www.pvmcitypaper.com Issue 372 Saturday 19 to Friday 25

Transcription

www.pvmcitypaper.com
372
Issue 372
Saturday 19 to Friday 25
December - 2015
December - 2015
2 372
Need to Know
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
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
December - 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.
Sound Off
Your Comments
[email protected]
Editor’s Note:
A number of you have written asking for the
contact information for Mama Mexico’s Soup
Kitchen, featured in last week’s issue: (www.
pvmcitypaper.com/download/371.pdf)
I apologize for the omission.
You may get in touch Ricardo Mazcal at 322166-3850 (e-mail: [email protected]) or
directly with Adriana Paz at 322-142-0777.
I’m sure they will be pleased with the
number of volunteers the article has attracted.
Dear Editor:
My congratulations to Gil Gevins for his
splendidly written announcement of his
Republican candidacy for President of the
United States in the Western Hemisphere of
the Planet Earth in the Solar System in the
Milky Way Galaxy [as his stalling political
competitors describe that office when they are
asked their plan to replace the plan they want
to replace].
Gil has my vote as well as my thoughts
and prayers and burning candles to defeat the
scheisskopfs and hosenscheissers who demand
that Arschlock Trump be their fuehrer.
Maximiliano IV,
Emperor of Mexico
Dear Editor,
We are busy planning the upcoming Chacala
Music and Art Festival, as well as working on
the newly formed Chacala Mariachi Institute
and Chacala Residency Art Program. We have
started a fund-raising campaign through Global
Giving, the non-profit organization, who will
host a year end giving challenge. Please
donate now at https://www.globalgiving.org/
donate/31633/chacala-cultural-foundation/
Your donations will continue to support
the children of the village who attend classes
in music and art prior to the festival and
then exhibit their work and/or perform at the
festival. We have been fortunate to reach over
200 children each year, and look forward to
these numbers growing annually.
The major goal of the Chacala Cultural
Foundation is to transform the traditional
Mexican fishing village of Chacala into a place
where people can develop in mind, body and
spirit and most of all provide pre-K to college
art and music education.
Thanks for your continued support of this
worthwhile community event. For more
information, please contact Karla Lawler,
Treasurer, at [email protected]
Sincerely,
The Chacala Music & Art Festival Committee
www.chacalamusicfestival.com
Dear Editor,
I echo Michael’s complaint about Alamo.
(Issue # 371)
A few years ago in August I rented an
Alamo car. I checked out the “condition” and
marked the form.
December - 2015
372
3
I think they use very small check marks for a
reason. I did not think to notice if both license
plates were on the car.
When I returned the car, they claimed the
front license plate was missing, and indeed it
was. I had no clue and insisted they call the
police so I could report the plate stolen. Alamo
refused to do so. I had a plane to catch.
This episode cost me $300. I am still
wondering if this was an off-season scam. I
will never use Alamo anywhere in the world.
Jeff
Dear Editor:
Confessions of a Gay Married Priest, by
Puerto Vallarta author Maurice Monette, is a
perfect uplifting holiday gift for anyone who is
gay (or not), married (or not) or Catholic (or
not). It’s a very human story about personal
liberation, relationship and spiritual growth. It’s also a gift that keeps on giving since
Monette is donating 100% of his local proceeds to
Puerto Vallarta’s LGBT community center known
as SETAC. With the proceeds, SETAC supports
healthy living and healthy life choices for the
LGBT community and those living with HIV/
AIDS, including young mothers and their babies. I also want to take this time to thank the
businesses in the Romantic Zone that are
supporting SETAC by selling Confessions,
including: A Page in the Sun, Cassandra Shaw
Jewelry, Coco’s Kitchen, The Coffee Cup,
Jorge’s Hideaway, Lido Beach Club, and Piñata
Juice Bar. I encourage you to also support these
businesses that support SETAC. Happy Holidays,
Francisco J. Arjona Barbosa
SETAC Director
Within PV
4 372
PuRR Project’s
Fashion Show and Brunch
Allyna Vineberg
[email protected]
at Daiquiri Dick’s
Tuesday, January 12
10:30 a.m.
Contributors:
Y
ou’re invited to an elegant Fashion Show and Brunch on Tuesday,
January 12th at Daiquiri Dick’s. The $300-peso ticket price will include a
3-course brunch (with mimosas!), beautiful fashions from Sucesos Boutique,
La Santa Boutique, Serafina, and Flirts Skirts, fabulous jewelry designed by
Sonia Bormann - and a raffle for great prizes! This year, in addition to
gorgeous women’s and men’s fashions, we’ll have children’s clothing - wait
‘til you see our mini-models! All fashions will be available for purchase
at the show. Tickets are now on sale at Daiquiri Dick’s, at the Purr Project
adoption booth at Daiquiri Dick’s on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00
p.m. - or by contacting Marilyn Khan at [email protected]
Proceeds benefit the 150+ cats residing at PuRR Project, a no-kill feline
sanctuary north of Puerto Vallarta. * Donations 501(c)(3) tax-deductible
in the U.S. *
You may have heard about the recent plan to eliminate the growing cat
population from the Isla Cuale. Unfortunately, this elimination has taken
the form of poisoning, a very slow, painful death - and has also resulted
in the deaths of other animals in the area. Several rescue agencies are
attempting to work with the local authorities, but due to the continued
dumping of cats on the river, there is no easy fix to the problem. Whether
or not you are an animal lover, you must agree that these are God’s innocent
creatures and they deserve more humane treatment.
PuRR Project has taken a number of these cats to our shelter where, after
a complete examination by our vet and any necessary treatment (spay/
neuter, vaccinations, tests), they have been assimilated into our existing
group of cats. We will take as many as we can and will attempt to adopt
out as many as possible, but most are mature cats who have lived their
lives on the river and may not be good candidates for adoption. We are
already far beyond our limit of residents at the shelter and far beyond our
already tight resources, but we feel it is necessary to move these animals
to a safe environment as quickly as possible.
We need your help. Your donation or your attendance at this fashion
show, our twice-monthly bingo games at Margarita Grill, or adult bingo at
The Palm, will help us greatly in paying vet bills, buying needed meds and
feeding these newcomers to our shelter. Many thanks in advance for your
kindness. We cannot do it without you.
Marilyn Khan
PuRR Project
Publisher / Editor:
December - 2015
Anna Reisman
Joe Harrington
Harriet Murray
Stan Gabruk
Krystal Frost
Giselle Belanger
Ronnie Bravo
Tommy Clarkson
Luis Melgoza
Gil Gevins
Catherine Beeghly
Luisa Yim
John Warren
Todd Ringness
Office & Sales: 223-1128
Graphic Designer:
Leo Robby R.R.
Webmaster:
PVMCITYPAPER.COM
Online Team
Cover Painting:
“Up, up and away!”
by Bob McCuaig
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To Advertisers & Contributors and those
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the deadline for publication is:
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week prior to publication.
Within PV
372
5
Becoming an ESL Instructor
Susan
Gerle quickly realized
how little she knew about teaching
basic English skills to people when
she volunteered in a small Mayan/
Mexican community near Cancun in
1998. When she returned to Canada
she took one of the few TESOL
(Teacher of English to Speakers of
Other Languages) courses available
at the time for people who didn’t have
a teaching degree. The course was
40 hours long, given in a one week
period, and cost her $1000. Can.
She soon realized that the course
was lacking a lot of information.
After many years of teaching ESL
in Canada and Mexico, Susan
developed her own TESOL Course
with the help of Kathleen O’Reilly, a
Professor of English and Education in
Canada. The English 1 International
TESOL course is 120 hours long, the
minimum number of hours required
by TESOL International.
One of Susan’s goals is to certify
volunteers to teach ESL. She also
offered a scholarship when she started
teaching the TESOL course in PV last
February. The person had to be local,
fluent in Spanish and English, and
already volunteering as an ESL teacher.
Gina
Villaneuva,
the
first
scholarship recipient, is as an amazing
woman who volunteered with “The
Ladies of Madreselva.” She talked
about teaching ESL.
“Life is a circle. The first time I went
to Madreselva Street (in Progreso
neighborhood, one of the poorest
places in Vallarta unfortunately) was
because my friend Vicki told me they
were looking for somebody to teach
English to the jewelry ladies, a group
of brave, hard workers, talented,
in one word: artistic women, who
support their families, make beautiful
jewelry and sell it in different
markets. All this is thanks to the
Canadian Charitable Foundation
“New Beginnings México” started by
Andy and Janet Stevenson, and that
was when the nice journey began.
We decided to have two “classes”
a week, to practice the most
common dialogues at the market, but
something inside me was telling me I
should be teaching them English in a
proper way, in a real academic way,
for general communication in life.
Susan offered me the opportunity
to take the TESOL Course. It was
held at an actual bi-lingual school
(Colegio Vancouver) and I got to
assist in real classroom situations.
After receiving my certificate I told
Janet I was ready to teach a REAL
ENGLISH COURSE to the ladies,
so we arranged the program and I
prepared a curriculum for a Basic
December - 2015
English 1 Course. It was a big
success, because not only the ladies
but their families were able to take
the course and feel more confident
with their English. Nowadays, we
are teaching the Basic English 2
Course, combined with practice
for the marketplace discourse with
clients.
I have been able to make a difference
in the lives of several people,
hopefully raising their standard
of living and their contribution to
the local economy and thus to my
beloved Mexico.”
Gina is still teaching the ladies and
is also employed as an ESL teacher at
a couple of places in PV.
For more info on the scholarship
program, or to register for the
TESOL course starting January
15th, 2016, please contact Susan
at
english1_international@yahoo.
com or check the website at www.
english1international.com For more
information on New Beginnings go to
http://newbeginningsmexico.org/
6 372
Within PV
Merry Christmas Bingo
at Nacho Daddy’s
Wednesday December 23rd
I
t’s Nacho Daddy Bingo time!! Cards go on sale at 3:15 p.m. and Bingo
starts at 4 p.m. We have a final cash blackout game with the winner taking
home half the pot in pesos. Previous winners received incredible cash
prizes that ran up to $4500 pesos in cash!
Our raffle prizes and Bingo bags are amazing! We just upped the ante
- Our bingo bags have over $1400 pesos in gift certificates and items in
every bag!
At our last pick your prize raffle, winners left with a free flight from
Flyboard, show tickets for two from Act II Stages for Paul Fracassi, Sutton
Lee Seymour and Lorena Peril & Ray Jon Narbaitz, gift certificates from
Quetzalli Spa and Los Muertos Brewing, a necklace and water wallet from
Diamonds International, a Frida statue from Deja New and more! We also
have more great weekly sponsors for Bingo bags / raffles including The
Palm, Bagel World, Artepil Spa, Dr. Rachel, Añejo Limon, Cassandra Shaw,
Sea Monkey and Cheeky Monkey, Chantel’s Vintage Jewelry, Alexander
A Salon, Fab Fabric Fellows, and Marcia Blondin to name a few. One
of our sponsors, Casa Isabel is a boutique hotel nestled in the hills with a
magnificent view of the bay. They donate a free one-night stay every Bingo!
We use paper cards and bingo daubers - we supply the daubers! Seven
three-card regular games for 100 pesos and additional cards for the cash
blackout bingo at 3 for 100 pesos. It only takes one to win! Increase your
chances of winning even more by bringing clothing to donate to the Pasitos
de Luz or Colina Spay & Neuter accounts at Deja New Consignments; you
will receive one free bingo card for each of the seven regular games
Best of all, you are supporting two great charities in Puerto Vallarta.
All proceeds from your generosity help the children of Pasitos de Luz a special needs centre in Pitillal - to receive meals, therapy, compassion
and education; and help Colina Spay & Neuter who offer spay and neuter
services for cats and dogs free of charge to those who are unable to pay.
Come out, help charity and enjoy a night of fun and fantastic prizes at
Nacho Daddy’s! Ask about the drink specials and great food!
Nacho Daddy’s is located at 287 Basilio Badillo in the Romantic Zone
on the south side of town.
December - 2015
Within PV
Celebrate New Year’s Eve…
…at the Premier Private Penthouse of the
Molino de Agua Building and support the
Vallarta Botanical Garden.
Downtown Puerto Vallarta will
be home to a New Year’s Eve
fundraising event supporting the
Vallarta Botanical Garden (VBG),
when one of the Garden’s leading
patrons opens his Molino de
Agua penthouse for an exclusive
celebration.
Our host’s unique and extraordinarily
beautiful oceanfront penthouse features a
4,000 square foot wrap-around balcony,
offering breathtaking panoramic views of the
entire Banderas Bay. The location is perfectly
situated between the Los Muertos Pier and the
Malecón - two of the main launch points for
the New Year’s Eve fireworks spectacular.
This New Year’s Eve event begins at 9:30
p.m. (Dec. 31, 2015) and will conclude just
after midnight. It offers a great opportunity
for people to come together and purchase
tickets as a group, or to come alone or with a
friend to meet new people.
Ticket prices are $100 US
online or $1,650 pesos. Tickets
may be purchased in person at the
offices of Timothy Real Estate
Group located in the Molino de
Agua Building near the Cuale
River or they may be purchased
online at www.pvevents.net/
nuevo2016.
We hosted a similar event at the same
penthouse last year, which sold out, so we are
encouraging people to get their tickets early.
Tickets include access to the penthouse along
with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres throughout
the event.
Because the evening’s host is underwriting all
costs of the event, 100 percent of all proceeds
will benefit the Vallarta Botanical Garden.
For more information please email eventos@
vbgardens.org Buy your tickets today at www.
pvevents.net/nuevo2016
A happy ending for the dogs and cats of Vallarta
In 1995 Lucy Muñiz, a longtime Vallarta
resident, started the APA, the Animal Protection
Association of Puerto Vallarta. The APA’s
primary goal was to spay and neuter as many
cats and dogs as possible, and to educate the
public as to the proper care of (and responsibility
for) their pets.
In the eight years that she ran the APA, over
three thousand cats and dogs (mostly belonging
to low-income families) were spayed and
neutered; four thousand kittens and puppies were
successfully adopted; and 36,000 coloring books
in Spanish were distributed to students all over
Puerto Vallarta. The coloring books explained
in pictorial fashion how to properly care for your
pets, and had an enormous positive impact on
people’s attitudes towards their dogs and cats.
None of this was easy. Spaying your pet was
an alien concept at the time, and there was much
resistance on the part of people who thought
the money she raised would be better spent on
people. Nonetheless, Lucy and her many helpers
persevered for eight years, until her home was
demolished by Hurricane Kenna’s storm surge
in 2002. With all the accumulated stress, she
was forced to turn the APA and its bank account
over to the association’s principal veterinarian.
And then, to her dismay, nothing happened.
For thirteen years Lucy attempted to get the
APA funds released to another organization
dedicated to spaying and neutering. But the vet
at first refused, and then disappeared altogether.
Then, two weeks ago, the bank called and said
that since the account had remained idle all that
time, something had to be done. They agreed
to allow her and the APA’s former accountant to
remove the funds from the bank.
And so, last week, finally, Lucy was able to
hand over a check for $41,000. pesos to PEACE,
the wonderful organization that is currently
spaying and neutering, and doing so much to
promote the health and well-being of the dogs
and cats of Vallarta.
A happy ending, if ever there was one!
December - 2015
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Within PV
By
I
t’s always a wonder to observe
the seasonal return of life to our little
city by the bay. That’s not to say that
Vallarta isn’t a bustling city year round,
because it is always vibrating - thanks
mainly to endless construction projects. Of course I am referring to the
seasonal return of northern visitors
who begin to saunter back in October,
through to the manic arrivals machine
within the next week or two. I
once described the feeling as being
similar to standing backstage... as the
house slowly fills with eager patrons
anticipating a great show. It’s a
wonderful feeling, and it’s a gift many
of us gratefully enjoy year after year.
Todd Ringness
My beautiful wife Sandra Gaye and
I had the wonderful opportunity to
take in the Puerto Vallarta Chamber
Orchestra recently, with their annual
Christmas concert at the Krystal hotel.
Over the years, I have had the honor
of performing with this orchestra as
part of the SYNG! ensemble. This
year, I had the opportunity to be a very
appreciative audience member. And I
was in good company and was doubly
blessed to see many dear friends there. The Chamber Orchestra program
featured four soloists and students
and teachers from the orchestra’s
school. Truly, the performance was
inspiring and I couldn’t keep the smile
off my face. The standing ovation
and encore number confirmed that
everyone really enjoyed themselves.
Under the amazing direction of Sr.
Daniel Oliveres, this orchestra gets
bigger and better every year. We are
blessed to have them and I urge you
to support both the orchestra and their
school. Info: www.facebook.com/
pvchamberorchestra/
When Gaye and I first moved to
Vallarta in 2002, we had no idea there
were English-speaking churches in
this community. Over the years, we
have had the chance to visit many of
them. Long-time faithful leaders in
these churches are still serving and
giving, and new ones have come along
as Vallarta draws more and more
unsuspecting future relocaters into its
spell-binding trance.
You might be surprised to learn
there is a welcoming Christian
church serving almost every region
in Vallarta. On the south side, there
is Paradise Church (formerly in
the Paradise Community Center on
Pulpito) who meets now in the Main
Stage theatre, on the second level of
the Act II Stages center on the corner
of Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes. Pastor Ric and his wife Joy have
a convenient and relaxed 10:30 am
Sunday service, and they normally
add an earlier second service as
the season continues. Info: www.
paradisechurchpv.org/
Near the start of Malecon by
the Hotel Rosita and Hidalgo Park,
is the First Baptist Church. Many
years ago, Gaye and I volunteered at
this church in worship and organizing
orphanage visits. We are still in touch
with dozens of the wonderful people
we met there over the years. Pastor
Bob and his wife Liz host a 9:30 am
service, and they also offer a no-host
brunch after their service at the Rosita
Hotel. Info: www.pvfirstbaptist.com
The Hotel
Zone features
the Calvary Chapel church, in a
space that’s close to Plaza Caracol,
around the corner from the Burger
King (new favorite good ice cream
value there!) on Pablo Picasso street. Pastor Bill and his wife Renee offer
December - 2015
a 9:00 am service as well as a 10:40
am bilingual service. We just visited
these folks recently and it was
encouraging to see how some of their
programs have grown over the years.
Info: www.calvarypv.com
Further to the north, you can
find Christ Church by the Sea,
on the highway very close to the
airport.
When we last visited
this church, we were delighted to
experience our friend Kathy as their
keyboardist. Father Jack and his
wife Shirley offer a 10:00 am service
that is more traditional. Info: www.
christchurchbythesea.org
Just like the surprises that Vallarta
reveals over time, there are many
more churches and faith-based
gatherings than you might imagine,
or that I can cover here in this limited
space. These are the ones I have had
personal experience with, and I invite
you to visit them or any of the others
to decide the best fit for you. Or try
them all out!
Christmastime is one of my most
favorite times of year, especially here
in Vallarta where we are surrounded
by traditions of faith filled with deep
personal meaning for so many. For
me, Christmas has become more about
the recognition of the greatest gift of
all time: Love. It is this Gift that is
represented in much of the symbolism
and tradition of Christmas.
And it’s a Gift that changed
everything - and it still does. In our 16 years of marriage, my wife
and I have spent a LOT more time, than
money... mostly because money hasn’t
re-presented itself like the illusion of
time has. So does time = money? Or
does time = Love? You decide. Merry
Christmas and blessings upon you!
Todd Ringness
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: [email protected]
Within PV
The boy
with no name
By
John Warren
T
his time of year has a special significance for
many of the world’s major religions. From the 6th to
13th of December this year, Hanukkah was celebrated
by Jews. On the 21st, Wiccas and pagans celebrate the
winter solstice and Moslems, the birth of their prophet
Mohammed while Christians have long celebrated the
birth of Jesus Christ on the 25th. Religious or not,
families and friends around the world get together at
this time of year to celebrate the ties that bind us and
which make life worth living.
But not everyone has a family. Some children
grow up in orphanages. When the tiny baby boy was
handed to the nuns at the Refugio Infantil de Santa
Esperanza (known locally as RISE) four years ago, he
had no family, no friends and no name. They named
him Martin, in honour of the local church, and I met
him on a Saturday morning, a couple of weeks ago,
when Henry Golas, the president of the International
Friendship Club (IFC) and I went to RISE to see how
they use the money that IFC donates to them during
the year.
There are about forty kids at RISE at any particular
time and they range in age from newborn infants to
thirteen (boys) and fifteen (girls). Almost all of them
are allocated to RISE from DIF, a government agency
for the under-privileged adults and children in the
area, but some are simply handed in at the door by
parents or other relatives who are unable to cope.
Henry and I spent three hours with Sofia Robles,
the fundraiser and volunteer coordinator, and learned
the history and the struggles that RISE has had since
it became an AC (registered charity) in 2001. It
receives no income from government and so almost
all of its income comes from donors in Canada and the
U.S.A. The organization relies for some of its food on
handouts from Costco and other suppliers who have
leftovers at the end of the day.
Sofia took us on a tour of the dormitories; one for
infants, one for children from aged one to six, one for
girls from six to fifteen, one for boys of six to seven
and another for boys from eight to thirteen. What
happens to boys who reach fourteen and girls who
reach sixteen? They are given back to DIF to care for.
We went to visit the ironing room, where Donna
Dzubay volunteers three or four days a week to iron
all of the clothes for forty kids!
(Donna is Secretary of IFC). Madre Maria, the
CEO of RISE, has a policy that all of the clothes
must be ironed so that her children will not look
different from other kids from “regular” homes when
they are in school. In the kitchen we met Donna’s
husband, Dennis (another IFC member), who spends
his volunteer days peeling vegetables and fruit and
other prep work necessary to feed the children. We
also saw the rooms where the kids do their homework
each evening and are helped by a couple of part-time
teachers and by a part-time psychologist. She and
the rest of the staff are obviously doing a great job
because all of the kids all seemed to be very happy
and affectionate to the staff and to each other.
But RISE needs your help too. They need more
volunteers to help with the infants during the day, in
the kitchen and with maintenance work in the building.
And they need money. Every nickel that you can
afford will help. (Contact Sofia at sofiarobles.rise@
gmail.com or (322) 227-1404 or RISE at contacto@
risepv.com Facebook – Rise Puerto Vallarta)
Anything you can give will be helping street kids
with no family and no name to get a good start in life:
at least until they reach those teenage years.
IFC has a long list of charities that we help and RISE
is but one of them. We do that by running home tours
(see http://www.toursforvallarta.com), by offering
bridge lessons, Spanish lessons, movie nights, social
bridge and opportunities to get together socially. (see
www.ifcvallarta.com) Everyone is welcome.
The International Friendship Club is a registered
charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club
Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta
A.C. It is located at the northeast corner of the
Insurgentes Rio Cuale Bridge above the HSBC
Bank, Colonia El Centro, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco,
Mexico, 48300. Phone: 322-222-5466. Website:
ifcvallarta.com Email: [email protected]
December - 2015
372
9
Beyond PV
10 372
Superior
Highway construction will total 61 Billion Pesos
Tours
allarta
N
ext year will be a busy one for road
building in Mexico, says an undersecretary
of Transportation, which will kick things off
with a flurry of tenders before the end of the
year.
Raúl Murrieta Cummings said requests
for bids would be issued for more than
700 contracts worth 14 billion pesos to
construct, modernize and maintain highway
infrastructure.
The budget for all of next year is more than
$61 Billion Pesos (US $3.5 Billion), he said,
while offering an assurance that it would be
spent with full transparency. It will be a good
year for highway infrastructure, said Murrieta,
with budgeted resources being in line with the
goals established by the federal administration.
During that administration, which concludes
in 2018, at least 80 highways and 52 freeways
will have been completed, he said, helping
drive national development.
The spending falls under the National
Infrastructure Program, which is also
upgrading port facilities. Transportation
Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Esparza said the
operating capacity of Mexico’s ports would
be nearly doubled, from 280 million tonnes
annually to 520 million.
“We’re now at 380 million,” he said three
weeks ago.
The secretary also reported that of the 52
new freeways, 17 have been completed while
45 new highways have been finished.
(Source: mexiconewsdaily.com
- El Universal)
Scientists recognize conservation efforts
M
exico’s efforts to save the nearly
extinct vaquita porpoise have earned
President Enrique Peña Nieto and
Environment and Natural Resources
Secretary Rafael Pacchiano Alamán
an international award.
The
Society
for
Marine
Mammalogy, the largest international
organization of marine mammal
scientists, made their selection on
the basis of Mexico’s conservation
efforts on behalf of the vaquita,
found only in the Sea of Cortés.
The Conservation Merit Prize was
presented to Pachhiano yesterday at
the society’s biennial conference in
San Francisco. It was the first time
the award has been presented.
Mexico has been active for
several years in vaquita preservation
efforts, but earlier this year the
federal government announced a
1-billion-peso, two-year program to
compensate fishermen for not fishing
and to monitor the vaquita’s habitat.
The porpoise, of which fewer
than 100 are estimated to remain, is
caught as bycatch in gillnets used
by fishermen going after shrimp
and totoaba.
Scientists at the San Francisco
conference this week said there is
a need for a success story that will
demonstrate that sustainable fishing
can coexist with marine mammals.
They hope the vaquita experience
can provide it.
“This is the first large-scale
gillnet ban to save a species from
extinction, and includes provisions
for the development of alternative
fishing gear to replace gillnets,”
said Barbara Taylor, chair of the
society’s conservation committee,
December - 2015
who recently returned from more
than two months aboard a research
ship surveying the northern Sea of
Cortés for vaquita.
“We have great hope that this will
be the model that shows the world
it is truly possible to bring a species
back from the brink of extinction.”
Pacchiano,
who
accepted
the award, paid tribute to the
fishermen of the upper Sea of
Cortés, particularly those in San
Felipe, Baja California, and Santa
Clara, Sonora, for supporting the
suspension of fishing.
He explained that the conservation
strategy consists of enlarging the
species’ protected area developing
new fishing methods as well as
compensation and monitoring.
(Source: mexiconewsdaily.com,
Excélsior, Science Daily)
Beyond PV
Agriculture Secretary is bullish about trade prospects
Food exports to China will double in 2016
Food exports to China have been seeing big increases but
bigger ones are expected: after his recent visit to China, the
Agriculture Secretary forecast that those exports will double
in 2016. José Calzada’s projection is consistent with the trend
observed this year in which, on average, exports were up 25%.
One product that recorded an impressive increase was avocados,
which were up 200%.
During Calzada’s visit, Chinese officials authorized Mexican
imports of tobacco and dairy products, and began the authorization
processes for horse meat, blueberries, sorghum, bananas and
Jalisco avocados. (Michoacán avocados are the only variety
currently approved.)
An allocation of at least 1.5 million tonnes of white maize,
of which Mexico has a surplus, has also been allowed. The
approval will benefit thousands of small producers, particularly
from the north of the country, the secretary said, observing that
Mexico could be ready to export the first 60,000 tonnes as soon
as January.
This boom in trade between the two countries has spurred
the opening of a new cargo air route between Guadalajara and
Zhengzhou via Chicago. Zhengzhou, in the central province of
Henan, is a major food and raw materials distribution hub.
The new route will be operated by the Luxembourg cargo
carrier Cargolux Airlines with up to three flights a week, each
with a carrying capacity of 120 tonnes.
Such a route is needed for delicate and more valuable products,
such as blueberries, which have a shorter shelf life than avocados,
Calzada said.
“I have no doubt that in the medium term China will become a
great market for Mexican exports. This is just the beginning, and
the growth projections are huge,” he said.
Mexico currently sells US $150 Million worth of food to China
each year, just a fraction of total food exports of US $28 Billion.
(Source: mexiconewsdaily.com, Sin Embargo)
11
3rd Annual Taste of Nuevo
15th Annual Great Chili Cook-off
The Vallarta Yacht Club sponsored goods for sale. They contributed
the 3rd Annual Taste of Nuevo / 15th
Annual Great Chili Cook-off on
Saturday, December 5th at the Nuevo
Vallarta Malecon and netted over
$81,000. Pesos which
will be shared equally
by Families of the Dump
and the Navy League’s
“Toys for Tots” program.
This year’s event
involved 22 participants consisting of
local restaurants, organizations and
individuals. Winner in the restaurant
category was Dona Tere and the
winner of the “Best Chili” was Dana
Doncaster from Paddlelit. Many of
the restaurants participated in both the
Taste of Nuevo and the Chili Cook-off.
Honorable mention goes to a group of
ladies from the local Nuevo Vallarta
condos that provided homemade baked
372
December - 2015
$8.900. Pesos to the total.
We would like to thank and
recognize all the particpants who
made this event possible.
Local Restaurants: Dona
Tere, Ernesto’s, Saku Sushi,
Ocho Tostadas, Estudio Café,
Mar Extra, Wine & Burger, El
Barracuda, 3x3/Pastryland,
La Peska, Osos, La Isla,
Mauricio’s, Riviera Grill,
Capatosta, Vallarta Yacht Club.
Individuals and organizations: Dr.
Essau Gutierrez, baked goods from
local condos, Andy & Liz Barrow,
The Trejo family, Dana Doncaster
– Paddlelit, Marina Riviera Nayarit,
Riviera Nayarit Convention and
Visitors Bureau. Mark your calendars
for next years event which will be on
December 3, 2016.
12 372
Beyond PV
Christmas time in Mexico
L
ike in the U.S. and Canada,
Christmas in Mexico is a time
for celebration, sharing food with
family and friends, and giving
presents.
But while families north of this
border wait for Santa Claus on
Christmas Day, Mexican families
celebrate a much longer, almost
month-long holiday period that has
an intense religious focus, unique
foods and celebrations that show
both their indigenous and Spanish
heritage. Last week, we told you
a little about La Novena and the
Posadas, this week brings a little
more Mexican tradition for you to
enjoy.
La Noche Buena
In Mexico, Christmas Eve, la
Noche Buena, is traditionally more
important than Christmas Day itself.
It’s accompanied by fireworks,
the ringing of church bells and the
blowing of whistles. People go
to mass, then head home for an
extravagant feast.
THIS weekend!
This is the 13th year that June is having this party, and she hopes
that you will come by, drink a toast and a treat, view her collection
and, if you are so inclined, maybe buy a gift for yourself or
someone on that special list. (June’s prices are really accessible.)
The midnight mass on Christmas
Eve is called La Misa de Gallo (the
Rooster’s Mass). Some believe that
the name is based on an ancient
tale according to which there was a
rooster in the stable during the birth
of the Baby Jesus. It was the first
to witness the Holy Birth, and the
one in charge of informing the mule
and the bull, then the shepherds and
their sheep, and finally the people
of the area. Thus the birth of the
Messiah was announced “ad galli
cantus”, i.e.: by the rooster’s crow.
The food on Christmas Eve varies
by region. In the Yucatan, you
might find cochinito pibil, a stewed
pork dish, while in other regions
you might find roasted turkey or pig,
regional mole sauce over turkey or
greens, tamales, chiles rellenos, and
menudo, a pork and hominy soup.
To drink, throughout the country,
spiced cider is served as well as
rompope, a Mexican hot milk drink
similar to eggnog. Some families
also make chimayo cocktails, which
is cold apple cider spiked with
Tequila, crème de cassis and fresh
lime over ice.
December - 2015
The Legend of the Poinsettia
Pepita was a poor Mexican girl
who had no gift to present to the
Christ Child at Christmas Eve
Services. As Pepita walked slowly
to the chapel with her cousin Pedro,
her heart was filled with sadness
rather than joy.
“I am sure, Pepita, that even the
most humble gift, if given in love,
will be acceptable in His eyes,” said
Pedro consolingly.
Not knowing what else to do,
Pepita knelt by the roadside and
gathered a handful of common
weeds, fashioning them into a
small bouquet. Looking at the
scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt
more saddened and embarrassed
than ever by the humbleness of her
offering. She fought back a tear as
she entered the small village chapel.
As she approached the altar, she
remembered Pedro’s kind words:
“Even the most humble gift, if given
in love, will be acceptable in His
eyes.” She felt her spirit lift as she
knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot
of the nativity scene.
Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds
burst into blooms of brilliant red,
and all who saw them were certain
that they had witnessed a Christmas
miracle right before their eyes.
From that day on, the bright red
flowers were known as the Flores
de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the
Holy Night, for they bloomed each
year during the Christmas season.
Today, the common name for this
plant is the poinsettia.
The 7 Arts
372 13
Vallarta favorite Amy Armstrong stars in ‘Spanglish’
with Bohemia Viva at The Palm
R
eturning for her eleventh season at The Palm,
cabaret veteran Amy Armstrong is back with her
all-new music and comedy show, ‘Spanglish’,
with Argentinian duo Bohemia Viva, beginning
December 21. A creative blend of heartfelt
classic songs and modern favorites, ‘Spanglish’
is the latest collaboration between these gifted
entertainers, with some sizzling versions of your
favorite songs, beautiful acoustic harmonies, and a
generous helping of outrageous comedy.
Affectionately known as Puerto Vallarta’s
favorite “Dirty Diva Loca”, with “the voice of an
angel and the mouth of a sailo”, Amy’s brassy,
bawdy, over-the-top comedy and powerful vocals
are legendary in the cabaret scene. All this, coupled
with the unique, acoustic style of Bohemia Viva,
creates pure musical magic on stage. Bohemia
Viva’s own popularity has skyrocketed during the
past two seasons at The Palm, and in other cities
in Mexico, including sold-out shows over the
summer in San Miguel de Allende.
As one of Puerto Vallarta’s most beloved
entertainers, Amy was honored earlier this year by
Vallarta Lifestyles Magazine as ‘Best Reinvention
Diva’, in their annual ‘Best of Vallarta’ issue. Now
based in St. Louis, MO, Amy has performed all
over the USA, Canada, as well as on many RSVP
cruises around the world with musical partner
Freddy Allen. ‘Spanglish’ will begin December 21
through the end of January. Amy will also perform
her new one-woman show, ‘And Something for
Mama’, which will feature the life and music
of Cass Elliot (aka: Mama Cass), beginning in
February. More details and information about that
show are forthcoming. Please consult the Palm’s
show calendar for all show dates/times and online
tickets at the link provided below.
acoustic harmonies. They also play all season,
with their next performance being December 19 at
7 p.m. Singer-songwriter Spencer Day is back for
a third season with his all-new Holiday show ‘A
Rebel Without A Claus’ now through December
20. And the hilarious sequel to last year’s comedy
hit, Greater Tuna, ‘A Tuna Christmas’, starring
Terry Dale Parks and Tracy Parks, recently
premiered to rave reviews, and is now playing
through January 5.
Amy Armstrong
Coming Soon
Award-winning band and Banderas Bay favorite,
Luna Rumba, with their musical tapestry of Latin
Fusion, Gypsy Flamenco and so much more will
have their next performance on Christmas Day at
7 p.m. They play bi-weekly on Fridays all season.
Latcho & Andrea; The Blond Gypsies return
December 29 with authentic and romantic Gypsy
Rumba and Flamenco guitar. And returning
December 30 for a third season at The Palm, is
renowned vocalist and celebrity impersonator
Steven Brinberg starring in his critically acclaimed
show ‘Simply Barbra & Friends’. Steven’s
uncanny ability to look, talk and sing LIVE, just
like Barbra Streisand, as well as impersonating
some of her celebrity friends, has delighted
audiences all over the world.
Bohemia Viva
The Palm is well-known for bringing top notch,
cutting-edge entertainment to Vallarta. Inside
you’ll find an intimate, completely refurbished 90seat cabaret with outstanding sound and lighting,
creating the ambiance of cabarets from days gone
by. Shows are scheduled seven days per week
with two different shows nightly through April,
2015. The Palm also offers matinees at 4 p.m. on
selected shows.
The Palm is non-smoking (a patio is provided
for smokers) and is located at 508 Olas Altas in the
Romantic Zone on the south side of town. Tickets
may be purchased online 24 hours a day, and at
The Palm’s box office, open at 10 a.m. daily. A full
calendar of performances, information and online
tickets are available at www.ThePalmPV.com
You can also find the Palm on Facebook at The
Palm Cabaret and Bar.
Now playing at The Palm
Kim Kuzma and her sensational LIVE band in
‘Acústico’ continue to thrill audiences with their
unique musical adaptations with renowned lead
guitarist Eduardo Leon. A blending of new and
classic pop songs with old favorites,‘Acústico’
plays every Wednesday and Sunday at 7 p.m. all
season. Bohemia Viva!, Vallarta’s Argentinean
sweethearts, continue with their own show
featuring sizzling Latin rhythms and sensuous
December - 2015
14 372
The 7 Arts
Act II Entertainment
the biggest entertainment venue in the bay offering the very best in entertainment!
NOW APPEARING IN THE
RED ROOM CABARET
Paul Fracassi - Legends of the 50s
and 60s - Sundays at 7:30 “Totally a star.
He stunned
his audience, I am unofficially
adopting Paul Fracassi to be my
grandson.” - Evy Pixley
“‘Oh What A Night!’ it was last
night with Paul Fracassi and his
beautiful, talented back-up singers.
Paul’s energy level is out of this
world. With moves that go so fast
that the wind picks up in the room.
His voice is about a smooth as
velvet, his range up over the moon.
And this was just his Opening Night!
You will be in awe of this fantastic
young man.” - David Wilhoit
“Show was unbelievable and will
be changing a bit every time so we
can go back again and again. His
talent is immense. My guest sat
there and at times all she could say
was W O W!” - Gary Beck
“This young man is one of the
most talented singers I have EVER
SEEN!! Last year we stumbled
across this show and were amazed
by his energy and presence on stage.
Can’t wait to see this show Again!!
This kid going to be a STAR!!” TripAdvisor
“Went to see this young singer
three times during his stay here and
each time he got better. He packed
the house at Act II Stages and will be
an up and coming star in the years to
come. He sounds just like Frankie
Valli. If you get a chance to see
him, don’t miss it! – TripAdvisor
“Run, don’t walk! - Amazing
performance by Paul Fracassi. A
tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four
Seasons but so much more. You will
leave with a song in your heart!” TripAdvisor
Christina Deaver ¨Showgirl¨
Dec. 20, 23, 27, 30 at 9:30,
Dec. 19, 24, 26 at 7:30
Christine Deaver - “Showgirl”
receives best reviews of the season!
“‘Showgirl’
with
Christine
Deaver was a truly unforgettable
experience. Her presence is one
that you feel you have known her
for years and her stage presence and
costumes were way over the top.
Her comedic timing is impeccable
and had the audience rolling in the
floor. Her voice is magical and
makes you want to sway with each
and every song. I think my face is
frozen with a permanent smile after
seeing this incredible talent. I highly
recommend you give yourself a
present of seeing her show.” - David
Wilhoit
“Christine Deaver, you were
great last night. So enjoyed the
show! The music, the comedy, the
costumes... fun, fun, fun! We are
lucky to have such talent here this
season. Wow!” - Tracy Parks
“Flowing out in front of us,
bedazzling looking, she blasted
into “Everybody’s Girl” [from
“Steel Pier”] with a huge voice,
hitting the upper regions of all the
notes.
She shows magnificent
acting prowess, from her body
movements to facial expressions to
humorous ad libs. It was obvious
from the start, this lady possesses a
vast range of entertainment. “That’s
how you open a show” she said
and after what we were presented,
one had to believe. She had some
very funny monologues to which
we could relate. Her rapport with
the crowd was casual, friendly and
hilarious, including the guests who
were dragged on stage resulting
in marvelous comic skits.” - Gary
Beck
3-Time 2015 Horizon Tropic
Rock Award Winner
Brittney Kingery
Every Monday at 7:30
Paul Fracassi - Walk Like
A Man - Wednesdays at 7:30
December - 2015
“Brittany Kingery tropical rock
singer”
5 Star Review – Trip Advisor:
“I was not familiar with Brittany
Kingery so I went to YouTube
and checked out a video called
“Treasures” (the Bucerías song). If
you like that as much as I did then
you will definitely enjoy her show
at the Red Room. Many of her
songs are original and reflect her
love of the Banderas Bay area. She
also performed a cover of Norah
Jones “I Don’t Know Why” that
was excellent. The Red Room is
an intimate venue that allows the
audience to really feel this artists
warm personality and unique
talents. Very well done!!”
“What a show!!”
5 Star Review – Trip Advisor: “We
were lucky enough to have tickets to
this season’s opening show, Brittany
Kingery. The cabaret section of the
theater, The Red Room, was sold
out and Brittany certainly did not
disappoint! Her encore number, “I
Feel Like Dancing” had the entire
house on its feet, having a blast! We
are incredibly blessed to have this
venue and this level of talent here in
Puerto Vallarta, one of many things
that make this such a magical place.
Thank you, Brittany!!” Vallarta has adopted Lorena
Peril and Ray Jon Star in
Married and Looking
Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:30 5 Star Trip Advisor review:
“Lorena Peril and Ray Jon are a
perfect fit for live music lovers of
Vallarta. Their show at the Act II
Stages is so much fun, featuring an
eclectic menu of great stuff. Diva,
80s rock, ballads, Hispanic, a Bab’s
The 7 Arts
number, and of all things ... some
ZZ Top and Stevie Ray! Lorena
knocks every number out of the
park, and Ray’s guitar licks are a
cut above. The energy they bring
to the room sustains throughout.
But, here’s the real reason we should
keep them here around the Bay.
These guys can do anything. There
are 3 or 4 different shows just waiting
to be produced. Lorena could nail a
full card of diva hits and show tunes,
and you still wouldn’t get enough.
She has the all of the energy of
Aretha, and the full on emotion of
Liza. This woman can make boys
in the Romantic Zone ovulate. Ray is a born axe man, and he’ll
do justice to the greats of blues
and rock. Hey Ray, how about
an evening with the some of the
icons of the 60s, 70s, 80s and
beyond? (I could sit through an
entire evening of ZZ, Clapton,
BB, The Stones, etc., etc., etc.)
If that’s not enough, how about all
the 80s pop songs you covered at
your recent show? I’ll buy tickets
for anything you two put together.
Just keep playing and making us all
happy...” Sutton Lee Seymour The way off Broad!
continues to perform to packed
houses and rave reviews!
¨This show has raised the bar
for entertainment in PV¨
Every Monday and Saturday 9:30
5 Star Trip Advisor review:
“OMG!! What a great show! I
have to tell you that this show was
not one that I would have probably
picked... a drag show? But Danny
Mininni, owner of Act II, told us
what a great performer he is and
that we should go, so we went the
very next night with some friends.
There was an interesting mixture of
people in the room... men, women,
straights, gays. As soon as Sutton
Lee Seymour walked in the room,
dressed in a beautiful, sparkly gown
and 5-inch heels, there was an
electricity that was felt by everyone.
He immediately drew us in and made
us feel totally comfortable with
his over-the-top female attire. He
shared his “personal story” with us,
and then he started singing. And boy
can he belt out those numbers! You
can tell he loves to perform! And he
knows how to delight his audience
with his funny stories, crazy games
and incredible fashion changes (onstage). He sang beautiful Broadway
hits, some Disney songs, as well
as Liza Minelli and Judy Garland
(among others). He also had a lot
of audience participation and you
could tell everyone was having a
great time. By the end of the twohour show, we were so sad to see
it end. I had laughed and laughed.
But Sutton had sung his heart
out and had given each of us an
amazing experience to remember.
I am so glad Danny encouraged us
to go. Sutton has made his way into
my heart.... forever. I am a fan for
life and will see his show again and
again!!”
“Sutton Lee Seymour the manic
love child of Liza. Minnelli, Chita
Rivera, Agnes Moorehead, Ethel
Merman and countless golden aged
divas who has become the toast of
the NYC drag / cabaret community,
and in demand entertainer, and now
an international headliner.” - New
World Stages NYC
IN THE MAINSTAGE AT
ACT II ENTERTAINMENT!
Forever Plaid,
Here for the Holidays
Special Saturday show
at 7 p.m. Dec. 19th
Dec. 19, 21, 22 at 7 p.m.
The show that broke all Puerto
Vallarta box office records returns to
the Main Stage, directed by Alfonso
Lopez.
Relive an era when doo-wop was
king, big hairdos were in, cars had
enormous fins, and the harmonizing
bands of the 50s were all the rage.
This hallmark jukebox musical
comedy by Stuart Ross centers on a
quartet whose dream of recording an
album ended in a bus collision while
372 15
on their way to their biggest gig.
Now they’ve been miraculously
revived for the show that never was. You’ll be humming along with
the great nostalgic pop hits of the
1950’s and rollin’ in the aisles from
the delightful patter of the original
clean-cut boy band – The Plaids. Featuring such hits as Sixteen Tons,
Chain Gang, Three Coins in the
Fountain, Perfidia, Cry, Catch a
Falling Star, Day-O, Gotta Be This
or That, Matilda, and Heart and
Soul.
Starring local performers, Elviz
Martinez, Alfonso Lopez, Roberto
Duran and Jose
Maria
Caudillo with Bob Bruneau at the
piano. Forever Plaid is produced
by Act II Entertainment .
THE KINSEY SICKS OY VEY IN THE MANGER
TAKE THE MAINSTAGE
DEC 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30
and Jan. 1, 2 at 8 p.m.
Puerto Vallarta’s longest-running
and favorite holiday untradition! A
holiday a cappella musical comedy
— in drag!!
In Oy Vey in a Manger, we find the
lovable if quirky members of The
Kinsey Sicks trying to sell off their
manger - yes, that manger - before
it’s foreclosed upon. Crises arise,
secrets are revealed, Jewish-Gentile
Continued on Next Page
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Paige Turner - Confessions
of an Un-Natural Blonde
C
oming to you from her sold out run in New York City “Confessions of an
Un-Natural Blonde!” starring “Showbiz Spitfire”
Paige Turner entertains her audience with a madcap evening filled with a
variety of rapid-fire comedy, live singing, outrageous videos and downright
dumb at its best!
“Showbiz Spitfire” Paige Turner NYC’s hottest drag personality is the
ultimate Barbie mixed with a tawdry dose of mayhem and foolishness! She is
all singing, all legs and the ultimate princess that always makes her audience
feel like the guest star. Come drink the Kool-Aid and SLURP!!
December 22, 24, 25, 29, 31 and January 1st at 9:30 p.m. in the Red Room
Cabaret at Act II Stages.
Act II Entertainment STAGES complex is located on the 2nd floor at 300
Insurgentes (corner of Basilio Badillo) in the Romantic Zone on the south side
of town. Tel.: 222-1512. Tickets can be purchased at www.vallartatickets.
com or go to www.actiientertainment.com for show details. Box office open
daily at 11 a.m., with a 2nd box office location across the street from Garbo’s
on Pulpito street.
Continued ACT-II ...
tensions surface, and mayhem
ensues - all in glorious four-part
harmony.
Oy Vey boasts The Kinsey Sicks’
reinterpretations of holiday classics
such as “God Bless Ye Femmy
Lesbians”, “Satan Baby”, and
“I’m Dreaming of a Betty White
Christmas”, plus hilarious Jewish
satiric fare, including “Don’t Be
Happy, Worry”, the Chanukah
spa classic “I Had a Little Facial”
and, of course, the requisite and
new Christmas cuisine standard,
“Soylent Night.”
“In an ecumenical display of
wicked joie de vivre, the Kinsey
Sicks are sending up everything
that’s holy in “Oy Vey in a Manger,”
a raunchily audacious declaration
as educator, director and performer
to the show. Hosted once again
by Juan Pablo Hernandez who
turns SPANGLISH into an art
form! This year taking the judges
chairs are: Act II Musical Director
and VOV producer, head judge
Alfonso Lopez, NYC cabaret star
and Red Room headliner Sutton Lee
Seymour, Vallarta Showman Edgar
Sanchez and weekly guest
judges. The Voice of Vallarta will
run every Sunday till the big closing
night March 20th.
that nothing about the holidays is
sacred… If you haven’t made the
acquaintance of the Kinsey Sicks,
it’s high time you did.” ~ The
Washington Post
“’Oy Vey in a Manger,’ a ribald,
ridiculous, raunchy, decidedly
R-rated romp through the best
and worst of Christmas … The
Kinseys make the Glee club on Fox
television with its risque teenage
trysts look like a preschool.... A new
and subversive holiday tradition.” ~
Washington Jewish Week.
The Voice of Vallarta - Season 3 Every Sunday at 8 p.m.
The show that received the
prestigious BEST OF award from
Vallarta Lifestyles Returns to
the Main Stage! Once again the
highest attended show in Vallarta
history is looking for the best
singer in the Bay of Banderas. Look for many changes this
year, starting with the addition of
Alfonso Lopez as co-executive
producer.
Alfonso is looking
forward to lending his many years
Act II Entertainment STAGES complex is located on the 2nd floor at 300 Insurgentes
(corner of Basilio Badillo) in the Romantic Zone on the south side of town. Tel.: 222-1512.
Tickets can be purchased at www.vallartatickets.com or go to www.actiientertainment.com for show details.
Box office open daily at 11 a.m., with a 2nd box office location across the street from Garbo’s on Pulpito street.
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Alebrijes!
Alebrijes are brightly colored
Oaxacan-Mexican
folk
art
sculptures of fantastical creatures.
The first alebrijes, along with use
of the term, originated
with
Pedro
Linares. In the
1930s, Linares
fell very ill
and
while
he was in bed,
unconscious, Linares
dreamt of a strange place
resembling a forest.
There, he saw trees,
animals, rocks, clouds
that suddenly turned into
something strange, some kind of
animals, but, unknown animals.
He saw a donkey with butterfly
wings, a rooster with bull horns,
a lion with an eagle head, and all
of them were shouting one word,
“Alebrijes”. Upon recovery, he
began recreating the creatures
he saw in cardboard and papiermâché and called them Alebrijes.
His work caught the attention
of a gallery owner in Cuernavaca,
in the south of Mexico and later,
of artists Diego Rivera and Frida
Kahlo. In the 1980s, British
filmmaker Judith Bronowski
arranged an itinerant Mexican
art craft demonstration workshop
in the U.S.A. featuring Pedro
Linares. Although the Oaxaca
Teatro Vallarta presents
valley area already had a history
of carving animal and other types
of figures from wood, it was at this
time, when Bronowski’s workshop
took place, that artisans from
Oaxaca learned of the alebrijes
paper mâché sculptures. Linares’
designs were adapted to the
carving of a local wood
called copal, this type of
wood is said to be magical,
made from unicorn magic.
The paper mâché-towood carving adaptation
spread to a number of other
towns and became a major
source of income for the area. The
success of the craft, however, has
led to the depletion of the native
copal trees. Attempts to remedy
this with reforestation efforts and
management of wild copal trees
has only had limited success.
If you happen to be one of the
myriad admirers of these delightfully
whimsical creations, know that you
do not have to go all the way to
Oaxaca to acquire your very own. A
number of local galleries carry them,
ranging in size and price from very
small to very large. Among them are:
Galería Colectika at 858 Guadalupe
Sanchez and Peyote People at 222
Juarez, both downtown, as well as
Lucy’s Cucu Cabaña at 295 Basilio
Badillo in the Romantic Zone on the
south side of town.
The Snow Queen –
Russian Ballet on Ice
Based on the work by Hans Christian Andersen
For the first time in Puerto
Vallarta, a Christmas Ballet
and Circus fantasy on ice with
over 25 skaters on the stage of
Ecological Ice, based on Hans
Christian Andersen’s story,
The Snow Queen. The show is
presented by the Moscow Ballet
and Circus Company of Russia.
Story line: Skating on ice, the
skaters tell us the story of Gerda
who went to the North Pole in
search of her friend Kai.
The road to the kingdom of
the Snow Queen was long.
She would meet a girl thief
and princes, more thieves and
ravens, among other interesting
characters. Together they will
live some incredible adventures.
All are conquered by Gerda’s
courage and friendliness.
The Queen’s evil assistant will
concoct plans and put them into
action against the little girl to
try stopping her from reaching
Kai, but with the help of her new
friends, Gerda will overcome all
the obstacles and free the boy
from a terrible fate. This is an
excellent Christmas gift!
The shows will be presented
at 8:30 p.m. on Monday,
December 21st and Tuesday
22nd at Teatro Vallarta,
located at 184 Uruguay
downtown. Tickets (at $480.,
$380. and $280. Pesos) are
on sale at the wicket at Teatro
Vallarta, the Ticketmaster
center in Liverpool and via
Ticketmaster.com.mx
Info: 222-4525 and 222-4475.
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Celebrate at Vallarta’s only dinner theatre
Holiday cheer rings in at Boutique Theatre
Tribute shows for Garth Brooks, and
Buddy Holly, are scheduled.
- “Where the Boys Are: A
Tribute to Connie Francis.” Mikki
Prost, whose Patsy Cline tribute
shows throughout PV nearly always
sell out, has put together a new show
for Connie Francis fans. The curtain
rises at 6 p.m. Mondays.
-“Forever Patsy Cline,” well into
its fifth season, will make you sing
along to your favorite Patsy tunes.
You’ll also learn some additional
songs, recently discovered by the
show’s star and creator, Mikki
Prost. “Forever” plays Tuesdays.
“Time 2 Play,” the popular local
band, will present “Always in
Season,” two evenings of eclectic
holiday favorites at The Boutique
Dinner Theatre.
The seasonal fun is planned
in the renovated entertainment
pavilion upstairs at Nacho
Daddy’s, 287 Basilio Badillo.
Shows are December 21 and 22,
featuring guest voices from the
Puerto Vallarta choir “SYNG!’
Elegant dinners will be served
at 5 p.m., with the shows at 6
p.m. - except, on Wednesdays, no
dinner is served and the show is
at 7:30 p.m.
Diners can choose a steak,
chicken, or vegetarian meal,
starting with a fresh green
salad. Dinners come with a
complimentary margarita or glass
of wine. For even more options,
order from the Nacho Daddy
“Mex-Tex”-style menu. Tickets
can be ordered for dinner and a
show, or the show only, at www.
vallartatickets.com
Stay tuned for more news about
Boutique shows coming in the
new year, including the thriller
“Deathtrap,” and an original show,
“The Widows of Pancho Villa.”
musical mood, Sundays, Jan. 24,
Feb. 7 and 28, March 6 and 27, and
April 10 and 24.
* “This is Elvis: You Asked For
It” presents the most requested
songs, Sundays, Jan. 3 and 17,
March 20, April 3 and 17.
* Sweethearts can schedule their
romantic Valentine’s Day plans around
a special Elvis show on Feb. 14.
Get your tickets through the
Boutique’s supportive partners at
Vallarta Tickets,:
www.vallartatickets.com, +1 562-336-4552 You can always find out more
from The Boutique Dinner Theatre
and Nacho Daddy’s on Facebook.
-The Boutique is delighted to bring
you a series of shows from Rob
Knight, the internationally popular
Elvis Presley tribute artist. Rob
Knight is a Pacific Northwest
Champion Elvis Tribute Artist.
* “Elvis:
The
Concert
Years” plays the following
Wednesdays, Jan. 13 and 20; Feb. 3,
10 and 17; March 2, 9, 16 and 23;
and April 6, 13, 20 and 27. These
are the special Wednesday shows
set for curtain at 7:30 p.m. “The
Concert Years” show can also be
seen Sundays, Jan. 31, Feb. 21, and
March 13, where dinner is served at
5 p.m. before the shows at 6.
* “Elvis Inspirational Gospel
Tribute” will put you in a spiritual,
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Map
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Give yourself the gift of good health for the holidays
I
t is no surprise that music is good for
your health. Turn on your favorite selection
and a rainy day seems to turn to sunshine.
Neuroscientists explain the science behind the
sensation, with studies showing that listening
to music heightens positive emotion in the
brain, stimulating hits of dopamine that cause
good or even elated feelings. This makes
perfect sense then, that we seek musical
traditions to bring us this joy, year after year.
What better way than a good musical show in
paradise this holiday season to reduce stress?
Beginning in 2002, Los Bambinos took to Puerto Vallarta’s streets for the
first time. In just a couple of years they made a big impact on the Puerto
Vallarta community with their musical talent, contagious smiles and brotherly
love… In 2006 -by popular demand- the Morales brothers launched their first
show at Olas Altas’ Santa Barbara Theater. For many of Puerto Vallarta’s
holiday visitors and snowbirds, their Puerto Vallarta experience would not be
complete without Los Bambinos music, and the happiness that the brothers
bring through their music.
The Los Bambinos tradition has evolved during the last
decade, through their weekly shows, private parties and
tableside performances. Each week friends come out to
support the brothers’ artistic expression, and leave the
brothers’ presence with big smiles on their faces and a
renewed bounce in their step.
No matter how you get your Los Bambinos music
treatment this holiday season, make sure to plan for it!
Whether you book your own private party or reserve VIP
seats at the Tuesday show, you will be happy you did!
Perhaps neuroscience offers the reason why Los Bambinos
music has become such a tradition in Puerto Vallarta.
Discover for yourself what so many are talking about.
Los Bambinos Present | the Kings of Rock n’ Roll will be held each Tuesday
night from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Roxy Rock House. Bring friends and reserve
your table early for the best seats in the house. Information and tickets at
www.losbambinosmusic.com or 222-4357. English spoken. Tickets only
available at the Roxy on the evening of the show. See you there!
The Roxy Rock House has live music every night at 217 I.L. Vallarta in the
Romantic Zone on the south side of town.
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The 7 Arts
Galeria Pacifico features
Brewster Brockmann on 30th
Brewster Brockmann’s twelfth solo exhibition
over the last thirteen years will be inaugurated at
Galería Pacífico during the Wednesday Art Walk in
the Historic Zone downtown on December 30, with
a second cocktail reception on Wednesday, January
6th, also attended by the artist. Brockmann’s work
includes multiple artistic techniques including bronze and terra cotta sculptures, drawings, and paintings on canvas or board.
Jungle animals and marine life are common themes, fitting considering that Brewster’s studio is by
the banks of a river coming down from the mountainous jungle and emptying into a small bay. He
studied botany and biology before receiving his
Master of Arts degree at the prestigious Cranbrook
Academy near Detroit, Michigan.
Maternity is sometimes a focus, also fitting in that
the artist’s wife works occasionally as a midwife
when she isn’t occupied with their own young daughters. Brockmann comes from an artistic family.
His parents actually first met while art students at the
Rhode Island School of Design, and recently were
featured in a joint exhibition locally.
The list of artists also includes a brother, first cousin and an aunt. The Brockmanns go back a couple of
hundred years in Guadalajara, where Brewster was
raised before moving to this area. Although Brewster Brockmann’s exhibit will be mounted through
the end of January, Galería Pacífico always maintains an extensive display of his work in their spacious second floor location at 172 Aldama Street,
100 feet from the Malecon ocean promenade.
Aldama No. 174 Centro
2nd Floor / Piso
Tel.: (322) 222 1982
Fax: (322) 222 5502
www.galeriapacifico.com
galeriapacifi[email protected]
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By
Joe Harrington
Suffragette
O
nly one trivia question this
week: Which state in America was
first to give women the right to vote,
and in what year?
Occasionally I tackle various
elements in a movie individually, rather
than just writing about the overall
impact. Suffragette, a British film set
in 1912 London, begs for this approach.
Period piece. Charles Dickens once
wrote, “It was the best of times, it was
the worst of times.” But if he was
writing about this moment in history,
he would have leaned heavily on the
second part of his statement. British
women had no rights. Besides being
denied the vote, they could not own
property. They did not even control
the destiny of their own children.
They were, basically, chattel.
Makeup. Normally praise is used
on this part of a movie when the story
is lavish – think Moulin Rouge or
Cleopatra. This time, however, the
reverse is true. I don’t think there
was one article of jewelry worn in
the entire production. Make-up was
used to intensify the hard life women
endured a century ago, but not to
adorn the female actors.
Historical accuracy.
I have
seen archival footage of the critical
horserace represented in the finale
of Suffragette, and the recreation is
incredible. Think the scene in Far
and Away when the Oklahoma Land
Grab began with the thunderous firing
of a cannon and the meticulous job
done by Ron Howard and his team
to reproduce that exact moment.
Suffragette also does a spellbinding
job in bringing us a shameful moment
in history from London. This type
of attention to detail doesn’t happen
often, but it does happen.
Dialogue. There is a moment in the
movie that captures it all in one brief
exchange between Carey Mulligan,
who portrays suffragette Maud Watts,
and Brendan Gleason, who plays a
role representing authority. He tells her
she can’t win. She responds, “We’re in
every household, we’re half the human
race.” Brilliant in terseness –– no
rambling, no further words needed.
Cinematography. I usually hate
herky-jerky camera movement –– the
artificial attempt to make us think we
are watching a documentary. This
movie uses that effect, but it uses it
correctly –– meaning it does not beat
it to death, but chooses its spots for
greatest impact.
Delivery. The real brilliance of
this movie is point of view. Is it told
through the eyes of suffrage movement
leaders? No, it is presented through
the eyes of a common washerwoman,
married with one young son. The
gripping essence of what this woman
experiences is captured not only
by letting us see and hear what she
goes through, but makes us feel
what she goes through. She is not a
rabble-rouser; she is brought into the
movement by very small steps.
Personal. A great movie will jar
emotions and memories that touch
a viewer. In my case it brought back
what my grandmother told me when I
was a young lad. She explained when
she was a young woman the fight for
equality was rising all over Ireland.
When the Great War began, women
nurses from all over the world –– New
Zealand, India, Australia, the Congo ––
traveled to France. There, while tending
the wounded and dying, they talked of
their own hungry desires for the right to
vote, the right to be treated as an equal.
After that terrible war ended, those
women went home and the suffragette
movement spread worldwide.
My ultimate test after watching
a movie is to ask myself if I would
watch it again.
We all know when we will. I walked
out of Bridge on the River Kwai and
thought about buying another ticket
and reentering the theater. Think of
great movies like Chariots of Fire,
Lawrence of Arabia and all the films
that can be enjoyed over and over
because each time overlooked nuances
will surface.
December - 2015
I know I will watch Suffragette
again and again.
Trivia answer: Wyoming gave
women the vote in 1869. The British
Empire, upon which the sun never
set –– at least not during the period
depicted in Suffragette –– didn’t
deliver the same basic freedom to all
of its women until 1928.
Sadly, I finish with the following
antidote: When I left the darkened
theater, I went to the concession stand.
There was a young woman tending
to the popcorn machine. I asked her,
“Did you vote in the last election?”
She answered, “Who has the time?”
If my grandmother had heard that
she would have wept.
Joe Harrington
Is an internationally published true crime
writer and documentary filmmaker.
Send comments or criticism to
[email protected]
Artwork by Bob Crabb.
Good Bites
Did you know that…
Mexico’s cuisine is an “Intangible Cultural Heritage”
T
he UNESCO (United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization), besides maintaining
a list of World Heritage Sites, also
keeps a list of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity. These are
traditions or living expressions which
are passed down through generations
in the form of oral traditions,
performing arts, social practices,
rituals, festive events, or knowledge
and practices concerning nature and
the universe.
During its fifth session that took
place in Nairobi, capital of the
Republic of Kenya, from 15 to 19
November 2010 at the Kenyatta
International Conference Centre,
UNESCO’s
Intergovernmental
Committee for the Safeguarding of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage inscribed
Mexico’s traditional cuisine on the
Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Traditional Mexican cuisine is
a comprehensive cultural model
comprising farming, ritual practices,
age-old skills, culinary techniques
and ancestral community customs
and manners. It is made possible by
collective participation in the entire
traditional food chain: from planting
and harvesting to cooking and eating.
The basis of the system is founded on
corn, beans and chili; unique farming
methods such as milpas (rotating
swidden fields of corn and other crops)
and chinampas (man-made farming
islets in lake areas); cooking processes
such as nixtamalization (lime-hulling
maize, which increases its nutritional
value); and singular utensils including
grinding stones and stone mortars.
Native ingredients such as varieties
of tomatoes, squashes, avocados, cocoa
and vanilla augment the basic staples.
Mexican cuisine is elaborate and
symbol-laden, with everyday tortillas
and tamales, both made of corn,
forming an integral part of Day of the
Dead offerings. Collectives of female
cooks and other practitioners devoted
to raising crops and traditional cuisine
are found in the State of Michoacán
and across Mexico. Their knowledge
and techniques express community
identity, reinforce social bonds, and
build stronger local, regional and
national identities. Those efforts
in Michoacán also underline the
importance of traditional cuisine as a
means of sustainable development.
(Source: www.unesco.org)
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Good Bites
Drinking tequila could help you lose weight, according to scientists
Well, isn’t this some wonderful
news? A recent study conducted
by the American Chemical Society
(ACS) reveals that the sugars found in
the plant that makes tequila could help
lower blood glucose levels for people
with type 2 diabetes. Researchers
believe that this could help obese
people lose weight.
Agavins is a natural form of sugar
that is found in the agave plant. It is
non-digestible and according to the
study it can act as a dietary fibre and,
as a result, will not raise blood glucose.
It is necessary to differentiate it from
the commonly known agave syrup,
which is actually quite similar to a
dangerous high-fructose corn syrup.
Dr. Mercedes G. López, Ph.D. and
one of the researchers on the study said,
“We have found that since agavins
reduce glucose levels and increase
GLP-1, they also increase the amount
of insulin.” GLP-1 is a hormone that
slows the stomach from emptying and
stimulates the production of insulin.
Lopez further added, “Agavins
are not expensive and they have no
known side effects, except for those
few people who cannot tolerate them.”
This means that people feel full and,
as a result, would eat less.
To prove this, the scientists fed mice
a standard diet and added agavins to
the water. The study revealed that the
mice who consumed agavins ate less
and had lower blood glucose levels.
The effects were stronger than other
artificial sweeteners and the mice
consuming agavins also produced the
GLP-1 hormone.
So, you know the saying, when life
gives you lemons, ask for tequila!
A shot or two once in a while is not
something you have to feel guilty
about! Cheers to that!
(Source: www.buzzhearts.com)
Differences in types of tequila
Tequila is made from the distillation
of the juice from the blue agave plant.
Depending on the subsequent process,
the tequila will become one of the
following five types.
1. Gold Tequila
Most gold tequilas get their color
from the caramel coloring added to the
tequila before fermentation. Watch
out for brands that don’t cite “100%
agave”, as those brands have added
coloring and sugar to obtain the gold
color. Gold tequilas are not typically
aged, and usually contain only about
51% agave tequila.
Sometimes
100% agave gold tequila is made by
combining silver tequila and an aged
tequila, such as reposado or añejo.
Since quality aged tequila has a gold
hue, the addition of the coloring was
a marketing tactic to improve one’s
perspective of cheaper brands.
2. Silver Tequila
Silver tequila, sometimes referred to as
blanco, is rarely aged more than a couple
December - 2015
of weeks, making it the purest form of
tequila. It is often considered the best
type of tequila to use in mixed drinks,
and is commonly seen in margaritas.
3. Reposado
Reposado means “rested” in
Spanish, and reposados rest anywhere
from two months to a year before they
are bottled. Reposados take on the
gold hue from the barrels in which
they are aged. They are typically aged
in oak or white oak barrels, and the
type of barrel changes the flavor of
each distillery’s tequila.
4. Añejo
Añejo tequilas are aged from one
to three years, and are considered the
best type of tequila for sipping because
of their smoother flavor. Añejo means
“vintage”, and they are darker than
reposado tequilas.
5. Extra Añejo
Extra or ultra añejo tequilas are
aged for over three years. This is a
relatively new type of tequila, which
got its official classification in 2005.
It is the most expensive, not only
because the flavor is improved with
age, but also because distilleries will
only allow their best spirits to age for
so long. Extra añejo tequila should be
enjoyed, not shot or mixed.
Now, the next time that you are
poking around at the liquor store or
are ordering a drink at your favorite
bar, you’ll know just what to order.
(Source: casablancmexican.com)
Vallarta Voices
By
About
twenty
years ago, when
I had decided to move to Puerto
Vallarta, I audited my son’s Spanish
courses at McGill University, with
the professor’s permission. (After
all, I was the one paying for the
courses …and she was a lovely
young lady.) Her name was Victoria
and she was truly Spanish, born in
Barcelona. As a result of her origin,
and probably because the study book
was produced and printed in Spain,
classes were taught in European
Spanish as opposed to the Latin
American version. In case you were
not aware of this, the two are very
different from one another.
In Spain, as in France, there are
six different pronouns, to wit: I, you
(familiar), he, she, we, you (plural
and formal) and they. In most Latin
American countries the formal “you”
is not used and consequently, neither
are the verb forms associated to it, in
many tenses.
Why am I giving you this
unsolicited grammar lesson? Well,
because I want you to understand
why I was smirking throughout the
“Marriage of Figaro” opera broadcast
last Monday at Teatro Vallarta.
So the ballet and opera performances
transmitted here from the Royal
Opera House in London, England, on
Saturdays come with English subtitles,
while the Monday shows’ subtitles are
in Spanish. The first offering was a
ballet, “Romeo and Juliet”, at the end
of November, so subtitles did not pose
a problem. However, the “Marriage of
Figaro” needed them, and there they
were, in European Spanish. Words
that no Mexican knows unless he/
she took lessons in a school that used
grammar books published in Spain.
So there you have it.
372 27
Anna Reisman
Onto a totally different subject, I am
delighted to see that the now defunct
Animal Protection Association was
finally able to access its funds after
soooo many years. What a story that is!
Towards the end of last century, a
local activist took it upon herself to
denigrate the legally-constituted nonprofit association, out of jealousy.
She proceeded to call the police
whenever there were fundraising
events, claiming that participants
were playing “games of chance”,
dealing drugs, etc. etc. Of course,
no such activity ever took place. She
plastered signs on the shop windows
of contributing businesses, urging
them to boycott the association.
Nothing worked. She then tried
to have the founders deported for
purportedly diverting the funds raised
at such (very successful) events to
their own personal accounts. At
the same time, she tried to deport
me too - because I was giving them
great coverage in the Tribune where
I worked at the time - claiming that
I was insulting 100 million Mexicans
by asking our readers to contribute to
the “Feed the Children” project, and
because I mentioned the potholes in
our streets. In order to achieve her
goal, she and her buddies took over
the main square with big banners
that screamed “Foreigners get out!”
and staged a sit-in at the Immigration
bureau until her goal was reached.
That never happened either.
Nevertheless, the funds raised by the
APA remained untouchable …until
now. I think someone once said that
the wheels of justice turn slowly…
I felt truly bad for all the pilgrims
making their way to the Church
of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the
pouring rain last Saturday, December
12th. It was also the evening of our
celebration of Hanukkah at Café
Bohemio, but at least we were
protected by the awning owner Sol
Rosen had installed a while back. A
little surprisingly, everyone showed
up, the place was full, good food and
a great time were had by all.
The next day, we went for brunch
to Cucco’s Market Bistro Café.
Once again, Bruce has outdone
himself, this time hiring an excellent
Mariachi band to entertain us. And
he’s planning to have them again
for a special dinner on Christmas
December - 2015
Day! Check out his Facebook page
(Cucco’s Market Bistro Café).
And still on the subject of food, if
you love duck as much as I do, do not
miss Trio’s Duck Festival. It’s still on
until the 21st and boy, is it worth it!
That’s all my blather for this week.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and
Happy Holidays. Stay well, stay
healthy, and do share your good
fortune with the less fortunate.
Hasta la próxima vez,
Feliz Navidad! [email protected]
28 372
Vallarta Voices
About judging a book by its cover
By
When
Luisa Yim
it’s raining cats and
dogs outside, what better to do
than ruminate on the day’s events?
Today Chihuahua Paulina and
I trekked downtown and back;
at one point I became light
headed and took respite in an
air conditioned store along the
route on Juarez Street. Then, on
our continued jaunt back to our
abode in Old Town, I had a repeat
performance. Luckily, I was able
to stop to buy a smoothie and
regained the energy to make it
home. Today’s especially high
humidity took a toll on me and
most likely lots of others, as well.
Nearing my home base,
approached the short cut and
took the side stairs up from
Basilio Badillo near the new
construction of a condo building
anchored by Fajita Republic. At
the first landing, unexpectedly,
I encountered a man sprawled
out on the step. He was poorly
clothed, actually wearing a
dirty sweatshirt in this heat and
clutching his belongings in a
tattered tote. He appeared down
and out, sporting the classic
homeless demeanor.
Here Paulina and I were, face
to face, with this hombre as I
was huffing and puffing, hoping
to catch my breath rather than
passing out from the humid air.
My first thought was....oh hell,
shit’s gonna hit the fan! Second
thought: this is what Jean Yves and
Pierre, neighbors, had warned me
about; avoid this route up or down
these steps where an assault and
robbery just recently took place.
“Señor, buenas tardes,” I
managed to exhale zestfully,
though with abundant trepidation.
My greeting was simultaneously
emitted while harboring in my
cabeza the old words of wisdom
about not showing fear. To counter
my ensuring alarm and panic, I
tend to do the opposite, appear very
friendly and upbeat so as to throw
the potential assailant off guard.
This has worked for me in the past,
but would it work for me, again.
To my surprise and alarm, my
‘maybe-assailant’ rose from the
steps and declared, “Senora, do
you remember me?” I must have
looked bewildered so he repeated
in a clearly understood Spanglish.
Instantaneously
debating
to myself... Which would be
advantageous; yes, I remember
you or, no, don’t remember at
all! Both responses seemed to be
loaded with consequences.
No sooner, an ‘Aha’ moment
ensued. Of course, this gent, a
neighborhood dumpster diver
whom I met two seasons back!
He had just retrieved a discarded
pair of well worn, red women’s
Crocs from the green metal
treasure chest down on the corner
of Rodriguez and Pino Suarez!
As I passed, he was struggling
unsuccessfully to gain a fit for his
bare feet into the shoes.
Coincidentally, I was wearing
a pair of brown Crocs, recently
acquired at a garage sale at home
in Minnesota.
Realizing the too small red
Crocs were not going to fit him, I
remarked, “Señor, por favor, rojo
is mi color mas favorito. Mira,
tengo zapatas moreno... Le gusta?
[Men’s Crocs I was wearing:
gender specific being irrelevant in
my book] If you like, I trade with
you,” I reiterated along with a bit
of elementary pantomiming.
You now know the rest of the
story... If the shoe fits, wear it,
resulting in four happy feet and a
feat that turned out well.
Back to the present: On the trek
back up the stairs, my amigo offered
December - 2015
to carry Paulina and the bundle of
my purchases. Like a scout leader,
he ushered me up the stairs; at each
juncture, turning around to check
on my status and safety.
Reaching the top, coincidentally
not far from the dumpster where
we had traded footwear, we
parted ways, my shoe friend and
I, but not before conveying to
each other the best of wishes.
As I reflect upon the event of
my day, I jot it down as another
of life’s ironies. How easy to
pass judgment, I ruminate over
and over. How often we surmise
a scenario based on raw emotion
and gut level feeling. Lacking a
6th sense, we are conditioned to
often think the worst and resort
to prejudging, generalizing,
then stereotyping, followed by
condemnation.
My encounter could have turned
out differently …but it didn’t. It
was indeed a happy ending.
A fluke of nature, maybe? I
think not.
What appears to be and what we
have been conditioned to perceive
is not always valid.To discern the
difference can happen in such
unexpected places, such as a
vacant stairway on a steep incline
up a wild and woolly hillside in
Puerto Vallarta.
Gil Gevins’ Page
Feeling flush
By
W
Gil Gevins
hen I saw the article in the
Huffington Post entitled, “Why You
Should Think Twice Before Flushing
Your Goldfish Down The Toilet”, I got
a sudden irresistible urge for sushi.
This was, I had to assume, what they
call a niche article, written for a specific
category of people, namely owners of
goldfish actively considering flushing
one or more of their wee charges (for
whatever reason) down the commode.
Assuming, for the sake of simplicity,
that the flushees were dead at the time
of their disposal, our niche group
would then consist of the owners of
very recently deceased goldfish. But
according to the American Goldfish
Mortality Association’s official website,
the average time a dead goldfish is left
floating around before being disposed
of is about fifteen seconds.
How many goldfish, I then
wondered, die on a typical day. And
what percentage of that population
reads the Huffington Post on a regular
basis? Utilizing an advanced algorithm
I obtained from an online pharmacy, I
calculated that on the day this article
debuted, it had a .00000000548
percent possibility of being read by
someone who had an un-disposed of,
recently deceased goldfish on their
hands. To put this into perspective,
these are about the same odds as you
being struck by lightning and winning
the lottery and receiving unsolicited
sex from Godzilla and King Kong all
on the same day.
I decided then and there that I had to
buy a goldfish at once, overfeed him
and then flush him down the toilet after
he died. But before I did that, I decided
to read the article first, a big mistake.
It turns out, if the goldfish is
completely dead, flushing it down the
toilet is fine. The writer, an apparent
mental case, claimed to have flushed
a dozen dead goldfish down the toilet
as a child without incident. He said
it was an educational experience:
learning about death, and about how
to use the flush handle on the side of
the commode.
“But what if not all of them were
dead?” the writer wonders with dread
many years later, as he himself risks
death by boredom watching Breaking
News (“It’s day 4,137, and they still
haven’t found the plane!”) on CNN.
“What happens,” he demands of his
stricken conscience, “to the flushed
goldfish that only seemed dead because
they were sleeping, or hypnotized into
a state of suspended animation by the
droning voice of Wolf Blitzer?”
It turns out, some of those still-alive
flushed goldfish make it to ponds and
lakes. And what happens to them there
beggars belief. Apparently, they grow!
And become in many cases quite large!
And some of these really large goldfish
are caught by sadistic fisherman who
do unspeakable things to them, like
taking them home, putting them in
a bathtub and forcing them to watch
CNN. There was even one recorded
case where a blotch of human pond
scum, the Marquis de Sade of anglers,
put his captured goldfish in a pickle jar
and force-fed it Fox News!
With nothing better to do, I obtained
the author’s e-mail, and, representing
myself as a feature rider for Field
and Stream magazine, asked him
for a telephonic interview. Starving
for attention (why else do you write
cautionary articles about flushing
goldfish down toilets), he readily agreed.
The next day my wife, coming home
from work, found me in the kitchen
dumping irresponsible amounts of
fish food into the large glass jug she
uses to serve margaritas at the South
Side Shuffle. Besides being filled with
water, the glass jug also contained a
live goldfish.
“Is that a goldfish?” she asked.
“Yes, honey.”
“You put it in my margarita pitcher.”
“Yes, honey.”
“Aren’t you giving it an awful lot of
food?”
“Little Nemo is very hungry,” I
explained.
“But overfeeding goldfish can kill
them. I read it somewhere.”
“That’s the idea.”
“You’re trying to kill the goldfish?”
“Yes, and then at precisely six
o’clock, I am going to flush the
remains down the toilet.”
“I’m calling Dr. Mendoza
Mendoza,” Lucy said.
Dr. Mendoza Mendoza is my
psychiatrist. He has a double last
name because both his mother and
father were named Mendoza, and
that’s how they name children in
Mexico. Almost everyone has at least
six names, including my barber: Juan
Carlos Santiago Hidalgo Juarez de la
Vega. Try getting that on a check.
“No need to call Mendoza Mendoza,
honey,” I told her. And then I explained
about the article, and my phone
interview with the author, and that I
intended to flush the fish while on the
phone with the mentally unbalanced
journalist, so as to hear his reaction.
“Oh,” Lucy said, rolling her eyes,
“that explains everything. But… the
fish is cute. Why do you want to kill
him?”
“Because,” I patiently explained,
“if I flush him while he’s still alive,
he might make it to a lake or pond,
grow to monstrous proportions and
be caught by a sadistic fisherman who
December - 2015
372 29
will make him watch Bill O’Reilly
till the fish is compelled to swallow
its own gills in order to drown out the
terrible noise.”
“Honey,” Lucy said, “our clients
drink margaritas out of that pitcher.”
“I know. Who do you think carries
it back and forth to the store?”
“I mean,” Lucy said, “I don’t want
my margaritas tasting like fish.”
“Why not? Isn’t Vallarta famous for
its seafood? And Little Nemo won’t
be at the party. By then, he should be
well on his way to Lake Tahoe.”
Once I had the writer on the phone,
I asked him how he felt about flushing
all those live fish down the toilet when
he was a child. Did he feel guilty?
Was that his motivation for writing the
article?
“As far as I know, they were
all deceased at the time,” he said
defensively.
“How can you be sure? Did you
take their pulse? Hold a mirror under
their gills? Put an ear to their chests?”
“You did say you were from Field
and Stream?”
“No, I’m from, Yield and Scream, a
sister publication. Hello? Hello?”
Gil Gevins
Is the author of four hilarious books,
including the classic, PUERTO VALLARTA
ON 49 BRAIN CELLS A DAY, and the sidesplitting novel, SLIME AND PUNISHMENT.
Signed copies of all Gil’s books are available
at his wife’s wonderful shop, LUCY’S CUCU
CABAÑA, located at 295 Basilio Badillo.
Health Matters
30 372
Life lessons from “Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
(Part 2 of 2)
By
Giselle Belanger
Yukon Cornelius and the
Abominable Snow Monster
He is also the “voice of reason”. He
has common sense and is quick to find
solutions. He does not panic. When they
are running away from “Bumble”, the
big “abominable” snow monster, they
reach the end of the ice mass and hit
water. Rudolph and Hermey feel trapped
and are afraid. Yukon immediately chips
away at the thick layer of ice breaking
them free and they float away. He
assures them they are safe because he
knows the Bumble’s “one weakness”…
he can’t float or swim.
When we fear something, we often
fear it in a disproportionate size,
making it bigger than life, or bigger
than us, or too big to tackle. As a
result, we do not confront it and it
persists and controls us. We often
later realize that it wasn’t so bad after
all? What fears have you conquered,
destroyed or dis-empowered? How
many still haunt you?
Later in the story, we have to deal
with the monster again and this time
it’s threatening Rudolph’s parents and
his girlfriend Clarice, who are trapped
in a cave. Yukon has an idea of how
to outsmart this monster. He quickly
devises a plan to lure him out of the
cave so that they can “dis-empower”
RN, LCSW
him by knocking him out and having
Hermey pull all of his teeth. Yukon
then pushes him backwards all the
way to the edge of the cliff and ends up
falling over the cliff with the monster
and is presumed dead.
Towards the end of the story, Yukon
shows up at “Christmas Town” with
the monster in tow. Rudolph questions
how he survived and Yukon confidently
announces because “Bumbles bounce”.
What a lesson in “trust”! Would you
have been able to go over a cliff trusting
that the bumble would indeed bounce?
Just imagine the trust and courage it
requires to let go of control of outcome
and despite tremendous fear, still be
able to trust that things will work out
and that you will be okay. Yukon then
proudly announces that he “tamed the
beast” and presents this snow monster
who has transformed into a gentle,
helpful, likeable guy. The Bumble has
found a “new life purpose”; putting
the star on top of the Christmas tree.
Now without his power (teeth) to scare
and hurt everyone, he has become
approachable and tame. His size, which
made him different and threatening to
others, has become a positive attribute.
He fits in and is appreciated. What
beasts have you confronted and tamed?
How has that transformed you?
The Island of Misfit Toys
When Rudolph, Hermey and Yukon
Cornelius floated away and escaped
the snow monster, they end up on
the “Island of Misfit Toys” where
they meet a spotted elephant and a
Jack-in-the-Box named “Charlie”.
Rudolph asks if he and Hermey can
stay and live there and the Lion King
“Moonracer” tells them “no” because
“living beings” are not allowed.
Yukon Cornelius then says, “even
among misfits, you are a misfit’!
How many times have you felt like
you didn’t fit in or belong? What was
different about you that made you feel
that way? Was it real or imagined?
How is it that families and societies
make people feel like they don’t fit
in and shame and criticize them? We
must consider the pain and damage we
caused them and discover compassion
and empathy. The story does a good
job of making us feel sorry for those
toys and creates empathy in us.
Then the Lion King tells Rudolph
that he can help all of the misfit toys
and save them from being lonely and
homeless, if he can convince Santa to
find them all homes, declaring that “a
toy is never happy until it is loved by
a child”. Wow…so many messages
in this one, starting with “everyone
deserves and needs to be loved!”
Rudolph finds his life purpose
Of course, toward the end of the
movie, the blizzard is so bad that
Christmas has to be canceled and
while Santa is announcing this,
Rudolph’s annoying nose is shining so
bright it’s practically blinding Santa
while he’s trying to speak. Then it
December - 2015
occurs to Santa the very thing that
made Rudolph so different and such
an outcast is now going to be the thing
that saves Christmas. Suddenly, he is
honored and valued. Everyone cheers
and is grateful to him. His self-esteem
goes way up and now he feels proud.
He’s going to lead the team of eight
flying reindeer, transitioning from
being the bullied rejected outcast to
the “most valuable player”.
How many times have we seen this on
the news or in our life? Think of some
of the most famous and well respected
“misfits”, like Bill Gates and Steve
Jobs, changing technology for example,
and Nelson Mandela for protesting
and being imprisoned. Each were
bullied, ridiculed and mocked for being
different and outspoken. Each rose
to the occasion, utilizing their unique
talents and perspectives, significantly
impacting the entire world.
Isn’t it amazing that something
that has been around for so long,
created 50 years ago, still carries
such important messages and life
lessons?! Here is the link to the
movie.
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=R2rg53E-vEc I hope you
enjoy watching it with all of this in
mind. Happy Holidays!
Giselle Belanger
RN, LCSW (psychotherapist) is available for
appointments in person, by phone, or by skype
webcam. Contact info: [email protected]
Mex cell: 044 (322) 138-9552 or
US cell: (312) 914-5203.
Health Matters
By
Krystal Frost
Tango season in PV
I
t seems with the festive energy
coming upon us in waves of Merry
Makers, ‘tis the season to TANGO…
Here in PV, we have a thriving and
enthusiastic group of diverse tangeros
of all ages and backgrounds. Dance
and music have no borders. Tango is
a natural elixir. Uplifting, increasing
your passion and creativity, uniting
people of different ages and cultures,
inspiring new romances and refreshing
current ones. It evokes passion, one of
our intrinsic human qualities.
In tango classes, you can expect
to break a sweat while engaging
in a seemingly relaxed workout to
inspiring music. Classes bring one
in contact with positive creative
individuals such as artists, dancers,
and free spirits from all walks of life.
Tangeros are a friendly bunch that
love the drama of a flowing hemline
and curve of a heel in a well-executed
duet... it’s lovely and fun. Also, a
note to the independent traveler: One
can tune in to a spirited and generous
tango community in most countries.
You can log onto one of the tango
sites mentioned by Prof. Google and
check out the locations, drop in on
a class and voilà! Communication
through dance and music is the most
antiquated means of communication.
Not a word of French is required
to enjoy an innocent 4-minute love
affair, which is how they describe the
feeling of a satisfying dance, perhaps
with a complete stranger… flirt,
smile, eye contact, a slight rise of the
eyebrow is an invitation with a smile
as a consent… and then it starts.
Have I got your attention yet??
Let me introduce you to the
milongeros (Mee Long ger os), those
dancers that frequent what is called
milongas (MEE LON GHAS), or
social tango parties.
Traditionally these gatherings of
tango lovers start around midnight and
go to the wee morning hours. However,
this has changed to starting earlier and
ending around midnight. Most bring
a bottle of wine and perhaps some
cheese, the focus is on the dance. In
most European, South American and
American cities there is a scene for
after hours milongeros where one
can see some really amazing dancing
while sipping a tinto. Kinda like those
little places in Seville where you can
see the lady who sells cheese during
the day turn into someone completely
possessed after midnight through the
expression of flamenco.
And the clothes! There is a focus on
elegance through pure lines and fine
shoes for the gentlemen and creativity
in hemlines and heels for the ladies …
with all sorts of accessorizing.
Daunting perhaps, but all is good
when mixed with a bit of creativity
and drama.
Tango dancers release energy of
self-confidence, style, organizational
skills, as well as creativity. While
dancing tango, you can express your
feelings through movement and
interpretation of the music; you can
use tango as your tool for sharing the
passion of the music with your partner.
Now listen up, Dear Reader! Tango
is not only the hardest dance you will
ever love. Dedication to the dance
practice can significantly increase
your overall health:
- Increasing muscle tone
- Improving the shape
of your spinal chord
- Enhancing balance,
stability and flexibility
- Reducing stress and anxiety
(not too sure of this one...
the emotions can be pretty strong)
- Building self-confidence
- Helping in socializing.
Last words... There are a number of
teachers around town, Barbara and Al
Garvey started up classes a few years
ago at J &B dance club each Friday
evening from 8 to 10 p.m. Practice
each Wednesday at J & B evenings.
Private classes by appointment.
Facebook: tangovallarta.
December - 2015
372 31
This couple also has organized tango
workshops during the year and some
beautiful milongas during the high season.
Contact: [email protected].
There is a free tango class and
milonga every Sunday starting at 4:30
p.m. at the Rosita Hotel with the lively
and lovely Nanette Taylor, who recently
organized an amazing 2-week tango
workshop for all levels of dancers.
Contact: [email protected]
Krystal Frost
Is a long time resident of Puerto Vallarta.
Graduate of University of Guadalajara, and
specialized in cosmetic acupuncture at
Bastyr University in Washington State. She
is the owner of Body & Sol for over 20 years
where she practices traditional Chinese
medicine, acupuncture, massage therapy,
yoga, meditation and nutritional counseling.
She has created healing programs for
individuals, retreats and spas. For questions
and comments - Cell: 322 116-9645,
Email: [email protected]
32 372
Legal Matters
Ask Luis
By
Luis Melgoza
Dear Luis: I have apartments I rent out and
the tenants pays the electric bill that is in our
names. One of the old style meters got the
glass case broken, about two months ago and
today CFE installed a digital meter, which I
think is a smart prepaid card system.
How will I handle this? To me it looks
confusing.
Dear Reader: You are in for a bumpy ride
and a degree of inconvenience for you and/or
your tenants.
With the digital meters, you or they must:
1. Keep track of expiration dates (which
may vary from meter to meter). A green light
will stop flashing when it is time to pay, in
case you forget the expiration date.
2. Take a meter reading with the prepaid
card CFE gave you with each digital meter,
if the card is lost, you will waste many hours
obtaining a replacement from CFE.
3. Get cash (Mexican pesos) to recharge
that prepaid card , debit and credit cards are
not accepted to pay for this.
4. Go to a CFE branch or look for a CFE
ATM and recharge the prepaid card.
5. Return home and insert the prepaid
card in the meter and hope for the green light
to start flashing again. If it doesn’t, start over.
This is a very burdensome way (for its
customers) for CFE to reduce operating costs
and create new sources of revenue (the special
cards); without giving the customer any benefit
in return. They plan to have 7 million digital
meters (20% of meters nationwide) installed
by 2020.
CFE is also trying to get several retail outlets to
accept digital meter payments, and to have credit
card processors work with them. So far, it seems
that only Farmacias del Ahorro have agreed.
With the old meters, it is CFE personnel that
must take the reading. You just wait for the bill
to arrive and can pay it in many different ways
in hundreds of places locally and thousands
nationwide.
My advice to anyone with the old meters is to
take the best possible care of those units and to
decline any requests from CFE to replace them
with digital meters. At least until competition
arrives, if it ever does, and some sort of market
mentality forces CFE and its possible future
competitors to put the customer first.
Dear Luis: In my condo, there are five
fifteen plus story towers. When it was built
they did a facade on the buildings with boards
about 6-8 inches wide and about 6 inches apart
to cover the air conditioning area. 3 of the
buildings have 2 condos per floor and are not
affected by the boards. 2 of the buildings have
3 condos per floor and have boards covering
the only window in the bedroom. They could
be removed and the boards on either side of the
window would still cover the air conditioning.
In order to do this, a majority vote in the
General Assembly is required. While voting
by proxy is acceptable, the proxies must
be dated within 30 days of the meeting and
the original proxy must be received. This is
very hard to get done as people live all over.
Wondering if there is a fire code or building
code or any other reason that covering this
window makes it illegal.
Dear Reader: Covering the windows of a
private unit is against the spirit of the Condo
section of Jalisco’s Civil Code and the building
must cure the issue.
As you describe it, shortening the boards
covering the air conditioning units would not
affect the structure of supporting walls, nor
create any risk to the building.
December - 2015
You may file a formal complaint with the
Condo Board, requesting their arbitration to
make the necessary changes to stop infringing
on your private space. The Board should
rule that the complaint is valid and order the
administration to take immediate action to fix
the issue at the building’s expense (the cost
would then be divided among all owners, of
course).
If this fails, you may bring suit in Civil
Court and, in my opinion, the judge will order
the Board to shorten the boards.
There is no reason for a General Assembly
vote to cure this infringement on private units.
This, like most other condo issues may be
fixed by the Board, by Law.
Regarding proxies: While this requirement
is legitimate, otherwise there would be no
documentation supporting a vote from absent
owners, owners who are usually absent during
General Assembly time may, instead, spend
a couple hours with a Notary Pubic in PV
and grant a limited power of attorney, giving
a person in their confidence the power to
cast their vote in general and extraordinary
assemblies, unless they are physically present
at the time. The condo must accept this type of
power of attorney, without needing additional
proxies.
In the worst case scenario, a current proxy
can always be overnighted by courier within
the mandatory 30 days. Again, in this case a
General Assembly vote is neither needed, nor
warranted.
Send me your questions to askluis@pvgeeks.
com, I will respond to the them in this space in
the order received, unless breaking news take
precedence . 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: [email protected]
Real Estate
VIEWPOINT
By
Harriet Murray
High context and low context
L
ast week we discussed the
differences in low and high content
cultures. In order to understand and
communicate effectively, different
cultures benefit from understanding
their differences.
Here are some high context
examples:
1.
Many old cultures such
as Asia and Mexico have similar
forms and standards of modesty
and restraint. For centuries, these
two cultures have been conditioned
to down play their intelligence and
talents, and when in the presence
of superiors or those in authority,
to behave in an obsequious manner.
Americans and Westerners who are
inexperienced in such cultures can
assume that this type of behavior is
passive or submissive, or worse a low
order of intelligence and or lack of
ability. Because of this syndrome,
Westerners who do not speak Spanish
and are not familiar with Mexican
history may tend to treat their Mexican
counterparts with a condescending
attitude that is obvious to everyone.
This reveals more about their cultural
myopia than anything else.
When this kind of
behavior is carried to
an extreme, there can
be devastating political,
military, and economic
consequences. A growing
number of Mexican
businesspeople are well
educated,
experience
and
sophisticated
as
any
of
their
foreign
counterparts.
Misunderstanding what
is modesty and restraint
is both unwise and dangerous.
The challenge on both sides is to
remember that in cross-cultural
matters, everyone generally benefits
from the merging of both positive
values and the processes rather than
attempting to impose one culture on
the other.
2.
Mexican Spanish influences
the philosophy and psychology of
Mexicans and
plays a key role in everyday
behavior on every level of their
existence. Usually, it is impossible
to really understand intentions
without having an intimate, practical
knowledge of the language. There is
no substitute for being able to Speak
Spanish well if a person lives or
works here.
3.
Mexican culture encourages
asking questions of a personal nature
about family, work, school, etc., when
introduced to new people. Part of
this need is curiosity, but also it helps
to quickly determine the character,
personality, and relative social status
of newcomers in order to know how
to behave toward them.
4.
On an individual basis,
the historical Mexican stereotype
of Americans was that they were
aggressive, ill-mannered, uncultured,
lacking in family values, materialistic,
always in a hurry, arrogant,
condescending and untrustworthy.
5.
It can appear to nationals of
a country, that expats demonstrate a
lack of respect if they do not try to
learn the language or history and
culture of their host country.
December - 2015
372 33
6.
Historians trace the Mexican
work to live especially among the
elite, back nearly 800 years during
the Moore occupation of Spain (7111502). During this long period,
almost all-manual labor in Spain
was by the Moors and the Jews.
Spanish men, mainly middle and
lower classes, avoided manual labor
devoting
themselves
to the arts or warring
against the Moors.
When the Jews and
Moors were expelled
from Spain, the refusal
of the Spanish men to
work with their hands
became so serious that
the economy of the
country was threatened.
Spain avoided national
bankruptcy
because
of the gold and silver,
which began to be
mined in Mexico and other Latin
American colonies in the mid 1500´s.
Anticipating and understanding
Mexican Social and Business
Behavior is important for an expat
to realize, and work to accomplish.
Content in this article has come from
material collected by Boye Lafayette
de Mente.
Harriet Cochran Murray
Can be contacted at
[email protected]
34 372
Calendar / Directories
December - 2015
Calendar / Directories
372 35
International Friendship Club
ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
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
SOUTHWEST
01 800 435 9792
MONDAY
Bridge Lessons - (Starting
Dec. 14) 9 a.m. free to members.
Guests $50 pesos.
Spanish Lessons - Intermediate
1, Intermediate 2, Advanced,
Tourist Spanish.
Go to IFCvallarta.com activities
calendar for class times & details.
TUESDAY
Tourist Spanish.
Home Tours depart Sea Monkey
at 10:30. See ad in this issue
for details.
WEDNESDAY
Home Tours depart Sea Monkey
at 10:30. See ad in this issue
for details.
THURSDAY
Tourist Spanish.
FRIDAY
Social Bridge - 2 to 5 p.m.
Free for members.
Guests $50 pesos.
Social Hour - 5 to 6 p.m.
SATURDAY
Mindful Meditation - 9:15
to 10:15 with Dan Grippo.
Free-will donation to the IFC.
Dharma Yoga - 10:30-11:15
a.m. No prior training necessary.
Chairs provided or bring a mat.
Voluntary donation of $50 pesos
minimum requested.
Solution to Sudoku on page 39
The IFC (International
Friendship Club) is located on
Insurgentes above the HSBC
by the northbound bridge
December - 2015
Solution to crossword on page 39
Fish Tales
36 372
It’s Fish City: Marlin,
Wahoo, Dorado, Tuna!
By
Stan Gabruk
High Season fishing in the middle
of an out of control El Niño can be
interesting, and challenging. More
challenging than normal I should say.
Normally we’ll have specific areas
with specific species, but all that
is out the window this year. Water
temperatures in California to Oregon
are still elevated so many of our ¨fish¨
are on vacation in Southern Calif.
We’re seeing seriously great fishing
and it doesn’t really matter where
you go, lots and lots of fish with lots
and lots of bait, blue water and sore
arms to go around. Puerto Vallarta
has once again turned into Fish City!
Right now, get in a boat and
go anywhere, you’ll find fish!
(Owner of Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle)
Corbeteña is a hot spot, finally,
with Marlin to 500 or more pounds,
Sailfish around 100 lbs., Dorado 30
to 50 lbs., Cubera Snapper to 55 lbs.,
Wahoo at 40 lbs., Jacks Crevalle are
back and good sized up to 50 lbs., and
Yellowfin tuna 25 to 60 lbs. which
is small, but they should be getting
larger soon as water temperatures
are finally starting to come down a
bit. The good news is water temps
are dropping, which is bringing the
Yellowfin Tuna up to the surface.
Yellowfin have been hanging in
deeper water to regulate their
body temperatures. Now that
the water is cooling, they’re
very comfortable pretty much
at all depths now, including
the normally warmer water sea
surface. There are also tons
of bullet Bonito and Skip Jack
as bait everywhere. When it
comes to El Banco, all I can
say is Ditto! Those looking for
the Cows, Yellowfin Tuna over 300
lbs., need to head to the Tres Marias
Islands where boating big Yellowfin
Tuna is happening on a daily basis.
The down side, it’s way out there
and it’s going to be a long, long day,
figure 16 hours or more.
Coming closer in, guess what? The
same fish except they’ll most likely
be a touch smaller. There are times
when smaller can be better especially
when measuring the benefits against
the cost of fuel! The Marieta Islands
besides the Dorado, Jack Crevalle,
and nice sized Sailfish also, we’re
seeing some Rooster Fish in the 35
to 50-lb range right now. Not exactly
plentiful, we’re just glad to see these
fierce demon fish back in the area.
With Sardines around, this should
just get better. A little farther down
the street around the Punta Mita area
you’ll find plenty of Dorado, Sailfish,
Jack Crevalle, off the point ten miles
you’ll be looking for Marlin as well.
Well worth your fuel dollars, amigos!
Inside the bay is absolutely the
best fishing value I have seen in many
a moon, Kimosabe. Dorado of course
at 30 lbs., which is tough to beat,
Sailfish have been boated more than
you could expect in the bay, many
are babies, throw backs of course.
Yellowfin Tuna in the 30-lb range off
Yelapa. Also for the Surf Fishing
guys, remember that Roosters like the
shore line (Nuevo Vallarta), structure
and the reefs in the area. Right now
there are a lot of Sardines close to
shore so this is where you should be
looking for Roosters. Using diamond
jigs, poppers that don’t float like a
cork, Rapalos are about all the lures
you need for these silver and black
ärm crampers¨. Fields of 40-lb Jack
Crevalle around Nuevo Vallarta and
for a day or two we had a beautiful
trash line from the recent heavy rains.
The bite has been happening from a
little later in the day, so you can sleep
December - 2015
in a little and catch it right around 9
a.m. until about 2 in the afternoon,
and then the afternoon bite is picking
up again at around 4 in the afternoon
to dusk. Lures to use this week are
once again the petrolaros of purple,
green and brown. Lures of white and
blue mimic flying fish which are still
¨popping¨ up everywhere... ha-ha.
Zukers 5.5´s Green in color is killing
‘em out there, but remember to keep
this to yourself. Water temperatures
have dropped from the 85oF they
have been all summer to 82 oF and
this is perfect for many species as
they come to the surface because
nobody likes it too ¨hot¨.
Right now unless you’re looking
for Moby Dick, who is out there right
now, there is really no reason to head
out past the Marieta Islands or Punta
Mita. Short days are paying nice
dividends in the form of decent
sized Dorado, Sails in the bay for
the lucky and we even had my new
panga boat a 350-lb Black Marlin.
So we’re basically seeing freak
fishing (should be the title) and
we’re not complaining. We should
expect these conditions to continue
after New Year’s and after that, it’s
all up to Senor El Niño to lead the
way, scary but true.
Don’t forget we’re still doing our
best to hook you up on shared boats,
just fire me an email so I know when
you’ll be here and we’ll do the rest.
Until next time, don’t forget to
¨Kiss Your Fish¨…
Master Baiter´s is located in
Marina Vallarta 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. Come like me on
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
pages/Master-Baiters-SportfishingTackle/88817121325
The trade name Master Baiter’s ®
Sportfishing and Tackle is protected
under trade mark law and is the sole
property of Stan Gabruk.
Hi-Tech
Tech failures of 2015…
A
s this year quickly comes to a
close, I thought it would be a good
time to look back at some of the
biggest tech fails of the year. This
year like many others, there is no
shortage of failures to look back on.
By far the biggest “buzz word” in
the consumer tech sector this year,
has been 4K (or Ultra HD) TVs.
4K has 4 times the resolution of
1080p, that most of us have now.
That’s 8 million pixels vs 2 million
pixels.
Most TV manufacturers now have
4K models in their lineups, but they
still have a lot of convincing to do
for the average consumer. With
prices still very high on this new
technology, the average consumer
is not diving in. Even some friends
I know who always buy into the
newest and best in technology, are
taking a wait and see attitude on this.
The biggest stumbling block
for 4K TV’s is the lack of content
at that high a resolution. There
are very few movies and even
less TV shows available in a 4K
format. Roku 4 recently came out
as well with 4K support, which can
upscale standard HD to simulate
4K resolution… but it’s a band aid
approach to true 4K content.
Now this next item isn’t so much
of a tech fail, as a fail in allocating
funds for the public good. I read
with amazement that in Moscow,
they are setting up free public WiFi in 3 of their major cemeteries!
Visitors to the cemeteries can
now walk among the tombs of
Chekhov, Nikita Khrushchev or
Boris Yeltsin, and read up on theses
Russian “greats” or just check their
email and Facebook. With all the
shortages and hunger in Russia, is
this a wise use of funds to help the
public? A definite fail.
One of the major tech fails this
year goes to Microsoft - no stranger
to chasing trends and failing. The
Windows phone slow death march,
seemed to speed up this year. For
several years, Microsoft had been
desperately chasing Apple and
Google in the smart phone sector.
Microsoft even went so far as to
buy Nokia’s mobile phone division
in 2014 for $7.2 billion US. Well,
2015 saw another 8000 people laid
off (added to the 18,000 previously)
from Microsoft’s phone division.
Microsoft also wrote off $7.6 billion
related to the Nokia purchase and
its own mobile division. I think the
Gates Foundation could have done
a lot of good around the world with
that money instead. A costly fail!
Next onto a corporate entity that
is not used to failure: Google. In
2011, Google started up Google+
as a direct challenger to Facebook.
While they seemed to verify they
technically had 540 million users
by 2014, in reality most never
visited or used the social media
site. Everyone who had a Gmail
account was automatically signed
up for Google+ but many have
never used it.
In an average month, Facebook’s
1.5 billion users worldwide spend
about 8 hours on the site or app
(many people I know spend MUCH
more… lol) While the average time
per user for Google+ is reportedly
only 3 minutes per month. That’s
a big fail. In November, Google
quietly
started
dismantling
Google+ by making some parts
into stand-alone products and the
rest will die off shortly.
A fail of epic proportions this year
goes to Anthem Blue Cross, the
second largest healthcare provider
in the US. They got hacked and
over 80 million patients’ records
were stolen.
The data stolen
December - 2015
372 37
included client names, birthdates,
home and email addresses, medical
IDs and Social Security numbers
(which were not even encrypted).
Costs of this security failure are
spiraling close to $100 million US.
This next fail almost seems like
poetic justice. Ashley Madison
got hacked and 37 million users
were publicly exposed for being
members of the site. The “motto”
of Ashley Madison is “Life is
short… have an affair”. The site is
a social networking / dating site for
married people looking for affairs
with other married people. Public
embarrassment and countless
divorces, surely resulted from this
security fail.
That’s all my time for now. If
you’d like to download this article
or previous ones, you can do so at
www.RonnieBravo.com and click
on “articles”. I’d like to take this
time to wish you and yours, a happy
and safe holiday season!! See
you again next week... until then,
remember: only safe Internet!
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 [email protected]
Nature’s World
38 372
Planting Roots
in Mexico
By
Tommy Clarkson
Hanging
Lobster Claws
Heliconia restrata (possibly
an ‘Orange’ cultivar)
Family: Heliconiaceae
Also known as: Wild
Plantain, False Bird-ofParadise or Parrot’s Beak
(First, a fast botanical nugget I
share with those who tour Ola Brisa
Gardens. This being that the 100 to 250
species of Heliconia, five types of Bird
of Paradise, wide array of Bananas
variants and the Traveler’s Palm are
all rather closely related – as we say in
the Midwest – “kissin’ cousins”!)
As to those of the – beautiful and
quite pretty - Heliconia family, most
are from tropical America, with a few
coming from various islands of the
southwestern Pacific.
Botanically
speaking, Heliconias are medium to
large, erect herbs often with substantive
rhizomatous growth whose leaves are
oppositely arranged on the stem in a,
more or less, two dimensional plane.
Each leaf is comprised of a petiole
(stalk) and blade appearing to look
quite similar to a banana leaf but,
sometimes, in a more upright posture.
A particular favorite of many who
love tropical flowers, are the large
blossomed species such as the spiral,
pendent, Heliconia rostrata. They are
one of the more commonly cultivated
with strikingly attractive hanging,
rather than erect, inflorescences. (Ana
– our housekeeper and “she who really
rules the roost - regularly incorporates
these long lasting cut flowers into the
beautiful inside floral displays she
creates from our gardens.)
Our hanging Lobster Claw Heliconia
are, always, “Wow!” inspiring by
visitors previously not familiar with
them. However, I’m unable to say
with absolute assuredness what exact
species (or cultivar) ours is, in that in
among the two hundred pictured plants
in the, rather outstanding publication,
Heliconia, An Identification Guide by
Fred Berry and W. John Kress, none
look quite like those we have!
However, I’ve come to suspect that
our specimen might be an ‘Orange’
cultivar (hence such identification
above). This presumption comes as a
result of a picture in Bryan Brunner’s
bi-lingual, somewhat scholarly tome,
Tropical Flower Cultivation: The
Heliconias. It really looks like ours
and the description he outlines seems
spot on. It reads as follows: “The
inflorescence is pendent and slightly
spiral, with 17 to 20 bracts. The
second bract is 1.3 inches 3.4 cm)
wide and 3.7 inches (9.4 cm) long.
Bracts are orange-red, becoming
orange basally, with a wide yellow lip
and covered with short pubescence.”
Accordingly,
further
research
reveals that this particular species
comes from the western Amazon,
southwest Columbia through Ecuador,
Peru, Bolivia and eastern Brazil. It
grows in the altitude range of 360 to
4,590 feet (11O – 1,400 meters).
Brunner adds to this that “Southern
populations tend to have more
pubescent
inflorescences
with
narrower bracts with greenish lips,
while northern populations are
characterized by a glabrous rachis
and bracts, with wider bracts and
mostly yellow lips.”
An erect, clump forming herb, this
Heliconia grows to about 16 ½ feet
(five meters) in height. The leaves
are glossy green and oval or paddle
shaped. They grow to 24-48 inches
Every so often, Ana incorporates
these beauties into the cut
tropical floral arrangements she
places around Casa Ola Brisa.
The leaves of the Hanging
Lobster Claw Heliconia look very
much like those of the banana!
The only significant pests or
problems of consequence for
Heliconia are grasshoppers, scale and
mealybugs. They are immune to most
plant diseases, but sustained “wet
feet” from placement in soil that does
not drain well can rot the root system.
Those
wonderfully,
pendulant
flowers bloom continuously throughout
the year.
In his book, Tropical
Ornamentals, W. Arthur Whistler
describes them this way, “borne within
10-35, sometimes as few as 4, thick,
folded, ovate, distichous, fuzzy bracts
6-15 cm long (2 ½ -6 in) with broad
yellow and green margins and tip, on a
pendulous inflorescence 30-60 cm long
(12-24 in) on a shorter rachis.”
Often grown as a border fence or
hedge, these beauties prefer fertile,
moist well-draining soil in sunny
or partially shaded areas.
Heavy
mulching is recommended in order to
protect the soil from drying out as well
as enhancing the soil’s organic matter.
Ours are with an array of other, mostly
erect flowered heliconia, some Ginger
and a couple of banana trees thriving
on two sides of our infinity pool.
Heliconia can have a one to three
seeded drupe (seed/fruit), but seldom
does so in cultivation. The flower
pollination is often the result of visiting
hummingbirds or nectar feeding bats.
If you’ve inclination, space and a
desire for exotica – think Heliconia!
Tommy Clarkson
One has to admit,
these do attract attention!
(60-120 cm) long on a petiole of
about one half that length. These are
perennials that will arise anew every
year from the rhizomes. Once the
plant has flowered, cut it back to about
a foot (30 cm) or so. New growth
should be readily apparent shortly
thereafter.
December - 2015
In Manzanillo, visit Ola Brisa Gardens,
Tommy and Patty’s verdant, multi-terraced
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
[email protected]
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
https://www.facebook.com/
olabrisagardens?ref=hl
Brain Teasers
372 39
The New York Times Tuesday Crossword Puzzle
by Kent Lorentzen / Will Shortz ©New York Times
Solution to Crossword
on Page 35
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 35
December - 2015
372
December - 2015

www.pvmcitypaper.com Issue 372 Saturday 19 to Friday 25

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