e Consumer Shop

Home Theater Equipment Racks

Retirement in Puerto Vallarta--want to Learn Something in your Spare Time?

Now that you’ve finally retired and have some free time, perhaps you might be interested in learning some things that you previously never had time to learn. But first, you must decide where you want to gain this new knowledge and with whom you want to gain it.

The last place in the world that might come to mind for taking classes in the subject of your choice would probably be some sleepy little Mexican fishing village!

Back in early 1960‘s, Puerto Vallarta was just that, a sleepy little Mexican fishing village, as portrayed in “The Night of the Iguana”. Well, things have changed south of the border; Vallarta is now home to 350,000 inhabitants and growing daily. Of the 350,000 people, we can only estimate that 50,000 are North Americans. With tens of thousands of successful retirees in Vallarta, so too is an abundance of knowledge on just about every subject imaginable. Chances are, no matter what your area of interest might be, there are retirees in Vallarta that possess expertise in that area and are willing and anxious to share it. Thus, you will find classes in just about every area of interest, having fellow retirees as classmates.

Below is what we believe to be, the first published list of classes on various subjects available in Puerto Vallarta. Surely some will be overlooked, however the purpose for the following list of 16 subjects is to present a general idea of what is available for you to learn while living in Paradise. It begins with the most obvious, Spanish lessons, and continues through social activities, sports, health related activities, hobbies, and crafts.

Spanish classes--Spanish can be studied in the comfort of your home, at your desired pace, by employing any of the many professional tutors available in town. Structured classes in Spanish are offered in a number of schools as well as at the University of Guadalajara branch campus located in Vallarta. For those desiring to be immersed in Spanish lessons, there are one week to one month courses available in remote areas outside of Vallarta such as in Yalapa, a secluded beach reached only by a 45 minute water taxi ride from Vallarta.

Dance classes--You name it, they dance it in Vallarta. At this time, Tango and Salsa are probably the most popular classes, however Line, Square, Modern, Jazz, Ballroom, and even Ballet dancing are taught every night in Vallarta. Yes, we have a professional ballet instructor here; so guys, don’t forget to bring your slippers! Once you think you’re a pretty good dancer, we’ll have you checked out by the two internationally renowned dance contest judges that reside in Vallarta!

Cards classes--Cards are played every afternoon and evening all over town and therefore the playing retirees are always looking for “fresh blood”. Poker, Gin Rummy, Bridge, Canasta and Thirty-One are most common, with instructions, training, and tutorage given at every club.

Mahjong classes--Whatever it is that they do with the dice, tiles, cards, racks, and chips, Mahjong must be a lot of fun; there are Mahjong groups all over town. Again, each club offers lessons and newcomers are always welcome.

Golf & Tennis lessons--Professionals at all seven of the golf courses offer private as well as group lessons. From time to time, free golf clinics and beginner group lessons are also available. The same holds true for tennis at all of the many tennis court complexes.

Scuba Diving classes--Shops located on virtually every beach and in many of the hotels offer scuba diving classes. The water, especially south of town near Mismaloya and Los Arcos, is ideal for exploring the abundance of colorful marine life.

Exercise, Fitness, and Aerobics classes--Beautiful health clubs and spas are located all over the Puerto Vallarta area, each offering a full range of services including individual and group exercise programs, pampering, and diet control. They tailor the exercise program for each member, demonstrating the proper use of equipment, including weight, frequency, duration and rotation. These clubs also provide guidance on proper diet to be maintained in conjunction with the exercise program.

Yoga & Pilates classes--These classes, held daily all over town, are supposed to improve your mental and physical well being, increase flexibility, and strengthen muscles. Evidently these programs work, or at least they’re an enjoyable place to spend a couple hours socializing with friends, because there are an awful lot of people in Vallarta attending these classes.

Meditation classes-- Meditation classes are held in most of the spas and even available every day on the beaches. Evidently PV, with perfect weather throughout its seven month “high season”, is an ideal location for meditating because these classes are quite popular. (Author’s commentary--Perhaps the meditation, yoga, pilates, reflexology, etc. are truly effective, since so many participate in these classes; but all of my friends do their meditating and stretching holding on to the end of a golf club, tennis racket, or fishing rod!)

Art classes-- Art galleries, studios, and malecon artists are located throughout Puerto Vallarta; so many that there is weekly art walk where strollers can gather and check out the latest artwork. Virtually all of these studios plus a number of local artists offer courses in oil painting, water colors, charcoal, etc. plus sculpturing, carving, ceramics, and every other form of art imaginable. To anyone with the slightest degree of artistic talent and the desire to explore their abilities, Vallarta will be Paradise.

Cooking classes-- The most popular cooking classes are held during the week of the Puerto Vallarta International Gourmet Festival, at which time world famous chefs come to town to join with the chefs from the many five star restaurants in Vallarta. They put on cooking demonstrations, give structured cooking classes, host wine tasting parties, and serve world class cuisine to the attendees. Less well known, yet still very much enjoyed, are smaller cooking classes held in certain boutique restaurants and of course, Mexican food preparation classes are available everywhere.

Acting classes--Puerto Vallarta has been the site for many movies, starting with “Night of the Iguana”. Since that movie was filmed, there have been at least 70 additional films produced in Vallarta including movies such as “Herbie Goes Bananas“, “Predator“, “Revenge“, “Puerto Vallarta Squeeze“, “Kill Bill”, etc. Additionally, the Disney Studio is currently producing a film in Vallarta titled “South of the Border”. Because of all the local filming, the area is full of talented actors offering theater and acting classes to the local residents. Many of these residents are selected as stand-ins for the various films being shot in town while others act as thespians in local plays that are produced for the pleasure of the residents.

Music & Singing classes--Due to the number of concerts and plays in the local theaters, there is always a demand for singers and musicians. Consequently, the professionals are always available for music and singing lessons.

Writing workshops--The Puerto Vallarta Writers Group holds weekly meetings, often sponsoring guest speakers in Vallarta. This organization provides aspiring authors with information required to skillfully write and edit, information on markets of interest, and techniques for getting their work published. Whether you’re interested in writing poems, articles, short stories, manuscripts , or books, this group of writers will be eager to assist you. Aside from this group, because the climate in PV is perfect from November through May, certain other outside groups like BelleCora Press hold a couple workshops per year in town, bringing new talent and training to the local residents.

Photography workshops--A number of the professional photographers in Vallarta give periodic workshops, concentrating on wildlife, marine life, nature, ocean views with the Sierra Madres as a backdrop, and of course, the beautiful people of Vallarta. Again, because of the magnificent climate, outside groups like The Hamilton Workshops come to Vallarta for their five day “bikini and lingerie fashion and glamour” workshop, where they teach the “hands on” aspects of lighting, posing, and working with models. A little of something for everybody in Paradise!

Computer training--Between the numerous cyber cafés, computer maintenance and repair shops, and the internet providers, there are many professionals in town anxious to assist in solving any computer related problems. Working as tutors, they will come to your house and teach you any aspect of computer technology that’s of interest to you including digital photography, internet usage, Microsoft programs, etc. Rates for their services are typically a third of what you would pay in the States, if you could find someone for home tutoring there.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to put your brain to work while enjoying “la dolce vida” in Paradise. Additionally, there must be in excess of one hundred clubs, societies, and organizations with members that are anxious to share their specific knowledge with newcomers. So, if you’re interested in learning something new or pursuing an area of interest that you always wanted to but didn’t have the spare time, perhaps this is the time and Puerto Vallarta, one of the most beautiful resort destinations in the world, is the place.

About the Author

Jim Scherrer has owned property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for 24 years and resided there for the past ten years. The mission of his series of 22 articles pertaining to retirement in Puerto Vallarta is to reveal the recent changes that have occurred in Vallarta while dispelling the misconceptions about living conditions in Mexico. For the full series of articles regarding travel to and retirement in Vallarta as well as pertinent Puerto Vallarta links, please visit us at www.pvreba.com

Moving my server rack

Sauder Orchard Hills Home Theater Carolina Oak $429.99 Carve out an attractive and functional place in your home for your entertainment setup. The Sauder Orchard Hills Home Theater features a large open center for your TV, an adjustable shelf for audio/video equipment, 2 cabinets with interior storage, 6 adjustable side shelves for additional equipment and decor, and 3 drawers for DVDs or Blu-ray discs. In a warm and welcoming Carolina oak finish, this home theater makes a pleasant and useful addition to the home of any TV/movie enthusiast.

Home Theater $12.97 Home Theater magazine takes the mystery out of home entertainment electronics. Every issue of Home Theater is packed with in-depth coverage of home theater developments in HDTV, DVD and more, previews of hot new products, objective product reviews and comparisons, including specs, ratings and opinions, DVD reviews, technical language translations into English and much, much more! Create an incredible home theater experience with Home Theater!

Home Automation Home Theater Extender $267.99 HOME AUTOMATION HOME THEATER EXTENDER

Monster Home Theater PowerCenter HTS 1000 MKIII $125.99 The Monster Clean Power Circuitry Stage 2 filters in the Monster Home Theater PowerCenter HTS 1000 MKIII provide excellent AC power line noise rejection and isolation of audio and video equipment for component-generated noise rejection. When you connect your home theater components to a Monster HTS 1000 MKIII PowerCenter you'll get a more natural sound, increased dynamic range, and the most vivid video images possible. The power coming through your home AC power outlets is full of interference and line disturbances that cause hum, buzz, and static, degrading your home theater's audio and video performance. In addition, electronic appliances, cell phones, and even home theater components all generate electronic noise that further affects your home theater sound and picture. The detrimental effects of "dirty" AC power cannot be removed by ordinary surge protectors, but the Monster Home Theater PowerCenter HTS 1000 MKIII can do the trick.

Steren Python Home Theater Y-Cable - Audio Splitter - 6 In. Each $1.2 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. Home theater Y-cable audio interconnects. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. Low density foam dielectric. AWG26 stranded copper center conductor. 100% spiral-wound bare copper shield

Steren Python Home Theater Cables - Audio Cable - 6 Ft. Each $2.39 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. High-Definition home theater RCA interconnects. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. Bare copper center conductor. 99.99% pure oxygen-free copper wire. Low-density foam dielectric. Spi

Belkin PureAV PF30 Home Theater Power Console $116.99 165 kA Surge Current 3.2 kJ 8 96" Level 4 Power Protection HiCurrent Outlet for high-power amplifiers 1 Pair of Gold Coaxial Connections for coaxial cable line protection PureAV PF30 Home Theater Power Console is packed with innovative features, such as Multi-Phase PureFilter Circuitry, designed to remove electrical noise and provide clean and clear power to all of your valuable equipment. It isolates audio, video and digital components, and prevents noise created by one connected component from contaminating the entire system. To deal with threats from sources other than your AC lines, all PureAV Power Consoles come with coaxial cable, pay-per view/phone and broadband Ethernet line protection. AC Noise AC Surge AP20800FC08-BLK Belkin Belkin International, Inc Lifetime Line Conditioner PF30 PureAV PureAV PF30 Home Theater Power Console www.belkin.com

MONSTER 121539 HOME THEATER POWERCENTER $44.99 MONSTER 121539 HOME THEATER POWERCENTER

5.1 HOME THEATER SYSTEM -ACTIVE $139.99 5.1 HOME THEATER SYSTEM -ACTIVE

Recertified Coby 300w Home Theater $61.99 RECERTIFIED COBY 300W HOME THEATER

Belkin PureAV PF60 Home Theater Power Console $212.99 10 ft 13 369 kA Surge Current 7.1 kJ Level 4 power protection The Power Console PF60 delivers the ultimate power conditioning for serious audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. With 13 programmable outlets and Phase 6 PureFilter Circuitry, the PF60 offers six isolated filters to provide clean and clear power to all of your valuable components. The LCD status display allows users to monitor input voltage and output current on each individual bank of outlets. Each PureAV Power Console is loaded with innovative features, such as Multiphase PureFilter Circuitry, designed to remove electrical noise. Our advanced design isolates audio, video, and digital components, and prevents noise created by one connected component from contaminating the entire system. Built-in Advanced Over voltage Protection automatically disconnects power from your equipment when the input voltage reaches a dangerous level, and restores power automatically when the voltage returns to a safe level. To deal with threats from sources other than your AC lines. PureAV Power Consoles come with coaxial cable, pay-per view/phone, and broadband Ethernet line protection. AC Noise AP41300fc10-BLK Belkin Belkin International, Inc Lifetime Line Conditioner Over Voltage PF60 PureAV PureAV PF60 Home Theater Power Console Surge www.belkin.com

PureAV AP20800fc08BLK Home Theater Power Console PF30 $125.41 Belkin Ap20800fc10Blk 8Outlet Pf30 Silver Series Home Theater Power Console 8 Outlets; 3245 Joules ; 2 Pairs Of Gold Coaxial Connections For Coaxial Cable Line Protection ; 2Line Telephone/PayPerView Protection With Splitter ; Network Protection For Media Streamer Support ; Level 4 Power Protection ; 165 000Amp Maximum Spike Current ; Ul 1449Rated ; Phase 3 Purefilter Circuitry With A/V amp; Hicurrent Filters ; Hicurrent Outlet For HighPower Amplifiers ; Slim Console Design Fits Perfectly In Home Theater Cabinets ; 10Ft Hicurrent Power Cord With FlatProfile Plug. Protects sensitive electronic equipment from power disturbances. Offers MultiPhase PureFilterTM Circuitry to provide the highest level of AC linenoise filtering and clean and clear power. Removes electromagnetic and radio frequency interference from household appliances fluorescent lights amp; digital components. Eliminates popping hissing static and snow. Disconnects power with Advanced Overvoltage Protection when input voltage reaches a dangerous level.

Tripp Lite B122-000 Home Theater - HDMI Signal Extender $50.99 0.50" Height x 1.50" Width x 2.75" Depth 1 Year Limited B122-000 Home Theater - HDMI Signal ExtenderHDMI ExtenderAC Power SupplyManual Use Tripp Lites HDMI Extender to run HDMI cables beyond the 5 Meter distance limitation. Supports HDMI signals up to 150ft. Ideal for home or business theater use that employ HDMI cables and equipment. Supports signal rates up to 1.65Gbps, and UXGA resolution. One year limited warranty. B122-000 B122-000 Home Theater - HDMI Signal Extender HDMI Extender Tripp Lite www.tripplite.com

Home Theater Power Center $72.99 MONSTER POWER HT 850 8-OUTLET HOME THEATER POWERCENTER™

Steren Python Home Theater Cables - Audio Cable - 25 Ft. Each $7.34 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. 99.99% pure oxygen-free copper wire. Low-density foam dielectric. 24K gold-plated heavy-duty RCA connectors. Color-coded. Fully molded construction

Steren Python Home Theater Cables - Audio Splitter - 6 In. Each $1.2 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. Ultra flexible rubberized 6.0mm OD PVC jacket. Low density foam dielectric. AWG26 stranded copper center conductor. 100% spiral-wound bare copper s

Steren Python Home Theater Cables - Audio Cable - 12 Ft. Each $3.42 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. 99.99% pure oxygen-free copper wire. Low-density foam dielectric. 24K gold-plated heavy-duty RCA connectors. Color-coded. Fully molded construction

Steren Python Home Theater Cables - Audio Cable - 100 Ft. Each $24.73 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. 99.99% pure oxygen-free copper wire. Low-density foam dielectric. 24K gold-plated heavy-duty RCA connectors. Color-coded. Fully molded construction

Steren Python Home Theater Cables - Audio Cable - 75 Ft. Each $7.85 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. 99.99% pure oxygen-free copper wire. Low-density foam dielectric. 24K gold-plated heavy-duty RCA connectors. Color-coded. Fully molded construction

Steren Python Home Theater Cables - Audio Cable - 3 Ft. Each $1.66 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. 99.99% pure oxygen-free copper wire. Low-density foam dielectric. 24K gold-plated heavy-duty RCA connectors. Color-coded. Fully molded construction

Steren Python Home Theater Cables - Audio Cable - 50 Ft. Each $13.7 Manufacturer: Steren. Each. Unparalleled quality and top-line performance for home theater audio equipment. 99.99% pure oxygen-free copper wire. Low-density foam dielectric. 24K gold-plated heavy-duty RCA connectors. Color-coded. Fully molded construction

Lightweight 9 Plastic Cones - Pack of 20 - Basketball Court Equipment - Goals, racks, pads $20 Basketball Court Equipment - Goals, racks, pads - Basketball Court Equipment - Goals, racks, pads

CyberPower Home Theater 4200J 10-Outlet Surge Suppressor $47.99 0 ft to 10000 ft Operating 0 ft to 50000 ft Non-operating 0% to 95% Non-condensing Non-operating 0% to 95% Non-condensing Operating 1 x Ground (Green) 1 x Power (Red) 1 x Surge (Red) 10 10 x NEMA 5-15R 1010HT 110 V AC to 120 V AC 120 V AC 15 A Line Current 15 A Resettable 150 kVA 3.40 lb 32°F (0°C) to 104°F (40°C) Operating 4" Height x 14.50" Width x 2.25" Depth 4.2 kJ 5°F (-15°C) to 114°F (45.6°C) Non-operating 60 Hz 84" CyberPower will 100% guarantee this product for as long as you own it -- No questions asked. We stand behind our products and guarantee quality. CyberPower also offers a #1 rated technical support that will assist you with product, installation, or warranty concerns --- Free of Charge. Connected Equipment Guarantee: $250,000 Home Theater Surge 1010HT 10-Outlets Surge Suppressor 1 x 6 ft RJ-11 Cord 1 x 4 ft Coax Cord Manual RJ-11 (One-in/Two-out) RJ-45 (One-in/One-out) RG-6 (Three-in/Three-out) H-N Line: 110kA H-G Line: 20kA N-G Line: 20kA Response Time: < 1 Nanosecond Clamping Voltage: 330V Attenuation: Up to 50dB Signal Scrubber (TM): Audio and video signals are isolated, and then independently filtered to guard against component cross-contamination and improve signal quality. The result is pure sound with expansive dynamic range, precise picture quality, and enhanced color depth. MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor): MOV technology allows normal current to pass through the device, while diverting any surge/spikes through the ground circuit. This safely protects all connected electronics along with the surge suppressor itself. Transformer-spaced Outlets: Widely spaced outlets allow you to conveniently add large transformer-based plugs without compromising the utility of other outlets. EMI/RFI Shielding: Provides shielding against electromagnetic interference & radio frequency signals. Most commonly, this is used to prevent line noise or humming that occurs over telephone lines or stereo electronics. ISO & Safety Certifications: All CyberPower manufacturing facilities are ISO-9001 Quality Tested. Our products are also UL Listed and CSA Certified. Keyhole Mounting Slots: Convenient mounting slots are located on the back on the surge suppressor. Sturdy ABS Case: Constructed of impact-resistant composite material for maximum durability. UL 1449, UL 497A, CSA China CyberPower CyberPower Systems, Inc EMI/RFI: 100KHz to 100MHz Floor/Wall mountable Home Theater Home Theater 4200J 10-Outlet Surge Suppressor Lifetime NEMA 5-15P RG-6 RJ-11 RJ-45 Rocker Switch Silver Surge Suppressor The CyberPower 1010HT Home Theater Surge Suppressor is a high performance audio/video surge protector, offering 4200 Joules and 10 outlets of MOV protection. Exclusive Signal Scrubber (TM) is a line conditioning technology that independently fil