Most Enduring Art Instructor at the Cuale Cultural Center: Ireri Topete: Ireri Topete began teaching at the Cuale Cultural Center in 1992, fulfilling the social service requirement for her education.

Kerri Rivera: Finding Light at the End of the Tunnel: Like a kite, Kerri Rivera rose against the wind rather than with it when, after a frustrating slew of hits and misses, her youngest son, Patrick, was diagnosed with autism six years ago.

Sylvie Laitre: This native of Quebec, Canada, planned to learn Spanish to complement her French and English before beginning post-graduate studies. Laitre is currently the director of the extremely successful Mexico Boutique Hotels. Over the past seven years, she has increased this collection of premium properties from 28 to the current 47.

Carlos & Mariel Fregoso: Natives of Mexico City, Carlos and Mariel Fregoso moved to Puerto Vallarta in 1992, charmed by the warmth of its people and the beauty of that small town of long ago.

Sidney Lecther and Enrique Cremaschi: Sidney Lecther and Enrique Cremaschi were born in different countries and had diverse professional backgrounds, but fate and the shared passion for excellent pizza brought them together in a Buenos Aires pizzeria in 1995. Lecther was born in Brazil, with Italian ancestors in his lineage. He literally started at the bottom of the restaurant business, as a dishwasher, but within two years worked his way to manager.

Tracie Willis: Sometimes adversity brings out the best in people. Take Tracie Willis, for example. Some 18 years ago, she found herself at a crossroads with only $1,000 USD in her pocket, wondering whether to leave nearby Sayulita and return to her homeland, or purchase a freezer. She chose the latter, in just a few years transforming a cottage industry experiment into what would become a true Puerto Vallarta staple: the chocobanana.

Jorge Acosta: Every day, singer Jorge Acosta goes table to table, flashing his marvelous smile as he offers his services: singing from the heart and showing his pride in Mexican music. This 35-year-old artist is originally from Jalapa, Veracruz, also known as the City of Flowers, where he earned his living as a singer in various locations, until his brother invited him to visit Puerto Vallarta.

Best Benefactor: Peter Gray: We're fortunate - and it's compliment to Puerto Vallarta - that this self-effacing Brit, who held an impressive job as Latin America's marketing director for Proctor & Gamble overseeing operations in 15 countries, chose to retire here. Calling his career "a 40-year distraction" from what he really wanted to do, he digested his professional experiences in his first book, "Advertising and the Ignorant Savage," written in 1977.

Chu - A Star is Born!: A cuddly lamb named Chu becomes an overnight success, after being discovered in 2006 at a furniture show in Guadalajara! Formerly a member of an eclectic family of stuffies, Chu was first spotted by Make-A-Wish Mexico’s President Bob Mandel, who instantly fell in love with the yellow lamb, after seeing the positive effect that he had on everyone who laid eyes on him at the furniture show.

Al Cardeña - Goodbye to a Little Big Man: Al Cardeña arrived in Puerto Vallarta with his family in 1969, in an era when the television and the phone still did not exist here, and a at time when only eight cars took control of the few existing streets. A talented and visionary businessman known for his passion at work, he lived here for 38 years until his recent passing.

Robert “Bud” Acord: Many knew Bud Acord from his beloved Hacienda Jalisco. While he himself was not the hacienda, the place was imbued with his loving care and affection. Most may not remember the earlier days when Bud arrived in Puerto Vallarta, a time when the small gringo community was united or, at least, connected.

Ricardo Murrieta: Promoting Reading: It’s not unusual to arrive at Puerto Vallarta’s Los Mangos Public Library and find director Ricardo Murrieta Grada engrossed in its activities, just as he was when he took over the position seven years ago. A communications major, he thrives on helping students connect with the diverse information sources available there, as well as scheduling a variety of activities for Puerto Vallarta’s population at large, with a pivotal role: to encourage reading.

Mikki Prost: A Multidimensional Woman: Mikki Prost, who arrived in Vallarta by sailboat in 1990, is a singer, dancer, actress, yoga teacher and business owner with seemingly boundless energy and a propensity toward altruism.

Jose Raul Rodriguez: Preserving Mascota’s History: If you want to learn about Mascota’s history, the best place to visit is Jose Raul Rodriguez’s museum. Rodriguez is a Mascota native who has vowed to pay homage to his town’s history and celebrities.

Juan Pablo Hernández - Photographer and Man Full of Surprises: Born in Porvenir, Nayarit, photographer, writer and singer Juan Pablo Hernández, came from humble beginnings but never gave up on his dreams. While in secondary school, he recalls that he didn’t have much access to cameras for financial reasons, but his aunt had a little inexpensive camera she let him use.