The Big Chill
A cold front from the north and a few days of rain put a chill on activities in La Manzanilla last weekend. Baseball, soccer, and polo games were cancelled. The flea market extravaganza in the plaza was rescheduled for this Sunday, the 19th. Wind gusts as the front moved in toppled trees and sent unsecured roofs flying, yet our electricity never so much as flickered, a miracle unto itself. Our usual “clear blue and 82” February temperatures plummeted to the 60s and low 70s, sending us year-‘round-resident weather wimps scrambling for hoodies and long pants, much to the amusement of vacationers who still found the weather balmy and better than what they’d left behind.
The Big Fix
Rain didn’t dampen the success of this year’s Cisco’s Amigos free animal health/spay and neuter clinic, February 10 to 14. From sun up to sun down, veterinarians and volunteers processed over 250 cats and dogs throughout the five-day event in La Manzanilla, including animals chauffeured in from neighboring Arroyo Seco, El Programa and El Rebalsito.
Founder and organizer Julie Wagner expressed her gratitude to the 25 or 30 volunteers who showed up every day to keep this massive undertaking running smoothly. They checked in and released pets back to their owners, prepped patients for surgery and provided post-op TLC, defleaed and deticked animals as needed, cleaned instruments, mopped floors, took care of tremendous amounts of laundry, brought food, whatever needed to be done. “Without their tireless help,” she said, “this valuable service to the community simply would not be possible.”
She also thanked veterinarians Yolanda Hernandez, Veronica Anguiano and Ruben Rocha, who again made the trip from Mexico City to perform the surgeries and examine the steady stream of critters. A contingent from Mazatlan also volunteered their services this year to gain hands-on experience for a similar clinic they hope to start up there.
This is Cisco’s Amigos ninth animal spay and neuter clinic in La Manzanilla, with over 3,000 animals reproductively altered since its inception. Five clinics have been held in Melaque. Award-winning song writer Kent Fiddy, from Comox, British Columbia, has memorialized the event with “Pedro’s Lament”, which he performs locally with back-up group, The Dog’s Breakfast. Clinics are supported entirely by donations and proceeds from two popular fund-raising events, Cisco’s Music Night and Doggy Bingo.
Regatta La Manzanilla
No word yet on the fate of our annual La Manzanilla Cup, but the yachties from Puerto Vallarta want to take another turn around our beautiful bay. The VYC has scheduled their second outing to these southern waters for Saturday, February 25.
Organizers are billing Regatta La Manzanilla 2012 as a Fun Race/Tour of Tenacatita Bay. They compared last year’s event to the Banderas Bay Regatta “before they all got so serious about it,” declaring it so much fun they wanted to do it again. This will be the VYC’s first cruise of the year, an opportunity to “shake down” their PPJ boats over the 100-plus mile journey.
Locals also are invited to participate in the regatta and post-sail beach party. For more information, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Night Under the Stars
La Catalina Educational Foundation (LCEF) will hold their much anticipated Night Under the Stars fundraiser and silent auction on Saturday, February 25. This 8th annual gala will begin at 6 p.m. in the La Manzanilla Plaza with a Mexican buffet and live entertainment.
The show will feature local folkloric dancers, performances by LCEF students, and a childrens’ guitar concert led by Canadian musician/instructor, Myranda OByrne, half of the popular Triskele Celtic Duo. Items up for bid in the silent auction include stays in Costalegre resorts, hotels and vacation rentals, meals at area restaurants, original art, spa treatments, and an eclectic array of goods and services.
LCEF is a Mexican non-profit organization aiming to raise the educational and economic level of La Manzanilla locals. Proceeds from this year’s Night Under the Stars will be used to continue construction on the classroom and community computer center at LCEF´s Costalegre Educational Center.
It’s Not Over Yet
The water’s warm, the waves are gentle, and there are still plenty of things to do in La Manzanilla. All the restaurants are open, so you can “wine, dine and get on line,” as one local pundit put it. Zumba, more kinds of Yoga than this couch potato ever knew existed, dance, cooking and painting lessons are available on any given day. Various venues offer live music on Friday nights, and some on week nights, as well. Eco-tours, whale watching and other aquatic adventures and excursions are at hand. And, of course, there’s polo in Careyes on most Saturday afternoons.
If you’re planning a trip in the near future to the best beach on the Costalegre, check our message board at www.lamanzanilla.info to see what’s happening when and where during your visit.