Casa Comunal of Ajijic is located at Galeana #289
Sofia Medeles(Ajijic).– The president of the Indigenous Community of Axixic, or CIA, Margarito Rojas Mora, clarified that the remodeling of the Casa Comunal is being done primarily in order to protect the collections and to provide a more comfortable space for the community member meetings.
In addition, the property, located at Hermenegildo Galeana #289, will be able to be used as an event hall by the members of the CIA.
The hall can also be rented out for parties upon request, with the intention of generating resources for the organization. Finally, Margarito Rojas reiterated that the money received was distributed to the community members and the rest was used for the remodeling.
Translated by Colleen Beery
Alejando de Jesús Aguirre Curiel during an interview in his presidential office.
Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).– The campaign to recover public spaces will continue, declared Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, president of Chapala, during an interview with the media on February 15.
When questioned by this reporter about whether the opening of privatized streets will happen in other subdivisions of the municipality, the mayor said that work is already being done in this regard. «As you have seen, we have already been working on it and we will continue,» he announced.
The first reopening of closed streets occurred in the Mirasol subdivision. This change provoked discontent from the subdivision’s residents. Aguirre Curiel reiterated that these streets will remain open, «The streets have to be open because the population of the area has grown.»
«The growth of the population is with its streets,» said the president, adding that the campaign to recover public spaces will not stop, as promised during my political campaign.
The authorities did not provide specific data on which streets will be reopened, nor how many subdivisions are in the same situation as Mirasol before this report went to press.
Translated by Nita Rudy
Traffic on the Chapala-Jocotepec highway, near Rancho del Oro, in Ajijic. Photo: Sofía Medeles
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).– In the last few weeks, traffic saturation on the Chapala-Jocotepec highway, at the height of Ajijic, as well as its streets, especially Ocampo, has been increasingly noticeable. This situation is changing from a holiday problem into a daily one, making it difficult for those who live in the town to use their cars.
On Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th, there were lines of cars from San Juan Cosalá, due to the accident on the Guadalajara-Morelia highway at the intersection of El Molino, in Jocotepec. This accident caused cars to take up to 50 minutes to drive the three kilometers through Ajijic, also congesting Ocampo Street while it was used as an alternate route.
Although the traffic is not always this heavy, several drivers in the town said that it is increasingly difficult to drive in Ajjic, especially during rush hour.
«Normally, from two o’clock in the afternoon until four o’clock, the road fills up with cars from La Floresta and traffic starts to become lighter in Villa Nova (in Chapala). The problem occurs in La Floresta, where everyone starts to use the side roads, and they jam traffic. Then on Ocampo and Guadalupe Victoria, there is also a traffic jam, not to mention on Colón. I don’t know where so many cars come from and I don’t see a solution to the problem,» said Luis, a resident of Ajijic.
Another native of the town, Antonio, commented that some years ago these were problems that were only seen on vacations or when there were festivities, but since Ajijic was declared a Magic Town, it began to become a daily occurrence.
«On a Tuesday or Thursday, it has taken me up to 40 minutes to get through Ajijic. During rush hour they should assign traffic cops because there is no lack of visitors who want to go the wrong way on a street, just to get around the traffic on the highway. It happens a lot on Zaragoza Street, around Six Corners, and they don’t go slowly, they go very fast.»
Fany, a pedestrian in the area, confirmed that cars coming down to avoid traffic usually go at high speed. She said, «The children here on the block go out to play, plus there are several dogs. Cars going very fast don’t stop to see who might be trying to cross, they just think they are going down the road. They say that the traffic jam is due to the traffic lights not being synchronized, and if that is the case, the authorities should intervene quickly. Because it is not only the traffic, it can cause harm to the people who walk on the street.”
The director of Social Communication of Chapala, Elizabeth Oropeza Silva, commented that since the highway is a state highway, they haven’t asked for support from the State Government, for more police crs and traffic police. She also ruled out that the problem is due to the traffic lights, since they were maintained and synchronized at the end of the year.
Translated by Christalle Dalsted
Our Lady of Lourdes during her coronation Feb. 11 in her neighborhood chapel.
Jazmín Stengel.- This year, the image of the Virgin of Lourdes got to know her neighborhood in depth. Due to the cancellation of the religious festivities and processions because of the pandemic, neighbors received the visit of the venerated image in their homes Feb. 11.
Since the usual procession to the church of St. Francis of Assisi was prohibited, the guard chose to go through the houses and streets of their neighborhood. This gave people an opportunity to enjoy the presence of Our Lady of Lourdes in an intimate setting.
“We were not going to stand idly by,” said Carmelita, who every year helps organize the carnival in the parking lot outside the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, where the feast was usually held.
“We told the neighbors that they could not come in the procession, but that we would pass with the statue to their homes.” Said Carmela’s husband. They all ran to their homes to receive the sacred image. People liked this very much, since “it was something beautiful and unforgettable,” said a young neighbor.
The coronation of Our Lady of Lourdes usually takes place at 6 a.m. However, with the current restrictions and at the request of the priest in charge, it was postponed until the Mass of “the sick,” at noon. During that Eucharist, the people gave thanks for miracles the Virgin has granted them, kissing and caressing her once with her crown on.
The party used to last all night, with fireworks, rockets, drinks and lots of food. But that also was not possible this year. That did not change the faith, nor the loyalty of her parishioners who escorted her throughout the day until the removal of her crown, at almost at 10 p.m.
The crown was donated 50 years ago, according to the neighbors, by inhabitants of the French colony who helped build the Chapel of Lourdes in 1940, coordinated by Guillermo González Hermosillo y Brizuela.
Translated by Mike Rogers
ARIES (March 21 – April 20)
You may be experiencing a personal crisis, but this Moon is very favorable to you and will attract luck into your life to leave behind what is making you suffer. Be cautious because the tensions of the environment can lead you to talk too much and not act appropriately. Do not get carried away by your impulses.
TAURUS (April 21 – May 20)
Some situations at home may be worrying, but the energy of the Moon softens the atmosphere and helps you get along well with the family. If you have unfinished business, take care of it as soon as possible and leave nothing to chance. Enjoy the little things will help you to appreciate what you have and to recover the illusion.
GEMINIS (May 21 – June 21)
Your ability to speak and communicate is very enhanced by the Moon and you will connect wonderfully with people. Any trip you undertake you could make very positive contacts for your professional and personal life. With Mercury, things will be very clear and you will know how to act in difficult situations. Do not give anything up for lost without having tried everything.
CANCER (June 22 – July 22)
Some issues related to money may have you worried, but the stars favor your work and your economy and can bring you solutions to regain peace of mind. Make an effort to accept others as they are, without expecting them to change, so as not to generate a climate of confrontation in which you will lose out. You will have magical days.
LEO (July 23 – August 23)
Your self-confidence will help you to accept with courage any challenge that arises and you will know how to act in the best way to get what you want. The Moon in your sign boosts your luck and can bring benefits for you and your friends. Something unexpected may happen that will give a very positive direction to your love life.
VIRGO (August 24 – September 23)
Life invites you to dream and to seek new horizons that make you happy. Things will go very well for you and you will be able to develop projects and activities that you have been looking forward to for a long time. It is a great time to open yourself to love and enjoy relationships to the fullest. The Moon in your sign gives you some magical days.
LIBRA (September 24 – October 22)
If something tells you that you are right, follow your intuition because you will be right, so do not miss opportunities due to doubts about yourself. The Moon is very favorable for everything related to friends and through one of them may come something that will make you happy. Show yourself open to change because it is your time and you should take advantage of it.
SCORPIO (October 23 – November 22)
You may have doubts about something you did in the past and you will not be able to stop thinking about it, but the Moon is a very favorable energy for you and can bring you a very positive change of course to leave the past behind. New people may come into your life that will be like fresh air for you. Live life the way you think you should.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 – December 21)
Your work affairs are favored by the energy of the Moon, but be careful because some conflictive situation could arise in which you will have to control your impulses, however hard it may be for you to do so. Some trip may come up that excites you and helps you forget the bad memories of the past. Open up and share your feelings.
CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19)
The Moon regenerates you, helping you to free yourself from situations that distress you and to think more about yourself. Show yourself open to the changes that come, with a positive attitude towards life so as not to miss opportunities that may not return. With Venus in your sign luck favors you in love and you can recover your smile if you have suffered some disappointment.
AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 19)
You are receiving a very beneficial energy from the Sun that transits through your sign and there will be no impediments that will keep you from your plans. The planet Mercury enters your sign and you will notice that your mind is very agile and you are clear about what is best for you. You will be sociable and can reach personal and professional successes. The Moon harmonizes your life.
PISCES (February 20 – March 20)
The Sun enters your sign and will illuminate your life, helping you to find solutions and feel happier. Follow your intuitions because they will show you the way to move forward in something that is very important to you. The Moon can bring you lucky breaks at work and opportunities that you will know how to take advantage of.
Nina the first time she embraced Our Lady of Lourdes in front of her chapel. Photo: Daniel Padilla.
Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- Twelve year-old Nina Yocelin Martínez Flores, daughter of Mara de Lourdes Flores López and Diego Ernesto Martínez Jiménez is considered the miracle of the year in the Lourdes neighborhood Chapala.
The teenager was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019. «It was a very serious situation, we did not know what to do about it,» said Diego, the girl’s father. Being a very religious family, the parents began Nina’s treatments, but trusted their faith.
In spite of the desperation and how complicated it is to help a family member lying in a hospital bed, the Martínez Flores family received a lot of help. “Every time I arrived with my mother, the neighbors or relatives had left something to support us,» said Diego.
After a year of treatment, Nina was able to return home. Her father Diego, an active participant in the vigil of St. Francis of Assisi, asked permission to receive the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and lay his daughter at the feet of the Virgin. Incredibly for all present «the Virgin embraced Nina,» commented neighbors after seeing Daniel Padilla’s photograph.
Nina says that on that day the Virgin, in her invocation of Our Lady of Lourdes, spoke to her as she went up and embraced her. She heard a clear voice that said «you are going to be cured, daughter, you are going to be cured». Although the parents were skeptical at first, the confidence that their daughter showed, made them believe.
It was not the only time something similar happened, in the last three years Nina’s parents have taken her to view the Virgin of Lourdes and St. Francis of Assisi. On more than one occasion the now teenager had unexplainable experiences, in which she claims to have heard voices or felt observed by the images in the temples.
After three years of continuous treatment, Nina Yocelin Martinez is stable. This miracle strengthens the faith of the neighbors of the Lourdes neighborhood. Although leukemia is a disease with regular relapses, the girl has not had any so far.
Translated by Christalle Dalsted
COMUR members and Chapala authorities in the council chamber.
Laguna Staff.- The mayor of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, swore in the members of the Municipal Commission for the Regularization of Urban Properties (COMUR). The objective of the commission is to give legal certainty to the citizens and the City Hall itself about their documentation and deeds that give them the ability to transfer, sell or dispose of their properties.
Aguirre Curiel, who presides over the commission, swore in its eight members and proposed the director of Urban Development and Planning, Jaime Arellano Rodriguez, to be the technical secretary of said municipal body.
During the installation of the COMUR on February 15, Jalisco’s Urban Development Attorney, Carlos Romero Sanchez, was present and recognized the importance of the commission’s work in updating the properties.
He also spoke of working in a coordinated manner to demand that state deputies update legal instruments such as the State Zoning Regulation, which dates back to the mid-1990s, the Urban Code in force since 2009, and the General Law of Human Settlements of 2016.
The people who make up the commission are the following council members: Jesús González Amezcua, of Acción Nacional (PAN); Mayra Raquel Morales Cerda, of Movimiento Ciudadano (MC); Irma Paulina Vázquez Baltazar, of Revolucionario Institucional (PRI); María Isabel Mendoza Rodríguez of Hagamos. In addition, the trustee, Gamaliel de Jesús Soto Pérez, the general secretary, Lilia Alvarado Macías and José Barajas Gómez, director of Cadastre.
Arellano Rodríguez, as technical secretary of the recently formed COMUR, reminded everyone that the regularization of properties was a campaign proposal of the current mayor. He proposed to work jointly with the City Hall agencies so that many elderly people can inherit properties who have not been able to do so due to that due to irregularities in their property titles and documents.
Translated by Sydney Metrick
The powerful impact caused severe dents in the hood of the parked car; while the driver lost the fender.
A Nissan Versa collided with a parked car in Jocotepec. The accident occurred during the early morning hours of February 13.
The loud bang woke up the neighbors on Morelos Street, between López Rayón and Niños Héroes Streets, at 6:15 am when a driver crashed head-on into a parked car.
After the impact, the parked car had dents in the hood and was pushed to the sidewalk, while the driver lost the fender of his car. The driver of the silver Nissan Versa fled the scene.
The car was apparently traveling from east to west, according to witnesses, while speeding and zigzagging across the small square of La Campana. The driver lost control and ended up hitting a parked vehicle.
The owners of the parked car followed the trail of the liquid that spilled from the fleeing damaged car, which was finally located in a vacant lot on Independencia Norte Street, at the foot of the hill. However, the driver had already fled the scene.
After notifying the Municipal Police, the car that caused the accident was found. No injuries were reported.
Translated by Colleen Beery
Mimi Martínez and Judo Zamora, both from Ajijic, have been in a relationship for just over four years.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- This is the story of Noemi Milagros Martinez Romero – «Mimi» and Judith Reyes Zamora – «Judo,» two women who, despite the ups and downs of their relationship, have fought against rejection, discrimination and criticism to move forward together.
Although they were neighbors in their youth, they actually met just under five years ago when Judo moved into an apartment near Mimi’s current residence. In a short time, they went from sharing greetings to having coffee; after four months of living together, their friendship turned into love.
«I liked Judo and flirted with her, but since I have my family, she didn’t think I liked her. Love stirred during those four months of living together, visits and so on,» said Mimi.
The beginning of their romance was difficult mainly because of their families, but also due to the discriminatory comments of the people around them. «Family opinions played an important role. When my family found out, many turned away and didn’t accept it. It took time for them to agree with what I wanted,» Mimi said.
Judo added that her close ones also put a «but» in front of the relationship due to the fact that Mimi already had children, but the couple overcame the criticism. «Eventually, we decided that other people were not going to make us happy. The relationship is about us, no matter what other people think.»
Mimi stated that her priority was her children, who accepted their relationship in the best way, showing that the only thing that mattered to them was their mom’s happiness.
«It’s an easy relationship, but it’s hard in this case because I have a family. Judo not only deals with my personality, but also with the personalities and dynamic of the five of us. Judo has been very supportive, because she has always had a good friendship with my children. She has represented the figure that is missing in the family, and she is both their confidante and their support.»
In the middle of the pandemic they got engaged, but they wanted to be sure before getting married that they had taken steps to build a strong foundation for their future life.
«For us, marriage is a symbol that our relationship is afloat despite everything we have been through, as well as being a document that formalizes the relationship. It is important because it represents the union we have,» added Mimi.
They also reaffirmed their support for each other’s work. Judo, who owns Lucky Bar, said that Mimi had helped her decorate and often assists her in events. For her part, Mimi has her craft and gift business called Nahomi’s Mimi Craftmiss, for which Judo has always shown her unconditional support.
Finally, they had advice for those who wish to be happy: «If you start thinking about all the criticism, you will never move forward. But when you know what you want, you have no choice but to fight against the world for a time and then you will be at peace with your choice.»
Although the beginning of their romance was difficult because of «what people will say,» now they live their love in freedom and are already engaged.
«We are already in the 21st century. After the pandemic, we learned that there is no time to lose; we have to look for and fight for what makes us happy, no matter what people say. We must seek happiness and emotional balance, anything else is extra,» concluded Judo.
Marriage equality has been legal in Jalisco since 2016. More recently, the state no longer requires couples to file a protective lawsuit, and they can get married in any civil registry of the state.
Translated by Rebecca Zittle
70 new lamps light up Ajijic’s malecon. Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles: Personnel from the Ajijic delegation replaced the bulbs of 70 streetlamps To improve illumination on the malecon.
The installation work, as well as the pruning of some trees, was carried out on Wednesday, February 16. The new bulbs are distributed between the walkway and La Amistad Park.
Maximiliano Macías Arceo, the acting delegate of Ajijic, stated that bulbs that were removed but still work will be placed in areas with lighting problems, such as Lázaro Cárdenas Street or La Canacinta neighborhood.
Translated by Sandy Britton
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