Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around the Republic, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's breaking Mexico news stories, a couple of community announcements, and a few Banderas Bay area events you won't want to miss.

OEPV Autumn Concert in Plaza Caracol

As part of the Puerto Vallarta Orchestra School (OEPV) Fall concert series, a Symphonic Band concert will be presented on Sunday, October 20 in the courtyard of the new section of Plaza Caracol. The OEPV Symphonic Band, under the baton of Maestro Daniel Oliveros, has prepared a family friendly and entertaining repertoire of Classical, Latin and Pop music as well as hits from blockbuster movies. The concert is free and begins at 7:30 pm.

Mexico City on Path to Legalizing Marijuana

While Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has taken a stand against the easing of Mexico's drug policies, lawmakers in Mexico City are pushing to make it legal to carry up to 25 grams of marijuana. The movement to decriminalize marijuana in the Mexican capital has intensified in recent months, following a large pro-marijuana march in May and a three-day forum on drug policy held in September. In addition to decriminalization, some lawmakers are proposing that Mexico City establish 'cannabis clubs,' where users can grow and smoke marijuana. Mexico is not alone in its move toward legalization, at least not in Latin America. In August, Uruguay’s lower house approved a bill to legalize marijuana use, and its senate is expected to pass the bill at the end of October.

Community Museum in Aticama, Nayarit Nears Completion

The new Community Museum in Aticama, a joint project of the Matanchen Cultural Center and other community organizations, is nearing completion. The idea for a community museum originated with Dr. Rose Lee Patron of Santa Cruz de Miramar, Nayarit, and is a continuation of her efforts to establish a museum to help conserve the many indigenous artifacts that are found in our area. The new museum will include exhibits representing the following eras of Mexican history: Pre-Hispanic, Spanish Colonial, Mexican Independence, and Mexican Revolutionary. In the continuing process of collecting items for the new museum, they are seeking donations of pre-Columbian artifacts as well as all other items that reflect the history of our area. Donations of old photographs, agricultural tools, nautical items, etc., are now being accepted. Old photographs can be digitized and the original returned to the owner. Contact Leon Pope museo(at)aticama.com if you would like to donate items, volunteer your time or contribute financial support. BN Editor's Note: Aticama is a small farming and fishing community located in the state of Nayarit, Mexico. It is situated approximately 90 miles north of Puerto Vallarta near the town of San Blas on the Riviera Nayarit.

Chinese Delegation Visits Mexico to Boost Trade Ties

A high-level Chinese delegation consisting of officials and representatives of financial institutions and enterprises visited Mexico this week to seek more cooperation in trade and investment. According to China Business News, the three-day visit consisted of talks held about the setting up of a senior investment working group and more cooperation between Chinese and Mexican enterprises. The composition of the delegation showed the two sides' support for Chinese enterprises coming to Mexico with investment focused on infrastructure, resources, minerals and machinery. Mexico welcomes investment from China on building infrastructure such as ports and railways, especially high-speed railway, since in July, Mexico released a plan to invest $100 billion in transportation and communication infrastructure over the next 5 years, and in August, Mexican Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena visited China to try to attract more Chinese investors to Mexico.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay
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• ExPats in Vallarta Happy Hour October 22

• Ohtli Spa Hosts Cocktail Fundraiser for Grupo Esperanza

• Centro Historico ArtWalk Starts October 30

• Old Town Farmers' Market Resumes November 2

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!