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. Here's a look at some of this week's Vallarta news headlines, a couple of community announcements, and a few upcoming local events you won't want to miss.

PV Garden Club Meeting, December 19th

Linda Harley will be the speaker at the next Puerto Vallarta Garden Club meeting, scheduled to take place at the Paradise Community Center on Thursday, December 19 at 11 am. A professional chef who was raised in South America, Linda has studied indigenous foods as well as the traditional techniques for preparing many of these foods. During the meeting, she will share with us the spiritual connection of the Mayan people with their source of life, Maiz ~ the Food of the Gods. While you are there, consider sponsoring a tile this holiday season in your name, to honor someone important to you, or to extend your appreciation for the beautiful city we enjoy. We'll also have our newly produced Vallarta Garden Club/Bugambilia Festival tee shirts and bougainvillea plants available for purchase. Editor's Note: The Paradise Community Center is located at Pulpito #127 on Puerto Vallarta's south side.

Vallarta Installs Environmentally Friendly Street Lights

Earlier this month, Puerto Vallarta's Mayor, Ramón Martínez Guerrero, launched the start of a new initiative to install a new, environmentally friendly street lighting system throughout the city. Working with Citelum, a global leader in lighting and other urban electrical systems, to date they have changed over 5,000 of the more than 18,000 street lights in Puerto Vallarta with a system that will guarantee better street lighting, while saving the city 30 percent in energy and resources. "We are bringing light to where none existed before. With this technology, we are ensuring that Puerto Vallarta neighborhoods are well-lit. We are transforming our colonias, and that certainly gives security to all citizens and generates social justice," the Mayor said.

MEXORC Returns to Puerto Vallarta in 2014

The Mexican Ocean Racing Circuit (MEXORC), an international sailing competition that began in the 1960's with the San Diego-Acapulco Regattas, will return to Puerto Vallarta from March 23-29, 2014. Known as one of the most important sailing events on the Pacific Coast, MEXORC will put sailors from the Pacific coast of the United States and Mexico in a race across Mexican waters. For its 2014 edition, the racing rivalry will feature approximately 50 sailboats from 34' to 80' competing in six days of races, including daily regattas and events taking place in the Bay of Banderas, Bahia Las Caletas, the Marietas Islands and Puerto Vallarta's Marina.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens' Orchid Celebration

How can I identify an orchid? Why isn't mine blooming at home? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens' Orchid Celebration on December 28th. From 10 am to 6 pm, volunteers will hold orchid discussions, re potting workshops, tours of the Holstien Tropical Plant House, and walks along the Gardens' jungle trails to view native species. In a country with over 1,200 incredible native species you'll see why orchids captivate our attention and provide us with such joy. Celebratory punch and cookies will be served all day. At 6 pm, Vallarta Botanical Gardens members can join fellow Copa de Oro Members, Trustees, and other top supporters for the Annual Orchid Gala & Candelight Dinner. Entertainment, a four course dinner with champagne and open bar, dancing, and great company will serve as the crescendo event for this year that is preparing us for ground breaking of the Vallarta Conservatory of Mexican Orchids in January. Mariachis and a performance by the El Tuito Folkloric Dance Troup will ensure a festive atmosphere for an unforgettable occasion. Recommended attire is smart casual and perhaps a sweater or light jacket. Reservations must be set with Michaela Flores by 3 pm on December 26th. She may be contacted at memberships(at)vbgardens.org or (322) 223-6182.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay
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• La Cruz Festival Savor & Musik Dec 9-15th

• Sea Monkey Hosts Luau in Support of PuRR Project

• Puerto Vallarta South Side Shuffle This Friday

• Live Entertainment on Vallarta's Paradise Stage

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!