By Cohen,Bob

Artists and owners of the new Galeria Mac and Lou MacTavish, celebrated their grand opening past Saturday and all of art sold between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., the Canadian couple donated 40% to the Make a Wish Foundation. The two are no strangers in helping the less fortunate, especially youngsters that are facing obstacles in their lives.

For the past ten years in Canada, mostly in their hometown of Calgary, Alberta and also in British Columbia, the couple has donated a great deal of their proceeds to children's charities in Canada and now that the two have moved to Puerto Vallarta permanently, their focus has shifted to local charities such as Make a Wish, who focuses on granting the one big wish that children with life threatening illnesses request.

The most recent "wish" was made by a Puerto Vallarta youngster named Marco, his wish was to go to Disneyland and the proceeds received from the Galeria Papillon will go to help get Marco get up close to Mickey and the gang in California.

Among their artistic views of relocating to our area Mac stated, "There is so much to paint here, it's an artist's paradise", and Lou echoed "We want to paint happy". Come out and join us at the grand opening and at the same time, join in the generous spirit of Mac and Lou. It was a pleasure to spend some time with them and we all welcome them to the Puerto Vallarta community.

Among their artistic views of relocating to our area Mac stated, "There is so much to paint here, it's an artist's paradise", and Lou echoed "We want to paint happy". Come out and join us at the grand opening and at the same time, join in the generous spirit of Mac and Lou. It was a pleasure to spend some time with them and we all welcome them to the Puerto Vallarta community.

By having a splendid opening, Bubba Gump restaurant was recently opened. With an American concept and great variety of original and international customers.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was in charge of Vallarta's president, Javier Bravo together with the place owners.

Bubba Gump was born base on 90's blockbuster "Forest Gump" from where the most outstanding details were taken. Bubba Gump offers a very comprehensive menu specially shirmp dishes.

Drop by around the malecon and let yourself be persuaded by the taste, comfort and energy exerted by Bubba Gump.

From classical music and traditional jazz to new age, rock & roll and rhythm & blues, the live-music scene in Puerto Vallarta and along the shores of Banderas Bay is as diverse as its people, culture, and beauty.
Vallarta boasts a wealth of both local entertainers and musicians from around the world that play for our entertainment - but those in the know can usually be found at La Palapa's beach front bar on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Located on Playa Los Muertos in the heart of the Romantic Zone, La Palapa is one of Vallarta's favorite places to enjoy great food in a casually elegant atmosphere - and live music seven nights a week to enhance the overall dining experience.

As the owner of this successful restaurant, Alberto's goal is for his guests to be happy and to have a good time, so it's only natural for him to spend a few nights a week entertaining his guests with his own silky voice and smooth guitar.

In 2002, with the help of his friends and fellow musicians Oscar Terrazas, Rigoberto Mora and Aaron Carranco, Alberto recorded his first CD, *Noches Romanticas*, which features some of the songs he's been performing at La Palapa over the last twenty some-odd years, and is available for purchase at his performances.

*Noches Romanticas* was such a hit that Alberto decided it was time to make a new CD, so in February, he and fellow musicians Memo Suárez, Alexis Guevara Muñoz, Bob Tansen and Carlos Hudson went to Blaine Selkirk's Ancient Sun Studios to record.

The result of their efforts is *Noches en La Palapa*, a fabulous new CD recorded by some of Puerto Vallarta's very best musicians, who together with friends and fans, celebrated the release of their new CD recently at La Palapa.

Featuring Alberto's beautiful voice, Memo Suárez on percussions, Alexis Guevara Muñoz on guitar, and Bob Tansen and Carlos Hudson on flute, *Noches en La Palapa* is a collection of sentimental favorites and soulful songs in both Spanish and English that is sure to bring out the romantic in every listener.

The Animal Shelter/*Centro de Acopio* is heading into its second year of operation. Directors are desperately trying to get the word out that they have a lot of great animals up for adoption.
Workers are responsible for picking up dogs from the streets. It is very important that dog owners either keep their dogs on a leash, in an enclosed area, or inside, otherwise they run the risk of their dogs being picked up. People also bring in their unwanted animals, as well as the regular Police and the *Policia Ecologica* (Ecological Police Division).

Some are in pretty bad shape, others are not, and are very adoptable. The Shelter and volunteers try to find homes for these dogs, unless they claimed by their owners within a specified timeframe.

Fortunately, many are claimed and reunited happily with their owners.

Cats are also picked up when requested or are brought in by people so they are also available for adoption. Due to the limited kennel space allotted for this Shelter and the minimal funding, the animals cannot be kept for long periods, so time is of the essence in finding them homes.

Laura Gelezunas, a volunteer, goes there every Thursday morning to do a video on some of the dogs brought in that week and it can be seen on the "Pet Parade" at www.banderasnews.com. Also on the website is good information about the *Acopio* for readers to review, with items listed that are badly needed to make life more humane/comfortable for our four legged friends.

Other volunteers go out to bathe some of the dogs to make them more presentable as Thursday is also their adoption day. Still others, who have room, have taken dogs or cats home for foster care/adoption.

One such person is Rita Kunz at Casa Del Pescador, Basillo Badillo 206, across from the Restaurant Fajita Republic. She currently has five loving dogs waiting for good homes. Please stop by for a look or maybe you could help her walk one or two of them.

Rita soon will be having a weekly Adoption Day where the *Acopio* will bring her some of the dogs for that day. Arrangements are in progress so the exact day is not certain yet but will be announced soon.

We are in the process of getting some good maps and signage out for people to visit the Shelter, which is located at Calle Costa de Oro 703, Colonia Linda Vista Oceano.

Again we would appreciate help in making signs to show the way, as it is off the beaten track. One starts out by turning right at the Farmacia Guadalajara on Francisco Villa on the way to El Pitillal. Complete directions and telephone number (293-3690) can be found at www.banderasnews.com. Liliana, Director Dr. Guevara's administrative assistant, speaks English and could help you with any questions. The staff there is doing a remarkable job with the limited budget they are given.

They also spay/neuter, give distemper, rabies, and other shots, provide flea/tick control, and other services besides adoption.

I am writing this as a volunteer – just wanting to get some basic information out about our Shelter since I often get questioned about it. We are slowly making progress and I feel with time and help we will be able to save more of our four legged friends, or at least make their stay a little more pleasant.

I go to the Shelter Thursday mornings and would be happy to take anybody with genuine interest in helping to see first hand where their help is needed.

Thanks for caring.
Cathy Gordon – 223-3189.

The Bay of Banderas is home to over 30 art galleries – many of which participate in the weekly Old Town Art Walks here during the season.

The Old Town Art Walk Gallery Association decided at a recent meeting that due to the many visitors who have expressed disappointment that there were no more Art Walks after the end of March, they would schedule one summer event for June 20th, the eve of the summer solstice. Also next season they will have weekly Wednesday night cocktail showings starting on October 24th through the end of May, 2008.
This will be an Art Walk including the following galleries, all will serve refreshments and will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Galeria Arte Latinoamericana, Galeria de Artistes, Galeria Pacifico, Galeria Corona, Galeria Vallarta, Galeria 8 y Mas, Sergio Bustamante, Beatriz Narvaez Galeria, Galeria
Omar Alonso, Corsica Galeria, Galeria Uno, The Loft, Galeria de Ollas, and Arte Popular Mexicano.

Galeria Corona will be showing paintings by Lourdes
Murguia from Guadalajara, well known for her nudes.

Galeria de Ollas is presenting a new exhibition of Mata Ortiz museum quality pottery.

Galeria Vallarta will exhibit new works by the talented Dulcina Castellanos Vallejo from Puebla, Puebla. She paints in oils and mixed media with texture.Her figurative creations feature haunting portraits of women, couples, and flower bouquets with hidden nudes, as well as two wonderful studies of a father and child, ideal for Father´s Day.

There will also be new sketches by the young local artist, Saul Lopez and other new works.

Several of the galleries will be showing collectives of their gallery artists.Galeria AL features Martha Gilbert, Marenal, Jose Guerrero and Yolanda Marroquin among others.

Galeria Pacifico will have works by Alfredo Langarica, Alejandro Mondria, Brewster Brockman, Marco Alvarez and more.

Galeria Uno is showing Sergio Garval, Oscar Zamarripa, Daniel Palma, Edgar Rodriguez, Martina Goldberg, among their 30 artists.

Corsica Gallery represents some of the top names in Mexican contemporary art as well as impressive sculptures.

Galeria Omar Alonso features fine art photography as well as contemporary paintings by artists such as Raymundo Andrade.

Sergio Bustamante is proud to present a new line of designer handbags and shoes, sure to set you apart from the crowd, as well as their unique sculptures and jewelry.

Galeria 8 y Mas will have a collective of paintings and sculptures by artists such as Susana Lamadrid, Pedro Miramontes, Daniel Kent, Jonas Gonzalez, Enrique Loza and Carlos Rodal.

Arte Popular Mexicana always has the finest in folk art from the masters with ceramic sculptures, prehispanic reproductions, Katrinas and more.

Beatriz Narvaez shows her own paintings, plus works by Cesar Arechiga, Rocio Coffeen, Laurence Michaud, Lizeth Ocampo Ramoca, and more.

Look forward to a great turnout for this free summer event, a chance to meet several artists, visit with friends and enjoy the fine art selection in Vallarta. See you on Wednesday night, June 20, 6 to 10 p.m.

Volunteers from a Mexican conservation group measure sharks caught by fishermen from Todos Santos, Mexico. Here on Vallarta's Bay of Banderas, sharks are a rarity – which many attribute to the large schools of dolphins.

Two weeks ago, Mexico, which has a large shark fishery, enacted a new law that protects three species, bans the practice of shark "finning" - slicing off the fins of a newly caught shark and tossing the animal back in the ocean to die - and requires authorities to monitor the activities of large shark-fishing boats. Early next month, officials from around the globe will meet in The Hague, Netherlands, to decide whether to put tight new controls on the trade in two heavily fished species, spiny dogfish and porbeagle, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Admittedly, recent productions here have been somewhat limited; underlining the expected resurgence in feature film production was the recent announcement by Walt Disney Studios of their "South of the Border" to shoot here in mid-July, 2007. The project is a live-action feature film directed by Raja Gosnell (Yours, Mine and Ours; Scooby Doo 1 and 2, Never Been Kissed, Big Momma's House) set mainly in Beverly Hills, Puerto Vallarta, and Mexico City, and is about a spoiled Beverly Hills toy chihuahua lap dog which gets dognapped while in Mexico and tries to get back home. Variety reported a few days ago that Piper Perabo (The Prestige, Cheaper by the Dozen, Slap Her, She's French and Coyote Ugly) has been the first principal cast member signed to the project. Casting Valdes opened the extras' and local actors' casting office for "South of the Border" here in Vallarta last week and have 8 weeks for casting, auditions and preparation. 6 to 8 weeks of filming (July and August) is planned for the Puerto Vallarta region and then they'll head to Mexico City for about 6 more weeks of filming (September and October.)Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information regarding casting.

Currently a "reality TV" show produced by Bunim, Murria Productions for MTV is shooting here, utilizing local buildings for sets and roving with their cameras as far as San Pancho, Nayarit.

Recently Wolfgang Richter, a Vancouver, B.C.-based producer (and instrumental in creating the British Columbia Film Commission in the mid-70's) was here in Vallarta scouting locations for a possible feature.

Dreamworks Studios shot second-unit footage for their now-in-release feature film "The Heartbreak Kid" here on the bay. An uncomfirmed report has veteran actor/director Clint Eastwood poised with an Angeline Jolie-starring project in pre-development in the Vallarta region.

As the 'friendliest city in the world' (Condé Nast Travellers Magazine, Readers' Poll), Vallarta has got a leg up on other potential production centers. Movie making is a tough haul, an oftentimes hectic, stress-filled long day's journey into night process. It helps if you can have some fun, sun, good eats, and a comfortable 5-star bed to fall into at the end of that day. And if the traffic police, permits' department, customs, immigration, and other authorities are all on the same channel, better yet. If there's a talent pool of extras, technicians, equipment and services available, another big plus. And if you spend less dollars, well, that just about clinches it as far as producers are concerned.

The story of Richard Goberish and Monica Unsworth is a long-distance romance come true. They met in 2003 in Playa Carmen on the east coast of Mexico where he was attending his brother's wedding and she was spending time relaxing on the beach after a 3-week tour of the country.
Wandering through the ruins of Tulum, it was love at first sight for the boy from Poughkeepsie, New York, and the girl from Vienna, Austria, who was then living in Ireland. More than four years and many air-miles later, they have finally settled in sunny Charlotte, North Carolina.
The obvious place to tie the knot for them, was, of course, Mexico. "Mexico has been so good to us that we couldn't imagine a better place in which to say 'yes' to each other," says Monika. "We heard that Puerto Vallarta and the Pacific Coast were absolutely beautiful and it was no exaggeration! Thank you so much to everybody for making our special day so wonderful. We can't wait to come back for our first anniversary!"

Seapal is at it once again, but this time they are removing large sections of our costly north down exit ramp. The crew numbers eight men with two trucks and a power demolition machine. They continue to remove sections of the traction strips/cobblestones in their quest to locate an elusive water line break.

Needless to say the North down exit ramp is closed to traffic making the North Up ramp now two way, creating a hazardous conditions.PLEASE USE THE SOUTH ENTRANCE AND EXIT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Miguel Angel Reyes

This past week at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport executives of Interjet, together with civic and Jalisco state officials, welcomed the inaugural flight here of the economy airline.
The daily flights here will utilize 180 passenger A-320 carriers

By Barbara Sands

Yes, there they were—many of them—the characters in former U.S. Consular Agent's Jenny McGill's new book that's receiving rave reviews all over Vallarta and beyond. The book, 'DRAMA & DIPLOMACY in a Sultry Mexican Beach Town,' has been invading bedside tables and lounge chairs around town as well as jumping into suitcases for travel reading since its appearance a few weeks ago. But it was the people IN the book who arrived at Burt Hixson and Jerry Battle's Villa Verano on Tuesday, 22 May to celebrate Jenny's triumph.

It was a perfect afternoon for a fiesta and the guys had outdone themselves in decorations including "Jenny's Bar," that was serving margaritas and other hot weather beverages. The music was sublime with a charming undertone of marimba. Tables were draped with red, white and green and red, white and blue banners and Jenny, selling and signing her books was assisted by her Guadalajara friend Carol Wheeler, editor in chief of the online site MexConnect, Sally Conley of the Children's Library in Pitillal and Laura Cardenas of "I Do Vallarta." An important exchange of books took place between Jenny and Luis Brambila, editor of Vallarta Opina who gifted Jenny with a large volume on local lore. Wayne McLeod, editor of Vallarta Today was also greeting old friends and Jeri Grant of the Viva Publishing Group was both greeting and photographing while Heather Wilson found a comfy perch with friends.

Jenny and Howard's old friends on the scene included Eva Montecon, Dr. Jose Luis Romo, Lynne Bairstow, Mary Shaw and Juan, Gary Thompson of Galeria Pacifico, Margaret Tolton and Mayo Warren. Cathy VonRohr and Judy Galeana, both mentioned prominently in the book, were there as was Toody Walton who had helped Jenny put together her stunning linen outfit for the occasion. And, as they say, many, many more.

Sr. Ismael Perez of Celis and Dr. Romo were two individuals who worked with Jenny on the grimmer aspects of her position as consular representative. As she wrote in her book, before taking on her position a State Department individual had told her to expect "deaths, destitutes, detentions and disappearances" as principle items on her duty menu. Dealing with deaths often required the assistance of both gentlemen and one of Jenny's somewhat gallows' humor comments concerned the good fortune of Sr. Perez in being the one to ship bodies home.

The book is a great, lively read and could be, at a lean 188 pages, a bit too short. Angela Corelis, Judith Ewing Morlan and husband Ed and many, many more have registered solid thumbs up reviews as do I! You can get hold of your own copy at Rizo's where Tina has taken over sales, and in book stores including Plaza Caracol. The cost is 200 pesos or twenty dollars.

Picture, Newspaper publisher Luis Reyes Brambila and Susan Hehr congratulate author Jenny McGill, right, on the publication of her book "Drama and Diplomacy" at the book signing event May 22nd.