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 Vallarta Living | June 2008 
Out and About in Puerto Vallarta
 Twila Crawford - PVNN
| | It may be rainy season here, but that doesn't put a damper on the non-stop action! Between the new ice skating rink at Plaza Caracol, art shows, fine dining and live music there's always something to do while you're Out and About in Puerto Vallarta. | | |
The rainy season has gotten off to a thoroughly rainy start, hasn't it? Checks are being made for building leaks. Saws and hammers are going full strength in our neighborhood. How are you doing?
So... let's go ice skating, especially when we feel the need to cool off! The long-talked-about ice rink is open at Plaza Caracol. It is located behind the escalators that lead to the theater or the food court. There is a charge. Children were enjoying the ice when I passed by.
We remember Mike Egan, and our thoughts are with Debbi Egan and their families. Many attended the beachside memorial. Their restaurant, Banana Cantina, is known for hosting regular fundraisers for helping charitable organizations in the Vallarta area. The restaurant is closed for the summer.
Finally... we are openly and widely discussing drug issues in the Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay area. You can't deny issues when Army units are patrolling, and vehicle checks and searches are routine. Friends returning from San Pancho talked about going through a checkpoint. Other friends talk about large gatherings of Army and police units in Nayarit... and others discuss units passing by on Vallarta streets. A knowledgeable source indicates that a larger cartel has ousted a smaller one here. We may be seeing some of these factors.
Living in El Centro, recently I've felt as if I'm still living in the Washington, DC, area, with sirens blaring frequently wherever. Then I go out, and persons are talking about this or that shooting or robbery in the Vallarta area. Persons flock around the Spanish-language newspapers on the central mall to find out what is happening. English-language-only residents probably should consider subscribing online to the Guadalajara Reporter, or pick it up at a newsstand, as the newspaper is providing front-page coverage about what is happening in Vallarta and carries some general Vallarta news throughout the newspaper. We local columnists can try to keep you briefly informed.
We always hear about the northern border, but now Guatemala plans to send hundreds of troops and anti-drug police to its border with Mexico to stem growing drug violence there.
Onward in normal life, when viewing multi-talented Pat Henry's powerful and colorful paintings in oil and acrylic, I kept thinking they show her growth and strength of her sailing and traveling alone 40,000 miles around the world. Pat also loves Tango, and she includes a series of monotypes featuring tango shoes. Her Vallarta show on a rainy evening, even brought out generally Botanical Gardens-bound Bob Price. Of course, Tango instructors Al and Barbara Garvey were there. Pat's studio is open by appointment, tel: 222-4119.
Rain-soaked, we decided to move on to Galeria Vertice, Ignacio L. Vallarta 179, an open space with artists' work from around Mexico and the world. We crossed paths all evening with another gallery owner, Barbara Peters, Art Walk founder.
Elsewhere, Cafe Bohemio, Rodolfo Gomez 127, has its awning up now for rainy season dining.
We dried off with some Thai Crab and Coconut Cream Soup while listening to Vallarta's outstanding Beverly and Willow at The River Cafe. Musician Memo Suarez sought refuge from the rain, and explained to me intricacies of Willow's fine guitar playing on a Gibson guitar. Willow performed several solos on the guitar and did some singing, too, and separately with Beverly. The staff at The River Care is a gracious group.
 An award-winning journalist, Twila Crawford lives in Puerto Vallarta, where, in addition to contributing articles to BanderasNews, the Vallarta Tribune and other local publications, she writes Out and About in Puerto Vallarta, an informative column that offers inside information about who, what, why, where and when it's happening around Banderas Bay.
Click HERE to read more articles by Twila Crawford. |
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