Vallarta Tribune

lunes, 4 de abril de 2011

Letters to Editor

Hi David,

Barbara and I truly see a fine change in the Tribune since you have taken over.....

We did not have any complaints with Heather Wilson, But the approaches are new and different..

Especially, I respect HOW you replied to an individual that started every sentence with a WE and I am not certain who the WE is, for a questionable charity.

It is common knowledge that there are some charities in the area that are charities in name only, and are for the sole benefit of some scrupulous organizers that use it to earn money for themselves by CREATING a cause..

Also, the dialogue that took place with you and the person who disputed the benefits of Dr. Mike Lees’ diet program, might have not occurred if you had displayed the fact that it was a PAID for ADVERTISEMENT....

Seems that all ARTICLES should say that ,if it is looking for business to earn money.....and not confuse the readers as to the authenticity of it’s contents...

Keep up the great work David

Hello Mel,

I´m glad you like the changes and appreciate your comments.

We know we can´t please everyone all the time, but we do try.

Heather did an excellent job as I had previously mentioned and I really hope some folks will accept the fact that the Tribune of the past is just that, history.

The Board of Directors want the Tribune to be a more dynamic and provocative.

There seems to be a lot of duplication in the local “English media”.

We feel there is a time and a place for certain content, however we want to bring you more exciting articles, local news as well as coverage of Mexico as a whole, but most of all different from the rest of the bunch.

As far your comment regarding Dr. Lee, it has been properly marked as a “Paid Advertising” as of last week.

This is the only such ad in the Tribune.

Mel

Hey David,

Paper looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a change!!
I need to contact Krystal Frost. How do I do that? I can only sleep about 3-4 hours per night…
You were running a weight loss article, and I would like to talk to them as well?
-I want to start with an ad asap in your paper….if you have a look at the pvscene.com forum, I have an ad that pops up there.
I want it to be very simple:
Direct Cash ATM’s
Safe/secure/24/7 customer service
Guaranteed
www.rivercityatm.ca for locations near you
Dean R.

Hello Dean,

Krystal Frost is a regular contributor for the Tribune, her contact info is on our website, www.vallartatribune.com .
Dr. Lee is a paying advertiser, please visit his website http://www.sureresults.net/ to get it touch with him
I`ll have one of our representatives call you to set up an appointment to discuss your advertising needs.
Glad you like the paper, I look forward to having you as a regular reader and advertiser.

Hello David

I wrote last week about the omission of the DELTA AIRLINES telephone number in your publication

I am looking at this week’s paper and I see not only is Delta not listed, but UnitedAirlines is also missing-it would be nice to have these included in your Airline Contact List, since many people use these airlines...and especially today with the restrictions on baggage -- people sometimes need to check with their airline for baggage allowance and the cost of excess or oversize items if they purchase art itmes here in Vallarta.....I do not understand why you choose not to list two major airlines servicing this city.

Sincerely
Phyllis Robertson
1101 S Barbara Dr

Hello Phyllis,

The Airline listing has been updated to include both Delta and United.
Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Hi

Would be nice to see pictures of the pier and to see how it is comming along.. and a little more daily news would make this paper a 10 out of 10

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

In next week´s issue we will cover Old Town. Our focus is shifting a bit as you may have noticed.

We encourage and appreciate any and all comments whether you´re a “local” or a tourist.

Hello !
I like the changes you are implementing so far.

LOVE this weeks editorial. Finally someone mentions the elephant in the room, regarding self-serving ‘charity’ events.

I see that the ‘reading’ online has changed this week, with links to each ‘article’, but not a download .entire paper link.

Are you no longer going to be able to click this weeks’ issue to view the whole paper, page by page?

Or will that just be for past weeks’ issues?

Thanks, and keep it up !
:o)

Dear Anonymous,

The Tribune is in favor of supporting genuine Charities and their causes.

If you are asked to donate or wish to become proactive in the community, we recommend investigating the authenticity and legal status of any charity before donating or getting involved. In other words, donate at your own risk.

We have made some changes to the website and the download option was temporarily disabled but has been restored.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS

GREEN ANGELS:
078 - (322) 221 26 80

FIRE DEPARTMENT:
060 -- (322) 223 94 76 and 78

TOURISM
(322) 222 0242 or 01 800 446 3942

HARBOR MASTER:
(322) 224 1000, 224 0427

ENVIROMENTAL EMERGENCY CENTER (COETEA)
01 800 710 49 43

FEDERAL COMMISSION ELECTRICITY (CFE) 071 –
(322) 225 5555

CANADIAN CONSULATE
(322) 293 00 98 and 99

AMERICAN CONSULATE
(322) 222 0069
and (33) 3268 21 45

RED CROSS * 060

EMERGENCY * 060 and 066

IMMIGRATION * (322) 221 13 80
FEDERAL POLICE
(322) 290 0658 and 64

BUCERIAS POLICE
(329) 298 1020

PROFECO * 01 800 468 8722
MUNICIPAL CIVIL PROTECTION
(322) 224 77 01

PUBLIC SECURITY
066 & (322) 290 0507

SEAPAL VALLARTA
(322) 226 9191

RADIO TAXI * 299 37 06
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OF PVR
(322) 221 1298 * (322) 221-1325
(322) 221-1537

AIRLINES:
AEROMEXICO
Plaza Genovesa Shopping
Ctr Loc 2 & 3
224-2777

MEXICANA
Villa Vallarta Shopping
Ctr Local G-18
224-8900

AIR CANADA
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Int Airport
01 (800) 719-2827

ALASKA AIRLINES
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Int Airport
221-1350

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Int Airport
221-1025

DELTA AIRLINES
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Int Airport
221-1032

AEROTRON
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Int Airport
221-1921

AEROMAR
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Int Airport
221-0815

AMERICA WEST
Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Int Airport
221-1333

United Airlines
221-3264

GUSTAVO DIAZ ORDAZ
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Magement Office Line
221-1325

Editorial

We keep receiving many inquiries and responses regarding charitable organizations. There seem to be many people in Puerto Vallarta opposed to the increasing number of such “alleged” charities. The Tribune is and always has been supportive of genuine and authentic charitable work. Becas Vallarta, Casa Hogar Cornejo, peacemexico.org to only mention a FEW, are amongst the legitimate charities that raise funds for worthwhile causes unlike some “fundraisers” in town that surely do raise funds but for their own benefit. To make a long story short, use common sense, investigate, and ask for documentation, photos and references before you consider donating any money, especially a larger amount. Better yet, volunteer to be part of any “hands on “in the field dealing with beneficiaries.

Please share your thoughts and experiences with us regarding the matter.

This is a special issue in my opinion as we shift focus a bit to the FUN stuff in PV, activities in and around Puerto Vallarta for all age groups, both local residents and visitors.

Puerto Vallarta is a very unique place, those of us lucky enough to live year know this to be true. It´s like a smorgasbord, beaches, mountains, hiking, biking, surfing, dancing etc, if you ever get bored here you just haven´t noticed you´re already dead.

Unfortunately, many of us haven´t, for one reason or another, experienced the variety of exciting opportunities to discover the true beauty of the area outside the city limits.

Puerto Vallarta is many times safer than just about any city in the U.S. Can you find trouble here looking for it? By all means! Use common sense and be polite.

Anybody that´s lived here for a while can attest to the safety in Puerto Vallarta.

We hope you enjoy this week´s issue.

Our Home is Your Home

We would like to extend special welcome to ALL visitors coming to our little paradise full of warm, friendly and hospitable folks from many parts of the world. Our representative at Gustavo Diaz Ordáz International Airport presents you with this complimentary copy of the Vallarta Tribune hoping it will be useful and informative besides making your vacation more enjoyable.
Whether you are visiting us from any of the Canadian provinces, United States or via a connecting flight from anywhere else in Mexico or the World, our representative is at the Airport to welcome you, Nuestra Casa es tu Casa! Bienvenidos.
We look forward to receiving any comments or experiences you may want to share with us and our readers.
Have a great time, hope to see you again soon.
Welcome!!

domingo, 27 de marzo de 2011

Ask a Realtor

Q: How do we meet people here, make friends and become part of the community? Joe K. Wisconsin

A: This can be a challenge for many new residents as they are moving to a different country with a different culture and language. So a good place to start might be to take a Spanish language class.

Yes, this is a tourist town and many of the locals speak English. There are plenty of long-time residents who have gotten by without speaking Spanish. But you want to thrive, not survive!

A basic Spanish vocabulary can always come in handy, and it can be a real pleasure to be conversational. Besides, understanding the language will give you a good insight to the culture and the Mexican way of thinking. Hint: “ahorita” does not necessarily mean “in just a minute”…

There are many Religious Services and 12 step meetings, a list is provided in this paper. Expats in Vallarta is an informal group is for Expats living around Vallarta or for those considering the area. They are meeting on Tuesday March 15th at 5:00pm at Langostino’s on Los Muertos Beach. Visit their website at www.expatsinvallarta.com

The Downtown Art Walk is held every Wednesday from 6PM-10PM. Fourteen different galleries host different events and this is a great way to meet the artists and art lovers. www.vallartaartwalk.com. The “Southside Shuffle” is another fun event on Olas Altas and Constitución Streets every other Friday from 6PM-10PM. The local Farmers Market is every Saturday from 10 am to 1pm at the new Paradise Community center at Pulpito #127.

Who can resist the sights and sounds of fresh coffee, bread and produce, and the great opportunity to make new acquaintances? There are also some great events this spring in our brand new air conditioned theater. http://www.teatrovallarta.com

You should also consider an active pursuit, enroll in yoga or Pilates class, learn to play tennis or golf, take a sailing or diving class, or just get out and take a stroll on the Malecón. And to keep up your energy, don’t forget to patronize the local shops, markets and restaurants. Vallarta is home to a plethora of amazing markets and world-class restaurants, and they could all use your patronage right now. Strike up a conversation with the proprietor and you may be surprised with the friendships you can make.

And as you discover special places, you will also begin to become a source of information for new arrivals and will have a topic to discuss. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there has never been a better time to become involved with a charitable foundation. It is no secret that the economic slowdown has had a drastically negative economic impact on our beautiful town and there are many people in need.

There are wonderful opportunities to help children, animals, the needy and make our city a better, kinder place. Besides the feeling of well-being that can come from contributing, there is the added benefit of meeting some wonderful caring people and starting lasting friendships. One of the most active organizations in our bay is called PEACE; their website is: www.peacemexico.org.

Best of all, you are not limited to just one charity. I have many friends and clients who are involved in several. So get up, get out and find your passion!

And by this time next year you will be writing and asking, “How am I going to find enough hours in the day to…”
Do you have a question about Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta? Just ask!

Michael Green here in 1997 to take advantage of the unsurpassed lifestyle PV offers. Mike can be reached by e mail: pvgetaways@hotmail.com

ASK THE MORTAGE EXPERTS

With mortgages becoming more of the norm in Mexico and with ever-increasing loan options, The Tribune is helping sort through the confusion by having your personal Financing/Mortgage questions answered by our local experts – David Schwendeman and Terence Reilly, Founder’s of MEXLend, an industry-leading Mortgage Broker based in Vallarta. We invite you to e-mail your questions regarding buying or financing Real Estate in Mexico to buyinginmexico@hotmail.com.

Q: “Why are interest rates so high here? I would like to buy with a mortgage, but find it difficult with the rates. Paul, V, Minneapolis, MN

A: GREAT NEWS FOR YOU. Interest rates have just come down again—and they are wonderful rates for purchasing a second home. Rates are now starting as low as 5.25%! These are historically the lowest rates EVER available for the purchase of a Mexican property.

However, even with this reduction, they are slightly higher than the rates that are quoted from the US for primary residences. The key here are the words “primary residences.” Due to legalities, all US dollar mortgages for US citizens and Canadians must be declared as “second homes” or vacation homes.

There was a time when borrowers in the US would cheat by declaring secondary properties as primary residences to take advantage of a lower interest rate, but currently lenders are checking very closely and if caught, there are consequences: borrowers must either re-negotiate the mortgage for a higher term, or pay the lender off in full. Banks across the country are looking through their files for these cases. In the US, banks charge higher interest rates for second homes. The climate in the US has become extremely conservative and banks look at clients very carefully.

So why are rates higher for a vacation home? Because lenders know that if a borrower gets into financial trouble, the first property that will go back to the bank will be the vacation home. Borrowers will protect their initial investment in their primary residence because it is where they live, work and perhaps their children go to school; consequently, in the US, the borrower pays a higher interest rate as well as more closing points on a second or vacation home.

Another very important factor in higher interest rates is that second home mortgages and investment properties are not backed by the government.

The US government has created programs that help homeowners get low rates for their homes but these programs do not cover non-primary residences.

A third reason why mortgage rates are higher for a second home here is that we are in Mexico. Lending in a foreign country is considered more of a risk to the banks. There is a different legal mechanism for foreclosure and an entirely different type of court system. The costs of establishing the legal framework to lend and should the need arise, defend their loans, run higher outside of their home country.
However, every property owner in Mexico should take great comfort in that the mortgage interest rates have drastically lowered over the past six years.. This means that large institutional lenders are becoming more and more confident with the Mexican housing market, and trust the stability of the home values even in this global crisis. The foreclosure rate of Cross Border loans has been so miniscule that it has no effect on market valuations and is emboldening the banks.

The mortgage system in Canada works differently. Fixed rate mortgages are not the norm and most interest rates are re-negotiated every 3 or 5 years, which makes them what in the US is considered an Adjustable Rate Mortgage or ARM. However, this morning I logged onto the Royal Bank of Canada website and they DO have a 25 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage product-- The posted interest rate was 8.25%! This means that the current rate of 7.5% for Mexican properties is LESS by almost a full point than is offered in Canada.

We believe that there has never been a better time to buy your dream vacation home in Mexico.
There are some amazing deals, combined with a stable market and now…the lowest interest rates for mortgages. Speak to a mortgage broker to get prequalified and then run to your favorite realtor. It is a GREAT time to buy!

MEXLend, Inc. is a Mexican mortgage brokerage that currently represents 8 different lenders offering 75 different loan options in Dollars, Pesos and Euros for buyers looking to purchase vacation or investment property throughout Mexico – including products specifically for Canadian citizens. In announced results based upon post-closing client interviews conducted by Mexico’s largest US lender, MEXLend won the #1 mark of distinction for both client satisfaction and fastest closings for the second straight cycle. MEXLend can be reached at 322-132-7991 (in Vallarta), 917-779-9061 (while in the US or Canada), toll–free in Mexico by calling 1-800-3-Mi-Casa or go online at www.mexlend.com (For US and Euro loans) or www.mexlend.com.mx for Peso loans.