You are invited to a fundraising and Information-sharing event for the newly established non-profit lobbying and advocacy organization Americans for Medicare in Mexico, A.C.

We are working to develop a comprehensive and politically achievable plan to bring Medicare coverage to eligible seniors residing in Mexico. Coordinating efforts with health policy and public policy professionals, health care providers and intermediaries in Mexico, and Medicare Program Directors, our goal is introduction and passage of required authorizing legislation in the U.S. Congress as part of an overall health reform bill to be debated later this year.

Since early March, Americans for Medicare in Mexico leaders have completed hundreds of hours of development work on this project, and have traveled twice to Washington DC, and have met with:

• approximately 40 Members of the U.S. House and Senate
• the Medicare Program Oversight Manager in the Office of Management & Budget
• the International Policy Director of American Association of Retired People (AARP)
• the Deputy Director for Health Policy at the Center for American Progress
• other public policy and political advocacy experts supportive of the initiative

The event will be held at the home of:

Chickie and Irwin Alter
Km 422 Carretera Barra de Navidad, Puerto Vallarta

Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 1 to 4 pm

$200 pesos per person (includes one drink and botanas provided by Beto Está Contento Restaurant)

Directions:

Casa Chickie is in a gated community 3 minutes south of the OxxO store in Conchas Chinas

It is on the mountain side, on the left, exactly after the first curve as past the white condos called Playa del Sol on the waterside (right hand side coming from town).

It is not well marked but leading up to the green gates is a stone driveway and two small gate stations.

If you are coming from the South it is after the right curve as you pass the big deserted building on the waterside.

Please RSVP!

• Paul Crist, paulcrist (at) hotel-mercurio.com
• Dee Dee Camhi, rdcamhi (at) mac.com

From July 24 to 26, 2009, Puerto Vallarta will host a Medical and Beauty Expo at Plaza Caracol in an effort to stimulate medical tourism in the area. At least 40 health-related businesses, including major hospitals, IMSS, medical clinics, labs, spas, and gyms will participate.

Yoga Vallarta is hosting a Valentines Thai Massage, chocolate and wine workshop for partners, friends, and individuals on Friday, February 13th, 6:30-9:30pm.

Elyse Briggs, Thai therapist and certified massage therapist as well as bodywork teacher will guide participants through the massage techniques as they lovingly try them out on each other. Massage will be complimented with Valentine Treats and wine provided by La Bodega de Nina and appetizers from Fresca 418 restaurant.

Advanced registration is recommended. The fee is 500 pesos.

Contact Alma at Yoga Vallarta: info@yogavallarta.com or phone 322.116.5809. Yoga Vallarta is located in Romantic Zone at Basillo Badillo 325, 3rd floor.
WEBSITE: www.yogavallarta.com

The class will be in English and Spanish. During Elyse’s Vallarta visit, she will also be offering massage sessions on an appointment basis.

ELYSE BRIGGS
Elyse is a regular guest instructor at Yoga Vallarta. She brings a sense of play and love to her teaching. She lives in Los Angeles where she owns and runs Yoga at Village studio. She is on the faculty of the Massage School of Santa Monica. Elyse is a Certified, Licensed Massage Therapist, a Registered Thai Therapist, Professional member of the AMTA and Bodywork teacher with a private practice in Glendale, CA. She works in close association with gifted Chiropractors, Acupuncturists and Homeopaths.

She practices many bodywork modalities including Pre and Post Natal massage, Thai Massage, Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release.

THAI MASSAGE
The traditional massage of Thailand is an ancient form of therapeutic bodywork first practiced over 2500 years ago. It combines acupressure, yoga, compression and deep stretching techniques utilizing the practitioner’s palms, thumbs, elbows, soles of feet and knees to release muscles and free joints. Performed on a floor mat, both practitioner and client move through four positions (front, back, side and seated). Thai massage oxygenates the blood, improves circulation, increases joint flexibility, massages internal organs, reduces stress, increases energy and facilitates mind/body spirit balance. It is often referred to as ‘yoga for lazy people.’

Busy Day at Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens…

Saturday, January 31 will be a busy day at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Dr. Luis Suarez Lopez will be giving a talk on “Tropical Diseases, Prevention and Vaccination,” and having a vaccination clinic. Meanwhile, the gardens are presenting a photography exhibition and competition.

Dr. Suarez will be offering Flu, Pneumonia, Typhoid Fever, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus boosters, and Yellow Fever vaccines. His talk will begin at 1 PM, and is free to the public. There is a 50 peso donation for entrance to the gardens. His talk is being sponsored by the Vallarta Orchid Society.

Come to the gardens early, have lunch, tour the grounds and orchid house, look at some great photos, learn how to avoid getting a tropical disease, get your much-needed vaccinations, and relax and enjoy having a “mental health” day.

The gardens are located 24 Km south of town, just 3 Km past Chico’s Paradise. The bus to El Tuito will stop at the entrance to the Gardens, and will return you to town. The gardens are open Tuesday-Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In order to insure that Dr Suarez has a sufficient quantity of vaccine on hand, if you intend to receive a shot, please send your name and the vaccinations you want to receive to pvorchids (at) gmail.com, before Friday, January 30. If you are unable to attend, but wish to receive one or more of these vaccinations, send your name and the vaccinations you want to the same email address and we will make arrangements for you.