David Lyons: David Lyons can’t remember if he banged himself on the head or fell off his chair when he learned in October 2010 that his latest novel, Ice Fire, was to be published by Emily Bestler Books, a division of Simon & Schuster.
Mark & Tracy: Originally conceived by Mark Rome and other associates as a hamburger pub, The Palm opened on Olas Altas street some 11 years ago. Somehow, however, the venue itself seemed to have its own ideas from the very beginning, becoming a centerpiece in this popular Puerto Vallarta neighborhood.
Melissa Castillo: Over the last couple of years, Melissa Castillo has gained recognition in the local cultural scene by actively collaborating in the organization of events that provide an opportunity for independent artists, local and foreign, to present their work in theater, dance and music in a suitable space, helping them generate their own income.
Ignacio Uribe: If you’ve dined at Daiquiri Dick’s, you’ve probably experienced firsthand its executive chef’s determination to succeed by providing excellent cuisine. What is lesser known is how that same determination was pivotal a few years back in creating a modern connection between Puerto Vallarta proper and one of its neglected colonias: Paso Ancho.
José Luis Caselín: When you consider Sayulita’s very successful annual international longboard and stand-up surfing competition or its well-maintained public beaches, you must take notice of the elements that have come together to make this sought-after surf destination less than an hour north of Puerto Vallarta so increasingly popular in the past few years
Rebecca & Zachary: “I’m pretty ecstatic with our life,” exclaims Rebecca Scotti, enjoying a particularly breezy Puerto Vallarta afternoon with her husband, Zachary Rabinor, on their back porch. They represent an increasing segment of folks from the United States who share a belief in the transformational values acquired through international travel.
Astrid Frisch: A Puerto Vallarta resident since 1996, biologist Astrid Frisch first came to Puerto Vallarta to pursue humpback whale research for Mexico’s national university (UNAM), her alma mater. One of her first projects upon arrival was the seminal Humpback Whale in Banderas Bay Photoidentification Catalog.
Spend a Day in El Anclote!: Located just south of Punta de Mita are two small, adjoining towns, Emiliano Zapata and Corral del Risco, that share El Anclote, the best gateway in the bay to a host of aquatic activities that include surfing, fishing, diving, whale watching and paddleboarding, not to mention a variety of spectacular restaurants.
The Personality of a Street: Who were Ignacio L. Vallarta, Francisca Rodríguez and other personalities that have become street names in Puerto Vallarta? Here are a few anecdotes behind them.
Ramiz Barquet: The story of Ramiz Barquet has the parallel threads of love, art, spirituality and heritage woven into different patterns, each vying to be dominant in the beautiful tapestry that was his life until his passing at the age of 90 on July 4, 2010, in Puerto Vallarta. Learn about the life of this highly regarded Puerto Vallarta artist.
Julie Bunker: Caring for animals has been a central theme in Bunker’s life, rescuing them from the moment she arrived in Puerto Vallarta and keeping them at home, first in Los Tules and now, several homes later, in Coapinole, where she shares her home with her husband and a handful of cats and dogs, birds “and a rooster.”
Sayulita’s Coming of Age: Given its legendary reputation as a must-visit, off-the-beaten-path surfing destination in Mexico’s Pacific Riviera, one could easily assume that Sayulita is synonymous with surf, sand and not much more. However, many years have passed since this small town began attracting the surfos in the late ’60s, when Carr. 200, the interstate highway, was built.
Paddle Surfing Makes a Splash in Banderas Bay: Called both paddle surfing and paddle boarding, and known internationally as stand-up paddle surfing or SUP paddle surfing, this increasingly popular sport first appeared in Banderas Bay in 2007.
d’Rachael: What compels a single mother to move her family from Tucson, AZ, to Yelapa in the early ‘80s? For the talented and spontaneous musician d’Rachael, it was a feeling that infused her soul on previous visits to this enchanting seaside community just south of Puerto Vallarta.
Banderas Bay B&B Success Stories: They are called “zimmer” (German for “room”) in Israel, “petite hotel de charme” in France and “casa particular,” or “private home,” in Cuba. Sometimes they go by “inn,” “cottage” or “guesthouse.”
Cathy Von Rohr: Originally from Toledo, OH, she had graduated from Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute three years prior and was freelancing as a graphic and exhibit designer. As such, Von Rohr couldn’t resist fellow designer Pamela Waters’ invitation to visit Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
Best Way to Paint Our City: 5000 Bouganvillea: Sometimes the best ideas blossom slowly. But when they do, they glow and inspire. In the case of the 5000 bouganvillea specimens recently bestowed on our city by the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens, it is finally happening.
Best Ambassadorial Event: Nautical Extravaganza: Supported and organized by the federal, Nayarit state and Bahía de Banderas governments, Nautical Extravaganza 2010 was a first-class event for water lovers of all stripes, offering a month of events related to water sports and marine culture in Riviera Nayarit.
Best Way to Get Your Feet Wet: Sayulita Beach Clean-Up Days: It was a year ago, on May 16, 2009, that Punta Sayulita development director Brett Ellsworth decided to take matters into his own hands by organizing a beach clean-up day in this popular surfing destination an hour north of Puerto Vallarta.
