Puerto Rico Events For This Weekend

Friday, March 17

Las Marias Orange Festival

This mountain town celebrates citrus in its town square. Vendors, food, artistic
performances. Runs from Friday to Sunday.

Time: 8 AM-11 PM
Where: Las Marias town square ("Plaza Publica")
Admission: Free

Ramas Festival 2017

"Playa Marias in Rincón will be the stage of 2 days of music, food, beach and
sun with 20 international and local bands: Skapulario, Voodoo Glow Skulls,
Calma Carmona, John Brown’s Body, among many others." Runs Friday &
Saturday.

Time: 4:00 PM
Where: Maria's Beach, Puntas, Rincón
Admission: $20-$35


Saturday, March 18

UNE Food Fest

Gastronomical event featuring restaurant and chef exhibits, live music and
vendors. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 787-257-7373 ext. 3001.

Time: 6 PM-11 PM
Where: Universidad Del Este, Carolina
Admission: $55

Surfing and Bodyboarding Contest 2017

Christian-themed surfing competition featuring various event categories. Runs
Saturday and Sunday.

Time: 7 AM-6 PM
Where: Plaza Aviones, Piñones, Loíza
Admission: $30 tournament inscription fee, free to attend


Sunday, March 19

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Part of Guaynabo's annual St. Patrick Day's festival, which begins on Thursday
the 16th.

Time: 1:00 PM (Parade at 4 PM)
Where: San Patricio Plaza, Guaynabo
Admission: Free

Veladas Románticas Al Atardecer

Live romantic latin music, featuring Nydia Caro. Tickets can be purchased in
advance at the hotel front desk or at the gate on day of show.

Time: 2 PM- 6 PM
Where: San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Admission: $25

Puerto Rico News Digest For November 19, 2015

CYCLIST KILLED IN LOIZA CAR ACCIDENT

As reported this morning by El Nuevo Dia, 30-year-old cyclist José Mar-
cel Rodríguez Rivera died this morning after being run over by a drunk
driver on PR-187 in Loíza. The woman, identified as 40-year-old Vane-
ssa Pizarro Marrero, hit the man and five other cyclists. The five were
injured and taken to Centro Médico, with  three of them in critical condi-
tion. The accident happened at around 7:10 AM today, and the driver was
shown to have alcohol in her bloodstream after a sobriety test.

GOVERNOR CALLS SPECIAL SESSION FOR PREPA BILL

From Caribbean Business:

While lawmakers ended Tuesday, Nov. 17, the legislative session, they will
reconvene sooner than expected as Gov. Alejandro García Padilla will call
a special session by the first week of December, allowing the Legislature to
consider before year’s end a bill that would give way to the restructuring of
the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa)...Under the restructuring
agreement, lawmakers are called to pass “an acceptable form” of the measu-
re by Friday, Nov.  20, in order for the accord to continue to run its course..."

PROPOSAL WOULD GIVE FOREIGNERS VOTE RIGHT 

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Gov. Alejandro García Padilla on Tuesday submitted to the Legislature
an administration bill that would extend voting rights to foreigners domi-
ciled in Puerto Rico and another that would prevent government officials
from interfering with decisions made in public corporations. It was not
clear whether the bills will be included  in a proposed special session or
will have to wait until the January session..."

CALLE 13 SINGER WINS NOBEL AWARD

From Telesur:

"One of Puerto Rico's most well known rappers was awarded the Nobel
Peace Summit Award Sunday for his support of a range of social issues.
Calle 13 frontperson Rene Perez, also known by his stage name Residen-
te, was honored with the award at the 15th World Summit of Nobel Peace
Laureates in Barcelona, Spain. The award recognizes cultural and enter-
tainment figures who have contributed to human rights and social justice.
Previous winners of the award include Sean Penn and Bob Geldof..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 31, 2015

GURABO ON FIRE, 1,000 ACRES BURNT

Largest Reported Forest Fire In PR History

A large forest fire broke out in an area of Gurabo on Wednesday, and is still
producing large amounts of smoke, as firefighters and the Puerto Rico Natio-
nal Guard continue their efforts to extinguish it, drawing water from the Gu-
rabo River to do so. PR Firefighters spokesman Angel Crespo told El Nuevo
Día that the fire is under control, but there are still isolated spots where it might
still be burning, and that the possibility exists for the main fire to reignite. Near-
ly 1,000 acres have been scorched on lands extending from the Police Academy
in Gurabo to the Caguas Expressway Motors dealership in nearby Caguas. Mo-
torists driving along highways PR-30 and PR-52 (Luis A. Ferré Expressway)
are being advised to drive carefully through the area today, as the haze and smo-
ke have reduced visibility. Slight rain registered over some of the island last ni-
ght did not reach the fire area. According to the authorities, the Gurabo fire is
the largest forest fire ever reported in Puerto Rico.

GOV'T CASH CRUNCH THREATENS PAYMENTS

From Caribbean Business:

"As the first month of the fiscal year comes to an end, the Puerto Rico govern-
ment continues to face significant fiscal challenges, facing several debt-servi-
ce payments that are due in August, as it maneuvers to avoid defaulting on
them amid a severe cash crunch. In all, the debt-service tab for the next mon-
th totals about $667 million..."

LA PLATA CUSTOMERS TO GO TO 2-DAY RATIONING

From The San Juan Daily Star:

As the days pass and no rain falls on the island, the drought that has hit Puerto
Rico continues to worsen and water levels at the reservoirs continue to drop.
For this reason, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has
no other choice than to extend the water rationing plan by mid-August..."

ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL EXPANDS TO PR

From Music Times:

Ultra Music Festival continues its outward expansion with a new announce-
ment that it will host a new one-day this fall in Puerto Rico. This will be the
first festival for the global electronic music festival brand in the Caribbean.
The move to Puerto Rico will take place on October 2..."