Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit News

Vallarta Paper

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June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021

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June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021Page 2

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omissions or erroneous information published by the advertisers or the parties involved in events. Printer: Tinta y Papel Impresos Santa

Maria. 316 Col. La Moderna Puerto Vallarta, Jal. Mexico.

The Vallarta Paper team gives you the warmest welcome to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. We wish you the best of the stays and hope you find the following information useful.

TIME ZONE: The state of Jalisco and the Riviera Nayarit area (Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Punta de Mita, Litibú, Sayulita, and San Pancho, and Lo de Marcos) are on Central time. beyond that point, time changes to Mexican Pacific Standard Time, or Mountain Time, one hour behind Puerto Vallarta time. Please keep this in mind for your f light schedule.

CURRENCY: Mexican peso is the legal currency. However American and Canadian dollars are widely used and accepted in most establishments. We recommend you try to be aware of the exchange rate.

MONEY EXCHANGE: The easiest and cheapest way to exchange money is to use your debit card in the ATM to withdraw pesos. Be aware of the exchange rate option some ATMs offer upon withdrawal. Exchange houses and hotels usually offer higher rates.

TAXIS: The town and surrounding areas are divided into defined zones. if you are staying in a hotel, fares will be posted by the lobby. If you f lag a cab on the street, ALWAYS agree on the

Welcome!

cost beforehand. In town, prices are by trip, not by person. Only airport- and maritime port-based taxis charge by person, but you can´t catch those in town. UBER is available in town but will not pick you up in federal-sanctioned areas such as the airport.

Important NumbersPhone Calls Mexico has recently adopted the 10-digit system for all

local, long distance, and toll-free numbers, either land or mobile lines. If you bring your mobile phone from home, check with your provider about services available in Mexico, or consider getting a Mexican SIM card. Most domestic carriers will give you unlimited calls to Mexico, US and Canada for as little as $200 pesos per month, plus some data included.

International Long-Distance Calls From MexicoUS & Canada: Dial 001 + Area Code + NumberOther countries: Dial 00 + Country Code + Area Code + Number

Calls To Mexico From AbroadTo make a call to Mexico from abroad, just dial the country code + the 10-digit number.

Emergency Calls: 911

Lizeth ContrerasManaging Director

Cynthia AndradeContent & Design Director

Paco MorásEditor

Vallarta Paper StaffSales

Contributors

Esmeralda Peña, Christie Seeley, Martin Rosenberg

Oscar Aranda, Toots Gabriel,

PhotosRoberto Aceves

Website:www.vallartapaper.com

Contact: vallartapaper@gmail.comeditor@vallartapaper.com

Immigration department 322 224 7719

Canadian consulate – 24/7

800 706 2900Jalisco Tourism Office

322 221 2676Nayarit Tourism Office

322 297 1006Consumer protection

800 468 8722CFE – Power company

071

BUSES: A system of urban buses carry you through the central part of town. There is a different system to travel south up to El Tuito, and yet another one to travel north up to Sayulita. If you want to travel further in either direction, you will need to catch a bus at the central station. Fare within town is 10 pesos. Drivers won’t give you change.

DRINKING WATER: Puerto Vallarta’s water has been awarded a certification of purity for the past two and a half decades. However, the quality of the water tested at the source varies greatly from what comes out of the tap at the other end. We strongly suggest you buy bottled water, available all over town.

TIPPING: In general, you may tip 10-20% in restaurants and bars. Please also try to tip those who bag your groceries or help load your car. Don’t forget to tip your maid, bell boy, masseuse, the band, the entertainment. And by all means, tip more if you want, it will be very much appreciated.

GETTING AROUND: In many places such as Centro Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta there are paths for bikes and pedestrians. Please be respectful of these designations.

EXPORTING PETS: If you are an animal lover and fall for a dog or cat while in town, know that bringing them home with you is an easy and inexpensive process. You only need a certificate of health from a local vet and check with your airline for additional requirements. If you need further information, call the local animal shelter: 322 293 3690.

Page 3June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021 News

June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021ColumnPage 4

The Great RacePart 1

BY TOOTS GABRIEL

Ever since the advent of the automobile people have been obsessed with the idea of racing. And there have been many great

races over the years. Everyone knows the Indianapolis 500, Monaco Grand Prix and Daytona 500. But, there is a new race coming. A monster. And the thing is, well, it’s a secret. It doesn’t really exist. Not officially, anyway.

You see, there is this highway here in Mexico called the 200. And if you want to drive from Puerto Vallarta to Guada-lajara or vice versa then you will be on this highway for some distance and, more importantly, some time. This highway is said to have more curves than the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. It is cumbersome. It is somewhat dangerous, and it is a bottleneck. And it has been around for decades. The thing is, there are millions of people living up on the inland plateau who would love to visit the Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit area or what they call The Beach but they don’t. At least they haven’t yet. We all know, at least we gringos know, that this is at best a five-hour drive. And white knuckled at that. But, we are gringos after all. A number of our Mexican National friends would disagree. Our good friend George for instance. George, like many locals, looks at speed limit signs as some sort of challenge. He likes to drive fast. When asked what his best time ever is from Vallarta to Guadalajara he just shrugs and indicates that the four or five hour published time is for gringos and tourists.

This here story is fictitious. And every good, fictitious story needs a character. So we’re going to create one of our own. Right out of the blue we’re going to pick a guy and call him Charlie. Charlie Skinny. And we are going to say that he is a very successful businessman. In Mexico.

Charlie is a baseball fan. I mean big time baseball fan. And it is said that he has an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the game. He can probably answer your baseball trivia questions faster than Google.

As the new highway linking Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara nears completion the tension is mounting. People all over the world are getting excited. The whole wide world racing community is watching closely.

Somehow, government autho-rities have already gotten wind of the race. But they vow to do everything in their power to make sure it never happens. In fact, a man we’ll call Chief Inspector Comman-dante Rodrigez, whose department will oversee policing of this new highway, says they are studying everything in the annals of police car chases to ensure that they are in complete control. And they ain’t gonna be handing out no traffic tickets neither. You get caught racing or breaking any law and you’re going straight to the hoosegow.

Studying movies such as, but not limited to The Cannonball Run, Smokey and the Bandit, The Blues Brothers, Bullitt and, of course, The Dukes of Hazzard is now a top priority for every officer who thinks he or she has the skills and the courage to be a member of this elite police department. Thing is, some of his deputies are starting to refer to El Commandante as Boss Hogg. Never to his face of course. Heck, even if he heard someone use the word Boss they would likely spend the next two years monitoring a traffic light somewhere on the outskirts of Bucerias.

And there are cameras located all along the highway. These are, of course, suppo-sedly so that Commandante Rodrigez and his men can constantly monitor anyone abusing the bylaws. They are state-of-the-art, high-tech cameras strategically placed all along the highway.

The best cameras in the world such as Alexa and Panavision. Some are mounted some distance from the road giving a

cinematic view. There are even many of them that are mounted on wires, same as the ones used in big blockbusters, which can travel up to two hundred miles an hour and that can and will instantly calculate and adjust to the speed of your vehicle.

What the good Commandante doesn’t know is that The Disney Company, along with Mr. Skinny, has already secretly made a deal with a couple of his tech guys to record what is sure to be a huge movie.

Virtually, all of the great international car companies will be entering a vehicle. Familiar names such as Ferrari, Lambor-ghini, Mercedes, Ford, Porsche, Bugatti, Audi, Jaguar, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Nissan, Dodge and Maserati. And they will of course have the world’s top drivers at the helm. Most of these vehicles have already arrived in Vallarta although no one has seen them or knows where they are secretly being kept.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Page 5June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021 Columns

Esmeralda PeñaEsmeralda Peña is a Breastfeeding Coach with international training (Latin America and Europe), hostess of the Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit official original location for the international event “The Big Latch On” and hostess of the Riviera Nayarit location for Tetada Masiva. You may contact her via WhatsApp at 322 175 1473.

Parenting in Paradise

The Big Latch On, Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit6th consecutive yearHow does The Big Latch On, Vallarta-Riviera Naya-rit start?

Twelve years ago, I opened a Wellness Center for moms and babies in Puerto Vallarta, which I called El Ombligo del Mundo

(The navel of the World), because when a mother gestates a baby in her belly, the center of the universe is focused within her. In El Ombligo del Mundo, a support net was initiated with a breastfeeding club and workshops.

After a few years, and during my stay in Cancun, Spain and Italy, El Ombligo del Mundo developed until becoming a “Movement pro Humanized Births, Breas-tfeeding and Natural Parenting”.

In 2013, I created the project specifically focused on promoting breastfeeding in the community: La Vía Láctea (The Milky Way).

Upon my return to Puerto Vallarta, in 2015 I brought for the first time to our beautiful destination an initiative to celebrate breastfeeding in a fun way: The Big Latch On.

What is The Global Big Latch On?It is an international initiative to promote

breastfeeding that started in New Zealand

in 2005 and was introduced into USA in 2010. In 2012, Women´s Health Action joins the project, the same year when the first Breastfeeding Mexican Fiesta is held in Mexico City. In 2015 through La Vía Láctea, I brought the first edition of The Big Latch On, Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit.

Every year, over three days during World Breastfeeding Week, on locations around the globe, women gather together to breastfeed and contribute to beat the record of most simultaneously breastfed children in the planet. In 2019, we were 28 participating countries with over 18,500 breastfed children in the world. Our Vallarta – Riviera Nayarit event contributed with 260 attendees, 80 breastfeeding mothers and 81 breastfed children (a mother breas-tfeeding two children of different ages).

The Big Latch On, Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit progress and the addition of Tetada Masiva Riviera Nayarit.

For the sixth year in a row we are the original official host. Along these years, I´ve seen that a positive change has taken place regarding how breastfeeding in public is perceived. More moms are publicly proud of breastfeeding their children, of any breastfeeding age.

In addition, in the same event, the Tetada Masiva Riviera Nayarit will be held. “Tetada Masiva México” is a national project that aims to motivate women living in Mexico to have a successful and natural (uninterrupted) lactation, and to strengthen the culture of breastfeeding in society.

Impact of the eventWorld Breastfeeding Week is a campaign

coordinated by World Alliance for Breas-tfeeding Action (WABA). WABA is a global network of organizations and individuals that promote, protect, and support breas-tfeeding worldwide based on the World Health Organization recommendations, and works closely with UNICEF.

The Big Latch On, Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit and the events organized by La Vía Láctea are officially on the list of the projects with a commitment to support the World Breastfeeding Week campaign.

Participating moms feel proud to share their breastfeeding experience and to contribute to the record-breaking attempt. As every year, evidence of our event such as pictures and press articles are being sent to The Global Big Latch On, World Breastfe-eding Week, WABA, WHO and UNICEF, as a

testimony of the results of this citizen-led movement.

Pre-registrationAs every year, over the first weekend

of August, La Vía Láctea will hold various free events such as conferences with inter-national breastfeeding experts from Latin America and Europe , being the main one:

The Big Latch On, Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit & Tetada Masiva Riviera Nayarit on Friday July 31st, 2020 at 9:00 in the morning, on line.

Breastfeeding mom: Come join this celebration and make history with your child! Indispensable pre-registration at 322-1751473.

June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021Wedding in VallartaPage 6

Page 7June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021 Wedding in Vallarta

By Roberto Aceves

Amy & Josh

Banderas Bay Vallarta Paper|

PUERTOVALLARTA

Banderas Bay Vallarta Paper|

PUERTOVALLARTA

June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021Page 8 Columns

Martin Rosenberg, PhDMarty journeyed from Anthropology Lecturer at the Museum of Natural History, N.Y.C., President of Illinois’ CPA Society, CEO Tomorrows Software, film producer, and author of three books and many articles. As Director of Posters International Gallery in Puerto Vallarta he is surrounded by fine art. Talks given on creativity, mind/body connection and metaphysical wonders.email: martysanmiguel@gmail.comwww.rosenbergcollection.com

Insight

The Power of Public Art: Mexico and Poland

When is art most influential? When it’s a surprise and accessible to everyone. Public art meets those two

criteria. It also demonstrates an artist’s courage and creativity. Puerto Vallarta is a city leading the way in providing art in public places, especially along the entire Malecon walkway. First, let’s explore the realm of art for the people. The street is the art gallery most available to the community. Mexico and Poland share such honors.

There is also a unique socio-political history between these two countries. The two-fold focus of this article is on what psychologist Dr. Rollo May termed the creative courage of artists and art’s impact to humanity.

Art impacts people’s passion, attitudes, values, culture and politics. This is especially true when it’s intentionally designed to do so. Though continents apart, with different languages and cultural histories, Mexico and Poland have both used art to impact social change. Governments in both countries pledged to support visual art as a means of influencing social, economic and political objectives. The distinctively different art styles of these two countries

shared common purposes.

Mexico’s world-famous mural paintings from 1920 to 1970 contained strong social and political messages. Diego Rivera (1886-1957), José Clemente Orozco (1883-1949) and David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974) are the most influential muralists from the 20th century. They are “the three great ones,” (los tres grandes). The walls of massive public buildings served as their canvas to reach all the people, not just elite art admirers. Following periods of armed struggle, Mexico’s government established a mural program that wasn’t solely artistic. Able to reach much of the public, these murals presented ideals. Enlisting the great painters of the times captured the attention of the masses.

The government made good on its promise of artistic freedom, but the artists had many serious conflicts where their visualized opinions differed from that of the government in those years. Such conflict assured that these works would be designed with great passion yet also risked the freedom and very lives of the artists. These expressive murals were produced on large plastered walls of monumental structures. The people were immersed within the large-scale paintings, their imagery, colors and historical messages. Cities grow in value with such public art though it may take decades for such appreciation to be proudly recognized.

Poland historically suffered many oppressive occupations and military

struggles. As Germany’s defeat in WWII became clearer, the departing soldiers were ordered to destroy the principal city of Warsaw as well as any evidence of detention and death camps. The Polish people were then governed by the Russian victors and subjected to harsh Communist repressive regulations and laws. The newly imposed government strategically understood that a massive re-building of a city was necessary. They also sought to introduce their own socialistic culture, beliefs and arts to the people. The street would be both classroom and gallery. The government wanted to present its view of “populist ideals” using the credibility of Poland’s leading artists who survived the ravages of war. Henryk Tomaszewski (1914-2005), Tadeusz Trepkowski (1914-1954), and Tadeusz Gronowski (1894-1990) were the “three great ones” that founded the later to be internationally recognized art style called the Polish School of Poster Design. With new construction ongoing everywhere, (especially here in Vallarta) the Warsaw was filled with available walls and fences.

Mexico’s painted murals were on beautiful public buildings. Warsaw’s art medium for their working people had to be in the form of street cultural posters. These were painterly designed visual art works on fragile paper to advertise events, deliver political messages and promote social values. As in Mexico, the artists founding this movement insisted on government’s concession to allow artistic freedom. The most effective posters would inspire viewers artistically. Impor-tantly, through recognizable embedded visual messages, the posters would also project hope and national unity.

The “art of the streets” of both countries influenced attitudes and cultural movements. There existed

in the past a paradox in having gover-nment commission public art to further its control. But within the works of these six great artists, their interpretation and independent view of reality impacted people’s behavior and values. Decades later, with many millions of worldwide viewers of Mexico’s magnificent murals and museum exhibitions of Poland’s fine art posters, we are reminded that courage may take different forms.

We are thrilled to marvel at Vallarta’s current installations of sculpture, artis-tically designed “hearts” representing Jalisco community Pueblos, many new murals on buildings and fabulous mosaic displays. Turned on by such imagination, we observe more of our surroundings. Shops are alike in every popular city around the world. Art in public places is unique to a community. Art is the attraction between a building and us. It educates and stimulates all age groups. Busy lives may rob us of time for family museum trips. Take a walk and experience your communities’ public art. Watching the children interact and climb a bronze sculpture along our beachfront walkway says it all. We become part of the art itself.

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By Christie SeeleyFrom Oakland, California to Puerto Vallarta…lured by music of guitars and sounds of the sea. vallartasounds.com

Back to the Beach and Music Too!

June 15 was a big day for Doña Teté and her bayside bar and restaurant. Cuates y Cuetes, located at the pier in the Zona Romántica of Puerto

Vallarta, is a well-loved destination for visitors and locals alike. This day marked the long-awaited reopening of the beach in front of her establishment as Corona-virus restrictions relaxed. On her Facebook page, displaying photos of the beautiful new layout on the beach with tables and umbrellas spaced far apart following the coronavirus reentry regulations, Teté was jubilant. The restaurant’s interior is open-air and is in perfect compliance for guests as they enjoy drinks and meals and admire sunsets during this initial reopening period.

The thought somewhat tempered Tete’s excitement at seeing the flawless sand with the lovely umbrellas that the Banderas Bay that looks so beautiful after rest from human presence would soon return to a less pristine state as tourists and guests begin to arrive. However, as all of us who have frequented this popular place over the years know, the festive atmosphere, it offers complete with live music when in full swing, is impossible to resist.

We look forward to music from some of our local favorites very soon. Brazilian guitarist, Brian Macedo and his top-rated

jazz fusion band Trem de Minas opened the weekend with beautiful music. Sunday night, Brian playing solo guitar was followed by Faralae from Mexico City, including Liliana Bruneder, Rafael Zermeño and Puerto Vallarta friends, Roberto Falcon and Oscar Terrazas. Trem de Minas played on Monday. The group made up of Brian on guitar and voice, the super talented Roberto Falcon on bass and my favorite percus-sionist, Gary Flores on drums, was sure to charm the audience. I know our favorite musicians from all over Puerto Vallarta are ‘chomping at the bit’ right now, hoping to get back to playing their beautiful music for us very soon.

Teté Hernandez, the owner of Cuates y Cuetes, is a lifelong jazz enthusiast. Music has been her passion since she was very young. Since her youth, she has supported local musicians and promoted them. Her restaurant/bar was created in its present spot over 20 years ago to accom-modate their music. Every year she holds a famous jazz festival on the beach on the anniversary of their opening. At the end of March, she invites her many talented musician friends from all over Mexico to play. It is a spectacular event.

Doña Teté is indeed a treasure to Puerto Vallarta and again comes up to bat to provide entertainment to Puerto Vallarta as we come out of the pandemic. Her devoted staff is super friendly and committed to following strict guidelines to make this a safe experience for all. We must keep in mind that we are still not entirely out of the woods concerning COVID-19. Guests should wear masks as prescribed by health authorities and maintain proper distancing. But ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ Let’s hope this experiment with reentry in Puerto Vallarta is successful and that we can move on to a fall season that is satis-fying for all.

June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021ColumnsPage 10

Oscar ArandaOscar Aranda is a biologist, conservationist, environmental writer and author of the book “The secret language of nature. Having headed the sea turtle and cetacean protection programs in Puerto Vallarta for 12 years, he keeps his heart in the Banderas Bay despite living in Spain. You can contact him at osaranda@yahoo.com or through his webpage www.relatosdelanaturaleza.org

Curious beliefs about sea turtles

Our beloved olive ridley sea turtles -Olive ridley sea turtles- (Lepidochelys olivacea) are here, as every summer, to lay

their eggs on the sandy beaches of the Bay of Banderas and the coasts of the entire Mexican Pacific and Central America. This is their moment and therefore I am devoting some articles to talk about them. There is so much to tell! While some arrive and others leave, you can plan an evening activity to watch them on the beaches with the wise guidance of tourist guides and accredited specialized personnel. If life allows us, we can continue enjoying their presence until the end of autumn, although in the waters of the Bay they can be seen throughout the year, taking advantage of the food availability.

I remember that during my last year as a Biology student, I helped my thesis director to do some coral reef dives on the islands of Bahía de Chamela, in southern Jalisco. On our return we saw a pair of turtles mating, with the male immobile clinging to the female and the latter, frigh-tened by our presence, uselessly tried to submerge to prevent us from approa-ching. The “panguero” (that is what the man who drives the typical fishing boats known as “pangas” is called), happily transmitted his traditional knowledge and assured us that after mating the male dies of exhaustion, allowing himself to sink towards the bottom of the sea. He said it with such assurance that some of those who were with us wondered if it could be true. Someone asked him what made him think that, and quite offended, he assured us that the male was never seen again after being released, and that this widely known phenomenon is known as “the death of the loggerhead” (commonly, to any species of sea turtle is called “loggerhead”, although this name corresponds in particular to the species Caretta caretta).

How much truth is there in such statement? Sudden death during sexual activity can undoubtedly occur and is known by the technical name of “sudden

cardiac death.” Although this type of death is the result of cardiac pathology, it is true that in nature, the death of the male after mating is more common than believed and is known as “suicidal reproduction”. As an example, we can mention animals such as salmon, a marsupial, many species of invertebrates such as octopuses or insects and annual plants such as the vegetables and cereals we eat. Will this be the case for our friends sea turtles?

The answer is NO. There is no scien-tific evidence that this phenomenon occurs, and in fact, males have been tracked in their migration routes, as is the case with females. What I cannot deny is that the male ends up exhausted, but it is not an exhaustion that leads to death. The simplest explanation is that once the male has finished copulating (it can take several hours to cling to the female’s shell), he simply releases the female and goes to the depths to rest, not without first filling his lungs with oxygen and thus has the ability to stay underwater for more than 20 minutes. If we put in context the vast human imagination and the typical Mexican mischief, we can understand why in popular culture (which for centuries has been dominated by the male sex) the “caguamos” have been immortalized, making them look like true heroes who die “giving it all” to satisfy their female and that despite their fatal destiny they manage to transmit the genes which will allow the species to endure through time.

In nature, contrary to the human imagi-nation, the most practical is generally the most efficient: Surely the male in question will do his best and biggest effort to fertilize the female, but she, on her side, will store the semen for several weeks or even months, and she will be able to fertilize all the eggs she will lay the two or three times she comes onto the beach. It all to avoid having to reproduce again. Sometimes this strategy is very effective, especially when she is surrounded by hundreds or thousands of males ready to mate with her, as occurs during the “arrivals” we talked about in the previous article.

If one day, taking a boat ride through the waters of the Bay, you find a sea turtle resting on the surface, pay attention. You can tell whether it is male or female by the length of its tail: if its tail is very small and does not protrude from the rear edge of the shell, it will be a female, since in the male it is very long and flexible. In addition, consi-dering that their fins are the equivalent of our arms and hands, they still retain some of their claws, and in the case of males they are very long and curved to be able to easily cling to the edge of the female’s shell.

Please, if you run into a turtle on the beach, remember that sea turtles are protected by Mexican laws and you are obliged to keep a safe distance from them. Don’t disturb them and follow the “see and don’t touch” rule. If you are concerned about the safety of the turtle or its eggs, you can call the Municipal Ecology or the Police to for protection, although there will surely be accredited personnel visiting the beaches to protect them. Hopefully, that nest will be taken to one of the incubators or hatcheries in the region, and after 45 days of incubation, their young will be released into the sea to start a long and dangerous journey to the open sea and, with a little luck will return someday to these same beaches to reproduce. Let’s

enjoy sea turtles responsibly!

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June 19 - 25, 2020 Free Issue 021Page 12 Charities

For those who wish to support the less privileged in our paradise, here are some of the many organizations that could benefit from such kind gestures. To publish your organization, please email details to editor@vallartapaper.com.

Amigos de La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, A.C. Cultural, educational, environmental and charitable assistance programs. Tax deductible. www.amigosdelacruz.org

Amazing Grace MissionsAssisting families in Magisterio & Progreso. slw2014nv@gmail.com

American Legion Post 14Raises resources and manpower to improve facilities needing building maintenance ameri-canlegion14.org

Amigos del Magisterio Food delivered directly to workers at the PV dump, their families and schools in Magisterio and Volcanes. amigosdelmagisterio.com

Asilo San Juan Diego Home for the ElderlyContact: Lupita Sanchez Covarrubias 322 222 1257 or mexonline.com/asilosanjuandiego.htm

Asociación DownAssistance to persons with Down’s Syndrome – Contact: Ana Eisenring at 322 224 9577.

Becas Vallarta, A.C. Provides scholarships to high school and university students. Tax-deductible in Mexico and USA. Polly Vicars at 322 223 1371 or Buri Gray at 322 221 5285.

CANICA Centre for Children with Cancer. Provides aid for treatment and services including transpor-tation to GDL. Contact Director, Evelia Basañes 322 123 5688.

Casa Hogar Máximo CornejoA shelter for orphaned, abandoned, disadvantaged or vulnerable children. Luz Aurora Arredondo at 322 221 1908, casahogar_maximocornejo@hotmail.com

Clinica de Rehabilitación Santa Barbara Rehabilitation of the handicapped. Contact: Laura Lopez Portillo Rodriguez at 322 224 2754.

COLINA Spay and Neuter Clinic Free and by-donation sterilization clinic in Old Town. Only open Saturdays, Contact: cez@rogers.com or 322 104 6609

CompassionNet Impact Transforming the lives of people living in chronic poverty. Job creation, education, emergency & more. Tax-deductible. Contact: 322 133 7263 or ric@4compassion.org

Corazon de Niña A safe, loving, home-environment for children and youth rescued from high-risk situations. www.fundacioncorazon.mx

Cruz Roja (Red Cross)It handles hospital and emergency service in Vallarta. It is the only facility that is authorized to offer assistance to injured people on the street. Contact: 322 222 1533 or 322 222 4973

Desayunos para los Niños de Vallarta A.C. Feeding programs, education programs, day care centers for single mothers. 322 223 4311 or 322 222 2572

Discapacitados de Vallarta, A.C. (DIVAC) Association of handicapped individuals dedicated to helping one another. Contact: Ivan Applegate at 322 221 5153.

Ecology and Conservation of Whales, AC.National Coordination Network for the Assistance of Entangled Whales. Contact: 322 293 7851

Families At The DumpSupporting families living in the landfill or garbage dump thru education and sustainable opportunities. familiesatthedump.org

Fundacion Punta de Mita Contact: Ana Lilia Medina Varas de Valdés. ana@fundacionpuntademita.org Tel. (329) 291 5053

Friends of PV Animals Volunteers working to enhance the lives of shelter animals. For info and donations visit friend-sofpvanimals.com

Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta: Contact: Luz del Carmen Pérez A - cayro_13@hotmail.com - grupoecologico.com

Horizonte de PazWelcoming shelter for men of all ages who are troubled w/alcohol & drug addiction. Contact: Maynor at 322 281 0644 horizontedepaz@live.com

Instituto de Artes Musicales Puerto Vallarta (IAMPV) is Asociacion Civil and the umbrella organization over several groups, including the Puerto Vallarta Orchestra, the Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra, a children’s music school, and others. Contact Daniel Oliveros 322 105 8344

International Friendship Club Provides medical, educational and social services to those in need in Puerto Vallarta and area. www.ifcvallarta.com

La Brigada de la BasuraA weekly meeting of neighborhood children to clean Vallarta Streets. Contact Que?Pasa 322 223 4006

Mexico Ministries & Mission, Inc. It raises funds to the poor in Vallarta. Contact Fr. Jack at 322 229 1129 christchurchbythesea.org

Puerto Vallarta Navy League AC Contact: Carol Smith at 322 137 4902

New Life MexicoChallenging child poverty with health and education programs.Contact: Philippa Vernon pvp@newlifemexico.com

Paraíso Felino AC Refuge and adoption centre for cats and kittens in the Bay of Banderas. Contact: 322 120 4092

Pasitos de Luz Substitute home for low income children with any type of handicap, offers rehabilitation services and more. 322 299 4146. pasitosdeluz.org

Purr Project No-kill feline rescue - www.purrproject.com

PEACEAnimals Free mobile spay/neuter clinic operating 48 weeks a year, primarily in Puerto Vallarta. Tax-de-ductible. peaceanimals.org

Pro Biblioteca de Vallarta It raises funds for Los Mangos Public Library. Tax-deductible receipts for Mexico and USA. Contact: 322 224 9966

Proyecto Pitillal Busca un AmigoAssociation created by underprivileged mothers of paralyzed children. Contact: 322 299 4495.

Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza Shelter for children

Donations are tax-deductible in Canada and the U.S. Contact: Madre Mari at 322 222 7857 - www.ccshf.ca

Roma’s Kids They educate the children of the Volcanes and surrounding area www.kids.romamexico.com

Toys for Tots VallartaIt distributes toys and constructs playgrounds for less-advantaged kids in the Puerto Vallarta area Contact: Jerry Lafferty 322 221 6156

SETAC – Services the GLBT community. Contact: Paco Arjona at 322 224 1974

SPCA PV – Provides shelter and vet services to rescued animals. www.spcapv.com

Vallarta Botanical Gardens - To build Mexico’s greatest botanical, research & education of plant life, city beautification programs, bird watching, etc. Donations are tax deductible in the USA. Contact: 322 223 182 or info@vallartabotanicalgardensac

Local Charities and Non-Profit Organizations

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