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| Local Intro Events Movie Guide News Archives > | ||
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Vallarta
Voice Readers’ Choice Awards Coming Up Excitement
builds as the final month of voting for the Readers’ Choice awards arrives.
Find the ballot here on the Web site, at
http://www.virtualvallarta.com/vallarta/voice/readerschoice/index.html or,
if you prefer ink-on-paper, look for it at Beanz, Santa Barbara Restaurant, Pie
in the Sky, Gallería Dante and Galería Uno. Or stop by our office
at Timón 1 in Marina Vallarta across from the lighthouse. Don’t let
it pass you by. Make your vote count. Remember that your vote is not only for
the community but also to tell the business community you care how you’re
served. |
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Conference
Allows Discussion of Future of Vallarta At
a recent conference called “Reflexiones sobre Puerto Vallarta, una vision
hacía el Futuro” some interesting points were raised. Key issues were
proper planning to deal with problems of pollution, traffic and parking. The future,
if based totally on creating an environment for tourism, will cause an imbalance
of economic growth. Necessary, in addition, is growth of educational opportunities
as well as a viable business sector and transportation center. Puerto Vallarta
is viewed as the future capital of the entire west coast of Mexico, based on the
economic viability of Banderas Bay. No longer will state lines be relevant in
this new view toward future growth. This series of talks will continue throughout
the year as a celebration and contribution of Vallarta Opina/Milenio’s 25-year
anniversary. |
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API Awarded
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Fundraiser
Announced In
conjunction with Trio restaurant, Puerto Vallarta art galleries are donating works
to be auctioned to benefit artist Javier Fernández, who lost his home in
the recent earthquake centered in Colima. A door charge of $50 pesos per person
will be collected at the event, which is scheduled for Sunday, February 2, 6 -
10 pm. The benefit, originally scheduled to be held at Trio, was changed to Judith
Ewing Morlan Contemporary Art at Miramar 237 due to space considerations, but
still will be catered by Trio. All funds generated from the door and national
drinks at the bar will go toward the artist. Call 223-2179 for information. |
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Week of January 24th, 2003
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Earthquake
Shakes Up Coast On
Tuesday, January 21, an earthquake centered off the coast of the state of Colima
south of Puerto Vallarta registered 7.6 on the Richter scale. Neither injuries
nor damage to property was reported in the Vallarta area, though up to 28 were
reported dead in Colima. A local seismologist, Francisco Núñez Cornú
of CUCosta, Centro Universitario de la Costa, said the Pacific plate coming into
contact with the Continental plate causes this series of tremors, actually forcing
it into readjustment. The last earth tremor of note was November 5, a 4.8 level tremor, just the week after Hurricane Kenna. On October 9, 1995, a 7.5 level earthquake centered close to Vallarta toppled the crown of the Church of Guadalupe. In 1996 a seismic center was opened in Vallarta. As further minor tremors can be expected, such as the one registering 5.8 on the Richter experienced Wednesday afternoon, here is information on how to react in case of a tremor. If you are inside a building during a tremor, leave immediately, if possible. Do not use an elevator. Walk, do not run, to a clear area outside. If not possible, look for a safe place to stand, away from windows, bookcases or furniture that may fall. Stand inside a doorway or next to a pillar. If there is a table or desk that does not have a glass top, get underneath and cover your head with your arms. Remember that even when the tremors stop, it may be a few minutes before a building reacts. Help others around you in case of panic. Keep a clear head. |
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Open
Drinks Not Part of Plan Complaints
have reached City Hall about the number of people walking around in the downtown
area with open drinks. Usually served by the sidewalk bars in plastic cups, an
additional problem is the disposal of the container. Director Beatriz Martínez
Sánchez of Licensing and Regulations explained that the permit given to
the vendors of alcohol does not include sales to carry outside their premises.
If the liquor bars continue to sell for take-out, their license may be revoked.
The situation tends to be noticeable especially on weekends at the Malecón
when the noted vendors stay open beyond their closing time of 2 am. |
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Further
Details on Infrastructure Provided As
the details of the Master Plan for Banderas Bay are discussed, the infrastructure
is currently receiving the most attention. Transportation, parking and rebuilding
the beaches are in the first phase of the plan. In addition to a regulated system
for the buses, a four-lane highway and additional tunnel are planned as a bypass
to move traffic around the city. Several parking projects will relieve some of
the current congestion downtown. And the major project of rebuilding the beaches
will begin with a study of the coastline and a projection as to its future protection. |
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Pilot
Spanish Program Offered A
pilot program for learning Spanish began recently at the popular L’Opera.
Eduardo Rosas Valdivia, a fully bilingual teacher from Mexico City with 16 years
experience as a teacher of the Spanish language, tailors the course based on the
needs of each student. Class sizes are limited to no more than three. In addition,
classes can be scheduled based on the availability of the student, whether daily,
once a week, or however often works best. Easy to learn, flexible, well located
and at a reasonable price of $60 pesos per hour can’t be beat. Contact Eduardo
at 044-322-101-2901 or call L’Opera at 222-7378 for further information. |
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Week of January 17th, 2003
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Malecón
Officially Inaugurated To
the drumbeat of the dance troupe Mexicas in the background at Los Arcos, Governor
Francisco Ramírez Acuña officially inaugurated the Malecón
of Puerto Vallarta. The governor (see photo) arrived from the airport Wednesday,
January 15, in the company of Secretary of Tourism of Mexico Leticia Navarro Ochoa
and Secretary of Tourism of the state of Jalisco Horacio González Pardo.
They, in conjunction with the acting municipal president, Ignacio Guzmán
García, walked the length of the Malecón from the Caballitos to
Los Arcos to view the work. Other city and state officials were also present,
and after the ceremony the entire group, along with the press, walked toward the
new bridge being built over the Rio Cuale. |
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Bridge
over Rio Cuale Continues A
schema of the new bridge was unveiled by Engineer of Public Works Enrique Villa
Meza upon the arrival of the governor and his party. Villa Meza described the
bridge, 120 meters long, built on a series of five cement cylinders, with access
to Isla Rio Cuale along its length. With a total cost of $6,511,132 pesos, split
into four parts, $851,363 pesos come from both the federal and state level, $2,808,606
pesos from the municipality, and the remainder raised from the neighborhood businesses.
A date for the completion of the bridge was not mentioned by the engineer. |
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Master
Plan Outlined for Banderas Bay A
nine-point master plan was outlined for Banderas Bay during the visit of Governor
Francisco Ramírez Acuña. This plan had its inception August 9, 2001,
upon the visit of President Vicente Fox to the tourist corridor. As outlined by
President of Fonatur John McCarthy (see photo) and Secretary of Tourism Leticia
Navarro Ochoa, this three-part plan will also be partially financed by the three
levels of the government. Taking into account the ecological impact on the area,
hotel rooms along the bay will be increased from 23,000 to 53,000 by the year
2025. The plan includes improvement of the infrastructure, such as highways, water
and sanitation, and will be expected to increase visitors to the area from 2.5
million annually to 6 million per year in that same development period. |
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Municipal
Filming Commission Meets Privately The
first Municipal Filming Commission in Mexico, recently established in Puerto Vallarta
under the leadership of Adalberto Hernandez Ponce, met with the press and other
members of the community Tuesday, January 14. Among the official members is noted
film director Angel Goded (see photo), a part-time resident of Puerto Vallarta.
As the formation and function of the commission was explained, director Goded
made several specific comments in reference to the organization during the recent
filming of “Puerto Vallarta Squeeze,” an American production. The invaluable
assistance of Wayne McLeod and Robert Roessel of the local Cine-Club Vallarta
in the publication of a directory was gratefully acknowledged. The new Municipal
Filming Commission is developing a Web page to position Puerto Vallarta at the
appropriate international level as a destination for filming productions. |
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Film
Festival Planned The
arrival of actress Anjelica Huston and actor Danny Huston, both children of famed
director John Huston, on Saturday, January 11, was the occasion of a press conference
to discuss the viability of a film festival here in Puerto Vallarta. Planned in
honor of their father, who lived here in his later years after having filmed “Night
of the Iguana” in the sixties, the Hustons are very interested in the plan.
Though dates were not scheduled, due to the preparation necessary to build the
foundation, the film festival will be on an international scale with awards for
best actor and actress, best director, as at any award show. But as Danny Huston,
also a director, noted, “My father was a maverick, and my interest in developing
this festival is that it be open to new experimental cinema from around the world.”
The local contact, President Rob Roessel of the Cine-Club Vallarta, was part of
the conference along with Acting-Mayor Ignacio Guzmán García, Director
of Culture Maria José Zorrilla and Director of Tourism Carlos de Leon. |
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Ada
Colorina Opens Private Studio Nearby
Paso Ancho is the scene of the invitation to the studio of internationally renowned
local artist Ada Colorina. Scheduled for Friday, January 24, 6 - 9 pm, the open
house will allow the public into Ada Colorina’s studio space for the first
time. Her naïf style is well recognized in publications and private collections.
Previously represented by Galería Uno, the artist originally planned to
coincide her invitation with the completion of the Paso Ancho Bridge, which as
yet remains incomplete. The studio is located at Felipe Angeles 242, and the artist
can be reached at 222-1994. After crossing the walking bridge, it’s just
a half-kilometer walk through town on the right side with a sign at the entrance. |
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Week of January 10th, 2003
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| Finishing
Details on the Malecón The finishing touches are being completed on the Malecón this week, increasing the height of the planters with brick for a seating area. The addition of tiles of talavera poblana from Puebla, part of the original plan, also will begin. In total, there will be 13 planters and two rotundas. The addition of 12 benches along the length of the Malecón follows a public request for more seating. Many have asked about the missing sculptures, which are being cleaned and repaired for installation once the Malecón is complete. | ||
| Commission
Recommended for Downtown Development Putting the special character of Puerto Vallarta in the forefront, a commission to focus on that aspect was suggested. Director of Tourism Salvador Peña Chávez said that an advisory group would help define further development in the city. Peña made the comparison with Tequila, a town near Guadalajara, which has formed a particular character for the downtown area. When people come to Mexico, many of them are looking for the hacienda experience with charros, the traditional horsemen. It was later added that the commission would work better if separate from the city government, to include all of the Banderas Bay. | ||
| Bus Decision
Due Next Week With City Hall just back from vacation, the decision about buses was scheduled for January 16. Currently, the buses are running their pre-holiday, pre-hurricane schedule. The decision as to the appropriate number of buses for each area will be based on the study completed at the behest of the unions last year. Urban transportation will be one of the priorities during the year, the last year of the current administration in City Hall. | ||
| “Move
Over, Mrs. Markham” Theatre Vallarta opens its first play of the season, the comedy “Move Over, Mrs. Markham.” Mrs. Markham, played by Sherry Weaver, is a charming, beautiful, fluttery creature to her dull husband Philip, played by Allan Stratton. The cast is rounded out by friends, all seemingly on the make. Directed by Eileen O’Leary, the play is at Santa Barbara Playhouse, Olas Altas 351. Tickets are $250 and $350, including dinner in the restaurant upstairs. Please call 223-2048 for reservations and information. | ||
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Week of January 3rd, 2003
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API
Funds Earmarked
 In
a recent session of congress, additional funds appropriated by the local API (Administracion
Portuaria Integral) will be earmarked for the city and state. Previously, the
entire earnings were paid to the federal level, and a portion of it, 20 - 30 percent,
was paid back for continuing development. Under the new agreement, API will turn
over a total of 40 percent to the state and 12 percent to the city. The remaining
48 percent will continue to be collected by the federal level. Once the process
is begun, after January 15, the federal level, with less than 50 percent of the
funds, will be required to negotiate with state and city officials in order to
make changes in affairs related to the API. | ||
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Firefighter
Equipment Donated by City
 One
of the final acts at the end of the year 2002 was the delivery of firefighting
equipment to the local fire station by City Hall. Mayor Pedro Ruiz Higuera recognized
that the supplies have been necessary since new equipment was ordered the previous
year. A total of about half a million pesos was invested in the equipment, including
10 cylinders of carbon fiber, three high pressure tubes, one main fire hose and
four cylinders for rapid load. Pictured here is Second Officer Hérmes Mendia
Loera demonstrating the protective equipment, devised with a safety alarm activated
by inactivity for firefighters. The upgraded equipment will ensure that, in addition
to quick response, the most modern methods are available for the local area. Further
upgrading is expected during the coming year. |
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Travelers
Beware
 As
the holiday season began, a new program of 100 percent x-ray screening of checked
baggage was instituted in the United States. Travelers are advised to expect longer
lines at x-ray machines for entering secured areas, such as the gates, as many
passengers will hand-carry bags in response to the new rules on checked baggage.
Current advice includes not locking checked bags, not a popular request among
travelers. In case the bags need to be opened after the x-ray screening, plastic
hardware cables do the trick. Other advice includes putting personal items in
clear plastic bags to prevent them from being handled. For any specific questions,
contact the airlines for current security regulations. |
Malecón
Extension Questioned
 As
work continues on the extension of the Malecón southward across the Rio
Cuale, an environmental group headed by Rosa Limón looks for a way to block
the project. Stating that a proper environmental impact statement was never prepared
and confirmed, the association of residents and businesspeople, called Iguana
Ecology Group, is trying to block what many consider a done-deal. Footings are
already completed in the first step of building the bridge across the river. It
will connect the current Malecón, which follows the shore along downtown,
to the current walkway that continues to Playa Los Muertos. |
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© Producciones ViVa |
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API
Vallarta, the port authority, received three distinctions in Mexico City recently.
Director Francisco Martínez Narváez advised the press Friday, January
31, that the first distinction was for the greatest one-year increase in the number
of passenger arrivals. In addition, API was awarded the ISO 9001 for quality of
service in the industry. Not only was the recognition for quality of passenger
care but also in environmental impact. This award of the ISO 9001 is a major coup
for API Vallarta on a national and international scale. Service will be monitored
every six months to verify that the quality continues. There are a total of 16
APIs in Mexico.
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