New delegate
Lifetime resident Pedro Preciado Chavez became La Manzanilla’s new delegado (delegate) in the October 28 election. Everybody in town is familiar with Pedro and his friendly smile. Prior to beginning his three-year term, he served as driver and announcer for the La Manzanilla Information System truck, our primary source for news of important local events. He also worked for 22 years with this area’s Civil Protection unit.
Pedro is young, energetic, and has big plans for our pueblo. Priority number one is safety. “We need a phone in this office so people can reach us in an emergency, we need more streetlights and to replace burnt-out ones, and we need a permanent police presence in this town,” he said. When I rolled my eyes and commented that I’d heard that story before, Pedro reminded me that La Huerta has a new administration now, too. He said he has no problem badgering the municipio, if that’s what it takes, to get what La Manzanilla needs.
Pedro seems sincerely interested in helping everyone in our community. Recognizing that not everyone who visits the Delegacion is comfortable speaking Spanish, he said his uncle will be on-call to help with translation. He also said he hopes to form a task force comprised of members of the foreign community to better address our needs. Not every delegate of La Manzanilla has been, how shall I say it, eager to work with, let alone help, expats.Other plans include an overall clean up of the town, a “pride-of-place” effort to maximize La Manzanilla’s natural beauty. Emphasis will be on street, beach, private- and pueblo-owned property maintenance, as well as sprucing up the plaza area. We welcome Pedro to his new job and wish him much success.
Jesus Mary and Joseph!
Popular main-street eatery, Jesus, Maria y Jose, has relocated. Like a knight in a chess game, owner-chef Gonzalo Salgado Fierro has moved his restaurant one block over and two blocks back to Number 83 Lazaro Cardenas. The new location, at the corner of Calle Maria Elba, was previously occupied by familiar landmarks the old laundromat and Restaurant Lopez.
Although it fronts the road into town, Gonzalo has gone to great lengths to recreate the same intimate atmosphere patrons enjoyed at his Maria Asuncion establishment. The softly lit patio dining area, which now extends across the front of the entire building, is concealed from traffic by natural privacy screens. Also new is an outdoor bar with more tables along the west side of the restaurant. In addition, Gonzalo plans space for a dance floor, with live music at least once a week.
Gonzalo said he is excited to offer some new selections to his existing menu of Continental fare, including more authentic Mexican dishes. Jesus, Maria y Jose will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from 7 a.m. to midnight every day but Sunday.
New wi-fi hotspot
Wi-fi dependent gadgets have become as ubiquitous in La Manzanilla as cell phones and those noisy little rice-rocket motor scooters (motos) that zip around terrorizing traffic and pedestrians. Now there’s a new place to connect: Café del Mar.
Hector Castillo Aceves, son of Josito and Chely of Chely´s Hardware, is putting the finishing touches on his new Internet hook-up and snack bar. He picked a great location, too, for people watching and ocean breezes. Cafe del Mar is the inviting, open-air palapa-covered building located diagonally across from the plaza where the vivero used to be, between the Delegacion and the Catholic church.
Hector says Café del Mar will be like Starbucks, La Manzanilla style. Fresh-brewed coffees, expressos and lattes will be available, as well as sandwiches, salads, and soft drinks. Bring your own gadget, though, as no public-use computers will be on the premises.
Live music
I felt like I’d landed in an old hippie hug-in when I went to Palapa Joe’s last week for the return of the Lounge Lizards. The place was packed with recently returned members of the senior set sharing the love with friends they hadn’t seen all summer.
The music was great, too. Guitarist Willy Mason and Dan “Harmonica Man” Crosby had ‘em dancing in the aisles during three sets of rhythm and blues numbers, including new instrumentals as well as more vocals for Dan.
The Loung Lizards play every Friday night around 8 at Palapa Joe’s. One of our favorite British Columbian troubadours, Scottie Turner, is also back to play guitar and sing on Wednesday evenings at 6:30.
‘ Tis the Season
La Manzanilla may be a month shy of kicking into high gear, but there’s no doubt that The Season is upon us. Friday morning tianguis have returned to the plaza. Not all the vendors are back yet, but the fruit lady and the “buy three, return two” video guy have staked out their usual locations. Café Risa, across from the plaza, has reopened for breakfast and lunch, and has renewed my appreciation for their lattes and homemade muffins. It’s a perfect spot to take a break from shopping while keeping an eye on the action across the street.
Manos Ayudandos (Helping Hands) used-book store on Calle Playa Blanca is also back in business, after reduced hours throughout the summer. (Special thanks to the dedicated volunteers who braved the heat and fed my head.) New books, videos and magazines are arriving daily, and Manos Ayudandos continues to carry a selection of reading glasses in a variety of diopters. Stop by for a good read and sometimes lively conversation, daily between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and, new this season, soon from 6 to 8 p.m.
Duplicate Bridge players are back in action on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12.30 p.m. at Martin’s restaurant. Email Ron Stock at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you’re interested in joining or completing a fourth. Spacifico is once again providing relaxing, individualized spa treatments, by appointment. To arrange your time, stop by the spa on Playa Blanca, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 351-5110.
Happy Thanksgiving
If you plan to be in La Manzanilla for the U.S. feast day this coming Thursday, Palapa Joe’s, Café de Flores and Lora Loka will offer traditional Thanksgiving dinners. Reservations are required. Wherever you spend your holiday, I hope it’s full of great food, good cheer and, if it’s your thing, football.