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| Three
Vallartan Youths to Represent Mexico in Sports Arena Following their successful participation in the National Olympics, three youngsters from Puerto Vallarta will participate in upcoming international competitions. Nauli Zenllacy Dueñas, who recently received the Vallarta award for sports 2005, heads for Korea, the country of origin of Tae Kwon Do, to participate in a youth tournament of that sport, representing Selección Juvenil Mexicana. Diego Santana Bracamontes, who received national attention for his double gold in the 100 and 200 meters, will compete in the Campeonato Mundial Juvenil de Atletismo in Morocco. And finally, Verónica Cibrián Curiel represents Mexico in the Dominican Republic in the pentathlon. On Friday, July 1, Governor Francisco Ramírez Acuña hosts a celebration lunch in honor of the youths, in addition to the remainder of competitors who brought home to Vallarta a total of 30 medals in the Olympics. As sports continue to receive local and national attention, Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor initiated the project of the new sports stadium in nearby Ixtapa, one of the long-awaited developments for the youth of the area. 6/28/05 |
| Flamingos
Golf Course Hosts PGAM Competition Once again Flamingos Golf Course joins the big leagues, after recuperating its former status as one of the deluxe golf courses in the country. Said PGAM (Pro-Golf Association Mexico) representative Albert Kaneda, “I saw the course a couple years ago and now for this tournament, I’m amazed at how well they’ve completed their rejuvenation project on the course. With its established growth and the re-planted greens, it’s once again breathtaking and not only that, the new sprinkler and irrigation system saves on water.” Not to forget the competition of champions itself, one in which over 100 golfers competed, both amateurs and professionals, in the Golf Negra Modelo. The leading pro up to the final day was José Guadalupe Rodríguez, “Campana,” who was suddenly overpassed by dark horse José Octavio González, but in the final hole Guadalupe Rodríquez shot ahead again, bringing home the prize of $65,000 pesos for the first time in his professional life. Not only was the winner happy with the results, but six of the 28 finalists were able to shoot below par on the course. The Flamingos course, designed and constructed in 1978 by Englishman Percy Clifford, was the first in the Vallarta area. Clifford was already established in his career, having designed the Club de Golf Mexico and Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico, as well as the renowned Tabachines in Cuernavaca and others around the country. The unique site takes advantage of the gently rolling terrain, containing natural lagoons, estuaries and marshes populated by native birds, crocodiles and other species. For further information, see www.pgam.com.mx or contact Flamingos Golf Club at (322) 298-0280. 6/28/05 |
| Malecon
Third Phase Financing Authorized Despite the fact that the new extension to the Malecón wasn’t ready for the planned inauguration with Governor Francisco Ramírez Acuña and National Secretary of Tourism Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, the day wasn’t a total loss. An agreement was reached to provide an additional five million pesos for the continuation of the Malecón to Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas. The funds, promised by the secretary of tourism from the federal level, won’t be released until 2006 for budgetary reasons, but will allow the construction to continue while further funds are located. The cost of the development of the ocean walk from the pedestrian bridge to Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas is estimated at just under ten million pesos. 6/28/05 |
| Conversion
of Benito Juárez Park Begins In the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 28, the trees of Benito Juárez Park came down to open up the view from Morelos toward the sea, where the new Malecón extension reaches the pedestrian bridge. In this project, one of the five proposed by the current administration, 302 parking spaces will be created in what used to be a 50-space DIF parking area in front of the little-used public park. The construction is projected for completion within a six-month period at a total cost of approximately four million pesos, according to Communication Secretary Gloria Palacios. “There is one extension allowed of a three-month period in case of catastrophe, but if all goes well, it will be completed in six months.” Vendors were relocated to Aquiles Serdán in the South Side. 6/28/05 |
| Portion
of El Salado to Become Park As construction continues on both sides of the state line, environmentalists and residents will be happy to note the recent news of the establishment of an ecological park in the region of El Salado. This region of manglares, the trees that grow in swampy areas, is the habitat of over 100 species of birds, as well as boa constrictors, crocodiles and iguanas, among others. Just recently, a group of high school and university students, following the lead of Dr. Armando Soltero Macías, released 160 young iguanas and two boa constrictors into the mangles. As the cleanup project moves along, the plan for the development of the park continues. “We’re nearly 10 percent done with the early stages toward the establishment of the park, which will focus on the protection of the species of flora and fauna found here.” A similar ecological region in La Tovara, near San Blas in neighboring Nayarit, offers very popular boat excursions into the area, with a protected area for family dining, a swimming pool and children’s play area. 6/28/05 |
| Festival
of Three Cuisines of Mexico June 15 - 30 Luis Fitch, the award-winning chef and owner of Los Xitomates, does it again with his Festival of the Three Cuisines of Mexico. Featuring pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary dishes, the festival reflects Fitch's interest not only in eating well, but also in presenting a historically accurate table d’haute. As a Purepecha poet said, “No matter how delicious the savor of a dish, it tastes much better when it puts us in touch with the tradition that produced it, with its past history, because after all, what we are savoring is history itself.” Prices are reasonable, with three courses at $198 pesos June 15 - 30. Call (322) 222-1694 for reservations and information or check www.losxitomates.com. 6/21/05 |
| Cinépolis
Opens with 14 Screens The Cinépolis movie complex recently welcomed the public to its 14 salons, located next to Soriana at the southern entrance to El Pitillal. Until the second entrance into the grand parking lot is completed, plan for some congestion on leaving, especially if you head south on Fco. Villa. The megaplex empire owns cinema complexes all over Mexico, as well as Central America, with further information available at www.cinepolis.com.mx as well as schedules for local projection times. 6/21/05 |
| Triatlón
Vallarta This Saturday The Triatlón Vallarta will be held in the Nuevo Vallarta/Flamingos area June 25, beginning at 7:30 am. After swimming two laps around the water route just off Flamingos Beach, competitors will cycle one to three circuits around the course that begins heading north on Paseo de los Cocodrilos, turning south on Highway 200, then heading back to Flamingos along Blvd. Nuevo Vallarta. Runners take it from there in a route that varies from one to two laps, depending on the level, heading south to Paseo de las Garzas and back. For more information, times and entrance requirements, view the section on Triatlón Vallarta at www.atrijal.com. Winners will be awarded at Los Arcos Amphitheater at 7:30 that same evening. 6/21/05 |
| Sports
Club Inauguration Leads into Copa Americas Kicking off the Second Copa de las Americas at El Tigre Golf Course in Nuevo Vallarta, June 19 - 26, was the weekend inauguration of the full-service sports club, featuring a number of indoor and outdoor courts for basketball, handball, tennis and volleyball, with a complete gymnasium, Olympic-size swimming pool, spa, sauna, massage rooms and more. Played every two years, the Copa America is considered one of the most important golf competitions on the amateur circuit. This year’s competition includes 13 countries: Argentina, Bahamas, Colombia, Canada, USA, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago. After a welcome cocktail on Tuesday, the T-off is at 8 am Wednesday. The public is invited, no admission fee charged for observers. See www.mexgolf.org for further information, clicking on the link to II Copa de las Americas. 6/21/05 |
| Malecón
Inauguration Announced Just a few days behind schedule, the new extension of the Malecón, or Malecón of the Marina, will be inaugurated Thursday, June 23, around midday. Special guest will be National Secretary of Tourism Rodolfo Elizondo Torres and State Secretary of Tourism Horacio González Pardo, among other invited officials. This section, connecting the original Malecón to the pedestrian bridge over the Cuale River, was completed at a cost of $9 million pesos, a third coming from the federal, state and municipal levels each. The further continuation beyond the bridge to Plaza Lázaro Cárdenas will begin soon at the same projected cost. 6/21/05 |
| Right-of-Way
Granted for Thoroughfare After receiving state approval for the right-of-way to connect the new Av. Rio Amazonas to Fco. Villa, work began over the weekend. This new thoroughfare will connect Fco. Medina Ascencio, the northern entrance to the Puerto Vallarta, with Fco. Villa, the southern entrance from Vallarta to El Pitillal, eliminating the need to backtrack. Av. Rio Amazonas, expected to be completed within two weeks, is part of the Fluvial Vallarta project, a combination residence/commercial zone covering about 376 acres south of the Pitillal River and between the two avenues mentioned. The majority of the old trees in the area will be preserved, minimizing the probability of water runoff by maintaining the natural vegetation of the ecological zone. 6/21/05 |
| Mayor
to Attend Chicago Convention Puerto Vallarta Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor, the sole invited guest from outside the USA, travels this week to Chicago to attend the high-ranking annual North American Mayor’s Meeting. Up to 400 mayors are expected to attend this prestigious convention, where urban and development issues comprise the agenda. As Vallarta reaches that same stage of urban development, the importance is exponential. Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor will have the opportunity to speak from a very personal viewpoint to many of the most influential city leaders in the country. Despite criticism of his heavy travel schedule, there was no opposition to attending this one. 6/14/05 |
Employment
Figures Up |
| University
Begins Theater Program Local university CUCosta (Centro Universitario de la Costa) just moved closer to Puerto Vallarta with a new theater program entitled Temporada de Teatro CUC. Director Soledad García is no stranger to creating theatrical offerings, having directed and acted in Aguila y Sol for several years since graduating in theater in Guadalajara. “When I see the audience in Vallarta, they are very kind, but through this program we hope to make them more critical. As the audience becomes more critical, theater also reaches for new levels.” In a major attempt to reach the youth of Vallarta who, says García, “are not only frequently bored, but very talented.” Special prices give students a 50% discount off the $50 peso general admission ticket. Seniors and children only pay $10 pesos. The first in the series, “La Mujer en tiempos de cólera” (Woman in Times of Rage), addresses machismo, misogyny, fear, frustration, solitude, submission and resentment that grow out of a culture where the woman frequently is merely a footnote to the male role. García won first place in last year’s local theater competition for the same role, and although she continues her work as an actress, her focus shifts toward directing as the program continues. The first show hits the stage Friday, June 17, at 6 pm, to be repeated each Friday until July 8. After a two-week recess, a new program, yet to be announced, will begin. Call Perla Alvarado for more information at (322) 226-2240. 6/14/05 |
| Vallarta
Strives for Green Globe 21 Certification As destinations in Mexico continue to position themselves in the growing world market of tourism, Puerto Vallarta is focusing on attaining Green Globe 21 certification. This certification is “the worldwide benchmarking and certification program which facilitates sustainable travel and tourism for consumers, companies and communities. It is based on Agenda 21 and principles for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182 governments at the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992.” Communities that satisfy the requirements of this international organization are inspected by the guiding committee to verify compliance. The standard is actually part of the sustainable development movement, with focus on the local level, including the governing sector as well as business and residential. Addressing key environmental issues, the movement recognizes not only environmental regeneration but also protection of heritage and cultural sites. For further details, visit www.greenglobe21.com, the source of this information. 6/7/05 |
| Elgourmet.com
to Feature Thierry Blouet, Cocina de Autor Television show elgourmet.com will feature Cafe des Artistes' Thierry Blouet, Cocina de Autor in an upcoming 13-part program. This important culinary show, established in 2000, is televised throughout Latin America and the Spanish-speaking world by cable networks such as Sky, DirecTV and Cable Digital. Featuring the best of gastronomy, wines and national liquors, the show's focus on Vallarta as a culinary destination is the result of many years of dedication by Thierry Blouet and the rest of the town's numerous fine restaurateurs, many of whom continuously receive awards and recognitions for their outstanding quality. With a focus primarily on fruits of the sea, the filming will take place at various local beaches. See www.elgourmet.com for further information. 6/7/05 |
| "Conde
Nast Traveler" Recognizes Vallarta Again "Conde Nast Traveler," one of the most respected tourism magazines, has again included several Vallarta businesses in their annual "Hot List" of the best in the world, just two years after selecting Puerto Vallarta as the “friendliest city in the world.” Hacienda San Angel and Thierry Blouet Cocina de Autor were named as "Best of the Planet" for the hotel and restaurant categories respectively, and the Marriott CasaMagna was named in their 2005 Gold List of Hotels. Puerto Vallarta continues to be among the most popular destinations in the world because of its special combination of excellent businesses, natural beauty, friendly people, diverse activities and the character of the town itself. 6/7/05 |
| Alejandro
Fernández Wows Vallarta at Free Concert Reportedly attended by over 40,000 people, including over 100 boats of various sizes at anchor just off the Malecón, the May 31 outdoor concert on the Malecón featuring singer Alejandro Fernández was an amazingly trouble-free anniversary for the city of Puerto Vallarta. Beginning just after sunset, traditional mariachi filed out of nearby nightclub The Rex to heighten the suspense for the arrival of the star. Including songs from his recently released “A Corazón Abierto” (To the Open Heart) and hits from his other 13 CDs, he charmed the Vallartan audience. Security was tight, the sale of alcohol prohibited after 5 pm that same afternoon to help prevent alcohol-related incidents. Toward the end of the concert, Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor presented the keys to the city to Fernández and invited him to be Vallarta’s international ambassador in his future travels. The singer accepted, saying, “I’m a Vallartan at heart and have always felt welcome in this city among the people. I’d be honored to be the ambassador.” It was recently announced that “A Corazón Abierto” went platinum in Mexico and gold in the rest of Latin America after his recent concert tour at the National Auditorium in Mexico City. Fernández performed live onstage with two of the three tenors (José Carreras and Plácido Domingo, after the cancellation of Luciano Pavarotti) in their last concert together, staged in Monterrey, Leon, on June 4. 6/7/05 |
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