The finalists compete for the crown to represent Mexico.

On Sunday July 7, the presentation took place of the final contest of Nuestra Belleza Nayarit 2013

Panorama St Regis

The animated minions of "Despicable Me 2" ran rings around their rivals,  snapping up more than $140 million over the long holiday weekend and shattering  a slew of records.

That makes its debut the biggest five-day opening for an animated film ever,  topping the $141 million of "Toy Story 3" in 2010, and the top three-day  animated opening in July.

The family film from Universal and Illumination Entertainment blew past  analysts’ expectations, which were at around $110 million for the five days, and  the field. It will have taken in $82.5 million between Friday and Sunday,  roughly $50 million more than the No. 2 film, Disney’s "The Lone Ranger," did during that period.

A "John Carter"-sized bomb for Disney, "The Lone Ranger" took in just $29.4  million for the three-day weekend and $48 million for the total five-day holiday  weekend.

"Despicable Me 2" also opened No. 1 in 42 of 46 foreign markets and has taken  in more than $293.2 million worldwide since last week.

The weekend's other wide opener, "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain," brought in $10.1  million for the three days and $17.4 million for the five, from just 876  screens.

The record-breaking weekend is a huge score for Universal, given that the  production budget on "Despicable Me 2" was $76 million, low for a major animated  movie.

It scored a bulls-eye with families, its target demographic. Audiences broke  down 60 percent female, 55 percent under 25 and 40 percent under 17. It scored  well with Hispanics, who made up 27 percent of the audience.

"Despicable Me 2" blew away the opening of the original film, which debuted  to $56 million over three days around the same time of year in 2009. The success  of that one was a surprise, but this sequel didn’t sneak up on anyone.  Universal’s marketers realized early that the first film had connected and  launched the campaign behind the sequel early. A teaser trailer in March of last  year generated more than 60 million views.

The critics liked it (80 percent positive on Rotten Tomatoes), and audiences  did, too. It received an "A" CinemaScore from first-night audiences.

Most of the team from the original was back, including co-producer Janet  Healy, directors Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin and writers Cinco Paul and Ken  Daurio. Steve Carell returned as Gru, as did Gru’s girls -- Margo (voiced by  Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher). Russell Brand  was back as Dr. Nefario, and Kristen Wiig voiced a different role than the small  one she had in the first film. Benjamin Bratt, Moises Arias, Steve Coogan and  Ken Jeong joined the cast.

The R-rated Melissa McCarthy-Sandra Bullock comedy "The Heat" finished third with $25 million over the  three days in its second week, and its domestic total now exceeds $86  million.

It beat out last week’s No. 1 movie, Disney and Pixar’s "Monsters University," which brought in roughly  $19.6 million over the weekend -- a 50 percent drop from last week -- and a  little over $30 million for the five days. "Monsters U" has bought in about $215  domestically and almost $185 million overseas, and will cross the $400 million  mark at the global box office Sunday.

Brad Pitt's zombie thriller "World War Z" wasn't far behind at $18.2 million --  just a 38 percent drop from last week -- for the three days, raising its  domestic total to $159 million. With another $45 million this weekend, it's  overseas total is now $207 million and its worldwide haul is at $366  million.

The Channing Tatum-Jamie Foxx action epic "White House Down" took in $13.5 million for the  three days and $19.6 million for the five, raising its total after two weeks to  $50 million.

Turtle releases, snorkeling, boat rides with glass bottoms and the most affordable fun awaits for tourists at less than three hours away from Guadalajara. This Saturday 11 and Sunday September 12 visiting Rincon de Guayabitos will have a special appeal: a cultural day with free art classes for all ages

A family corner with options for all tastes. Rincon de Guayabitos is a jewel of Riviera Nayarit, the Treasure of Mexico's Pacific, and today it is better than ever. So says the president of the Association of Hotels and Motels of Compostela, Rossanna Araujo Silver, who says that this 2013 has been positive for the destination, which this summer offers great attractions for domestic and international tourism.

"We are in one of the best beaches of the Pacific within an hour of Tepic and about three from Guadalajara. The main value of Los Ayala and Rincon de Guayabitos is its beaches with gentle waves, minimum slope and fine sand. That allows it to be a safe place for families, and the family atmosphere is what has distinguished this piece of Riviera Nayarit", says the representative of hoteliers.

With a hosting infrastructure ranging from all-inclusive resorts to bungalows, also having of course traditional hotels, the beaches of Compostela have consolidated an offer that combines natural beauty, quality services and affordable options for all budgets. "What has become very popular in Rincon de Guayabitos and Los Ayala are the rooms with kitchenettes, that's what has made us very distinguished in the eyes of family tourism," insists Araujo Silver.

But it is not only that. The experience of visiting the most familiar corner of Riviera Nayarit includes spectacular wildlife adventures in a safe environment with all amenities. Snorkeling, fishing, water sports, boat rides with glass bottoms and the opportunity to interact with marine species such as goldfish and turtles are just some of the attractions.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/07/05/rincon-de-guayabitos-un-rincon-familiar-en-riviera-nayarit"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

Mexican craftsmanship - in which Jalisco is known for quality and creativity, should be considered as a living history of the country and therefore, must deeply rely on marketing schemes, training and permanent promotion, to be recognized inside and outside the national territory and be a cause of significant economic return for its artisans, so expressed himself the Governor of Jalisco, Jorge Aristoteles Sandoval Diaz.

In his participation during the awards ceremony of the 37 National Ceramics Award, that was chaired by the President Enrique Peña Nieto, the governor emphasized that craftsmanship should be recognized as such and encouraged as a way of life, with cultural promotion policies and thus take it as an antidote to crime and other forms of dishonest life.

Aristoteles Sandoval stated that the ceramics of Jalisco, especially Tlaquepaque and Tonala, has had exponents with great national and international recognition, as it was at the time of the craftsman Pantaleon Panduro with his production known for its quality, and who left a legacy of his genius as a potter.

He insisted that we must generate actions to thoroughly evaluate our craft and overcome negative attitudes, "such as haggling up to 20 pesos" in Mexican artisans products, so that their tradition is strengthened and improved with modern support mechanisms, especially because many of the artisans belong to the most marginalized sectors of Mexican society, which is a very demanding challenge.

In his speech, President Enrique Pena Nieto, noted that for craft production it is a priority that it moves from the informality which is characteristic in several areas of its products, towards a formal economic activity and source of income that is attractive to productive actors across the country.

THIS IS HOW HE PUT IT:

"We have a responsibility to promote the culture. It's like a piece of collective pottery that besides being beautiful, has a utilitarian function that benefits us. "

Jorge Aristóteles Sandoval Díaz
Governor of Jalisco

THE CLUE:

In the National Ceramics Award 2013, there was the participation of 920 artisans from 25 states in seven categories. There was a handout of a million dollars in prizes.

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2013/07/05/la-artesania-una-historia-viva-del-pais-aristoteles-sandoval/"]Source: NotiVallarta Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

From July 19 to 21, more than 50 brands of tequila produced in Jalisco will be present on the boardwalk

In order to increase the influx of visitors and the economic flow in Chapala, the coastal town council presented on the premises of the Ministry of Tourism of the State (SECTURJAL), the first program of the Tequila Festival in Chapala, which is held from July 19 to 21 on the boardwalk and where they will present more than 50 brands of tequila produced in Jalisco.

At the event, Joaquin Huerta Barrios, the Mayor of Chapala stressed that the event will be held in the framework of the allures that Chapala offers such as its climate, landscapes and gastronomy.

"I want to tell you that Chapala wants that the whole metropolitan area continues visiting, that those outside the State of Jalisco continue visiting, that Chapala is open to all of Mexico, including all other nationalities, we want to continue consolidating Chapala as a tourist destination" emphasized Huerta Barrios.

In representation of Enrique Ramos Flores, secretary of Tourism, Manuel Mijangos Victor Castellanos, CEO of Planning and Development of Tourist Destinations, said that the offer of Jalisco is one of the richest, as the state has the hallmarks of national identity so "Chapala, which is one of the most visited destinations is going to decorate itself with this festival which will offer visitors additional attractions to the traditional offer."

Therefore, Mijangos Castellanos emphasized the importance of the work that SECTURJAL, Chapala City Hall and the Chapala Tourism Office do for the promotion and dissemination of the tourist attractions of the region.

During a weekend residents and visitors of Chapala will enjoy, in addition to the natural attractions and dining, a variety of artistic and cultural activities that the organization of the festival will offer.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/07/03/aumentaran-derrama-economica-con-feria-del-tequila-en-chapala"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

With the objective that the actors, not only in Puerto Vallarta but also in other municipalities of the state, acquire new knowledge and acting techniques as part of the activities of the scenic training program "Turisteando en Corto", there will be an acting workshop before a camera.

The workshop in acting before a camera will be held in Puerto Vallarta, which will have the participation of the Mexican actor Odiseo Bichir, this as part of the scenic training program "Turisteando en Corto" from July 20 to 31 of this year .

The course will have as a special guest the Mexican actor Odiseo Bichir, who will close the workshop with two classes, which will address various topics and techniques that should be taken into account when performing in front of a camera.

The first day of the course, there will be a disscussion about the way in which an actor must prepare for a casting as well as the previous exercises, the presentation and the way they should be direct themselves to the director; while on the second day, the actor will record a scene with those who participate in the course, which will serve as the final product of what they learned in the workshop.

It is worth noting that the issues to be addressed in the rest of the days are focused on the area of comedy and clown, topics that will be taught by the members of the company Pata de Perro, besides acting on camera by Alberto Sosa and vocal technique, given by Adriana Millan.

The workshop of acting in front of the camera, to be held from 20 to 31 July, will cost two thousand 500 pesos, and the inscriptions are open until July 18, so those interested can contact the numbers 322224 4865, 322168 8707, as well as the emails This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.", This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.."

EL DATO:

Durante dos días, el actor mexicano compartirá técnicas y abordará diversos aspectos que se deben de tomar en cuanto al momento de actuar frente a una cámara.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2013/07/02/impartira-odiseo-bichir-taller-de-actuacion-en-puerto-vallarta"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

A traditional and magical party is about to be celebrated in Mexcaltitán, a typical fishing village in the northern coast of the Nayarit Riviera, which each year on the 29th of June celebrates its patron saints: Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

The saints, represented by two teams, will confront in a battle in which, with all certainty, Saint Peter will be victorious, who is considered the fundamental cornerstone of the catholic church. There is no cheating, there may be some bias, but no cheating at all. That is what the people of Mexcaltitán say, which could be the mythical starting point of the pilgrimage of the nahuatl tribes in search of Tenochtitlán.

Since the arrival of the spaniards, with the evangelism, in this small island lost in the wetlands, both apostles are venerated. And if once upon a time the God Huitchilopoztli commissioned the people to undertake a pilgrimage in search of an eagle -or for more realistic effects and for a more precise interpretation of the Boutorini Codice, a heron- devouring a snake, now Saint Peter and Saint Paul are the ones who guide them every year.

The party is colourful and singular, because shrimp fishing being the main economic activity of what is known as the 'Mexican Venice', the Saints come out since very early to sail followed by a congregation around the island to bless the waters and thus seek that the production of each of the pens in which the delicious crustacean is caught, gets at least close to the record figure of three tons in one night.

There, among the mangroves which besides forming the habitat of shrimp, provides the material to build a complex system of dams used for this fishery since time immemorial, there is a mass a little shorter than usual, in the presence of employers.

What follows is a battle, as the entire town has been divided into two teams, each one headed by a one of the two Saints, to compete in a race around the island after which the pagan festivity begins.

For the race, each one chooses their best sailors. Then in front of canoe trails the image of the Saint is placed for who they compete. The challenge is to go around Mexcaltitán driving the canoe with rods which are submerged until they find the bottom of the canals, as it is done with the trajineras of Xochimilco, and not with oars, as it is done in this zone of the country. Every year, invariably wins the team of Saint Peter.

“No, no, there is no cheating. We are not cheaters. What happens is that Saint Peter is more miraculous and it is more convenient to entrust fishing to him, so he shouldn't be angered. What is done is that on the side of San Pedro they are always the strongest, that's why I always win, but no cheating, we compete well, "says Hector Apodaca, custodian of the Origin Museum, established in the Island to celebrate its designation as Cradle of Mexicanism.

The joy, the cheers and all the festive atmosphere surrounding the race is just the beginning of a party as traditional as any, which includes food and dancing, as well as fireworks at night and, above all, it is framed by a landscape of singular beauty.

TO GET THERE

Mexcaltitán is located 34 kilometers northeast of Santiago Ixcuintla, approximately 1 hour from San Blas and 2 from Tepic. From Santiago Ixcuintla you have to take the road to Sentispac and continue to the pier The Batanga, where you board a boat which takes you to the island.

TO LICK YOUR FINGERS

To eat in Mexcaltitán is a true experience. Here was born the original cockroach shrimp recipe and in no other place they can be gotten so crunchy, an ideal snack to have with beer. Grilled fish, shrimp tamales, shrimp pate and the very Nayaritan aguachile can complete the feast.

TO SLEEP WELL

The recommendation when visiting Mexcaltitán is to stay in the port of San Blas, where you can make the round trip in comfort. In San Blas you can find a room in cozy hotels like Garza Canela, Hacienda Flamingos and Casa Mañana, among others.

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2013/06/20/se-acerca-la-fiesta-de-san-pedro-y-san-pablo-en-riviera-nayarit/"]Source:NotiVallarta Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

Currently hypertension and obesity are the first causes of death at a national and state level; diabetes is first at a national level and second in Puerto Vallarta. This illness brings with it other illnesses such as renal failure, metabolic problems, among other issues.

According to an analysis made in the year 2012; cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and malignant tumors conform more than half of the sick with respect to other diseases that are suffered in this city. Sixty per cent of deaths due to sickness, are caused by these problems.

This information was made known by the Doctor Salvador Ayon Garibaldo, who is responsible for the program health for the adult in Puerto Vallarta which deals very closely with cases of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, prostate cancer and osteoporosis.

He informed that starting this Monday 17th, up to Friday 21st of May there will be operating 'The State Health Week', which has as an objective to stop chronic illnesses, as well as informing the citizenship of ways in which to prevent them.

“These modules have the intention of detecting problems in order to switch to healthier lifestyles to avoid obesity, in order to avoid chronic illnesses such as diabetes, which brings on other diseases which increase the number of deaths originated by diabetes", pointed out Ayon Garibaldo .

He revealed that currently more than 60 per cent of the people older than 18 are overweight, with the outcome that if this proportion continues to rise, the future will not be promising, as it is forecast that in 10 to 15 years, the majority of the population could suffer from these illnesses. He emphasized the importance of choosing a healthy and active lifestyle.

Lastly he informed that from Monday to Wednesday there will be a module located in the Plaza de Armas (in front of the building of the Municipal Government), on Thursday in the Regional Hospital and on Friday in the Delegation of Ixtapa from 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon.

[readon1 url="http://www.prensaglobal.com/notas/48382.html"]Source:Prensaglobal.com Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

“More cultural events in Puerto Vallarta should be promoted”, sentenced the regional director of the Ministry of Tourism of Jalisco in Costa Norte, Ludwig Estrada Virgen.

He considers that the demand is rising and despite the fact that there are some artistic activities in the city, they are not constant.

He thinks that artistic activities should be added within the tourism programs.

We need to take a chance with it. When the tourists come they enjoy the events that are made in the malecón, mainly in Los Arcos. There has to be a search for more traditional events, positioned to take place in Puerto Vallarta”.

These events he pointed out, should be options like making extensions to the International Book Fair of Guadalajara, as well as the Mariachi Festival, only to mention a few.

Lastly he called on the Instituto Vallartense de Cultura to get close to the subordinate office of tourism so that the events have a greater projection and are made more constantly, becoming an attractive option for visitors.

[readon1 url="http://www.prensaglobal.com/notas/48485.html"]Source:Prensaglobal.com Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

Since the past June 1st, a Russian reality show called “Súper Juego Vacaciones en México” is being transmitted through the network KVM-Friday, while it is being filmed in the Riviera Nayarit.

The program is completely produced by the t.v. station, which chose with complete independence La Cruz de Huanacaxtle as its headquarters and filming set. In the first seven episodes one can observe that many images have been taken in the Marina of the Nayarit Riviera and that the house where the competitors are housed is a villa in a luxurious development of that town.

The truth is that it has surprised us to see ourselves in the Russian television, we didn't expect it. We realized that this was happening when two of the main characters of the reality show started twitting from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle on Saturday June 8th, in the Russian language. When we saw their profiles, which have thousands of followers, we were able to realize that they participated in this reality, explains Marc Murphy, director of the Visitor and Conventions office of the Riviera Nayarit.

The channel, which promotes itself under the slogan "Every day is friday" and is a succesor of the MTV tradition of that country, is geared toward the young audience and includes in its programming shows about fashion, health, sports, entertainment, adventure and cuisine.

“This news not only seems important to us for its meaning in terms of promotion but because the destination has been selected with complete independence, without asking for support. It is the beauty of the treasure of the Mexican Pacific, the quality of the installations as well as the Marina of the Nayarit Riviera which recurrently appears in the series, that is putting us on the map even for countries as distant as Russia", pointed out Rafael Alcantara, Harbor Master.

[readon1 url="http://www.prensaglobal.com/notas/48464.html"]Source: Prensa Global - Translation by Rene Trapp[/readon1]

The Sheraton Bugambilias Resort last night received certification in "Environmental Quality Tourism", which makes it the only hotel in Puerto Vallarta Jalisco and in obtaining recognition.