Archive for October, 2009

Day of the Dead Honors – The Deceased Holiday’s Focus Different than Halloween’s

Written By Gerald Erichsen, www.About.com

Presented by Gary Beck, http://www.cafepress.com/vallartaguide

Dia De Los Muertos Art

Day of the Dead Skulls

Mexican Food Dishes

At first glance, the Mexican custom of El Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead — may sound much like the U.S. custom of Halloween. After all, the celebration traditionally starts at midnight the night of Oct. 31, and the festivities are abundant in images related to death.

But the customs have different origins, and their attitudes toward death are different: In the typical Halloween festivities, death is something to be feared. But in el día de los muertos, death — or at least the memories of those who have died — is something to be celebrated.

El día de los muertos, which continues until Nov. 2, has become one of the biggest holidays in Mexico, and celebrations are becoming more common in areas of the United States with a large Hispanic population. Its origins are distinctly Mexican: During the time of the Aztecs, a monthlong summer celebration was overseen by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead. After the Aztecs were conquered by Spain and Catholicism became the dominant religion, the customs became intertwined with the Christian commemoration of All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1.

Specifics of the celebration vary with region, but one of the most common customs is the making of elaborate altars to welcome departed spirits home. Vigils are held, and families often go to cemeteries to fix up the graves of their departed relatives. Festivities also frequently include traditional foods such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead), which can conceal a miniature skeleton.

There are some other Web sites where you can learn more about the celebration.

Bingo for Bougainvillea – Week 3

In an effort to beautify Vallarta, Robert Price of The Botanical Gardens in conjunction with the City of Puerto Vallarta are planting 5000 bouganvillea bushes from the International Airport to Mismaloya. Showing their support for this huge undertaking, Tim Longpré of PVRPV – Puerto Vallarta Gay Rentals, Charlotte Semple and Carole Fast of Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates and Grant Hunermund of bite me! beach club hosted the final of 3 nights of Bingo for Bouganvillea in the bite me! beach club seaside lounge. Robert, who was in attendance, says he is hoping to create a festival in Puerto Vallarta on the same or a grander scale as the Washington Cherry Blossom festival. Kudos Robert and thank you.

45 people packed the lounge and our guest caller, Grant Hunermund, kept the evening moving along in great style. The sound system died so he had to yell at the crowd but that worked well and all had a great time. We raised $8,070.00 pesos which broken down is 504 bushes. In total we have purchased 1424 plants for this extremely worthwhile cause. Huge kudos to everyone involved.

The week’s winners were:

We also draw for 5 extra prizes and the follow people won:

Margaret Tolton

Hubert Vicars

Marsha Desmaise

Irene Johnson

and Bill Kelly

Without the generosity of our donors this could not be possible so we wish to thank the following companies and people:

Botanical Gardens, Hotel Mercurio, Benittos Deli, Joe Jacks Fish Shack, Ambiance by Marcia, Bar Frida, Balcones Bar, El Sofa Café, Trattoria Michel, Yoga Vallarta, Garbos, Daiquiri Dicks, SF Productions, El Arrayan Restaurant, Franca´s Kitchen, Apaches Bar & Bistro, Dianita´s Restaurant, La Bodega De Nina, Festival Gourmet, Organic Select, Club Mañana, Ron Morgan, Adriana Garcia, Fishing with Carolina, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Banderas News, PV Mirror, Vallarta Tribune, Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates, PVRPV – Property Management & PV Rentals, and bite me! beach club.

On behalf of the committee we wish to thank everyone who attended and made Bingo a huge success. Cheers all and ………O69 yay!!!

Stay tuned as Bingo will continue in the next few weeks at bite me! beach club. Times and dates to be confirmed soon.

bite me! beach club is located on Los Muertos Beach directly south of the Tropicana Hotel. For Reservations, call 223-1521 ext. 234.

Puerto Vallarta “The City of the Bougainvilleas”

Xocodiva, bite me! beach club and PVRPV – Puerto Vallarta Rentals, do it again. With just a week after having terminated their previous project – Carol Fast, Charlotte Semple, Grant Hunermund and Tim Longpre come together to continue with three more weeks of bingo, this time to help enhance our already beautiful Puerto Vallarta. The project called “The City of the Bougainvilleas” is headed by Robert Price of Botanical Gardens and the city of Puerto Vallarta, its goal is to plant the amount of 5,000.00 bougainvillea bushes, amapas and spring flowers, from the International Airport Gustavo Diaz Ordaz to Mismaloya.

The project was approved and supported by Ing. Lázaro Cárdenas Tovar from H. Ayuntamiento de Puerto Vallarta (City Hall) and by Lic. Alfredo Velázquez Islas del Despacho de la Dirección de Servicios Públicos Municipales (Municipal Department of Public Services). The project is to improve the appearance of Puerto Vallarta including parks and gardens, as well as, streets and roads.

The idea started thanks to the swine flu scare A-H1N1, as this seriously affected the image of Mexico thus affecting tourism in Puerto Vallarta. It plans to obtain an improvement in the image of our fabulous city – Puerto Vallarta.

Besides attending the weekly bingo at bite me! beach club in Playa los Muertos, you can also donate via PayPal or if you prefer buying them at a value of $ 16.00 pesos or in groups of 100 for $ 1600.00 dollars.

Not only we’ll contribute with the environment, but also will provide a better image to this paradise we love so much.

http://ciudaddelasbugambilias.wordpress.com/informacion-cuidad-de-las-bugambilias-en-espanol/

To donate click the following link:

http://www.vallartabotanicalgardensac.org/donations.htm

Or for more information send an email to: carlosmendoza@vallartabotanicalgardensac.org or call 322-223-6182.

Bingo for Bougainvillea – Week 2

In an effort to beautify Vallarta, Robert Price of The Botanical Gardens in conjunction with the City of Puerto Vallarta are planting 5000 bougainvillea bushes from the International Airport to Mismaloya. Showing their support for this huge undertaking, Tim Longpré of PVRPV, Charlotte Semple and Carole Fast of Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates and Grant Hunermund of bite me! beach club hosted the second of 3 nights of Bingo for Bougainvillea in the bite me! beach club seaside lounge. Robert, who was in attendance, says he is hoping to create a festival in Puerto Vallarta on the same or a grander scale as the Washington Cherry Blossom festival. Kudos Robert and thank you.

49 people packed the lounge and our guest caller, Lori Lorenzen, kept the evening moving along in great style. We raised $6,950.00 pesos which broken down is 434 bushes or 9 plants per person. So far we have raised enough money to buy 919 bushes.

The week’s winners were:

Without the generosity of our donors this could not be possible so we wish to thank the following companies and people:

Daiquiri Dick´s, Botanical Gardens, Yoga Vallarta, Apaches Martini Bar, Café San Angel, Hotel Mercurio, Garbo´s,  PV Mirror, Banderas News, Vallarta Tribune, Trattoria Michel, Franca´s Kitchen, El Arrayan, El Sofa Café, Anthony Garzino Jewelers, Ambiance by Marcia, SF Productions, Daiquiri Dicks, Cerrajeria Olas Altas, Joe Jacks Fish Shack, Blue Seas Resort and Spa, Benittos Deli, La Bodega De Nina, XV Festival Gourmet, Bar Frida, Balcones Bar, Pam Thompson, Steve Fischer, Franc Gole Salon, Club Mañana, Ron Morgan, Adriana Garcia, Fishing With Carolina, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, PVRPV – Property Management and Condo Rentals, Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates, bite me! beach club.

Bingo for Bouganvillea will continue next Friday October 23 at bite me! beach club. As a special thank you, if you bring a friend who has never attended thus far we will give you one free bingo card.

bite me! beach club is located on Los Muertos Beach directly south of the Tropicana Hotel. For Reservations, call 223-1521 ext. 234.

THE U.S. CONSULAR AGENCY NETWORK BREAKFAST IN PUERTO VALLARTA!!!

The U.S. Consular Agency Vallarta, in conjunction with Community Service projects in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and Riviera Nayarit, is sponsoring a monthly NETWORK BREAKFAST.

Open to English speaking men and women, the objective is to highlight various community service projects throughout the community and promote networking between residents, frequent visitors, and local businesses.  It will provide the opportunity to enrich our lives by making new friends, learning about the various projects in our communities, and meeting people from different walks of life.

Each month the Community Breakfast Network will be held at alternating venues in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.  Current plans are for Marina Vallarta, La Cruz, Vallarta Centro, Nuevo Vallarta, Old Town and Bucerias.  A service project will be highlighted and a “Bring-A-Thing” project each month will be the opportunity for participants to bring needed supplies for that month’s highlighted organization.

Please join us as we kick off this effort, and help make it a success.  We look forward to meeting you!

Here is the information.  Pass the word to your friends.

Date: Friday, October 16^th 2009

Where: Hotel Marriott Casa Magna, Marina Vallarta

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Cost:               $90.00 pesos (Breakfast & tip included)

“Bring-A-Thing” Program Highlighting and Benefiting:

CAIA Senior Citizen Home Vallarta

Needs include: rice, beans, pastas, oil, oatmeal, powered milk, canned fruits & vegetables, cookies, crackers, jam, toilet paper, soap, children’s shampoo and toothpaste.

RSVP:

Reservations required;

Respond to Marriott Public Relations Office:  roman.azvara@marriotthotels.com or josefina.naya@marriotthotels.com or phone:  (322) 226-0000

by Kelly Trainor de O. – U.S. Consular Agent Vallarta

Beautify Puerto Vallarta!!! Bingo for Bougainvillea – Week 1

In an effort to beautify Vallarta, Robert Price of The Botanical Gardens in conjunction with the City of Puerto Vallarta are planting 5000 bougainvillea bushes from the International Airport to Mismaloya. Showing their support for this huge undertaking, Tim Longpré of PVRPV – Condo Rentals, Charlotte Semple and Carole Fast of Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates and Grant Hunermund of bite me! beach club hosted the first of 3 nights of Bingo for Bougainvillea in the bite me! beach club seaside lounge. Robert, who was in attendance, says he is hoping to create a festival in Puerto Vallarta on the same or a grander scale as the Washington Cherry Blossom festival. Kudos Robert and thank you.

42 people packed the lounge and our guest caller, Juan Carlos Garcia from PVRPV, kept the evening moving along in great style. We raised $7,770.00 pesos which broken down is 485 bushes or 11.5 plants per person.

The week’s winners were:

Without the generosity of our donors this could not be possible so we wish to thank the following companies and people:

Trattoria Michel, El Sofa Café, Yoga Vallarta, The Botanical Gardens, Restaurant El Arrayan, Ambiance By Marcia, Garbos, Heart Café, Bar Frida, Franca´s Kitchen, Casa Cupula, Benitto´s Deli, Bill Kelly, Maria O´Connor – Tropicasa Realty, Joe Jacks Fish Shack, Jose Morales, Club Mañana, HealthCare Resources, Sea Me Eyewear, Kathy Lowther, PV Mirror, Banderas News, Vallarta Tribune, La Bodega de Nina, Banana Cantina, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Fishing With Carolina, Adriana Garcia, Terra Noble, Encore Boutique, Ron Morgan, PVRPV- Puerto Vallarta Gay Rentals & Property Management, Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates, bite me! beach club and Paul Crist – Hotel Mercurio

Bingo for Bougainvillea will continue for the next two Fridays (Oct 16 & 23) at bite me! beach club. As a special thank you, if you bring a friend who has never attended thus far we will give you one free bingo card.

bite me! beach club is located on Los Muertos Beach directly south of the Tropicana Hotel. For Reservations, call 223-1521 ext. 234.

Appreciation Letter From Pasitos de Luz to Xocodiva, bite me! beach club, PVRPV and to all the donors in Puerto Vallarta!!!

Puerto Vallarta October 8 2009.

Thank you Bingo Sponsor!!!

On behalf of each of the special Mothers and children with disabilities at the Pasitos de Luz Day Care, we send our sincerest thanks for your trust and support of this successful event, “Bingo for Beans and Babies”, benefited 121 children with disabilities in Puerto Vallarta.

We are delighted to have been selected for this important donation, whose final sum was $147,997.00 pesos.

With this gift, you made it possible for us to have peace during the bingo period, as we could cover operating costs which have always been a struggle for us to pay, such as electric bill, water bill, food, hygiene supplies and some babysitters’ payment.

We send a huge congratulation for being responsible businesses that commit to the most urgent issues of our Vallarta Society.

We invite you to continue working together, so that our children have a decent and beautiful atmosphere, always counting with people and businesses as human as yours.

For your faith, generosity and love for human beings; thank you very much…

Sincerely,

Sra. Yolanda Sanchez Santiago
Director / Founder

Exiquio Corona #545  Col. Bobadilla

TELS.  29 9 36 05 / Puerto Vallarta Jalisco., México.

www.pasitosdeluz.org

e-mail: estancia@pasitosdeluz.org

Mad Hatter Party Video!!!

Have a look at the Mad Hatter Party Video

Video donated by Ray Dion from Promovision PV

Bingo goes out with a BANG!

On Thursday, October 1, the closing party for Bingo for Beans and Babies was held at bite me! beach club on Los Muertos Beach. Nearly 200 people turned out to party the evening away in support of Pasitos de Luz. The party was entitled Mad Hatter, and the name turned out to be highly appropriate. Some truly astonishing head gear was in evidence and we truly appreciated the hard work and imagination people put in to their mostly home made creations.

Singer Kim Kuzma gave another truly terrific performance. Her amazing voice and charisma had the crowd on their feet dancing for most of the evening.

Bingo for Beans and Babies, sponsored by bite me! beach club, PVRPV – Puerto Vallarta Rentals and Xocodiva, has raised a total of $147,997.00 pesos for Pasitos de Luz, and last night’s party was a celebration of the generosity and commitment of so many loyal bingo fans. A big round of applause to everyone who attended, as well as to the many local businesses that pitched in to make this a success, donating both time and prizes.

Speaking of prizes, there were many lucky winners.

• The 50/50 draw of $2600.00 was won by David Rohde
• 6 nights with daily breakfast for two compliments of Blue Seas Resort & Spa – Richard Burns
• 2 nights & 3 days at Molino de Agua compliments of Ross and Sandra – Gerardo Guzman
• Sunset cruise for 8 compliments of Pegaso Chartering – Charlotte Semple
• Cocktail party for 8 including canapés and wine compliments of Food By Seth – Jerry Wilson
• 3 hour cruise for 12 compliments of Sail Vallarta – Tracy Gehue
• Original painting by Cassandra Shaw compliments of Cassandra Shaw – Javier Castañeda
• 7 nights at Jardín del Almendro compliments of Tracy Parks – Jim Boland
• 2 nights at Studio Sevilla in Conchas Chinas compliments of Ron Morgan – Pam Thompson
• 2 nights at Molino de Agua Casa des Artistes compliments of Ron Morgan – Javier Castañeda
• 2 nights at Casa Sevilla in Amapas compliments of Ron Morgan – Carolyn Songin
• 2 nights and 3 days in the penthouse suite complimenmts of Andales on the Bay – Janice Dyment
• Photo shoot compliments of Josef Kandoll – Chris Rhoden
• One year of free advertising compliments of Banderas News – Mickey Adams
• Original painting by Lalo Morales – Marsha Germaise
• Original Manuel Morales ceramic vase compliments of T. Fuller Fine Art – Jim Brock
• Bronze Cuevas sculpture, “Indian Meditating” compliments of Unique Consignment – Dennis Smith

And the best hat prize, a stay at Las Alamandas Resort was won by Lalo Morales. Lalo created an incredible Piñata of a yellow duck complete with candies and huge gaudy tail feathers. WOW!

Lalo Morales

But wait, there’s more! Bingo will continue for three more weeks, on Friday October 9, 16, and 23 at 6 pm in our oceanfront lounge. These next three bingos are being held in an effort to help the Botanical Gardens raise funds to plant 5000 bougainvillea bushes between the airport and Mismaloya. So come on out and lets help make Puerto Vallarta even more beautiful.

bite me! beach club is located on Los Muertos Beach, directly south of the Hotel Tropicana. For reservations call 223, 1521, ext. 234.

Pictures Donated By Josef Kandoll http://www.josefkandollw.com/