Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some of this week's Puerto Vallarta news, a few community announcements, and a couple of this weekend's events that you won't want to miss.

Donna Davies Hosts Open House at Scala Residences

Searching the Internet for just the right property can be frustrating, so Timothy Real Estate Group's Donna Davies will be hosting an Open House on Friday, February 5 at Scala Residences, a fun, newly-renovated, urban style building in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Located in Alta Vista, just a few blocks from downtown Puerto Vallarta and the trendy Romantic Zone and Olas Altas neighborhoods, these raw construction residential and commercial spaces offer a unique opportunity to be in a completely renovated building with a young and energetic vibe. The spaces can be used for residential, commercial, office, or retail and offer you the opportunity to either do your own build out of a loft-like space or select from a number of packages to finish off your home or office. The Scala building boasts units with mountain views, and some offer 180-degree front window panoramas to the ocean and the city. There is off street parking for guests just at your front door, and assigned parking for unit owners. Imagine the beauty of owning a home or office designed with your own taste at a fraction of the cost... Scala Residences is a must see for anyone interested in creating their own unique space for a business, investment, vacation rental property or extraordinary Puerto Vallarta home. Join Donna L. Davies at Scala Residences today from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and come see for yourself! For more information, click HERE or call Donna at 322-779-9406 or at the Timothy Real Estate Group office at (322) 223-5300.

3 Canadians Rescue Boy, Father from Drowning on Mismaloya Beach

A family from Carrot River, Sask., and an Edmonton firefighter are being called heroes after saving a father and son from drowning in Mexico. Liz Haley-Armstrong, her son Bob Haley and firefighter Drew Pearson were relaxing on Mismaloya beach in Puerto Vallarta when they noticed a young boy struggling in a rip tide just off the beach. Despite having only met each other 10 minutes before, the trio leaped into action. Pearson dove into the water and swam for the child, and was bringing him back toward shore when he noticed the boy's father, who had swum out trying to get to the boy, was now also in distress. Haley-Armstrong went into the water and took the boy from Pearson, freeing him to rescue the husband. Pearson says he was exhausted and near the point of collapse, and might not have made it back to shore himself without the help of Bob Haley, who dragged him and the father both to shore. Pearson, who is also a military reservist, says he was only doing what he was trained to do and gives all the credit to the mother and son. "It was amazing to see how quickly they helped up and there was no hesitation or questioning," he says. Without their help, Pearson says the happy ending could have easily been a tragedy. "It's amazing that there (were) three Canadians on a beach in Mexico, in a sea of 100 locals, that were able to do something like this," Pearson says. "It's kind of a testament to Canadians and how quickly we can work together no matter what the circumstance."

Academy Awards Week in Puerto Vallarta

From February 20-27th, the Costa Banderas Chapter of Democrats Abroad and ArtVallARTa will present "Academy Award Week," featuring some of 2015's best films. Two different Oscar-nominated movies will be screened each day, at 2 pm and 7 pm, in the air-conditioned comfort of ArtVallARTa's San Franciscan Theater, which boasts tiered theater seating. Tickets for all movies are available for a donation of $75 pesos in advance or $100 pesos at the door, subject to availability. If you plan to see multiple shows, or to bring a group of friends, you can get 10 tickets in any combination for a donation of just $700 pesos. Seating is limited, so it is strongly advised to purchase your tickets in advance at ArtVallARTA (Open Mon-Fri from 10 am to 4 pm) or at the San Franciscan. The week will culminate in the live-streaming of the Academy Awards Ceremony and an awards gala celebration on February 28. Keep checking Puerto Vallarta's Liveliest Website! - BanderasNews.com - we'll be posting additional information about the gala as more details are made available. Note: ART VallARTa is located within the San Franciscan Complex at 213 Pilatas, just up from Los Muertos Beach on the South side of Puerto Vallarta. For a map, visit ArtVallARTa on Facebook.

Ute Hagen Opens at Galleria Dante this Friday

On Friday, February 5, 2016 from 6:00 until 10:00 pm, during this week's South Side Shuffle, a cocktail reception will open an art exhibit by international artist Ute Hagen. Born in 1944 in Meissen, Germany, Ute emigrated to Canada in 1965 and moved to Mexico in 1973. She studied art under the tutelage of artists: Gerda Werner & Georg Hieronymi in Germany, Gita Segerscog in Mexico City & the Emily Carr College of Art in Vancouver, Canada. Ute realized her first solo show at age 15 at the Heinrich Olle Gallery, Oberursel, Germany (1959). Her work captures the colors and textures of Mexico and presents them with a powerful clarity of European design. With perfect technique her paintings are powerfully executed and exciting to view. Never static, full of movement, her work is reminiscent of Van Gogh, a brilliant spirit shining through. Ute is also an accomplished photographer. Her photographs, too, show us what moves her inner eye. Her photography is about people, doorways and buildings, the lake and still lives, revealing again her sense of what to leave in and what to leave out. They seem almost stark, however, next to the intense sensuality of her paintings, that which even the most novice of art viewers will be reminded of Van Gogh or Matisse. Galleria Dante is located at #269 Basilio Badillo in Old Town Vallarta. Telephone is (322) 222-2477. While there, be sure to visit the upstairs wine and tapas bar, Di Vino Dante.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
Click on titles for more information

• See 'Sordid Lives... a Black Comedy About White Trash' at Act II

• Do Your Valentine's Day Gift Shopping at the OTFM-TC this Saturday

• Rob Knight Perorms His Elvis Tribute at El Oasis del Holi, Fridays