Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, 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 Vallarta and Mexico news headlines, a couple of community announcements, and a few upcoming local events you won't want to miss.

Punta Mita Juntos por Los Cabos 5k Race

The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, together with DINE, the developer Punta Mita and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, are hosting a 5k race on Saturday, October 4. The race aims to raise funds for associates of the Starwood Hotel in Los Cabos BCS, which was affected by Hurricane Odile last month. Each participant is asked to donate $150 pesos for the Fondo de Asistencia para Asociados de Hoteles Starwood. For more information and race registration, send an email to veronica.rosas(at)stregis.com. St. Regis Punta Mita Resort guests and residents may register in the Altamira Lobby at 8:00 am, the race will start punctually at 9:00 am on the Punta Mita running track. In addition to the race, an online auction will support the same cause.

Carnival Cruises Return to Cabo San Lucas Oct. 6

Carnival Cruise Lines will call in Cabo San Lucas on October 6, as part of its previously announced move to cruise the Mexican Riviera year-round with the Carnival Miracle. Carnival said the ship would be loaded with relief supplies for the area, which has been damaged by Hurricane Odile. During the ship's visit, the crew will off-load several pallets of bottled water, canned food, cereal, diapers, paper products, personal items and other supplies for residents. "It is extremely gratifying to be resuming our Mexican Riviera cruise program while doing some good for the local community," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival Cruise Line's CEO. Miracle's year-round schedule from Long Beach also includes two other itinerary options. The first is a seven-day, two-port itinerary that features a stop in Cabo San Lucas, along with a two-day overnight stay in Puerto Vallarta. The second alternate itinerary includes a visit to Puerto Vallarta, along with a two-day call at Cabo San Lucas.

October Savings at Di Vino Dante Wine & Tapas Bar

Di Vino Dante Wine & Tapas Bar, located above Galleria Dante at Basilio Badillo 269, has returned from their summer break and has reopened with extended hours, from 2-11 pm. Overlooking the gallery's sculpture garden, Di Vino Dante focuses primarily on Mexican Wine, and owner Gena Guarniere is enthusiastic about introducing people to, and educating them on, these fine wines. This month, she's introducing a new menu and offering a 40% Discount on all menu items through October 15, 2014. (Discount does not include bottles of wine.) If you are in town, be sure to stop by this chic wine and tapas bar on the South side of Puerto Vallarta, where you will enjoy incredible food at incredible prices!

Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner at Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Each November, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens have celebrated Thanksgiving and have become a popular tradition for our friends from the US living here in the tropical paradise of Vallarta. The cooler mountain air at the Garden compared to that of Puerto Vallarta and the aroma of smoke from our brick oven evokes a sense of holiday tradition nostalgia. We'd like to offer a similar experience for our friends from north of the next border. While Thanksgiving in Canada is traditionally celebrated on the second Monday of October, we're putting the turkey in the oven a day earlier as we've got something else planned for our Maple leaf loving friends for the following day. We're offering this for the first time for 2014 even though many of our Canadian friends are still up north. To those of you who are in Vallarta now, please come out and bring your friends. For more information, call (322) 223-6182 or visit vbgardens.org.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
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• CUC Presents 'Nuestro Amigo Americano'

• Introduction to Opera Lecture at Teatro Vallarta

• Bob Bruneau Celebrity Roast at Encore Piano & Wine Bar