Hot stuff shootout
The Marina Nuevo Vallarta malecon will host the 2nd annual Taste of Nuevo Vallarta and 14th annual Cruisers Chili Cookoff on Saturday, December 6, from 4 to 8 p.m.
More than 400 people passed through the gates last year to taste the chili concoctions served up by professional and non-professional chefs, as well as delicious dishes whipped up by participating restaurants.
Attendees can purchase sampling kits for ten pesos each. Each ticket gets them a plastic cup to taste any of the foods on offer. Tickets may also be used to purchase bottled water, soda, beer, wine and margaritas. Music will be provided.
The net proceeds this year will be evenly split between Puerto Vallarta Families at the Dump and the Puerto Vallarta Navy League’s charity projects.
Parking will be available at the Marina and water taxis will run from the Vallarta Yacht Club and Paradise Village.
Bucerias Cookoff
Christy Beguesse quips that “It’s gonna be real chili in Bucerias” on Wednesday, December 10 for the 4th Annual Bucerias Chili Cookoff.
The event is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Bucerias Artwalk Plaza, on Lazaro Cardenas, between Galeana and Benito Juarez.
Beguesse is calling on all chili culinary experts to participate. “If you think your chili has the right stuff, step up to the plate and enter it in our contest,” she says.
The Cookoff supplies tables, chairs, cups, utensils and napkins. Cooks only need to bring their signature chili. Winners get a certificate of achievement and bragging rights.
Currently ten chili chefs have signed up. There is limited space this year, so registration is advised as soon as possible at 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..">.
The Cookoff will feature live music from Brit & Esteban and Adult Beverages.
Proceeds this year benefit the John Ozzello Memorial Food Bank.
Amigos de la Cruz
Amigos de La Cruz hosts their 3rd annual Welcome Back Amigos Fundraiser on Wednesday, December 3, 6 p.m. at Roberto’s Xocolātl Restaurant, in La Cruz.
The 250-peso event to welcome back friends from the frozen north features Roberto’s fabulous buffet with a selection of chicken or mahi mahi fajitas.
Attendees will want to put on their dancing shoes as saxophonist and flutist Bryan Savage has agreed to entertain.
The evening will also feature a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction.
All money raised helps fund Amigos’ street cleaning and recycling programs.
Tickets may be purchased at Roberto’s or through Amigos de La Cruz at lacruzamigos.com.
For more information, check out their website at amigosdelacruz.org.
Cat Shelter
Janina Erban, owner and operator of the Paraiso Felino cat shelter in the nearby town of San Juan de Abajo, has sent her north shore supporters her end of summer/start of tourist season update.
“We had our first appearance of the season at the Sunday market in La Cruz,” she reports. “There were quite a few people and it wasn’t terribly hot. There were no adoptions but we did have some good conversations.”
Erban says only a few adoptions took place during the summer, but over 30 cats and kittens joined their already large family. The kitten room is bustling and all the “cat condos” are full with moms and their babies, she says.
“We really can’t take anymore cats, as 250 is our limit for our space and resources.”
With these new arrivals, the shelter is in need of feline vaccines to protect the kittens from distemper and other respiratory illnesses. Each vaccine costs about 75 pesos, so a batch of 25 will go for about 1,875 pesos (150 dollars).
The shelter is also accepting donations of brick, block and rebar to help with the building of a second floor. Anyonewith something to donate should let her know.
Erban notes that one bag of Kirkland cat food (11.5 kg) from Costco feeds the kitties for one day.
Contact Erban for more information or to become a Friend of Paraiso Felino at 322 120-4092 (cell) or 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..">.
Christmas fundraiser
Come and join the pre-Christmas festivities on Monday, December 8, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Drunken Duck bar and restaurant on Avenida Mexico in Bucerias. Expect an afternoon of great live music and lots of raffle prizes to help raise money for the 21st Annual Bucerias Children’s Christmas Program.
In recent years, the program has grown to provide around 1,200 Bucerias area children with a wrapped gift at Christmas.
The program also hands out generously donated candy bags to all the children. Mothers and grandmothers are given small cloth bags filled with sample-size soaps, shampoos and lotions.
The cost is a 200-peso donation. Food and drinks will be sold at the event, as well as raffle tickets.
The restaurant/bar will be closed to the general public for this fundraiser.
For more information contact Jan and Jennie Roden at 322-222-5101 or Wendy Allen at 322-169-8836.
Posada
A Christmas posada will be held at the Flamingo Sports Club on Saturday, December 6, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The 25 pesos per person admission benefits the education projects of Manos de Amor. There will be piñatas, raffles, swimming, music, food and games.