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Work Continues on Malecon Extension
As work continues on the extension of the downtown Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, several interesting proposals are on the table. Designed by architects Ricardo Agraz and Santiago Ibarraran, the concept includes three sails as a reflection of life on the sea, one at the foot of the pedestrian bridge, another just off Los Arcos Amphitheater and the third at the confluence of Guerrero and the ocean walk. The Naval Hospital on the corner, now vacant, will be torn down once the final papers are signed. Several international artists are in the process of negotiations for permission for installing works in bronze. Meanwhile, work continues on what will certainly be a major addition to the busy cultural focal point of the Malecon. 3/29/05

Restaurant Week Coming May 15 - 31
Dining in Puerto Vallarta has never been better with the tantalizing promise of the approaching Restaurant Week May 15 - 31. The brainchild of Producciones Viva's John Youden, this program opens dining possibilities in the best restaurants of Banderas Bay by creating special three-course menus with fixed prices of $149 and $249 pesos. Allowing three choices for each course, the 30-some participating restaurants offer unlimited potential for an unforgettable experience. Fine wines also come at discount prices, while entertainment is offered by many. Local publicity will begin in early April via Vallarta Opina, Radio Acir, Vallarta Lifestyles and Vallarta Viajes, reaching beyond Banderas Bay to include Guadalajara, Mexico City and the entire Bajio region, including Guanajuato, Queretaro, Aguascalientes and more. Expected to become an annual event, Restaurant Week counts on the support of CANIRAC (the restaurant association), the hotel and motel association and the many suppliers of wines and beverages. For further information and the complete list of patrons, see www.virtualvallarta.com/restaurantweek/index.html,available in both English and Spanish. 3/29/05

Local Transportation Rate Increase
Fares increased locally for bus riders as well as for certain taxi routes. Secretary General of the local CTM (the labor union) Rafael Yerena Zambrano says, "The proposed increase refers only to specific zones of tourism, not to the neighborhoods." Nevertheless, reports abound of rate hikes in other areas. Despite not having official sanction, the increase of 15 - 30% went into effect March 21, just in time to benefit from the heavy increase of traffic for Semana Santa. Bus riders now pay $4.50 pesos, an increase from the previous four pesos, authorized at the state level. Last month when the rate hike was first proposed, a temporary postponement was gained by shelving the increase for a study that finally determined it was necessary. 3/29/05

Semana Santa Figures High
With Semana Santa over, figures reflect an increase in visitors like never seen before. Upwards of 165,000 visitors spent an average of 4.5 days in the Banderas Bay area. Over 24,000 passengers took trips and tours on the water taxis, boats and day cruisers on the bay itself. Some 10,000 more vehicles than usual in Puerto Vallarta filled the city streets with traffic, particularly between the hours of 2 and 9 pm. Up to 700 tons of garbage was collected daily in downtown and outlying tourist areas. Despite the increase in containers for collecting trash, the streets still seem to be the favorite dumping ground. In fact, the entire Malecon received a high-pressure bath on Monday to cleanse it after the busy weekend. Information booths reported visits from over 1,000 people at the three locations downtown. The airlines reported brisk sales and heavy flights but did not reach the hoped for 100 per cent capacity. The usual 149 bus departures to surrounding areas of the country exceeded their projected passenger load, requiring an additional 15 buses to accommodate travelers. Despite one of the heaviest periods of tourism experienced in the area for some time, traffic casualties were low, only four and with minor injuries reported. On Sunday, the exodus of 14,000 vehicles returning to Guadalajara and other points north was counterbalanced by the arrival of less than 7,000. The tourism of Semana Pascua is traditionally lighter, but comfortably more acquisitive, report businesses. 3/29/05

Film Festival Coming April 8 - 14
At a recent press conference, Spanish actress Maribel Verdú (Y tu Mama tambien) was welcomed to Puerto Vallarta after attending the Guadalajara film festival, and the schedule for the upcoming Ninth International Film Festival of Puerto Vallarta was presented. This year's festival will held April 8 - 14 and will include some of the best recent Latin American and Ibero-American films. Five of the full-length features, all from Mexico, will compete for the Iguana de Oro. Countries involved this year include Argentina, Cuba and Spain, in addition to Mexico. A special homage will be paid to director Felipe Cazals Siena, known for early classics such as Emiliano Zapata (1970), and more recently Digna, hasta el último aliento (2003), based on the life of journalist Digna Ochoa, who was assassinated in 2001. This homage comes after numerous awards in many parts of the world for his 40 years of activism through cinema. Actress Carmen Salinas will also receive a special Iguana de Oro for her lifelong work. The films will be presented at Cinema Versalles, Cinema CUC, Cinema Bahía and Rio Cuale. For the complete list, see http://cinefest.pv.udg.mx, which also includes the list of shorts. 3/22/05

TV Azteca to Film "El Trip" in Vallarta
For a special television production called “El Trip,” TV Azteca plans to film a segment covering Puerto Vallarta this Thursday through Sunday, March 24 - 27. In various locations around the city, actress Pamela Trueba will touch on the attractions, customs and traditions of our beautiful region. Other activities will include extreme sports, ecotourism, fine dining, fashion and nightlife, emphasizing that Vallarta offers more than just sun and beaches. The special segment will air at the end of March. 3/22/05

Limited Banking Hours this Week
“Bankers’ hours” are better than ever for bankers this week. Just after the three-day weekend including Monday, March 21, the national holiday to honor Benito Juárez, this Thursday, March 24, begins the four-day weekend for Semana Santa. Be prepared for long lines at the banks, since all businesses will be doing their banking Tuesday and Wednesday, the only days banks are open this week. 3/22/05

Local Chef Returns with Award
Chef Héctor Zavala of Boca Bento recently brought home a silver medal from Quito, Ecuador, for taking second place in a major international competition. Entries came from Italy, France, Spain, USA and Canada, in addition to the finalists from Bolivia, Ecuador, Poland, Argentina, Mexico and Chile. Before being accepted, each chef was required to submit a recipe to the panel of judges. Out of the submissions, 10 were chosen for the final competition, which included not only a surprise basket but another in which only ingredients from the local market were included. Chef Zavala explained that to acquire some basic familiarity with them, he toured the local markets for unfamiliar ingredients, asking the vendors how they were used. And to further increase the level of difficulty, only minimal amounts of each ingredient were included, allowing for no misjudgment in quantity nor providing a clue as to the appropriate amount for each recipe. Chef Zavala trained with a number of important teachers, prime among them Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes, and previously competed and placed in the National Chef of Mexico competition in 2002. 3/22/05

New Cooking Classes Announced
Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes has announced that the next session of cooking classes will include chef Gerard Dupont. Titled “From the Hand of Two Masters,” the classes will be held April 12 - 15. The first series of cooking classes offered by Blouet was so well attended that they decided to offer it again, this time with the addition of Gerard Dupont, president of La Academia Culinaria de France and a frequent visitor to Puerto Vallarta and associate in the annual Gourmet Festival. From 10 am to noon, students will observe the process, then participate in a practice session from 12:15 to 2 pm. Finally, participants taste the final product in a complete three-course lunch with the pairing of fine wines from 2:15 to 4:15 pm. The cost per person is $7,000 pesos. Call (322) 222-3228 for reservations and information. 3/22/05

Local Resorts Awarded RCI Golden Crown
Local resorts that have received the prestigious Golden Crown award include three Mayan Palace properties, the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort, Velas Vallarta, Grand Velas NV, Sol Melía, Melía PV, Allegro, Los Tules and Lindo Mar. During the spring of each year, RCI (Resort Condominiums International) presents its Golden Crown awards to members based on customer service evaluations of quality and service during the previous year. Established in 1974 as the pioneer in exchange vacations, RCI represents over three million members worldwide in its international network of 3,700 affiliated resorts. This top annual award program includes many of our 41 members in Banderas Bay. 3/22/05

Xiutla Ballet Prepares Season's Final Performance
The Xiutla Ballet, our local folkloric dance troupe, will present their last performance of the season Sunday, March 27, at 7:30 pm at Los Arcos Amphitheater. Even those who have witnessed their thrilling performances throughout the season won’t want to miss this one. From here, they will head out on tour to other areas of Mexico, while working toward their first European tour. Led and trained by Professor Carlos Enrique Barrios Limón, the youngsters are from local Vallartan families, who work hard to support them as they experience the closest thing to a professional life on the road. Still of school age, the dancers receive some financial assistance through the cultural department of the city. Nevertheless, without international patrons, their tours would not have been possible. To date, they have performed in 13 states in Mexico, Vancouver, Santa Barbara, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. 3/22/05

Hidalgo Park Makes Front Page
The news about Hidalgo Park is news only to those who haven’t passed through the suddenly changing face of downtown Puerto Vallarta. In the wee hours of the morning on March 10, security troops protected the park area to allow the installation of a special cyclone fence, and by dawn the stands were gone, the trees cut down and much of the debris already removed. The decisive move by the mayor raised considerable consternation in some circles, but generally the public of Puerto Vallarta stood up to applaud the action. Meetings continue to promote alternatives for the remaining targeted parks, but Hidalgo Park no longer exists as it was, allowing the face of the Iglesia del Refugio to be seen once again from Avenida Mexico. Projected completion date for the $45 million peso project is August 31. 3/15/05

Safety During Semana Santa
As Puerto Vallarta prepares for this year’s earlier-than-usual Semana Santa, hotels announce being completely booked. Information booths will be set up at three locations to handle the influx of visitors. Security forces plan their coordination to maintain safety standards, and water taxis will be under scrutiny to verify that passengers wear life jackets. This week, the annual program Limpieza en Playas, or cleanliness of beaches, continues with the participation of 600 secondary and high school students. Classes are offered for younger children by the city for the families of employees who frequently work extra hours during this busy period. Special music performances organized by the cultural department and Telehit on the nearby Holiday Inn beach just outside downtown called Santo Des…mind attracted thousands of youngsters last year and is expected to be even hotter this year. Security will be heavy, with a controlled entrance, but the event, scheduled for April 1 and 2, is free to the public. Be careful and be safe. 3/15/05

Calendar of Cultural Events Full this Week
Cultural events this week include three nights of the music of Edith Piaf at The Palm Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, Zitakua-Malagua at the Isla Cuale Cultural Center and Le Perrada at Le Petit on Thursday, a medieval dinner concert at the library on Friday, an open house at Punta Esmeralda that same day, the premier concert of the new chamber orchestra on Saturday, a Pro-Danza performance at Los Arcos and the inauguration of the work of artists James Knowles and Israel Zzepda at Gallería Dante that same night, and the annual spring solstice gathering at Jorge Rubio’s Terra Noble on March 21. That leads us right into Semana Santa, if you can catch your breath. 3/15/05

Maria Conchita Alonso Launches CD in Vallarta
International singer/filmstar Maria Conchita Alonso arrived in Puerto Vallarta this past week to promote her new album, “Soy Maria Conchita Alonso” with a private cocktail party at Thierry Blouet’s Bar Costantini and a special launching party at Christine. The very accessible star sang three songs accompanied by music and the fourth a capella, to the delight of her fans, both old and new. “Vallarta has always been very special to me, and I wanted to give this gift to the people of Vallarta for their kindness.” After this exclusive inauguration of the CD, Alonso traveled to Mexico City, where she plans to continue her promotional tour, also announcing a special concert for November 10 in Puerto Vallarta as part of the second PV Film Festival of the Americas. 3/15/05

Catch the Whales Before Season's End
For an experience you won’t soon forget, take a whale-watching tour before the season ends March 30. I go every year, and the experience is always new and different. These amazing mammals, the Humpback Whales, winter here every year to bear their young and to mate for the following year. By now, this seasons calves are born, generally weighing in at about a ton at birth, then drinking about 75 pounds of their mother’s milk each day to gain weight for their journey north. It was previously thought that the Mexican Humpback (they have a Mexican passport since they are born in Mexican waters) migrate as far as Alaska each summer, but current studies indicate that the whales from this area summer along the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Acknowledgments to the completely certified Cielo Abierto for this year’s trip in the very whale-friendly zodiac “Prince of Whales.” 3/15/05

First Performance of Vallarta Orchestra Announced
Cultural offerings increase dramatically with Kathleen Hennen’s announcement of the first public performance of the new Vallarta Orchestra. The 21-piece orchestra will play two sets, the first with Bach’s Brandenburg #4 and the St. Paul Suite, both directed by Mary MacLachlan, followed by Ravel’s Bolero, directed by Hennen. “I wanted to give Puerto Vallarta something it’s never had,” says Hennen, who co-founded the orchestra with local musician d’Rachel, also a member. All but four are residents. Instruments include the violin, viola, cello, recorder, flute, string bass, clarinet, alto sax, oboe, bassoon, tenor sax and percussion. Scheduled for March 19 at 8 pm at CECATUR downtown, tickets cost $200 pesos for adults, $100 for children, in advance through Santa Barbara, The Property Shop, La Bohemia and others. Call (322) 221-5157 for further information. 3/8/05

Vallartans Ready to "Put on the Dog"
The residents of Vallarta will be “putting on the dog” at the First Annual Perrotón, or dog show, March 11 - 12. Everyone’s welcome, whether or not you enter a dog. Organized to present household pets in a new light, categories include dogs that most resemble their “masters,” the best behaved, the most graceful and the ugliest, among others. In addition to exhibitions of obedience, agility and maneuvers, talks will be given on care and grooming of your pet. Funds go toward the Campaña de Esterilización Masiva de Mascotas (pet sterilization campaign) as an effective way to eliminate pets in the streets. The charge is $50 pesos for each dog entered, payable at your local veterinarian. Organized by the Patronato de Control de Mascotas y Fauna Silvestre A.C., contact Silvia Álvarez at 044 (322) 227-5519 for further information. 3/8/05

Archaeologist Mountjoy Reflects on Local Finds
After the conference “The Archaeological Zone of Ixtapa,” archaeologist Joseph Mountjoy urged the city mayor to recognize the potential of this entire archaeological region. The specialist has studied this area since 1984, examining a total of 106 sites. “As a foreigner,” Mountjoy says, despite his being a nationalized citizen of Mexico, “it’s not my place to make decisions on how to proceed, but that of the Mexican community. I’ve moved on from the (Ixtapa) area to Mascota, where I continue my investigations.” In response to the decision of CUCosta (Centro Universitario de la Costa) to found a museum to house the archaeological finds, Mountjoy promised his personal assistance in the organization of the pieces, previously displayed in the Cuale River museum. 3/8/05

Clínic Specializes in Physical Therapy
At Clínica Valería Lizaola, a new clinic offering specialized physical therapy, Dr. Valeria Lizaola provides the specific care you might need following a stroke, a sports injury or even plastic surgery. With short- and long-term therapy, Dr. Lizaola expresses the difference between a massage for relaxation and one for recovery. “It’s necessary to not only know the muscles and nerves, but to recognize how the body reacts to injury, change or damage.” After 10 years of practice as a medical doctor in Guadalajara, she graduated last year as a specialist in rehabilitation before opening the Clínica Valería Lizaola. English is spoken, allowing a focus on the foreign community. Located at Francisco Villa 764, just in front of Cinema Versalles, call 044 (322) 116-7241 for further information. 3/8/05

Banderas Bay Regatta Around the Corner
The Banderas Bay Regatta, an exciting annual marine event in the bay area, is right around the corner. The event was originally managed by the Vallarta Yacht Club, but recently the Paradise Village Yacht Club has taken over. The yachts and sailboats compete for trophies in seven categories, but the prime objective is to have fun. The public is invited to view the passage of the boats, about 50 in all, at the waterfront estuary, where each boat will be introduced along with its crew. On the final night, March 15, 7 - 10 pm, the gala dinner tops it all off with a sit-down dress-up event. The Banderas Bay Regatta will take place March 12 - 15. Check our events calendar, call the yacht club at 297-2222 or view www.banderasbayregatta.com for further information. 3/1/05

US Airways Wants to Establish Route to Vallarta
In recent weeks, the US-based airline US Airways has expressed an interest in establishing a route to Puerto Vallarta from the southeast coast of the USA. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the proposed route would depart from there with a stop en route in Fort Lauderdale, further increasing the proximity of the nearby Miami market, the third-largest Spanish-speaking population in that country. As talks continue, the proposal would establish service late this year for the coming season. US Airways is the largest US carrier to the Caribbean, with connections along the entire Eastern Seaboard. 3/1/05

International Women’s Day Events Announced
The local DIF (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia or integrated family development) calls upon local leaders in a series of events celebrating Internaional Women’s Day to include conferences and workshops. The inauguration of the March 5 - 8 event is at the cultural center on Isla Rio Cuale Saturday at 10:40 am with roundtable discussions to follow. Workshops include the sensitization of women toward the press, life without violence, legal and medical issues and single motherhood. Sunday through Tuesday, the events will be at the Sheraton Buganvilias. All events and workshops are free. Local sponsors include Los Xitomates, Sheraton Buganvilias, Sarah Bustani and Café des Artistes, among others. Call Doris Morales Ventura at 044 (322) 888-1258 for further information. 3/1/05

Port Announces Arrival of Four Ships
As the cruise season continues, the need to expand the maritime terminal facilities is evident with the historic first-time arrival of four large cruise ships on one day, two moored at the piers and the other two anchored out in the bay. As statistics have shown, the ease of disembarking while at the pier encourages nearly a 30% difference in the number of passengers who take the time to go into town or take a tour, spending an average of $60 USD per person. Under the current expansion plan, the federal port authority organization, or API, will begin the project in May to accommodate up to three of the industry’s largest ocean-going vessels with a third pier and a new cruise ship facility to handle more passengers at a total cost of about $120 million pesos. Puerto Vallarta’s port is unique in that it’s the only one in Mexico that is exclusively a tourist destination. As one of the most popular destinations in the country, the expanded port will more appropriately accommodate the expectations of the traveling public. Of additional interest is the renewal of API's ISO 14001 quality control certification.

Committee Formed to Save Beaches
A combined group of businesspeople and tourism officials met recently with Horacio González Pardo, Jalisco's secretary of tourism, to form the official committee to prevent further beach erosion in Banderas Bay. Formed by members of the three branches of government, national, state and municipal, the committee will be spearheaded by active members of the business community to properly study, repair and maintain the 22.5 kilometers of beaches, including more of the actual 60-some kilometers shared by the neighboring states of Nayarit and Jalisco. Erosion ocurrs naturally due to the constant wave action, shifting direction of the waves and a gradually rising sea level. One preventive measure includes better protection of the natural beaches by construction of dikes or jetties or other structures on the sea floor itself, used previously in Cancun, but then removed in more recent studies. A cost of over $5 million pesos is projected to begin the studies. 3/1/05

Update on Parking Structures Downtown
The model for the new parking structure proposal has been presented to City Hall and is on display at Hidalgo Park during the week. Stop by to check it out and get a clearer picture of the much-disputed project. Since the controversial endeavor continues to face opposition from the growing ecological movement led, among others, by Ron Walker of Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta, Municipal President Gustavo González Villaseñor has agreed to meet with the public for a discussion on Tuesday, March 1, at 8 pm in the park. 3/1/05

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