Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Members of the International Friendship Club (IFC) are pleased to announce that the new season has already started and that we have fun-filled times ahead. That's good news for all of the people that we help in Puerto Vallarta.

At IFC our members and visitors, not only meet old friends when they return to the tropics from the north, like so many migratory songbirds, but they also make new friends, learn new skills (like Spanish and Bridge) and raise a sack of cash that IFC uses to make the lives of local, less fortunate, people a little bit better. "What's on the program?" you ask. Well, let me tell you.

1. On Tuesday, the 10th November, we will be having our first Brunch of the season. It's going to be held at the gorgeous Casa Fantasía located at 203 Pino Suarez, Col. Emiliano Zapata, That's in the Romantica Zone. The fun will start at 10:00 am but if you want a choice of seats I'd arrive fifteen or twenty minutes before that. Last year's brunch was filled to capacity and we expect the same high attendance this year. The food is always excellent (***** rating on Trip Advisor) and the people you meet will, of course, be worthy of the same rating. Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a member, so come, meet some new people, learn about IFC and start the winter with a tropical party.

2. Our fabulous Home Tours will start on Tuesday November 17th and run on every Tuesday and Wednesday until mid-March. On each tour our knowledgeable and caring volunteers will take bus loads of visitors and residents on a guided visit to four different houses. Each of the houses is architecturally unique, has wonderful interior decor and is located in an interesting and, sometimes, spectacularly beautiful part of town. The buses leave from the Sea Monkey Restaurant (Olas Altas #299) at 10:30 and return to the downtown area at around 1:00 pm. The cost of $500 pesos ($30 USD) is such a steal that it should not be missed.

The profits from the Home Tours are used to pay for our signature cleft palate program. For almost 30 years IFC has worked with a dedicated team of physicians, nurses and volunteers to correct cleft palates that seem to occur in babies in this region of Mexico at a rate far above the national average. Our teams work with them from the time the kids are infants, through childhood to adolescence and adulthood. They save lives and bring happiness to dozens of children each year and do so at no cost to the patients or their families. How cool is that?

3. November is still early in "the season" but IFC is offering Spanish Classes three days a week. The classes take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the club. The Intermediate1 class runs from 9:15 to 10:15, the Intermediate 2 from 10:30 to 11:30 and the Advanced class from 11:45 to 12:45. The Tourist Spanish class (excellent choice for short term vacationers and beginners) is from 1:00 until 2:00. Single class tickets are $65 for IFC members or $80 for non members per class and there are packages available for a group of classes. Not only is this a great way to learn Spanish with a group of people who are just as bad as you are but it also serves as a way to meet new friends. People who conjugate irregular Spanish verbs together tend to have something more in common than just that!

4. Towards the end of the month Dan Grippo will lead a group of deep breathers in Meditative Meditation for an hour and a half each Saturday morning from 9:00 to 10:30. These sessions start on Saturday 21st and will run every Saturday morning at that time until the snowbirds return to the north in April. This activity takes place at the club. Everyone is welcome and is asked to contribute $50 pesos towards the charitable programs offered by IFC.

If you would like to support programs for the children of Puerto Vallarta you can do so by donating to IFC or by taking one of our Home Tours.