Search results matching tags 'Community ', '2009', and 'Announcements'

Help for Haiti in Playa del Carmen

435836 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

As we have been reading in horror over the past few days, the small island nation of Haiti was wracked by a massive earthquake, killing hundreds of throusands and leaving hundreds of thousands more injured, homeless and without food, water and basic provisions to sustain life. Dozens of govermental organizations worldwide as well as countless NGO's have set up venues to donate funds to help the poor people in Haiti as they struggle in the aftermath of this horrible tragedy.

Here in Playa del Carmen, a collection center (Centro de Acopio) has been erected in from of the Municipal Plaza on Ave 20 at the corner of Calle 10. They will be accepting donations of food, medicine and supplies that might be needed. These will be shipped to aid in the rescue and relief programs for the tiny country. The collection center will be manned from January 14 - 17. If you are able, please contribute a few much much needed items.

The list below is a compilation pulled from various relief/aid websites and also contains items specifically requested by the staff at the collection center.

Headlamps
Batteries (AA/AAA)
Hazmat Suits
Respirators
Medical masks
Body Bags
Tents
Sheets and Blankets
Towels
Clothes
Food (dry and canned goods, beans, rice, cereals)
Water
Bleach

Medical Supplies:

Gloves – All Sizes
Hand sanitizer (large bottles)
1 Gallon Ziplock bags (lots)
Band-Aids (all sizes)
Sutures (all sizes)
Hand sanitizer

Medications Needed:

Heavy Pain killers ****
Local Anesthesia ****
Antibiotics (particularly in powder form that can be mixed into a solution)
Kwell lotion (scabies) or medical soap
Sparonox
Griseofulvin, Fulvicin (Nail fungus/infections)
Bactrim (UTI)
Ciprofloxacin
Silvadine Cream
Hydrochlorthyozide (Hypertension)
Aspirin (children and adult)
Neosporin
Itrikonzole (antifungal pediatrics for head fungus)
Iodine salt (Groiders)
Amoxil or Augmentin Chewable antibiotics for children (refrigerated antibiotics are not realistic)
Muscle Relaxation (medication for handicap children specifically)
Childrens Vitamins
Adult Vitamins
Tylenol
Malaquine (Children's malaria syrup)
Hydrogen Peroxide
All Topical Antifungal Creams
Any diuretic meds
Tums
Antacids

To contribute funds to help the victims in Haiti, please contact one of the following organizations for donation procedures.

Doctors Without Borders

The Rural Haiti Project

Red Cross US site.

Yele Haiti .

British Red Cross site

Oxfam

For our friends in Belize, here is some information about local relief efforts you can contribute to or get involved with.

Angel Notion - A Holiday Message from Lavonna Redman

435836 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Greetings and Happy Holidays to all "Life's a Beach" Readers. We have been so blessed this year and want to take a moment to remember that not everyone is as fortunate. Not everyone has the opportunities and advantages that we all enjoy. Angel Notion is a local Riviera Maya not for profit dedicated to providing assistance and medical care to the areas poorest residents. Won't you help this holiday season? Even a small donation of your time or a small gift for a child would be so appreciated. What follows is the seasonal message from Lavonna Redman, founder and leader of Angel Notion.

My personal message:

During this holiday season we are reminded of the struggles each and every one of us have had to endure due to a global financial issue, I would like to remind all of you that we are so blessed to have the basics, food, transportation, a roof over our heads and most likely enough to share a wonderful holiday season with our families and friends. I'm not sure if you have ever seen a child who doesn’t have shoes or a warm sweater or food in his belly for Christmas day, needless to say the joy of a soccer ball or a Barbie doll and a little bit of food will bring a smile you will never forget.

It has come to my attention after 9 years of managing this Christmas program that we have made a huge difference with your help, this mission of Santa will be endless as long as you and I can continue to give. It's the smile you receive when you give, it’s the difference in a life in the holiday season something I believe in and know to be true. This is our 9th year celebrating Christmas in Playa Del Carmen giving, giving and more giving. We are counting on your support and participation to make this another successful holiday giving. Our goal has always been to make a difference one child at a time defiantly not about the numbers and all about the quality of the love we give in delivering these gifts.

What is your passion?

You can sponsor a single mom and her kids this year
You can buy a soccer ball or a Barbie doll.
You can buy blankets and food for the elderly.
You can sponsor a patient in the Angel Notion Clinic.

We look forward to your support and participation this year !

If you are going to be in Playa del Carmen, aka The Riveria Maya, please visit one of our trees on the 5th Ave starting the 15th. If you and your family would like to participate in giving the gifts with us on the 23rd, just contact me info@angelnotion.org or my cell phone in Playa 044-984-127-0780 or come and see me on the 14th and 5th Ave 5pm to 10pm . If you are in the States, Canada or Europe and would like to give, its easy to make a contribution www.angelnotion.org.The clinic has attended to over 5000 people in need. Our services include daily medical attention and medical missions with experts on a volunteer basis.

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday with family and friends. May 2010 bring great health and prosperity!

Lavonna Redman
011-52-984-859-2625 Clinic in Mexico
503-962-9590 US
www.angelnotion.org

Ak Lu'um International School - Holiday Wishlist

435836 — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:00:00 GMT

As a non-profit school, Ak Lu'um International School is always in need of donations. We asked the school to compile a Wish List in case any of us would like to give a little something. Attached is the list we received. Some of these items may already be in your house, gently used, and those items are more than welcome! Thank you and Happy Holidays

Por que Ak Lu'um International School us una escuela sin fines de lucro, siempre hay necesidades. Le pedimos a la escuela a la compilar una lista de regalos en caso de que cualquier de nosotros nos gustaría dar un poco de algo. Se adjunta la lista que hemos recibido. Algunos de los artículos que pueden ya sea en su casa, con poco uso, y los artículos son más de bienvenido! Gracias y Felices Fiestas!

Ak Lu’um Supplies Wish List

- Sets of Stockmar beeswax crayons (both stick and block)

- Stockmar watercolor paints - especially red, blue (marine & Prussian),

yellow and gold

- Sets of Lyra color pencils, 16

- Paintbrushes (#20, long handle), 30

- Modeling beeswax

- Wool

- Main lesson books (Waldorf style, larger is better); sets of 16 are ideal

- Construction paper

- Watercolor paper

- Tissue paper (all colors)

- Quality scissors (adult size), 5

- Printer paper

- Printer cartridges (HP 40 Black, 41 Color 60 Black 60 Color)

- Tempera paints (preferably powdered)

- Yarn, wool and cotton (preferably natural)

- Natural fabrics (non-synthetic)

- Sewing needles and thread

- Sewing Machine (manual)

- Felt

- Bean bags (small)

- Wooden beads

- Marbles

- Balls for outdoor play: tennis balls, soft foam volleyballs (Nerf style),

beach balls, etc.

- Small hand pump for balls

- Jump ropes (not plastic)

- Tetherball

- Hula hoops

- Pitchfork

- Shovels (spade and flat tip)

- Picks (2)

- Garden hoes (2)

Riviera Maya Dive Alliance Kicks of Photography Contest Sponsored by Canon!

435836 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:42:00 GMT

On Saturday evening, the founding organizers of the Riviera Maya Dive Alliance kicked off their 1st Underwater Photography Contest at Captain Dave's Bad Boys Beach Bar in Playa del Carmen. This unique union was formed by three of the finest regional dive centers, combining their expertise and professional resources as colleagues and friends to offer dive services and special events to scuba divers world wide. Abyss Dive Center, Tank-Ha Dive Center and Protec Dive Center have been diving the Riviera Maya's Meso America Reef system, hosting and training scuba divers in their businesses for over 12 years. This week long photography contest and workshop, sponsored this year by Canon, is one of the many events organized by this intrepid group to promote scuba diving in this region and expose to the diving and photography world the amazing natural resources that the Riviera Maya has to offer.

Matt, Lothar and Dave greet the participants of the Canon Underwater Photography Contest

It was a fun evening and a nice way to inaugurate this event. The Nasty B.astards Band played throughout the evening and got the crowd up and dancing. Not surprisingly, there was a lot of flashes going off right and left as participants documented the evening's events.

For more information on the Riviera Maya Dive Alliance, the participating dive centers and this special event,please follow the links posted above or email info@scubadivinginmexico.com.

New Cooking School Opens in Puerto Morelos

435836 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:17:00 GMT

The Little Mexican Cooking School officially hangs out its shingle on December 8th and will continue with what they call ‘cooking class adventures’ every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of April.

The school was born as a result of the passions of Australian, Catriona Brown and Canadian, Patti Murphy, both ‘foodies’ and world travelers. The classes are 6 hours per day and involve a introduction to all the ingredients of our famous Mexican palette. School and guest chefs will offer expert advice on the techniques of Mexican cuisine; and participants will have the opportunity to prepare a full menu of dishes. The finale of the day promises to be a true Mexican feast. ‘Cat’ Brown is a well known business owner and Charity Leader in Puerto Morelos. She fell in love with the Yucatan while on holiday a few years ago, and decided to plant her roots here. Patti Murphy had her first career in the restaurant business and now produces FOOD TV. She has an insatiable desire to extend her knowledge of local cuisines to the rest of the world. Their idea is to create fabulous day long food adventures for tourists at resorts in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Brown claims that the school also will entice the growing community of expats in the area.

There are three main reasons why people will enjoy these cooking classes according to the dynamic duo heading the school. The School chef is Mexican, Claudia Ramos Cellis who was trained in several Mexican Universities with graduate training at NYC’s Culinary Institute of America and who speaks 4 languages. Claudia brings to the table a vast knowledge of all regions of Mexican cuisine, and her portfolio of world classics. Brown and Murphy are offering a special “Chef Week” once a month when one of a several International Celebrity Chefs will take over the spatula. They also promise a rotating menu each week during the month to whet everyone’s appetite. Billed as an Authentic Food Adventure for Curious Travelers The Little Mexican Cooking School looks like a sure bet for fun, excitement and taste. Visit their website at www.thelittlemexicancookingschool.com for booking information.

Announcing New Riviera Maya Events Calendar

435836 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:03:00 GMT

Announcing our new Riviera Maya Events Calendar!! With the combined efforts of 5 regional editors spread across the Riviera and Costa Maya, this is certain to be the most comprehensive listing of local events available all in one place. Search by location or type of event! A special submission form is in the works so that you can add your own events. In the mean time, submit your own events to me and I will post them!

We are really excited about this and hope it will become a huge resource for everyone living in or traveling to the region from Puerto Morelos to Mahahual! Click on the image below and let us know what you think!!

El Rey Polo Club Tournament Schedule 2009-2010

435836 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:30:00 GMT

Attending Polo matches has always been a favorite family activity of ours, one that we enjoyed every summer back in Saratoga Springs. Now, thanks to my pal Catriona Brown up in Puerto Morelos, I am kept up to date on the Polo schedule at El Rey Polo Club. For those of you who have been looking for something different to do with your family, an afternoon of Polo is a real treat. The horses are beautiful, the players are handsome and the game play is fast. There is a pool to cool off in and a full bar for the grownups to enjoy. If you have never attended a match before you are in for a really fun day.

What follows is the welcome letter from El Rey Polo Club announcing the start of the season and the schedule for the upcoming year.

El Rey Polo Country Club en Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, ha comenzado su temporada de Polo a partir de Septiembre, hemos podido con éxito descansar tanto nuestra cancha como nuestros caballos, y estamos listos para un año más de éxitos.

El Rey Polo Club in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, begins its Polo season starting in September. We have rested our field as well as our horses and we are ready for another successful year!

El Torneo de la copa del rey 2009 fue todo un éxito y muy entretenido para todos los asistentes por eso mismo los esperamos el año que entra para una edición mas de nuestro evento anual.

The Copa del Rey 2009 was a total success and very fun for all of the attendees. For this reason we look forward to the next session of this annual event in the year to come.

Una felicitación mas, para el equipo ganador el cual fue patrocinado por la revista Quien además de los otros participantes como el equipo “Valentin”, el equipo “Lemmus”, el equipo “Tipa y Caña” y además el equipo anfitrión “El Rey”, así como a los réferis y a los comentaristas que realizaron un excelente trabajo.

One more congratulations to the winning team that was sponsored by the magazine "Quien" and also the other participants, team "Valentin", team "Lemmus", team "Tipa y Cana". Also to the "El Rey" team, the referees and the commentators who did an excellent job.

Podrán checar la fotos de Adam Finer (afiner@mac.com) del evento en la pagina de Catriona Brown , http://www.polocontacts.com/profile/CatrionaBrown, favor de informarnos si alguna de las fotos es de su interés para así poder proporcionarles mas información.

You can see the event photos from Adam Fincher (afincer@mac.com) on Catriona Brown's page, http://www.polocontacts.com/profile/CatrionaBrown. Please let us know if any of the photos interest you so that we may send you more information.

A continuación les hacemos llegar el calendario para la temporada 2009 / 2010 y con gusto les hacemos una extensa invitación a cualquiera de estos eventos o cualquiera de los fines de semana de Polo para mayor información les enviaremos correos informando de los mismos.

In continuation, we bring you to the 2009/2010 season calendar and with pleasure invite you to any of these events or any weekend of Polo. For more information we will send you emails informing you of the same.

Tournament Schedule 2009 - 2010

November 20, 2009
Challenge Cup

December 19, 2009
Copa Navidad (Christmas Cup)

January 6 & 7, 2010
Mexico vs Argentina

February 13 & 14, 2010
Torneo de la Amistad (St. Valentine's Day Cup)

April 30 - May 9, 2010
4th Copa del Rey (Full schedule to be announced)

Tickets Available Now for Taste of Playa !!

435836 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:36:00 GMT

This week, leading up to the First Annual Taste of Playa International Food Festival on September 5, 2009, an event that features some of the most talented chefs in the Riviera Maya, tickets went on sale at various locations in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

“So far, the response from the public has been overwhelming” said Nicola Inwood Chairperson for the Taste of Playa Executive Committee. “We have fielded hundreds of inquiries about the event over the past few weeks. It’s exciting to see the community support for this event.”

This exciting culinary event is open to the public and offers two ticketing options for attendees: Taste of Playa “pesos”, sold for 10 MN a piece, are general admission tokens that are used to purchase the culinary creations, portion by portion. The all-inclusive VIP Passports for 400 MN entitle the purchaser to sample all of the signature dishes offered by the participating restaurants and beverage participants, including one hour of a private tasting before the general public arrives. Both ticketing options are on sale prior to the event. Only the Playa “pesos” will be on sale during the event on September 5, 2009. General Admission is at 3 pm and VIP Passport holders will enjoy a special preview starting at 2 pm.

Tickets are available for purchase at Hotel Tropical CasaBlanca on 1^st Ave between 10^th and 12^th street or at Luna Blue Hotel on 26^th between 5^th and 10^th Ave.

Over 25 of the region’s diverse chefs will come together on Saturday, September 5^th to show both visitors and residents what makes Playa del Carmen a world class dining destination. The event will be located in the recently renovated city center, Parque Fundadores, from 3pm until 9pm. Organizers anticipate a tremendous turnout with the heaviest traffic occurring after 6pm.

Taste of Playa is a community oriented culinary event that celebrates the creativity and diverse cultural influences of chefs throughout the Riviera Maya and promotes the unique culinary perspectives that have contributed to the cosmopolitan reputation of Playa Del Carmen. Playa del Carmen is widely recognized as one of the top vacation destinations in the world. The city has gained this distinction by not only celebrating and maintaining the integrity of the Mexican heritage but also by embracing and incorporating the cultural influences brought by visitors from all over the world. Corporate Sponsors include Buy Playa Real Estate Advisors and Bric International. For more information, visit www.tasteofplaya.com.

Taste of Playa in the News!

435836 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:37:00 GMT

Yesterday, Taste of Playa Executive committee members Monica Hartlief and Nicola Inwood met with local goverment officials at the Municipal Jail to make a gift of much needed medicines and much appreciated sporting equipment for the inmates of the prison. What follows is a translation of the article that appeared today in El Diario de Quintana Roo. The original article can be found here: Accion altruista de "Taste of Playa".

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, August 5 .- With the aim of contributing to the task of restoring, preserving health and promoting sports in the municipal jail inmates, the Ayuntamiento de Solidaridad supported the action that the altruistic volunteer group "Taste of Playa "carried out with the donation of medicines and sports equipment. This morning, the secretary general of the City, Rafael Castro Castro, and the director of the public jail, Jose Luis Barragán Hernández received an organizor of "Taste of Playa", Hartlief Monica, who accompanied by some of the other members of the group, donated resources to the use of prisoners.

"Taste of Playa" means "Sabor a Playa," and is a culinary event in a mix of creativity and cultural influences from chefs throughout the Riviera Maya.

The donation was comprised of sports equipment consisting of four soccer balls, four basketballs, four volleyballs, two nets, four pairs of boxing gloves and a batch of 30 shirts.

Also delivered were medicines to be used in case of health problems in prisoners.

The secretary general thanked the group "Taste of Playa" for this contribution and reiterated support for the volunteer committee.

"This donation will benefit the 336 inmates, and this extra supply of medicines strengthens the monthly endowment provided by the municipal government to this detention center," said Castro Castro.

He also noted that sports equipment donated will help maintain the physical health of the inmates, supporting a healthy and active rehabilitation so that they can be integrated again into society at the time that they are released.

Similarly, the Municipal Director of Health, Arturo Alfaro Palma, said that the Mayor, Román Quian Alcocer, is the slope of the attention being given to inmates in a matter of health.

The organizor of "Taste of Playa" Hartlief Monica, said that, for this organization, it is a pleasure to help and support the municipal jail and the government presided by Edouardo Román Quian Alcocer.

For more information about Taste of Playa, visit http://www.TasteofPlaya.com.

Big News in Little Playa!

435836 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:25:00 GMT

I've been getting quite a few messages over the past few weeks, Life's a Beach readers wondering “What's up?”. As many of you also follow this blog on Facebook and Twitter, you have undoubtedly seen the cryptic messages….the suggestion of clandestine meetings....rumors of a secret society. Finally, on Monday, all was revealed.

Just over a month ago, my dear friend Sara Moen approached me with an invitation. She and local business woman Nicola Inwood were planning a new exciting event to be held in Playa del Carmen. Of course, I was curious and agreed to attend the first committee meeting to investigate further. Uncertain who else would be involved and the scope of the event, I was understandably anxious about this first gathering. Having years of experience working on fundraisers and steering committees in the United States, I was familiar with the process and aware of the commitment required. My concerns lay in the logistics and the dedication of the other volunteers. When the first meeting convened, I was met with familiar faces, friends and fellow business women all. This eclectic group, thoughtfully selected by Sara and Nicola, would certainly be up to the task at hand, no matter what it was!

The proposal was this: create, from the ground up, Taste of Playa, a culinary festival the likes of which had never before been attempted in Playa del Carmen. 35 local chefs and specialty food merchants gathering to offer their signature dishes, the flavors that define them as world class chefs, to the residents and visitors of the Riviera Maya. In a previous life, Nicola had participated in the Toronto Taste, an annual fund raising event which supports Second Harvest. Taste of Playa would be modeled after this successful event. The festival would be open to everyone with food “samples” available for purchase from the various chefs and restaurateurs on hand. After some collaboration with the Riviera Maya Board of Tourism, the date was settled on, September 5, 2009, just three months away. How on earth could we pull all this together in such a short time?

A clear vision and mission agreed upon, the group was then charged with compiling a preliminary list of potential participants. I an effort to maintain the integrity of the event and prevent the logistics of this inaugural event from getting out of hand it was reluctantly but unanimously decided to limit the number of restaurants, beverage purveyors and specialty food vendors to a manageable number. With all the culinary talent in Playa, this task would prove to be difficult and one we would likely struggle with for the next two months. Our Restaurant and Marketplace Coordinators, Melissa Meno and Sherry Stevens, have risen to the occasion, enticing local chefs to participate in this fledgling festival and organizing their efforts to help ensure, not only the success of the event, but the success of each individual participant.

Planning a full scale community event in the US is complicated and time consuming. How on earth would we pull this off in Mexico? The logistics were daunting to me but not to Director of Operations, Monica Hartlief. She has embraced this project with the same gusto she exhibits rising to the daily challenges that face entrepreneurs in a foreign land. After some deliberation and a field trip, The newly renovated Parque Fundadores was selected as our preferred location, a decision that would now require stamps and signatures from the local municipality. Monica had her work cut out for her from the start!

Event concept?

Check.

Committee Heads?

Check.

Date?

Check.

Location?

Check.

We seemed to have things well in hand. But who would attend our event? How would anyone ever know to come? This, dear readers, is where yours truly jumps into the fray. I am tackling the daunting job of Marketing and Promotion for Taste of Playa 2009. With the collaboration of the whole committee and a remarkable effort by Gabi Waldert, our creative and detail oriented Graphics Coordinator, a spectacular marketing piece was created to show the Playa community and the world just what kind of world class event we were planning to execute. With the help of Nicola and Sara, a comprehensive local, national and global marketing plan was conceived. The long awaited media blitz kicked off on Monday with press releases and, as you have seen, a fairly aggressive online campaign.

In our quest to make this event fun and memorable, not only for the attendees but for the chefs and merchants as well, we have conferred with industry consultant, Russell Granger, to guide us as we pursue this lofty endeavor. Russell has been a font of knowledge, a calming force and a voice of reason for this team of fiercely independent, sometimes stubborn and opinionated women. We thank him for his wisdom and his deserts and for letting us conspire on his rooftop, often late into the evening.

Collectively, the committee has already solicited significant corporate sponsorship for Taste of Playa. Bric International, and our own Buy Playa Real Estate Advisors quickly jumped in to fill the Platinum Sponsorship positions. Just today, we have had several more local businesses throw their support behind Taste of Playa – 1^st Annual Sampling. Those announcements will be coming soon!

So, this is the beginning of the Taste of Playa story. I hope you will all follow along with the “making of” this exciting event by reading the Taste of Playa Blog. I’ve got great contributing writers to help me with this task, each one eager to tell their own Taste of Playa tale. For up to the minute (well, almost) information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Most importantly, come to Taste of Playa 2009. Bring your friends and your appetite!