President's Message

Get to know the education and social services non-profits supported by the IFC with your donations. 

Please join us at the Festival of Friendship, on Sunday, February 15, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM in the IFC Clubhouse and Courtyard, where 18 non-profits will be featured. The afternoon will include presentations by several of the non-profits and musical performances by groups from Casa Hogar children’s shelter, an after-school program at Salvation Army in Mojoneras, and ALAS Escuela del Canto, and a “singing book” by Stolie of LeBib, a bilingual Spanish/English library for Vallarta kids. 

Larry Long, who performed at the Annual General Meeting, will launch a new short music video he created with his music and photos by Josef Kandol.  Larry will also perform in the courtyard.

At the conclusion of the Festival of Friendship, the winners of the Día de Amistad 50-50 Raffle will be announced!

The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. 

If you are not getting enough info about Mexico through the Dan Grippo and Carlos Navarro lectures on Friday mornings and Monday evenings, respectively, check out IFC member and filmmaker, Steve Ross’  9-episode historical romantic comedy short series, Historias de Mexico 1840)  based on the letters of Madame Calderon de la Barca. Frances “Fanny” Erskine Inglis, known as Madame Calderon de la Barca, was a 19th-century expat best known for her 1843 memoir, Life in Mexico, which is regarded by historians as one of the most influential narratives of life in the newly independent country. 

 Based on 54 letters written home to family and friends, she followed a familiar journey known to expats.  All but one video from the first season is now available on a YouTube channel HERE.   Spanish with English subtitles.  Steve notes that IFC Spanish teacher, Adriana Bedolla, “played an important role in my learning Spanish and my desire to become a Mexican citizen.”

New Name, New Leadership

 You may have noticed IFC Facebook posts recently showcasing several new merchants.  Volunteer Robert Nickerson, who spearheads the IFC Home Tours home acquisition team, has stepped up to take on what until recently was the “Preferred Merchants Program” where discounts are offered to IFC members by various merchants throughout Puerto Vallarta.  The program is now renamed “Preferred Provider Program” or “PPP” to reflect the breadth of providers that participate in the program. In his first month on the job, Bob and his team have added more than 10 providers in 17 locations to the list.  And, we are using Facebook and this Newsletter to inform you of the new additions so you can take advantage of their discounts as soon as possible.  These are found on the IFC website at this LINK.

An Empty Seat at the Dinner Table is a Lonely Thing

 If you can’t make it to your Dine Around, please cancel your reservation so someone else doesn’t miss out.  Most Dine Arounds are full, with people on a waiting list.

A Very Special March Book Group: Book Launch on February 26!

 IFC Member Elena Hiatt Houlihan will be launching her new book, An Unrealistic Life: The Art of Following Your Dream without Getting a Real Job, at the IFC Clubhouse on February 26, 7:00-9:00 PM  In addition to describing the ups and downs of her career as an artist, the book profiles other creative individuals including Natasha Moraga, designer of the Parque de los Azulejos, Miseal, a young Mural artist in Puerto Vallarta, and a chapter about Elena's trip to a ceremony in the desert with the Aztec dancers who perform throughout Puerto Vallarta.  Elena will have copies on hand for signing.

Mural Tours are a new item among the IFC’s offerings this season. Our next mural tour is on February 15, with another scheduled for March.   We polled attendees at the first tour, and received the following testimonials:

“It was great.  Highly recommend!”

“I LOVED the tour.  It was really interesting.  The tour guide was friendly and well informed.  I would definitely recommend the tour.”

“I really enjoyed the event. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the mural walking tour.  400 pesos is a very reasonable price for three hours of exploring the neighborhoods of Vallarta.This tour focused on the neighborhoods around Isla Cuale and Emiliano Zapata so the terrain was fairly flat.  Our guides were Amanda and David.  Amanda was very knowledgeable about the artists who created the murals and the dates of their installation.  David added lots of local color and cultural detail that enriched the experience for us all.  We saw paintings on public buildings, inside private garages, at a boutique hotel, even on a restaurant bathroom wall.”   This writer also noted the availability of bathroom stops, and a stop-off at OXXO for water.

On February 2, the IFC clubhouse was transformed into a wine and cheese pairing venue, thanks to the talent and generosity of Chef and Sommelier Gina Rae Hendrix.

 A familiar name in Puerto Vallarta’s culinary scene, Gina is the pioneer behind Whiskey Kitchen, a PV favourite celebrated for its authentic Southern comfort food. For this special IFC event she brought that same passion and expertise to a room filled with curious wine lovers and food enthusiasts.

 Nearly 35 guests gathered to explore thoughtfully curated food and wine pairings, many of which showcased locally sourced ingredients and “homemade” preparation. With warmth and deep knowledge, Gina guided participants through each pairing, sharing insights into flavour profiles, balance, and the stories behind the wines and dishes.

 The afternoon was as much about connection as it was about cuisine - lively conversation and a welcoming atmosphere made it a memorable IFC experience. Events like this beautifully reflect the spirit of the International Friendship Club: bringing people together through culture, learning, and shared moments. 

 If you are disappointed that you missed out on this, we’ve added another, on March 2.  Register on the IFC website or your ClubExpress app or HERE.  It’s going to sell out quickly.