SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE

Newsletter Date

Business Name

July 2013

SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE

Temporary Editor, Blas M. Garza…….Email: [email protected] Lead Story Headline

BLAS M. GARZA

“All is well that ends well” I didn’t coin that phrase, but it certainly is appropriate regarding the celebration of our 40th Anniversary in the Mural

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Room of the County Courthouse. I was particularly pleased that the Vice President of Sister Cities International, Bill Boerum, chose to come, give an address to the audience and bring a proclamation for our sister city as well as one for Puerto Vallarta. The fact that we were featured that same evening on the KEYT news program also gave me pride because of the recognition that gives us. Resolutions from our U.S. representative, Lois Capps, from California Senator, Hanna Beth Jackson, from Santa Barbara Board of Supervisor, Salud Carbajal and from our

Honor Guard from Boy Scout Troops #1 & 4

Phone: 805-963-9847

own mayor, Helene Schneider paid us great honor. A touch of international dignity was added by having local Boy Scouts bring the American and Mexican flags into the room with an honor guard, followed by national anthems. We also paid tribute to our original members who had the vision to create our sister city relationship. Commendations were presented to Charter Member Josie Schreier, Teresa Lemus and Ed Foley, and to Barry Cappello, 1973 City Attorney as well as to living relatives of Richard Hidalgo, Mike Lemus, Gregorio Ramallo and Frank Arguelles.

President Blas Garza addresses the audience

SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE

Membership Activity The following members have renewed their memberships. Jan & Richard Olivas Jess Perez & Rolinda Compean Perez Jim L. Brock Barbara & Don Becker Ann L. Hefferman The following are new members. Thank you for joining our ranks. Erwin (Terry) & Patricia Straehley Teresa Ramallo-Whalen

Thank you for your continued support: G.L. Transki Maria Elena Record Aileen Chambers Susan Ryan

Antonia Cosio & Adriana Guerrero

IMPORTANT EVENTS BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY, JULY 9TH AT THE HOME OF MARTI & GIL GARCIA 6:30 P.M. PUERTO VALLARTA VISITATION NOV. 5 TO 14 SEE ANNOUNCEMENT ON PAGE 4

O.K. So the date is Saturday, July 6th, BUT OUR THEME IS STILL “AMERICANA!! Our entire membership is invited to the home of Raul Navarro and LaV in their spacious backyard. The address is 627 Dolores Drive, off Meigs Rd. on the Mesa. You are encouraged to wear Red, White or Blue or any combination thereof. This will be an afternoon affair...from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

MARIACHI FESTIVAL AUGUST 25 TO SEPThe menu consists of Tri tip, chicken, rice, beans, salad. salsa, TEMBER 3, 2013 chips, bread and dessert. Drinks will include red and white wine ARANDAS & GUADALAJARA

and beer as well as soft drinks and water. The cost is still only $22.00 per person and there will be great prizes with our usual raffle. Raul Navarro

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SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE

Getting To Know You …John & Barbara Ahlman by Pat Fallin, Vice President

Manager of Safety Equipment for the deIntroducing Barpartment, was able to bara and John Ahlman put together equipboth Santa Barbara nament for Puerto Valtives and very active larta. As a thank you, members of the Santa he and Barbara were Barbara/Puerto Vallarta invited to attend a dinSister City Committee. ner meeting. They Although Barbara had been interested in the or- purchased raffle tickets, won the 50/50 ganization almost from split and donated the the beginning, she had never attended a meeting. winnings as their membership dues. In 2007, Craig Nielsen John, a retired City and Gil Garcia approached John, a City of of Santa Barbara FireSanta Barbara Firefighter, fighter, and Barbara, a retired Santa Barbara to ask for a donation of fire equipment for Puerto County Education Department Special EduVallarta. John, as the cation teacher live a

very interesting and busy life with many diverse activities. John is the recently elected President of the Fire Safe Council of Santa Barbara County, President of the Eucalyptus Hill Home Owners Association, and a member of the Public Information Group which meets regularly with the media for better communication during incidents such as fires and other emergencies in the Santa Barbara area.

As a former educator, Barbara is interested in continuing education and was a member of the committee which developed the Center for life Long Learning (CLLL) at Santa Barbara City College. She continues to take classes such as Spanish and Chinese Calligraphy. She began taking Spanish so she could better communicate with friends from Puerto Vallarta. They both enjoy history and John is a member of a men’s group E Clampus Vitas which studies the history of CA; and they both enjoy their association with the Westerners, a history group; and as Birders they are up early watching and identifying the local bird population.

PROPOSED GUADALAJARA MARIACHI FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER —$1,612 August25 - September 3, 2O13 Day #1 Sunday: Fly from LAX to Guadalajara. Pick-up at Airport& travel to Arandas, Jalisco Relax– Stay in Arandas hotel Day# 2 Monday: Tour Arandas & Surrounding Areas. Relax– Stay in Arandas hotel Day# 3 Tuesday Tour Surrounding Areas in Jalisco. Relax — stay in Arandas hotel Day# 4 Wed.: Tour Surrounding areas in Jalisco. Relax- stay in Arandas hotel Day #5 Thursday: Travel to Guadalajara Stay in Guadalajara Hotel

Day #6 Friday: Mariachi Parade. Tour of Guadalajara. Stay at Holiday Inn or equivalent Day #7 Saturday: Relax. Teatro DegolladoMariachi & Symphony. Stay at Holiday Inn or equivalent Day# 8 Sunday Breakfast at "Tres Hermanas" Tequila Express-lunch.& tour of Tequila factory Stay at Holiday Inn or equivalent Day# 9 Monday Tour other areas in Guadalajara/Tlaquepaque. Stay at Holiday Inn or equivalent Day#10 Tuesday: Return home

… If interested, let Marti Correa de Garcia know so that we can seriously sign-up people! Page 3

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SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE

SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE PUERTO VALLARTA ANNUAL VISITATION NOVEMBER 5 – 14, 2013 PRICE:

$2,190/Per Couple or $1,095/Per Person (Double Occupancy) $1,390/per person (Single Occupancy)

INCLUDES: Ground Transportation to LAX Round Trip Airfare from LAX to/from Puerto Vallarta Hotel Playa Los Arcos OR Playa Los Arcos Suites (9 nights) Gratuity for Bellman & Maid Service* Various meals & entertainment & fun!

*Feel free to tip extra for extraordinary service. Those who want to make their own airfare reservations can still stay at Hotel Playa Los Arcos and participate in the discounted rates. A fundraising over-ride charge of $200/per person will be assessed. Please contact someone from the Visitation Committee for more details.

NOTE: Airfare rates are changing daily; to guarantee the favorable flight fare & the package rate a deposit of $400/per person is due by 06/30/2013. Balance will be due on or before 10/01/2013. Make all checks payable to:

SB/PV Sister City, P.O. BOX 3718, S.B., CA 93130.

Credit cards will be accepted with a service fee.

Please fill-out the “Terms & Conditions” form along with a deposit. For additional information you can contact the Visitation Committee: Raul Navarro (805) 563-5449 ★ LaV Peery (805) 563-5449 ★ Marti Correa-Garcia (805) 680-2163 ★ Gil Garcia (805) 689-2588 This is our major fundraiser, making it possible to fund our programs in Santa Barbara and Puerto Vallarta. Thank you for your support! Page 4

SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE

SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE 2013 ANNUAL PUERTO VALLARTA VISITATION TRIP November 5, 2013 – November 14, 2013 TERMS & CONDITIONS The 2013 Annual Puerto Vallarta Visitation trip is planned by the Committee who acts only in the capacity of an agent for contractors in Mexico and the United States. Such contractors shall be responsible for providing the services outlined on the express condition that the Committee shall not become liable for any injury, loss, accident or negligence of any contractors, such as transportation companies and hotels, or if any person rendering the services of accommodations as outlined herein cannot be provided due to delays or other caused beyond the control of the Committee such as weather, strikes, or quarantine. Each participant shall become liable for any additional expenses resulting from such unforeseen delays and/or other causes. This trip is planned only for paid members of the Santa Barbara/Puerto Vallarta Sister City Committee. Each participant will be responsible for his/her own medical devices/equipment required on this visitation. If any special requirements are expected from the hotel, each participant will notify the Committee at the time of the initial deposit for this trip. Round Trip airfare from Los Angeles Round Trip Ground Transportation from Santa Barbara/Los Angeles Hotel accommodations at Playa Los Arcos, Puerto Vallarta I/we have read and understand the terms and conditions above: (Please sign as it appears on your passport) Signed: Print Name: Signed: Print Name: In case of an emergency, notify: Phone Number: Page 5

Date of Birth Date: Date of Birth Date:

Newsletter Title

Law Enforcement Exchange—10th Anniversary On May 26th At the bright hour of 0330 a group of three SWAT Team members and the Under Sheriff Jim Peterson left for Puerto Vallarta. I (Evie Treen went too), Only in a different way than most times. Our flight left about 0930 from LAX, arriving in PVR to a host of people from the Police Department, and of course Jaime Velasquez. We had a short divert to the home of Jesus Valenzuela the officer who was paralyzed by a hand grenade in 2008 while doing a traffic stop of three vehicles carrying drugs, we delivered another wheelchair to him, a newer one. From there we checked in to the Los Arcos Hotel, rooms and meals for the officers are provided for by the City of Vallarta. Monday the 27th we were up at 0500, to leave the hotel by 0600, as the classes started at 0700. There were 36 officers in the class room; most were from the City Police, two from the Army, Two from the Marines, and two from the Federal Police. Those missing the class were two from Tomatlan, and two from Banderas, also the State Police. The classes on Monday were Introduction of Instructors and Students; it was a mixed group of those who had street experience and those that were new to the department. The training for this day consisted of Ambushes/Counter Ambushes, individual Preparedness; this took all day, ending at about 5PM. Tuesday the 28th, again up early same as first day, the classes today comprised of Tactical Care, care under fire, practical application, hand to hand combat, rifle retention techniques, weapon take away techniques, counter hand to held weapons including handguns and long rifles, strikes, throws, choke holds, ground fighting, dry firing weapons, basic marksmanship skills. Wednesday 29th , Up at 0500, leave hotel by 0600, to the Range out in Las Palmas area all day. Again due to budget, each police officer for the city had a total of 25 rounds for the hand gun, and 25 for the long rifle, so that didn’t give them enough practice with the one thing they really need which is proficiency with either weapon. The Military had enough rounds to do a special building search with live rounds. Someone built a sand bag replica of a building, so they have a way of practicing entering a building and doing a search with live rounds. Thursday 30th: This day was at a hurricane destroyed hotel, it was a day of practice of scenarios, and those were of counter ambush, ambush, all with paint ball guns, which seemed to give them some good training. It was a dusty, dirty day for some who got shot with the paint ball guns. May 31st Friday Graduation Day The class started at 0700, items covered were bomb components, explosive pressures, and explosive characteristics. At 0900 to 0950 they had a equipment overview from the supplier of 5-11. They also had set up items that 5-11 has for sale, 5-11 is a supplier of clothing, badges, items that law enforcement uses in the field, and they now have a store in Guadalajara Mexico. At about 1300, the graduation started, with the flair of honor guard, our US Consular Agent Kelly Trainor was there, our large group of Puerto Vallarta Santa Barbara Sister Cities group. All students of the group were given a certificate that they had taken our course. I would like to add the fact, this time there were three women in the course, and they did extremely well, two of them were of highest quality. So times are changing in Mexico! Including the women says a lot. Thanks to the US Consul Kelly Trainor we had great lunches each day of the classes, she had various hotels provide the lunches and also thanks to Jaime Velasquez we had plenty of cold water for all each day. Without these two things we would have been hungry and thirsty as it was hot and humid all the days we were there. I would like to add that the professionalism of the officers going to PVR to train is outstanding! They go with a desire to give their all. I give special thanks to Juan Camerena who heads up the program. His ability to speak Spanish, and to translate all of the classroom teaching into Spanish is a great asset. Since things have changed in Mexico, our classes had to change to combat what they are up against. When the Sheriff visited PVR last October, he was told by one young office that the classes saved his life that is what it is all about, saving lives with better training. So far we have had two officers who have had our training express their thanks to us for teaching them; this in turn saved their lives in a shoot out. This is what it is all about. It would be a shame if this program doesn’t continue. Past President Evie Treen

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Volume 1, Issue 1

P.V. Rehabilitation Clinic Needs Major Assistance. ...We’ve received notice that our help is once again being asked for in the Rehab Clinic and the Board has decided to help, if we can qualify for a 3 x 1 program of the Jalisco Federation.

Our fund-raising efforts can usually come up with a few thousand dollars, but the needs that have been described would require much more.

Puerto Vallarta Sends Street Painter to I Madonnari Jose Antonio Collantes Ortiz shares his artistic talent on the Memorial Day I Madonnari. He was the winner in the Puerto Vallarta I Madonnari, and was awarded the opportunity to come to Santa Barbara.

SB/PV JOINS “JALISCO FEDERATION” Looking to augment its charitable donations in Puerto Vallarta, the SB/PV Board of Directors have signed on as members of the “Jalisco Federation”. This federation works closely with governments in Jalisco in support of projects which the federal government lists as critical to the well-being of Jalisco citizens. The Jalisco Federation is the central point in a “3 for 1” program. Under this program, our SB/PV committee can designate a project for apPage 7

proval by the federation which looks into fitting the proposal into the scheme of improvements sought by the federal government. Once validated by a “local affiliated club” , the project qualifies for augmenting our contributions by a 3 x 1 dollar value. Thus, our dollar contribution, will be matched with like funds from the local municipality, our sister club, the local state government and the federal government. President Blas Garza has appointed Gil Garcia as coordinator.

Pina Hernandez, who chairs the Jalisco Federation in Southern California explains how the 3 x 1 project works at a meeting in Franklin Center. Participants included sister city board members from Santa Barbara and from Puerto Vallarta.

SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE

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Presiden t Cu PV Boa quis Caballero an rd thank their San d members of he ta Barba ra hosts. r

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New m e listens mber, Teresa to Boar Ramal how sh e knew d Member, C lo-Whalen (ri he g her gra ndfathe li Hidalgo ex ht) plain r, Greg orio Ra mallo..

Crowd at I Madonnari Festival on Memorial Day Page 8

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SANTA BARBARA/PUERTO VALLARTA SISTER CITY COMMITTEE

2013—2014 Board of Directors BLAS GARZA

PRESIDENT

963-9847

PAT FALLIN

FIRST VICE PRES.

805-245-9075

RAUL NAVARRO

SECOND VICE PRES.

963-5449

MARTI CORREA de GARCIA

TREASURER

680-2163

ROBERT NAJERA

RECORDING SECT .

966-4529

JACQUELINE DURAN

CORRESPONDING SECT 284-2037

CHELI HIDALGO

DIRECTOR

965-1573

ANA ZUNIGA

DIRECTOR

450-8967

JOE SANCHEZ

DIRECTOR

569-9984

BEA MOLINA

DIRECTOR

966-7390

GIL GARCIA

EX OFFICIO

689-2588

LOST YOUR NEWSLETTER? See it and other info our webpage! http://www.sbpvsistercity.org/

WE NOW ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS The Board of Directors decided to keep up with the times and now accept credit cards at the monthly dinner meetings. We are passing on a fee to people who want this convenience. For example, the March dinner will cost Page 9

$22.00 per person for cash or check, if you want to put it on your credit card it will be a charge of $23.00 per person. We accept MasterCard, VISA and American Express.

The Board welcomes your ideas, input and comments! The credit card idea was a request from many of our members. Marti Correa de Garcia