INFO PV

Puerto Vallarta - On Sunday April 6 come by the Fiesta Ecologico from 11 am till 8 pm at Cuiza, on Isla Rio Cuale. Vallarta Verde to join a group of young and ardent ecology-minded activists who are launching a new project to foster “green” thinking among Vallartenses.

Leaders of the new group’s efforts are Greta Fuentes, Tatiana Meneses, Carole Oury and Mercedes Sanchez among others. Texan, Joe “King” Carrasco of “Nuevo Wavo” musical fame is lending his group to bring Tex-Mex and reggae flavor to the day and promises a great group of local musical talents to keep the party thinking green till sunset.

The focus of the day is information and ecological awareness. We all know that sometimes all it takes is a bit of friendly chit-chat among friends and neighbors to discover common concerns and find solutions to address them.

Vallarta Verde is designed to build public interest in exploring new ways to preserve what very few green spaces we have left in downtown Vallarta.

Important among these areas is the eastern end of the Isla Rio Cuale whose development into another commercial corridor has been envisioned. The Isla is still a micro-nature preserve for iguanas, squirrels and an amazing numbers of birds.

And, more importantly, it’s a cool respite on a hot day; it’s a shady outdoor classroom for kids during the summer months and remains a small verdant microcosm in the Cuale. Why not label those many varieties of trees; have a plant and animal map. John Huston would find himself right at home in his director’s chair among all the activity.

The Isla effort will go together with public education through the press, in schools and in city-wide presentations to encourage ecologically sound waste management along with water and other natural resource conservation.

Carole Oury, friend, Joe King Carrasco, Barbara Sands, Tatiana Meneses and Greta Fuentes, who is spearheading the group. FYI, Vallarta Verde meetings are being held at Cuizas on the Isla on Tuesdays at 3 pm.

New development is moving so quickly all over Vallarta with concrete fortresses rising everywhere without warning. Development certainly should not be confused with progress and isn’t always the best answer for Vallarta.

We can’t forget what put PV on the map besides the torrid Taylor-Burton affair. It is its very Mexican-ness, its leisurely style of living, its red clay tile roofs and feeling of a city with a proud heritage.

All those who have been championing the preservation of our beautiful city’s native charms can applaud these new faces picking up the challenge and bringing in new troops to carry on the battle to preserve our beautiful surroundings, our trees and the city’s charm.

From the southbound bridge, Cuiza is located down the stairs and toward the ocean. From the Malecon, access is down the stairs and straight ahead to Cuiza on the right past Oscar’s.

For more information or to offer assistance, contact Greta Fuentes: zuckyinc(at)yahoo.com; Mercedes Sanchez: aisforartist1@hotmail.com; Carole Oury: carolepvr(at)yahoo.com; Tatiana Meyeses: llomera(at)gmail.com or Barbara Sands: barbsands007(at)yahoo.com. Musicians or singers (dancers?) DJs or MCs who want to be part of the action can contact Joe King at joeking(at)joeking.com.

from an article submitted by Barbara Sands