Tree Party
The 10th annual Christmas Tree Fiesta, held December 9 at Magnolia’s Restaurant, was once again a stunning success.
More than 120 guests attended the event, and were treated to a treasure trove of hand-crafted trees and ornaments to bid on.
The event raised more than 11,000 pesos for Activos Gym in La Manzanilla. This will help to keep our gym operating smoothly and membership costs low for all the people in the pueblo. Thank you to Alex Mayberry and her fabulous staff at Magnolia’s for hosting this festivity each year, and for supplying the scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
Caroling
Keeping in the Christmas spirit, there will be a caroling event held December 23, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hosted by Mike and Myranda O’Byrne, carols will be sung in English, Spanish and French. Come join the fun, song books will be provided, and if you play an instrument, even better!
Bookstore
Stuck on a gift for that friend who has everything – check out the Helping Hands Bookstore! Coloring Books, colored markers and pencils, DVDs, Marco’s hand-crafted Mache creations, 2017 calendars, and yes, lots of books! All proceeds from any purchase at Helping Hands stays in La Manzanilla to sponsor scholarship programs for our local students, so your gift will keep on giving throughout the year.
Chantli Mare
The paintings of Anita Lee (shown here) and other members of the Lake Chapala Painting Guild will be on display and sale through March during a three-month exhibition/sale of their paintings at upscale boutique hotel/restaurant Chantli Mare by the Sea in Boca de Iguana, Jalisco, just a few kilometers north of La Manzanilla. Plan to go for lunch or dinner. The food is exceptionally fine (as are the paintings). Tel. (333) 105-8863.
Teen Art
A new after-school art program has been started up through efforts of the La Catalina Foundation, the La Manzanilla Art Walk donations, and some very dedicated La Manzanilla residents. At the first session on Friday, the young artists were introduced to water color by Annie Olson, a local artist. They learned color application and theory. They then put theory into practice, and after mixing primary colors to create secondary colors. When their brushes were put to paper, the results were spectacular art pieces. These were saved in individualized portfolios, designed by Rennie Holley. The Teen Art will be exhibited in the upcoming Art Walk in January
Speaking of the Art Walk, make sure to mark Sunday, January 29 on your 2017 calendar! That’s the day when the artists in La Manzanilla show case their talent. Paintings, sculptures, jewelry, beach art and much more will be on display and for sale. Starting at 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. you can tour the exhibits and galleries, and find that special piece that calls out to you. Come and enjoy the creativity of La Manz.
Let’s go surfing now!
Well if you ever dreamed of riding the waves, here’s your chance! Newly opened surf shop here in La Manzanilla, located at the Grand Cayman Hotel on Lazaro Gardenas. Lessons, boards, wax and all other surfer needs are available right here at home. But this isn’t just a shop; it is also non-profit charity organization. Founded in 2003, by Artemio Rosas Gutierrez, the Cristianos Surf Team Mexico has been providing free lessons and equipment to children of low income families. Gutierrez has surfed for over 30 years, ten of them professionally. He and his family have recently moved for Arroyo Seco, where he has taught surfing to the children there, and plans to continue with them, as well as introducing the sport to the children of La Manzanilla. Any donation whether equipment, cash, clothing, or transportation would be gratefully accepted.