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Pacific Jewelry to Open New Store
Pacific Jewelry has begun construction of their new store on the Malecon at the corner of Corona street, which is expected to open in late spring. Pacific Jewelry already has three other locations in town, but feel that high demand for their exclusive designs warrants another. In anticipation of Valentine's Day, they are offering special discounts at all of their locations.

A Dollar Still Goes a Long Way in Vallarta
A dollar buys you a raffle ticket in the America-Mexico Foundation annual fundraising event and that raffle ticket might win you a 20" Phillips color TV, a Sharp microwave oven or a Sony digital CD/Cassette/Radio. And you won't be the only winner. The proceeds of the raffle go toward providing scholarships for talented, but needy, local students.

Dinner Theater Another Success
The latest dinner theater production from Theater Vallarta, "Play On", has proved to be another success. The cast of 10, directed by Eileen O'Leary, does a masterful job of animating this comedy classic about a community theater proving Murphy's Law. Tickets for the show and dinner, held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at Santa Barbara Restaurant, are $250 pesos.

Take a Ride on the Wild Side
Take a drive through the countryside in Bucerias and you'll be surprised what you find! How about a camel you can feed and ride? He's there with Wally the kangaroo, miniature goats, miniature deer, llamas with a new baby, miniature burros, a baby monkey, exotic birds, ducks, swans, miniature Brahma bulls and Tommy, a very docile not-so-miniature Brahma bull that had a 3-year-old child riding him! The cost of admission to this fun and educational attraction, La Casa de los Animales, is only $15 pesos for children and $20 pesos for adults. Just turn inland off the highway to Bucerias at the Famara Restaurant and drive 3 km. Open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.

MEXORC Regatta to be Held in Vallarta
As announced by Carlos León, general director of the Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, Puerto Vallarta’s Tourist Board has campaigned for Vallarta being the host of the MEXORC 2002 and, contrary to expectations, this annual international regatta will be held in Vallarta. Though other options around the Costa Alegre were studied, the organizers of this important nautical event with a long history and tradition in sailing races have confirmed that Mexorc will be celebrated in Vallarta the first week in March. Mexorc (Mexican Ocean Racing Circuit) is a series of eight races in and along the Banderas Bay coastline and a great attraction for both racers and viewers with lots of beautiful vessels arriving in the bay.

Paco Renteria in Vallarta Again
Guitarist Paco Rentería will be back in Vallarta in April with two performances, first at his favorite auditorium at the Camino Real on April 4 and the following night at Los Arcos. With new energy after the birth of his daughter on November 29, Rentería is releasing a new CD called “Gitanerías” (Of Gypsy Ways), which includes flamenco intensity and will be presented in Vallarta. His performance in Vallarta is part of a world tour in 2002-2003 called “La Búsqueda del Alma” (Quest for the Soul), which starts in Monterrey on February 16 and continues through 25 Mexican states and 20 countries around the world.

Yacht Race Coming to Vallarta
The 2002 San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Yacht Race, hosted by San Diego Yacht Club and Paradise Village Beach Resort & Spa, will be held in late February. This is the second year San Diego Yacht Club has chosen Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta as its premier destination. This race is ideally suited for everyone from the turbo sleds to performance cruisers, seasoned veterans to first-time adventurers. This well-organized sailing event attracts cruisers and racers from all over the United States, Canada and Mexico. Furthermore, this year racers have the opportunity of joining the renowned MEXORC Regatta for an extra week in Puerto Vallarta. For more information, email marina@paradisevillage.com.

Marina Art Night January 25
A wonderful night to enjoy art and the scenery of Vallarta's beautiful Marina is scheduled for January 25 6-10 pm. The Art Night traditionally hosts a cocktail reception with live music, which on this occasion will feature the musical duo Champagne Blues. This art exhibition is sponsored by Vallarta Lifestyles, Coloristas printers and five participating galleries:Galería Flores, Galería Puerco Azul, Galería EM and Arte de las Américas, who will be showing an array of different artistic techniques.

Continental Increases Flights to Vallarta
New York and flight connections from Europe will have further flight availability from Newark airport to Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel. Continental Airlines has announced an increase in the number of their flights to Puerto Vallarta beginning February 14. New non-stop flights will operate Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, departing Newark at 9:20 am and arriving in Puerto Vallarta at 1:59 pm. Return service will depart Puerto Vallarta at 3 pm and arrive in Newark 8:49 pm. This non-stop flight, which formerly was only available on Saturdays, is intended to encourage the frequency of travelers in the New York area visiting Mexico by making it easier and faster to reach its beaches.

APA Benefit at Le Bistro
The Animal Protection Association will be hosting their fourth annual silent Art Auction and cocktail party at the Le Bistro Jazz Café on February 17 3-6pm. To celebrate this occasion, the restaurant provides its gardens, offering live music and appetizers. All proceeds benefit the APA program. Reservations may be made at Lucy’s Cucú Cabaña at 295 Basilio Badillo, Vista Travel in Olas Altas and Galería Flores, Marina Vallarta for $ 120 pesos in advance or $200 pesos at the door.

New Owners for Ibiza
Offering the same concept and menu with Mediterranean flavor and Spanish paellas, Elizabeth and Thomas Hector are the new owners of Ibiza and have given this restaurant at Pino Suarez in the South Side their own personality and style. Interested in an investment, they arrived in Puerto Vallarta a few months ago and found in this restaurant the place they were looking for. Hector Thomas comes from Sweden, where he and his sons managed several restaurants and Elizabeth is originally from Chiapas, Mexico. Together they have not only embarked on a new business, new house and town, but also recently celebrated their wedding. The civil ceremony and banquet was celebrated at Ibiza on January 5.

New Exhibits at Galería Dante
Galería Dante on Basilio Badillo will be presenting a collection of abstract paintings and photographs by Cha Cházaro and Rocío Sánchez’s sculptures in bronze on January 12 with a reception cocktail from 6-10 pm. This exhibition will run through January 26, the date on which Luis Espiridión is scheduled to display his delicate animal sculptures.

Celebrities Spend Holidays in Vallarta
Some celebrities spent Christmas in Vallarta or to the north of the bay in Punta Mita, which thanks to its secluded grounds in a small peninsula has become an authentic paradise for privacy. Featuring actors of the film production Heat were here to enjoy the benefits of Vallarta's weather. Al Pacino stayed at the Four Seasons with his sons, while Val Kilmer chose the less conventional Hotelito Desconocido.

Becas Ball Planned in Vallarta
The America-Mexico Foundation program, which recently organized the Mark Twain Show here in Vallarta, will be presenting another fun event to help raise funds for their scholarship programs. The Becas Ball, one of the most popular social events of the year, will be held on March 2 and tickets are now available. For further information, please contact Mary Ellis at (322) 222-1478.

Parking Controversy in Vallarta
City Hall is negotiating the possibility of building an underground parking lot on Plaza Hidalgo with a private firm. Though the negotiation has not been closed yet, there has been much controversy over using this area for such purposes. Traditionally, the park is where many street vendors sell their products. According to municipal authorities, the plaza will be unaffected because they intend to provide for an underground parking area.

Exhibit Opens in Vallarta
Vallarta's Catalan painter Manuel Adriá will be presenting his new work at Galería Nova on Corona on January 9 with a cocktail opening celebration at 6:30 pm. A provocative medieval name, Bestiary, announces a surprise in the playful nature of this painter’s use of animal imagery.