Events are a wonderful way to immerse yourself in, and learn about, the Mexican culture. Here is a list of upcoming holidays, festivals, events, and activities worth planning around. Also check out our Community Calendar for a complete list of what's going on in the Jaltemba Bay area. If you have information about an event, please email us so we can include it in our next issue.

This Week

Monday, February 28

Toñita's Restaurant 25th Anniversary Celebration  

Toñita's Restaurants have been in business in the area for 25 years and they are throwing a party to celebrate! Tickets are only $250 pesos per person and include live Mariachi music, real Mexican Charro doing the Magic Rope, Mexican Tap Dance and Folklore, live entertainment and DJ César. There will also be games, prizes, and surprises. For dinner, they will be serving their special Mexican Plate and one Drink. The party will run from 6-11pm. If you haven't already done so, make your reservation at any Toñita location. Info & Map: Tonita III 

Los Amigos de La Peñita Meeting 

The next meeting of Los Amigos de La Peñita will be on Monday, February 28 at Restaurante La Palapa de Guty, Circuito Libertad #4. There will be a social gathering at 6:30pm, with the formal meeting starting at 7pm. Key agenda items will be: end of year budget items; report from scholarship committee; status of JEDI activities; community report; education committee activities; report on recycling program; and Tianguis report. All are welcome.  

Thursday, March 3 

Information Session on Micro-Financing

On Thursday, March 3, Los Amigos de La Peñita and Sé Más will be holding an information session on micro-financing at 7pm in the Ejido salon. See featured article below for full details. 

Friday-Tuesday, March 4-8  

Carnaval  (Carnival) 

Carnaval is an official Mexican holiday that kicks off a five-day celebration of the libido before Catholic Lent begins. The festival of Carnaval is celebrated as a last indulgence of carnal pleasures that Catholics must give up for 40 days of fasting during Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Carnaval is celebrated exuberantly with parades, floats, costumes, music, and dancing in the streets. Check out the posters around town for a full list of Carnaval activities in our area. 

Saturday, March 5

Basket-Making Workshops

The Los Amigos Recycling Committee will be holding Basket-Making Workshops on these upcoming Saturdays: March 5, March 12, and March 19. The workshops will start at 10am, and will be held at Calle Allende #162 in La Peñita. Please bring gloves and wire cutters if you have them, and your friends! Directions from Highway 200: Go 200 meters north of the main street/La Avenida in La Peñita (towards Tepic). On the left side of the highway, you will see Pollo Feliz. Turn right and go 2 blocks up the hill (the street name is not shown). The house is salmon colored.  

* Indicates possible non-working holidays.

** Schools, banks, post offices, and other public government offices

    are closed during these Mexican National Holidays.

Upcoming

Thursday, March 10  

Cruising Jaltemba Bay & Punta Raza 

Support Mayor Romy Mora in her quest to make a difference to the community of Los Ayala! We will be cruising Jaltemba Bay, Punta Raza, and Lo de Marcos on Los Ayala's Gran Fiesta in order to raise monies to improve the streets of Los Ayala. We raised $40,000 pesos with the previous cruise to Chacala (which translates to $160,000 pesos through the governments 3 for 1 Program), and we would like to repeat this success one more time! Enjoy a two-hour cruise of the beautiful Jaltemba Bay, the spectacular scenery of the wild and pristine beach of Punta Raza, and the "Hawaii Like" beauty of the beach of Lo de Marcos, followed by a traditional Mexican Buffet Lunch accompanied by some lively Mariachi at the Boca del Rio beachside restaurant on Los Ayala beach. This event is also part of the "3 for 1 Program" so every peso raised will be used towards improving the roads in Los Ayala!

The cost is $500 pesos per person, which includes the cruise and one drink on board the Gran Fiesta, plus lunch and two national drinks at the Boca del Rio. Tickets are available in Los Ayala (Villas Marena, Bungalows Las Iguana, Casa Contenta, Restaurant Charly, and from Romy, Christina, and Linda); in Guayabitos (George's Three Flag Coffee Shop & Latitude 21); and in La Penita (Hamaca Maya). 

Meet on Los Ayala beach in front of Villas Marena (the yellow condominium complex - #45 Coral Avenue) at 9:30 a.m. The cruise will be 2 - 2 1/2 hours and followed by lunch at Boca de Rio. For more information call Romy at (327) 274-0611 or Christina at (327) 274-3516. Photograph courtesy of Christina Stobbs 

March 30-April 2 

JBAR Spay & Neuter Clinic -- Lo de Marcos 

For more information, read the paragraph below or email Ana Embury. If possible, please print a few copies of the poster to post or hand out in the Jaltemba Bay area to help promote these clinics. The link to the poster can be found on the new JBAR page on Jaltemba Bay Life. 

April 6-9

JBAR Spay & Neuter Clinic --  

La Peñita

The next Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue (JBAR) Spay & Neuter clinic will be held on April 6-9. Roger Murphy has graciously donated his home at Avenida Libertad #51 in La Penita for the Clinic site. We are still looking for people to make lunches, snacks, water, etc. for the dedicated volunteers. If you are interested, please contact Lin Chimes (see info below). 

JBAR Clinics are offered to the public for free, so donations are always needed and greatly appreciated. Please plan on helping by volunteering your time; offering refreshments, snacks, lunches, and dinners; purchasing dog and cat food, flea medication; and/or donating supplies or monetary contributions. For more information, email Lin Chimes or view the new JBAR page on Jaltemba Bay Life. And while you're there, please print some posters to distribute in the area. 

Ongoing

Tianguis in Guayabitos  

The Tianguis in Guayabitos runs every Monday in the Guayabitos Plaza (map) from 8am-1pm or so. While this open-air market is smaller than the one held in La Peñita on Thursdays, the atmosphere is lively, the location is perfectly shaded by the large trees throughout the plaza, and you will find just about anything you are looking for... plus you can stroll to the beach afterward for a bite to eat and an ice-cold beer (or two) at one of the many great restaurants nearby. 

Los Amigos de La Peñita

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month (see this weeks' schedule change above) at Restaurante La Palapa de Guty located at Circuito Libertad #4 in La Peñita (on the street along the waterfront). There is a social gathering at 6:30pm, with the formal meeting starting at 7pm. All meetings start on time and are limited to an hour and a half. The agenda will be posted in advance on the Jaltemba Bay Folk Forum. Everyone is welcome to come and find out what Los Amigos is all about.

Get Fit with Guayabitos Yoga

Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Now - March 30, 2011

Try these wonderful, outdoor classes taught right next to the estuary and close to the beach, with beautiful birds all around. If you are a beginner, come out and give it a try. Many men and women have had their first yoga experience here, and most of them love it and what it does for them. They get stronger, become more flexible, and improve their balance. They also feel more relaxed and enjoy life more. If you are an experienced yogi, you'll find that the advanced options will keep you challenged and motivated. Everyone moves at his or her own pace. Certified Teacher, Agneta Dyck, offers classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30am and 9am, at Flamingos #39, Zona Residencial in Guayabitos (map). The cost is $50 pesos a class, $60 pesos if you need a mat. For more information, call Agneta at (327) 274-3247 or (322) 140-3684 (cell) or visit the Guayabitos Yoga site. Come one, come all, it's going to be a healthy, happy year!

Wednesdays:

Rotary Club of Jaltemba Bay

Rotary Club meets Wednesday mornings at 7:30am at Piña Colada Restaurant in Guayabitos. Members enjoy social time over breakfast with an official meeting beginning promptly at 8am. Various community leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, and artists are invited as guest speakers to give members a better understanding of the region they serve.

Thursdays:

Tianguis in La Peñita

The Tianguis (open-air market) is held every Thursday in and around the Plaza in La Peñita (map) from 8am-1pm or so. It is "the" place to be and be seen on Thursdays... and to shop for silver jewelry, pottery, linens and tableclothes, glassware, Talavera plates and sinks, Huichol Indian artwork, and Oaxacan rugs and black clay pottery. You can buy everything from dried chiles, fresh fruits and veggies, homemade breads, and locally-produced honey and coffee beans, to new and used clothing, kitchen accessories, blender and stove parts, and just about anything else you can think of. The market in La Peñita is one of the largest and most well-known markets in the entire area.

Casa Cooking Classes

Now - March 31, 2011

Join Debra Triplett and Elizabeth Nunez Leon for their authentic Mexican cooking classes. Debra and her husband, Glen, own and manage Casa de los Pelicanos Bed & Breakfast in Guayabitos (map). "Betty" is originally from Guadalajara and owns a catering business here in Jaltemba Bay. Watch & Learn: Each class will focus on a traditional Mexican meal using the freshest local foods with additional information on ingredients, utensils, and techniques. Eat & Enjoy: Savor authentic Mexican foods that you have learned to make at home. Bring a Friend: Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of food, friends, and learning. The 3rd Series will be held on Thursdays from February 24-March 31. Three Tuesday classes have also been added, and will be taught by a "Special Guests Chef". For more information and to reserve your space, contact Debra at (327) 274-2030 or email her.

Sundays:

Breakfast Brunch at Tiffany's Cafe

Perla del Mar 

La Peñita   

Luxury oceanfront vacation home with 6,000 square feet of living space, 5 bedrooms including the Casita, and an infinity pool 

click here for more info >

San Lucas Apartments 

La Peñita    

Brand new deluxe apartments available for rent. Located only   

2 short blocks from the beach.

click here for more information >

Casa de Shoe  

San Franciso (San Pancho) 

An artist's retreat nestled on the hillside with a 180-degree view of the mountains. Priced to sell.   

click here for more info >

Casa Tequila   

Guayabitos, Residential Zone  

Spectacular beachfront home with large oceanfront pool, five spacious bedrooms, six private baths, and immaculately-maintained property. 

 click here for more info >

Villas Marenas Condos  

Los Ayala  

Five beachfront condominiums: Studio to 2 Bedroom Suites are available. 

click here for more info  >