‘Hi’ season
The populace of La Manzanilla is increasing each day. As winter residents arrive, there is wave of excitement rippling through the town.
Shouts of “Hi, welcome back” ring in the air; the smiles are everywhere. Morning coffee klatches are popping up in the various cafes as old friends reacquaint and new friends are introduced. Parleys on how to enjoy the days to come have become the norm. La Manzanilla is maybe one of the smaller tourist pueblos in the area, but it does not lack in entertainment and activities.
Writers
The Writers’ Group of La Manzanilla will once again be meeting on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. at Martin’s Restaurant to share their prose and poetry. The members will critique each other’s literatures offering guidelines and encouragement. All aspiring authors are invited to join. There is no membership fee. However, attendees are encouraged to support Martin’s business while at the meeting.
The Writers’ Group will again be hosting their Spoken Word Charities starting with Open Mic nights on January 7 and 19, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Casa Luz. There will be three more events: a Story Slam on January 21, a Writers’ Group Read on February 7 and an Invitational Reading on February 18. More details on these occasions will be published as they draw nearer. All profits from these affairs will be channeled back into the community.
Music for all
The music scene is still a bit quiet this week as some of our musicians have yet to arrive. However, live music is available now at the Crocodile Bar. Enjoy the smooth sounds of Chava and his guitar on Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m.
For your dancing pleasure, Los Banditos are back every Tuesday at Bahia Azul from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Scottie Turner returns to Palapa Joe’s on Wednesday November 21, to serenade you with all your favorites, and more. I had the pleasure of vacationing with Scottie and his lovely wife Jose this summer at their home in Powell River, British Columbia, where I enjoyed a daily concert of the new songs headed for the stage in La Manz. Y’all are in for a treat, trust me.
New miradors
Most of the destruction caused by Hurricane Patricia three years ago was cleared and repaired within a few months, and the town recovered. Yet there still remained two locations on our beach that were sad reminders of that day.
Recycling newsOur miradors (beach front lookouts), though built of stone and concrete, crumbled like sand castles beneath the ruthless power of wind and water. Over the course of this past summer these shattered rocks were removed and two new observation decks were built. The larger of the two is at the end of Lazaro Cardenas, the main street into the town, while the smaller one is at the end of Concha Molita, just off Maria Asenciones, a few blocks in toward the town centre. Down each side of these updated platforms are wheelchair ramps, which are wide enough to allow for easy access of medical stretchers and equipment in case of a beach emergency. The ramps have floor lighting built into the concrete, which add safety as well as ambiance in the evenings. There is plenty ofcovered seating, as well as attractive wooden waste and recycle containers.
La Manzanilla is the first town in the municipality of La Huerta to have an up-and-running recycling program. Thanks must go to the great leadership of the program’s director, Jose Fransisco Mendoza, in addition to members of the Parent Committee and La Manzanilla Hermosa for their dedication to this endeavour.
Las Hormigas is located behind the primary school on Calle Playa Dorado and is open 24/7. Thanks to community donations the site now has a covered structure that will keep the cardboard and paper materials dry. The organization hopes that once the newly elected government in La Huerta settles in, our convenient curbside recycling will start again. We will keep you posted on that issue.
There is a volunteer day at the site every Wednesday, beginning at 8 a.m. If you can spare a few minutes to help sort and tidy up, it would be greatly appreciated. The other way you can help is to encourage the use of the three Rs — in this case, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Polo at Careyes
Polo begins this weekend at the Careyes Club, with matches on Saturday and Sunday, featuring players from across Mexico, the United States and Canada.
If you haven’t yet attended a match, I strongly urge you to put this on your “bucket list” for this year. It is an amazing sport that combines not only skill, but also a union between horse and rider. You will feel a rush of excitement and thrill as they thunder past the stands, racing towards the goal posts.
There are three major tournaments scheduled throughout the season: Copa de Careyes from December 27 to January 2, the Giuliana Cup (the annual ladies’ competition) from January 23 to 26, and the 20th annual Agua Alta Polo event which runs from April 13 to 20. 
Polo de Careyes is located just off Highway 200 between kilometer 40 and 50. Admission is free. Call (315) 351-0320 for match times.
Classes
Do you want to expand your talents with something new? How about creating a beautiful piece of art, fine tuning your culinary skills or learning a new dance – on a rooftop!
All this and more is waiting for you in La Manzanilla. Here is a short list of upcoming classes.
Dance the Bichat with Stephan, no partner or previous experience needed. Four sessions of classes will begin on Monday, December 3, 5-6 p.m. on the rooftop of the Dagoli house, the first casa on the beach, just north of the crocodile lagoon.
Cooking with Eileen, beginning on December 13. Each week features a new menu. Call (315) 351-5134 for more information and registration.
The first of Mosaics with Mazinka workshops is scheduled for December 11 and 12. During these two days you will craft your own mosaic mirror. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information and to reserve your place, as her classes fill up quickly.