Events and meetings in Mexico from ex-pats to ex-pats

[Baja Boomer]

Wow, I totally spaced out May events. Time gets away from you when you reach my age, lol. So here's what's left for May, and what's happening in June in Rocky Point/Puerto Penasco.

• May 25-27: El Golfo Run; Off-road to El Golfo de Santa Clara
  
• June 1: Navy Day. Join us in Rocky Point at the Feria de la Marina for the Day of the Navy Celebration. There will be boat parades, beauty contests, fireworks and food vendors. This event has been organized by the Professional and Business Women’s Club in the Naval Authorities assigned to the port in Peñasco.
• June 6: Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers Circus Mexicus 2009. See Circus Mexicus 2009
• June 13 & 14: Second Puerto Penasco Deep Sea Fishing Tournament. Registration open until Friday June 12 at the Rocky Point Covention and Visitors Bureau at Blvd. Benito Juarez, Calle 11 Local No. 2. Call 638- 388-0446. From Mexico: 01 800 552-2820. From US: 602-288-6710 Email:rockypoint_ocv@yahoo.com.mx or rgonzales@cometorockypoint.com
• June 26, 27 & 28: Angler of the Year Fishing tournament. This is Phase II of a 3-Phase event at JJ's Cantina. Donation fee is $10.00, with proceeds to needy families of Penasco. A large variety of species including Black sea bass, dorado, flounder, grouper, leather, mackerel, pinto, pompano, red snapper, sardinero, sailfish, sea trout, shark, trigger, yellowtail, calico and any fish caught from the shore. Send entries to: Children's Xmas Party, P.O. Box 5, Lukeville, Arizona 85341. Email: jjscantina@yahoo.com

And here's what's going on at CEDO (the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans)

MONTHLY
- Every Tuesday, Natural History Talk: 2 pm in English/ 4 pm in Spanish, FREE
- Every Saturday, Natural History Talk: 4 pm in English/ 2 pm in Spanish, FREE

• May 23, Saturday: Tidepool Exploration, 6 - 8am
• May 30, Saturday: NaturArte - Oyster Experience, 12pm - 4pm. Become an oyster farmer for the day and learn how to sow oyster seeds, cultivate, harvest and cook these succulent shellfish with Doña Antonia’s recipes.
• June 6, Saturday: World Environment Day; NaturArte - Tide Riding Kayak Caper, 11am - 5pm
• June 7, Sunday: Oceans Day; Isla San Jorge Sojourn, Call CEDO for time
• June 10, Wednesday: Biosphere Reserves Anniversary, Call CEDO for details
• June 18-22, Thursday - Monday: Wet Feet Ocean Camp; 4 nights, 5 days

July and August will likely be dead slow in terms of events, but I'll see what I can come up with...

[SarahSal]

Back home in Tennessee for a few weeks and enjoying the cooler weather a lot..

The latest from the intrepid 'town crier' Valiene about happenings in the Vallarta/Bucerias area. In these difficult times, it's good to know that help is out there for those less fortunate.
_____
The U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara Regional Security Officer and
U.S. Consular Agency of Puerto Vallarta wish to invite the English
speaking community (residents and visitors) to a Town Meeting with
Mexican Authorities in Puerto Vallarta. On Friday, May 29, at 10
a.m., Jalisco, at the Hotel Marriott Casa Magna in Marina Vallarta.
A panel of Mexican authorities has been assembled to introduce you to
the various types of Mexican police officers and highlight the
responsibilities of each, through a power-point presentation. They
will field questions regarding local laws, practices and customs and
where to report incidents. Authorities invited to participate:
Public Security Coordinator
Transit Police Commandant
Tourist Police Commandant
Preventive Police Commandant
Civil Protection Commandant
Fire Department Chief
Regional Delegate of the States Attorney’s Office
District Attorney for Tourist Related incidents
District Attorney for Federal Related incidents

In conjunction with DIF (Social Services)/Child Protective Services,
we are beginning what we hope to be, a summer-long assistance program
providing food packages. These packages will be distributed via Social
Services only to as many as possible, for as long as possible via
their various programs. The next few months will bring even more need
as we head in to the summer months and "low season". These packages
consist of: Beans (dried, packaged, not canned), Rice. Lentils
(dried), Bouillon Cubes (consume cubes), and Pasta (dried, soup pasta,
packaged). They are asking that people donate one, all, one case, two
cases - - whatever they are able to this Food Drive. Drop off points
are: Southside/Zona Romantica, PVRPV,
Piño Suarez #210, Corner of Francisco I. Madero and Piño Suarez.
Contact: Armando Sanchez, 322-222 0638, rmando@pvrpv.com
Marina Vallarta, The Coffee Cup, Condos Puesta del Sol, Local 14A,
Contact: Chris Benson, 322-221 2517, cell 322-116-9577,
chris.benson@prodigy.net.mx
Nuevo Vallarta, Vallarta Yacht Club, Next door to Paradise Plaza -
Nuevo Vallarta
Contact: Laurie Ailworth, lailworth@yahoo.com
La Cruz, Marina La Cruz, Contact: Cell 322 205 7467 or 329-295-5526 Ext 102
If possible, please include your name, phone number and email contact
with your donations.
For further questions, please contact:
pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com, 322-222-9638
or cell 322-107-7007

I understand that a food drive may be started in Bucerias in the near
future. More details, when known.

There will be a Amigos de Bucerias meeting on June 6th, at 9:30 am
(Jalisco time)
at the IXTA restaurant located on Lazaro Cardenas. The primary focus
of the meeting will be a discussion on what Amigos de Bucerias can do
as an organization to help the Bucerias community in these difficult
economic times. Several ideas have surfaced that include a food drive,
a "money lending" program, dinner get togethers at local restaurants,
paying kids to do beach and street cleanups and other ideas. There
will also be an update on the food drive that Amigos will be
sponsoring. Please bring canned or dry foods to the meeting for
distribution to Manos de Amor. This meeting will also include a
breakfast, so please rsvp to John Ozzello at
jolo1721@live.com or call 329-298-6264.

Eva's Brickhouse, Bucerias, has decided to start an Early Bird
Special. For clients who are seated between 4:30 to 6:30 there will be
a 30% discount on all food and beverages. After 6:30, there will be a
15% discount.

Flor Hernandez will be offering art classes for children and adults in
July and August. These classes will be held at her home in La Cruz.
Watch for details later.

It has gotten quite warm here during this past week. As it happens
every year, they turn the thermostat up around May 15th. Where ever
you are, stay cool and enjoy!

[SarahSal]

More "Valiene updates" from Jalisco and Nayarit's Bay of Banderas/Vallarta area... Things are still happening there despite the traditional close of the season..
The rains have started! (Looking forward to viewing those amazing storms soon..)
___________
Hola,

Lost: a little white poodle,who answers to the name of Dinkie. If
you know anything about him, contact Rita Bell tel 329-298-3243 or The Shamrock 322-180-3898.

PUERTO VALLARTA CHOPPERS and BOUTIQUE are located at:
Carr. Tepic #995(next to the Farmarcia de Guadalajara), across the highway from the Restaurant Marlin. www.pvchoppers.com
from Mexico (322) 297-6469, (322) 297-5540
from US & Canada (831) 274-2491
Route 200 Bar & Grill is located just upstairs from Puerto Vallarta Choppers
Happy Hour 4 to 7pm-nightly, Wednesday-Neighbor's Night
Thur/Fri/Sat-Live Music, Pool Tables-Jukebox, Open Daily 12pm to 2am

Father's Day Menu at Frascati's in La Cruz:
Ricotta and spinach Tortellini, Meat and Fish Kebab served on bed of saffron rice and Chocolate Brownie, $215 pesos per person; or Caprese Salad, Mahi Mahi Filet with fried capers on top of home made fettuccine and Tiramisu for $155 pesos per person.
Frascati Ristorante, http://www.frascatilacruz.com
Reservations 329-295-6185 or Cel 044-322-139-6601

La Pajarita Restaurant is closed for the Summer but Chef Charlie is available for private parties/events at your house or he has a special location with a dining area under a palapa on the beach. Call 322-158-4341 for details.

Lynn Rogers, PHD is doing a Story Circle in late June. Thursday June 25th, 2-4 PM Saturday June 27th, 10-12 noon. It will be in PV at the Punta Negra Condo's . Her number is 322-151-3639. Lynn is a psychotherapist, ordained interfaith chaplain, life coach, and keynote speaker, You can learn more about her at www.lynnrogers.com. Lynn is an experienced professional story teller and this will be about telling, listening and connecting. It is about being and playing together, not performance. It is a chance to express your natural creativity in a safe, supportive small group. The cost is $225 pesos.

Flor Hernandez will be offering art summer classes in La Cruz.
Beginning on Monday, July 20th until Friday, August 14th. Children from 5-10 years will be from 4-6 p.m., Jalisco. Youngsters and adults, 10-100 years will be from 10-12 a.m. Two hours of class, five days a week for a total of 40 hours. For more information, prices, or to register, call 329-295-6161 or , cel: 044-322-1396-601. Email:
florelisa77@hotmail.com.

Al Robinson, who some of you may remember from La Lomita and other local venues, is performing on Friday nights, at La Palma in Vallarta Gardens. This is just off the highway, to your left, as you are entering La Cruz. A three course dinner is $330 pesos per person. For more information, call 295-510-0212.

Frequently, I am asked to post what I consider to be classified ads: for sale, for rent, wanted to buy, etc. I do not do this. If you want to post something of this nature, go to the Bucerias Yahoo Group.If you are not familiar with the group, search Yahoo Groups, set up a Yahoo ID or, if you have one, sign in and search for Bucerias. You have several options for receiving messages from the group. You can have them all sent to your inbox; you can have a digest of the weekly messages sent to you; or, you can go to the group and read what interests you and ignore the rest.

We had our first rain of the season last night-thunder, lightning and quite a bit of rain. And, so it begins.

Enjoy your summer.
--
Valiene

[SarahSal]

Back in TN after a short working trip to Mexico. We enjoyed mostly (surprisingly) good weather with a few blisteringly hot and humid days just to remind us why we don't live there year-round!Following is the most recent news from the Vallarta/Bucerias area from 'Valiene'.. The normal low-season slowdown combined with the 09' tourism meltdown has made things very tough for the locals. So it's good to hear that the dedicated, full-time ex-pat community is helping out with food donations, etc.. __________"This is not one of my typical emails because there is so littlehappening now that I don't have much to say. The combination of therecession, the flu and the hot weather has been hard on this area.The Amigos de Bucerias started a food drive to help the local people.There is one in Puerto Vallarta also but this one is strictly for thisarea. For those who are not here, I thought you might like to knowwhat is being done. Following is a report from John Ozzello, thePresident of the Amigos de Bucerias:Update on Amigos de Bucerias Food Drive.As of July 17th, Amigos has received a total of 40,000 pesos in cashdonations from generous members and friends of Bucerias. Fooddonations have gone down considerably, but cash donations areaveraging about $2500-$3000 pesos for the past 3-4 weeks. We areusing the cash donations to buy bulk supplies of rice, beans, maseca,lentils, tuna and cooking oil. Over the past month we have purchasedabout 23,000 pesos of food, so we have approximately $17,000 pesosremaining from the cash donations.The Nuevo Vallarta Yacht Club continues to be the biggest fooddonation location and this week I picked up over 300 pounds of beans,rice, lentils, etc. from the Club. The restaurant, Tutto Pronto inNuevo Vallarta is a new dropoff location.As of yesterday, over 500 families have received food through the 3distributors, with La Fuente church averaging 80 families per week,BBCC averaging 30 families per week and Mujeres Unidos averaging 35families per week.What does $6,000 pesos buy in terms food:220 pounds of Maseca176 pounds of Rice176 pounds of Beans44 pounds of sugar90 pounds of lentils70 liters of cooking oil100 cans of tunaThis amount of food will serve about 175 families.The question of whether this is doing any good is best provided by acouple of examples,Last Thursday at the BBCC, Mago had more than 30 elderly people comein for food, and several of the older women told Mago that they hadnot eaten for several days. At Mujeres Unidos, Rebecca reports thatnumerous families are telling her that they have been laid off and areliving day to day with some days without food for their children.Pastor Keith at La Fuente is hearing the same kind of stories fromfamilies coming to the Saturday distributions. All the distributorsare reporting that the recipients are thanking Amigos de Bucerias forthe food drive and expressing appreciation.I would like to thank Randi and Sandi for continuing to pick up foodat the various locations, Rosemary for shopping for fresh food, andthanks to Mago, Rebecca and Pastor Keith for their efforts indistributing the food, thanks to Karen for taking care of the PayPalaccount and a big THANK YOU for all those who have donated cash orfood. I have not identified specific individuals who have made cashdonations, because many of them wish to remain anonymous so I havedecided to just say a big Thank you to everyone who has donated.For any of you, out of town, who would like to make a cash donation tohelp in this project, contact Karen Knapp at kwschopf@msn.com forinformation on using her PayPal account.The Twisted Rose, centro Bucerias, has been closed for remodeling. Itis scheduled to re-open on July 23.Espressions has opened a second location in centro Bucerias acrossHidalgo from the Twisted Rose. Sorry, I don't have any information ontheir operating hours.Stay cool."

[SarahSal]

Back for a working trip to install some Talavera tile in our little kitchen.. As long as it's cloudy and not too humid the weather here is fairly decent! Maybe, though, I'm just getting used to the heat! Love the rainstorms in the afternoon or at night. Loads of beautiful, little yellow butterflies fluttering around our garden. Everything, even our roads/lanes are so very green!

~The latest updates from the Vallarta/Bucerias area via Valiene~ (Despite it being off-season, there's still a lot going on)

A woman, named Aggie, has a beautiful 5 year old pure bred Aierdale
Terrier that she needs to find a home for urgently. Her cell phone
number is 322 150 7645.

Looking for a good home for a very loving tiger kitten, 4 months old
and extremely social. She purrs non-stop and would make someone a
great companion; is good with children also. She has been spayed.
E-mail for photos to dncfrost@gmail.com.

You are invited to participate in a Bucerias Bilingual
CommunityCenter (BBCC) survey designed to provide planning information
for classes to be offered this season. Your response is essential to
our planning process. We want to give the community the best BBCC year
ever, which means we need to schedule classes and teachers well in
advance. Please take 5 minutes of your time to give us the feedback we
need to make the BBCC responsive to your needs and preferences. The
following link will take you directly to the survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=xIEo3ApDZ0aDioEoQWlyHg_3d_3d

Come sway to the relaxing electronic beats by DJ Chris and enjoy
refreshing ceviche and sangria. Summer Soiree @ A Peace of Art
located in the Bucerias Art Walk Plaza
Thursday, August 27, 6:00 – 9:00 PM Jalisco. Up to 50% off end of
summer inventory
Home Décor, Jewelry, Clothing, handbags, Mexican Souvenirs

Are you looking for a way to escape the heat of Vallarta.....even for
just a day? Join in on our bi-weekly day trips to the Hacienda
Jalisco in San Sebastian, high in the Sierra Madre mountains. Enjoy a
big "carne asada" with all of the fixin's at the 180 year old Hacienda
Jalisco. Learn about the history of the Hacienda and charming pueblo
of San Sebastian.
Visit "La Quinta" - the local coffee roasting center. Take a tour of
the Hacienda Jalisco and spend some time in the town.
Cost: 550 pesos per person
Includes: Round trip transportation, complete lunch, tour of the
Hacienda Jalisco, tour of "La Quinta" coffee roasting center.
Depart: 9:30 am, Return: Approximately 5:45 pm
Upcoming dates: September 2, September 16, September 30.
Reservation only! Pamela Thompson, 322-222-9638 or 044 322 107 7007
info@haciendajalisco.com, www.haciendajalisco.com

Following is information for the upcoming art and drawing courses:
Painting, Mexican Arts and Crafts, Fabric Painting, Embroidery,
Knitting. Children and Youngsters Group (minimum age: 5 years old)
Days and Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-6:00 PM (Jalisco
Time)Location: Monte Calvario # 5 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (100 meters
from the stoplight) Cost: 500 pesos per 4 week course.Material: 250
pesos per 4 week course. Starts: (To be defined) Either September 7th,
or 14th, Ends: (To be defined) Either October 2nd, or 9th. Adults:
Days and Hours: Mon and Wed 10-12 AM (Jalisco) Cost: 1,000 pesos (4
weeks). Material: 500 pesos Starts: (To be defined) Sept 7th, or
14th. EndsTo be defined) October 2nd, or 9th, Place: El Ficus Cafe
(Centro Ecuestre Riviera Nayarit). Bucerias, Nayarit (Avenida
Estaciones and Colibri, 400 meters past Colegio Bucerias).
Florelisa Hernandez, CREARTE
Centro Regional de las Artes Riviera Nayarit
www.artenayarit.com, cel 322-1396-601



--
Valiene

[SarahSal]

The most recent update from the Vallarta area via Valiene... LOTS going on including food collections for local citizens and health clinics.. Anyone residing in or interested in the area can easily get on Valiene's e-mail list by contacting her..
_____________
Hola,

A TOWN MEETING FOR HURRICANE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
The U.S. Consular Agency of Puerto Vallarta extends a cordial
invitation to American citizens (residents and visitors) in the
Municipalities of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and Bahia de Banderas,
Nayarit, to a Town Meeting with Mexican Civil Protection authorities,
to discuss ways to be prepared for a natural disaster (hurricane,
earthquake, etc…), where to monitor the progress of a storm, and what
to do, before, during and after a storm and where to call and what to
do in the event of an emergency.
Wednesday, September 30th, at 11:00 A.M., Jalisco time, at Paradise
Plaza, Local L-7, Nuevo Vallarta. The purpose of this meeting is to
give the community an opportunity to meet the Civil Protection
authorities and to receive information on what they do to prepare for
a hurricane and what you should be doing. Civil Protection
authorities invited are: Jalisco State, PV Municipality, PV Fire
Department, Nayarit State, Bahia De Banderas Municipality, BdeB Fire
Dept.
Space is limited. Please confirm by E-mail if you plan to attend.
Send questions by e-mail to the U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto
Vallarta, no later than 11 a.m. September 29, 2009.
E-mail: consularagentpvr@prodigy.net.mx; hector_aguirre@prodigy.net.mex

This report is from John Ozzello, President of Amigos de Bucerias:
The Amigos Food Drive has been a great success and many people living
in Bucerias have received food assistance as a result of numerous generous
donations. In a typical week, Amigos, through the distribution centers, is giving out more than 200 packets of food. These packets contain beans, lentils, maseca, oil and rice. A typical cost for this is $4500.00 pesos to purchase additional supplies when the collection centers do not have enough food donations to put in the 200 packets. This works out to a cost of $22.50 pesos per family distribution per week. The distribution centers are the Bucerias Bilingual Community Center, Mujeres de Unidos and La Fuente church. Each distribution center is working diligently to ensure that the people who are receiving packets of food are indeed in need of food and all centers keep reporting that many people who are coming in to receive packets are out of food in their homes and many have not eaten in several days. Obviously, the need is still great.
The drop off locations for dry food are YoYoMo's, Espressions, Twisted Rose, Famar
Restaurant, Gringo's Book Store, Sandrina's and all the Lloyds' banks. All locations are still accepting donations and are committed to continuing the collection of food. This week was the last week for food donations from the Nuevo Vallarta Yacht Club and they deserve a
special thank you as the Yacht Club consistently had the most food donations. They are not stopping their community involvement, but are focusing on a different charity over the next few months.
Randy and Sandi Nystrom, from Lethbridge, Alberta, have been doing an outstanding job as Co-Chairs of the Food Drive and are spending many hours each week on picking up food items, shopping and distributing. They deserve our sincere thanks. You can email them at
rsnystrom@gmail.com to express your thanks.

Based on the economy in Bucerias and talking with locals about reservations for the upcoming year, most people are expecting a below normal high season. Therefore, Amigos will continue the food drive at least through the end of the year on a more limited basis. Amigos will continue the food drive but distributions will take place every two
weeks instead of every week. This will help Amigos keep the Food Drive going and still help people who are in need. This will also allow people who are not here in Bucerias right now to participate in this important effort. Amigos has received significant support from
those who are here in Bucerias now and by continuing the food drive through the end of the year, this will provide an opportunity for the returning members of Amigos to show their support for this effort. As of today, Amigos has raised $75,166.00 pesos and has spent $63,763.00 pesoson food. We have $11,403.00 pesos remaining in the Food Drive
Fund. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this effort. Please remember that we are accepting donations via PayPal through Karen Knapp and she can be reached at kwchopf@msn.com for more details. There are no administrative costs associated with the Food Drive so 100% of your donation goes directly to people in need.

Upcoming from Health Resources:
Bariatric Surgery Information Session, October 13, 10am, No charge,
Email for information.
Mammogram Clinic, October 15, $800 pesos includes mammogram, manuel
exam and ultrasound if necessary. By appointment only.
Skin Clinic, October 20 and October 21, $250 pesos - A complete check
of your skin from scalp to toes by an oncologist. By appointment only.
Women's Health Clinic, October 27, $775 pesos,Bi-lingual female GYN.
By appointment only.
Men's Health Clinic, October 28, Email for further information. By
appointment only.
Eye Clinic, October 30, $300 pesos. Vision exam and glaucoma exam, by
appointment only.
Colonoscopy, on-going, $3,800 pesos (does not include price of any
biopsies if taken). By appointment only.
Personalized Medical Records
It is very, very important that each person here keep their own
personal medical records. It is for this reason that HealthCare
Resources has formatted a health record just for you. Not only will we
create a medical record from your existing records but we will keep it
updated for you.
$200 pesos per person. By appointment only.
For further information on any of the above topics, please email
pamela@healthcareresourcespv.com


--
Valiene
casavaliene@gmail.com

[SarahSal]

The Bucerias/Vallarta area season is underway!
We're headed that way soon - can't wait to get back to the beautiful Bay of Banderas!

This latest from the intrepid 'town crier' Valiene..
(Those in the Bucerias area can get on her e-mail list by writing her at the address below).
______________-
"Hola,

On Sunday, Nov. 1st, Manos de Amor will hold a huge bazaar at the
tianguis, in the arroyo in Bucerias. There will be lots of English
language books, housewares, clothes, etc. I gave them two pickup
loads of things when I moved and there have been numerous donations
from others. Don't miss this one.

Thursday, November 5th is the first Bucerias Art Walk of the season.
There are many new galleries along The Bucerias Art Walk this season.
The Splurge Art Gallery (# 4 on the map) , where you can find designer
pewter and art from around the world, will be celebrating their Grand
Opening. Also new to the neighborhood is Sol de Mexico (# 13 on the
map) filled with treasures from near and far. November 5th also marks
the 1 year anniversary of The Bucerias Art Walk Plaza. Helping us
celebrate will be Hawaiian transplant Beth Fedigan. Her show entitled
"Angels, Saints and Sirens" is an eclectic collection of art ranging
from watercolors, to wire wrapped art and collages. Fedigan will also
be offering two different workshops. A Basket Making Workshop using
the bark and leaves of palm trees that are so prevalent in this area
on November 6th. Then on November 7th a Wire Wrapping Workshop will be
given where students learn to create beautiful pieces of art using
wire and sea glass or other found objects. Samples of these workshops
are currently on display at A Peace of Art located in The Bucerias Art
Walk Plaza.
The Bucerias Art Walk is along Lazaro Cardenas between Benito Juarez
and the bridge and begins at 7pm Jalisco. Help us celebrate our 1 year
anniversary with tamales and sangria at The Bucerias Art Walk Plaza
and then discover the other galleries along The Bucerias Art Walk. For
more information, to register for workshops
thebuceriasartwalkplaza@gmail.com or visit our website
thebuceriasartwalk.com Maps are at these following locations: A Broken
Art, Casabor Splurge Gallery, A Peace of Art, Jan's Boutique,
Sandrina's Restaurant.

A new service in town that might benefit many of you. Finally, there
is someone to clean those upstairs windows. Call Beto at
322-149-7942. Many of you know Beto as a great, totally reliable
gardner. Now, he and a family member are adding window washing to
their list of jobs.
--
Valiene
casavaliene@gmail.com
"