 | President's Message...
Dear Members and Friends,
We were thrilled to see so many of you at the International Friendship Club's Opening Reception posada on December 13. More than 100 guests and friends attended, enabling the IFC to raise approximately $41,662 pesos, for our charitable mission. We've posted photos of the posada below, which featured music from 2 Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra and a special appearance by a group of singers from ALAS Escuela de Canto. Salty Paw and ALAS are supported in part by IFC grants which help with the purchase of items such as musical instruments, sheet music and microphones. Finally, thank you to the 50/50 raffle winner, Linda Drake, her donation of her winnings for use with our charities. Linda, you are a super hero!
Coming up in the New Year, the Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, January 19, at 5:00 PM in the IFC Clubhouse. Members will vote on the 2026 annual budget and a slate of board members. The annual meeting will be followed immediately by a complimentary Member Appreciation Night, with live music, tasty beverages, and other treats. We hope to see you there. Please register in advance.
Ready for our popular annual "Dia de la Amistand" 50/50 Raffle? You can purchase tickets on line -- don't miss out on a chance to win!
Dine Arounds have restarted. This year, we also have some mid-week and Saturday opportunities in addition to Friday evenings. Share a meal and make new friends while exploring Vallarta's diverse restaurants.
Our very popular Home Tours (rated by TripAdvisor as a top 10 tours worldwide) restart on January 6. What a great activity for your friends and family who will be visiting Vallarta.
Every event, class, outing, raffle ticket, silent auction, Home Tour purchase, and contribution allows the IFC to support the cleft palate program, and the educational and social services grants awarded each Spring. You can register for any activity at the IFC calendar: ifcvallarta.org.
Finally, if you have questions about the website, Beth Tesler and Paul Adkins are available in the clubhouse during regular business house (M-F, 8-1), or you can send them an email. Beth can be reached at webadmin@ifcvallarta.org and Paul at memberliaison@ifcvallarta.org.
Thank you for supporting the IFC and, in turn, the Vallarta community!!
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Peggy A. Nelson
President
847.571.7329
| | | | Annual General Meeting - January 19 @ 5:00 pm
IFC Clubhouse
Elect IFC Board Members and Approve the 2026 Budget
Our mission is to promote friendship and enrichment for members, raise and distribute funds for charitable giving and provide volunteer service in response to the medical, humanitarian, and educational needs in Jalisco, Mexico.
The IFC provides social activities to support community engagement. The proceeds of all event incoming makes a difference to the people who need help. As a member of the IFC, your attendance and participation is important at the Annual General Meeting. The agenda includes election of board members and approval of the 2026 budget.
Please note: A Member Appreciation Night follows the AGM with live music performed by local guitarist Eduardo Leon and percussionist Aaron Hernandez. Beverages and appetizers will be served.
Register here:
| | |  | IFC Events for December 15 – 29
With the holidays, please check the calendar for the event location and time. All events require advance registration on line.
· December 19 & 26 - Dine Around and make new friends
· December 27 (8:00 am to 3:00 pm) – Hike with Jodi Wolk
· December 29 & 30 - Spanish Classes four levels
· December 22 – January 1 – Office Closed
| | Casa Tradicional serves extraordinary authentic Mexican Cuisine.
Their menu includes soups and salads, enchiladas, lobster, fish and other types of seafood, molcajetes, and fajitas in a beautiful setting.
Your IFC Host will be Barbara Gardner.
The Dine Around is on Friday, December 26. There are 12 seats available.
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When you belong to the International Friendship Club, you don't have to go anywhere else for your activities. These are the regular events that you can attend in January. Click on the link to find out details.
Dharma and Meditation, NIA Dance Class, Pam Thompson-Webb Lecture, Spanish Classes, Home Tour, Qigong Class, Orientation to Vallarta, Mahjong, Hiking, Mexican History Lecture, Social Bridge, Sunset Sail, Dine Around, Bridge Lessons, Hands-On Cooking Classes!, Connect With Mexico Lecture Series, A Day at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Gentle Hatha Yoga, Book Club, Breakfast Taco Tour.
For the full calendar for January, click calendar. | A heartfelt Thank You to every volunteer that helped with the Home Tours in 2025. We ended on a high note with a sold out tour and 4 festive homes to visit. Looking forward to a great 2026 Home Tour season!
The Home Tours resume every Tuesday and Wednesday, starting January 6 and 7 through March. Reserve your tickets today. |  |  | Lecture Series
Connecting with Mexico, 4:30 PM: A bi-weekly Monday evening lectures series presented by Carlos Navarro intended to connect us more deeply with Mexico.
Tuesday Evening Lecture Series, @ 6:00 PM
- Jerry Kroth, A Psychiatric Perspective on War and Peace in Ukraine.
- David Lightstone, The 1920s Jazz Age
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Health & Wellness Series: Pam Thompson and Vallarta medical specialists present a series that will include access to health services in Vallarta, men’s health issues, and women’s health issues. Bring your questions!
History Lectures by Dan Grippo, PhD., Friday mornings at 10:30 AM. Public Lives, Private Secrets: Sex & Love in Mexican History.
Check the IFC Calendar for specific dates and more detailed info. | | The IFC Book Club has the extreme honor of having Lisa Barr, the author of The Goddess of Warsaw, who will attend the IFC book club via Zoom.
New Members welcome in person or on-line.
Wednesday, January 14 at 5:00 pm at the Clubhouse.
This novel follows Bina Blonski, a Polish Jew and former resistance fighter who survived the Warsaw Ghetto and later reinvented herself as Hollywood star Lena Browning. Set in 2005 Los Angeles, the story weaves between her wartime past and glamorous present. When young filmmaker Sienna Hayes sets out to make a documentary about Lena, she uncovers long-buried secrets of survival and revenge.
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Fresh Pasta Private Cooking Class with Chef Luca Baffert
Experience Italy in Puerto Vallarta with Chef Luca Baffert of Magna Magna, a cozy, authentic Italian restaurant loved by locals and visitors alike. Trained in Italy, Chef Luca will lead you through a hands-on class making a variety of fresh pastas from scratch, paired with his signature sauces. Cook, taste, and savor an unforgettable culinary experience—perfect for food-lovers.
Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
1:00-4:00pm
Limited to 10 participants
More information and to register
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Our traditional Posada was a truly special evening and a perfect start to the season. Guests were welcomed on the clubhouse terrace by the lovely sounds of saxophone and flute performed by 2 members of the Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra, setting the tone for a warm and festive night.
We enjoyed a delicious traditional Mexican dinner, followed by heartfelt Christmas performances from the talented young singers of ALAS Escuela de Canto. Both the Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra and the ALAS Escuela de Canto as supported in part by IFC education grants which help to purchase instruments, sheet music, microphones, and the like.
The spirit of giving was alive and well, with many toys generously donated for the children of Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza — thank you to everyone who contributed. And thank you to Gabby Creery for the photos.  
|  | | Don’t forget to get your raffle tickets! This is another fun way to raise money for the many charities we help here in Puerto Vallarta.
So many of us love the thrill of buying a ticket (or 10) and waiting in anticipation for the winning name to be drawn. Don’t be left out!
The big draw this year will take place on February 15 at the Friendship Festival at the Club House.
After the winning prizes are pulled and paid, the remainder of the money raised goes directly to our charities. Remember we are a non-profit organization with one part time staff member and our club house. All other money raised by all the events go to those who need help in our host city of in PV. Each month over the spring, summer and autumn months we feature one of our charities. If you want to read about the ones we have already written about, please view the past newsletters in our archive
Buy Tickets Here
| | | Please note the office will be closed for the holidays from December 22 to January 1. | Monday through Friday - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday - Closed
info@ifcvallarta.org
ifcvallarta@gmail.com
+52 322-222-5466
Stop in and say hello to Josue!
Edificio Parian del Puente #13
Corner of Miramar and Libertad
Colonia El Centro, Puerto Vallarta
Jalisco, Mexico, 48300 |
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Your newsletter team is Peggy Nelson, Stan Wagner, and myself. With a lot of help and support from many others.
Do you have suggestions or ideas? We value hearing from you!
Laurie Mueller
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