The 2nd bike ride “Biking for Vallarta” will be held Sunday, March 21 beginning at 9 am. This time we encourage all to decorate your bike (to receive summer) we will have prizes for the best 3 bikes!

The meeting point is on Jesus Rodriguez Barba Ave. on Fluvial Vallarta (near Plaza Caracol) The bike ride begins at 9 am and ends at 1 pm on Sunday 21st.

We will have a free Yoga class from Davanna at 10 am, from Shanti Studio a Zumba class, and from La Casa Azul activities for kids.

This is not a competition. It is a ride to enjoy a street that is the daily domain of cars, trucks and motorcycles. For a few hours it will be exclusively for bikes, skates, runners, and walkers to simply enjoy the beauty of the place with your family and friends. All activities are free.

See you there!!!

For Routes and More Information, www.mundoceiba.com/

During the week of February 23rd through 28th, Vallarta Botanical Gardens will host their 2nd annual Flower and Garden Show. This event, running Tuesday through Sunday, takes place at the peak of the Garden’s floral displays and will feature local products from our precious earth, floral designs from top florists. Local florists will compete for prizes in the Hall of Flowers inside the Hacienda.

Educational demonstrations will take place each afternoon at 2 pm. The Garden’s Vivero will be packed with plants for sale, such as coffee, chocolate and vanilla orchid plants, plus blooming orchids, rare plants, handmade baskets, and local pottery.

Everyone is invited to come out to the Gardens to revel in the glories of springtime in the Sierra Madre mountains. There is a $50 peso charge for the general public to enter the Gardens and entry is free for members. There is no additional charge to view the Flower & Garden Show.

A special brunch menu is available from 10am to 2m on Sundays for only $170 pesos and includes one cocktail, cinnamon bun, fresh fruit, local organic coffee and an entrée of your choice from the Brunch Menu.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens is only 35 minutes south of Old Town, located at Km 24 on Highway 200. Public transportation is available every 30 minutes from Old Town. Take the El Tuito – Botanical Gardens bus from corner of Aguacate & Carranza for only $20 pesos.

The Botanical Gardens are open from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Closed every Monday. Telephone 223-6182 for further information.

DEMONSTRATIONS and TALKS at 2pm:

Tuesday, February 23

• 2 pm – Robert Price, Founder of Vallarta Botanical Gardens, “Native Plants in the Vallarta Landscape” With a special discussion of the value of beauty in our lives.

Wednesday, February 24

• 2 pm – Rick Hepting of XPlanta Nursery, “Medicinal & Shamanic Plants of Mexico”

Thursday, February 25

• 2 pm – Bob Bruneau of Flowers To Go, “Create a Floral Arrangement to Take Home”
• Fee of $100 pesos includes instruction and all materials for a floral arrangement you take home. Pre-book your spot with Dianna #223-6182

Friday, February 26

• 2 pm – Jesus Mendez, Naturopathic Medicine & Iris Diagnostico, “Your pH and Health – Local Herbs have the Cure”

Saturday, February 27

• 2 pm – Luc Vleeracker of Vivero de Frutas Exoticas, “Tropical & Exotic Fruit which will Grow in Vallarta”
• A little personal note here: I (Rick Hepting, editor of this website) was the featured speaker on Wednesday. Following my talk I went over to Luc’s nursery and I’m blown away. There’s no other way to put it. If you are even half interested in growing tropical fruit trees here in Vallarta, this presentation is mandatory. Luc knows fruit trees and he sells just about anything you could want (at very reasonable prices).

Sunday, February 28

• 2 pm – Sergio Alpenia of Archie’s Wok, Chef & Orchid Nut, “Growing Orchids in Your Home”

Guess when the Pitillal River goes dry this year and win up to $1000 pesos. Tickets are 30 pesos each and must be bought before January 10, 2010.

Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta, dog walk is Sunday, October 4 at 8:30 am on the banks of the River Pitillal, Leaving from Civil Defense (Proteccion Civil -200 meters from Medina Ascencio up to Peninsula), Hope you can all make it and invite friends!!

The Proteccion Civil is right across the street from Monica’s Bay View Can Dog Boarding “Resort”. Many dog people might know it.

Go on Av Francisco Medina Ascencio, which is road to airport, cross the Rio Pitillal and take first right just across from the NH Krystal. It is just barely past Plaza Peninsula. If you are driving you need to be on the Lateral road.

One can get there via WalMart bus and get off right around there and walk up to Bay View.

Monica’s number is 044-322-132-4460 if one needs better directions. She speaks excellent English,.

The Vallarta Botanical Gardens in cooperation with the Puerto Vallarta Department of Parques y Jardines has embarked on an ambitious new project called Ciudad de las Bugamvilias to beautify our city.

Between now and November 1, 2009, 5000 new bougainvillea plants will be installed in the city’s median strips, traffic islands and city parks.

The public is invited to join this ambitious civic initiative by purchasing bougainvilleas at a mere $16 pesos per plant. Groups of 100 plants can be donated for $1,600 pesos or smaller increments. The names of those donating will appear on a plaque commemorating this important project.

Donations can be made by credit card by using PayPal on the website for Vallarta Botanical Gardens www.vallartabotanicalgardensac.org or by calling the Botanical Gardens at 223-6182 or by emailing Bob Price at bobinpvmex (at) yahoo.com or by going in person to Xocodiva Chocolates at Rodolfo Gomez #111 in the Romantic Zone.

The idea for Ciudad de las Bugamvilias or Bougainvillea City is based on creating an annual festival in PV similar to the Cherry Blossom Festivals held annually in Washington, DC, and Vancouver, BC. Cherry Blossom Festivals attract thousands of visitors from around the world, and the beauty of bougainvilleas could generate the same interest for Vallarta.

When you see the new bougainvilleas being planted around our city, remember the success of this project depends on people like you who love Vallarta and wish to give something back to the city. Join the initiative by donating!

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THURSDAY, JULY 9TH: NATIONAL TREE DAY

JULY: NATIONAL REFORESTATION MONTH

In 1951, the second Thursday of the month of July was designated as “National Tree Day” in Mexico. On July 7, 1959 the entire month of July was declared “National Reforestation Month.”

In Puerto Vallarta, all residents are encouraged to begin a home garden of local trees from seed, transplanting those seedlings in the field when the tree has reached 1 meter in height. Watering the tree in the field during the dry season will ensure that the tree will survive for many years to come.

To celebrate National Tree Day Grupo Ecológico de Puerto Vallarta, A.C. will be giving free seeds of local trees at the Presidencia Square on Thursday, July 9th, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. with additional information for planting

Help keep Puerto Vallarta green and growing!