Additional Blessings for Tomatlán

SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA
SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Newsletter Date
Business Name
SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY
COMMITTEE
November 2013
Temporary Editor, Blas M. Garza…….Email: Bmgarza@aol.com
Lead Story Headline
BLAS M. GARZA
By the time you read this
newsletter, we will be just a
few short days before our
group of 52 members and 7
artists of I Madonnari will
be heading for Puerto Vallarta. We will be there from
November 5th to the 14th.
As a consequence, the
Board of Directors decided
to cancel the November
general meeting and also the
November Board meeting.
WELL, actually there will
Phone: 805-963-9847
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
be a board meeting but it will be in
combination with the board of Puerto Vallarta and it will be held in
Puerto Vallarta.
Our “hot topic” presently is the
establishment of a health clinic in
Boca de Tomatlán. We are not responsible for raising the entire cost
of $125,000 because we are a
member of “Federación Jalicience”.
Under this group’s participation, we
just need to come up with one fourth
of the money needed ($30,000) and
that can be shared with other sister
affiliations such as local and Vallarta Rotary Clubs. Thus far, SB/
PV has contributed $15,000 and two
local Rotary Clubs have contributed
$2,000 each. Mexican Federal, State
and Local governments will contribute three fourths ($90,000). While
in Puerto Vallarta, we will visit
Boca de Tomatlán to see how much
progress has been made and in addition we will have a couple of events
there which will raise more money
toward the project.
In other Board news, we rescind
the prior notice of a vacancy on the
Board. Bea Molina had thought that
she might resign, but her activities
has taken a turn for the better, and
she has decided to remain on the
Board.
It was also noted at the Board
meeting that quite a number of
members have not renewed their
annual membership by sending in
their annual dues. Consequently, 20
members who are in arrears since
April, May, June or August have
been deleted from our rosters and
they will no longer receive our
newsletter or member notices. A
simple matter of sending a $25
check will reinstate them. There is
also a long list of members who
have not renewed since September
and October and our hope is that
they renew in the near future.
Additional Blessings for Tomatlán
We’ve received word that the Rotary Club of Vancouver, Washington will donate a fully-equipped ambulance to be used in conjunction
with the health clinic that we are supporting in Tomatlán, Jalisco.
That is indeed good news for the residents of Tomatlán and the surrounding communities that will be served by the clinic.
SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Undersheriff Jim Peterson Speaks at General Meeting
Undersheriff Peterson
The general meeting held on Oct. 2 at Mesa Café was very well attended...over 50
members showed up to hear Undersheriff Jim Peterson speak about one of the SB/PV
sponsored projects… the Police Training program supported by Sheriff Jim Brown by
sending four highly-trained sheriff’s officers to conduct training in techniques and strategies of police work. Undersheriff Peterson went to Puerto Vallarta on the last training
session and he spoke about specific training tactics taught by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s
Swat Team during the 5-day training event.
His impression is that the training does a lot of good and that the service provided is
very well received the PV police forces. He is also aware of specific details where training techniques have been credited with saving lives of local officers. Several audience
members asked questions and Jim had excellent responses.
The raffle was well supported by members who contributed prizes. The 50-50 cash
prize ($110) was won by one of our members who wishes to remain anonymous. She
quickly turned around and donated her prize to the treasurer of our organization. Huge
thanks to the lucky winner!
DISPLAY IN THE SANTA
BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Thanks to Takako Wakita, Chair of the Santa
Barbara Sister Cities Board for organizing a
display in the main public library. All clubs were
given the opportunity to organize a section of the
main display case. Toba, Japan; Weihai, China;
Kotor, Montenegro; Patras, Greece; and Dingle,
Ireland plus Puerto Vallarta sister cities took
advantage of the opportunity.
Thanks to Marti Correa and Blas Garza, for collecting our artifacts and to Pat Fellin and Romie
Alvarado for doing the actual display organizing.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOU… DAVE AND JANE GORBET….
by Pat Fallin, 1st Vice President
This month we are getting to know Jane and Dave Gorbet. They have been active members of the Santa Barbara/
Puerto Vallarta Sister City Committee for 12 years. Dave has served on the Board of Directors and for several years
was the Editor of Las Noticias. We see them at the monthy meetings, the visitations and all of the many events.
Jane, originally from Boston and Dave, a Californian, met in Naples, Italy. Jane was a teacher with the U.S. Department of Defense and Dave was a Naval Officer. After their marriage they spent another year in Italy and then moved to
Santa Barbara where Dave worked for the City of Santa Barbara in Traffic Engineering and Jane
was a Health Educator for Planned Parenthood.
Since retiring, Dave has had time to pursue his interest in music playing the violin in a Mariachi Band and an Irish
Band. He also plays the viola multiple times a week in amateur
classical string quartets. Jane attends Jazzercise and Zumba
classes and is a volunteer ESL teacher. They enjoy traveling
especially to visit their two sons in Colorado and North Carolina
where their 2 grandchildren, Santiago and Delfina live. There
are trips to Puerto Vallarta and to attend Cowboy Poetry and
music gatherings.
We appreciate the support and volunteer time that Jane and
Dave have given to the Santa Barbara/Puerto Vallarta committee. And a special thank you to Danny Ramirez for introducing
IMPORTANT
NOTICES
PUERTO
VALLARTA
VISITATION
NOV. 5 TO 14
THERE WILL BE
NO GENERAL
MEMBERSHIP
DINNER MEETING IN NOVEMBER
THE MONTHLY
BOARD MEETING WILL TAKE
PLACE IN PUERTO VALLARTA
IN A JOINT
SESSION OF
BOTH BOARDS
Page 3
ND JAN
DAVE A
them to SB/PV Sister City.
ER T O
E IN PU
TA
VALLAR
Membership Activity
The following members have renewed their memberships.
Thank you for your continued support:






Alma X Cabrera
Michael & Jennie Petlow
Barbara Jane Ellis
Craig & Marcia Nielsen
Evie Treen
Angela Cipriano



Guy De Mangeon
Patricia Juin
Sheila Cullen
The following are new members.
WELCOME



Aurora Adela Marquez
Ruben & Sandra Islas (La Jolla, CA)
Barry S. Shulman (Buellton, CA)
Page 3
SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
VIII Annual I Madonnari Puerto Vallarta Festival
November 8, 9 & 10, 2013
Plaza Central
The 8th Annual I Madonnari Festival in Puerto Vallarta is scheduled during our
Santa Barbara visit to that fair city. Five Santa Barbara artists will be participating this year:
Ann Hefferman, Blair Looker, Melody Owens, Phil Roberts and Jay Schwartz. Kathy Koury,
from the Santa Barbara County School District Office, Children’s Creative Project, will once
again coordinate the Santa Barbara artists and assist Puerto Vallarta coordinator, Laurel Carrillo, with the 3-day event.
We are fortunate to have the cooperation of the City of Puerto Vallarta. We are also lucky to
have Guy and Patricia’s Vacation Rental “Casa Romance Escondido” which will house the
artists. This year we increased sponsors from Puerto Vallarta businesses. All excess funds are
being donated to the Boca de Tomatlán Health Clinic. Member travelers, don’t forget to
drop by the Plaza Central during your visit to Puerto Vallarta and say hello to the SB artists!
Marti Correa de Garcia
Page 4
SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
...A little history and current recognitions,...as we prepare for our visitation...
The Spanish began calling it Banderas Valley in 1525, the name used by the earliest culture which
settled in the area. It was renamed Las Peñas de Santa María Guadalupe after Mexico´s Independence
and shortened to Puerto Las Peñas during the years of the silver mining boom in nearby San Sebastián
and Mascota. In 1918 it was named Puerto Vallarta after Ignacio L. Vallarta, lawyer, jurist, and state
governor.
Puerto Vallarta truly is a world class tourist destination. It was named "World's Friendliest City” by
Conde Nast in 2001, "Best Place to Retire in the World" by the AARP (American Association of Retired
Persons) and "Best Holiday Destination in Mexico" by USNews.com in 2010, “Most Romantic Place in
Mexico” and "Favorite Beach Destination in Mexico" by About.com in 2012, and “Best Destination for
Conventions" in a convention marketing magazine and "Top 10 Destinations in Mexico," on TripAdvisor.com in 2013.
Page 5
SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
BaderasNews.com
Art lovers can explore
numerous artistic offerings during the
Puerto Vallarta Centro
Histórico ArtWalk, a
self-guided tour of ten
downtown galleries
with cocktail exhibitions that can be enjoyed every Wednesday evening from 6-10
pm from October 30,
2013 through May 28,
2014.
Special Event
With 3 Puerto Vallarta
Police Officers in town for
training with the Sheriff’s
Department, we have
planned a BBQ at the home
of Art & Barbara Najera on
Wednesday, Oct. 30 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The PV
officers and Sheriff Bill
Brown will the there. The
cost is $20. Call Ana Zuniga for reservations (4508967). All proceeds go toward the PV Police Training Project.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
FOR P.V. TRIP
11/05 Welcome at Airport
11/06 Welcome Breakfast at River
Café
Visit to S.B. Rehabilitation
Clinic & Visit to Casa Cornejo
Orphanage
11/07 Morning Casino
City Hall Dinner
11/08 Inauguration of I Madonnari
Initiation of Activities
Fund-raising dinner at Berry
Man’s “Casa Romance Escondido”
I’ve had several of my PhotoShows posted in our web:
http://www.sbpvsistercity.org/. Out of curiosity to see if
anyone actually uses the site to see some of our posted activities, I did a check on 10/20/13. Results were positive:

The PV Visitation 2012 PhotoShow has been visited 120 times!

The Mariachi Festival PhotoShow has been visited
61 times!
My curiosity was satisfied that there are plenty of
people looking at our postings and visiting our website, so I
look forward to taking pictures of our 2013 Visitation to
Puerto Vallarta and will make another PhotoShow.
Our thanks are due to Jim Brock, our webmaster,
who is very efficient in posting events of our organization’s
doings. I know that you receive our newsletter, but that too
is quickly posted on our webpage so that anyone, even non
members, can learn about our organization.
Blas M. Garza
Page 6
11/09 Visit to Botanical Gardens
Boca de Tomatlán lunch
11/10 Free Morning
Closing of I Madonnari
11/11 Combined Board of Directors
Breakfast at Andale Restaurant
Guided Tour of Sewage
Treatment Facility
11/12
Free Morning
P.V. Committee hosted Dinner
at “La Cuiza” Restaurant
11/13
Class on Painting of Textiles
11/14
Return to Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
2013—2014 Board of Directors
BLAS GARZA
PRESIDENT
963-9847
PAT FALLIN
FIRST VICE PRES.
805-245-9075
RAUL NAVARRO
SECOND VICE PRES.
963-5449
MARTI CORREA de GARCIA
TREASURER
680-2163
ROBERT NAJERA
RECORDING SECT.
966-4529
JACQUELINE DURAN
CORRESPONDING SECT. 284-2037
CHELI HIDALGO
DIRECTOR
965-1573
ANA ZUNIGA
DIRECTOR
450-8967
JOE SANCHEZ
DIRECTOR
569-9984
BEA MOLINA
DIRECTOR
966-7490
GIL GARCIA
EX OFFICIO
689-2588
LOST YOUR NEWSLETTER?
See it and other info our webpage!
http://www.sbpvsistercity.org/
WE NOW ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS
The Board of Directors decided to keep up
with the times and now
accept credit cards at the
monthly dinner meetings. We are passing on
a fee to people who
want this convenience. For example, the
March dinner will cost
Page 7
$22.00 per person for
cash or check, if you
want to put it on your
credit card it will be a
charge of $23.00 per
person.
We accept MasterCard,
VISA and American Express.
The Board welcomes
your ideas, input and
comments! The credit
card idea was a request
from many of our members.
Marti Correa de Garcia