Click Here for Mexico Car Insurance

 

Los Ayala’s SEASON FINALE PARTY with
Juan-Ted & the AMAZING Rhythm Roosters!

Thursday, March 10th
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

We’re CRUISING
Jaltemba Bay, Punta Raza & Lo de Marcos

We’re WHALE WATCHING

We’re LUNCHING
 
Boca del Rio on Los Ayala Beach
Traditional Mexican Buffet

We’re DANCING!

$500 pesos per person
Includes cruise, lunch, and one drink on the cruise and two drinks with lunch.

TICKETS AVAILABLE

Los Ayala
Casa Contenta, Villas Marena, Bungalows Las Iguanas, Restaurant Charly AND
 from Christina, Linda & Romy!

Guayabitos
Latitude 21 & Georges Coffee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click to our campaign page and to donate





 









 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Click to discover relaxation

 

Click this ad for more info

 

St Patty's Party !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click the parrot for a peek at Juan's

Click for BIG details

 

 

 

Click to get closer to Heaven

Need boat insurance while in Mexico? Click here for free quote!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Log and travel guide for West coast of Mexico

Pacific Coast Road, Nogales to Puerto Vallarta Driving and Travel Guide Log 2011 only $9.99

click here

Click Here to visit our page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













Free Spanish Lessons


 


 

Click here for more information

 

 

 


 



 

 


 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 
 


LAND FOR SALE

Land suitable for small ranch. 

In La Loma 10 minutes north of La Penita.  700,000 pesos. Ejido. 

Contact Rafael at

(cell phone 045 311 161 0573)

Click here for more information


 

 

 

 

 

Free Spanish Lessons
  

 

 

 HotelsCombined.com - Search top travel sites at once!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 4, 2011  ..the heartbeat of the Riviera Nayarit

The Sol, the English Language source of News for the Riviera Nayarit Mexico, including La Penita de Jaltemba, Rincon de Guayabitos, Lo de Marcos. Los Ayala, Lo de Marcos, and San Pancho

 

Become a Friend on the Riviera Nayarit Click Here

 

Free Spanish Lessons

19th Annual Banderas Bay Regatta - March 8-12, 2011
 

 
Over 50 boats have signed up for the 2011 version of the Banderas Bay Regatta. The Regatta, now in its 19th year, will start on Tuesday March 8 and run through Saturday March 12.
Share
 
Over 50 boats have signed up for the 2011 version of the Banderas Bay Regatta. The Regatta, now in its 19th year, is unique in that it is designed specifically for the cruising sailor who is carrying extra sails, spare parts, a solar cell panel or two, and lots of provisions.

This year's Regatta will start on Tuesday March 8 and run through Saturday March 12. The welcome reception on Tuesday afternoon will feature the music of local band Mariachi Estrella and the dancers of Ballet Mexicanisimo who will be performing native dances of the Aztecs.

On Friday night, racers and the general public are invited to join in at one of Vallarta Yacht Club's famous Friday night Fish Fry's and after dinner be treated to a performance of Azucar Latina. If you like salsa, mambo, meringue, cha-cha, and cumbia you will enjoy listening and dancing to the music of this lively group of great musicians. They have also been known to throw in a bit of pop, rock and funk during their performances. In other words they do it all and do it well.

The concert is a free event (cash bar). The Fish Fry Buffet is just $150 pesos. Happy hour starts at 5:00 pm, dinner at 6:00 and the music at 8:00.

Saturday is the last day of racing and the culmination of the ever will be an Awards Banquet which will be held at the Paradise Village Resort and Spa with entertainment provided by the ever popular music group from La Cruz, Philo and the Mexican Shuffle Band.

Although the Welcome Party and the Awards Dinner and Beach Party are not open to the general public, visitors are welcome to join in on the nightly festivities at the Vallarta Yacht Club which is located near the Paradise Plaza Shopping Center in Nuevo Vallarta.

The Banderas Bay Regatta would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors including: Vallarta Yacht Club, Grupo Lloyd, Paradise Village Beach Resort and Spa, Vallarta Lifestyles Publishing Group, Mariners General Insurance Group, State of Nayarit / Rivera Nayarit, Philo's Bar and Restaurant, PV Sailing, Vallarta Yachts, Vallarta Adventures, O & A Investment Funds, Marina Rivera Nayarit, Artist Federico Leon de La Vega and Chevron.

For more information and a full schedule of events visit the BBR website at BanderasBayRegatta.com.

 

More Money

for Cancer de Mama

"Doc Wade & Bubis Bar" have donated $2740 pesos to Cancer de Mama. This is the second time Wade and Bubis have given their "music propina" to this deserving organization.

Wade plays country music at Bubis (just above Cricos grocery at the 4 way stop in Guayabitos) and gives his tips to Cancer de Mama.

 

Wade and his wife Gloria - BIG SUPPORTERS OF CANCER DE MAMA.

Two new stores opened this week in Lo de Marcos

 - a jewellery store and a bakery. 
 
The jewellery store is called Silver Art and is run by Cesar and Alejandrina.  It is located on the main
street of Lo de Marcos at the entrance to Clarita's Cafe.  The store is open when the Cafe is open which is Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings and when she has a special dinner planned like this Wed. March 2 from 6-9 p.m.
 
The jewellery is all hand crafted from high quality sterling silver with fossils, stones and gems.  The designs are all unique and one-of-a-kind.  People may have seen their jewellery in the Monday market in Guayabitos and the Thursday tiangues in La Peñita.  He was also a vendor at the Mujeres a Mujeres Fashion Show recently.  They will work with you to do custom jewellery design and he has loose stones if you don't see what you want already made.  Next weekend he's going to have about 100 new designs.  They're phone number is 322-146-7914.
 

A new bakery called Celebrations also opened today.  It is also on the main street several stores east of the Super Farmarcia Feyma.  They will be open every day.  Rajna Estrada da Monje prepares the wonderful cakes, cookies, breads and pastries.  She also does special order cakes for all occasions including weddings.  They're phone number is 322-193-5068.
 

Things are really picking up in Lo de Marcos these days.  I understand we were well represented at the San Pancho Music festival on Saturday.  We do have some great talent living in our little village.
 
Bye for now,
Lisa

Jim & Bonnie Williams Recognized

Jim and Bonnie Williams were recognized Monday night by volunteers  and supporters for the Margarita Challenge. Jim and Bonnie are key organizers and chair of the event.

They were presented with an plaque honoring the couple for

Outstanding Community Support & Leadership

 

You have touched so many lives in our Mexican Community. Without you this program would not be possible.

 


Click here to read more about this new insurance product

This Week

                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

soccer ball 2

 

baseball-01

 

 

 

 

Mexico: member of gang in US agent slaying caught

Mexican marines have captured a regional boss for the Zetas drug gang that is accused of slaying a U.S. immigration agent, the navy announced Monday.

Navy spokesman Jose Luis Vergara said that suspect Sergio Antonio Mora oversaw Zeta activities in the northern state of San Luis Potosi, where gunmen killed the U.S. agent and wounded another.

Vergara did not say if Mora was involved in the Feb. 15 attack that killed Jaime Zapata and wounded Victor Avila, both agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement…..go to original article

North Texas link to gun that killed ICE agent in Mexico

A single gun has been linked to the fatal shooting of a U.S. federal agent in Mexico — and American investigators have now tied that weapon to Lancaster, Texas.

The Department of Justice isn't releasing any information on this case, but News 8 has learned that a high-powered 7.62mm gun purchased in North Texas is connected to the ambush that killed Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent Jamie Zapata and wounded his partner….go to original article

Suspects identified in shooting death of Colo. man in Mexico lake

Authorities say they have identified four people who are suspects in the murder of a Colorado man who was shot while jet skiing on a lake on the Mexican border with his wife last September, according to a report by KGBT…go to original article

Mexico condemns repression in Libya

The wave of repression unleashed by Col. Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya 'constitutes crimes against humanity', Mexican foreign relations secretary Patricia Espinosa said here….go to original article

Mexico opens bidding on first 'integrated' oil contracts, 2 1/2 years after law approved

Mexico's state-owned oil company has announced the first of a new sort of oil exploration and production contract that allows greater private involvement in the tightly controlled sector. Petroleos Mexicanos is offering six fields in three areas that produced oil in the 1960s, but have been largely ignored since then….go to original article

Mexican tycoon to open museum of over 60,000 artworks

Mexican tycoon and art lover Carlos Slim is Tuesday set to host a glitzy opening for a museum to house more than 60,000 artworks in Mexico City. The Soumaya Museum, named after Slim's late wife, is part of an 800-million-dollar urban development, called Plaza Carso and including housing and a five-star hotel, in a previously rundown district of the Mexican capital….go to original article

US tracks measles exposure at four major airports

U.S. authorities are tracking travellers who may have been exposed to measles from one contagious passenger who passed through four major American airports, health officials said on Monday.

The 27-year-old New Mexico woman, who was not immunized against measles, arrived from Europe and was in airports in Virginia, Maryland, Colorado and New Mexico from February 20 to February 22, officials said…go to original article

Mexico tomato crop devastated by cold snap

Mexico's No. 1 tomato producing state says up to 70 percent of its tomato crop was wiped out by a cold snap this month, pushing up local prices for produce on both sides of the U.S-Mexico border.The coldest temperatures in two decades battered crops in the northwestern state of Sinaloa which usually produces around 12 million crates of tomatoes each year, 75 percent of which are exported to the United States.

Mexico, US face tough talks after US agent killing

Mexican President Felipe Calderon travels to Washington this week to try to patch up relations strained by the killing of a US federal agent in Mexico and leaked US criticism of Mexico's drug war. Calderon is due to meet with US President Barack Obama, House Speaker John Boehner and members of the US business community in the March 2-3 visit announced last week…go to original article

 

Last Week

Mexico Remains a Preferred Travel Destination for Canadians

Canadians Loyal to Mazatlan and Other Mexican Destinations Continue Increasing Travel Trend. As Director of Product for WestJet Vacations Yehudi Altman travels to Mazatlan several times a year on business. However, at the beginning of February Yehudi and his wife Jackie traveled as tourists simply to get away from the cold. Yehudi and Jackie -who live in Vancouver - are one of thousands of Canadian couples who flock to Mexico in a continued trend that saw record numbers of tourists visit the country in 2010….go to original article

Mexico: Botox for prison warden, not drug 'queen'

Prosecutors say that doses of the cosmetic treatment Botox allegedly allowed illegally into a Mexico City prison were not used on jailed drug cartel suspect Sandra Avila Beltran, better known as the "Queen of the Pacific."

Mexico City chief prosecutor Miguel Mancera says the prison's former warden has acknowledged using Botox….go to original article

Quicker Route to Mexico Proposed

A quicker way to cross the border from Nogales Arizona is under discussion. Members of the Nogales Port Authority said if traffic can move quickly from Mexico to the U.S it should do the same when crossing from Arizona into Mexico….go to original article

Report: Thousands Of Migrants Kidnapped In Mexico

In Mexico, a man who tried to journey illegally into the United States to seek work vows that he will never again leave his home

His trip turned into a nightmare when he was kidnapped along the route, as happens to thousands of migrants crossing through Mexico each year….go to original article

Golf star Lorena Ochoa swings strong in face of Mexico drug war

Lorena Ochoa teed off in her first PGA Tour event since retiring nearly a year ago, her star power lending a needed boost to sports events in violence-wracked Mexico.

Nearly a year after retiring as the most celebrated golfer in Mexican history, Lorena Ochoa teed off Wednesday in her first Mayakoba Golf Classic, her star power lending a needed boost to sports events in violence-wracked Mexico….go to original article

Quake rocks Mexico coast

A magnitude-5.7 earthquake has shaken Mexico’s Gulf coast. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The US Geological Survey said the quake at 7:07 am local time was centred near the town of Acayucan in Veracruz state, and it was felt even in Mexico City, nearly 300 miles to the north-west….go to original article

Mexico criticizes advance of proposed Arizona law

Mexico says a proposed Arizona law targeting illegal immigrants is an unfortunate step toward violating the rights of Mexicans in the United States.

Julian Ventura, undersecretary for North America, says in a statement Thursday the bill approved this week by a state senate committee would harm relations between Mexico and the U.S. border state….go to original article

Alta. teens touched by cancer Mexico-bound

Davis Weisner, 15, wants to help out in the construction of three houses for low-income Mexican families in any way he can. Weisner has had cancer since he was 10 and isn't likely to recover. A 15-year-old Calgary boy with cancer wants to go to Mexico to help build houses for the poor. Even though Davis Weisner is weak and sick, he said he could still lend a hand. The Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is helping him do just that, as he and 14 other Alberta teens who have been touched by cancer head to Ensenada, Mexico….go to original article

Expansion begins at largest U.S.-Mexico border crossing

A $600 million expansion that would more than double capacity at the world's busiest border crossing broke ground south of San Diego on Thursday, aiming to boost security and cut lengthy delays at the California-Mexico border….go to original article

 

 

Live English Theatre Returns to Jaltemba Bay

 The Penita Players present an evening of comedy theatre for three performances.

 March 9, Pina Colada Restaurant in Guayabitos, on the highway west lateral just south of the second entrance.  Dinner is at 6:00pm followed by the show at about 7:30pm.   Latecomers will be seated at the first appropriate opportunity. Cover charge/donation 25 pesos for show, proceeds to Rotary Club's kindergarden construction project

 March 10, Restaurant Xaltemba Galeria in La Penita, just off the northwest corner of the main plaza. Doors open for dinner at 5:00pm; last sitting is at 7:30pm; the show will start at 8:30pm.  Cover charge/donation 25 pesos for show, proceeds to Los Amigos de la Penita Education committee.

 March 11, La Penita RV Park in La Penita, about 1 km north of the Avenida on the highway. Pizza dinner (by reservation for non-park residents) at 6:00pm,   Show starts at 7:00pm, 25 peso cover charge/donation goes to Jaltemba Foundation.

This hour-long comedy show will fill your already well-filled bellies with laughter. Our six performers have prepared nine scenes on topics running the gamut of real-life experiences, ranging from dating disasters to technical difficulties. 

The Penita Players began entertaining in Jaltemba in 2004 at Kathy's Restaurant, then in 2009 at Backstreet Restaurant, and are tickled to re-emerge with our largest and zaniest ensemble ever.    Join us for a fun-filled evening of  entertainment.  Don't delay; phone your  restaurant to book your seats now!

Living in Paradise: Surf's Up in Sayulita
 


Everyone enjoyed the sun-drenched beaches, big waves, live music, killer food, and just kicking back and watching their favorite surfers at the San Pancho Pro 2011 Surf Tournament, January 14-16, 2011.
Share
 
Living in Paradise takes you to the San Pancho Pro 2011 Surf Tournament, which took place January 14-16, 2011 at Bahía de San Pancho, Nayarit. All the best professional surfers from the greater Bay of Banderas area, along with other great surfers from Mexico and around the world, came to compete in this world class event.

The day before the competition, we were able to talk with Adán Hernandez, Mexico's renowned National Surf Champion, who told us what his expectations were for the upcoming tournament.

The San Pancho Pro 2011 Surf Tournament was a total success, with an estimated 3000 spectators over the 3 day tournament. Everyone enjoyed the sun-drenched beaches, big waves, live music, killer food, and just kicking back and watching their favorite surfers. The surfers showed their fans their best tricks, even in difficult conditions.

Not only were the professional surfers there, but other categories as well, like the under 18-year-old division, long boarders, boogie boarders, and even hot female surfers. We were able to talk with some of the tournament contestants and a visitor and hear what they had to say about the event and surfing in San Pancho in general.

One the third day of the tournament things really heated up. The fans were in frenzy as the sun started going down, as the final four began in almost dark conditions. Adrian Hernandez took the lead with Travis Southworth was right on his back, but Jose "Ticus" Jimenez came on strong in the end to grab second place.

The favorite, Adrian Hernandez, with his high flying tricks crushed everyone, demonstrating why he is Mexico's National Champion and bringing home the first prize of $10,000 pesos in cash.

We also had El Dorado Restaurant, Bar and Beach Club Executive Chef Juan Zuno, formerly of Boca Bento, share an incredible recipe for a simple to prepare Tuna Ceviche with us. Chef Juan also shared his philosophy with us - using only the freshest ingredients and seafood, combined with local flavors and traditions.

Chief Juan Zuno started his career back in 2004 with Stewart Haverlack of Boca Bento Restaurant. Today, you can enjoy their Latin Asian fusion gastronomy at the Legendary El Dorado Restaurant Bar and Beach Club, Pulpito #102 on the South side of Puerto Vallarta.

Living in Paradise, a video series that highlights all of the interesting people, places, and events that Puerto Vallarta has to offer, is sponsored by El Dorado Restaurant, Bar and Beach Club on Puerto Vallarta's famous Playa de Los Muertos. For more information or to make your reservations, visit ElDoradoPV.com or call (322) 222-4124.

Click HERE to see more Living in Paradise videos.

 


The Most Delicious Fundraiser in Town

Photos by Christina

The Most Delicious Fundraiser in Town raised $22,840.35 (net) for the schools in Los Ayala!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to the anonymous kind person who once again donated an air conditioner for one of the school classrooms, all the Mom's in Los Ayala who worked hard baking, everyone who baked or bought a dessert to donate to the event; Casa Cooking http://casacookingclasses.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

 

for the Tres Leche Cake (the cake with the flowers), and all the volunteers who made this event possible. And an extra special Congratulations to  Linda and Orlando for making this event a success!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now You can travel in Mexico worry free!

Mexico Assist Benefits Include

  • Emergency Medical Assistance & Medical Evacuation (including transfers & air evacuation) - This aid can provide medical transport, repatriation to the beneficiary's home country, lodging, prescriptions and much more.
     
  • Travel & Communications Assistance - These services include travel agency services, tourism information, U.S. State Department and Embassy information and contacts, and much more.
     
  • Legal Assistance - Legal Assistance is provided by professional attorneys, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customers will receive help for any legal matter and representation of the beneficiary before authorities.
     
  • ATM Safe Robbery Benefit - ATMSafe® Robbery Benefit provides aid in the event that the beneficiary is robbed while withdrawing funds from an ATM when traveling to, while in or when returning from Mexican vacations.

    24-Hour Live Case Mangagement - The Mexico Assist call center provides 24 hour live monitoring of all cases, 365 days per year. The call center is operated by trained, bilingual Customer Service Representatives and is accessible by telephone, fax or e-mail.
  • Click here for a free quote

 

 

Letters to the Editor

This is an FYI for all those people, who like us, travel with their tennis rackets in the carry-on luggage.  We were very surprised when we arrived at the PV airport that they will not allow tennis rackets (or ceramics or glass items) in a piece of carry-on luggage.  This meant we had to quickly re-pack ours and hope that it arrived in tact.  This was a first for us as we have traveled with our tennis rackets in carry-on for as long as we can remember and this rule only seems to apply when departing from Mexico.  Thought this may be worth a mention in Jaltemba Sol.

 

As an aside, be very thankful to be in the warmth of RdeG - us Vancouver Islanders were hammered the other day with 10 - 15 inches of snow and today we have a temperature of minus 9 Celsius with the wind chill (a term not normally used in this part of the country).

 

Enjoy

 

Mel Reid

 

 

What a Blast!

Mateja's on the Beach Customer Appreciation party was explosive thanks to Bobby Butler's pyrotechnics.

Mateja shows her appreciation to some of her most valued customers including Jodie, dot, Jack Kathy and Tracy.  Check back later to day to view more pictures of this fun event that attracted over 200 customers.  Click here to view more photographs by Bill Bell of this fun event


Next Meeting of Los Amigos de La Peñita

The next meeting of Los Amigos de La Peñita will be on Monday, February 28, 2011  at Restaurante La Palapa de Guty, Circuito Libertad #4. There will be a social gathering at 6:30 with the formal meeting starting at 7:00.

Key agenda items will be:

End of year budget items

Report from scholarship committee

Status of JEDI activities

Community report

Education Committee Activities

Report on Recycling program

Tianguis report 

All are welcome.
 

Views from My Tropical Garden    ©Tara A. Spears

Warm climate gardening tips

A favorite warm climate native, the banana tree, adds a festive touch to any home by providing beautiful large leaves that provide a soothing rustling sound in the ocean breezes as well as bearing delicious fruit.  It can be grown in a container –dressing up a balcony or patio- or planted directly in the ground. Wild forms of the banana plant come originally from the Indo-Malaysian area but are now cultivated all over the tropical and sub-tropical continents, including Mexico. The attractive banana plants can grow up to 45 feet (15 m) tall but most varieties vary from 9 to 25 feet  (3 to 9 m) high. The blue-ish green, graceful large leaves can grow to 12 feet (3 m) long, making it a great source of shade in a sunny yard. This rapid growing plant can reach full size in just a few weeks, making it a desirable addition for obtaining a tropical look around a pool or patio areas....go to page 4 Home, Living & Real Estate
                                                                                                            


An Information Session on Micro-Financing

 

On Thursday, March 3, Los Amigos de La Peñita and Sé Más will be holding an information session on micro-financing at 7:00 PM in the Ejido salon.  The ejido salon is just one block from the end of the Avenida, 1/2 block to the north.  There is a big sign that says Ejido....go to Page 2 Local Features Announcements for complete announcement

Champions!

Bruce Marshall, Robert Germain, Anita Grenier and Pat Lang proudly hold up the La Casa de los Niños Golf Tournament trophy coming in first place Saturday at the el Monteon Field of Dreams golf course. Click here to view more results from the tournament

Ballet Folkorico Troup from Lo de Marcos performs for La Casa de los Niños Golf Tournament at the el Monteon field of Dreams, the tournament continues today

Tequila Challenge - Incredible Show!

The Challenge - which contestant makes the best Tequila drink - was decided unanimously by three international judges last Saturday evening. Pochteca won hands down with a tasty brew of tequila and fruit juices.

The Challenge - based in the principals and criteria from our very own local Margarita Challenge - is a major fundraising event for a technical school in Tequila which teaches, amongst other things, how to make the world famous alcoholic drink -Tequila. The judges rate performance, presentation, taste amongst other categories.

Three contestants sponsored by Tequila distilleries, vied for the coveted first place. Last year, Margarita Challenge Champions, the Patty Hueso / Hinde and Jaime's Restaurant won first place. The Champions did not return this year, however their outstanding fire and ice performance set a high standard for this year's event.

Pochteca made an outstanding performance with a Charro Lasso act, Mariachis, Aztec dancers and of course, a dancing horse. While all three contestants drinks were delicious, Pochteca's performance pushed them into the lead position.

Photography by Bill Bell


Gift of Mosaic Glass

Eva created this beautiful mosaic glass tabletop for her daughter Petra.

EVA GRAEBER has been attending Jo's creative stain glass workshops for quite some time and recommends them wholeheartedly;

 

 

 

 

 

 


Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue

Advocating humane and healthy practices for animals in the Jaltemba area by promoting health, education, sterilization, adoptions, foster care and positive relationships with animals and their owners.

December 2006 to February 2011: During this time, there were 9 clinics and more than 1,816 animals spayed or neutered in the Jaltemba Bay Area!

Read more here

 

 

Margarita Challenge Raises A Glass to the Many Volunteers and Generous Community

We would like to thank the following people:

The Margarita Challenge Executive

Ron and Sue, Ralph and Shirley, Shirley Middleton, Deb and Dale, Dot and Bill, Bill, Sheila, Rick and Geri

To the judges Bill, Dot, Romy and Louise

To the helpers at the event

Bill and Gina, Dot and Bill, Ron and Sue, Ralph and Shirley, Deb and Dale, Sheila, Yvonne, Tannis, Anna, Mavis, Yvonne, Rick, Geri, Mitch All the Pina Coloda Staff

Thanks to the Press for all the great pictures and stories.

 

Thanks to the DJ’s (John and Mimi) the Tequila company Pochteca for the free samples and the tequila for prizes to the Engraver (Salvador) for the engraving.

 

Thanks to all the people who donated silent auction items the people that bid on them and the margaritas and all the people that donated money Bold development 5000 Canadian dollars Mary Williams 100 American dollars, Ron and Sue Elms 100 American dollars, Gordon Cantmell and Colleen Auld 1000 pesos, Stu Barr 50 Canadian dollars

Marion and Clayton 1000 pesos Chaco 100 pesos from his t shirt sales.

 

Thanks to the contestants that make this happen Hindie and Jamie’s Patti, Xaviar and Rachael Latitude 21  Delma, Dana, and helpers Pochteca Aldo and Jorge

I hope I got everyone if I missed someone I apologize in all what a Great event hope to see you all next year

Jim and Bonnie and Esteban and Mina

 

Total Raised after Expenses 131,853 pesos

 

 


Acupressure Now Offered in La Peñita

Rebecca Thacker is pleased to announce that she will be offering acupressure in addition to her Yoga Classes. Email her directly if you wish a session

Rebecca Thacker
isleofhemp@hotmail.com

Thacker is a qualified yoga teacher with over 200 hours of training with senior instructors.

"Everyone is welcome! We will focus on undoing tension and getting in touch with the spine through breath and movement. I believe yoga is not about getting into difficult postures, but about getting in touch with the body mind and spirit. Everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace, according to their own abilities."

Darling of the Sea: Pacific Dolphins

           © Tara A. Spears

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the experience of seeing wild dolphins in their natural habitat.  As a life-time boater and fishing enthusiast, Ihave always treasured every encounter with these sleek and charming sea mammals. Everyone may be familiar with the specie from watching movies and viewing dolphins in aquariums or catching a show at Sea World, but being eye to eye with wild dolphins from a boat is breathtaking. They have such presence and entertaining behaviors that a picture cannot convey!  The Dolphin is the largest and most diverse family of cetaceans. It contains 26 recognized species and six toothed whales. Most forms of this family have functional teeth in both jaws, a melon shaped head with a distinct beak, smooth sloping foreheads, a single notch in the middle of their flukes and a dorsal fin. Of the 26 species of dolphin, 13 tend to have long, well-defined beaks and streamlined, torpedo shaped bodies. These intelligent animals are powerful swimmers, and live in family groups called pods that contain from 10 to a thousand of individuals.

Click here to read the entire Tara Spears story

 


Have you tried Patty's new Strawberry Margarita?  Unbelievably great!
 

Click our ad to see where we are playing

 

Photographs by Bill Bell San Diego Zoo

Learn Spanish Online

Learn Spanish Online

Get the most of out of your experience in Mexico - by learning some Spanish...

Being able to converse in Spanish will give you better access to the culture and make your visit or lifestyle in Mexico much more enjoyable and rewarding.

If you are traveling on business, being able to speak at least a little Spanish will go a long way to helping your negotiations.

Visual Link Spanish offers a unique learning experience that enables you to start speaking Spanish right away.

Spanish Lessons Online - Free

Most language courses teach a lot of grammar rules and verb conjugations, but when you're done you can't actually speak Spanish.

The Visual Link Spanish system is effective in building your conversation skills, because it teaches you to build sentences, ask and answer useful, everyday, questions and truly communicate in Spanish.

These online Spanish lessons will enable you to start speaking and understanding basic Spanish now, and they'll also provide a solid foundation for you to progress onto higher levels later on.

The course is excellent, and because of the way it's presented and structured, you'll begin to speak and understand basic Spanish right away.

Start your free interactive Visual Link Spanish lessons online now

A new window will open when you click one of the links above.

2011 Carnaval Parade in Puerto Vallarta




 
2011 is the third year of the Puerto Vallarta Carnaval Parade and this year it will be bigger and more colorful than ever with over 40 floats already entered.
Share
 
The most flamboyant, outrageous, exciting parade of the year in Puerto Vallarta is just around the corner. On Saturday, March 5, starting at 10 pm, the streets of South side Puerto Vallarta will come alive with a public spectacle rarely seen in this sleepy little tourist town by the bay - the 2011 Carnaval Parade.

The streets of Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo will be the route for this year's parade. 2011 is the third year of the Puerto Vallarta Carnaval Parade and this year it will be bigger and more colorful than ever with over 40 floats already entered.

The parade is open to any concept from simple walking groups to large truck and trailer floats. Music, dancing and beautiful bodies will be the rule of the day (...night).

If any business or organization is interested in entering a float or in sponsoring a prize for any of several categories of "best" float, please contact a member of the parade committee through the Carnaval website, CarnavalVallarta.com.

Float entries fees are only $300 pesos and official non-profit organizations can enter without a fee. Registration is open until February 27th ... or until the parade is full.

Both the Vallarta gay and straight communities come out of the closet, so to speak, decked in their finest, for this parade. It’s flashy and fun for anyone of any age. Celebrate Mardi Gras the way it was intended and strut your stuff on Carnaval night, Saturday, March 5, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanking All Fashion Show Guests and Volunteers                                 © Tara A. Spears
The Women to Women 2011 Fashion Show is a wrap, and now it’s time to bask in the afterglow. Thank you to the 300 guests that attended the event- and had a good time in spite of a few snags in the production. The original outfits were inspiring, the food delicious, and wasn’t it fun to have a day out with your friends? The Fashion Show committee deeply appreciates the generosity for all of those who participated in the raffles, auction, and scholarship pledge drive: your financial support will have a long lasting impact on the future of this rural Mexican community. And you all looked so beautiful in your outfits! All proceeds from the Fashion Show will support the Cancer de Mama Clinic and provide scholarships for local students who would otherwise not be able to attend university- what a tremendous outcome from a day of enjoying friends, food, and fashion. The Women to Women Fund first-ever scholarship pledge drive was a huge success, providing money solely for additional scholarships.
. go to page 2 for complete Article


Hugs Make the Difference

At Cancer de Mama Clinic          2011

 © Tara A. Spears

The sky was a gloomy gray and the temperature dipped to a record low on the Jaltemba Bay coast the first week-end in February, but the mood at the Cancer de Mama Clinic was upbeat, underscored with hope and compassion as the volunteers in cheerful pink shared smiles and hugs with the hundreds of women from throughout Nayarit. Many of the women traveled for hours by bus to receive assistance at the annual breast cancer clinic.  The statistics are impressive: 342 women clients were given 380 medical prosthesis; 341 prosthetic bras; 191 prosthetic tab bras; 739 regular bras, and 73 wigs for chemo patients.  The clinic welcomes the clients with cheerful banners and comforting smiles from the volunteers hoping to ease the women’s fears, at least for a few hours.  By having to deal with a long term illness such as breast cancer, many of the women lose the support of their family and friends and are having to cope by themselves. “We at the clinic become their family,” said Judy Krajnc, co-chair of the Cancer de Mama Clinic group. The Cancer de Mama Clinic’s success can be measured by the friendships, smiles, and hugs of all the participants. ...Go to Page 4 for complete article

 

 

 

New football stadium for La Peñita starts to take shape at the old bull ring location


Walking for Cancer de Mama Donors Mystery Donors

Annette Richard & Linda Hamel & Mar de Cortez Hotel

We would really like to thank the "Mystery Donors" who gave and dashed at the walk for Malena and Cancer de Mama walk.

A huge thank you goes out to two French Canadian amigas, Annette Richard et Linda Hamel, took it upon themselves to collect pledges for the walk.  The money,960 pesos. was collected from the residents of the Mar de Cortez hotel in Guayabitos.

(On a side note: If you wish to join a dynamic group of organizers for the walk that hate meetings, write dot@ontheroadin.com with cancer de mama in the subject line)



An Expansion of the Los Amigos Recycling Program

 

The Recycling Committee of Los Amigos is pleased to announce that we have now started to collect cardboard for recycling.  The driver (Tavo) picks up at various business, bungalows and hotels and will now collect cardboard if left beside the existing baskets on the streets.  The route is Mondays for Guayabitos and Los Ayala and Wednesdays for La Peñita and La Colonia.  Please put out the cardboard only on delivery days and break down boxes if at all possible.

 

Thank You

 

 

Guayabitos' own mad hatters!

 


 


Classified

Have a Truck? Cut Costs Northbound!

North Bound Trailer Towing Required

Require a 24ft 5th Wheel Trailer to be towed out of Mexico or as far North as you are going. Final destination is Alberta Canada. Can be towed using ½ ton truck or larger. Leaving after march 31 and before April 15th.Cost to be negotiated.

robergca@yahoo.com

Phone 322 168 1192


 

Highlights from the February 15 Meeting of Los Amigos de La Peñita

A financial report on the Fiesta was presented. Total gross revenue was 403,000 pesos, including 65,000 pesos in donations from Special Sponsors, which covered all expenses. This meant that all the proceeds from the auctions and ticket sales will go into our programs. Total net revenue was 337,000 pesos; 63,000 of this is designated for scholarships, leaving 275,000 for our other programs for next year. Thanks were given to everyone who made the event such a success.

Given the increase in the number of scholarship students, additional volunteers are being sought for the Scholarship Committee. A number of teachers and other community leaders have expressed an interest in joining.. The intention is to do more than just provide tuition but to also provide personal growth programs, leadership training and, possibly English training.

With respect to the Mango Salsa project, it was noted that the women selected for the project will be going to Tepic this week for the second step of the selection process. The first sales flyer from the Buy Local Campaign will be out this week and will be available at the tianguis; Buy Local bags will be for sale at the tianguis in Guayabitos on Monday for the next two weeks. In terms of the Micro-Finance Project, a meeting was held with Se Mas, an offshoot of PEACE, this week; Se Mas is the organization we are looking at to administer the program should we decide to proceed. An information session for interested participants is scheduled for March 3 at 7:00 PM at the Ejido. The amount of interest generated by the information session will determine next steps.

It was reported that two Kinders – Las Rosas and La Hoya – will be receiving their official documents giving them ownership of their land this Saturday. Romy Mora, Sydney Richmond and the Parents’ Committee at La Hoya were thanked for their help in moving the La Hoya project forward and Peter and Marje Holstein were thanked for their donation of toys, games and shelves to Las Rosas.

Recycling Committee volunteers have now made 224 baskets this season and will be approaching the hotels and bungalows in the area over the next two weeks to encourage them to participate in recycling.

A presentation was given on the Senior Centre that is proposed to be built in Sayulita. Land has now been donated. A rodeo in being held in La Peñita on February 27 from 4:00-7:00 to raise funds for the construction. The Centre will serve seniors from Compostela to Bucerias.

It was reported that 342 women participated at the Cancer de Mama Clinic in early Febraury. Individuals came from all over the State of Nayarit, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Thanks were given to all the volunteers who helped out at the Clinic.

The next meeting will be February 28.

Full Minutes are available on the Los Amigos Website (www.losamigosdelapenita.com).
 


 


 

lick the

Click here to visit our site

Los ayala by bill Bell

Los Ayala's Playa by Bill Bell


 

The Strange faces of Puebla Mexico

photographs by Bill Bell

 

 


Rice and weddings in the town of Tequila by Bill Bell


Classified


Wanted

Canadian couple would like to rent any clean accommodation with kitchen within a short walk to the beach in Guayabitos. No pets and non smokers. Minimum stay one month or more. Needed end of January or early February. brian.sharlene@gmail.com


 

WEATHER

Click to see the current weather

Acapulco

Loreto

Puerto Vallarta

Aguascalientes

Los Mochis

Queretaro Airport

Cancun

Manzanillo

San Felipe

Cozumel

Mazatlan

San Jose Del Cabo

Cuernavaca

Merida

San Luis Potosi

Durango

Mexico City

Santa Rosalia

Ensenada

Monterrey

Tampico

Guadalajara

Morelia

Tepic

Guanajuato

Oaxaca

Veracruz

Bahias De Huatulco

Puebla

Zacatecas

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Puerto Escondido

 

La Paz

Puerto Penasco