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A Message from the IFC President
Dear Members, Volunteers, Donors, and Friends,
We are happy to report that with minimal disruption the International Friendship Club of Puerto Vallarta is back in business. The work goes on to do what we always have done, which is seeking to improve the lives of people around us, the Vallarta community and surrounding areas, our members, volunteers, donors and friends.
The primary mission of the IFC is to raise funds for cleft palate surgeries and local educational and social services organizations. Through your donations, we are able to support the community of Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas. We apply a rigorous process of vetting organizations to ensure that your donations benefit the intended recipients. The Education Committee met last week and prepared its recommendations for funding of area nonprofits. The Social Services Committee met this week to do the same. Following the IFC Board meeting on March 9, funding decisions will be announced. The team is also preparing for our first Cleft Palate Clinic of the season, we hope in April.
All revenue generated from our educational and social programming support the IFC's charitable efforts. We invite you to participate in the following areas of enrichment, learning, and connecting.
- Spanish classes, 4 levels, continue to meet 3 times a week. Start any time.
- Home Tours on Tuesday and Wednesdays.
- Qigong on Wednesdays.
- Bridge lessons on Mondays and Social Bridge on Fridays.
- Yoga & Meditation on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- NIA Dance on Sundays
- Mahjong on Thursdays.
- Mexican History Lectures with Dan Grippo on Fridays.
- ...and so much more. Please check out the IFC Events Calendar for times and to register.
A few notes on our lectures and education events:
- The Carlos Navarro “Connect with Mexico” lecture on muralism is rescheduled to March 16. Prescient enough, his March 9 lecture topic is, “Violence and Crime in Mexico: Who is to Blame? Are you at Risk?”
- The International Women’s Day Celebration and Luncheon is RELOCATED to El Dorado, same day and time (March 7, at noon). Our speakers are sure to move and inspire. See below details and how to register.
- The March 3, Women’s Health program is cancelled under the circumstances to give the doctors a breather.
Before the events of February 22, I had written a different newsletter for this week. I will share it next time. (Coincidentally, it was about how IFC members and friends help each other and make things happen. Truth!)
Thank you for showing up. Thank you for showing your love of Vallarta.
Can't wait to see you soon!
Peggy Nelson
IFC President
|  | | Mexican Wine & Cheese Pairing with Gina Hendrix of Whiskey Kitchen
When Gina’s first Mexican wine and cheese pairing class sold out, we scheduled a second. Don’t’ miss out this time, tickets are going quickly. Gina is a certified sommelier and a gifted chef and restaurateur. In this class, Gina shares recipes and great suggestions for pairing. Monday, March 2, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the IFC Clubhouse. Register here. | | |
Orientation to Vallarta
Twice a month, the IFC offers “Orientation to Vallarta.” Madeline Milne of Living Room Bookstore and author of the Moon Guide to Puerto Vallarta is available to answer all your questions about Puerto Vallarta. What to see and do, how to register a car, enroll a kid in school, get from here to there. This program on Wednesday, March 4, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Register here. | | |
Murder in the Afternoon - with Storyteller Larry Hohm
Listen to well-crafted stories come alive! Professional storyteller Larry Hohm tells stories with an edge -- compelling works of fiction written by accomplished authors. These are not readings -- the stories are told from memory, with drama and passion.
The event on March 5, at the IFC clubhouse, will include short stories by Shirley Jackson, Bill Pronzini, Jack Ritchie, and Jennifer Gifford. Beer, wine, soda and water will be available. Larry offers this event as a fundraiser for the IFC. Register here.
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International Women's Day Celebration (note updated location)
The IFC is thrilled to welcome legendary leaders Amy Armstrong, Stolie and Gloria Fiona as featured speakers for the IFC’s International Women’s Day celebration, on March 7, 12:00-3:00 PM at El Dorado. Known for their powerhouse voices, razor-sharp wit, and big hearts, these women are icons of Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant community. Beyond the spotlight, they are passionate advocates for community, inclusion and lifting up other women. Register here.
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A Day at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Join other IFC members and friends at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens on March 10, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, for a guided walking tour, lunch in the VBG’s award winning restaurant and transport to and from Vallarta, with time to explore.
The Garden is offering discounted pricing for this program. If you are already a member, the price is discounted further. Register here.
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Member Appreciation Night – Celebrating YOU and Pi
We love our members! And plan to have a bit of fun on 3.14, pi day!
Our second Member Appreciation Night of the season starts on 3.14, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the IFC Clubhouse. Pi-e attire is encouraged (but not required).
| | |  |  | We’re excited to introduce our new Preferred Providers Map — designed to make it simple and efficient to connect with trusted local businesses. Whether you’re looking for dining, services, or specialty stores, everything is organized in one easy-to-navigate place so you can quickly find exactly what you need - on your desktop, laptop or smartphone!
The map allows you to:
- View all of our current preferred partners in one centralized location
- Browse providers organized by category for easy filtering
- See businesses listed alphabetically for quick reference
- Click on any business name to instantly highlight its map location
- Open a detailed information box that includes contact details and exclusive member discounts
- Get directions to a provider from your location
- This tool saves time, eliminates guesswork, and ensures you’re supporting businesses that actively support our community.
Hint: Download your digital IFC membership card to use with the Map and enjoy member-only savings on the go! See our Web Tip below for instructions on how to carry your digital IFC membership card! |  |  |  |  | We have three Dine Around in one week!
You'll experience three distinctive menus and three unique atmospheres. One wonderful opportunity to enjoy exceptional dining with friends. Reservations are now open — and these evenings tend to fill quickly. We encourage you to reserve early to secure your place at the table. Register here.
Don't forget: An Empty Seat at the Dinner Table is a Lonely Thing! If you can’t make it to your Dine Around, please cancel your reservation as soon as you know so someone else doesn’t miss out. |  | | Book Club – Special Book Launch
This month, the IFC Book Club joined in a special “Meet the Author Book Launch and Signing” at the IFC Clubhouse, on February 26.
IFC member Elena Hiatt Houlihan has written a book about creativity, romance and betrayal, adventure and the lure of tango in her book An Unrealistic Life, in which she tells a story about being attracted to Puerto Vallarta, and captures stories of Aztec dancers, mosaic artist Natasha Moraga (Lazaro Cardenas Park aka Tile Park) and muralist Misael.
A member commented, “What an inspiring evening! Elena’s book not only shares her own artistic story but also supports and celebrates fellow artists and performers in the Vallarta area. Listening to her read excerpts from her book was a journey in more ways than one.” | | |  | | This newsletter, we interviewed Karen Davis-Farage, a valued IFC volunteer.
What is your role as a volunteer at the IFC?
I am a Home Tour Guide for the IFC. This means I volunteer one day a week to host our guests on one of two tour buses which visit four villa/homes.
Why do you volunteer?
I first visited Puerto Vallarta in 1975 while in college. I fell in love with the city and have been visiting for fifty years. It gives me so much pride and joy to volunteer for an organization that gives back to those in need in this city which has given me so much happiness!
| | | What does it take?
It doesn’t take a lot. It is a day out of my week which I am always excited for. I arrive at the Sea Monkey at 8:45 and we do the coordination and preparation with our team which includes myself, two wonderful docents, the coordinator, and others behind the scenes. We have already studied the homes we will be visiting and then set out to introduce ourselves to the guests who arrive about 9:30. Many of them have never been on a home tour and they are looking forward to the experience. Others have joined us many times in the past and are equally excited to see the homes that day.
What have you learned through this experience?
I have learned how to be a “tour guide”. Making sure that our guests are comfortable and safe is critical. Besides sharing details about the homes they will see, we need to know what to share with them that keeps them interested and engaged. There is so much knowledge we can impart about Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas. Its culture, arts, food, history, nature, much more. Learning what they want to know, how much information is enough, and how to entertain them all at the same time is important. Lastly, sharing our love and experiences of Puerto Vallarta help make it more personal for them. I am always trying to improve their experience.
What are your favorite parts of volunteering?
My favorite parts are working with wonderful IFC volunteers to create a team that all has the same goal – providing a great tour experience for our guests, knowing that each tour we volunteer for is making a difference for the charities we raise money for, meeting and sharing the experience with our guests from around the world who are so appreciative of our efforts, and seeing the magnificence of PV homes and villa’s – the variety of homes from the beauty, the architecture, the furnishings and decorating, the history of the homes and the pride of the owners who share it all with us!
|  |  |  |  |  |  | Edificio Parian del Puente #13
Corner of Miramar and Libertad
Colonia El Centro, Puerto Vallarta
Jalisco, Mexico, 48300 | | | | Your newsletter team is a collection of volunteers. Do you have suggestions or ideas? Please send them to marketing@ifcvallarta.org We value hearing from you! | |