North Banderas Beat - November 19, 2011

Wine & Cheese

The Beta Sigma Phi International service sorority has set its fourth annual Wine and Cheese Cocktail Party Benefit for Tuesday, November 29, 7-9:30 p.m., in the club room at La Vida Condo, on Lazaro Cardenas at Javier Mina in Bucerias.

Proceeds from this annual event provide funding for blankets and warm clothing for our Mexican neighbors-in-need. Each 300-peso ticket gets you an opportunity to win a door prize, as well as a bountiful selection of hors d’ oeuvres, wine, beer and entertainment.

There will also be many raffle prizes to win. Come help the local community while getting the Bucerias social season started.

You can purchase tickets from any BSP member, or contact Judy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Phone 329-295-5074 for information and tickets. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Children's Library

The Bucerias Children’s Library benefited from a recent book sale. Volunteer Rita Kollock led the effort and in this photo is seen assisting customers.

Chili days ahead

The non-profit community service organization PEACE will benefit from two chili cookoffs this year.

On Friday, November 25, 4-7 p.m., at least 12 teams will vie for bragging rights, as well as subsidized sponsorship into the Vallarta Yacht Club cookoff (see item below), which will determine the “best of the best” chili chefs. There will be live music and raffles. Net proceeds from ticket sales and the 50/50 raffles will go to help support the PEACE programs in Bucerias: Work for Food, animal health clinics and after-school programs. Entrance is free. The cookoff takes place in Bucerias in the block of Av. Lazaro Cardenas between Galeana and Benito Juarez.

Yacht Club Cookoff

About one week later, on  Saturday, December 3, 4-8 p.m., there’s the 12th Annual Vallarta Yacht Club Chili Cookoff, another free entry, fun-filled afternoon, with 22 cooking teams from local restaurants and individual groups competing to be number one chili maker and an award for the best theme team. This cookoff’s net proceeds will be split between the PEACE programs and the Families of the Dump charity in Puerto Vallarta.

This one is held in front of the Yacht Club, between Paradise Village and the Paradise Village Mall in Nuevo Vallarta. Contact Marilyn and Jim (329) 298-6441 or Grace and Tom (322) 297-1521 for more information.

Thanksgiving in La Cruz

Philo’s, at Delfin 15, is having its annual pot luck dinner. Bring a dish to share with 8 to 10 people and they supply the turkey. Cost: 50 pesos per person, seating at 4 p.m., dinner at 5 p.m. Philo and the Mexican Shuffle Band will play. Call (329) 295 5068 for information or directions.

Masala Restaurant, at Coral 10, is offering a choice of traditional turkey dinner or lobster tail over saffron risotto, for 350 pesos per person. Open from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., call (329) 295-1331 or cell, 322-101-8884.

Spend Thanksgiving Day with a sunset view of Banderas Bay, NFL Football on the TV, followed by live music with The Mango Duo at the Marina Riviera Nayarit Restaurante Ikuai. Serving from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Cost: 290 pesos, 150 pesos for children. Includes traditional Thanksgiving dinner and all beverages.

Thanksgiving in Bucerias

Pie In The Sky reminds everybody to order their Thanksgiving holiday pies early.  This year, in addition to pumpkin, southern pecan, coconut cream, key lime, mango and apple pies, they have lemon, blackberry, kahlua, and Grand Marnier cream cheese pies. Their fruit pies can be made with splenda or totally natural. For folks who are allergic to gluten, there are gluten-free almond cakes and Belgian chocolate flourless mousse cakes.  For Thanksgiving holiday gift treats, Boutique Art Cakes can be special ordered or chosen from the supply on hand.  Open in Bucerias, as always, on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Le Provence Restaurant is accepting reservations for its Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The three-course, French-style Thanksgiving Day dinner starts with either pumpkin soup or smoked salmon rouleau, a main course of home-made sausage stuffed turkey with a Cognac au jus or envelope of Mahi Mahi with tahitian vanilla. The dessert choice is chantilly pear or pumpkin pie. The price is 395 pesos. Address: Hidalgo 15, Bucerias Centro. Reservations or more information, call 322-107-1513 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sandrinas will be serving a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner for 245 pesos. Their regular menu will also be available. Av. Lazaro Cardenas 33, call 329-298-0273.

Encore on Av. Lazaro Cardenas is serving a Thanksgiving dinner, but had not provided any information about it by press time. Call 329-298-0140 or go to www.encoreonthebeach.com.

Mark’s Bar and Grill serves Thanksgiving dinner, starting at 4 p.m., and includes two different turkey dinners to choose from or a seafood plate. Appetizer and dessert choices included. Price is 475 pesos, children eat for half price from 4 to 6 p.m. Address: Lazaro Cardenas 56. For reservations, call 329-298-0303, go to www.marksbucerias.com email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In Jarretaderas, Ernesto’s Good Grub will be featuring an all-you-can-eat traditional Thanksgiving day dinner, starting at 2 p.m. Due to the popularity of this dinner, reservations are required for the seatings, which will be about two hours apart. To reserve your time choice and get directions to the restaurant, call (cell) 322-156-1049.

Spay and neuter

The PEACE free, mobile spay and neuter clinic will soon be in Bucerias and Punta de Mita. Bring a dog or cat to be spayed or neutered Wednesday through Saturday, as early as possible, beginning at 9.30 a.m. and pick up the animal before 4 p.m.  November 23-26, in Bucerias; November 30 to December 3, in Punta de Mita. For more information about the clinics or for directions, contact Poli at 322-134-0942 or Lalo at 322-141-1031.