Gay Pride Brew

A small Mexican brewery is producing what it claims is the world's first beer specifically targeted at the homosexual community.
The beer, which has a slight honey flavor, will initially be marketed to homosexual consumers in Mexico, Colombia and Japan. The Minerva brewery said that the "Artisan Honey-Ales" would appeal to a section of the beer-drinking public that had so far been snubbed by larger brewers.
"We're out in the market with great respect with the idea of offering a product directed to the gay-lesbian community that has been ignored for too long but is important and very demanding", Dario Rodriguez Wyler, commercial manager for distributors Bodega 12, told the Mexican news agency Efe.
The label on the beer bottles has been designed so that it can be unglued and worn as a symbol of gay-lesbian pride, he said.
The Purple Hand Beer and Salamandra beers are already available in some bars and restaurants in Guadalajara, Mexico City and the resorts of Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. The name of the beers are closely linked to icons and colors of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
Purple Hand recalls a famous gay rights protest in San Francisco in 1969.
Since launching the brands, Minerva has received purchase requests from the US, Argentina, Ecuador and Chile it said. The company is also planning to launch a strawberry-flavored beer.

Old Town Farmer's Market has a New Home

By Kathleen Harris
On Saturday October 8th the Old Town Farmer's Market–Tianguis Cultural began a new and exciting relationship with El Jardin de Ninos Emiliano Zapata. The school, located on the west side of Pino Suarez between V. Carranza and B. Badillio, will be part of the Market's new home when it opens in November 5th!
When Market founder, Charlotte Semple, learned recently that the school might have to stay closed due to the theft of all its' copper water pipes, her immediate reaction was, "We can't let that happen!" Within a matter of days the Market had purchased new pipes, they were installed, and it was back to business for the 176 students who attend kindergarten there. Morning principal, Olga Elvira Quintero, said that she and afternoon principal, Maria Concepcion Banuelos-Macias, could not be happier.
On Saturday volunteers, including Fast Eddie from Casa Isabel, Mark Rome from the Palm, Brenda de Retzlaff, Sylvie Scopazzo, Robin Spencer, Jae Palsce and Pamela Beltran, showed up to assist with the building of a new bodega to protect the schools treasured supplies. Previously supplies were stored in a classroom that was then rendered un-usable for other purposes.
The Market has hired a professional bricklayer, and architect Roberto Alvaro-Llamas is donating his expertise to ensure that the bodega is well built. When it is finished, the school would like to turn the old storage area into a library.
Everyone was very enthusiastic on Saturday, fueled by coffee and yummy muffins donated by Dee's Coffee. Refreshments brought later, compliments of Apache's Martini Bar were so appreciated after a hard, hot day moving bricks and breaking concrete.
Additional projects to aid the school were quickly identified. In the coming weeks and months Market volunteers will clean and re-paint walls and fixtures, repair and paint the school yard pool and outside walls, collect books for the new library and musical instruments for a proposed music room, and gather general school supplies for the students.

There are also plans to collaborate on building a raised-bed garden to teach the children about gardening, nutrition, and entrepreneurship, as Charlotte envisions the children selling their produce at the market. Won't that be a popular booth!
Located in the heart of Emiliano Zapata, also known as the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta, the Old Town Farmers Market- Tianguis Cultural is about to open its 3rd season of providing local fresh farm produce, artisan foods, handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, and inspiring services and community education to locals and tourists from the entire Bay of Banderas Region.
So keep your eye out for more news coming soon and the opening of the Old Town Farmers Market- Tianguis Cultural on November 5th. The Market will be located in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta on calle Pino Suarez between V. Carranza and B. Badillo and inside the kindergarten school El Jardin de Ninos Emiliano Zapata. Market hours are every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. For more information visit the Market website at http://www.oldtownfm.com, or its Facebook page: Old Town Farmer's Market Puerto Vallarta.

Art, Culture & Festivals in Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is an increasingly important destination for both art and culture fans from around the world. Its historic Old Town is the perfect backdrop to inspire art lovers, and its vibrant art scene is reflected by the wealth of galleries, public sculptures and cultural festivals the city offers throughout the year. Since its heyday in the '60s, marked by the arrival of Liz Taylor, Ava Gardner and Richard Burton to the set of Night of the Iguana, the town has attracted filmmakers, artists, sculptors, musicians and cultural enthusiasts alike. The art scene has grown exponentially, fueled first by the development boom of the '80s and '90s that has now taken on a life of its own to support local, national and international art talent.
Puerto Vallarta is the leading Mexican beach resort for art and culture. Its rich cultural heritage and close proximity to the US and Canada has helped position it as much more than a beach destination. It is a thriving cultural center that offers the best of traditional indigenous arts and culture mixed with leading-edge contemporary dance and modern art galleries. The opening of the Teatro Vallarta, a 912-seat state-of-the-art theater in the city´s center, in Spring of 2010 secured Vallarta´s place as a leading cultural center on Mexico´s Pacific Coast. Since its launch, the theater has hosted a wealth of national and international shows, including the Russian State Ballet, the world renowned Filippa Giordano pop opera singer, the Vagina Monologues and the spectacular must-see Fandango extravaganza. The theater also houses an exceptional modern art gallery featuring some of Mexico's most up-and-coming talent. Vallarta is rapidly becoming known for its many festivals throughout the calendar year. Perhaps one of the oldest and most famous is the Marlin Festival, which ushers in a wave of fisherman and enthusiasts from around the world willing to take on the open seas around Puerto Vallarta in pursuit of the prize that made Ernest Hemingway both anxious and famous.
If deep sea fishing is not quite your style, you may opt for the less taxing though equally adventurous Festival Gourmet that sees a host of master chefs from around the world descend onto Vallarta´s shores to create gastronomic delicacies to please any palate. The number of restaurants and chefs that participate increases yearly, as do the host of satellite events that happen around the bay. But do not be seduced by only foreign menus: by sure to enjoy the rich flavors of Mexico´s own culinary heritage.
The season is complemented by festivals paying homage to the environment, film, jazz (this one in its infancy), photography, writer's convention, not to mention an international sailing regatta and an increasingly important wine festival for the wine connoisseur.

Puerto Vallarta receives Gold Magellan

Travel Weekly and travelweekly.com is the publication to turn to if you are interested in knowing more about the traveling industry including airlines, car rentals, cruise ships, hotels, tour operators, tourist destinations, but also about technology and economy and political decisions affecting the travel industry.
Internationally recognized as the most influential source of e-commerce (B2B) within companies in the travel industry and as a dedicated group of professionals providing analysis, research and developments in the highly competitive and changing tourism global market.
Travel Weekly and Travel Weekly.com, reward work that revolves around tourism and travelling, the prize awarded annually is the "Magellan Gold" to the best of the global tourism industry. Its October issue includes a section dedicated to the winners of this year.
A distinguished and prominent jury: Peter Greenberg, Editor of the travel section of the CBS News Early Show, Johnny Jet, Travel Blogger, Patricia Schultz, author of "1,000 places to visit before you die", Bob Dickinson, former President of Carnival Cruises, Rudy Maxa, Rudy Maxa's World, and Lalia Rach, awarded to a promotional Puerto Vallarta campaign the "Gold Magellan" in the category Overall Destinations - Cultural/Arts.

Pan-Am sailing Riviera Nayarit

“I’m ready”, says Tania Elias Calles, the most prominent Mexican competitor for the sport sailing competitions at the Pan-American Games Guadalajara 2011. She says it with the confidence of someone who has chosen Riviera Nayarit as her home because it’s the best place to practice this sport – and also because it’ll be hosting the event.

The competition that will take place in Riviera Nayarit between October 17 to 23,  welcomes competitors and demonstrates why this destination, known as Mexico’s Pacific Treasure, has become a favorite for nautical sports aficionados.

Even Tania Elias Calles has said it many times, when she was asked why she moved to Riviera Nayarit in preparation for the most important sports events: the Pan American Games 2011 and to prepare for the Olympic Games 2012.

“The conditions that we find in Riviera Nayarit are ideal for sailing.
Not only because of the wind, but also because of the surf, which creates similar conditions to those found in international competitions – with the exception that the weather in Riviera Nayarit is good year-round, and this is why I decided to move here. There’s also the infrastructure, including modern marinas like the one at Paradise Village, which will be the venue for the Pan-American Games, and Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, where I’ve been training. There’s a good gym nearby, and there are certified specialists to fix any sailboat; it’s the ideal sailing combo”, said the competitor.

The Mexican Sail Federation chose the Vallarta Yacht Club at Marina Paradise Village as the official supporting venue for the Pan-American Games 2011.

Competitors will depart from the piers to the waters of Bahia de Banderas.

Spectators will be able to enjoy the departure of competitors around noon from the public entrance to Nuevo Vallarta south beach, which is known as Villa 5, and the sailboats will be visible upon entering the channels, and when they return ashore, which will be between 15:00 and 17:00, depending on the wind currents.

The navigation circuits will be defined daily according to the wind conditions, so it’s hard to pinpoint in advance which points at the coast will offer a better view of the competitors. Usually, the beaches in Bucerias have the best view, and competitors may be visible in the distance from there.

We have an historic opportunity to begin building a New Destination for the people of Nayarit, and the promotional efforts being made by the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Riviera Nayarit follow the objectives defined by the State Governor Roberto Sandoval, which aim to work for the people, attracting new markets that will benefit the economy of all the people in this state.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS ARE SAYING
This is what the international sailors have said about their preparation and training trips to Riviera Nayarit.

“We were staying right next to the boats, and we had wind to navigate every single day, as well as warm weather year-round, which we simply don’t have in Spain. The facilities are at hand and have a really high quality.”
Fatima Reyes
Spain


“Two hours after my plane landed, I was already on the water working because I didn’t have to worry about looking for all the services required for my sailboat or about my lodging.”
Rob Crane
United States

“First we found Mexico as a place with great conditions for sailing. Afterwards, it was easy to find Riviera Nayarit; we only had to pay attention to where the big sail events were taking place in this country.”
Vaughn Harrison
Canada

“Here we can train with a variety of wind and surf conditions, which are good for sailing year-round. Besides, this area offers all the supporting infrastructure”
Chris Dold
Canada

Another Day in Paradise

 Puerto Vallarta enjoys a yearly average temperature of 86F/27C. Winter months can be cooler and drop to 62F/16C at night; summer months may reach highs of 90F/30C, with drenching humidity in July and August especially.

62F/16C (Nocturnal, Winter), 90F/30C (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 86F/27C.

Winter Climate:
January through March are the coolest months. Temperatures can range from 62F/16C to 81F/25C in the day.

Spring Climate:
April through June - springtime - are warmer months in Puerto Vallarta with temperatures ranging from 65F/17C overnight to 88F/29C in the daytime.

Summer Climate:
July through September are the hottest months, with temperature ranging from 75F/21C overnight, to 95F/32C in the daytime. Temperatures and humidity reach their peak in mid-July and August; this is a time when many local residents leave the area to go traveling and retirees leave to visit families back home; returning in late September as temperatures in Puerto Vallarta begin to moderate.

Autumn Climate:
October thru December usually offer the best climate in Puerto Vallarta. Temperatures moderate again starting late September, the drenching humidity disappears and the warm, comfortable climate that is loved by all who live in Vallarta, returns. Temperatures range from 73F/22C overnight to 87F/27C in the daytime.

Rainy Season:
 Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season runs from May to October. Torrential afternoon rains may be experienced several days a week and, in the peak temperature months of July, August and September tropical storms may feature, too.

Hurricanes:
 Hurricanes can affect Puerto Vallarta, although the enormous Bay of Banderas is said to “protect” the area from most of the Pacific hurricanes that pass by the region. The last major hurricane (Category 5) hit land in Vallarta in 2002 causing some damage to the boardwalk and properties. It was the first major hurricane in over thirty-five years to hit the resort.

Sea Temperature in Puerto Vallarta
During the peak summer months of July and August, sea temperatures may reach as high as 80F/23C; in other months, the sea temperature will average around 65F/18C.

This month in History

October 27, 1967 U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson hands back 333 hectares of land near El Paso, known as “El Chamizal”, to his Mexican counterpart Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. This land had been in dispute since 1864, after the Rio Bravo (or Rio Grande as the U.S. calls it) changed its course.

Obama attempts to enlist Latinos

Source:EFE

President Barack Obama devoted part of his speech at Wednesday’s Forum on American Latino Heritage to ask Hispanics to demand that Congress approve his jobs program, an initiative he said would benefit 35 million members of the U.S. Hispanic community.

“We will keep organizing and we will keep pressuring and we will keep voting until this Congress finally meets its responsibilities and actually does something to put people back to work and improve the economy,” Obama said during the event in Washington.

It was not the first time he used an encounter with Latinos to lobby for his $447 billion jobs bill, which faces strong resistance among Republican lawmakers.

In keeping with the occasion, however, the president began with praise for Latinos’ contributions to the nation and proclaimed: “Diversity has always been America’s strength.”

The 54 million Hispanics counted in the 2010 Census represent around a sixth of the U.S. population and Latinos are the country’s largest and fastest-growing minority.

“You’ve helped us build our cities, grow our economy, defend our country,” Obama said, adding a few moments later that “too often the achievements of Latinos go unrecognized.”

“The land of opportunity hasn’t always been the land of acceptance,” he said, though without mentioning harsh anti-immigration legislation recently adopted in states such as Arizona and Alabama.

The forum coincided with the 519th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the New World - celebrated in Latin America as the “Dia de la Raza” (Day of the Race) - and with intensified efforts by Obama to win Hispanics’ support for his re-election bid.

The Democratic incumbent garnered 67 percent of the Latino vote in 2008. Now, Hispanic discontent with Obama is palpable, due above all to his failure to achieve immigration reform and to the massive number of deportations carried out under his administration.

Projections by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials call for a record Hispanic turnout in 2012, when at least 12.2 million Latinos are expected to cast ballots.

Latinos represent a crucial voting bloc in several electoral swing states, including Florida, Colorado and New Mexico.

Mexico expands tax breaks to attract investment

Source: EFE

An executive order providing tax incentives to the assembly plants, known as “maquiladoras,” operating in Mexico has been extended in an effort to attract more investment and boost job creation.

President Felipe Calderon, who originally signed the executive order in 2008, signed an extension of the benefits on Tuesday to 2013.

Mexico needs “more active maquiladora industries and employment creation with the appropriate tax measures,” Calderon said during the signing ceremony.

The manufacturing and export sectors require “a responsible tax policy” that will allow them to “deal with the adverse international situation,” the president said.

The executive order covers regulatory reform, simplifies the tariff system and eases the paperwork burden via a virtual office that handles filings electronically.

The goal is to provide “stimulus to strengthen investment and generate more income,” Calderon said, adding that assembly firms would be able to “plan their productive projects with more efficiency.”

The Unified Business Tax Rate, or IETU, will be calculated “using the same taxable base as the income tax (ISR),” so that “the 6,400 firms in the sector will invest more and create more jobs,” the president said.

Mexico’s assembly industry has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs in the past few years due to the global recession and competition from low-cost producers in China and some Central American countries, the National Maquiladora Export Industry Council, or CNIME, said.

The assembly industry “contributes great value added” in sectors like aerospace, electronics, telecommunications and automobiles, Calderon said.

Security must be provided for maquiladoras, especially those in border cities such as Ciudad Juarez, considered Mexico’s murder capital, the president said.

Microsoft opens tech center in Mexico

Source: Latino Fox News

Microsoft has inaugurated its first technology center in Latin America, a facility in this capital that will be used to train around 2,300 software developers.

During a luncheon Tuesday to mark the 25th anniversary of Microsoft Mexico, executives said the software giant will invest more than $600 million in the country in the coming years, although without providing further details.

The goal of the Microsoft Technology Center is to provide companies with access to technology in a "simple and palpable way," the global director of the Microsoft Technology Center Alliances Program, Chuck McCann, said.

Organizations in Mexico and Latin America will be able to test out their products in simulated environments that replicate the same conditions that businesses face in their day-to-day operations, McCann said.

Some of the platforms are highly complex and difficult to understand, but the center gives clients detailed, hand-on instruction in using them, McCann said during the luncheon attended by President Felipe Calderon.

Calderon, for his part, praised Microsoft for revolutionizing the technological world and hailed the MTC opening and the investment plan.

Located at the Microsoft building in the Mexican capital, the MTC-Mexico City contains special rooms that simulate three business scenarios: the office, the home and mobile devices.

It also has space for meetings and videoconferences. The MTC-Mexico City is the company's first Spanish-language technology center and the first of its kind in Latin America, although another location is scheduled to open in the coming months in Brazil.

Microsoft has 11 MTC locations in the United States, including New York, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Dallas, and 14 others around the world in cities such as Moscow, Munich, Paris and Tokyo.

Alternative Lifestyle Friendly Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a thriving retreat for gays and lesbians and every year becomes more popular as a gay vacation spot. 

With a great climate, beautiful ocean bay beaches, mountains and lush tropical jungle as the setting, Puerto Vallarta is very popular.

Vallarta now has over a dozen hotels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts that cater to the LGBT community, several different gay bars and gay clubs, a world famous gay beach, great gay trips on boats, special tours including evenings out at natural hot springs, and some great restaurants.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights in Mexico have expanded in recent years, in keeping with worldwide legal trends

Political and legal gains have been made through the center-left Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), and other leftist but minor parties such as the Labor Party (PT) and Convergence, and occasionally the centrist and long-governing Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

Some of them include the 2001 amendment to Article 1 of the Federal Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation under the vague term preferences, the 2003 federal anti-discrimination law and the recognition of same-sex civil unions in Mexico City and Coahuila.

Same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples have been legal in Mexico City since early March 2010.