Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There are lots of entertaining and educational activities going on at the Puerto Vallarta International Friendship Club (IFC) over the next few weeks. Please join us as we raise funds for various worthy charities in the Banderas Bay area.

IFC Open House: Tuesday, January 10th, 6-8 pm

Everyone's invited to come and spend a fun evening with us and get re-acquainted with the International Friendship Club at our Open House. Our office has been upgraded and we are proud to be able to welcome you all for a visit and the opportunity to take part in this great organization and the charity work it has been doing since 1987. There will be live music, appetizers and 2 free drinks per person. Come and share in the fun!

Mindfulness Meditation Class: Every Saturday, 8:30-10:00 am

Begin the New Year mindfully with the International Friendship Club's Mindfulness Meditation Class, guided by Dan Grippo. We will study and practice mindfulness meditation as developed in the Buddhist tradition. Chairs are provided for seated meditation, or bring your own mat and cushion for floor meditation. We will follow a three-part dynamic:
8:30 - Presentation
9:00 - Meditation
9:30 - Discussion

Your voluntary donation supports IFC charities. For more information, email mindmed(at)yahoo.com.

Monday Night Movies

January 9: Midnight in Paris - written and directed by Woody Allen, starring Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni

January 16: Secrets from Her Past - starring Ashley, Al Sapienza, Michael Woods

Doors open at 6:45 pm. Movie @ 7:15. Price: $35 pesos

Spanish Classes: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

Monday is Spanish 101; Tuesday is Spanish 201, and Thursday is practice of communication skills - no new materials introduced.

Basic 9-10:15 am, Intermediate 10:30-11:45 am, Advanced 12-1:15
Cost: Members $60 pesos per class / Non-Members $80 pesos per class.

Bridge: Every Friday, 2-5 pm

Open to all members that enjoy a friendly bridge game. Free to members, non-members pay $50 pesos each.

Home Tours: Every Wednesday & Thursday, 10:30 am

Since 1987, the IFC has conducted Puerto Vallarta Home Tours for charities and, more specifically, our quarterly Cleft Palate Surgery Program. In addition to the initial surgery, the Cleft Palate program also includes: dentist follow up, speech therapy, and additional surgeries when needed. Our Home Tours, which run every Wednesday and Thursday until April 12, 2012, provide the largest portion of the funds required to keep this program running.

On tour days, tickets are available at 9:00 am at Restaurant La Alabufera, Aquiles Serdan #242 on PV's Southside. The bus leaves from there at 10:30 am. Tickets cost for $450 pesos (or USD equivalent) per person and may be purchased in advance at the IFC office Monday-Friday from 9 am to 4 pm or online using PayPal or a credit card at ifcvallarta.com.

Oaxaca Rugs Demonstration by Alex Martinez: January 11, 10 am-12 pm

Alex Martinez comes from a traditional rug-making family of many generations in Oaxaca. He will give a demonstration and talk about the dying of the wool and the making of the rugs. He will also have rugs for sale at Oaxaca prices. We will also give information on travel to Oaxaca.

Dan Grippo Lecture Series: Fridays, January 13, 20, 27 & Feb 3, 10:30 am-12 pm
The Mayan Worldview and the Meaning of 2012: Beginnings, Endings, Cycle presented by Daniel Grippo, M.A. Religious Studies; M.A., PHD, Latin American History

Employing texts, images, and video presentations, we will explore the great history, traditions, religion, astronomy, language and worldview of the Mayan people, especially as they developed during the classical and post classical period of Mesoamerican culture (300 CE - 1500 CE). We also will examine the Western Christian and New Age influences that have contributed to the hype surrounding a so-called "Mayan apocalypse" supposedly coming in 2012. Admission per lecture: $100 pesos / $80 pesos for IFC members. Proceeds support local Mexican charities. Seating is first come, first served. Class limit is 90 seats.

Bazaar: Wednesday January 18, 10 am

Come and see what is on offer, find a bargain, sample a new food. Who knows what you will discover?

Daniel J. Lanahan Lecture Series: Tuesdays, Jan. 24 & 31, Feb 7 & 14, 2-4 pm
Legendary Trials of the 20th Century

Throughout the ages, trials have reflected the culture and values of the societies in which they took place. Since ancient Greece, the Western World has been host to hundreds of trials of notoriety which have shaped our legal system. Many are easily identified by name, but often details have been forgotten.

Analysis of the facts, legal issues, societal interest, values and rules help us understand the considerations giving rise to what are often controversial and influential results to our legal system and daily life itself. Discussion of the main characters and venues in these real life dramas are constructive and entertaining.

Dan leads a discussion that focuses on precedent setting American trials that have provided the 20th century with much of its legal direction, along with controversial outcomes, and political drama. After a brief presentation of the importance of trials in history, the group will then be led through the trial's characters, arguments and implications.

The twenty precedent setting trials discussed will include those of Ezra Pound (treason), Sacco-Vanzetti, Leopold and Loeb (both dealing with the death penalty), Scopes (teaching of evolution), Scottsborough Boys (civil rights), Nuremburg, including military trials and tribunals, the Rosen bergs (espionage), Jack Ruby (conspiracy), Chicago Seven (freedom of speech), Roe vs. Wade (constitutionally protected choice) and a comparison of the impeachments of Presidents Andrew Johnson and William Clinton.

Daniel J. Lanahan, JD, H.LLD is the founding partner of the Lanahan & Reilley LLP law firm headquartered in Santa Rosa. He has been a trial and business lawyer for the last 42 years and an active member on many Boards and Committees serving communities throughout the Bay Area. He has taught law, police science and insurance practices at the College of San Mateo, Canada College, Golden Gate University, San Francisco and Empire Law Schools. He has given the Notable Trials course at Sonoma State University as well as the law schools. His book, Justice for All: Legendary Trials of the Twentieth Century is the basis of the 4 session course at the IFC. Cost: Members $80 pesos/ Non-Members $100 pesos.