El Salado
Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro last week signed a decree to increase the size of the protected area of El Salado marshland by 23 percent.
The final decision was taken after almost 5,000 citizens were consulted in a survey conducted between February 17 and 23 at various points in the city, as well as online. Since November 2019, academics, environmentalists, government officials and other members of society have been holding round-table sessions, under the title “Diálogos por El Salado,” to discuss further ways of preserving this important tropical ecosystem.
The new decree increases the area within the estuary in which construction of any kind is prohibited from 168 to 208 hectares.
“The conclusion from the survey is that it’s time to invest in the area,” said Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro, adding that funding for the estuary is guaranteed for the remainder of his term of office.
Located between the Hotel Zone and the airport, the El Salado wildlife sanctuary is home to mangrove forests, a river and crocodiles. Tours of the estuary are one of the most affordable activities in Puerto Vallarta.
Cable car
Local news sources have confirmed that Vallarta’s first cable car ride will form part of the $US1.3 billion “Escenarios Fantásticos” mega theme park development, currently under construction on the Nuevo Vallarta side of the Ameca River.
According to local daily Vallarta Opina, the “teleférico” will run for a distance of 346 meters at a height of 34 meters. It will be supported by seven giant columns (two of which are already built), with two stations at either end, the newspaper said. The project will take three years to construct at a cost of 174 million pesos ($US8.9 million).
The mega theme park is being developed by the Vidanta group, along with Disney Attractions, Merlin Entertainment Group and Universal Parks & Resorts. It will feature a permanent Cirque du Soleil show, and a range of attractions on a scale with Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Orlando, developers say. An opening date has yet to be set.
Festival
The second Raicilla, Mezcal and Craft Beer Festival takes places at the Nuevo Vallarta Marina, Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on each day. As well as tastings of the various drinks showcased by participating producers, expect to find mouthwatering gastronomic delights and entertainment.
St. Patrick’s Day
Murphy’s Irish Pub on the malecon will be holding its annual pre-St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage festivities on Wednesday, March 11.
There will be two seatings: noon to 3 p.m. and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dave Whitty from St. John’s will be performing traditional pub classics.
The annual (free) Celtfest Vallarta will be held Saturday, March 14, from 2 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on the malecon.
Cook Off
Around 230,000 pesos was raised at the 8th Annual Puerto Vallarta Chili Cook Off held February 22, reports Host Chairman Jim Sullivan.
Winners in the Professional category were Captain Don’s (first), Nacho Daddy (second) and Tunnel Road BBQ (third). The judges were Paul Mayer of Vallarta Food Tours; Patrick Robertson, an accomplished former chef in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles; chef Blanca Blue of Garza Blanca; and A.J .Freeman, lead lifestyle scout at WeLovePV.com.
In the Popular category, the winners were Nacho Daddy (first), Blake’s Sports Bar (second) and Captain Don’s (third).
Funds raised at the Cook Off will be used during 2020 for the various projects sponsored by the Jay Sadler Project. Current projects planned include the following:
• A community center for seniors in Las Palmas, Bellos Recuerdos, Las Juntas and Edad de Ore, Mojoneras.
• Installation of playground equipment Los Patos Park in Las Juntas.
• Painting and building repairs at the Jardín de Niños Ramón Corona, Kindergarten in Las Juntas, and Jardín de Niños 15 de Mayo in La Primavara.
• Repairs to the basketball court in Lo de Marcos.