The celebrations of the Virgin begin every year early in the morning of December 1st with cannon shots and the prolonged and joyful clanging and chiming of church bells. 
The cannons and bells continue for twelve days. The festive processions to the church of our Lady of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta begin at about six o’clock every evening, when Juarez street closes to vehicular traffic. 
On the week-ends, several thousand people participate in the processions. Observers sit on curbs or stand on sidewalks watching “pilgrims” walking slowly behind flowerless floats that carry girls dressed as the Virgin of Guadalupe and kneeling boys dressed as Juan Diego. The pilgrims, dressed mostly in white, carry burning candles as they make their way to the church. The song they are all singing is “La Guadalupana,” the stanzas of which are very repetitive and not very melodic.
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| “AZTEC” DRUMMER |
Accompanying the singing pilgrims are bands on every block – tubas, brass horns, guitars, violins and cymbals. Interspersed between pilgrims and bands are colorful dancers dressed as Aztecs or in the native dress of different regions of México. As the dancers twirl and stomp their way down Juarez street, food vendors on the sidelines sell tacos, quesadillas, pozole, tangerines and a staggering amount of sweets.
INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL IN PUERTO VALLARTA!!
December 20-31. Five States of México plus Italy, Canada, Spain and the U.S. will be participating in these spectacular shows.
Twenty minutes of fireworks, including the amazing tower fireworks, will be on display from los muertos pier, the malecón and the Peninsula. For a four-minute video of the 2008 national competition celebrating the 90th anniversary of Puerto Vallarta: http://www.banderasnews.com/1406/nb-2014-international-fireworks-festival.htm
9th ANNUAL PET PICNIC DECEMBER 6TH AT DAIQUIRI DICK´S RESTAURANT:
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| BRISCHA OF “LADRA” |
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| “PET PICNIC” AT DAIQUIRI DICK´S |
The 9th annual fundraising event organized by Laura Gelezunas
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for the PEACEAnimals s/n clinics was a sell-out and raised money with change left over for a free spay/neuter clinic. Fifty tickets were sold @275 pesos before the event, totaling 13,750 pesos.
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| “BAILEY” WON BEST COSTUME CONTEST |
terry bagley was the denise secured 7500 pesos for the six live auction items; Denise Derame sold raffle tickets @50 pesos each or 3 for 100 pesos totaled 5,000 pesos; ticket sales at the door @300 pesos each totaled 4,000 pesos; Terence Reilly of MexLend donated 1,000 pesos; and four people having lunch in the indoor section of Daiquiri Dick´s who were watching the event donated $20 USD each. Jeri Grant served as cashier.
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| CLÍNICA EN LA FERRETERÍA EN COLONIA BUENOS AIRES |
STERILIZATIONS: BY OUR VET TEAM, PETS FOR LIFE, AT THEIR SPONSORED TWO-WEEK CLINIC IN OAXACA:
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| CLINICA EN BUENOS AIRES |
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| CLÍNICA EN BUENOS AIRES |
STERILIZATIONS IN COLONIA BUENOS AIRES (Puerto Vallarta – December 3-6: Male cats – 18; Female cats: 31; Male dogs: 4; Female dogs: 21 TOTAL: 74
Buenos Aires, sitting between jungled hills, is a tree-lined, cobbled colonia next to the rió Cuale. Two schools and a Seapal water plant are next to each other and directly across from the river. The clinic took place at the iron works on the main road.
A last-minute location change, extensive road work and the absence of all the cat refuges that normally attend the clinics account for the lower than usual number.
DONATIONS AT COLONIA BUENOS AIRES: 1,150 pesos
Nacho Daddy´s restaurant generously donated delicious lunches to the vet team and volunteers.
Anonymous- $10,000 USD
Chris Vietor – 500 pesos
Joyce Hartvigson – 500 pesos
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| “SIMBA” RESCATADA Y ADOPTADA |
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| “TUKI,” AHORA “LUCKY,” RECATADO Y ADOPTADO |
“Nena,” the very sweet young Pit Bull mix rescued from the streets in Pitillal. Patty Marchak of Mexpup found a temporary home for her while Nena waits for a permanent one. She has been spayed, vaccinated and continues her twice monthly baths for non-contagious mange.  |
| “TYSON” EN EL CENTRO DE ACOPIO POR 21 MESES |
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| “TYSON” EN SU CASA PUENTE |
FREE AT LAST!! “Tyson,” the three-year old Pit Bull mix who has been at the Acopio for 21 months. He is being fostered by someone who saw the video of Tyson on FB. She recognized him as the dog she been feeding on the street two years ago.
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| “FRANZ” NECESITA HOGAR |
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| “MIELLE” NECESITA HOGAR O CASA PUENTE |
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| KITTENS FOR ADOPTION AT PARAISO FELINO REFUGE |
HOMES ALSO NEEDED: For the thousands of dogs and cats on the streets here, for hundreds of cats and dogs in refuges and in foster homes, and for dozens of healthy and beautiful dogs and cats at the Centro de Acopio, the city´s pound.
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| VOLUNTEER AT THE CENTRO DE ACOPIO |
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| PERRITO EN ADOPCIÓN EN EL CENTRO DE ACOPIO |
Open Monday-Saturday from 8 AM-2 PM. 293-3690. The Acopio is holding adoptions every Saturday from 11 AM-2 PM at Plaza Caracól (back end of building near McDonald´s entrance) AND Macro Plaza. Dogs are walked twice a week by volunteers organized by Friends of Puerto Vallarta Animals. Food is always needed. The government contributes almost nothing.
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| FAVOR DE DONAR ALMUERZOS PARA EL EQUIPO |
Please consider bringing lunches for our vet team to the clinics. If you can do this, please let me know so we can create a lunch schedule. By having lunches donated, these savings can used for purchases of supplies and medicines. THANK YOU.
SCHEDULE/HORARIO:
January 14-17 -Puerto Vallarta – colonia la primavera- calle Mezquite 558-B- home of Cherie Verber.
Directions: From the north side of Costco, travel towards the mountains, cross Francisco Villa.
Schedule, including directions and other clinic information are always on website: www.peaceanimals.organd on this blog: www.gretchen-peace-and-pv.blogspot.com
| Please “like” PEACEAnimals on FaceBook. |
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| DAIN FROM COLORADO AND SIGGI FROM DENMARK VOLUNTEERING AT BUENOS AIRES CLINIC |
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| LORNA VOLUNTEERING AT COLONIA BUENOS AIRES CLINIC |
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS AT THE CLINICS. Please sign up: [email protected]
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| PAULINA STETTNER, CLINIC DIRECTOR AND VET TECH WITH REGULAR VOLUNTEER, FRANK OHLY |
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| CLINIC IN COLONIA BUENOS AIRES |
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION VIA CHECK, CREDIT CARD, PAYPAL, BEQUEST OR STOCK TRANSFER. Note: Stocks are transferred at full value without the donating stock owner being taxed. Name of recipient of donations for all donations is simply “PEACE.”
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| by Bradford Overton |
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