Saturday afternoon, May 3 will forever be a memorable day for Gaby Camarena and her new husband, Christian Magaña.

VallartaToday.com proudly welcomes Cilantro's Restaurant as a new client on our website. Please try the excellent food and service at one of Puerto Vallarta's best restaurants in air conditioned comfort.
Only one block from the Malecon, Cilantro´s offers a diverse Mexican menu with an international flair, along with a varied cocktail selection. Here, the artistic, modern Mexican décor in the air-conditioned, candlelit dining room is complemented by soothing music playing in the background. The unique Cilantro Margarita stands out as a drink of choice, as you sit back and enjoy a romantic dinner. The menu is reasonably priced, creative and innovative and uses only the freshest ingredients.

Cilantro's is also participating in Restaurant Week in Puerto Vallarta now through May 31st.
For only $169 Pesos, you get a fabulous 3 Course meal to enjoy. Choose from a selection of 3 appetizers and salads, 3 main courses including Prawn and Cilantro Fritters lightly fried, with mango puree and cucumber-citrus yoghurt, Chile Relleno pan-fried and stuffed with goat and Monterrey jack cheese, with spicy black bean sauce and roasted red pepper coulis or Breaded Red Snapper Fillet served with a roasted tomato, caper, olive and white wine sauce. Then top of the evening with one of three delicious desserts.
See you at Cilantro's, Abasolo 169, Centro, Puerto Vallarta. Call for reservations at (322) 222-7147.

Benefit for Pasitos de Luz and Make A Wish Mexico

Friday, April 18th, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company celebrated their first anniversary in Puerto Vallarta. The popular Malecon family restaurant changed the interior of the restaurant to accommodate a huge crowd of celebrants. Special high top tables replaced the normal tables and chairs and the entire Bubba Gump crew was on hand to begin greeting invited guest at the door with a fresh margarita beginning at 9:30 PM.

Everyone attending was treated to a constant flow of food including, but certainly not limited to, coconut shrimp, ribs, crab meat tacos, and anything else you can imagine from their varied menu. The same prompt, friendly service was evident all evening with no one wanting for anything including a fresh margarita. VallartaToday.com General Manager and Editor Jim Hardy and his wife Carol were present to help celebrate.

We can't be sure how many people came through the party but it was certainly well over 300 participants. The tickets for the party were priced at $250 pesos per person with the proceeds going to the two honored charities, Make A Wish Mexico and Pasitos de Luz.
However, we learned that the restaurant and its General Manager, Alejandro Pichardo, had donated the entire day's receipts as well.

For 17 days, May 15 – 31, many (around 40) of Puerto Vallarta's best restaurants will offer spectacular three-course menus (with three options each) discounted by up to 50%! So enjoy your favorite restaurants at the fixed prices of either $169 or $269 pesos (no beverages or tips included).
One of our favorite restaurants, Tikul in the Marina, is participating in the celebration with a $269 Peso Three Course meal (read the menu). Call 209-2010 for more information and reservations.

Salads:
Duo of red and green tomato coulis, thai basil olive oil,
fresh cracked black pepper
Or
Organic baby greens and kiwi salad
Or
Salad of tuna tataki with garlic chips and shiso

Specialties:
Seared lemon-grass crusted salmon with watercress-ginger sauce
Or
Pork tenderloin medallions, cheese sauce, potato puree and bacon
Or
Stuffed chicken breast with shrimp and mango, lobster sauce,
potato puree and cilantro

Desserts:
Mascarpone parfait, pine nuts, sake melted strawberries, mint essence
Or
Fried coconut ice cream with chocolate sauce
Or
Cinnamon Crème brûlée

Restaurant Week 2008 is endorsed by local municipal authorities, Puerto Vallarta's tourism bureau (FIDETUR), the Hotel and Motel Association and the Chamber of Restaurants (CANIRAC).

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company will be celebrating its First Anniversary in Puerto Vallarta. On Friday, April 18, 2008, Bubba Gump will host a benefit cocktail party at the restaurant located on the Malecon. The party begins at 9:30 PM. For a donation of $250 pesos at the door, you can join the party with food, drink and festivities. Proceeds will go to two local charities that provide for children: Pasitos de Luz and Make A Wish Mexico. For more information or to make a reservation and donation, call (322)222-9380 or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

March 26, Laura Joachin of PV Law Legal Service which she runs with her husband Xavier will GUEST HOST to raise funds for NAVY LEAGUE to replenish the Navy League Mariner Volunteers' Entertainment Fund and all the other local in need organizations they help.

Galeria International presents art exhibition by Philippo Lo Grande at their Marina Vallarta Gallery, Local #8 Marina Las Palmas Marina Vallarta. Live entertainment along with wine and cheese from 6-9 p.m. March 27 -April 23.

APRIL 2, Candace of FISHING with CAROLINA will Guest Host to raise funds for AUTISM02 a non profit Clinic with a Hyperbaric Chamber . This was born out of love by a family for their son. This chamber is also for hire for those with MS, Fibromyalgia, Cancer, Stroke and more.

Reservations are required, as space is limited.
Call 322-222-2114. Or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
It's EASY come in have dinner with us, choose to purchase raffle tickets. Prizes include jewelry from Cassandra Shaw gift certificates from Mama Dolores, Bruce's Back Alley, Encuentros Lounge and Pizza Bar and more.

147 Amapas at Pulpito
South Side - Romantic Zone
above Choco Banana
Reservations - 322 222 2114
www.bananacantina.com
Sorry - cash only.
Open 4:00 am-11:00 pm

Lucille Shipley 2008 Art Workshop Exhibition

Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Gallery at Zaragoza #414 (next door to Casa Kimberley Pink Bridge).

10% of ALL sales will be donated to the Becas Vallarta, AC scholarship Program.

Kiwanis One Day, a global day of community service, is slated for
Saturday, April 5, 2008 with Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza as local benefactor.

Volunteering with community service organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Puerto Vallarta helps families build a greater understanding of the importance of giving back and the difference that one person can make in the lives of others. By fostering a greater understanding of the social issues and challenges faced by others, voluntary work helps connect families to their community in a meaningful and fulfilling way.

In recognition of the significant impact volunteer service has on communities, Kiwanis International will hold its second annual gKiwanis One Day, a global day of
community service, on Saturday, April 5, 2008.

More than 600,000 Kiwanis volunteers
across the globe will participate in this dedicated day of service in their local communities, and will donate more than one million volunteer hours in a single day.

Here in Puerto Vallarta, the Kiwanis Club of Puerto Vallarta will host a special Kiwanis One Day afternoon volunteering at Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE), a nonprofit
shelter for babies and children under the age of 15 who have been turned over by DIF, a Mexican government social services organization that protects the rights of children.

RISE opened its doors in March 2001. Some of these beautiful children come
from unbearable situations having been abused, neglected, or simply abandoned. Some have been transferred from other facilities because of overcrowding, and many have been in institutions for most of their young lives. Special thanks to Banana Cantina and Puerto Vallarta Rentals Premier Vacations (PVRPV) for their assistance and compassion.

For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Puerto Vallarta and April 5th volunteer opportunities, please contact Jim Boland at 222-2866 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Gary
Green at (322)150-7214 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

by Polly G. Vicars

Having fun while doing good, a fantastic combination that was afforded to the three hundred glamorous and generous Vallartenses who attended the March 6, 2008 Becas Ball. The scene was straight out of Hollywood-- a sea of elegantly appointed tables grouped around a large, lighted dance floor and a view of the waters of the Bay of Banderas gently lapping the shore. The Who's Who of the area mingled to the music of Vallarta's own Los Bambinos during the opening cocktail hour, compliments of the Westin Resort and Spa, where the prevailing mood reflected happiness, generosity, friendship, magnanimity, joy and, yes, magic. As the guests moved from the cocktail venue to our reserved places at the unique square tables set for twelve, I was impressed with the incredible members and supporters of the America-Mexico Foundation/Becas Vallarta who since the early sixties have been giving of themselves, in time and treasure, to lend a hand to the young people of Puerto Vallarta.

How thrilled Bernice Starr, our founder and mentor to hundreds of Becados, would have been to hear the announcements made by our Presidents Mariel and Carlos Fregoso! They introduced Erika Ibarra and María Beatriz Peña Mariscal, happy recent graduates from CUC, Vallarta's branch of the University of Guadalajara, who were able to reach that educational goal through Becas Vallarta. She then accepted a check for almost $7000 Pesos from Los Bambinos, who for the fourth year donated 10% of the yearly proceeds from the sale of their CDs. Los Bambinos have also performed, taking no fee, at this ball and the last three balls. These brothers along with their cousin, are not only fabulous musicians striving for big time success, but fine young men who are determined to finish their educations while never forgetting to help those less fortunate.

BANANA CANTINA CHARITY NIGHT TO BENEFIT THE ANIMALITOS DE VALLARTA ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 FROM 7-10 PM.
SPCA de PV members Cathy Gordon and Heather Wilson promise lots of fun and surprises, many desirable raffle items and services plus a short live auction!
But most exciting will be connecting with others who love animals while enjoying a great meal. This fun evening benefits the Patronato de Control de Mascotas y Fauna Silvestre, the non profit group which exists solely to make much needed improvements to our local pound. And SPCA de PV (Sociedad Protectora y Compasiva por los Animales de Puerto Vallarta A.C.) certainly supports this effort.

Custom dog collars will be modeled by the famous Leonardo and MJ Bean. Their mom, Cassandra Shaw, will make them to order with a percentage donated to SPCA de PV.

To mention just some of the raffle donors for the evening: Neiman Marcus, Lucy's Cucu Cabana, Bumerang, Cassandra Shaw, Dewayne Barker, Yoga Vallarta, Blu by Len, and restaurants Mama Dolores, Encuentros, and Tu chile.

And up for auction are some really neat items, like a 4GB Silver iPod Nano, including headphones and charger, a two-night stay at the local Sheraton Hotel, and Saks Fifth Avenue items straight from NYC, including "A Clean Start" trio of Skin Care products from Anthony Logistics for Men, and "Sun Kissed Faces Basket" with Giorgio Armani and Bobbi Brown cosmetics.

So circle your calendar now and call or email Debbi Egan at (322) 222-2114 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for reservations. Since seating is limited to 60, we ask that you hurry!
A percentage of the evening's restaurant sales will also be donated to SPCA de PV.

Federico Carmona Quintero

G. V. proudly presents an exposition of oil paintings by Federico Carmona Quintero (who signs his work "Carfed"), entitled "Realistic Beauty" until February 19th.
Maestro Carmona was born in Puebla, Puebla in 1946 and has lived in Aguascalientes, Mexico since 1980.

His mastery of realism is self taught based on observation, imagination and the influence of such famous painters as Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt and Velasquez, whom he admired and studied their techniques.

He demonstrated a talent for drawing at an early age and was encouraged to paint in oils by the recognized Italian painter, Monseñor Lazaro Ramanini at the *Seminario Palafoxiano* of Puebla in 1960. His first exposition in 1965 received great eulogies. In 1969 he was part of a group of artists from the San Carlos Academy of Art in Mexico City and was also recognized as a
writer, orator and poet, obtaining prizes and recognition in his native city of Puebla as well as nationally and internationally.

Maestro Carmona has done oil portraits of such important artistic figures as Vicente and Alejandro Fernandez, Lucha Villa, and Jorge Negrete, two of which will be displayed in this exposition. The fine details of the faces and costumes are amazingly realistic.

Federico Carmona is noted for his beautiful paintings of nudes in very tasteful poses.

He also paints wonderful studies of children and often is asked to do portraits on commission.

Federico Carmona has participated in 15 collective and 12 individual expositions in major cities of Mexico such as Guadalajara, Monterrey, Leon, Toluca, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel, and Aguascalientes as well as participating in collective showings in Italy, Spain and the United States.

An oil portrait of Jorge Negrete by Federico Carmona, whose work will be on view tonight at G.V.

The artist will also be in attendance for the "Old Town Art Walk".

HARRIET COCHRAN MURRAY of COCHRAN REAL ESTATE. hosted Charity Night for NEW LIFE MEXICO along with the great guests and generous donations we raised $ 4420 pesos. Harriet used her amazing selling talents and then we asked Cyndee Restivo to call out the prizes and winners.

New Life and DIF are holding an informational meeting at Krystal Hotel Friday February 29 at 1:00 am, everyone is invited, please attend and learn all about ALL the programs they have implemented, you will be inspired and impressed.

Donations from: CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY, Mama Dolores Diner, Encuentros Lounge and Pissa Bar, La Bohemia and others

Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta Welcomes Chef Rodolfo Flores

The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta, announced the arrival of Chef Rodolfo Flores as Exectuive Chef to their Operations Committee. *Bienvenido!*