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Last updateFri, 13 Mar 2015 5pm

Expat Living

Puerto Vallarta Bulletin – March 6, 2015

Cat Tails

A cool cocktail, awesome hors d’oeuvres, live music and a spectacular sunset awaits at the PuRR Project Sunset Cocktail at Daiquiri Dick’s on on Tuesday, March 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

This cozy rendezvous for cat lovers and supporters of PuRR Project will feature live entertainment by Muruno, a guitar duo strumming Mediterranean style music that will have you tapping your feet. There will be a raffle for prizes that include two signed Marta Gilbert prints, gift certificates for a Mexican cooking class, a cultural walking tour, a beautiful garment donated by Sucesos Boutique, a piece of jewelry designed and donated by June Rosen Lopez, and much more.

The ticket price of 300 pesos includes two drink tickets, with these selections: Catnip Cocktail (vodka, watermelon, and mint) red or white wine, sangria, beer and non-alcoholic mint lemonade are two per drink ticket. While sipping your beverage attentive waiters will pass out appetizers.

Tickets are available for cash at Daiquiri Dick’s, Olas Altas 314, Fireworks Pottery Studio at Los Mercados, Aquiles Serdan 265 or online with a credit card at www.vallartatickets.com.  Note that online purchase includes a small processing fee. 

PuRR Project has over 130 adorable cats and kittens in residence. Donations are the only source of funding for food, shelter and veterinary care for these rescued animals and events like this help provide those necessities.

Get tickets soon because space is limited. For more information or to make a donation to PuRR Project, visit PurrProject.com.

Going, Going, Gone

The 3rd De Colores annual cocktail party fundraiser for the Puerto Vallarta Men’s Chorus will be held Saturday, March 21 at Oscar’s Restaurant, Isla Río Cuale Local 1, starting 6 p.m. There will be live and silent auctions plus dinner and dancing under the stars. You’ll be treated to performances by the chorus throughout the night.

The evening includes an array of hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail hour followed by a fabulous dinner prepared by Oscar’s award-winning culinary team.

The live auction will be conducted by Greater Tuna, a lively comedy duo that has played at Vallarta’s The Palm.

The auctions will feature food experiences, jewelry, art, as well as a few surprises such as African safaris, adventures across Mexico, and even a grand piano. The evening concludes with dancing.

The  only gay choir in Mexico, the Men’s Chorus is committed to the community and partners with many local non-profits not only to provide music but build bridges of understanding to a diverse community. They work with PuRR Project, the Bucerias Children’s Library and Puerto Vallarta’s annual Pride and Bugambilia festivals. The group has brought its inspiring message of love and understanding through quality choral music performed in Spanish and English to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Support is always welcome as their ticketed concerts do not meet the expenses for all the group’s activities.  Tickets are 1,000 pesos and are on sale at The Palm, Olas Altas 508, from 3 to 9 p.m. and Timothy Real Estate Group, Ignacio L. Vallarta 130 Local 7, from 10 a..m to 6 p.m., and credit cards are accepted.

To donate to the auction or to become a table host, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or this year’s De Colores Chair, Allyn Dixon, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Cooking Up a Storm

Savor Mexican food preparation up-close by attending the Essence of Cuisine Cooking Class. Dolores Brittingham hosts this culinary event at her home in Puerto Vallarta Old Town.

Dolores has been teaching cooking classes for close to 40 years. She taught in various schools in Seattle and in her home. She started Essence of Cuisine in Vallarta nine years ago. Her food background is Mexican, Filipino and Spanish and she was raised on Mexican food.

Dolores’ Essence of Cuisine starts by welcoming her guests/students with a cocktail and a recipe packet before beginning her cooking instruction.

During the hands-on meal preparation you’ll enjoy a cocktail and appetizer. Then everyone sits down at an impressive table with dazzling place settings to feast on the fabulous four-course meal, which is complemented by just the right wine.

This course features some of the most delicious and easy to prepare breakfast dishes that Mexican cuisine has to offer.

The next class is March 24, 6 p.m., the cost is US$75 per person and promises to be a treat for the senses. It features delicious Mexican breakfast and brunch foods and consists of the following:

- Mango Basil Margarita

- Chorizo, Eggs, Potato and Cheese Tacos

- Chicken Enchiladas with Cilantro Verde Sauce

- Arrachera (flank steak) with Roasted Red Peppers and Poblanos

- Cornmeal Poblano Gruyere Tart

- Baked Pears with Basil Syrup over Vanilla Ice Cream

- Mexican Coffee with Kahlua

Dolores’ Essence of Cuisine cooking class is a wonderful way to spend an evening with old friends and a great way to make new ones. Space is limited. Contact Dolores at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (322) 222-7017.

Home Sweet Home

Having your own place to live is a wonderful achievement and the Casa Digna program in Puerto Vallarta is helping families realize that dream.

Under the guidance of Vallarta Mayor Ramón Guerrero Martínez, the program has helped over 840 families by providing housing materials. 

“We provide the materials and you do the work,” Martinez says. “Year after year we are building homes that can be enjoyed for generations.” 

The current administration is assisted by various social welfare programs.

“No municipal president has given us what (Martinez) has,” says Ramona Leyva, one of the recipient of building supplies. “My family and others want to thank him very much for his support.”

The program is now assisting families living in colonias Pitillal Centro, Bobadilla, Leandro Valle, Villas Río, Jardines de la Higuera, Fraccionamiento La Primavera de Vallarta, El Calvario, Fraccionamiento Prados de la Higuera, Los Portales, Jardines del Puerto, Villas del Mar, Villas del Sol, Villas del Puerto, Arboledas, Agua Zarca, Rancho Alegre, San Estaban, Villa de Guadalupe, Paseos de la Rivera, El Mangal, Playa Grande, La Payita and Del Toro. That’s quite a list.