the organic seeds, twigs,
leaves, etc. just like they
do in summer in the rainy
season, definitely worth a
shot and they’re plentiful.
For great action on shorter
days, I suggest a panga for
4 to 6 hours and hit it hard,
they’ll hit back as they’re
being boated, amigo.
Water temperature are 77o to 78o,
bait is plentiful in the form of Flying
fish by the billions, Skip Jack Tuna
in the same numbers, Bullet Bonito,
Goggle eyes of course. If running
lures, green, blue flying fish lures and
petroleros are always reliable. We’re
seeing strange stuff, warm weather,
warmer than normal water and Marlin
still around the deep water locations
of Corbeteña and El Banco. Until next time, don’t forget to kiss
your fish and remember: at Master
Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle “We
Won’t Jerk You Around!”
Master Baiter’s has changed
locations in Marina Vallarta,
now between docks A and B
on the boardwalk. Email your
questions to me at: CatchFish@
MasterBaiters.com.mx Web page:
www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , local
Phone at: (044) 322 779-7571 or if
roaming: 011 521 322 779-7571 cell
phone direct. Facebook: http://www.
facebook.com/pages/Master-BaitersSportfishing-Tackle/88817121325
The trade name Master Baiter’s ®
Sportfishing and Tackle is protected
under trade mark law and is the sole
property of Stan Gabruk.
ISSUE
330
Waking up on the wrong
side of everything
By
M
Gil Gevins
y day began with a blessedly
brief kidney-stone attack. After only
two hours of relentless agony, the
pointy little rock grew claustrophobic
and headed for the nearest exit.
The sudden cessation of pain is
a wonderful thing, something to be
luxuriated in, like a warm bath.
Unfortunately, there was an urgent
errand I had to run, and luxuriating
was not an option. My wife wasn’t
so sure. “You’re in no condition to
go anywhere,” she said. “How many
pain pills did you take?”
“I don’t remember.”
“What day is it?”
“You mean, the day of the month,
or the day of the week?”
“Either one.”
“January?”
Naturally, I promised to stay home.
The moment she was gone, however,
I re-dressed and headed for the bank.
On foot. More or less. Floating
downhill to calle Peru, I stumbled
upon, and then into a bus. The driver
(no surprise) was a homicidal lunatic.
Bucking, lurching and shuddering
like a shot rhinoceros, the bus set
off, on a mission it would seem to
dislodge any remaining stones I
might still be burdened with.
Exiting, with difficulty, from that
elongated bumper car, I became
embroiled in a sidewalk standoff.
Weaving my way slowly (but surely?)
to the bank, my path was abruptly
obstructed by an amazingly round
young woman powering towards me
from the opposite direction.
As wide as she was tall, this
globular impediment to pedestrian
traffic was occupying my side of
the sidewalk - and hers too, for that
matter. On a normal day, I would
have hopped into the street (rebuilt
knee and all) and allowed her to pass.
But my current frame of mind was
(to use a bowling analogy) like the
sum of two gutter balls. So I said to
her in Spanish, “Age before beau…
um… age before… whatever!”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
she demanded, not budging a
centimeter.
“It means that I am three times
your age, and that it is customary to
demonstrate respect for one’s elders
by giving them the right of way. No
matter how… um… large you are.”
“Maybe it’s a custom where you
come from,” she said unpleasantly.
“Well then,” I asked reasonably,
“would you consider confining
yourself to one way sidewalks in the
future?”
My sole reason for going to the
bank was to pay a couple of artisans.
We work with over two hundred
Mexican crafts-persons and the
majority of them live from hand-tomouth. Not sending them the money
that day might have meant the
difference between them eating one
meal or three.
Once inside the bank, I headed for
the Numero Uno line, reserved for
important customers, and people like
me. The young teller asked to see my
Numero Uno card.
“It has no hologram,” he said.
“You have to put on the hologram.
Just see our executive in the corner
there.”
“What hologram? I just used it last
week.”
“It’s a new policy.”
“Fine. I’ll do it later.”
“No, señor, you have to have the
hologram on the card before you can
use this window.”
The bank was stuffed solid. I
glanced over to the corner where
there were eight people waiting to
see the so-called executive. My turn
could take anywhere from an hour,
to all day.
“Listen,” I told the teller, “I had
a two-hour kidney stone attack this
morning. I had to take a hundred pain
pills. These pills affect your mind.
Right now, I am clinically insane.
I am like one of those zombies on
television. At any moment I might
start chewing on your wrist. I’m so
hungry I could eat a soccer team.
I…”
“All right, all right!”
My next task involved dropping
off a very large box at the airport
for some departing clients. The box
contained a large mask and about
three cubic meters of Styrofoam
peanuts. At the counter, the security
man on duty asked what I was doing.
I explained that the box, along with
my clients, was going to Chicago on
United Airlines.
“We’re going to have to open the
box and inspect it,” the security man
said.
“No, no, no,” I said. “Trust me,
you do not want to open this box.”
“Why not?”
“It contains a very fragile mask
and is packed solid with Styrofoam
peanuts. You know, those little
weightless white chunks of plastic?
You open this box, there’s going to
be an eruption of Styrofoam. You’ll
be picking up bits of it up for the
rest of your life. Meanwhile, they’ll
be getting into everything: inside
the airplane engines, in babies’
throats, the air conditioner ducts,
computer terminals - wrecking
aviational havoc on a scale not seen
since the Hindenburg! Blinding
pilots! Clogging sinks, toilets and
stewardesses...”
“All right, all right!”
Home again, I started to draw
a bath, but was interrupted by the
phone. It was my Gastrenterologist.
He had the results of my recent
colonoscopy, and wished to see me
immediately.
“Why?” I squeaked. “Am I going
to drop dead?”
“Eventually,”
Dr.
Mendoza
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Gil Gevins’ Page
31
said. “The thing is, I need to go to
Guadalajara for a symposium, so I
have to see you now.”
Dr. Mendoza was young, highly
capable and absurdly thorough. It
took him twenty minutes just to
explain that there was nothing wrong
with me.
“Great!” I said. “I’ve had kind of a
rough day, so…”
“This will only take another fifteen
minutes,” he said, inserting a DVD
into his computer.
“What’s that?” I asked fearfully.
“It’s a video of your colonoscopy.
We’re going to watch it together so I
can point out the highlights.”
“The whole thing?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, no, Dr. Mendoza. I can’t do
that! Even on a good day, looking at
internal organs makes me nauseous.
And this is not…”
“Nauseous? Hmmm. That stomach
of yours. I think it’s time for another
endoscopy, and perhaps a peniscopy
and…”
“No, Dr. Mendoza! No more
scopies! You want to know what’s
going on inside me? From now on,
you can use a Ouija board.”
Almost smiling, the doctor said,
“Observe the consistency of the
mucous membrane, the smooth,
polyp-free…”
“Please, Dr. Mendoza,” I begged,
“can we forget the membranes, and
watch something else?”
“Something else?”
“Yeah, you seen Lola Does
Detroit? The plot’s a little weak, but
the costumes are terrific.”
Gil Gevins
Is the author of four hilarious books,
including the cult-classic, PUERTO
VALLARTA ON 49 BRAIN CELLS A DAY,
and his latest and greatest, SLIME AND
PUNISHMENT. Signed copies of all Gil’s
books are available at LUCY’S CUCU
CABAÑA, located at 295 Basilio Badillo;
or as E-Books on Amazon.
32
Hi-Tech
It’s that time again…
Back-ups…
J
udging by the “bad news” I’ve had
to break to a few clients the past weeks,
that their computer hard drive has died
and their data is lost, it’s time revisit
our friend the back-up. You have all
the time in the world to back up your
important documents and photos when
your computer is running perfectly.
But when there’s a problem, it’s a
panic situation as to whether one of
a kind grandchildren photos or tax
returns can be recovered. Often data
can be retrieved, but sometimes it just
can’t. Best to be prepared in case the
worst does happen. If the data on your
computer is important to you, you
should make the time to back it up.
In the early days of personal
computers, your options to backup
would have been 5.25” floppy disks.
Well those methods of backups are
long gone for the home computer user.
Later 3.25” diskettes were the backup
of choice for many years, but they too
have disappeared. Here in Vallarta, the
diskettes never lasted long with the
humidity. Today you only see floppy
disks in the Smithsonian Museum.
ISSUE
330
Welcome to the new millennium
of computing and with it, much
more reliable and astounding size
capabilities. About 10 years ago, many
of us had started to back-up on CDs
and then DVDs. The prices of DVD
burners came down enough that it
became the standard for storing data.
But like all technology, time marches
on and many new laptops don’t even
have a CD/DVD drives anymore.
Even still, the long term reliability of
using CDs and DVD’s for backups had
flaws, mostly due to care and handling
of the discs. Even I’m guilty of not
storing CDs correctly. I used to buy a
25 or 50 stack of discs and had a habit
of storing the backups in another old
spindle that new disks come in, and
so the chemicals of printing on the top
of one CD/DVD would leach onto the
data of another. So what other options
are there then? Today the external
hard drive is your best bet for almost
unlimited storage. I now use a 1TB
external hard drive in conjunction with
a solid back-up program. You can get
sizes to fit your need/budget. A 1TB
external hard drive starts at $85. US and
can go up to 2 and 3 Terra Bytes (TB).
But treat your external hard drive with
care!! It is a sensitive device and if
dropped, you can have a paperweight
on your hands. I frequently get asked
about what my recommendation is
for “on-line backups”. My personal
recommendation is NONE. Every
company that takes your money and
promises 100% secure online data
storage has a clause in their user
agreement, that the company cannot be
held responsible for lost data. Hmm...
Isn’t that the whole idea??? Assurance
that nothing can happen to my data?
Online backups are ok as an “extra”
back-up, but I wouldn’t count on it to
be my only back-up. Best to have your
really important data backed up 2 or 3
ways… just to be safe.
Here’s a free and simple back-up for
documents and one of a kind photos:
Send it in an email to yourself. If you
have Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail, you
have more than enough free storage
for all your important documents and
photos. I’ve got some irreplaceable
photos in my Hotmail that I sent to
myself in 1995. That was probably 5
or 6 computers ago and sure enough
those photos are still safely there!! The
beauty is with these online emails, you
can also access that important photos
and documents from any computer,
anywhere in the world.
Well, anyone who knows me, knows
my favorite item the past couple of
years, is the USB flash memory, also
known as thumb drive, memory stick.
I remember buying my first memory
stick about 13 years ago. It was a
whopping 128 MB, but even still
equaled about 95 diskettes!
Well, fast forward to 2015 and I
now have various memory sticks, in
various sizes. I have some 32GB’s
and recently I got a couple of 64GB
memory sticks. To put this into
perspective, a 4GB hard drive used
to run Windows 98 and all you could
load up no problem.
Well, for me a 32GB memory stick
takes the place of all the 40 CDs with
tech programs, etc., that I used to lug
around. But even still with videos and
digital camera photos, you can fill a
memory stick fairly fast. It never ceases
to amaze me that no matter how much
“free space” they throw at us, we always
manage to find a way to fill it up.
Luckily, prices of flash memory
have fallen nicely. 3 years ago a 16GB
memory stick ran about $30US... now
they are just $12. US. Today there’s
really no excuse anymore, not to
back up your irreplaceable photos or
important documents.
You can simply copy and paste to
your external flash drive or hard drive
to back things up or if you’re not
comfortable doing it manually, you
can use a program like Acronis Home
to schedule regular back-ups. What
I like about Acronis, is that after the
initial full back up, you can schedule
incremental back-ups. This type of
back-up detects files that have been
changed or added and makes regular
back-ups a breeze.
That’s all my time for now. See
you again next week... until then,
remember: only safe Internet!
Solution to crossword on page 35
Solution to Sudoku on page 35
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
Ronnie Bravo
Ron can be found at CANMEX Computers.
Sales, Repairs, Data Recovery,
Networking, Wi-Fi, Hardware upgrades,
Graphic Design, House-calls available.
www.RonnieBravo.com,
Cellular 044-322-157-0688 or just
email to Canmex@Gmail.com
ISSUE
330
Nature’s World
Discover the birds of paradise: The 4th Annual Vallarta Bird Festival
By
Claudia E. Lovera
President,
Vallarta Bird Conservancy
O
rganizations are teaming up to
preserve the Bahía de Banderas region
and its natural resources; such dense
environment deserves the proportional
amount of protection. The Vallarta Bird
Conservancy (VBC) is an organization
focused specifically on the birds of the
region. It believes that protection of
the environment can only be achieved
by education, making “Education for
Conservation” their motto, since most of
the threats to biodiversity are the result
of human activities, such as alteration of
habitats, introduced species, poaching,
illegal settlements, construction, among
many others.
Birds are omnipresent creatures, often
taken for granted, but they are also a very
important part of the cycle, some help
pollination or spread fish-eggs, others
get rid of carrion and even insect pests;
so they represent agents of dispersal and
biological controls. Just a closer look
might get a non-birder interested, given
the diversity of colors, behavior, and
even sounds.
The Bahía de Banderas region is
home for almost 400 species, migrating,
resident, and about 30 endemic to the
area. Such diversity is possible through
the unique habitats that surround the
bay, becoming paradise for these winged
fellows. This incredible number of bird
species is proof of the amazing richness
of the land they overfly. Observing their
behavior and needs can help us understand
and learn the importance of supporting
conservation efforts.
The Vallarta Bird Conservancy invites
everyone to participate in conservation,
come into close contact with birds and
discover their unique personalities and
quirks. Though the VBC offers actions
to contribute and promote educational
programs for the local community, it also
organizes the Annual Vallarta Bird Festival.
The 4th Annual Festival will take place
March 5th to 8th, four days of tours,
workshops and lectures for birders and
non-birders. The tours encompass a wide
variety of areas and birds, a privately owned
wildlife sanctuary, scenic rural roads high
in the mountains with tropical dry forest
and ranchlands, little-known wetlands,
mangrove ecosystems, the protected
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
wildlife reserve in Puerto Vallarta, an island
sanctuary and the hunt to see the protected
magnificent Military Macaw. Last year,
participants collectively saw an average
of 170 species per day. The Festival’s
tours, lectures and workshops are guided
by recognized and certified experts from
around Mexico and the U.S. Also offering
a special free activity for kids (7-12) at
Biblioteca Los Mangos Public Library,
showing them bird identification basics, and
getting them started early on this fantastic
hobby and important duty.
It is a great opportunity to go to the estuary
El Salado and the Botanical Gardens and
look at those awesome places from another
perspective, or listen to the sounds of the
beach, pay attention, and recognize dozens
of different birds only from their sounds
at the ‘Birding by Ear’ Workshop with a
biologist specialized in acoustic ecology.
The money collected from the Festival,
besides supporting the Festival, is used to
keep the year-round activities going, such
as: work with local communities, creation of
educational material, workshops with local
schools, support for the local Children’s
Bird Club, publication of bird and habitat
information as well as birding routes for
locals and visitors, and inviting scientists,
experts and international authorities to
teach, work and share information with
local groups.
More information can be found at www.
vallartabirdconservancy.org or stop by
the Saturday Farmers’ Market at Lázaro
Cárdenas and meet them.
(All photos Copyright 2014 Greg R. Homel)
33
34
Nature’s World
ISSUE
330
Planting Roots
in Mexico
By
Tommy Clarkson
Florida Thatch Palm
(Thrinax radiata)
Family: Arecaceae
Also known as: Silk-top
Thatch Palm, Sea Thatch
Palm, Jamaican Thatch
Palm and Thatch Palm
Somewhat obviously, the origin
of these is in the Florida Keys and
the Northwestern Caribbean area.
Today they can be found in the
Bahamas, Western Cuba, Cayman
Islands,
Jamaica,
Hispaniola,
Puerto Rico, the Yucatan Peninsula,
Honduras and Nicaragua.
With its “weepy” fan leaves and
narrow gray trunk, they are more
commonly seen, by folks like us,
along coastal highways in South
Florida. (By way of further growth
zone description, Naples is about as
far north as they care to grow. Like
Patty and me, they are quite cold
sensitive!) Beyond these areas –
more or less in the proverbial “wild”
- they make wonderful landscape or
container specimens.
A very slow grower, the Thrinax
radiata will ultimately reach a
height of around 15 to as high as
30 feet (4½ - 9 meters), with weepy
fan leaves and a narrow gray trunk.
Atop this will be 12-20 palmate,
circular, slightly folded, fronds that
are four to five feet wide.
These palms are slow growers.
Accordingly, mine is effectively
used as a container plant. A small
sized juvenile, it thrives in a large
pot, with bright, indirect sunlight,
under our Dining Palapa. In fact, I
have not been to their native area for
some time and, as a result, have not
seen any larger ones “live and up
close” enough to get any pictures.
So, hopefully, the accompanying
shots and my description will
suffice in helping you identify one
should opportunity present.
As a rule, one sees them in
solitary form, however, they can
be grown in a multiple trunk form.
Either way, they grow slowly and
commence their growth appearing
as a “palmetto type of plant” that
is rather low to the ground. In this
form, they make a great privacy
screening growth.
Equally comfortable in sun or
shade, it will grow slower when
it receives less direct sunlight.
Eventually, however, it commences
to form that thin trunk. Some have
observed that, as such, it lends itself
to fitting in tight spaces.
Two other nice aspects to the
Florida Thatch Palm are that its fruit
are a good food source for birds
and, in that – once established - it
is quite drought and salt tolerant, as
a result being a good selection for
beach-side locations.
When planting these, remember
that they are hardy sorts – their
natural environment is sandy soil
… thus they don’t like wet areas
or where the soil is thick and claylike. But, generally speaking, they
demand no soil additions when
planting.
(Though we always
sprinkle a bit of Raizal 400 on
the root ball (for root growth
stimulation) and add a bit of tierra
negra (rich top soil) as well as
some estiércol de vaca (dried cow
manure) for natural nutrients. And,
in our area, we actually have to add
some arena de río (river sand to
ensure good drainage. (Because of
its natural salinity, do not use sand
from the beach for your plants.)
A palmate palm, it has attractive
“weepy” fronds.
Ours is under the Dining Palapa,
with bright, indirect sunlight.
Number One Palm Rule – NEVER
cut off a palm frond until it is
completely dead and brown!)
But up in those vibrant, live
fronds, grow white flowers on
yellow stems of three to four foot
(.9 – 1.2 meters) in length, followed
by round, green 1-1½” (2.5 – 3.8
cm) fruit that turns white when it is
ripe.
Your Thrinax radiate likes
fertilization three times yearly - in
the 12/4/12 NPK range, with some
micronutrients.
Singles of this species can be
planted five to ten feet (1½ to 3
meters) apart or, should you wish
to employ multi-trunk specimens,
they can be placed close together to
form a screening effect … when the
palms are young.
So, just how all might one
effectively use this guy in
landscaping around one’s home?
Beyond the earlier discussed privacy
screen, they might be situated so as
to be the principal feature in a small
garden bed. They could be used in
a smallish courtyard, entryway or
for lining your driveway. Perhaps
placement near a swimming pool or
containerized as a patio plant would
best suit your needs. Or, in a larger
area, what about using them as a
superlative accent under the canopy
of a large palm?
Tommy Clarkson
Its petioles are thin, long and
bend slightly under the weight of
the large fronds.
The Florida Thatch Palms are not
self-cleaners, accordingly, they will
appreciate your gracious help in
trimming off the dead fronds. (In
this regard, however, remember my
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
In Manzanillo, visit Ola Brisa Gardens,
Tommy and Patty’s verdant, multiterraced tropical paradise nestled on
a hill overlooking the magnificent vista
of Santiago Bay. Leisurely meander its
curved, paved path, experiencing, first
hand, a delicious array of palms, plants
and flowers from all over the world.
Or, e-mail questions to him at
olabrisa@gmail.com
For back issues of “Roots”, gardening tips,
tropical plant book reviews and videos of
numerous, highly unique eco/adventure/
nature tours, as well as memorable
“Ultimate Experiences” such a Tropical
Garden Brunches and Spa Services,
please visit www.olabrisagardens.com
ISSUE
330
Brain Teasers
The New York Times Tuesday Crossword Puzzle
by Nancy Salomon / Will Shortz ©New York Times
Solution to Crossword
on Page 32
SUDOKU!
Sudoku is a logic-based placement puzzle.
The aim of the puzzle is to enter a numerical digit from 1 through 9 in each row,
column and group of squares enclosed by the bold lines (also called a box). Each
box must contain each number only once, starting with various digits given in some
cells (the “givens”). Each row, column, and region must contain only one instance of
each numeral. Completing the puzzle requires patience.
It is recommended as therapy because some studies have suggested they might
improve memory, attention and problem solving while staving off mental decline
and perhaps reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Solution to Sudoku on Page 32
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015
35
ISSUE
330
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
February 2015

Love Letters - PV Mirror

The New York Times Tuesday Crossword Puzzle - PV Mirror

November 19, 2014 - PV Mirror

Medical Matters 2015

Friday Feb. 6th, 2015

Qatar Military Music Project 2015 Presentation (pdf) - SIS-7

How to . . . Standard Form - JustMaths

LIMAVADY PARISH BULLETIN - St Marys Limavady

Glendale City Church News September 10, 2013 Robert Gosselin

HERE - StPaulsWoodbury.org