Virgin feted
Puerto Vallarta’s 12-day observances honoring the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe, began on December 1. During this period dozens of processions file through city streets each day to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, adjacent to the main square.
The colorful processions are organized by civic groups, schools and community associations. Many of the walkers will wear traditional Mexican costumes and carry religious offerings to their saint. The celebrations conclude on Monday, December 12 – Dia de la Virgin de Guadalupe – with a fireworks display and fiesta on the main plaza.
Christmas concerts
The Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Vallarta is holding two Christmas concerts this weekend.
The first, on Sunday, December 11, 8 p.m. is at the Colegio Americano de Puerto Vallarta (American School). The following day, at 8 p.m., the choir heads to the Salon Paraiso in Paradise Village to present the same program.
On the program are Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 1, and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, a perennial seasonal favorite. In addition, the choir will sing plenty of popular Christmas tunes.
The guest artist is Juan Castellanos and the conductor is Daniel Oliveros.
The suggested donation is 150 pesos for adults and 50 pesos for children.
Killer Casas
The Vallarta Home Tours are in full swing. You will get to see four fabulous homes and be taken there in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. These homes are unique for their architectural style, art, interior design and/or location.
The tours are led by a knowledgeable host, last about three hours and the cost is 600 pesos. They are extremely popular and reservations are a good idea. Tours take place every Tuesday and Wednesday from now until the end of the season, around late April, with a couple of weeks off at the end of December.
Vallarta Home Tours are organized by the International Friendship Club (IFC) and all profits are used to run their cleft palate program, provide free dental services in Boca de Tomatlan, sustain teachers at the Volcanes Community Education Project, buy books for schools in rural areas, help finance projects at Biblioteca Los Mangos Public Library and many other non-profit organizations that help local people.
Advance tickets are available at the IFC office at the northeast corner of the bridge where Insurgentes crosses the Rio Cuale on the south side of Puerto Vallarta, between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and online at toursforvallarta.com.
Jeweled Holiday
Galería June Rosen Lopez is having its annual Jewelry Party and Sale on December 17 and 18, 1-8 p.m., located on Francisco Rodriguez 200 at the corner of Pino Suarez in Old Town Puerto Vallarta.
Specializing in custom-made pieces, Rosen has been creating one-of-a-kind jewelry since 1973. She studied her art in New York City and Taxco, Mexico’s silver capital, and is well versed in a variety of styles from traditional to contemporary.
Rosen will also be showing jewelry lines from other crafts people, so you can choose from an amazing variety of designs, styles and price ranges. She will also be donating 10 percent of her holiday jewelry sales to Corazón de Niña, a local children’s shelter dedicated to providing housing, education, food, medical care and love to young girls and boys who have been removed from abusive situations.
Meow Games
PuRR Project BINGO nights have begun. They take place every other Wednesday and the fun started on November 23.
The games take place at Margarita Grill, Pino Suárez 321 at the corner of Basilio Badillo in Old Town Puerto Vallarta. They start at 5 p.m. sharp so it is a good idea to get there half an hour early. You get three cards for 100 pesos. Prizes include certificates to restaurants, jewelry, wine and much more.
PuRR Project now has over 175 adorable cats and kittens in residence. Donations and fund-raising events are the only source of financing to provide food, shelter and veterinary care. The ranch is located in Por Venir, Nayarit, about 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.
For more information, check out www.PurrProject.com.
‘Tis the Season
Christmas is just around the corner and if you are living in Puerto Vallarta you may be wishing you could have a real tree for the holidays. The good news is you can.
Christmas trees are generally only available for two to three weeks and vendors usually sell out by December 15.
Costco in Fluvial (Avenida Fluvial Vallarta 134) always offers a beautiful selection of fresh Christmas trees that are large, bushy and best suited to larger homes and villas.
If you have a condo or a home with smaller dimensions, visit Home Depot, Soriana, Walmart, Ley or Mega Comercial for trees that may be a better fit for your space.
Because you need to buy early, remember to keep your tree watered, out of direct sunlight and away from air-conditioners and fans to help keep it from drying out.
And, of course, there is always the option to purchase an artificial tree.
The three stores that offer the best selection and highest quality artificial Christmas trees in Puerto Vallarta are Home Depot, Costco and Liverpool.