World Little League history:

Founded in 1939 as a three team league in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Little League Baseball encouraged local volunteers to organize and operate Little League programs that were annual chartered through Little League International. Each league structured itself to best serve the children in the area in which the league operates. Several specific divisions of Little League baseball and softball are available to children ages 5 to 18.

The organization’s administrative office is located in South Williamsport. The first Little League Baseball World Series was played in Williamsport in 1947. In 1953 the Little League World Series was televised for the first time. Jim McKay provided the play by play for CBS and Howard Cosell provided play by play for ABC radio.

In 1957 Angel Marcias pitched a perfect game and Monterrey, Mexico became the first team from outside the United States to win the Little League World Series. In 1969 Taiwan began a dominant era that would see them win 17 Little League World Series titles but saw none of the youngsters reach the major leagues.

In 1960 a team from West Berlin, West Germany was the first team from Europe to play in the Little League World Series. The series was broadcast live for the first time on ABC and Little League had grown to 27,400 teams in more than 5,500 leagues.

Currently there are seven International regions other than the United States. Canada is one region, Latin America spun off into Mexico and the Caribbean regions, the Far East split into the Asia and Pacific and the Europe region spun off the transatlantic region. The whole world is playing Little League.

Puerto Vallarta Little League History and Present:

Puerto Vallarta had a somewhat thriving Little League about 15-20 years ago but due to economic reasons as well as the fact that 1000 miles south of the U.S. border, soccer was the prominent game played, the league folded.

In January of 2008, the Peters family from the San Francisco, California area brought a donation of baseball equipment with them on their vacation targeted for the youth of Puerto Vallarta that couldn’t afford to play baseball. After endless attempts to find a school or organization to donate the equipment to, Banderas News sports writer, Bob Cohen, was put in contact with Miguel Vargas in December of 2008.

For donations, sponsorships and further information we urge you to contact Bob Cohen at bob(at)banderasnews.com

Miguel was in the process of starting a Little League in PV and had all the paperwork and licenses necessary, but lacked baseball equipment and financial support for his non-profit venture. Miguel played Little League 20 years ago when Puerto Vallarta had a successful league, but it folded years ago due to lack of interest. Already registered with Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the headquarters of the World Little League, and acquiring State of Jalisco and local licenses, he had the proper start.

So, almost a year after the Peters made their generous donation of 20 aluminum bats, 20 baseballs, 15 baseball gloves, 20 team hats and two full sets of catcher’s gear, the top-quality equipment they donated was put to good use and Puerto Vallarta’s Little League was reestablished.

After announcing the return of Puerto Vallarta’s Little League in a December 2008 article, we began receiving letters from people around the world who wanted to get involved. The first was from Jerry Bianchi of Denver, Colorado, who brought a van full of equipment he solicited in January, 2009. It was enough to field over 125 kids and the first new Little League began play in February of 2009.

We needed money to buy the uniforms and pay for other league expenses and we sought out sponsors. The sponsoring businesses or individuals had their name on the uniforms and a banner hung in the outfield, providing extremely inexpensive advertising. BanderasNews.com and other local print periodicals also followed the league when competition began which provided even more exposure to sponsors. About half of the sponsors were local businesses and half were individuals that wanted to give an opportunity for the youngsters to play, some that live in Puerto Vallarta part-time and a couple that read the stories online and just vacation here once a year.

But more importantly, everyone’s support provided endless benefits for these kids, who will develop the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being by participating in Little League Baseball.

In late 2009 after crowning a champion over the summer, the drive was on for donations and sponsors for the second year. We were able to accomplish the feat again and again Jerry brought his van down loaded with equipment.

Early in the season due to personal reasons Miguel, who served as the league president decided to step down and Osiris Garcia and Blanca Cisneros who were involved as parents the previous year, stepped up to the plate. Blanca, who is totally bi-lingual was voted in as President, Osiris coached two teams and was the Director of Player Development and of course Bob Cohen was the Director of Public Relations.

Blanca and Osiris were instrumental in also starting a quite popular T Ball League for kids ranging for 5-8 and they eventually outgrew the T and had their coached pitch to them. Osiris has been training kids of all ages at 4PM every weekday since late winter and when the All Star selections were announced there were extra practices.

At this point we want to make it clear that nobody gets paid except the umpires abiding with Little League international rules. Also we need more hands on help for our upcoming season as this became a full time job for a few. Parents have offered assistance and we will surely utilize them.

In May of 2010, the City of Puerto Vallarta was asked to host the State of Jalisco 9-10 year old All Star weekend. This was an honor and also historic for our city and we passed with flying colors due to the hard work of Blanca, Osisris, Bob and more importantly a whole bunch of volunteer parents. That was the biggest difference in our first and second season. The parents became more involved and for many games the stands were full of howling parents rooting for their kids and teams.

Two of the eight teams that traveled here would win the right to play in the Mexican Regional’s held in a northern state. After that the winner would play for the Mexican Championship and at the 9-10 year old level, the ultimate winner played for the Latin American Championship.

The following week our 11-12 year old All Stars traveled to Guadalajara for the All Star weekend. This is the age group that eventually televises the Little League World Series after five rounds of winning playoff divisonals, regionals, nationals and finally to Williamsport.

Our kids didn’t get to advance but they did quite an admirable job. In our second year we faced powerhouses such as Guadalajara who has had an extensive Little League system in place for many years and also has quite a large player pool to choose from. The kids then finished the local playoffs and the younger division was won by the PV Yankees, who won a big rivalry with the Mexlend Martillos. The older division was won by BanderasNews.com who defeated Teatro Limon in another rivalry.

After our second season I never would have thought the league would be as advanced and functional as it is, but due to the hard work (but fun work) of many, the kids got the benefit of playing and just maybe in a few years we will be watching a Puerto Vallarta Little League team on international TV playing for the World Championship.

Click here for more information in regards to the PVRPV Show us your T-shirt Contest to support the Puerto Vallarta’s Little League Baseball >>> http://www.pvrpv.com/contest/

Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta, A.C.

Programs for adoption of dogs and cats. Volunteers and animal handling equipment needed. Forms available in English and Spanish for making an ecological complaint to local authorities. Contact R.C. Walker 222-0897 rc_walkermx@yahoo.com.mx.

 Navy League

The Puerto Vallarta Navy League offers help in the transportation of donated supplies and equipment from the USA to the Banderas Bay area via the US Navy’s ‘Hand Clasp’ Program. In addition, crew members donate part of their shore leave to paint and do maintenance on local schools, orphanages and rehabilitation centers. For more information, contact Jerry Lafferty at (322) 221-6156 or Jeff Miltenberger at navyleague@prodigy.net.mx.

PEACE

(Protection, Education, Animals, Culture & Environment) is a Banderas Bay non-profit endeavor that acts as an umbrella organization for Casa Comunidad, Ayuda Los Animales, (Help The Animals) a Women’s Co-Op, (Manos de Mujeres Unidas) and Community Pride. Offering free community service programs such as animal spay and neuter clinics and English classes for children and adults, PEACE is a U.S. non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and a Mexican Civil Association that issues facturas for donations. Please contact us for more information at nicole@peacemexico.org.

PV Little League

Help support Little League Baseball in Puerto Vallarta. A nonprofit organization, Little League Baseball is dedicated to helping kids develop the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well being. But here in Puerto Vallarta, they cannot afford to play! Team sponsorships, baseball equipment and financial support are needed. Contact Bob Cohen at bob@banderasnews.com.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Gardens were founded in 2004 and was opened to the public in 2005. Our Vision: to build Mexico’s greatest botanical garden here in the enchanted highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Our staff is dedicated to the research and education of plant life, as well as showing the public all the beauty that nature has to offer. Donations to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens are tax deductible in the USA. For more information call (322) 223-6182 or email info@vallartabotanicalgardensac.org.

Children of the Dump

They leave Andales Restaurant every Monday at 2pm (return around 430pm). Always need volunteers and supplies. Call or email Gary Green gary@greenandassociates.org (322) 150-7214.

Pasitos de Luz

Non-profit organization dedicated to achieve the rehabilitation of children with physical and intellectual disabilities as well as taking care of their basic needs. For more information please contact us at 2994146 with Luis Alonso Téllez or Mario Martínez; and 2993625 / 2993605 with Luz María Ramos or Yolanda Sánchez or at fundraising@pasitosdeluz.org / administracion@pasitosdeluz.org.

PVRPV is conducting its first Show Us Your Shirt! Contest. In these 5 years in business we have given away more than 10,000 shirts to our clients and now Tim has started a search to find out where have all our shirts gone?

We will be presenting the best, most original and craziest pictures in our website and you will be able to vote for your favorite. The voting will start on November 1^st and we will announce the winners on January 3^rd 2011.

The prizes for the first places will be:

1^st Place

1 weeklong stay at Casa Playa in the luxury Molino de Agua Residences on Los Muertos Beach with availability for up to 6 guests – Estimated value: $3,000.00 USD

2^nd Place

Full Gourmet Dinner Service for 6 at Teatro Limón (doesn’t include liquors and gratuities) – Estimated value: $3,450.00 pesos

3^rd Place

Gift basket from Xocodiva, Artisan Chocolates – Estimated value: $1,200.00 pesos

4^th Place

Gift Certificate from Banana Cantina – Estimated value: $1000.00 pesos 

The Show Us Your Shirt! PVRPV Contest is open to all of our PVRPV clients, owners and friends and will run from now until October 31^st 2010 at midnight. So put on your shirt and start taking pictures, if you don’t have one, there’s no problem! You can drop by our main office and buy one, the cost is $90.00 pesos and all the monies raised will go directly to support Puerto Vallarta’s Little Baseball League.

For more information click here: http://www.pvrpv.com/contest/

And what better than to win a week in the luxurious Molino de Agua Residences while helping a good cause and having fun!!

United Mothers for the Rehabilitation of their Children A.C.

“The Lord shares all of his blessings with you, there’s someone else expecting the same from you…”

Our Civil Association located in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, would like to pull your attention towards an altruist cause. We’re ‘’Pasitos de Luz’’ an organization founded to achieve the rehabilitation of our children, as well as, taking care of their basic necessities, due to their physical and intellectual disabilities and their extreme poverty. All these children, without an exception, have disabilities like: Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, Silent disease, Blindness and with any other disabilities. Our organization offers our Services 100% FREE, including, Special Education, Medical Specialists, Medicine, Family Support, Speech Therapy, Love, Daycare, Physical Rehabilitation, Nutrition, Paint Workshops, Recreation and Hygiene. For now, we are working in a borrowed house and one of our projects is to have our own house where it will be possible to benefit more children, improve our quality and expand our services.

We need your help as a volunteer or sponsor, either with professional support or money. Thanks for giving us your Vallartense support.

• With your monthly $8 USD, we’re able to achieve a lot for all the children.
• Website: www.pasitosdeluz.org
• We are a Civil Association which is registered in IJAS(Instituto Jalisciense de Asistencia Social) (Of.110-070-(5.160)1360-2007)
• We are registered in Hacienda R.F.C. MUR0023LL1
• We have authorization to receive donations. ”Diario Oficial de la Federación”. Since January 9th 2008
• This is our bank account: 0146647480 (Mamas Unidas por la Rehabilitación de sus Hijos A.C.)
• We can stop by to pick up your money donations and we will issue an official receipt if needed. Call us.

For more information please contact us at 299.4146 with Luis Alonso Téllez ó Mario Martínez and at 2993625 / 2993605 with Luz María Ramos or Yolanda Sánchez.

Be an angel for Pasitos de luz and spread the word. THANK YOU.

Yolanda Sánchez Santiago

Director/Founder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anglers Cast for Cystic Fibrosis

Fifth Annual Hook the Cure Fishing Tournament Set for October 21 -24 in Puerto Vallarta to Raise Funds for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

May 21, 2010 – Anglers can make their cast count for cystic fibrosis at the upcoming Fifth Annual Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Hook the Cure catch-and-release fishing tournament, slated for October 21-24 in Puerto Vallarta (www.hookthecure.com). This event is co-chaired by Bob Huston and Jeff Jennison.  Since the inception of the tournament, more than $1.3 million has been raised for the Foundation’s effort to find a cure.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that affects 30,000 adults and children in the United States and 70,000 people worldwide. It causes chronic and debilitating lung infections that can lead to premature death. More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the CF gene.  With the support of the CF Foundation, there have been dramatic advances in cystic fibrosis research and care. In the 1950s, children born with cystic fibrosis usually did not live long enough to attend elementary school. Today, the predicted median survival age has risen to more than 37 years.

The IGFA-qualifying tournament is expected to attract more than 120 for the competition and the accompanying golf and spa packages. Anglers will meet on the docks to await the 6AM start of the catch and release competition; this tournament is an official event of the Redbone Celebrity Series, which includes numerous fishing tournaments that support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.redbone.org.)

Weekend festivities will include: a pre-tournament Mexican fiesta at Villa Premiere Hotel and Spa; golf at the spectacular Vista Vallarta; a lively dockside weigh-in party with food and beverage; relaxing spa packages; headliner entertainment and an awards gala and auction hosted by Los Angeles radio personality Shawn Parr. Packages include 3 nights/4 days at Villa Premiere Hotel, gourmet meals, open bar, relaxing spa treatments, goodie bag and tournament entry.

Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, former All-Star Matt Young and Cy Young Award winner Jim Lonborg are all scheduled to attend this year’s event as well as a very special musical guest which will be announced soon.  At last year’s event, country superstar Chris Young performed.

The charity outing is sponsored by IOTEC, BJ’s Restaurants, American Airlines, Norm Wilson & Sons, O’Connell Family Foundation, Skipper & Dukes Offshore Fishing Series and Watson Land Company. Volunteers are provided by PVRPV.com in Puerto Vallarta.

For more information about the ultimate fishing, golf and spa adventure benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation contact Gary Green, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Director of Corporate Development, at (714) 494-4623 in the US or 322 150-7214 in Puerto Vallarta.

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation has more than 80 chapters and branch offices throughout the country and supports and accredits a nationwide network of more than 115 care centers, which provide vital treatments and other CF resources to patients and families. For more information, visit www.cff.org.

# # #

More than 20 million people in Mexico live on less than two dollars a day? 60 million people, half the Mexican population, live in extreme poverty. 

Most of the time, garbage is their food, and some days, they don’t even eat anything. This critical situation in Mexico is caused by individual, geographic and political factors. 

The first and immediate cause of poverty in Mexico is the individual condition. This cause refers to circumstances and characteristics of poor people.  For example, the amount of education, skill, intelligence, health, and prejudice all have an influence on poverty. The lack of education is one of the most significant factors that contribute to poverty. There is no access to jobs for non-educated people. The second cause of poverty has to do with geography. For example, statistics show that people who live in rural areas far away from the cities are poorer. This is caused by the lack of communication and transportation in remote rural areas. Because of this, governments can’t provide essential services such as potable water, affordable food, primary health care, and education. People who live there are totally isolated from the rest of the society.  

Although the Bay of Banderas boasts some of world’s finest hotels, resorts, gourmet restaurants, award-winning spas, fine galleries and breathtaking villas, Puerto Vallarta is  just minutes away from some of the country’s poorest neighborhoods.  These people really need your help! 

Sometimes little things can make a world of difference, especially to people who are living on the edge financially. All babies need love and nourishment, but there’s something else they need, diapers, up to seven a day. And at the rate of 200 diapers per month, the expense really adds up.  The next time your travels take you to paradise or if you are involved with any service organizations, employee giving associations, church or youth groups that would like to lend a hand to assist these families; we hope you will consider contributing.  This small investment will pay tremendous dividends.

If you want to make any donations, one of the drop off points will be PVRPV’s main office on Pino Suárez #210 Colonia Emiliano Zapata or phone for more information: 222.0638. Deliveries will be made from our office to those organizations in need.

Yavette Holts-O’Shea – peacemexico.org

Be more than a tourist! Sample the many lifestyles of the Bahía de Banderas on PEACE Real World Home Tours.

Unlike other home tours, PEACE Real World Home Tours showcase upward focused, authentic pueblo homes where big world visions start small, together with multimillion dollar estates where the smallest details take your breath away.

It’s a real world view of the Bahía de Banderas as it evolves, combining a healthy combination of diverse communities. To really know the heart of this place, you have to scratch deeper to see more than what’s on the surface. What’s beautiful in the pueblo is also beautiful in the villa. The spirit of good will and the effort made to live and enjoy the richness of this idyllic region is the unifying factor.

The Real World Home Tour visits 4 exclusive homes, from luxury to modest, where you will see from the inside out both the differences and similarities in the lifestyles of the locals and the expats who make up this rich community. Includes transportation, light lunch, and a souvenir sports water bottle. You can even redeem your ticket for discounts at the PEACE store.

PEACE Real World Home Tours

Every Friday (January 22 – April 2)

Ticket sales open at 9:15 am from Bucerías Centro

Tour bus leaves: 10:30 am – Returns by 2:30 pm

Tickets: $450 pesos ($35 USD)

Includes transportation, tour map and souvenir water bottle

100% ticket proceeds support PEACE actions in communities around the bay

For reservations or more info contact: yavette@peacemexico.org 

 Have a look at the original story posted in Banderas News: 

http://www.banderasnews.com/1001/vl-peacehometours.htm

Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit for January!! COME AND JOIN US…

When? January 15th, 2010

09:00 A.M. (Jalisco Time) 

Where? VALLARTA YACHT CLUB – Paradise Village

Nuevo Vallarta

Call for directions: 297-2222

 Cost? $90.00 pesos includes full breakfast and tip!

 Why? The U.S. Consular Agency Community Network Breakfast is a place to network, make new friends, greet old ones, promote your business-charity & find out what’s going on in the Riviera Nayarit & Puerto Vallarta!

 What else? This month, we ask that you “Bring a Thing” to support The Bucerias Bilingual Cultural Center.  Needs include: bilingual dictionaries, English language workbooks, bond paper, glue sticks, pens, pencils, colored markers, highlighters, lined notebooks, toilet paper, soap, paper towels.

 Are you a newcomer to area? If so, we have a special group of people to meet you, chat with you and welcome you!

 MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY! – lailworth@yahoo.com

 Questions & Comments to Kelly Trainor: consularagentpvr@prodigy.net.mx

 Everybody is Welcome…

Please pass this on to your friends!

Dear Friends,

            As many of you are enjoying this holiday time with friends and family, I want to share with you my incredible experience this past week with the children from Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza here in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 

            Let me tell you about last Saturday.  I had an email a few days before from Sol Martinez Maciel, our wonderful administrator at the Refugio, saying that we had the opportunity to take some of the children to the airport to board a real airplane; however it had to be at night.  I was told to be at the Refugio on Saturday at 8:00 P.M.  By 9:00 we had 30+ children and Madre Chuy (who never joins us on trips) ready to go on a special large bus provided by the Marriot Hotel.  We arrived at the Marriott at 9:30 and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas movie in Spanish.  Now, please bear in mind that our children at the Refugio are generally in bed by between 7:00 and 8:00 at night.  MANY fell asleep during the movie. 

            At 11:30 P.M. we woke them all up and re-boarded the bus, bound this time for the airport.  Upon arrival we slowly made our way inside and toward the security gates.  Part of the way there we were informed that the flight that had promised to “welcome us aboard” was arriving from Edmonton, Canada 1 ½ hours late due to adverse weather conditions in Edmonton.  We continued our SLOW journey toward the gate with children bouncing between being wide awake and wired from the excitement and exhausted from the late hour.  It was quite comical to see the reaction of many of the travelers waiting by the gate as they “panicked” with the thought of these 30 children accompanying them on their flight this late at night.  

          At 12:30 A.M. the jumbo Air-Transat flight finally landed – then we were informed by the crew that we needed to wait while the plane was cleaned before we could board (por que? one might wonder).  At 1:00 A.M. we ascended the stairs, took our seats, fastened our seatbelts, and closed our eyes for our “pretend flight” to Canada, the North Pole, or any other destination in our minds.  This, of course, was the first experience for all of the children with 1) being at the airport, 2) being on a real airplane, and 3) being up that late at night, AND 74 year old Madre Chuy got to go on an airplane for the first time too. 

            Then, with the familiar “Ho, Ho, Ho,” we realized that Santa was onboard too.  He generously distributed gift bags, a stuffed animal, and bags of CANDY to each child.  Sol and I exchanged looks of panic, and she calmly announced to the children that this candy was for the next day, not now – PLEASE, no sugar highs this late at night!!!   By 3:00 A.M. we were all back on the bus returning to the Refugio with virtually everyone asleep.  When we arrived back, we quickly took shoes off and gently nudged all to bed as quickly as possible. 

            One might wonder how the holidays could get any better than this.  If you believe in the “Magic of Christmas” for others, as I do, please consider sending a donation to these wonderful children right away.  Donations sent by December 31^st to the US or Canadian Foundations will be tax deductible for 2009.  With all donations of $150 or more received before January 31^st you will receive “A Time to Give”, our 2010 Refugio calendar. 

Thanks, and FELIZ NAVIDAD,

 Chris Amo
President
Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation

www.childrens-shelter-of-hope-foundation.org