Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit News

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April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012

Free Issue

April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012Page 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

ContributorsChristie Seeley, Orlando Gotay

Martin Rosenberg, Oscar Aranda, Poncho Davalos

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.

Paco Morás

Page 3April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012 Editorial

From the editor

We are living a different kind of life now. Although temporary, this arrangement we find ourselves into is creating a new

perspective to see life from. Everything we were accustomed to has changed practically overnight. We no longer can enjoy the specta-cular sunsets from the Malecon (my only true regret, if you ask me), nor go out with friends for a drink or a stroll.

Even the most quotidian matters such as shopping for food have changed. We now have to wait in line and respect the social distancing in order to reduce the risk of infection. With the coronavirus being so contagious, all and any measures must be respected.

In fact, starting this Monday April 20, Jalisco’s Governor has decreed a hardening in the measures taken so far to try to prevent the spread of the disease. It is now forbidden to leave home, a significant upscale to the former “recommendation” to stay inside, with the municipal police corps enforcing these new measures. Also, if you have to go out to work, for food, to the doctor, or to any other activity considered essential, you now must wear a mask of any type. It does not have to be the surgical type – actually, it is advised that these masks be saved for medical personnel only – but any kind of mask. The idea is to keep your mouth and nose behind a protective layer.

Now, the real question (one of them, at least) is: what are we going to do after all this passes? How are we going to go about our life? We can’t even know if the way of life we had before will be suitable for the post-pandemic times. And even if it is, do we really want to go on as before knowing what we are learning today? Because we are actually learning something, aren’t we?

Well, it is my hope that we are learning about life, the world, and mainly, ourselves.

April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012ColumnsPage 4

Poncho DavalosAlfonso “Poncho” Davalos, is a real estate Agent for The Agency Puerto Vallarta. He enjoys dealing with people, playing with his dog, and he has a pet pig, YES a pet pig.

Wandering around town

How I spent my last 30 days, what about you?

Hello there!

I hope all of you are having a good time during this weird time. I’m in my bed at 10 PM with my dog writing this article and I want to share my experience

with you during these days, I’m not the type of guy who is posting on social media if I did exercise every day; anyway, some of you may know I was in the States a month ago. While my friends Paul, Andrea and Greg were telling me to cancel my trip to Denver, decided to make it.

Finally I got to Denver, I was so excited

to see my friend Susan Chong, who is also the reason why I’m doing Real Estate. She came to the airport to greet me with a coffee and a bottle of water. W while I was there I was able to attend my first hockey game, I went to the selfie museum, and I know sounds weird but I went to a baseball museum, which was before everything as events and museums started to close.

My friend and I decided to drive to Vail.

It was my first time to see snow live. We spent a day there, we got a good hotel for a good price. While we were having dinner, for the first time I got worried that I should be in Mexico and not there, then I thought “Poncho, you’re fine”. In Puerto Vallarta my friend Greg was checking if I was able to come back before time; to be honest with all of you, I was kind of stressed to get stuck in Colorado and not be able to be back to PV at least for 14 days or more. I wasn’t afraid that I got sick. Anyway, 2 days before I had to return home, while I was doing my check-in, I was worried that the Mexican government would decide to cancel the international flights. I had to connect from Denver to Salt Lake City and I don’t know anyone from there. Finally, I was able to board and get to Puerto Vallarta. And here is where the fun starts.

I isolated myself for 14 days because

I was in Vail, it seemed to be the normal thing until, oh boy, it wasn’t after I start to receive from some friends a video by the governor of Jalisco saying that people who stayed in Vail and Denver during

the dates I was at were at risk. Yes, I have to confess I got an anxiety attack, I was working from home, sitting on my desk when I saw the message on Facebook. Part of me got frozen, another part of me got me into now what I am going to do! I breathed, I said, “well I’m safe and sound all will be good”, God and the Universe are very wise. The following morning, I started to feel terrible with the COVID symptoms except problems to breathe. I kept telling myself, “I’m good, it is just a simple cold”, but while days were passing and the fever was up, up and i was tired as hell, just sleeping and not having a desire to cook, because also I lost my sense of taste. I called the authorities and they called me a few days after I left my contact information. I was able to get in touch with a doctor, who told me to take paracetamol during those days and let it go. Of course they recommended me NOT to leave my place for any reason, that was day maybe 7, my desperation started to be effective, because I didn’t feel any better, worried about me being by myself with my dog and not having anyone next to me to call, but I said “well, it is what it is Poncho, you’ll be fine”.

Finally, the day when I felt better came,

which was a week after I had all the symptoms, but not for that reason did I ever think about going out. I finished my 14 days isolated, but I stayed home for another extra 4 days, no human interaction, just my dog and myself. The first time I was able to go out was my visit to La Comer, trust me. I am not a fanatic to go and buy groceries, I rather do all online, but that day was truly amazing, I loved the air, the sun, the sky, etc.

I have to confess it’s been a little bit

of difficult for me to get into a track of discipline for me to do things. Then my computer got crashed, but while I was without a computer and talking with my therapist she asked me to do a list of things I want to approach in my personal life and business life too; she made me realize that I have work to do, for example to exercise myself or dance Shakira’s songs or do some cardio or retake my personal project, my online store and also what I can do to be close to my clients and future clients. That talk opened my panorama a lot.

During these days, I learned how to

make a lemon pie, hotcakes, beans. I know it may sound simple and basic, but I didn’t have the time to do it before. If you ask my ex-boyfriend, he can tell you I don’t know how to cook; just figure it out, one day I was frying tortellini in a pan with oil instead of boiling them, that’s how bad I am at it.

I volunteer myself to pick up and deliver

some masks that Pamela Thompson along with some people as Caroline, Warren Brander, Cari Cook, James Nash, Yesi, Idalia, Irma, Jeremy Satterfield, and many other people got to help the Regional Hospital. If you’re reading this and if you’re healthy please get in touch with her and see how you can help, or help Francie Nguyen with her Vallarta Food Bank, or deliver some cookies to the doctors and nurses to the public hospitals. They are giving us not just a hand to be out of this, they are working hard and giving us their soul.

If you want to know my recipes of what

I learned how to cook, feel free to send me an email (no, you don’t lol, because maybe they are not so tasty). Anyway, stay safe, please wear a mask if you go outside to do any activity and see you next week. Cheers!

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

Page 5April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012 Columns

Why?

Must we experience a global lockdown and physical distancing to ask deeper questions? We have learned

of individual nations demonstrating a shared sense of purpose. Artificial boundaries separate cultures but not the effect that one nation can have on other distant communities and people’s well being. Perhaps the touted benefits of a global marketplace focused on profits and not people?

Why is such a tiny word. With time now to reflect, I felt the need to re-visit some of my old beliefs. What did I wish for? Did I assume that what I read from experts always was in my best interest? There are so many possible issues to consider that I had to be realistic. This column is not a book or academic paper. Everyone’s opinions and ideas deserve equal consi-deration. There are two sides to every issue. If we all were of one belief system not much would ever change. My “WHY” shelf of questions may include some of yours and I know you can add to this list. We are all deeply concerned, fearful and not prepared in our lifetime for this event. I write this column with a heavy heart but faith that compassion, respect and generosity will dominate people’s behavior going forward. Let my WHYs begin:

WHY are so many humans in ill health? How have we weakened our immune system? Why didn’t the prescription “silver bullet” pills reduce cancer and diabetes? Why didn’t my government share truths about foods so I didn’t need to waste money on supplements and doctors? Why have so many small farms disappeared? Why were the early medical and nutritional spokespeople on preven-tative health care so maligned? My re-vi-siting these issues validated for me that I found too much self-serving advice in all the wrong sources.

WHY do I feel less free than ever before? I understand that some compromise is a given when leaders act to maintain our

safety. When did sacrificing our personal privacy become the very information that found its way to profit making companies? Did Freedom of Speech in the most affluent, democratic countries become a hollow expression? Has the promise of an open Internet unifying millions been shattered by digital algorithms that exclude selected points of view? Before this virus strain emerged, people

protesting was effective and growing in nations such as Spain, France, Germany, Italy, United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Egypt, Israel…to cite just what I recall. Did social/physical distancing bring that to a halt? Why are the poorest and physically weakest exploited?

As we self-isolate to protect others and ourselves there is much to ponder.

What an unprecedented opportunity to think, research and regain a semblance of control. We can examine how we form our beliefs and what it means to exercise our free will.

There is now an overwhelming spirit of caring, courage and generosity…we can feel it, see it demonstrated, and responsibly spread positive thoughts to all we contact, think about and meet.

Banderas Bay Vallarta Paper|

PUERTOVALLARTA

Banderas Bay Vallarta Paper|

PUERTOVALLARTA

April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012Page 8 Charities

Orlando Gotay, Tax AttorneyOrlando Gotay is a California licensed tax attorney (Master of Laws in Taxation) admitted to practice before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court and other taxing agencies. His love of things Mexican has led him to devote part of his practice to federal and state tax matters of U.S. expats in Mexico. He can be reached at tax@orlandogotay.com Facebook: GotayTaxLawyer or WhatsApp at +17604491668. This is just a most general outline. It is informational only and not meant as legal advice.

When the CARES Act was enacted, I hesitated to write about the Coronavirus stimulus payments. Official

information changed daily, causing great confusion. Things have settled a little, so I feel comfortable commenting now. Again: information changes rapidly. This may change yet again!

For payment purposes, there are two main groups of eligible people within the stimulus “universe”: those who have filed returns for 2019 (and/or 2018), and those who have not (and are not normally required to file a return). They have different pathways to get paid.

If you aren’t required to file a return, the IRS asks you to go to their website (at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/econo-mic-impact-payments) to enter your info in a special portal for non-filers. The page will ask for basic identifying info to ensure you are qualified, and for how much. The website allows for entering qualifying child info (remember, less than 17 years old) to get that part of the Relief payment ($500 per eligible child). Lastly, the website also provides for direct payment through your bank account, or a paper check to your mailing address, if that’s your choice.

For those who are required to file a return-- the IRS will open another portal (actually it’s another section at the same web page above) in the coming weeks. You would enter bank information, much like the first portal. The IRS knows that many taxpayers file a return with no bank infor-mation for refunds. Here’s how you tell the IRS where to send your payment.

Oddly enough, it seems that if you had banking info previously on file, there’s no way to update pre-existing

banking information. Yes, I know. That seems odd, and it ought to be fixed.

Special categories of individuals: Recipients of Social Security payments (SSDI) or Railroad Retirement (that do not file returns) need not do anything. The government will deposit Relief payments

Coronavirus Stimulus Payments

directly. However, non-filer SSI recipients and Veterans Administration pension/disability recipients, still have to go to the first portal, unless the IRS chooses to find a way to direct deposit automatically. They could and should.

There are still plenty of loose ends on

Relief payments. One example out of many: it is still unclear if joint filers with a non-resident alien spouse (or joint filers with a spouse with an ITIN number) would qualify for payments.

One thing is sure: I’ve never seen so many people wanting to file a tax return. Ever!

Page 9April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012

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

Columns

Discovering The Many Voices of Fernando Pessoa

Life has a way of showing you what you must know. Like a mysterious guru, it guides you to the signi-ficant path that will enlighten you

next. In 1982, my ex-husband and I saw an article in Gourmet magazine about the incredible cuisine found in the Paradores, a luxury hotel system run by the Spanish government featuring rooms in castles, monasteries and other important historic buildings throughout the country. We outlined a trip that would start in Lisbon, Portugal, and continue into Spain via Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca through Extremadura.

Covering most of western Spain, Extre-madura is a dry, flat agricultural region populated with the famous cork forests James Michener describes in his books on Spain and significant Roman ruins in Merida and Trujillo, a major center of the Western Roman Empire. This area was also home to many of the so-called conquista-dores, Hidalgos or “Hijos de Algo” second sons who, without rights to inheritances from their noble families, were willing to chance it all in the new world. Our trip would continue through the exotic south, where Moorish culture played a significant role in establishing the unique atmosphere of Cordova and Granada and continue to Goya’s Toledo and majestic Madrid. Little did I know when planning this itinerary how dramatically our choices would affect my life.

A handsome, green-eyed doorman greeted us as we checked into the Ritz Hotel in downtown Lisbon in the late afternoon of our arrival. A bellboy showed us to our spacious room, which spoke of yesterday’s elegance. From our picture window, the city was crowned by a rosy haze as the sun descended over it and the Tagus River that plays such an essential role in the country’s story. The ancient metropolis itself was resplendent with its seven hills, each offering incredible views, steep picturesque streets, trolley

cars, beautiful antique buildings, and signature blue and white tiles. Lisbon is also the home of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum noted for the extensive personal collection of the former oil tycoon by the same name.

The museum was one of our first stops. Set in luscious gardens on the edge of town, the modern museum invited us into its sleek, light-filled interior. To our surprise, we found in the lobby a humorous and intriguing exhibit by contemporary Portuguese artist Antonio Costa Pinheiro honoring the life and works of poet Fernando Pessoa. Completely unpre-pared and understanding no Portuguese, our curiosity led us to investigate both the artist and the poet further.

Fernando Pessoa was a strikingly

complex man. Born in Lisbon in 1888, he received his early education in Durham, South Africa, where his stepfather was Portuguese Consul. He returned to Lisbon upon the death of his stepfather and never again left the city during his short life which ended in 1935. Much of his first writing was in English taking inspiration from William Shakespeare.

Later, Pessoa developed many perso-nalities or personae each possessing his particular identity and history. He called them heteronyms. Through them, he wrote significant works of poetry as well as essays, plays, and even dialogues amongst them. Alvaro de Campo, an engineer from Glasgow, was the most outspoken and unguarded of the heteronyms, often expressing shocking ideas in startling language. Ricardo Reís, a doctor, located in

Brazil, was a classicist, and Alberto Caeiro, a zen-like naturalist, was admired by the others for his purity of thought.

Bernardo Soares, a less proficient heteronym, was responsible for Pessoa’s final tome, published posthumously, the Book of Disquiet. Fernando Pessoa “luí meme,” still my favorite, was closer in style to Alvaro de Campo but certainly had his unique point of view. Walt Whitman was a writer he especially admired.

When I first began looking into Pessoa, I could find nothing written in English about him. On a trip to Paris to attend an event celebrating Pessoa in 1985, I disco-vered an excellent book of his poetry in Portuguese and French, Fernando Pessoa, Poete Pluriel—an excellent reason to get busy working on my French! I became a dedicated fan and read everything I could get my hands on to expand my knowledge. Much later, his works became available in English, and by now, the world recognizes him as the force that brought Portuguese literature into the modern era. Lisbon now boasts a museum and statues celebrating his life and work. Sadly, I have not returned to Portugal to sit in the coffee shop he visited or explore the places he frequented. For me, that solitary quiet man in overcoat and hat still walks the busy streets of 1930’s Lisbon, fantastic ideas running through a mind full of imagination and an urgency to express them.

For information and English translations of Pessoa’s work I recommend Richard Zenith. His insightful commentary and enlightened translations will carry you away.

José Saramago, a prolific and inspired Portuguese writer who, by the way, was awarded with the Nobel Prize for literature for Literature in 1998, wrote a wonderful novel about Pessoa and his heteronym Ricardo Reís, The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reís.

Lisbon in the afternoon. English language books and translations by Richard Zenith and others.

Pessoa on a Lisbon street. Painting by Antonio Costa Pinheiro of Pessoa and his hetronyms.

April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012ColumnsPage 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

A friend for bats

(second part)

Hello! In the previous edition, I began by asking your opinion on bats, given that the feelings these

mammals arouse in human societies are so varied and disparate that they are sometimes impossible to reconcile. That is why, and given my great admiration for the world of chiropterans, I decided to dedicate this space to pay them a small tribute.

In this second installment, I will dedicate these lines to mention some of the most commonly seen species in the region, and in order to "connect" with them I invite you to listen carefully to the sounds they produce on any quiet night. You will be able to hear both some of their calls (which sound like high-pitched whistles) as well as the audible part of the complex “clicks” they use when emitting ultrasounds to locate the insects they hunt on the fly. You may not listen to them, but surely they will be closer than we could imagine, like hanging from a palm tree while eating some palm seed or the abundant ornamental tree called tropical almond (Terminalia catappa). You can search for them as soon as the sun goes down, but just as quickly as they appear, they will vanish as if by magic during sunrise. Where do they go?

If there is something bats are good at is hiding, and it depends a lot on the species we are talking about, because while some prefer to hide in the same jungle, others can take advantage of cavities or dark places in some urban areas. I can mention two places in the Banderas Bay region where insectivores can be seen entering and leaving in large numbers from their urban hideouts. Perhaps the largest population of insectivores is the one that lives in a small abandoned suburb in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, before reaching the center of town. There, just at sunset, you can see thousands of bats flying in formation and then scatter towards the Sierra de Vallejo and the Valle de Banderas. It is a natural attraction worth seeing and it is a pity that they are not

being protected in any way. They could easily become a tourist attraction of great interest, such as the famous bridge in the city of Austin, Texas where thousands and thousands of bats leave at sunset. In Puerto Vallarta, specifically the area of Las Glorias (Canto del Sol), there are countless insectivorous bats living under the roofs of buildings, and it is also a delight to walk around at sunset, although it is not as spectacular as the first case.

Although it is estimated that there may be around 70 different species of bats in the region, we must recognize that many of them are quite rare and very difficult to observe. So, I will mention the ones that most impress me, and I will start with one of the most common species, called the fruit bat Artibeus jamaicensis (Jamaican fruit bat). This one, as I mentioned before, has a great predilection for the fruits of the almond tree and some ornamental palms that are usually found in hotel gardens. While flying around the tree or palm tree, he makes brief approaches to choose which is the most mature fruit, and once he has chosen it, he holds it with his mouth and uses his powerful neck muscles to pluck it from the tree. Then he flies to the tallest palm tree from where it will comfortably hang and eat the fruit.

We can discover his favorite trees looking for the nibbled fruits that he drops, and thus we will be able to observe them calmly in the following nights.

Among insectivorous bats there are a wide variety of species, so if you are a lover of insect-eating bats, I can mention for example the Balantiopteryx plicata (Sac winged bat), the Promops centralis (Big crested mastiff bat), and the most beautiful bats in the region; the hairy-tailed Lasiurus intermedius (Northern yellow bat) and the Diclidurus albus (Northern ghost bat).

I will end by talking about two species with a very particular diet that have given me fascinating moments of observation. The first is a pollinating species that feeds on the nectar of flowers; the leptonycteris yerbabuenae (Lesser long nosed bat) which loves to visit the flowers of cacti and agaves, and the second is definitely my number one on the list:

This is the surprising noctilio leporinus mastivus (Greater bulldog bat), whose presence I was able to register and photo-graph in 2007 right at the mouth of the Ameca river. This bat is among the largest species in Mexico, with a wingspan of up

to almost half a meter!, and to hunt fish or crustaceans, he flies very close to the surface of the water emitting sounds at very high ultrasonic frequencies which allow him to detect the movement of his prey just below the water surface. Then he flies low and makes a kind of "sweep" on the surface with his long claws, catching the fish and immediately taking it to his mouth. This species is social, so he lives in small colonies made up of several females and a single male. Of course, despite living together in the same place, when it comes to eating, the females usually fish in a group while the males always do it alone.

I want to say goodbye, my dear reader, anticipating the theme of the next and last installment on bats. We'll talk about blood suckers, those so feared vampire bats. We are going to break myths and highlight their family, close and supportive life, in the hope that we see in them more coinci-dences than differences. I invite you to see beyond those strange appearances that may even be unpleasant for some, as they are wonderful beings who pollinate our food, fight pests and contribute to the maintenance of ecosystems and agriculture, making our lives more pleasant and also tastier. Long live bats!

Page 11ColumnsApril 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012

April 17 - 23, 2020 Free Issue 012Page 12 Columns

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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