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| Local Intro Events Movie Guide News Archives > | |||
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Bridge
Crosses Cuale In
a surprise announcement, architect Arturo Cervantes García recently stated
that the bridge over the Rio Cuale is 80 per cent complete. This sometimes-controversial
pedestrian bridge will connect the current 900-meter long Malecón with
the “Romantic Zone” in Emiliano Zapata. An access ramp is being built
as well to the beautiful Isla Rio Cuale, center of restaurants, an international
market, the historical museum and the art center sponsored by the cultural department
of the city. Designed to withstand the current of the river, high tides and even
earthquakes, the bridge will be inaugurated sometime in May. Measuring 120 meters
in length without the access ramps, total cost of the construction is between
seven to seven and a half million pesos. It will be finished with the same stamped
concrete used to surface the Malecón. The plan is to create a park-like
atmosphere at the downtown end of the crossing once the bridge is complete. |
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Tourism
Makes Good News Even
as the traditional high season of tourism winds down, good news still comes to
Puerto Vallarta. Just this week, an announcement was made that the national conference
on tourism in Mexico will be held in Vallarta May 14-16. Due to attend this important
meeting are the secretaries of tourism from all states in Mexico, directors of
Fonatur and the national tourism promotion board as well as national Secretary
of Tourism Leticia Navarro Ochoa. Local Tourism Director Salvador Peña
Chávez, pictured here, expressed his interest in a forum wherein all tourism
directors can better assist each other. “Cooperation is very important as
each destination has its characteristics and market, some very different from
the others.” When asked what continues to make Puerto Vallarta an attractive
destination for tourists from the US and Canada, he stressed three things: “friendliness,
cleanliness and safety.” |
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Customs
Beefs up Boat Inspections As
part of the program of regularization of marine traffic, the customs department
under the direction of Miguel Colorado Luque has announced inspections in Jalisco
and neighboring Nayarít. Inspections are proceeding smoothly at all ports
along the coast, such as Puerto Vallarta, Barra de Navidad, Nuevo Vallarta, Cruz
de Huanacaxtle and as far north as San Blas. Several irregularities have already
been discovered and boat owners are strongly advised to verify and complete any
pending transactions. In addition to papers establishing ownership, any merchandise
on board will be subjected to search procedures. According to article 3 of the
customs code, municipal, state or federal authorities can be called upon to help
enforce customs searches. The customs office is located at the international airport,
where its staff is available to address any problems or questions. |
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Amigos de Cruz
Roja Collects Funds
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Week
of Abril 18, 2003
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La
Petite France Schedules Cultural Evening A
magnificent exhibition called the “Miniature Art of Dania…A Brazilian
Evening in Puerto Vallarta” is scheduled on Thursday, April 24. In a beautiful
creation of showcases with miniatures representing settings of everyday life,
artist Dania Acevedo tells the story of each. A dinner dance in a Brazilian theme
honors the artist’s nationality. Proceeds from the $390 pesos contribution
will be donated to the Vallarta-Santa Barbara Rehabilitation Clinic. Fee covers
the exhibition, a Brazilian drink, the show and dance. Call La Petite France at
293-0900 for reservations and information. Located at Fco. Medina Ascencio km
2.5 at the entrance to the Fiesta Americana Hotel. |
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New
Ultrasound 4D Diagnostic Unveiled Good
news for pregnant women is the unveiling of the newly developed ultrasound called
4th Dimension GE Voluson 730 by the medical group DIV, Diagnostico Integral Vallarta.
This advanced system provides images of the highest quality, different from the
previous technology in that the “four dimension” image displays the
baby in “real” time. An open invitation to the public is offered by
the company to give further explanations of the advantages. The machine provides
images not only of the unborn baby but also in detail of the organs, circulatory
and respiratory systems of the body, a preventive measure offering more than just
a souvenir of the upcoming birth. The GE Digital Lunar Prodigy Densitometry assists
in the diagnosis and detection of osteoporosis, a condition most common among
post-menopausal women. Call DIV at 224-8622 or 225-8553 for appointments or further
information. |
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Transportation
to be Regulated In
a meeting with interim Mayor Ignacio Guzmán García, the transportation
union was asked to form an agreement in reference to transportation from outside
the municipality into Puerto Vallarta. The central bus station beyond the international
airport will serve as a transfer point for passengers arriving from points north
and south of the city. In order to avoid paying double fares, the mayor requested
that an arrangement be made to allow for transfers. This project, as simple as
it may seem, is expected to be completed within this year. It has long been a
sore spot among local residents and tourists who expect a transportation system
that is not only easier to use but to understand as well. Watch for further developments. |
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Puerto
Vallarta Film Commission Publishes Directory Robert
Roessel, Vice President of the Puerto Vallarta Film Commission announced the return
of delegate Pres. Adalberto Hernández Ponce to the Santa Monica Film Conference
to promote the city and region as a destination for filmmakers. In preparation
for the conference, the Film Commission published the directory to attract producers
and directors to the area. Our local film commission is the only one operated
within a municipality in Mexico, which brings it to the local level rather than
depending upon the state or national tourism and film commission offices. The
directory, titled the Film Production Guide, lists local names and contacts for
handling productions, such as photographers, transportation companies, casting
directors and other pertinent information. Questions can be sent to comufilmpv@hotmail.com
or call 222-3593 for further information. |
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Week
of Abril 11, 2003
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Manuel
Lepe Remembered A
celebration for the birthday of the late Vallartan artist Manuel Lepe was held
April 10 in downtown Puerto Vallarta. Opening with a ceremony to honor the winners
of the amazingly successful “Puerto Vallarta Seen Through the Eyes of the
Child” contest, Director of Culture Maria Jose Zorrilla introduced judges
Ireri Topete, a teacher at the CCC workshops, Marcella Lepe, daughter of the late
artist and curator of the Manuel Lepe Museum, and Laura Quiroz, wife of Lepe,
founder of the museum and local photographer and columnist. With 312 entries from
10 local grade schools, this is the biggest response in history, continuing a
tradition begun in earlier years to celebrate the birth of Manuel Lepe, whose
birthday was actually April 17, 1946. Lepe rose to international fame for his
naïf style, with collectors from England to France to the USA. Most entries
in the contest featured some of the popular motifs of Vallarta, such as Los Arcos,
the Dolphins, the Seahorse and the Church of Guadalupe. The winner was Katia Jiménez
Galván, pictured here. Her painting is the cover photograph today. |
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Café
des Artistes Hosts Aeromexico and Monte Xanic This
trio poses, rather than a triple threat, a triple promise to passengers flying
Premier Class with Aeromexico. The airline offers a menu designed by local world-renowned
chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes. In his third year in this special
relationship, Blouet says, “This menu is by far the best we’ve done
yet for the airline. It takes a special talent to prepare a meal that is prepared
on the ground, frozen, thawed in the air, cooked or heated, sauces and flavoring
added, that really comes out tasting like a gourmet meal. I think this time we
really got it!” Now in partnership with the Mexican vineyard Monte Xanic,
he adds, “It’s the best wine with the best food on the best airline
in Mexico.” Aeromexico plans to serve the special gourmet meals on international
flights to Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Santiago de Chile, Sao Paolo, Paris
and Madrid. Guests for the event included local and international press who stayed
to enjoy samples from the new menu. |
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The
Streets Are Not an Open Bar In
a new campaign against walking around with open drinks on the streets and the
Malecón, posters sprouted up all over downtown. In Spanish, they say, “La
vía pública no es barra libre,” which means, “The public
area is not an open bar.” The signs are particularly targeting national tourism,
which arrives here for the busy Semana Santa week, but does not exclude international
tourists. The white-uniformed tourist police will be on the lookout for those
ignoring or abusing authority. Do not take this warning lightly. |
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Semana
Santa Arrives In
what promises to be the busiest time of the year for Puerto Vallarta, Semana Santa
arrives with carloads and buses of tourists from all around Mexico. In this Catholic
country, many people are off school and work for this vacation period. As heat
rises in the interior, the cooler coast is the most frequent destination, with
Puerto Vallarta continuing as the third most popular escape after Cancun and Acapulco.
All along the coast, 13 posts are set up for medical attention and emergency assistance,
most operated by the Red Cross, fire department and various hospitals and critical
care services. The recent blood drive hosted by the International Friendship Club
and Ambulancia Global of Hospital San Javier was in preparation for handling emergencies
during this crucial period. For local residents, the tip for handling the influx
of crowds is to maintain a low profile and stick to your neighborhoods. As traffic
is most heavily affected, keep your vehicle parked. Walk, but cross the street
carefully. |
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Week
of Abril 04, 2003
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Festival
of Chiles Celebrated Offering
the public a celebration under the guise of a festival of chiles, popular La Fonda
Vallarta promises another taste treat. In this instance, owner Luís Antonio
Trujillo Paz combines Lent in the Festival de los Chiles y La Cuaresma, with a
cocktail presentation at 7 pm Monday, April 7. Cuaresma, or Lent, is a period
in which seafood and vegetables typically were combined in tasty combinations.
Some of the specialties that will be prepared are caldo de camarón, or
a spicy shrimp bisque with vegetables; pescado a la Veracruzana, or fish, which
can be the famous red snapper, huachinango, or another white fish, prepared in
the style of Veracruz with tomatoes and onions; and the popular chiles rellenos,
or stuffed chiles, prepared with meat, seafood or more simply, just cheese. Time
is taken to explain the harvest, culture and preparation of various chiles used
throughout Mexico. Call 222-3984 for questions and reservations. La Fonda Vallarta
is located on the Libramiento between the two tunnels with a great view of the
city and the sea beyond. |
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Festival
of Films Finishes The
weeklong film festival including Mexican, Ibero-American and American films culminated
Thursday night with the presentation of the classic “The Night of the Iguana”
by director John Huston. Attended by hundreds, the screening of this film was
recognition of a legacy that precedes the current era of TV docudramas and telenovelas.
During the festival, many of the directors and stars of the movies visited Puerto
Vallarta. Several locals were feted, including cinematographer Celiana Cárdenas,
director of photography of the award-winning “Recuerdos,” directed by
Marcela Arteaga. Another local meriting attention and recognition is producer
Robert Kirstner of the incredible “Seis Dias en la Obscuridad” by director
Gabriel Soriano. Kudos to the committee, headed by Jesús Sánchez
Vargas of L’opera. With five venues for the palette of films and shorts,
there were a variety of events, with something for everyone. With this festival,
the city of Puerto Vallarta proved that the public is hungering for films of quality.
The next major film event is the Vallarta Film Festival in November. |
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Festival
of Surfing Arrives A
popular event coming up in neighboring Sayulita is the Festival Galaxia Surfing,
a regional surfing invitational offering music, food and surf. Scheduled for April
11 - 14, this event offers cash prizes. A total of more than $20,000 pesos is
split between longboard, shortboard and an open boogie board, with men’s
and women’s categories in each. Planned as an annual event, the success of
the international championship in December gave the impetus to include music,
kite flying, fitness and bikini competitions, as well. For further information,
call Leslie Frausto at 044-322-278-5839. Tickets are available locally at L’opera
at Encino 287 in El Centro and the “Vallarta Opina Milenio” offices
at Mérida 118 in Versalles. A circuit ticket including three music events
costs $250 pesos in advance and $300 pesos at the event. |
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Festival
of Art and Music Entertains Providing
a boat for arriving Vallarta visitors, Yelapa began a monthly tradition of art
and musical events this past Monday, March 31. Organized by John O. Thomson and
the Hotel Lagunita, the exhibition presents the recent work of artist Larry Lewis.
Owner of the Art Asylum with partner Muffy, his sensitive watercolors have opened
the door to a new world of aboriginal proportions. The Ron & d’Rachael
Trio provided live music. The courtesy boat departed Boca de Tomatlán at
6 pm and returned at 11 pm, and is expected to continue as a service to Vallartenses
as part of this monthly event. Dinner was served at reasonable prices at the Hotel
Lagunita by chef Henri Bernard Buffet, providing a French twist on Mexican specialties,
such as Mahi-Mahi with mango sauce and baked potatoes with cilantro butter and
Chinese onions. Call 209-5056 for further information. The exhibition continues
to April 30. |
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© Producciones ViVa |
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A
newly formed group called Amigos de Cruz Roja, or friends of the Red Cross, headed
by Marthel Scarella, began raising funds for an ambitious two-part project. The
first involves remodeling and expansion of the original Red Cross building off
the Libramiento in Lopez Mateos. The second is the development of a north satellite
to the organization, due to the fact that almost 75% of the calls come from the
northern end of the municipality. In a series of fund-raising events, tickets
are being sold throughout the city to begin this important task. The first two
events were quite successful, one at the Lions’ Club, the second at Christine.
The upcoming third event will commemorate the national day of the child and will
be celebrated on April 27 at Outback Steakhouse in conjunction with Exxa Radio.
Called the Primer Gran Feria Infantil, or first great children’s fair, the
event is free under the additional patronage of local sponsors. It will consist
of dances, comedy, theater, and a fragment of the musical “The Beauty and
the Beast.” A second children’s event takes place at Collage with a
children’s foam party, at a cost of $100 pesos per child and $200 pesos per
adult. Tickets will be sold at Outback Steakhouse on the day of the feria. Call
Marthel at 222-4973 for more information.
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