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!*

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Lyne Benoit of The Canadian Consulate. Our father is a Canadian citizen who recently passed away in Puerto Vallarta after a long illness. Throughout this sad and difficult time, Lyne Benoit has been extremely helpful and supportive. Experiencing the death of a loved one is never easy and being in another country creates additional stress with many unknowns.
Lyne helped with all of the details, which allowed us to focus on what was important. Although the Canadian consolate was extremely busy at this time of year, we were listened to, understood and cared for.

Consequently, we would like to acknowledge Lyne and her team for helping us to get through this difficult time. We are deeply grateful and appreciative.

Sincerely,

Andrew and Angela Bissett

Another year and another visit from Denver's Alex Ryer and Emily Fellner! This time they are weaving their magic at the Santa Barbara Theater in two different shows—one on Thursday and one on Saturday. Alex and Emily will be here through the weekend of 3 February, so there is time to catch one or both of the shows.
The Thursday show focuses on Alex's own musical journeys and how she has developed her method of performing - mostly cabaret - and delivery. Since Alex often centers her acts on personalities as she earlier did here in her Peggy Lee and Edith Piaf performances, she adds the extra dimension of slipping into another woman's skin. This she does with uncanny precision in her Saturday performance featuring Mae West, Sophie Tucker and Fanny Brice. There's no mistaking one for the other! Alex helps the image on by giving a brief biography of each of the famed sex goddesses in the milieu of their time, the early part of the 20th
century, on up into the 1950s and '60s.

January 16 Banancantina, Hosted by CASSANDRA Of CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY
to raise funds for:
Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, they operate of $3000 pesos a month and donations.

Together we can make a difference!!!

It's easy come in,
have dinner with us, choose
to purchase a raffle ticket.

Prizes include jewelry from
Cassandra Shaw,
gift certificates from Mama Dolores, and Encuentros Lounge and Pizza Bar.

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.

Miki Shapiro, 77; queen grande dame of the 60's Hollywood scene, died Friday, January 5th, 2007 in Encinitas, Ca. Miki was born Helen Jean McNabb to Addison J. McNabb and Thelma Noble McNabb in Columbus, Ohio on December 25th, 1929. She attended Grandview High School where she was known for her adventurous spirit, non-conformity and wild get-togethers. She followed her brother, Bob McNabb.
Miki Shapiro was a big part of the community here in the early days. She threw the parties, entertained the famous and held a "salon" for the intelligencia of the times.

She and her husband, Bennie Shapiro, operated the Renaissance Night Club and the Crescendo on Sunset Blvd, where a multitude of artists performed. Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary, Miles Davis, Lennie Bruce and Lord Buckley were just a few of the artists. Bennie left the nightclub life to open his own talent agency, taking many of the artists of the times with him. Being a concert promoter, film producer and entrepreneur led Miki and Bennie to be the center of the most exciting era. The Monterrey Pop Festival was just one of their successful endeavors. The movers and thinkers and celebrities of the time all gathered at the Shapiro's. Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, Hells Angels, The Black Panthers, The Diggers, Merry Pranksters, Sean Connery, Mikhail Barishkonov, Marlon Brando, Miles Davis, The Beatles, Ravi Shankar, Dylan, Rolling Stones, Jim Morrison, the Grateful Dead, Momma Cass and the Mama's and Papa's, Janis Joplin, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Huey Newton, one never knew who they would run into at the Shapiro's on Kings Road,.

The accompanying photo is from her house in Yelapa at her daughter Michele's Birthday Party that has Tabitha(7 years old) Sam, Tom and Catherine, Michelle, Marc, Orange Charlie "Chicharro", Joan and Cali and Joe, Electra and Jorge . 1987 Casa Suenos, Yelapa