Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, 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 translated a few of this week's news stories from Spanish language publications, and listed some of this weekend's local events that you won't want to miss.

'Casa Digna' Program Helps Local Families

Puerto Vallarta Mayor, Ramon Guerrero Martinez, continues to work towards a better heritage for impoverished local families. For the second consecutive year, he has launched the 'Casa Digna' program, to improve more than 9000 homes throughout the municipality. The mayor himself led the start of this housing support program, in which, to date, 372 families living in the Upper Primavera, Primero de Mayo, Ramblases, Ramblases Ecológico, Santa María, Linda Vista Océano, Ampliación Linda Vista Océano, Del Mar and Jardines Colonias have received construction materials, such as cement blocks, tile, water tank, paint, and cement, to improve their homes, and their lives.

Vallarta Pride LGBT Commitment Ceremony

Vallarta Pride organizers are holding a mass same sex commitment ceremony that is open to all, regardless of gender or nationality. The free event will be held at Lido Beach Club on Saturday, May 24th, 2014 at 11 am, and will be officiated by Maurice Monette and Adriana García. Maurice Monette works as a management consultant for non-profit organizations preserving the environment in the Sea of Cortez. He is a painter and writer and the author of Confessions of a Gay Married Priest: A Spiritual Journey. Adriana García is the Los Mangos Library Director. Originally from Mexico City, she has a long standing history of work with non-profit organizations. Adriana said that "while the service will not legally unite the couples in attendance, the event is being held to give the LGBT community an opportunity to participate in a rite of passage that many take for granted." The event will be held on Los Muertos Beach and will include a pre-ceremony reception from 11-11:45 am, with the mass commitment service following. The happy couples will be photographed, given a certificate of commitment, and entered in a drawing for a chance to win a honeymoon package at Casa Cupula, an artisan chocolate basket provided by Xocodiva, a $500 pesos Café des Artistes gift certificate, and a $1,000 pesos Trattoria Michel gift certificate. Learn more at VallartaPride.com.

'Electroacopio 2014' Collected 20.5 Tons of Vallarta's Electronic Waste

On Wednesday, the Department of Environment and Ecology delivered the first certificates of recognition for the responsible destruction and recycling of unused/unwanted electronics to the local companies and institutions that participated in 'Electroacopio 2014' campaign, held last February. A total of 20.5 tons of electronic waste were collected over the two-day crusade, making Puerto Vallarta one of the municipalities with the highest participation statewide. Computer monitors made up the majority of the collected waste, followed by CPU's, printers, televisions, and stereos, among other electronic devices. According to America García Patiño, who is in charge of the Department of Environment and Ecology's Integrated Solid Waste Management Program, in addition to twenty-two Puerto Vallarta condominiums, hotels, restaurants, businesses and schools, 13% of the municipality's households participated in the February campaign. Due to the public's participation and positive response to the first 'Electroacopio 2014' campaign, the city is planning a second collection effort, which could be carried out between August and September of this year. A permanent collection center in the city has also been proposed.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
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• 10th Annual Vallarta Restaurant Week May 15-31

• 5th Annual Riviera Nayarit Wind Festival, May 16-18

• XXV Vallarta International Sports Classic, May 16-18