E-mail:  mjellis@prodigy.net.mx

The Annual dinner dance put on by the Becas Vallarta will be held on Friday, February 28^th, at the Western Regina hotel. It will kick off with welcoming cocktails at 7:30 p.m.

  With so many events marking the high season, some people might wonder whether this is definitely one that they should make a point of attending. So it may be helpful to provide some reasons why this evening is as incredibly rewarding as it is enjoyable.

  First of all, it has been for many years, the biggest social event of the year. The one occasion for many residents to really dress up and amaze their friends, who have seen them only in shorts, sandals and T-shirts for months on end. It provides a cocktail hour in which old friendships can be renewed and new friendships be created. It provides a fine dinner in an elegant setting with a special décor themed to the idea of bringing happiness to children who need a helping hand to progress in life as educated adults. It provides a splendid band that will sweep young and old onto the dance floor for a romantic end to the night. And some lucky raffle-winners will take home grand prizes such as a 20/21” Sony flat screen TV – color and stereo sound; a Daewoo DVD/VCD/S-VCD/Audio CD/MP3 Player, a Sears microwave oven, a Sharp VCR or an AIWA Boombox – CD/Cassette/Radio. All this for only $450 pesos or $45.00 US dollars per person for the dinner dance. Raffle tickets are only $10 pesos or $1.00 US each.

  That only deals with the enjoyable part. The rewarding part is the satisfaction of knowing that the proceeds of this event go directly and entirely into providing scholarships for many of the brightest and poorest children in and around Puerto Vallarta.

This is a task that Becas Vallarta has undertaken for the past forty-two years. When it started there was only one high school in the city. Now there are twelve. Clearly, Becas Vallarta needs an ever-growing level of support to keep up with this ever-increasing demand. There are so many children in Puerto Vallarta who have all that it takes to succeed – except the financial means to stay on the rungs of the educational ladder that would make all the difference to their lives. Yet we know that educated children will become better citizens, better neighbours, better wives and better husbands.

  For the year 2002-03, Becas Vallarta will support 110 students in junior high, 149 in senior high, and 47 at university level. “Support” covers the provision of uniforms, shoes, gym clothes, school supplies, a solar calculator and dictionaries in Spanish and English for junior high school students, plus modest monthly allowances in cash to senior high and university students.

they receive Becas support. High standards are expected and they are met.

Becas students served as volunteers at the concession stands at the World Golf Tournament held here in mid-December. The U.S. catering company personnel were enormously impressed by the enthusiasm, intelligence and competence of the students, which more than matched what they were accustomed to in the States. Which is evidence of the all round value that flows from the Becas program.

  Whether you find the enjoyment part of the Becas Ball more important than the rewarding part is up to each individual. Put the two together and you have an irresistible reason for attending on February 28^th.

You are cordially invited to attend the launch of Peter Gray’s novel entitled “All is Safely Gathered In” at the La Petite France” restaurant on Wednesday, February 19^th.at 8 p.m.

Peter Gray is already a familiar name to Puerto Vallarta residents. 400 reproductions of his painting “Pidiendo Posada” have been sold here on behalf of the Becas Vallarta scholarship fund. For several months his witty articles about the game of golf have delighted readers of the “Tribune.” “Homes and Living” also features an article of his in each issue.

“All is Safely Gathered In” is a novel that combines the magical with the everyday reality of life in an English village. Some of the initial reactions to the book are:

“It is one of those very few books that you read where you are disappointed it ends - you hope there is more”. University Lecturer Jack Malone, Cincinnati, Ohio.

“Just finished your book and loved it. I thoroughly enjoyed the development of your characters. They were colorful and you painted an image that could be ‘seen.”. Dr. John Baldwin

“A great insight into English country life.... and fun.” Kent Wallace.

After the presentation, Peter Gray will be signing copies of his book. Books will be available for a donation of $175 pesos, all of which will go to the Becas Vallarta charity.