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Vallarta Adds New Sculpture to Collection
The whale statue at Marina Vallarta was finally completed and officially inaugurated by Mayor Pedro Rodríguez Higuera after years of effort and tremendous cost. Over $4.000.000 pesos where spent by residents in the Marina community, sponsoring businesses and the artist himself. During the mayor’s speech, it was mentioned that the whale would never have been built if anyone had known beforehand what the costs finally amounted to. However, there it stands today, colossal at the entrance of Marina Vallarta next to a striking Neptune. Its proud sculptor, Octavio González, smiled throughout the ceremony and announced that copies of the statue were being requested from different parts of the world.

Vallarta Turns 150
Puerto Vallarta will celebrate its 150th anniversary on December 12, with festivities running from December 7 to 16th. City Hall has organized an incredible variety of splendid events from artistic performances to sporting competitions, which will delight locals and visitors just before Christmas. Details and dates of the events will be published by City Hall shortly, though one of the most important shows is already receiving a lot of publicity. The visual and sound spectacle called “Naomaquia,” which represents a battle of the gods of land and sea, will be staged with over 150 musicians placed at strategic points in the city, along with the original sounds of this town such as bells, ship sirens, horns and, of course, the ocean. Catalan composer Llorenç Barber will be conducting this grand symphony and is considered to be one of the most important musicians of the 20th century. The Navy will also be participating in this vanguard concert,which has only been performed in a few cities in the world.

Vallarta to Honor Virgin of Guadalupe
December is the month devoted to the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Puerto Vallarta and all of Mexico. Mexico’s religous fervor is always passionately demonstrated during these emotive festivities, which will be held from December 1-12, when colorful religious processions will run along Juárez to honor the Virgen Morena before entering the Church of Guadalupe. These religious ceremonies will culminate on December 12, which commemorates the day when Juan Diego, a poor farmer, first saw a dark-skinned virgin encircled in light in 1531. The lights of fireworks and a beautiful serenade will close the fiestas, which are uniquely Mexican and blend both Catholic and indigenous elements.

Vallarta to Host Arts Festival
Coinciding with the Gourmet Festival, the 5th Arts Festival will be hosting a total of 26 events with which to complement your dinner out in Puerto Vallarta. Causing the most expectation in this town is the arrival of one of the most important soloist in the world, flautist Elena Durán, who, through the International Performance Association in London, approached the Cultural Department to make the city of Puerto Vallarta part of her world tour. Other important featured artists include Jorge Reyes, one of Mexicos most internationally known musicians, and Susana Harp, a great singer and music researcher, along with many other innovative and original artists.

Vallartans Mourn American Victims
Following the lead of the rest of the world in response to the terrorist attacks in America, a public ceremony was held this past Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Los Arcos Amphitheater in Puerto Vallarta. The solemn gathering brought 1000 mourners, who paid their respects in an emotional and touching ceremony with the songs of America: the National Anthem, God Bless America and America the Beautiful were heard and sung by a mixed crowd of Americans and Mexicans.

Paradise Plaza Offers Free Entertainment
Every Sunday, Paradise Plaza in Nuevo Vallarta is the grand stage for a show to entertain tourists and locals with the participation of most stores. A fashion show and a cultural performance take place once a month, along with smaller events for children and youngsters. For this coming Sunday, the ballet Atemoztly will be presenting a variety of indigenous dances and costumes. The show starts at 4 pm, and all performances are completely free of charge.

The Circus Comes to Vallarta
Like every year, the circus has come to town. Last year, a kangaroo that imitated Mike Tyson delighted everyone; this year, a different circus, Circus Union, has prepared a variety of performances. The grand attraction is Tarzan leading his troupe of elephants and a very original and tender clown called Titillo. Tightrope walkers, jugglers, equestrian riders and trapeze artistes are also part of this entertaining show. Circus Union will only be in Vallarta for a few days and will be located just behind the Coppel department store on Playa Camarones.

Yoga Lessons at Marina Vallarta
Gloria Fuentes is a highly trained yoga practioner who has travelled all over Mexico making yoga's philosophy of life accessible to all. For those in need of a restoring discipline that may help you relax and reduce stress, Gloria offers her expertise in yoga at the Spa Puesta del Sol every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 am and from 6:30 to 7:30 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Special Independence Menu at Cafe Maximilian
Caf'é Maximilian, a follower of tradition, is offering a special Mexican menu, which will be available all September along with their regular menu, to celebrate the anniversary of Mexican Independence. In a classical European ambiance, you may savor fine dining with Mexican-inspired creations such as their roasted duck with pipian sauce, mashed potatoes with cottage cheese and fine vegetables. If you are a seafood lover, you must try their red snapper with shrimp wrapped in hoja santa with a ragoût of fruit and tender corn in a sauce of chile cascabel.
For dessert, this restaurant offers the delicous specialties of Austrian cakes and pastries and three new surprises, which you may also enjoy at the Expresso Caf'é on their quaint terrace.

Vallarta's Spotlight Players to Stage "Steel Magnolias"
"Steel Magnolias" by the Sportlight Players will be staged at the Santa Barbara restaurant November 8 to 24 on weekends and Thursdays. This time, everyone will have a chance to see this cast of six talented woman, who have prepared an entertaining show with real southern accents. To accompany their performance, a “southern-style” menu will be presented to recreate the mileu of Steel Magnolias. Spotlight is also preparing for this season a Sock Hop, a revival musical piece from the 50s and 60s.

Mark Twain in Vallarta
Coinciding with the festivities in store for the 150th Anniversary of Puerto Vallarta, the America-Mexico Foundation has arranged for a major cultural event with the staging of “An Encounter with Mark Twain” performed by American historian and actor William Morse. The show has received very good reviews in the States and will be here in Vallarta on December 13th at the Auditorio Cultural Agustín Flores. The price of admission is $150 pesos and all proceeds will go to the Becas/Scholarship Program. This one-time performance is Mr. Morse’s gift to the children of Mexico.

Vallarta Airport to be Reconditioned
Puerto Vallarta International Airport Administration, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, has announced an 11 million peso investment to recondition the airport site.
The improvements suggested include lighting, gardens and repaving access roads to the airport. There will also be a separate area for taxis as part of the construction plan. This means good news for travellers, as they will enjoy on arrival a better image of the town they are about to visit and enjoy.

Independence Day Celebrations in Vallarta
Every year on the 15th of September, in a deeply-felt patriotic celebration, Mexico reenacts Father Miguel Hidalgo´s cry for the Independence of Mexico from Spain. It is called the Cry of Dolores in memory of the town Dolores, where the independence movement first started near San Miguel de Allende. In Vallarta, a fair will take place at the Main Square, where a violin concert by the Brothers Aguascalientes will open the celebration at 7pm. A display of fireworks will close the evening at 11:10, after the famous cry, during which the Mayor of Vallarta, Pedro Ruiz Higuera, will cheer out the names of the famous heroes of Mexico´s Independence. The following day, September 16, is the official Independence Day, which is a national holiday in Mexico. Civil and military parades, followed by charros, will march down the Malecon at approximately 10:00 am.

New Bar Opens in Vallarta
Because some of Vallarta’s restaurants close for September, Bill Hales thought it would be a good time to launch his new bar and grill.The Grand Opening Party will be take place on September 15, though a previous gathering for friends was held on the 7th. Bill serves American-style meals and bar snacks, deep-fried onion rings, BBQ chicken wings, shrimp cocktails, potato skins and a range of salads and sandwiches. This spacious restaurant, located at Berlin and Hamburgo streets just behind Tarantino’s Pizza in Col. Versalles, also offers two pool tables, pinball machines and an upstairs lounge, all air-conditioned. The bar is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the grill 11 a.m. to midnight.

Guest Chef Coming to La Palapa
Executive Chef Frank J. Setera will be the guest chef at La Palapa restaurant for the 7th November Gourmet Festival of Puerto Vallarta. With numerous culinary awards behind him, Chef Setera comes from the beautiful Naples Imperial Golf Club in Southwestern Florida and is well-known in this area for his high-quality and innovative cuisine. For Vallarta’s annual event, he intends to create a blend of Mexican flavors with Pacific Rim and Caribbean accents, using fresh exotic spices and ingredients to reflect the natural beauty of these exotic places.

Camino Real in Vallarta Wins Award
Located south of Bahia Banderas in a beautiful enclosed clove, Vallarta’s Camino Real has become one of the most-visited hotels in this town for its traditional flavor and distinction. Most of its rooms face the ocean, and visitors particularly enjoy the privacy of its secluded beach surrounded by mountains of jungle. Their constant participation in the cultural activities of this town has also afforded the hotel a certain prestige, for it is here that major concerts are held, as well as celebrated activities such as the release of the baby turtles. In reward for the high quality of its service, Camino Real has received the Krystal 2001 award from Applegate vacations, which general manager Eduardo Segura will proudly collect in Chicago on September 11.