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. So we've put together a brief overview of several of this week's news headlines from local Spanish language publications, a few Mexico news stories, and some upcoming events you won't want to miss.

DIF Launches Child Protection Campaign

In order to counteract and curb labor exploitation practices, bullying and child sexual exploitation, Puerto Vallarta's Municipal System of Integral Family Development (DIF) has launched a campaign called Protegiendo a la Niñez (Protecting Children). Magally Fregoso, President of the organization, said the campaign was created to inform and sensitize all sectors of society, and encourage the dissemination of child rights upheld by UNICEF. According to Fregoso, achieving coordination between academia, business and government will be established to place campaign posters alluding to the promotion against child trafficking, commercial exploitation and bullying will be placed in restaurants, hotels and other business establishments. in addition, DIF will implement a permanent workshop in coordination with the DRSE within public schools, where they will develop more than 20 topics focused on sensitizing students, parents and teachers.

Upcoming Events at Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Since opening the Gardens gates in 2004, Vallarta Botanical Gardens has won international accolades as a not-to-be missed highlight of any trip to Puerto Vallarta. In addition to the 20 acres of native tropical plants and flowering trees, VBG has two events planned for June that you won't want to miss!

On Friday, June 21st from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Gardens will celebrate the Summer Solstice. Come out early and spend some time wandering through the gardens before taking part in a Ritual Ceremony that opens the Summer Solstice festivities at 12:30 pm. Afterwards, you can have your fortune told by one of 3 psychics in the Hacienda de Oro from 1-4 pm. Readings are based on donations and/or separate charges by the readers. The only fee is the entrance to the gardens.

On Sunday June 23rd, VBG will host the second "Ladies that Lunch" gathering from 1-5 pm. Under the theme "June Bloom - here comes the rain again" (wear your best hat) you'll enjoy: A wine and cheese reception; a tour of the gardens and solarium; a sit down lunch with your choice of soup or salad, grilled chicken or fish served with rice and vegetables, and pastries for all served table side - all for just $300 pesos per person. Invite a friend and it's 2 for $500 pesos! For more information, call Steve at (322) 223-6182 or email stephenclay@vbgardens.org.

2 Million Canadians Expected to Visit Mexico in 2013

Based on reported 2012 results, Mexico, as one of the busiest destinations for Canadian tourism, is expecting to receive more than 2 million Canadian visitors this year. Yvonne Chin, Consul of Canada in Guadalajara, said her nation has become a very important market for Mexico, since in recent years, the influx of Canadians has increased considerably. She noted that 1 million 600 thousand visitors visited the country in 2011, increased to 1 million 800 thousand in 2012, and could exceed 2 million for 2013. In this regard she said that Puerto Vallarta is at the top of the list of cities Canadians visit, along with Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara, and San Miguel de Allende. She stressed that, according to reports by the Ministry of Tourism, visits by Canadians have been predominant in 2013, accounting for 14 percent of the total number of Mexico's visitors during the first quarter of this year.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around the Bay
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• Vallarta Restaurant Week, May 15-31

• Vallarta Bugambilia Festival, May 17-25th

• 'Pride Vallarta 2013' Scheduled for May 24-26th

• 'Acción En La Cruz' Cocktail & Tapas Benefit

Don't forget to vote for your favorite Puerto Vallarta restaurants in our 2013 Best of Banderas Bay Awards, right HERE on BanderasNews.com. We'll be collecting your votes in categories ranging from 'Best Breakfast' to 'Best Margarita' through December 31st, and the Puerto Vallarta restaurant with the most votes in each category will be named 'The Best of Banderas Bay' at an awards ceremony in early 2014. Click HERE to vote NOW!