|
| Puerto Vallarta | | March
30th - April 5th, 2003 |
Speaker at Philo's
on April 2
On Wednesday, April 2, the speaker
at the Wednesday Lecture Series at Philo's Music Studio
will be Vilma Habelloecker of Vilma's Yacht Services.
Vilma will draw on her years of experience to talk about
checking in and out for boats, boat importation, importation
of boat parts, vessel documentation, requirements for,
and renewal of, FM3 and FM2 documents, tourist visa
extensions, Mexican drivers license, fishing licenses,
and just about any other paperwork a foreigner living
and boating in Mexico needs. Come prepared to ask questions.
The talk is free and open to the public.
Philo's is located at Delfin 15 in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
The talk begins at 7:30 (PV time). As usual, Philo will
show a video movie and serve popcorn after the talk.
Ellie’s Smile
A brilliant smile burst from pain
wracked Elizabeth "Ellie" Margarita Quintero
Santana when Latin teen age heart throb, Martin Ricca
walked up to greet her. When Bob Mandel, President of
Make a Wish Foundation, Mexico asked Ellie what her
most wild wish was, she quickly responded ‘to
meet Martin! or to have her own wheelchair.
So within 48 hours, thanks to Televisa,
her wish was granted. Martin was en route to Miami for
a recording session, but Televisa Directors postponed
the session, feeling ‘that nothing was more important
than a child’s Wish.’ Televisa offered to
fly her to Mexico City. But Ellie suffering from bone
cancer is in critical condition, thus unable to travel.
So, Televisa flew 17 year-old Martin,
accompanied by his mother, to Puerto Vallarta. Mandel
had acquired a wheel chair for Ellie painted it her
favorite color, purple, and tied purple balloons to
it. Very apologetically Mandel told Ellie that he could
not find a wheelchair for her, but a ‘friend’
had one she could use. Mandel stepped aside and in walked
Martin with the purple wheelchair, his arms laden with
flowers for Ellie.
Ellie’s smile radiated joy
at seeing Martin. Graciously Martin laid the flowers
on her lap and said, "so glad to meet you Ellie."
She was momentarily speechless, but quickly became engaged
in an animated conversation with Martin, the smile never
leaving her face.
Argentine born Martin Alejandro Ricca
Pierone, already a singing star, rose to television
fame as an actor starring in a teen ‘telenovela’
(soap opera) “El Diario de Daniela”. He
has recording several CD’s including ‘Broken
Hearts’, ‘Kisses’, and ‘Special
Love’.
The Make a Wish Foundation Mexico
was established by Bob Mandel in November 2000. MAW
grants an average of four wishes per month. Sponsors
include Outback Steakhouse, Joe Johnson Golf School
and Tropicasa Realty.
For further information, donation
or to volunteer contact Bob Mandel, (322) 221-6212 or
bob@makeawishmexico.org or visit the website: www.makeawishmexico.org
PV Gets “mxAA” Rating from
Standard & Poors
According to Standard & Poors
Rating Services, Puerto Vallarta is a city of contrasts.
While it has more strong points than weak ones on the
financial economic level, it also shows a marked lack
of urban investment in proportion with tourism investment.
S & P stated that this imbalance is the result of
an asymmetrical supply of services between the realm
of tourism and the urban aspect.
On the other hand, the municipality
of Puerto Vallarta received the “mxAA” qualification
from S & P, considered to be one of the highest
ratings, thus categorizing it as one of the most stable
economies. PV’s vice-Mayor stated that the qualification
was requested by City Hall, just in case it should need
to resort to asking for financial credits to accomplish
a series of urban infrastructure projects.
Seapal Vallarta Receives 12th Consecutive
Certificate of Water Quality
In the framework of the World Water
Day and as a climax to the Days of Water, the 12th Certificate
of Water Quality Fit for Human Consumption was awarded
to SEAPAL Vallarta on Thursday, March 20th in the auditorium
of the Coastal University Center (CUC) of the University
of Guadalajara.
The Boys at Santa Barbara Do Good Again
If you thought that the bingo games
that take place at Santa Barbara’s Restaurant
- Bar every Thursday and Saturday nights were just for
fun, think again.
The funds raised by owners Gary and
Billy on those fun-filled evenings go to the purchase
of needed items for local charities and we’re
not talking small change here. This season alone, they
raised over $32,000. Pesos!
Every month, a different charity
is chosen to be the recipient of the funds raised during
the previous month. In the past year, beneficiaries
were the Red Cross, the Refugio Esperanza children’s
shelter, the Casa Hogar orphanage, the ContraSIDA (AIDS)
group, the Down’s Syndrome group, the children
of the dump and the Make A Wish foundation.
So, even if bingo doesn’t happen
to be your favorite pastime, remember that Santa Barbara
was voted the “Most Fun” restaurant in town,
the “Best Moderately Priced” restaurant
in town and the one with the “Best Coffee”
in the readers’ survey conducted recently by Vallarta
Voice magazine. Furthermore, they feature the best ice
cream in town, home made at “Once Upon A Time…”
This restaurant is located on the
most lively street in town - Olas Altas on the south
side, in the Romantic Zone, definitely worth a visit,
don’t you think? This month, they’re featuring
“The Odd Couple” and from what we’ve
heard, it is absolutely delightful. Shows are on every
Friday, Sunday and Monday until April 15th. A $250.
or $350. Peso ticket buys you a hearty, delicious dinner
plus admission to the play. Or join the Karaoke or the
Bingo group. You’re sure to have a good time,
and a good meal any night, every night. The restaurant
is also open for breakfast and lunch.
Santa Barbara is located at 351 Olas
Altas St., tel.: 222-4477.
4 Million Pesos for Three Large Projects
The second stage of the children’s
shelter in El Coapinole, the construction of the main
fire station and that of the training center for the
police, the transit department and the firefighter,
will all be achieved with 4 Million pesos paid by the
city and an equal amount to be contributed by the state
government. These projects will receive a total of $18
Million pesos and will benefit the communities of Tomatlán
and Cabo Corrientes, besides Puerto Vallarta proper.
Consul of Canada Information Letter
The Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade in Canada has issued a warning
in “Current Issues” on the Department’s
Travel Web Site, and has included it in the Travel Reports
for most countries in the Middle East, Gulf Region,
North Africa as well as in Southeast Asia.
Heightened tensions as a result of
the Iraq situation, together with increased threats
globally from terrorism, put Canadians at greater risk.
Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security
awareness at all times as the security situation could
deteriorate rapidly without notice. Exercise extreme
caution, particularly in commercial, public and tourist
areas frequented by foreigners. Canadians should monitor
local developments, avoid local crowds and demonstrations,
as well as register and remain in regular contact with
the nearest Canadian government office: www.voyage.gc.ca/consul/for_dest/foreign_view_client-en.asp
or with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade (for emergencies, call collect at 613-996-8885).
Demonstrations, strikes, and civil
unrest can occur world wide. Safety and services may
be affected, including business, banking, air and other
transportation facilities, as well as emergency assistance.
Canadians should monitor local news reports to remain
informed of developments that could affect their safety
and travel plans, exercise caution, and avoid large
gatherings and demonstrations. Contact your tour operator,
travel agent, or airline to confirm travel arrangements
prior to departure. Up to date information can be obtained
on the list of “Current Issues” at www.voyage.gc.ca
I would be grateful if you would
pass on the contents of this letter to any other Canadian
citizens who you know and encourage them to register
with us if they have not already done so. Canadians
are invited to register themselves on-line by following
the simple instructions at: www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapage?en.asp
If any changes have occurred in your
contact information since you originally registered
with this mission, please inform the Consular section
of the Embassy immediately at the number (55) 5724-7919
or via the email address: consular@canada.org.mx and
your file will be updated accordingly.
Please keep this letter handy for
reference purposes. Should you have particular concerns,
please feel free to contact the Consular section of
the Canadian Embassy at Schiller 529, Colonia Polanco,
Mexico D.F., C.P. 11560, tel: (55) 5724-7900, fax (55)
5724-7943 from Monday to Friday, 8:45 a.m.- 5:15 p.m.
Canadian citizens in distress and
in need of urgent consular assistance may dial the toll
free number 01-800-706-2900. After hours your call will
be transferred to the Operations Centre of the Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Ottawa,
Canada.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Béliveau
Consul
CONSULATE CANADA PUERTO VALLARTA:
Tel: (322) 222 5398 /223 0858
vallarta@canada.org.mx
Archives
by date | 
Current
Weather Report
