Z SCENE

February 2005

By Judy Brown

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO
The hills above Playa La Ropa re-ZZZounded with music, merriment and dare we say a bit of mayhem while welcoming in New Year 2005. As Father Time clicked away the final seconds of 2004 simultaneous celebrations were punctuated by the traditional fireworks from the Hotel Villa Del Sol which lit up magical Zihuatanejo Bay. Captain TONY and Captivating CLAIRE PIAZZA of the Vtalva hosted a fabulous New Years Eve Open House with guests including Vivacious INES and Handsome Hubby JAMES PROCTOR from Canada, The Entire MESINGER and BROWN Clan from Colorado and California, Gardeners Extraordinaire MONA and RALF ZIMERMANN from N.Y., Z-Original Woman GRACE and Son WINTER, Luscious LOIS, Dashing DAVID and "hijo" BEEGE BROWN, ERICA PIAZZA and "novio" PHILLIPE, JESSIE BLATT (my "hija") and GREG EZOR of Bel Air, Ca., and DAVID URMAN of Portland, Ore....Just down the hill LEONORA held her yearly New Years Soiree at the guesthouse of TANIA'S paradise abode and among the guests were ANA ISABEL, NOEL, ELOISA and ANTHONY, TOM from Oregon, JOHN MURPHY and CAROL JUK. And over at the Hotel Villa Del Sol PAULA and MALCOLM BOWMAN from London and Paradise Valley, Az., and HOURI and JACK ILOULLIAN of Beverly Hills, Ca. and their families rang in the New Year toasting the engagement and upcoming wedding of their children JESSICA ILOULLIAN and MYLES BOWMAN which will take place in Dana Point, Ca. this spring.

HAPPY HAPPYZZZZ
HELMUT LEINS, owner of the Hotel Villa Del Sol, was given a birthday party by his charismatic wife ERIKA who delighted the intimate gathering with a spontaneous dance performance inspired by the Mariachi rhythms. BEV and ANDY GREEN hosted a rooftop birthday bash for Bev's Mom DOROTHY FONES. The well-wishers included Loving Hubby HAL, JENNY ESKAURIATZA of Restaurant Jarocho, MEMO of Restaurant El Manglar, ALMENDRA and JUAN De La GARZA OF Villas Polynesia, Fabulous Masseuse RACHEL BROWN, and contractor BETO RAMIREZ with his Lovely LIZ. MORE HAPPY HAPPYZZZ to CINDEE LEO, OWEN LEE, TONY OCHOA, RICHARD JOHNSON, DAWN SCHMIDT and KAT MOORE COOPER from over-the-pond in Bristol.

POETRY IN MOTION
As the sun was setting over breathtaking Z-Bay, a poetry reading was held at the PIAZZA'S "swankienda" by Claire's talented father JAY FRANKSTON from Mendocino, Ca. Among the fortunate poetry-goers were Claire's mother and Jay's wife MONIQUE, Legendary OWEN LEE of The Las Gatas Beach Club, Joyful JUDY BRENNAN, architect CARLOS ALONZO and HORTENSIA, LEAF JACKSON from Vancouver, Z Original ZZZen-sational Women MARGO and GRACE, JUDY GUERRERO and ED of Tamarindo, honeymooners NICK and MEGAN from New Haven, Conn., and PETER and HEATHER from Chicago.

OPEN FOR BLUEZZZ-NESS
Finally the "official" opening of the Blue Mamou Blues Club! Bar-B-Que, Booze and Blues flowed while STEVE LUCKY and CARMEN GETIT of the swingband "The Rhumba Bums”, MIKE SCHERMER, STEVE EHRMANN and the Blue Mamou Allstars, JASON, KENNY and ALFONSO rocked the packed house! The guest list included EVERYONE! You know who you are. We had way toooooo much fun and overheard owners JEFF HUTCHER and JUDY and JIMI MAMOU planning more Grand Openings. Si, como no?!

RESTAURANT RAMBLINGS
Z-cuisine continues to get more and more ZZZ-licious by ZZZ-moment (d'ya think that's a little ZZZ-much? Oh, well…) Il Mare continues to amaZe us as do host and owners FERNANDO and wife BELEN, and their gracious staff. Dinner at Amuleto proves to be "muy romantica" with one of the most beautiful "vistas" in Mexico…just ask cosmic inventor and frequent patron WARREN EUGENE from Toronto. FYI: Scene lunching at the enchanting Hotel Las Palmas on Playa Blanca was renowned fashion photographer JAMES WRIGHT and crew. They were in Barra de Potosi to shoot BETSEY JOHNSON'S "Betseyville" for an upcoming issue of In Style magazine. Kudos to "Fave Rave" restaurant Coconuts which remains the mainstay of support for fundraisers and community artists. This month they hosted the 2nd Guitar Fest fundraiser as well as the release of "The Jade Pendant", a romance novel set in Z. Copies of the book were signed by author ELISABETH ASHE. WHAT'S UP IN LA MADERA: The popular breakfast spot, Casa Café, has been hosting sold out musical happenings featuring jazz guitarist ERIC REID. And on the other side of Calle Adelita sits the charming rooftop restaurant La Gula. Owner/Chef JOSE LUIS NORIEGA and his lovely wife ROSALBA GARCIA could not be more gracious. And the food, you ask? Without a doubt, ZZZensational!! Jewelry designer ARTHUR KOBY from N.Y. whose exclusive designs are featured at Galart in the Hotel Villa Del Sol, PETER LOHR, and Galart owner ROCIO MADRAZO, who looked stunning wearing a Koby designed amethyst and crystal necklace, dined at Emilio's in Ixtapa. FRANCISCO OCHOA effortlessly handled the details of the evening to perfection and the restaurant goers couldn't help but notice the magic between ROCIO and FRANCISCO. Viva Amor!

HAUTE TICKET
Hostess with the Mostest LOIS BROWN'S "Ladies Night Out" aka "The Chick Party" was a smashing success. This great gaggle of gals is in its fourth year and going strong. Almost one hundred of Z-Coolest Women On The Planet attended. Great to meet SUSAN GOMEZ, general manager of Zihuatanejo's new Intrawest on Playa La Ropa. Commander JUDITH WHITEHEAD of Paradise Properties was confabbing with KIMBERLY of Lavender and Roses and JENNY, owner of Tutti Frutti, MARCELLA PENA, General Manager of Punta Ixtapa, CLAIRE and daughter ERICA PIAZZA, KAROLYN McCALL, DEBBIE VANDENHEEDE from Playa Blanca, KAREN ORSAK from Austin, Tx., filmmaker KATHERINE WILSON, GABY of Al Cilantro in Ixtapa, and Muscle Man Magnet ELLIE from Canada were there, just to name a few. We look forward to next year's gathering of all our sisters.

HAPPY VALENTINE'Z DAY
JBBBIVA@aol.com