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 News from Around Banderas Bay | October 2007 
2nd Annual Emiliano Zapata Dinner Dance
 Bob Cohen - PVNN
| | or more information about Col. Emiliano Zapata Neighborhood and Business Association's second annual Dinner Show call 223-8032. | 
| | Association President Eulalio Araiza Rodriguez (Lalo) conducting business at a meeting. | 
| | The group behind putting the function together and the businesses they represent, from left to right: Irene Perez, Neighborhood Association secretary; Benigno Ibarra Casteñeda, Mundo de Azulejos; Mstra. Rosa Alicia Limon Jaramillo, Papelería Limon; Evangelina Sanchez Dueñas, River Cafe; Eulalio Araiza Rodriguez, Los Arbolitos Restaurant; Martin Ramos Lopez, El Brujo Restaurant; Lic. Francisco Landin Moya, Hotel Ana Liz; Felix Perez Castillon, El Torito Sports Bar and Restaurant. |
The Association of Neighbors and Businessmen of Colonia Emiliano Zapata are celebrating their second anniversary dinner and show at the Iguana Restaurant and Bar on Saturday, November 3rd beginning at 8 pm. The group of business people is once again directing that all proceeds go to the improvement of Viejo Vallarta, a.k.a. "Old Town."
The program is geared to Spanish speaking local residents, but English-speaking residents and tourists are welcome. I have to admit that I did have quite a bit of trouble understanding the comedian at last year's event, but I chalked it up to the fact that my Spanish is just barely adequate, and enjoyed the night extremely nonetheless.
This year, the doors will open at 8 pm with the Mikki Prost Show beginning at 8:30, followed by Shela and Voices of the Sea (Shela y Voces Del Mar)at 9:00. The official greeting will be given by the Association President and owner of Los Arbolitos Restaurant, "Lalo" Eulalio Araiza Rodriguez at 9:30. Dinner is scheduled to be served at the same time - but remember we are in Mexico - so if dinner isn't served until 10:30 - just sit, back, relax, and go with the flow.
Even if served a little late, dinner will certainly be worth the wait. Each and every one of the restaurants in the association will be serving their house specialties - freshly prepared and served buffet style.
Regardless of how much one can eat, it is virtually impossible to sample all of the superb offerings. This year, I will do my best to pace myself and not overeat one particular dish so that I can taste at least one specialty from each of the many participating restaurants.
While dinner is going on and on and on, at 9:50 jazz will be played by Beverly and Willow. The Ballet Xiutla is scheduled at 10:35, the comedian will perform at 11:20 followed by an hour of Mariachi music, which starts at 11:50. Dance with Shela (Baile Con Shela) is scheduled for 12:50 - and dinner just might be over by then. There will be socializing and dancing until the scheduled closing time of 3:00 am.
The cost for tickets is $350 pesos per person with all proceeds going towards the improvement of Old Town. For more information, call (322) 223-8032 or 044-322-129-8275 or send an email to viejovallartatown@hotmail.com.
I would be remiss to not talk about this fine organization and some of their accomplishments.
The group is actually named in Spanish, "Asociacion De Vecinos Y Empresarios Viejo Vallarta, Colonia Emiliano Zapata Old Town." They have been in existence for three years and are comprised of owners of restaurants, small hotels and other businesses in the Colonia. Actually, some of the most prominent businesses in the area take on the most responsibility for the organization and its goal to promote business and economy, preserve and beautify the Old Town area as well as make improvements when necessary and to help keep any bad elements or illegal activities away by reporting them to the proper authorities.
The group currently has about 100 members and their most significant contribution has been the placement of five very large tile wall maps throughout the Old Town area. These maps give the exact locations of businesses in the area, cross-referenced with an index of numbers, which show the location of each business.
Utilized by both locals and tourists, these maps can be found in the following locations: on a wall of Gutierrez Rizo Supermarket, next to Freddy Tucans Restaurant, on the side of Espresso Restaurant, at Mundo de Cristal, and the newest one is located on the new part of the Malecon.
The group meets on Tuesday mornings at 9 am at the River Café to discuss business. I have been to two meetings, and it is a pleasure to see the pride that so many of Puerto Vallarta's oldest and largest businesses exhibit. The cost for a business or resident to join is $1000 pesos per year and again, all revenues go to Old Town.
They are now selling membership cards, which gives cardholders at least 10-20% off their bill at many restaurants, motel rooms, jewelry and clothing stores, as well as other participating Old Town businesses. There are over 100 currently.
The six original founders in 2005 were Benigno Ibarra, Eulalio Araiza, Felix Perez, Francisco Landin, Gustavo Fong and Luis Hernandez. Two years later the organization is over 100 strong.
The current officers are the President Eulalio Araiza Rodriguez, Vice President Benigno Ibarra Castañeda, Secretary Felix Perez Castillon and Treasurer Evangelina Sanchez Dueñas. There are other committee heads for different projects and hopefully you can meet them at the dinner, dance function.
We hope to see you at the 2nd Annual Dinner and Show at La Iguana on Saturday, November 3rd beginning at 8 pm. Have a good siesta that afternoon because this will be a late night - if you make the duration. |
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