PALM DESERT HOSTS GATHERING OF IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO SISTER CITY

Palm Desert was the site for the coming together of Sister City representatives and volunteers with the Riverside County Fire Department. The County Fire Department assists in intense training for Ixtapa firefighters and in providing equipment where possible. To date, 489 Mexican firefighters have participated in training sessions. Present at the event was Riverside County Fire Chief Otero, City Manager Carlos Ortega, his wife Rosemarie, City representatives from both cities, Frank Villar Director of the Palm Desert Cities Foundation and Patricia Bannon with Palm Desert Sister Cities. Both cities reach out towards each other and delegations meet either in Mexico or Palm Desert at least once a year.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is 144 miles northwest of Acapulco, in the state of Guerrero on the Mexican Riviera. The destination is considered a world class tourist resort with a sleepy fishing village right next door. More details about Ixtapa are available at: www.ixtapa-zihuatanejo.com or at www.palmdesertsistercities.com