| | |  Vallarta Living 
Out and About in Puerto Vallarta
 Twila Crawford - PVNN
April 03, 2010
| | Since 1986, the Puerto Vallarta IFC has funded a Cleft Palate program that provides free medical consultation and treatment to underprivileged children born with a cleft palate or harelip. Click HERE for more info. | |
Only 7 percent of U.S. retirees say that public safety and security concerns have reduced the frequency of duration of their trips to Mexico, according to a new study. The International Community Foundation in a study, U.S. Retirement Trends in Mexico's Coastal Communities: Lifestyle Priorities and Demographics, surveyed 840 American retirees aged over 50 in coastal areas of Mexico.
This report is the first of five studies on this topic that will be published by the Foundation. Click HERE for an overview. The complete report and research methodology can be accessed at icfdn.org.
Two Americans and a Mexican connected to the U.S. consulate in the border city of Ciudad Juarez were slain after leaving a children's birthday party. FBI investigators are in Juarez to help find a motive for the attack or to establish whether it was a case of mistaken identity. U.S, officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have visited Mexico concerning this and other security matters.
U.S. consular agent Kelly Trainor has the patience of Job. She displayed that quality through her answers to U.S. citizens' questions at an informational security meeting in Puerto Vallarta. Various divisions of the police and city officials served on a panel. Trainor often translated information.
"Do you feel threatened while living in Puerto Vallarta?" she asked. No one in the audience indicated they felt threatened. Many questions and comments related to incidents that occurred. A number sounded like gossip and discussion around the swimming pool or at a bar.
Speaking of bars, a number of questions were in the category of "I was intoxicated," or "I came out of a bar..." and Breathalyzer readings were questioned. Traffic incidents and matters involving cars were brought up.
Local official ranging from police representatives to a district attorney were friendly and answered questions. Trainor pointed out that Puerto Vallarta is safe, with a few incidents. She pointed out that one should always report incidents so local officials know what is going on. (See businessman Sid Goodman's detailed report.)
U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama will make her first solo official trip abroad to visit Mexico City April 13-15. She will visit with the people of the country and build on a recent conversation with Mexico's First lady Margarita Zavala de Calderon on education and economic advancement.
Carlos Slim has been named the world's richest man by Forbes magazine, overtaking Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Gates topped the Forbes list for the past 15 years. When millions of Mexicans are struggling, telecommunications magnate Slim's fortune increased by $18.5 billion dollars to $53.5 billion. Several others in Mexico are in the top 100 of the world's richest persons.
The Santa Barbara Theater is closed permanently. Owner Ann Marie Danimus plans to hold a clearance sale on props and equipment at the theater. Ann Marie will return to the U.S, and is awaiting a new kidney. Our thoughts and good wishes are with her.
"West Side Story" was a wonderful American School production, with its beautiful music. Andrea Aragon and Tucker Lehman were the leads. Andrea Aragon is gifted with her beautiful voice. She hopes to study musical theater and perform on Broadway. What a talent! Director and producer Meredith Higgins oversaw vocals, acting, costumes, choreography, staging and editing. Whew!
The International Friendship Club (IFC) participants raised money during a fiesta for the Cleft Palate program. Thanks to individuals and businesses that contributed to the fiesta.
Enjoy the Old Town Farmers' Market on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Paradise Community Center, 127 Pulpito. Thank you to Charlotte Semple who gave leadership to this community endeavor.
 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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