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| Celebrity
Sports Invitational Will Feature Athletes, Stars From “Saturday Night Live’s” Cheri Oteri to “X-Men 2’s” Alan Cumming, from “The West Wing’s” Richard Schiff to “Star Trek’s” William Shatner, the extensive guest list to this year’s Celebrity Sports Invitational will add a unique level of entertainment around Vallarta this weekend. The star-studded event includes golf, tennis and watercraft races, as well as a scavenger hunt in which celebrity teams armed with a list of clues will search all over Vallarta for ingredients to make the perfect margarita. A one-hour television special will be produced and distributed to over 200 television stations in the USA. |
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| Isla
Río Cuale Museum Reopened The Isla Río Cuale Museum reopened its doors this week after undergoing an extensive eight-month structural renovation. Under the supervision of the National Anthropology Institute, the building’s roof was redone, along with better lighting and shelving in the exhibition hall. A temporary exhibition was presented, which will be replaced by a permanent one consisting of archeological pieces from the region after restoration. |
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| Glass
Recycling Comes to Vallarta City officials, in partnership with Vitro, a glass manufacturing company, will implement a pilot glass recycling program in Vallarta. Glass, which represents six percent of all trash handled on a daily basis by Vallarta’s collection and recycling agencies, will be collected at schools, bars, restaurants and liquor stores around town. Additionally, schools will be offered educational materials to further teach students about the importance of proper trash collection and handling, while businesses that collect glass will be rewarded with a reduction of their tax-collection taxes. |
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| Iguana
Shopping Mall to Undergo Renovation Marina Vallarta residents and investors alike can look forward to new shopping and entertainment options, as the Iguana Mall finally will be remodeled. Located on Paseo de la Marina across from the Marriot CasaMagna hotel, the now-defunct building was recently purchased by the Bañuelos family from Guadalajara, which also owns Tequilas Cazadores. Once reopened, the building will include high-end boutiques and movie theaters, as well as a tequila museum, where practically all brands will be included. Construction will begin within the next two months. |
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Week
of May 24, 2003
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| Vallarta’s
Maritime Terminal to Expand its Capacity Renovations and expansion of the main dock at Vallarta’s maritime terminal will begin this week in order to accommodate larger vessels and increase cruise traffic. One of the largest cruise ships in the world, the Diamond Princess, will arrive for the first time in October and will complete 13 trips by year’s end. Operated by Princess Cruises, the vessel is 952 ft. long, 148 ft. wide, 30 ft. tall, and has capacity for 3,000 passengers plus 200 crew members. It will replace the Star Princess, the largest cruise ship to arrive in Vallarta in the last few years. In related news, Carnival announced that the Elation, which has faithfully docked in Vallarta every Wednesday for the past five years, will be relocated to the Caribbean. It will be replaced in September by a larger ship, the Carnival Pride. This will be the fourth Carnival ship to dock in Vallarta in the last two decades. |
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| International
Sports Classic Returns to Vallarta The Manzana Aga International Sports Classic returns to Vallarta this weekend for its tenth year in a row. The event allows Vallarta athletes to participate in competitions and exhibition games along with established athletes from the USA, Canada and Mexico. Originally a basketball- and soccer-only event, the brainchild of former Olympic basketball champion Howard Kelsey has evolved through the years and now includes five additional disciplines: tennis, beach volleyball, aerobics, spinning and a 5-km. road race. Beach volleyball, by far the most popular event, will take place Saturday and Sunday at Flamingos Beach, behind Mega Comercial. For more information, please contact Claudia Velásquez at 223-5334. |
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| US
TV Networks Film Promotional Shows in Vallarta Representatives of E! Entertainment Television and USA Network arrived this week to begin production of documentaries showcasing Puerto Vallarta. Both networks plan to film during the month of June and begin broadcasting in late August. E! has featured short segments on Vallarta in the past as part of their highly successful “Wild On” show. This will be the first time that an entire episode focuses on Vallarta. Additionally, USA Network is planning to film episodes for two of its TV series this summer. The networks will seek partnership with Vallarta’s hotel and restaurant industry to ensure that their end products are as thorough and all encompassing as possible. |
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| Rio
Cuale Bridge to be Completed in June The footbridge extending the Malecón toward Vallarta’s South Side is 95% complete, according to project manager Arturo Cervantes García. The bridge, which will be completed in June, will forever change Vallarta’s waterfront landscape. The project has been plagued with controversy and discontent from the onset, with Isla Río Cuale merchants fearing decreased foot traffic. Nevertheless, Cervantes García mentioned that those who expressed most concern may turn out to be the ones who benefit the most – the bridge has a ramp that will connect it directly to the island. |
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Week
of May 17, 2003
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Cultural
Festival Kicks Off On
Thursday, May 15, the cultural festival, such an integral part of the original
Fiestas de Mayo, kicked off with a grand performance by the National Dance Company
of Mexico City. At Los Arcos under the full moon, an eclipse over Vallarta and
fireworks from the Marigalante created a magical beginning to the festival, which
will run through May 31. Music reaches across the ages with offerings from mariachi
to classical to marimba to modern flamenco to jazz to trova to romantic to rock.
Theater, with a number of local groups, provides comedy, mime, drama and literature.
For children, there will be puppet theater and magic shows, as well as children’s
theater. In the visual arts, an installation by local artist Ireri Topete is featured
at the Biblioteca de los Mangos. Two Cds also are being launched, “En Puerto
Vallarta Una Mano Amiga” by Paco Toscano and “De Vuelta” by Mario
Blanco. |
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Museo
Cuale Scheduled for Reopening The
department of culture’s María José Zorrilla Alcalá announced
plans to reopen the museum on Isla Rio Cuale on May 29 as part of the 15th cultural
festival. The museum, which housed a permanent collection of historical artifacts,
was damaged by the passing of Hurricane Kenna last October. The collection has
been temporarily housed in the regional museum in Guadalajara for restoration.
To inaugurate the museum, a temporary exhibit will be brought in and set up. Zorrilla
Alcalá says, “A museum is an important aspect of the cultural heritage
of any region.” She cites statistics indicating that visitors to a region
invariably include a museum on their tour. The museum, located on the island with
new access provided by the bridge crossing the river, will be completed with its
permanent exhibition sometime this summer. In its new form, the exhibits will
provide the public a better view of the local archeological artifacts. In the
future, the museum will house finds from what is believed to be an oven for firing
ceramics that are just beginning to be dug in Colonia El Mangal. |
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National
Tourist Level Meets in Vallarta Coinciding
with the beginning of the cultural festival, the national tourist conference takes
place in Puerto Vallarta this week. Attended by all 32 secretaries of tourism
around the country, the meetings are expected to focus on the increased importance
of national tourism. National Secretary of Tourism Leticia Navarro Ochoa will
be a key figure in the talks. The major discussions will involve an interchange
of opinions to define strategies for marketing. On a national level, programs
and promotions will be released to the groups to take back to their respective
states. This, the first such meeting to be held in Vallarta, is expected to boost
tourism locally even as the secretaries of tourism learn to coordinate programs
and cooperate together. The conference also will be attended by the secretary
of health and water to discuss the cleanliness of the public beaches. |
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Isla
Cuale Classes Up and Running Beginning
this week, classes are underway as part of the cultural program of the department
of culture on Isla Rio Cuale. New this season is a computer with program and printer
for combining with printmaking. Artist and teacher Sergio Martínez, here
with artist Fernando Sánchez, points out the low cost of classes, at only
$200 pesos per month. It includes the use of all facilities but materials for
personal projects are extra. The panoply of classes is broad, featuring graphic
arts, etching, relief, linotypes, lithography, stonework and digital graphics,
just to begin. The new black and white print darkroom will be completed soon for
photography buffs. In the other classrooms, classes are also available in modeling
in terracotta, painting, dance, theater and music. Prices vary from $50 to $200
pesos per month. Call City Hall at 223-2500 for further information and schedules
or stop by the classrooms on the eastern end of Isla Rio Cuale. |
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Vallarta
Now Number One Cruise Destination in Mexico After
an exhilarating trip to Acapulco for the Sea Trade, north coast Regional Director
of Tourism Ludwig Estrada Virgen announced that Puerto Vallarta is now the number
one cruise destination in the country. This doesn’t reflect actual numbers
as much as the desire for cruise companies to add the destination to their itinerary
because of passenger requests. Director of the local port authority, API, Francisco Martínez Narváez says it will be necessary to increase from two berths to three or even six. Currently, plans are underway to improve security and information monitors and to install a new sound system, in addition to completing signage to assist with passenger flow. Talks also are underway to make Puerto Vallarta a “home port” with trips originating and terminating here, prompting overnight stays in the city. The increased revenue would justify the investment, according to the report. So far this season, the average amount spent per passenger is $58.75 USD, and each ship averages 2,500 passengers. |
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Vallarta
Dance Troupe Draws National Attention The
local Polynesian dance troupe, “Kakakaua,” won first prize at the “Ori
Tahiti” festival recently in Mexico City. The Colonia Versalles-based group,
led by Mónica Ayala, was formed nine years ago after her move to Puerto
Vallarta from Mexico City. As a child, Ayala became fascinated with the dance
from watching her aunt and began dancing herself at 12 years old. The troupe has three age levels: adult, youth and children. At the festival, held every two years, they won six first-place ribbons in a program that included 100 teachers from around the country. Says Ayala, “It’s very challenging with such a large group of youngsters, but we came back ecstatic. So far, we haven’t had the opportunity to dance locally, but expect that the department of culture will help us organize our first public performance this year. Up to now, we are in talks with CUCosta (Centro Universitario de la Costa) for a program in October.” The studio is located in Plaza Viena, and Ayala can be reached at 224-4508 for further information. |
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Bilingual
Play to be Featured in Festival Local
playwright and actress Tencha Ávila will direct her own play during the
upcoming Cultural Festival of May. A family variety show, “Mi Vida con Maria”,
or “My Life with Mary,” is the first bilingual stage offering in Puerto
Vallarta. Ávila, born in the USA of Mexican ancestry, says, “I’ve
always been interested in combining my two cultures. In this play, it deals with
family dynamics.” The play combines acting, singing and dancing, and features local thespians Soledad García, Verónica Muñiz and Wally Lobato of “Águila y Sol,” among others. Ávila, a graduate in theater from the University of Ohio, has been seen locally the past two seasons in “Vagina Monologues,” as well as other plays she directed. The two performances will be held at noon and 8 pm, Sunday, May 18, at the Centro Cultural Cuale theater on Isla Rio Cuale. All performances are free to the public. |
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Vallarta
Properties Awarded Coveted “H” Puerto
Vallarta recently received national recognition for its standards of cleanliness,
sanitation and service. This is the sixth consecutive year that the city has received
the award. Featured hotels were the Marriott CasaMagna, Velas Vallarta Grand Suites
Resort, Canto del Sol Hotel and La Jolla de Mismaloya Resort.On hand, besides the mayor and other dignitaries, were Alberto Pérez, head of the local branch of Canirac, and Doña Crispina Aguirre Cuevas, owner of Microlabs. Says Aguirre Cuevas, “I teach the service industry workers about sanitary conditions. They go home and teach their families. They learn that if things are sanitary, diseases have less of a chance of occurring. And if diseases don’t occur, they miss fewer days of work and spend less on doctors and health care. It hits them in their pocket.” In this respect, Puerto Vallarta stands out nationally for the behind-the-scenes work of such a crucial aspect of the tourism industry. |
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Week
of May 03, 2003
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Last
Art Walk Benefits Children In
a move to benefit children, the group Por Nuestros Niños, or “for
our children,” offered a special promotion to coincide with the final Art
Walk, the seasonal bi-monthly gallery-sponsored art event. A number of participating
local artists offered a percentage of sales towards the organization, which is
in process of setting up and furnishing its new office. The announcement was made
at Estudio Caracol of Ireri Topete, one of the participating artists. Others involved
included Marta Gilbert, Fernando Sánchez, Sergio Martínez, Claudia
Plata, Lizzette Aguilar, Hania Leñero, Gaby Saenz, Barbara Mandel, Lola
Deziel, Irma Dichirico, Elda Fernández and the group Niños Artistas.
Three of the leaders of the group, headed by Laura Aguilar, will be sent to Costa
Rica to attend the Congreso Internacional. Pictured here are Erik Saracho, public
relations; artist Lizzette Aguilar; and Laura Aguilar, president. Call Por
Nuestros Niños at 225-0657 for further information. |
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Vallarta
Promoted Salvador
Villaseñor, manager of public relations for OCV, Oficinas de Convenciones
y Visitantes, announced the invitation of foreign press to Puerto Vallarta for
the month of May. Several groups are expected, the first a group of 12 on May
8, most arriving for the first time since the passing of Hurricane Kenna. During
this month, the promotion of the city is crucial to the success of this year’s
national tourism in July and August as well as well as the international season
that begins in November. One of the roles of OCV is to keep records of articles,
cover stories, photo coverage and notices about tourism in Puerto Vallarta. Every
year an award is presented to the writer of the best article about the city. Says
Villaseñor, “The competition is very fierce out there, with many attractive
destinations. It’s tantamount to present our city in its best light.”
He spoke of a project targeting national tourism, which will be revealed in an
upcoming press conference. |
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Cultural
Festival Program Unveiled In
a press conference at the Hotel Buenaventura, Maria José Zorrilla revealed
the offerings for this year’s annual May cultural festival. One of the major
cultural events of the year, this season will rely on Vallarta’s new venue,
the CCC, or theater of the Center of Culture on Isla Cuale. The festival takes
place May 15 – 31 and features 99 separate events in 22 different venues.
All performances are free. Represented are music, theater, dance, literature and
photography. Some of the highlights include the French flute Trio D’Argent;
Compañía de Ballet de Pécs, a contemporary dance troupe from
Hungary; and the finale, Paco Rentería, a local favorite with his Nuevo
Flamenco. The festival coincides with the celebration of the anniversary of Puerto
Vallarta. Check this website and City Hall for a complete program of all events,
May 15 – 31. |
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Whales Make
Splash
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© Producciones ViVa |
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The
Second Annual Conference on the Humpbacked Whale of Banderas Bay is scheduled
for Friday, May 9 from 9 am – 2 pm at the Mirabel Hotel in Nuevo Vallarta.
Coordinator Astrid Frisch Jordán says this is the continuation of the step
taken last year to organize and coordinate the regulation of the industry surrounding
the protection of the whale, including the fishing community and the tourism industry.
Speakers come from around the country to discuss weather patterns, dangers and
solutions, taxation and regulation as well as statistics. They continue to work
together for the benefit of the Megaptera novaeangliae, or humpbacked whale, which
forms an integral part of the tourism industry during the whaling season, from
December 15 – March 30. A photo contest is held for participants and prizes
will be given upon conclusion of the symposium. Contact Frisch Jordán at
whales@prodigy.net.mx with any questions.
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