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 some 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.

Second Annual PV Mountain Bike Race

VeloBike PV and the Ciclista Amigos Bike Club are hosting the second annual Madre Tierra Mountain Bike Race on Sunday, August 18, at Vista Vallarta Golf Club. The race features categories for all ages and skill levels, from 5-6 year-old children to 50+ advanced cyclists - and everyone in between. A total of $19,650 pesos will be awarded among the three top winners in the junior, beginner, intermediate, women’s, free-style, and advanced categories. Registration is open until 8 pm on Saturday, August 17th, and can be made at VeloBike in Galerías Vallarta, via email at velobike.pv@gmail.com or by calling (322) 209-0716.

Free Internet Service Coming Soon

Despite the proclamation made by Governor Aristóteles Sandoval during the "Punto Jalisco Abierto" presentation made on April 10th in Ocotlan, in which he said that free internet service would be available in the main plazas of 125 municipalities in the State of Jalisco by December 31, 2013, full coverage will not be obtained until the end of 2014. Notably, Ocotlan was one of the first in which this technology, capable of connecting 250 devices at the same time, was installed. On this subject, the Secretary of Planning, Administration and Finance said that the connection had a cost of $45,000 pesos, while the monthly rent will be $3,750 pesos, although investment will vary depending on the infrastructure requirements in each municipality. Meanwhile, Jaime Reyes indicated that they seek to make an alliance with the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT), to complete the work in 75% of the towns during the first half of 2014, and to have the program completed by December.

DIF Puerto Vallarta Food Drive, August 16-18th

Through the Ayúdanos a Poner la Mesa ("Help us set the table") campaign, the System for Integral Family Development (DIF) of Puerto Vallarta aims to raise one thousand kilograms of staple foods to supplement the diets of children, seniors and families in critical need. To do this, DIF will be sponsoring a food drive on August 16, 17 and 18th, from 11 am to 5 pm, with the following drop-off points: Sam's, Walmart Marina, Walmart Macroplaza, Ley's, Soriana Pitillal, Soriana Plaza Caracol, Soriana Playa de Oro and Comercial Mexicana. Note that DIF staff with proper identification, will be at the entrance of each supermarket, where they will receive products in good condition, mainly rice, pasta, legumes, milk and oil. DIF president Magaly Fregoso Ortiz stressed that the goal of this food drive is to be prepared for any contingency and to support the 18,000 "food poor" families in our municipality, especially during the summer rainy season when unexpected situations arise.

Local Rock Band Promotes Vallarta While Filming Documentary

The Vallarta Institute of Culture (IVC) in their efforts to support local talent, has initiated the program with local rock band Los Monda Vallarta in sending them "on the road" to different cities of the republic for the creation of "an interesting documentary of their work that touts the name of Puerto Vallarta all around the country," said IVC Director, Sergio Zepeda Moreno. Zepeda reported that the rock band, after having traveled through the cities of Guadalajara, San Luis Potosi, Rio Verde, León, Morelia, the mexiquense municipality of Cuautitlan Izcalli, and Mexico City, has returned to Puerto Vallarta to finish the documentary. Editing all of the footage will take around two months. When completed, the documentary will be presented to the public in this city. Los Monda Vallarta band was created just over three years ago and features Giovanni Rodriguez, Oscar Soltero and 6 other members. The documentary tells of the band's experiences on the road and the public's response to each of their concerts, the complicated travel, little sleep, and other surprises that this type of project entails.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay
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• Puerto Vallarta 'Bailando Bajo la Lluvia' Festival

• Kaiser Maximilian Offers Vallarta a Taste of Greece

• VBG Rain Forest Environmental and Conservation Festival

• Los Alcatraces Hosts Mexican Lotería for PuRR Project

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!