Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around the Republic, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. So we've put together a brief overview of some of this week's news headlines from Mexico and around Banderas Bay, community announcements, and some not-to-be-missed weekend events.

Mexico Celebrates Día de la Marina June 1st

June 1st is El Día de la Marina, or Navy Day, across Mexico, commemorating the launching of the first 100% Mexican crewed ship, the Tabasco, on June 1, 1917, from the Port of Veracruz. The first time Día de la Marina was celebrated was on June 1st 1942, when the crews of various ships - torpedoed by German submarines in the Second World War - were honored. Since then, Mexico's port towns have celebrated Día de la Marina every year on June 1st to commemorate the naval service provided by the nation's men and women who have died in the line of duty - and Puerto Vallarta is no exception. The full day of celebrations traditionally starts at 9 am with an official ceremony on Pier 3 of API Vallarta, which is followed by boats going "out to sea" to lay wreaths of flowers in the waters of the bay. Parties and general revelry continue on local beaches and piers throughout the rest of the day and night, concluding at around 10 pm with a fireworks show over the Bay of Banderas.

Vallarta-Nayarit Part of Google Maps' Special Collections

How would you like to visit some of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit's most iconic sites and landmarks from the comfort of your home or office? Well, thanks to Google Maps' Special Collections, users of the search giant can now enjoy 360° virtual tours of places like the Marietas Islands, the Marina Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Vallarta Adventures Dolphinarium and Las Caletas, among other areas of the Mexican Pacific. In a statement, the company said that the Google Maps team "traveled on foot, by car and even by boat to some of the Banderas Bay region's most representative areas." To see them and other great places in more than 200 territories and countries around the world, download the Google Maps application on your desktop computer or mobile device and use the Special Collections tool.

Tons of Endangered Sea Species Seized in Mexico

In the last three years, Mexico has seized some 18 tons of individuals, products and byproducts of Totoaba macdonaldi, an endangered fish, said the Federal Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA). The species is endemic to the Gulf of California or Cortes Sea, as well as the cetacean Phocoena sinus or vaquita, the main destination of which is Asia. The vaquita, as it is commonly known, measures 1.5 meters long and it is one of the smallest cetacean in the world, mainly jeopardized by the nets used in the fishing of shrimps, sharks or totoaba. The totoaba measures some two meters long and weighs more than 100 kilograms. In China, Hong Kong, Japan and Vietnam high prices are paid for its swim bladder, which is believed to have aphrodisiac and healing powers.

Trading Places International to Manage Puerto Vallarta Resort

Trading Places International (TPI), a provider of management and leisure services to vacation owners and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group recently announced that it has entered into a property management agreement with Ocho Cascadas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. As part of the agreement, TPI will deliver a variety of services, including reservations; financial assistance in the areas of planning, budgeting, and forecasting in concert with the association board of directors; and communications between the association and its members. In addition, TPI will oversee resort operations such as front-desk check-in, housekeeping, and unit maintenance. "We're very excited about the opportunity to offer our expertise to this luxury resort in such an appealing destination," said Marcus Wood, executive vice president of business development for TPI. "Ocho Cascadas provides its owners and guests a warm ambiance and exceptional family vacation experiences."

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
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• Friday Market in the Marsol Hotel Lobby

• No Way José! End of Season 6 Fiesta

• Puerto Vallarta Anniversary Celebrations