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

Robert James Roessel, President and Director of the 5th Puerto Vallarta Film Festival and Jean Pierre Leleu, Programming Director of the festival and Director of Programming for Cinemark Latin America are pleased to announce the following line up of films slated for the film festival which will take place December 10-14 at Cinemark Theaters in Plaza Caracol, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The schedule of screening times will be announced on December 1st and will be posted on our website:www.vallartafilmfestival.com

On December 5th, an announcement will be made regarding the national and international celebrity guests and filmmakers that will be attending this year's 5th Film Festival. This information will also be posted on the above website.

Once again, tickets for the environmental film section will be free of charge to the public which is sponsored in part by Cinemark, Corporativo Ambiental and the US Embassy. Tickets to all other film screenings in the film festival including the opening and closing films will be $42 pesos and may be purchased beginning Monday, December 8th, 2008.

For any additional information visit the film festival offices located on the left side of the Cinemark box offices in Plaza Caracol during regular business hours.

SHINE THE LIGHT – Directed by: Martin Scorsese A documentary with raw footage following the Rolling Stones in concert.

CHANGELING – Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich

APPALOOSA – Directed by: Ed Harris
Starring: Jeremy Irons, Ed Harris Renee Zellweger, Viggo Mortensen

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA – Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson

FROST/NIXON – Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL – Directed by: Scott Derrickson
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, John Cleese, Kathy Bates, James Hong

THE DUCHESS – Directed by: Saul Dibb
Starring: Kiera Knightley, Ralph Fiennes

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS – Directed by: Mark Herman

RACHEL GETTING MARRIED – Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Debra Winger, Bill Irwin

PURGATORIO – Directed by: Roberto Rochin
Starring: Pedro Armendariz, Jr., Ana Claudia Talancon

DESIERTO SUR – Directed by: Shawn Ferry
Starring: Marta Etura, Carolina Varleta, Alejandro Botto

DAYS OF WRATH – Directed by: Celia Fox
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Wilmer Valderrama, Ana Claudia Talancon, Jesse Garcia

DOUBT – Directed by: John Patrick Shanley

Starring: Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman

AUSTRALIA – Directed by: Baz Luhrman
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman

ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD – Directed by: Werner Herzog (Environmental Section)

UP THE YANGTZE – Directed by: Yung Chang (Environmental Section)

AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD – Directed by: Dan Stone (Environmental Section)

PAPALOTZIN: THE JOURNEY OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY (Environmental Section)

This week we were all shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of one of our members, Biblioteca de la Higuera founder Sally Conley. She was an inspiration to all of us in the Writers Group, and she will be greatly missed. This Saturday's meeting will provide an opportunity for some of us to put into words our fondest memories of this wonderful lady. Sally's son and ex-husband will also be in attendance.

MEMORIAL MEETING:

Saturday, December 6th, 2008, at the International Friendship Club.

TIME: 10:30 to 12:00.

So many members wanted to speak that, because of time constraints, we have had to limit the presenters to the following:

Doug Danielson—reading a tribute from Canadian writer, Bill Jory, about Sally and the significance of Biblioteca de la Higuera.

Barbara Sands—reading a letter from Maria Jose Zorrilla, and the Board of Directors of Los Mangos Library.

Norma Schuh

David Lyons

Dan Grippo

Ginger Tindall

RosAngelica Moreno Gonzalez

Please stop by Sally Conley's house on Saturday, December 6, 2008 between the hours of 2 pm and 5 pm to pay your respects, view photos (bring any that you would like to share), sign the guest book, leave a memory or two, meet her lovely son Jonathan and share your love for Sally with one another.

As we all know, Sally was loved by literally hundreds of people. There will be a formal, large ceremony after the New Year at Los Mangos Library with details to be finalized over the next few weeks.

For more information contact Pam Thompson:

222-9638

044 (322) 107-7007

A dinner concert with Billy Vera & the Beaters at the Playa del Sol Grand Resort in Nuevo Vallarta on December 5th celebrate the opening of the 4th Vallarta Film Festival, which continues through December 9th at Cinemark Theater.
The Fourth Annual Vallarta Film Festival, which will take place at Cinemark Theater at Plaza Caracol from December 5-9 premier showing was The Grand last Wednesday, December 5th, 2007.

Directed by Zak Penn and starring Woody Harrelson, Ray Romano, Werner Herzog, Jason Alexander and Richard Kind, this spirited comedy centers around a middle-aged guy who is trying to save his dead grandfather's hotel-casino from a real estate developer by winning the world's most famous high-stakes tournament, the Grand Championship of Poker.

Immediately following the movie, a dinner concert featuring Atlantic Jazz and Blues recording artists Billy Vera & the Beaters will kick off this year's Film Festival at the Playa del Sol Grand Resort in Nuevo Vallarta.

David White and Paco Ringness belt out a duet in the spectacular Broadway revue BeDazzled, opening tonight at Santa Barbara Theater.

Municipal Culture Department Announces

'Day of the Dead' Exhibits Compete for Cash Prizes

This year the annual *Calaveras* (Skulls) and Altars will be exhibited Nov. l and 2 on the steps of Puerto Vallarta's city hall as usual, but the competition has been opened up to include regional participants from Cabo Corrientes, Tomatlán, Mascota and Bahía de Banderas, the Puerto Vallarta Municipal Cultural Department announced in an email this past Friday.

Entrants must be signed up by Oct. 25, with the exhibits – elaborate 'altars' of photographs, food, drink and props for the dead (co-inciding with Mexico's celebration of the Day of the Dead, Nov. 1st and 2nd). Those interested can go to Aquiles Serdán 437, interior 38 of the Colonia Emiliano Zapata neighborhood before oct. 25th.

We'll have more info in later editions.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER wrapped on Thursday ending this multi-million dollar production being filmed in and around the Bay of Banderas before leaving for Sonora state and then on to Mexico City. Pictured here is Raja Gosnell, the director of the film. It is important to note the amount of publicity as well as the economic impact that this production produced in both States of Jalisco and Nayarit. This production is scheduled to to be released in August of 2008.

Reception
For U.S. Consulate Vallarta's New Facility

by Bob Cohen

The U.S. Consular Agency Vallarta held a lavish ribbon cutting ceremony and reception on Friday, September 21st at its new facility in the Paradise Plaza Mall in Nuevo Vallarta. Edward J. Ramotowski, the Consul General of Guadalajara for the United States was the guest of honor and called for local dignitaries, press, businesses and interested parties to attend the new official opening.

Ramotowski was complimentary of the work that the Kelly Trainor led team has done and continues to do as more U.S. citizens are moving to the Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas area; many part time residents and many full time. In a well prepared speech in Spanish he also thanked Paradise Village owner Graziano Sovernigo for the active participation of the resort and local Mexican government officials, as well his own staff in Guadalajara.

The Consul General congratulated Kelly Trainor, celebrating her 10th year of service with the agency in Vallarta. Her staff consists of three; Jackie Guerrero who has been of service for 25 years, Hector Aguirre, six years and John Palmerin with one year serving at the Consul.

Ney Gonzalez, the Governor of Nayarit was next to speak at the ceremony followed by the Mayor of the Bahia de Banderas, Jaime Cuevas. The two government officials shared their gratitude for the ability to be able to work closely with the U.S. Consulate.

The large crowd enjoyed live music during the reception as well as superb food and drinks.

The official address of the new U.S. Consulate address is:
Agencia Consular de los Estados Unidos
Paradise Plaza
Paseo de los Cocoteros 85 Sur
Local L-7 2do. Piso
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mex. 63732

The telephone numbers are (322) 223-3301, (322) 222-0069 and the fax number is (322) 223-0074. Hours open to the public are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and general hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Emails can be sent to:
Kelly Trainor – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In case of an emergency after hours, the Guadalajara Consulate can be reached at 01 (33) 3268-2145.

A two-hour Introduction to Tango on Monday, October 1, from 8-10 p.m. at J&B Dancing Club will unlock the secrets of this sensuous dance! At this free event your questions will be answered about the dance whose magic has swept the world. Al and Barbara Garvey will present demonstrations with a basic lesson in English and Spanish. Experienced dancers from TangoVallarta will be present to assist newcomers. You do not need a partner to attend.
Tango is an intense communication between a man and a woman, relying on body language rather than words. The connection achieved between the pair expresses itself in a completely improvised dance unique to one couple in a particular moment with a specific music. Tango is often compared to a "Three minute love affair".

In addition to the Introduction to Tango on October 1, tango practices are held every Wednesday at J&B, also from 8-10 p.m.. These are free and everyone is invited. A four-week session of classes begins Monday, October 8.

J&B Dancing Club is at Francisco M. Ascensio 2043, in the Hotel Zone. For further information please call Al or Barbara Garvey at 222-8895, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit our website: www.tangobar-productions.com

Described as Mexico's Frank Sinatra, Marco Antonio Muñiz, pictured here with daughter Laura "La Beba," longtime Puerto Vallarta resident – will perform a free concert this Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. in front of the El Caballito statue on the malecón. Enjoy!