MAY 7 , 2008

María José Zorrilla will guest host, she is president of the board of Biblioteca los Mangos. Sally Conley will guest host, she is a member of the board and created a library in her own home in el Pitillal . They are dependent on donations from individuals and businesses as well as the city of Puerto Vallarta and IFC. Let’s add our hearts and pesos to our local library.

April 30 , 2008

Please plan to join us in celebrating the Day of the Children on Wednesday, April 30th from 7:00 to 10:00 P.M at Banana Cantina’s Charity Night.  The feature charity for this special evening of great food, prizes, and fun is Pasitos de Luz, a marvelous daycare facility for children with special needs which is located in Pitillal. 

At no charge to families Pasitos de Luz (PDL) is committed to supporting children with severe disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, consequences of Meningitis, and Microcephaly.  PDL provides each of the more than 100 children enrolled with a caring and loving environment, along with treatment for individual rehabilitation, nutritional means, physical stimulation, and therapy daily.  In addition PDL provides moral and emotional support to the families of these children, and maintains a high standard of hygiene in an environment where each child can be healthy and happy.

This special charity event at Banana Cantina will be hosted by Chris Amo, President of Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation, and will feature wonderful dining choices from the menu, raffle prize drawing, auctioning of ten absolutely AMAZING paintings done by the special children at PDL, and much more.

A portion of the food and beverage sales will also be generously donated to PDL by Banana Cantina Restaurant located at 147 Amapas at Pulpito in Romantic Zone.  Reservations are necessary.  Please call 222-2114 or email Pvbananacantina@aol.com right away to reserve a table.

Wednesday April 30 Day of the Child was celebrated at bANANaCANtiNA with board members, friends, customers and supporters of PASITOS de LUZ. Our restaurant is colorful or so we thought until Chris Amo, President of Children's Shelter of Hope Foundation and friends....... began blowing up balloons, hanging posters and placing pictures painted by the children all around, it was a riot of color and the mood of all matched it. With balloon sales, silent auction for the paintings, 10% of nights sales, a $500 US donation toward new construction and $6600 US donation toward basic expenses from Children's Shelter of Hope (they wanted it presented on this special night), drum roll please, the nights total is $78,650. pesos. BRAVO to all and thanks as always to those business' that generously donate, CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY, Bruces Back Alley, Encuentros Bar and Pizza Lounge Outback Restaurant, Tapato Restaurant, Marisco Polo's Restaurant, ATV Jungle Treks, and Canopy Los Veranos .

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APRIL 23, 2008
Candace of FISHING with CAROLINA will Guest Host to raise funds for AUTISM02 a non profit Clinic with a Hyperbaric Chamber . This was born out of love by a family for their son. This chamber is also for hire for those with MS, Fibromyalgia, Cancer, Stroke and more.

Raffle with great prizes, gift certificates, jewelry and always more. Join us for great food, drinks, service, fun and raise funds for a needy child to be able to spend time in the chamber.

Very different Charity Night, both the host and the charity representative were unable to attend, what to do, count of friends of course. I put emails one to the South side Yahoo Board hosted by Gary Beck, they came and brought raffle prizes and purchased tickets.(Susan arrived with two full bags of school supplies, hair bands and tooth brushes for the school and whatever charity needs them)Another email to friends and customers they came in to support both bANANaCANtiNA and Autism02, together we raised 2995 pesos.

Besides the weekly gift certificates from Cassandra Shaw, Bruces Back Alley and Encuentros we had Gary's Restaurant Guide a facial and of course earrings form Cassandra. The odds were great and I had a beautiful little helper Cyd drawing names and delivering prizes. She congratulated and thanked each winner.

Join us April 30th as we celebrate Day of The Children and support Pasitos de Luz. There will be a silent raffle of paintings done by the children along with other fun raffle items.

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APRIL 16, 2008
Alma and Jason of INTERCAM-VALLARTA a group of institutions providing financial services including management, exchange, insurance and other services, will host for New Life Mexico, The Street Boys, and other programs.As you can imagine their needs are many, but very basic. Soap, toothpaste, washcloths, deodorant, shoes, socks…...

Charity Night April 16 at bANANaCANtiNA, Alma and Jason of INTERCAM-VALLARTA a group of institutions providing financial services including management, exchange, insurance and other services, hosted for New Life Mexico, The Street Boys program is one of several, their needs are many, but very basic, soap, toothpaste, washcloths, deodorant, shoes, socks…... The night was beautiful Philippa talked to guests that had never heard of her programs and now want to help, Alma and Jason explained their services, like cashing checks, converting dollars to pesos with their great rates. Again there were children at Charity Night, since all this is for and about children it is fun to have them there.

Generous donations include gift certificates weekly from CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY, Mama Dolores Diner, Bruces Back Alley, Encuentros Pizza Bar and Lounge, earrings from CASSANDRA, won by Sudy given then to Philippa, she was thrilled, silk travel bag from La Bohemia, Recycled paper purse donated by Sudy, and two necklaces donated by a supporter of New Life Mexico.
All said and done together we raised 2156 pesos.

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APRIL 9, 2008
We will be upside down and inside out on April 9th to raise monies for R.I.S.E. Len of Salon bLU, his partner Larry Sheldon and Sudy Coy fundraiser extraordinaire have plans to make you laugh, trade, buy, bid, eat, drink and buy some more, be warned and then make your reservation, it is filling up fast. I think these wonderful, crazy people said they have 80 plus prizes!!!! Sudy even wants me to move the famous Roosters.......

In the press release announcing April 2nd Charity Night I promised Sudy, Larry and Len were going to turn bANANaCANtiNA upside down and inside out well they did, with major help from Sally! No more Roosters in the niche, there were beautiful hand made sculpture, no big leather covered banana as you came up the stairs instead beautiful framed photograph of three children titled, Innocence Compassion Friendship.

Every single raffle envelope with a 50/50 chance of winning were sold, come on who could resist Len when he asked you to reach into his goodie basket for a prize. Everyone got into trading, some even begging, all got what they wanted in the end.

Time for the live auction, Larry looking gorgeous and professional got the most for each and every generously donated item. This summer and fall some of your friends may be coming out of a different condo as many were bid on for themselves for a mini get away right here in Vallarta.

Sudy was the high bidder of the framed photographs and then her friend lovingly paid for it as a gift to her, awesome thing friendship.
The grand total of this very creative, special, crazy wonderful night is $31,348!!!

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APRIL 2, 2008
Candace of FISHING with CAROLINA will Guest Host to raise funds for AUTISM02 a non profit Clinic with a Hyperbaric Chamber . This was born out of love by a family for their son. This chamber is also for hire for those with MS, Fibromyalgia, Cancer, Stroke and more.

April 2nd was World Autism Day, bANANaCANtiNA and guests from United States (Geneva, IL and Alaska), Mexico, Scotland and Canada did our part to support the families and children with Autism. Okay, truth is we had a blast and raised $4120 pesos!!

Raffle with Candace of Fishing with Carolina and special guest host, Alec from Geneva, IL calling out LAST CALL FOR RAFFLE TICKETS, many times, he is wonderful, charming, full of excitement for life and the night, he says he is going to play Charity Night with raffles with his friends when he gets home :)

The excitement continued with bartender Johnny doing magic tricks then down to Choco Banana where the boys got to help Nikki make their own Choco Bananas that they won in the raffle.

Raffle prizes include gift certificates from Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Mama Dolores Diner, Encuentros Lounge and Pizza Bar, Bruces Back Alley, OohLaLa and La Palapa.

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March 26, 2008
Laura Joachin of PV Law Legal Service which she runs with her husband Xavier will GUEST HOST to raise funds for NAVY LEAGUE to replenish the Navy League Mariner Volunteers' Entertainment Fund and all the other local in need organizations they help.

bANANaCANtINA, guest host Laura Joachin of PV Law Legal Services and her wonderful partner and husband Xavier along with Jeff and Sally Miltenberger and their grandsons, of course the guests and wonderful business' that donated raffle prizes raised $3660 pesos to replenish the Mariner Volunteer Fund.

No one could resist those darling boys as they sold raffle tickets and talked about the prizes they could win. As they do each week Mama Dolores Diner, CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY, Bruces Back Alley and Encuentros donated gift certificates. Also this week, Epoca restaurant and Fishing with Caroline gift certificates, T-shirts from Navy League and Toys for Tots and a bottle of Kaluha.

If you haven't been in on a Charity Night you need to, it is always such a feel good night.

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March 19, 2008
Candace of FISHING with CAROLINA will Guest Host to raise funds for AUTISM02 a non profit clinic with a Hyperbaric Chamber . This was born out of love by a family for their son. This chamber is also for hire for those with MS, Fibromyalgia, Cancer, Stroke and more (Phone 222 2006).

bANANaCANtiNA and Candace of FISHING WITH CAROLINA, THE name if you want to catch a fish, with our very fun, generous customers raised $3972 pesos. At 500 pesos a canister of oxygen, that is 8 canisters, they are used in the hyberbaric chamber at the AUTISMO2 clinic. Kerri says they are seeing great results from this daily. This chamber is used for more than Autism, please contact her at 223 2006 for more information.

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March 12, 2008
ECOPIA animal shelter

Wednesday March 12 Charity Night at banancantina went to the dogs (and cats of course). With hosts Cathy Gordon and Heather Wilson, Cathy's gorgeous, vibrant daughter Marina and wonderful grandchildren Rachel and Connor, amazing patrons, customers and friends we raised $21,145 pesos to help the animals.

Grant and Keiran of Mama Dolores started the night off by hauling a big bag containing 2500 pesos, all in one- and two-peso coins (which they save and donate once a year to a worthy charity). And Casa Lupe donated 1,000 pesos.

The list of raffle and live auction donors with auctioneer Gil Gevens, included gift certificates from Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Mama Dolores Diner, Encuentros, Bruces Back Alley, Yoga Vallarta, The Deli, Tu Chilies, Bumerang, and Xocodiva. Also raffled, a tropical flower arrangement from Flowers to Go, silver earrings from Cassandra, a hand-made doggie blanket and pillow from Lisa Love, gourmet dog biscuits from Xocodiva, a biomagnetism treatment from Kathy Lowther, color cut and blow dry from Clay at Blu by Len and certificate for 35% off mani, pedi, and facial, three handcrafted items from Lucy's Cucu Cabana, and one of Gil's hilarious books. Snapped up in the live auction were a winsome cat drawing by artist Dewayne Barker, “Red Chair” print by David Sholl, iPod Nano, Westin Resort and Spa Puerto Vallarta three day/two night deluxe room for two, ... And I haven't yet mentioned the bags from Marina filled with major goodies – exclusive cosmetics and fragrances from Jo Malone/Bobbi Brown/Giorgio Armani/Kerastase and more desirable items.

Sounds like a lot? Sounds like too many? NO WAY, everyone clapping, cheering, cat calling, laughing, it was a Dog Gone Good night.

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March 5, 2008
On March 5th Gabriel will be 10 years old, Gabriel is the reason we became involved with Alfredo V. Bonfil School. We will as always, give 10% of sales, have a raffle and fun. Gabriel asked that we choose his school for his birthday because they need so much. It has been very fulfilling for those of us involved with the school, PVRPV, Mama Dolores Diner, www.banderasnews.com and customers that have brought down bags, boxes and back packs filled with needed items.

Wednesday March 5th, old (including Bill who always brings a check for the school, thank you) and new friends came out to support Gabriel with his wish for a fundraiser for his school Alfredo V. Bonfil. Our host, GIB of Vacation Rentals & Concierge Service www.pvGib.com showed why he is so great at his job, taking care of all the guests and their needs and then selling them raffle tickets. Together we raised 4250 pesos more for the school. Speaking of raffles there were gift certificates from CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY, Mama Dolores Diner, Encuentros Lounge and Pizza Bar, Bruces Back Alley, and earrings from CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY. These amazing people donate EVERY week, Bravo.

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February 27, 2008
Once upon a time, a very nice lady (former literary agent) decided that the little "suburb" of Puerto Vallarta needed a little library for the children of her area. So, after alot of work and planning, stocking of children's books, Biblioteca de la Higuera was born. This little library is tucked away under a giant tree in the back of Sally Conley's home in El Pitillal. Stocked well with plenty of reading materials, craft supplies, little tables and chairs, this has become a tiny refuge for many little people. She has seen former little ones grow up into teens, enjoying the pleasures and importance of being able to read and expand their knowledge of the world around them.

BANANAcANtiNA, Pam Thompson of HealthCare Resources and Sally Conley informed, encouraged, laughed, ate and talked about Biblioteca de la Higuera in el Pitillal, the little library that could and does. Photos don't lie, we had a blast and wow the raffle prizes:Bag from Kimberly Torres, Book from Linda Trapp, Book from Polly Vicars, Book from Jenny McGill (what talented women), Gourmet/yummy Cupcakes from Shawn at Crystalcupcakes, 250 Peso dinner certificate from Bruces Back Alley new owners, Gift Certificate from Tom at The Book Store, Book the secret donated by Larry Sheldon, Basket of amazing soaps form Vallarta Soapblends, Braclet and earrings from Nadine (a guest from Winnetca Illinois) and of course as they give so generously every week Mama Dolores Diner, Encuentros Lounge and Pizza Bar and CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY gift certificate. Together we raised 6120 pesos (that includes a cash donation of 1000 pesos).

Proving reservations are a must, Susie from Chicago with gorgeous husband and 6 friends eating at ChocoBanana along with all the other ChocBanana patrons. Nikki needed help at ChocoBanana our friend Michael McGee became the ayudante, running up and down the stairs with full and empty plates. Friends, employees, guests

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February 13, 2008
LEN of Salon Blu and Larry Sheldon ,he is leading ‘The Secret’ Workshop will host an awareness night for Vallarta Women’s Heart Appreciation . The funds raised will go to advertising and the GO RED campaign of The American Heart Association. This should be fun, there will be some awesome AUCTION prizes along with our raffle.

Women’s Heart Health Charity Night Astounding Success

Banana Cantina and their clients really showed their love of women’s hearts and heart health on Wednesday, 13 February. Charity Night at the restaurant set a new record for the amount collected in one evening to support a charity. Hosted by Len of salon blu by Len and his partner, Larry Sheldon, it included a raffle and a live auction during the evening, with some of the finest imaginable donated items from some of the best and most generous local businesses.

Raffle prizes included gift certificates from Encuentros Pizza Bar and Lounge, Mama Dolores Restaurant, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, a full day in the salon and spa blu by Len and a separate complete makeover by blu’s Senior Stylist Clay Birder and a free mammogram. The live auction items were truly amazing. Included were sculptures, jewelry, hand blown hearts and two complete physicals with all labs and diagnostic equipment tests. These items were donated to the cause by Elements by Design, Art2Go Gallery, Health Care Resources Puerto Vallarta and Hospital San Javier de la Marina. The final auction item was an original work of art in multi-media with a heart motif, created and signed especially for this very special event and cause by the artist Marcia Wolff.

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February 6, 2008
HARRIET COCHRAN MURRAY of COCHRAN REAL ESTATE a Broker and Buyer Specialist with 25 years experience in the real estate industry will host for New Life Mexico, The Street Boys, and now the program for Pregnant Teens, As you can imagine their needs are many, but very basic. Soap, toothpaste, washcloths, deodorant, shoes, socks…...

ARRIET COCHRAN MURRAY of COCHRAN REAL ESTATE hosted Charity Night for NEW LIFE MEXICO along with the great guests and generous donations we raised $ 4420 pesos. Harriet used her amazing selling talents and then we asked Cyndee Restivo to call out the prizes and winners.

New Life and DIF are holding an informational meeting at Krystal Hotel Friday February 29 at 10:00 am, everyone is invited, please attend and learn all about ALL the programs they have implemented, you will be inspired and impressed.

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January 30, 2008
To support AutismO2 with guest host Candace of Fishing with Carolina.

January 30th Charity Night with guest host Candace of Fishing With Carolina for Autism02 was a smashing success we raised $5910 pesos!!!!!!!!!!! that buys a large tank of oxygen. The evening was even more fun as we also celebrated Candace's daughter Savannah's 16th birthday.
The prizes for the raffle were generously donated by:CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY, Mama Dolores Diner, Encanto Restaurant, Clerese Hair and Body Care, Archies Wok, Lucy's Cucu Cabana, Kathy Lowther Reflexology, Encuentros Lounge and Pizza Bar and Quimixto.

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January 23, 2008
To support Alfredo V. Bonfil with guest host Papa Dolores, thats not a typo, Papa Dolores, more commonly know as Kieran.

Wednesday January 23 Charity Night was hosted by Papa Dolores/Keiran, he was soft spoken as he talked about the needs of Alfredo V. Bonfil School and the things we were able to accomplish last year. He along with our guests and of course Mama who called the raffle, raised $5623 pesos.

About 8PM, Tim of PVRPV, his Aunt and 2 other guests came up with boxes, bags and fully loaded back packs, all with school supplies donated by many of the guests in the various properties he rents/manages. They read about us helping this school and their needs in his monthly newsletter.

As always we thank our generous business owners: CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELERY , Mama Dolores Diner, Encuentros Lounge and Pizza Bar and La Bodega de Nina, for their donations.

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January 16, 2008
To support R.I.S.E. with guest host Cassandra Shaw.
To raise funds for Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza. They operate on 3000 pesos a month and donations. Together we can make a difference.

Wednesday, January 16th hostess Cassandra of CASSANDRA SHAW JEWELRY raised $3760 pesos for Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza. They are able to feed, clothe, house and educate the children with the help of the community and nights like this. They are given 3000 pesos a month to do so much and they appreciate all that is done for them.

All of us have fun, enjoy great food and company and win prizes donated by generous local business'. This week gift certificates from Mama Dolores Diner, Encuentros Lounge and Pizza Bar, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry and La Bodega Nina.

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January 2, 2008
Benefiting Vallarta Enfrente Sida – co-hosted by Pamela Thompson & Paco Arjona.

Charity Night at bANANAcANtiNA to support VALLARTA ENFRENTA al SIDA was a success. With thanks to Pam Thompson of Health Care Resources, Paco Arjon Executive Director V.E.S., and Juan Carlos Garcia, they educated, passed out brochures and sold raffle tickets to EVERYONE raising $5030 pesos. Oh and those Very Hot V.E.S. calendars were flying out the door.

Together Banana Cantina, Gill and Lucy of Lucys Cucu Cabana and Candace Shaw of Fishing with Carolina raised $4870 pesos for AUTISMO O2. The night started with Kerri and I meeting a former superintendent of schools in Chicago and his band of merry men, they were excited about coming back to Vallarta and helping with this and our other Charities. The folks kept coming and the room was full, serval groups had to wait for tables and that added to the merriment of the night.

While thousands were celebrating the last day of the Peregrinaciones and the anniversary of Vallarta, a few of us had dinner. At first Philippa, Margaret and I thought about not doing Charity night because it is so slow on the South side, then thought why not! Why not indeed. We met Sterling and Liz who carried down a bag full of goodies for New Life Mexico and are thinking of many more ways they can help. We met Liz, who would like to assist in numerous ways, Cassandra (with Bean and Leo), Greg, Michael, and friends, Valerie of Curves, bearing gifts from her wonderful Curves Girls, and several more whose names escape me...sorry. All are wanting to do something (and wishing we had a Dollar Store here). So how do we get all of the things (vitamins, toothpaste, wash cloths, toothbrushes, gym shoes, etc) to Puerto Vallarta? ...... TRAVELING ANGELS is born! What is a TRAVELING ANGEL? They make room in their suitcases for donated goods. Tell us where you are from and when you are coming down and we will get the items to you. All that from a quiet night. How lucky are we!

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DECEMBER 5, 2007
Banana Cantina restaurant will host a Charity Night on December 5, hosted by Paul Crist of Vallarta Enfrenta el SIDA, A.C. to raise funds for patients and their families at the CAPASITS clinic. Reservations are required, as space is limited. Call 222-2114. pvbananacantina@aol.com

World AIDS Day will be commemorated in Puerto Vallarta on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. Please join us at 9:00 AM at Parque Hidalgo. We will march to the Los Arcos on the malecon, where we expect Presidente Javier Bravo and others to speak to the public and members of the press about HIV, World AIDS Day, and keeping everyone in our community safe and healthy. Free, confidential rapid HIV testing will be offered throughout the day, along with private counseling and information by trained individuals.

The smallest crowd ever on Charity Night but no problem, they had big hearts, we raised 2200 pesos for VALLARTA ENFRENTA al SIDA. Host Paul Crist owner of HOTEL MERCURIO and President of V.E.S. with Paco Arjona Executive Director of V.E.S. and Juan Carlos García had worked all day manning the booth and marching in the parade for World Aids Day, kept their smiles on and educated all of us about V.E.S. and sold raffle tickets.

The generously donated raffle prizes were superb, 2008 Doggie Calendar by Paco Ojedo, 300 pesos gift certificate for Tropical Treats from La Bodega Nina, 2 tickets to Those OLDIES but GOODIES from non profit theater group Curtain Call, 2 10 hour certificates of Internet time from PVCafe, 120 pesos from Ari at Encuentros Lounge and pizza bar, Haircut from CLARESE, 2 X 1 Dinner from Mama Dolores and Tabu, Dinner for two at Encanto Restaurant.