For visitors to Puerto Vallarta who wish to do a good deed for the less privileged in our little paradise, this is a list of some of the many organizations that could benefit from such kind gestures.
Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C. (DIVAC) - Ivan Applegate is the president of this association of handicapped individuals dedicated to help one another lead productive lives. Contact Ivan Applegate at 225-5368 applecuriel@yahoo.com.mx.
Becas Vallarta, A.C. - provides scholarships for bright High School and University students of limited resources but high scholastic achievement. Donations may be made to Becas Vallarta or for tax deductibility in the United States to the America-Mexico Foundation, Inc. (AMF). We need more volunteers. Contacts: Mary 222-1478, Pat 221 5730, or Mercedes 225 6035. Website: www.puerto-vallarta.com/amf.”
Asociación Down - The Foundation for assistance to Persons with Down’s Syndrome dedicates its work to the rehabilitation of Down’s Syndrome Children for entrance into the regular school system. If you wish to make a donation or volunteer in any way, please contact Ana Catalina Eisenring at 224-9577. Email: down_pv@hotmail.com
Casa Hogar - An established orphanage near the airport run by Catholic nuns. Most of the kids have families who are unable to care for them. Contact Elisa Cornejo at 221-1908.
Clinica de Rehabilitacion Santa Barbara - This clinic for the rehabilitation of the handicapped is used by members of DIVAC not only for physical and psychological therapy but also for education and training to assist the handicapped lead full productive lives. Contact Laura Lopez Portillo Rodriguez at 224-2754.
Cruz Roja (Red Cross) - The Red Cross handles hospital and emergency service. It is the only facility that is authorized to offer assistance to injured people on the street, transport them to their facility or other ones indicated by the injured person injured. Needs are operating funds, equipment, fuel and maintenance for ambulances, supplies and volunteers. Contact: 222-1533, 222-4973
Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) - A municipal service, part of the Federal System of Family Services that assists not only in time of emergency but also with ongoing education, health and training programs for the whole family. Contact City Hall at 222-0058.
Make a Wish Foundation (MAW) - An organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. 100% of the funds are used for the wishes. Donations that are tax deductible in the U. S. and Mexico. Contact Bob Mandel at 221-6212, web: www.makeawishmexico.org
Eagle’s Wings Foundation - Focuses on providing financial support to organizations and services that benefit children. In the past, this group has assisted the Public Library and the DIF Scholarship Program. Contact: 224-4848.
International Friendship Club (IFC) - Funds many projects such as the Cleft Palate Surgery Program, classroom and school restroom construction, emergency assistance to those with limited resources and donations to the American-Mexican Foundation. Donations are tax deductible in the U. S. and Mexico. Contact Clubhouse at 222-5466, e-mail: ifc@pvmexico.com website: www.pvmexico.com/ifc.
Navy League - The Navy League offers its help in the transportation of donated supplies and equipment from the United States to Puerto Vallarta via the US Navy’s ‘Hand Clasp’ Program. In addition, crew members of American and Canadian Ships donate part of their shore leave to paint and do maintenance on schools, orphanages and rehabilitation centers in Puerto Vallarta. Contact Peter Gray at 221-5285 or Jerry Lafferty at 221-6156.
Organization Vallarta Contra el SIDA (OVCS) - OVCS is an organization dedicated to HIV/AIDS education, testing, prevention and assistance. Their latest program is directed at women of child bearing age who are encouraged to be tested in a free HIV testing program at the Clinic at 533 Hidalgo St.Contact Dr. Manuel Aldana at 224-1225, 222-2414 or Judy Mae at 224-1396.
Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza - Shelter for children 1 month to 14 yrs. old. Contact Madre Mari at 222-7857, Soledad Martinez at 224-4946 or Sudy Coy at 222-5765. Visiting hours: 11am-1pm & 4pm-6pm. www.refugioinfantil.com
Grupo Ecològico de Puerto Vallarta, A.C. - Programs for adoption of dogs and cats. Volunteers and animal handling equipment requested. Forms (in English and Spanish) for making an ecological complaint to the local authorities. Contact R.C. Walker at 222-0897,
e-mail: rc_walkermx@yahoo.com.mx
Un Mañana Brillante (A Brighter Tomorrow) is a partnership of Americans and Canadians to support Colegio Mexico-Americano, a pre-school and primary school in Puerto Vallarta. The school’s vision is to provide excellence in education at a very low tuition rates. Money is being raised for equipment, facilities, and scholarships. Contact: Margi Baughman. Email: mach1@prodigy.net.mx Or David Bender email: dbender@prodigy.net.mx
sábado, 16 de abril de 2011
Classified Ads
11658
AGENTS WANTED
Yes, we want you as our agent.
The longest established real estate company in Bucerias seeks to recruit ambitious, self-motivated, qualified sale agents. If you are willing to put in the time and effort we will support you in fulfilling your goals.
Tel. 329 298 1212 Send resume to: elena@move2mexico.com
11694
Property Management in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit.
• Rental Collection
• Legal Assistence
• Payment of Services
• Maintenance
• Cleaning
Contact: 322 22 6 25 50
daniela@airtouchmexico.com
AIRTOUCHReal Estate
TANGO ARGENTINO
! THE DANCE OF THE HEART !
CLASSES EVERY
MONDAY 8-10 PM
Tango practice/party
every Wednesday 8-10pm
J&B Dancing Club, 2043
Fco. Medina Ascencio
Al & Barbara Garvey 222-8895
alybarbara@yahoo.com
One bedroom, one bath condo in 6 plex in Bucerias. Canadian owned. 2nd floor w/balcony. A/C 5 min. walk to beach. $150,00000 USD Ricardo (329) 298-1235
11694
Casa Oly, located in Las Gaviotas, 3 bedrooms + studio, 3.5 bathrooms, beautiful garden, parking for 4 cars, land: 639 sq mts, $433,000 USD. Phone 22 6 25 50
11694
Condominium Raul, located in Marbella on the main avenue of Puerto Vallarta , 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, A/C, common swimming pool, security, $110,000 USD. phone 2262552
11694
Condominium Shangrila located in marina vallarta , ocean view, fully furnished, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, jacuzzi, swimming pool, gym, security, tennis court, $850,000 USD. Phone 2262552 Rental Price $3,500 usd per month.
11694
Casa Serafines located in Rincón del Cielo, furnished, 2 bedrooms + studio, 3 bathrooms, equipped kitchen, Laundry room , A/C, Swimming pool, Security, $1,300,000 pesos. Pone 2262552
11640
Beautiful Studio for rent in Amapas
Ocean View, terrace, furnished, A/C, kitchen, washer/dryer, cable , internet Walking distance to beach, 5 min from town.
$7,800.00 pesos per month, contact Eduardo Cel. (045) 5518328344
11611
BEAUTIFUL SPACIOUS NEWLY DECORATED 2 bedroom 1 bath apartments with all amenities. All with gorgeous Ocean View or Mountain views Penthouse 2 bedroom 2 bath upon availability. Long and short term.
From $6,500 pesos monthly sorrentovallartapv@hotmail.com
11694
Casa Alicia located in Fraccionamiento Delfines, Partially furnished, 2 car parking, balcony, rear garden, indoor laundry area, storage, air conditioner in one bedroom and ground level, 3 bedrooms, kitchen with refrigerator, $8000 pesos per month.
Phone 22 625 50
AGENTS WANTED
Yes, we want you as our agent.
The longest established real estate company in Bucerias seeks to recruit ambitious, self-motivated, qualified sale agents. If you are willing to put in the time and effort we will support you in fulfilling your goals.
Tel. 329 298 1212 Send resume to: elena@move2mexico.com
11694
Property Management in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit.
• Rental Collection
• Legal Assistence
• Payment of Services
• Maintenance
• Cleaning
Contact: 322 22 6 25 50
daniela@airtouchmexico.com
AIRTOUCHReal Estate
TANGO ARGENTINO
! THE DANCE OF THE HEART !
CLASSES EVERY
MONDAY 8-10 PM
Tango practice/party
every Wednesday 8-10pm
J&B Dancing Club, 2043
Fco. Medina Ascencio
Al & Barbara Garvey 222-8895
alybarbara@yahoo.com
One bedroom, one bath condo in 6 plex in Bucerias. Canadian owned. 2nd floor w/balcony. A/C 5 min. walk to beach. $150,00000 USD Ricardo (329) 298-1235
11694
Casa Oly, located in Las Gaviotas, 3 bedrooms + studio, 3.5 bathrooms, beautiful garden, parking for 4 cars, land: 639 sq mts, $433,000 USD. Phone 22 6 25 50
11694
Condominium Raul, located in Marbella on the main avenue of Puerto Vallarta , 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, A/C, common swimming pool, security, $110,000 USD. phone 2262552
11694
Condominium Shangrila located in marina vallarta , ocean view, fully furnished, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, jacuzzi, swimming pool, gym, security, tennis court, $850,000 USD. Phone 2262552 Rental Price $3,500 usd per month.
11694
Casa Serafines located in Rincón del Cielo, furnished, 2 bedrooms + studio, 3 bathrooms, equipped kitchen, Laundry room , A/C, Swimming pool, Security, $1,300,000 pesos. Pone 2262552
11640
Beautiful Studio for rent in Amapas
Ocean View, terrace, furnished, A/C, kitchen, washer/dryer, cable , internet Walking distance to beach, 5 min from town.
$7,800.00 pesos per month, contact Eduardo Cel. (045) 5518328344
11611
BEAUTIFUL SPACIOUS NEWLY DECORATED 2 bedroom 1 bath apartments with all amenities. All with gorgeous Ocean View or Mountain views Penthouse 2 bedroom 2 bath upon availability. Long and short term.
From $6,500 pesos monthly sorrentovallartapv@hotmail.com
11694
Casa Alicia located in Fraccionamiento Delfines, Partially furnished, 2 car parking, balcony, rear garden, indoor laundry area, storage, air conditioner in one bedroom and ground level, 3 bedrooms, kitchen with refrigerator, $8000 pesos per month.
Phone 22 625 50
Ask a Realtor...
Q: I have been searching for a place here for a few years. I just found a great option; it has an ocean view, a big kitchen (I love to cook), nice terrace, elevator, second bedroom and allows pets! I would really like to buy it now, but my friend thinks I should wait for the price to go down. What should I do? Kim J. Toronto
A: Great question! After giving this careful consideration, I have come up with a magic formula that will tell you the exact time to buy, right down to the day!
There are clearly some good buying opportunities right now. Last year’s global economic crisis, large inventory of available properties, and security concerns, brought fear and uncertainty in the marketplace. Nobody wanted to be the one who “overpaid” for their home in paradise. My experience is that sale prices here in general have fallen approximately 25 percent.
We are seeing a lot of buyers return to the market, and Canadian buyers are out in force based on the strength of their Dollar.
February and March were very busy months. Fortunately, many sellers are still willing to negotiate in order to make a sale.
There are some factors unique to our area that has helped stabilize prices:
1. The vast majority of sellers do not have a mortgage on their property. Hence, they are not under tremendous pressure to make a mortgage payment. Many owners are retirees, already have their “nest egg” and are not concerned about an imminent job loss.
2. In the last couple of years mortgages have become readily available for new buyers. This increases their buying power and greatly increases the amount of potential home buyers.
3. The “baby boomer” generation is reaching retirement age and even with this current economic downturn, is the wealthiest generation ever.
4. Our area is still seen as an inexpensive haven in comparison to many other world class vacation and retirement destinations.
So that may be a bit of bad news for you now, but it will be good news when you are ready to sell. From your letter, it looks like you have several important criteria that you are looking for in your property.
If you were willing to settle for just any generic condominium, you could probably wait to see what happens, as I do not expect the market to turn around overnight.
However, if the property you are looking for must have several unique features, you should give serious consideration to purchasing if you find just what you are looking for.
I can tell you from experience that, there are active buyers looking in the market right now, (we had a multiple offer scenario last month) and your “dream home” could certainly be purchased by someone else.
Well, enough of this.
Let’s get down to the reason you have read this far, the “magic formula”. It is really quite simple; the exact day you should buy your dream home down here is: the day you decide to quit worrying about what everybody else thinks, (myself included) and invest here with a time horizon of at least the next 5 years!
Anything else will just lead to “analysis paralysis” and frankly, you are just better off renting.
The time to buy is when YOU decide the time is right.
So make your decision, and when the time is right, go out there and make the best deal you possibly can, quit stressing out about it, and enjoy your new home in the sun!
Do you have a question about Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta?
Just ask!
Active in local and national Real Estate boards; published author and acknowledged expert on Puerto Vallarta Real Estate, Michael Green moved here in 1997 to take advantage of the unsurpassed lifestyle PV offers. Mike can be reached at: pvgetaways@hotmail.com
A: Great question! After giving this careful consideration, I have come up with a magic formula that will tell you the exact time to buy, right down to the day!
There are clearly some good buying opportunities right now. Last year’s global economic crisis, large inventory of available properties, and security concerns, brought fear and uncertainty in the marketplace. Nobody wanted to be the one who “overpaid” for their home in paradise. My experience is that sale prices here in general have fallen approximately 25 percent.
We are seeing a lot of buyers return to the market, and Canadian buyers are out in force based on the strength of their Dollar.
February and March were very busy months. Fortunately, many sellers are still willing to negotiate in order to make a sale.
There are some factors unique to our area that has helped stabilize prices:
1. The vast majority of sellers do not have a mortgage on their property. Hence, they are not under tremendous pressure to make a mortgage payment. Many owners are retirees, already have their “nest egg” and are not concerned about an imminent job loss.
2. In the last couple of years mortgages have become readily available for new buyers. This increases their buying power and greatly increases the amount of potential home buyers.
3. The “baby boomer” generation is reaching retirement age and even with this current economic downturn, is the wealthiest generation ever.
4. Our area is still seen as an inexpensive haven in comparison to many other world class vacation and retirement destinations.
So that may be a bit of bad news for you now, but it will be good news when you are ready to sell. From your letter, it looks like you have several important criteria that you are looking for in your property.
If you were willing to settle for just any generic condominium, you could probably wait to see what happens, as I do not expect the market to turn around overnight.
However, if the property you are looking for must have several unique features, you should give serious consideration to purchasing if you find just what you are looking for.
I can tell you from experience that, there are active buyers looking in the market right now, (we had a multiple offer scenario last month) and your “dream home” could certainly be purchased by someone else.
Well, enough of this.
Let’s get down to the reason you have read this far, the “magic formula”. It is really quite simple; the exact day you should buy your dream home down here is: the day you decide to quit worrying about what everybody else thinks, (myself included) and invest here with a time horizon of at least the next 5 years!
Anything else will just lead to “analysis paralysis” and frankly, you are just better off renting.
The time to buy is when YOU decide the time is right.
So make your decision, and when the time is right, go out there and make the best deal you possibly can, quit stressing out about it, and enjoy your new home in the sun!
Do you have a question about Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta?
Just ask!
Active in local and national Real Estate boards; published author and acknowledged expert on Puerto Vallarta Real Estate, Michael Green moved here in 1997 to take advantage of the unsurpassed lifestyle PV offers. Mike can be reached at: pvgetaways@hotmail.com
Ask the Mortage Experts...
With mortgages becoming more of the norm in Mexico and with ever-increasing loan options, The Tribune is helping sort through the confusion by having your personal Financing/Mortgage questions answered by our local experts – David Schwendeman and Terence Reilly, Founder’s of MEXLend, an industry-leading Mortgage Broker based in Vallarta. We invite you to e-mail your questions regarding buying or financing Real Estate in Mexico to buyinginmexico@hotmail.com.
Q: What is a Good Faith Estimate and what should be included? Patty M, Los Angeles, CA
A: All reputable mortgage brokers should be willing to give their clients a Good Faith Estimate or GFE outlining the costs associated with financing a real estate transaction. In the US, Truth In Lending Laws mandate a GFE be presented to and signed by a borrower seeking financing. Most banks lending in Mexico also require their approved brokers to follow these guidelines and supply clients with GFE’s.
Good Faith Estimates on cross border loans should provide an itemized list of all expenses pertinent to BOTH the Real Estate PURCHASE and THE LOAN. This is important to emphasize because closing costs, in general, are higher in Mexico than what most borrowers are accustomed to in the US and Canada. Historically, local custom has dictated the majority of the closing costs fall on the buyer. The consolation being that when and if you sell your property you then pass these costs on to your buyer.
If your Realtor or Developer gives you an estimate of costs prior to your getting loan approval – your Mortgage Broker’s estimate will reflect those costs PLUS the additional costs associated with obtaining a loan.
Costs for the property side of the transaction will include the cost of the Notario, the cost of obtaining an SRE permit, property transfer and acquisition taxes, trust application fees, first year trust fees, tax appraisal fees and all registration fees. These fees are largely non-negotiable (read: fixed) and formulas for determining their totals are issued on a Mexican federal and state level. They can vary widely between the Mexican States. For example, closing costs in Nayarit, Vallarta’s neighbor to the north, are different than closing costs here in Jalisco. Costs included in the Good Faith Estimate associated with the loan will be broker fees, bank fees, processing fees, commercial valuation fees, appraisal fees, interim interest, title insurance - if applicable and insurance premiums. These will vary from broker to broker and from bank to bank.
What many borrowers do not realize is that there are currently as many as 15 different Banks Lending in Mexico and more entering the market as I write this column. Some are Mexican entities and others are based in either the US or Canada acting in partnership with Mexican Banks.
Each of these Lenders has distinctly different loan programs and fees can vary considerably.
However, generally speaking, banks with higher closing costs typically offer lower interest rates and those with lower closing costs offer higher interest rates. In addition, borrowers with excellent credit and easily documented income will usually see better terms over all - than those who don’t, won’t. These aspects of the Mortgage Industry in Mexico closely mirror those of the US or Canada.
Most importantly, remember that a GFE is an ESTIMATE given in good faith. Your mortgage broker should come within a reasonable margin of the actual, final costs. However, it is not an exact science and there are unforeseen variables which can change the numbers as you approach your closing; such as currency fluctuations, changes in tax laws which occur PRIOR to funding but AFTER loan approval and depending on the final, appraised value of the property. MEXLend, Inc. is a Mexican mortgage brokerage that currently represents 8 different lenders offering 75 different loan options in Dollars, Pesos and Euros for buyers looking to purchase vacation or investment property throughout Mexico – including products specifically for Canadian citizens. In announced results based upon post-closing client interviews conducted by Mexico’s largest US lender, MEXLend won the #1 mark of distinction for both client satisfaction and fastest closings for the second straight cycle. MEXLend can be reached at 322-132-7991 (in Vallarta), 917-779-9061 (while in the US or Canada), toll–free in Mexico by calling 1-800-3-Mi-Casa or go online at www.mexlend.com (For US and Euro loans) or www.mexlend.com.mx for Peso loans.
Q: What is a Good Faith Estimate and what should be included? Patty M, Los Angeles, CA
A: All reputable mortgage brokers should be willing to give their clients a Good Faith Estimate or GFE outlining the costs associated with financing a real estate transaction. In the US, Truth In Lending Laws mandate a GFE be presented to and signed by a borrower seeking financing. Most banks lending in Mexico also require their approved brokers to follow these guidelines and supply clients with GFE’s.
Good Faith Estimates on cross border loans should provide an itemized list of all expenses pertinent to BOTH the Real Estate PURCHASE and THE LOAN. This is important to emphasize because closing costs, in general, are higher in Mexico than what most borrowers are accustomed to in the US and Canada. Historically, local custom has dictated the majority of the closing costs fall on the buyer. The consolation being that when and if you sell your property you then pass these costs on to your buyer.
If your Realtor or Developer gives you an estimate of costs prior to your getting loan approval – your Mortgage Broker’s estimate will reflect those costs PLUS the additional costs associated with obtaining a loan.
Costs for the property side of the transaction will include the cost of the Notario, the cost of obtaining an SRE permit, property transfer and acquisition taxes, trust application fees, first year trust fees, tax appraisal fees and all registration fees. These fees are largely non-negotiable (read: fixed) and formulas for determining their totals are issued on a Mexican federal and state level. They can vary widely between the Mexican States. For example, closing costs in Nayarit, Vallarta’s neighbor to the north, are different than closing costs here in Jalisco. Costs included in the Good Faith Estimate associated with the loan will be broker fees, bank fees, processing fees, commercial valuation fees, appraisal fees, interim interest, title insurance - if applicable and insurance premiums. These will vary from broker to broker and from bank to bank.
What many borrowers do not realize is that there are currently as many as 15 different Banks Lending in Mexico and more entering the market as I write this column. Some are Mexican entities and others are based in either the US or Canada acting in partnership with Mexican Banks.
Each of these Lenders has distinctly different loan programs and fees can vary considerably.
However, generally speaking, banks with higher closing costs typically offer lower interest rates and those with lower closing costs offer higher interest rates. In addition, borrowers with excellent credit and easily documented income will usually see better terms over all - than those who don’t, won’t. These aspects of the Mortgage Industry in Mexico closely mirror those of the US or Canada.
Most importantly, remember that a GFE is an ESTIMATE given in good faith. Your mortgage broker should come within a reasonable margin of the actual, final costs. However, it is not an exact science and there are unforeseen variables which can change the numbers as you approach your closing; such as currency fluctuations, changes in tax laws which occur PRIOR to funding but AFTER loan approval and depending on the final, appraised value of the property. MEXLend, Inc. is a Mexican mortgage brokerage that currently represents 8 different lenders offering 75 different loan options in Dollars, Pesos and Euros for buyers looking to purchase vacation or investment property throughout Mexico – including products specifically for Canadian citizens. In announced results based upon post-closing client interviews conducted by Mexico’s largest US lender, MEXLend won the #1 mark of distinction for both client satisfaction and fastest closings for the second straight cycle. MEXLend can be reached at 322-132-7991 (in Vallarta), 917-779-9061 (while in the US or Canada), toll–free in Mexico by calling 1-800-3-Mi-Casa or go online at www.mexlend.com (For US and Euro loans) or www.mexlend.com.mx for Peso loans.
Facts about the Pharmaceutical Industry
by Krystal Frost
I found this on the internet and have strong feelings about this whole situation around the pharmaceutical industry and how it has affected world wide health care systems. Take a look at some recently published facts… Big drug companies have been accused of putting profits above patients, spinning false PR campaigns and more. Here are some of the most shocking facts about the pharmaceutical industry. The price of drugs is increasing faster than anything else a patient pays for: The prices of the most heavily prescribed drugs are routinely jacked up, sometimes several times a year. Some medications have a mark-up of 1,000 percent over the cost of their ingredients. Your doctor may have an ulterior motive behind your prescription: Drug reps often give gifts to convince doctors to prescribe the medications that they represent. These drug reps usually have no medical or science education.
Pharmaceutical companies spend more on marketing than research: Almost twice as much!
Guilty of Medicare fraud: Pharmaceutical companies are being tried in federal courts as a result of their exploitation of Medicare. AstraZeneca had to pay more than $340 million in penalties for coaching doctors to cheat Medicare.
The combined wealth of the top 5 pharmaceutical companies outweighs GNP of sub-Saharan Africa: In fact, the combined worth of the world’s top five drug companies is twice the combined GNP of that entire region.
Americans pay more for prescription meds than anyone else in the world: $200 billion in 2002 alone. That’s why our friends and families load up on prescriptions drugs when in Mexico. I paid 70% less for my moms skin cream here in P.V.
“New” Drugs aren’t really new: Two-thirds of “new” prescription drugs are identical to existing drugs or modified versions of them.
Drug companies are taking advantage of underdeveloped countries to perform clinical trials: In developing countries, government oversight is more lax. Another shocking fact that few consider is that virtually every major pharmaceutical company has a corresponding branch that creates the toxins and poisons that contribute to the chronic diseases their drugs and medical devices treat. So these huge transnational companies profit not only from the sale of products such as pesticides, herbicides and GM crops, but also from the symptoms and chronic illnesses that they can trigger.
The vast majority of chemicals found in pesticides and other products undergo little or no testing for chronic, low level exposures and for chronic health effects, effectively creating a circle of destruction and double profits. Scary stuff… The drug companies are incredibly powerful, and overcoming their influence over your life will take a mammoth effort-
Having said that..
There are concrete steps you can take to combat the drug companies’ self-interest, save yourself loads of money, and improve your health so you can avoid unnecessary drugs in the first place.
Take charge of your own health now instead of handing it over to the drug companies.
How do you do that?
You can start by using the Internet to locate non-drug alternatives to your health challenges. Many start with my site as it has more than 150,000 pages to help you understand more about how you can improve your health without drugs or surgery, through simple lifestyle modifications.
These are the basic steps to maintain optimal health that have always remained permanent truths, regardless of what marvels modern science come up with next:
1. Eat a healthy diet that’s right for you(paying very careful attention to keeping your insulin levels down)
2. Drink plenty of clean water
3. Manage your stress
4. Exercise
5. Get plenty of appropriate sun exposure
6. Limit toxin exposure consume organic veggies and hormone free meats
7. Consume healthy fat
8. Eat plenty of raw food
9. Optimize insulin and leptin levels
10. Get plenty of sleep
11. Don’t keep up on the news. Ignorance is bliss
I found this on the internet and have strong feelings about this whole situation around the pharmaceutical industry and how it has affected world wide health care systems. Take a look at some recently published facts… Big drug companies have been accused of putting profits above patients, spinning false PR campaigns and more. Here are some of the most shocking facts about the pharmaceutical industry. The price of drugs is increasing faster than anything else a patient pays for: The prices of the most heavily prescribed drugs are routinely jacked up, sometimes several times a year. Some medications have a mark-up of 1,000 percent over the cost of their ingredients. Your doctor may have an ulterior motive behind your prescription: Drug reps often give gifts to convince doctors to prescribe the medications that they represent. These drug reps usually have no medical or science education.
Pharmaceutical companies spend more on marketing than research: Almost twice as much!
Guilty of Medicare fraud: Pharmaceutical companies are being tried in federal courts as a result of their exploitation of Medicare. AstraZeneca had to pay more than $340 million in penalties for coaching doctors to cheat Medicare.
The combined wealth of the top 5 pharmaceutical companies outweighs GNP of sub-Saharan Africa: In fact, the combined worth of the world’s top five drug companies is twice the combined GNP of that entire region.
Americans pay more for prescription meds than anyone else in the world: $200 billion in 2002 alone. That’s why our friends and families load up on prescriptions drugs when in Mexico. I paid 70% less for my moms skin cream here in P.V.
“New” Drugs aren’t really new: Two-thirds of “new” prescription drugs are identical to existing drugs or modified versions of them.
Drug companies are taking advantage of underdeveloped countries to perform clinical trials: In developing countries, government oversight is more lax. Another shocking fact that few consider is that virtually every major pharmaceutical company has a corresponding branch that creates the toxins and poisons that contribute to the chronic diseases their drugs and medical devices treat. So these huge transnational companies profit not only from the sale of products such as pesticides, herbicides and GM crops, but also from the symptoms and chronic illnesses that they can trigger.
The vast majority of chemicals found in pesticides and other products undergo little or no testing for chronic, low level exposures and for chronic health effects, effectively creating a circle of destruction and double profits. Scary stuff… The drug companies are incredibly powerful, and overcoming their influence over your life will take a mammoth effort-
Having said that..
There are concrete steps you can take to combat the drug companies’ self-interest, save yourself loads of money, and improve your health so you can avoid unnecessary drugs in the first place.
Take charge of your own health now instead of handing it over to the drug companies.
How do you do that?
You can start by using the Internet to locate non-drug alternatives to your health challenges. Many start with my site as it has more than 150,000 pages to help you understand more about how you can improve your health without drugs or surgery, through simple lifestyle modifications.
These are the basic steps to maintain optimal health that have always remained permanent truths, regardless of what marvels modern science come up with next:
1. Eat a healthy diet that’s right for you(paying very careful attention to keeping your insulin levels down)
2. Drink plenty of clean water
3. Manage your stress
4. Exercise
5. Get plenty of appropriate sun exposure
6. Limit toxin exposure consume organic veggies and hormone free meats
7. Consume healthy fat
8. Eat plenty of raw food
9. Optimize insulin and leptin levels
10. Get plenty of sleep
11. Don’t keep up on the news. Ignorance is bliss
HOT Salsa Dancing for Fitness
Has your fitness routine become boring and predictable? How about trying something different than the conventional aerobic exercises such as running or step classes and taking up something fun and social like salsa dancing. The cool thing is you sweat as much doing salsa as you would climbing a stair climber, but you get to wear something sexier than sneakers to participate in it.
As a woman, I get excited about getting all dolled up and wearing high heels to go salsa dancing. It’s part of the art, part of the ambience, part of the excitement.
Men generally take a bit more effort to look debonair as well. Who doesn’t want to go out and look and feel sexy? Most of us do and who knew that it also counts as a great workout even if it involves a possible mojito and rhythmic, sensual, upbeat music with lots of friends.
Salsa music first appeared in New York City in the 60’s as a rhythmic fusion of Cuban Son with Guaracha, Montuno and Guaguanc. It also has a strong American jazz influence and Plena and Bomba from Puerto Rico creating a unique urban sound that just penetrates through your veins and makes you want to move and shake it. Oh yeah! I always look forward to my salsa workouts.
Salsa’s popularity began to heat up in the early 70’s in Latin neighborhoods and soon spread into New York’s ballrooms and dance halls. Although it’s become standardized for dancers who wish to enter professional competitions, most people dance to it in a spontaneous and highly energetic way true to its original form. The lively and variant musical style allows for alternating very slow and very furious dance movements.
The sudden bursts of frenzied dancing can help to improve the anaerobic fitness essential to other sports such as basketball, sprinting and swimming. I find that I’m able to engage in other activities with ease due to the aerobic and agility gains that I’ve made from salsa dancing, stretching and some light strength training. Elasticity from dancing will help your overall range of motion, power and coordination.
Salsa dancing merges aerobic and anaerobic training, working your leg strength and endurance. Dancing in general is a great way to build the perfect body shape- well; I can aspire to it, right? The continual movements and use of your whole body build up aerobic endurance while steadily burning calories over the course of the evening. This helps to strengthen and tone your legs at the same time you are shedding pounds—salsa is fantastic for this. And although I may not have the perfect body, my legs often receive great compliments.
According to experts, dancing salsa can burn up to 10 calories a minute, without the potential cause of injury and jarring of the knees that high impact exercises such as running can cause. You can learn salsa with or without a partner, at home or in a dance studio or club and integrate it into your fitness program. As you learn and engage in more salsa activity to get fit, you’ll not only look and feel great, you’ll end up having a blast and forming a whole new facet to your social life. Life is too short to waste on boring, traditional aerobics and group classes. Ladies, put some sexy heels on and learn how to dance HOT salsa to look and feel great!
As a woman, I get excited about getting all dolled up and wearing high heels to go salsa dancing. It’s part of the art, part of the ambience, part of the excitement.
Men generally take a bit more effort to look debonair as well. Who doesn’t want to go out and look and feel sexy? Most of us do and who knew that it also counts as a great workout even if it involves a possible mojito and rhythmic, sensual, upbeat music with lots of friends.
Salsa music first appeared in New York City in the 60’s as a rhythmic fusion of Cuban Son with Guaracha, Montuno and Guaguanc. It also has a strong American jazz influence and Plena and Bomba from Puerto Rico creating a unique urban sound that just penetrates through your veins and makes you want to move and shake it. Oh yeah! I always look forward to my salsa workouts.
Salsa’s popularity began to heat up in the early 70’s in Latin neighborhoods and soon spread into New York’s ballrooms and dance halls. Although it’s become standardized for dancers who wish to enter professional competitions, most people dance to it in a spontaneous and highly energetic way true to its original form. The lively and variant musical style allows for alternating very slow and very furious dance movements.
The sudden bursts of frenzied dancing can help to improve the anaerobic fitness essential to other sports such as basketball, sprinting and swimming. I find that I’m able to engage in other activities with ease due to the aerobic and agility gains that I’ve made from salsa dancing, stretching and some light strength training. Elasticity from dancing will help your overall range of motion, power and coordination.
Salsa dancing merges aerobic and anaerobic training, working your leg strength and endurance. Dancing in general is a great way to build the perfect body shape- well; I can aspire to it, right? The continual movements and use of your whole body build up aerobic endurance while steadily burning calories over the course of the evening. This helps to strengthen and tone your legs at the same time you are shedding pounds—salsa is fantastic for this. And although I may not have the perfect body, my legs often receive great compliments.
According to experts, dancing salsa can burn up to 10 calories a minute, without the potential cause of injury and jarring of the knees that high impact exercises such as running can cause. You can learn salsa with or without a partner, at home or in a dance studio or club and integrate it into your fitness program. As you learn and engage in more salsa activity to get fit, you’ll not only look and feel great, you’ll end up having a blast and forming a whole new facet to your social life. Life is too short to waste on boring, traditional aerobics and group classes. Ladies, put some sexy heels on and learn how to dance HOT salsa to look and feel great!
“PV Loves Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Fun-Filled Days”
It is day three of your vacation and your family has exhausted the resort’s activities. The sun has given them a tan, their fingertips look like raisins, the menu has been memorized, and you are tempted to add a second vacation to recover from this one.
Need some creative ways to continue the fun and dare I say, make it educational and enriching?
Just climb aboard a bus headed in any direction and you will find a city that wants to share its rich culture, history and traditions with you. Below are some fun-filled ways to get involved.
Art & Entertainment
PV has it all from city tours to Mexican fiestas, from pirate ships to art walks. While you’re enjoying these, talk with your child about the sights and sounds he experiences.
Suggestions
• Buy a sketch book and art supplies from a local vendor, Wal-Mart or Office Depot. Ask your child if she can duplicate the certain things on your tour.
• Keep a daily journal of your travels or a Family Blog. Reward those who are faithful with entries.
• Find out about the Huichol culture and purchase an art piece to take home.
• Join the community by dancing in the Presidencia Square on Sunday evenings at 7 pm.
• Read about the Maya civilization (Vallarta Tribune, March 20-26, 2011, Issue 728).
• Learn Spanish or take a Mexican cooking class (www.mymexicankitchen.com).
• Plan a Photographic Scavenger Hunt using this starter list:
Mexican Flag
Iguana
Number written in Spanish
Musician
Someone bicycling
Soccer ball
Banderas Bay map
Whale
New friends
Sierra Madre Mountain Range
Community Involvement
Kids love kids and making friends here is very easy.
Suggestions
• Invite new friends to share a meal.
• Volunteer or donate supplies for local charities such as P.E.A.C.E. (www.peacemexico.org) and Families of Esperanza (www.familiesatthedump.org).
• Help a child with homework and reading (www.puertovallartaorphanage.org).
• Take photographs and write about your experiences on your family blog.
• Start a discussion about thankfulness and how you can get involved in your community.
• Read children’s books in Spanish and English at the local library (Biblioteca Los Mangos near Costco).
Nature and Animals
Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) everyday by helping us to take care of our environment. Look for ways to recycle, reuse and dispose of trash responsibly.
Suggestions
• Make a photographic journal as you hike, fish or horseback ride.
• Visit the Botanical Gardens (12 miles south of PV on Hwy. 200).
• Have a “Trash Contest” by seeing who can pick up the most items.
• Purchase souvenirs that have been made from recycled products.
• Walk or ride a bike to your destination.
• Limit the amount of water you use and turn off lights.
• Take pictures of the unique plants and wildlife.
• Join the “Adopt an Animal” program at the Vallarta Zoo (zoologicodevallarta.com).
• Volunteer or donate to groups such as Grupo Ecologico de Puerto Vallarta A.C.
• Help a community group clean the beach or assist animals (www.peacemexico.org).
• Count how many constellations you can see on a clear night.
Bay of Banderas
The water-related activities here are vast. Take time to go boating, kayaking, parasailing, scuba diving or snorkeling. While you’re at it, sneak in some fun facts.
Trivia
• What does “Bahia de Banderas” mean? (Bay of Flags)
• What is the largest ray in the bay that is harmless to people? (Giant Manta Ray)
• What ray has a whip-like tail and a poisonous spine? (Spotted Eagle Ray and don’t worry, it likes to dine on crustaceans and mollusks at the bottom of the ocean.)
• What creature has 6 arms, 2 legs and can grow up to 3 feet (.91 m) long? (Octopus)
• What type of dolphins visit our bay? (Bottlenose)
• What months can you see the dolphins? (April-December)
• Which whales come here to give birth and nurse their calves? (Humpback Whales)
• When can you see the whales here? (December-March)
• What creature has a sharp hook on the tip of its beak? (Hawksbill Turtle)
(Information taken from www.marinamismaloya.com.)
Sporty/Adventure
It’s true; we have our fair share of Canopy tours, ATVs, and jungle adventures that expose you to another side of Mexico. While you’re out for the day, try some of these ideas.
Suggestions
• Take a picture of your family with new friends.
• Make photo journal of unique birds and insects.
• Go for a swim in the fresh mountain water pools.
Enjoy this time with your family learning about the Mexican people and customs. The impression will last a lifetime and who knows, you may have enough material for the next “What I Did on My Mexican Vacation” school report.
Need some creative ways to continue the fun and dare I say, make it educational and enriching?
Just climb aboard a bus headed in any direction and you will find a city that wants to share its rich culture, history and traditions with you. Below are some fun-filled ways to get involved.
Art & Entertainment
PV has it all from city tours to Mexican fiestas, from pirate ships to art walks. While you’re enjoying these, talk with your child about the sights and sounds he experiences.
Suggestions
• Buy a sketch book and art supplies from a local vendor, Wal-Mart or Office Depot. Ask your child if she can duplicate the certain things on your tour.
• Keep a daily journal of your travels or a Family Blog. Reward those who are faithful with entries.
• Find out about the Huichol culture and purchase an art piece to take home.
• Join the community by dancing in the Presidencia Square on Sunday evenings at 7 pm.
• Read about the Maya civilization (Vallarta Tribune, March 20-26, 2011, Issue 728).
• Learn Spanish or take a Mexican cooking class (www.mymexicankitchen.com).
• Plan a Photographic Scavenger Hunt using this starter list:
Mexican Flag
Iguana
Number written in Spanish
Musician
Someone bicycling
Soccer ball
Banderas Bay map
Whale
New friends
Sierra Madre Mountain Range
Community Involvement
Kids love kids and making friends here is very easy.
Suggestions
• Invite new friends to share a meal.
• Volunteer or donate supplies for local charities such as P.E.A.C.E. (www.peacemexico.org) and Families of Esperanza (www.familiesatthedump.org).
• Help a child with homework and reading (www.puertovallartaorphanage.org).
• Take photographs and write about your experiences on your family blog.
• Start a discussion about thankfulness and how you can get involved in your community.
• Read children’s books in Spanish and English at the local library (Biblioteca Los Mangos near Costco).
Nature and Animals
Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) everyday by helping us to take care of our environment. Look for ways to recycle, reuse and dispose of trash responsibly.
Suggestions
• Make a photographic journal as you hike, fish or horseback ride.
• Visit the Botanical Gardens (12 miles south of PV on Hwy. 200).
• Have a “Trash Contest” by seeing who can pick up the most items.
• Purchase souvenirs that have been made from recycled products.
• Walk or ride a bike to your destination.
• Limit the amount of water you use and turn off lights.
• Take pictures of the unique plants and wildlife.
• Join the “Adopt an Animal” program at the Vallarta Zoo (zoologicodevallarta.com).
• Volunteer or donate to groups such as Grupo Ecologico de Puerto Vallarta A.C.
• Help a community group clean the beach or assist animals (www.peacemexico.org).
• Count how many constellations you can see on a clear night.
Bay of Banderas
The water-related activities here are vast. Take time to go boating, kayaking, parasailing, scuba diving or snorkeling. While you’re at it, sneak in some fun facts.
Trivia
• What does “Bahia de Banderas” mean? (Bay of Flags)
• What is the largest ray in the bay that is harmless to people? (Giant Manta Ray)
• What ray has a whip-like tail and a poisonous spine? (Spotted Eagle Ray and don’t worry, it likes to dine on crustaceans and mollusks at the bottom of the ocean.)
• What creature has 6 arms, 2 legs and can grow up to 3 feet (.91 m) long? (Octopus)
• What type of dolphins visit our bay? (Bottlenose)
• What months can you see the dolphins? (April-December)
• Which whales come here to give birth and nurse their calves? (Humpback Whales)
• When can you see the whales here? (December-March)
• What creature has a sharp hook on the tip of its beak? (Hawksbill Turtle)
(Information taken from www.marinamismaloya.com.)
Sporty/Adventure
It’s true; we have our fair share of Canopy tours, ATVs, and jungle adventures that expose you to another side of Mexico. While you’re out for the day, try some of these ideas.
Suggestions
• Take a picture of your family with new friends.
• Make photo journal of unique birds and insects.
• Go for a swim in the fresh mountain water pools.
Enjoy this time with your family learning about the Mexican people and customs. The impression will last a lifetime and who knows, you may have enough material for the next “What I Did on My Mexican Vacation” school report.
Judea En Vivo, A Tradition That Invites Us To Visit Riviera Nayarit
• One of the reasons that make the town of Jala famous is its representation of the Passion of Christ. This year, the festivity will take place on April 17 to 22
• The Judea Cora has also drawn the attention of international specialists
The man in the cross exhales his last breath and three days of mourning and silence follow.
But before that, everything is color and celebration. Holy week is a time to celebrate because Riviera Nayarit lives culture with intensity. Judea en Vivo, a representation made every year on Holy Thursday of the Passion and Death of Christ finds two locations in our destination that are particularly recognized for their rendering of this tradition.
On Holy Thursday, Jala is expecting to receive thousands of visitors, who will enjoy a display in which the whole town is devoted to interpret shepherds, roman soldiers, virgins and saints, with the unique charm and the ambience that can only be achieved through the love for this festivity.
The aroma of tamales, pipian, bread soup, capirotada, pozole, tostadas and other delicacies of regional gastronomy complement this celebration, and the streets of Jala offer these flavors along the procession.
Judea en Vivo at Jala is not only one of the most beautiful in the country, but also one of the oldest. Taking place during the Holy Week, it begins on Holy Thursday with the first scene at an outdoor theater known as “The Council” outside the main church. Subsequently, they represent other episodes from the last days of Jesus, such as the Last Supper, the Washing of the Feet, the Curse of the Wandering Jew, the meeting with Mary, the Garden’s Prayer, the Devil’s Temptation, the arrest of Jesus and Jesus against Annas. On Good Friday, starting at eight o’clock, a number of people interpreting Jews chase children in the public square and the main streets of town. The procession of the prisoner takes place at noon, and starting at four in the afternoon, the open air theater begins with the council with Caiaphas, Herod’s council, Pilate’s council, the sentencing of Jesus, the three falls, the crucifixion, and culminating at nine o’clock at night with the funeral procession of the saint.
Local authorities have announced that this 2011 fun will continue at the main square with the dance group Jaly and the town’s band.
Contrarily, the Judea Cora that takes place in the region of Jesús María del Nayar is one of the less known traditions of the Holy Week in Mexico.
This is, however, one of the most impressive events due to their originality and by the way that this ethnic group has achieved religious syncretism of a celebration that was brought to this country by Spaniards and their own cultural manifestations.
Collective rituals have allowed this indigenous town to reaffirm their identity, and the scene of the death of Jesus has been adapted to fit their own cosmological vision, blending it with the evangelization.
It’s hard to document the celebration because the Coras don’t want witnesses or photographers while the Jews chase Christ or ‘Sun Christ’, and on Holy Friday they capture and symbolically kill him.
The culminating violence in this act is the heart of the Judea for anthropologists; there are hundreds of men painted in black, red and white who fight against each other with wooden swords.
• The Judea Cora has also drawn the attention of international specialists
The man in the cross exhales his last breath and three days of mourning and silence follow.
But before that, everything is color and celebration. Holy week is a time to celebrate because Riviera Nayarit lives culture with intensity. Judea en Vivo, a representation made every year on Holy Thursday of the Passion and Death of Christ finds two locations in our destination that are particularly recognized for their rendering of this tradition.
On Holy Thursday, Jala is expecting to receive thousands of visitors, who will enjoy a display in which the whole town is devoted to interpret shepherds, roman soldiers, virgins and saints, with the unique charm and the ambience that can only be achieved through the love for this festivity.
The aroma of tamales, pipian, bread soup, capirotada, pozole, tostadas and other delicacies of regional gastronomy complement this celebration, and the streets of Jala offer these flavors along the procession.
Judea en Vivo at Jala is not only one of the most beautiful in the country, but also one of the oldest. Taking place during the Holy Week, it begins on Holy Thursday with the first scene at an outdoor theater known as “The Council” outside the main church. Subsequently, they represent other episodes from the last days of Jesus, such as the Last Supper, the Washing of the Feet, the Curse of the Wandering Jew, the meeting with Mary, the Garden’s Prayer, the Devil’s Temptation, the arrest of Jesus and Jesus against Annas. On Good Friday, starting at eight o’clock, a number of people interpreting Jews chase children in the public square and the main streets of town. The procession of the prisoner takes place at noon, and starting at four in the afternoon, the open air theater begins with the council with Caiaphas, Herod’s council, Pilate’s council, the sentencing of Jesus, the three falls, the crucifixion, and culminating at nine o’clock at night with the funeral procession of the saint.
Local authorities have announced that this 2011 fun will continue at the main square with the dance group Jaly and the town’s band.
Contrarily, the Judea Cora that takes place in the region of Jesús María del Nayar is one of the less known traditions of the Holy Week in Mexico.
This is, however, one of the most impressive events due to their originality and by the way that this ethnic group has achieved religious syncretism of a celebration that was brought to this country by Spaniards and their own cultural manifestations.
Collective rituals have allowed this indigenous town to reaffirm their identity, and the scene of the death of Jesus has been adapted to fit their own cosmological vision, blending it with the evangelization.
It’s hard to document the celebration because the Coras don’t want witnesses or photographers while the Jews chase Christ or ‘Sun Christ’, and on Holy Friday they capture and symbolically kill him.
The culminating violence in this act is the heart of the Judea for anthropologists; there are hundreds of men painted in black, red and white who fight against each other with wooden swords.
Sue and Marie
We had our favourite dives with them at Los Arcos. It only takes 30 minutes to get there from the marina, so they didn´t get sea sick.
Once we had all popped on our nice thick wetsuits and moaned about being too hot, we jumped into the water.
The water was green with plankton until we dropped below 30 feet, where it cleared up, giving us 30 – 40 foot of visibility.
This comes at a cost though as the water temperature dropped to 16°C, but it was worth it. The ocean bed was littered with nudibranchs (sea slugs) and shrimps for us to amuse ourselves with.
Then, we came across an aptly named orang-utan crab. Usually, these shy creatures are found hiding amongst the coral, but this one sat right on top of a rock and aped around for us.
Very cool. Taking pictures of it wasn´t easy as every time I stretched my arms out with my camera, cold water went rushing into my wetsuit. I noticed that no one else took their hands out from underneath their armpits though.
We skirted around the Devils Canyon to show our mates the view, which is an impressive one, then surfaced to warm up in the sun.
Our lovely boat captain took us over to Mismaloya to show our mates where “Night of the Iguana was filmed” and show them the mounted iguana as our mate Claudia loves them.
After an hour of sunning ourselves, we descended for our 2nd dive. As soon as we were on the bottom, we saw a mantis shrimp. They are really small in this area, unlike the ones we were used to in Borneo. Over there, we called them the finger splitters!
Honestly, if you get too close to them with a camera in your hand, they punch you, and either smash your finger to bits or your camera lens.
Either way it hurts. Pound for pound they have the hardest punch in the world and have the same effect as being hit by a .22 caliber bullet.
The one´s over here aren´t quite so tough, but it is fun to watch them scampering around the rocks and hiding.
We had a nice long swim around the rock formations, which are impressive on their own, without all the fish swimming around. Then a couple of lobsters popped out to say hi before we surfaced. All in all, a good days “work”.
On the way back into the marina Claudia spotted a huge iguana, but before she could grab her camera, it dived down and swam away. One less iguana photo she will be showing her friends back home and I bet they will be happy about that!
Sadly, our friends have now gone back to England and I swear I can hear them moaning about the cold from here!
Riviera Nayarit
Mark´s Bar & Grill
Presents a gorgeous four course dinner for Easter Sunday April 24th along with Live Music. To start choose from Tomato Salad or Garden Gazpacho, Fresh Oysters or Baja Mussels and Main course choose from Roast Duck with Pomegranate Glaze or Salmon with Avocado-Mango Salsa…exotic Mousse with Passion Fruit for Dessert. Regular Menu is also available. Mark’s Bar & Grill Lazaro Cardenas 56, Bucerias. For reservations please call 013292980303 www.marksbucerias.com www.marksbargrill.com.mx Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Encore
There’s only a few more weeks left to watch jazz vocalist/recording artist, Armi Grano and the Viva Jazz Trio at Encore, so make sure you don’t miss the best live jazz dinner show in the bay this season. Enjoy listening to new arrangements of popular standards from great composers such as Gershwin, Porter, Jobim and Ellington while having a delicious dinner overlooking the bay. Showtime starts at 7 to 10 pm Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat. Encore is the first and only live jazz venue in Banderas Bay, which brings together visiting and local musicians where they can play in a cozy setting and an enthusiastic audience. It has attracted quite a bit of following and generated a “buzz” in its over a year of operation. Reservations and info (329)-298-0250 or info@encoreonthebeach.com
Masala Bar & Grill
Come and join us at Masala Bar & Grill for the last concert of the Banderas Bay All-stars
Special 3 course menu
Gourmet cuisine and great Jazz featuring Tom Lilienthal playing bass, Bryan Savage Alto Sax and Flute, Chas Eller Keyboard
Tuesday April 19th 7:30pm- 10pm in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Reservations 329-295-1131
See you there
Open every day, great food-excellent music
Shamrock
Shamrock has HAPPY H0UR every day 5pm to 7pm only national drinks, authentic Irish Pub.
Proud to be the first bar downtown Bucerias and open 5+ years here in Bucerias, owner Sharon Bell from Belfast, runs her bar as a family run business with her cousin Natalie from Dublin & the Internationally renowned Jesse. They have enjoyed being part of all the fun over the years and look forward to meeting many new friends of Shamrock Irish Pub and Lounge.
Rancho Mi Chapparrita
offers the excitement of the Canopy, Surfing, Horseback-Riding, 4 Wheeling, and sport fishing.
The Verdín Family brings you authentic Mexican Style folklore.
El Chivero Restaurant & Bar
Great place to enjoy Seafood & Mexican dishes! Enjoy El Chivero Restaurant & Bar in the Dining room or kick back and have your meal right on the beach. This family run Bucerias restaurant has been serving visitors and the town for many years, providing endless opportunities to watch the sunset while enjoying their popular dishes. Try the variety of cocktails or national drink specials daily and remember to bring a friend
Presents a gorgeous four course dinner for Easter Sunday April 24th along with Live Music. To start choose from Tomato Salad or Garden Gazpacho, Fresh Oysters or Baja Mussels and Main course choose from Roast Duck with Pomegranate Glaze or Salmon with Avocado-Mango Salsa…exotic Mousse with Passion Fruit for Dessert. Regular Menu is also available. Mark’s Bar & Grill Lazaro Cardenas 56, Bucerias. For reservations please call 013292980303 www.marksbucerias.com www.marksbargrill.com.mx Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Encore
There’s only a few more weeks left to watch jazz vocalist/recording artist, Armi Grano and the Viva Jazz Trio at Encore, so make sure you don’t miss the best live jazz dinner show in the bay this season. Enjoy listening to new arrangements of popular standards from great composers such as Gershwin, Porter, Jobim and Ellington while having a delicious dinner overlooking the bay. Showtime starts at 7 to 10 pm Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat. Encore is the first and only live jazz venue in Banderas Bay, which brings together visiting and local musicians where they can play in a cozy setting and an enthusiastic audience. It has attracted quite a bit of following and generated a “buzz” in its over a year of operation. Reservations and info (329)-298-0250 or info@encoreonthebeach.com
Masala Bar & Grill
Come and join us at Masala Bar & Grill for the last concert of the Banderas Bay All-stars
Special 3 course menu
Gourmet cuisine and great Jazz featuring Tom Lilienthal playing bass, Bryan Savage Alto Sax and Flute, Chas Eller Keyboard
Tuesday April 19th 7:30pm- 10pm in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Reservations 329-295-1131
See you there
Open every day, great food-excellent music
Shamrock
Shamrock has HAPPY H0UR every day 5pm to 7pm only national drinks, authentic Irish Pub.
Proud to be the first bar downtown Bucerias and open 5+ years here in Bucerias, owner Sharon Bell from Belfast, runs her bar as a family run business with her cousin Natalie from Dublin & the Internationally renowned Jesse. They have enjoyed being part of all the fun over the years and look forward to meeting many new friends of Shamrock Irish Pub and Lounge.
Rancho Mi Chapparrita
offers the excitement of the Canopy, Surfing, Horseback-Riding, 4 Wheeling, and sport fishing.
The Verdín Family brings you authentic Mexican Style folklore.
El Chivero Restaurant & Bar
Great place to enjoy Seafood & Mexican dishes! Enjoy El Chivero Restaurant & Bar in the Dining room or kick back and have your meal right on the beach. This family run Bucerias restaurant has been serving visitors and the town for many years, providing endless opportunities to watch the sunset while enjoying their popular dishes. Try the variety of cocktails or national drink specials daily and remember to bring a friend
Mountain Magic
The road sign says another 18 kilometers but we can already sense the magic of Sierra Lago and smell the fresh blend of mountain aromas. It has only taken us two hours to get to Mascota and hot on the trail of Lake Juanacatlán, one of Jalisco´s most enchanting jewels hidden within thick verdant forest.
Impressed by how straightforward the journey has been from Puerto Vallarta, navigating the winding slopes of the Sierra Madre, we follow the well-placed road signs through the quaint town of Mascota, wich dates back to the 16th century. We make a mental note to stop on the way home and have already penciled in a return tpit stop in San Sebastian del Oeste, only 40 kilometers away. Leaving Mascota we are joined by a small herd of well-fed cows, gee´d (or rather andale´d) along by their master on horseback who´s donned in full cowboy garb and escorted by a couple of effervescent dogs.
As the sun catches their coats of honey, it is easy to see why these humble animls are reserved in India. A few of the cows turn to see what all the fuss is about and seem dissappointed (if that is possible) to note just another car with a couple of gringos, before taking a swift left turn into a grassy field. The flat plains very soon begin to steep as we keep to the stoned-paved track that leads us towards our magical destination.
Whithin a short time the sun becomes hidden by arching trees that shadow our path and leave motled-green patterns dancing on the road. Like entering the set of “A Midsummer´s Night´s Dream,” the forest begins to move and jostle in the breeze, as though joining us in our excitement and expectation. Higher and higher we climb, winding to the shape of the mountains until we chance to see the first glimpse of the paradise that would be our resting place for the wekend: Sierra Lago.
Eager to arrive and see for ourselves what so many have described as an idyllic heaven, we pick up pace and descend carefully towards the reception area where we are greeted with the sight of an inviting and charming guesthouse. It doesn´t take us long to get checked in and shown to our cabin that is decked out in traditional décor and overlooks the lake; in fact, Claudia on reception assured us that all of the cabins boast an amazing view of the lake.
The bathroom also has that oldy-worldy feel with a stand-alone enamel bath (besides slower fittings) and wooden furnishings peppered with fresh flower petals. Already we feel ripe to relax and let our weekend simply flow.
Claudia reminds us that lunch is also included in the all-inclusive package and directs us to the restaurant by the lakeside. We decline the offer of a golf cart in favor of walking and follow the path to towards the lake that rests within the lush crater of an extinct volcano. The crisp mountain air coupled by the spectacular views of Lake Juanacatlan leave us breathless and stationary in awe. We take a moment to drink in the crystal water and forested green reflection that emanates from the mirrored surface of the magical lake. As one in the presence of exceptional beauty we are humbled and dazed by the scenery.
Whaterhouse would have surely found solace here!
Still recling from the overshelming sight and unable to articulate the intense splendor before us, we move towards the restaurant that looks to be in the summerhouse in the distance. Our path is dotted with charming sculptures, ranging from neo-classical to contemporary, all gracefully placed and congruous with their inmediate surroundings. We half expect the figurines to come alive; such is the magical atmosphere at Sierra Lago.
Catching sight of the peddlelos and kayaks by the water´s edge, we start to plan tomorrow´s activities, although the thought of doing anything else but relax and absorb the stunning natural surroundings seems sacrilegious. After a delicious lunch in the lakeside restaurant that is also open to the general public we take a short walk to visit the stables found on the far side of the football pitch.
The horses are kept in immaculate condition and are available for horse riding on request or indeed topull a carriage in the event of a wedding or special event. However, it seems that today it is chance for another animal to steal the show – lamas, Sierra Lago´s adorable pair of lamas may not be quite Doctor Doolittle´s Pushmi-Pullyu, but they are certainly full of character.
We decide to take a long leisurely walk to the far side of the legendary bottomless lake (scientists and geologists are still unable to calculate how deep it is).
We head towards what seems to be a set of picturesque ruins catching the light of the sun and casting a perfect mirror image in the cool waters. They are actually the outdoor chapel where wedding and private gatherings can be organized.
Like the ruins of an ancient banquet hall, the open-air chapel is completely open at one end and surrounded by three huge walls, lined with full-size fireplaces and an area for an altar. The thought of renewing our vows suddenly becomes very appealing surrounded by this idyllic setting. We sit for a while and soak up the tranquility of this serene location.
As the afternoon draws to a close, the crisp sunshine takes refuge behind a cotton-cloud. We watch as the mist magically rolls in a top of the magnificent forested mountains that embrace the lake. We calculate we have about an hour before nightfall and start making our way back to the cabin to enjoy a dip in the lakeside outdoor Jacuzzi before dinner.
As we pass the games room and tennis courts we notice the dancing of fireflies as they gradually flicker to life with the setting of the sun. Sierra Lago certainly emits a fantastical dream-like quality. Dinner is another delightful culinary treat, this time served (as is breakfast) in the main guesthouse were we get chance to meet other guests and share the experiences of our first day. The general consensus is that Sierra Lago is a unique and spectacularly enchanting place, like stepping out of time amongst nature. As the night draws on and the board games come to a close, it is clear that the mountain air and red wine has had a soporific effect on us all. We stumble to our cabins, weary yet paradoxically invigorated by the beauty that awaits us at dawn. The day may be over but the fantasy continues: waking up in Sierra Lago is like waking up into a dream.
Impressed by how straightforward the journey has been from Puerto Vallarta, navigating the winding slopes of the Sierra Madre, we follow the well-placed road signs through the quaint town of Mascota, wich dates back to the 16th century. We make a mental note to stop on the way home and have already penciled in a return tpit stop in San Sebastian del Oeste, only 40 kilometers away. Leaving Mascota we are joined by a small herd of well-fed cows, gee´d (or rather andale´d) along by their master on horseback who´s donned in full cowboy garb and escorted by a couple of effervescent dogs.
As the sun catches their coats of honey, it is easy to see why these humble animls are reserved in India. A few of the cows turn to see what all the fuss is about and seem dissappointed (if that is possible) to note just another car with a couple of gringos, before taking a swift left turn into a grassy field. The flat plains very soon begin to steep as we keep to the stoned-paved track that leads us towards our magical destination.
Whithin a short time the sun becomes hidden by arching trees that shadow our path and leave motled-green patterns dancing on the road. Like entering the set of “A Midsummer´s Night´s Dream,” the forest begins to move and jostle in the breeze, as though joining us in our excitement and expectation. Higher and higher we climb, winding to the shape of the mountains until we chance to see the first glimpse of the paradise that would be our resting place for the wekend: Sierra Lago.
Eager to arrive and see for ourselves what so many have described as an idyllic heaven, we pick up pace and descend carefully towards the reception area where we are greeted with the sight of an inviting and charming guesthouse. It doesn´t take us long to get checked in and shown to our cabin that is decked out in traditional décor and overlooks the lake; in fact, Claudia on reception assured us that all of the cabins boast an amazing view of the lake.
The bathroom also has that oldy-worldy feel with a stand-alone enamel bath (besides slower fittings) and wooden furnishings peppered with fresh flower petals. Already we feel ripe to relax and let our weekend simply flow.
Claudia reminds us that lunch is also included in the all-inclusive package and directs us to the restaurant by the lakeside. We decline the offer of a golf cart in favor of walking and follow the path to towards the lake that rests within the lush crater of an extinct volcano. The crisp mountain air coupled by the spectacular views of Lake Juanacatlan leave us breathless and stationary in awe. We take a moment to drink in the crystal water and forested green reflection that emanates from the mirrored surface of the magical lake. As one in the presence of exceptional beauty we are humbled and dazed by the scenery.
Whaterhouse would have surely found solace here!
Still recling from the overshelming sight and unable to articulate the intense splendor before us, we move towards the restaurant that looks to be in the summerhouse in the distance. Our path is dotted with charming sculptures, ranging from neo-classical to contemporary, all gracefully placed and congruous with their inmediate surroundings. We half expect the figurines to come alive; such is the magical atmosphere at Sierra Lago.
Catching sight of the peddlelos and kayaks by the water´s edge, we start to plan tomorrow´s activities, although the thought of doing anything else but relax and absorb the stunning natural surroundings seems sacrilegious. After a delicious lunch in the lakeside restaurant that is also open to the general public we take a short walk to visit the stables found on the far side of the football pitch.
The horses are kept in immaculate condition and are available for horse riding on request or indeed topull a carriage in the event of a wedding or special event. However, it seems that today it is chance for another animal to steal the show – lamas, Sierra Lago´s adorable pair of lamas may not be quite Doctor Doolittle´s Pushmi-Pullyu, but they are certainly full of character.
We decide to take a long leisurely walk to the far side of the legendary bottomless lake (scientists and geologists are still unable to calculate how deep it is).
We head towards what seems to be a set of picturesque ruins catching the light of the sun and casting a perfect mirror image in the cool waters. They are actually the outdoor chapel where wedding and private gatherings can be organized.
Like the ruins of an ancient banquet hall, the open-air chapel is completely open at one end and surrounded by three huge walls, lined with full-size fireplaces and an area for an altar. The thought of renewing our vows suddenly becomes very appealing surrounded by this idyllic setting. We sit for a while and soak up the tranquility of this serene location.
As the afternoon draws to a close, the crisp sunshine takes refuge behind a cotton-cloud. We watch as the mist magically rolls in a top of the magnificent forested mountains that embrace the lake. We calculate we have about an hour before nightfall and start making our way back to the cabin to enjoy a dip in the lakeside outdoor Jacuzzi before dinner.
As we pass the games room and tennis courts we notice the dancing of fireflies as they gradually flicker to life with the setting of the sun. Sierra Lago certainly emits a fantastical dream-like quality. Dinner is another delightful culinary treat, this time served (as is breakfast) in the main guesthouse were we get chance to meet other guests and share the experiences of our first day. The general consensus is that Sierra Lago is a unique and spectacularly enchanting place, like stepping out of time amongst nature. As the night draws on and the board games come to a close, it is clear that the mountain air and red wine has had a soporific effect on us all. We stumble to our cabins, weary yet paradoxically invigorated by the beauty that awaits us at dawn. The day may be over but the fantasy continues: waking up in Sierra Lago is like waking up into a dream.
Spotlight on Charity: IFC Celebrates Another Year of Service to the Local Community
by Janie Albright Blank
The International Friendship Club (IFC) had over 80 members in attendance for their monthly meeting with an end of season brunch at the River Cafe, Sunday April 10th. The guests enjoyed a gourmet breakfast, door prizes, bought raffle tickets by the arm’s length, and bid on silent auction items while wishing friends a good summer as many head North until next season.
As always the IFC is able to combine a good time with raising much needed funds to support charitable causes here in the community. One of our members, Louanna Kinder, was celebrating her birthday that day and was surprised with a lovely cake and a serenade by the beautiful voices of the River Cafe wait staff. How much prettier “Las Mañanitas” is than our “Happy Birthday! A big “Gracias” to the following local businesses that were kind enough to contribute to this event.
We could not do what we do without their ongoing support:
Archie´s Wok, Elements, Kaiser Maximillian, and more....
This marks 24 years since the IFC was founded and began its three-fold mission of soliciting and distributing funds and materials in response to the humanitarian needs of our community;
promoting friendship through social and cultural activities; and helping to organize and unite our community. For the last twenty years the primary charity supported by the IFC has been the Cleft Palate Program that was started by IFC member Ron Walker in response to an overwhelming need in this community. Additional funds raised go to support a large variety of
other worthy causes such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The following is IFC President Mandy MacLeay’s end-of-season message summarizing the events organized by the IFC this year.
The high season is closing and what a busy season this has been!
We have been able to provide many new projects in addition to our ongoing favourite activities.
Our members have been great in donating their time thereby allowing the office to extend its hours to 4:00 o’clock Monday to Friday without any additional cost. The office and all our club visitors have greatly benefited from the added desk help of the many volunteers like Gloria Munroe, Lynette Fairclough, Jim and Sharron Woods, John Hamlin, Sherry Frish, Terry Horrox and more. The response has been so great that we intend to continue this practice in the next November to April season.
I wish to thank all the members who have donated their expertise, talents and time. They have enabled us to offer a variety of activities to fellow members and clubhouse visitors alike.
My thanks go out to Dan Grippo for his lecture series on so many interesting topics; Mexican politics, religions, history and the impact of the renowned Mexican women on the Mexican culture. To add to his generosity let’s not forget his donation of a badly needed CP Monitor!
Thanks also to Murray Beer for sharing his two great loves (not counting Millie) the game of Bridge and opera. Many of us started many years ago with very little or no knowledge of Bridge but the time spent with Murray on Monday mornings has taught us a great appreciation for the game. And our Friday afternoon Social Bridge had as many as 15 tables one week this season!
This year Murray shared with us his love of music and opera by presenting us: The Music of Leonard Bernstein. What a pleasure! We also enjoyed learning a few more dance moves with the teaching of Jan Early. And Mary Lynn Coulter shared with us her passion for watercolour painting and encouraged us to explore it without fear. And I don’t want to forget to mention our excellent and very popular Spanish classes taught by Zuri Caffarella Aguirre, featuring three levels with three classes at each level every week. Classes will resume in the Fall.
Our thanks go to Mike McGee, our Chairperson- Director of Home Tours and his large group of volunteers that make this major fundraiser a success. Mike worked very hard this year in the
face of two large challenges: The economic downturn and the direct competition from another charity group offering the same program as ours on another day bringing confusion to the mind of many tourists. Our every Wednesday and Thursday morning Home Tours beginning in November and ending in April continue to be a trip highlight for many visitors vacationing in Vallarta while funding our Cleft Palate Surgery Program. How wonderful when everybody wins!
With the new challenges comes new ideas! It spurred the whole team of volunteers to truly develop better web tools. We had made various attempts before through the years but we had never taken full advantage of the electronic media to put out our message. Janie Albright Blank was brought on board in the late summer months and started to develop a new more user friendly website, as she progressed T.J. Hartung , our Newsletter Editor, got more involved and they worked hand and hand. In January they presented our members at the General Meeting a brand new website that is proving very popular already. T. J. is continuing to make improvements to it and keeping the data updated. I encourage you to visit it at: ifcvallarta.com. Janie is also our co-publicist chairperson and with her great reporting talents and Bob Davidson wonderful photo taking we have been able to showcase the great work our IFC members accomplish in the community. Janie has also set us up on Facebook! Please become a friend of IFC Vallarta.
Part of this great working team is; the Barbara and Mel Bornstein one. Their energy and loyalty to the Club since it’s’ inception is remarkable. Barbara with a team of volunteers at hand, got Al Badner to do the fliers art work, successfully organized a great St. Valentine’s Day dinner and Gala Luncheon Fashion Show, not to be outdone Mel with the help of Fred Forbes made a success of the St. Patrick’s Day dinner. Our latest event ¨The Gala Luncheon Fashion Show¨ on March 25th. was a sold out event. The fashion and lunch were presented in the attractive venue of Coco´s Kitchen. Toody Walton presented her ¨Coleccion La Bohemia¨ beautifully and the models were great! My thanks to Donna Feldman that hosted it.
A huge thank you goes to Fred Forbes for keeping our clubhouse facilities in such great shape and for all the new improvements he comes up with. Added to this is his managing of “The
Monday night movies”, the Friday night cocktail and dinners he organize that have allowed all of us to connect with each other, from old to new members, to first comers and family visitors.
Each of us have found a friendly place to drop in and develop new friendships.
Let’s not forget our “out in the field” group where we also have dedicated volunteers that donate such a great part of their time and energy in response to the needs of the children and their families in need. Susan Davalos and Patricia Mendez are our Chairpersons for Community Services and Medical respectively. Susan and Patricia spend countless volunteer hours meeting the needs of the less fortunate in Vallarta and making sure the Cleft Palate Program runs smoothly. Mel Bornstein is our Chairperson for Education. What we all do as volunteers at the IFC is to provide the necessary funds that supports many needs that are facing our community, may it be medical, educational or nutritional. It goes without saying that none of this could be accomplished without a great executive supporting team. So my thanks to the Executive Board that helped me keep the ship running smoothly; Bill LeBeau, Vice President for Administration and Fred Forbes, Vice President of Management Facilities who both will continue on for another two-year term; Ira Horowitz, Treasurer; Linda Horowitz, Recording Secretary and Helen Hartung, Corresponding Secretary.
We welcome our newly elected treasurer, Michael Montagno; Recording Secretary, Lynette Fairclough; Corresponding Secretary, Eric Davies and Vice President of Membership Development, Jack Kirkpatrick. Together we will accomplish much!
Like many of you I am heading back north for the summer, but communication is always open, so do drop me a note, call to say Hello, enjoy each day, be happy. Have a great summer, Mandy MacLeay, President
As you can see this is a busy group and one you might consider becoming involved with next season. The IFC has over 400 current members so whether you would like to donate your time or your talent or just have fun, we would love to meet you and have you be part of our group.
Beginning May 1 the building where the IFC is housed will be undergoing renovations that should last about 6 weeks. For additional IFC information you can send us an email at ifcvallarta@gmail.com or visit our website at ifcvallarta.com where you can learn all about the IFC and its many program and activities. Once we are back in the Clubhouse you can once again call us at 322-222-5466. You might also want to become on friend of IFCVallarta on
Facebook!
The International Friendship Club is a registered charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta A.C. It is located at Edificio Parian del Puente #13, Calle Libertad Corner Miramar, Colonia El Centro, PUERTO VALLARTA, Jalisco, Mexico, 48300. Phone: 322-222-5466. Website: ifcvallarta.com. Email: ifcvallarta@gmail.com. See our website for a map. We can also be reached from the USA or Canada by calling 514-418-2123.
The International Friendship Club (IFC) had over 80 members in attendance for their monthly meeting with an end of season brunch at the River Cafe, Sunday April 10th. The guests enjoyed a gourmet breakfast, door prizes, bought raffle tickets by the arm’s length, and bid on silent auction items while wishing friends a good summer as many head North until next season.
As always the IFC is able to combine a good time with raising much needed funds to support charitable causes here in the community. One of our members, Louanna Kinder, was celebrating her birthday that day and was surprised with a lovely cake and a serenade by the beautiful voices of the River Cafe wait staff. How much prettier “Las Mañanitas” is than our “Happy Birthday! A big “Gracias” to the following local businesses that were kind enough to contribute to this event.
We could not do what we do without their ongoing support:
Archie´s Wok, Elements, Kaiser Maximillian, and more....
This marks 24 years since the IFC was founded and began its three-fold mission of soliciting and distributing funds and materials in response to the humanitarian needs of our community;
promoting friendship through social and cultural activities; and helping to organize and unite our community. For the last twenty years the primary charity supported by the IFC has been the Cleft Palate Program that was started by IFC member Ron Walker in response to an overwhelming need in this community. Additional funds raised go to support a large variety of
other worthy causes such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The following is IFC President Mandy MacLeay’s end-of-season message summarizing the events organized by the IFC this year.
The high season is closing and what a busy season this has been!
We have been able to provide many new projects in addition to our ongoing favourite activities.
Our members have been great in donating their time thereby allowing the office to extend its hours to 4:00 o’clock Monday to Friday without any additional cost. The office and all our club visitors have greatly benefited from the added desk help of the many volunteers like Gloria Munroe, Lynette Fairclough, Jim and Sharron Woods, John Hamlin, Sherry Frish, Terry Horrox and more. The response has been so great that we intend to continue this practice in the next November to April season.
I wish to thank all the members who have donated their expertise, talents and time. They have enabled us to offer a variety of activities to fellow members and clubhouse visitors alike.
My thanks go out to Dan Grippo for his lecture series on so many interesting topics; Mexican politics, religions, history and the impact of the renowned Mexican women on the Mexican culture. To add to his generosity let’s not forget his donation of a badly needed CP Monitor!
Thanks also to Murray Beer for sharing his two great loves (not counting Millie) the game of Bridge and opera. Many of us started many years ago with very little or no knowledge of Bridge but the time spent with Murray on Monday mornings has taught us a great appreciation for the game. And our Friday afternoon Social Bridge had as many as 15 tables one week this season!
This year Murray shared with us his love of music and opera by presenting us: The Music of Leonard Bernstein. What a pleasure! We also enjoyed learning a few more dance moves with the teaching of Jan Early. And Mary Lynn Coulter shared with us her passion for watercolour painting and encouraged us to explore it without fear. And I don’t want to forget to mention our excellent and very popular Spanish classes taught by Zuri Caffarella Aguirre, featuring three levels with three classes at each level every week. Classes will resume in the Fall.
Our thanks go to Mike McGee, our Chairperson- Director of Home Tours and his large group of volunteers that make this major fundraiser a success. Mike worked very hard this year in the
face of two large challenges: The economic downturn and the direct competition from another charity group offering the same program as ours on another day bringing confusion to the mind of many tourists. Our every Wednesday and Thursday morning Home Tours beginning in November and ending in April continue to be a trip highlight for many visitors vacationing in Vallarta while funding our Cleft Palate Surgery Program. How wonderful when everybody wins!
With the new challenges comes new ideas! It spurred the whole team of volunteers to truly develop better web tools. We had made various attempts before through the years but we had never taken full advantage of the electronic media to put out our message. Janie Albright Blank was brought on board in the late summer months and started to develop a new more user friendly website, as she progressed T.J. Hartung , our Newsletter Editor, got more involved and they worked hand and hand. In January they presented our members at the General Meeting a brand new website that is proving very popular already. T. J. is continuing to make improvements to it and keeping the data updated. I encourage you to visit it at: ifcvallarta.com. Janie is also our co-publicist chairperson and with her great reporting talents and Bob Davidson wonderful photo taking we have been able to showcase the great work our IFC members accomplish in the community. Janie has also set us up on Facebook! Please become a friend of IFC Vallarta.
Part of this great working team is; the Barbara and Mel Bornstein one. Their energy and loyalty to the Club since it’s’ inception is remarkable. Barbara with a team of volunteers at hand, got Al Badner to do the fliers art work, successfully organized a great St. Valentine’s Day dinner and Gala Luncheon Fashion Show, not to be outdone Mel with the help of Fred Forbes made a success of the St. Patrick’s Day dinner. Our latest event ¨The Gala Luncheon Fashion Show¨ on March 25th. was a sold out event. The fashion and lunch were presented in the attractive venue of Coco´s Kitchen. Toody Walton presented her ¨Coleccion La Bohemia¨ beautifully and the models were great! My thanks to Donna Feldman that hosted it.
A huge thank you goes to Fred Forbes for keeping our clubhouse facilities in such great shape and for all the new improvements he comes up with. Added to this is his managing of “The
Monday night movies”, the Friday night cocktail and dinners he organize that have allowed all of us to connect with each other, from old to new members, to first comers and family visitors.
Each of us have found a friendly place to drop in and develop new friendships.
Let’s not forget our “out in the field” group where we also have dedicated volunteers that donate such a great part of their time and energy in response to the needs of the children and their families in need. Susan Davalos and Patricia Mendez are our Chairpersons for Community Services and Medical respectively. Susan and Patricia spend countless volunteer hours meeting the needs of the less fortunate in Vallarta and making sure the Cleft Palate Program runs smoothly. Mel Bornstein is our Chairperson for Education. What we all do as volunteers at the IFC is to provide the necessary funds that supports many needs that are facing our community, may it be medical, educational or nutritional. It goes without saying that none of this could be accomplished without a great executive supporting team. So my thanks to the Executive Board that helped me keep the ship running smoothly; Bill LeBeau, Vice President for Administration and Fred Forbes, Vice President of Management Facilities who both will continue on for another two-year term; Ira Horowitz, Treasurer; Linda Horowitz, Recording Secretary and Helen Hartung, Corresponding Secretary.
We welcome our newly elected treasurer, Michael Montagno; Recording Secretary, Lynette Fairclough; Corresponding Secretary, Eric Davies and Vice President of Membership Development, Jack Kirkpatrick. Together we will accomplish much!
Like many of you I am heading back north for the summer, but communication is always open, so do drop me a note, call to say Hello, enjoy each day, be happy. Have a great summer, Mandy MacLeay, President
As you can see this is a busy group and one you might consider becoming involved with next season. The IFC has over 400 current members so whether you would like to donate your time or your talent or just have fun, we would love to meet you and have you be part of our group.
Beginning May 1 the building where the IFC is housed will be undergoing renovations that should last about 6 weeks. For additional IFC information you can send us an email at ifcvallarta@gmail.com or visit our website at ifcvallarta.com where you can learn all about the IFC and its many program and activities. Once we are back in the Clubhouse you can once again call us at 322-222-5466. You might also want to become on friend of IFCVallarta on
Facebook!
The International Friendship Club is a registered charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta A.C. It is located at Edificio Parian del Puente #13, Calle Libertad Corner Miramar, Colonia El Centro, PUERTO VALLARTA, Jalisco, Mexico, 48300. Phone: 322-222-5466. Website: ifcvallarta.com. Email: ifcvallarta@gmail.com. See our website for a map. We can also be reached from the USA or Canada by calling 514-418-2123.
SPCA Weekly Newsletter
By Janice Gonzalez
Photos courtesy of Sandra Briones (www.sandorafoto.com)
ADORABLE DOG SPOTLIGHT…Liz
Liz is a two year old mixed breed who was rescued from the Acopio here in Puerto Vallarta.
She and her four puppies were brought to the SPCA Casita. Although the father in unknown, they made beautiful puppies together.
She is an incredibly beautiful, loving mom. She and her four puppies, two males (Rolo and Moka) and two females (Sasha and Mary Jane) have been an absolute joy to be around. It has been delightful to watch this family grow into active playful young dogs.
Liz is a well-mannered loving little dog, who relishes her one-on-one time and attention. Now that the puppies have been weaned and she has been spayed it is time for Liz to find her forever home.
To see all the animals available for adoption, visit our website (www.spcapv.com or www.spcapv.blogspot.com). The SPCA PV will continue to host adoption events at both Biblioteca Los Mangos and the Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 10am - 2pm. Biblioteca Los Mangos is located on Francisco Villa around the corner from Costco.
The Farmer’s Market is being held in Paradise Community Center in Olas Altas.
ADORABLE CAT SPOTLIGHT…
We have some of the most adorable cats and kittens just awaiting adoption. Serafina here is just one example.
We have a number of felines of all ages looking for forever homes. They are currently being cared for by a few of our dedicated volunteers and brought to the library each Saturday.
If you can’t think about a “forever” home for some of these animals, please do consider fostering. It is a great chance to volunteer and to help rescue the many needy animals in our community.
If you can assist, please contact us via our website (www.spcapv.com) or send an email to spcapv@gmail.com.
ADOPTION REPORT
Unfortunately no dogs were adopted but one kitten (Slick) found her new home.
Muffin, who was adopted on the 5th of March, came by with his new owner and looks absolutely great! He has grown and seems very happy. The woman who adopted him is totally in love with him.
And here are a few photos from some recent adoptions of Elsa, Teddy and D.J.
Special thanks for some donations: On gentleman donated a bunch of towels which were sent to the Casita. Ann Armstrong, from the Four Seasons Resort, donated an extra-large dog kennel and collars.
Debra, our volunteer, donated a bag of dog food, which was sent to the Acopio.
A small Chihuahua mix is missing and the owners are very anxious to get him back.
He went missing from the Emiliano Zapata area in Old Town. He is one year old, unneutered, and black with white spots.
His name is Lucas and there is an excellent reward. If you have any information, please contact Jesus Alonso Mota Colin, Col.Emiliano Zapata, V.Carranza 419, or phone: 312 137 4662.
The Acopio is having a fund raiser on the 7th of May at 7pm at the Ristorante Prego which is located behind Gold`s Gym and in front of Canto Del Sol.
Tickets are $250 pesos and include dinner, dessert and drinks plus live music by our own volunteer Angeles and her band. For tickets contact Angeles at 322 120 7576.
Once again many thanks to our hard working volunteers who make it such an enjoyable day for the dogs, kittens and all of us: Kelly, Debra, Brian, Amber, Marge, Sandra, Maya, Xhuitil, Angeles, Fernando and new volunteers Ada, Abraham, Emmanuel and Alfonso.
A fond farewell to our volunteer Brian, who is returning home to Ontario, Canada. But thankfully, he will be coming back to us in November.
Thank you Brian for all the help you have given us at the Library every Saturday. We have so enjoyed having you there and will miss you very much. Safe journey home!!!! But hurry back!!!!!
To see all the animals available for adoption, visit our website (www.spcapv.com or www.spcapv.blogspot.com). The SPCA PV will continue to host adoption events at both Biblioteca Los Mangos and the Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 10am - 2pm.
Biblioteca Los Mangos is located on Francisco Villa around the corner from Costco.
The Farmer’s Market is being held in Paradise Community Center in Olas Altas.
BEHAVIOR TRAINING
And this from Mark McCoy: “Last Tuesday was the first of a series of 4 dog training classes. We had 16 dogs participating, which is about the maximum that the trainers can handle. Most of the 2 hours was spent with the owners practicing getting their dog to sit and walk properly on a leash.
In addition a very effective technique was demonstrated that in 2 minutes will stop a dog from jumping up on people. Mike and Sherry Munson have trained over 7000 dogs all over the world and their dog training skills were very impressive.
This week’s class will focus on inter-animal aggression.”
More dog owners are now requesting to attend the next series of 4 classes. For every 15 new requests we receive we will schedule another series of classes.
All classes will be conducted in the late afternoon at the Community Center (Farmer’s Market). The cost for each class is 150 pesos. I
f you would like to observe a class without bringing a dog there is no charge. Please e-mail Mark McCoy at mmccoy777@aol.com if you would like to be added to the waiting list for the next series of classes.
INFORMATIVE ARTICLE
We want to thank Gretchen Dewitt for bringing to our attention some great information regarding your re-vaccination, or vaccination for previously vaccinated dogs and older puppies.
We have reproduced a wonderful article on the subject in our newsletter obtained from this website (http://www.caberfeidh.com/Revax.htm)
Photos courtesy of Sandra Briones (www.sandorafoto.com)
ADORABLE DOG SPOTLIGHT…Liz
Liz is a two year old mixed breed who was rescued from the Acopio here in Puerto Vallarta.
She and her four puppies were brought to the SPCA Casita. Although the father in unknown, they made beautiful puppies together.
She is an incredibly beautiful, loving mom. She and her four puppies, two males (Rolo and Moka) and two females (Sasha and Mary Jane) have been an absolute joy to be around. It has been delightful to watch this family grow into active playful young dogs.
Liz is a well-mannered loving little dog, who relishes her one-on-one time and attention. Now that the puppies have been weaned and she has been spayed it is time for Liz to find her forever home.
To see all the animals available for adoption, visit our website (www.spcapv.com or www.spcapv.blogspot.com). The SPCA PV will continue to host adoption events at both Biblioteca Los Mangos and the Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 10am - 2pm. Biblioteca Los Mangos is located on Francisco Villa around the corner from Costco.
The Farmer’s Market is being held in Paradise Community Center in Olas Altas.
ADORABLE CAT SPOTLIGHT…
We have some of the most adorable cats and kittens just awaiting adoption. Serafina here is just one example.
We have a number of felines of all ages looking for forever homes. They are currently being cared for by a few of our dedicated volunteers and brought to the library each Saturday.
If you can’t think about a “forever” home for some of these animals, please do consider fostering. It is a great chance to volunteer and to help rescue the many needy animals in our community.
If you can assist, please contact us via our website (www.spcapv.com) or send an email to spcapv@gmail.com.
ADOPTION REPORT
Unfortunately no dogs were adopted but one kitten (Slick) found her new home.
Muffin, who was adopted on the 5th of March, came by with his new owner and looks absolutely great! He has grown and seems very happy. The woman who adopted him is totally in love with him.
And here are a few photos from some recent adoptions of Elsa, Teddy and D.J.
Special thanks for some donations: On gentleman donated a bunch of towels which were sent to the Casita. Ann Armstrong, from the Four Seasons Resort, donated an extra-large dog kennel and collars.
Debra, our volunteer, donated a bag of dog food, which was sent to the Acopio.
A small Chihuahua mix is missing and the owners are very anxious to get him back.
He went missing from the Emiliano Zapata area in Old Town. He is one year old, unneutered, and black with white spots.
His name is Lucas and there is an excellent reward. If you have any information, please contact Jesus Alonso Mota Colin, Col.Emiliano Zapata, V.Carranza 419, or phone: 312 137 4662.
The Acopio is having a fund raiser on the 7th of May at 7pm at the Ristorante Prego which is located behind Gold`s Gym and in front of Canto Del Sol.
Tickets are $250 pesos and include dinner, dessert and drinks plus live music by our own volunteer Angeles and her band. For tickets contact Angeles at 322 120 7576.
Once again many thanks to our hard working volunteers who make it such an enjoyable day for the dogs, kittens and all of us: Kelly, Debra, Brian, Amber, Marge, Sandra, Maya, Xhuitil, Angeles, Fernando and new volunteers Ada, Abraham, Emmanuel and Alfonso.
A fond farewell to our volunteer Brian, who is returning home to Ontario, Canada. But thankfully, he will be coming back to us in November.
Thank you Brian for all the help you have given us at the Library every Saturday. We have so enjoyed having you there and will miss you very much. Safe journey home!!!! But hurry back!!!!!
To see all the animals available for adoption, visit our website (www.spcapv.com or www.spcapv.blogspot.com). The SPCA PV will continue to host adoption events at both Biblioteca Los Mangos and the Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 10am - 2pm.
Biblioteca Los Mangos is located on Francisco Villa around the corner from Costco.
The Farmer’s Market is being held in Paradise Community Center in Olas Altas.
BEHAVIOR TRAINING
And this from Mark McCoy: “Last Tuesday was the first of a series of 4 dog training classes. We had 16 dogs participating, which is about the maximum that the trainers can handle. Most of the 2 hours was spent with the owners practicing getting their dog to sit and walk properly on a leash.
In addition a very effective technique was demonstrated that in 2 minutes will stop a dog from jumping up on people. Mike and Sherry Munson have trained over 7000 dogs all over the world and their dog training skills were very impressive.
This week’s class will focus on inter-animal aggression.”
More dog owners are now requesting to attend the next series of 4 classes. For every 15 new requests we receive we will schedule another series of classes.
All classes will be conducted in the late afternoon at the Community Center (Farmer’s Market). The cost for each class is 150 pesos. I
f you would like to observe a class without bringing a dog there is no charge. Please e-mail Mark McCoy at mmccoy777@aol.com if you would like to be added to the waiting list for the next series of classes.
INFORMATIVE ARTICLE
We want to thank Gretchen Dewitt for bringing to our attention some great information regarding your re-vaccination, or vaccination for previously vaccinated dogs and older puppies.
We have reproduced a wonderful article on the subject in our newsletter obtained from this website (http://www.caberfeidh.com/Revax.htm)
Casamagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa Hosts International Festival Of Altruism
Event to Raise Funds for Twenty four Local Charities
The CasaMagna Marriott Resort Puerto Vallarta and the American Consular Agency are teaming up to host the 7th International Festival of Altruism on May 15th, 2011.
The festival will feature a wide range of activities including a food demonstration from more than 40 of Puerto Vallarta’s finest restaurants, live music and dance, and cultural presentations.
The International Festival of Altruism will take place from 6-10 p.m. with an admission price of $300 pesos. All proceeds raised from the festival will be evenly distributed among the 24 benefiting charities which include (AGAPE, Amigos de la Cruz (APERCH), Asociación Femenil Vallartense, Banco de Alimentos de PV, Biblioteca Los Mangos PV, Biblioteca Rey Nayar (B.B), Centro Atención al Adulto Mayor-CAIAM, Casa Infantil Mojoneras, Clínica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara, Club Rotario PV - DIF Vallarta, Comité Ciudades Hermanas Santa Barbara, DIVAC – Discapacitados Vallartenses, Ejército de Salvación, Entre Amigos de San Pancho, Escuela de futbol infantil Pumas Vallarta, Esperanza-Grupo para sobrevivientes de cáncer, Fundación Asistencial Down de PV, Club Internacional de la Amistad-IFC, Manos de Amor por Bahía, Paraíso Felino, PEACE, Proyecto Pitillal busca un amigo, SPCA PV, Toys for Tots – PV Navy League)
Each charity will also be given the opportunity to host a display at the festival to highlight the great impact they are having on Puerto Vallarta.
Last year more than 1,600 people attend to the event, and were raised $578.400 pesos that were divided equally so each association received $ 24,100 pesos.
The tickets can be purchased with any of the participating charities or at the concierge desk at CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.
For more information please contact Lourdes Bizarro: 226 0048
The CasaMagna Marriott Resort Puerto Vallarta and the American Consular Agency are teaming up to host the 7th International Festival of Altruism on May 15th, 2011.
The festival will feature a wide range of activities including a food demonstration from more than 40 of Puerto Vallarta’s finest restaurants, live music and dance, and cultural presentations.
The International Festival of Altruism will take place from 6-10 p.m. with an admission price of $300 pesos. All proceeds raised from the festival will be evenly distributed among the 24 benefiting charities which include (AGAPE, Amigos de la Cruz (APERCH), Asociación Femenil Vallartense, Banco de Alimentos de PV, Biblioteca Los Mangos PV, Biblioteca Rey Nayar (B.B), Centro Atención al Adulto Mayor-CAIAM, Casa Infantil Mojoneras, Clínica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara, Club Rotario PV - DIF Vallarta, Comité Ciudades Hermanas Santa Barbara, DIVAC – Discapacitados Vallartenses, Ejército de Salvación, Entre Amigos de San Pancho, Escuela de futbol infantil Pumas Vallarta, Esperanza-Grupo para sobrevivientes de cáncer, Fundación Asistencial Down de PV, Club Internacional de la Amistad-IFC, Manos de Amor por Bahía, Paraíso Felino, PEACE, Proyecto Pitillal busca un amigo, SPCA PV, Toys for Tots – PV Navy League)
Each charity will also be given the opportunity to host a display at the festival to highlight the great impact they are having on Puerto Vallarta.
Last year more than 1,600 people attend to the event, and were raised $578.400 pesos that were divided equally so each association received $ 24,100 pesos.
The tickets can be purchased with any of the participating charities or at the concierge desk at CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.
For more information please contact Lourdes Bizarro: 226 0048
International Video Creation Festival: CLOSE UP VALLARTA 2011
By Deborah Buley
3… 2 …1 … ACTION!
The Oscars might be but a distant memory and Cannes still a few weeks away but Vallarta film aficionados are getting ready for their own celluloid celebrations: CLOSE UP VALLARTA 2011. The brainchild of Angel Delgado, a renowned Cuban artists and curator living in Puerto Vallarta, CLOSE UP VALLARTA is set to bring a whole new dimension to our appreciation of moving image. It is the first international video creation festival of its kind to take place in Bahia de Banderas, and one that will not be forgotten in a hurry. So what can we expect from a video creation festival?
Unlike the Oscars, a video creation festival is more concerned with video art than full-length movies per se and the festival categories cover expertise such as video art, video performance, experimental shorts and dance, with most videos in the festival selection lasting between two and six minutes.
However, just like the Oscars, CLOSE UP VALLARTA will be awarding prizes for the best videos within each category, having an expert panel of judges casting their votes on the submissions of local, national and international contestants.
Projections in Teatro Vallarta
During the festival, videos of participating video artists, alongside invited national and international artists, will be projected for the public in Teatro Vallarta from 8pm on April 25 and 26, where tickets will cost just 60pesos. Each night will have a different selection of videos, while the closing ceremony will announce the winners for each category.
Free Events
In addition to the presentations in Teatro Vallarta, there are numerous free events in the festival program, such as the exhibition opening of artist Rubén Ortiz Torres in Haus der Kunst proyectos gallery on Sunday April 24, projections in the theater’s gallery and a comprehensive program of conferences taking place in the Centro Cultural Cuale on April 25 and 26. The conferences will be led by national and international experts in the field of video art creation. (See festival program below)
For more information please contact Angel Delgado, director of CLOSE UP VALLARTA Tel: (322) 2220325 • closeupvallarta@yahoo.com • www.closeupvallarta.com Be part of the first international video creation festival, be part of CLOSE UP VALLARTA 2011.
Program of Events
Sunday April 24
8:00pm
Exhibition opening of artist Rubén Ortiz: Como T.V.? Curated by Pilar Pérez at Haus der Kunst proyectos gallery, Guerrero 339, Col. Centro. Tel: (322) 2222662
Projection of video art: El Caminante by artist Miguel Pérez on the outside wall of El Patio de mi Casa restaurant.
Monday April 25
10:00am – 2:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale Auditorium (Free Entry)
Lectures by national and international artists, art critics and curators related to video art.
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale Auditorium (Free Entry)
Presentation of videos and documentaries by invited national and international artists.
6:30pm – 7:50pm
Teatro Vallarta Gallery (Free Entry)
Make Up, a documentary by Pavel Cortés
8:00pm – 10:30pm
Teatro Vallarta Auditorium (60pesos)
Opening Ceremony
Presentation of videos by internationally recognized invited artists. Projections of videos by artists participating in the contest.
11:00 pm
BarAMERICAS, Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez 157 Col. Centro. Tel: (322) 222-0993
Festival Opening Party.
Tuesday April 26
10:00am – 2:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale Auditorium (Free Entry)
Lectures by national and international artists, art critics and curators related to video art.
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale Auditorium (Free Entry)
Presentation of videos and documentaries by invited national and international artists.
6.30pm – 7:30pm
Teatro Vallarta Gallery (Free Entry)
Selection of videos from video dance festivals in New York.
Presentation of selected videos from the STROBE video festival, Amposta, Spain.
8:00pm – 10:30 pm
Teatro Vallarta Auditorium (60pesos)
Projections of videos by artists participating in the contest.
Awards and closing ceremony
11:00pm
Bodeguita del Medio, Paseo Díaz Ordaz 858-A, Col. Centro, Tel: (322) 222-31584
Festival closing party.
For more information please contact Angel Delgado, director of
CLOSE UP VALLARTA
Tel: (322) 2220325
closeupvallarta@yahoo.com
www.closeupvallarta.com
3… 2 …1 … ACTION!
The Oscars might be but a distant memory and Cannes still a few weeks away but Vallarta film aficionados are getting ready for their own celluloid celebrations: CLOSE UP VALLARTA 2011. The brainchild of Angel Delgado, a renowned Cuban artists and curator living in Puerto Vallarta, CLOSE UP VALLARTA is set to bring a whole new dimension to our appreciation of moving image. It is the first international video creation festival of its kind to take place in Bahia de Banderas, and one that will not be forgotten in a hurry. So what can we expect from a video creation festival?
Unlike the Oscars, a video creation festival is more concerned with video art than full-length movies per se and the festival categories cover expertise such as video art, video performance, experimental shorts and dance, with most videos in the festival selection lasting between two and six minutes.
However, just like the Oscars, CLOSE UP VALLARTA will be awarding prizes for the best videos within each category, having an expert panel of judges casting their votes on the submissions of local, national and international contestants.
Projections in Teatro Vallarta
During the festival, videos of participating video artists, alongside invited national and international artists, will be projected for the public in Teatro Vallarta from 8pm on April 25 and 26, where tickets will cost just 60pesos. Each night will have a different selection of videos, while the closing ceremony will announce the winners for each category.
Free Events
In addition to the presentations in Teatro Vallarta, there are numerous free events in the festival program, such as the exhibition opening of artist Rubén Ortiz Torres in Haus der Kunst proyectos gallery on Sunday April 24, projections in the theater’s gallery and a comprehensive program of conferences taking place in the Centro Cultural Cuale on April 25 and 26. The conferences will be led by national and international experts in the field of video art creation. (See festival program below)
For more information please contact Angel Delgado, director of CLOSE UP VALLARTA Tel: (322) 2220325 • closeupvallarta@yahoo.com • www.closeupvallarta.com Be part of the first international video creation festival, be part of CLOSE UP VALLARTA 2011.
Program of Events
Sunday April 24
8:00pm
Exhibition opening of artist Rubén Ortiz: Como T.V.? Curated by Pilar Pérez at Haus der Kunst proyectos gallery, Guerrero 339, Col. Centro. Tel: (322) 2222662
Projection of video art: El Caminante by artist Miguel Pérez on the outside wall of El Patio de mi Casa restaurant.
Monday April 25
10:00am – 2:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale Auditorium (Free Entry)
Lectures by national and international artists, art critics and curators related to video art.
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale Auditorium (Free Entry)
Presentation of videos and documentaries by invited national and international artists.
6:30pm – 7:50pm
Teatro Vallarta Gallery (Free Entry)
Make Up, a documentary by Pavel Cortés
8:00pm – 10:30pm
Teatro Vallarta Auditorium (60pesos)
Opening Ceremony
Presentation of videos by internationally recognized invited artists. Projections of videos by artists participating in the contest.
11:00 pm
BarAMERICAS, Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez 157 Col. Centro. Tel: (322) 222-0993
Festival Opening Party.
Tuesday April 26
10:00am – 2:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale Auditorium (Free Entry)
Lectures by national and international artists, art critics and curators related to video art.
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Centro Cultural Cuale Auditorium (Free Entry)
Presentation of videos and documentaries by invited national and international artists.
6.30pm – 7:30pm
Teatro Vallarta Gallery (Free Entry)
Selection of videos from video dance festivals in New York.
Presentation of selected videos from the STROBE video festival, Amposta, Spain.
8:00pm – 10:30 pm
Teatro Vallarta Auditorium (60pesos)
Projections of videos by artists participating in the contest.
Awards and closing ceremony
11:00pm
Bodeguita del Medio, Paseo Díaz Ordaz 858-A, Col. Centro, Tel: (322) 222-31584
Festival closing party.
For more information please contact Angel Delgado, director of
CLOSE UP VALLARTA
Tel: (322) 2220325
closeupvallarta@yahoo.com
www.closeupvallarta.com
Arte 550
Just a few blocks off the Malecón & up the street from where Sergio Bustamante’s “pillow-head” sculptures climb a ladder to the heavens, you’ll find ARTE 550, the magical working studio & gallery of artists Patricia Gawle and Kathleen Carrillo.
If you have not happened upon this slightly off the beaten track studio, it should be on your list of must visits.
When the two friends traveled to Puerto Vallarta almost 3 years ago, they fell in love with the vibrant art scene and began making plans that would change their lives & work in ways they could never have imagined.
While in Florida, Patricia worked almost exclusively hand painting tile murals, she now works with raw clay that she digs in the mountains near El Tuito, an hour south of Puerto Vallarta where she also conducts workshops and excursions.
She calls her new work “narrative sculpture” & her message is one of “Living BIG”, filled with hope and dreams. In her sculpture, entitled “She Dreamed a World, then
Made It Happen” the dreamer takes the form of the “turtle guardian”, the eggs & hatchlings are protected beneath her ceramic cloak.
She reminds us that when you lead a life that makes a difference, you enhance your own life as well. Many pieces speak this same message.
They invite the viewer to identify a difference they want to see in the world, or their lives and be brave enough to change it. In her sculpture “Running Away From Home”, the explorer climbs into the boat that will carry her into the unknown.
She is willing to walk away from the comfortable to be open to a new life. Patricia also enjoys creating whimsical animal sculptures, often based on client’s pets which she calls “Vessels for the Storage of the Unexpected”. See more of her work at:
www.yourartadventure.com
Painter Kathleen Carrillo began her artistic journey in Southern California, migrated to Florida, and then set the intention of finding the perfect location to start anew.
Upon choosing Puerto Vallarta as their new home, she along with husband Andy Marcus created a retreat center called House of Wind and Water, and she and Pat opened Galería ARTE 550.
Kathleen’s newest series called “Growing a New life” is inspired by the mystical jungle surrounding the retreat center along the Rio Cuale at the base of the Sierra Madres, just outside of town.
The music of the river, layers of jungle foliage, trees that meditate, fish with musical scales, dancing jungle spirits, cockeyed river shanties, and inspirational quotes are but a few of the mystical elements in this new and inspired series.
Her colorfully energetic paintings range from boldly uninhibited jazz scenes to whimsical architecture from Europe and Latin America are reminiscent of fairy tales.
Viewers get lost in her world of wonder and find themselves smiling.
This joyful magic lingers in their hearts and their future homes.
Kathleen’s retreat and art information can be found at: wwwhouseofwindandwater.com.
Visit both artists & their work at
ARTE 550, Hidalgo #550
322 222-7365 Tues. – Sat 11-5 pm
If you have not happened upon this slightly off the beaten track studio, it should be on your list of must visits.
When the two friends traveled to Puerto Vallarta almost 3 years ago, they fell in love with the vibrant art scene and began making plans that would change their lives & work in ways they could never have imagined.
While in Florida, Patricia worked almost exclusively hand painting tile murals, she now works with raw clay that she digs in the mountains near El Tuito, an hour south of Puerto Vallarta where she also conducts workshops and excursions.
She calls her new work “narrative sculpture” & her message is one of “Living BIG”, filled with hope and dreams. In her sculpture, entitled “She Dreamed a World, then
Made It Happen” the dreamer takes the form of the “turtle guardian”, the eggs & hatchlings are protected beneath her ceramic cloak.
She reminds us that when you lead a life that makes a difference, you enhance your own life as well. Many pieces speak this same message.
They invite the viewer to identify a difference they want to see in the world, or their lives and be brave enough to change it. In her sculpture “Running Away From Home”, the explorer climbs into the boat that will carry her into the unknown.
She is willing to walk away from the comfortable to be open to a new life. Patricia also enjoys creating whimsical animal sculptures, often based on client’s pets which she calls “Vessels for the Storage of the Unexpected”. See more of her work at:
www.yourartadventure.com
Painter Kathleen Carrillo began her artistic journey in Southern California, migrated to Florida, and then set the intention of finding the perfect location to start anew.
Upon choosing Puerto Vallarta as their new home, she along with husband Andy Marcus created a retreat center called House of Wind and Water, and she and Pat opened Galería ARTE 550.
Kathleen’s newest series called “Growing a New life” is inspired by the mystical jungle surrounding the retreat center along the Rio Cuale at the base of the Sierra Madres, just outside of town.
The music of the river, layers of jungle foliage, trees that meditate, fish with musical scales, dancing jungle spirits, cockeyed river shanties, and inspirational quotes are but a few of the mystical elements in this new and inspired series.
Her colorfully energetic paintings range from boldly uninhibited jazz scenes to whimsical architecture from Europe and Latin America are reminiscent of fairy tales.
Viewers get lost in her world of wonder and find themselves smiling.
This joyful magic lingers in their hearts and their future homes.
Kathleen’s retreat and art information can be found at: wwwhouseofwindandwater.com.
Visit both artists & their work at
ARTE 550, Hidalgo #550
322 222-7365 Tues. – Sat 11-5 pm
Puerto Vallarta Spells T-R-I-U-M-P-H Local Student Wins National Competition
A group of students from private school Instituto S.P.A.C., upon invitation from the newly formed MEXTESOL Jalisco Occidente Chapter, traveled to Mexico City on April 10th to take part in the National round of Global SpellEvent, a spelling bee competition sponsored by Franklin Electronic Publishers de México, TESOL and the Mexican Association of Teachers to Speakers of Other Languages MEXTESOL. The competition, running for the third consecutive year, is open to students of English as a Foreign Language under 15 years of age and was held at the Flamingos Radisson Hotel in Mexico City.
Puerto Vallarta was represented by Olga Itzel Garay, Mildred Jiménez, Frida García, José Alberto Peralta and Bruno Rodríguez, all under the direct supervision and mentoring of Miss Gloria Montiel, whose expert coaching hand could be seen in the preparation of her students.
A total of 44 teenagers from some of the most renowned schools in the country faced off in a very exciting competition.
It soon became evident that the ISPAC students were a force to be reckoned with and after three rounds and 24 eliminations, all five of them were still in the running.
Effort, preparation and team work carried four of them onto the top eight and eventually Olga Itzel Garay de la Rosa and José Alberto Peralta took first and second place.
Olga Itzel and José Alberto were congratulated by TESOL officials and event judges John Segoda and Barry Pilson, as well as National MEXTESOL president María Trapero Dávila.
In addition to the trophy, diplomas and prizes that she received as the winner, Olga Itzel will be representing Mexico in the Global SpellEvent in New York City on August 17th, 2011, along with the representatives of 14 other countries. She has quite a high bar to beat as Mexico’s last year competitor brought home the second place worldwide. Keep up the hard work, Olga Itzel and Miss Montiel!!
Jalisco Occidente chapter president said she hopes more schools in Puerto Vallarta will take advantage of the many opportunities MEXTESOL offers both teachers and students.
Puerto Vallarta was represented by Olga Itzel Garay, Mildred Jiménez, Frida García, José Alberto Peralta and Bruno Rodríguez, all under the direct supervision and mentoring of Miss Gloria Montiel, whose expert coaching hand could be seen in the preparation of her students.
A total of 44 teenagers from some of the most renowned schools in the country faced off in a very exciting competition.
It soon became evident that the ISPAC students were a force to be reckoned with and after three rounds and 24 eliminations, all five of them were still in the running.
Effort, preparation and team work carried four of them onto the top eight and eventually Olga Itzel Garay de la Rosa and José Alberto Peralta took first and second place.
Olga Itzel and José Alberto were congratulated by TESOL officials and event judges John Segoda and Barry Pilson, as well as National MEXTESOL president María Trapero Dávila.
In addition to the trophy, diplomas and prizes that she received as the winner, Olga Itzel will be representing Mexico in the Global SpellEvent in New York City on August 17th, 2011, along with the representatives of 14 other countries. She has quite a high bar to beat as Mexico’s last year competitor brought home the second place worldwide. Keep up the hard work, Olga Itzel and Miss Montiel!!
Jalisco Occidente chapter president said she hopes more schools in Puerto Vallarta will take advantage of the many opportunities MEXTESOL offers both teachers and students.
PV Sleep Well
We all from time-to-time have trouble sleeping. For some of us, our trouble sleeping has turned into a health-threatening problem. For many people, our sleeping becomes interrupted by snoring, or worse, we stop breathing all together making it difficult to get the rest that is required to function normally day-to-day. Now, Banderas Bay has its very own in-home Sleep Study Service dedicated to testing for sleep apnea, providing solutions for a better night’s sleep, educating the public and local medical community of the condition, and supplying equipment and repair for people who have sleep apnea, all with the final goal of creating a happier, balanced and well person!
PVSleepWell is owned by Kevin and Rhnee Mohan, originally from San Antonio, TX. The need for a Vallarta Sleep Clinic became evident when Kevin, a CPAP user for over 7 years, was on vacation in Vallarta when a lightning storm fried his machine. A CPAP machine (A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine) is used by people with sleep apnea to provide a steady air flow into their lungs, allowing for a deep and restful sleep. He searched desperately for help in every hospital and repair shop in town to no avail. Nobody knew what a CPAP machine was, let alone how to repair one, so he spent the rest of his vacation tossing and turning, not getting a good night’s sleep that some of us take for granted.
It is estimated that 20 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea. That represents more than 6.5% of the population or nearly 1 in 15 Americans, making sleep apnea as prevalent as asthma or diabetes. Kevin is taking his 20+ years of experience in the medical administration field in the US and is merging European and Asian study methods with United States procedures to establish a program that is non-intrusive and can be done in the privacy of a person’s home. A good night’s sleep is more serious than many realize, and snoring is much more than a bothersome sound. Snoring can be a hint of a much deeper problem. Sleep apnea has been linked to major health issues including diabetes, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and other health problems.
PVSleepWell offers home studies including screenings to 3-day sleep analysis, which delivers results of a person’s sleep disorder and possible treatments, at a much lower cost than in the US and Canada.
You can rest assured knowing you’re getting the best of care. Their associates are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), and they have multiple medical specialists available in the US who are board-certified in sleep medicine. In addition to a personalized sleep study, PVSleepWell also offers sales, service and repair of CPAP equipment, masks and accessories. Most costs are covered by insurance, and cash discounts are available. So why keep tossing and turning each night, walking through your days half-asleep? Contact PVSleepWell today and take the first step to a better night’s sleep, to a better life!
PVSleepWell can be reached by calling 322-117-2255 or by e-mailing them at info@PVSleepWell.com For a limited time, PVSleepWell is offering a free screening. Wellness begins with a good night’s sleep! Contact them today for a full list of services available and fees.
PVSleepWell is owned by Kevin and Rhnee Mohan, originally from San Antonio, TX. The need for a Vallarta Sleep Clinic became evident when Kevin, a CPAP user for over 7 years, was on vacation in Vallarta when a lightning storm fried his machine. A CPAP machine (A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine) is used by people with sleep apnea to provide a steady air flow into their lungs, allowing for a deep and restful sleep. He searched desperately for help in every hospital and repair shop in town to no avail. Nobody knew what a CPAP machine was, let alone how to repair one, so he spent the rest of his vacation tossing and turning, not getting a good night’s sleep that some of us take for granted.
It is estimated that 20 million Americans are affected by sleep apnea. That represents more than 6.5% of the population or nearly 1 in 15 Americans, making sleep apnea as prevalent as asthma or diabetes. Kevin is taking his 20+ years of experience in the medical administration field in the US and is merging European and Asian study methods with United States procedures to establish a program that is non-intrusive and can be done in the privacy of a person’s home. A good night’s sleep is more serious than many realize, and snoring is much more than a bothersome sound. Snoring can be a hint of a much deeper problem. Sleep apnea has been linked to major health issues including diabetes, glaucoma, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and other health problems.
PVSleepWell offers home studies including screenings to 3-day sleep analysis, which delivers results of a person’s sleep disorder and possible treatments, at a much lower cost than in the US and Canada.
You can rest assured knowing you’re getting the best of care. Their associates are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), and they have multiple medical specialists available in the US who are board-certified in sleep medicine. In addition to a personalized sleep study, PVSleepWell also offers sales, service and repair of CPAP equipment, masks and accessories. Most costs are covered by insurance, and cash discounts are available. So why keep tossing and turning each night, walking through your days half-asleep? Contact PVSleepWell today and take the first step to a better night’s sleep, to a better life!
PVSleepWell can be reached by calling 322-117-2255 or by e-mailing them at info@PVSleepWell.com For a limited time, PVSleepWell is offering a free screening. Wellness begins with a good night’s sleep! Contact them today for a full list of services available and fees.
Facts about Puerto Vallarta!!
AREA:
1,300 sq. kilometers
POPULATION:
Approx. 375,000 inhabitants
CLIMATE:
Tropical, humid, with an average of 300 sunny days per year. The temperature averages 28°C (82°F)
and the rainy season extends from late
June to early October.
FAUNA:
Nearby Sierra Vallejo hosts a great variety of animal species such as iguana, guacamaya, deer, raccoon, etc.
SANCTUARIES:
Bahía de Banderas encloses two Marine National Parks - Los Arcos and the Marieta Islands - where diving is 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.
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.
CURRENCY:
The Mexican Peso is the legal currency in Mexico although
Canadian and American dollars are widely accepted.
BUSES:
A system of urban buses with different routes. Current fare is $6.50 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 at 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 second-rate
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 southern part of the State of Nayarit - from San Blas in the north through to the Ameca River, i.e.: San Blas, San Pancho, Sayulita, Punta Mita, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta, etc.)
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 dialing 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. Taking a siesta is a Mexican tradition. Some businesses and offices close from2 p.m. to 4 p.m., reopening until 7 p.m. or later. In restaurants, it is considered poor manners to present the check before it is requested, so when you’re ready to leave, ask for «La cuenta, por favor» and your bill will be delivered to you.
If 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. Look at the map in this issue, you will note that PV (as the locals call it) is on the west coast of Mexico, in the middle of the Bay of Banderas, the largest bay in this country, that 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 mountains- the Bay is well protected against the hurricanes spawned in the Pacific. Hurricane Kenna came close on October 25, 2002, but actually touched down in San Blas, Nayarit, some 200 miles north of PV. The town sits on the same parallel as the Hawaiian Islands, thus the similarities in the climate of the two destinations.
MONEY EXCHANGE:
(caja or casa 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.
WHAT TO DO:
Even if your all-inclusive 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 20th 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.
1,300 sq. kilometers
POPULATION:
Approx. 375,000 inhabitants
CLIMATE:
Tropical, humid, with an average of 300 sunny days per year. The temperature averages 28°C (82°F)
and the rainy season extends from late
June to early October.
FAUNA:
Nearby Sierra Vallejo hosts a great variety of animal species such as iguana, guacamaya, deer, raccoon, etc.
SANCTUARIES:
Bahía de Banderas encloses two Marine National Parks - Los Arcos and the Marieta Islands - where diving is 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.
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.
CURRENCY:
The Mexican Peso is the legal currency in Mexico although
Canadian and American dollars are widely accepted.
BUSES:
A system of urban buses with different routes. Current fare is $6.50 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 at 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 second-rate
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 southern part of the State of Nayarit - from San Blas in the north through to the Ameca River, i.e.: San Blas, San Pancho, Sayulita, Punta Mita, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta, etc.)
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 dialing 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. Taking a siesta is a Mexican tradition. Some businesses and offices close from2 p.m. to 4 p.m., reopening until 7 p.m. or later. In restaurants, it is considered poor manners to present the check before it is requested, so when you’re ready to leave, ask for «La cuenta, por favor» and your bill will be delivered to you.
If 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. Look at the map in this issue, you will note that PV (as the locals call it) is on the west coast of Mexico, in the middle of the Bay of Banderas, the largest bay in this country, that 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 mountains- the Bay is well protected against the hurricanes spawned in the Pacific. Hurricane Kenna came close on October 25, 2002, but actually touched down in San Blas, Nayarit, some 200 miles north of PV. The town sits on the same parallel as the Hawaiian Islands, thus the similarities in the climate of the two destinations.
MONEY EXCHANGE:
(caja or casa 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.
WHAT TO DO:
Even if your all-inclusive 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 20th 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.
Pascua - Easter Holy Week in Mexico BLESSING OF THE PALMS
It should come as no surprise that in Mexico, a predominantly Roman Catholic country, Easter is the most widely celebrated and important religious holiday of the year. Observances that would be of interest to visitors from abroad may be witnessed in virtually every village, town and city in the Republic beginning with Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and ending Domingo de Gloria (Easter Sunday)
Semana Santa gets underway on Palm Sunday when the faithful may join in a special mass which includes the blessing of palm fronds or crosses and other figures that have been fashioned from palms.
A large procession commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem often precedes the mass. Some of the blessed palms are later burned and the ashes reserved by the church for marking the sign of the cross on the foreheads of communicants during Ash Wednesday services the following year.
Tourists are welcome to attend services in any of the churches in and around Puerto Vallarta.
Happy Easter
“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”
lunes, 11 de abril de 2011
ASK THE MORTAGE EXPERTS
With mortgages becoming more of the norm in Mexico and with ever-increasing loan options, The Tribune is helping sort through the confusion by having your personal Financing/Mortgage questions answered by our local experts – David Schwendeman and Terence Reilly, Founder’s of MEXLend, an industry-leading Mortgage Broker based in Vallarta.
We invite you to e-mail your questions regarding buying or financing Real Estate in Mexico to buyinginmexico@hotmail.com.
Q: What is a Trust and why is it needed? Alicia M., Vancouver, B.C.
A: For historical reasons, the Mexican Constitution forbade foreigners from buying property in designated restricted zones.
These zones are comprised of areas near the Mexican border and areas near the coast.
The advent of the Trust became a device whereby the government could allow these transactions to occur and bring in an influx of foreign investment.
A Trust behaves very much the same as a trust in the US. The purchaser is the beneficiary of the trust and controls what happens in the future with the property in the Trust. It is automatically renewable in 50 years; it is willable and sellable and in all respects allows the beneficiary or foreign purchaser to treat it as real property.
Actually, it is a terrific tool for protection of your investment as this puts a powerful ally in the path of any questions concerning the deed. For further in depth information, please log on to the website of your realtor or mortgage broker or call them. We/they would be happy to talk with you.
MEXLend, Inc. is a Mexican mortgage brokerage that currently represents 8 different lenders offering 75 different loan options in Dollars, Pesos and Euros for buyers looking to purchase vacation or investment property throughout Mexico – including products specifically for Canadian citizens.
In announced results based upon post-closing client interviews conducted by Mexico’s largest US lender, MEXLend won the #1 mark of distinction for both client satisfaction and fastest closings for the second straight cycle. MEXLend can be reached at 322-132-7991 (in Vallarta), 917-779-9061 (while in the US or Canada), toll–free in Mexico by calling 1-800-3-Mi-Casa or go online at www.mexlend.com
(For US and Euro loans) or www.mexlend.com.mx for Peso loans.
We invite you to e-mail your questions regarding buying or financing Real Estate in Mexico to buyinginmexico@hotmail.com.
Q: What is a Trust and why is it needed? Alicia M., Vancouver, B.C.
A: For historical reasons, the Mexican Constitution forbade foreigners from buying property in designated restricted zones.
These zones are comprised of areas near the Mexican border and areas near the coast.
The advent of the Trust became a device whereby the government could allow these transactions to occur and bring in an influx of foreign investment.
A Trust behaves very much the same as a trust in the US. The purchaser is the beneficiary of the trust and controls what happens in the future with the property in the Trust. It is automatically renewable in 50 years; it is willable and sellable and in all respects allows the beneficiary or foreign purchaser to treat it as real property.
Actually, it is a terrific tool for protection of your investment as this puts a powerful ally in the path of any questions concerning the deed. For further in depth information, please log on to the website of your realtor or mortgage broker or call them. We/they would be happy to talk with you.
MEXLend, Inc. is a Mexican mortgage brokerage that currently represents 8 different lenders offering 75 different loan options in Dollars, Pesos and Euros for buyers looking to purchase vacation or investment property throughout Mexico – including products specifically for Canadian citizens.
In announced results based upon post-closing client interviews conducted by Mexico’s largest US lender, MEXLend won the #1 mark of distinction for both client satisfaction and fastest closings for the second straight cycle. MEXLend can be reached at 322-132-7991 (in Vallarta), 917-779-9061 (while in the US or Canada), toll–free in Mexico by calling 1-800-3-Mi-Casa or go online at www.mexlend.com
(For US and Euro loans) or www.mexlend.com.mx for Peso loans.
Ask a Realtor
Q: I am trying to buy a fixer-upper house in downtown directly from the owner.
He says that it is standard practice here to give the seller a deposit in order to guarantee the sale and is asking for $10,000 USD. Is this safe? Joe, Pittsburgh
A: No way Jose! We have an old saying in our office, it is: “Don’t leave your brains at the border!” Now Joe, if you were going to buy a home in the steel city, would you give the owner cash before closing? Of course you wouldn’t. (Or at least I hope you wouldn’t.)
In the event your transaction does not close, it would be difficult, expensive and time consuming to recover your deposit.
For that reason, the standard practice here is to draft a formal contract of sale, which both buyer and seller will sign. This contract should state the agreed price and terms of the sale and stipulate that any deposits shall be made to a neutral third party escrow account established specifically for the transaction. There should also be provisions to return your deposit if the transaction does not close, as well as agreed upon penalties in the event one of the parties fails to comply with the terms of the contract.
There are several established financial institutions that are able to handle escrow accounts here, First American Title, Stewart Title and Monex are some of the most common.
Typically the buyer is responsible for the cost of the escrow (approximately $500 USD per transaction) but this is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that your money is in a safe place. These fiduciary institutions have the legal responsibility to guard your deposit and not release it unless both you and the seller agree in writing. In the event of a dispute, a judge would rule on final disbursement.
For new construction, it is common to give the developer a deposit with the sales contract and make progress payments as the building is being constructed.
For this reason, you want to make sure that the necessary plans and permits are in place and the developer has a sound business plan and proven track record.
You should also ask for a completion bond in order to guarantee your deposit, or insist that your deposits remain in an escrow account, only to be released upon certain pre-established stages of completion.
Please note that Spanish is the binding language in the sales contract, (with English translation often provided as a courtesy) so I strongly encourage you to enlist the expertise of a bilingual local Realtor who is a member of AMPI.
Joe, I hope you can see that the days of unprotected real estate investments in Puerto Vallarta are long gone, so “Don’t leave your brains at the border!”
Do you have a question about Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta? Just ask!
Active in local and national Real Estate boards; published author and acknowledged expert on Puerto Vallarta Real Estate, Michael Green moved here in 1997 to take advantage of the unsurpassed lifestyle PV offers. Mike can be reached at: pvgetaways@hotmail.com
He says that it is standard practice here to give the seller a deposit in order to guarantee the sale and is asking for $10,000 USD. Is this safe? Joe, Pittsburgh
A: No way Jose! We have an old saying in our office, it is: “Don’t leave your brains at the border!” Now Joe, if you were going to buy a home in the steel city, would you give the owner cash before closing? Of course you wouldn’t. (Or at least I hope you wouldn’t.)
In the event your transaction does not close, it would be difficult, expensive and time consuming to recover your deposit.
For that reason, the standard practice here is to draft a formal contract of sale, which both buyer and seller will sign. This contract should state the agreed price and terms of the sale and stipulate that any deposits shall be made to a neutral third party escrow account established specifically for the transaction. There should also be provisions to return your deposit if the transaction does not close, as well as agreed upon penalties in the event one of the parties fails to comply with the terms of the contract.
There are several established financial institutions that are able to handle escrow accounts here, First American Title, Stewart Title and Monex are some of the most common.
Typically the buyer is responsible for the cost of the escrow (approximately $500 USD per transaction) but this is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that your money is in a safe place. These fiduciary institutions have the legal responsibility to guard your deposit and not release it unless both you and the seller agree in writing. In the event of a dispute, a judge would rule on final disbursement.
For new construction, it is common to give the developer a deposit with the sales contract and make progress payments as the building is being constructed.
For this reason, you want to make sure that the necessary plans and permits are in place and the developer has a sound business plan and proven track record.
You should also ask for a completion bond in order to guarantee your deposit, or insist that your deposits remain in an escrow account, only to be released upon certain pre-established stages of completion.
Please note that Spanish is the binding language in the sales contract, (with English translation often provided as a courtesy) so I strongly encourage you to enlist the expertise of a bilingual local Realtor who is a member of AMPI.
Joe, I hope you can see that the days of unprotected real estate investments in Puerto Vallarta are long gone, so “Don’t leave your brains at the border!”
Do you have a question about Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta? Just ask!
Active in local and national Real Estate boards; published author and acknowledged expert on Puerto Vallarta Real Estate, Michael Green moved here in 1997 to take advantage of the unsurpassed lifestyle PV offers. Mike can be reached at: pvgetaways@hotmail.com
Riviera Nayarit, in the Spotlight of International Media
* Randy B. Hetch toured our destination looking for material on the Huichol culture for her upcoming book of surviving ethnic groups, as well as for stories for National Geographic Traveler
* Wealth TV will also visit our destination to promote the natural beauty and cultural attractions of Mexico’s Pacific Treasure
History, culture, diversity and the preservation of traditions are part of the magic that surrounds Riviera Nayarit. This destination has much more to offer than just sun and great beaches, and this is why several international publications are visiting all the corners of this beautiful destination where nature fuses with world-class touristic infrastructure.
Writer Randy Hetch, who works independently for publications like the National Geographic Traveler was in our destination between March 17 and 21, while the team of Wealth TV is visiting between March 27 and April 1.
Randy Hetch visited Riviera Nayarit looking for the Huichol culture, as she is writing a book on ethnic groups that have managed to preserve their essence despite the influence of the occidental world.
She will also be writing an article for the National Geographic Traveler on the touristic infrastructure of Riviera Nayarit, as this is the beach destination that is receiving the largest number of investments in Mexico.
Joseph McDonald and Todd Metcalf from Wealth TV will be enjoying all the fun that Riviera Nayarit has to offer, from extreme swimming with dolphins at Vallarta Adventures and surfing at Sayulita, to an adventure with the tigers at the Paradise Village breeding program.
They will also tour the archeological site of Los Toriles, enjoy the cuisine of Mexcaltitan rendered by Chef Betty Vazquez, and visit the local art galleries.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Riviera Nayarit is working intensely to promote our destination, and efforts like this one are helping to earn the trust of the market and to attract more tourists.
Stats
I am going to present some recent statistics to help you all decide how you are going to manage to survive all of this terrible stuff we are hearing.
First of all, I’ll start with the story (you’ve all heard it before, right?) that when the fellow learned that 90% of all accidents occur within 10 miles of home, he promptly moved away. If only we could all figure solutions out so simply!
There are, of course, recent news articles about one place in particular, Mexico. Stay away.
Particularly, what we hear about is murders in the drug trade.
This generally involves the members of the trade itself but also has a spinoff effect in the police business and, ultimately, a spinoff into innocent bystanders such as locals and even visitors, in most cases known as tourists.
Yes, yes, last year alone we heard that between 30,000 and 40,000 individuals were murdered in Mexico.
Ouch! Most of us, who think like non-violent human beings, would rationally say, Stay Away.
However, as is generally the case, one or two numbers or statistics have little value in a logical consideration unless there is something to compare them to. So, here are some comparisons.
Recent statistics tell us that:
1. At least 36,000 people die from the flu each year in the USA. Oooh, that is awfully close to the number of murders in Mexico. What to do, what to do?
2. At least 37,000 people die in US traffic deaths per year. Ditto.
3. Jamaica’s murder rate is more than double, per capita, than that of Mexico. Isn’t Jamaica a tourist destination. Do you know anyone who was ever stupid enough to go there?
4. In the USA, around 5 people per 100,000 die in traffic deaths per year. In Canada the rate is 1.8. In Liechenstein the rate is 0.00. Wouldn’t we all want to drive around Liechenstein? In the Marshall Islands the rate is 1.7, still very low. In Eritrea (I have no idea where that is), the rate is 48.4. Now the scary thing for me here is that it sounds like a little country, maybe with few vehicles. Someone should check that out, please.
5. All of these pale in size (pun intended) to the following statistic. Believe it or not, 112,000 people in the USA die of obesity each year.
Now, how do we take all this and apply it to our lives in a productive way? Certainly, I personally should begin by dieting. But really, overall, how do we solve the problem?
I guess I will have to sleep on that one. But wait a minute! How many people die in their sleep?
Mexican Golfers Will Strive to Take the Lead at The Riviera Nayarit Classic
The Futures Tour, which offers an entry to the LPGA, presented the player roaster that will visit El Tigre Golf & Country Club, in which five Mexicans will play as locals
Last week, the organizing committee of the Futures Tour presented the player roster that will participate at the Riviera Nayarit Classic. The tournament will be played in this destination on April 4 to 10 at the El Tigre Golf & Country Club at Paradise Village, Nuevo Vallarta.
Five Mexican contenders will play as locals, and the tournament will see the return of last year’s winner Cindy LaCrosse. Sophia Sheridan from Guadalajara and Lili Alvarez from Durango are currently in the 28 and 62 places respectively, and will head the group of national players, which also includes Pamela Ontiveros, Marcela Leon and Tanya Dergal.
The Riviera Nayarit Classic will offer over 125,000 USD in prizes for professional golfers who seek to gain a ticket to the LPGA Tour, and the earnings from this tournament will be destined to the Lorena Ochoa Foundation.
El Tigre Golf & Country Club is the only course outside the United States that has hosted this tour, which is considered an entry to the LPGA, and this year once again has six Mexican contenders.
The strong support that our destination is receiving through events like the Riviera Nayarit Classic of the LPGA’s Futures Tour promoted by the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) guarantees to attract not only competitors, but also to generate an important media exposure when different networks cover the events.
According to the organizers, professional golfers will begin arriving to Mexico on April 4 to attend the Pro-Am on the 6th and 7th. This tournament is open to the public and offers the opportunity for fans to play as a team together with any of the professionals, and to win attractive prizes.
The Riviera Nayarit Classic will begin on April 8th and final round will be played on the 10th.
The Mexican contenders have been working hard and will try to become champions in their own land.
MEXICO IN THE FLESH
Sophia Sheridan (Guadalajara, 1984)
Professional since 2006 when she became a member of the Duramed Futures Tour after playing for 4 years at the University of California, Berkeley in the NCAA Division 1. Sophia finished her college years by setting a record for the 36 and 54-hole games in the history of the University.
She’s been accepted as a member of the LPGA Tour in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and is the best-ranked Mexican in the Futures Tour, currently placed in the 28th position in the money leaders list.
Tanya Dergal
(Durango, 1984)
Tanya has been a member of the Duramed Futures Tour since 2008, although she began her professional career in 2007 after playing for the South California University. During her first year on the tour she was ranked 51st, and her best position so far has been 6th place.
Lili Alvarez
(Durango, 1983)
A professional since 2007, she entered the Duramed Futures Tour in 2008. She had played for the University of Tulande, achieving a record of three top-ten, including the Conference Championship in the United States.
Last year she participated at the Big Break, a reality show from the Golf Channel, in which she earned the second place, and was also ranked as the best Mexican at the El Tigre Golf & Country Club.
Pamela Ontiveros
(Gomez Palacio, 1985)
This is her second year as a player for the Futures Tour. She played for the Oral Roberts University, winning two tournaments. In 2007 she was invited to the Master Card Classic Bosque Real, which was part of the LPGA Tour.
Marcela León
(Monterrey, 1981)
During her school years, she was part of the San Jose State University Team in California, and became a professional in 2002. She’s been playing at the Duramed Futures Tour since 2003, and was best ranked in 2003, when she ended up 2nd at the Lima Hospital Memorial Futures Golf Classic.
Last week, the organizing committee of the Futures Tour presented the player roster that will participate at the Riviera Nayarit Classic. The tournament will be played in this destination on April 4 to 10 at the El Tigre Golf & Country Club at Paradise Village, Nuevo Vallarta.
Five Mexican contenders will play as locals, and the tournament will see the return of last year’s winner Cindy LaCrosse. Sophia Sheridan from Guadalajara and Lili Alvarez from Durango are currently in the 28 and 62 places respectively, and will head the group of national players, which also includes Pamela Ontiveros, Marcela Leon and Tanya Dergal.
The Riviera Nayarit Classic will offer over 125,000 USD in prizes for professional golfers who seek to gain a ticket to the LPGA Tour, and the earnings from this tournament will be destined to the Lorena Ochoa Foundation.
El Tigre Golf & Country Club is the only course outside the United States that has hosted this tour, which is considered an entry to the LPGA, and this year once again has six Mexican contenders.
The strong support that our destination is receiving through events like the Riviera Nayarit Classic of the LPGA’s Futures Tour promoted by the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) guarantees to attract not only competitors, but also to generate an important media exposure when different networks cover the events.
According to the organizers, professional golfers will begin arriving to Mexico on April 4 to attend the Pro-Am on the 6th and 7th. This tournament is open to the public and offers the opportunity for fans to play as a team together with any of the professionals, and to win attractive prizes.
The Riviera Nayarit Classic will begin on April 8th and final round will be played on the 10th.
The Mexican contenders have been working hard and will try to become champions in their own land.
MEXICO IN THE FLESH
Sophia Sheridan (Guadalajara, 1984)
Professional since 2006 when she became a member of the Duramed Futures Tour after playing for 4 years at the University of California, Berkeley in the NCAA Division 1. Sophia finished her college years by setting a record for the 36 and 54-hole games in the history of the University.
She’s been accepted as a member of the LPGA Tour in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and is the best-ranked Mexican in the Futures Tour, currently placed in the 28th position in the money leaders list.
Tanya Dergal
(Durango, 1984)
Tanya has been a member of the Duramed Futures Tour since 2008, although she began her professional career in 2007 after playing for the South California University. During her first year on the tour she was ranked 51st, and her best position so far has been 6th place.
Lili Alvarez
(Durango, 1983)
A professional since 2007, she entered the Duramed Futures Tour in 2008. She had played for the University of Tulande, achieving a record of three top-ten, including the Conference Championship in the United States.
Last year she participated at the Big Break, a reality show from the Golf Channel, in which she earned the second place, and was also ranked as the best Mexican at the El Tigre Golf & Country Club.
Pamela Ontiveros
(Gomez Palacio, 1985)
This is her second year as a player for the Futures Tour. She played for the Oral Roberts University, winning two tournaments. In 2007 she was invited to the Master Card Classic Bosque Real, which was part of the LPGA Tour.
Marcela León
(Monterrey, 1981)
During her school years, she was part of the San Jose State University Team in California, and became a professional in 2002. She’s been playing at the Duramed Futures Tour since 2003, and was best ranked in 2003, when she ended up 2nd at the Lima Hospital Memorial Futures Golf Classic.
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