navidadvallartaWith perfect weather, very hospitable, gentle, and courteous English speaking locals, clean water and food, safety and security a major priority, and fun galore, you'll not have a Merrier Christmas than in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Five centuries ago, Christmas was virtually nonexistent in Mexico; in fact, Christianity had not even been introduced to the New World. The native Aztec Indians weren't even aware of the concept of Christianity until 1524, when Twelve Franciscans (Twelve Apostles of New Spain) came to Mexico; about a decade later, the Dominicans followed.

Soon after the arrival of the Twelve Franciscans, some of the native Indians began accepting the story of Christ and converting to Christianity. One such Indian, an indigenous farmer named Cuauhtlatoatzin (the talking eagle in the Nahuatl language) living north of what is now known as Mexico City, claimed to have witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary on Tepayac Hill. Our Lady of Guadalupe, as the Virgin Mary came to be known, is to this day recognized as the Patron Saint of all the Americas and is the basis for much of the Catholic faith throughout Mexico. As an example, the most predominate historical landmark in Puerto Vallarta is the Our Lady of Guadalupe church in El Centro.

Evidently the Franciscans were quite impressed with their new convert; they moved him and his wife into their new mission and changed his name to Juan Diego (a bit easier for them to pronounce!). After Juan Diego witnessed the mystical Lady on Tepayac Hill who supposedly cured his uncle of a terminal illness, the rest of the local Indians reasoned that it must be an awfully good religion that these intelligent Spaniards had brought to them; they soon dumped their ancient pagan beliefs in favor of the new Catholic Church teachings. With the miracles that these Spanish God-like Fathers had to offer, it took the Franciscans only six years to sign up the first eight million new believers!

Soon after news of Juan Diego's apparition made its way around Mexico, the native Indians reconciled (a polite way of putting it!) with the Spaniards and a new race of people, the Mestizo, was created. In fact, the Lady of Guadalupe is generally depicted as a Mestiza. Today, it is estimated that anywhere from 60-80% of the Mexican population is Mestizo and slightly more than 90% of all Mexicans are Catholic. With well in excess of 100 million Catholics, Mexico ranks second only to Brazil with its population of Roman Catholics.

During the 20th century, the Mexican government took a number of steps to separate church from state and also nationalized much of the wealth that the church had accumulated over the years; however Catholicism continues to have a strong influence in Mexican life today. Although it's influential, it's certainly not forced on anyone or even on display. In our 13 years of living in Vallarta, we've never noticed a priest or nun in the city; they do not wear their habits in public.

Many of the annual Mexican fiestas are religious by nature but Easter and Christmas are the most widely celebrated. We have been fortunate enough to witness the past 13 Christmases in PV and can say that it's a sight to behold! They start the season early in December by hanging colorful lights and decorations throughout the city. The official holiday season begins on December 12th, the birthday of the Lady of Guadalupe, and lasts until January 6th with Epiphany or Los Reyes Magos (the day of the three kings or wise men); some now refer to this holiday season as the Guadalupe-Reyes Marathon!

Approximately 9 days before Christmas, various processions, called Las Posadas, are initiated in surrounding cities and communities as the participants begin their walk to Puerto Vallarta. These processions are a celebration of Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem and they all convene in El Centro on Christmas Eve at the Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The children have their colorful piñatas and the adult celebrations begin as the entire downtown area bustles with activity and music. Christmas Day is a much more quiet and somber day; a day of recovery!

December 28th is the Day of the Innocents, the equivalent of April Fool's Day in the United States; a day when everyone plays practical jokes on each other and not an appropriate time to "loan" money or believe anyone!

Of course, December 31st is another joyful occasion in Vallarta. The entire perimeter of Banderas Bay lights up with incredible fireworks displays lasting almost a half an hour and fiestas can be heard all night long throughout the city; you'll not see a more spectacular New Year's Eve celebration. Of course, New Year's Day is another quiet day as everyone again tries to recover!

The final Christmas season fiesta is that of Epiphany on January 6th celebrating the arrival of the Three Wise Men. The children receive gifts and everyone enjoys a pastry called La Rosca De Reyes (bread of the kings). Typically, there is a very small doll buried in the bread roll and the person that gets the piece containing the doll is responsible for hosting the next fiesta on February 2nd, the Day of Candlemas. (You've got to give them credit; they have plenty of reasons for planning the next fiesta!)

Now you know why they refer to Christmas Season as a Marathon! By the way, in Mexico, it's never referred to as "Winter Solstice Holidays", "Non-Denominational Festivities Season", or by any other politically correct term; it's Christmas Season!

It should be mentioned that there are a few things obviously missing in Puerto Vallarta during this season of celebration. Beautiful snow covered pine trees and deep snow drifts for Santa's sled are nowhere to be found; of course, they were probably also lacking 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem! The average daily low temperature during the holidays is 65°F and the average high temperature is 80°F, resulting in the average daily temperature for this festive season of 72°F with clear blue skies and zero chance of rain; it just doesn't get any better than this!

If you want your surroundings to look more like that to which you're accustomed, you can purchase all sizes of artificial Christmas trees at Sam's Club, Costco, Home Depot, or Wal-Mart; better yet, you can just hang your lights all over the beautiful palms. Finding poinsettias for that additional touch of Christmas ambiance is not a problem; after all, poinsettias are indigenous to Mexico and are abundant in Vallarta. Throw in a few bougainvilleas, hibiscus, birds of Paradise, geraniums, orchids, and numerous other tropical flowers (all in full bloom over the holidays) and you'll have the most beautiful Christmas you've ever experienced.

So, what are you waiting for? Vallarta's a short 2-3 hour flight from most US cities and with more than 50 international flights arriving daily, it's a simple and relatively inexpensive way to enjoy the best holiday season of your life. With perfect weather, very hospitable, gentle, and courteous English speaking locals inviting visitors with open arms, clean water and food, safety and security a major priority, and fun galore, you'll not have a Merrier Christmas anywhere; as they say south of the border, Feliz Navidad!

Palacio-442x300Entrepreneurs Western Broadcasting in the country, presented to the governor, Emilio González Márquez, what will be the first Palace of Culture and Communication of Mexico, whose headquarters is located in Zapopan, a work in which, according to its promoters have invested 400millones pesos, will house among others, Pablo Moncayo Auditorium with a capacity of 918 thousand spectators and theater, Jose Rolon, which will provide space for 376 seats.

As project the Palace of Culture and Communication-PALCCO-has an area of ??45 thousand square meters, since it will have an Agora for three thousand 350 people, theater stage for three thousand 350 people, schools of music, dance and lounges special test, backstage, Museum of Radio and Television, Audio and Video study, Cyberspace, Library, Music Library and Digital Video Library was established seven years ago confirmed its director, Rodolfo Gonzalez Reyes:

"... So it will be the first museum in the Radio and Television in Mexico, this course on media given the importance that the industry has had it for almost a century, it is encouraging, because it will make a recognition that step of the industry, its evolution, its technology ... "

While the state ruler González Márquez, emphasizes that we need more public goods, but with little more public and private resources, considering the benefits it brings to the community:

"... This is an effort by individuals, industry, showing a new way of doing things in government, the government should not be at the head of all the projects, some did, but most should be the government accompanying society projects, this is a project of society, accompanied by the government ... "

Moreover mentions that welcomes people have recovered to the building of Military Region V Center is now tapatío Archaeology Museum to create a cultural district that is expected to attach the Palace of Justice, whose offices shall be in the new City of Justice. Also external concern in the completion of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Huentitán Canyon, stopping for lack of liquidity in the public sector because of the repeal of the repayment tenure in the state, which has had an impact on their government.

machoOriginally from Bayamon, just outside San Juan, Camacho was long regarded as a flashy if volatile talent, a skilled boxer who was perhaps overshadowed by his longtime foil, Mexican superstar Julio Cesar Chavez, who would beat him in a long-awaited showdown in Las Vegas in 1992.

Camacho fought professionally for three decades, from his humble debut against David Brown at New York’s Felt Forum in 1980 to an equally forgettable swansong against Sal Duran in Kissimmee, Florida, in 2010.

In between, he fought some of the biggest stars spanning two eras, including Sugar Ray Leonard, Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and Roberto Duran.

“This is something I’ve done all my life, you know?” Camacho told The Associated Press after a workout in 2010. “A couple years back, when I was doing it, I was still enjoying it. The competition, to see myself perform. I know I’m at the age that some people can’t do this no more.”

Camacho’s family moved to New York when he was young and he grew up in Spanish Harlem, which at the time was rife with crime. Camacho landed in jail as a teenager before turning to boxing, which for many kids in his neighborhood provided an outlet for their aggression.

Former featherweight champion Juan Laporte, a friend since childhood, described Camacho as “like a little brother who was always getting into trouble,” but otherwise combined a friendly nature with a powerful jab.

“He’s a good human being, a good hearted person,” Laporte said as he waited with other friends and members of the boxer’s family outside the hospital in San Juan after the shooting. “A lot of people think of him as a cocky person but that was his motto … inside he was just a kid looking for something.”

Laporte lamented that Camacho never found a mentor outside the boxing ring.

“The people around him didn’t have the guts or strength to lead him in the right direction,” Laporte said. “There was no one strong enough to put a hand on his shoulder and tell him how to do it.”

Lindsay Lohan-ZNV-000062The Lifetime Original Movie “Liz & Dick” should not be called “Liz & Dick.” It should be renamed “Lindsay Lohan and an Actor Whom You May or May Not Remember as Cooter From ‘True Blood.’ “

At no point in this unenergetic revisiting of the legendarily volatile romance between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton does it actually feel like you’re watching Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Instead, we get Grant Bowler (who really was Cooter on HBO’s “True Blood”) brooding and boozing as Burton and Lohan whipping through Cleopatra costumes, awards-show evening gowns, mod headbands and, most comically, ’80s era-bouffant wigs like she’s the sole contestant in a Liz Taylor lookalike contest. It’s unconvincing and lifeless but, sadly, not quite laughable enough to rise to the level of enjoyably campy little lark.

None of this is good news for Lindsay Lohan. For those who haven’t been keeping track of the non-stop TMZ breaking news-a-thon that is the former child star’s life — and truly, it is a full-time job — this pseudo-biopic was supposed to mark her official reinvention. After many months of probation hearings (she finally finished serving probation in March in a DUI case that dated to 2007); run-ins with police; self-defensive tweets; and various other attempts to reinvent her image, “Liz & Dick” was supposed to be the project that finally pushed Lohan into a much-needed new chapter in her career. Breaking non-TMZ news: It isn’t. If she wanted a comeback, she should have stuck to the genre in which she has demonstrated the most skill: comedy, of the intentional kind.

To emphasize how right she was for the role, Lohan has said in several interviews that she can relate to Taylor’s struggles, particularly regarding the news media’s intrusion into her personal dramas. But mere empathy does not a performance make. Lohan, bless her “Freaky Friday” heart, tries her absolute best, bawling at full-tilt and screaming at Bowler with all the ferocity her raspy, ravaged voice will allow. (Also, for the record, she’s really quite good at throwing fragile objects.) But she lacks Taylor’s majesty and elegance. Even at her messiest, Taylor projected a sophistication and reserve of strength that Lohan simply cannot muster.

The degree to which Lohan has been miscast here becomes even more apparent when she stands nose to nose with Bowler. In real life, Taylor was six years younger than Burton, but Lohan and Bowler are separated by 18 years. Since the makeup department does next to nothing to age Lohan over the two-plus decades in which the movie takes place, Bowler winds up looking like a long-lost older Baldwin brother who’s dating his agent’s hot niece.

But all the problems with “Liz & Dick” cannot be placed solely on the shoulders of its stars. For one thing, the writing is pretty wretched.

“I don’t need a pool,” Dick tells Liz in one of the blissful moments in their early courtship. “I’ve got a whole ocean in you.”

“I don’t loathe you, I hate you,” Liz spits at him in another scene, less than a half-hour later. This all happens before they get married the first time, divorce and then get married and, later, divorce again.

Also, a completely unnecessary series of vignettes in which Taylor and Burton, existing seemingly outside of time and space, speak directly to camera intrudes on the narrative flow, making the movie feel, at times, like an episode of “The Office” by way of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (Speaking of “The Office,” one of the bright spots in this slog occurs when Creed Bratton briefly pops up as Darryl Zanuck, addled producer of Taylor’s and Burton’s famously disastrous first foray into co-stardom, “Cleopatra.” An entire film in which Creed tries to make major motion pictures: Why couldn’t Lifetime have turned that into an Original Movie?)

There is one moment in “Liz & Dick,” however, that may elicit some genuine emotion. It happens during a 40th birthday party that Burton throws for Taylor. The actress — still looking like a 26-year-old Lindsay Lohan — overhears two catty guests whispering about how she’s no longer a star. Injured, she dashes from the room and curls up like a distraught, dolled-up little girl in her luxuriously large Oscar-winner’s bed.

There, the revered, sometimes mocked and unforgettable Liz Taylor, weeps. “I’m a joke,” she chokes out through her sobs.

All one can see, though, is Lindsay Lohan wearing a fancy gown, pretending to have reached middle age and grieving too soon for a career that once was unquestionably bright.

scarlett-johansson-435Scarlett Johansson is secretly dating Spanish painter Domingo Zapata, according to Star magazine. The actress has been “regularly staying” at Zapata’s penthouse apartment at The Bowery Hotel in New York. What’s more, Zapata supposedly has told all his friends he’s “crazy about Johansson.”

A source close to Johansson told Gossip Cop they’re good friends, but “not seeing each other romantically.” Is that true, or is Johansson just trying to keep the romance under wraps until they see where it goes? That would make sense, considering that the stunning blonde doesn’t seem to be very lucky at love affairs. She recently broke up with boyfriend Nate Naylor around the same time her ex-husband, Ryan Reynolds, married Blake Lively.

Who is Domingo Zapata?
In the United States, Zapata became known as the friend of Lindsay Lohan who owned the car she was driving when she allegedly hit a pedestrian outside of a New York City club. But a look at his website shows that the guy has an impressive résumé. Born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 1974, he currently maintains studios not only “at the Bowery Hotel in New York City”, but also “at the 16e arrondissement in Paris, and Miami’s hottest new playground for international taste makers: the Design District.” Wow!

And that’s not all. Zapata is also a businessman and worked as a broker on Wall Street. According to his site, he even co-wrote lyrics for Los del Río’s Bill Board hit “Macarena”, and for Michael Jackson and Jon Secada. Umm, we’re dealing with a real renaissance man here!

Certainly, Zapata seems to be a passionate guy, too. He looks quite nice, with burning eyes and a brown beard. He’s that type of sensual, excessive and hedonistic artist—attractive without being immensely handsome. He reminds me of a younger Julian Schnabel, the painter who married Spanish actress Olatz López Garmendia. It is not surprising that Zapata caught the eye of a woman as beautiful as Johansson.

Actually, the whole story reminds me of Woody Allen’s movie “Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona”. The film tells the story of two young American women who travel to Barcelona to spend their summer holiday. Vicky is sensible and engaged to be married; Cristina is emotional and seeks sexual adventures. In Barcelona, both are caught up in an unconventional relationship with Juan Antonio, a charismatic painter who still has something going with his tempestuous ex-wife, María Elena. The painter was played by Javier Bardem. María Elena was played by Penélope Cruz, and this is the movie where she and Bardem—now married—reunited and fell in love. And who played Cristina? None other than Johansson. Maybe she remembers the good times she spent filming that movie and has decided she wants to try her luck with a fiery Latino artist?

I first heard about Zapata in 2010, when he dated Spanish celebrity Vicky Martín Berrocal, designer of flamenco dresses and ex-wife of torero Manuel Benítez. After their breakup, Zapata settled down in New York, where his ex-wife and children live.

Named an “artist to watch” in 2011 by the prestigious Whitewall Magazine, Zapata has been seen with other stunning actresses like Sofia Vergara, Karen Sierra, Michelle Rodriguez, Ana Beatrice Barros, Pamela Anderson and Kim Kardashian. He definitely likes voluptuous ladies and Latina women! Of these celebrities, the Spaniard says that “they are only friends of mine.” Some of them have become his models (maybe muses?) too, as he’s working on a project that involves drawing portraits of 10 modern female icons, including Vergara, Johansson and Lohan.

“Outside of work everything else is just rumors. At this time I’m not with anyone,” Zapata has stated. Well, he might be single, but I bet he’s one of the most envied men in New York these days!

BIKEThese rides are a citizen initiative, nonprofit or party, whose aim is to create a sense of respect and education among cyclists, motorists, authorities and make them see that cyclists need their space, which is an ordered and respectful of the signs and tracks.

If you have any questions please go to someone from the organizing committee, identify them by the vest and the sign to guide you and advise you.

The appointment is at 9 pm in the Marina Vallarta "Whale's" but it is recommended to arrive 15 minutes early (8:45) to receive instructions of the organizers and in order to prepare for departure.
 
Check your bike and equipment are in good condition.
    
For your security prepare the equipment necessary for your protection: helmet, gloves, front and rear lights, clothing with reflectors.
DO NOT HAVE A BIKE?

¡Book it with time!

Bike Loans by the municipality COMUFODAJ ¡Reserve!

Simples
Silvia
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Doubles
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consulusa1Consul General of the United States in Guadalajara, Miss. Susan Abeyta, visited the offices of the Commissioner of Public Safety, where they were received by the head of the agency, Colonel Silvestre Chavez Garcia and assistant, who chatted amiably about the activities that take place daily.

distrito-federalOn November 18, 1824 Decree comes the creation of the Federal District.

Prior to the Federal District, the territory they inhabit Chilangos was part of the State of Mexico. However, on November 18, 1824, Congress enacted its creation to this territory outside the headquarters of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial. This decree came to Mexico City itself was not settled on any particular state and thus prevent local government was established which will take advantage of that.

Anyway, after this brief historical, comical, magical, musical, which summarize is that the world capital of chilanguismo is celebrating this Sunday and meet 188 years of life, another reason (as if we were missing) to celebrate, celebrate and love-hate him even more.

Therefore, we have decided to summon all our followers to congratulate the City for his birthday through Twitter, our account @ ChilangoCom with the hashtag # FelizCumpleDF and more original text send us through this social network, will creditor headphones Chilango very chidos that will award him its author.

So from now until November 20 at 12 noon we will take into account all that we write tweets with the hashtag # FelizCumpleDF and best congratulations to our (not so healthy) trial will be the winner and the author will win a padrísimos headphones.

ECONOMA-19-1-300x168Fregoso Magaly Ortiz, president of the social service agency received cooking equipment that will benefit more than 70 students attending classes as both pastry kitchen.

To receive the Foundation representative and managers of DIF, the more advanced students in coordination with their teachers did a demonstration of different types of cakes that have learned to prepare and for which the industrial oven baking capacity up to six breads, they will be useful to further advance their technical preparation pastry.

The president of DIF thanked Mrs. Philippa Powell for his valuable contribution, for constantly supporting the Foundation training center workshops specifically Cultist beauty and sewing clothes.

"The objective of the training center of DIF is that women are overcome, start their own business and be productive. Whether you support the family income or to cover household needs, as in many families today. Our commitment is to improve and grow this training center to increase the number of people who benefit from the workshops "

The guests were able to enjoy the displays of cakes and congratulated the students for their dedication and commitment.

The training center offers classes Monday through Thursday pastries from 9-12 where they receive an official document by the IDEFT with a registration fee of 150 pesos and 100 pesos a month.

In the afternoons from 4 pm to 7 pm Monday through Thursday and Fridays kitchen from 4 pm to 7 pm The municipal training center is located in Ecuador on March 21 650 corner in the colony Coapinole