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Jan. 2, 2005 - Issue 54
News and Features about Puerto Vallarta on Mexico´s Gold Coast
Tips and Topics on Living in Your Own Dream Location
[Go to the Archives]
CONTENTS:
• BURSTS OF COLOR BRING IN 2005
• THE WHALES ARE JUMPING
• ART EVENTS FOR JANUARY
• PAUL HARVEY ON PRAYER
• THE ADZINE SCENE
• NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
BURSTS OF COLOR BRING IN 2005
Happy New Year to All! Another fabulous fireworks display on Puerto Vallarta´s Malecon ushered in the New Year as throngs of people from all over Mexico and the world gathered together peacefully to watch and cheer the beautiful explosion of colors, shapes, and swirls at midnight, as the yachts in the bay sounded their horns mixed with the sounds of the bells ringing at the Church of Guadalupe. The hotels all around the bay set off their fireworks at the same hour, so one could see a kaleidoscope of colors in every direction. A band was playing Mexican music in Los Arcos. I was privileged to watch from a rooftop on the Malecon, and it was so exciting to be right under the glorious display. You could never get this close to the fireworks in the U.S. There were special dinners and fiestas in the restaurants and bars and many private parties. A feeling of hope for a better and more peaceful year was echoed by everyone as they wished each other Feliz Año Nuevo and Happy New Year, with lots of hugs. Vallarta was full to the brim with tourists for the Holiday week and our weather was perfect.
THE WHALES ARE JUMPING
Our Bay of Banderas is one of the few bays in the world to offer a sanctuary for the large humpback whales, as well as two other varieties, who can be seen in these waters from November to April. To see these awesome mammals swimming with their calves and soaring out of the ocean with majestic maneuvers is a tremendous emotional experience. During this month the whales are mating and giving birth, especially around the Marietta Islands. There are various tours who will take you to see the whales, or you can rent a boat for a group of people at Punta de Mita. However many of the boat operators are scaring away the whales with their practice of radioing each other when one sights a whale, so a whole group of boats approach the whales with motors running, which causes the whales to submerge and swim away, then no one gets to see them playing. We should all protest this type of action, as one of our main attractions could disappear, as unfortunately is the case with much of our sea life and endangered species.
ART EVENTS FOR JANUARY
January Art Walks in Old Town are scheduled for January 12th and 26th, and during the first 11 days of the month you can view the shows that opened on Dec. 29th. Manuel Valles Gomez brought an impressive selection of paintings to Galeria Vallarta for that exposition. He is preparing to create and install a huge metal sculpture dedicated to four cultures, at a location where these four cultures exist, near Durango, Mexico. Also his new selection of original masks should not be missed. He has incorporated new materials, such as hammered metal and lots of leather in these unique designs, each signed by the artist.
Corinne Duriez, the French artist who has adopted Puerto Vallarta as her home will present her show - "A French Viewpoint" at Galeria Vallarta on Jan. 12th continuing until Jan. 25. Her fabulous oil paintings of wild animals have won gold and silver medals from the government of France. They look so real, you think you can touch the fur. Then on Jan. 26 the popular Carlos Cuevas will present his wonderful oil paintings of indigenous people and still lifes at Galeria Vallarta.
Galeria AL will present interesting works by Marenal on Jan 12, and surrealistic paintings by Juan Danes on Jan. 26th. Meme will show at Galeria Uno on the 12th and Lee Chapman´s whimsical paintings will be presented on Jan. 26. Chad Buck will inaugurate his show at T.Fuller Gallery on Jan. 7, which will continue for the Art Walk. Galeria Corona will host a joint exposition for Leticia Schmidt´s paintings and Arturo Macias´ sculptures on Jan. 12th and Alfonso Sosa´s stylized paintings on Jan. 26. Galeria 8 y Mas will continue Miguel Aldañas exposition until Jan. 11, Margarita Pointelin from Jan 12 to 25 and Ana Rosa Villaseñor from Jan. 26 to Feb. 8.
Galeria Pacifico continues their showing of Alfredo Langarica until Jan. 11. Other artists represented there are Richard Baker, Arturo Weber and Alejandro Mondria. Sergio Bustamante has fascinating new sculptures and jewelry, Galeria de Ollas will have new examples of the wonderful Mata Ortiz pottery, Arte Popular Mexicano has a great collection of prehispanic replicas and folk art, and Corsica always has an impressive selection of contemporary paintings and sculptures in their two locations. You can get your Old Town art walk map brochure at all the galleries, the tourist department and at the major hotels. Galeria Dante will present new works by Bill Megrail and Jean-Gabriel Lambert on Saturday, Jan. 8 from 6-10 p.m.
There are exhibitions of art by local artists on display in the Palacio Municipal (City Hall.) There will also be a Marina art walk featuring three galleries around the yacht basin during January, so if you are in town, be sure to visit the galleries to see some of Mexico´s finest artists, even if it is not on Art Walk night.
PAUL HARVEY ON PRAYER
Editor´s note: This article seems very appropriate as we enter a new year during dangerous times.
Paul Harvey says:
"I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught this theory of evolution. Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.
So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game. "But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue. Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1.
So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna? If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome . . .
"But what about the atheists?" is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized.. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer! Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well . . . just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long . . . it's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard, that the vast majority don't care what they want.. it is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray . . . you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance, you don't believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right.. but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back . . . and we WILL WIN!
God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him. God bless America, despite all her faults, she is still the greatest nation of all . . . God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God . . . May 2005 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. Keep looking up . . . In God WE Trust.
THE ADZINE SCENE
AFTER HOLIDAY JEWELRY SALE
Unique creations by Mexico´s jewelry designers reduced 15 to 20%, plus a selection at 25 to 50% off. Galeria Vallarta, Juarez 263 in Old Town.
TRANSLATION SERVICE:
25 years of experience. English to Spanish or Spanish to English. Be sure your advertisements, contracts, etc. are correctly done. Help with legal contracts, technical, medical, commercial or simultaneous translations. Call Lynne at 322-221-5126.
BECA BALL TICKETS:
will be on sale soon at Galeria Vallarta and other locations to be announced. The date is March 5. More information at mjellis@prodigy.net.mx.
HOME TOURS
IFC home tours are each Wednesday and Thursday. See fabulous villas and support our local charities. Meet at the Posada Rio Cuale Hotel on Aquiles Serdan at 10 a.m. to get your tickets. Tour leaves at 11 via bus and lasts about 2-1/2 hours.
DISCOUNTS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS
Check out the following websites for lots of special discounts: www.puertovallartafun.com. Call 222-4935 to get your card. Also www.ofertasvallarta.com has a whole list of special discounts at your favorite restaurants and shops. Galeria Vallarta offers discounts for IFC members and also participates with puertovallartafun.com.
NEW YEAR´S RESOLUTIONS
Good luck in keeping all the resolutions you made on January 1st. Write them down, check them often and keep working on them all year--such as sticking to your diet, exercising every day, learning Spanish or another foreign language, smiling more, doing some charity work, keeping in touch with friends, spending more time on your hobbies and things that help you relax, writing letters to newspapers, politicians, email contacts etc. to express your opinion about problems that can be solved if everyone works together, and many more that you may have on your list. Wishing you a wonderful year in 2005.
SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE INFORMATION:
About Living Your Dream is by free subscription to our own mailing list. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an email to WebArt@GaleriaVallarta.com with "subscribe or unsubscribe to Dream" in the subject line. If you would like to place an ad or submit an article, please contact Barbara Peters, Galeria Vallarta, Juarez 263, (322) 222-0290 or at WebArt@GaleriaVallarta.com
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