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Friday Sept 20 - 26, 2013
Wanderings on Olas Altas
Banderas Bay Initiative
By Poncho Davalos
By Minerva Zamora www.bbini.org
American Legion a shining model in community involvement
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ast week, Maria and I had the pleasure of meeting up with Dennis Rike, the Commander of the American Legion post 14 in Banderas Bay. We had previously met Dennis as one of our guests on the radio show El Foco (91.9FM C7 Radio, Mondays at 4:00pm). We loved talking with him about the number of projects the American Legion has going on around the bay. As we believe part of the difficulties charitable organizations (whether environmental or otherwise) face is the lack of awareness of their projects, (which then leads to lower volunteer involvement and lower funding), I wanted to share some of the American Legion’s successes in Puerto Vallarta. The American Legion is dedicated to creating a support network for US Veterans at home and abroad. Post 14 of the Banderas Bay, as part of the American Legion’s department of Mexico, works closely with veterans living in the region to make sure they can access
healthcare, consular services, and other benefits. Although the American Legion’s main purpose is “Veterans helping veterans”, they have also created an important presence in the communities in which they reside, forming mentoring programs, volunteering their time and expertise to active community improvement projects, and even funding social change endeavors. The Banderas Bay post has been no exception. In the past couple of years, the American Legion has tapped into and helped create a network of community activism to be reckoned with. To complete their projects they have worked alongside Navy League, Piratas M.C. (Harley Davidson Riders), His Will His Way ministry, Kelly Trainor-Consular Agent of Puerto Vallarta, and the DIF (Family Integral Development-a Mexican government agency), as well as many other good-willed individuals and businesses of the region. Through their donation of expertise and manpower, and the generous funding of the Jay-Sadler Project, and other charitable donors, the American Legion and its partners have rehabilitated many of the spaces
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meant to support very special parts of our society. They have fixed playgrounds in San Vicente and Guamuchil, used their electrical and plumbing expertise to restore water to the bathrooms and improve the bathroom and kitchen facilities at a Junior Highschool in Boca de Tomatlán, and successfully fundraised for Busca un Amigo Pitillal. They are currently helping to re-tile the roof at the Santa Barbara Rehabilitation Clinic, establishing a maintenance program for a playground in Aurora, assisting in setting up additional classrooms at the School for the deaf in San Vicente del Mar, and aiding in raising the wall and installing a sidewalk at Busca un Amigo Pitillal. The voting members of the American Legion are exclusively US veterans, however, they welcome veterans of any country, as well as civilians to join as associate members and join their community service projects. If you would like to become involved with any of these worthwhile initiatives, I invite you to explore their website (www.americanlegion14. org) or join them during their open meetings at Steve’s Bar on Basilio Badillo on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.
Proud to be Mexican
By Pancho Davalos he first memory I have celebrating Dia de la Independencia was when I was eight years old. I remember my mom took me to the main plaza in Monterrey to enjoy the festivities and I was so proud to be Mexican. As you know last week we celebrated our 203rd anniversary of Mexican independence, being a Mexican sometimes we take this celebration for granted. But one thing I discover from my foreign friends (from Canada or the States) it’s a really great party. They’re very happy to live here in Mexico, enjoying the mariachi bands, tasting guacamole, salsa, sometimes tequila, appreciating the culture, food and sharing pride in what is Mexico. My friend and I had the opportunity to be on the malecón last Sunday, he is not Mexican and this was his first time in this celebration. I can say it was an amazing experience to share with him. Mexican tradition has the the Grito de Independencia performed at 11:00 pm and the sitting president exclaims “Viva Mexico!” and calls out the names of the national heroes who gave us independence. my friend and I really
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enjoyed the fireworks show and we had the perfect excuse to eat Mexican dishes (again). A highlight attraction for us was the stage erected in the middle of the malecón with rousing mariachi music. A lady was performing incredibly with a lot of soul, dressed in her traditional dress full of colors. It was great to hear the songs you always hear in weddings or in a quincenera. My friend was amazed about how we celebrate; all of his previous experiences had taken place with him watching through a television screen My friend is back home now unfortunately, but I know that he choose the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta. I’m am thrilled because I showed him that Mexico is more than tacos and tequila, is a country full of traditions, colors, heritage and proud country. It doesn’t matter what happens, we always celebrate. Hey guys! For more information feel free to e-mail me at Alfonso@ tropicasa.com Poncho Davalos is a sales agent for Tropicasa Realty, he can help you to find your dream home contact him or visit www.tropicasa.com for more information.
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