E-mail:  yvonneal@pvnet.com.mx

We're gliding into the main run of our busy season--primarily the months of November through April/May, and many of you have already made an appearance at our November meeting.  Some others of you are on the way, or are here, but already planning a holiday visit elsewhere, but will return.  We'll be on the lookout for you all.  The Clubhouse hours currently are 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM Monday thru Friday.  You can always call and leave a message if needed (you'll hear back shortly) or send an email message to IFCPV@PRODIGY.NET.MX.   

The first general meeting of the season, Nov. 11 was well attended.  Good to see so many of our membership repeaters and wonderful to be introduced to the new members.  Keep up the good work, members, your efforts to interest your friends and family in what we do brings strength to our well-known organization here in Puerto Vallarta.   Members willing to chip in on a regular basis or help only occasionally on a special project are always needed--a few dedicated individuals cannot continually carry the burden of our work alone.  BE PART OF WHAT WE DO!

Here now, let me introduce you to these very nice folks who have made the decision to join the IFC:

WELCOME TO YOU ALL, and may your association with us enable you to meet other members who have like interests and who will become good friends.

Here, too, are a few friends who are re-renewing memberships:

 Welcome back, it's good to have you on board again.

On the subject of memberships...we are now adjusting the cost of membership based on the rate of exchange.  Currently the Single Membership is $220 Pesos; Couple's pay $330 Pesos; OR, if US DOLLARS, $20 for a Single and $30 for a couple.  (If you want to receive your "Newsletter" by mail, add an additional $55 Pesos, or $5 US.)  And, if you need to pay by a US check, add $5--the bank charges to process the check. The membership year is based on the calendar year Jan. l, 2004-2005.

Remember to look for your Marriott card in the Clubhouse.  (A box of cards sits on the shelf unit.)  For new members, we suggest if you wish to take advantage of certain discounts offered by the Marriott, check in at their office and show them your IFC membership card.  Another opportunity for you is at the CMQ main farmacia on Basio Badillo where you get a 20% discount on prescription drugs during the week, and 30% discount on Saturday and Sunday--always show them your card.

RESTAURANTS:  Pick up a restaurant application at the clubhouse (take 2 for each--they keep one copy, you bring the other to us).  For a discount for our members (preferably 15-20%) we will advertise them in our monthly "Newsletter".  Take it to your favorites and ask the manager (also check our list to see if they are there already).

Most of our committees can use some additional hands:  Be on the alert for possible calls from the Chairs of the Clubhouse, Community Services, Cookbooks, Facilities, Fundraising, Home Tours, Medical, Newsletter, Program/Events, Publicity/PR, Social/Hospitality, Members/Outreach.  It's not really overwhelming; working as a team accomplishes what needs to be done.

We'll see you at the next General Meeting, Tuesday, December 9.  (Board meeting will be Monday,  December 1 at 10 Am.  Any member is welcome; if you have a petition, please contact our administrator at the office to put you on the agenda.)

SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL, AND A PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THIS WORLD OF OURS.

During this season, here's a few things that will make you feel good:

"Family and Friends.  When you think about the people you love, you are reminded of what is really important."

"Volunteer Work.  Helping others makes you feel useful--and being useful makes you feel better about the world."  --BOTTOM LINE.

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."  --Mother Teresa

HOME TOURS
Susan Austin
Tel. 223-2794
John Hamlin
Tel. 222-6797
Bob Lilley
Tel. 223-0155
John Lockington
222-6797

We had an excellent season last year, despite the precipitous drop in tourism from the United States. We continue to be deeply appreciative to our many homeowners who have so generously opened their doors to us repeatedly during the winter months. Nor could we even operate without the many fine docents who give so willingly of their time and energy.

We will have a new meeting place this year.  It is the Hotel Posada Rio Cuale, which is across the street south of the Molino de Agua, our former meeting place. The owner of this hotel, Jose Luis Hernandez, has been very kind to welcome us to his hotel lobby and we feel lucky that we do not have to move far.  He is going to arrange to allow our buses to park at the curb outside the hotel entrance on Aquiles Serdan.  This should prove more efficient and safer than our former boarding location which was in the street.  You may be more familiar with Le Gourmet Restaurant located in the Hotel Posada Rio Cuale.

All other elements of the home tours will remain the same:  ticket selling begins at 10:00, departure at 11:00, touring four houses in approximately 2 and ½ hours every Wednesday and Thursday from November 19th, 2003 through April 29th, 2004.  This year, the dates will include Christmas and New Year's and the "eves" that go with them; these are not holidays for us. Actually, these are good days for tours, as for the tourists there is not very much to do on those days. We have not had to cancel a single tour because so many of the IFC members have helped out by donating their own houses on holidays when it is difficult to obtain houses.  Some of you can be expecting a phone call during that time of year.

We hope to have many volunteers for guides or docents on the buses.  These people really make the tour very popular with the tourists, because they are so interesting, friendly and fun.  So please, if this is something you might enjoy, join us. 

Partly because we have so many returning tourists, we need more houses to tour.  A different house is always a treat for everyone.  If you know of a house that might be available, let us know. 

Jim Tarpley manning the ticket sales (filling in for Leon) with Susan Austin (standing) and Esther Johnson

 

 

John Lockington behind Home Tour signboard, keeping an eye out for tour goers.