A young Canadian was involved in an accident yesterday near Puerto Vallarta, and is currently in need of O negative blood. The reserves of this blood type in Puerto Vallarta have been exhausted. If you, or anyone you know, has O negative blood and meets the conditions below, please consider donating at the San Javier Hospital (Marina) Blood Bank (Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio #2760, Colonia Zona Hotelera, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco). The Blood Bank is located on the 2nd floor of the hospital. Simply indicate that you are donating for the Canadian patient, and show government-issued ID (passport for foreigners).

Conditions to donate:

- At least 18 years old

- In good general health, not currently sick

- No alcohol consumption in the last 24 hours

- No drug use

- No new tattoos or piercings in the last 12 months

- No operations in the last 12 months

- No sexually transmitted infections

- For women: not currently menstruating

Please pass this message along to friends (both Mexican and foreign) who might be able to donate or who can continue to spread the word.

The Marina Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s first Blue Flag Marina; Nuevo Vallarta Norte is one of 19 Blue Flag beaches in the country; the Riviera Nayarit has 10 out of 33 Certified Clean Beaches in the Mexican Republic.

The Riviera Nayarit confirmed its leadership in Certified Clean Beaches during the XI National Clean Beaches Conference in Cancun. Nuevo Vallarta Norte also received its Blue Flag during this event, however, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle’s Marina Riviera Nayarit took the spotlight for its own achievement, as it is the first of its kind in Mexico to receive this recognition.

“We’re very happy and proud to be able to continue to share positive news about tourism and the environment,” commented Marc Murphy, Managing Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “I believe that we’ve proven that we can reach important milestones together with the authorities from the coastal towns and the State Government and we will continue to do so in the future.”

Four of the Riviera Nayarit’s beaches were re-certified under Regulation NMX-AA-120-SCFI-2006: Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta Sur and Norte in Banderas Bay and Chacala in Compostela.

This certification is good for two years, meaning the beaches of Nuevo Vallarta II, Los Muertos in Sayulita, Playa Palladium in Punta de Mita, Costa Capomo and Platanitos in Compostela and El Borrego in San Blas are still certified for another year. They will be audited as a follow-up measure from July 15-21.

The Marina Riviera Nayarit, having received one more distinction in addition to being the biggest and most modern of its kind on the Pacific, is now the environmental model to follow in Mexico. The Blue Flags come into effect beginning July 1, 2015; this accolade was also awarded to a seaside resort area.

RODRIGO VARELA/GETTY IMAGES FOR PEOPLE EN ESPAN

The organization that picks Miss Mexico may pull out of the Miss Universe pageant because of disparaging remarks made about the country by contest owner Donald Trump in his bewildering presidential speech last week.

Lupita Jones, who was Miss Universe 24 years ago, said she may withdraw Mexico's contestant because "in this moment, I feel that our representative's integrity and dignity is at risk," she told Mexican broadcaster Radio Channel, KNBC-TV reported Wednesday.

Jones said Trump's remarks about building "a great, great wall" on the Mexican border and making the country pay for it were insulting and misleading. Most immigrants enter the U.S. in search of better lives for themselves and their families, she said.

TEN OF THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS THINGS DONALD TRUMP SAID DURING HIS 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Jones, the first Mexican contestant to win Miss Universe, said she felt disrespected as a citizen and as a woman by Trump's remarks that Mexico does not send its best to America, but rather exports crime, drugs and rapists.

Trump, in a statement Wednesday, said he was "personally offended by the main-stream media's attempt to distort my comments regarding Mexico and its great people."

Trump added, "We cannot allow illegal immigrants to pour into our country. We can barely support our own, much less continue to allow millions of people of many different nationalities to enter our country ... and take much needed (sic) jobs from American citizens."

Miss Mexico Wendy Esparza, 23, who works as a journalist, has not responded to the comments.

CineMex has the finest in Quality movies.  The Magic of Cinema.

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015)

Director: Tadayoshi Yamamuro
Stars:Masako Nozawa, Ryô Horikawa, Hiromi Tsuru, Masaharu Satô

Certificate PG-13 : 93 min     
Animation-Action-Adventure-Comedy-Fantasy-Sci-Fi

City was named best in world among those with between 25,001 and 50,000 residents.

The City of Highland Park’s Sister Cities Foundation was honored last week with Sister Cities International’s Best Overall Program Award for cities with between 25,001 and 50,000 residents.

The award is granted to sister city programs “that demonstrate amazing accomplishments throughout the year and to those that encapsulate and further the mission of the Sister Cities movement,” according to a city news release. Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation currently maintains relationships with three international cities: Yerucham, Israel; Modena, Italy; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

“The City of Highland Park values its sister cities relationships and is deeply grateful to the dedicated volunteers working to facilitate economic, cultural and educational opportunities for all,” Mayor Nancy Rotering said. “Their collaborative work promotes global cooperation and enhances our quality of life. We are so proud of what they have accomplished.”

In the last year, Sister Cities has facilitated Highland Park High School student collaboration with students from Yerucham, Israel, both in person and online. The Foundation also works closely with representatives in Puerto Vallarta, hosting a youth soccer tournament in Highland Park to secure donations of musical instruments to send to youth orchestras there in addition to conducting seminars on domestic violence.

“In addition to honoring the Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation, the Award is an honor for the City of Highland Park as well as our residents,” said Carol Wolfe, Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation Board President. “I would like to express the thanks of the Foundation to the City and everyone who has supported us in our efforts to create exchanges and programs that benefit our residents and the people in our Sister Cities.”

Gastronomy is to the Riviera Nayarit what Lio Messi is to soccer or Carlos Santana is to his guitar. As such, we’d like to entice your palate with our famous Aguachile, one of this region’s favorite seafood dishes.

Truth is, Sinaloa and Nayarit are still in dispute as to where this delicious dish originated, but today we’re simply looking to delight your senses. Here in the Riviera Nayarit you’ll find not only the traditional Aguachile Verde (Green), but also the very tasty Aguachile Rojo (Red) and the yummy Aguachile Negro (Black).

The Aguachile itself is a variation of the ceviche, as it’s prepared using raw shrimp, onions, cucumbers, limes and chile, with salt and pepper to taste. There are those that would add a little tomato, cilantro and avocado. It’s all up to you!

Let’s Go Green First…

Once you peel and clean the shrimp, add onions and cucumbers sliced any way you like, salt and pepper to taste, and then… Comes the good stuff! Pop a few serrano peppers, some lime juice, garlic and salt in the blender and presto! You have the perfect sauce with which to bathe those lovely, plump shrimp.

Next Comes Red…

The entire process is basically the same, except that instead of using serrano peppers, you use chile cola de rata (rat’s tail peppers) or chile de árbol to make the sauce. These peppers lend the sauce a reddish color and a slightly different taste, though it will still be delightfully spicy.

And Beware The Black Aguachile!

This is definitely the spiciest of all because the sauce is made with a mixture of ultra hot habanero chiles and soy sauce.

So there you have it: our delicious Aguachile, a simple and tasty dish that we highly recommend for your visit to the Riviera Nayarit. And don’t forget to add a cold cerveza, Cielo Rojo or Michelada to wash it all down. Oh, and by the way, it’s an excellent remedy for hangovers! Or so they say…

A vacation with seven children is not most people's idea of a relaxing holiday.

But Mario Lopez seems to having a ball as he plays with his two children plus five more nieces and nephews on a family trip to Mexico.

Sunday was the 42-year-old's last day in the fun-filled break to Puerto Vallarta, with wife Courtney Mazza, his sister Marissa and her husband former footballer Kailee Wong.

On Father's Day the Extra host was doing just as much uncle-ing as fathering as he entertained all seven youngsters by the pool.

His one-year-old son Dominic was clung to his dad the whole time, whether he was up on his broad shoulders or sitting in his buff arms.

His four-year-old daughter Gia was never far from sight either, at one stage swooping in poolside to plant a sweet kiss on her dad's lips.

All good things: Father's Day was the Extra host's final day on the fun-filled family getaway

 He's lifted heavier: His one-year-old son Dominic was clung to his dad the whole time, whether he was up on his broad shoulders or sitting in his buff arms

In tow: His four-year-old daughter Gia was never far from sight either, closely tailing her dad

 

Mario's ripped physique has been on display the whole week, as he soaked up rays in just a pair of swim trunks. 

The only other clothes he bothered with was the tight white tank top he donned for a game of table tennis with his niece.

Throughout the week, the Saved By The Bell alum has been sharing snaps from the holiday on his Instagram account showing the family playing on water slides, swimming in their private pool, hanging out on the beach and taking in some deep sea fishing.

 Uploaded: Throughout the week, the Saved By The Bell alum has been sharing snaps from the holiday on his Instagram account

 Toned: Mario's ripped physique has been on display the whole week, as he soaked up rays in just a pair of swim trunks

Wardrobe mal-hunk-tion: The only other clothes he bothered with was the tight white tank top he donned for a game of table tennis with his niece.

 

For the day that was in it, Courtney posted a sweet message to her own Instagram account along with a pic of her man and their kids.

'#HappyFathersDay to this man who means the world to us. You are the true definition of what a daddy should be. We love you.'

Mario in turn didn't forget about his own dad on Sunday, posting a snap of the two sharing a toast and a couple of cigars .

'Salud! Feliz Día Del Padre! Not easy growing up with an old school tough guy like my dad,' he wrote. 'I was a hyper kid with potential for getting into trouble. He didn't believe in "time outs." I needed a man like him to keep me in line. Blessed to still have him around...' 

Salud! Feliz Día Del Padre! Not easy growing up with an old school tough guy like my dad. I was a hyper kid with potential for getting into trouble.

He didn't believe in "time outs." I needed a man like him to keep me in line. Blessed to still have him around...

Puerto Vallarta is home to dozens of spas, resorts, and wellness centers, that will host health and wellness events in the next few months. 

Hotel Mousai, Puerto Vallarta’s newest resort, will be hosting June Wellness at its Spa Imagine, which offers guests special classes like power yoga, Pilates, dance, swim, paddle boarding, and more. Along with a board of experts in wellness practices, the hotel will offer a series of seminars, lectures, workshops, and personal treatments to promote mental and physical health. The hotel will also offer special health food menu options during the month-long event. 

Puerto Vallarta will also host the 2015 Mexico Health & Wellness Travel Show. The event will take place December 7 through December 9 at Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center. About 300 participants are expected to attend with over 3,000 business-to-business meetings taking place. The international show will feature some of the best medical, wellness, and treatment specialists in the world. Participants will have a chance to attend meetings, talks, and more run by experts in their fields. 

Visit Congreso De Turismo Medico.

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

The director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board very much wants to clear up a lingering – and negative – misperception about the destination.

“There is no travel warning to Puerto Vallarta,” said Agustin Alvarez. “The U.S. State Department’s travel warning as it pertains to the state of Jalisco highlights rural highways and areas that border states to the south, which are almost 250 miles from Puerto Vallarta – or the distance between New York and Boston or Los Angeles and Las Vegas.”

No one, of course, disputes that the city fell victim to a violent incident last month. “On May 1, there was an isolated incident that took place in the early morning, but authorities in the city moved fast and most people in Puerto Vallarta that day did not even know of the incident,” said Alvarez said. “Hotel occupancy for the weekend of May 1 was more than 95 percent, and according to the Hotel Association of Puerto Vallarta there were over 4,200 convention delegates in town attending international medical conferences.”

He said the travel warning has yet to impact Puerto Vallarta in any discernable way. “Business has been operating as normal so far,” he said. “No hotel cancellations have been reported.”

While three cruise line canceled port calls at Puerto Vallarta as result of the disturbances, the destination’s tourism officials were able to ease cruise executive’s concerns during a meeting last month. “There was an issue with communications between the destination and the cruise lines,” Alvarez said. “That has been fixed and we are working on ensuring the cruise lines know the real status of the destination.”
Moving forward, Alvarez said Puerto Vallarta is negotiating with cruise lines to increase calls during the 2015-2016 season.

Business from cruise line continues to grow, said Alvarez, and Puerto Vallarta is projecting a 16 percent increase in scheduled ship calls over 2014.

Overall, business this year has been strong. “Visitor arrivals to Puerto Vallarta are up by almost 200,000,” he said. “The destination has received 860,886 visitors in the first five months of the year. In 2014 we received 669,138 visitors for that period.”

Hotel occupancies are also up from 2014. “Puerto Vallarta has had occupancies of 73 percent for the first five months of the year, which is a three percent increase from last year,” he said.

The destination is also continuing to add to its eclectic portfolio of properties. “The Hotel Mousai is our latest opening and our first 5 AAA Diamond property, and we are very excited about that,” Alvarez said, adding that the Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta is scheduled to debut this year as well.
On the airline front, Alvarez said Southwest Airlines will launch daily nonstop flights between California’s John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA) and Puerto Vallarta’s international airport on June 18. Pending government approval, the carrier will also introduce service between Denver and Puerto Vallarta on Nov. 15.

Additionally, Aeromexico recently inaugurated a number of new flights from Boston, Toronto, Montreal and San Francisco, Alvarez said.

The destination is continuing to target a variety of markets, one of the most notable being LGBT travelers, a segment it has long supported.

In Alvarez’s view, the destination is a natural fit for LGBT travelers. “Puerto Vallarta is an international destination because of the service and friendliness of the local community,” he said. “Walking its center, people feel comfortable, safe, and in Mexico.”

Furthermore, he noted the LGBT community has, for all intents and purposes, become a part of the destination’s cultural fabric. “The LGBT community is welcomed and an integral part of our city because our Zona Romantica, our ‘gayborhood,’ grew with the rest of the destination to be what it is today: a Mexican pueblo with the latest in infrastructure,” he said. “We have partnered with many organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and the Treatment Action Group to proactively show our appreciation for this natural market for our destination.”

Puerto Vallarta has its sights set on a variety of other markets as well. “This year we are proactively targeting the family travel market, the romance market, boomers and foodies – all markets that are natural to Puerto Vallarta because of all the offering the destinations has for them,” he said.

The destination also continues to work closely with travel agents. “We work with them constantly and try to maintain active communications with them via our newsletters, events and presentations,” Alvarez said, adding that the tourism board’s promotions team works closely with its tour operator partners and consortia to help educate agents through training sessions and at conferences and roadshows.

In the final analysis, Alvarez contends that agents play an important role in Puerto Vallarta’s continuing success as a tourism destination. “Travel agents are extremely important to Puerto Vallarta as they are our link to millions of current and future visitors,” he said.

This is an important month, because we remember the men who were instrumental in turning our city into a place known all over the world today.

We begin in June of 1899, when United States citizen Alfred W. Geist purchased 90% of the stock of the Union Mining Company in Cuale, therefore, gaining control of the mines and the land where the Las Peñas Commissary was located. This mining company, started in the mid 19th century, had acquired close to 60 thousand hectares; this land extended from the mining town of Cuale to the Bay of Banderas. The goal was to build a port which would allow access to all kinds of products, machinery and tools for mining, salt for silver, supplies and other objects such as: clothing, wine, furniture and luxury items for the mountain population.

The government of President Benito Juarez had sold this land to him under the condition that the land be populated and become productive. From this agreement Las Peñas ranch, Puerto Vallarta’s original name, was born.

On June 16th 1950, the Banco de Comercio of Guadalajara, the first bank in town, opened its offices on Juarez and Guerrero streets.

What was later to be the highway Mascota-Puerto Vallarta was inaugurated, this opened the way for development.

On June 4th 1956, Agustin Yañez Delgadillo, governor of Jalisco, along with Dr. Manuel Baumgarten Joya, renown local congressman from Vallarta, cut the inaugural ribbon for the road that connected Mascota to Puerto Vallarta. This meant a significant advance for our community and the surrounding towns, having been isolated by steep geography. Governor Agustin Yañez, a brilliant writer, was responsible for positioning Puerto Vallarta as a tourist destination, as he commissioned several infrastructure projects such as the airport and the thermoelectric plant installed in 1958, which provided electricity to the head of the municipality and the surrounding towns in Jalisco and Nayarit.

On June 29th, 1945, the young doctor, Antonio Sahagun, graduate of the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, arrived in Puerto Vallarta. He established the first clinical analysis laboratory in 1947. In 1957 he installed modern X Ray equipment here. He was named municipal doctor from 1962 to 1973, and he was also in charge of the ISSSTE medical services. Dr. Antonio Sahagun was one of the most notable and well loved men of this community.