Out and About in Puerto Vallarta
 Twila Crawford - PVNN
| | Catch a glimpse of the rich ancesteral customs and cultures of the Huichol Indians during the the Festival Indigena at Plaza Caracol through March 15th. | |
Gosh, it's March already. And persons from the north begin to return to home bases. By Easter, April 12, the migration will be keeping the airport mighty busy.
While trying to settle back in from travel, it is so good to see friends and acquaintances around town. Boy, it doesn't take long to have one's ears ringing with local goings-on ... some good, some bad ... as usual. I love to enjoy the mountains, water and sky, as do so many of you.
Recent Canadian and U.S. travel warnings about Mexico - probably related primarily to the border situations, although some other parts of Mexico are affected as well - has many of us receiving emails and phone calls. I tell my questioners how I lead my life in Vallarta, trying to be aware and alert, but that I have not changed my lifestyle any except that I do not any longer walk at late hours at night.
Wise Wo-men has some excellent programs lined up through April. On March 11, Dolores Brittingham, owner and chef of the cooking school, Essence of Cuisine, will tell how to be a "Skillful Party Host/Party Guest" and "10 Etiquette Mistakes You Did Not Know Your Were Making." We all probably can use some help. It is at 10:00 am at the International Friendship Club, Libertad and Miramar.
Other Wise Wo-men programs are on March 25 with Fernando Valerio, "Mexican Financials at a Glance," on April 8, Lisa and John Ozzello, "Hospice and Homecare Services." They are medical professionals. And on April 22, as usual, attorney Maria O'Connor discusses legal information concerning real estate in Mexico. Always a popular program.
Author and international conference speaker, Dr. Joy Carol, had Wise Wo-men discussing "Affirming Life in a Time of Fear and Uncertainty." I was in a small group discussion with Celise Livingston and Betty Des Rochers, sisters from Canada. With cancer and death experiences, they certainly could talk about the topic.
Bakery and catering owner, Liana Turner, says her Paradise business is doing well. Email lianasea(at)msn.com or call (322) 222-5133. We all know those incredible cinnamon rolls!
Another place dong quite well is Mama Rosa restaurant, Leona Vicario 297. Traditional Mexican dinner now is served, beginning at 6:00 p.m., as well as a breakfast buffet, from 8 am - 2 pm. Very popular. Tel: (322) 222-4010.
One of my favorite places for a simple breakfast or lunch is the newly refurbished CoExist Cafe at Hotel Rio on Morelos.
Lovely Sybil Breitwieser is recovering from a fall. Her daughter, actress Patrice White, lives nearby to help her.
The Vallarta Writers Conference was well-attended with a good program. Well-known poet and writer, co-chair Karen Blomain, is conducting a workshop in Ireland and then is pursuing literary efforts in Russia. Playwright Michael Downend is working on another play.
It was so good to talk with musician Steve York on the street the other day and to find out entertainer Lisa York has just returned from a cruise performance. They both perform around the area and are internationally known. With my return, I hope to see a number of musicians who perform in the area.
Theater owner Ann Marie Danimus is back performing. Santa Barbara Theater is filled weekly with shows and community activities. Ann Marie performs in Vallarta Follies, belting out several songs. On Fridays now, Mystery Theater is on, which is a lot of fun. Ann Marie is performing in this production. The Broadway Cafe is open from 9-11:30 am at Santa Barbara for savory breakfasts. Dinner and a show is $35 USD. Dinner only also is available, with reservations, as are shows only. For reservations and information, call (322) 223-2048.
Slade Seehawer, an owner of the theater with Ann Marie, is here helping manage the theater. His is professional and charming. He has changed some personnel assignments. This resulted again, as several months ago, with this time, a national quitting and calling Immigration. Thus the current issues about permits for expatriates occurred with Immigration coming in and fining several participants and the theater.
A general meeting was held by U.S. consulate and Immigration personnel earlier this week about obtaining permits for volunteer work... after newspaper deadline. Be sure to read Out and About next week for details.
Talk is around among some theater types that the former theater owner, who lives in the U.S., may be interested in The Palm, currently closed. Former Santa Barbara Theater ticket taker Sybil Mulder was on the Southside Board making inquiries about The Palm.
U.S. authorities last week announced 52 arrests in California, Maryland and Minnesota, bringing to 755 who have been charged with drug cartel activities in the U.S. This operation has been aimed at Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, authorities said. More than 6,000 persons were killed in Mexico last year, and more than 1,000 have been killed already this year in the drug war. "They are a national security threat," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in the Obama administration, said. "They are violent, and they are operating with stunning planning."
Do go to the Festival Indigena at Plaza Caracol through March 15th.
Coming up in April and May are: April 7-12, Semana Santa celebrating the Easter season, April 20-24, International Fireworks Symposium, and May 15-30, annual Vallarta Restaurant Week with special menus and discounts.
 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 | March 2009 
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