The Bay Today

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This ocean is beautiful at the moment, it´s got everything we have patiently been waiting for over the past 6 months. Clear, warm water that is full of some of the most fantastic creatures.
The visibility is amazing in most places. This is a term we use to guess the distance we can clearly see into the distance. Last week, off the beach at Mismaloya, I could see for 100 feet! Crazy good. I can clearly see my divers and they can clearly see everything I am pointing out. The same story was to be told at Majahuitas and good old Los Arcos has 70 foot plus. It also means that all you snorkelers can now see all the fish too.
Los Arcos has had many sightings of dolphins over the past few weeks, and the manta´s are out and about. Dolphins are enjoyed by everyone and are fairly common while the manta´s are not seen so often, so are a special sight for people to watch. The two words I use to describe them are charismatic and mega. Where ever you are diving in the world, swimming with a manta makes it a great dive. They are graceful creatures who fly around the ocean at great speed using seemingly little effort. Manta’s are totally harmless and often enjoy swimming amongst people. If you get lucky, you can see them leaping out of the water, and that really is a sight to behold.
Manta rays are huge creatures and can have wingspans of 30 feet, but the average span is about 20 feet and they can weigh up to 3,000lbs. When they get to around 14 feet in wingspan, they are ready to breed. They give birth to live young, who are themselves not small, being around 4 feet in span and weighing in at 20 – 30lbs! Fortunately for mum, they only give birth to one or two at a time.
There is still a lot of research to be done on manta´s and many facts to find out. This is not an easy job as they are near impossible to keep in aquariums to study as they are so big. Only 4 are held captive in the world at the moment.
Something else we have seen this week is a sea otter. I didn´t know they made it this far down, as they like cold water, but this little fella did. We were with some friends at Burros, where the guys were surfing and I was falling in the ocean a lot. I didn´t mind though as I got to spend more time in the water with this little sea otter, who was with us for a couple of hours, playing and enjoying some company. He seemed to be all alone as we didn´t see another one there all afternoon. I had never seen one before, but hope they have decided to relocate as they are so cute and playful.

Learning Spanish

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Travelling internationally is a great gift for children as it creates an awareness of other cultures, traditions and languages.
Because children learn faster at an earlier age, it is a perfect time for them to learn Spanish. A whole new world will open up to them, allowing for increased cognitive, social and vocational development. Here are just some of the lifetime benefits:
• Improved listening ability for sound distinctions
• Increased understanding of their own native language as well as an appreciation for other countries and cultures
• Greater confidence when travelling and working with others from foreign countries
• Improved intellectual development resulting in higher test scores and advanced educational placement
• Enhanced marketability in the business world
Learning a new language can be an exciting goal but it can also be frustrating and overwhelming at times. That’s when you have to keep it fresh and creative. Here are some ideas to help your family learn Spanish.

We all know that reading to a child allows them to learn new words and make associations. Try alternating your child’s nightly reading schedule. Read an English book one night and a Spanish book the next. This will enable them to learn two languages at once.

Puerto Vallarta has so many wonderful books with characters that your child may already know and some new characters that they are going to love. Many local bookstores and supermarkets have a wide variety of picture and activity books, magazines and young adult novels to enjoy.

Passive listening is an important part of picking up a second language and you can do this by playing Spanish music in the house, in the car or at the beach. Song lyrics have repetitive melodies which help with memory by reinforcing new vocabulary and syntax. Many PV stores offer a wide selection of Spanish CDs for all ages and interests.
When education is combined with interaction, it’s easy to forget that you are learning! Board games, number games, memory games, they are all incredibly helpful. The Mexican game of chance, Loteria, is similar to Bingo, a game that many children already know. Instead of using numbers, it uses pictures and corresponding words. This is an easy way for children to learn the Spanish name and spelling of objects.
For kids who love computer games, there are numerous software programs that teach Spanish. Pick up some games and take them home to encourage your child’s enthusiasm and progress.
Other methods include labeling objects in your home, office or classroom using Post-it notes with Spanish names. Put together an “A to Z” photo project by taking pictures of items around town that begin with an A, B, C and so on. Be sure to use the Spanish word and see how many you can collect by the end of your stay.
Young children love to interact with puppets so use these child-friendly characters to tell a story or practice new vocabulary words.
Go to a movie that with Spanish subtitles or watch a DVD in Spanish.
While dining at a Mexican restaurant, study the menu and identify ingredients that are used such as pollo (chicken), leche (milk), queso (cheese), arroz (rice) and verduras (vegetables).
Literally hundreds if not thousands of words are very similar in spelling, if not the same, in English and Spanish. Make it a game to discover how many of these words your family can identify.
Attend a Spanish class. Anything that you can do as a family will provide encouragement and enthusiasm for your child. Numerous resorts offer beginning classes and several language schools around town have multilevel courses. Private tutors are also available for an hourly rate.
Buena suerte y disfruta tu estancia en México! (Good luck and enjoy your stay in Mexico!)

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church: A Puerto Vallarta Icon

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Standing proudly over the City’s central plaza, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, with its famous crown is the focal point of the Vallarta skyline. It is a symbol of Puerto Vallarta known throughout the world. It is also the focal point for the famous Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is a beautiful example of local architecture and an embodiment of local spirit. It is a unique combination of several architectural styles. On the hour you can hear the magnificent sounds of the Church bells ringing from the tower. Upon entering the Church, you are struck by its splendid simplicity and the air of calm that it bestows on visitors. The plain, white-washed walls are dramatically embellished with richly detailed moldings. On a sunny day - which is most of the time in Vallarta - the sunlight shines through stained glass windows to illuminate the gilt-trimmed altar with a warm glow. During the Christmas Holidays, the Church’s hand carved columns are adorned with festive wreaths. Regardless your religious convictions, the beauty of Our Lady of Guadalupe is worth a visit
Construction of the Church started in1903 around a small chapel that was already there. In 1915 the decision to build a larger church was made. Due to a number of intervening issues including a war, which stopped the building for a time, the main tower was not completed until 1952 and the original church crown wasn’t installed until 1963. Rumor has it that the crown is a replica of the tiara worn by Carlota, mistress of Emperor Maximilian in the 1800’s.
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, as it’s known by locals, is open daily. English services are held on Saturdays at 5 p.m., Spanish and English mass takes place every Sunday at 10 a.m. The bells ring 30 and 15 minutes before each mass.

Paper Maché Figurines in Puerto Vallarta

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Paper Maché Figurines are one of Puerto Vallarta’s most sought after crafts; mainly representations of Mexican culture, these figurines can be made into the shape of old people, the mythical alebrijes or the ever-popular catrinas, and skeleton-like figures. There are no rules to this art form; sometimes paper maché figurines are in the shape of famous personalities or the artists’ free-handed creativity.
While these figurines are notoriously Mexican, they originate from countries like India, China and Persia, where they were also created to serve as decorative artifacts. Paper Maché comes from the French “papier maché”, literally meaning chewed paper, and original method of preparing these hand-made crafts.
Now a days Mexico makes many arts from paper maché: piñatas, masks figurines as well as small decorations and souvenirs.
The traditional paper maché figurines are very popular in Puerto Vallarta. You’ll find them everywhere, from Rio Cuale Market and Square to downtown’s independent boutiques, or any of Vallarta’s numerous art galleries, where you’ll also find many other peculiar-looking art figures.

Georgia Ballet performance at Teatro Vallarta is postponed

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The renowned National Ballet of Georgia, once the pride of the Soviet Union, due to a tour change will be performing 1 show only, Sunday, September 4, at 6:00 pm, at Vallarta’s performing arts venue, Teatro Vallarta.
Established in 1945 by dance masters Iliko Sukhishvili and Nino Ramishvili, The National Ballet of Georgia is renowned for strong and agile dancers and performances full of color, vitality and cultural symbolism that reflect this former Soviet Union state. Now under the guidance of Tengiz Sukhishvili, Iliko’s son, as their Artistic Director and Manager, in Italy the company was proclaimed “The Best Folkloric Ballet in the World.” Featured pieces will encompass issues that are important to this region; including roles of men and women, stories of war and of ancient rituals and worship. The magic of how The National Ballet of Georgia performs is discovered in their technique of dancing and astonishing acrobatic leaps using only their toes.
For 3 generations, the Sukhishvili family has dedicated their life to the formation of The National Ballet of Georgia and has traveled the world and has appeared on the most important stages for the past 50 years.
Tickets are $300 Pesos for general seating, $400 Pesos for preferred seating and $500 Pesos for VIP seating and are available at Vallarta Fitness in Plaza Galerias, at Plaza Caracol, at Señor Frogs in Nuevo Vallarta and at the theatre’s box office Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm.
 

More than just fresh produce at Palmar de Aramara Market

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Located in the Aurora neighborhood, just steps away from Sam’s Club, you’ll find the Palmar de Aramara Market, a great option to find daily fresh produce, meats and seafood in Puerto Vallarta.
The Market offers a wide variety of products including meats, seafood, poultry, fruit, tortillas, dairy, fresh flowers; hardware stores, veterinaries, laundry mats and specialty boutiques can also be found.
Some of our favorite eateries are:
Tacos de Mariscos Nancy (Seafood Tacos), features beer-battered fish & shrimp and marlin tacos; shrimp burgers; seafood burritos along with their special sauces and dressings.
Bonsai is a Japanese restaurant established in the area over ten years ago. They offer an extensive menu with some of our old-time favorites: over eighteen different sushi rolls, Teppanyaki (steamed vegetables), Kushi Age (breaded seafood shish kabobs), Yakitori (sweet and sour shish kabobs) and Yakimeshi (steamed fried rice). Don’t forget your Calpico (traditional Japanese drink).
Huaraches y Quesadillas Yessy serves homemade huaraches, deep-fried oval-shaped tortilla topped with your choice of meats, quesadillas, and fresh fruit-flavored water.
Perfect for this summer season, Aguas Frescas Tropicales renders over 60 different flavored-drinks, including horchata, strawberry, coconut, pineapple, Jamaica, passion fruit and mandarin to name a few.
The Palmar de Aramara Market is without a doubt another great spot to visit this summer.

SPCA Weekly Newsletter

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SPECIAL PLEA

Things are pretty bleak lately regarding adoptions and foster homes. We know there are a number of our friends and supporters who leave for the low season and we find ourselves in dire straits right now.
We have at least six dogs that have been with us for a while now and we are up to 16 cats at the last count. We are asking that everyone please pass the word to friends who may not be privy to our newsletter or press releases. There just must be folks out there looking for a companion animal to adopt or can foster for a period of time until a permanent home is found.
Please, please contact us if you or anyone you know can assist us in taking care of these wonderful animals that just deserve a chance. If you can assist, please contact us via our website (www.spcapv.com) or send an email to spcapv@gmail.com.


ADORABLE DOG SPOTLIGHT...Honey


Is she not the cutest? Honey is a female about a year old and weighs 18 kilos. She was rescued from the new Wal-Mart parking lot where she was living after giving birth to her first litter of six puppies. All the puppies have found homes and now it is her turn.
Peggy, who fostered Honey, tells us: “She was a good caregiver to the puppies and is a delightful, lively dog. She was not very good on the leash at first, but with some work she now loves walking and is very good on the leash. She loves attention and to cuddle and is a kind, gentle dog. She is good with kids and cats.”


ADORABLE CATS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

There are so many beautiful, loving cats looking for homes. It’s impossible to choose just one to spotlight. We have a number of felines of all ages looking for forever homes. They are currently being cared for by a few of our dedicated volunteers and brought to the library each Saturday. Hopefully one of these photos will give you pause and motivate you to give him/her a loving home.
There are a number of advantages when adopting a young adult cat versus a kitten. Although still playful, a young cat is less likely to get underfoot as a kitten. They are healthy, having been spayed/neutered and vaccinated. At this age they are housebroken, i.e. litter trained, socialized and less likely to get into “trouble”.
Also importantly, you will know your cat’s basic personality, his likes and dislikes. (Believe me, he’ll let you know.) Bonding continues to be important, and your continued good care will strengthen your cat’s trust in you, which is vital to your relationship.
To see all the animals available for adoption, visit our website (www.spcapv.com or
www.spcapv.blogspot.com). The SPCA PV will continue to host adoption events at Biblioteca Los Mangos every Saturday from 10am - 2pm. Biblioteca Los Mangos is located on Francisco Villa around the corner from Costco.


ADOPTION REPORT
There were seven dogs and eleven cats at the library this weekend available for adoption. We were fortunate to find forever homes for two cats (Max and Puss Puss).

Special thanks to our dedicated volunteers who brave the hot, humid temperatures each Saturday. This week’s volunteers were Gina, Natalia, Lily, Fernando, John and Shanon ( new volunteer ). As always we are grateful to Sandra for her photos and continued dedication, as well as our volunteer extraordinaire Luz.


WEBMASTER NEEDED

Kevin Harney who has been updating our website for some time cannot do it anymore. We are looking for anyone who can take over this responsibility. If you have the skill set necessary, and would consider donating time to our organization, please contact Janice Chatterton (Janice@haciendasanangel.com) or email us at spcapv@gmail.com.

And thank you Kevin for all your past efforts.
Photos courtesy of Sandra Briones (www.sandorafoto.com)