Polo Tournament
For the eighth year, players from Portugal, Italy, Mexico, the United States and France came to the Careyes Polo club to play in the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Dog – on February 17 and 18.
Four teams of four players each played off on Saturday to determine the finalists for the Sunday game.
Teams were Cabinet Connection (Will and Chris Falk, Raul Ramirez, David Buller); Careyes (Giorgio Brignone, Robert Hinaman, Jesus Solorzano, Manuel Rios); Mangorance (Gary Magness, Benito Hernandez, Nico Millan, Domingo Aldaco); and Agua Alta/Quinto Sol (Hans Giebeler, Alberico Ardissone, Manuel Matos, Luis Perez). Cabinet Connection and Mangorace were the winners on Saturday and advanced to the finals.
Teams had their game faces on with Hernandez scoring the first goal against the Cabinet Connection foursome. Every chukker (the period of play) was fast and furious, and at halftime the score was 5 to 2 in favor of the Mangorace. Cabinet Connection came alive, with Falk scoring three goals tying the game after the 3rd chukker. Mangorace again scored goals by Hernandez and Magness made a penalty shot putting them ahead again, but Falk was again on fire and tied the score with just seconds left.
This meant a shootout with each player having a free shot at the goal from the 40-yard line. The Cabinet Connection team had three perfect shots but Mangorace captain Gary Magness made it four out of four for his team, earning them the winner’s trophy.
Careyes Resort is a four-decade-old private gated community located between kilometer 49 and 50 north of Manzanillo on Highway 200. Its founder, artist and environmentalist Gian Franco Brignone, has maintained his interest throughout these years during the growth of the resort and the polo club.
Polo is played from November to April – the highlight of this year will be the 19th Annual Agua Alta played during Semana Santa, March 24-31. Attending one of the tournaments should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is a breathtaking display of talent, coordination and trust between the riders and their horses. See careyes.com.
Tossing their balls
The 4th annual Bocce on the Beach tournament, sponsored by Figaro’s Restaurant, was bigger and better than ever. There were 64 participants this year, tossing their balls for more than just the trophy.
This is a fund-raising event with 100 percent of the net proceeds funneled directly back into community projects. This year’s proceeds totaled over 21,000 pesos. Some of those funds are already dedicated to repair the bathrooms of the kindergarten school, and meetings are being held with the town as to other needs that can be accomplished with the balance. Many thanks to Pino, of Figaro’s, and the other volunteers who make this fun fundraiser happen each year. Also, congratulations to Michael Hudson and Andre Trudeau, this year’s champions.
First Eco-Fest is a winner
The directors, volunteers and youth gardeners put on an informative and fun display of their accomplishments in developing the Tierralegre Huerto Escolar program here in La Manzanilla.
Attendees to the recent event were escorted through the garden and the displays of wildlife found here in Jalisco. All points of interest were thoroughly explained to the visitors. Questions, answers, and ideas were discussed over a delicious dinner prepared by chefs Deni and Roberto of Muy Ricos, using the bountiful supply of organic vegetables, fresh from the garden. Residents of the town are encouraged to bring their compost to the site and deposit it in the marked blue barrels. The gardeners will continue to sell their organic products at the tianguis on Fridays until the end of the season.
No winding down yet
Still lots of action to be had in the coming weeks.
Cisco’s Amigos Annual Fundraiser takes place on Monday, February 26, 6:30 p.m. at Palapa Joe’s. Tickets are available at Palapa Joe’s, the Galeria de Arte and Helping Hands Bookstore. Wine, beer and shots will be sold, and door prizes will be drawn. Bring a snack and your dancing shoes as there will be live music.
The Spay and Neuter Clinic for La Manzanilla will be held on March 4, 5 and 6. If you would like to volunteer to help with the post-surgery care of the dogs or cats, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For over a decade, this organization, spearheaded by Julie Wagner-Schuetz and husband Rusty Schuetz, has given hundreds of hours of love, sweat and tears to provide free spay and neuter clinics to pet owners in La Manzanilla and surrounding towns. These clinics also offer vaccinations, treatment for minor illness of the animals, along with advice for the owners. While the veterinarians offer their services and medication for free, money is still needed for their accommodations, meals and other expenses.
The Efren Gonzalez Painting Demonstration is scheduled Sunday, March 4, 5-6 p.m. at the Galeria de Arte, Calle Perula Sur 83.
BasuraSHION, planned for Friday, March 9, 5 p.m. at Magnolia’s Kitchen & Drinks, is a unique fashion show. Secondary students will model their designs of recycled fashion, help Chef Alex prepare and serve her delicious tapas during the 6 p.m. Happy Hour. Tickets are 250 pesos with all the proceeds earmarked for the Student Garden Project.
Fun! Creative! Eco-friendly! Educational! Hope to see you there!
Sunset Horse Ride Tours
Escorted rides depart from Quinta Valentina’s parking lot at 4:45 p.m. Ride the trail to Bocca de Iguanas while your guide explains the flora and fauna along the way, and then return along the beach an amazing sunset becomes your backdrop.
The tour is approximately two and a half hours. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..