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November 3 2008 Page 2
Agoda is the on line company that we book through when we travel.
Healing Hands: 
Irma del Valle
By Tara Spears
Looking at the radiant smile that mirrors Irma del Valle’s positive
outlook, one knows that this lady enjoys her work.
“As I open the door to my business every day I feel like I must
still dreaming” said Irma with help of a translator. “It is such a good
feeling to know that I will help people today.”
As the satisfied clients of Masaje Esbeltica will attest, one
hour with Irma’s magic hands eases pain and stress.
The spa boasts modern equipment, a tranquil, private facility,
health products, and individualized massage therapy.
In addition to the six days that the spa on Avenida Sol Nuevo
#545, Centro Guayabitos, is open, Irma provides at-home massage by
appointment.
Ah-ha, some readers are snickering to themselves, at last
Jaltemba Sol is sharing local lewd tibbits: noooo.
Contrary to the false media
image, certified masseuses are professional health care providers.
“The only problem that I
encounter in my work is a common misconception about licensed massage:
it is not sexual,” says the petite Irma with a frown.
“Most often it is men that make nasty comments.”
Since Irma studied hard for a year to earn her diploma and
continues to take advanced university classes in order to keep improving
her skills, she is very proud of her certificates.
Two types of therapy that Irma specializes in are the deep muscle
massage (which includes both sides) and reflexology-massaging pressure
points in the feet- that help
relieve the tightness and physical aches from stress and worry.
“I have clients that have weekly sessions at the end of their
work week,” explains Irma. “They find it rejuvenating.”
People that suffer from nerve damage can benefit from acupuncture
and other massage treatments that reduce the pain.
For those that wish to drop a size in a problem area, such as
belly or thighs, reduction therapy is the choice.
The reduction therapy program does require three sessions per
week for four weeks, but it is still cheaper and safer than liposuction,
yet has the same results.
Masaje
Esbeltica exterior
Irma at work
Upon entering Irma’s small but charming spa, you immediately begin to
relax: soothing colors,
lovely flowers, and air conditioning set the tone for the visit. “I want
my clients to be comfortable and relaxed,” said Irma.
The treatment room, with state of the art cushioned tables and
equipment, has calming instrumental music in the background, and total
privacy. The entire
facility is immaculately clean without being institutional. Irma’s
daughters, 17 year old Deisy and 12 year old Demaris, are the
receptionists when not attending school.
Irma has insisted that all her children learn to speak English.
Justifiably, the children are very proud of their mother.
Spa reception area
Irma’s evolution from rural Mexican farm girl to Riviera Nayarit
business woman is a story that would make a great Lifetime movie of the
week: lots of plot twists, an inspiring heroine, and a happy ending.
Born the fifth daughter of twelve children, Irma lived with her
siblings and parents on a small remote rancho in a one room house
without water or electricity. “As soon as I was big enough to carry a
bucket, I had to carry water from the creek and work feeding the cows
and horses,” Irma said. “I saw a TV for the first time when I was 10!
Early on I knew I didn’t want to farm.”
Although the state of Veracruz is the third most populated in
Mexico, the people are concentrated along the Gulf of Mexico- Irma grew
up in the isolated western part of the state that borders Oaxaca at the
foot of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. This hot and malarial
plateau area averages 156 inches (3960 mm) of rain per year.
Growing tropical fruit and raising cattle is the primary
livelihood.
When Irma was 14, she eloped with her husband to live in Puerto
Vallarta. She had her first
child when she was 15. She was thrilled to see the Pacific Ocean!
Shortly after her son, David,
now 20, was born, the young father dropped them off at his mother’s
house in Nayarit, and traveled to the United States to work, where he
still lives. He rarely
returned for short visits.
By the time she was pregnant with her third child, Irma began working
the Guayabitos beach selling fresh fruit from a cart. (see above below)
After twelve years of physically demanding work, this diminutive
lady’s health was affected. “I was in constant pain- I couldn’t sleep,
I could barely move the cart.
I had headaches, back and neck pain.” The doctor’s treatment was
mostly prescribing pills which didn’t address the cause of the problem.
At a friend’s recommendation, Irma made an appointment with a
certified masseuse. The
immediate improvement motivated Irma to continue massage treatments: not
only was Irma’s physical pain cured, but she was inspired to pursue
massage as a career. “It
gives me such joy to have clients come to the clinic in pain, and after
my treatment, they are able to walk out smiling!”
Irma’s dream is to offer the most glamorous clinic in the area,
with more services. Seeing
how much this hard working dynamo has already accomplished, there is no
doubt that Irma will achieve her goal.
Masaje Esbeltica spa offers give certificates- great idea for special
occasions. Or what a
terrific way to de-stress after all th
e house guests leave after the
holidays! Irma has a
special price for couples (two individual massages) While walk-ins are
welcome, appointments eliminate waiting.
Contact Irma: office phone: 327-274-3458;
cell: 045-104-5301
Contact Tara:
terri_sprs@yahoo.com
Donna Fox - cpac.berkeley.edu
 |
| "There are some initial steps we can take to make
health care portable for retirees living abroad." - David Warner |
"Many retirees look at moving abroad as a way to maintain an upper income lifestyle on a moderate income," said David Warner, a professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin.
Warner, who studies issues surrounding Medicare portability, directed a 2007 policy research project report examining Medicare in Mexico.
"Factors such as climate, taxes and the ability to afford household assistance also affect a retiree's decision to move out of the U.S., and many retirees look at our neighbor to the south, in Mexico."
Approximately 100,000 to 200,000 U.S.-origin retirees currently live in Mexico at least one-half of the year, according to Warner. However, this number could grow dramatically as the number of baby boomer retirees grows.
Warner also points out that there are 15 million to 20 million Mexican-born U.S. residents who contribute to Social Security and Medicare, and for whom retiring to Mexico makes sense. According to Warner, Medicare portability is particularly important for this population.
"It would be prudent to test alternative arrangements for Medicare coverage now when the numbers of retirees abroad are smaller rather than later when there may be more retirees living abroad and the costs will be much higher."
Warner will be one of four panelists participating in a binational health insurance workshop at the American Public Health Association conference in San Diego on Oct. 28. The workshop is sponsored by the California Program on Access to Care (CPAC), part of UC Berkeley's School of Public Health.
Warner researched other countries that provide health coverage portability for retirees, countries such as Spain, Greece, Germany, Turkey, Britain and Ireland, in an effort to glean ideas for implementing U.S. health care portability agreements with Mexico.
Warner's research suggests it could be less expensive for U.S. taxpayers if retiree health coverage was portable. Expense is important. According to the 2007 Annual Report by the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees, 2011 will be the first year that expenditures will exceed income in the Medicare trust fund.
"There are some initial steps we can take to make health care portable for retirees living abroad," said Warner. "For example, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could authorize demonstration projects that study the impact of binational health coverage for retirees. Also, it might be possible to implement binational coverage for a retiree's emergency services."
According to CPAC Director Gil Ojeda, Medicare portability is one of the key elements in the overall health care reform movement. "We need to make sure Medicare is accessible and affordable to our aging baby boomer population as well as for our Mexican-born U.S. residents wherever they choose to spend their retirement years," said Ojeda.
In addition to examining binational health coverage for retirees living abroad, the CPAC workshops will address binational insurance issues pertaining to Mexican migrant workers.
CPAC's binational workshop is entitled "Binational Health Insurance: Prescription for Binational Health Care." Panelists and topics include:
• Miguel Angel Gonzalez Block, director, Center for Health Systems Research, Salud Migrante (Mexico), presenting on "Developing a Proposal through Binational Health Systems Integration"
• William Dow, professor at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, presenting on "Models for Coverage: Successful and Proposed"
• Arturo Vargas Bustamante, assistant professor at UCLA School of Public Health, presenting on "Willingness to Pay: What Do Migrants Say?"
• David Warner, professor, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, presenting on "Issues in Providing Coverage to International Retirees and Visitors in Mexico"
CPAC is hosting two other workshops at the American Public Health Association conference: "Local Innovation to Expand Health Care Coverage" and "Health Care Reform in California: Next Steps."
The California Program on Access to Care is an applied policy research program administered by UC Berkeley School of Public Health in coordination with the University of California Office of the President. CPAC's activities provide independent research and analysis to state decision-makers, including legislators and government agency leaders. CPAC works to expand health care access for the state's most vulnerable populations, including immigrants, agriculture workers, the working poor and other low-income groups.
For more information about CPAC and CPAC-sponsored workshops, visit: cpac.berkeley.edu.
Stunning Beauty by Tara Spears
Mexican giant silkmoth, Automeris metzli caterpillar
While enjoying a gorgeous October afternoon at a suburban Gaudelajara park with my little dog and two year old granddaughter, we encountered these unique and beautiful caterpillars by the dozens. Fascinated, we sat and studied the brightly colored critters lumbering over rocks and sticks or climbing slowly up the oak trees. I thought it would be educational for Ana to take one home and watch it go through its life cycle, emerging as a butterfly. As I was coaxing one of these 4.5 inch long beauties onto a stick with an empty cup in the other hand, a stranger shouted, “Don’t touch those! They’re dangerous!” Startled, I dropped the stick. The dog felt he needed to get involved, and pawed the hapless caterpillar curling protectively into a ball. Instantly the dog yelped and wouldn’t put weight on that paw. I scooped up the dog and raced to the nearest water fountain, grabbing an antibiotic wipe from my shoulder bag. Topo instinctively licked the injured paw, instantaneously vomiting on me. I flushed his paw and mouth and, fortunately, the little guy was quickly back to normal but now avoiding contact with the lime green caterpillars. My granddaughter thoroughly enjoyed the drama, which prompted a barrage of ‘why’ questions. It was a good learning experience for both of us. After returning home, using the photos of the caterpillar I had taken, I began searching for the name and characteristics.
Many thanks to entomologist Dr. Manuel Balcazar Lara, Curator of the Mexican National Collection of Lepidopter Butterfies and professor at the University of Colima for identifying the caterpillar and sending a photo of it as an adult moth that follows. He also explained that touching the caterpillar is very painful but not toxic.
Giant silkmoth Automeris metzli- look at the size!
Do you know the difference between a moth and a butterfly?
Butterflies are active during the day, moths at night. As a result, they have different lifestyles and adaptations. Butterflies close their wings when they rest; moths open them. A butterfly antenna is knobbed or club-shaped; moth's are various shapes (not usually clubbed). A butterfly's body is long, slender, not hairy; a moth's is short, stout, and usually hairy. Moths can be destructive with their voracious eating habits. I have long planted butterfly and moth host plants in my yard because, although the caterpillars will eat a lot of leaves, it is such a short period in their life cycle, (one to two weeks) the raggedy leaves grow back and I love watching the adult butterflies. A host plant is one that provides food and shelter during the particular species’ four phases: egg, caterpillar, larva (cocoon), adult butterfly/moth.
Since I particularly enjoy the Monarch (pictured immediately below)
and Swallowtails, (pictured below)
I have included salvia, dill, and parsley plants in my yard for them.
The purple passion vine, ixora, and geraniums are also a food source for a dozen other butterfly species and have been mainstays in my garden for years. Add a source of fresh water, such as a dish, fountain, or even a swimming pool, and the butterflies will come. Just be careful not to touch the hairy caterpillars.
Contact Tara: terri_sprs@yahoo.comMuseo Nacional de Antropología
Photography by Bill and Dorothy Bell
The Museo Nacional de Antropología (MNA, or National Museum of Anthropology) is a national museum of Mexico. Located within Chapultepec Park in Mexico City, the museum contains significant archaeological and anthropological artifacts from the pre-Columbian heritage of Mexico, such as the Piedra del Sol (Aztec calendar stone) and the 16th-century Aztec statue of Xochipilli.
Advocating humane and healthy practices for animals in the Jaltemba area
by promoting health, education, sterilization, adoptions, foster care
and positive relationships with animals and their owners.
December 2006 to April 2008…One and a Half Years, 6 clinics and a Total
of 642 Animals Spayed or Neutered in the Jaltemba Bay Area!!!
San Poncho’s clinic is taking place November 7, 8, and 9.
Cats and dogs are welcome at all the clinics but do go early as the space fills usually by 9 am. for the entire day of operating.
We also need:
Sterile gloves #8.5
Sterile gloves #7
Suture, 2-0 and 3-0 vicryl
Drape
Dog and cat food
Animals for Adoption:
CALL ANA AT (327) 275-0235
pensadora@prodigy.net.mx
Rocky ADOPTED!!
Melanie wrote: “He now lives in Lo de Marcos
with my friend, Harold, and his wonderful partner, Li, who is VERY
excited about Rocky since he is HER dog. Li just opened a new Chinese
restaurant here in Lo de Marcos (which we are all thrilled about), so
Rocky will be eating very well! He has a large fenced in yard with a big
swimming pool . . . and pretty soon he's going to have a new puppy to
keep him company. It really can't get much better because Li is already
in love with him.”
Harry and Mary Beckner
200 pesos
Margaret Garside
$100.00 CDN
Peggy Watson
$50.00 CAD
Rick Echeverria donation of
dog food, dog treats, dishes, and supplies (shampoo, meds, toys, etc.)
Samantha Livingston for her donation of a bag of dog food.
