On February 18, the 19th Thierry Blouet Trophy took place in the luxurious restaurant Café des Artistes; as it is tradition, renowned hotel chefs competed this 2014, such as: Vidanta Group, Villa Premiere, Haramara Retreat, Four Seasons Punta Mita, Hotel San Bernardo, and Coco Tropical Restaurant.

Many of you came to the International Friendship Club (IFC) for the first time to attend a lecture. The IFC has become known for high quality, interesting speakers on a variety of topics. This season is no exception. The club, spearheaded by President Dan Grippo a frequent lecturer himself, has put together a great lineup.

This season each lecture stands alone as opposed to an ongoing series on one topic. We hope that you will find something of interest. All of the lectures take place in the IFC Meeting Room.
Thursday February 27 at 7 p.m. will be "Introduction to Kirtan Chanting" with Raoul Diaz. Come to learn about and chant this peaceful meditative practice that touches heart and spirit. No previous experience or belief system required. Raoul is a classically trained musician who has performed internationally, and leads meditative chanting groups locally. $50 peso donation at the door helps fund IFC charities.

Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. "Temporary and Permanent Expats...a Taxing Affair" given by Robert Meldman, JD, LLM.  Bob is a retired tax attorney living in PV during the winter. From his bio:  "He is known as the 'dean of tax law.' He has built a reputation as a superb litigating tax attorney, comfortable both in the courtroom and across the negotiating table. He is also one of the very few tax attorneys to have argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. He taught taxation for 32 years at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This included both domestic and international taxation."

Topics covered for both U.S. and Canadian Citizens: 1. Expat Definitions 2. From the horse's mouth: Your Fidecomisio 3. Jitters or jail:  Disclosure of your foreign bank accounts 4.Short term Rentals of your Condo in Mexico 5.Taxation of Expats on Mexican rental income. A $50 peso donation at the door helps fund IFC charities.

Thursday, March 20 at 7 p.m. there will be a presentation "Skin Care in the Tropics" by Dermatologist Patricia Garcia, who works with our local medical expert, IFC member Pam Thompson, will offer an overview of the important topic of caring for your skin in our region. Just in time for the long sunny days!

Donation: $20 pesos or 2 canned goods at the door (no advance tickets). Doors open 6:30. Seating limited to 80.

For those of you new to the area or just visiting, the IFC is a philanthropic club offering both educational and social activities and is open to anyone with a desire to join.  Membership is not required to attend an activity. The IFC has supported a Cleft Palate Surgery Program for over 27 years as well as giving ongoing support to many other charitable endeavours in the Bay area. The main source of income to support these activities is from their weekly Home and Botanical Gardens and Zoo Tours. For more information on the IFC you can visit their website at: ifcvallarta.com.

The International Friendship Club is a registered charitable organization in Mexico listed as Club Internacional de la Amistad de Puerto Vallarta A.C.  It is located at the northeast corner of the Rio Cuale Bridge above the HSBC Bank, Colonia El Centro, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48300. Phone: 322-222-5466. Website: ifcvallarta.com. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Day House, located in Colonia Aurora, serving an average of 70 to 100 people daily who also offers various workshops and activities

The Club "Seeds of Love" was a year of activities, which was characterized by happiness, love and experience of its members, who from the beginning have meetings in the House of Elderly Day System for the Integral Development Family (DIF) of Puerto Vallarta.

Celebration for the authorities of the institution took advantage through programs deldel deputy, Miguel Soto Barajas, undertake the coronation of Queen seniors club, with Mrs. María del Pilar Sandoval, 90 years old, who received this distinction.

In addition to traditional dancing waltz with the Queen Mary Stack, a small sketch entitled "The Family" by members of "Seeds of Love" was featured. The event was invited as members of the club "Living with Joy".

The House of Day of Older Persons, whose director is Crisosto Karina is one of three new centers opened in 2013 the Municipal DIF System to assist in the overall development of the youth of old age.

Today the House of Day, located in Colonia Aurora, serving an average of 70 to 100 people daily, who also offers artistic, recreational and educational workshops, health care and food hot, to date have provided 18,000 services only 4 months.

At the same time, also grew clubs seniors who reached 30, with an estimated population of 900 older adults who are undoubtedly the joy and pride of this institution.

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The Centro Cultural las Fábricas de San Pancho A.C. was created in response to community efforts that include environmental education, recycling, species conservation, promotion of the arts and sports plus a very inclusive culture.

San Francisco, Nayarit—better known as San Pancho—has become the cultural capital of the Riviera Nayarit thanks to its organization, its inclusiveness and its attention to topics including culture, the arts, sports, environmental education and species conservation.

The four civic associations that began to generate what today has become a cultural revolution have come together to create the Centro Cultural las Fábricas de San Pancho A.C. This new organization has a horizontal structure and the titles rotate.

Erik Saracho presides, Luz Herrera is secretary, Ariel Sainz is the treasurer and Nicole Swedlow is the spokesperson. The association serves as a liaison to direct all efforts in a united way in order to obtain the best results from the different procedures that must take place with the three levels of government, among others. Here’s a brief description of San Pancho’s “Fantastic Four:”

Entre Amigos A.C. is one of the leading voices in this cultural effort. It provides an educational and recreational space to direct children on the pathway towards art, environmental concerns and culture.

They also provide areas for recycling, a children’s circus, tech and other factors that make Entre Amigos such a special place.

Entre Amigos has caused such a positive impression that after a visit by Ana Lília López, president for the National System for Integral Family Development (DIF by its Spanish acronym) she indicated it should be replicated in every municipality.

The Alianza Jaguar A.C. is another important component, since it’s dedicated to the conservation of the jaguar and other species both flora or fauna. It’s mission to protect the jaguar goes hand in hand with protecting its environment year round.

This association is recognized on a national level and has directed several efforts for the preservation of the species that attract tourism to the region.

The Colectivo San Pancho A.C. is comprised of a group of Mexican and foreign artists that come together with the objective of making it very clear that art is the best way to create change in our world.

The fourth element is the physical space where these civic organizations come together: the Bodegas Espacio de las Artes A.C.

The Centro Cultural las Fábricas de San Pancho is an example of the high quality of cultural tourism the Riviera Nayarit offers its national and foreign visitors.

This traditional event comes to the Riviera Nayarit for the first time with approximately 150 choppers and luxury bikes that will tour Sayulita and Nuevo Vallarta.

Chef Betty Vázquez, Nayarit’s top chef and culinary ambassador for the Riviera Nayarit, asserted that establishing culinary routes in Mexico would certainly spark a growth in tourism much in the same way it occurred in France and Spain, which occupy the first and second place, respectively, within Europe as to the number of tourists they receive.

In appreciation for the support received from the tourists who participated in the Visitor Profile Surveys, the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau raffled off a free night in a Deluxe Gold room at the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta.

Dear friends, in honor of Children with Cancer week, Alex Daond, of
Alexander A Salon, will be donating 20% of all the salón services you request.

His specialty is Cuts*, Color*, Perms*, Eyebrow Threading and Weddings as well as special parties.

Alex specializes in Eyebrow Threading for the last 25 years.

This week Alex donated over $5,000 Pesos in certificates for the raffle at the
breakfast for The Children with Cancer.

Alex is inviting you to help him give back to the community! He will donate in February
and March, a portion of the money to support this program.

Please call Alex, for an appointment at Cell 044-322-169-8111, 322-221-1856, at the Salon.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Alexander A Salon is located at Plaza Marina Local 25D.

Also  remind him that you are donating for the Children with Cancer, of the Canicas Program.

For more information please call Evelia Basañes, Director of The Canicas Program, at 322-123-5688.

Thank you, for your support in helping these brave children, to have a better day tomorrow.

The Vallartan Institute of Culture (IVC) will carry out the exposition of works that the students of the Painting Workshop have done, directed by the professor Sergio Moncada, this on next Saturday February 15th in the workshop area of the Cuale Cultural Center starting at 19:00 and until 22:00 hours, in a free event for the general public.

"It is a group presentation, of all the works they have done in the course of eight months, it will be an exposition with around 45 students, with works of different techniques, drawing, cardboard, oil paint, acrylic, watercolor and there will also be the inclusion of the workshop 'Molds and Emptying in Sculpture', for which there will be the presentation of "sculpture in plaster" mentioned Sergio Moncada.

It should be noted that the students who wish to form part of the Painting Workshop, can sign up any time of the year, "it is harder for me, but not impossible, we give different courses at the same time and we accept them at any level, the length of the workshop depends on the evolution of the student" pointed out the professor.

It is important to point out that the professor Sergio Moncada studied in Bellas Artes and has more than five years in charge of the workshop 'Painting' and of 'Molds and Emptying in Sculpture', which has made him learn a lot since he has reviewed his studies and it allows him to continue learning new techniques, besides seeing the progress of his students.

"I already have a pair of students who reached a good level, developed a pictorial style and are already presenting works in galleries, they are already selling paintings and now they take me as their advisor and colleague", he emphasized.

Finally, he pointed out that there are both Mexican and foreign students, who have more than four years in the workshop and others who only have a few months, for which he mentioned that all the people who wish to attend the exposition will find a great variety of styles and works.

"As it is not a school, but a workshop, I work on the weaknesses of the student, but I also help him solve some personal questions, there are some who only come to learn landscape, others human figure, that is why its a tremendous wealth, I do the course according to the student, so there is a great diversity of techniques and materials" pointed out Sergio Moncada.

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2014/02/07/presentara-exposicion-de-obras-de-alumnos-del-taller-de-pintura/"]Source: NotiVallarta Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

For almost five years ago, has become a guardian of the beaches of Puerto Vallarta

For lifeguards line Carlos Ramón Arzeta Arce, help others and protect the safety day on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, more than a job, it is a vocation and a way of life that's filled with pride and satisfaction for almost five years, when the Municipal Lifeguard was integrated.

"I entered the fire academy, we lasted three months there in training and already under courses and all that, we saw the capabilities of each and we were separating either one Fire, others Lifeguards and others Protection Civil, it's a nice, nice job and feels nice to make a rescue, "he said, which has led him to receive the thanks and appreciation of the families of those rescued or, for those who are witnesses of these heroic actions on the beach .

Originally from Puerto Vallarta and only 25 years old, Carlos Ramon and holds many important experiences and episodes of this activity, however comes to mind one of the most recent bailouts, made just last week on the beach in Conchas Chinas , where despite the danger to his own safety, he managed to pull a 22 year old from the strong waves and current in those days was recorded at bay.

"I had to sign for it and I had to seek help from a jet ski going there because itself was strong current and then if we could not get out and got my head in turn and all, went out and thank God everything went well" recalls.

He said that so far not been touched make you rescue someone drowning, "all rescues I've done have always gone well, people go without any damage, just tired," he explained, so took the opportunity to recommend to the population "as any beach they go, if they see lifeguards heeding the advice we give as it is to prevent something from happening and to return home safely."

The lifeguards Vallarta, further explained that for better development of their activities, items and volunteers who make up the group, receiving daily training and training constantly, "people come from various sides, from Spain, Argentina, in United States and give us new techniques, then that helps us to be better lifeguards and desempeñarnos best in our work. "

Carlos combines his life as a lifeguard with his role as a father, "I'm married, I have a baby, right now has eight months," and while noting that both his wife and his family become concerned for the work with conviction carried out throughout time has received support from all of them "is always like that."

Finally he invited all young people who wish to join the body of lifeguards to be encouraged, "a part of which will be a new experience for them, they will feel satisfied in order to help others. Still, if you are just deciding is a nice job, they will have many rewards and is very nice to be here in this partnership. "

Lifeguards Day

On February 4, is celebrated in Latin America Day Lifeguard or Lifeguard items to commemorate those who lost their lives in the line of work and recognize the daily work heroically, holding these men and women.

For almost five years ago, has become a guardian of the beaches of Puerto Vallarta

For lifeguards line Carlos Ramón Arzeta Arce, help others and protect the safety day on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, more than a job, it is a vocation and a way of life that's filled with pride and satisfaction for almost five years, when the Municipal Lifeguard was integrated.

"I entered the fire academy, we lasted three months there in training and already under courses and all that, we saw the capabilities of each and we were separating either one Fire, others Lifeguards and others Protection Civil, it's a nice, nice job and feels nice to make a rescue, "he said, which has led him to receive the thanks and appreciation of the families of those rescued or, for those who are witnesses of these heroic actions on the beach .

Originally from Puerto Vallarta and only 25 years old, Carlos Ramon and holds many important experiences and episodes of this activity, however comes to mind one of the most recent bailouts, made just last week on the beach in Conchas Chinas , where despite the danger to his own safety, he managed to pull a 22 year old from the strong waves and current in those days was recorded at bay.

"I had to sign for it and I had to seek help from a jet ski going there because itself was strong current and then if we could not get out and got my head in turn and all, went out and thank God everything went well" recalls.

He said that so far not been touched make you rescue someone drowning, "all rescues I've done have always gone well, people go without any damage, just tired," he explained, so took the opportunity to recommend to the population "as any beach they go, if they see lifeguards heeding the advice we give as it is to prevent something from happening and to return home safely."

The lifeguards Vallarta, further explained that for better development of their activities, items and volunteers who make up the group, receiving daily training and training constantly, "people come from various sides, from Spain, Argentina, in United States and give us new techniques, then that helps us to be better lifeguards and desempeñarnos best in our work. "

Carlos combines his life as a lifeguard with his role as a father, "I'm married, I have a baby, right now has eight months," and while noting that both his wife and his family become concerned for the work with conviction carried out throughout time has received support from all of them "is always like that."

Finally he invited all young people who wish to join the body of lifeguards to be encouraged, "a part of which will be a new experience for them, they will feel satisfied in order to help others. Still, if you are just deciding is a nice job, they will have many rewards and is very nice to be here in this partnership. "

Lifeguards Day

On February 4, is celebrated in Latin America Day Lifeguard or Lifeguard items to commemorate those who lost their lives in the line of work and recognize the daily work heroically, holding these men and women.

Recently the world traveling Earth Roaners visited our beautiful town of Puerto Vallarta, writing about their thoughts and impressions of Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta is at the border of the Jalisco and Nayarit states and at the same latitude as Hawaii.

Anniversary of the Mexican Constitution - February 5th, a large parade through central Puerto Vallarta and along the Malecon is the highlight on this event, along with a grand ceremony outside of the City Hall