Ajijic

Main square of the Magical Town of Ajijic. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Despite the publication of the guidelines of the Program for Support and Promotion of Magical Towns of the State of Jalisco,  the Chapala government has failed to make progress in any of the  projects required  to access the available funds.

Social communication Director Elizabeth Oropeza Silva informed the media that they have not yet entered the grant program nor have any proposal ready to gol; however, next week they will have a meeting with the Secretary of Tourism of Jalisco, Claudia Vanessa Pérez Lamas. 

The work will taken over by the municipal commission set up by Ajijic councilwoman Denisse Michelle Ibarra González, municipal trustee Gamaliel de Jesús Soto Pérez, and councilman Francisco Iván Gutiérrez Pérez.

The  Program for Support and Promotion of Magical Towns of the State of Jalisco was published on May 3, 2022,  in the Official Gazette of the State of Jalisco and stipulates the areas of strengthening announced by the governor. These are: understanding and improvement of traffic patterns and mobility, creation of the position of tourist agent and establishing the office, and improvement of the urban image and waste management.

The required projects will have to focus on these  elements to access Ajijic’s share of the 17 million pesos which are divided among the nine Magical Towns. The overall budget allocates 3.5 million to mobility research and projects, urban image and waste management research and improvement;  3 million to set up and staff  the tourist agent office;  9 million 790 thousand pesos for the improvement of the urban image;  and 210 thousand 100 pesos for the administrative costs of remaining in the program.

The review and subsequent approval of the projects will be managed by the Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Tourism of the State of Jalisco, and the support may be given in cash or in kind.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Restaurant at the pier, being remodeled for its next opening… Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The announcement of the upcoming opening of a restaurant in the controversial building located on the Ajijic pier, where the malecon begins, has generated a stir and mixed opinions among the Ajijic residents.

The opening of an Argentinean restaurant is emblazoned on a  large advertising banner placed on the building . This has displeased some residents because, according to them, this type of billboard is not allowed in Pueblos Mágicos, especially in the main square or tourist area.

The government  of Chapala has not commented on the matter and, as of the closing of this edition, has not said  if the business has the licenses and other requirements to operate, such as the safety of the diners or the basic services to operate.

Several Ajijic residents were interviewed about the issue in an unscientific sample and most of them were against it. They felt that the concessionaire, Fabio Rizzo, was appropriating public space and abusing the rights of local people. 

«This concession should be reviewed. Mr. Rizzo feels he owns the federal land and believes he is doing us a favor by letting us have the malecon. A business of this type could lead to the situation of the Piedra Barrenada (tourist-food zone of San Juan Cosalá), we do not want it to be replicated in Ajijic”, said one resident interviewed by Laguna.. 

“As local residents  we can ask for support from the authorities to review the concession and what  its permits allow. A  more drastic action would be to campaign to prevent people eating there,» said a member of Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera, a group that has been in charge of  stopping  the invasions of federal land in Lake Chapala.

Rizzo has on several occasions stated that his permit covers not only the restaurant area, but 3,362 meters including part of the boardwalk and the Parque de la Amistad.

 Not everyone interviewed opposed the concession. Some of those questioned said that although it is not the best way to set up a business, they are not opposed to it, since they believe it is a good attraction for tourism, as well as a source of work for those who live in Ajijic. «If everything is in order, go ahead,» said  Adán, a local resident.

Whether or not the permit , licenses and  services for the restaurants were in order was constantly talked about during the interviews.

«Many of us want the city council to tell us if they granted licenses because everything is in order,  and if the restaurant has the necessary services and what are they going to do with the sewage, and how is the building in terms of security?» said another local resident named Blanca.

This building was constructed in 1988, initially it was intended to be built on the dock, however, due to opposition from town residents, the location was changed to where it is currently located.

Rizzo Jasso  has claimed that the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) granted him the authorization to use the area for 50 years. The property has had different restaurants over the years; however, they all ended up closing. 

Translated  by Patrick O’Heffernan

Marani Soto Alarcón and her daughter Emilia, for whom the shop is named. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Chapala).- Despite being young, Ajijic resident Marani Soto Alarcón has achieved a balance between being an entrepreneur and fulfilling her motherly duties while following her vocation as a florist.

Marani is 28 and was born in Las Trojes, Jocotepec. She left her hometown to look for new opportunities, and eight years ago she arrived in Ajijic.

Soto Alarcón said she has always practiced entrepreneurship, from selling shoes in her hometown, to being a beautician, with food businesses and in her current and favorite business, the flower shop «Las Plantas de Emilia,» named in honor of her daughter.

“When I came to Ajijic, I worked in places where I was not as comfortable,” she said. “Since I was a child, I have had a taste for plants, a connection, though it was something I saw as a hobby, not as a way of life.» She recalled that a television program helped her get rid of her fear, and she decided to set up the business she loves so much.

The flower shop is at Carretera Oriente #18, Ajijic Centro. Photo: Las Plantas de Emilia.

Presenting a revolutionary proposal to traditional flower shops, fused with the sale of plants and accessories for them, Marani opened her first flower shop, motivated by the desire to have economic stability, both for her and her daughter Emilia. 

“I found the perfect formula to work and live from what I like,” she said. “I started with nothing, with gifted furniture and a loan of 2,000 pesos that I still haven’t paid to my mom… but it’s nice to see the evolution of the business, and how it has been accepted and valued by customers.”

As for the challenge of being a mom, while holding the growth of her business hand in hand, she describes it as easy. She can manage her time and spend it with her daughter, fulfilling the maternal life as well as the professional life.

“It’s hard to have chosen a profession where holidays are the days with the most work,” Marani said. “One of the busiest days is Mother’s Day, and this is the first year I have seen my daughter. Previously I would see her the next day, but this is a sign that the business is growing and is on the right track.”

Despite her achievements, her professional path has not stopped. She says there are plans to expand Las Plantas de Emilia. Today, she has a branch in downtown Ajijic and one in the San Antonio Tlayacapan delegation, which she plans to move to a larger site within the same town. She may also open a flower warehouse and become a distributor, and there is an opportunity for a high-end line of floral arrangements, also called Boutique de Flores.

Marani with her mother and daughter. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

“I plan to continue educating myself, taking courses, because it is a business that renews itself, has trends, and needs innovation,” she said. “This is a town used to the traditional, but thanks to the foreign influence, it has become more open to new designs and ways of using flowers.”

Marani offered advice, both to young people and to enterprising mothers. First, lose your fear because it does not get you anywhere – it gets you stuck. Second, find your vocation and do things with pleasure. Third, and more focused on mothers, is to find trusted support to take care of the children.

“At the beginning, the business absorbs your time, so it’s good to have support,” she said. “If you have the potential and the desire, get rid of your fear. Approach people, knock on doors and be kind when you have your business.”

Marani reflected that there is no formula for success, since everyone must follow the path their heart and their decisions indicate. She invited people to visit her at the Ajijic branch, Carretera Oriente #18, or the San Antonio branch on Colón #117. She can satisfy a variety of tastes and work within any budget.

Translated by Mike Rogers

View of Lake Chapala from the shore of the beach next to the Ajijic dock. Photo: Archive. 

Editorial Staff. Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez ruled out the construction of a second aqueduct to supply the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (AMG) during his term of office.

«This was my campaign commitment and I stand by it. We are not going to take one more liter from Chapala. We cannot drain the lake to solve the city’s supply problem. That commitment continues. We are not going to build a new aqueduct, but we are going to continue with the maintenance works of the old system,» said the state president. 

He made this statement after academics from the Universidad de Panamericana (UP) urged state authorities to inquire about the need to build a new aqueduct to draw water from Lake Chapala.

The governor of Jalisco dismissed this observation by declaring that no more water can be taken from Mexico’s largest lake.  The specialist in water technologies, Daniel Sánchez Tapetillo, replied that the second aqueduct would have the function of substituting for the first one in case it failed.

«The second aqueduct is not to take more water from the lake than the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area already has a concession for. To believe that is a mistake. We have a concession of 236.5 million cubic meters a year, that is, 7.5 cubic meters per second. The two aqueducts could never operate simultaneously.»

The specialist assured that, after 30 years of age, the maintenance of the first aqueduct is urgent, because in the event of a failure, 60 percent of the water needed would no longer be supplied. In his opinion the useful life of the current system has already been exceeded.  

Sanchez Tapetillo said he regretted that the governor did not listen to the proposals of academics from the University of Guadalajara (UdeG), the Pan-American University (UP) or the Technological Institute of Superior Studies of the West (ITESO), since they are institutions that for years have reviewed the issue and their contributions are to act in time and prevent more than 60 percent of citizens of Guadalajara from running out of water.

Translated by Nita Rudy

The collision snarled traffic. 

No lives were lost in the accident, but there was heavy traffic in the area. This is not the first time that a heavy truck has been involved in an accident on this road. 

Translated by Kerry Watson

(De Izq. a Der.) Filiberto Pérez Vega, Nadia Vega y José González Valenzuela. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles.- Tres deportistas de Ajijic del grupo de corredores de montaña “Team Jou”, lograron destacar en la competencia “Ultra Cerro Rojo” en Tlatlauquitepec, Puebla, que se realizó el pasado 30 abril.

Se trata de José “Jou” Valenzuela, Filiberto Pérez Vega y Nadia Vega, quienes corrieron en la categoría libre, en diferente kilometraje; Jou en los 50 km alcanzando el noveno puesto, Nadia en 15 km logrando el sexto lugar y Filiberto en los 30 km posicionándose en el número 15.

Tanto Filiberto como José se dijeron contentos con esta experiencia, pese a que la calificaron como una carrera “pesada”. Para Nadia, esta competencia fue la segunda en la que participa fuera de Jalisco, por lo que compartió que le pareció increíble salir y conocer estos lugares que calificó como hermosos.

“Por mi lesión, se me dificultó un poco la carrera, la terminé por orgullo. En la ruta me apoyaron y me dieron una pastilla para seguir. Aunque en mi caso no logré el objetivo y me sentí frustrado, eso me motiva para seguir y ser mejor en las próximas carreras”, comentó Jou Valenzuela. 

Los tres maratonistas de montaña coincidieron en que seguirán corriendo en carreras fuera del pueblo, y que se sienten muy motivados, además de agradecidos por el apoyo que les ha brindado la gente de Ajijic. 

Respecto a cómo se selecciona quienes representarán al “Team Jou” en este tipo de carreras, Valenzuela mencionó que los eligen por “las ganas” que les echan a los entrenamientos.

Asimismo, invitó a quien quiera formar parte de su equipo, solo hace falta contactarlo por medio de su página de Facebook “Jou Valenzuela” para que les pueda proporcionar información de las reuniones.

Plaza principal del Pueblo Mágico de Ajijic. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles.- Pese a que ya se publicaron los lineamientos del Programa para Apoyos e Impulso a Pueblos Mágicos del Estado de Jalisco, el municipio de Chapala, que alberga a Ajijic, no ha tenido avances en ningún proyecto para acceder a los recursos económicos.

La directora de comunicación social, Elizabeth Oropeza Silva, informó a los medios que aun no se ha ingresado al programa ni se tiene ninguna propuesta; no obstante, la próxima semana se tendrá una reunión con la secretaria de Turismo de Jalisco, Claudia Vanessa Pérez Lamas. 

En cuanto a los encargados de esta labor, corresponderá a la comisión edilicia integrada por la regidora de Ajijic, Denisse Michelle Ibarra González, el síndico municipal, Gamaliel de Jesús Soto Pérez, y el regidor emecista, Francisco Iván Gutiérrez Pérez.

La guía fue publicada el pasado 3 de mayo en el Periódico Oficial del Estado de Jalisco y en esta se estipulan los rubros de fortalecimiento anunciados por el gobernador Enrique Alfaro Ramírez,  los cuales son: diagnóstico y ordenamiento de movilidad, creación de la figura de agente turístico, mejoramiento de la imagen urbana y manejo de residuos.

En estos aspectos se tendrán que enfocar los proyectos, a los cuales se les otorgó la cantidad de 17 millones de pesos que se dividirá entre los nueve Pueblos Mágicos; destinando 3.5 millones a el diagnósticos de movilidad, imagen urbana y manejo de residuos, tres millones para la implementación del agente turístico, nueve millones 790 mil pesos para mejora la imagen urbana y 210 mil 100 pesos para los gastos administrativos de la permanencia en el programa.

La revisión y posterior aprobación de los proyectos estará a cargo del Comité de Evaluación de la Secretaría de Turismo del Estado de Jalisco, y el apoyo se podrá entregar en monto económico o en especie.

Puente de La Cristina obstruido por grandes rocas. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles.- Los arroyos que hasta hace unos meses se encontraban obstruidos, ya se encuentran en proceso de desazolve, por lo que quedarán limpios antes del temporal de lluvias, aseguró  Maximiano Macías Arceo.

El encargado de despacho informó que se encuentran haciendo las gestiones y trabajos necesarios para avanzar lo más rápido posible en los arroyos de la zona poniente de Ajijic, ya que son los que más obstruidos se encuentran, por la contingencia ocurrida en octubre del año pasado. 

“Nuestro propósito y la orden del presidente (Alejandro Aguirre Curiel), es que los trabajos terminen antes de que lleguen las lluvias. Tanto Protección Civil como el gobierno municipal, están de acuerdo en que Ajijic es una prioridad, esto por la situación de los arroyos. Igual, todo el personal está enfocado en los arroyos no solo de aquí, sino de todo el municipio”, señaló.

En los días que han estado limpiando el primer puente, ubicado en La Cristina, comentó que con lo que lidian no es tanto con la basura, sino con los residuos de los deslaves ocurridos en octubre, principalmente piedras de gran tamaño.

“Ya estamos a nada de terminar y sanear”, agregó. Estos trabajos se están llevando a cabo a mano debido a que las máquinas que suelen limpiar los cauces y puentes, no tienen acceso a las zonas obstruidas.

Cuando se termine de limpiar el primer puente, Maximiano Macías compartió que limpiarán ocho cauces y sus puentes, de oriente a poniente, durante las próximas semanas. 

Además, se mostró optimista ante la situación, ya que dijo que aprovecharía las piedras aptas para usarlas en los trabajos de empedrado y bacheo en las calles de la delegación.

A planter had to be moved with a crane to allow the truck to pass.

After unsuccessful maneuvering attempts and wanting to move the other truck, the operators decided to call a crane to move a planter so that the pickup, whose owner was not present, could be moved and the mammogram unit could get out of the situation.

Translated by Paul Weeks

During the last rainy season, Lake Chapala reached 74% of its capacity; it is currently at 67%, informed the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). 

Despite the decrease in the level, it is still up compared to April 2021, when it was at 51% of its capacity.

Translated by Paul Weeks