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 headlines from local Spanish language newspapers, a few breaking Mexico news stories, and a couple of upcoming events you won't want to miss.

La Cruz Marina Pool-side Barbecue

Come out to Marina Riviera Nayarit on Saturday, July 20th for a pool-side BBQ to help send local windsurfer Juan Basco Varela to the 2013 Techno 293 in Poland. Gather up your friends, family, and something to throw on the 'community' grill, and join us for a fun-filled potluck party that starts at 4 pm. Kitsiuri Deli will be serving up hot dogs, fries and beers, and there will be lots of fun for everyone. You can play water volleyball with Richard of Latitude 38, buoy-ball paddle games instigated by PV Sailing, or participate in an auction or raffle with ticket prices starting at $100 pesos for your chance to win great prizes that include: two weeks use of a Marina slip, Vallarta Adventures day passes for two, one night at a romantic bungalow for two, and dinners at local restaurants - all for a good cause. If you cannot make it to the event, but would like to make a donation to help send Juan to the Youth Windsurfing World Championship, please call Katrina Liana at 322-183-3843 or email pr@marinarivieranayarit.com.

435 Million Tourists Expected to Travel Abroad in 2013

A total of 298 million international tourists travelled worldwide between January and April 2013, 12 million more than in the same period last year according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Prospects for the current tourism peak season remain positive with some 435 million tourists expected to travel abroad in the May-August period. International air travel reservations for May-August from business intelligence tool Forwardkeys support this outlook with a 4% increase in bookings for that period. The highest growth is recorded in international flight reservations from Africa and the Middle East (+7%) and the Americas (+5%), followed by Europe (+3%) and Asia and the Pacific (+2%). For the full year of 2013, international tourist arrivals are expected to increase by 3% to 4% in line with UNWTO’s long-term forecast of 3.8% per year for the period 2010 to 2020. Learn more at TravelAndTourWorld.com.

Democrats Abroad "Summer Spirits for Spirit" Event

The next 'Summer Spirits for Spirit' event, a meet and greet for the Banderas Bay Chapter of Democrats Abroad, will be held at Nacho Daddy MexTex Restaurant on Tuesday, July 23, from 7-9 pm. Sean Moore of Nacho Daddy is graciously hosting the event and will be offering food and drink specials all evening as well as musical entertainment beginning at 8:30 pm. At 7:30 pm, Luis Melgoza, will present "Ask Luis," an informal question and answer session on current topics of interest such as immigration, foreign-plated vehicles, etc... Nacho Daddy is located at 180 Basilio Badillo on the South side of Vallarta. Come be a part of a chock-full-of-info and fun-filled evening with like-minded friends.

2013 DIF Friendship Motocross Race Set for July 21st

More than 40 competitors from Guadalajara, Autlán, Tepic and Puerto Vallarta are expected to participate in the 2013 DIF Friendship Motocross Race to be held on Sunday, July 21st at the motocross track on Avenida Prisciliano Sánchez. Tickets cost $50 pesos for adults and $25 pesos for children with all proceeds benefitting the Puerto Vallarta System for Integral Family Development (DIF) raise the $40,000 pesos needed to continue all of the DIF programs that support low-income families in the city. According to Manuel Gradilla of the Vallarta Motocross Federation, the racing program will start at 12 noon with the children's competitions, followed by youth and adult races. He added that there are many talented children in the Vallarta Motocross Federation who rank at a national level, hence the importance of this private initiative to support social causes, as they have always done. Event sponsors include Kiosko, Honda, Yamaha, and Outback, and others.

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

• Vallarta IFC 'Christmas in July' Celebration

• This Week's Summer Sizzle Menu at Daiquiri Dick's

• Expats in Vallarta Happy Hour

• 'The Newlywed Game' for PV Charities at No Way José!

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!