Issue 334 www.pvmcitypaper.com Saturday 21 to Friday 27 March

Transcription

ISSUE
334
Issue 334
www.pvmcitypaper.com
Saturday 21 to Friday 27
March 2015
March 2015
Need to Know
2
ISSUE
334
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
March 2015
WHAT TO DO: Even if your allinclusive hotel is everything you ever
dreamed of, you should experience at
least a little of all that Vallarta has to
offer - it is truly a condensed version of
all that is Mexican and existed before
«Planned Tourist Resorts», such as
Cancun, Los Cabos and Ixtapa, were
developed. Millions have been spent to
ensure that the original “small town”
flavor is maintained downtown, in the
Old Town and on the South Side.
DRINKING WATER: The false
belief that a Mexican vacation must
inevitably lead to an encounter with
Moctezuma’s revenge is just that:
false. For the 21st year in a row, Puerto
Vallarta’s water has been awarded
a certification of purity for human
consumption. It is one of only two
cities in Mexico that can boast of such
accomplishment. True, the quality of
the water tested at the purification plant
varies greatly from what comes out of
the tap at the other end. So do be careful.
On the other hand, most large hotels
have their own purification equipment
and most restaurants use purified water.
If you want to be doubly sure, you can
pick up purified bottled water just about
anywhere.
EXPORTING PETS: Canadian and
American tourists often fall in love with
one of the many stray dogs and cats in
Vallarta. Many would like to bring it
back with them, but believe that the laws
do not allow them to do so. Wrong. If
you would like to bring a cat or a dog
back home, call the local animal shelter
for more info: 293-3690.
LOCAL SIGHTSEEING: A good
beginning would be to take one of the City
Tours offered by the local tour agencies.
Before boarding, make sure you have a
map and take note of the places you want
to return to. Then venture off the beaten
path. Explore a little. Go farther than the
tour bus takes you. And don’t worry this is a safe place.
ISSUE
334
Your Comments
[email protected]
Dear Editor,
This week at IFC Home tours, the group visited
our house. One of the guests asked if anyone played
Mahjongg in Vallarta and I laughed and said, “Do
we ever!” and gave her the places and times. She
said she had looked in the paper for information and
nothing was listed, therefore, my email to you.
Would it be possible to list in the Mirror,
MAHJONGG PLAYERS meet every Monday at 11
a.m. at the Sea Monkey and 11 a.m. at Lindo Mar.
Phone Pat Bendix at 221-5730 for information.
Thank you,
Pat
Dear Editor,
I would just like to thank the restaurants and bars
at Marina Vallarta and the over 200 participants
that supported the Marina Poker Walk on Sunday,
March 8th. We were able to raise a lot of money in
support of Corazon de Nina.
The restaurants that supported us with
contributions for advertising and raffle prizes were:
Sticky Fingers, D’z Route 66 Diner, Fajita Banana,
Chappy’s Sports Bar and Victor’s Tacuba Café.
We had a 50/50 draw, paid out to the top three
poker hands, and handed out many raffle prizes.
Much fun and a great time was had by all on a
typical beautiful Puerto Vallarta day.
Again, many thanks for all who supported this
event, mark your calendars the fist Sunday in
March 2016 - the 2nd Annual Marina Poker Walk.
Thanks again,
Bob Atkinson
Dear Editor,
We always enjoy the Mirror for its celebration
of life in PV. The lovely cover from March 7-13
by Ada Colorina struck a particular chord: a
wonderful example of how an artist’s mind eye
envisions the world. We enjoyed identifying the
Church of Guadalupe, the suspension bridge over
Rio Cuale, Los Arcos, the bright sun setting over
Banderas Bay - “our Vallarta.”
But it is also important to see the world as it
is. In real life at the mouth of the Cuale in “Old
Town” is the monster condo complex Molina de
Agua; the quaint palapa on the beach in the picture
is the site of the twin towers Sayan, which turn their
backs to historic Calle Santa Barbara, etc.
Every neighborhood has its own construction project
that is chipping away at the visual environment that
attracts so many to PV. We celebrate what Colorina’s
painting represents but wonder how long it will be
before we see it only in pictures.
Better to ask if there is anything we can do about
it: is there an architectural preservation group in PV?
Chris & Joanie Bruce
Dear Editor,
I am writing this as a follow up to the letter to
the editor by A. & T. Boyle in the recent issue of
the PV Mirror, warning people who intend to rent
accommodations in PV.
We too were scammed by an agent in PV -along with
many others in Canada and the US- by the name of
Brissa Castro Navarro of Casa Noble Real Estate. We
had dealt with her for 2 years and for our 3rd year, she
asked us for full payment one year in advance to secure
our condo for 2015, which we did February 2014. We
thought we could trust her. She gave us an attractive
rate which in hindsight should have been a red flag.
All of her customers received an email in November
2014 that she had not put the money into the condos
and therefore we did not have accommodations. She
said she would repay all of us and to date nothing has
been refunded. She too is on Trip Advisor with an 18page thread from people who lost thousands of dollars
because of her.
You can check Trip Advisor under her name for
verification of complaints. We tried the Ministerio
Publico for help, showing them copies of our contract
signed by her as paid in full, our money wire info,
being told by them we would have to set her up to
meet with us so their detectives could catch her, but
we don’t want to put ourselves at risk to do that.
She may be setting up a new company under
another name, so be very careful who you are dealing
with when reserving a condo.
Very disappointed
Dear Editor,
The time to return home is here once again. Before
I leave PV in two short weeks, I wanted to write to
your paper. My stay in the Romantic Zone has been
-as in the past years- memorable.
I wish to thank the wonderful staff at Club Sama
[on Olas Altas], next door to me, for all of their
selfless assistance again this year. They are always on
the look-out, and never fail to help me by unlocking,
opening, offering their strength and smiles when I
arrive and/or leave.
Continued on Next Page
March 2015
Sound Off
3
4
Sound Off
ISSUE
334
Continued letters to editor...
I never worry about the difficulties in storing/parking my medical
scooter or my walker. Many many thanks to one and all.
Also, I have enjoyed a longer stay this year, and have taken full
advantage of attending numerous shows at the Palm, Act II, and Boutique.
What wonderful talent have passed through this year! What a joy and
privilege it has been to attend these performances over the past 4 months!
Among my favourites, to name just a few, are and will always be, Rob
Knight a.k.a. Elvis, and Mikki Proust a.k.a. Patsy Cline. Thank you
both, you have made me feel special, and your warmth has touched my
heart. Many other performers exceeded my expectations, such as Joelle
Rabu a.k.a. Edith Piaf. My friend Pauline still plays and replays her CD
since the night of the show.
Mark at Act II, Tracy at the Palm, thank you, gentlemen, for being
so gracious. This wonderful, beautiful town and its people, greets us
here with open arms, open hearts, and makes us feel welcome during
our winter sojourn. I am fortunate to have found a winter get-away
at Janitzio for the past 6 years. This is largely due to Madame Olga,
Carolina, and our irreplaceable Francisco (man of all tasks).
It is sad to leave, but, with good fortune, and health, I will once again
return for another season.
Publisher / Editor:
Allyna Vineberg
[email protected]
Contributors:
Louisa
Ottawa, Ontario
Anna Reisman
Joe Harrington
Harriet Murray
Stan Gabruk
Krystal Frost
Giselle Belanger
Gil Gevins
Ronnie Bravo
Tommy Clarkson
Luis Melgoza
Todd Ringness
Tim Wilson
Christina Larson
Dr. Fabio Cupul
Janie Albright Blank
Catherine Beeghly David
Rohde
Nancy Page
Gary Beck
Gabriella Namian
Dear Editor,
Office & Sales: 223-1128
Telephone Scam
I received a call from a man who said, “Hi how are you doing? I’m
here in Guadalajara and will arrive in Puerto Vallarta later today.”
“I’m sorry, I think I recognize your voice but…”
“You know who I am. How many people are you expecting from
Vancouver, Canada? Here I am. Oh, they are calling me from
Immigration. I’ll have to call you back.” And he hung up.
True, I was expecting a couple from Vancouver in April, so I thought
that their plans were changed and they came early.
About fifteen minutes later, he calls back to tell me that he is in trouble.
He got the red light and they found the $100,000 US that he was carrying
in a suitcase. He told me they seized the money and he needed to pay a
tax on the $80,000 over the allowable $20,000 that they had. He even put
on the phone a captain of Immigration who told me the tax he had to pay
was $3000, and it couldn’t come from the cash he was carrying. So now
he wanted me to deposit money in a bank as the captain would tell me, and
he would pay me twice as much as soon as he arrived in PV.
Now I was concerned, so I called the couple who I thought they
were on their Canadian phone number, and James answered the phone.
Immediately I knew that I was almost the victim of the telephone scam
that is now going around.
I wrote this article as a warning so that if you get a phone call like
mine, you would know it most likely is a scam.
Frank
Dear Frank,
This is a scam that resurfaces all too often. Many of us have been
“almost” taken by it. Thank you for reminding our readers to be careful.
The Ed
March 2015
Graphic Designer:
Leo Robby R.R.
Webmaster:
PVMCITYPAPER.COM
Online Team
Cover Photo:
“Birds over
Puerto Vallarta”
by Patty Fenchuk
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person’s own risk.
Note:
To Advertisers & Contributors and those
with public interest announcements,
the deadline for publication is:
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week prior to publication.
ISSUE
334
Dear Editor:
In reading Collaser’s letter [Issue 333 - March 14
to 20] regarding varying taxi I can’t help thinking
we have all experienced this from time to time.
Sometimes just an honest mistake (how close to the
board between one zone and another are you). More
often I suspect testing “what the market will bear.” I
live in the Old Town area so I have learned over time
what a fare should be from one point to another. And
I always tip the honest drivers who quote accurately.
But I’d like to offer a suggestion that is similar
to the one referred to in the Taxi paragraph of your
first page “Welcome” section. It’s almost as good as
Collaser’s suggestion for PV Mirror to print fares.
But you could never print all of them.
I wish I could say I thought of this myself. But
it comes from a lady who sat next to me the other
night attending “Greater Tuna” at the Palm (highly
recommended and held over for a second time!).
Interestingly she is a “destination specialist” for
Puerto Vallarta on Trip Advisor. She snaps a picture
of the hotel rate sheet on her smart phone and if there
is any disagreement she shows the driver what the fare
should be. This little trick would work well in any
city that has a zoned taxi system. I walked over to
the nearest hotel to my condo and did the same thing.
Jim
Dear Editor,
Prior to our departure last year, I informed myself
on the refund we could receive with TAX FREE.
Upon our departure in April 2014, we visited the
TAX FREE booth, with everything in hand. The
agent went through all our invoices, kept the
acceptable ones (except for one that needed to be
verified… hmm, which happened to be the largest
invoice of all).
We filled out the necessary form and received a
copy. I took the agent’s business card and a copy
of the invoice that was needed to be verified. She
indicated that within a month or so we would receive
our Tax Refund, and indicated she would email me
within 24 to 48 in reference to the invoice.
I never heard anything from her... I went to the site
twice, filled out a report, heard nothing.
Now, back to PV, directly to the airport booth, and
got the run around from another agent. The agent we
did do business with was never there, or just stepped
out. Finally, we got in contact with her, and waited
another couple of weeks with long dragged out
stories that made no sense. I am still in contact with
what are now 3 different agents. I am still awaiting
my refund... TOURIST BEWARE.
I love PV, but I do not love to be taken advantage
of. It’s been 11 months now; how frustrating!
Makes one wonder what is going on. This leaves
a bitter taste in my mouth...
Here is the latest update on my case:
I have seen a lawyer at the OAATRA. He and his
assistant contacted YVESAM head office, and with
my document they noticed that there has been some
fraud with the total amount. They are investigating
in detail. I have filed my entire report and received
from them copies and details of conversations with
the office and with the agent in question.
I also visited the Subdirector de Turismo
Municipal and explained my case; he is going to
investigate further with the lawyer and YVESAM.
I would like to add that my refund is in the process,
BUT there are other tourists who have encountered
the same problem that I am presently working on.
To avoid future problems, I sincerely need this
published for our tourists, even if we are coming
to the end of the season, as this investigation will
continue into next year too.
Tourists here in PV [and in other Mexican holiday
destinations] need to be advised. They need to
check their documents to see if they have been
reimbursed. As in my previous email to you, I have
encountered some people who “have not” gotten their
reimbursement, some elderly people who are unsure
how to proceed or are insecure to do so, and some
who never checked to see if their refund was returned.
Donna
Dear Editor,
In your March 14-20 issue, Barb Boulter expressed
one opinion about Malecon usage. May I express
another opposite, but equally frustrating, view?
I cycle there.
Some years ago I was stopped by the police for
riding my bike on the Malecon. It was not legal
then. To get from the south end of PV, to go north,
involved riding on cobblestone roads. While
possible, it was not much fun.
When the Malecon was redesigned, and rebuilt
after Hurricane Kenna, its usage was changed. What
was once a road was re-made to prohibit motorized
traffic. This created one very large area divided by
raised planters with palm trees and other plants.
From the stores to the planters is a wide area, then
between the planters and the seawall is a secondary
area, the nicest and best area for walking. I do not
see cyclists on that part and for a good reason.
The city wisely chose to allow bicycles on the
new area. The enlarged space was more than
doubled. In fact, east of the planters, is a “Bike
Path” about 2.5 M or 8 feet wide designated with
a straight row of paving stones and painted white
bicycle symbols. Yes, there are symbols indicating
March 2015
Sound Off
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6
Within PV
ISSUE
334
Continued letters to editor...
it is for bicycles. Admittedly, the symbols
are now faint and need to be repainted.
The bike path has pedestrians gabbing
on ‘phones, texting, making “selfies” as
they walk, others gawking, or allowing
illegally unleashed doggies to run. I must
be most vigilant to avoid these frustrating
and potential hazards to cyclists. It hurts
when you fall off! All this on a bike path
which is but a narrow part of the entire
width!
I am sure a refresh of white paint would
improve awareness and public relations.
Also bilingual signs might be helpful in
avoiding what pedestrians, Barb, and I
am sure others, view as a problem.
Tourists brave enough to venture north
of the Malecon, to the sidewalk at the
Rosita Hotel, and continue on, will see
white BICYCLE symbols painted on a
much narrower area.
This
extends
beyond
Ley’s
Supermercado all the way north to the
Buenaventura Hotel. In this area, there
are “Cat-eye” lights embedded in the
sidewalk bordering the path. And at the
north end of the Malecon there is a Bike
Rental agency. This dispels any idea of
exclusivity to pedestrian usage only.
Whether walking, jogging, gawking,
allowing doggies to chase balls or
frisbees, cycling, boarding, etc., let’s all
be aware of our actions and considerate of
others. The Malecon is a wonderful area
with plenty of room for all to enjoy their
chosen activity in a great city.
Gerry
P.S. I turned 75 last week and biking
makes me forget my age!
It was the cat’s meow!
By
Tim Wilson
It was the cat’s meow at the recent PuRR
Project Cocktail fund raiser. The Daiquiri
Dick’s restaurant lounge hosted almost 80
for cool libations, an awesome raffle and
live music by Maruno on Tuesday, March
10th, 2015, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The perfect sunset topped off an evening
with the Catnip cocktail, a special drink
dreamed up especially for this event and
waiter passed appetizers, including golden
purses, chicken satay, ceviche, various
bruschettas and stuffed cucumbers.
There was an awesome raffle with Marta
Gilbert prints, a hand-painted one-of-a-kind
jacket from Sucesos Boutique, a Mexican
cooking class, a food tasting and cultural
walking tour, a romantic dinner for two on
the beach at Daiquiri Dick’s, an original
piece of jewelry by June Rosen Lopez, a
sugar skull ginger jar created by Beatrice
Vander Voort at Fireworks Ceramics Studio
and a few other prizes.
Around $10,000 pesos was raised. This
amount will help in the care and feeding
of the cats and the cocktail was the last
big fundraiser of the winter season. The
summer months are the lean time for funds.
PuRR Project has over 130 adorable cats
and kittens in residence. Donations are
the only source of funding to provide
food, shelter and veterinary care for these
March 2015
rescued animals and events like this are so
important.
For more information or to make a donation
to PuRR Project, please visit PurrProject.
com. Daiquiri Dick’s holds several events
over the winter season to support various
local non-profit organizations.
ISSUE
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Sunday afternoon Bar-B-Q
By
David Rohde
Can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon
and also benefit a great cause? Sunday, March 22nd, 1 to 4 p.m.
at Eddie’s on the River, join Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals
for a deluxe BBQ. Included in the feast will be ribs, chicken
and veggie kebabs. This will be accompanied by and a variety
of sides... potato salad, cole slaw, corn on the cob and beans.
One drink, a sangria or margarita will be included. A cash bar is
always available. There will be live entertainment and a raffle.
Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals is a non-profit volunteer
organization that benefits Centro de Acopio Animal, the city pound
for stray and unwanted dogs and cats. The city budget allows for
only two weeks of food and that is where Friends steps in. They
supply food, and all medicines. Twice a week, excursions there
provide walks for the dogs and a feeding that includes canned
food along with their daily kibbles and some dogs are bathed if
needed. Socialization is also a big part of what the program does.
Improvements are always needed and funds must be secured for
those also. Friends also has a standing account with Mascota
Veterinary Clinic across from the large IMSS hospital. They do
take out dogs that are not responding to treatment at the pound
and give them a better chance of recovery.
Please join Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals and help us
continue the work we love to do!
Editor’s Note: Eddie’s on the River is located near the western
end of Isla Cuale in the middle of the Rio Cuale.
Special Good Friday Service
Pastor Bob of the English-speaking congregation of the
Baptist Church is having a Good Friday Service at 11 a.m. on April 3rd.
March 2015
Within PV
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Within PV
ISSUE
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Happening on the South Shore…
Several Puerto Vallarta hotels, including
existing ones that are in the process of
renovating themselves, damaged structures
that have been out of commission and are
now opening again, and enterprises looking
to remain competitive, are all re-inventing
themselves, hoping to attract new travelers
to what many expect will be the best Fall /
Winter season in years.
What was the Blue Bay Club on Puerto
Vallarta’s South Shore remained unused
for many years due to structural damages
caused by Hurricane Kenna and numerous
legal battles. The derelict structure is now
undergoing major overhauling and will be
operated by the Fiesta Americana chain,
becoming their second property in Puerto
Vallarta along with their Hotel Zone location.
If you drive along Highway 200
southwards, you will be amazed at the
March 2015
transformation and the speed at which work
is progressing both on the hotel and across the
street in what will probably be a convention
center.
The new hotel, which is scheduled to open
during the second half of 2015, will feature
400 luxurious rooms, swimming pools, a
brand-new convention center, as well as other
amenities.
Also on the South Shore, Garza Blanca is
transforming one of its towers into a couplesonly resort, which features 76 junior suites
with panoramic views, dining rooms, spas, a
rooftop infinity pool 370 feet up above the sea
level, and so much more. The new concept is
called Hotel Mousai.
These and many other lodging options in
Puerto Vallarta are now accepting reservations.
For more information, please explore
virtualvallarta.com’s Where to Stay section.
ISSUE
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Within PV
‘House Hunters International’
returns to Puerto Vallarta next month
T
he wildly popular HGTV show that airs in over 50 countries will return to Puerto Vallarta next month to
film their sixth episode featuring the famous tropical resort destination.
It was only in January of 2012 when Timothy Real Estate Group was chosen to be filmed for the first ever
‘House Hunters International’ episode in Puerto Vallarta. Three years later, the real estate powerhouse is on
its way towards a half a dozen episodes. Not only has this been an incredible opportunity for the promotion
of tourism in this charming coastal town along the Mexican Pacific Riviera, it has also allowed Timothy Real
Estate Group an avenue to give back to the local community. They’ve hosted two HHI fundraiser events
benefiting a variety of local charity organizations. The last event was the 2014 ‘Gilligan’s Island’ themed
fundraiser that had 600 attendees and raised much needed funds for the community.
When asked what are some of the challenges in filming another episode, Taniel Chemsian - the real estate
agent in the Puerto Vallarta episodes - replied “mixing it up and doing something different. We try to create
a show that’s fresh and exciting for the viewers. For that reason, we have a few ‘personalities’ lined up for
episode 6… so stay tuned.”
You can catch the ‘House Hunters International’ schedule by visiting:
www.hgtv.com/shows/house-hunters-international or www.hgtv.ca/househuntersinternational/schedule/
(Source: www.timothyrealestategroup.com/)
Alaska Airlines seeks government approval
to begin service from Orange County, CA,
to Los Cabos & Puerto Vallarta
SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines
submitted its application today to
begin two nonstop service from
Orange County, California, to Los
Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The flights are pending approval by
the U.S. Department of Transportation
and the Mexico Dirección General de
Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC).
The planned year-round service will
operate thrice-weekly between Orange
County and Puerto Vallarta and fourtimes weekly between Orange County
and Los Cabos. “We’re thrilled to add
nonstop service from Orange County
to two of Mexico’s popular leisure
destinations,” said John Kirby, vice
president of capacity planning for
Alaska Airlines.
“Alaska Airlines continues to add
new non-stop service to our two
largest Mexico destinations, giving
our sun-seeking customers low-fare
alternatives to vacation in paradise.”
Alaska Airlines began flying to
Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos more
than 25 years ago. Today, the carrier
operates 36 weekly peak-season flights
to Puerto Vallarta and 50 weekly peakseason flights to Los Cabos - more
than any other carrier from California.
The new flights between Orange
County and Mexico will be operated
with fuel-efficient, next generation
Boeing 737 aircraft. Customers can
watch hit movies, TV shows and short
films wirelessly on their devices, enjoy
locally sourced food and beverages,
and experience Alaska’s awardwinning service. It’s all part of Alaska
BeyondTM — a new way to travel,
designed to go above and beyond your
expectations.
Flight times and introductory fares
will be available on www.alaskaair.
com once the DOT approves Alaska
Airlines’ request for service, which
typically takes around four weeks.
(Source: http://splash.alaskasworld.com/)
March 2015
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Better teeth
for Boca
U
ntil now many people living in the small villages south of Puerto
Vallarta (Boca de Tomatlan, Las Juntas, Los Veranos, Mismaloya,
Quimixto and Las Animas) have never had a dental examination or
treatment. Several of these remote communities can be reached only by
trail or by boat and a trip to the dentist has been expensive and difficult.
In 2014, the International Friendship Club (IFC) started its Dental
Outreach Program that focused on the dental needs of students in
these areas. A volunteer, Christina Martell, drove the kids in her own
vehicle from Boca to Puerto Vallarta each week to visit the dentist,
Dr. Gerardo Mijares Valle, who, at little or no cost to the students,
examined and treated these new patients.
Last year, more than 35 students received dental care through the
IFC Dental Outreach Program and more than 220 dental problems
were identified as needing repair. Several cases required root canals,
extractions, permanent bridges and crowns. The average age of the
student seen was 13.5 years and, before the start of the program, more
than 95% of secondary school students in the area had never been
examined by a dentist. All that is about to change.
At the general meeting of IFC on March 10th, our president Dan
Grippo announced that the IFC will be providing $4,000. USD
(approximately $60,000 pesos) to the new Community Health Clinic
in Boca de Tomatlan for them to purchase a dental chair and delivery
system, as well as a dental instrument sterilizer and autoclave. Now
instead of having to be driven into town, the students and other
residents of the area will have access to comprehensive dental services
in their own community.
The construction of the new clinic, the Clinica Comunidades
Unidas en la Salud, is a unique collaborative effort between Ejido
de Mismaloya / Boca de Tomatlan, who donated the land, the Santa
Barbara / Puerto Vallarta Sister City Committee, Santa Barbara Rotary
Club North, Goleta Rotary Club, “mirror club” Club Rotario Puerto
Vallarta Sur and the governments of Mexico, Jalisco and Puerto
Vallarta. Under a 3-1 funding program, the three arms of the Mexican
government matches the funds raised by the Sister City group and its
Mirror Club. When completed, the ongoing operations of the clinic
will depend totally on local participation, donations and grants. The
IFC is proud to be able to help with the clinic’s dental facilities.
The IFC is able to support local residents in this way due to the
financial contributions it receives from visitors and members who
enjoy the Home Tours, bridge classes, Spanish classes, film shows
and other activities provided by the club.
However, all good things come to an end and now you have only
Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th of March to enjoy the last of the
Home Tours. Tours begin at Sea Monkey restaurant, on the beach at
calle Aquiles Serdán just south of Molino de Agua Condominiums in
Col. Emiliano Zapata. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the tours leave
at 10:30 (see link below).
In other news from the IFC, the Club has elected its members of the
Executive Board of Directors to serve for a period of two years. The
new board is Henry Golas (President), Dan Grippo (Vice President),
Michael Montagano (Treasurer), Donna Dzubay (Recording
Secretary), Ann Yusaitis (Corresponding Secretary), Fred Forbes
(Director-Facilities) and T.J. Hartung (Director – Internet Services).
The final meeting of IFC for this winter season will be a brunch
at Fantasia Restaurant, 203 Pino Suarez in the Romantic Zone on
the south side of town, on Sunday, April 12th at 10 a.m. Tickets are
available at the clubhouse.
If you would like to support programs for the children of Puerto
Vallarta you can do so by donating to IFC (www.ifcvallarta.com/
class_custom1.cfm) or by taking one of our Home Tours (www.
toursforvallarta.com)
The International Friendship Club is a registered charitable
organization in Mexico listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad de
Puerto Vallarta A.C., located at the northeast corner of the Rio Cuale
Bridge above the HSBC Bank downtown. Phone: 222-5466. Website:
ifcvallarta.com Email: [email protected]
March 2015
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By
I
am pretty sure that the subject of
History was not one of my favorites
while I was in school; I was more of
an English and Math kid. Though the
year I spent the 11th grade attending
a Wisconsin high school was an
exception, mainly because at the
time I found American history (and
government) much more interesting
than my Canadian history.
There is no denying that our present
is based on our past. Though there
are some who succeed and further
attempt to rewrite or repurpose
history, generally the facts of what
actually happened remain intact, and
are the subject of great interest for
most of us who wonder how or why
we got here.
For years I have known of a little
historic mining village nestled up
in the Sierra Madre to the east of
Ixtapa, known as San Sebastián del
Oeste. But not once have I visited.
Back in the day, Vallarta Adventures
offered a tour that dropped you into
San Sebastian by plane. Well not
by parachute, but at a small landing
strip near the town. Our Mismaloya
friends Don and Joanne had that
experience about a decade ago, and to
this day they are divided on whether
or not they would do it again.
This time around, our friends asked
us to join them on a day trip -by vanto San Sebastián. The highway there
is winding and not speedy, but the
scenery on this 90-minute trip was
outstanding. Again, we can thank the
unusual rains of this winter season for
keeping everything lush and tropical
in this part of the country. My feet
actually tingled as we slowly drove
across the impressive El Progreso
Bridge that joins two high points on
Todd Ringness
the highway with the river valley far,
far below… quite scenic indeed.
The town of San Sebastián was
founded in 1605 and a mining boom
brought the population as high as
40,000 by 1900. But the civil war
of 1910 struck hard here, the mines
all closed, and tens of thousands left
town to never return. It’s estimated
that less than 1,000 reside here today,
but fortunately all this rich history
remains.
Upon arriving in San Sebastián
via cobblestone roads, we stopped
at the La Quinta “Mary” highaltitude organic coffee plantation and
roasting company. Their large and
very modern roaster sits behind the
very old structure that also features
some historic artwork and equipment,
next to the original processing space.
This facility is simple, understated,
eclectic, ironic, and wonderful. Of
course we bought a bag of FRESH
French-roasted whole beans and
have enjoyed it every day since. The
packaged coffee industry doesn’t
want you to know there’s a difference,
but once you try truly fresh-roasted
coffee, you too may become a freshroast convert like me!
Mountains completely surround
San Sebastián, making it very
picturesque. It actually reminded this
Canadian boy a little bit of the feel of
old Banff (the birthplace of Canada’s
national park system), and it turns out
they share a similar elevation of about
4,800 feet above sea level. But San
Sebastián is much cozier and older
than Banff in a colonial Mexican
way… by about 275 years!
We enjoyed lunch at the very rustic
Lupita’s restaurant near the edge of
town. Here the table-buffet special
(more than we could eat) was $110 pesos
per person, the ambience was great, and
the authentic cuisine was delicious —
particularly the chicken mole.
There are a number of tours
available and buses or taxis that
travel to San Sebastián. I intend to
return to take in some of the sights
we missed this time, including the
Hacienda Jalisco and the apparently
spectacular view from La Bufa in the
hills above the village. Take a day
and a group and enjoy the journey
to this historical jewel in the cooler
mountain air that’s only about 60
miles from Vallarta.
Sandra Gaye and I took in a couple
of fundraising events this week,
including the American Legion’s
3rd Annual Chili Cook-off at El Rio
BBQ. It was pretty intense, with
17 entrants vying for best chili. My
favorite was supplied by Captain
Don’s and my wife preferred the chili
from Murphy’s Pub. The turnout
was great and it was a beautiful
afternoon by the river. Congrats to
everyone involved!
The International Friendship
Club is one of our town’s oldest
charities, and they are reporting a
record year for their Luxury Home
Tours fundraising project.
We
are delighted to be in our second
partnership with this charity that
makes a big difference in the lives of
many here in Vallarta, most especially
with the cleft palate surgery program.
This is the LAST WEEK of the
season to enjoy a Luxury Home Tour,
Tuesday or Wednesday morning only.
The tour is guided and comfortable
coach transportation is included, to
view four different luxury homes in
our town. Tickets are US $36 and
available at VallartaTickets.com
We received some very tragic news
this week, with the sudden passing
of one of our own due to apparent
heart failure. Scott Weston aka
“Cashetta” was in the middle of a
return engagement in the Red Room
Cabaret. It seems that everyone
who got to meet Scott was touched
by his personal warmth and charm.
His creativity and style has left an
March 2015
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11
amazing impression on thousands of
fans, and he will assuredly live on in
our collective memories. May he rest
in peace and may all those who loved
him find comfort in their memories of
a special one gone too soon.
With each minute that passes,
we are writing our own unalterable
history. My prayer is that I figure out
how to be FULLY intentional with
the 525,600 minutes I am blessed
with each year that I am here. I hope
that you too can budget and spend
your time with a good exchange of
wisdom, for a proud history to call
your own. Blessings upon you!
Todd Ringness
Along with his wife Sandra Gaye are the
founders of Vallarta Tickets, a Canadian
online ticketing agency serving the Banderas
Bay region and beyond. You can usually see
this man about town, or you can email:
[email protected]
12
Calendar / Directories
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Airline Directory
AEROTRON
226-8440
AIR CANADA 01 800 719-2827
AIR TRANSAT 01 800 900-1431
ALASKA
01 800 252-7522
AMERICAN
01 800 904-6000
CONTINENTAL
See United
DELTA 01 800 266-0046
FRONTIER
01 800 432-1359
INTERJET
01 800 011-2345
SUN COUNTRY 01 800 924-6184
UNITED
01 800 864-8331
US AIRWAYS 01 800 428-4322
AEROMEXICO 01 800 021-4000
March 2015
Calendar / Directories
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Beyond PV
14
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Why government offices were closed last Monday, a national holiday…
Benito Juarez: Mexico’s liberal reformer
B
enito Juarez was a Mexican
politician and statesman of the late
nineteenth century. He was president
for five terms in the turbulent years
of 1858 to 1872. Perhaps the most
remarkable aspect of Juarez’s life in
politics is his background: he was a
full-blooded native of Zapotec descent
– the only full-blooded native to ever
serve as president of Mexico – who
did not even speak Spanish until he
was in his teens.
Born on March 21, 1806, into
grinding poverty in the rural hamlet
of San Pablo Guelatao, Juarez was
orphaned as a toddler and worked in
the fields for most of his young life.
He went to Oaxaca at the age of 12
to live with his sister and worked as a
servant for a time before being noticed
by Antonio Salanueva, a Franciscan
friar. Salanueva saw him as a potential
priest and arranged for Juarez to enter
the Santa Cruz seminary, where young
Benito learned Spanish and law before
graduating in 1827. He continued his
education, entering the Institute of
Science and Art, graduating in 1834
with a law degree.
Even before his graduation, Juarez
was involved in local politics, serving
as a city councilman in Oaxaca,
where he earned a reputation as a
staunch defender of native rights.
He was made a judge in 1841, and
became known as a fiercely anticlerical liberal. By 1847 he had
been elected governor of the State
of Oaxaca. The United States and
Mexico were at war from 1846 to
1848, although the state of Oaxaca
was nowhere near the fighting.
During his tenure as governor, Juarez
angered conservatives by passing
laws allowing for the confiscation of
church funds and lands.
Former President Antonio López
de Santa Anna had been driven from
Mexico after the war with the United
States. In 1853, however, he returned,
and quickly set up a conservative
government that exiled many liberals,
including Juarez. Juarez spent time
in Cuba and New Orleans, where he
worked in a cigarette factory. While
in New Orleans, he teamed with other
exiles to plot Santa Anna’s downfall.
When liberal general Juan Alvarez
launched a coup, Juarez hurried back,
and was there in November of 1854
when Alvarez’s forces captured the
capital. Alvarez quickly made himself
president and named Juárez Minister
of Justice.
The liberals had the upper hand
for the moment, but their ideological
conflict with conservatives continued
to smolder. As minister of Justice,
Juarez passed laws limiting church
power, and in 1857 a new constitution
was passed, which limited them even
further. By then, Juarez was in Mexico
City, serving in his new role as Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court. The
new constitution turned out to be
the spark that reignited the smoking
fires of conflict between the liberals
and conservatives, and in December,
1857, the conservative general Félix
Zuloaga overthrew the government.
Many
prominent
liberals,
including Juarez, were arrested.
Released from prison, Juarez went
to Guanajuato, where he declared
himself president and declared war.
The two governments, led by Juárez
and Zuloaga, were sharply divided,
mostly over the role of religion
in government. Juárez worked
to further limit the powers of the
church during the conflict. The U.S.
government, forced to pick a side,
formally recognized the liberal Juárez
government in 1859. This turned the
tide in favor of the liberals, and on
January 1, 1861, Juárez returned to
Mexico City to assume the presidency
of a united Mexico.
After the disastrous reform war,
Mexico and its economy were in
tatters. The nation still owed great
sums of money to foreign nations, and
March 2015
in late 1861, Britain, Spain and
France united to send troops
to Mexico to collect. Some
intense last-minute negotiations
convinced the British and
Spanish to withdraw, but the
French remained, and began
fighting their way to the
capital, which they reached in
1863. They were welcomed
by conservatives, who had
been out of power since
Juarez’ return. Juárez and his
government were forced to flee.
The
French
invited
Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph,
a 31-year-old Austrian nobleman,
to come to Mexico and assume
rule. In this, they had the support of
many Mexican conservatives, who
thought that a monarchy would best
stabilize the country. Maximilian
and his wife Carlota arrived in 1864,
where they became crowned emperor
and empress of Mexico. Juárez
continued to war with the French
and conservative forces, eventually
forcing the emperor to flee the
capital. Maximilian was captured and
executed in 1867, effectively ending
the French occupation.
Juarez was re-elected to the
presidency in 1867 and 1871, but did
not live to finish his last term. He was
felled by a heart attack while working
at his desk on July 18, 1872.
Today’s Mexicans view Juárez much
like some Americans see Abraham
Lincoln: he was a firm leader when
his nation needed one, who took a side
in a social issue that drove his nation
to war. There is a city (Ciudad Juárez)
named after him, as well as countless
streets, schools, businesses, etc. He
is held in particularly high regard by
Mexico’s considerable indigenous
population, who rightly view him as a
trailblazer in native rights and justice.
(Source: www.latinamericanhistory.about.com)
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San Pancho announces Annual Circus Event
virtualvallarta.com
Text and photos
T
he annual Circo de los Niños
event in San Pancho will take
place on March 19, 20 and 21.
If you are in town or plan to be,
this is an event you cannot miss.
Circo de los Niños presents
its benefit performance with
over 70 young artists. Their
new training space (Bodega
Circo, between Colectivo San
Pancho and Entreamigos Centro
Comunitario) will be transformed
into a beautifully designed theater
just for the event!
Four years ago, Gilles St. Croix
with his wife Monique Voyer
created a circus school for the
children of San Pancho, a small
beachfront village in Riviera
Nayarit,
approximately
one
hour north of Puerto Vallarta.
This non-profit organization
supports the development of
local children from 8 to 17 years
old. Through circus arts and
techniques, the children build
confidence, focus, determination
and physical capacities. Directed
by Gilles Ste-Croix, co-founder
of Cirque du Soleil, these shows
demonstrate the powerful creative
and collective outcome of this
unique community project.
This year’s performance, named
“Dar a Luz,” (translated as “to give
light”) is a tribute to the dreaming,
believing and manifesting what is
now the new Bodega Circo: the
space where children (and those
young at heart) give birth to ideas
and possibilities.
While Circo de los Niños
currently operates as a separate
entity, Entreamigos continues to
collaborate with and support the
valuable work of the project. In
October, the program activities
moved into its new space, with its
expanded team and a renovated
program. We are thrilled to see
the growth - with over 80 students
participating in the last cycle.
Performances will take place
Friday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m.,
with a 4 pm matinee on Saturday,
March 21st. Tickets are $250
March 2015
MX (general) and $500 MX
(donation-patron). These benefit
performances support the ongoing
activities of Circo de los Niños.
In addition, a portion of ticket
sales will go towards supporting
Entreamigos programs.
Tickets are on sale now inside
Entreamigos Centro Comunitario
(San Pancho) and at the Sayulita
Coastal Properties (Sayulita).
Buy your tickets now as
tickets sell out quickly for this
important benefit event.
For
more information, visit www.
circodelosninosdesanpancho.
mx or Facebook / Circo de los
Niños de San Pancho. Contact at
[email protected]
The 7 Arts
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‘Desperate Princesses’ reigns at The Palm
with Amy Armstrong & Cesar Daniel Bravo Ramirez
A
my Armstrong and Cesar Daniel
Bravo Ramirez will star in Desperate
Princesses, the smash comedy stage
production, now offered in both English
(March 24-27) and Spanish (April 2-11)
at The Palm Cabaret and Bar.
‘Once upon a time, in a very
prosperous, peaceful and rich
kingdom, four beautiful princesses
lived in big castles married to their
handsome princes.
Some fifteen
years after their supposed “happily
ever after”, the four princesses who
married for love, now find themselves
only four Desperate Princesses.’
So goes the premise of this hilarious
comedic stage adventure, featuring
four well-known Disney Princesses;
Snow White, Cinderella, Belle and
Sleeping Beauty, who band together
and commiserate, after their fairytale
love lives have fizzled. What happens
next is a fast-paced comedy full of
witty one liners and juicy gossip,
where dramatic secrets and broken
dreams are revealed.
Inspired in part by the popular
television series of US origin,
Desperate Housewives, and a
huge success locally last season, it
was written for the stage in 2007,
by Mexican playwright Tomás
Urtusástegui.
The Palm productions will be
directed by Ramiro Daniel and will
star cabaret music and comedy icon
Amy Armstrong (English version
only), and actor Cesar Daniel Bravo
Ramirez, of the recently critically
acclaimed local production of Equus.
Also starring in the productions will
be Juan Carlos Ramirez Ruiz, Juan
Pablo Hernandez Salcedo, and Cesar
Trujillo. It will be presented in two
different limited engagements, one in
English beginning March 24 - 27 at
9:30 p.m., and in Spanish, as Princesas
Desesperadas, April 2 -11 at 8 p.m.
Please see the link below for more
information and online tickets for all
shows at The Palm.
Last year, each performance of the
Spanish version did sell out, so tickets
are expected to be in high demand again.
Also playing at The Palm is Amy
Armstrong, affectionately known as
the gal with ‘the voice of an angel,
and the mouth of a sailor’, who
performs both music and comedy in
‘Diva Loca’ (Crazy Diva). Amy, best
known for her brassy, bawdy comedy
and powerful vocals, will be joined
by special guests, including popular
Argentinian duo Bohemia Viva on
guitar and vocals. ‘Diva Loca’ is now
playing through March 31. And Luis
and Andrea of Bohemia Viva star in
their own show, featuring steamy love
songs and sizzling Latin rhythms,
now playing through April 5.
‘Greater Tuna’, now in its third
extended run, and starring Tracy
Parks and Chaz Weathers, continues
to charm audiences. Set in the third
smallest (fictional) town in Texas,
where the Lions Club is too liberal and
Patsy Cline never dies, the two actors
portray 20 men, women, children, and
animals (with 42 costume changes) in
this comedy hit about a small town,
small minds and big hearts. ‘Greater
Tuna’ is now playing through April 1.
Latcho & Andrea: The Blond
Gypsies are European recording
artists who perform Gypsy Rumba
and Spanish Flamenco Guitar music.
Both of German descent, Latcho &
Andrea take influences from around
the world, authentically producing the
mysterious and passionate sounds of
Gypsy Flamenco music.
They
have
two
remaining
performances on March 21 & 31 at
7 p.m. And Luna Rumba, featuring
Cheko Ruiz on vocals & guitar and
George “Geo” Uhrich on violin,
mandolin, flamenco & electric guitars,
is a fusion of Gypsy, Latin, Celtic,
Flamenco, Middle Eastern and Rock.
They have one remaining show on
March 23rd at 8 p.m.
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
matinées at 4 p.m. on selected shows.
The Palm is non-smoking (a patio
is provided for smokers), located at
508 Olas Altas in the Romantic Zone
on the south side of town. Tickets
may be purchased online 24/7, and at
The Palm’s Box Office, open from 11
a.m. to 11 p.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.
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The 7 Arts
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Forever Plaid breaks box office records
Forever Plaid, The Heavenly
Musical Hit has taken Vallarta
by storm.
What happens when you take
four of the most handsome,
talented men who sing like
angels and put them on a stage?
Forever Plaid happens.
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 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.
The Plaids get a chance to look
back at their lives, and they discover
that they didn’t just have wonderful
lives; their lives were wonderful,
because they lived them together.
Together they can achieve the
unimaginable, the unexplainable.
Forever Plaid performs at 7 p.m.
at the Main Stage Theater at Act II
March 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31,
April 2, 3, 4
Starring local performers Elvis
Martinez, Alfonso Lopez, Roberto
Duran and Jose Maria Caudillo
with Bob Bruneau at the piano.
Forever Plaid is produced by Act II
Entertainment and Mary Amelotte.
The Voice of Vallarta - The
Return of Season One Favorites and
CD launch of the Voice of Vallarta
winner 2014 - Coral.
Join us this Sunday for a very
exciting Voice of Vallarta on the
Main Stage as we welcome back
the five audience favorites from
last year to sing duets with this
year’s Top Five. Welcome back
to the stage: Ofelia Uribe; Jose
Maria Caudillo; Flor Hernandez;
Agua Luna Mia (Dorys) and last
year’s winner, Coral. This week
each of the top five have been
paired up with last year’s top five
audience favorites to sing duets.
Last year’s winner, Coral, will
be sitting in the judge’s chair and
celebrating the release of her new
CD “Coral, The Voice of Vallarta”
produced by Act II Entertainment
and Carlos Santana. CD goes
on sale Sunday, March 22 only
at Act II. One thing is sure: The
Voice of Vallarta is hotter than
ever! The Voice is down to the
top five and who goes home no
one knows. Join us every Sunday
for Vallarta’s favorite show, The
Voice of Vallarta - 8 p.m.
The Main Stage theater is located upstairs in the Act II Entertainment STAGES complex at 300 Insurgentes
(corner of Basilio Badillo)in the Romantic Zone on the south side of town. Tel.: 222-1512.
March 2015
The 7 Arts
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Be swept away by the beauty and simplicity of Rocky Mountain High
By
Nancy Page
“Rocky Mountain High, the
music of John Denver” features
Paul Aleman with John Denver
Band member Renee Armand.
Hear the music and hear the stories
behind the music.
John Denver loved the mountains,
the wilderness and the natural
environment. He communicated
that love perfectly in his songs and
the way he lived his life. He was an
amazing spokesman for the natural
environment and all its wonder.
John Denver has been gone for
17 years, but his music lives on and
continues to be rediscovered and
appreciated by new generations of
music lovers. This past December,
the Red Room featured Paul
Aleman and Renee Armand in
‘Rocky Mountain High - The
Music of John Denver.’ This John
Denver Tribute Show is returning
to The Red Room for 6 shows in
the month of March.
Hear the music and the background
stories from Paul Aleman and
Renee Armand, a John Denver band
member who performed with John
for six years and appeared on the
DVD “Thank God I’m A Country
Boy” and also on Rocky Mountain
High. Renee is also known for singing
the Academy Award winning song The
Morning After from the movie “The
Poseidon Adventure.” She wrote One
Day in Your Life that was recorded by
Michael Jackson and also I Dream
of Highways with Hoyt Axton. She
performed with ‘The Coyote Sisters’
as well. In ‘Rocky Mountain High,’
Paul and Renee will present the music
of John Denver along with stories from
the road and insights into the music.
With honesty and pureness, this
duo recreates the magic of John
Denver’s music as their voices
blend together in beautiful harmony.
With Paul on guitar, they deliver a
performance that will sweep you
away with the beauty and simplicity
of the music. To have John Denver’s
music communicated so eloquently
by someone that worked and toured
the world with him is priceless.
If you are a John Denver fan, you
won’t want to miss ‘Rocky Mountain
High - The Music of John Denver,’
in The Red Room Cabaret. With the
remarkable voices of Paul and Renee,
rediscover the simplicity and beauty
of John Denver’s music and message.
March 20, 22, 27, 29 at 9:30 p.m.
Walk Like A Man - Paul Fracassi
– is an exciting tribute to Frankie
Valli & The Four Seasons, the hugely
popular New Jersey–based recording
stars. The show features 23-year
old singing sensation Paul Fracassi,
a former Star Search and Canadian
Idol semi-finalist and graduate of
Toronto’s famous St. Elizabeth
School for the Performing Arts. His
vocal range and showmanship are
always a big hit.
March 24, 26, 28, 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Every week at the
Red Room Cabaret…
Miss Conception - An all live
singing show with your favorite
story book characters with a twist.
Mondays at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.,
Thursdays at 9:30 p.m.
Kim Kuzma - Being her
10th year of performing in PV,
Kim has learned to simply give
what audiences want from her. “Just Kim” is exactly that. Kim’s
Acustico show features Kim and her
fantastic 5 piece band. Acustico Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Just Kim Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.
ELVIS - Rob Knight holds the title
of Pacific Northwest 2014 Division
Champion as an Elvis Tribute
Artist. Forever Elvis is reminiscent
of his lively and passionate Las
Vegas stage shows and concerts.
Wednesdays at 4 p.m.
The Red Room Cabaret & Bar is located upstairs in the Act II Entertainment STAGES complex at 300 Insurgentes
(corner of Basilio Badillo)in the Romantic Zone on the south side of town. Tel.: 222-1512.
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TIME 2 PLAY
Rocks the Red Room at Act II Stages
After delighting crowds at the Chacala Music
Festival and Puerto Vallarta venues, Time 2 Play
will close their 2015 season with “Rockin’ the Red
Room,” two shows on stage in Act II’s Red Room
cabaret, Friday, March 27th at 7:30 p.m. and
Saturday, March 28th at 5 p.m.
Over the past four years, Time 2 Play’s six person
ensemble has entertained local audiences with
tight 4-part vocals and their own instrumentation
on piano, guitar, violin, bass and drums. Every
performance knits seamlessly together with the
easy banter and spontaneous humor that only longtime friendship, mutual respect and a shared love of
performing can ensure.
“I always leave with a smile on my face.” “They
never fail to give a totally entertaining show.” “I
love their versatility and humor,” are comments
often heard from audience members. Each Time 2
Play musician displays instrumental virtuosity, then
casually sets their instruments aside to sing tight a
capella harmonies, or perform solos accompanied
by others within the group. Programs showcasing
their versatility and variety feature blues, jazz,
country, folk, classical, as well as hilarious novelty
numbers, all delivered with humor and harmony.
In “Rockin’ the Red Room,” Time2Play’s season
ending concert will include ballads and blues by Joy
Lehman and Garry Carson; classical piano and violin
virtuosity of Lois Rogers and Mary MacLachlan; and
fresh and funny comic relief by Don MacLachlan,
who will once again try to convince us that “He Is
Cow”. Drummer Enrique Jimenez, as usual, will
provide impeccable rhythm, winning smiles, and
perhaps a note or two of vocals as well.
Don’t miss this toe tappin’, hand clappin’,
exuberant show, March 27 and 28, with performer
proceeds benefitting the Puerto Vallarta Youth
Orchestra. Tickets for $250. pesos are available
at Stages Act II Box Office on Basillo Badillo, and
Vallartatickets.com
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Boutique Theatre offers original compilation of comedy classics
Laughs from the past revisited
By
Catherine Beeghly
Entertainment Writer
Who remembers Victor Borge, Lily Tomlin,
and George Carlin? If you do, you’re probably
smiling right now.
Puerto Vallarta resident T.J. Hartung has
compiled his favorite comedy sketches of
yesteryear in a new show, “Anthology of
Comedy”.
“Steel Magnolias” was the first show he was
The next main stage dinner theater show
at The Boutique Theatre will recreate classic part of. He’s worked with nine directors in
moments in comedy history, presented with seven venues, on more than 40 shows in Puerto
local performers, readers’ theater-style. Dinners Vallarta, mostly as a technical director doing
will be served at 5 p.m. with the curtain rising at lights and sound. “It was a natural transition for
me,” he said, “because my degree is in computer
6 p.m., March 26, 27 and 28.
T.J. hopes to tap into people’s nostalgia for science, back in the days when you had to be
some of the “good old days. “I want the show able to both design the hardware and write the
to bring up memories - memories of good times, software.”
T.J. has lived in PV for almost 21 years, and
good friends, good TV shows, etcetera.”
T.J. hopes people will complain about the received his Mexican citizenship 10 years ago.
show he’s also directing - but not with the kinds He’s active with the International Friendship
Club, as vice president of administration, web
of complaints you might expect.
“‘My jaw muscles hurt from laughing too master, and newsletter composer.
“I’m also on the board of directors of the
much.’ ‘My stomach and side muscles hurt.’
‘My underwear is wet.’ ‘My mascara is running Vallarta Botanical Gardens, where I often give
from laughing so hard I cried,’ ” T.J. quipped. talks on orchids. In May, I’ll be on a speaking
“But I am not responsible for anyone’s running tour throughout New England and East Central
Canada, where I’ll be talking to 13 different
mascara, or wet underwear.”
Among the well-known sketches are those orchid societies about Mexican orchids, and
made famous by comedy legends Flip Wilson, promoting tourism to PV.” Dates and locations
Redd Foxx, Abbott & Costello, Johnny Carson, can be found on www.pvorchids.com
T.J. met his wife Helen in PV more than 18
Flip Wilson, “Father Guido Sarducci,” and
others. In his cast are Boutique veterans Alice years ago, and they’ve been married 15 years.
Averett, Catalina Meders, Steve Jackson, He’s written articles for “Orchids Magazine,”
Catherine Beeghly, and newcomer Gloria Tyson. the official publication of the American Orchid
“Cast members will be reading various roles in Society, and has been writing articles for local
a number of comedy routines, subject to change, newspapers for many years under a pseudonym.
The March 26, 27 and 28 shows will be
based on cast wishes, the weather, phases of the
moon, the direction of the wind, and several presented at The Boutique Theatre, upstairs
conditions that are too complicated to reveal,” at Nacho Daddy’s, 287 Basilio Badillo in the
he said. The performers will also jump in as Romantic Zone district.
A dinner-and-a-show option is offered at
announcers, and in
short comedic bits T.J. 5 p.m. Diners can choose a steak, chicken or
wrote to transition the vegetarian meal, or order off the regular menu
at the “Mex-Tex” restaurant. Show-only tickets
sketches.
T.J.
is
retired are also available. Audiences are invited to
from a career in remain for the dance music lively crowds enjoy,
computer technology immediately following each show, on Thursday,
, and managing hotel Friday and Saturday nights.
Nacho Daddy’s charges no cover for its live
operations for more
than 30 years.
In music shows, presented almost every night of
2001 he began his the week.
For information, please call 322-192-4616.
“retirement career” at
the now-defunct Santa Tickets for all Boutique Theatre shows are
Barbara Theater in available at www.vallartatickets.com
Puerto Vallarta.
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Magic comes to Vallarta
Todd Diamond sparkles, blending comedy and illusion
By
Catherine Beeghly
Entertainment Writer
“I’m a totally different person onstage,” Todd
Diamond said quietly in a recent interview. Even
the deep resonance of his voice had a sort of
magic to it.
Diamond is bringing his personal blend
of comedy and magic to three shows at The
Boutique Theatre, upstairs at Nacho Daddy’s,
287 Basilio Badillo in the Romantic Zone district
of Puerto Vallarta. The March 20 and 21 shows
wrap up his season performing in Mexico.
“What you’ll see is the result of 20 years of
practice, and award-winning slight-of-hand
tricks. I’ve learned from some of the best in
magic,” the entertainer said. “The second half of
my show is when I do mentalist work, and read
people’s minds, to show we’re all connected in
this crazy world.”
Diamond said his constant interaction with the
audience keeps people on their toes. “My show is
different in the sense that I combine comedy and
magic, and in how I put it all together. It’s hard to
describe myself. My show is messy. Cards end
up all over the stage. Mom would not approve.”
Diamond was drawn into the world of illusion
when he saw a live performance of David
Copperfield. His hobby soon turned into his
profession, as he added mind-reading and
pickpocketing to his repertoire. In the last two
decades, Diamond has performed in late-night
spots from New York to California.
He has entertained scores of Fortune 500
companies, and has fooled some of the biggest
names of stage and screen. He has also appeared
in more than 17 countries, including a recent run
of TV specials in Indonesia, which were seen
by millions of viewers in Indonesia, China,
Singapore and Malaysia.
Diamond moved to Chapala a year ago, and
currently lives in Guadalajara. He has performed
at various stages in Mexico, including the Stage
& Forum in Nuevo Vallarta. His show at the
Boutique Theater will be the last chance Mexico
audiences can see him this season. Diamond is
grateful for the warm reception he’s received here.
“When I got here in Puerto Vallarta, the
response has been, ‘Wow, I’ve lived here 20
years and never seen a magician.’ It’s been an
interesting experience. People here have been
very welcoming and supportive.”
Since 1997, Diamond has been a professional
entertainer, as well as a stage and tour manager.
He has worked with entertainers Doug Pinnick
and Kirby Van Birch, as well as being a manager
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for the Chinese acrobats. His hobbies are reading,
business, video gaming, competition shooting,
computers, theater, film, and creative writing.
A dinner-and-a-show option is offered at
5 p.m. Diners can choose a steak, chicken or
vegetarian meal, or order off the regular menu
at the “Mex-Tex” restaurant. Show-only tickets
are also available.
Since The Boutique Theatre moved upstairs
at Nacho Daddy’s last year, the marriage has
produced a varied line-up of shows. Asylum
Improv Comedy, produced by and featuring
David Guilmette, invites people who want
to laugh to join their shows on alternating
Tuesdays. The next performances are from
7-8:30 p.m. March 24, April 7 and 21, and May 5
and 19. “Fear the Funny” is the troupe’s slogan.
The show is emceed by “Man About Town”
columnist Todd Ringness, and also features
Caroline Crow.
The Boutique Theatre also presents Mikki
Prost in “Forever Patsy,” the Patsy Cline tribute
show that nearly always sells out. Last show:
March 31st.
The main stage show at The Boutique Theatre
is “Anthology of Comedy,” an original creation
compiled and edited by T.J. Hartung of Puerto
Vallarta. The show recreates classic moments in
comedy history, with sketches made famous by
George Carlin, Lily Tomlin, Flip Wilson, Redd
Foxx, Abbott & Costello, and more. Dinners
will be served at 5 p.m. with the curtain rising at
6 p.m., March 26, 27 and 28.
Earlier this season The Boutique Theatre
presented “Nunsense: Vallarta Vacation,” “The
Odd Couple: Female Version,” and “Chatting
with The Tea Party” at Nacho Daddy’s.
For information, please call 322-182-4616.
Tickets for all shows are available at www.
vallartatickets.com
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Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars – One night only!
The Banderas Bay Jazz All-Stars consists of Chas Eller, on keyboards, Bryan
Savage on sax & flute, Steve York on bass, and Lazaro Poey on drums. Individually
these players have had successful careers back in the States, in Europe, in Cuba, and
around the world. Now they are spending winters in the greater Puerto Vallarta area,
joining forces to create an amazing musical chemistry the likes of which this area
has not seen before.
The uniqueness of these four individuals’ musical roots makes for a repertoire that
covers the gamut of jazz, blues, and funk style.
Friday, March 20th at 7:30 p.m. in the Red Room Cabaret and Bar located upstairs
in the Act II Entertainment STAGES complex at 300 Insurgentes (corner of Basilio
Badillo) in the Romantic Zone on the south side of town. Tel.: 222-1512.
Los Bambinos ramp up for final performances
By
Christina Larson
The last couple of weeks in March celebrate a fabulous and successful
season of shows with Los Bambinos in their final performances! Now
is the time to experience the best quartet in Vallarta in one or both of
their two shows. On Tuesday, March 24th and 31st see Los Bambinos’
last two presentations of their ever-popular show: Flashback World
Favorites Tour with rock-n-roll sound and vibrant renditions of oldies
rock favorites. On Friday, March 27th catch their final Los Bambinos:
Unplugged Latino show, featuring an easy-listening evening of Latin &
international rhythms set in an acoustic musical backdrop.
On stage in fine two-hour performances of choice international and
Latino music, you are sure to enjoy a fantastic night out, with some of
Vallarta’s best musicians. The four charming Morales Brothers pour
their hearts and smiles (and of course top-notch musicianship) into each
and every show. Satisfied fans comment positively after each show, and
many repeat listeners grace the audience each week.
Bring friends for a good time at the Roxy Rock House’s cabaretstyle venue. Reserve your table early for the best seat in the house.
Remember: with your VIP seats, you receive the best seats in the house,
first admission into the show and autographed memorabilia. Whether
wanting a fun night out while in town or planning a private event, Los
Bambinos music delivers the heart of Puerto Vallarta to you. The group
brings choice entertainment to each and every event and show, melding
disciplined vocal study and inherent musical talent with over ten years of
international performance experience. Their memorable performances
truly bring any party to life!
Los Bambinos’ final Flashback World Favorites Tour performances
are Tuesday, March 24th and 31st from 8 to 10 p.m. The final Los
Bambinos: Unplugged show is this Friday, March 27th from 8 to 10 p.m.
Both shows are at the Roxy Rock House with live music every night at
217 Ignacio L. Vallarta in the Romantic Zone on the south side of town.
Tickets and booking at 222-4357 (English spoken) or online at www.
losbambinosmusic.com See you at the show!
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G
aleria de Ollas was established in 1998,
when the children of the master potters were
children. Now, following the footsteps of
their parents, they have learned and in some
cases surpassed the skills of their folks and
now are consolidated artists in their own
rights. Some of them are:
OLIVIA DOMINGUEZ
She started to learn when she was 8 year
old and actually started to sell her pieces at
age 16. Her parents Francisco and Juana Cota
(+) taught her the ceramic arts (1989). Her
most striking pieces are formed in white clay
with intricate animal effigies. She also works
pieces in brown and black clay and oxygen
reduction firing to get black on black pieces.
Being an energetic and very active woman,
during the last 6 yearly Mata Ortiz contests
she has won either 1st or 2nd prize in her
category and/or the Prize for Excellence.
Her participation in the National Ceramics
contests has also given her first and second
prices. Presently she is exhibiting her works
in the World Trade Center in Mexico City.
The 7 Arts
GALERIA DE OLLAS
25
Exclusively dedicated to showcase the best works of Mata Ortiz potters
OLIVIA DOMINGUEZ
IVONE OLIVAS
IVONE OLIVAS
At the age of 13, she learned to do pottery
directly from the master Juan Quezada.
Ivone paints white circular designs leaving
intriguing blank spaces on very elegant black
or brown vessels.
The same drawing is copied three times on
the surface and, on a second look from the top
of the piece, a spiral shape is found around a
cut lip shape.
Her pieces are made by her husband Florencio
Sánchez, also a very talented artist. He forms
very thin walled pots with different mouths.
Their shapes, when added to the designs painted
by Ivone, make extraordinary pieces.
ELICENA
COTA
March 2015
OSCAR QUEZADA
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Joe Harrington
Cinderella versus Cinderella
T
his classic fairy tale has been told
many times in the past on the silver
screen. This latest version holds up
very well against the competition.
One thing I liked is that it starts
with Cinderella as a baby rather than
already in the clutches of the evil
stepmother, as in the animated Disney
version of so many decades ago.
This was the same approach
taken with Ever After starring Drew
Barrymore and Angela Houston.
Which brings up comparing films
that are remakes of the same thing.
In the latest Cinderella, we had Cate
Blanchett as the wicked stepmother
and Lily James as Cinderella. Also,
Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy
godmother versus Patrick Godfrey as
the Godfather. How do these various
people, telling the same story, stack
up? Close. Very close. Which makes
me wonder… why do remakes of the
same story unless you think you can
hit a grand slam versus an empty bases
home run?
This latest version of this classic tale
is basically a remake of the original
Disney animation effort. And I mean
right down to the soon-to-be-queen’s
coach being made of a pumpkin, her
horses four converted mice, the
coachmen two lizards and the
driver a goose.
Over and over I have stated
a dislike for remakes that don’t
take chances. I like to use the
example of High Noon, which
has had quite a few flicks dip
into this iconic western. The
only remake I liked was Outland
staring Sean Connery. Because,
although it followed the
storyline, it changed the location
to the future with the action on a
mining asteroid. Good remake.
What did Ever After have that this
latest version didn’t? Funny line
after funny line, originality in plot
and a tough, hard-nosed, willful
Cinderella who pretty much doesn’t
take guff from anyone, including
her stepmother. What I liked about
Ever After was that it delivered, not
a fantasy, but a straight story. No
hunt for the woman who lost the glass
slipper, no prince not recognizing a
woman at a ball, whom he has already
fallen in love with. No, the prince
and Cinderella develop a love in a
much more traditional courting way –
getting to know each other.
The production line in the latest
Cinderella involving the castles, the
scenery, the gowns, the hairdos, are
spectacular. The word lavish resonates
throughout.
Ever After shows a grittier side
of life in the old days. Vegetable
gardens, dray carts, geese and pigs
and horses and dirt and mire and men
caged like animals. And it introduces
historical figures like Leonardo Di
Vinci, who ends up playing the role of
fairy godfather.
Cinderella
2015
is
almost
breathtakingly beautiful. And the
choice of a blue gown for our heroine
to attend the ball in was brilliant.
When she sweeps down the steps there
is no doubt that she would capture
every eye of the packed ballroom.
How did these two movies make
out on the rotten tomatoes Meter?
Very close. Cinderella 2015 got a
84% approval rating, Ever After a
staggering 90%. Why staggering? Try
getting any group of people to agree
that closely on anything. The last
time this high a percentage of people
March 2015
in America agreed on something was
when the twin towers came down.
So what’s the problem? In trying to
explain why Cinderella ends up where
she does – basically a scullery maid
for her stepsisters and their vicious
and conniving mother – bogs things
down. The original story was only
2,500 words long. Start showing how
our orphan lost her mother to sickness
and her father to a heart attack and
things get weepy real
quick. And it does not
show how her father
fell for such a wicked
woman.
However,
my
recommendation is to
go see this movie. I
just would not bring too
young a child with you.
The theater I was in had
a lot of kids who looked
like they were five, six,
seven. It didn’t take
long before the fidgeting began. But
for an older teenager and any adult,
it is a wonderfully crafted flick. But
Ever After deserved to edge it out by a
nose. So my second recommendation
is to rent it and watch Drew Barrymore
do her stuff.
Joe Harrington
Is an internationally published true crime
writer and documentary filmmaker.
Send comments or criticism to
[email protected]
Artwork by Bob Crabb.
ISSUE
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Adult daughters of alcoholics
…and maybe the rest of us too!
(part 2)
By
Giselle Belanger
Last week I described the a)
achiever, b) triangulator, c) passive
one, d) other-directed one. Now
here are the next four types. Let’s
see which ones sound familiar either
for you or someone you know.
The Conflict Avoider: avoids
personal conflict at any cost, but
is always helping everyone else
with their problems, which helps
her avoid her own. She is a peoplepleaser and does not believe healthy
arguments exist. She postpones her
own problems and never resolves
anything. The only time she can
receive emotional support from
others is when something beyond her
control has happened to her, such as an
accident or illness. Consequently, she
is good in a crisis, is a good negotiator
and problem solver for others,
persistent, thinks of alternatives
and is a good communicator. The
negatives include: powerlessness,
depression, denial, intimidated,
inability to receive, and takes on too
many problems.
Hypermature: takes herself too
seriously, doesn’t allow herself to
have enough fun, can’t just let go,
needs be in control of her emotions,
has a great deal of difficulty allowing
anyone to do anything for her and
usually believes they can’t do as
good as she can. She is the “parent”
in the group. Her childhood was cut
short, began to behave like an adult
too soon. In relationships, she makes
everything too intense, can’t lighten
up, and feels disproportionately
responsible for the success of the
relationship. She is organized,
prepared, attentive, meets goals,
reliable, analytical. The negatives
are: critical, avoids taking risks,
RN, LCSW
difficulty expressing emotions,
blames herself too much, driven,
and suffers stress-related illnesses.
The
Detacher:
wants
to
remove herself emotionally and
psychologically from all situations
that make her uncomfortable. She
realizes as an adolescent that even
though she must live with this
dysfunctional family, it isn’t going to
bother me anymore. As soon as she
is old enough, she leaves (physically
detaches). She enters a cycle called
“premature closer” which means
she leaves every time something or
someone makes her uncomfortable.
Consequently, she has not allowed
herself to learn to work things out
or find solutions. The emotional
motivation is to avoid being hurt. In
relationships, she leaves at the first
sign of trouble. She is perceptive,
independent, self-motivated, a
traveler,
non-conformist.
The
negatives: defiant, lonely, jealous
and suspicious, rigid, non-feeling, in
denial, at high risk for addiction.
The 8th and final type is what you
become once you’ve healed from
past injuries and transitioned the
negative traits. Basically, it is the
goal of a recovered self.
can be herself without fearing
rejection, and she knows she is a
good person. She grew beyond her
injuries, knows how to take risks, to
forgive, to share, and to love.
NOTE: All of the above information
was taken from: (ACKERMAN,
Robert (2002) Perfect Daughters
(revised edition). Deerfield Beach,
FL, USA: Health Communications,
Inc., ch 10, pgs 171-198.)
Ask yourself…
Do you allow your feelings? Can
you admit to yourself and to others
how you feel? Have you learned how
to express your emotions or are you
suppressing them and minimizing
their significance and importance?
Do you regularly and readily ask for
help without waiting until a situation
is out of control or the last resort?
How is your self-esteem? What is
your self-worth based on? Can you
accept compliments? Do you truly
know who you are? Are you clear
about what you want out of life and
in a relationship?
How trusting are you? Do you live
in fear of what people think, of what
may or may not happen, of failure?
Do your relationships revolve around
avoiding conflict and preventing
rejection or abandonment? Can you
tell others “no”?
Do you like yourself? Do you
practice self-love?
Decide to do the work
Honestly evaluate your positive
and negative characteristics and
The Invulnerable: is healthy,
either because she emerged from
the dysfunctional family that way
or because in her personal recovery,
she worked through her issues and
feelings. She experiences her pain,
doesn’t deny her feelings, asks for
and accepts help, acts on her own
behalf, accepts her vulnerabilities.
She has learned to use her positive
traits she acquired growing up. In
relationships, her emotional and
physical needs are being met, she can
negotiate openly with her partner,
March 2015
Health Matters
27
determine what behaviors, attitudes,
and beliefs you want to go forward
with and which ones no longer serve
you, are no longer part of who you
want to be, and leave them behind.
This may be difficult at first because
it is all so familiar. You may need to
ask your partner and friends what
they think. You may not actually
realize the extent of some of your
behaviors or attitudes. “Am I really
that controlling?”… “Do I really
say that so often?”… etc. You may
be surprised and you may be hurt,
but it is part of your evaluation
process and very necessary in order
to identify what you need to change.
Invest the time and energy into
making the changes. It takes practice
and very conscious deliberate efforts.
Every day you have to remain very
aware of your thoughts and behaviors,
your instinctive tendencies, and
immediate reactions and then decide
if this is something to allow or not.
If it is something you previously
decided needed to change, then
immediately stop and replace it with
the new thought or behavior. Change
and grow. Become a better healthier
you. Seek and find happiness.
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.
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334
Krystal Frost
The healing power of magnets
We studied the power and use
of magnets in acupuncture school.
They work on inflammation, pain
and reduce swelling. I also use
them when dealing with children
as they are totally non- invasive
and help with sore throats, swollen
glands, and tummy aches. Of
course the best part is that the kids
think they are great magic.
Here are some facts for you.
Magnets have been used for their
healing properties since ancient
times, and now a new study has
found that they can reduce swelling
when applied immediately after an
inflammatory injury.
In their initial study, researchers
from the University of Virginia
set out to investigate the
effect of magnetic therapy on
microcirculation, which is blood
flow through tiny blood vessels.
They placed magnets, about 10
times the strength of the common
refrigerator magnet, near rats’
blood vessels and found that they
dilated constricted blood vessels,
and constricted vessels that were
dilated. The results suggested that
the magnetic filed could relax blood
vessels and increase blood flow.
Dilation of blood vessels is a
major cause of swelling, and it’s
thought that the magnets worked
by limiting blood flow. I have used
magnets when dealing with muscle
bruising and joint sprains, They are
effective and fast relief for sports
injuries by controlling the swelling
which allows shorter recovery time.
I took a tumble a couple of weeks
ago and turned my knee… there
was a lot of pain and swelling, I
put a couple of magnets around my
knee, and had a good nights rest. I
recovered quickly and am sure the
magnets helped with pain and the
healing process.
Magnetic therapy is a $5-billion
market worldwide, and it is no
surprise that in the United States the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
makes it illegal to market magnets
to treat significant conditions like
HIV, asthma, or arthritis.
In addition to reducing swelling,
magnets have been found to help
with depression, age-related mental
decline, Alzheimer’s disease and
schizophrenia.
There are countless products
available, from magnetic bracelets
and ankle straps to shoe insoles and
mattresses, and it is really a “buyer
beware” situation, to make sure
you are getting a quality product.
Many commercial products do
NOT have the proper field strength
to be effective.
Magnet therapy uses “static”
magnets, which are called static
because the resulting magnetic
field is unchanging. (Please do not
confuse these with electromagnets,
which produce magnetic fields
when an electric current is applied
and really shouldn’t be used on
your own.)
You can check out the strength of
the magnet before you buy it. They
are typically measured in units
called gauss (G). Simple refrigerator
magnets range from 35 to 200 G,
but the magnets that may treat your
pain range from 3000 to 5,000 G.
Some practitioners start with a
lower gauss and gradually move up
to a more intense level as necessary.
Magnet polarity is also important,
as each magnet has two sides,
negative and positive.
The negative end, or north pole,
generally has a cooling, sedating
effect that is useful for relieving pain
and inflammation The positive end,
or the south pole, has the opposite
effect and is stimulating, even to
bacteria and viruses. So the positive
end of the magnet needs to be used
CAUTOUSLY as it could actually
promote disease and increase pain
if it is used incorrectly. Because of
this, the positive end of a magnet is
typically used VERY carefully for
conditions such as numbness, weak
muscles, paralysis and scarring.
Most therapeutic magnets have
their polarity marked, when in
doubt don’t use them.
Once you have gauged the
magnet’s polarity, you can place
the proper side directly onto your
March 2015
skin and secure it in place with skin
tape. You will need to experiment
with how long it should be kept on.
Some conditions respond relatively
quickly, while others can take much
longer.
While on the subject, bipolar
magnets are thought to direct the
potentially dangerous positive
magnetic energy into your body,
and I would caution all to avoid
bipolar beds.
A unipolar magnetic mattress pad
- which more closely approximate
the earth’s magnetic field - is a
better choice.
Do not use magnets over the heart
or the tummy of a pregnant woman.
Energy treatments like magnetic
therapy are likely to gain more
credibility in coming years. I have
patients who do not leave home
without the magnets. But even a
safe, alternative treatment like this
will not remove the root cause of
your pain or disease.
Keep to your basic plan for
optimum wellness.
1. Address your emotional traumas
2. Get optimal sunlight exposure
3. Drink enough pure water
4. Avoid toxins
5. Eat the right fats
6. Eat right for your Nutritional Type
7. Eat plenty of raw food
8. Control your insulin and leptin
levels, sugar, sugar, sugar…
9. Exercise
10. Sleep properly
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]
ISSUE
334
Gloria Sue a.k.a. Mama Vallarta
By
Gary Beck
Gloria Sue started by making matzoh ball
soup for a local short-lived restaurant and after
it closed, she took special orders. “One day
someone suggested I take a booth at the defunct
Paradise Community Center market where I
could also sell my chopped chicken livers.” And
so, Mama’s Jewish Comfort Food, the Original,
was born.
“Irreverent Jewess” - First generation of
Russian Jewry born on American soil (her mother
was born on the boat inside the 3-mile limit) was raised on the east coast and transplanted
to California where she spent 30 years raising
children. Now here in PV since the turn of the
century, she has been busy pleasing many people.
When married for the first time, boiling water
was a challenge. Then armed with her grandma’s
recipes and tenacity, she proceeded to make every
mistake that one could possibly make in the
kitchen. It is amazing how much a person can
learn by doing everything wrong the first time!
Your Comments
[email protected]
Dear Editor,
Puerto Vallarta has been our “little piece
of heaven” for over 25 years and we keep
finding new things. We both love Italian food
and have been regulars at many of the old
establishments both in and out of town. We
have tried the new ones also after reading the
Mirror letters commenting on restaurants.
Cafe Amore, 179 Calle Corona surpasses
them all. A friend took us to this little out of
the way (not really as 2 blocks from Malecon)
place in January and we can’t get enough.
Great food, fantastic people and intimate
atmosphere. Eduardo and Jackie greet you
like family and service is great.
Mama provides her creations Fridays at the
Marsol Market by the Los Muertos pier (outside in
the patio food court) and on Saturdays at the Tres
Gallinas y Un Gallo Market at 466 V. Carranza,
both in the Romantic Zone on the South side of
town.
“I cook for the market the same way I cooked
for my family. Nothing fancy - just simple, filling
and delicious. Everything is handmade including
chopping the chicken livers. No food processing
machines are employed.” Mama’s joy comes
from seeing the pleasure of her diners.
When not cooking, Mama operates a tour and
concierge service. Gloria may be your guide to
some of Puerto Vallarta’s most delightful places:
custom-made guided tours for what you want
to see. She even shops for arrivals so guests do
not have concerns about food items on their first
day here. Mama does whatever is needed and
will help arrange weddings, family reunions and
other activities. Call her for food purchases or
concerning her services.
Mama has even written her own Haggadah for
Passover with notes explaining “how to” or “why”
the Seder is done that way. She has copies at the
markets for those who have an interest in history.
Mama provides matzoh ball chicken soup
(Jewish penicillin), chopped chicken livers and
cheese blintzes. A purchase of Mama’s products
helps to support the entire community as all of
her ingredients are purchased from local growers,
grocers and meat markets.
Mama’s motto is “samples and guilt are free”, so
stop by for a ‘bissell’ (little bite), a smile, a laugh,
therapy - whatever - just stop by! No charge for
advice and/or guilt - “’cause that’s what mamas
are for!”
Jack and Diane
March 2015
Good Bites
29
Vallarta Voices
30
ISSUE
334
All-you-can-eat buffets?
By
My
Gabriella Namian
mother, who was an
accomplished cook, used to say,
“Anyone can cook a fantastic meal if
you have all the ingredients on hand;
but a great cook is someone who can
make something out of nothing”.
And if I look back, she was right.
From the extremely well-off days
during my childhood through the
salad days during immigration
hardships, I’ve experienced both
prosperity and hunger on my own
skin. And yet, in time of need, she
could take one ingredient and stretch
it throughout one week and never did
I taste the same meal twice. I learned
from her so many things which were
taken for granted previously. One
of the things was waste, which she
abhorred with the greatest passion.
“After all”, she used to say, “any food
can be recycled”. She was right too.
She could debone a chicken, make 3
different meals, and use the bones for
2 different delicious soups. We never
went hungry. Well, almost never.
Now comes my point.
She
always hated food that was wasted
unnecessarily.
Restaurants have a lot of waste to
contend with. More than that, the “allinclusive” resorts with their respective
buffets are another story. Seeing resort
guests who go innumerable times to
stuff their plates at the buffet and leave
half of their food untouched pushes my
angry buttons when so many are going
hungry these days. The all-you-caneat-and-drink formula may be a good
advertising tool to attract tourists, but
some people take it for granted that
they are entitled to make frequent trips
to the buffet, regardless of whether
they clean their plates or not.
In Puerto Vallarta, for example,
one can eat at a restaurant for $5
Dollars or $100 dollars. The upscale
restaurants with world-renowned
chefs that are able to create art on a
plate have already solidly built their
reputation as grand culinary creators.
They are in a class by themselves.
But those who can barely afford a
once-in-a-while status symbol Big
Mac, often turn to the family-oriented
restaurants that serve comida casera
- a full, honest homemade meal
(soup, main course, dessert and
beverage) for as little as $65 MXN
or even less. When you think that a
girl at one specific convenience store
March 2015
only makes about $110 MXN daily,
all one can do is raise their hands
to the sky. This salary is downright
scandalous!
Some people used to tell me,
“Don’t dare eat anything from street
vendors”. Oh yeah? I’ve had the
best tacos on the street in Aurora, in
an alley. And I had never seen such
clean conditions until that time!
Yes, Puerto Vallarta seems to be
probably the most expensive city
in Mexico. Yet somehow there is
something for everyone’s budget.
And what’s more, everyone’s happy
with what they have - or acquire.
And the ones who have less than
others are experts in food recycling
and never wasting one single crumb.
But the epitome of their kindness is
that Mexicans will share with you
even what they do not have. That has
been my experience so far. Something
we can definitely learn from.
ISSUE
334
By
T
Anna Reisman
here is a phenomenon that occurs
annually in Puerto Vallarta, one which
no one among us foreigners has been
able to explain to my satisfaction. I’m
referring to public works.
Although the number of tourists
who visit us during the months of May
and June is traditionally lower than
during any other months of the year,
and although there is no rain to speak
of during that time - thus an ideal time
to do road repair, the powers that be
do not appear to take those facts into
consideration.
They will tear up streets and
sidewalks during the winter months
when the town is full to capacity,
causing businesses to go belly up and
much inconvenience to our visitors.
And then, in the two weeks that
precede the holidays in December
and the two weeks of Semana Santa
(Easter), they go all out! Beaches
are cleaned, and work shifts are even
doubled sometimes.
Many have
wondered out loud about that… Why
such efforts to welcome Mexican
tourists? Aren’t foreigners worthy of
equal treatment?
Example in point this past weekend:
Despite the numerous complaints
lodged over the last six months about
the neverending potholes in front of the
small tunnel leading to the beautifully
paved Libramiento (a.k.a. the bypass
road), it is only this past
Friday that they began
tearing up that small but
super important stretch of
road. By Saturday morning,
they had completely closed
the access to the tunnel.
An hour or so later (I
guess some powerful folks
complained loudly enough),
they opened a narrow path,
with a sign that said “Detour – local
transit only”. The line-up of cars
along Basilio Badillo stretched back
for as far as the eye could see.
What made this decision of theirs
even stranger is that the work was to
start at the beginning of a long weekend,
so I don’t know if they’ll be paying
those workmen triple time for two and
a half days, or not. I’ll go check…
After taking the photo, I came back
to find out that our phone line was dead,
D-E-D, dead. No tone, no nothing.
Strange thing though, the internet was
working fine. I tried to use my cell
phone to report the problem, but 050
doesn’t work from a cell phone, and
our landline was, as I said: D-E-D,
dead, so how is anyone supposed to
Vallarta Voices
31
dial anything from a landline in
such cases? I called their 01-800
number, went through the process
of pressing various numbers before
finally getting a human on the
line. She said she reported the
problem, and gave me a report
number. The next zillion times
I called over the next five days, I
got a recording telling me that the
report had already been filed and
that they were “working on resolving
the problem”. Today is Wednesday,
and as I write this, our land line is still
dead. Funny thing though, when one
dials it, it rings as normal. I’m sure
we’ll get a whole bunch of messages
from folks who tried to reach us and
were left wondering why we were
being so rude as to not return them…
Our friend Cashetta’s passing took
everyone by surprise. Unfortunately, I
only had the pleasure of spending time with
her a couple of times. What a delightful
human being! May he rest in peace.
“Live today as if it were your last,
but make plans as if you will live
forever.” We never know what the
next moment will bring. Hasta la
próxima. [email protected]
Rain, floods cause temporary closure of bridge over the Ameca River
From our archives:
A
s you may have read, the powerful (and
unusual at this time of year) rainstorm that fell
over the Bay of Banderas last week caused major
floods and much damage to the areas around
the Ameca River. As a precautionary measure,
the northbound bridge over the Rio Ameca was
closed to traffic this past Tuesday.
The following is a short resumé of the bridge’s
history.
September 1, 2010 - The “old” bridge, i.e.:
northbound, over the Ameca River was washed away
by the raging river waters at 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday,
August 31, 2010. Two people were rescued, but
three cars were reported fallen and one family was
still missing at press time. Experts from Mexico’s
Department of Communications & Transport (SCT)
were called in to examine the “new” southbound
bridge to ascertain whether it was safe to reopen to
traffic, turning it into a two-way road. It was declared
safe and reopened to traffic by 4 p.m.
The fallen bridge was 35 to 40 years old, the
responsibility of the SCT for the first 20 years,
after which there was no maintenance work done
to the pilons, only repaving to the surface of the
road. The condition of the supporting pillars was
unknown at press time.
October 5, 2010 - According to a report issued by
the State of Jalisco Department of Communications
March 2015
& Transport (SCT), the repair work on the bridge
over the Ameca River will cost approximately
$110 Million Pesos, and should be ready by the
end of December or early January.
The work is being done by Freyssinet
Sustainable Technology, a French company that
reports a 20% progress in the cement work, and
claims that the finished product will have a life
expectancy of 40 to 50 years. There will be 3
pilons instead of one, and they will be diamondshaped in order to withstand the river’s current
longer. (Lourdes Martínez – Tribuna de la Bahía)
December 1st, 2010 - Following the official
ceremony last Wednesday morning, the new
bridge over the Ameca River was opened to
the public, one month earlier than forecast - all
according to the news Tweeted by the Governor
of the State of Nayarit.
The construction was realized by the French
company, Freyssinet.
32
Fish Tales
ISSUE
334
Unusual winter fishing
with Sailfish, Marlin,
Dorado & Rooster fish
By
W
Stan Gabruk
oW! Strange stuff is happening
out in our world famous fishing
grounds, the most desired species we
have in Puerto Vallarta during the
summer seem to be happy hanging
out in winter temperature waters.
Strange stuff indeed, but we’ll take it
anyway we can get it. Overabundance
of bait in the water is still the primary
challenge, but the good news is
they’re taking baits and even in the
bay you can have ¨summer¨ fishing.
Patience is a virtue and when it comes
to fishing here and now, patience is
key. If you’re on the water and you
have a seasoned captain who can
figure out these crazy conditions or
just get lucky, then you’ll have a day
you won’t forget!
Ok, let’s start with the really weird.
Sailfish and Marlin are north of
Corbeteña, it could be a few miles or
it could be several miles, but if you’re
out there, the Black and Blue Marlin
are in the 400 to 550-lb range, strange
indeed. You’ll need to run Flying
fish lures of blue and silver. Another
color for lures is Black / Green with a
little red and you’ll be surprised what
strikes! It’s also Jack Crevalle central
with jacks running 35 to over 50 lbs.,
not normally a species you’d head
(Owner of Master Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle)
to Corbeteña for, but they’re
abundant and very large, so it
may be worth a consideration
since there are also Sailfish to
90 lbs. and Cubera Snapper to
60 lbs. for the jiggers. Wahoo
are still in the area and while
smaller in the 40 to 50-lb range,
they’re more abundant. Just
remember to troll a little faster
from 7 to 9 mph using Marauder
lures of blue or purple, wire
leaders are essential against
their razor sharp mouths. Not
packed with Wahoo, but there. All and
all it looks like a good time to head
out to the ¨Rock¨. At El Banco or the
Bank in English there are Stripers at
200 lbs. or so all over the place and
they too are fickle, but taking bait.
Wahoo just like Corbeteña, but more
abundant (packed in fact) and hungry,
same lure situation. Wahoo like to
chase baits close to the boat, six feet
or so is about the correct distance. For
those who know, this doesn’t sound
strange. With lesser captains, you’ll
be running 50 to 100 feet off the boat
and this won’t help you reach your
Wahoo goals for the dinner table!
At the point of Punta Mita to
the Marieta Islands, we’re seeing
renewed life with larger Rooster Fish
to 40 lbs. and if you’re not running
Bullet Skip Jack Baits then you’re not
catching Rooster fish. You’ll need to
make bait, but using a Squid Hoochie
will do the job just fine and the amount
of this type of bait from the Marieta
islands to the Rock and El Banco is
amazing and hugely abundant! Also at
Punta Mita are 40-lb Dorado around
the buoys, if you can find one or two.
At the Marieta Islands there are
Pompanos like crazy to 40 lbs., but
you’ve got to hook 20 to get two or three
in this size range. Nice sized Sailfish
north of Guyabitos lounging around on
the surface about three miles out, close
in for them. They aren’t chasing baits,
but if you drop one in front of them
then it’s FISH ON! However, you need
a 10-hour day to reach this area. Off
Punta Mita there are billions of Skip
Jack Tuna in the area, this explains
the Rooster Fish abundance at Anclote
Reef just down the way. Tons of Jack
Crevalle babies at 2 – 3 lbs, the sea is
white with them all over the place, too
small to keep though.
The bay is finally showing some
signs of life, but it’s work. It’s been
frustrating for 4-hour trips with fish
in the area but not taking baits for
anything. I suggest six hours to find
fish taking bait, but even then it’s a
frustration dream some days. With
Dorado hanging around Los Arcos to
40 lbs., Punta Negra (Garza Blanca
area) and in front of the Sheraton
hotel very close in, you’ll see them
and then you’ll pull your hair out
when they don’t take a bait. A simple
March 2015
trick could help: if you see Dorado
and they’re not taking bait, take the
¨wash down hose¨ and lightly sprinkle
the water in the area then cast a bait
in the middle. I’ve seen this work
when nothing else would, it mimics
bait landing in the water and it drives
them crazier than my ex-wife at a
Nordstrom’s sale! Jack Crevalle
are everywhere, Bonito to 30
lbs., Skip jack tuna of course in
the 30-lb range, Snapper in the
dinner plate size and who knows
what else. Pompanos are around,
mostly at the Islands, but schools
are roaming the bay. Like I said,
the fish are there, now get them to
take a bait… Good luck, amigo!
Water temperatures are closer to
what we would normally expect at
this time of the year. In the bay
on the surface it’s running 71o – 72
o
, but closer to 68 o about ten feet
down. If you’re out of the bay the
water temps are a smidge warmer at
73 o - 74 o. I don’t understand why our
summer species of Dorado, Sails and
Marlin are putting up with these waters
so frigid to them, it’s gotta be the
abundant bait I guess, but your guess
is as good as mine. On any level we
won’t complain, we’ll just give a nod
to the heavens and keep reeling!
So there you have it folks, short,
sweet and to the point. Now get your
butt on the water and take advantage
of this information, amigos…
Until next time, don’t forget to kiss
your fish and remember: at Master
Baiter’s Sportfishing & Tackle “We
Won’t Jerk You Around!”
Master Baiter’s has changed
locations in Marina Vallarta,
now between docks A and B
on the boardwalk. Email your
questions to me at: CatchFish@
MasterBaiters.com.mx Web page:
www.MasterBaiters.com.mx , local
Phone at: (044) 322 779-7571 or if
roaming: 011 521 322 779-7571 cell
phone direct. Facebook: http://www.
facebook.com/pages/Master-BaitersSportfishing-Tackle/88817121325
The trade name Master Baiter’s ®
Sportfishing and Tackle is protected
under trade mark law and is the sole
property of Stan Gabruk.
ISSUE
334
Ask Luis
By
Luis Melgoza
Dear Luis: Your informative
response to a question about how
donors can know which local
charitable organizations have been
thoroughly vetted (March 7 Mirror)
contained an oversight I would
like to correct: While you included
the
International
Friendship
Club, aka IFC (legal name: Club
Internacional de la Amistad de
Puerto Vallarta, A.C.) in your list
of federally authorized tax-exempt
charities, you omitted the IFC from
the shorter listing of charities that
are also recognized by the state of
Jalisco on their IJAS website listing. If you check the IJAS list online
again you will find us listed by our
legal name under our registration
number 2.087. The IFC works very hard to fulfill
all our legal and fiscal obligations
with the federal government of
Mexico and the State of Jalisco,
and we are active participants and
supporters of IJAS activities and
meetings locally and have even
traveled to Guadalajara to participate
in a IJAS training session. We understand how important it is
for donors to know their donations
and volunteer efforts are going
toward organizations that have been
thoroughly vetted, and we thank you
in advance for letting readers know
the IFC is indeed in good standing
with the state of Jalisco. Gracias!
Dan Grippo
President, IFC
Dear Dan and Readers:
I profusely apologize for my cut
and paste mistake. I am well aware
that the International Friendship
Club has always had all necessary
approvals
and
authorizations,
federal, state and local, to operate as
a charitable organization (I wouldn’t
have donated my time to the IFC
last year if that wasn’t the case!)
It is fifteen, and not fourteen as
I erroneously wrote, charitable
organizations operating locally
that are certified and authorized as
such by both the federal and state
governments:
Please be aware that some of
these organizations are better know
for their trade names, as exemplified
by Pasitos de Luz (Mamás Unidas
por la Rehabilitación de sus Hijos,
A.C.) and the IFC itself (Club
International de la Amistad de
Puerto Vallarta, A.C.); however,
their charters will show their legal
names in all cases.
The column of reference is available
online at http://pvmcitypaper.com/
download/332.pdf
Dear Luis: I was recently in PV.
While in a restaurant I went to sit
on a chair and the back legs broke
with me on it. The chair went
back and I hit my head on the table
behind. Two men rushed over and
helped me get up. All they did at the
restaurant was remove the broken
chair and give me ice. I wasn’t
ready to walk back to our condo
(was feeling a bit foggy) so we
ordered something and sat there a
while. They even charged us for our
food. This happened the first week
of my vacation. As the days went
by I started realizing I was sleeping
more and more. I couldn’t go out
much because of headaches and
dizziness. When I realized I could
hardly stay awake or do much at all
I went to the hospital.
Spent all day there and took
home all kinds of x-rays and CT
scan reports. My whole trip was
a blur. A few days later I flew
home. Worst flight I’ve ever had.
I guess the pressure was really
affecting my head. I went to see my
doctor at home and she said it was
definitely a concussion. Headaches,
dizziness and memory loss was
really affecting me. It is now about
6 weeks later and I’m still not able
to do much. Since I’m a senior
citizen they said it takes longer. I
paid for blue cross coverage and
am waiting for payment for hospital
fees which came on my credit card.
I feel cheated out of my vacation
through no fault of my own. I
feel that the restaurant should be
liable for paying my flight and
Blue Cross. I’m on a very limited
income and would like to have the
vacation I missed out on. What are
your thoughts on this matter? Can
anything be done?
Dear Reader: I’m sorry you had
an accidental fall.
In this case, to prove that anyone,
other that yourself, was at fault,
you immediately would have had
to file a criminal complaint with
the State Attorney, the Medical
Examiner would have had to certify
your injuries the same day, and a
judge, eventually, would have had
to find the provider guilty and order
restitution of actual damages.
Mexican Law assumes that the
individual pays attention to any
March 2015
Legal Matters
33
possible hazards before taking any
action. It is, therefore, enormously
difficult, if not impossible, to prove
negligence on the part of a provider
in cases like this. For example,
if you order a hot beverage, it is
expected that you know its hot; if
you get burnt while drinking it, the
Law says it is your fault. If, as in
this case, you do not make sure that
a chair is in good working order,
and it breaks when you sit on it, the
Law says it is your fault.
You could file a civil suit
against the restaurant, but absent
Medical Examiner certification of
your injuries, you would lose it.
Furthermore, most businesses and
individuals in Mexico do not settle
out of court suits they can’t lose.
Send me your questions to
[email protected], I am not able
to answer each message privately
due to the volume of mail I receive.
I do not take legal cases, I am retired
from the practice of Law.
Luis Melgoza
Is a former PRI (Mexico’s ruling party)
Head Counsel and Legal Adviser to the
Mexican Congress. Although retired
from the legal profession, he is a highly
respected consultant for both the foreign
and Mexican communities in Puerto
Vallarta. Luis’ PVGeeks is the premiere
wireless high-speed Internet provider in
Puerto Vallarta. For Internet service, you
can reach Luis at [email protected]
34
Real Estate
ISSUE
334
VIEWPOINT
By
Harriet Murray
and misunderstand each other is in the
meaning of “respeto” (respect).
There are significant cultural
differences between the meanings of
“respect” and “respeto”. Americans
and Canadians tend to respect people if
We have to understand the culture
to successfully live and own real estate in Mexico
“Simpatico”
One of the most common and historic
cultural traits of citizens of Mexico
is the characteristic of “simpatico”.
“Something to strive for” evolved over
a period of generations to become a
behavior emphasizing goodwill toward
people of one’s own kind.
Historically in Mexico, people who
were not of pure Spanish ancestry
experienced little protection from the law
or custom. No help or offer of aid was
given to those who were not in power.
The majority of the indigenous Indians or
those of mixed blood were victimized in
virtually all aspects of their lives. Their
ability to cope with the human need to
mitigate or lessen one’s feelings of being
vulnerable or powerless resulted in a
formal system of behavior patterns and
customs of “simpatico.”
In its Mexican context, “simpatico”
refers to a person who is sympathetic,
empathetic, understanding, pleasing,
friendly, well-behaved, and trustworthy.
The trait of “simpatico” was developed
by those being discriminated against as
a way to combat the opposite behavior
and attitude they experienced from
those in power.
The “simpatico” character is
especially noticeable to foreign
visitors, who are not always used to
experiencing such demonstrations
of thoughtfulness, caring and
hospitality. This is one of the reasons
why so many Americans, Canadians
and other foreign nationalities become
permanent residents in Mexico.
The qualities of simpatico are
demonstrated by the experience of
living with physical inconveniences
in Mexico, which can be more than
made up for by the laid-back, relaxed
atmosphere. There is a sense that you
don’t have to be busy every hour of the
day. You don’t have to fell guilty if you
don’t produce something every day.
Many believe that there is an
emotional and spiritual quality to life
in Mexico that is missing in most
American homes, even the homes of
Mexican Americans and other groups
who have maintained some of the
cultural ways of their ancestors.
“Respeto”
Another cultural value where
Mexican and Americans, Canadians,
or non-Latinos do no see eye to eye
they are talented, law-abiding, diligent,
productive and successful. Anglos can
base their respect for others on wellknown and recognized principles of
fairness and equality, often without
reference to the emotional side of life.
Mexicans respect people for their
age, their professional position, their
power, their social status and their level
of attention to personal relationships,
which can take precedence over all
other factors. One of the biggest
mistakes an American or Canadian can
make in their business relationships
with a Mexican is to presume that they
can win and keep the respect of their
Mexican counterparts by setting an
example of hard work and sacrifice
to their personal lives. To Mexicans,
Harriet Murray
this kind of behavior can be more than
foolish. It is highly detrimental to one’s
own character and personality to be so
focused on work, because it prevents
one from enjoying life and one’s family.
Because personal relationships are
based on factors that can change
with circumstances, Mexican-style
respect may appear to be arbitrary
and undependable to outsiders.
Developing and nurturing respect;
therefore, requires more of a
personal, emotional investment than
we may experience in other societies.
Mexicans have not shaped their
lives around mechanical, absolute
rules and limitations. Their world
was, and still is to a significant degree,
based on emotional needs first and
materials needs second. Mexicans tend
to look upon the American and Canadian
way of life as too robotic, too devoid of
emotion and spiritualism.
In recent real estate negotiations
between a buyer and seller from
different cultures, I experienced anew
the importance of understanding the
different ways we conduct business. To
successfully complete this transaction,
it was important to operate within two
cultures and methods of handling a
transfer of sale.
Information for this article has come
from my own experiences and the
writings of Boye Lafayette De Mente.
Can be contacted at: [email protected]
March 2015
ISSUE
334
Tech News Round-up…
Before I start this week, I need
to clarify the last item in last week’s
column. With the Apple event
announcing the Apple Watch and
other goodies wrapping up right
around the deadline time for my
article, all details were not clear yet
from San Francisco.
So before you go out and drop the
$10,000. US on that 18K gold Apple
Watch (ha-ha), let me clarify the
charging of all the Apple Watches.
They are not the true wireless
charging that we have been all been
hoping for and hearing about the past
years.
As I mentioned, the Apple watch
uses “magnetic charging”. It turns
out that this is done by a cable
connected to a power source and then
attaches to the back of the watch by a
magnet. You don’t have a connector
to plug “into” the Apple Watch as
you do with an iPhone or iPad, but
you still do need to mess daily with a
cable nonetheless.
So why has true wireless charging
not become the norm for our devices?
We’ve heard about this technology
for several years now, where your
device takes electricity from the air
via a plugged in transmitter. The
main problem is the industry agreeing
on standards. They’ve gotten it down
to 3 main methods and hopefully will
settle on an industry standard soon!
I see a day not too far off, that we
can go to the Liverpool store and
pick up a coffee table or nightstand
that has built-in wireless charging,
so you can just put you cell phone or
tablet on top of the furniture and it
charges it… truly wirelessly.
Now on another topic, rumors in
the tech world make life fun to say
the least. One rumor that has picked
up steam the past month is that of an
Apple hybrid car! The rumors run the
gamut from an electric hybrid car all
the way to a self-driving hybrid car!
The secret project (which only the
very top level Apple executives know
about) is under a “shell company”
called SixtyEight Research and
has offices just minutes away from
Apple’s headquarters. This shell
company has been apparently traced
back to Apple.
Now the car project is code named
“Titan” and is headed up by former
Ford executive Steve Zedesky.
Along with hundreds of other new
employees, all experts in automotive
hardware, it appears that a real Apple
car is being developed.
Some other notable recent hires by
Apple / SixtyEight Research include
Johann Junwirth (former President &
CEO of Mercedes Benz research &
development for North America), David
Nelson (hired away from Tesla Motorswhere he was a mechanical engineering
manager) and Lauren Ciminera (a Tesla
Motors lead recruiter).
One big component of any Hybrid
car is of course batteries. As far
back as June of 2014, Apple has
been poaching engineers from A123
Systems-according to a lawsuit filed
by A123. The lawsuit claims Apple
has poached over 60 employees
of high tech PhD and engineering
caliber away from A123, leaving
entire projects there shut down.
A123 was a pioneer in Lithium-ion
battery technology and its technology
is used in devices from computers to
airplanes, but A123 specializes in
big batteries that can be used in big
machines, (you guessed it) including
cars. A123 did file for bankruptcy
in 2012 and is currently selling off
assets, so for Apple to poach top
employees is easy pickings.
One interesting twist to the
whole Apple car rumor mill is
that Samsung (Apple’s arch rival)
recently announced its energy
division had bought the battery pack
division of Canadian auto supplier
March 2015
Hi-Tech
35
Magna International. Magna is a big
supplier of battery technology for
Tesla Motors as well. Sounds like
a pre-emptive strike by Samsung try
and slow down Apple in this new
category even if Samsung has no
plans to get into cars themselves.
Apple has just announced
partnerships as well with Ferrari,
Volvo and Mercedes Benz to include
the iOS (iPhone/iPad operating
system) in the car. This will allow
drivers and passengers to use Apple
Maps, watch movies, listen to music,
make phone calls and send messages,
using the vehicle’s in-dash display.
So will we be able to command a
car with Apple’s Siri to “drive me
home” or “take us to the nearest
movie theatre” in the near future?
I don’t know if people driving cars
are better or worse than computer
programs driving them, but the future
is coming, closer and closer.
That’s all my time for now. 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]
36
Gil Gevins’ Page
ISSUE
334
The first shot is free
By
B
Gil Gevins
ig burly Bob lumbered into the
shop and made a bear-line for the
exquisitely painted room divider
standing in the corner.
“That sure is a beauty, eh!” he
bellowed. “Sure is,” I agreed from
behind my desk.
“My name is Bob,” the bearded man
announced. “I’m from Beaver Lips,
Saskatchewan.”
“That’s an unusual name.”
“Maybe down here in Mexico,” Bob
huffed, “but where I come from, we
got all kinds of Bobs.”
“O-kay,” I said warily.
“I’m a pretty fair woodworker
myself,” Bob boasted. “I could make
a divider just like that. Except for the
finish. I never seen one like it. There
must be some kind of special technique.”
Smiling enigmatically, I said,
“There certainly is.”
“I’d sure be obliged,” Bob said, “if
you could tell me what it is. Then I
could make one just like it.”
“Bob, how should I put this? The
reason we buy all this beautiful stuff
is because, believe it or not, we want
to sell it.”
“I respect that,” Bob rumbled.
“Especially, since I’m a woodworker
myself.”
Deciding that the huge hairy man
was probably several beers short of a
six-pack, I said, “That’s nice, Bob.”
“Mind if I have a seat?” he asked.
“Be my guest,” I said, and Bob
settled, with little room to spare, into
the chair facing my desk.
“So, I guess there’s no way,” he said
with a slight snarl, “you can tell me
what the secret to getting that finish is.”
“Heck,” I said, “you seem like a
nice guy. Why not.”
“Thanks,” Bob growled gratefully.
“Okay, Bob, first thing is, you got to
make sure you have some sharp chisels.”
“I know about chisels,” Bob said. “I
told you, I’m a wood…”
“Oh yeah, I forgot. You’re an expert
chiseller.”
“It’s the secret of the finish I need,”
Bob reminded me.
“Okay, Bob,” I said, lowering my voice
to a conspiratorial whisper, “the secret
is, before painting the wood, you have to
soak it in pig urine for six months.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Bob. The entire
process is an old and closely guarded
secret, passed down from generation
to generation, starting with the
Mayans, continuing with the Aztecs,
and ending with the Mocha Javans.”
“Just any pig urine?”
“No, not just any pig urine, Bob,”
I said soberly. “It has to come from a
female cerdus a la barbacoaus, which
are only found in Mexico.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“I know how you feel, Bob. I didn’t
believe it either; not until I’d seen it and
smelled it with my own eyes and nostrils.”
“But how do they collect so much
liquid? They must need gallons of it.”
“A lot of artisans are also farmers, Bob.
And the particular artisan who makes our
furniture raises pigs on the side.”
“But still,” Bob persisted, “how
does he collect all…”
“He trains the female pigs (who are
more intelligent than dogs, but not
quite as bright as Republicans) to pee
into special troughs.”
“Yeah, I heard that pigs are awful
smart,” Bob agreed. “So how do I get
my hands on some of this stuff?”
“Well…” I was about to give Bob my
urologist’s phone number when Don
Arturo, an octogenarian I had known
for thirty years, walked in the door
toting a pair of unlabeled liter bottles.
The bottles were filled to the brim with
a dubious looking liquid, and capped
with home-made corncob corks.
Don Arturo has the largest pair
of ears you are ever likely to see on
a human being - old leathery ears
which protrude preposterously out
from beneath his badly battered straw
hat, like a pair of old baseball gloves.
With his hat, overalls and worn-out
huaraches, he looks every inch the
rural farmer, which in fact he is.
At one time Don Arturo made the
finest Raicilla in Vallarta, and I had
been his loyal customer. But over
the years, as his mental faculties
had faded, so had the quality of his
moonshine. It had in fact deteriorated
to the point where the excruciatingly
foul smell alone was enough to keep
even Liza Minnelli sober.
“What incredible luck!” I cried. “It’s
the man himself!”
“You mean?” Bob said, unable to
believe his good fortune.
“Yes, Mexico’s finest woodworker,
and it looks like he’s…”
At this point I switched to Spanish,
addressing Don Arturo, inquiring
after his health and that of his forty-
March 2015
six grandchildren. After assuring
me that every one of them (with the
exception of the youngest, a homicidal
bus driver) was just fine, the ancient
bootlegger proudly raised aloft (like
an actor who has just won a pair of
Oscars) the two bottles of Raicilla.
“The best I ever made,” he squeaked.
“You can have both liters for only
three-hundred pesos.”
“Bob,” I said, switching back to
English, “you have to be the luckiest
man alive. Don Arturo here is desperate
for cash and needs to sell two liters of
what he says is the best batch ever to
bless a razorback’s bladder.”
“Why the best?” Bob asked.
Good question.
“The sows were in heat,” I said.
“Gives it added potency.”
“How much does he want?”
“Are those new shoes?” I asked Don
Arturo in Spanish.
After looking down at his feet, he
said, yes they were. He’d only had
them for five years.
“Only five hundred pesos a bottle,”
I told Bob.
“That seems high,” Bob said, as if
he’d just looked up the price of pig
urine futures that morning on the
Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
“No problem, Bob. I’ve got a couple
of sofas that need refinishing, so I…”
“I didn’t say too high,” Bob growled.
“Can I check it out before I buy it?”
“Of course.” Snatching a liter from
Don Arturo, I pulled the cork and
handed the bottle to Bob, who took a
tentative sniff and nearly lost his lunch.
“That smells terrible!” he cried.
Don Arturo, eager for a sale, poured
some Raicilla into a plastic cup and
shoved it under Bob’s nose. “Drink up,”
the old man said, “the first shot’s free.”
Gil Gevins
Is the author of four hilarious books,
including the cult-classic, PUERTO
VALLARTA ON 49 BRAIN CELLS A DAY,
and his latest and greatest, SLIME AND
PUNISHMENT. Signed copies of all Gil’s
books are available at LUCY’S CUCU
CABAÑA, located at 295 Basilio Badillo;
or as E-Books on Amazon.
ISSUE
334
Therianthropy
By
Dr. Fabio Cupul
The
term therianthropy (from
the Greek theríon, meaning wild
animal or beast; and anthrōpos,
meaning human being) has been
used mainly by archeologists and
anthropologists to refer to images
painted or carved in rocks, as well
as ceramic or stone sculptures, that
combine human and animal shapes
known as hybrids.
Therianthropes are representations
of shamans in altered states of
consciousness. Such states are
achieved through hypnotic sleep
or trances, stimulated by dances or
psychoactive substances, and often
helped with masks and costumes
that allude to one animal in
particular. During those processes,
the shaman or wizard manages to
combine his body and spirit with
those of an animal.
It is believed that through such
fusion, shamans acquired the
powers of the animals to visit the
ancient world of spirits, a world
where it was no longer possible to
differentiate between people and
animals. In their cultural context,
therianthropes were linked to
a system of initiation rituals,
mythology and beliefs.
Among
the
most
famous representations of
therianthropes is the “Scene
of Wells”, a Paleolithic
painting (dated as 17,000 to
15,000 B.C.) in the cave at
Lascaux, France. There we
can see a man with the head
of a bird which is apparently
facing a wounded bison.
Below the therianthrope is a
bird on a branch. This image
might represent the voyage
of the soul, a metaphoric
expression referring to the
shamanic trance.
Therianthropes can also be
representations of benevolent or
evil deities from the other world in
this world. For example, one of the
most revered and popular gods in
the Hindu pantheon is Ganesha in
India. His body is human, with a
big belly, but his head is that of an
elephant with one broken tusk. He
is usually represented with a rat at
or under his feet. His name means
the “Lord of the hosts” or the “Lord
of the ganas” (assistants to the god
Shiva).
The elephant in the Ganesha
therianthrope
represents
the
physical and mental strength to
overcome ignorance, because
in real life, this mammal is able
to eliminate obstacles and open
pathways in the darkest jungles.
For its part, the rat –an animal
that lives underground- represents
ignorance.
There are also representations of
therianthropes in Cuban Santeria,
which have come down to us
through oral traditions. Among
its gods we find Olokun, half-man
and half-fish, although it is also
said that it is androgynous with
masculine as well as feminine
characteristics.
Olokun is the
masculine
representation
of
Yemaya, the universal queen,
mother of all creation. According
to Lydia Cabrera (1899-1991), an
excellent Cuban anthropologist
and author, Olokun was born in
the depths of the ocean. Among
its intentions was the destruction
of the earth, its people and animals
by huge waves. That is why the
god Obatalá (brought to life by
Olokun’s breath), creator of the
human species, keeps him chained
to the ocean’s bottom along with a
gigantic sea serpent.
Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD
23 – August 25, AD 79), better
known as Pliny the Elder, was a
Roman author, naturalist, natural
Solution to crossword on page 39
March 2015
Nature’s World
37
philosopher and historian. He told a
story about a strange therianthrope
that was half man, half goat, called
satyr (a sylvan deity in Greek
mythology fond of women and
Dionysian revelry).
Although
usually depicted as
a lascivious pervert
always on the lookout
for nymphs, those
female deities that live
in nature, it is also said
that satyrs only sought
them to dance with and
compose music. For
their libidinous attitude,
they were seen as
symbols of evil… Pliny
the Elder explained that
satyrs were easy to
catch when old or sick.
In his “Manual de
Zoologia
Fantastica”
(1957),
Argentinean
author
Jorge
Luis
Borges
(1899-1986),
in collaboration with Margarita
Guerrero, writes that among
Ethiopians there is an animal called
“manticora” with three rows of
teeth, the head and ears of a man
(often with horns), the body of a
lion, and the tail of a scorpion. Its
eyes are blue and it is a fast runner
that enjoys human flesh. Its voice
resembles the sound made by a
flute and trumpet.
Dr. Fabio Germán Cupul-Magaña
Coastal University Center (CUC) of
the University of Guadalajara
Email: [email protected]
Solution to Sudoku on page 39
38
Nature’s World
ISSUE
334
Planting Roots
in Mexico
By
Tommy Clarkson
The Rangoon Creeper
Quisqualis indica
Family: Vitaceae
Also known as Drunken
Sailor, Burma Creeper,
Indian Jessamine and
Chinese Honeysuckle
W
henever I say this vine’s
common name I can only think of
it as some vile and evil, fictional
nemesis created by Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle for Sherlock Holmes,
with the brilliant sleuth himself
observing to his faithful sidekick,
“Watson, I fear this looks to be the
dastardly work of none other than
the Rangoon Creeper!”
In all reality, its Latin name
“Quisqualis”, according to the
South Florida Plant Guide, means
“What is it?” and they assert that
it is an apt “description of what
your friends, family and passersby
will exclaim when the beauty of
this vine comes into its full glory
in summertime.” I certainly don’t
disagree!
The clustered, four to fiveinch (10 – 12.7 cm), star-shaped
blossoms of the Quisqualis indica
are unique indeed and initially
emerge white, then change colors to
pink and, ultimately, take on a deep
red hue, along with a delightfully
aromatic, sweet fragrance. While
most flowers fade in color with age,
the Rangoon Creeper’s blossoms
defy convention, having their full
array of colors present all at the
same time for a most delightful and
stunning display of yet another of
Nature’s wonders.
As to that heavenly scent, stand
downwind of them at nighttime
as that is when the blooms’
toasted coconut fragrance is most
wonderfully pungent.
Beyond the flowers, the foliage,
as well, is quite attractive consisting
of elongated, yellowish green to
bright, lance-shaped, leaves that
can form a dense lush greenery.
When planting your Rangoon
Creeper, keep in mind that it
requires room to grow and needs
strong support… as do we all! As
a result of its natural make-up - in
the right locales, its vines can reach
up to 70 feet (21.3 meters) - it is
ideal for an arbor, pergola, gazebo,
carport or patio lattice enclosure,
trained along the roof line of an
overhang or simply arched over
a driveway. With its cascading
blooms,
graceful
drooping
branches, and slightly sweet scent
of the blossoms, in such places as
these, it’s a natural – or as we have
effectively used ours, climbing up a
tall wrought iron fence next to our
entry.
When planting in a row covering
a fence, place the plants four to
five feet (1.2 – 1.5 meters) apart or
from the nearest shrub or tree. Low
growing plants can be situated close
to its base once it reaches enough
height for clearance and light.
A fast grower, the Rangoon
Creeper – which originated in the
India, Indo-malaysian and New
Guinea area - can thrive in full sun
to part shade and while losing some
leaves during the colder times, it
will return to its full glory in the
springtime. If properly draining,
it can handle in a variety of soil
conditions.
At Ola Brisa Gardens, ours
climbs up a tall wrought iron
fence next to our entry.
The Rangoon Creeper needs
room to grow …and strong
support.
The blossoms defy convention,
having their full array of colors
present all at the same time
March 2015
When first planting, add rich,
mulchy top soil around the rootball
and, of course, as we always do
here in Ola Brisa Gardens, add
estiércol de vaca (dry cow manure)
to enrich the soil around the plant’s
subsurface growth.
It likes to be watered on a
regular basis, but wait a bit of time
between waterings so as to allow
the soil to dry out. In concert
with this, fertilize twice a year
(spring and fall) with a top quality
granular fertilizer and keep in
mind supplemental feedings, if you
like, with bone meal and/or liquid
fertilizer.
This will encourage heavier
blooming. But avoid fertilizers
that are high in nitrogen as while
this will encourage foliage growth,
it will not nurture the flowering we
seek.
W. Arthur Whistler reports that
“Various parts of the plant are
used in herbal medicines in Asia,
especially the seeds, as a vermifuge
(expulsion of intestinal worms),
but the plant can be poisonous” …
so I encourage that you not employ
them in your salads!
Tommy Clarkson
In Manzanillo, visit Ola Brisa Gardens,
Tommy and Patty’s verdant, multiterraced tropical paradise nestled on
a hill overlooking the magnificent vista
of Santiago Bay. Leisurely meander its
curved, paved path, experiencing, first
hand, a delicious array of palms, plants
and flowers from all over the world.
Or, e-mail questions to him at
[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
ISSUE
334
Brain Teasers
Solution to Crossword
on Page 37
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 37
March 2015
39
ISSUE
334
March 2015

Issue 334 www.pvmcitypaper.com Saturday 21 to Friday 27 March

Transcription

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