By: Patrick Harrison.
Come dressed in your best traditional Mexican garb and join our Third Annual Season Close Mexican Fiesta while helping us raise funds for the Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter. Third Annual Season Close Mexican Fiesta

The first floor of the shelter will be completed this summer and your generous support will help them get to that exciting milestone this evening.

On Wednesday, June 13, from 7pm to 11pm, friends of the family will enjoy a complimentary signature Hot Chile Love Margarita to get the party started. We’ll also have live music, piñatas, a tequila bar, a 50/50 cash raffle, singing, dancing and other surprises as we say “mil gracias” to Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay!

In the NWJ! tradition, the person dressed in the "best" Mexican attire (as chosen by the family) will also enjoy a special No Way José! prize. Remember last year’s winner? Don’t hold back! Come enjoy our Tequila Bar that starts at 8:00pm for only $250 pesos per person. Our full bar and menu will also be available with all of your NWJ! favorites with a portion of all food and drink that evening going back to the Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter to help them “Raise da Roof!”

You will also have the chance to purchase bricks at $100 pesos per brick. For each brick purchased, you will receive a raffle ticket for some amazing prizes. Guests can also purchase a tile with their name or personal message. Tiles will be available in 2 sizes; a 4x4 tile for the shelter’s “Welcome Wall” for $1,200 Pesos/$100 USD/Canadian or a 8x12 floor tile for $2,500 Pesos/ $200 USD/ Canadian.

Tu Casa en Vallarta will also be saying “hasta la vista”, until October 15. But come by and see us Thursday or Friday, June 14 & 15 and everyone enjoys 50% off of food and drink… help us clean our fridge!

Don’t forget to stay tuned and follow us on our summer vacation adventures. We may be in your city soon. So watch for that “NWJ! Hot Chile Love Margarita Happy Hour Invitation”, possibly coming to a place near you wherever you may be this summer!

No Way José! is on the south side of downtown at 5 de Febrero 260, just over the Vallarta street bridge on your left heading south from the Malecon. Open Monday – Sunday, 4pm to 11:30pm. Seating is limited so make your reservations today by calling 223-2853 or online at www.NoWayJoseMX.com.  

Last week I talked about your summer of personal development. I want to continue that theme because, to me, absolutely nothing is more important!

You will become exactly, precisely and ONLY the person you decide to become.

Oh, I know, lots of people quibble about genetics and circumstances and "luck," and they do play a small role. Physical characteristics, like height and eye color and gender are controlled by genetics, and I understand tall, good-looking people have a small advantage. And, once in a while someone stumbles into the perfect job. Sure, that happens. But it's rare and not very important in the scheme of things.

Your choices, your actions and your skills play a vastly more important role in determining who you are and the life you live. How could it be otherwise?

There's lots of talk about "happiness" these days. It seems there's a new book almost every week, and that's a good thing. Who doesn't want to be happy? What confuses me is that I never knew there was so much mystery about it.

Happy people do certain things. They do work they love, and they are very good at it. They build supportive relationships, especially with family and loved ones. They save for the future, monitor their health, take time for fun, and invest in things that are worthwhile. When they need to get better at something--from learning a new skill, to talking with their teenagers, to saving for retirement-- they are pro-active. They find a mentor or read a book and learn the things they need to know and do to have a great life.

Where's the mystery in that?
Well, one mystery is that so few people actually do these things! I'm amazed at that!
In a world where health and wealth, pleasant entertainment and positive activities are so easy available, millions of folks sit in front of the television watching insipid comedies and horror movies! Our generation knows more about great relationships, great sex (tips can be found everywhere, it seems), saving for retirement and getting a bit of exercise than any generation in history.

And yet obesity and diabetes, heart disease, and general malaise are rampant. How can that be?
This is not for you! TIPS subscribers are the extreme "cream of the crop." We are the "best of the best." We are more aware, more intentional, more ambitious and wiser than 99% of the rest of the world. We read and think, we take classes, attend the seminars, and invest our time better than almost anyone.

That is true for you, personally, isn't it? Yes or No?

Gradually, over time, you will inevitably become the person you set out to be.

If you make conscious, intentional choices and pursue them actively, the results are virtually guaranteed. But, if you drift and wander, "go with the flow" and do what other people do, at the end of the day you'll get pretty much what other people get. And that is not for you!
This summer, become the person you truly are. Get up a bit earlier. Use these beautiful summer days for a bit of exercise. Read more, and better. Play with your kids (or grandkids) and volunteer some. Eat better. Plant some flowers and make the world a prettier place. And laugh, a lot!

Make a commitment that by September you'll be proud of how you spent your summer. By September, make sure you know a bit more, and have more of the life you truly want. Be a more loving, thoughtful spouse and parent. Be more daring, more courageous and more productive. Learn some new skills and create amazing memories. Make some money and use it well. Walk barefoot and eat corn on the cob.

There's very little mystery about "happiness." It's waiting for you! Claim it. Be who you are! Make this your summer of transformation.

 By:Brenda Montiel.
The Department of the Navy, Navy Mexico and the Puerto Vallarta Naval Sanatorium, will conduct a surgical conference for cleft lip and palate and burns for pediatric and adult patients.

The surgical conference will be held from July 9 to 11 and the Secretary of the Navy has designated Puerto Vallarta for these operations, but the surgeries are open to all citizens of Mexico who require them, and will be offered at the Naval Sanatorium free of charge.

There will be a census of patients until July 4 and on July 8 there will be preoperative assessments of candidates for surgery on the premises of Naval Sanatorium in Puerto Vallarta. Surgeons who will be performing these operations in Puerto Vallarta will come from Mexico City and the South Medical Hospital of the Navy of Mexico.

Not all persons will be candidates for the operations performed so it is stress that potential patients must attend the census before July 4. Those interested can visit or contact the Naval Sanatorium by calling 221 17 67, or sending an email request to the Eighth Naval District: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Vallartatoday.com shares with you the calendar and participating restaurants where you can enjoy life and culture with a glass or wine, in the most amazing portrails of Puerto Vallarta.

Thursday 22th Keynote "Wine and Women" Time: 11:00 am Venue: Convention Hall Hotel Friendly.

March 22th at 8:00pm, The Official opening of the Wine Fest 2012 will take place in the courtyard of the City of Puerto Vallarta (Downtown). There will be wine of honor for attendees, a brief presentation of the Municipal Theater Group and will be awarded to the winners of poetry contest.

Friday 23rd Dolores San Juan Show Singers and musicians will perform the Dolores San Juan Show in Los Arcos del Malecón. Time: 8:00 pm.

Saturday 24 March Wines of Northern Italy Great tasting-expo event! Come and try wine, breads, cheese and charcuterie. Will be conducted by professionals in hotel and restaurant industry. Pre-registration(essential) – 1:00 pm Pairing Demonstration (Alfonoso Cadena and Agustin Rodriguez) – 2:45 pm Tasting for couples – 2:45 pm Venue: Convention Hall of Hotel Velas Vallarta.

Sunday 25 March Verbena's Wine Fest a tradition in Puerto Vallarta,there will be rides, shows, dancing, wine sales at reduced prices and selling snacks prepared by participating restaurants, Time: 6:00 pm Location: Parque Lazaro Cardenas.

Monday 26 March Keynote "The wines of Italy" will be held at the Convention Hall of Hotel Friendly, Time: 11:00 am.

Tuesday 27 March "Pairing and Tasting" at Galerías Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta Time: 6:30 p.m Venue: Ground Floor Galerías Vallarta.

Participating restaurants: La leche, La dolche Vita, Porto Bello, La terraza di Roma, The river cafe, Blanca Blue, Le kliff Frascati, Prime 159 Porto Bello Bistro, La dolce Vita Nuevo Vallarta, Santa Marea, Los helechos.Note: The Festival starts on the 22th at participating restaurants with tastings and compatible food menus in about 6:00 pm until March 27th.

by William Harper

TO THE FRIENDS OF WAYNE McLEOD, editor Vallarta Today

For those of you who haven't heard, our good friend Wayne is fighting a (so far) winning battle with lung cancer. He has no insurance and his treatment up to now has more than drained any funds he had available. Wayne is looking at well over one-hundred thousand pesos in upcoming medical costs (mostly radiation therapy). Several of us have taken it upon ourselves to raise as much money as quickly as possible to help cover these expenses.

Wayne has given an awful lot to this community over the years via his fifteen-year editorship at Vallarta Today. Let's give something back. Time is of the essence.
Here's how you can help:

1. DONATIONS:

a. A direct deposit into his BANORTE account: Wayne Douglas McLeod, Accnt. No. 0805860029.

b. A peso or dollar check made out to Wayne. You can drop off the check at Lucy's Cucu Cabana - 295 Basilio Badillo - tel. 222-1220

2. ATTENDING THE "SILVER LINING BENEFIT FOR WAYNE McLEOD":

On Saturday, March 3, from 2pm to 5pm at Nacho Daddy's at 180 Basilio Badillo. Cost of entry: 250 pesos at the door, or 200 pesos in advance. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Lucy's Cucu Cabana. (See address above.) For the price of admission you will be given one meal and a drink. There will be a raffle, as well as a live auction and a silent auction of paintings.

3. HELPING WITH THE BENEFIT:

You can help us with the benefit by volunteering to gather raffle prizes, quality paintings, and BY SPREADING THE WORD.

For any questions, please feel free to contact Gil Gevins or Lucy Muniz. We can be reached at 222-4839 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THANK YOU!!!

There wasn't breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;

It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: "You may tax your brawn and brains,

But you promised true, and it's up to you to cremate those last remains."

Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code. In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.

In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring, Howled out their woes to the homeless snows - O God! how I loathed the thing.

And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow; And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low; The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in; And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.

Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay; It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a triceit was called the "Alice May." And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum; Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."

Some planks I tore from the floor, and I lit the boiler fire; Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher; The flames just soared, and the furnace roared-such a blaze you seldom see; And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.

Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so; And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow. It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why; And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.

I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear; But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near; I was sick with dread, but I bracely said: "I'll just take a peep inside. I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked";... then the door I opened wide.

And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar; Ae wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door. It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm - Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."

There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Artic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee

by William Harper

Over the next few weeks we will be posting selected poems from this great author.
Today, we will start with a short biography.

Robert William Service (January 16, 1874 – September 11, 1958) was a poet and writer who has often been called "the Bard of the Yukon".
Service is best known for his poems "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee", from his first book, Songs of a Sourdough (1907; also published as The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses). "These humorous tales in verse were considered doggerel by the literary set, yet remain extremely popular to this day." Songs of a Sourdough has sold more than three million copies, making it the most commercially successful book of poetry of the 20th century.

Robert W. Service was born in Preston, Lancashire, England, the first of ten children. His father, also Robert Service, was a banker from Kilwinning, Scotland who had been transferred to England.

At five years old Robert W. Service went to live in Kilwinning with his three maiden aunts and his paternal grandfather, who was the town's postmaster. There he is said to have composed his first verse, a grace, on his sixth birthday:

God bless the cakes and bless the jam;
Bless the cheese and the cold boiled ham:
Bless the scones Aunt Jeannie makes,
And save us all from bellyaches. Amen

Cuban born Lazaro Navarro defeated Rolando Vargas of Queretaro this past Saturday afternoon 6-4, 6-3 to win the professional category of the 21st Canto del Sol Cup Tennis Tournament.
The winners in the amateur catergories were:
Men's A - Levi Navarro (Los Mochis)
Men's B - Francisco Javier Macias (Guadalajara)
Men's C - Jose Quezada (Privadas)
Men's D - Jorge Romero (Colomos)
Men's Novice - Juan Carlos Solis (Puerto Vallarta)

Women's B - Rosa Elena Sevilla
Women's C - Edith Marquez
Women's D - Lorena Martinez
Women's Novice - Paty Rodriguez

Boy's 18 - Luis Dominguez (Jalisco)
Boy's 16 - Jorge Verea (Jalisco)
Boy's 14 - Adrian Betanzos (Jalisco)
Boy's 12 - Miguel Arevalo (Sinaloa)
Boy's 10 - Humberto Angulo (Sinaloa)

Girl's 16 - Ivette Lopez
Girl's 14 - Viridiana Valdez
Girl's 12 - Rebecca Aguirre

by Wayne McLeod

The Hacienda Palo Maria this past Sat., Mar. 26 was the site for the SPCA-PV/Asilo San Juan Diego old folks' home benefit "Gala Dinner," just part of a super weekend that also included a concert, a gourmet brunch, and a late night beachside V.I.P. party. The funds raised will go toward construction of an animal shelter, a longtime goal of SPCA-PV's Janice Chatterton.

The 300-plus crowd Saturday at Phil Stewart's southern shore palatial hacienda had payed 1,900 pesos each to dine on an exquisite menu by restaurateur Joe Jack (of PV and San Francisco, CA renown), which included a pyramid (the centerpiece of each table of ten guests) of fresh seafood – flown in from France the day before.

The preceding Friday evening concert at Teatro Vallarta, the newly-built worldclass auditorium featured Jalisco native tenor Jorge Jimenez and soprano Anna Maria Kaufmann. Alberta native Anna Maria Kaufmann is a mega-star in Germany, where she played the female lead in "Phantom of the Opera" at over 500 performances (the soundtrack sold more than 1.9 million copies). She also sang the composer's Music of the Night and Think of Me. In Yvonne's honor, she performed two of Yvonne's father Emmerich's arias Just shy of a sell-out in the 960 seat concert hall, the musical event created a critical "Bravo!" that continued all weekend.

Following the concert was a cocktail reception with open bar, canapes El Dorado Restaurant, Bar & Beach Club on Playa Los Muertos in the Southside area of Puerto Vallarta.

Saturday's elegant Gala Dinner Party and Auction – with a host of entertainers including the folkloric dance troupe "Fandango," opera's Jorge Jimenez and Anna Maria Kaufmann, Mariachi la Joya de Mexico, and the country rock Mark Odom band from San Antonio, TX – had guests enjoying the fruits de mer platter, roasted beet salad, seafood chowder, cucumber-melon sorbet (to cleanse the palate), and ancho braised short rib (accompanied by a trio of early spring vegetables and mashed potatoes), and finally a succulent dessert (with handrolled cigars for those who desired). With a finale of fireworks, guests had a plethora of visual and sensual delights to savor.

To close the "Charity, Culture and Champagne" weekend, a Sunday Brunch was held at Casa Yvonneka, where 200 guests enjoyed a wonderful view of Puerto Vallarta while being entertained by the classical popular favorites by the Peregrino Quartet. The astronomical offering by casa owner Yvonne Kalman included international specialties, Champagne and Patron Tequila. Her father was famed German opera composer Emmerich Kalman.

Coupled with the ongoing Fandango and the recent Frida production, Puerto Vallarta now has world-class theater to offer its residents and visitors in a comfortable large auditorium.

Funds raised from this event will benefit the SPCA de PV and Asilo San Juan Diego. The SPCA is a private non-profit organization dedicated to promote sterilization, adoption and pet care with the goal of eliminating the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable animals. Asilo San Juan Diego's Mission is to build a comfortable quality retirement home for the needy elderly of Puerto Vallarta.

Anna Maria Kaufmann

Jorge Jimenez

On March 25, 26 and 27, the weekend of "Charity, Culture and Champagne" will take place in benefit of the Asilo San Juan Diego (Old Folk's Home) and the SPCA-PV. This weekend of fundraising events will inaugurate with the concert "Running with a Dream" performed by the young tenor singer from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Jorge Jimenez. The tenor will perform at Teatro
Vallarta on March 25 at 8:00 p.m., with a varied repertoire that goes from classic opera to themes from the "Phantom of the Opera." Jorge Jimenez will share the stage with the world-renowned soprano singer, Anna Maria Kaufmann. Kaufmann is flying here from Munich, Germany to perform for the event. She is among the most popular opera and musical stars in Europe (receiving triple platinum as "Christine" in Phantom of the Opera) and has been compared to Sara Brightman and Maria Callas.

Tickets are for sale at $200, $300 and $500 pesos and can be purchased
at Teatro Vallarta, Super Boletos, Hacienda San Angel, Tropicasa Realty and Cassandra Shaw Jewelry.
Following the concert, a Cocktail Reception will be held with the artists at El Dorado restaurant. Tickets for $250 pesos include drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

The second event of the "Charity, Culture and Champagne" weekend, the Gala Dinner Party, will take place on March 26 at Hacienda Palo Maria. The star entertainment of the night is the soprano singer Anna Maria Kaufmann. In addition there will be the Fandango show, music by Mariachi la Joya de Mexico, live and silent auctions and other surprises. Tickets for the party are $1,900 pesos per person and include V.I.P. seating at the Jorge Jimenez Concert on Friday 25. Tickets are for sale at Hacienda San
Angel, Tropicasa Realty and Cassandra Shaw Jewelry.

To close the "Charity, Culture and Champagne" weekend, a Brunch will be held at Casa Ivonneka. Enjoy the best view of Puerto Vallarta while entertained by the classical popular favorites by Peregrino Quartet. The
gastronomical offer includes international specialties, Champagne
and Patron Tequila. Ticket price is $750 pesos and can be purchased at Hacienda San Angel, Tropicasa Realty and Cassandra Shaw Jewelry.

A Weekend Pass is also available which includes all events at a dicounted price. All proceeds from the events of "Charity, Culture
and Champagne" will go to the SPCA-PV and Asilo San Juan Diego.

by William Harper

Let's dedicate this to The Twisted Palms. Puerto Vallarta's roof top martini bar.

Possibly The Best Bar Joke Ever!

A guy goes into a bar, there's a robot bartender.
The robot says, "What will you have?"
The guy says, "Martini."

The robot brings back the best martini ever and says to the man, "What's your IQ?"

The guy says, "168."

The robot then proceeds to talk about physics, space exploration and medical technology
The guy leaves, but he is curious...

So he goes back into the bar.
The robot bartender says, "What will you have?"

The guy says, "Martini."

Again, the robot makes a great martini gives it to the man and says, "What's your IQ?"

The guy says, "100."

The robot then starts to talk about Nascar, Budweiser and John Deere tractors.
The guy leaves, but finds it very interesting, so he thinks he will try it one more time...

He goes back into the bar. The robot says, "What will you have?"

The guy says, "Martini," and the robot brings him another great martini.

The robot then says, "What's your IQ?"
The guy says, "Uh, about 50.."

The robot leans in real close and says,

"So...you people still happy you voted for Obama?"

by Rocio Bucio

Well, both are related, St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the holy trinity to the pagans as he was a Christian missionary known as the apostle of Ireland.
St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide. This day has become associated with everything Irish, anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. It is celebrated on the 17th of March, Probably because it was the day that St. Patrick died.

The biggest observance is in Ireland, they attend to mass, before they get the celebration started.

In American cities, they celebrate with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids.

And as an example of how we celebrate I want to share with you this information.

2011 represents the 5th annual St Patrick's festival, at the Shamrock Irish Pub on Av. México in Bucerias.

There will be live music throughout the day and night. Joby Fox, a singer songwriter direct from Ireland. Wain Mcfarlane, an American Idol finalist. Two of the most popular local bands, Chillin Villians & Tikkilyches will be playing and in between the live acts a specialist Irish DJ to spin out all those popular St Patrick's Irish tunes.

As for food, corned beef and cabbage, delicious Irish stew, pies and great Burgers.

This is a family event - Activities for kids, will take place, such as trampolines, face painters, etc.