Volume 25 Number 4 December 2017 108 Millions Hits here “Mazatlan’s Most Trusted Independent Magazine & Visitors’ Guide” k c i l Recommended by The Chicago Tribune C C PearPearl’sl’s 25th MOBILE FRIENDLY OONSOR SP S:: /pacificpearlonline Total or partial reproduction of any of the AD DEADLINE EMAIL ADDRESS & WEBSITE MAZATLAN’S PACIFIC PEARL December 2017contents herein is strictly prohibited. All It should be paid before the 15th of [email protected] STAFF 2 rights reserved under International and Pan the month and the information sent at www.pacificpearl.com American copyright conventions. Opinions least the 20th of the month preceding Publisher: Michael J. Veselik expressed in articles in this paper are not publication. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS [email protected] GENERAL INFORMATION necessarily those of the Publisher. The VISIT US Mazatlan Jack, Christine Yerbic, MazatlanLife, Manager: Sylvia Mora Publisher is not responsible for the contents Av. Camarón Sábalo #2601 L-11, Sábalo C. Michaels, Hospital Sharp, Lesley The deadline for ads, classifieds, articles, and of advertisements in this paper. [email protected] letters to the editor is on or before the 15th of Country (below Los Zarapes Rest.) Martinson, Jed Vaughn, Nelly Rickenbacker, Design: Raquel Méndez Dr. FellGood, TFW Mazatlan Combat Club, each month for the edition ahead in order to be [email protected] considered in the paper. ADVERTISING CALL US Luisa Nolan & Orlando Gotay. We offer display and classified ads, charged Local dial 913 0117 or 913 4411 US 011 52 (669) 913 44 11 / 913 0117 We have the right to reject or edit all submissions per month, prices plus I.V.A. We also offer WE ALSO PUBLISH and ads as we see fit. online display ads, banners and online Business Mazatlan’s Pacific Pearl is published monthly by Directory. NEW HOURS Michael J. Veselik, Reg. 540998, Publisher, since Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm Saturdays: Closed 1992. No Out of Country Checks n n n n n CONTENTS From the THE AHH OF MAZATLAN by C.Michaels Publisher’sBY MICHAEL VESELIK Desk “I’m Dreaming of a Yellow Christmas” 07 MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS LET’S GET NATURAL by Dr. FeelGood 08 “Moringa” elcome to the chaos of all different FACES OF MAZATLAN by Mazatlan Jack types of construction, from “The Vineyard Ministries in Mazatlan” Wbuildings to roads, from one end 09 to the other. We’re booming and I believe MEXICAN BANK TRUSTS by North America Bank Trust that the upgrading of the infrastructure is “Bank trusts don’t have to be a hassle...They can be easy!” very necessary. Here in Mexico, if the Federal 10 Government is giving money to a project, that project better start or it is allocated to THE ‘SALT’ FREE MARGARITA by Orlando Gotay different projects. A construction sign on the 11 Malecon read done by Dec. 30, but didn’t SPIRIT OF STONE ISLAND by Jed Vaughn say which year. I’ll be happy that it is finished “Holiday Greetings...December Events on Stone Island” before the Carnaval Parade. It’s coming 12 along. Please don’t forget the Christmas Bonuses for the trash collectors. Usually last of MAKE ME AN OFFER by Lesley Martinson November to 15th December. If you “Foreign Buyers” TIS THE SEASON OF DONATIONS wondering, this is traditional. 13 Things to Ask Before Donating COZI DINING IN EL RINCON DE NASHA 1. Do you believe in the charity’s mission? is there real voting and changing of the top 19 by C.Michaels Have they been meeting their goals or positions? moving across the board like checkers, not 5. Who else is giving? COOKING IN MEXICO by Christin Yerbic finishing them. This is fairly easy, check on Facebook “Christmas Kisses” 22 2. Is the organization accountable and groups and websites, ask questions, most transparent? people will personal message you on their MAZATLAN CONFIDENTIAL So, how can you tell if an organization results. Places to ask are and not limited to 24 by Nelly Rickenbacker is legit? First and foremost, check to see “Fire and Brimstone”, “Find it Mazatlan”, if it has a website. “A nonprofit that has a “Pacific Pearl online” and newly created HEALTH MATTERS by Sharp Hospital website understands that most people will “Mazatlans Wall of Shame” to name a few. “Celebrating 23 years” 27 look for information about it on the Internet, The Pacific Pearl has a two page vetting fundamentally, does [the charity] have the sign up, in so, we understand the charities by Mazatlan Jack STRANGER IN PARADISE capacity to have a website to use as a portal better and follow up on back round checks. 31 “Mazatlan: Where Strangers are Welcome” of communication with you, the donor, and As a donor you really want that the monies/ with others?” work/promotions really get to the people Mazatlan at a Glance.......................4 Religious Services.........................10 Second, is the charity using its website Mazatlan Life..................................5 Mazatlan Map...........................14-15 that need the help and not in the pockets of to post honest and accurate information the charity organizers. Mazatlan Tourist Tips.....................6 Restaurant Guide.....................18-23 about itself? Does it list its board and staff Tide Chart Calendar.......................6 Essential Phone Numbers.............26 by name/duties/positions? Is there a way LASTLY, I AM SHARING A LITTLE FACT Org. & Donations............................8 Classifieds.....................................29 to contact the organization? Does it have a ABOUT MYSELF: I HAVE DYSLEXIA fixed address? Does it list its financials? Is it After 25 years publishing a paper; running transparent about its tax status? Is it seasonal? the business internet; publishing 10 books; All these questions are equally important, as constructing and running two bar restaurants, they speak to the viability of a charity. I know a lot about the struggles having We have found some are not up to the dyslexia. Nothing affects your chances at standards of U.S. nonprofit and behind in succeeding in school or work place, like not reporting for almost two years. We will having the skills to read, spell, and write. This report these to you after they have passed is what dyslexia is all about. It can be the one their grace period on reporting to the impediment to achieving our lifelong goals. governments’ tax agency. Meanwhile you But, I made it through, once and after college can always ask them for the up-dated tax when I was diagnosed. On page 25, there is statement to show status. a new font that I found that makes reading 3. What exactly has the nonprofit and writing much easier for me. If I can reach accomplished? one child or adult with this free font to enrich A charity worth of a donation should have their reading and writing and improve their a track record of success and be capable of skills, I will have accomplished my Christmas making a difference going forward as well. and New Year’s wish. 4. Can you get involved? Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Will you be able to participate as a Vaya con Dios member, are the rules of Robert in effect, Michael MAZATLAN’S PACIFIC PEARL STAFF December 2017 3 Publisher: Michael J. Veselik [email protected] Manager: Sylvia Mora [email protected] Design: Raquel Méndez [email protected] 4 December 2017 ~ Why is Santa Claus always so cheerful? Because he knows where the bad girls live. the city that have become landmarks to us all. The Fisherman’s Monument is the most prominent, located on Avenida del Mar and Gutierrez Najera. The Sinaloan Family, ExchangePeso Chart THE EASYRate WAY Mazatlá at a glance looking towards the future, is located near n Valentino´s and was a gift to the city from our MX$18 $1.00 MX$14 famous artist, Antonio Lopez Saenz, at the turn elcome to Mazatlán, the Pearl of Mazatlán to El Cid Mega Resort. MX$36 $2.00 MX$28 of the century. the Pacific, where the average In the area of the Hotel Zone, you will see El Centro – Downtown is the original temperature hovers around three islands rising offshore. MX$54 $3.00 MX$42 Mazatlán where you will see neo-classical W82°F/28°C, the sun shines every day, and Las Tres Islas: Wolf, Deer and Bird islands architecture and the European influence of outdoors is the place to be. The activities this Deer Island (center) has a small beach with MX$72 $4.00 MX$56 this port’s early settlers. Take a Sábalo Centro city has to offer will appeal to everyone. Here great tide pools for snorkeling and can be (green) bus that travels from the north of the on the Sea of Cortéz, Mazatlán’s coastline accessed by boat cruises or catamaran. MX$90 $5.00 MX$70 city, to downtown. Visit the Cathedral, Central beckons you to stroll along its numerous Isla de la Piedra, Stone Island, is located at MX$108 $6.00 MX$84 Market and Plaza Revolución. beaches, or its 10 kms of Malecón—seawall, the southern end of the city and is actually Centro Historico –Old Town—Walk a little or to hike to El Faro—lighthouse, the second a peninsula but is easily accessible by taking MX$126 $7.00 MX$98 further south and west of Plaza Revolución highest natural lighthouse in the world. a water taxi from the harbor This is a laid- and you will find Plazuela Machado and the AMERICAN DOLLARS AMERICAN back destination where you can walk, horse MX$144 $8.00 MX$112 DOLLARS CANADIAN Angela Peralta Theater in Centro Historico, the BEACHES ride, or rent an ATV to explore the miles of restored historic center of the city which now All beaches in México are federal property up undeveloped beaches, or hang out in one of MX$162 $9.00 MX$126 extends to many streets with new shops and to high tide lines, and thus, public.