| | |  Vallarta Living | January 2009 
Out and About in Puerto Vallarta
 Twila Crawford - PVNN
| | With all kinds of fun things to do, from festivals, fireworks, fundraisers and films to checking out the latest shows and newest restaurants, there's always something to keep you entertained while you are Out and About in Puerto Vallarta. | |
Vallarta artist, humanitarian and tennis player David Leonard died on January 4 after being diagnosed with lung cancer. His mosaics were exhibited, and he designed mosaic glass tables and chairs and other beautiful pieces. Every table and chair was designed and installed by Leonard at Vitea Restaurant on the Malecon, according to his friend, Bob Cohen. A celebration of his life by friends was conducted at the beach this past week.
Area musicians will gather on Sunday, January 18, for a one-day benefit concert to help pay medical bills for Jomie Thompson, wife of Kenny Thompson. Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit, resident Kenny Thompson, a music supporter, was killed in an auto accident in December, with his wife receiving serious injuries to both legs, with $25,000 in medical expenses. Country and Western, folk, blues, rock and Mexican bands will contribute. Tents, barbecues, beer and wine, and raffles will be available. Hours are noon to 10 pm in La Penita (50 kilometers north of Puerto Vallarta.) Tickets are $100 pesos. For more information, email editor(at)ontheroadin.com.
RISE (Refugio Infantile) will have its big fundraiser on February 7 with entertainment and food from some of Vallarta's fabulous restaurants at the American School in Marina Vallarta, 5:00-9:00 pm. Recently child author Spencer Kawalek presented a check in the amount of $13,020 pesos from his book, I Love Coconuts, and from Ron Wennekes If I Could Swim Like Fishes, to RISE. For further information and tickets for the popular fundraiser, please call tireless worker for RISE, Sudy Coy at (322) 224-4407.
Vallarta will host the first Rio Cuale Festival January 16 - 31 with music, dance, theater, plastic arts, culinary arts and folk art. The River Cuale Island setting is beautiful. This festival is supported by City Hall, the Board of Tourism, the Island's Business Association, local and international press and guest artists. For more information, email: newsletter(at)rivercafe.com.mx.
A lot of excitement is around for the 11th International Fireworks Symposium in Vallarta April 20 - 24. The official hotel for the event is the Sheraton Buganvillas Resort and Convention Center. Internationally famous fireworks manufacturers will be able to exchange latest technologies and ideas with other members of the pyrotechnic industry. Various product demonstrations and shows will be open to the public during the event, including traditional fireworks.
Mexico's economy is likely headed for a recession in 2009 amid slowing exports and investment, Treasury Secretary Agustin Carstens says. Mexico President Felipe Calderon announced a 18.9 billion dollar budget addition to help businesses and families with the economic crisis in Mexico. It also would subsidize a 10 percent reduction in household gas prices and a freeze on gasoline prices, and up to 20 percent lower prices for electricity in industrial use.
The U.S. has released another $99 million as part of an aid package to support Mexico's police and soldiers in their fight against drug cartels. U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza says the funds will help Mexico's military buy aircraft and other equipment to detect drugs, cash and weapons. Mexico's death toll from drug violence reached more than 5,000 deaths in 2008. Drug-related murders and kidnappings are spilling over the U.S. border as well.
Movie producer Roger Corman will film his latest science fiction movie, tentatively titled "Night of the Shark," on location in the Puerto Vallarta area, using local supporting actors. Filming in Vallarta is expected to start around the end of February.
The winner of the most useless bureaucratic procedure is the IMSS social security system, prize awarded by the Mexican federal government. Open to the public since last September, the competition was not only a humorous jab at the government's own penchant for red tape, but a serious effort by the Calderon administration to encourage people to voice their complaints, and, maybe in the long term, cut through Mexico's miles of red tape. More than 20,000 submissions were made over the past three months. The submissions actually will be analyzed by municipal, state and federal government offices. The IMSS complaint winner is Cecilia Deyanira Velazquez who received a 300,000 pesos check.
New shows are underway at Santa Barbara Theater. Call the theater at (322) 223-2048.
So many activities are going on at the International Friendship Club (IFC), from lectures to different tours to many activities. Tel: (322) 222-5466.
Statistics from a University of Guadalajara report conducted by researcher Carlos Virgen Aguilar provide confirmation of not good times right now in Puerto Vallarta. We can see empty graffitti splotched stores and hear about negative business news and less tourists visiting our city. Attendance at the Community Church by Parque Hidalgo is down by 25%, according to Pastor Don Powell, because tourists are not visiting the area. More than 4,000 worshipers visit the church during the year.
The report by Virgen provides these statistics: (1) Number of U.S. tourists visiting Vallarta in 2008 dropped by 9 percent compared with 2007; (2) Reported losses in revenue of 100 million dollars caused by cancellation of cruise ships; (3) Real estate sales down by 40 percent; (4) About 20 percent of construction industry employees left without work; (5) Vallarta's hoteliers, expecting fewer visitors, are concerned by reports of legal maneuvers by some condominium developers to change the legal definition of "condominiums" to "condo-hotels" that may further affect their business (The average tourist who stays in a hotel spends 700 pesos per day, compared with 350 pesos by those who rent condos.); and (6) Warnings by the researcher of the social consequences caused by the shortage of temporary hotel work in the high season. "Vallarta already has the highest crime rate in the state (Jalisco) by a long way," Virgen says. Video surveillance cameras have been installed in key areas of the city to attempt to reduce crime.
Recently shootings and robberies have been reported in our Banderas Bay area, including in the WalMart area. The drug cartel issues also continue with "narco" shootings and arrests reported by Spanish-language newspapers. Continue to be aware and stay alert while you enjoy the Vallarta area and beyond.
Tens of thousands of fishermen kept their boats in ports on Mexico's Atlantic and Pacific coasts on one day a week ago to protest against fuel prices that are reported to have risen 25 percent in one year.
The CoExist Cafe at Hotel Rio, Morelos 170, is beautifully refurbished with the feeling of a mini-resort. Brown open-design tables and chairs with white cushions offer comfort. The pool with water spouts is a pleasant way to have a nearby drink or lunch. The open inside part of the restaurant features lovely art and large televisions for sports fans. The primarily Mexican food is always good. Several soups are tasty and filling. Music is featured in the evening. Owner Victor M Zamorano Sierra says they are still making changes and deciding just how the cafe will settle in at the Hotel Rio. For further information, call (322) 222-0366.
 An award-winning journalist, Twila Crawford lives in Puerto Vallarta, where, in addition to contributing articles to BanderasNews, the PV Mirror 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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