Local Intro   Events   Movie Guide   News Archives  >
Week of June 21
Puerto Vallarta Malecón Remodeling Continues The area between the new Cuale pedestrian bridge and Los Arcos Amphitheater, commonly known as the "Malecón de la Marina," will finally be remodeled, announced Vallarta Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor this week. This has been the only section of the Malecón that has remained untouched since hurricane Kenna devastated Vallarta's shoreline in October 2002. The local, state and federal funds required to complete the reconstruction will be equally divided. Completion is expected within the next two to three months.
Crocs are Born in Captivity Twenty crocodiles were born in captivity at the Centro Universitario de la Costa reptile conservation center this week. This important event, the first of its kind in the state of Jalisco, is a milestone for the conservation efforts that the university has put in place in the past few years in Banderas Bay. The newborns will be closely monitored by the research team in charge and will be released to the area estuaries in 12 months. The reptile research center, which has been in operation for the past eight years, currently has 43 crocodiles, of which six are adults.
Mayor Promotes Vallarta in Miami Puerto Vallarta Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor returned from Miami this week, after participating in the Tenth International Mayor and Local Authority Conference. The event attracted mayors and leaders from 600 Latin-American cities, along with representatives of several international organizations. In his presentation, titled “Local Government in Latin America: Accomplishments and New Challenges,” he pitched a few important ­ but not new ­ideas, such as the Puerto Vallarta multi-purpose convention center, as well as an expected increase in airline flights in the near future, both of which will surely have a positive impact in our continued development as a tourist destination.
Puerto Vallarta Celebrates Canada Day As in years past, Puerto Vallarta's Canadian community comes together on Canada Day. This time around, the officially sanctioned celebration will take place Thursday, July 1, at the Lazy Lizard Restaurant, Amapas 114-C (next to La Palapa Restaurant on Los Muertos beach) from 6 pm on. The celebration will include national anthems and official presentations by consular authorities, along with food and live entertainment. Proceeds will benefit the Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza. For more information, please contact the Canadian Consulate at (322) 293-0098/0099.
Week of June 7
Vallarta Tradition Ends with Final Monthly Concert The final Thursday concert at the Camino Real Hotel took place this week, featuring Vallarta favorite Paco Rentería. The hotel, a Vallarta institution for 35 years, was recently sold to AMResorts and will now operate as an all-inclusive called Dream Resorts & Spa. To date, the new owners have not expressed any interest in continuing this Vallarta tradition, which began in July 1975. During the past 29 years, 348 concerts took place at the hotel, bringing to Vallarta renowned performers from all over the world.
New Flights and New Charters to Vallarta Announced Vallarta’s importance as a tourist destination continues to increase as new flights, domestic and international, were recently announced. Locally, Aeromar will begin flights from Querétaro and San Luis Potosí on Thursdays and Sundays. Meanwhile, Aerotours, a local travel agency, has announced new charter flights arriving from Brazil and Argentina, in coordination with two agencies in these countries. The interest in Vallarta as an authentic Mexican beach destination has steadily increased in both these countries during the past few years. This is particularly evident during the summer months, which are colder in the southern hemisphere.
Altruism Festival Reports Successful Fundraising Efforts The Altruism Festival, which took place in Vallarta last month for the first time, successfully raised $272,560 pesos for local charities. This was recently announced by Kelly Trainor, US consul in Puerto Vallarta. Twenty-two restaurants donated food from their menus, while several local performers entertained the crowd at the Westin Regina Hotel grounds on May 15. Additional sponsors included Alaska Airlines, AMPI Vallarta, the US Consulate Office and Spotlight Productions. In a touching ceremony, Kelly Trainor presented each of the 20 charity organizations involved with a check for $13,628 pesos. For more information on how you can get involved in future fundraising efforts, please contact the US Consular Office in Puerto Vallarta at 222-0069.
Cooking Classes Des Artistes-Style Offered Café des Artistes recently announced a four-day cooking workshop to take place next month. Geared toward all cooking enthusiasts, the course will be led by chef Gerard Dupont, president of the French Culinary Institute, along with des Artistes owner chef Thierry Blouet. Dupont is no stranger to Vallarta’s gourmand scene, having previously participated in the yearly International Festival Gourmet. Each day, a different four-course meal will be prepared during the morning hours, which will be subsequently enjoyed by participants after a brief recess. For more information, please contact Café des Artistes at 222-3228.
Week of June 1
Hacienda San Angel Joins Mexico Boutique Hotels Overlooking El Centro and almost in touching distance of the "crowning" spire of Guadalupe church, Hacienda San Angel officially became a member of Mexico Boutique Hotels this past week. The newest “find” for the discriminating traveler in Puerto Vallarta, Hacienda San Angel is a masterpiece restoration of three classic Vallarta-style houses, one of which was originally purchased in 1977 by Richard Burton for his wife, Susan Hunt. A festive reception took place at Hacienda San Angel, where a custom-made pewter commemorative plaque was presented to owner Janice Chatterton. Also present were Vallarta Hotel Association president Gabriel Igartúa Sánchez, Ludwig Estrada, tourism director for the state of Jalisco, as well as representatives of other Mexico Boutique Hotels. Made in Tlaquepaque, the Mexico Boutique Hotels plaque is a symbol of distinction presented only to members, of which there are presently 32. For more information, please visit www.mexicoboutiquehotels.com
Puerto Vallarta Loses a Long-Time Friend On Monday May 31 a "Celebration of Life" was held at Casa La Tortuga in Conchas Chinas to mark the passing of Aubert (Lanny) Dykes. Lanny died a few days earlier in a fall—a casual event but with the most tragic consequences. Over a hundred people, including family members, neighbors and friends from all over the city gathered to share their grief and their memories. One simple prayer was offered before those attending were invited to share their individual thoughts and memories. Lanny's mother, sister and his adopted son shared with all present both their sense of loss and their abiding love. Ted Pentacost, who had shared his life with Lanny over so many years, spoke of his pride not only in having been part of Lanny's life, but also of the pride and gratitude he felt in seeing that so many people had come to pay tribute to a man who had given so much to others.
10th Annual Festival Gourmet Web site Launched The Web site promoting the upcoming 10th Annual Festival Gourmet International (www.festivalgourmet.com) became available to the public this week. The brainchild of locally-based but internationally-acclaimed chefs Thierry Blouet, Heinz Reize and Roland Menetrey, the Festival Gourmet International brings together many of the world’s master chefs, who come to share their expertise with our own talented chefs at the most acclaimed restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. Many of the Festival’s now-traditional events will return along with a few new surprises. Please visit the Web site for more information.
Vallarta City Hall Offices Have Found a New Home Vallarta officials reached consensus this week on the location of the new City Hall offices. The property is a two-hectare piece of land in Las Mojoneras that had been considered for the bus terminal several years back. “Now that both political parties have reached consensus on the location, I anticipate that the project will be completed by year’s end,” announced Vallarta Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor at a recent press conference. City Hall’s new location is considered strategic, as it is accessible via F. Medina Ascencio and it is near Vallarta’s two largest universities, the bus and airport terminals and the yet-to-be-formalized convention center. Specific proposals for the design of the new buildings are expected within the next 30 days.
Back | Top | Home | Free Newsletter | Search | Help | Tell a Friend
dc © Producciones ViVa