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| Puerto Vallarta | | September
30th to October 6th, 2002 | XIIIth
National Congress of Oceanography Here This Week Approximately
800 oceanologists, students of the science, speakers and scientists are expected
to attend the XIIIth National Congress of Oceanography to be held in Vallarta
from October 7nd to 15th. Reports of works in progress
and others that have been completed will be presented to the Congress, dealing
with the various aspects of the science such as biology, physics, chemistry, archeology
and satellite. The latter is the newest of the disciplines within the field of
oceanography and has much to offer through the use of telecommunication and computer
technology. The Coastal University Center (CUC) and Mexican
oceanologist institutions will be hosting the event.
Drainage
a Big Problem It would appear that the floods in certain
areas of town must be due to the amount of water that comes with the rains. And
although sometimes that is indeed the case, it is also a fact that the city lacks
a proper drainage system to handle such rainwater. The Director of Urban Planning
acknowledged that due to the city's topography, the water followed natural downward
routes to the ocean and such a system would not be required. Uncontrolled urban
growth has obstructed and reduced the size of the river beds and streams. A number
of colonias (neighborhoods) were built atop those water tributaries and every
time there is a heavy downpour, they inevitably get flooded, not to mention the
settlements built very close to the rivers and streams in violation of the amortiguamiento
zones that were established. Seapal's Infrastructure
in Las Juntas Practically Worn Out The inhabitants
of Las Juntas are suffering due to the delays and lack of attention on the part
of the operators of Puerto Vallarta's Potable Water and Drainage system (Seapal).
Suffice it to mention that the para-governmental corporation only has one employee
assigned to the maintenance of the entire colonia that includes approximately
10,000 inhabitants. Furthermore, when a team of workers does not finish the work
properly, they leave the streets impassable due to their excavations. Las Juntas'
municipal delegate listed the people's complaints: the water comes out highly
chlorinated and with very little pressure, but their main complaint was the overflow
of sewage when the drain sewers get blocked and this has caused lagoons that emit
extremely unpleasant odors, resulting in an unhealthy environment for a number
of families.
Will They Go or Won't
They Go? Due to last minute changes in the agenda
of the Governor of the State of Jalisco, the trip to Europe that was to include
the Mayor of Puerto Vallarta and a couple of other local representatives was still
hanging in the balance last Tuesday. The City Council
had to decide whether or not it would allow the $12,000. U.S. Dollar expense this
would represent. Once it did so, it was decided that the Mayor would leave for
London, England, on September 30th in the company of the Director of the Tourism
Trust of Puerto Vallarta. After a few days there, they will be off to Amsterdam,
Paris (where the Governor will be meeting them), Seville and Barcelona in Spain,
followed by Florence and maybe Milan in Italy. In addition,
they will try to fit in visits to Brussels and Madrid before returning to Vallarta
on October 12th.
M.A.W. Foundation
Fulfills Another Wish Tatiana is a major star in the
eyes of both children and adults in Mexico and her fame has extended way beyond
the borders of this country. She has produced 20 gold records and 6 have gone
platinum. Her recordings for children earned her 4 diamond albums and sold over
250,000 videos. She has also been awarded the Medal of New York's Better World
Society and the Award of the International Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles,
California. In addition, Tatiana has her own TV show. All these accomplishments
have earned her the admiration and adoration of millions of fans, little and not
so little. Her immediate acceptance to come and perform in Puerto Vallarta -to
fulfill the wish of a child- has only served to raise the level of admiration
we have for her. Lupita Ortega is suffering from a life-threatening
illness that will probably deny her ever reaching her 18th birthday. Her dream,
her wish, was to meet Tatiana in person. Once again, Puerto Vallarta's chapter
of the renowned Make A Wish Foundation, headed locally by Bob Mandel, stepped
in to make Lupita's dream come true. So Tatiana came to
Puerto Vallarta last Tuesday, all dressed up in the costume the children know
so well from her TV show. The Westin Regina Resort in Marina Vallarta hosted the
successful event where the TV and recording star sang songs from her latest album
that include all the children's favorite Walt Disney tunes. To
date, the Make A Wish Foundation in this town has fulfilled over forty wishes
for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses. These have included toys,
bicycles, trips, swimming with the dolphins, etc. One child wished for a bed so
that he could spend his last days in his "own bed". Anyone
wishing to know more about this worthy foundation is invited to contact Bob Mandel
directly at 221-6212, or by e-mail at: onsiesta@pvnet.com.mx
90%
of City's Buses Illegal One of the local dailies conducted
its own survey in the streets of the city to establish its own statistics regarding
the never-ending problem of buses. It observed that 111 out of 126 city buses
that passed by did not have license plates. Despite the fact that this is illegal,
they circulated openly and with total impunity. Some had numbers painted on the
back, and some of these were the same on different units. According to the sub-director
of the Municipal Transit Department, there are approximately 400 buses circulating
in town. In response, the two companies that own the "blue"
buses and the "green" ones responded that it will be up to the State's
Center for Investigation on Transportation (CEIT) and the State's Organism for
the Coordination of the Integral Operation of Public Transportation Services (OCOIT)
that will determine the regularization and the number of concessions to be issued
by the State Government for the public transportation service in Puerto Vallarta. The
President of the "blue" bus union stated that the media is picking on
them "to sell newspapers", and that the motives are purely political. The
assistant director of the municipal transit department asked that the 150 or so
buses without license plates be taken off the streets, but his request was deferred
because the President of the "green" buses union warned of the "negative
impact that would have on the public." At this point,
the three enterprises -including Sistecozome which operates the mini-buses- agreed
to leave the decision to CEIT and OCOIT that would determine how many new routes
or extension of existing routes would be needed to supply the demand.
On
the Topic of "Health Tourism" As the President
of the Mexican Spa Association for two consecutive years in a row, Kena Moreno
has organized international tourism and health congresses. She also founded the
network of Juvenile Integration Centers. To date, the
network has 79 chapters throughout the country, making it the most important institution
of its kind in Latin America. To this lady, it is obvious
that health tourism is the new lifestyle of the third millennium as it is a segment
of the market that has registered great growth around the world in the last few
months, besides representing a great opportunity for business development. During
her recent visit to Vallarta, Kena Moreno explained that in today's trend in holiday
activities, travelers prefer to enjoy general entertainment, physical training,
beauty and rejuvenating treatments, rest and a clean atmosphere in a location
by the sea. She added that these visitors spend a minimum of five days on their
holidays while traditional tourism regularly spends an average of three days in
a hotel. On the economic level, she pointed out that these visitors spend up to
five times more than conventional tourists when they purchase the services included
in health tourism. There are approximately 100 spas in
Mexico, most of which are located within a hotel or major development, most of
which are along the Pacific coast. The success has been
such that an important number of new spas are projected, preferably in destinations
financed by the Federal Government, although Huatulco only has one and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
doesn't have any, while Cancun offers an ample range. The one on the "Mayan
Riviera" is the first to use sea water to offer "lasotherapy". Other
tourist destinations showing important advances in the field are Los Cabos, Tijuana,
Ensenada, Puerto Peñasco, San Carlos and the Bay of Banderas. In
health tourism, there is a marked preference of the economically active population
of visitors from 25 to 45 years of age, a fact that denies the erroneous popular
belief that this is a segment mostly used by older people. This is an indication
that there is marked interest in keeping oneself healthy and in good shape, while
engaging in sports vacations and developing abilities in a clean atmosphere. Ms.
Moreno added that there exists an enormous potential, considering that there are
more than 11,000 kilometers of beach that can be used for lasotherapy - using
sea water. This salted water is introduced into pool baths where it is heated
to 38o centigrade, converting itself into marine thermal water rich in minerals
and beneficial microorganisms. This will mark the leading trend and future of
world thermalism. Spas have continued to improve, and today they are well-known
as facilities that offer sports, dietetic menus, beauty treatments and rejuvenating
techniques, areas for physical and nutritional evaluation, as well as halotherapy. Spas
are considered to be centers where one can develop or improve self-esteem, image,
aspirations, physical and psychological improvement, body and soul rejuvenation,
along with a reconnection with nature.
FROM
ANGELA
September 30, 2002 23
Species of Venomous Animals in Western Mexico "Many
animals considered venomous by some in reality are not. Many of the venomous animals
do not possess sufficient venom to put adults at risk," noted expert Herpetologist
Eduardo Fanti Echegoyen in a Conference on Venomous Animals of Western Mexico
presented at Centro Universitario de la Costa (CUC). Western
Mexico is defined as southern Sinaloa, Nayarit, southern Zacatecas, Aguacalientes,
Jalisco, Colima and Michoacan. Within this area only 23 venomous species of animals
exist that are deadly to man. There are 2 types of spiders, 4 scorpions, 15 snakes,
1 bee and a sauros. Some people are hypersensitive to these toxins and are at
a greater risk, 1 in 10,000 people. Speaking on myths that people have created
about insects or animal, he cites one about the venom of African and European
Bees. The type and amount of venom is similar in both, but the African is more
aggressive and they attack in greater number. With regard
to scorpions, he emphasized that they are very toxic to insects and spiders, but
only 7 of the 122 species possess toxins that are dangerous to man. In the Western
Region only 4 species of venomous scorpions are found, easily identified by their
triangular sternum. As for reptiles, there are 82 species
of snakes found within this region of which only 15, 19%, are venomous to man.
Many snakes, such as the Boa are useful in the control of rodents and are not
aggressive. Most venomous in Vallarta are 3 species of Coral Snakes. Fanti
Echegon emphisized that it is important to remember that in general the venomous
animals do not attack, but only use venom to protect themselves, so it is best
not to rile them. Workshop Remodel Renovation
of the Municipal Cultural Workshops on Isla Rio Cuale is approximately 10 percent
complete according to Enrique Villa Meza, Director of Municipal Public Works.
The process of demolition is close to completed. This was revealed at the second
meeting of the Committee of the Program for Assistance to the Cultural Infrastructure
of the States (PAICE) headed by Mayor Pedro Ruiz Higuera. The
total investment is 2,086,000 Pesos, split three ways - Municipal, State and CONACULTA
(Federal Cultural Commission) funds. The Regional Coordinator of PAICE said that
the idea of PAICE-CONACULTA, is to improve the quality of the cultural workshops
to significantly benefit the people of Puerto Vallarta. Villa
Meza Explained the process demolition, that includes the recuperation and recycling
of much of the building materials, such as the roof tiles. Projected finishing
date of the project is December 15. The round building and the fountain have been
totally demolished. Alberto Salas, representative of the
Office of Acquisitions said approximately 345,000. pesos were approved for the
purchase of tools, computer and video equipment. All the workshops space is to
be remodeled, including music, graphic arts and painting. New workshops are being
created that include a photography darkroom, digital graphics and lithography.
The auditorium will cost about 1.5 Million pesos to build, not including the amount
needed to equip it. Cine Club Vallarta The
Puerto Vallarta Film Commission in association with the Cine Club Vallarta is
producing the 2003/2004 Puerto Vallarta Film Guide. The Guide provides a listing
of the following categories for employment on films, television, commercials and
documentaries made in and around Puerto Vallarta. Those
qualified and interested are requested to e-mail contact number to CineClubVallarta@hotmail.com Talent
needed: Producers/Unit Production Managers, Directors/Assistant Directors, Production
Design/Art Directors/Set Decorators, Director of Photography/Camera operators
and assistants, Location Managers and Assistants, Casting/Extras Casting and assistants,
Editors and assistants, Gaffers/Grips/ Electricians/Set Construction, Production
Coordinators,/Production Assistants, Costume Designers/ assistants, Hair and Makeup
stylists, sound/special effects, Stunt work, Animal Trainers, catering and Assistants,
Transportation, still photographers, and actors/singers/dancers. Puertas
Abiertas 1st Anniversary The Street Children's Dormitory,
Puertas Abiertas (Open Doors) operated by the DIF (Integral Family Development)
located in Coapinole celebrated its first anniversary. DIF President, Mayra Burgos
said that after a year, the work has just begun on this important program for
street children and all of Vallarta. It is a space for these children, perhaps
not the best in the world, but we are working hard to have a safe, clean place
for them. Burgos thanked all who have believed and worked
for the success of Puertas Abiertas. She concluded by saying that day by day it
is a continuing struggle for street children. The Director
of Puerto Abiertas noted that her work was very gratifying. "I have seen
children stop their drug use and integrate themselves in the family atmosphere
of Puertas Abiertas." The Dormitory has received assistance from several
municipal agencies, the Fire Department and the Municipal Family Council, which
looks into the legal standings of the children. The children's
process of integration begins with a change of habits, living again with rules.
Hygiene, socialization and tolerance are part of the process that little by little
takes place in each of the 18 children. The children are attending Spanish, Mathematics,
history and geography classes. COMMON CURES FOR ANT
INFESTATIONS A recent article by household expert
and author Joey Green reveals some inexpensive stuff in the kitchen that can be
used to replace more expensive items. For example, writing for the Raley's grocery
chain on the West Coast, Green notes a sure-fire way to get rid of an ant infestation
is to use common dishwashing liquid. According to Green, simply add a teaspoon
of, for example, Dawn dishwashing liquid to a 16-ounce trigger-spray bottle of
water. Then spray ants when you seem them. They will die soon because the solution
quickly dries up the ants' protective outer surfaces. Places
where ants run can be kept moist with a spray of the soap-and-water mixture. Additionally,
because you are spraying a non-toxic soap, clean-up is a snap. Unbelievably, ants
will not cross a line of chalk drawn around window sills and other points of entry. And
what about swarms of bees around the outdoor grill? Simply hang a partially full
can of beer where bees congregate. They will be attracted to the smell, enter
the can, and literally drink themselves to death. For
Your Information Now at Garbo's: Piano lessons during
the morning, with Salvador Rodriguez (from La Petite France Restaurant). If you
are interested give us a call 044 322 229-7309 or stop by at Garbo's, 142 Pulpito
near Olas Altas and the Torre de Oro Hotel. P.S.: Happy Birthday to German Garcia
of Garbo's. Top Novela (Soap Opera) Stars Hector Soberon
and Michelle Vieth tied the knot aboard the Marigalante last week. Their new venture
is managing the new Super Spa that is opening soon in the Villas Vallarta Center.
John Bloomfield, the Spa's owner says his Paris equipment supplier called it the
largest Spa of its kind in Latin America. It will offer liposuction and laser
treatments by certified technicians, and includes a 206-bed facility for long
stay customers. Hope the VIP's that is under construction
next to Sam's and Wal-Mart will be more successful than the last one (where Hooters
is now). The major problem was, despite extensive training, the kitchen staff
served spoiled food and the service was indifferent, so despite the wonderful
ambience and location, customers did not return. Café
des Artistes Guest Chef Beginning November 7th thru
17th will see the "Gourmet Festival" of which Thierry Blouet is President
and founder along with Heinz Reize and Roland Menetrey. Through this festival,
they seek to promote an exchange of culinary knowledge between the locals who
wish to perfect their art, while taking the opportunity to position Puerto Vallarta
as one of the outstanding culinary destinations in Mexico.
During the festival,
local hotels and restaurants invite 18 international chefs to present menus containing
their specialties during 10 days. cooking classes and wine tastings are offered
as well at that time.
www.festivalgourmet.com This
year the guest chef at Café des Artistes is Martin Ríos, one of
the best Chefs in America.
What makes Chef Rios truly exceptional is his tremendous
enthusiasm and creativity in the kitchen. For Chef Rios cooking is a matter of
love, dedication and obsession; it is not just a profession.
Chef Rios received
his formal training at the Culinary Institute of America where he earned his Associates
Degree. Prior to becoming the Executive Chef of the Old House, the only Four-Star
and Four -Diamond Restaurant in the State of New Mexico, chef Rios worked as Executive
Chef of Santa Fe´s original Four-Star, Four-Diamond Eldorado Hotel, Chef
Tournant at The Short Hills Hilton in New Jersey, Chef Tournant at New York City´s
highly acclaimed Park Avenue Café where he worked with Chef David Burke
and pastry Daniel Budd, and as apprentice in the kitchen of Georges Blanc, the
Michelin Three Star in Vonnas, France, one of the masters of the French culinary
world.
He has been the Executive Chef of the Old House since the Spring of
1997.
Proper recognition of the world-class cuisine Chef Rios offers at The
Old House Restaurant has come in the form of the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award
of Excellence, Zagat´s Restaurant Survey naming it the best dining experience
for food in the State of New Mexico and listing it as one of the best restaurants
in the United States, AAA´s only Four Diamond Award and Mobil´s Four
Star Award. Chef Rios was named Chef of the Year by the City of Santa Fe and by
the State of New Mexico, the restaurant was given the Award of Excellence by Wine
Spectator Magazine, and the restaurant has been featured on both a PBS and a Food
TV series. Also, Bon Appetit´s featured Chef Martin and the Old House in
its cover story entitled "The American Restaurant: Our Favorite Places Tatiana
Grants a Wish in Vallarta Six year old Maria 'Lupita'
Guadalupe Ortega received her wish from Make a Wish Foundation (MAWF), Puerto
Vallarta Chapter. When Bob Mandel, President MAWF asked what she wanted most in
the world, she shyly responded, 'to meet Tatiana" and she did! Upon
arriving at the Presidential Suite of the Westin Regina, Mandel asked her again
what her wish was, 'to meet Tatiana!' Mandel handed her a Tatiana doll. Lupita
looked very sad and said 'But I wanted to meet her in person, this is only a doll.'
So to the strains of Tatiana singing a song from her new CD, 'Wish Upon a Star'
Mandel urged Lupita close her eyes and wish very, very hard. When she opened her
eyes there was Tatiana! Lupita radiated joy as Tatiana
greeted her there was not a dry eye in the room. Lupita received from the hands
of Tatiana the first copy of her new album, Tatiana sings Disney. Children's
Singing Star 'Tatiana' had a nice visit with Lupita then she dressed her in a
smaller version of her costume. As Tatiana and Lupita entered the Salon de Pintores
the crowd of awaiting Wish children greeted them with awe. Flocking around Tatiana,
Lupita was almost lost in the crowd. But she had already had her 'private meeting
with Tatiana. Lupita suffers from Spinal Bifidia and Mielo Milgocelis and has
been hydroencephalic. Tatiana performed favorites and
numbers from her new Disney Album to the rapt audience. She took hand of one child
and formed a chain that wound through the tables to the delight of all. Tatiana
included those not mobile and stopped at each one and sang to them. …
if you know anyone who wants to share in the joy of granting these wishes, make
a donation, of knows of an eligible child, please contact:" Bob Mandel at
(322) 221-6212 or e-mail: onsiesta@pvnet.com.mx Archives
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