Puerto Vallarta Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's Vallarta happenings, some community announcements, and a couple of 'spooktacular' local events you won't want to miss.

All Saints Day Celebrations at Lázaro Cárdenas Park

At 7 pm on November 1st, a Celebración a Los Angelitos ("Our Little Angels") will be held at Lázaro Cárdenas Park in remembrance of all children who have died. Local bakeries will be giving away samples of Pan de Muerto, a sweetened soft bread, often decorated with bone-like pieces that's traditionally baked during the days leading up to El Día de los Muerto, and other traditional Mexican hot chocolate. At 8 pm check out the Altars of the Dead while sampling Antojitos Mexicanos (literally called "little cravings"), and traditional Mexican foods, like tacos, tamales, gorditas, quesadillas, tostadas, elotes, garnachas, menudo, pozole, tortas, as well as fresh fruit, vegetables, and beverages. Mexico has one of the most extensive food cultures in Latin America. Some foreign tourists shy away from traditional food, but it is considered some of the best food that Mexico has to offer. Tri Mariachi will take the stage at 8:30 pm, and will be followed by Puerto Vallarta's Municipal Folkloric Dance Company, Xiutla Folkloric Ballet, who will perform dances from different regions of Mexico - all dedicated to the dead - at 9:30 pm. Admission is free, so don't miss this spooktacular evening of fun!

Paradise Community Center Closes - Services Relocate

According to Pastor Ric Lehman, it has just gotten too expensive to keep the Paradise Community Center open at Púlpito 127 on Vallarta's South side. But never fear, many of the center's activities will continue to operate in new locations. The Saturday Market Co-Op has moved from the Paradise Community Center to its new location in Old Town Vallarta at 466 Carranza, between Jacarandas and Naranjo streets (previously the home of La Luna Restaurant.) Visit your favorite vendors year-round beginning on Saturday, November 1 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. If you are looking to adopt a kitten - or just to enjoy a kitty cuddle! - the Purr Project Saturday morning adoption booth will now be located next to Daiquiri Dick's beginning November 1, and every Saturday from 9:30 am until 1:00 pm. Beginning on Sunday, November 2 the inter-denominational Worship in Paradise Church services (in English!) will be meeting on the Act II Main Stage. Located above Wing's Army on the corner of Insurgentes and Basilio Badillo on Vallarta's South side, ACT II offers a great theater setting - with air conditioning! Service time is 10:30 am. Whether you live in Puerto Vallarta or are here on vacation, the Paradise Church offers a contemporary worship style in a casual atmosphere, so come as you are!

Bravos' Hosts Corazón de Niña Breakfast Benefit

Bravos Restaurant Bar, which just celebrated its first year at Francisco I. Madero 263 on the South Side of Puerto Vallarta, will be hosting a Benefit Breakfast for Corazón de Niña on Friday, November 7 at 10 am. The suggested donation is $250 pesos per person, with 60% of all proceeds to be donated to Corazón de Niña, the only home in Puerto Vallarta that focuses on adolescent girls that come from high risk situations, such as abandonment, negligence, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Each one has a tragic childhood story and they will tell you that what matters is that now it has a happy ending. Today they all enjoy a sense of family, a spiritual life, a school life, a balanced/nutritious diet, routine medical/psychological attention, academic support and various sports and activities. A non-profit organization that survives solely on private donations, Corazon de Niña helps these girls to become healthy, strong and independent women. Please support this very worthy cause by attending this special event. Tickets are available at Carol's Boutique and Cassandra Shaw Jewelry on Basilio Badillo, and at Kristina's Salon in Marina Vallarta. To learn more about Corazón de Niña, visit their website.

Los Muertos Pier Fishing Tournament November 7-8

You don't have to be rich to enter the 7th Annual Los Muertos Pier Fishing Tournament! Scheduled to take place on Friday and Saturday, November 7th and 8th, this tournament is for the common man, with entry fees of only $2000 pesos per boat. The tournament begins at 7 am on November 8th, when participating fishermen board their boats and head out to sea to "reel in the big one" in the Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Tuna and Open Water categories. All boats must return to shore no later than 3 pm, which is when each boat's catch is weighed. Minimum weights in each category are as follows: • Dorado: 8 KG • Sailfish: 25 KG • Marlin: 80 KG • Tuna and Open Water: No Weight Limit. More than 320 boats are expected to participate in this year's tournament. After the boats return to the pier on the 8th, a fiesta begins with free food for everyone, (all of the fish caught in the tournament will be cooked on the beach and served gratis!), an awards ceremony with prizes totaling $200,000 pesos, live music and tons of fun! Don't miss the party of the year on Los Muertos!

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
Click on titles for more information

• Celebrating Life and Death in Puerto Vallarta

• Celebrate Mexico's Day of the Dead at Daiquiri Dick's

• El Arrayán Restaurant Celebrates El Día de Los Muertos