| | |  Vallarta Living | December 2008 
Out and About in Puerto Vallarta
 Twila Crawford - PVNN
| | The holidays are just around the corner, which means it's time for the Vallarta Chamber Orchestra and Choir Christmas Concert, the MAW Gala Dinner and so many other wonderful seasonal things to enjoy while you are Out and About in Puerto Vallarta. | |
The current Becas Vallarta America-Mexico Foundation Bulletin celebrates the late Peter Gray with a tribute. The annual Becas Ball on March 5, 2009, also will be a tribute to Peter Gray, who did so much to help in this community. This event helps support Becas Vallarta's almost 50-year effort to educate Puerto Vallarta girls and boys, 8th grade through university. Email: phvicars(at)gmail.com.
We appreciate Maria Jose Zorrilla, president of the Los Mangos Public Library, more than ever for making sure information, about the death of and the memorial service to be planned later at the Library for Sally Conley, was widely disseminated. She understood how widely Sally was friends with and helped all kinds of persons in El Pitillal and Puerto Vallarta. Sally was on the Library Board, and she had her own children's library.
The Writers Group, where Sally participated, had a well-attended and thoughtful memorial. Her wide associations were clear in remembrances. Friends also gathered at Sally's home and children's library in El Pitillal to talk with her son, Jonathan, and enjoy the many photos of Sally with children, family, friends and cats.
Persons have been sharing their experiences with Sally. As a former bookstore owner, Sally sometimes helped out Tom Barrett at The Book Store in Plaza Caracol. She touched Tom in her way, so that he is taking a trip to Italy this summer, thanks to Sally's persuasion. He says she will be in his heart while he is there.
Remember the Vallarta Chamber Orchestra and Vallarta Chamber Choir Christmas Concert this Sunday, December 14, at 8 pm at the Colegio Americano (American School) in the Marina Vallarta area.
U.S. Consular Agent Kelly Trainor will celebrate her 10th anniversary providing emergency and U.S. services here at the Wise Wo-Men meeting on Wednesday, December 17th at 10 am at The International Friendship Club (IFC), Miramar and Libertad. Coming January 14 will be the always excellent presentation about the Whales. This multi-media presentation is standing-room only... so come early. On January 28, Daniel Grippo, Ph.D scholar, writer and editor, will be the speaker.
Be sure to get your ticket for Make-A-Wish Mexico for granting wishes to children with life-threatening diseases in Mexico. A Gala Dinner and Las Vegas Fantasy will be on Saturday, December 20, at 7:30 pm at Oscar's Restaurant on the River Cuale. For further information, call 293-7534.
The IFC's Home Tours are on Wednesday and Thursday each week. Departure and ticket sales are at Andale's on the Bay which is on Olas Altas next to the blu salon and across the street from Mama Dolores. Ticket sales begin at 9 am. Bus leaves at 10:30 am. For further information, call the IFC at 222-5466.
Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates, Rodolfo Gomez 111, has a new colorful small pamphlet about chocolates. You can see what to ask for when eyeing the chocolates in the store. In the pamphlet, Charlotte and Carol explain, "According to ancient Mayan mythology, the cacao tree was hidden in a sacred mountain and brought to the earth's surface by divine intervention. Inspired by the Mayans, our chocolates are handcrafted daily in small batches from premium couverture and cream infused with fresh fruits, teas, liqueurs, herbs, spices and locally grown coffee. Our dark chocolate contains 70 percent cocoa solids."
A new Comedy Club opens December 17 with comedians from New York City, Toronto, Denver, Key West and elsewhere. performing throughout the season. The Comedy Club is in the San Franciscan Resort, Pilitas 213 at Olas Altas. The club is open Wednesday - Sunday at 8 pm. For tickets, call 222-6473, ext. 122. A portion from each ticket will help AIDS health services worldwide. This reminds us that Mexican actress and director Selma Hayek has an AIDS foundation in Mexico.
Don and Rhonda are back and will perform Thursday - Sunday from 7-10 pm, at Marazul Restaurant on Los Muertos Beach. They also will perform at the former Miguelito's, 287 Basilio Badillo, from 9:30 pm-12:30 am on Thursdays.. Yes, they will be able to do both gigs on Thursdays, if you note the time. Either they quit early, or they arrive late. You can do anything when you as good as Don and Rhonda!
Former Vallarta producer and director Tencha Avila recently had a play, "Angie's Fire," read off-Broadway. Metlife Nuestras Voces Awards also honored Tencha with the Grand Prize for her play, "Kiss Bessemer Goodbye" in New York City. To congratulate her, email tencha(at)tenchaavila.com.
Quite a number of persons joined author Bob Lamb at his book signing at the beautiful BarrioSur. He signed many copies of his book, Lone Tree. His book can be found on Amazon.com. Assisting him was his step-daughter, Suzanne Bussard. She owns ¡Que Color!, providing color consulting and painting services. Email her at suzannebussard(at)yahoo.com.
Martha Solis can help you with your travels. She helps me with my usual multiple airline stops. She'll come up with good prices. You can email her at solis_martha(at)hotmail.com.
We looked like a sect at our table. It was so cool on the patio of the Hacienda Restaurant for Paco Pilon's and Toody Walton's gourmet dinner that Toody gave us white table cloths to wrap up in at our table. We still had an enjoyable evening. Have you warmed up yet Yvonne, Katia, Audrey and Deborah?
My evening last week totally changed when I saw a group of friends. They convinced me to go with them to the "Dirty Bitches" at Blue Chairs on the beach. I've read commentaries about the show, all favorable. It is fun - if you have a very open mind. With beautiful drag performers. Everyone has a favorite. We loved Jacqueline, who has the most gorgeous legs! Go to HotelBlueChairs.com for more information.
I have been hearing about persons here afflicted with what seems to be megalomania. And junior high actions from adults. Hmmm. Dealt with a couple or so of those myself, I think. How about you?
Turning to really serious Mexico news. The U.S. has formally released half of the $400 million aid package to help Mexico fight drug trafficking. The money is available to strengthen Mexico's law enforcement agencies, treat drug addiction and upgrade the judiciary. Meanwhile Mexico's deaths tied to organized crime and drug trafficking in 2008 have reached more than 5,000, according to El Universal newspaper. Mexican President Felipe Calderon recently said that the country's efforts to fight drug traffickers won't be effective if the U.S. doesn't do more to reduce demand for illicit substances under President-elect Barack Obama.
A crisis is reported to be developing with addiction to methamphetamine, according to respected Reuters news service. Mexico is the largest producer of this drug for the U.S. market. Now it is rapidly growing in use in Mexico. Meth, which can be taken in pills, snorted or injected, is cheaper than cocaine or heroin and has a long-lasting high, according to reports. It is highly addictive and is difficult to treat.
U.S. border control, increased availability of narcotics, Mexican army and police actions against cartels trying to smuggle drugs to the U.S., and looser social norms, Reuters reports, are all blamed on the increased consumption in Mexico.
Makes me grateful for this. I often am awakened by a bird or birds singing in the middle of the night. I know what you are thinking about my state, but no... We have so many security lights in our neighborhood that the birds must be confused... is it day or is it night?
 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. |
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