Out and About in Puerto Vallarta
 Twila Crawford - PVNN
| | With so many art, music and community events going on, there are plenty of things to see and do while you're Out and About in Puerto Vallarta this month. (Promovision) | | |
Many persons from the U.S. here undoubtedly followed the election of President-elect Barack Obama.
We who lived and worked in Washington D.C. saw the migration in and out of the city by Democrats and Republicans. I worked on projects with The White House in both types of administrations. We there knew well that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Congress, lobbying organizations, special interest groups, king makers, worldwide interests, media, voters, the bureaucracy and so many others influence what can occur. Perhaps it will be different this time? Guess who will head to Washington for the Inauguration celebration!
So many of us who live here year-around usually praise our doctors. Dr. Jose Antonio Rodriguez has been preparing me for eye surgery. I am most pleased following one set of surgery. Dr. Rodriguez is thoughtful, detailed and has a delightful laugh. His rapport with surgical assistants is excellent. They obviously are comfortable with him. So was I.
Outside the hospital, dear Jerie Grant (a Lifestyles photographer) stopped her car midway in traffic to say hello to a bandaged me. Such a nice gesture.
Café Bohemio attracts celebrities. Recently Ellen DeGeneres dined... and danced with co-owner Chris. If you don't know, Ellen is famous for her love of dancing. Great actresses Helen Mirrin and Vanessa Redgrave dined there one evening, requesting privacy while there.
Psychotherapist and poet Marcia Wolff has out a book of poems, Frictions Becoming Pearl: A Slow Awakening. Nature, life and social issues color the pages. Marcia says this is a memoir in poems and perhaps a way to show the process of seeing you are not who you thought you were... you are more. The frictions of life help form a person. "Like a pearl hidden in the shell, the friction from sand and grit irritate it into beauty. As we awaken to the quiet stillness within us, as within the shell, we can begin to transform into a new consciousness." For further information, email Marcia at loboinmexico(at)yahoo.com.
Remember Monday, November 24, is the fourth annual Open House Holiday Bazaar to benefit Sally Conley's library for children in El Pitillal, Biblioteca de la Higuera. The event is from 6-9 pm. Tickets are $250 pesos. For further information, email sallyconley(at)pvnet.com.mx.
The Vallarta Chamber Orchestra plays on Friday, November 28, at Los Mangos Public Library, 1001 Av. Francisco Villa, for a library fundraiser. Tickets cost $200 pesos. For purchase of tickets, call 224-9966. Composers include Sibelius, Handel, Ravel and Hayden, among others.
Author and Ph.D psychologist Linda Trapp will discuss "Faith in Hard Times" on Tuesday, November 25th at 10 am at the Community Church across from Parque Hidalgo.
Liana Turner, owner of Paradise Bakery and Catering, will share "Holiday Entertaining" ideas for Wise Wo-men in Vallarta on Wednesday, November 19th, at the International Friendship Club, Libertad and Miramar. Should be fun.
Charlotte of Xocodiva Chocolates promises the fudge we all are waiting for will be available soon. Meanwhile, I have become hooked on their "creamy" peanut brittle. Do try it.
Remember the scheduled jazz concerts on Monday nights at 8:30 pm on the central plaza.
Saw Gary Thompson of Galeria Pacifico, 174 Aldama, in my neighborhood being gentle and talking to his elderly dog, leading the dog along. His gallery has magnificent art, and Gary will continue the public Sculpture Walking Tours on Tuesday, November 18th. The tour begins at 9:30 am every Tuesday. Call (322) 222-1982 for further information.
Galeria Vertice, Ignacio L. Vallarta 179, is featuring an exhibition of Oaxacan art. Tel: 222-9415.
A good many women here come from power careers elsewhere. Just as with others, they talk about the loss of some, or perhaps a lot, of their stock portfolios because of the global crisis. Remember when we as women couldn't even legally obtain a loan or credit cards? Not that long ago.
Questions appear on local Internet boards and in conversations asking about law enforcement officials here around with guns. For your information, this summer at least 16 shoo touts with drug cartels were reported here by law enforcement officials. Vallarta officials asked for help. Now, Jalisco state police help local police here. At checkpoints set up, law enforcement officials probably are searching for drugs and weapons. In a car the other day, we passed a caravan of local and state police. This is life in Mexico today.
Did you know Puerto Vallarta is ranked 3rd in tourism in Jalisco state? Guadalajara ranks first by far.
The Gourmet Festival International Vallarta continues through November 23. Enjoy!
Jades Maya has moved to Constitution 363 at Basilio Badillo. It previously was located on Leona Vicario.
Bums on Broadway at Santa Barbara Theater, Olas Altas 351, is a lively show of recorded music and recorded vocals with the cast dancing and acting. Some of the choreography is very good. For ticket information, call the theater at 223-2048.
Our restaurant reviewer Gary Beck celebrated his birthday inviting friends to El Arrayan, Allende 344. Duck, chicken, mahi mahi, chiles en nogada, empanadas, tacos, and so much more were consumed with owner Carmen watching over us in the beautiful surroundings. The Frijoleros serenaded Gary... and he actually managed to blow out the candles on the cake. Joining the birthday celebration for Gary were Cindy Kerr and Horst Jahn, Patriot, IN, Joy and Howard Chapman, Pleasantville, NY, Vallartans Sid Goodman, Keith May, Robert Fazica, Anna Reisman and me.
Mama Dolores has his/her wig now for true restaurant business. The restaurant on Olas Altas is across from blu salon. Len was wearing and styling the wig, and when I walked in, he frankly frightened me with the hair splayed all over his head. Hope Mama Dolores looks better in it!
How about that unexpected rain on November 4th? It poured in our area. We now move into the beautiful season that provides so many delightful memories of Puerto Vallarta.
 An award-winning journalist, Twila Crawford lives in Puerto Vallarta, where, in addition to contributing articles to BanderasNews, the PV Mirror and other local publications, she writes Out and About in Puerto Vallarta, an informative column that offers inside information about who, what, why, where and when it's happening around Banderas Bay.
Click HERE to read more articles by Twila Crawford. |
Vallarta Weddings
Vallarta Living | November 2008 
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