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Puerto Vallarta Chosen to Host National Convention of Clean Beaches Within just a year of the founding of the Comité de Playas Limpias (Committee for Clean Beaches), Puerto Vallarta has been chosen to host their national convention March 16 - 18. Returning from the recent conference in Cozumel, local director of public services Martín Vázquez Mendoza reported on the study by attending specialists in beach erosion who reversed the erosive trend along coasts of Europe and the USA. Nearly 600 attendees at the conference spanned both coasts of the country and involved authorities from every coastal state and municipality, as well as federal officials such as the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Water Commission. A key factor in choosing Puerto Vallarta for the convention was the participation of the University of Guadalajara and the Department of Marine Biology.
Charros Ride through Town Nearby Mojoneras hosts the 3rd National Charro Championship February 17 - 20 at the Lienzo Charro Miguel “Prieto” Ibarría. Of special interest is the team Tres Potrillos, owned by singer Vicente Fernández, in their opening charreada at 3:30 pm Thursday. A related exhibition of charra painting will hang at City Hall, something you might stop in for during the maleconeada, the charros strolling along the Malecón at 9 pm Friday. The current champions, Jalisco’s Tequila Don Roberto, compete at 3:30 pm Saturday, while local teams are represented that same day at 7:30 pm. The closing ceremony on Sunday will feature a special appearance of the escaramuza (women charras) Las Altenitas of Guadalajara, also national champions. Fifty pesos gets you in all day as an observer, increasing to $100 pesos on Sunday. Numerous food and drink stands allow you to lunch in the shade for reasonable prices. Call 224-0001 for further information.
Public Transportation Rates Cause Confusion The governor of Jalisco flip-flopped on a transportation rate increase this past week. To the dismay of many who regularly use public transportation, bus rates were scheduled to increase February 24. Citing the necessity of upkeep and maintenance, as well as rising costs, Governor Francisco Ramírez Acuña announced the news on his recent visit to Puerto Vallarta. With a boost to $5 pesos, local buses would be required to fulfill a list of 16 conditions, but critics say that the same stipulations were ignored after the previous rate hike. The fulfillment of the conditions, including uniforms for drivers, a minimum of four handicap-accessible seats on each unit and control of emissions, would be reviewed prior to the allowance of the next increase of an additional $0.5 pesos, originally proposed to go into effect in November. As 80% of the riders on public transportation are students, retired persons and women, an increase in costs could offset the advantage of better service. Nevertheless, to the relief of not only the bus-riding public but employers as well, the rate change was cancelled, replaced by the creation of a Public Transportation Tariff Review Board.
Motorcycle Mania Rides Again The Puerto Vallarta Bike Week kicks off February 17 - 19 in a series of races, musical events, club nights and beach games. In what is called the "Festival of the Motorcycle 2005," sponsors such as Carlos O’Brian’s and Gold’s Gym expect hundreds of participants in this international event. Registration begins at 3 pm Thursday, ending in a pub crawl at Carlos O’Brian’s. Opening day events to present the key of the city will be presided over by Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor at 9:30 am Thursday. Each day involves photo ops with competitions and parades, culminating in a farewell on Sunday. See vallartabikeweek.com for more information.
Library Auctioneer Wields Hammer he well-attended annual auction held at the Biblioteca de los Mangos on February 4 raised money for the much-needed purchase of books and other study materials. Over the last several years, the city's only public library has expanded from three computers at 56 kbps (kilo bytes per second) to 14 at 512 kbps, offering free Internet service. With the construction of a proper storage facility, the building itself is more functional. Nevertheless, without the annual auction further advances would not be possible, even with regular donations from businesspeople. Pro-Biblioteca of Vallarta organizes the auction not only to encourage financial assistance but also to trigger more effective use of the facilities for the public it serves. This year the auction included works by local artists, tours, hotel stays, dining in the best restaurants and other exciting prizes. Contact Ricardo Murrieta, director, at 222-9966 for further information.
Explore the Fascinating History of Mata Ortiz The fascinating history of the Mata Ortiz movement is the theme of an upcoming benefit with Professor Spencer H. MacCallum, the renowned anthropologist instrumental in the discovery of the burgeoning movement by artist Juan Quesada. The event will be held at 7 pm on February 11 at the Cathy Von Rohr Gallery at Manuel M. Dieguez 321 in the South Side and will benefit the Yelapa Cultural Center. Tickets at $200 pesos per person are available from Galería Mata Ortiz at Lázaro Cárdenas 268-A (222-7407), Producciones Viva at Timón 1 in Marina Vallarta (221-0106), the Bookstore at V. Carranza 333-A (223-9437) and Libros Libros at 31 de Octubre 127 (222-7105) or by email at info@mataortiz-pottery.com. Share in the unique story of this original contemporary art form with roots in the pre-Hispanic past of northern Mexico.
Celebrate with Wine at Festival n a special press conference at La Dolce Vita, the organizing hosts of the 2nd Wine Festival of Puerto Vallarta presented the program of scheduled events. Sponsored by Los Xitomates, Taberna San Pascual, La Dolce Vita, Citrus, Trio and Vitea, each locale will offer a wine from a specific region at a 10% discount February 8 - 12 from 7 to 9 pm. La Dolce Vita represents Italian wines, Los Xitomates Chilean, Taberna San Pascual Spanish, Vitea Californian and Citrus from the Umbria region of Italy. As the festival continues to grow, the founders expect to involve more local restaurants each year. This year, featured artist Alexander Grosman of Cosmicart presents his sculpture entitled Hommage au Vin, or “homage to wine,” at Citrus. Call any of the participating restaurants directly or see ladolcevita.com.mx for further information.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Benefit for Women o celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Mariachi Navidad is putting on a special concert with a three-course dinner at the Hotel Paloma del Mar as a benefit for the Instituto Municipal de Mujer (Women’s Municipal Institute). Invited guests for the program are the charro singer Sergio Salcedo and the folklore group Jirones de Mexico. Scheduled for Friday, February 11, at 8 pm, Mariscos Beto’s will serve seafood at $350 pesos per person on the terrace of the hotel, located at Honduras 309 in Colonia 5 de Diciembre. Call 293-5348 for information or 222-2790/222-1579 for reservations.
Mega Event Clues In In what promises to be a mega-event during Semana Santa (Holy Week), ClueModels has coordinated a series of events including a car exhibition, beach volleyball and a soccer tournament. From March 24 at 10 am to the afternoon of March 27, the calendar presents performances, rock concerts, bikini and wet T-shirt contests, gift giveaways, a hip-hop show and nightly fashion shows. Events take place at a variety of locations, such as the Agustín Flores Contreras Stadium, Nikki Beach, La Regadera, Carlos O’Brian’s, Roxy, Zoo Bar, Bebo Tero, Hard Rock Café and more. For further information and details, contact Grupo Clue Eventos at 293-6140.
Film Festival Dates Announced The second PV Film Festival of the Americas has been scheduled for November 7 - 12, 2005. Details will be forthcoming, but many previous patrons continue to be involved, as well as professionals such as programmer Michael Donnelly. In the first festival last November, many of the stars, directors and producers of “maverick” films visited Puerto Vallarta for the first time. Awards were given for best picture, actor, director and filmmaker, as well as a special recognition to Maná for their involvement in ecological concerns. For more information, check puertovallartafilm.com or call 222-3593 or 222-3674.
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