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, some community announcements, and a couple of weekend events that you won't want to miss.

PEACE Punta de Mita Fundraising Campaign

Peace Punta de Mita A.C. (PPM) is completing its first 12 months of operations at the end of this month, and to finance its continuing operations, it's time now for PPM's Second Annual Fundraising Campaign. PPM's signature focus in 2014 continues to be Education, particularly a major new initiative to hire 3 qualified teachers for English language instruction reaching 100% of students, all 976, attending local schools. Our target for the 2014 Campaign is to raise USD $330,000 [4 million pesos], of which 75% will be for existing and future programs, and 25% for our reserve fund. We are asking all Punta de Mita seasonal homeowners and year-round residents, including businesses, to consider a 1, 2, or 3 year pledge. For more details about sponsorships, PPM's progress and PPM's existing programs, please visit peacepuntademita.org.

Puerto Vallarta Lifeguards Save Drowning Children

On Monday, Puerto Vallarta lifeguards saved the lives of two children who were drowning in Banderas Bay. The two girls, aged 11 and 12, were boogie boarding with a friend in the waters just off of Punta Negra Beach, when they were caught in a cross current. One of the girls managed to stay on the board but the other two panicked, and fell into the churning water. When people realized there was a problem some tried to assist the children, while others alerted the lifeguards, who immediately ran into the water and brought the children safely back to the beach. Eleven-year-old Yadith Maray Contreras Macedo was unconscious when she was brought back to the beach, where the lifeguards performed CPR until she revived. Shortly thereafter, the Fire Department's Paramedics unit B-53 arrived and treated Yareni Contreras Viorato's leg, which Yadith had bitten during her struggle to survive. Both children were left under the care of their parents, who said that they would take the children to a hospital themselves, so the lifeguards proceeded to give them all of the information they would need to relay to the doctors. Remarkably, the girl who had been playing in the ocean with them was uninjured and got out of the water on her own two feet.

Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra Spring Concerts

The 9th Annual Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert is just around the corner! Scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 23rd at 3 pm at Teatro Vallarta, and at 8 pm on Monday, March 24th at the Paradise Village Community Center in Nuevo Vallarta, it will be one of the musical highlights of the spring season. Daniel Oliveros will be conducting this year’s performance, which will showcase Latin-American music and feature Luna Rumba, a popular local band that fuses Gypsy, Latin, Flamenco, Middle Eastern, Celtic, and Rock - all spiced up with hot Cuban rhythms. Tickets cost $150 pesos for adults or $50 for children and students. Don't miss hearing Vallarta's very own orchestra in concert. Be sure to mark your calendar for Sunday, March 23 if you are here in Vallarta, or Monday, March 24th if you are in Nuevo Vallarta. Note: Teatro Vallarta is located across from Ley Supermarket at Uruguay #184 in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The Paradise Village Community Center is located across from the Hard Rock Hotel one and one-half blocks north of the Paradise Shopping Center in Nuevo Vallarta.

'Taste of Lo De Marcos' was an Unbridled Success!

Over 75 people attended the Taste of Lo De Marcos event last Sunday at the El Centro de Fiestas de Los Delfines on Avenida Luis Echeverria in Lo De Marcos on the Riviera Nayarit. The event was organized and Sponsored by Galván Real Estate and Services to raise funds for The Amigos de lo de Marcos organization that supports local causes including the recycle center, spay and neuter clinics, medical clinic, schools and compost center. The 4 hour event was a lot of fun for the Vendors and attendees and generated over 3000 pesos which then flowed through the pueblo of Lo De Marcos and included a donation to Amigos de lo de Marcos A.C. and La Casa de los Niños.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay
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• Celebrate Spring Equinox with PEACE Punta de Mita

• Mexico Cup Regatta at Marina Riviera Nayarit March 16-30th

• Entreamigos' Circo de los Niños Returns to San Pancho