For me, Vallarta is as utopian a place and way of thinking as I’m likely to find in this world. I love it dearly and feel fiercely loyal for all it’s given me. But I’m not blind to its pressing problems. So why do the powers that be act like they are?

Our streets are increasingly dangerous, despite numerous false promises, false starts and studies that land in boxes – as do too many people – the City admitting to more than 500 traffic accidents here every year.

Skimming through some issues of the now-defunct “PV News,” I was reminded that not everyone’s tight-mouthed about this, including the paper’s socially conscious editor, Jody Alexander. However, her prophetic voice was silenced by a reckless bus driver as she crossed the street near her home five years ago.

And everyone seemed shocked this summer when members of a Mexican family, here on holiday were killed by an out-of-control, speeding delivery truck as they crossed Olas Altas. Yet Jody warned something like this would happen back in 1996, with her frontpage headline, “Calle Olas Altas a pedestrian’s nightmare.” “Heavy traffic and speeders are a major problem, delivery trucks and city vehicles the worst offenders.

Now the question begs to be asked. When will the severity of the situation be acknowledged by those able to change it? Silly, diversionary “solutions” like restricting how far tables can extend onto the sidewalk so people have the room to jump out of the way of these morons insult everyone.
Once again, the Puerto Vallarta Writer’s Group has changed locations, now meeting at L’Opera on Encinco at the same time as it has for the past five years, Saturday at 10:30 am. It attracts an eclectic bunch of English-speakers, from screenwriters to sailors, who come together out of a longing, or a need, to live creatively. Facilitator Don Gallery alone has nearly 100 film and television acting credits.

If you think it’s not for you because you “haven’t really written anything yet,” you’re mistaken. Some get involved simply to share experiences, others to make new friends or find out what’s going on around town. And although the caliber of the writing presented does vary dramatically, feedback is always supportive and encouraging.

Just so you know, Encino is on the Rio Cuale’s north side. A fast and fun way to get there is by doing a balancing act from Rizo’s, believe it or not. Cross the swinging bridge beside the South Side supermarket to the island, take 20 or so steps straight ahead, then cross a second suspension bridge that ends right in front of the meeting place.

With so many upcoming events to look forward to, including the Gourmet Festival November 13 – 23, the air’s energized with anticipation. Twenty diverse but really good restaurants will take part this year, and the festival’s founder, Café des Artistes creator and owner Thierry Blouet, will unveil his out-of-this-world, new concept restaurants and bars.

The Homage to John Huston that same month, from November 22 to 29, will see seven Huston-directed films screened at the Cuale Cultural Center. In the stellar lineup, my favorite all-time flick, “The African Queen,” as well as “The Maltese Falcon,” and, of course, “The Night of the Iguana” made here four decades ago. This event is the forerunner to the much-buzzed-about Puerto Vallarta Film Festival to be held in the director’s honor, tentatively in the fall of 2004.

Meanwhile, the first Friday of every month I’ll be enjoying the wine tastings at the Abadia Café’s distinctive new address where the Adobe Café used to be. I hated to see the Adobe go, but I’m happy that I can continue enjoying its serene ambiance, pampered all the while by the exquisite food, drinks and service of Abadia. These inexpensive evening events are several notches above having just a nice dinner out because the vintages are top of the line, as is the food, you end up being introduced to interesting people around you, and it costs just $15 USD.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about what you’re reading, you’re encouraged to let me know at heather@mexmags.com.