Most Outrageous Celebrity Visit PV: Kathy Griffin: Comedienne Kathy Griffin was in Puerto Vallarta to record her successful reality show on Bravo, “My Life on D-List.”
Best Reason to Fly to Puerto Vallarta Today: More Options: Alaska Airlines (
www.alaskaair.com) and Mexicana (
www.mexicana.com) report that in the last year Puerto Vallarta has remained a strong and attractive tourist destination for the international market.
Best Online Development to Affect Puerto Vallarta: Google Maps: Sometime in the last few months, Google Maps updated their map and satellite image database for Puerto Vallarta and surroundings, making this popular tool much more valuable for everyone from local real estate companies to businesses hoping to be found by locals and visitors.
Best Green Company in Puerto Vallarta: CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa: From implementing a new water heating system that reduces smoke pollution by 503 tons of carbon emission per year to ensuring an annual average of 61,000 sea turtle hatchlings’ safe return to the ocean, there never seems to be a quiet moment for the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa when it comes to environmental issues.
Ten Green Things to Do in Your Puerto Vallarta Home: It’s easy to make your home more environmentally friendly and save money, too! Here are a few easy ideas.
Best Environmental Educators: Vallarta Adventures: We live in a throw-away world, so it is inspiring to see a large local tour operator, Vallarta Adventures, make such a sincere commitment to our environment.
Top (Best) Junior Athletes of Puerto Vallarta: Two talented young athletes supported by the municipal Sports Department have been distinguished for their achievements in various national and even international competitions.
Businesses That Donate Food to Local Children’s Charities: Support can come in many forms, but if you’re a hungry child the source doesn’t matter.
Best Letter to Find in your Mailbox: EntreAmigos Gets a New Home: After years of lobbying, San Pancho’s non-profit community development organization entreAmigos finally received “the” letter from Alonso Villaseñor, secretary of economic development for the state of Nayarit, effectively allowing them to move to an unoccupied warehouse at the entrance to town.
Most Original Fundraising Method: Christmas CD by Casa Infantil Mojoneras: Finding new and exciting ways to raise funds has become a challenge for charitable organizations in Puerto Vallarta. Casa Infantil Mojoneras found success through the Maranatha boys choir, who launched their second CD last November, “Christmas ... Contigo 2008,” under the direction of Carlos Santana.
Most Proactive Approach: Punta de Mita Foundation: The Punta de Mita Foundation was created by a group of visionary residents concerned about the future of their community.
Best Ways to Take Puerto Vallarta With You (For Free!): If you are reading this, chances are Vallarta Lifestyles is among your favorite sources of information when it comes to Puerto Vallarta and its surroundings.
Worst of Vallarta: Misrepresentation by International Media: It seems that no matter where you turn these days, the media is painting all of Mexico with the same brush, issuing travel advisories and portraying the entire country as a war zone plague by drug-related violence.
Manuel Lepe Promotes the Rights of Children Once Again: Once again, UNICEF has selected a painting by deceased Puerto Vallarta artist Manuel Lepe to promote the rights of children, as it did in 1979 and 1984. This time the selected painting, titled La Procesión II, features children participating in the December pilgrimages to Our Lady of Guadalupe church. It will be included in a package of 10 greeting cards to be sold for $90 pesos, profits directed to supporting children in need in many countries.
Homemade Ice Cream: While most of us have been succumbing to this sublime favorite for eons, producing ice cream at home or in small quantities has been a labor-intensive task until recently. Smaller, electric ice cream makers that rely on small canisters that can be placed in the freezer ahead of time to facilitate production have taken the place of old-fashioned hand-cranked machines that required ice chunks and salt for cooling.
