Etiqueta: Timothy Real Estate Group

Art of the Huichol People

There’s still time to see the incredible exhibit of Wixárika (Huichol) at the Instituto Cultural Cabañas in Guadalajara. A quick trip over the mountains during the holidays is a good idea, when the beaches are crowded with nationals on winter break. Grandes Maestros del Arte Wixárika (Grand Masters of Wixárika Art) is showing until December and then the pieces will go back to places like Harvard University and the Museum of Natural History in New York, from whence they have been borrowed. There are about fifty pieces of these amazing yarn paintings which are created in a manner of pressing the yarn of brightly colored dyed pieces into a beeswax and pine resin base.

The artistic creations of the Huicholes, which have found a market throughout Mexico, consist mainly of colorful yarn paintings and clay objects, gourds, jewelry and clothing. They’re sold through distribution in museums, boutique shops, airport souvenir stores and directly from the artisans. Made with a foundation of thin layers of wax and resin into which the yarn is meticulously pressed, nierikas or votive paintings are the result of dreams and journeys. Tiny glass beads, imbedded in the same type of basework, magically cover gourds, vases and clay objects in such shapes as deer, reptiles, jaguar heads, skulls and masks. Older works of art contain seeds, coral, semi-precious gems and tiny shells. The Huichol art was a well kept secret until the early 1960’s when it began to make an appearance in art galleries in Guadalajara. Interest caught on quickly and what were once left as offerings to gods in caves and the hills of the high desert, became highly desired collectors’ pieces, some fetching none too altruistic prices.

The Huicholes symbolism has serious significance and is the groundwork of the culture. Tatewari, the god of fire and Tayaupa, the sun, are the grandparents and the source of all life. The Blue Deer, Kauyumari, the guardian spirit, leads the shamans in their peyote dreams. The deer give their life to the Huichol so they might sustain theirs and when a deer is sacrificed, an elaborate purifying ceremony follows to make sure the animal is properly acknowledged and thanked. Arrows represent departed family; Birds are messengers to and from the gods; Turtles are responsible for all forms of water; Snakes are direct instructors to shamans. The Scorpion is represented as a repellent of bad luck and evil, thought to be very dangerous and yet held in great esteem. Candles are very prominent in ceremonies and characterize the illumination of the human spirit. Traditionally, colors in yarn paintings were limited to White (cloud spirits), Red (fire and masculinity), Blue (water, ocean, rain, femininity), Green (earth, heaven, healing, heart, grandfather, growth), Orange (the sacred land where the peyote grows) and Yellow, often thought to represent corn, the basic sustenance of all ancient Mexico, but used primarily as a ceremonial face paint.

Que es cómo es.

INAPAM Card INAPAM is a great benefit for retirees living in Puerto Vallarta. Who doesn’t like to save money, given the opportunity? The goal of INAPAM, officially Instituto Nacional de las Personas Adultas Mayores, is to provide programs for those over the age of 60 years who wish to stay active. This covers a lot of territory. INAPAM’s focus is making sure that elderly people in Mexico are taking advantage of their due rights and opportunities. INAPAM has been around for a long while but it was only at the turn of this century that the government began implementing the program to affect coverage for families, run at both a state and federal level. They provide education on the topics of mental and physical health, host cultural activities and help care providers get the training they need to assist with elderly living situations.

Anyone can get an INAPAM card, as long as you’re 60 years or older and have the proper papers. You are entitled to some great discounts in Puerto Vallarta if you qualify. Property taxes are chief among them. You already get a discount if you pay early and with your INAPAM card you will get a full 50%.
To get your very own card, go to one of the DIF offices in Puerto Vallarta; there are several locations around the city. It helps to speak Spanish but it’s not completely necessary; we know those who’ve managed to stumble their way through the process but it rarely takes only one visit. Bring originals and copies of passport, electric (CFE) or water (Seapal) bills in your name, and any residency card you may possess. It is not necessary to be a permanent resident of Puerto Vallarta but if you are, if might speed up the process. If you come fully prepared, there’s a good chance of you leaving the DIF office with your INAPAM card in hand. Arrive early, no later than 8 am and get your name/s on the list. The office doesn’t open until 9 am but a guard will be there to take names, which will allow you to receive a number ahead of those who come later. By 9 am, that list will be a couple dozen people long and it’s too late then. Take a book, knitting, a friend to talk to, or whatever helps you pass the time, because, like the immigration office, they’re in no big hurry. You’ll also need photos for your card; the photographer (we recommend Plaza Caracol) will know the correct amount required.
As stated, the discount for your Predial (property taxes) is worth the trip, but there are many other advantages. In Puerto Vallarta you’ll get a discounted bus fare, which doesn’t seem like a big deal but you also get the same discount on tour buses, traveling distances all over Mexico. Some restaurants give discounts if you show your card. Ask. Traveling within the country by air can also be discounted. If you have a Mexican driver’s license, it will cost you half price for renewal; theater tickets are cheaper; special events are discounted. INAPAM puts on events specifically for cardholders.
Our advice is to arrive at the DIF office very early, as they are known to run out of cards on busy days.
Que es cómo es.

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Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate

Solar Energy in Puerto Vallarta: Solar energy is not new. It was discovered and developed in 1839. Because coal was available by mining and created a lot of jobs, solar took a back burner to other forms of energy. When science and the general public began to be aware of the impact of oil and coal retrieval and their uses on the environment, solar was back in the forefront, getting much more attention. In 1881, the first real solar panel was produced by Charles Fritts, who discovered that dim, diffused light was capable of producing energy, as well as exposure to bright sunlight. The real breakthroughs didn’t occur however until the early 1940’s when Russell Ohl patented the solar cell design that has been adapted for the types of panels that are in use today.

It takes more than one panel to produce any efficient amount of energy, so most installations require several modules. Solar power in Puerto Vallarta becomes more popular with time and the price becomes more affordable. Most owners of these systems are amazingly delighted to receive their monthly power bills, and the cost of installation has become more reasonable with competition.

Developed structures will usually require a number of modules, to be determined by the size of the space being serviced; plus an inverter; a battery pack for storage, which is optional; interconnection wiring; and a solar tracking device, which is also optional but recommended.

We’ve heard of some people who’ve bought the equipment in the USA, carted it down, and found someone to do the installation here in Puerto Vallarta; however that’s not necessary. There are several reputable and reliable companies in the greater Puerto Vallarta area. We suggest you consult with a minimum of three, letting them know up front that you are getting competitive bids. Don’t go with the lowest bid; it may not be the best or worth your money. More importantly, make sure the company you hire will be willing and able to help with the coordination with CFE (the electric company). Before you get started, gather your past bills and have them handy for your installer. If you don’t have them for any reason, they are available on the CFE website and printable. Do your due diligence and ask about brand, origin of manufacturer, guarantees and warranties, extra equipment, KWH-per-area ratio, and cost of installation. Make sure to ask questions and keep notes. We’ve heard of homes having bills as little as 25 pesos, which we’ve been informed is the minimum.

This is a lifetime investment and worth every peso, recoverable in as short at time as two or three years. It’s good for your resale value, too.

Que es cómo es.
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Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate