North Banderas Beat - March 16, 2013

Fundraiser for seniors

A fundraiser at Philo’s Bar and Restaurant in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle will contribute toward operating funds for the La Cruz Senior Center for the current year.  The event is set for Wednesday, March 27, 7 p.m.

It will feature all-you-can-eat BBQ ribs, entertainment and a 50/50 Raffle.  This year’s entertainment includes a mariachi band, a group of charros (Mexican cowboys who do rope tricks), a group of Mexican folk dancers and Philo and the Mexican Shuffle Band.

Tickets cost 200 pesos and can be purchased at Philo’s and also by emailing  Amigos de La Cruz (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), which is supporting the event.

For more information stop in at Philo’s or email Amigos.

Funding suspended

The Amigos de la Cruz board of directors has decided to suspend funding of the PEACE Action for Food program.

“While we have been proud to support the local community in this manner and feel that the program is a complement to our mission of supporting environmental and charitable goals, it was also our most costly program,” an email released by the group stated.

Initially started by northshore community action group PEACE, Action For Food was picked up by Inside La Cruz and the Amigos de La Cruz in 2012.

Apparently, an Amigos de la Cruz financial committee budget review determined that continued financial support was not feasible and would affect the group’s “ability to meet other financial obligations and commitments.

“We pledge to work in other ways with those who wish to continue the Action for Food program outside the parameters of Amigos de la Cruz,” the email concluded.

Bessie returns

A new production by Bucerias resident David Lloyd Austin is bringing back Bessie for an encore performance on the stage of Los Arroyos Verdes Resort theater.

The play “Miss Bessie and Her Mark Twain” will be performed on Wednesday, March 27.

This is a true story, as told by the personal maid of the Samuel Clemens family, Bessie Smith, who lived and traveled the world with them for 30 years.

She reveals an inside perspective, not previously known to the public, of the life and times of one of America’s most famous authors. The play is full of quotes and witticisms of the timely writer.

The show stars local businesswoman and mosaic artist/instructor Christy Ann Beguesse, the owner of A Broken Art in Bucerias.

The evening starts off with free poolside service of wine, beer, soft drinks and appetizers.

When the show bell rings, the audience will be escorted to the new indoor Theater Los Arroyos Verdes.

During the 15-minute intermission, there will be a full bar to purchase beverages.

Coffee and dessert will be sold after the performance. At the same time, there will be a question and answer period to learn more about Bessie and Samuel Clemens, his family and life.

Tickets are 300 pesos at the door, but if you mention that you saw this story in the Guadalajara Reporter when purchasing your ticket in advance, it will only cost 250 pesos, which includes the poolside beverage and appetizer.

The doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at A Broken Art (Lazaro Cardenas 62) or at Los Arroyos Verdes.

For more information or to reserve tickets contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Bucerias song

There is a catchy tune and some familiar landmarks in the official music video of Olympia, Washington native, Brittany Kingery’s “Treasures” (The Bucerias Song), from the album “Edge of the Ocean” by Brittany Kingery and her band, Game Six (Exit 104 Records).

The video was filmed in Bucerias, as were several others by Game Six.

The song and album can be purchased/ downloaded at cdbaby.com and i-Tunes beginning March 17.

The music video can be seen on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOATX9-k6Q4.

You be the judge

The third Annual Bucerias Chili Cookoff is set for Thursday March 21, at the Bucerias Art Walk Plaza, from 4-9 p.m.

Some of the best amateur and professional chefs in and around Bucerias will be facing off in this end-of-winter challenge. 

From Solar Blast Chili to Firecracker Chili to Las Perras de la Playa Chili (no dogs harmed in the preparation), even Vegetarian Chili, will be offered. Proceeds will benefit the Bucerias Children’s Library.

Each chef/team can decorate their stand, enticing customers to sample their recipe. Some will likely offer an array of toppings.

Chili tastes sell for 10 pesos each and beverages can be purchased.

The team that sells the most chili wins a certificate and “bragging rights.” The same goes for another award, given by the event organizers, for Best Spirit.

The fun includes live music by the popular Traveling Band until 9 p.m. The contest winners will be announced at 7 p.m.

There is room for more chefs, so anyone interested should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fun with Amigos

Amigos de Bucerias President Veronica (Ronnie) Barker says it is one of her goals to plan fun events for the people of Bucerias.  And if money is raised while doing that, all the better.

Amigos de Bucerias recently teamed up with the Biblioteca Rey Nayar, the Bucerias Children’s Library, for the first annual ABC Festival. 

The name ABC Festival came from the library group’s official name, Association Bahia de Banderas Cultural.

Classic cars, motorcycles, food, drinks, old-fashioned kid’s games and music performed by the Gecko Band guaranteed that this multi-cultural event had something for everyone.

“It was wonderful to see Mexican families and the mostly retired foreigners enjoying the same event,” Barker said.

Amigos de Bucerias assisted with planning and staffing the event and all proceeds went to the library.

In keeping with the fun motif was the first-ever Amigos de Bucerias Scavenger Hunt. Ten teams participated, scurrying around Bucerias Centro to solve clues and win points.

The Spring Chicks team, comprised of Christie Forget, Kathy Chandler and Melynda Nielsen, came in first. Second place went to the Beefeaters, and the Wounded Wing Tragedy team came in third.  

Feedback has been so favorable that Barker says they will do it again next year, only bigger and better.

Barker said the funds raised from the Scavenger Hunt will be used for the Amigos de Bucerias street cleaning and rubbish bin projects.

One more fun event is on the calendar, said Barker: an adult beach games afternoon at Breakers Bar on “Restaurant Row,” on Saturday, March 23, from 4-7 p.m.

There is no cost to participate in the games and it is open to anyone, whether or not they are members of Amigos de Bucerias.

Amigos de Bucerias will continue their monthly membership meetings on the first Saturday of each month at Ixta Restaurant.

“I hope that the enthusiasm of our members continues to build. There’s nothing that says we can’t have fun while doing good things for our community,” Barker added.