Muchas Gracias!!!

They said it couldn't be done. "It's too late in the season, too many people have already left town".

Ha! We proved them wrong! The benefit went great. Better than great. We were expecting 100, hoping for 150 people. There was over 200 stuffed in the Purple Onion and alot of money (and awareness) was raised! Thank you!! Because of all of this Conrehabit has some breathing room and the parritos will get some much needed supplies.

The "Gringo Workday" did not go exactly as planned since it was so packed. Instead it was "Gringos Just Trying To Help the Staff And Not Get In Their Way Too Much Day". A big thanks to the businesses and individuals that contributed prizes for the raffle; The Purple Onion, Mr Aces, Olas Altas Steakhouse, Soul and Spirit Ventures, Casa de Leyendes, Estrella del Mar, Carlos and Lucias, Tom and Cathy Coonce, Autumn Brown (massage therapist), the Patricia Belle, Unico Gift Shop, Brentster, Dick Damron....I think that's it. Jennifer Swarts of Deadeye Design was wonderful in helping me with flyers. Dick Damron, the Brentster, and the rest of the musicians were great and there was alot of diffrent genres played. It was some kind of fun! There were jello shots, raffles, and dance contests. Alot of new friendships were made that afternoon as well-----or so I was told-----I was way too busy behind the bar to mingle! I did meet one couple who were ending their 'Mexico Tour '08', that they had been on to see where they were going to retire. They told me that after all the other places they had visited, they were pretty much set on Mazatlan, but they had so much fun and met so many friendly people at the benefit, they now have no doubts! Welcome to Mazatlan, Robert & Sandie!

Before I close, I want to send a big 'shout-out' to Howard, the staff of the Purple Onion, and also to my fellow "Onion-Heads" that were dragged into helping with this deal. You guys rule!!

For anyone still wanting to help out, here is the Conrehabit link once again:

http://www.conrehabit.org/view.php?id=2.

Here is a collection of pictures from several people around town of the parrots being fed;

http://picasaweb.google.com/maximphoto/CONREHABITRESCUEPARROTS?pli=1

One more link, this is an article about Conrehabit and a previous rescue:

http://massarticle.com/articles18758-tourists-be-aware-the-dark-side-of-wildlife-trafficking.html

Mazatlan is going to the birds!!

There was an incident in Culican two weeks ago that involved 2 guys, a pickup, telephone booth and 476 illegal birds. Here is the article; http://www.noroeste.com.mx/publicaciones.php?id=364634&id_seccion=10 .

Flash forward to today and because of this there are almost 300 baby parrots , estimated to be about four weeks old, being hand fed three times a day by alot of volunteers around Mazatlan with baby cereal embedded under their nails. The above picture is one I found on the web of a half moon conure which is the breed they are said to be. Right now they look kinda like that, but alot smaller and no feathers! For pictures and video of some of the actual orphaned birds see; http://countdowntomexico.blogspot.com/.

The group that is spearheading the effort is Conrehabit, which is a local organization that rescues and rehabilitates wildlife. It has been a huge job for all involved and once they are able to eat and survive on their own they will be released into the wild at the Conrehabit ranch. I do not have any parrots to feed, although I did receive a call yesterday that there were a couple that were not doing so well and I may be caring for them. I am helping to organize a benefit, however! For anyone in town this week, we are having a "Gringo Workday" at the Purple Onion, this Sunday April 20 from 3-6 pm. Howard from the Onion and Major from Mister A's will be manning the grill for a 'build your own' hamburger and hot dog bar. Myself and Italiano Joe will be handling the bar with happy hour prices and there will be a jam session with several musicians including Dick Damron. We will be running a raffle and the prizes include a golf/dinner/condo package at Estrella del Mar, wines, jewelry, art, two at home massages, gift certificates to various restaurants and more. It will definitely be alot of fun! For those of you that are not here, don't worry, you can still help! Just go to the Conrehabit website and click on the PayPal button. http://www.conrehabit.org/view.php?id=2 .

Also, next time you are in Mazatlan, swing by the Conamigos Bazaar to either shop or drop off that knick knack that you are tired of looking at! It is located in Centro, Calle Luis Zuniga #505 and all the proceeds help both Conrehabit and Amigos de los Animales. That is all for now, I am off to run around town and beg for more raffle prizes!

Los Monumentos

There seem to be alot of monuments in Mazatlan, here are a few;

These top two pictures are from one of the more notable ones and is called La Continuidad de la Vida (The Continuation of Life). It depicts a couple on a huge seashell overlooking a school of dolphins. The man, who points to the horizon, offers the future to the woman, where they will search for happiness together and protect living things. The snail shell on which the couple stand is particularly important because the snail traditionally represents continuity and eternity of life in the universe.

El Venadito (Little Deer) is located on the malecon in Olas Altas. This monument symbolizes Mazatlan and the city's Indian heritage. The name Mazatlan is from the Nahuatl Indian word, Mazatl, which means deer. Therefore, Mazatlan is the "Land of the Deer". The monument itself was designed by Yucatan artist Rolando Arjona Amabilies and was dedicated by a Masonic Lodge member sometime between 1975 and 1977. A few months ago a group of cowboys from Culiacan roped him from the back of a pickup and dragged him down the malecon. I am sure copius amouts of alcohol had a little something to do with that incident. Since then a new deer was smelt and mounted and the perpetrators are doing some hard time!

La Sirena (The Siren) sits on the rocks, overlooking the ocean, near the clavadistas (cliff divers). You cannot see him from this angle, but sitting on her other side is a cupid like character. I do not know anything about her history.

Also on the malecon in Olas Altas, and across from the Devil's Cave, sits La Mujer Mazatleca (The Mazatleco Woman)and she represents the women of Mazatlan, who are said to be among the most beautiful women in the world. This monument, which was created in Mexico City, was unveiled by Jalisco composer Gabriel Ruiz on November 23, 1983. Ruiz is well-known in Mazatlan for composing the music for such songs as "Mazatlan," "Nights of Mazatlan" and "Secret from Mazatlan."

This is a mermaid that gazes over the ocean. Again, on the malecon in Olas Altas, and above the saltwater pool. I have no more information about her, either!