MEXICO CITY) — Moving quickly to address mounting anger over crime, President Felipe Calderon promised Sunday to adopt several proposals from civic groups who led more than 100,000 Mexicans in marches against daily kidnappings and killings.

Among the measures is the creation of a citizens' panel to monitor government progress in fighting crime, better police recruiting and oversight systems and equipping officers with more powerful weapons, Mexico's conservative president said. Calderon acknowledged that Mexicans are desperate to see results two years after he took office and began an aggressive battle against drug traffickers and other criminal gangs.

Angry citizens across the country's 32 states took part in Saturday's "Iluminemos Mexico" or "Let's Illuminate Mexico" protests, dressed in white and carrying candles, to show a united front against violence.

Some 200,000 protested in Mexico City, police said, while more than 84,000 demonstrated in other towns and cities, according to La Jornada daily.

Calderon said Sunday that the protests "start a new period marked by the great force and energy with which we can face criminality," and called on citizens to help official crime-fighting efforts.

The government "shares the demands and the indignation of the people," Calderon said after meeting with 14 civic leaders who staged Saturday night's candlelight protests in the capital and cities across the country including Puerto Vallarta. "We know the biggest problem in Mexico is public insecurity."

Calderon offered few details about the proposed panel, but members of the 14 civic groups told reporters the president promised a concrete plan within a month. "We're going to keep demanding: What's happening, what's happening, what's happening?" said Laura Elena Herrejon, of the civic group Pro-Neighbor. "Everyone who is listening to us must keep up the pressure." Calderon said he had already included many of the other ideas in a 74-point anti-crime agreement drawn up last month during a national security meeting with governors and mayors.

Drug cartels have responded to the government's offensive with daily attacks against police, gunning them down at their homes, checkpoints and headquarters. The rise in violence "is a consequence of the gradual and growing disintegration of public and governmental institutions," Calderon said, acknowledging that "in many places authorities have been overwhelmed by delinquency and crime."

MEXICO CITY Mexico's Supreme Court was poised Wednesday to uphold legal abortion in the capital despite deep opposition elsewhere in the heavily Catholic country.

Eight of the 11 Supreme Court justices said during deliberations that they would vote against declaring the law unconstitutional. Eight votes would be needed to strike it down, but only three judges have spoken in favor of doing so. The justices were expected to take a formal vote within the next couple of days.

"To affirm that there is an absolute constitutional protection of life in gestation would lead to the violation of the fundamental rights of women," said Justice Sergio Valls.

Mexico City made it legal last year for doctors to terminate a pregnancy in the first 12 weeks, part of a package of socially liberal measures passed by the capital's leftist-dominated assembly last year. Lawmakers also approved gay civil unions and passed protections for terminally ill people who reject medical treatment.

The federal Attorney General's Office and National Human Rights Commission appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that city assemblies can't make health laws.

Elsewhere in Mexico, abortion is allowed only in cases of rape, when the mother's life is in danger or if the fetus has severe deformities.

Most Latin American countries allow abortion only if the woman's life is in danger or in cases of rape or incest. In 2006, Nicaragua banned abortion in all cases. Cuba permits abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, as does the United States.

Since the law took effect, more than 12,000 women have had abortions at the 14 Mexico City hospitals providing them, according to the city health department.

Of those, 20 percent have come from outside the capital, said Raffaela Schiavon, who directs the international abortion rights group Ipas and has been advising the city government.

The law has exposed deep divisions in a country where abortion had rarely been at the forefront of public debate.

Anti-abortion groups have marched against the law and urged doctors to refuse to perform the procedure - a choice the law allows.

Most doctors in Mexico City's hospitals refuse to perform abortions, Schiavon said, but the city has tried to make abortions accessible by creating a hot line for women and opening counseling centers in hospitals.

"Despite all of the obstacles and the conscientious objections, the service is working," Schiavon said. "Doctors, nurses and social workers have lived up to the commitment with a lot of generosity."

During a protest Tuesday, the anti-abortion group Pro-Vida performed ultrasounds on two pregnant volunteers, broadcasting the fetuses' heartbeats on loudspeakers outside Mexico City's Palace of Fine Arts.

"We have the right to choose about our body but we don't have the right to end the life of a human being," said Martha Gasca, who is 20 weeks pregnant.

"They are not thinking about the psychological damage that the girls who have abortions go through," she said, adding that she considered aborting her first child until she found the support of Pro-Vida.

On the other side of the debate, the Network of Young People for Sexual and Reproductive Rights vows street protests if the court overturns the law.

Schiavon said a court decision against the appeal "would be a historic ruling that recognizes the importance of this problem from the point of view of public health and women's rights."

Understanding your Colonia
About 60 members attended the General Assembly meeting on Feb. 29, 2008, at Club Alejandra. Copies of the President's Address, 2007 Financial Report, and 2007 Maintanence Director's Report are now on our website. Minutes of the meeting must be translated in both English and Spanish and then certified by a notary. Once this process is complete, you will also be able to find them on the web.

City News

Efforts have been underway for some time to facilitate a drive-thru inspection with Arq. Banos and the City Inspector who is in charge of inspections for the South of Vallarta. There are currently 5 projects within the Colonia that appear to the Association to be operating without viable City or Colonia permits. Our efforts have paid off! On March 24 & 25, Arq. Banos was accompanied by first 3 and then 5 of the 19 City inspectors. All 5 sites were cited for a variety of violations, some were fined, while others were given a specific time period in which to comply or have stop work orders enforced. Your association will continue to stay on top of these issues to be sure that the contingencies are met within the times specified or that the work is shut down.

Work continues with the City for the addition of a left turn lane and beautification of the North Entrance. Currently, the project is being sent to the Federal Gov't as the turn lane will require repositioning of the highway. As the local government has approved the project, this does not require approval of the Federal Government, but there is a notification process that is required.

What´s new: Kudos!

•The following Condo Associations have taken advantage of the CCHA Condo Discount program and saved their owners 15% on their 2008 dues.
LaPunta, Las Terrazas,Club Alejandra,Vallarta Med,MonteMar and Sierra Mar

•Prior to the General Meeting at Club Alejandro, a new street sign was placed at the entrance of Calle Sagitario, after last year's sign was vandalized and had to be removed.

•Thanks to Peter Olsen, Calle Sagitario (Calle Easy) has received new signage and additional lighting. In an effort to reduce traffic on this dead end street, signage now clearly shows which properties are accessed by the road. Lighting, directed toward the pump station, was installed to reduce the nighttime partying there. Thanks Peter, for your continued efforts to improve the Colonia.

•Thanks also go to Gerald Rapp for his repairs to Calle Leo and Calle Santa Barbara!

•Continued efforts by the Board to work with the City on defining the boundaries of Conchas Chinas may finally be coming to fruition. It appears that the City will decide on Calle Leo as the north boundary for Lower Conchas Chinas. Confusion on this boundary has persisted since the City changed our Convenio to facilitate installing sewer lines along Calle Santa Barbara. Once finalized by the City, properties along the south side of Calle Leo will be in Colonia Conchas Chinas and properties along the north side of Calle Leo will be in Colonia Amapas.

What´s ahead

ZONING PLAN: Your board has contracted Arq. Alfonso Banos and his staff to study and devise a zoning plan for Conchas Chinas based on current and desired land usage. Once this "desarollo plano parcial" is presented and approved by the board, it will be presented to the general assembly, 30 days will be given for public review and study, and a vote will be taken by the membership. Once passed, the plan becomes a binding land use document for assessing future development requests in the Colonia. Stay tuned for future notices about this very important project.

STEP REPAIR: The beach steps leading to the beach by Club Alejandro are in need of repair. Your Board has worked with the City to replace the iron railings (with a PVC/concrete system which will withstand the constant sun and salt) and to repair the damaged steps.

Help Wanted!

As always, your Association is in need of concerned citizens! Currently there are several fountains in the Colonia who need devoted "parents" to oversee their restoration and beautification. Additionally, if you have a pet project you would like to work on, we welcome your inquiry. The Board is always looking for ways to improve the Colonia and for people who would like to assist in that endeavor.

We Got Mail!

"..............I am wondering, however, why no money seems to be spent on neighborhood clean-up in Upper Conchas Chinas. For example there has been a dead Christmas tree and a paint bucket prominently displayed in the green belt for months. Is any of our $300 to be spent on cleaning common areas? I await your answer prior to any dues payments. Thanks, Neil S."

The majority of dues collected in the Colonia is spent on clean-up: beach, road ways, land and rock slides caused by the rain etc. The Colonia has 3 employees who handle this work. There is a recommended work schedule by area; however this is flexible to accommodate unusual demand ie extra beach clean-up days over Easter etc. After receiving Neil's letter, the Board revisited the employee policies and have made some changes:

•The employees are instructed to clean up the sidewalks, roads, beaches and garden areas at the North and South entrances, but no debris from private property, i.e. areas beyond the sidewalks. The board has clarified with the employees that the green space going up Calle Madre Perla is common space not private and needs to be added to their work schedule.

•One worker has been given supervisory duties and is turning in a weekly log detailing what areas were worked on each day. As in the past, street cleaning priority is given to the streets where the majority of residents are current on their dues payments.

•Workers will be required to wear new BRIGHTLY colored work shirts provided by the Colonia. This should help make it easier for homeowners to see when clean-up is being completed in their area.

The Board hopes these changes will result in continued improvements within the Colonia. Thanks Neil for bringing your concerns to light, and for paying your dues!

It is our hope to bring you information on the Colonia multiple times each year. Please let us know if there are topics you would particularly like covered.
We welcome your feedback and comments.

Lynda Petty - Newsletter Vocal -
www.conchaschinas.net

As the Bay of Banderas real estate market continues to grow and mature, there is an urgent need to standardize sales commissions among local agencies. "We need to continue to make our business more predictable and balanced for both buyers and sellers," according to Tere Kimball, President of AMPI Riviera Nayarita.
Kimball is also the Broker/Partner for Prudential California Realty, Vallarta Division.

Kimball reminded AMPI members that they must complete 120 hours of AMPI-approved training each year as a requirement for continued membership. The next course will be given by Dr. Cervantes Fernandez Cervantes Nuñez on land density. Regular attendance to the monthly AMPI meetings is also a requirement, Kimball stated.

AMPI Riviera Nayarita, whose members are principally North Bay agents, will
also begin a bi-monthly Real Estate Walk event. All members in good standing will have the opportunity to include their listings in an open house event.

For more information on A.M.P.I Riviera – Nayarita, call Elena at El Grupo de Bienes Raices (329) 298-1212 or for AMPI Vallarta call Yazmín at (322) 223.5511.

by Rincón-Gallardo,Eduardo

One such 'magical place' place is Vallarta Botanical Gardens, on Km 24 of Route 200 past Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán.

What I expected was a colorful variety of plants and flowers in a nice and isolated setting in the middle of the sierra.
What I found was much more than that..

Once there I took a short trail into a creek where I was, instantly, in the middle of the forest, surrounded by the songs of countless birds. I sat on a bench mesmerized by this symphony now accompanied by the sound of the wind playing with the fronds of the trees.

I don't know how long I sat there, because the music kept renewing itself, several birds started to fly about more confidently and one of them got curious enough to join me so we caught good glimpses of each other and a little conversation.

Following the paths planted with flowers of all colors and shapes (also with written explanations, so if you find one that you're especially interested in, you can learn just about all about that species), I took another trail down to the river. This time a San Blas Jay (very much like the ubiquitous Zanate or Grackle, but with beautiful blue back, wings and tail) flew ahead of me to meet several black Groove-Billed Anis, singing their typical pee-hooy, pee-hooy, pee-hooy, down by the river; no wonder locals call them Pijuy.

The river setting is magical, it invites you to meditate, like some japanese gardens. Here the music comes from the green transparent waters sliding down huge bright white rocks. A temptation I could not resist, I had to fully immerse into this virginal, unspoiled garden of eden.

Here's a reborn man walking up to the plantation house, when I heard a sound that I know quite well, a macaw.
In my years of birding I was lucky enough to see macaws twice, for a fleeting moment, without a chance to grab a camera. Both times near here, once in Las Juntas y los Veranos and once a few kilometers further up the road in Los Otates.

These wonderful birds near extinction make a wonderful sight, flying in pairs (they live around 80 years and have just one lifetime partner) light up the sky with their colors, blue wings, bright green body and red in both head and tail. They are endemic to this area, they, along with the jaguar, represent the endangered fauna of our sierra. Today I am decided, I am going to work as hard as I can to protect these birds, anybody who wants to join in is welcome.

Dear reader, it is your lucky day, I had to wait a longtime, but you can go any day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Monday, and you will find beauty, moments of joy and a couple of macaws flying free, like sovereigns of the rich sierra atmosphere (entrance fee is 50 pesos, tax deductible, per person and valid as credit to your consumption at the restaurant bar.). I'm telling you, paradise can't beat this place in beauty and price.

Picture, Japanese-style gardens lend a tranquil setting to Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

Dock Three will be able to operate with ships of up to 300 meters long as soon as a "Duque de Alba" (dolphin pilings) is installed to allow the safe moorage of the ship.
These works will affect the minor dock operated by the Navy Base and it will therefore have to be replaced by the Port and Merchant Navy General Coordination of the Communications and Transportation Ministry with an estimated budget of 15 to 20 million pesos. This undertaking will begin in a couple of months and will conclude by year's end. For the time being, Port Three can only accommodate ships of up to 220 meters long.

BIFC Donates Volcanas School Playground IFC (International Friendship Club aka Club de Amistad Internaccional) has donated and inaugurated a new play ground at the Volcanos Schools, in Puerto Vallarta.
This was celebrating the DAY OF THE CHILDREN on April 29, 2007. There was a big celebration, with gifts for the kindergarten children, and a cake celebrating this occasion and a beautiful hand made banner, made by the children, thanking the IFC. The event was very special to those there, parents and IFC members and Chairpersons of IFC; smiling faces of the children made it all worth while.

Standing alongside the new playground equipment is Barbara Bornstein and Francisco Landin

Rescued Baby Orca Whale Gaining Weight*
This past Sunday we could report a positive balance as Pascuala, the recently rescued baby orca whale has stabilized at 175 kg (about 385 lbs). She is being fed a milk-like formula high on fat at a rate of 12 liters (about 4 gallons) a day.

She continues to be very dedicatedly cared for with someone at her side at all times, I saw her being carefully fed with a funnel and a hose, and then Fernando Miranda, the Dolphin Center's director and founder of Dolphin Assistance Foundation, put on his wet suit and diving gear and went into the water with her. I could tell she was happy to see and feel him join her in the pool as she turned more active. He had her exercise and swim all about, practice diving to the bottom and come back up. "She has no mom, someone has to teach her" he said.

I told him he is earning his share in Mother's Day upcoming celebration, as Pascuala turned out to be younger than the two weeks estimated when she was stranded; further studies show she was just a few days old back then, so she must be only a month old by now. So far it appears as she will not be going to San Diego as the Mexican government will not allow her shipment outside the country. It is now a question of where in Mexico she will stay so the proper facilities can be built, taking into consideration she can grow to about 5 to 7 meters (15 to 21 ft).

It also appears that among marine mammals' specialists the cases of orcas abandoning their firstborn and this baby to be stranded are not that extraordinary. Paradoxically orcas, the largest whales of the dolphin family and top predators of the sea; so dependent on their mother's milk in this early period of their life, are the whales with the widest diversity of food sources, their diet covering hundreds of species from fish to marine mammals as other whales, sea lions and seals.

By Eduardo Rincón-Gallardo
There is good news for marine mammals lovers; on Tuesday I paid a visit to Pascuala (the baby orca, or killer whale that was stranded on April 10th in San Blas, Nayarit) at Vallarta Adventures in Nuevo Vallarta – and the news is that she has been transferred to a larger pool and she is swimming by herself with no help from trainers.

Pascuala (named after 'Semana Pascua,' or Easter when she wsa found) is still accompanied and watched most of the time by Vallarta Adventures' staff, sometimes sharing the pool with young bottlenose dolphins. There is mutual respect between them though I was told that the dolphins are somewhat wary of the 400 lb. Pascuala.

Last I saw of her she was in a much smaller pool where she could be aided to swim and come up to breathe, her skin showed bad bruises telling of her entanglement in fishing nets before she became stranded. Back then no one knew the extent of her injuries or if she would be able to swim again.

Although her future depends largely on the government's decisions, her health has improved and she appears as having better chances of survival. Will keep you posted.

Baby orca whale 'Pascuala' is now swimming unaided at Vallarta Adventures Dolphin center in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit.

Update on coach's move to the US National Team training center
Last week Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, Club Esgrima Vallarta president, Eugenio Davidson Rodriguez accepted his and Charles Randall's special recognition awards given to them by the City of Puerto Vallarta for outstanding performances at the 2005 Jr. Olympics. Students brought home 3 gold medals and 1 bronze medal, along with 2 Jr. Olympic Champion titles. Davidson accepted Randall's award in absencia.
Charles Randall had left Puerto Vallarta in May 2005 with bittersweet feelings. After co-founding Club Esgrima Vallarta with Davidson, Randall helped bring the club tremendous prestige, success and scholarships for its fencers, and formed close relationships with its members – but now has left it all behind – sort of. He gave us an interview with the Q & A format:

Recruited by Ed Korfanty, U.S. National Coach and coach to Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis, Korfanty and Program Director Cathy Zagunis, did the unthinkable and succeeded in luring Randall to Portland, Oregon. Randall accepted the position as assistant coach to Korfanty at the U.S. National Training Center, and Director of Business Development for the Oregon Fencing Alliance ( OFA-the club where the training center is housed).
Vallarta Today (VT): So how it is the new job going? Randall: "I started on June 15, and not slowly. I was supposed to be one of two assistant coaches, however I was notified around May 20, that Adam Skarbonkovic, the other asst coach had just resigned (he accepted a position to join the U.S. Air Force Academy fencing staff), and that I was now moving into the #2 position. Plans for the summer training camps had all been laid out with 4 coaches and 3 instructors as staff. Program Director Cathy Zagunis contacted me to see if I was flexible to work all shifts. Days were long with camps running from 9 a.m - 4, then evening classes up until 8:30 p.m. I was used to working all day in PV at my day job until 5 then training the kids from 6-9 for free, I get to do what I love all day, and get paid for it, who could complain?"
VT: What was your first trip? Randall: "I went to the July Vancouver World Cup. I watched Caity Thompson give a tremendous performance all day. She wanted to make the US National Div. 1 team for the first time. In a tough battle Caity defeated Olympian Emily Jacobson and made it onto the team. I saw Mariel Zagunis come from behind to beat #1 ranked Sada Jacobson (USA) to win the gold. How Ed teaches his students to reach down inside, stay calm and regain control, I look forward to learning his method of teaching that. 75% of the U.S. National team are now filled by OFA students, that is incredible and shows the success of Ed's fencing programs."
VT: Do you miss your PV fencer's? Randall: "Well yes, but 3 of them came and stayed with me for about month and a half in total, and the kids are emailing me almost everyday, so in a way no! I was able to get 3 partial scholarships for Jennyfer Lobato, Hector de la Torre and Ana Hernandez (see previous article on the training camp) to come and train with World Champions and other fencers at an elite camp. I will continue to assist our club from here in many ways. Naturally I don't have the close relationship with my new students that I have with my PV fencers, but I hope that will come in time. I am excited about many of my new students. One of the big differences is the ages. Here I have a student, Malia Hee who is only 8 years old and a real tiger – then I am honored to have Sherry Green as my student. She is a young 67 years and the #1 ranked fencer in the USA in her age category. She just participated for the first time as a US National Veteran's team member and placed #6 in the World at the World Championships. She called me from the US nationals when she won the gold medal, to thank me. While I did not teach her to fence, (Adam did a great job with her), she told me I taught her how to compete better and she felt that I had really brought out her best performance in the short time we had. Let me tell you, that phone call really made me feel welcomed."
During Randall's time in Puerto Vallarta the significant problems of training athletes without a secure location, lack of equipment, lack of money, problems in the city's sports department and Federation Mexicana de Esgrima (FME) had all contributed to his frustration with teaching here. VT: How is that different now? Randall: "It is very different. Just having a secure location daily makes a huge mental difference not just to me but also to the athletes. It's a testament to the drive of our PV fencers to have overcome these problems and achieve what they have. Just imagine how much more successful they could become if they really had a decent place to train. Currently they are training in an open-air area that gets flooded whenever it rains, we have trained on the beach, in parking lots, all sorts of places. The city has promised us repeatedly a place to train, a salon to be shared by martial arts, but they have not fulfilled their promises to us or many other sports groups. There are many competitions in a variety of places, many of them quite close - we don't have to travel 12 hours on a bus like we do in Puerto Vallarta. I know it won't be perfect here, but I really don't miss the broken promises or the frustration with the FME."
VT: What is going on with Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis? Randall? "Her plate is quite full. She is preparing for the World Cup Circuit and which starts in October, and started her sophomore year at Notre Dame. One year after her history making win in Athens she is still winning, and is refreshingly the same down to earth person she always has been. It's really great to be able to count on holding her up as an example to the other fencers. She cleans, she helps, she's an exempleary example of humility and hard work."

VT: What is your favorite part of your new job? Randall: "2 things I think. One is learning from Ed Korfanty. He is the best sabre coach in the world today. I had the best and most legendary coaches in my day – so I recognized Ed's extraordinary abilities immediately. He is a true gentleman, soft spoken, but a fierce competitor. He has the same work ethic that I do. He himself is 2x world Veterans' champion. I learn from him when I fence against him, and in our daily work together. Observing him with the athletes is training in itself.

His confidence in me is very heartening, and as he and I get to know each other better our mutual trust is growing. The second thing is the work with the individual students, seeing them achieve, improve and grow. I'm already enjoying that. There are many great kids here in all age groups, and the adult group is a total blast."
VT: What's next on the agenda? Randall: "Well part of my job is to be coach at the Oregon Episcopal High School as our club is in the schools' sports center. The team holds the state champion title and I look forward to continuing and expanding that and other school programs.

In addition, Ed has informed me that I will start taking over some of the Cadet and Jr. Teams with his close supervision. My first trip will be Oct. 7 to the Miami North America Cup. He will be traveling extensively this season with the Div. 1 team on the World Cup Circuit, leaving me in charge of all the beginners through the advanced fencers. He has already mapped out the next 4-year strategy leading up to the 2008 Peking Olympics. It will be a very exciting time, and I eagerly look forward to being a small part of it."

Highlights of several students past results:

Yesenia Anylu Cruz – made fencing history, the first PV fencer to make the Mex. National Team. She won PV's first fencing medals, including gold for team, at the Jr. Olympics in her first year of fencing. Her win to the Div. 1 National team with only 14 months of fencing experience made history and stunned the Mexican fencing world. Her numerous medals include bronze from the Central American Games, gold from the San Diego Jr. Invitational, and a special award for being the #1 finisher of Jr. female sabre fencers in the U.S. Pacific Coast region. Cruz was a Div. 2 National Champion blazing through 3 Div. 2 tournaments, taking the gold in all 3 events.

Ariana Aranda – 2005 Jr. Olympic Champion, 2004 and 2005 Div. 1 National Champion, 2004 and 2005 Div. 1 Mex. Team Member. She made history by becoming the youngest fencer in Mexico history to win the Div. 1 national title at age 17. She was also National Champion of Div. 2.

International medals include a bronze from the North America Cup and silver from the San Diego Jr. Invitational. Aranda represented Mexico in 2004 at the Pre-Olympics qualifier in Rio and placed #5. Aranda was presented with the state's highest honor "The Medal of Merit" award in 2004 for her history making performances in 2004. Aranda holds the #1 ranking and National champion title for the third time in a row.
Hector De La Torre –2005 Jr. Olympic Champion, 2005 Cadet National Champion, Cadet National Team Member. With only 14 months of fencing experience De La Torre took gold at the Jr. Olympics in individual and team events, and at the National Championships. At the Elite U.S. Training camp competition, De La Torre defeated Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis, Jr. World Champion Rebecca Ward, and Cadet World Champion Caity Thompson to win the silver medal, losing only to Patrick Ghattas.
Jennyfer Lobato –Div. 1 National Team Member, #4 ranked fencer in the country, in May she briefly held the #1 spot. Lobato won the gold in May.

She has brought PV numerous national, jr. olympic and international medals. Lobato won PV's first individual gold medal. She made the State Jr. Olympic team every year that she was a junior, winning the individual medal and team medals at every Jr. Olympic event. Lobato is one of Randall's original students and has proven herself to be the most consistent athlete in her training habits.

Ana Dulce Hernandez – blazed her way into the spotlight by winning a bronze medal at the cadet nationals after only 3 months of fencing experience. Ana made the state Jr. Olympic team and brought home a gold medal for the team event in her first 9 months of fencing. Ana proved she was not a fluke by winning her spot on the state team for the 2nd year in a row, and brought home the individual bronze medal from the 2005 Jr. Olympics.

Jorge De La Torre – PV's first male sabre fencer. Made the state Jr. Olympic team his first year of fencing. Consistently in the top rankings in every age category, Jorge has made the state Jr. Olympic team each year that he competed. Numerous medals won include the gold medal at the 2005 Oregon State Games. Jorge convinced younger brother Hector to stop surfing and start fencing.

By Jim Boland,

Dear Friends of Childrens Shelter of Hope Foundation and children in Puerto Vallarta.

Pasitos de Luz is having a benefit at Sea Life Park on July 16, and we are hoping to make it a "double benefit". First let me tell you a bit about Pasitos de Luz. Basically a day care center for children who are disabled, Pasitos now has over 73 active "clients", many of whom require the most basic and complete care....in many cases unable to even feed themselves.

The value of Pasitos to the families involved is huge, as many are single parent families or marginal families in which both parent must work if they are to make ends meet. Many of you have seen the miracle that is Pasitos, but for those who haven't, let me introduce Carlos and Mimi, brother and sister with a single father. First Carlos was born with a muscular deficiency that prevented him from walking, and then a year and a half later, Mimi came along, perfectly normal and beautiful, but without eyes!

They are completely devoted to one another and to watch Carlos be Mimi's eyes and Mimi be Carlos' legs is incredibly moving, as is the dedication of their young dad, who takes them about on his bicycle.

THE DOUBLE BENEFIT: Pasitos has been granted some land by the city, to construct a desperately needed replacement facility (those 73 kids, 10 staff and regular volunteers crowd the space equivalent to a two bedroom condo!). The city has one condition for the land grant.....that Pasitos de Luz begins construction by an autumn deadline, so we have been on watch for benefit possibilities to buy those first bricks and bags of cement. Sea Life Park has generously volunteered their facility for Sunday the 16th of July...all of the delightful slides and swimming areas, the shows, and lunch too! They are donating all of the profit for the day....40% of ticket sales. So that is the first benefit.

The second? We would like to take the kids from the children's refuge (Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza) to enjoy this great outing and hope we can count on our friends to sponsor one or more children, at $15 US per child....as well as the madres and other workers...at $19 per ticket. Thus, our kids will have a much appreciated day of sun and fun, and Pasitos' construction project will garner the first and critical funds to get started.
If you are moved to help out, you can send checks to Dr. Jim Boland at 1466 Hopkins St, Berkeley, CA 94702, or if you are in Vallarta, call Jim at 222 2866, or Sarah at 293 5927 and we will arrange to pick up your donation (or

sell you tix for your own use!). Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. And, if you wish to know more about the two places you are

supporting, please go to our websites: www.refugioinfantil.com and www.pasitosdeluz.org and
www.childrens-shelter-of-hope-foundation.org
Mil gracias....thank you, thank you, thank you!!

By Bill Reed
Parties aside, I was still working almost daily on the Huston book. I had completely abandoned the idea of an honest autobiography and removed anything remotely controversial. As I finished each chapter I critiqued it with Huston, and then fed it to Gladys Hill with instructions to correct any glaring errors or manifest untruths. That product then went to Sylvia, Joan Blake, or Huston's daughter Alegra for smooth typing. Alegra spent some time at Las Caletas during 1979-1980, and she was the most refreshing thing in that dismal place. For sure, Alegra and Danny Huston are the charmers in that family.
Meanwhile, I endured the ongoing attacks of the alacran and watched with dismay the dissolution of the Huston household. There were now two. John had built Maid her very own townhouse, replete with all the modern conveniences not available at Las Caletas. I went there once on an unavoidable visit, and overheard the lady of the house screaming at the top of her lungs at the servants. They were never again to call her "Maid." She was now to be referred to as "Mrs. Huston!" As far as I was concerned, Maid could beat her servants every day, call herself Mrs. Huston, or The Queen of Sheba; I didn't give a damn. What I did object to was the fact that she had so influenced John against Gladys Hill that the woman was now treated more like a servant than the constant, loyal, helpmate and strong right hand that she had been to Huston for over twenty years. John now often put her down in public, something that he had never done before.
It came to a head one day after Gladys caught Huston in one of his mistruths in the manuscript text, and made a correction. Later we had a chapter-critique session between the three of us at Las Caletas. John turned to me and said, in a loud, sardonic voice: "Well! Did you read this chapter carefully Billy? Did you see what Miss Hill did to this chapter? She changed it! Did you tell her to change it? I didn't tell her to change it! Do you think that Miss Hill now believes that she knows more about my life than I do?"
He turned to Gladys and shouted, "Well, do you Miss Hill?" The look on Gladys Hill's face as she stared back at John, in shocked disbelief, was enough to break your heart. It was no secret that she had always loved the man. She adored him. She broke down in tears and fled the room.
I was furious! I said, "John, that was uncalled for. It was cruel and inexcusable. I told Gladys to check the text for accuracy and to change anything that she felt was a discrepancy. If you want to yell at somebody, yell at me!" Before he could do so, I continued, "I'm sorry, I can't work any longer with you today. I'm leaving. Call me when you're back on track." I turned and walked away, calling for the boat boy as I did so. I didn't want to spend the night on the same "island" with the man.
I was so upset that I didn't see, or even call, Huston for two weeks. The manuscript deadline was approaching, and John was worried. He had Gladys call me. I told her that I had personal problems, and that I also had a writer's block. The following day I received a hand-written note from Huston, delivered to me in town by one of his servants:

Dear Bill - of course I understand about the writing but please - please drop everything & come over to see me right now. I'm sure that I can be of some help whatever the difficulties are.

John

I went back to work with Huston at Las Caletas shortly after that, and he couldn't have been more charming. He was simply delighted to see me. I noticed that Maid was conspicuously absent during the next few weeks that it took to complete the manuscript.