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PEACE in Vallarta

by Sarah Hepting

I have done a bit of volunteer work for the PEACE organization’s free spay and neuter clinics here in Puerto Vallarta. This is a mobile clinic that sets up at various locations (sometimes it is person’s house, sometimes a business, sometimes a government building, etc.).

The conditions are different every time and one of the requirements of the staff and volunteers is that they be flexible in adapting to the conditions. One such challenge at a clinic I attended, we had to listen to faint heartbeats with a drum class next door. Many times the vets have to wear headlamps when the light is dim. Once they worked in a burned out building with no running water.

Usually there are 3 veterinarians and some other paid staff members to help with pre-surgery prep and post op care. There are handlers and intake workers who fill out forms and make sure the animals are documented throughout the procedures. It is all very professionally done.

Volunteers are trained and fill in with whatever they are qualified and comfortable in doing. Those who do not really enjoy the medical aspect of these clinics can help with notifying the neighbors of the clinic with posters, doing laundry, soliciting lunches for the doctors and other jobs, so you don’t have to be involved in the nuts and bolts of the spay and neutering clinic itself to help out.

My favorite job was doing the post op care. We would monitor the cats and dogs after surgery, keeping records of their temperatures, respiration and heart rate and generally keeping an eye out for problems before the animals woke up from the anesthesia. We administered wormer and flea and tick medications as well. We worked under the supervision of Jesus, who was responsible for the animals at this stage.

The clinic operates on about 25 animals in a day and generally the clinics are held all day from Wednesday to Friday plus half a day on Saturday. There is no charge for any of the procedures or medications and it is so beautiful to see the large numbers of people who gratefully bring in the animals they cherish to be helped to have a better life. No one likes to live with the heartache of having to turn a blind eye to an unwanted animal and without birth control such as PEACE offers, there is the possibility of many unwanted animals on the streets here.

During the summer, PEACE has also been running at the clinic sites a classroom that teaches the kids about caring for animals and instills in them sensitivity through art projects. At the clinic I attended there was a class where the kids were making paper mache animals over the course of several days. With simple donated supplies, the kids all had a great time and it was fun to watch them create their animals with paper, balloons and paste.

The people involved with the PEACE spay and neuter clinic are very sincere and great fun to work with. Visiting the different Vallarta neighborhoods and meeting the people and animals is always a rewarding experience. Vivid images always linger in my head after spending a day working at one of these clinics. It is a great way to expand your sense of being a part of this city.

The clinics need funding. PEACE’s “Ayuda a los Animales” program can always use financial and personal help.
www.peacemexico.org
http://peacemexico.blogspot.com/

To volunteer or for specific directions to clinics: nicole@peacemexico.org

PEACE is a registered U.S. nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status. This allows PEACE to issue tax deductible receipts for donations made in the US. PEACE partners with Tides Canada (www.tidescanada.org). This allows Canadian donations to be tax deductible. PEACE is a registered Civil Association in Mexico.

Donations are tax deductible.

The Turibus

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For the tourists who visit for the first time, one of the best options for a glimpse of the city is by the Turibus ride, which will explain bilingually information about the main points of Puerto Vallarta.

This is a simple, easy, inexpensive introduction to the city.

The Turibus runs every 30 or 40 minutes beginning and ending at the Malecon and 31 Octubre street, in front of MacDonald’s. The tour covers Centro and “Old Vallarta.”

The tour costs $ 85 pesos per person, runs from Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Tickets are bought at the Turibus.

Saturday Pre-Farmers Mini-Market

Got an itch for some real farmers market food to take home while you are waiting for November 5 for the big Vallarta Farmers Market to begin its 2011-2012 season? Try the sidewalk outside of the Tratorria Michel Restaurant on the corner of Rodolfo Gómez and Olas Altas where you will find some of the favorite regular farmers market vendors: Mark’s Leek and Thistle Pies, lorraine’s Artisan bakery , Bickle’s pickles , Narrissa with Thai spring rolls and maybe dips plus a few others…

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Michel Pascal Ferrari owns Tratorria Michel and he is also, coincidentally, one of the founding members of the Puerto Vallarta Farmers Market. As he says, “The Market may be closed but the people are still here. Pies are still being made, bread still baked, exotic tropical fruit is still ripening, and the residents of Vallarta still have a hunger for quality.”

In the space outside of his restaurant where normally there would be found dining tables, there are now, on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 2 pm, displays assorted other gourmet treats and delights.

vallarta farmers marketMichel has opened his restaurant terrace on Saturday mornings for anyone with a quality food product to display and sell. No, you won’t find crafts or art work at this mini-market. Vendors are limited to selling traditional mercado food-based items, from fresh vegetables and fruits to gourmet prepared foods. There is no fee or commission for selling at this mercado. Quality and availability are the intent.

It is true that most of the items at this mercado can be purchased from the individual vendors in their shops or in other larger stores, but nothing quite beats purchasing food directly from the producer, both from the standpoints of freshness and from personal service.

For information about reserving a spot at this mini-mercado, please call email markhughes_54@hotmail.com.

LINKS

  • Trattoria Michel (www.trattoria.com.mx/)
  • Leek and Thistle Pie Company (www.leekandthistle.com/)
  • Artisan Bakery (www.artisanbakeryintl.com/)

by Rick Hepting

Recycle Electronic Equipment – June 13 – 18

MORE INFORMATION

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2011 Malecón Renovation Project

Beginning on May 16, 2011 and continuing until mid-September, 2011, Paseo Diaz Ordaz, the street bordering the Puerto Vallarta Malecon, is closed to vehicular traffic to facilitate major Malecon renovations.

Traffic is diverted onto Morelos street which now has a no parking regulation to keep it open to the original 2 lanes. “Intelligent” traffic lights have been installed at the upper end of the Malecon and on Morelos to regulate traffic.

THE CLUBS AND BARS ON THE MALECON ARE OPEN. I might even go so far as to recommend to people that they patronize these places more now while traffic (walking and vehicular) is down and the construction is in process. Party with the changes.

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The truth behind the Puerto Vallarta Malecon.

In a statement released today, May 20, the Director of Tourism of Puerto Vallarta, on behalf of the city mayor, confirmed that the ambitious project of widening the sea side malecon in the heart of the city will provide a public space for residents of and visitors to Vallarta.

Q. What is the purpose of the work being carried out along the boardwalk?
A. The main objectives are:

– Reconstruction of the retaining wall facing the sea, as it was damaged.

– Generate a public space for living and strengthen trade along the malecon.

Q. Are businesses closed during the works?
A. No. All businesses are operating as usual.

Q. Does the work break with the identity of Puerto Vallarta?
A. No, because only materials that reflect and support the colonial style typical to Puerto Vallarta will be used.

Q. Will there be concessions to place tables and chairs along the boardwalk?
A. No. The commitment is to respect public spaces.

Q. Will pedestrians be safe?
A. Yes. Our primary concern during the planning of the project was public safety.

Q. Do you close for the street Diaz Ordaz the passage of vehicles?
A. No. We will respect the lanes that currently exist and introduce speed limits.

Q. Why are traffic lights used on Morelos Street.
A. Because of the work in progress, is necessary to divert traffic and avoid gridlock or congestion.

Q. How long will the project take to complete?
A. The project will be delivere in 4 months. Access will only be restricted during the first phase, or for 2 months.

Q. How is the program being funded?
A. Funding provided by the Municipal Government in coordination with the State and Federal governments are behind the program.

Q. How will the city benefit from the work?
A. The project was created to attract more tourists to Puerto Vallarta, show casing the destination as a place to live, host events like the Pan American Games in October without losing the charm of our Mexican heritage and architecture. We see the project making Puerto Vallarta a better place for families to live in.

Q. What company was hired for the construction of the Malecon?
A. The construction company is Gemini SA. Experienced in carrying out major works like the Pitillal River and the Estero Salado bridges, the ramp at the Puerto Vallarta International airport and an 8 lane development near the Ameca estuary at the mouth of the Salado River


EDITORIAL OPINION: More and more Puerto Vallarta, at least the aging gringo portion of it, is looking like characters in a scene from this “play.” And, of course, all of these characters and symbolic references are fictional and any resemblance to actual persons and events is purely coincidental.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEHNtqFt9Ck[/youtube]

Free Internet Hot Spots

Take your laptop to the Town Plaza (at the Presidencia) and you can access free internet at HOT-SPOT AYUNTAMIENTO. This is the first phase of an effort to make all of Vallarta internet accessible.

No password is needed and this service is supposed to be 24 hours a day. Some pornographic and violent websites will be blocked.

If you have questions about this contact the Subdirección de Tecnologías de la Información at (322) 226 80 80 ext. 333 or email TI @ puertovallarta.gob.mx.

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