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May 2, 2004, ISSUE 46
News and Features about Puerto Vallarta on Mexicoīs Gold Coast
Tips and Topics on Living in Your Own Dream Location
[Go to the Archives]
CONTENTS:
· MAY EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS
· ART NEWS AND SPECIALS
· COMPUTER TIPS
· THE ADZINE SCENE
· IN HONOR OF TEACHERS
MAY EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS
The month of May is always beautiful in Puerto Vallarta, with clear blue skies and moderate temperatures, all the bougainvillas in full bloom with every hue of pink, red and coral, and a slower pace since the rush of high season has ended. Even though the summer rains haven`t started the surrounding hills are still green, (different from the brown vegetation found around Zihuatenejo, Manzanilla y Mazatlan at this time of year).
May is full of holidays--May 1 is Mexican Labor Day, May 3 is Day of the Holy Cross, celebrated by the construction workers, May 5 is the anniversary of the battle in Puebla against the French, May 10 is Motherīs Day, May 15 is Teacherīs Day, May 23 is Studentīs Day and April 30 was Children`s Day, and there are always free cultural events in central Vallarta for special holidays.
On May 15 there will be a special Festival of Altruism sponsored by the American Consulate and held in the Marriott Hotel gardens from 6 to 9 p.m. The proceeds will go to support 20 local charities, and there will be gastronomic specialties from various countries provided by our local restaurants, music and dance exhibitions and fun for all. Tickets are $250 pesos, so help our charities and have fun.
The Easter season in April filled the city to the brim with families from all over Mexico enjoying the beaches and nightlife. At the same time the snowbirds have departed for the north to pay their tribute to the IRS etc. so business has been slow, sale signs are appearing in the shop windows and some are closing for the summer. Now is the time to take advantage of the special prices on many items, especially since the exchange rate for dollars has gone from 10 to 11 and is moving daily. Canadian dollars are also worth a lot more than last year at this time.
I am sorry I missed putting out a newsletter in April, the first time since I started it in 2000, because of problems with my computer and by the time I got it repaired it was too late to publish the letter.
ART NEWS AND SPECIALS
Even though the Old Town Art Walks and the Marina Decor-Art Nights have finished for the season, plans are already being made for next season.
The dates for the 2004-2005 season's Old Town Art Walks are: October 27, November 10 and 24, December 15 and 29, 2004. For 2005 - January 12 and 26, February 9 and 23, March 9 and 30, and April 13. Take a minute and mark these on your calendar so you can visit next season during one or more of these dates. Everyone enjoys this opportunity to see the incredible range of art in all forms offered in Vallarta and to visit with the local residents and the artists.
I attended a presentation of the new city administrationīs plans for the cultural life of Puerto Vallarta last week. It was held in the Augustin Flores auditorium in downtown, and was opened with a contemporary dance exhibition, followed by a video of the plans for the next 3 years, talks by the Mayor and the Cultural Director and finishing with an impressive musical show by the Estudiantina of the Preparatoria Regional. The best news was that when the city hall moves their offices to an outlying location, the central building will be converted into a Museum and cultural center. Letīs make sure they follow through with that idea and have a place to bring in exhibitions of important Mexican and international artists, which should help with our image as one of Mexicoīs best art centers.
Galeria Vallartaīs last show of the season in April was a watercolor exposition featuring Jesus Ruiz Real, Ana Rosa Navarro, Claudia Nery, Harold Logan and Ioulia Akhmadeeva. Themes were typical Mexican scenes, still lifes and abstracts. Even though watercolor is such a difficult medium, since you have to do it right the first time, the prices were considerably less than oil paintings. Photos of the watercolors we have in stock are available by email.
Our gallery in Plaza de Neptuno is having a special art sale, featuring painters who want to sell existing work to create new works for the next season. Prices are reduced 20 to 50% on a wide variety of paintings and sculptures. Donīt miss a chance to add some new art to your home at great prices.
COMPUTER TIPS
With the rash of viruses affecting our computers, it is essential that you have a good anti-virus software, such as Norton. Also have a back up for your files on CDs in case of a crash. Be very careful when you open attachments unless you recognize the email of the person who is sending it to you. We send out photos with attachments, but in response to your request, and also put the name of the artist in the subject line.
Spam is getting to be such a bad problem, so it is best to just delete anything that comes with a ridiculous subject title or from an address you do not know. Some of you have filters on your computers and at times our newsletter does not get through to you because it is marked as spam even though your name is on our mailing list. If you want to make sure you get it, be sure webart@prodigy.net.mx is on your list of allowed mail.
The Newbie Club is a great resource to help you understand more about your computer, how to build your own website, email marketing and more, all in easy to understand language. To join the club go to http://newbieclub.com/?Easytobeapro and sign up.
If you want to know more about fascinating international tourist destinations, living abroad, including Mexico, and photos of exciting locations, sign up for "International Living Postcards" a free newsletter which you can request at http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/IL/WILVD4DF/
A free newsletter which lists many jazz CDs and DVDs that can be ordered online and are hard to find in record stores is available by emailing: newsletter@ejazzlines.com.
THE ADZINE SCENE
CUSTOM STAINED GLASS PROJECTS:
Call Marcos at 222-0290 for estimates on glass work or repairs. Years of experience.
CUSTOM FRAMING
...of your art and repair of damaged frames, mats etc. 222-0290
SPECIAL SALE OF JEWELRY, HUICHOL ART AND CRAFT ITEMS
20 to 50% off on many items for our end of season sale at Galeria Vallarta, Juarez 263, Centro. Summer hours: 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. Evenings and Sunday by appointment.
IN HONOR OF TEACHERS
Since May 15 is Teacherīs Day and this is such an important profession for the future of our civilization, I thought you might enjoy the following.
After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said: Let me see if Iīve got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. And I am supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.
You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem. You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job. I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of anti-social behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student emplyment and scholarships, encourage respect for the cultural diversity of others, and oh, make sure that I give the girls in my class fifty percent of my attention.
My contract requires me to work on my own time after school, evenings and weekends grading papers. Also, I must spend my summer vacation, at my own expense, working towards advanced certification and a Masterīs degree. An on my own time you want me to attend committee and faculty meetings, PTA meetings, and participate in staff development training. I am to be a paragon of virtue, larger than life, such that my very presence will awe my students into being obedient and respectful of authority.
You want me to incorporate technology into the learning experience, monitor websites and relate personally with each student. That includes deciding who might be potentially dangerous and/or liable to commit a crime in school. I am to make sure all students pass the mandatory state exams, even those who donīt come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments. Plus I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap.
And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report cards. All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board and a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!
You want me to do all of this and yet you expect me... NOT TO PRAY!
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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