Full speed ahead!
Despite the number of roads that are still trashed a month and a half after the Jova-ian deluge, La Manzanillans from all ends of town have managed to make their way to main street to party. And there’s plenty going on.
Revolution Day activities packed the plaza over the weekend. Food, fireworks and dancing ‘til 2 a.m. were the draw on Saturday night. The air, so full of tantalizing aromas from various food vendors around the square, was almost edible. The previous night’s late hour didn’t daunt most people from returning bright and (too) early on Sunday morning for the traditional parade and performances by colorfully clad mini-revolutionaries. The parade was scheduled to start at 8:30, and it did. I still find “on time” in Mexico disconcerting.
Music, music, music
The La Manzanilla Lounge Lizzards are back, R&Bing Palapa Joe’s every Friday night at 8 p.m. Willy Mason, picking a mean guitar, and “Dangerous Dan the Harmonica Man” Crosby still have what it takes to make people dance. They’ve extended their sets this year to accommodate the addition of Dan´s surprisingly good vocals. As of this weekend, we can also look forward to Open Mic Nite, featuring anyone in town who wants to play, on assorted Saturday nights throughout the season.
Popular area band The Redneck Mothers are scheduled to appear at Jolanda’s restaurant on the beach every other Friday night from 8 to 11 p.m. Restaurant Mayahuel, on the left as you’re coming into town, also has live entertainment planned for this season, as does Restaurant Martin, albeit usually with reservations and a cover charge required.
Myranda O’Byrne and Michael Price, of Triskele Celtic Duo fame, have reprised their popular acoustic jam sessions on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Anyone interested in listening to, singing along with or playing music, from folk to rock and everything in between, is invited to their home at 179 Calle Manglares from 7 to 9 p.m.
I suspect more live entertainment will pop up throughout the year. The best way to know who’ll be where when you’re here is to check our message board at www.lamanzanilla.info. And don’t forget to visit the Barra de Navidad/Melaque Visitors Comments at www.tomzap.com for what’s going on down there.
Good news for foodies
This Tuesday’s opening of Café de Flores makes it official: all your favorite restaurants are open for the season and dishing up the varied and fantastic flavors of La Manzanilla – with two notable exceptions. Longstanding favorite El Quetzal has moved to #25 Fresno Street in Melaque, where they´re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Restaurant Lopez, aka the laundromat restaurant, won´t be opening at all this year. Chef Isai Lopez has moved down the street to delight patrons at Restaurant Mayahuel.
For those who prefer to cook at home, Marisco´s Deli is a bona-fide blessing to La Manzanilla. Don’t let the name Marisco’s fool you. I’ve never bought fish there in my life, but they did keep me supplied in cooked-on-the-premises ham, roast beef and pastrami all summer.
Yes, Marisco’s does have an extensive variety of seafood, and fine cuts of beef, as well. Plus, if you’re there at the right time, something to tempt your taste buds is likely to be bubbling on the stove. If you smile and ask nicely, you might even score a free sample.
Opening quietly last year, Marisco’s Deli is poised to make a big bang in La Manzanilla this season. Not only do they sell hard-to-find herbs and spices in pill-size cups and an impressive selection of imported cheeses and breads, but the shelves are stocked with must-haves for the most discriminating gringo palate. Plus, the deli case features, aside from the aforementioned cut-to-order deli meats, an interesting array of salads and desserts. Marisco’s is also a selected vendor for locally grown and La Manzanilla-roasted No Bullshit coffee.
Located on the inland side of the Y with an artfully painted blue façade, Marisco’s Deli is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day but Monday. Prices are reasonable, but don’t go in hungry.
Bookstore extends hours
Manos Ayudandos (Helping Hands) used book store has announced new evening hours for your browsing pleasure this winter. To accommodate early dining and event patrons, the store will be open Monday through Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. They’re just waiting for the new door to be installed. Staffed entirely by expat’ volunteers, the store also is open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Stocked with plenty of novels, some relatively recently released, Manos Ayudandos also features a growing selection of non-fiction and Spanish-language books, videos, and sometimes magazines. Proceeds from all sales create scholarships for worthy students and meet other local needs. The bookstore is located on Playa Blanca, between the ejido office and the plaza.
New on the fashion scene
Not that the fashion police patrol La Manzanilla, but if they did they’d find no fault with the clothes available at the recently opened Boutique Graciela. Operated by long-time La Manzanilla resident Graciela “Chela” Jimenez, the store offers a stylish alternative to the usual beachwear available around town.
Stocked mostly with moderately priced women’s dresses, sportswear and lingerie, Graciela’s also has a limited selection of men’s clothing. New merchandise arrives weekly from Guadalajara, and Chela expects to expand her inventory to meet demand. Oriflame organic skincare products and kitschy things also are available at the store, located at Tenacatita Sur 16, next to the veterinarian’s office across from the parking lot on the south side of the church.
If you decide to visit La Manzanilla for any of our events – such as Efren Gonzales’ show at the Galeria on December 2 – or culinary experiences, beware of the potholes on Highway 200. Even driving in daylight, they’re a challenge, especially coming north. One that keeps getting worse is a meter or so past the Tamarindo entrance – sorry, I’ve been too preoccupied trying to miss it to measure exact distance – and is a tire blower, if not an axle bender. Maybe this mention will help get it fixed.
Play golf, dine to bring cheer to kids
Toys for Tots has scheduled a Sunday, December 11 charity golf scramble at the Vista Vallarta Weiskopf course, followed by a Monday, December 12 gala dinner-dance at the Marriott CasaMagna Resort in the Marina.
Ticket prices include a host of goodies, including green fee and cart, prizes for various levels of participation, hole-in-one contest (last year a lucky golfer won a new Toyota), gift bags for all participants and a lunch after the competition.
Tickets cost 1,400 pesos for the golf tournament and 800 pesos for the dinner dance. They are available at the Vista and Marina Golf Pro Shops, from the Marriott concierge, or by contacting Carol Smith in Fluvial at (322) 293-1268, Dorothy Piontkowski in the Marina at 209-0064, Judy Sorrell in Conchas Chinas at 221-5102, or Bill Clark in Olas Altas at 222-3616.
All funds raised will be used to purchase toys for distribution to outlying communities of Puerto Vallarta in early January when school classes resume. All expenses are funded by generous local and International sponsors, so every peso raised will go directly to acquiring toys at extremely attractive prices from Mexican distributors.