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•   A Titanic visit! From the 1st through the 4th. of December, Puerto Vallarta's main harbour hosted ´Belleau Wood´, the biggest ship that has ever visited our destination.The USS Belleau Wood is an amphibious assault ship home ported in San Diego, Ca. built in 1978 with a displacement of 39,300 tons, 820 feet length and a 118 feet flight deck that navigates at a speed of 24 knots.. She has a capacity for a forty-plus mixture of helicopters and vertical takeoff Harriet jets and on her visit carried a crew of 1000 and a contingent of 500 U.S. Marines under the commandment of USN Michigan born Officer Robert J. Gilman. The history of the ship tells us that she got her name during World War I after the battle at the "Bois de Belleau "-a three square miles of rock wood on the outskirts of Paris - which the U.S. Marines won over the 461 st Imperial German Infantry. The action stopped the last major offensive of the war by the German soldiers who referred to the U.S. Marines, respectfully, as "Teufelhunde" or "Devil Dogs" because of their fierceness in battle.- But apart from all the aforementioned, the ship fulfilled a social service provided by the ship´s crew, who brought a large consignment of school desks, medical supplies and food items for distribution to local schools, hospital and rehab facilities. They also painted the exterior of the Rehabilitation Center near the Marina and brought gifts for the ´Toys for Tots´ annual program. (Read enclosed reference).

•   State funds for "El Salado" estuary The protected ecological area of El Salado seems to be on track to really become ´protected´. In spite of all speeches, meetings, demonstrations, articles in the press and varied statements of good will, no concrete help could be counted on. Now, Alberto Cárdenas Jiménez, on his very last month in duty as Governor of Jalisco- gave 20 million pesos to Town Hall in order to accomplish the recovery, maintenance and projection of the estuary. Curiously, the guarantee deposit was received by David Cuevas García, who is also leaving office as Mayor of Puerto Vallarta. The official receiptor of the sum is FIDEUR (Trusteeship for Urban Development). A Technical Committee (yet to be formed) will be in charge of deciding the administration of funds and dealing with the pros and cons of building the so much talked (and needed) Convention Centre.

•   Guadalupe, Mexican Virgin Mary As every year, Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Puerto Vallarta and Mexico, was honored with colorful parades of faith from the first day of December through the 12th. Hotels, trade groups, restaurants, schools, civil associations and local residents marched along Morelos St. to the color and sight of Pre-Hispanic dances, the music of mariachis and beautiful fireworks. The interior of the parish was a warm honeycomb lit by candles and scented with the hundreds of flower bouquets and fruit baskets deposited by devouts during 24-hours a day. On the Main Plaza across the street, food stands selling ´antojitos´ ("yummies") were swarming with patrons eating or looking at the groups of pilgrims that continued arriving. Altogether, the ambient conformed a vivacious, colorful, typical mosaique to behold! One of the most moving processions took place at noon of the so called ´día grande" (the big day). The procession of the "favorecidos" (those favoured with the grace of Virgin Guadalupe) drew hundreds who fulfillled a promise , sometimes marching on their knees or castigating their bodies, as a way to either thank or ask for a divine favor.

•   The colors of Mexico American Express and the Mexican Hotel and Motel Association chapter Puerto Vallarta, signed a $500,000 dollar agreement titled ´The colors of Mexico´ in which the Tourism Trust participated with $100,000 dollars.Their main purpose is the promotion and positioning of our destination in the world tourist market. In order to accomplish their aim, they will use the AE data basis and seek the collaboration of the American travel agencies. They will also launch a training course for all workers in the local tourist industry and will design a package with affordable fees in accordance with the local hoteliers. American Express opened as well an office in the international airport that offers all the facilities worldwide provided by the company to cardholders.

•  The Posadas are here! Do you happen to know what "Posadas",are, where they come from and what´s the point of them? Posadas are a catholic Mexican tradition adopted during the Spanish Colony. Their origin derives from the passage in the Bible that describes the time when Saint Joseph and Virgin Mary spent nine days seeking a shelter where Jesus Child could be born. In the re-enactment of this, families and friends organize a fiesta (any other day from December 16 to the 25th.) where a "Nacimiento" (small-scale clay figures representing the birth of Jesus) is carried on shoulders. Attendees split in two groups, "caseros" (landlords) and "peregrinos" (pilgrims); the first ones stay in the interior of the house and the latter outside. Holding candles, they all chant a litany where "caseros" reject to host the ´peregrinos´ but, once convinced by their pleas, finally accept them inside to general rejoicing. Dinner is then served with the traditional never-missing dishes of this season, like the (all time) Mexican classic "tamales" (a cooked dough filled with chicken, pork or sweet, wrapped in a corn leaf), "ponche" (a warm punch made of fruits such as apple, guavas and "tejocotes" which is a sort of plum, with pieces of sugar cane, nuts, rum - or without alcohol-, prunes and peanuts), ´atole´ (a warm fruit-flavored beverage prepared with milk and corn or wheat flour) and ´buñuelos´ thin wafers of fried wheat flour either sprinkled with sugar or bathed with "piloncillo" maize syrup. The "posada" ends with the breaking of piñatas filled with assorted candy, sugar cane in small pieces, tangerines., peanuts and nuts.

•   New World Champion of Billfishing An action-packed year of World Billfish Series (WBS) fishing tournaments culminated past December 2nd. The competitions took place across the United States and five international destinations, being the last one, precisely, the WBS Grand Championship Tournament held at Paradise Village Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico from November 30. Thirty two anglers converged on Pacific Mexico´s billfish rich waters to duel it out for the coveted title of WBS World Champion of Billfishing and over $25,000 in prizes. After two days of intense competition among the world´s best anglers, a mere 20 minutes gave the triumph to Raleigh, North Carolina angler & WBS USDC-Mid Atlantic Divisional Champion, Bob Sauls. The 2000 WBS World Champion Crown is now his. In this all-release, two-day fishing event, Sauls ended up with one blue marlin and four sailfish releases for a total of 350 points and a perfectly tied score with the Day One leader and USDC-Gulf Coast 2nd Place Angler, Harris Garner, of Deatsville, AL. Sauls, fishing aboard the local boat "Yolaray", released his last sailfish at 3:37p.m. on the final day, 20 minutes before Garner released his last sailfish fishing with local Capt. John Gabruk on his 32´ Luhrs High Maintenance. The tie was broken and the World Champion title was bestowed upon Sauls based on the time of his last release.

•  Toys for Tots in Town The morning of January 6, many local poor children will receive a present brought to them by the Three Wise Men from the East, Melchor, Gaspar and Balthasar, but this time it won´t be gold, franc incense or myrrh, but a toy. In reality, this will be possible thanks to the "Toys for Tots" charity program, which was started by the U.S. Marines after II World Ward in order to raise funds to buy clothes, toys and medicine for the children affected by war. With time, the program continued in several countries throughout the world. Mexico held the first event last year in Puerto Vallarta with the collaboration of Continental Airlines, Marriott CasaMagna hotel, the American Embassy through its local Consulate and the local chapter of the U.S. Navy. Funds are raised through a Golf Tournament to take place on December 16 at 8:00 a.m. at the Marina Vallarta Golf Club and a Gala Awards Dinner Party that same day at 8:00 p.m. at the Marriott hotel (read the calendar of events for this date for more details). The success of the program has encouraged organizers to plan social and sports events in several cities like Cancún, Monterrey and Mexico City.

•   The Navy League thanks and informs We very much appreciate the excellent coverage you provided us in connection with the recent visit of the US Belleau Wood. I am glad to report that a thousand dollars was collected for the "Toys for Tots" program during the reception hosted by the Marriott Hotel. The reception on board the Belleau Wood, hosted by Captain Robert Gilman, was very well attended and warmly appreciated by all who took part. We were glad to be able to collect a "scrap book" of press-cuttings to send to the Captain as a "momento" of the warm reception and recognition that Puerto Vallarta extended to him and his crew. In their turn, the crew left a freshly painted Rehabilitation Center as their gift to our City. There will be a change of crew in the Navy League at the end of the year. At their recent meeting,the following members were elected to serve from January 1st .2001. President: Jerry Lafferty First vice-president and Summer President: Richard Rose Past president and Project Coordinator: Warren Johnson Secretary: Linda Wirth Treasurer: Terry Wirth VP COMPREL: Ed Powers VP. Marine Affairs: Fred Mather VP.Communications : Ann Lafferty VP.Consular Affairs: Evelyn Pine VP: fund-raising: Joy Johnson VP.Membership: Irv and Donna Readerman VP. Public Relations : Peter Gray At the meeting, on December 5th.,a formal vote of special recognition was passed to honor the outgoing President, Warren Johnson. Warren´s energy and dedication were the driving force that led to the formation of the Navy League in 1993. Ever since then, Warren has worked tirelessly to improve the effectiveness of the League´s work, most especially in the collection of much needed hospital and school supplies in the United States and their delivery to Puerto Vallarta aboard navy vessels visiting our port. We are very glad that Warren will continue to serve on the Committee. Jerry Lafferty, the incoming President, after visiting Puerto Vallarta for the past seven years, became a resident here a couple of years ago. He has already made his mark as an active supporter of several organizations dedicated to providing aid to children, the disabled and people in need of medical help. YOUR SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT TO US IN HELPING US STRENGTHEN AND IMROVE OUR ONGOING ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES IN PUERTO VALLARTA. THANK YOU!

•   Unwired Downtown Once again, the works to remove the ugly overhead cables and wires downtown are being restarted. The Federal Power & Light Commission (CFE) has reset the date of conclusion of the work which had been stopped, due to some important unpaid bills by City Hall. Therefore, the U.S. $1,7 million project will go on for another three months. The first phase includes the rectangle formed by the intersection of streets Guadalupe Sánchez (in front of the main church), Paseo Díaz Ordaz (boardwalk), 31 de Octubre (in front of hotel Rosita) and Encino, next to the Cuale river. Civil works, consisting in registers and connections, are practically finished and the electromechanical part (burying of cables) has been retaken since last week. If works had not been stopped, we would be enjoying the sight of wireless central streets, specially considering that the works had been scheduled to conclusion past December 8.

•   Season´s Celebrations City Hall is not preparing any popular event since last year, in order to celebrate the arrival of the "new millennium", a big party was held on the boardwalk. That was a global misconception, since it is now when the new era is about to start. In addition to that, this year´s holidays coincide with the change of Major and his work team for the following three years, to start on duty on the first of January. So, if you happen to be in Puerto Vallarta for the season´s holidays and, being more specific, for Christmas dinner and New Year´s Eve, our town offers a myriad of options to dine out and party in private businesses. We shall advise you to check out our list for Dining, ask fhem for their special amenities and make reservations in advance. Options may include regular a la carte dinner, special Christmas or New Year´s dishes, a whole package with wine and champagne included, Christmas Buffet or even dinner and ball featuring an orchestra!

•   Sorry, smokers! The global anti-smoke campaign continues spreading around and this time the city council of Guadalajara approved a new health law. From now on, smoking in public spaces such as schools, collective transportation, hospitals, theaters, cinemas, indoor auditoriums, state offices, banks, supermarkets and libraries will be forbidden by law. Restaurantes should feature a section for non smokers and hospitals a well ventilated waiting room for users that smoke, as signaled in chapter four, article 13. This new disposition will apply as of January.

•   The colors of Mexico American Express and the Mexican Hotel and Motel Association chapter Puerto Vallarta, signed a $500,000 dollar agreement titled "The colors of Mexico" in which the Tourism Trust participated with $100,000 dollars. Their main purpose is the promotion and positioning of our destination in the world tourist market. In order to accomplish their aim, they will use the AE data basis and seek the collaboration of the American travel agencies. They will also launch a training course for all workers in the local tourist industry and will design a package with affordable fees in accordance with the local hoteliers. American Express opened as well an office in the international airport that offers all the facilities worldwide provided by the company to cardholders.

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