18 16 20 Road Tripping Through Nayarit

Transcription

Catch us online @ vallartatribune.com
Road Tripping
18
16
CELEBRATING PAPA
20
BASEBALL
TRAINING ACADEMY
FR
EE
G
U
ID
E
EXPLORING NAYARIT
Father’s Day
June 14 - 20, 2013 Free Issue 845
Road
Tripping
Through
Nayarit
2
June 14 - 20, 2013
Vallarta Tribune 845
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Welcome
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Welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit
Here is some advice to make your trip a little easier and more enjoyable.
TIME ZONE: The entire state of Jalisco is
on Central Time, as is the southern part of
the State of Nayarit starting from San Blas
in the north.
Cover Photo
San Blas, Nayarit
Madeline Milne
PRESIDENT OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Fernando Gonzalez Corona
DIRECTOR
Lic. Arturo Martinez Rojas
EDITOR
Lic. Madeline Milne
mmilne@vallartatribune.com
SALES
ventastribuna7@yahoo.com
EDITORIAL BOARD
Marcia Blondin
Raymond C. Beaty
Lois Ellison
John & Christie Forget
Landon Hollander
Nancy Van Landingham
Robina Oliver
DESIGNER
Cynthia Estela Andrade G.
cisandra@vallartatribune.com
Vallarta Tribune is an activity and entertainment guide and merely publishes information
as it is provided by the advertiser or event host.
We do not assume responsibility in errors or
omissions other than to correct them as soon
as they are made known to us regarding event
schedules, locations and/or prices. In addition, we do not assume any responsibility for
erroneous inclusion or exclusion of information except to take reasonable care to ensure
accuracy, that permission has been obtained
to use it, and to remove it as soon as is practical upon receiving your notification of error.
We recommend you always confirm prior to
attending or visiting an event or establishment.
Weekly publication edited, printed and distributed by Ediciones y Publicaciones Siete
Junio, SA de CV
Grupo Editorial Tribuna
Calle 21 de Marzo # 1174 Col. Lomas del
Coapinole Del. El Pitillal, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco México CP 48290 Tel. (322) 226-0829,
226-0800 editor@vallartatribune.com
www.vallartatribune.com
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Promote Your Next Event
BUSES: A system of urban buses with different routes can bring you from one end
of the bay to the other and all the spots in
between. 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 town. Do not enter a taxi without
agreeing on the price with the driver first.
Price is per trip not person.
MONEY EXCHANGE: Although you
may have to wait in line for a few minutes,
banks will give you a higher rate of exchange than the exchange booths (caja de cambio). You will need your passport.
Better yet, use your bank card to withdraw
funds from any ATM machine. Note that
ATM’s in the banks are the safest to use and
generally charge lower fees.
DRINKING WATER: For the 17th year
in a row, Puerto Vallarta’s water has been
awarded a certification of purity for human
consumption. 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. If you want to be
doubly sure, you can pick up bottled water
just about anywhere.
EXPORTING PETS: Fall in love with the
street dog outside your hotel or a puppy on
the Malecon doesn’t mean they can’t come
home with you. The process is fairly inexpensive and only takes a day or two. You need a
certificate of health from a local vet among
other things. The time of year that pets can
travel in the cargo section of the plane may be
your biggest challenge. For the most up-todate information contact the Puerto Vallarta
SPCA at spcapv@gmail.com.
LEGAL SYSTEM: Not knowing the law is
not an valid excuse in Mexico or anywhere.
If you find yourself caught in a legal situation be aware that guilt is presumed until
your innocence can be proven.
This is a very difficult lesson to learn if you
are visiting from the United States or Canada in particular. Immediately contact your
consulate for assistance.
Calling in Mexico
Calling phones in Mexico can be tricky
as it is different than in the US or Canada. There are different codes you need
to use depending if you are calling landlines or cellular phones and if they are
local or long distance.
Long-distance calls from within Mexico
For national long-distance calls (within
Mexico) the code is 01 plus the area
code and phone number. For international long-distance calls, first dial 00,
then the country code (for the U.S. and
Canada the country code is 1, so you
would dial 00 + 1 + area code + 7 digit
number).
Calling Cell Phones (from a land line)
If you are calling from a landline within
the area code of the Mexican cell phone
number dial 044, then the 10 digit number
including area code. Outside of the area
code (but still within Mexico) dial 045 and
then the 10 digit phone number. Cell phone to cell phone only requires the 10 digit
number.
Emergencies: 060
Municipal
and Transit Police: 322.290.0507
Fire Department: 322.223.9476
Red Cross - Ambulance: 322.222.1533
Consulates
American Consulate
Nuevo Vallarta: 322.222.0069
24 hrs Guadalajara: 333.268.2145
Phone Cards
Phone cards (“tarjetas telefonicas”) for
use in pay phones can be bought at newstands and in pharmacies in denominations of 30, 50 and 100 pesos. Pay phones
do not accept coins. When buying a phone card for pay phone use, specify that
you would like a “tarjeta LADA,” because pre-paid cell phone cards are also sold
in the same establishments.
Calling Toll-Free Numbers
Some toll free numbers work from Mexico to the US and Canada, but many do not.
You need to dial a different prefix.
To call the following toll free prefixes,
dial as follows:
800 numbers
Dial 001-880-then the number
866 numbers
877 numbers
888 numbers
Red Cross: 065
Immigration: 322.224.7719
Consumer Protection: 01.800.468.8722
Tourism Offices
Jalisco: 322.221.2676
Nayarit: 322.297.1006
Canadian Consulate
322.293.2894
24 hrs: 1.800.706.2900
COMMON SENSE: Just as you wouldn’t
walk around your hometown drunk and beligerent, it is not acceptable to do that here.
While Mexicans are a forgiving bunch, basic politeness is appreciated. For the guys,
peeing in public is a major faux pas and if
you are caught, can get you tossed in jail or
an expensive fine. Pay attention to your surroundings. Pay your bills. Be courteous.
And have fun!
DRINKING AND DRIVING: First off –
just don’t. The consequences are not worth
it. Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Fines are
as much as 10,000 pesos. You can be taken
to jail and your vehicle impounded. There
are many checkstops on the weekends and
you will be asked to blow if they suspect
you have been drinking.
Free calendar listings in the Vallarta Tribune
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A call for help this past weekend had me driving out to San
Blas for the day. A total of 450
kilometers in one day would
suggest I’m a very good friend.
But I wanted to go. I’m not one
to turn down a road trip. I love
to drive my little Jetta too fast
along the highway, with the wind
destroying my already frizzy
hair, slamming into one tope after another. Actually, I love the
drive because there are so many
little places to pull off and explore. Each time I make the trip
I lament that I don’t have enough
time to do the area justice. I truly
feel like months along this coast
still wouldn’t be long enough.
In Guayabitos we ran smack
into the Motorcycle Festival and
all that entails, including plenty
of ticket happy police officers.
But, after explaining I was only
driving a little too fast to pass the
slow moving truck with a family
of 12 in the back, the police officer was very understanding and
kindly let us go on our merry
way.
Los Ayala was a little different. Apparently I went through
two red lights despite my insistence that there was only one.
My pleas for leniency fell on
deaf ears initially but, eventually we came to an understanding.
Honestly, what I wouldn’t do for
a Jalisco/Nayarit plated vehicle
sometimes.
More than half way to our
destination we decided it was
time to grab some lunch so we
stopped in Playa Los Platinito
for some very fresh seafood in
the cutest little bay. There are a
handful of typical beachfront seafood restaurants and a couple of
hotels, some even with hot water! Plenty of Mexican families
already out on the beach buried
up to their necks in sand having
a great time.
Back on the road we go, stopping only to grab a dozen banana
muffins, three loaves of banana
bread and some fried bananas.
Apparently famous for pan de
platino, this little stop along the
way (across from the Corona
plant – you can’t miss it!) is a
great place to grab a snack and
conveniently they sell ice cold
milk to accompany your fresh
Editorial
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out of the oven breads. We also
found time to do the Barco tour
through the Mangroves, drive
around the town of San Blas,
deliver the package safely to our
friend at his ranch and find our
way back to Vallarta. 14 hours
and 450 kms later I’m safely in
my bed again.
In this issue of the Vallarta
Tribune we have a great road trip
planned out from Nuevo Vallarta
to San Blas but it’s spread over
5 days and encourages you to
make camp at such great places
as Playa Escondida outside of
Sayulita, and Hotel Garza in San
Blas. It’s similar to my trip – but
different.
Which is why this country
is great;fFrom day trips to week
long excursions there is so much
to experience here. I have to
just say, in closing, I received
the most wonderful set of emails
from a reader who described
some spine tingling road trips
through Jalisco that I can’t wait
to experience. Hopefully this
time with less police intervention. If you have any great places
you want to share with the readers or with me over a coctel de
Cameron, send me an email and
let’s get together soon.
Madeline
Vallarta Pride Committee to hold First Award
and Fundraising Event
T
he Vallarta Pride Committee will hold its first
Award and Fundraising
Event on June 14th at 10pm at
Paco’s Ranch in Puerto Vallarta´s
Romantic Zone. Armando Sanchez explained, “Although we
are very happy with the outcome
of the weekend, we misjudged
the timing of events and were never able to announce the winners
of the Parade Competition or the
Raffle Prizes.”
The committee feels it is very
important to publicly thank the
sponsors and the special people
who went out of their way to
make Pride an amazing weekend
for all.
The committee has created
a fun event featuring Christian
Serrano´s photos of the Pride
Weekend as the backdrop for the
Award Ceremony section of the
program. Benito Aleman, Manager of Paco’s Ranch, told the
committee, “Paco´s Ranch and
I will do anything to help the
committee for creating such a
wonderful weekend.” Carla Fifi
will be the host of the award and
entertainment event.
Bill Hevener explained that
the Committee needs to raise
money to round off the books.
“We were expecting to make
more money on alcohol sales.
Who would have thought that the
parade would turn out to be so
well organized, that it was over
in an hour, leaving almost an
hour and a half before we could
officially start selling liquor?
A second pleasant surprise was
that the ACTII performers spellbound the crowd. People sat under the afternoon sun not moving
for hours, afraid they would miss
the next act, cutting our chance
to sell further.”
The committee has been so
encouraged by everyone’s willingness to help. Carla Fifi, Diva
Divine and Daniel Gomez have
all volunteered their time to wow
the crowd during the entertain-
ment portion of the event. Poncho Davalos, who is running the
50p raffle with prizes from the
Blue Chairs Resort, Rivera del
Rio and Golds Gym, is “confident that the community will
come out to support the event
and make sure the committee is
in the black. We will hopefully
raise enough money to pay off
the debts and start organizing
Pride Vallarta 2014.”
The event is from 10 to 12
pm on Friday, June 14th. Cover
is a 50p donation which includes 2x1 drink prices during the
event.
Paco’s Ranch
Ignacio L. Vallarta #237
Zona Romantica
Puerto Vallarta
Tel. (322) 222-8147
www.pacosranch.com/
For more information,
please visit: http://gaypv.mx/
June 14 - 20, 2013
3
Live Music at the
Boutique Theater
The Boutique Theatre has an outstanding program coming up this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. June 14 and 15 at 8 pm and 5 pm Sunday.
“Brothers in Song” presented by the Puerto Vallarta Men’s Choir
will have you fondly remembering old tunes, humming along with
others and at times laughing out loud with sheer enjoyment.
For sure you will leave the theater smiling, knowing why founder /
Director Bob Bruneau’s favorite song is called “Why We Sing”. Until
next week, we’ll see you Saturday at the Paradise Community Center
across the street from Coco’s Kitchen in the Romantic Zone.
“Fitch lifts Mexico rating on
economy, reforms”
Wall Street Journal, 05/08/2013. Fitch Ratings upgraded Mexico
by a notch, citing the country’s strong economic fundamentals, stable
oil production, progress in addressing drug-related violence and a greater-than-anticipated political commitment to pass structural reforms.
“Mexico is no longer an emerging country”
El Clarín, 05/12/2013. Mexico is no longer an emerging country
and has integrated directly to the frontier of advanced capitalism. Bilateral trade between the US and Mexico reached 511 billion dollars
last year – 1.4 billion dollars a day; and the core of this link is shared
manufacturing production, which is carried out within the transnational integrated production system, which accounts for two thirds of
international trade and whose players are global companies.
“Investors boost direct investment in Mexico, cut stocks”
Reuters, 05/24/2013 A healthy boost in FDI in the first quarter underscored confidence in Latin America’s No. 2 economy even as investment flows into the country’s stocks and bonds moderated, central
bank data showed. FDI reached 4.99 billion dollars in the first quarter
of 2013 after touching negative territory in the fourth quarter of 2012,
the first time since the data collection began in 1995.
ABOGADO O PARTIDO SIN ABOGADO
Mendocino County HHSA/Social service
Family & Children´s Division
PO Box 839 , Ukinh CA 95482
Teléfono 707-463-7990 Fax 707-463-7748
Superior Court Of California
County of Mendocino
100 Nort State St. Ukiah CA 95482
NOMBRE DEL CASO: Isabella Leigh Rangel
LA CITACION DE COMPARECER
PUBLICADA POR EL DEPARTAMENTO DE
BIENESTAR Y SUS INSTITUCIONES DEL
CODIGO ARTICULA 294 (F) (7) (A)
NUMERO DE CASO: SCUK-JVSQ-12-16505-01
1. Para Arturo Vargas Rangel y cualquier otra persona que esta reclamando ser el padre
de Isabella Leigh Rangel, nacida el 8 de diciembre del 2004 en Santa Rosa, California,
EEUU.
2. Habrá un junio de Departamento de Bienestar y sus Instituciones el 6 de agosto del
2013 a las 9:00 a.m. en el Departamento F localizado en la corte superior mencionada
arriba.
3. En el juicio, las recomendaciones de la trabajadora social serán consideradas por la
corte.
4. La trabajadora social va a recomendar que la niña este libre de la custodia legal de
usted, para permitir que sea adoptada. si la corte sigue las recomendaciones, todos sus
derechos paternales serán terminado.
5. Usted tiene derecho a estar presente en este juicio y presentar evidencia, y tiene el
derecho de ser representado por un abogado. Si no tiene un abogado y no tiene manera
de pagarlo, será nombrado por la corte para usted.
6. Si la corte termina sus derechos paternales, la orden podría ser ﬁnal.
7. La corte procederá con este juicio este usted presente o no.
Fecha: 5 de junio del 2013
CARYN A. DOWNING. Empleada Provisional por
PEGGY MELLO. Diputado
La Citación de Comparecer Publicada por el Departamento de Bienestar y sus
Instituciones Del Código Articulo 366.26 será publicada en las Siguientes fechas: 10, 17 y
24 de junio y el 1 de Julio del 2013.
4
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June 14 - 20, 2013
News
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Nissan began producing the
Note model in its Aguascalientes
I plant, which will supply both
the Mexican market and 20 other
countries in the Americas. The
Japanese automaker’s affiliate
in Mexico will also Manufacture
the Chevrolet City Express cargo vehicle for General Motors
(GM) in its Morelos plant, for
the US and Canadian markets.
Between 200 and 300 auto
parts suppliers will set up shop in
Mexico between 2013 and 2014,
increasinginvestmentsinthesec
torto1.5billiondollarsandbringi
ngjobsto30,000, informed the
National Auto Parts Industry
(INA).
Acciona, through its foundation, will supply renewable
energy to 800 communities with
fewer than 100 Inhabitants in
Oaxaca, by installing solar panels in their homes.
Enova de México received
the Social Entrepreneurs 2013
award during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Latin
America. This is in recognition
of its Innovation and Learning
Network (Redde Innovación y
Aprendizaje, RIA) program, one
of the largest computer networks
in Mexico, which has benefited
more than 450,000 low-income
students in three years alone.
Between January and March
2013, tourism in Mexico earned
3.875 billion dollars, 7.7% more
than in the same period in 2012,
informed Banxico.
Ericsson opened a new industrial complex in Querétaro to
complement the operation of its
Global Services Center in Mexico City.
IENova could compete in the
next phase of the largest natural
gas pipeline network between
Mexico and the US. The Mexican unit of the US Sempra Energy currently has investments for
1.5 billion dollars in projects in
the country.
Banco Santander will acquire 20% of the Bank of Beijing
Consumer Finance Company for
close to 48 million dollars after
approval from the Banking Regulating Commission of China.
Companies affiliated to the
Mexican Mining Chamber
(CAMIMEX) plan to invest approximately 8.145 billion dollars
in 2013, 6.5% more than in 2012.
WANT THE NEWS IN PUERTO VALLARTA?
Mexico received 4.988 billion dollars in Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) between January and March 2013, 14%
more than in 2012. This is the
highest number for a first quarter since 2007, and exceeds the
average of preliminary numbers
for every quarter in the last five
years by 22%, according to preliminary estimates by the Ministry
of Economy (SE).
Mexico’s retail sector is the
12th largest market in the
world, with 365 billion dollars
in sales, according to Accenture.
Mexico’s international reserves increased by 572 million
dollars from May 20 to May
24, 2013, reaching a balance of
167.488 billion dollars, informed
Banxico.
The Pacific Alliance, made
up of Mexico, Colombia, Chile
and Peru, became the eighth largest global economy and seventh
economy in terms of FDI, with
4,286 projects and a 3.2% share
in global investments, informed
Proexport Colombia.
April 2013 saw the creation
of 66,894 formal jobs in Mexico, bringing the total for the
first four months of the year to
285,930 new positions, informed
the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS).
Mexican coffee exports increased by 4.4% in April 2013
compared to the same period in
2012, to 387,867 60-kilo bags,
according to data by the Mexican Association of the Coffee
Production Chain (AMECAFE).
Peru exonerated Mexican,
Chilean and Colombian citizens
from obtaining a business visa
to stimulate the free flow of
people between members of the
Pacific Alliance.
The value of Mexican goods
exports was 32.863 billion dollars in April 2013, and total exports increased by 6.4% annually, thanks to a 7.7% advance in
non-oil shipments and a 1.7%
decrease in oil shipments, according to INEGI.
Visit vallartatribune.com
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News
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June 14 - 20, 2013
5
Lights, Cameras and Meeting planners invited to Vallarta
Action: The Preview
By Marcia Blondin
W
hat a night! Last Saturday, June 8th, at
their soon-to-be-completed venue, Act II Entertainment pulled out all the stops and
invited hundreds of Vallartenses
to preview their new digs. And
the people came. And ate and
drank and spent money to help
build this performing arts complex in the middle of OldTown.
The cameras did not stop
snapping pics of so many talented singers that overcame the
lack of proper acoustics and,
if the sheer joy of entertaining
an audience could have immediately transformed itself into
dollars, the theater, cabaret and
wine bar would have been open
for business that night.
Star power this city has in
spades and what distinguishes
Vallarta (to me) from everywhere else in the world is the intimate accessibility of all our artists to
the public generally. The hors’d
oeuvres were plentiful and elegantly served by gorgeous waiters. No chips and salsa here,
rather skewered shrimp with
fresh blackberries and pinapple.
Help me! The bartenders kept as
busy as the entertainers. It will
be wonderful to witness the exciting grand opening this coming
November. For all of you who
participated in producing The
Preview: Bravo and take a bow.
It’ll be a tough act to follow.
Vallarta Food Tours has
Special Fathers Day discount
A 3-hour food tasting and walking tour offers a local’s view into
Mexican culture through delicious and intricate cuisine, rich history
and stunning architecture. Book your towur before Sunday to receive
a 15% discount. Vallartafoodtours.com
The Puerto Vallarta Tourism
Board will be exhibiting at this
year’s AIBTM Expo taking place at the McCormick Place in
Chicago from June 11-13. The
destination will be represented
by a delegation of hoteliers, including Melia Vallarta , Westin
For one night only on Wednesday, June 12th saw a steady
flow of guests through Galerias
Vallarta to preview the works of
many renowned Mexican artists
available for sale.
A number of private pieces
and collections were presented
in a rare showing and available
for purchase.
The exhibit included such
artists as Daniel Kent and his
magnificent Los Procesos Sublimatorios, the playful The Monster by Manuel Adrian, a student
of Salvador Dali and the iconic
La Coqueta by esteemed Rufino
Tamayo.
A catalogue will be made available via email for those interested.
If you have questions or are interested in a private viewing of the
pieces available, contact Barbara
at webartATprodigy.net.mx
The next gallery event will
be held on June 22nd at Galeria Vallarta, 187 Guerrero #110
Upstairs
Puerto Vallarta ,Velas Vallarta as
well as Puerto Vallarta’s International Convention Center.
Meetings held in Puerto
Vallarta consistently bring 20%
more attendees to events than
at their previous meeting location. This year Vallarta will be
holding a hosted visit for Meeting Planners from July 9-12, a
special educational trip where
fifteen U.S. and Canadian meeting planners will experience the
diverse infrastructure and services that are available in Puerto
Vallarta.
Renowned Artists
at Galeria Vallarta
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June 14 - 20, 2013
Locals
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PV Sea Dive
By Erin Staley
oldtownfm.com
Connections at
PV’s Old Town
Farmers’ MarketTianguis Cultural
T
he success of the Old
Town Farmers’ MarketTianguis Cultural has
always been built on the relationships between the Vendors
and market goers.
They share a passion for
“make it, bake it, grow it” products and services, and this
week, we are featuring the stories of two – Organic SuperFoods and Chelow.
Yael Sanchez and Manuel
Murillo – both athletes and
healthy lifestyle advocates –
were disappointed by the lack
of delicious, healthy food they
found in Vallarta.
They knew they were not alone in their search for high quality
products made without flour, sugar, additives, flavorings, or artificial colorants and sweeteners.
In response, the duo opened
the first organic store in Vallarta,
Organic SuperFoods.
They offer the same locally
grown produce and homemade
vegan foods they serve their own
family, and customers have responded with rave reviews.
Since joining the Old Town
Farmers’ Market five years ago,
they have been offering tasty
samples of their most popular
good-for-you products:
• Almond Butter – oil-free, sugar-free, salt-free
• Peanut Butter
• Vegan Hummus – chipotle, cilantro, red pepper and natural
• Flaxseed Tostadas – flour-free
• Salad Dressings – sugar-free
and vinegar-free
“Not only do our customers
come to us for healthy foods, but
they want advice when it comes
to food selection,” says Sanchez.
“They even come to us
with some pretty interesting requests.”
She continues: “A man approached our stand on Market
day, demanding that we throw
By Sue Keevil
pvseadive.com
out his container of hummus. We
were concerned that something
terrible had happened with one
of our products in production until we learned that he had purchased it at a local chain store.
After trying ours, he couldn’t
eat the old standby anymore.
He told us there was no comparison and has been a fan of
Organic SuperFoods ever since.”
You, too, can become a fan
by visiting Organic SuperFoods
at Venustiano Carranza 517 in
Colonia Emiliano Zapata or online at Facebook. As you make your way
through the Old Town Farmers’ Market, be sure to visit
Consuelo Zepeda Núñez, owner and designer of Chelow.
She has worked with renowned designers in Mexico, learning from their masterful techniques to establish her own line of
original jewelry, leather goods,
belts and bags.
Each piece is handcrafted
with natural stones, metal and
leather for a creative, feminine
touch.
“My designs are inspired
by various cultures in Mexico,”
says Núñez, “but my pieces are
fashioned with my clients in
mind.”
While Núñez takes the time
to understand the tastes of her
clients, she admits that she may
REACH LOCALS AND VACTIONERS
not always realize the sentimental affect her pieces have on
others.
“In my first season as a Market Vendor, a kind American woman bought my gypsy bracelets
for all of her granddaughters as
Christmas gifts,” says Núñez.
“This past February, one of
the granddaughters contacted me
on Facebook asking how to find
me at the Market.
The following Saturday, the
granddaughter came to my stand
and told me that my gypsy bracelet, which she was still wearing,
was the last gift her grandmother
had given her before passing
away.
It’s for moments like this that
keep me doing what I do for my
clients.”
To find a memorable piece
for you or your loved ones, visit
Chelow at Orca # 129, Fraccionamiento Los Delfines, in Puerto
Vallarta or visit Facebook.
Join us this Saturday for an
unforgettable shopping adventure at the Old Town Farmer’s
Market–Tianguis Cultural. Located along Basilio Badillo between Olas Altas and Pino Suarez, the summer Market is open
9:30 am to 2 pm until the last
Saturday in July.
For more information, visit
www.oldtownfm.com or “like”
us on Facebook.
What a wonderful 24 hours
Y
esterday afternoon, three
wonderful men came to
my pool for some scuba
instruction. Twenty-four hours
later, they left my boat as very
happy friends.
Though they arrived yesterday full of apprehension, I knew
the day would be a fun one.
Firstly, they told me scuba diving
was on the top of their bucket
list, and secondly, they were too
funny. We had a chat about what
we would do in the pool, and
then we went underwater and did
it. One of the four skills we teach
new divers is how to safely take
the regulator out of your mouth
and put it back in.
No one likes to do this, but, if
you are going to have your photo
taken underwater, it is better to
not have a lump of rubber stuck
in your face, as this flatters no
one! By the time they had swum
around the pool a few times, they
were taking their regulators out
and smiling at me for fun, kicks
and giggles.
So today, we went to Los Arcos and Mismaloya for a couple
of relaxing and easy dives. Our
first dive was in the Aquarium at
Los Arcos. I was there yesterday
with a couple of students training
to take their open water certification. While I am teaching this
course, I am not allowed to use
a camera as I have to concentrate
on my students. For the first time
in two years, I saw a frogfish,
which is something I hadn´t seen
before diving here. I had to go
back today with my camera and
capture this lovely little creature.
As they are lazy, I knew it would
be in the same place, and sure
enough, it was. I had told my divers that I was going to look for
it, so they knew what I was going
to be showing them. I had also
told them that it is something
that many experienced divers
never gets to see, so these guys
were super lucky. A frogfish is
a peculiar creature. It swims by
perpetual motion, and looks very
strange doing so.
On the top of its head, it has
a fishing lure with something resembling a worm at the end of it.
As fish swim past and try to eat
the “worm”, the frogfish opens
its huge mouth, and the force of
the water created by this, sucks
the unsuspecting fish inside. I
used to see frogfish every day
when I lived in Borneo, but this
is the first one I have seen here,
and I am super excited about this
find.
They blend into their surroundings perfectly, making
them hard to spot, but their feet
stick out a mile. These little critters are smart and can change
their colors to match their surroundings. I think I will keep
this hidden secret of Vallarta for
my divers! It is at Los Acros, and
that is all I am saying.
What will I find next week?
Advertise with Vallarta Tribune
{
Tropical
retirement
dreams
Locals
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
7
Happy Father’s Day
By Aaron Fisher
royalclubrealestate.com
M
exico hosts some of
the largest ex-pat retirement communities
outside of the US. With theBoomer generation embarking on
retirement it is clear that Mexico
will continue to see more retirees, suitcases in hand, moving
to the warmth and generosity of
Mexico.
For many retiring in the US
doesn’t make sense any longer.
US law indicate you cannot
spend more than 4 months a year
in the US without being considered a US resident for tax purposes. The cost of medical care
continues to rise while much of
the economy continues to decline it’s easy to see why more and
more Canadians and Americans
are choosing retiring to Mexico
and specifically in our beautiful
Bay of Banderas.
Offering some of the best
year round climate, Puerto Vallarta and its neighbouring towns
are a welcome change from the
typical resort retirement communities. From the old world charm
of Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town, to
the comfortable lifestyle offered
in Nuevo Vallarta or the charm of
the small towns of Bucerias and
La Cruz, there are many different
types of communities, properties
and lifestyles to suit just about
everyone.
With over 330 days of interrupted sunshine the Bay can’t be
beat when it comes to weather;
an average day during the winter
months is typically, 25C / 77F.
The cost of living is half or less
of most North American cities,
with direct flight to many major
Canadian and US cities all makes
retiring here quick and affordable
to reach.
The Bay of Banderas is a wonderful destination, with one of the
largest protected Bays in Mexico.
During the winter months pods
of Humpback whales inhabit the
bay and use its nutrient rich waters to feed while birthing their
calves. Sheltered from storms and
teeming with dolphins making
it an ideal place to take in a local
Parenting
and Paradise
activity or water sports such as,
snorkeling, fishing, surfing, whale
watching, boating and more.
Modernity has not overlooked
this area and nearly everything
you could want can be found
within a short distance. Services
and amenities similar to those of
North America, such as shopping
at Walmart, Sams Club, Costco,
Home Depot and Office Depot
are readily available. International
healthcare services are available
both locally in the Bay and a short
distance away in Guadalajara are
some of the most respected hospitals and surgeons in the world.
With a strong focus on servicing the tourism market, Vallarta understand hospitality and
most locals speak a great deal of
English making it easy to communicate while at the same time it’s
great environment to learn another
language.
Getting around is easy with
great main roads and well-built
highway system; excellent bus
and taxi transport as well as easy
driving conditions. Mexico also
has a very stable government, a
very foreign friendly VISA program and is the world 9th largest
economy.
With ongoing social and cultural events happening all the time
and a thriving ex-pat community,
it’s easy to see why so many tourists have taken the plunge and
made the Bay of Banderas their
home.
The only English paper in the Airport
By Leza Warkentin
rhythm2rain@gmail.com
S
unday is officially Father’s
Day in the U.S., Canada
and Mexico. It definitely
doesn’t get the same air time
as Mother’s Day around here.
Being a mother, this has made
me smug and difficult to live
with. However, to be perfectly
frank, and listen up because I
will never say this more than
once, my children survived their
first months of life only because
they have the father that they do.
I know a great deal about early
childhood and I can tell you
when it’s best for a child to begin
learning to read, but I cannot understand why you need to daily
shampoo a virtually bald, dangerously unstable head.
Not only do I not have a
“mother’s intuition” for babyhood, I become incapacitated
when deprived of sleep. My
husband caught me giving my
month-old daughter her ear
drops orally.
Twice. He managed to stop
me the third time, but I believe
I’ve made my point.
To me, each cry our babies
made sounded exactly the same,
which was not unlike the sound
a mind must make on its downward spiral into madness. But
my husband would take a moment to listen to each one, then
jump up and begin heating up a
bottle, or run for a new diaper
and a certain brand of wet wipes,
and would include the diaper
cream if the cry code indicated a
slight rash.
My children’s father is the
nurturer and fixer of our family.
When my kids hurt themselves,
my children have grown used to
my look of horror at the blood,
unconvincingly masked by a
fake, queasy grin meant for reassurance.
They
invariably
head,
sniffling, to their dad, who is ready with a full first-aid kit and a
certain Spanish song that seems
to be part of the healing process
(sana, sana cola de rana…).
They also don’t bother coming to me when some bicycle
part or shirt button needs fixing,
because they know that I will
either just not have a clue or will
fumble around until they roll
their eyes and call in dad. My
mother has threatened to die of
shame because my husband is
the only one who knows where
the sewing kit is.
I always thought I would
want my children’s father to be
just like my own dad, with whom
I have a close relationship.
I love that he was always
funny and creative, and did crazy stuff to embarrass us in restaurants.
There was nothing like Halloween at our house, with my
dad’s spooky stories about the
monstrous garbage disposal unit
in our very own kitchen.
But then I realized (once my
children were past the lolling
head stage) that they already had
that parent.
And somehow, my heart
had chosen the gentle, patient
father who would care for them
like the precious treasures they
were, who would do all of that
everyday, essential stuff that
speaks of a deep, unconditional
love.
So this one is for all of you
dads out there who take one look
at their sleep-deprived, weeping
partners and gently but firmly remove the screaming babies from
their arms and say “Let me”. It’s
for the dads who send their wives back to bed for another hour
of sleep after a 5am wake up call.
It’s for all of you who will enter a
room shouting “I’ve got this” the
minute they hear the 2-year-old
shrieking “I said PURPLE” to a
wild-eyed mother holding an entire year’s worth of pink dresses.
This is for you.
Happy Father’s Day.
Reach more tourists with the Vallarta Tribune
8
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
Locals
{
This is
Paradise...
Diary of an
Intern
By Marcia Blondin
V
allarta’s summer heat
provides a great excuse for not cooking and
the Wednesday Co-op Market at
the Paradise Community Center
provides tasty edible answers.
Whether it’s a pool / beach /
BBQ or cocktail party be sure
you will find what you want to
take to the celebration (and do
not forget to take all the credit
for creating such magical morsels!). Pony up this Saturday and
chat up Mama Vallarta.
If she does not have precisely what you want - buy it!
She chops chicken livers, builds
blintzes and plans a different
pasta salad every week. Two of
my personal faves are antipasto
pasta (really!) and tuna sprinkled
with white cheddar cheese.
Try her chinese chicken with
sweet and sour sesame dressing
served on crispy wonton croutons, all purchases come with a
liter of fresh fruit-flavored tea
sun.
Always remember: sampling
is required - indeed mandatory
- and all guilt is lovingly given
freely by Jewish Mama Vallarta
aka Gloria Sue!
If you need some fresh veggies and herbs, do stop by and
visit with Gustavo who - in my
opinion - grows, among other
things, the most succulent spinach in Vallarta.
Let us not forget desserts or
something sweet to go with morning coffee.
This Saturday stop by one of
the busiest tables at Market run
by Todd and Lolita who bake outrageously delish offerings.
Cakes and huge cookies, and
do take home some raisin scones
dripping with icing.
Birthdays, anniversaries and
weekends require special cakes -
ask, order and your job is done
except to indulge.
Extra calories are winter’s
worries! Say hello to Alejandra
who knits (seriously!) a good
deal of her interesting jewelry
embellishments.
Benita makes sandals. No,
not those! Benitas sandals
sparkle with jewels, some with a
single color, some in blazing technicolor! Ask her to match your
favorite dress.
FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION
By Alexander Sternberg
Investours Intern
C
opies, coffee, and nauseating boredom are some of
the adjectives normally
associated with a summer internship. Yet here I am, drenched in sweat, finding my way
around Bucerias, searching for
an open taco stand, feeling as if
I’ve been wandering the desert
for 40 years. It was a very warm
introduction to a very different
summer internship than I have
been accustomed to. I am interning, along with fourteen others,
at Investours.
Investours is a socially responsible tourism company that
promotes cross-cultural interaction and utilizes tour fees to
support members of the local
communities in advancing their
small businesses, which include
artisan food and products.
A thrilling aspect of the internship is that we have the opportunity to make a difference
with a growing company and
an exciting mission within the
Mexican community.
It’s a pleasure for me to be
back in a Spanish speaking country. I spent the last year living
and working in Chile before returning to the US in January to
begin my master’s degree.
Bucerias presents an interesting challenge as my attempts to
speak Spanish are often met with
“Hey You,
Don’t Be
One of
Those”
Myles Wallingford,
Investours Intern
S
itting on this padded seat,
drinking a Corona, listening to the familiar sounds
of a distant electric guitar, let me
explain what I mean.
As creatures of instinct, we
seek comfort. And this Corona
Zone seems pretty nice for the
time being.
However, it was not long ago
that I was in a region of complete
physical and cultural opposition.
The Vietnamese countryside is
not a forgiving place for creatures of comfort.
Waking up on a dirt floor in the
middle of a rural village with a stomach absent of food for 24 hours
is not the ideal way to start the day.
Sometimes I prefer the Corona.
Wiping mud from the sleep
still present in my eyes did serve a purpose in hindsight though
(pun intended).
There is far more to learn
from being in a space beyond the
Corona Zone.
That is the value of being a
Traveler. Right now, I’m simply
a Tourist, and I have the clear
glass bottle with lime to prove it.
No matter where you find
yourself, it’s always possible to
live with the mindset of a Traveler. This is what I suggest:
1. Learn the local language:
Even if it’s only a dozen
words, it will serve you well to
use them. People love to see that
you are making the effort to understand their world.
Not knowing basics such as
“hello” and “goodbye,” is the
equivalent of going over to your
friend’s house for dinner and occupying the Master Bedroom.
replies in English, especially if
I’m walking down the street with
fellow female interns.
I recently asked a local about
a nearby café only to be met with
questions (in English) about how
many of the American girls I was
dating, and if any of them were
available for this particular gentlemen. While it is mostly in jest,
and often leads to the promise of
reduced rates in car rentals and
other discounts, it doesn’t help
me to improve my Spanish.
Since arriving in Mexico, I
have eaten as many tacos as I can
get my hands on, explored Bucerias, and taken trips to Sayulita
and Punta de Mita.
Some might see the proximity to the beach, authentic food
and travel opportunities as major
distractions to the work we are
here to undertake.
I find there is something
peaceful, and conducive to my
productivity, about opening my
laptop in a café or bar in the
middle of the blazing hot day.
If anything it provides greater
motivation to work hard on a
project, so that you can still have
time to enjoy all that Bucerias
and the locals have to offer.
And so begins my internship.
2. Take a different way home:
It’s true you know that one
sidewalk leads directly to your
hotel, but try to find a different
route to explore.
You never know what you’ll
find when you merge left instead of
right. Not all who wander are lost.
3. Ditch the concierge:
The money that could be
spent on zip lines and gift shops
could buy you something far
greater than anything measured
in pesos.
Rent a bicycle and roam
around, ask a local where their
favorite spot is, maybe even
just visit the town market and
people-watch.
If you’re a little too preoccupied to make beatnik plans like
these, there are many local organizations that would be willing to
help you out; give “Investours” a
Google the next time you are on
your computer.
The world is much too big
and beautiful of a place with far
too many experiences to be had.
Don’t spend all your days by the
pool with an umbrella in your
drink.
Get out there and don’t be
just another one of those.
{
Education
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
9
By Leza Warkentin
I
imagine that there are many
expat parents out there who
have found the search for the
right school in Puerto Vallarta to
be very challenging. There are
many choices, and some parents
do move to Mexico expecting to
use the public school system, since that is the system they used in
their home countries, and come
away confused and discouraged.
Most expats and many Mexicans use the private school system for a number of reasons. One
of them is that the public school
system differs greatly from the
system in Canada and the U.S.
The public system in Mexico
is not afforded nearly the same
level of funding as the U.S. or
Canada. Schools are overpopulated. In Puerto Vallarta at least,
most public schools run in two
shifts, the morning and the afternoon, for four hours each, so
that all students can receive an
education.
The curriculum framework
itself, mandated by SEP (Secretary of Public Education) is national and comprehensive, and
contains components that have
been adopted in some American
states. But there are still major
challenges in public education,
including issues with a very
strong teacher’s union that seem
to hold back the system from
being what it really should be
for the children of Mexico. These challenges have sent many
Mexican citizens and most expatriates to the private system.
Keep in mind that in public
schools, children are taught almost exclusively in Spanish, and
any special English classes will
most likely be taught by nonnative English speakers. You
may consider this an opportunity
for an immersion experience for
your child, but you also should
remember that if you are just
moving to Mexico, your child is
also dealing with culture shock
and missing what was once familiar. Getting put into an entirely new system with very little
support offered for non-native
speakers would be on the same
scale as being throw into the
middle of a pool without first
learning to dog paddle.
There are many schools in
Puerto Vallarta within the private system. In the next few issues of the Tribune, we will talk
about what you should be looking out for to find the right fit
for your family. I will list them
in order of priority, and also list
Choosing the right school for
your child in Vallarta
some schools you can call to ask
for more information (using this
handy guide, of course!), and
most definitely a tour.
Some of the most critical
areas to consider when choosing
a school are: school accreditation, teacher quality, philosophy
and goals, academic results,
and the actual physical building
and surrounding facilities. This
week we will focus on the first
area, school accreditation.
Schools in Mexico must be
accredited by the SEP, so any
private school you choose will
almost certainly have evidence
of this. However, any other accreditation they hold will be voluntary. This is very important to
know, because this accreditation
will tell you if they are held to
U.S. or Canadian standards or
not. If they are accredited by an
agency such as SACS (Southern
Associaton of Colleges and
Schools) or CASI (Connecticut Association of Independent
Schools) among others, they
are visited regularly and examined closely to be sure they are
meeting the minimum standards
for a quality education. They
set degree requirements for teachers and specify such things as
standardized testing and class
size limits. A school accredited
by such agencies as SACS or
CASI is considered an American school, even though it is not
physically in the U.S., because
it meets U.S. standards. If your
child graduates from a school
with this type of accreditation,
they will receive an American
high school diploma and a Mexican diploma.
Stay tuned for next week,
when we will continue our look
into choosing the best school for
your child. Up next, the importance of teacher quality.
10
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
Food
{
Traditional Mexican Food and Drink
By Gary R. Beck
A
n old adage is that true
Mexican meals must
contain corn tortillas,
beans, chilies and lime. This
is the ultimate measure, dating
back millenniums during which
indigenous civilizations subsided by the grace of corn and
beans.
Corn is the basis for tortillas
[circular flat breads, not chips]
which are served with meals
like other cultures serve breads.
Beans are often a side dish. Flavors favored by Mexican cooks
are cilantro and onions, but the
two most common additions are
chile and limón [lime]. From
jalapeño to fiery habañero, chipotle to mild poblano, Mexico’s
chilies are tasted everywhere,
in anything from main dishes to
salsas, even in chocolate bars.
Assess whether the particular
chile is too warm for your taste
buds. Limón refers to the small
green fruit well-known as lime.
A bowl of cut wedges may be
presented for use on any dish.
The migration of people with
their cultures include French,
Arabic, Japanese, Chinese,
South and Central Americas and
of course Spanish. The resulting
melding of cuisines has created
a contemporary cuisine recognized as one of the most complex
world-wide with UNESCO naming Mexican food “Cultural
Heritage to the World” for its
ingredients, culture and history
contributing to the world’s gastronomy.
Breakfast in Mexico features eggs [huevos] served with
tortillas, corn or wheat, beans
and salsa. Popular are eggs
revuelto [scrambled] or frito
[fried]. Three other creations are
often offered:Huevos rancheros
with a fried tortilla base covered
with a fried egg and tomato salsa;
Huevos divorciados [divorced]
two fried eggs served creatively
separated by a wall of refried
beans with one half covered in
red salsa and the other in green;
Huevos a la Mexicana, named
for the colors of the Mexican
flag: white onion, red tomato and
green chile, which are added to
scrambled eggs.
Two very popular breakfast
items are chilaquiles and tamales. The former features corn
tortillas cut into quarters and
lightly fried before added to
rojo [red] or verde [green] salsa.
The mixture is often served with
chicken, fried or scrambled eggs,
then topped with queso fresco
[shredded white cheese], crema [sweet Mexican cream] and onion.
Tamales may be served
sweet or savory, made
from masa [corn dough]
that is wrapped in either
a corn husk or a banana
leaf, then steamed. Fillings may be pork, beef,
chicken cooked in red or
green salsa or rajas con queso,
strips of mild poblano mixed
with creamy cheese. Raisins,
dried fruit and/or sugar are added
to make sweet tamales.
Antojitos [snacks and street
food] please the budget traveler.
Order several dishes to make a
satisfying lunch, snack or dinner. Quesadillas [quekas] are
comprised of large tortillas filled with meats or vegetables.
Cheese is always added before
the tortilla is folded and cooked,
usually grilled. Stuffing include
chicharrón [pork rind], tinga de
pollo [chicken in tomato chipotle sauce] or champiñones [mushrooms]. Sopes, huaraches and
tlayudas are made from the same
dough as tamales. Sopes are topped with refried beans, lettuce,
onion, salsa, cheese and often
meat. They are small, while huaraches are typically bigger and
oblong-shaped, and tlayudas,
native to Oaxaca, have a base of
a very large fried tortilla. Tortas
are an oblong white sandwich
roll filled with meat [chicken,
ham or pork], cheese and vegetables [cabbage, avocado, tomato,
lettuce].
Torta Ahogada means literally “drowned sandwich” with
the bun filled with shredded pork
and covered in a chile tomato
sauce, then topped with avoca-
do, onion and radish. Originally
from Guadalajara, popularity has
spread throughout the state of
Jalisco.
Like other countries, Mexican food has many regional variations with dishes as tacos differing greatly from one place or
town to the next.
They are one of the most popular foods available in Mexico.
Not the Tex-Mex version with
the hard shells stuffed with chili con carne, Mexican tacos are
small, soft tortillas filled with
meat [chicken, pork, beef or chorizo], shrimp or fish, then garnished with onion, cilantro, lime,
salsa and/or guacamole. The fillings and garnishes vary among
taco stands. “Al pastor” is pork
cooked on a large skewer, pressed into an inverted cone, marinated, sliced off as it becomes
done, then topped with shaved
pineapple.
Mexican enchiladas are tortillas rolled around fillings covered in salsa or mole. Birria is
a broth-based soup made from
goat, sheep or beef meat and is
often served with cilantro, onion
and lime. This soup and menudo are considered beneficial for
hangovers. Pozole is another traditional soup, made with pork,
hominy [dried corn treated with
alkali] and chile. The soup is
thicker than broth and is garnished with lettuce, onion,
cilantro and lime. Mole dishes are popular at celebrations as weddings, birthdays
and Christmas. The sauce is
a complex blend of at least
20 ingredients including
chile, cumin, garlic, tomato, cloves, anise and nuts. It
comes in various colors as
black [mole negro], green, red,
pink and yellow, and are particularly native to the states of
Oaxaca and Puebla, where it is
thought to have originated. An
unusual ingredient is unsweetened chocolate [cacao] added at
the end of cooking. Mole is served over chicken and rice, poblano chilies or enchiladas or inside
tamales.
For something sweet, gelato or helado [ice cream] is
popular and cooling. Flan is
similar to crème caramel, comprised of custard topped with a
soft layer of caramel. Tres Leche Cake [pastel de tres leches,
“three milks cake”] is a sponge
cake soaked in three kinds of
milk: evaporated, condensed and
whole. When butter is not used,
the cake is very light with many
air bubbles. This distinct texture
is why it does not have a soggy
consistency despite being soaked
in the milk mixture. Arroz con
leche, rice pudding, is a milkbased dessert usually sprinkled
with cinnamon. Churros aroma
springs from the doughnut-like
batter frying in hot oil. They are
long, thin and often sprinkled
with cinnamon sugar. The range of tropical fruits is impressive: mango, strawberry, guava,
pineapple, jack fruit, guayaba,
many citruses, banana, melon
and papaya, commonly sprinkled
with lime, squirted with tomato
salsa and sprinkled with chile
powder.
The Mexican drinks menu
is simple. In addition to international brands like Coke, aguas
frescas are one of the most popular drinks. Made from steeping fruit, seeds and/or cereals in
water, these drinks are available
on nearly every plaza corner.
Particularly popular are Jamaica, which is made from hibiscus
flowers and is dark red, horchata, made from rice with a hint of
cinnamon, tuna, a fruit, not the
fish, often offered at the town’s
main square, served over chopped fruit and nuts.
Mexico is one of the world’s
largest coffee producers having
some excellent Arabica. It is
grown in Jalisco, Chiapas, Veracruz and other states. Alcoholic
beverages feature tequilas of Jalisco and the country’s wide selection of cervezas [beers]. Baja
California is known as one of
Mexico’s top regions for grapegrowing and wine-making. Sangrita, a chaser for sipping tequila, contains lime and/or orange
juice, hot sauce, tomato juice
and pomegranate juice [or grenadine].
free calendar listings in the Vallarta Tribune
Shopping & Restaurant Guide
{
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
11
¿PLEASURE
OR
BUSINESS?
RESERVACIONES 293.09.00 / ZONA HOTELERA NORTE, PUERTO VALLARTA / WWW.LALECHERESTAURANT.COM
Francisco I Madero # 202, corner Pino Suarez,
Emiliano Zapata Olas Altas
Reservations 222 6593
www.latiavallarta.com e-mail latiavallarta@hotmail.com
12
June 14 - 20, 2013
{
{
Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Guide
BECK’S BEST
NOW UPDATED
FOR
2013!
BUY YOURS TODAY!
To download Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Guide Beck’s Best,
Kindle e-book: www.amazon.com/dp/B004NEVX7I
Apple iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/becks- best- puerto-vallarta/id429588300
B & N Nook: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1106980846
2013 Bound print: www.cafepress.com / vallartaguide
June 14-20, 2013
390 Restaurant Reviews in over 130 pages. The
largest restaurant guide in Puerto Vallarta by
long-time resident and dining connoisseuer
Gary R. Beck.
India
Gate
{
13
MONDAY
Main Courses
$99 pesos
from 6-11pm
WEDNESDAY
Martinis &
Appies
Restaurant Bar
2x1
Allende #124
Col. Centro
Puerto Vallarta
Tel.223.2424
from 6-11pm
FRIDAY
House wine
2x1
from 6-11pm
indiagatepv
India Gate Puerto Vallarta
Vancouver ● Puerto Vallarta
2012-2013
trip
June 14-20, 2013
{
“The authentic tasteJune
of 14India”
- 20, 2013
14
{RivieraNayarit{
June 14 - 20, 2013
Fun on
the Riviera
Nayarit
By Cat Morgan
www.rivieranayaritfun.com
The quiet
allure of Chacala
W
hen it starts getting
hot and you feel the
need to get out of the
city for the weekend, Chacala
could be the place you’re craving! Only about an hour and 45
minutes north along Highway
200 from Puerto Vallarta makes
it far enough away, but not so far
that you need to spend the entire
day driving.
Chacala is a small fishing
and tourist village with a lovely
white sandy beach that is great
for swimming and fishing off of
the rocks at the end of the cove.
Surfing is huge here, and surfers
come from all over to catch a
wave. In fact, I have heard from
a good surfer buddy that you just
may have one of the best rides in
your life in Chacala. If you need
to rent a board, or want lessons,
Mike and Lindy are at the Chacala Surf Shop, ready to go.
The Panga boats ferry surfers
out to the waves, or you may
book a ride to a beautiful private sandy beach for a few hours
where you lounge and swim to
your heart’s content. The Panga
boat picks you up later, bringing
you back to the main beach and
if you are so lucky to have your
own, the marina has a boat ramp
available.
There are many different
kinds of property rentals in town
that will meet your needs. There
are amazing beachfront rentals,
as well as cute bungalows and
hotels with swimming pools for
the kids. There are also beautiful grand villas overlooking the
ocean that are perfect for a family reunion or luxury vacation.
Chacala is a very small town,
which makes it perfect for the
folks that are looking for a more
private atmosphere.
Along the pristine beach there many palapa style restaurants
that serve up breakfast, lunch
and dinner, with some of the
best margaritas in Mexico! The
fishermen go out fishing every
morning, bringing back the fish
for these very restaurants. Can
you say, “Fresh Catch of the
Day?”
There are a lot of fun things
to do while staying in Chacala.
Visiting the petroglyphs, fishing
from the point or right off of the
beach, surfing the nearby breaks,
snorkeling in the local reefs, and
whale watching. Hiking to the
top of a volcano crater, or a bicycle ride to a nearby lake may
be your cup of tea. Or, you may
feel like relaxing on the beautiful white sandy “certified clean”
beach and swim with the aweso-
me sea turtles, whales and dolphins. Chacala also has a library
that was built six years ago by
Rotary US and Rotary International.
Both private individuals and
Rotary Members, as well as
many expats have dedicated their
time, energy and money to keep
the doors open and programs
evolving. If you are a Rotarian,
the meetings are every Wednesday in La Penita, which is only
20 minutes away from Chacala.
A small town with authentic
Mexican color and fresh flavorful food, with plenty of fun activities and town tours and more,
Chacala is great for a family getaway, or a romantic vacation.
And, hey, let’s not forget about
the incredible surfing.
See you on the Beach!
Cat Morgan owns the RivieraNayaritFun.com Regional
Network. Find out more about
Chacala and visit their town website allChacala.com
{RivieraNayarit{
Sayulita Life
By Riley Hunter
Originally Published
By Sayulita Life
The
“Sandboni”:
Sayulita’s New
Beach Clean
Machine
W
ith sprawling Semana Santa crowds, an
almost
year-round
flow of visitors, and of course
Sayulita’s dear dog population;
our beloved beach is indeed at
times in need of a little spring
cleaning! In mid-May, the “Sandboni” made its big debut on the
beach, and has been out a number of times to clean since. Much
like the famed Zamboni ice resurfacers of hockey, the “Sandboni” is a drivable machine
that filters and picks up trash on
Sayulita Beach and lays down a
nice, clean, layer of sand with
the pattern of a freshly raked
Zen garden.
The machine was bought
with ZOFEMAT funds. According to the ZOFEMAT website
their purpose is as follows:“The
Federal Office for the Protection
of the Environment, through the
Natural Resources of the Assistant Attorney General and their
Vallarta Tribune
State delegations, are responsible to monitor, inspect and verify
compliance with the norms that
govern these national assets. As
this municipality is a popular
tourist destination with a beach,
so arises the need to establish a
unit to regulate activities locally
that are carried out in the Federal Maritime Terrestrial zone.”
And their vision to, “Achieve a
balance in tourism development
and ecological sustainability in
beach activities.”
As Sayulita is an ecologically
minded community and a popular tourist destination, it sounds
like a wonderful resource for the
town; however some residents
have voiced concerns of the invasiveness of the machine and
its danger to Sayulita’s beachdwelling crabs.
But, after seeing the recent
video of their yearly migration,
it seems that at least that particular species has managed to stay
away from harm thus far. However, it is always a good point to
be raised. We have found a few
informative answers to the benefits and concerns online. Santos, a “Sandboni” operator says,
“The machines were bought by
ZOFEMAT and asked for by
Municipal President Rafael Cervantes Padilla. Me and another
worker come and clean regularly
and I think the machines are
doing a really good job.”
Thanks to ZOFEMAT and
the “Sandboni”, Sayulita Beach
will now be clean and safe for
humans and animals to enjoy for
years to come, and we are truly
proud that we have such a conscious community to monitor and
care for us all here in Sayulita.
Reprinted with Permission
June 14 - 20, 2013
15
Banderas
Bay
Initiative
By Maria Zamora
www.bbini.org
El Foco
A
growing city must tackle
infrastructure problems,
provide social assistance
for at risk populations, ensure
prosperous growth for its inhabitants, preserve its natural resources and provide access to culture
and educational opportunities.
We invite you to join us every
Monday at 4:00 pm through
your radios at “El Foco” to learn
about ways in which members of
our community are tackling these issues.
The show airs on 91.9 FM
on Jalisco state’s radio station
C7 Radio. Be warned, the show
is in Spanish, but we include
an English summary at the end
which can help you check your
understanding.
Work on your Spanish and
learn about some exciting ways
people are taking action to make
the Banderas Bay a better place
to live and visit.
“El Foco” is a space dedicated to civil society in all its
shapes. Formally organized and
unorganized groups can use this
space to promote events, talk
about their work, build ties to
one another and discuss what
problems they face in their work.
The Banderas Bay, as any community, faces many challenges
on its path forward. Join me and
Minerva Zamora from the Banderas Bay Initiative and Sergio
Haro, Executive Director of the
Punta de Mita Foundation every
week for an hour of English-language music and getting to know
the characters in your community.
Learning to do radio has
been a challenge and a joy. We
hope you enjoy sharing some
time with us as we get to know
some parts of the Banderas Bay
community which may remain
hidden to the casual visitor and
even to many of us who have lived here for years.
Hearing about the work of a
biologist working to save the reefs, a kindergarten principal helping to create good citizens, or a
proactive mother taking care of
special needs children can open
your eyes to an entirely new
Banderas Bay.
What has been the most gratifying for me in this first month
of the show has been hearing
how contagious taking action for
good can be.
“Angeles en Libertad, A.C.”
started out as a group of friends
sitting around a kitchen table
deciding to renovate their neighborhood park.
Since then they have partnered with various associations
for toy drives for special needs
children and plastic top drives to
raise funds for cancer treatments.
We have heard from a principal willing to take a stand against
the felling of trees which bring
joy and shade to her school. It
seems like people are just waiting for a chance to get involved.
If you, or someone you know,
work to better our community
and they have events to promote,
have them get in touch with us at
maria.zamora@bbini.org
Your best source for English news in the Bay of Banderas
16
{ Shopping {
June 14 - 20, 2013
Father’s Day in Puerto Vallarta
M
other’s day reigns
supreme in Mexico
but that doesn’t mean
that Papa doesn’t deserve a little extra recognition and love for
his contributions to the family.
Puerto Vallarta has plenty of
great shops and while it’s easy to
head to one of the many (air-conditioned) box stores in the city,
we thought we’d show you some
great options available at some
of the many small businesses in
Puerto Vallarta. These businesses not only support local families but they give flavor to the
different enclaves and are a good
reason to get out and explore.
Protect that
bald spot!
A new fedora and complimentary Guayabera will make a
dashing figure out of dad.
TONALLI
Calle Basilio Badillo, 342
Old Town, Vallarta
322-223-3013
Sharpen up
his space
A carved avocado wood Jaguar
head covered in milagros or
a ferocious Tastoanes Mask
will liven up any office wall.
COLIBRI DESIGN
Calle Aldama, 190
Centro, Vallarta
322-222-1383
He shoots,
he scores!
From sports balls to fishing and
camping equipment, sports is a
great way to bond with Dad.
Guayabera
Gutierrez Rizo Sports
Insurgentes at Aquiles Serdan Old Town, Vallarta
I’m hungry. How
much longer?
Provecho Cards contains
52 great discounts for local
restaurants, spas, shops and
more. A great way to experience
Vallarta every week of the year.
PROVECHO VALLARTA
$300 pesos (2013 packs on
sale for $200 pesos now)
ProvechoVallarta.com
Dress to Impress
Personalize with a custom
t-shirt. Or go with one of the
100’s of available designs.
15% discount with a mention of the Vallarta Tribune.
BANG-ON T-SHIRTS
Avenida Mexico, 1193
5 de Diciembre, Vallarta
322-181-7196
Provecho Cards
For more great shopping and to
support the local small businesses visit http://vallartashoppingdirectory.blogspot.com
z
rre
tie
Gu
Jaguar head
Dress to impress
o
Riz
rts
Spo
{
G
et comfortable, grab something cool to drink.
We have combined two
months worth of clinics. Low
season? No such thing! We like
to call it Summer Season. There
are so many advantages of being
here in the summer and we hope
that you have a very relaxed and
healthy one, wherever you are!
Scheduled Clinics
All of our clinics are “screening
clinics”. They are economically priced. No procedures are
performed (nor included in
the price of the clinic). If you
would like an appointment
for any of them, please email
me with your name, the clinic and date (which month),
your phone number and your
preferred time of appointment.
Mammogram Clinic
July 18, 2013
This is one of the most important appointments ladies can
make! Our Mammogram Clinic
is very popular in that we have a
breast specialist/radiologist and
as well, the clinic includes a manual exam along with a complete explanation of your mammogram. Price includes ultrasound
if deemed necessary as well.
Price: 920 pesos (PLUS
Members pay 820 pesos)
Foot Clinic
July 19, 2013
Our feet take a beating, especially here in the area! Between the humidity and the
cobblestone streets – yowza!
Ouch! Your feet, toes, balance
and pulses will be reviewed
by our podiatrist. As well, be
sure and check out Christina.
She is the star that performs
the “medical pedicures” at this
office. (Not included in the
price of the clinic). Amazing!
members pay 250 pesos)
Eye Clinic
June 17, 2013
July 22, 2013
A complete vision exam and
check for glaucoma/pressure
exam. Performed by an eye
doctor. Note: This physician will
soon be doing Lasik surgery
here in the area and you can
speak with him regarding this
as well, if you are interested!
Skin Clinic
July 10, 2013
Have your body checked from
the top of your head/scalp to
the bottoms of your feet. This
Health
{
is performed by an oncologist (not a dermatologist).
This is most definitely one of
our most popular clinics!
Ear Clinic
July 17, 2013
The amount of “gunk” that
builds up in our ears, especially here with the humidity, is
embarrassing! Have your ears
checked completely by our star
ENT physician, using his stateof-the-art equipment. Cleaning
performed if necessary. **Important** This is NOT a hearing
test. Our audiologist who comes
monthly from the US will not
be returning until September.
THIS MONTH!
Women’s Bone
Density Clinic
June 18, 2013
Women, especially pre, post and
menopausal women run the risk
of “weak bones”. We will have
a special company here on this
date to check bone densities,
along with Dra. Laura Garcia.
Vascular Clinic
June 19, 2013
July 16, 2013
Includes an evaluation by a
vascular specialist, checking
the blood flow in your body.
Pulses in your legs and carotid arteries evaluated.
Women’s Clinic
June 20, 2013
July 23, 2013
A complete GYN exam including consult, pap smear and
pelvic exam performed by a
wonderful, bi-lingual GYN.
June 14 - 20, 2013
17
Cardiology Clinic
June 21, 2013
July 24, 2013
Complete cardiac evaluation including an EKG. This is an excellent “baseline” evaluation to
see how your heart is working!
Men’s Urology Clinic
June 25, 2013
July 30, 2013
Includes Consult/Interview,
ultrasound of kidneys, bladder
and prostate, measurement of
residual urine. Special priced lab package available.
18
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
Travel
{
Pack your bags! We’re going on a roadtrip!
T
aking a drive down
the Pacific Motorway,
Nayarit’s coastal route,
is much like California’s Pacific Coast Highway – but, with
exotic twists and turns that only
a Mexican setting can provide.
With nearly 200 miles of pristine
and inviting beaches framed by
the Sierra Madre Mountains, Nayarit offers the perfect combination of luxury and adventure
making it ideal for a long weekend getaway or a leisurely
extended stay.
Rent a car to drive along
Nayarit’s main highway along
the coast to explore seaside villages, pristine beaches, local
restaurants and colonial history. Following is a suggested
route for a five day trip. If you
want to do a little off the map
exploring a jeep or SUV would
be a better option on the dirt
roads and with the many topes
you will need to traverse.
Day 1:
Beautiful Beginnings
Less than fifteen minutes from
the Puerto Vallarta Airport, Nuevo Vallarta - Flamingos is the gateway to Riviera Nayarit. Worldclass golf courses, a wide variety
of all-inclusive and luxury resorts, state-of-the art spas and
of course, beaches galore make
Nuevo Vallarta an ideal place to
spend a complete vacation or to
kick off your exploration.
This modern corridor is located on the spectacular Banderas
Bay, the largest natural bay in
Mexico. Each year this tranquil
Pacific haven welcomes hundreds of humpback whales from
November through April who
come to mate and give birth. Enjoy a half day trip on Banderas
Bay with Vallarta Adventures,
whose guides are marine biologists and oceanographers, to
enjoy this incredible whale watching experience. And as if that
weren’t enough, true nature lovers will rejoice with the arrival
year after year of hawksbill, Olive Ridley and leatherback turtles
on the shores of Nuevo Vallarta
- Flamingos between June and
December.
Ten minutes north of
Nayarit´s tourist development
epicenter brings you to the charming Mexican town of Bucerias,
situated at the north tip of Banderas Bay. It has several fine restaurants, luxury residences and
two renowned boutique hotels.
Those seeking more intimate
luxuries can stop by the trendy
Hotel Cinco and grab a drink at
the infinity rooftop pool (a definite must) or take advantage of
as much yoga and stand-up paddle boarding that they can handle.
Drive even further up north and
stretch your legs at the breathtaking cliff side Imanta Resort
while you open your mind, body
and spirit to the life-enhancing
benefits of the property’s pristine
environment.
with its traditional town square, brightly colored homes and
artisan market that meanders
through the narrow cobblestone
streets. Enjoy a refreshing drink
and lunch at one of the seaside
restaurants where you can dine
with your toes in the sand. At
night, the bars are lively and international.
After a cruise on Banderas
Bay and an afternoon shopping
in Bucerias, treat yourself to one
of the many wonderful high-end
restaurants along Lazaro Cardenas. You can choose from international cuisine including Italian, Mediterranean, Steak and
Seafood and Mexican.
This mixture of luxury hotels,
restaurants and activities makes
Nuevo Vallarta - Flamingos and
Bucerias a perfect combination
gateway. For some, this is the
main appeal of the region, but for
the discerning traveler this is just
one side of the spectrum that the
area can offer.
Day 2:
From Glitz, Glam,
and Glorious Islands
A fishing village for generations,
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle has
been recently modernized thanks
to the construction of the Marina Riviera Nayarit, the largest
and most modern on the Mexico
Pacific with 400 slips measuring
between 30 and 400 feet. The
Marina has created a destination
that harmoniously combines the
traditional life of a Mexican pueblo with the sophistication of this
development. When visiting La
Cruz - as the locals call it - you
experience picturesque scenes of
fishermen on the pier bringing in
their boats loaded with fish, or
children playing in the surf at the
protected Playa Manzanilla, all
while savoring a margarita in the
Marina’s Sky Bar.
A quick 20 minute drive north from La Cruz will take you
to the elite, low key and utterly
luxurious Punta Mita. The exclusive gated resort and residential
community including the Four
Seasons and St. Regis hotels,
spectacular luxury residences
and two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus
championship golf courses. Punta Mita is no stranger to highstatus celebrities. Its exquisite
homes, world-class spa and golf
courses and pristine beaches
make this a prime example as to
how Riviera Nayarit is becoming
the A-Listers’ favorite home
away from home.
vernment and UNESCO natural
protected nature reserve. This
is one of the best places to bird
watch in all of Mexico.
Formed by volcanic activity,
visitors can swim through a cave
to a cove and spend the day relaxing at the “hidden beach.” Here
and around this area, marine life
is flourishing and visitors must
be accompanied by a certified
tour provider. Come at the right
time of the year and you’ll likely
run into a family of whales migrating for the season.
There is an incredible variety
of lodging experience here from
the opulent St. Regis and Four
Seasons inside the gated Punta
Mita to the charming boutique
hotels located in the neighboring
town of Punta de Mita. Historically significant as the site of the
ancient Huichol Indians’ annual
spring festival, Punta de Mita is
Day 3: Hippie
Chic Hot Spots
From Punta de Mita, it’s only a
half hour drive to Sayulita, an
eclectic bohemian town that has
Setting foot in Punta Mita,
you stand in the white sands on
the tip of the peninsula and look
out over the immense ocean.
Imagine taking in the open
ocean as you read a satisfying
book, walking through the resort grounds seemingly surrounded by Babylonian gardens, or
pampering yourself as you are
enthralled by the sun’s descent
below the horizon. You will be
one with tranquility.
Only a short boat ride away
are the Marietas Islands, a goVisit vallartatribune.com
{
Travel
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
19
trees, historic ruins, local architecture and a busy port bring San
Blas to life.
One of the most enjoyable
experiences is a boat journey
through La Tovara National
Park. Take a small motorboat
with guide into the waterways of
the park through the mangroves.
become an internationally recognized surfing destination. Surf
on waves that are perfect for any
level, particularly from December through March. There’s also
snorkeling, fishing and irresistible beaches, casual beachfront
restaurants and a collection of
art galleries and boutiques to satisfy any vacation shopping urge.
Here you can also purchase indi-
ty oriented spirit that is as welcoming as the long beaches and
persistent waves. San Pancho is
a refreshing alternative to the
more commercialized vacation
typical of resort areas.
Home to cultural centers,
galleries, cozy restaurants, traditional bakeries and stores selling
colorful art, many visitors are
surprised to find that San Pancho
is the home of the impressive La
Patrona Polo Club with competitions weekly from November
through May. The dinner and
polo match on Saturday nights is
a local hot spot.
A happy combination of
comfort and style, the centrally
located Hotel Cielo Rojo sports
a quirky collection of antique
ﬁxtures and artwork in an intimate nine-room setting.
Day 4: Calling all
Nature Lovers
genous Huichol art in the town
plaza or at Galeria Tanana.
In the hills and jungles surrounding the village, active travelers take their pick of hiking,
mountain biking or horseback
riding. And, when the action
slows, yoga, massage and other
refreshing pursuits at local day
spas and retreats provide the perfect relaxation. Opt to embody
the laid-back healthy living of a
Pacific getaway with a yoga retreat at the Haramara Resort or
in a jungle-beach hideaway at
Playa Escondida.
The neighboring beach town
of San Francisco is lovingly referred to as San Pancho by the
locals. Rich with tradition passed down from the indigenous
Tatuan de Nayares people, the
town carries a strong communiPromote Your Next Event
Enjoy the 90 minute drive along
the coastal highway to San Blas,
taking a left from time to time
to explore a small village with
a seaside restaurant on a deserted beach like Lo de Marcos or
La Peñita de Jaltemba. Have a
sweet snack and take some pictures at the candy cooperative
along the roadside which sells
candies made in the region from
local fruits such as tamarind, coconut, bananas and jackfruit.
Where fresh water from the
mountains meets the salt water
from the sea, tall swaying reeds
line your route.
At any time of the year, be
prepared to encounter the roseate spoonbill, the black-bellied
tree duck and the bumblebee
hummingbird among many other
winged creatures.
At the end of the journey, you
can visit the Crocodile Reserve
to see hundreds of crocodiles
from lively newborns to huge,
sleepy older ones. From January
through March, this area welcomes 80% of North America’s
migratory birds, and becomes a
haven for birdwatchers with well
over 500 species recorded.
Spend the night at Hotel Garza Canela and experience one
of Nayarit’s most famous restaurants – El Delfin Restaurant,
whose chef, Betty Vazquez, studied at The Cordon Bleu School
of Culinary Arts in Paris and with
Chef Arzak in Spain. Nayarit´s
gastronomy ambassador blends
fresh Mexican food including
fish and vegetables with international recipes to create her own
matchless culinary style. She
and her sisters who own the hotel provide a particularly warm
welcome to visitors from around
the world.
Day 5: A Trip
Back in Time
Get an early start from San Blas
and take a daytrip to Mexcaltitan, known as the birthplace of
the Aztec civilization and the
‘Venice of Nayarit” for the many
canals throughout the island.
Mexcaltitan may be reached
from la Batanga pier north of
the village of Santiago Ixcuintla.
The visit begins with a refreshing boat ride through estuaries,
islets, coves and mangroves from
the mainland – either 25 minutes
by open motorboat or longer by
dugout canoes whose designs
remain unchanged for centuries.
Time is in no hurry here so put
away your watches as there is no
urgent schedule to follow. With
no means of public or private
transportation in Mexcaltitan,
the only way to get around is by
foot and visitors will be surprised to find the sidewalks are reserved for drying shrimp!
Shrimping and harvesting
other delicacies from the sea,
is the primary occupation in
Mexcaltitan, and dried shrimp
is made into a zesty, mouthwatering variety of dishes, some
dating back to pre-Hispanic times. Have lunch at La Alberca,
the best restaurant on the island
with a gorgeous lagoon view and
a menu completely devoted to
shrimp.
Time your trip just right and
you will catch the sunset illuminate the historic town with its
ruins of a colonial cathedral and
La Contaduria Fort, the departure point for Father Junipero Serra, who founded the California
Missions. A hub from the early
Spanish colonization days, San
Blas has preserved much of its
old-world charm and hospitality, making this a journey back in
time.
Feel like a local and stroll
through the main plaza and the
stone streets of San Blas. Palm
20
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
By Matt Krupnick
SAN BARTOLO COYOTEPEC, Mexico — In this tiny
town just south of Oaxaca’s state
capital, some of Mexico’s most
talented young baseball players
are taking their first real steps
toward the big leagues.
Pitchers practice their motions step by step as a coach
yells: “Uno! Dos! Tres! Cuatro!”
Typical baseball sounds — bats
hitting balls, balls hitting leather
— compete with the drone of cicadas.
The billionaire Alfredo Harp
Helú opened this baseball academy, La Academia de Béisbol
Alfredo Harp Helú, in 2009, and
the sparkling school has seven
baseball fields, a weight room,
trainers, dormitories, even custom-made artwork by local potters. Harp’s plan, in part, was to
prepare Oaxacan boys for major
league careers.
But this school in the heart of
Oaxaca, bordered by cornfields
and wilderness, is missing one
glaring element: Oaxacans. Of
the 45 or so students, none are
from this mountainous, impoverished state.
Only two Oaxacans, Vinny
Castilla and Geronimo Gil, had
made it to the big leagues before
the academy opened. Most of the
teenage boys from this state have
failed to meet the academy’s talent requirements.
“Yes, that’s why we put it
here,” said Eduardo de la Cerda,
the school’s director, while boys
sprinted down the right-field line
of a field behind him. “But they
need to have certain qualities.”
Nearly two-thirds of the
school’s athletes are from the
northern states of Sinaloa and
Sonora, baseball hotbeds that
also account for 60 percent of
the players in the Mexican League, the country’s primary professional circuit. In contrast, the
league has only four Oaxacan
players this season, less than 1
percent of the total. Oaxaca’s
3.8 million residents account for
about 3 percent of the country’s
population.
“Oaxaca never was a place for baseball,” said Castilla,
a former third baseman who
grew up in Oaxaca, the capital.
“The schools never had baseball
teams. If you wanted to play baseball, you had to go through a
league outside of school.”
Castilla hit 320 home runs
during a 15-plus-year career in
the majors and works in the Colorado Rockies’ front office. Gil,
Sports
{
A Baseball Academy in
a Talent-Poor Part of Mexico
who spent six years as a major
league catcher, plays for Harp’s
Mexico City team. Other Oaxacans tended to show little interest in their major league careers
when they would return home
during the off-season, Gil said.
The atmosphere here is far
different from the one most of
the academy’s boys grew up in.
Ernesto Alonzo Cazarez Arias,
for one, endured a 24-hour bus
ride to go to the academy.
Cazarez, a 17-year-old lefthander from Sinaloa, hopes to
pitch for his favorite team, the
Boston Red Sox. He said he
would have made sure Oaxacans
knew about their state’s major
league accomplishments if he
had grown up here.
“I think people don’t see the
things Vinny Castilla did and
aren’t that interested,” said Cazarez, who has a long scar on his
throwing elbow, a result of surgery that sidelined him for two
years. “If I was from here, I’d see
this and tell other people who he
is. He did amazing things in the
major leagues.”
The sprawling state of Oaxaca is known for its spiced chocolate, spectacular beaches and
colorful Day of the Dead celebrations. With one of Mexico’s
largest indigenous populations,
Oaxaca’s populace is relatively
short in stature, which has perhaps contributed to residents’
lack of success in baseball and
other sports.
Harp, who made his fortune
in 2001 when Citigroup bought
his bank, Banamex, has singlehandedly shoehorned baseball
into the Oaxacan consciousness.
He brought Oaxaca a professional team, the Guerreros, in 1996.
The team won the Mexican League championship in 1998 and
attracts about 12,000 fans a week
to its downtown stadium.
He also owns Mexico City’s
Diablos Rojos, the country’s
most successful baseball team,
and part of the San Diego Padres.
Harp, whose cousin Carlos Slim
Helú holds a minority stake in
The New York Times Company,
said that he attends about 50
baseball games a year. He said
having the academy near his Oaxaca home allowed him to deal
with the off-season more easily.
“I like to stay involved in
baseball all year,” Harp, 69, said
REACH LOCALS AND VACTIONERS
during an interview in the restored 400-year-old convent that
houses his foundation’s office in
downtown Oaxaca. “Out of season, I go to the academy.”
It may be impossible to
overstate Harp’s enthusiasm for
baseball. His stamp museum in
the city of Oaxaca opened a baseball-related exhibition in May,
with stamps borrowed from Peter O’Malley, also a Padres owner and a former Los Angeles
Dodgers owner.
Harp’s face lit up as he recalled checking box scores in the
newspaper each morning as a
child and seeing Mickey Mantle and Sandy Koufax play in a
Mexico City exhibition game in
the 1960s. He rattled off names
of his favorite players: Mantle,
Joe Morgan and Josh Gibson, the
Negro Leagues slugger who also
played in Mexico.
The academy mixes Harp’s
love of baseball and his affinity
for Oaxaca. Its two-story building is decorated with the black
pottery specific to this town.
Agaves and cactuses dot the
campus, or at least those parts
not covered by baseball fields.
The school sends players primarily to Harp’s two Mexican
teams and the Mexican League’s
academy near Monterrey, but
major league teams have taken
note. One alumnus, Roberto
Osuna, is a pitching prospect in
the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization, and several others are training at major league academies
in the Dominican Republic.
“I think what he has built
there is the No. 1 academy in
Latin America,” Omar Minaya,
a senior vice president with the
Padres, said of Harp. “Traditionally, Oaxaca has not been a hotbed of baseball activity. I think
it’s going to improve the level of
baseball kids play in Oaxaca.”
So far, however, that improvement has not translated into
Oaxacan baseball success. Many
blame the sport’s lack of television exposure for its failure to
catch on in Mexico’s southern
regions and nationally, as soccer
has; others say Oaxaca’s youth
leagues are not instilling enough
of a work ethic in their players.
Oaxacan boys “can do it, but
they need discipline,” said Guillermo Spindola, general manager of the Guerreros, whose only
local player, Jaime Brena, is sometimes announced as El Oaxaqueño when he comes to bat.
The academy scouts about
2,000 players a year throughout
Mexico, Harp said. It is rare for
a boy to enroll without being
recruited, but a handful of Oaxacans try out every year. None
of them have ever gained a coveted spot, said de la Cerda, the
academy’s director.
Students, who live in the
dormitories and pay nothing,
can choose to take high school
classes in the afternoons. But
most bet it all on baseball, splitting their time among the weight
room, the baseball diamonds and
the batting cages or bullpens.
The experience has been
more fun than expected for José
Orlando Garza, a 17-year-old
pitcher from Monterrey who was
recruited by an academy scout
last year.
“Before, I practiced very
little,” said Garza, a 6-foot-3
right-hander. “I was more about
Facebook and going out with my
friends. But now I’m very focused.”
Harp and the academy’s leaders dream of a day when Oaxaca produces talented baseball
players, but they appear far from
concerned.
“I knew it would be difficult
to find players from Oaxaca who
meet the requirements,” de la
Cerda said. “But if that were the
main reason for the academy, we
would have put it in Sinaloa or
Sonora.”
Originally published on nytimes.com
Advertise with Vallarta Tribune
{
If you would like to have your
music or cultural event added to
this calendar please email editor@vallartatribune.com
The Tribune is published on Fridays and all events need to be
submitted by the preceding Wednesday.
June 14: MUSICAL Brothers
in Song by the PV Men’s Choir
8pm $250p at the Boutique
Theater, Naranjo 330, Old Town
www.boutiquetheater.ca
June 19: VALLARTA EN BICI
100’s of bicyclists ride from the
Whale sculpture at the Marina to
the Malecon. 9 pm. Bike rentals are
available in Marina and around Puerto Vallarta
June 20: LADIES NIGHT 10pm 2am $50 pesos all you can drink $20
pesos with a short skirt - La Ingrata,
Mariano Abasolo 169, Puerto Vallarta www.facebook.com/laingratapv
Calendar
Events
Inaugural
Tequila Tasting at
No Way Jose
Join “Tu Casa in Vallarta” and
learn more about the world of
Mexico’s most-famous beverage
while mingling with the Banderas Bay Chapter of Democrats
Abroad. This fascinating and fun
look into tequila will take place
on Tuesday, June 18 from 7pm
– 9pm. For only $275 pesos perperson for members of Democrats Abroad (or those that signup that evening) or $300 pesos
per-person for non-members you
will enjoy an educational look
into the production of tequila, including tastings, snacks and some
take home souvenirs.
Reservations for this event are
recommended, but not necessary.
Reservations can be made by
calling 223-2853 or by e-mailingreservations@nowwayjosemx.
com.
Local tequilero expert Patrick
Harrison, will be on hand discussing the production process and
giving insightful tips on tasting
and what to look for when selecting tequilas. Guests will also
enjoy other drink and food. This
event will be the first “Summer
Spirits for Spirit Event” for Democrats Abroad. Look for other
mix and mingle, meet & greet
events to be announced throughout the season.
Come be a part of a fun and
educational evening while meeting other like-minded friends.
No Way José! is on the south
side of downtown at 5 de Febrero 260, just over the Vallarta
street bridge on your left heading
south from the Malecón. We
hope to see you there!
2nd Annual
Shakespeare Festival
Produced by the
Harkness Institute
Marival Resort and
Suites Theater
SATURDAY JUNE
15th, 2013 at 16:00
By donation $50.00 Pesos
Program
“To be or not to be”
Hamlet´s monologue
“Tomorrow and tomo-
Student Art
Auction Benefits
Manos de Amor
Spring time every year, the students at Harkness Institute work
on an acrylic painting for their
art classes.
The paintings are almost complete and we are preparing for
our annual Art Auction. Paintings range from Realism to Impressionism to Graphic Art.
The opening bid on each painting is $150 pesos.
There will be about 45 paintings to choose from and the
proceeds will go to purchase the
monthly grocery needs for Manos de Amor.
You may have a spot in your
home that could use an extra artful touch. Please join us and maybe you will find a treasure that
will be perfect for your home or
office.
Friday, June 21st 4 PM to 5
PM: Silent Auction Los Arroyos
Verdes, Bucerias
LIVE MUSIC
VENUES
Please be sure to contact the
venue to confirm all events.
La Bodeguita Del Medio
Paseo Diaz Ordaz 858, Malecon” 322.223.1583
Tues-Sun 9:30 2:00 am
El Jardin del Pulpo
Coral 66, La Cruz de
Huanacaxtle” 329.295.5071
10:30 am 12.30 pm
La Palapa
Pulpito#103, Playa los
Muertos” 322.222.5225
Mon-Sun 8:00am 1:00pm
Benito’s Paninoteca Bar
Nima Bay, Local 12, Marina
Vallarta”322.209.0287
El Patio de mi Casa
Guerrero 311 esq.
Matamoros 322.222.0743
Encore
Lazaro Cardenas51, Bucerias
329.298.0140
Wed-Mon 9:00 am 10:00 pm
The River Café
Isla del Rio Cuale Local4
Centro322.223.0788
Vitea
Libertad Edificio Malecon 2,
Centro” 322.222.8703
PVSPCA ADORABLE DOG IN
THE SPOTLIGHT...LADY
E
VALLARTA
BOTANICAL
GARDENS
June Events
The Summer Solstice
11-4pm with a Ritual Ceremony at 12:30 Enjoy the gardens and your fortune told in
the Hacienda de Oro
By Donation
rrow and tomorrow”
MacBeth´s monologue
“Romeo and Juliet” parody
And the play:
“A Midsummer night´s dream”
Harkness
Institute Art Auction
June 27: Ladies Night 10pm - 2am
$50 pesos all you can drink $20 pesos
with a short skirt - La Ingrata, Mariano Abasolo 169, Puerto Vallarta
www.facebook.com/laingratapv
21
Upcoming Events
June 26: VALLARTA EN BICI
100’s of bicyclists ride from the
Whale sculpture at the Marina to
the Malecon. 9 pm. Bike rentals are
available in Marina and around Puerto Vallarta
Friday June 21st
{
June 14 - 20, 2013
SUNDAY JUNE 23rd
Ladies that Lunch…
1pm-5pm After the success of
our first lunch we are back again!
Wear your best hat!
$350 pesos per person
(gratuity not included)
Includes entrance to gardens
SUMMER SPECIAL
Wine & cheese reception
Tour of the gardens Sit down
lunch Invite a friend and it´s 2
for $600 pesos
For more information
Call Steve at 322-223-6182 or
stephenclay@vbgardens.org
veryone has fallen in
love with this gorgeous
white lab. We think she is
probably about a year old
and weighs 22 kilos.
She’s a pretty smart
lady too, showing up on
our doorstep knowing if she
hung around long enough
we would take her in and
give her a home.
She is a sweet dog and
very grateful to be rescued.
She is so proud of her new
home she has taken it upon
herself to patrol the Sanctuary to make sure she protects it and all of us. She will
make some lucky owner a
beautiful and loyal pet.
She is good with all the
other dogs. Please contact us
at spcapv@gmail.com.
22
{ Philanthropy{
June 14 - 20, 2013
Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations
For visitors to Puerto Vallarta who wish
to do a good deed for the less privileged
in our paradise, this is a list of some of the
many organizations that could benefit from
such kind gestures. If you would like your
organization recognized here, please email
details to editor @vallartatribune.com
Centro Comunitario SETAC-GLBT
- provides essential services to the GLBT
community, including physical & mental
health treatment and referrals, education
& recreation, free AA meetings, English
classes, HIV testing and counseling. Paco
Arjona 224-1974 or paco@setac.com.mx
American Legion Post 14: contributes to the community through fund raising
and providing resources and manpower
to improve Day Cares, Senior Homes,
Schools for the Disabled and Deaf, Public
Schools in rural areas and other private
institutions needing building maintenance
www.americanlegion14.org
Clinica de Rehabilitación Santa
Barbara - Rehabilitation of the handicapped. Contact: Laura Lopez Portillo Rodriguez at 224-2754.
Asilo San Juan Diego home for the elderly - Contact: Lupita Sanchez Covarrubias
Tel. 222-1257 or malupita88@hotmail.com
or visit the website www.mexonline.com\asilosanjuandiego.htm
Asociación Down - The Foundation
for assistance to persons with Down’s
Syndrome – Contact: Ana Catalina Eisenring at 224-9577.
Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter Safe shelter for women & children victims
of domestic violence. Enables women to
become financially independent through
jobs, education and non-interest micro
loans, professional counseling for them &
their children. www.compassionforthefamily.org
Becas Vallarta, A.C. – provides scholarships to approximately 300 high school
and university students. Donations are
tax-deductible in Mexico and the USA.
Polly Vicars at (322) 223-1371 or Buri
Gray at (322) 221-5285. www.puerto-vallarta.com/amf
Bucerias Bilingual Community Center Support local families in Bucerias. 16
de Septiembre at calle Matamoros www.
buceriasbilingualcommunitycenter.org
Casa Hogar - a shelter dedicated to
improving the lives of orphaned, abandoned, disadvantaged or vulnerable children.- Contact: Luz Aurora Arredondo at
221-1908, Rita Millan (322) 141-6974.
casamaximocornejo@gmail.com
CompassionNet Impact - forms strategic partnerships & initiates programs that
provide opportunities for people living in
chronic poverty to transform their own lives. Bookmobile, homes, jobs creation,
loans, English & computer classes, emergency food, medicine & clothing, etc. Taxdeductible in Canada & the U.S. Cell: (322)
133-7263. ric@4compassion.org
Cruz Roja (Red Cross) - handles hospital and emergency service in Vallarta. 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.
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 times of emergency, but
also with ongoing education, health, and
training programs for the whole family.
Contact City Hall 222-0058
Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C.
(DIVAC) association of handicapped individuals dedicated to helping one another. Contact: Ivan Applegate at 221-5153.
GrupoEcològico de Puerto Vallarta
– Contact: R.C. Walker at 222-0897, rc_
walkermx@yahoo.com.mx
Navy League - Meets and greets visiting Naval vessels from all nations, assists in the transportation of donated medical supplies from the U.S., organizes
work groups to paint and repair schools
and other public/charitable facilities, and
operates the local Toys for Tots program.
Contacts: Bill Clark at 222 3616 or Jerry
Lafferty at 221 6156. www.vallartanavyleague.org.
New Life Mexico - a British Charity working in Mexico. Challenging
Child Poverty with Health and Education
Programmes. Contact: Philippa.VernonPowell@facebook.com
Pasitos de Luz (Mamas Unidas por la
Rehabilitación de sus Hijos) - substitute
home for low income children with any
type of handicap, offers rehabilitation services and special support to their families.
299-4146. www.pasitosdeluz.org
Pro Biblioteca de Vallarta - raises
fundsfor Los Mangos Public Library. Taxdeductible receipts for Mexico and USA.
Contacts: Ricardo Murrieta at 224-9966 or
Jimmie Ellis at 222-1478.
Proyecto Pitillal, “Busca un Amigo”
- association created by underprivileged
mothers of paralyzed children who need
society’s help. Contact: 299-4495.
Puerto Vallarta Garden Club: Beautify and protecting the environment. Open
to all: Mtgs held at Paradise Community
Center, third Thursday every month at
11am from October to May.
www.vallartagardenclub.com
PuRR Project - a no-kill cat shelter
with approx. 250 resident felines living in
a natural environment, un-caged, kittens in
the Kitten Nursery, on-site clinic with daily
veterinarian services. www.purrproject.com
Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza
Shelter for children. Donations are taxdeductible in Canada and the U.S. Contact: Madre Mari at 222-7857 or Sudy Coy
at 222-5765. www.ccshf.ca
Roma’s Kids - educate the children
of the Volcanes and surrounding area, to
provide them with the skills necessary to
become employable by the major industry
here in Puerto Vallarta – tourism: math,
English and computer programs a priority.
100% goes to the kids. www.kids.romamexico.com
Toys for Tots Vallarta - is a non-profit
organization that is celebrating 15 years in
Puerto Vallarta. Distributes toys and constructs playgrounds for less-advantaged
kids in the Puerto Vallarta area during the
Christmas holiday period. Contact: Jerry
Lafferty 322 221 6156 or Lourdes Bizarro
lourdes.bizarro@marriotthotels.com.
SPCA PV – provides private vet costs
for rescued animals, volunteers to create
& maintain a data base of adoptions, to
walk dogs at the foster home, Casita de
Guadalupe, foster homes for dogs & cats,
trap & release program for feral cats, etc.
www.spcapv.com
Un MañanaBrillante (A Brighter Tomorrow) - partnership of Americans and
Canadians to support the ColegioMexicoAmericano. Contact: Margi Baughman
mach1@prodigy.net.mx or David Bender
dbender@prodigy.net.mx
Vallarta Botanical Gardens - To build
Mexico’s greatest botanical, rwesearch &
education of plant life, city beautification
programs, bird watching, etc. Donations
to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens are tax
deductible in the USA. Contact: 223-6182
or info@vallartabotanicalgardensac.org.
The International Friendship Club
(IFC) - a registered charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta A.C.
The IFC supports the Cleft Palate Surgery
Program & families in need. Funds are raised through Membership & Home Tours.
- Contact:322-222-5466. www.ifcvallarta.
com. ifcvallarta@gmail.com.
{Brain Teasers{
SUDOKU
easy
June 14 - 20, 2013
23
Challenge your brain! Sudoku is easy to play and the rules are simple. Fill in the blanks so that each
row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain only one of each of the numbers 1 through 9.
medium
HUB-WORDS
How many words
can you make from
the letters in the
wheel?
Each word must
contain the hub
letter N. Can you
find a 9-letter word
and at least 20 other
words of five letters
or more avoiding
proper nouns?
LABYRINTH
Some other words of four letters or more containing the
hub letter N: anil, anti, ayin, barn, bran, hint, lain, lint,
nail, nary, rain, rani, rant, tarn, than, thin, tiny, yarn, bairn
(Scot), blain, brain, brant, briny, inlay, rainy, riant, train,
binary, brainy, in-tray, litany, ratlin, rhinal, thinly.
How many words
can you make from
the letters in the
wheel?
Each word must
contain the hub
letter R. Can you
find a 9-letter word
and at least 20 other
words of five letters
or more avoiding
proper nouns?
hard
Freezing
Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, Vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.
Antarctic, arctic, arctic circle, arctic fox, blizzard, Freezing, frosty, frozen, gelid, glacier, husky, ice,
Iceberg, icebreaker, ice field, ice floe, ice shelf, Icicle, igloo, north pole, penguin, permafrost,
Polar bear, sled, sleet, snow, snowshoe, Snowstorm, south pole, whiteout.
GLADIATOR
Some other words of five letters or more containing the
hub letter R: agora, altar, aorta, argal, argot, aroid, artal,
atria, goral, grail, griot, groat, laird (Scot), largo, radio,
raita, ratio, riata, taira, tiara, trail, triad, trial, adroit, aortal, argali, atrial, lariat, latria, radial, tailor.
24
June 14 - 20, 2013
{
{

18 16 20 Road Tripping Through Nayarit

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