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 Vallarta and Mexico news headlines, some community announcements, and a couple of this weekend's events that you won't want to miss.

15 Million Pesos Invested in Puerto Vallarta Schools

Rep. Rafa González has directly overseen the management of more than 15 million pesos to strengthen the educational infrastructure in Puerto Vallarta, benefiting thousands of students from various schools throughout the municipality and improving the quality of education they receive. In an interview with NNC, he explained that education is not an expense but an investment in our children and young people, so it is important that they have adequate spaces where they can develop. "We are working for them and must do our best to give them everything possible, for they are the future of Puerto Vallarta, and we should give them the necessary conditions to continue moving forward," he said. The resources were utilized through the paving of José María Pino Suarez street in front of the COBAEJ school in Las Juntas; the rehabilitation of infrastructure at the CECyTEJ CONALEP 1 and 07 schools in Pitillal; and the repair and/or construction of sports facilities at several schools in the municipality. The funds were also invested in the construction of classrooms at the Francisco González Bocanegra elementary school in Colonia Ramblases and the Miguel Hidalgo elementary school in Lomas de Coapinole; and finally, in the remodeling of bathrooms and sealing the multipurpose court at Technical High School 81 in Colonia Bobadilla. "My 'color' is Puerto Vallarta, it has been our commitment to work without distinction of any kind for the education of our children... our motivation is the children and young people preparing for the future, and the Chamber of Deputies will keep looking for more resources to invest in Puerto Vallarta's youth," Rafa González said.

Lucille Shipley's Annual Workshop Exhibition

Lucille Shipley's "Two-Day-Only Event" will be held on Saturday, February 14th & Sunday, February 15th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Casa Shipley, #414 Zaragoza (next door to Casa Kimberly bridge in Gringo Gulch.) Please note that 10% of all the sales will be donated to the Cleft Palate Program of the International Friendship Club. There will be one-of-a-kind original paintings, artists on hand to discuss their work and techniques, and lots of great values. Please join us to browse, shop, enjoy a glass of wine, and help us raise money for a most worthy cause. For further information, email Edwige at edwigepelletier(at)hotmail.com.

Mexico has Seven of the World's 100 Best Hotels

A survey of more than 75,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers placed seven Mexican hotels in the world’s top 100. Mexico's top hotel (#15 in the rankings) was the Viceroy Rivera Maya Hotel in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. It was joined in the top 100 by Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Baja California; St. Regis Punta Mita Resort on the Riviera Nayarit; Las Alcobas Hotel in Mexico City; Hotel Matilda in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato; Hotel Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur and the Excellence Playa Mujeres, also in Quintana Roo.

Puerto Vallarta American School Open House

On Wednesday, February 11, 2015 from 10-1 pm, the American School of Puerto Vallarta will open its doors to families in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas to discover why it is the best educational institution in the region. We want families to LIVE the American School experience, so instead of a typical presentation we've set up a self-guided tour for visitors. There will be 11 stations in all, each one representing an important facet of our school. Families can choose to visit some or all the stations. Visitors completing the route will receive a surprise gift at the end of the tour. Visiting families will learn about and discover the following: • Preschool • Primary School • Secondary School • Sports & Athletics • Art & Music • Community Service • Technology • Science • Libraries • Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) • Admissions & College Prep/Guidance. For more information, visit aspv.edu.mx, email camerica(at)aspv.edu.mx, or call (322) 226-7672.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
Click on titles for more information

• 4th National Charro Championship Grand Premio 2015

• 'Dame Edna' Starring Michael Walters at The Red Room

• Tamales de Pollo Enchilado Cooking Class at El Arrayán