Bilingual MP
Sixteen days after its inauguration, the new bilingual Ministerio Publico (MP or public prosecutor’s office) in Puerto Vallarta had opened 11 case files following complaints filed by the general public.
The investigations relate to various crimes, including fraud, assault and robbery.
The new agency opened on December 31 with the aim of “providing foreigners living or visiting Puerto Vallarta” with “legal support” and “greater security.”
The agency is staffed by a Ministerio Publico agent, a secretary and four investigators, all of whom speak good English.
The new office where English speakers can file criminal complaints in their own language is located at Condominio Las Palmas 01, local 27, in Colonia Marina Vallarta. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Medical expo
The Medical Matters Conference hosted by HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, the U.S. Consular Agency and the Hotel Marriott takes place Monday, February 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hotel Marriott CasaMagna Marina Vallarta.
The even will feature options for the Banderas Bay community regarding their day-to-day wellbeing and emergency health care options
This free event open to the public will feature around 50 area healthcare exhibitors, including physicians, hospitals, insurance companies and other healthcare-related professionals. There will also be a speaker program covering a wide variety of topics.
For more information contact Pamela Thompson at 322-107-7007, or 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..
Pancake breakfast
A First Responders Pancake Breakfast is scheduled Sunday, February 24, from 8 a.m. to noon. The event is aimed at raising funds to equip new stations for local fire fighters, paramedics and lifeguards. There will be live entertainment.
The breakfast will be held in the Lazaro Cardenas Park, and tickets cost 200 pesos. On the menu will be pancakes, bacon, eggs and coffee. Those who wish may bring along donations of materials – bed sheets, towels, cleaning supplies, tinned food, etcetera – for the first responders.
Those who wish to donate to organization of the breakfast – around 400 servings are anticipated, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the first responders – can visit signupgenius.com/go/70a054caead2fa4ff2-february.
Bird Festival
March 8-10, the Vallarta Botanical Garden hosts the Vallarta Bird and Nature Festival, featuring birding and nature walks, bird photography workshops, educational seminars, exhibits, music, native dancers and more.
As well the daily talks for visitors, there will additional birding tours to nearby areas known for their abundance of bird species.
Among the speakers will be Mark Stackhouse, a biologist by training, who has worked for government and private industry, mostly investigating and mitigating the effects of environmental damage on birds. He will explain his secrets for finding and identifying birds, and talk about the fundamental techniques for improving bird identification skills. Stackhouse is a renowned bird guide and operates his tour company, Westwings, from his home in San Blas, Nayarit.
The award-winning, nonprofit Vallarta Botanical Gardens is surrounded by the beautiful bird-rich mountain landscape of Cabos Corrientes, and are located 24 kilometers (15 miles) south of Puerto Vallarta. The Gardens are easily accessible by bus, car, taxi, or Uber. Travel from Old Town Puerto Vallarta takes approximately 30 minutes.
Entry to the festival is priced at 200 pesos per day or 500 pesos for a three-day pass. Free for children aged four and under.
Proceeds from the 2019 festival will help purchase and install Military Macaw nest boxes at the macaw sanctuary.
For more information, call (322) 110-2197.