North Banderas Beat - November 9, 2013

Change in ownership

Bucerias-based baby furniture rental business Lots for Tots is under new ownership as of last month. New owners Jennifer Davies and Laurie Predon purchased the business from another Bucerias family, Leanne and Steve Sunderland, who ran it for a year-and-a-half but are moving back north.

Lots for Tots serves families with babies/toddlers when they vacation in the area by renting them beds, strollers, high chairs, etc., as well as a large selection of toys.

Davies stresses that “nothing that will lessen our customer service,” will be changed, although a few items that were not being requested will be eliminated.

Interested families can check out their easy-to-follow website and make choices by category, such as bedtime, dinner time, safety. They choose the specific item they need or a bundle, and then forward the order.   Lots for Tots sends out a Paypal request, meaning the transaction can be paid for in a secure and private fashion.

“We do not have any access to their credit cards or banking information,” says Davies. “Once we receive the payment, the order is guaranteed and we deliver to their vacation location. We also pick up the items at the end of the vacation with no extra charges.”

For more information, contact  www.lotsfortotsmexico.com or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . In Mexico, call 329-298-1153 or 322-175-0881 (cell) and from Canada/United States: 250-999-1495.

Music festival

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is seeking bands to participate in the first SavorYMusik@ Festival, scheduled from December 9 to 15.

The festival kicks off in the main plaza of La Cruz and will continue throughout the week in various restaurants throughout La Cruz, Bucerias and Punta de Mita. The festival winds up back at La Cruz plaza, where each band has the opportunity to take the main stage. All music styles are welcome.

Organizers say they are not able to pay the participants but do have some incentives, including food and drinks for the restaurant performances and at the final concert, help with loading and unloading equipment, a PA system if needed, transportation to and from the restaurants, cool t-shirts, professional video taken of bands as they perform.  Bands will showcased on posters and billboards and in publicity on radio and in newspapers.

In addition to the opportunity to make new connections, bands will be a part of a groundbreaking event and what organizers hope will become an annual festival.

If you are interested in participating, please send information about your band, the type of music you play, website/promotional info and how best to contact you to Aly Conley, Producciones Semilla Negro at (329) 295-5546, 322-189-2536 (cell) or on Facebook at: Festival SavorYMusik@-Riviera Nayarit.

Cobblestone streets

The project to repair streets in the 35-block comprising the Las Palmas/Dorada neighborhoods – between the arroyo southward, on the ocean side of Highway 200 – has continued all summer.

The project asked for donations of bags of cement, while the municipality of Bahia de Banderas is supplying everything else, including cement mixers and labor.

“Over 8,000 bags of cement were donated by area property owners,” says Mario Topete, coordinator of the project for the Las Palmas-Dorada group.

A municipal work crew of anywhere from six to 12 has been in Bucerias for almost a year chopping out deteriorated sections of cobblestone throughout the colonias.

Currently, the work crew has focused its efforts on the last two main streets: Carmen Serdan and Fibba, at the southern end of the area.

Since June, Carmen Serdan, between Avenida Las Palmas and Fibba has been completely cobblestoned, thanks to the donation of about 1,000 bags of cement from the street’s property owners.

Amigos de la Cruz

The start of the high season is upon us and Amigos de La Cruz wants to start it off right with its second annual Bienvenidos Amigos fundraiser.

It will take place on Friday, November 22, at Oso’s Oyster Bar located at the Marina del Mar. The event starts with 2x1 drinks followed by a three-course dinner and kick-off-your-shoes entertainment.

Happy hour will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with dinner following. “There is not a scheduled ending time,” says  Lori Wilson of Amigos de la Cruz.

Amigos de La Cruz is an active organization of volunteers working together to address the continuing needs of the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle community. Its mission is to contribute to the quality of life in the community through cultural, educational, environmental and charitable assistance programs. For more information visit the Amigos at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wine & cheese party

Coming up soon is the sixth annual Beta Sigma Phi Wine and Cheese Benefit to raise funds for the organization’s Operation Warmth project. 

This special event helps provide blankets and warm clothing for “our neighbors in need,” according to Melinda Wilker, a member of the service sorority.

The benefit will be held on Wednesday, November 20, from 7 to 10 p.m., at La Vida condos on Lazaro Cardenas at Javier Mina, in Bucerias.

The 300-peso ticket includes a chance to win one of many door prizes, a wonderful selection of hors d’oeuvres, music, as well as three drink tickets for wine or beer.  There will also be a variety of great raffle prizes.

Tickets are available for purchase from any of the Beta Sigma Phi Sisters. If you have questions call Connie at (329)295-5534 or Judy at (329)295-5074.

“Come and help get the Bucerias social season started,” says Wilker.