Ajijic

The transformer has been leaking for almost a month.Credit: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).– Despite multiple complaints from citizens, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has not repaired the transformer located in the Six Corners neighborhood of Ajijic at the intersection of Ocampo and Hidalgo. At the beginning of the month, the transformer burned; it has been leaking liquid since April 2. 

Although the condition of the device has caused additional power outages, neighbors agree that the smell is unpleasant. It also poses a danger, as it is highly flammable. «It smells very bad, it is staining the ground, contaminating the soil and with any spark, it can cause a serious fire. CFE just stopped by one day and never came back. We don’t understand why they ignore it, because if it gets more damaged, they will have to invest more to repair it,» said a resident of the neighborhood. 

Acting delegate Maximiano Macias Arceo confirmed that there are many complaints about this incident, and that he does not know what is stopping CFE personnel from doing this work. He also said that the Chapala Department of Ecology could apply pressure, since the leaking liquid is harmful to the environment.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

Opening ceremony on Friday, April 22. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The first Earth Day commemoration in Ajijic which took place on April 22, 23 and 24 t was a success although participation was lower than the organizers hoped for.  The three-day event consisted of a series of conferences and other activities designed  to raise awareness about the  need to care  for the environment.

Between  150 to 200 people attended each day for a total of 500 and 600 people,  mostly adults although there  were also interested children.  

The first day began with an opening ceremony asking permission to the elements and deities to allow the participants to respectfully carry out the programmed activities. During the closing ceremony on the last day, a tribute and offering was made to Lake Chapala.

The conference speakers included activists who work to safeguard the integrity of both the lake and the mountains,  such as Manuel Villagómez Rodríguez, Luis Valdivia Ornelas, Raquel Gutiérrez Nájera and the  local resident Julio Carmona. There were also music and film presentations, and tables for information and sale of ecological products.

«I think the event was effective both in the professional and academic quality of the presenters, said Noris Binet, who added that, “ I think it was very ambitious to do it in three days since it demands  consistent participation by the  public.”

Binet explained that, “ There were three relevant focuses of the event: that battles of this type can and have been won, that Lake Chapala urgently needs to become a Ramsar site, that a mapping of endangered and reserved areas needs to be done  that clearly  defines where not to buy or build, something the Expats requested I a petition.  ( Lake Chapala is listed on the RAMSAR Information Service as RAMSAR  as  Ramsar Site no. 1973. For its extensive  wetlands).

Sihara Casillas Gaeta, another of the organizers, commented that this type of event helps people to learn about the type of land in which they live,  about the local aquifers, and to take stock of how corruption has contributed to the deterioration of natural water reservoirs, which helps  convince people to be more vigilant.

Jane Custer, who was in charge of translations at the event, said that she was very pleased to see the Mexican and foreign communities of Ajijic together in one place  acquiring knowledge to protect the Lake and the environment.

Noris stated that, in the coming years, she believes the event could improve in terms of local participation, involving  neighbors and  members of indigenous communities, talking about their problems related to environmental issues. She  plans to produce an official document summarizing the most important points of the event to be presented to government authorities, as well as the creation of a citizen and academic observatory to monitor and denounce environmental destruction.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Course «Literature of Mexican Women Writers» 

Day: April 28, May 5, 12, 19 and 26

Virtual literary course taught by Charlotte Carranza

Place: Virtual course Information: 331-273-1110

Schedule: 6:00-8:00pm

“Caballito de Palo” Stick Horse National meeting

Day: Saturday, April 30

National Circuit of Escaramuzas 

Place: Lienzo Charro de Ajijic

Schedule: 12:00 noon

Cost: Family event Free of charge

With the Soul of a Child

Day: Saturday, April 30

Art exhibition

Place: Sol y Luna Gallery, Río Bravo #10A Ajijic

Hours: 6:00pm Cocktail

Cost: Free admission

Agave

Day: Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1

Workshops exhibitions tastings

Place: Calle Colón #29 Ajijic

Hours: Saturday 5:00-9:00pm and Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00pm  

Cost: Free admission

5k and 10k races

Day: Sunday, May 1st

Athletic Race 

Place: Santa Cruz de la Soledad Chapala delegation

Time: 8:00 am

Cost: $260 pesos Registration at Taco Mexicano 

Fishing Tournament 

Day: Sunday, May 1st

Fishing Tournament

Place: San Antonio Tlayacapan boardwalk

Schedule: 8:00 – 2:00pm 

Cost: Kayak $200 Shore $150 Purchase tickets 332-077-9832 / 331-287-2022

Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra

Day: Wednesday, May 4

Presentation of the most important orchestra in Mexico 

Place: Templo del Señor del Monte Jocotepec

Time: 8:00 pm

Cost: Free admission 

Wine Forum 2022 

Day: May 7 and 8

16 wineries tastings culinary tastings musical presentations 

Venue: Chapala Yacht Club

Cost: From $540-1,000 pesos, Children under 12 years old free of charge

Traditional Mother’s Day Festival «Adolfo Rayo»

Day: Tuesday, May 10

Cultural activity with mariachi contests and gifts for mothers

Place: Atrium of the parish of San Francisco de Asis Chapala

Schedule: 8:00pm

Cost: Free of charge

Joco Loco May

Day: May 14 and 15

Cultural festival with more than 22 musical acts and other artists

Place: Casa Joco – Calle el Chante 5 Jocotepec

Hours: 12 noon to midnight

Cost: Tickets available on Facebook Casa Joco or through email jocotepeccasajoco@gmailcom $500 pesos each day or $800 pesos for both

Vaccination day for dogs and cats

The Municipal Government through its Directorate of Ecology in collaboration with the Secretary of Health Jalisco will carry out an anti-rabies vaccination day in Chapala and its delegations

Cost: Free of charge.

Translated by Kerry Watson

The thefts are not violent, but rather crimes of opportunity. Illustrative photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Purse thefts have been reported in at least 17 places  in Lakeside in  the towns of Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, the municipal capital of Chapala and San Juan Cosalá,. The thieves have mostly targeted tourists and Expats.

One of the sites of the incidents was  the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) in Ajijic, a popular gathering place for both Expats and local Mexicans. LCS  executive director Luis Pacheco assured Laguna that the  two mishaps were not violent, but rather accomplished  by distracting the victims. 

«The two thefts occurred in LCS were not  violent,. The thieves – a foreign woman and two Latinos  – use a practiced modus operandi. There are at least 17 public spaces and restaurants, or businesses, where robberies of this type have occurred and, in some of them, the  thieves identified are the same ones who operated here,» said Luis Pacheco.

In the Lake Chapala Society property, located in the downtown area of Ajijic, there have been two incidents of this type. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

According to the LCS executive director, the modus operandi of the pickpockets is that the foreign woman approaches to talk to other tourists or Expat residents to distract them, while the other two people create a barrier and grab their  possessions. 

Pacheco pointed out that the person in charge of Ajijic’s office, Maximiano Macías Arceo, Chapala Security Commissioner  Sergio Conzuelo Ramírez, and the municipal president, Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, are aware of the events, so they are working together to create a crime prevention campaign in the area.

This was confirmed by Macías Arceo who said that this campaign would be focused on training restaurant owners, administrators, block chiefs, etc., in the prevention of crime, and that, although there is still no date to start, it will be announced through the department of Social Communication. 

Luis Pacheco  said  that the most important to reduce crimes is to reestablish the social fabric where  neighbors will have co-responsibility and support each other to take care of themselves and educate themselves about this type of crime.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Irregular entrance to a property located in La Canacinta, on Lirios Street. Photo: Archive.

Editor.- At least four cases of alleged attempts of property dispossession have surfaced  in recent months in the municipality of Chapala, thanks to legitimate owners and citizens who  pointed out irregularities in the paperwork of the properties and in the actions of the  authorities and former officials involved.

The last case occurred last Wednesday, April 27, in the area of La Canacinta, west of Ajijic, on Lirios Street, where José Contreras Ortega has owned a property for approximately 55 years, which is now in court because people claiming to own the property have appeared.

Although there has been no resolution of the litigation, the supposed new owners, with the help of lawyers, workers and municipal police -who witnesses said  that they were mocking and arrogant-, forced their way onto the property containing some of Contreras Ortega’s belongings and livestock.

Both José Contreras Ortega and his relatives said that, being an elderly man and unable to read and write, these characters took advantage of him, denying that anyone other than him could read the documents they had, and only giving his family a notice of a hearing to occur.

Machine used for the attempted eviction in La Floresta, in Ajijic. Photo: Facebook.

«They wouldn’t show us anything. If it was real, they would have a judge’s verdict, eviction order or something. They just gave us a notice for a hearing that is scheduled for May. The lawyer is the one who has been handling the case, as my father does not know how to read or write, he just gives him the corresponding payments to do things,» said one of Don José’s daughters. Some other witnesses pointed out that this lawyer has been linked to irregular legal processes.

In the end, the Contreras family opted to take legal action the following day, presenting their evidence and the notification they never received, claiming they thought  that the trial was still ongoing. As a result of this situation, Contreras Ortega had to move their cattle to a property that was loaned to them next to the one where they were originally located.

On  Saturday, April 23, several people affected by the attempted dispossession met to tell their cases to the media. Both the Ibon family from Ajijic and the López family from Santa Cruz de la Soledad, along with a member of the Indigenous Community of San Antonio Tlayacapan, presented their cases, linking the Covarrubias brothers to the dispossession of Ajijic and Santa Cruz, and mentioning several former presidents involved in the Chapala ejido, which has sought to appropriate the communal land of San Antonio.

In this meeting, the names of both municipal authorities and ex-officials, as well as institutions such as the Pension Institute of the State of Jalisco (IPEJAL), were mentioned, which they described as «bribed» or «sold».

All the affected families agreed that they will  publicize all the cases and all those involved, so that precautions and actions are taken against those involved.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Opening ceremony on Friday, April 22. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

Sofía Medeles-Ajijic. The first Earth Day commemoration in Ajijic which took place on April 22, 23 and 24 t was a success although participation was lower than the organizers hoped for.  The three-day event consisted of a series of conferences and other activities designed  to raise awareness about the  need to care  for the environment.

Between  150 to 200 people attended each day for a total of 500 and 600 people,  mostly adults although there  were also interested children.  

The first day began with an opening ceremony asking permission to the elements and deities to allow the participants to respectfully carry out the programmed activities. During the closing ceremony on the last day, a tribute and offering was made to Lake Chapala.

The conference speakers included activists who work to safeguard the integrity of both the lake and the mountains,  such as Manuel Villagómez Rodríguez, Luis Valdivia Ornelas, Raquel Gutiérrez Nájera and the  local resident Julio Carmona. There were also music and film presentations, and tables for information and sale of ecological products.

«I think the event was effective both in the professional and academic quality of the presenters, said Noris Binet, who added that, “ I think it was very ambitious to do it in three days since it demands  consistent participation by the  public.”

Binet explained that, “ There were three relevant focuses of the event: that battles of this type can and have been won, that Lake Chapala urgently needs to become a Ramsar site, that a mapping of endangered and reserved areas needs to be done  that clearly  defines where not to buy or build, something the Expats requested I a petition.  ( Lake Chapala is listed on the RAMSAR Information Service as RAMSAR  as  Ramsar Site no. 1973. For its extensive  wetlands).

Sihara Casillas Gaeta, another of the organizers, commented that this type of event helps people to learn about the type of land in which they live,  about the local aquifers, and to take stock of how corruption has contributed to the deterioration of natural water reservoirs, which helps  convince people to be more vigilant.

Jane Custer, who was in charge of translations at the event, said that she was very pleased to see the Mexican and foreign communities of Ajijic together in one place  acquiring knowledge to protect the Lake and the environment.

Noris stated that, in the coming years, she believes the event could improve in terms of local participation, involving  neighbors and  members of indigenous communities, talking about their problems related to environmental issues. She  plans to produce an official document summarizing the most important points of the event to be presented to government authorities, as well as the creation of a citizen and academic observatory to monitor and denounce environmental destruction.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Sofía Medeles- Ajijic. Purse thefts have been reported in at least 17 places  in Lakeside in  the towns of Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, the municipal capital of Chapala and San Juan Cosalá,. The thieves have mostly targeted tourists and Expats.

One of the sites of the incidents was  the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) in Ajijic, a popular gathering place for both Expats and local Mexicans. LCS  executive director Luis Pacheco assured Laguna that the  two mishaps were not violent, but rather accomplished  by distracting the victims. 

«The two thefts occurred in LCS were not  violent,. The thieves – a foreign woman and two Latinos  – use a practiced modus operandi. There are at least 17 public spaces and restaurants, or businesses, where robberies of this type have occurred and, in some of them, the  thieves identified are the same ones who operated here,» said Luis Pacheco.

According to the LCS executive director, the modus operandi of the pickpockets is that the foreign woman approaches to talk to other tourists or Expat residents to distract them, while the other two people create a barrier and grab their  possessions. 

Pacheco pointed out that the person in charge of Ajijic’s office, Maximiano Macías Arceo, Chapala Security Commissioner  Sergio Conzuelo Ramírez, and the municipal president, Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, are aware of the events, so they are working together to create a crime prevention campaign in the area.

This was confirmed by Macías Arceo who said that this campaign would be focused on training restaurant owners, administrators, block chiefs, etc., in the prevention of crime, and that, although there is still no date to start, it will be announced through the department of Social Communication. 

Luis Pacheco  said  that the most important to reduce crimes is to reestablish the social fabric where  neighbors will have co-responsibility and support each other to take care of themselves and educate themselves about this type of crime.

Translated   by Patrick O’Heffernan

Irregular entrance to a property located in La Canacinta, on Lirios Street. Photo: Archive.

Editor- At least four cases of alleged attempts of property dispossession have surfaced  in recent months in the municipality of Chapala, thanks to legitimate owners and citizens who  pointed out irregularities in the paperwork of the properties and in the actions of the  authorities and former officials involved.

The last case occurred last Wednesday, April 27, in the area of La Canacinta, west of Ajijic, on Lirios Street, where José Contreras Ortega has owned a property for approximately 55 years, which is now in court because people claiming to own the property have appeared.

Although there has been no resolution of the litigation, the supposed new owners, with the help of lawyers, workers and municipal police -who witnesses said  that they were mocking and arrogant-, forced their way onto the property containing some of Contreras Ortega’s belongings and livestock.

Both José Contreras Ortega and his relatives said that, being an elderly man and unable to read and write, these characters took advantage of him, denying that anyone other than him could read the documents they had, and only giving his family a notice of a hearing to occur.

Machine used for the attempted eviction in La Floresta, in Ajijic. Photo: Facebook.

«They wouldn’t show us anything. If it was real, they would have a judge’s verdict, eviction order or something. They just gave us a notice for a hearing that is scheduled for May. The lawyer is the one who has been handling the case, as my father does not know how to read or write, he just gives him the corresponding payments to do things,» said one of Don José’s daughters. Some other witnesses pointed out that this lawyer has been linked to irregular legal processes.

In the end, the Contreras family opted to take legal action the following day, presenting their evidence and the notification they never received, claiming they thought  that the trial was still ongoing. As a result of this situation, Contreras Ortega had to move their cattle to a property that was loaned to them next to the one where they were originally located.

On  Saturday, April 23, several people affected by the attempted dispossession met to tell their cases to the media. Both the Ibon family from Ajijic and the López family from Santa Cruz de la Soledad, along with a member of the Indigenous Community of San Antonio Tlayacapan, presented their cases, linking the Covarrubias brothers to the dispossession of Ajijic and Santa Cruz, and mentioning several former presidents involved in the Chapala ejido, which has sought to appropriate the communal land of San Antonio.

In this meeting, the names of both municipal authorities and ex-officials, as well as institutions such as the Pension Institute of the State of Jalisco (IPEJAL), were mentioned, which they described as «bribed» or «sold».

All the affected families agreed that they will  publicize all the cases and all those involved, so that precautions and actions are taken against those involved.

Translated  by Patrick O’Heffernan

Los robos no son violentos, sino de oportunidad. Foto ilustrativa: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles- Reportan robos de carteras en al menos 17 lugares a lo largo de la ribera, siendo los poblados de Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, la cabecera municipal de Chapala y San Juan Cosalá, donde más se ha denunciado este tipo de crímenes, focalizados en turistas y extranjeros.

Uno de los sitios que tuvo dos incidencias de este tipo, fue en el Lake Chapala Society (LCS), su director ejecutivo, Luis Pacheco, aseguró que los percances no fueron violentos, si no que más bien tienen una forma de operar premeditada que se ejecuta a través de la distracción de las víctimas. 

En el inmueble del Lake Chapala Society, ubicado en la zona centro de Ajijic, han ocurrido dos incidentes de este tipo. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

“Los dos robos ocurridos en LCS no han sido violentos, son personas que ya tienen bien estudiado su modus operandi. Las personas identificadas son una mujer extranjera y dos latinos. Son al menos 17 espacios públicos y restaurantes, o negocios, donde han ocurrido robos de este tipo y, en algunos de ellos, las personas denunciadas son las mismas que robaron aquí”, compartió Luis Pacheco.

Según el director ejecutivo del LCS, el modus operandi de los carteristas consiste en que la mujer extranjera se acerca a hablar con otros turistas o habitantes foráneos para distraerlos, mientras las otras dos personas crean una barrera y extraen las posesiones. 

Pacheco señaló que tanto el encargado de despacho de Ajijic, Maximiano Macías Arceo, como el comisario de Chapala, Sergio Conzuelo Ramírez, y el presidente municipal, Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, están al tanto de los sucesos, por lo que están trabajando en conjunto para crear una campaña de prevención del delito en la zona.

Esto lo confirmó Macías Arceo quien dijo que esta campaña estaría enfocada en capacitar a los dueños de restaurantes, administradores, jefes de manzana, etcétera, para la prevención del delito, y que, aunque aún no hay una fecha para iniciar, se dará a conocer mediante el departamento de Comunicación Social. 

Para finalizar, Luis Pacheco aseguró que lo más importante es restablecer el tejido social para disminuir los robos y la violencia, además de que se buscará que los vecinos tengan corresponsabilidad y se apoyen mutuamente para cuidarse e instruirse sobre este tipo de acontecimientos.

Ceremonia de apertura, del viernes 22 de abril. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles.– Con éxito y buenos comentarios de los asistentes, aunque con muy poca participación local, se llevó a cabo la primera conmemoración del Día de la Tierra en Ajijic. Mediante una serie de conferencias y actividades, se buscó concientizar a los asistentes sobre el cuidado del medio ambiente durante tres días.

Durante la celebración, que tuvo lugar los días 22, 23 y 24 de abril, hubo una asistencia aproximada de entre 500 y 600 personas, es decir, de 150 a 200 personas cada día. Aunque mayormente asistieron adultos, también hubo varios niños interesados.  

Durante los tres días hubo actividades para involucrar a los niños. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

El primer día se inició con una ceremonia de apertura, la cual consistió en pedir permiso a los elementos y deidades para realizar respetuosamente las actividades programadas; y el último día, durante la clausura, se le hizo un tributo y ofrenda al Lago de Chapala.

Las conferencias fueron con activistas que han logrado salvaguardar la integridad tanto del vaso lacustre como de las montañas, por ejemplo, Manuel Villagómez Rodríguez, Luis Valdivia Ornelas, Raquel Gutiérrez Nájera y el ajijiteco Julio Carmona; por otro lado, también hubo presentaciones musicales cinematográficas, y puntos informativos y venta de productos ecológicos.

“Creo que el evento fue efectivo tanto en la calidad profesional y académica de los presentadores. Creo que fue muy ambicioso hacerlo en tres días ya que demanda una mayor afluencia de público. Hubo tres enfoques relevantes que surgieron del evento: que se puede y se ha podido ganar batallas de este tipo, que se necesita urgentemente que el Lago de Chapala se convierta en sitio Ramsar, que se haga un mapeo de áreas en peligro y reservadas, donde se defina dónde no comprar o construir, petición que fue solicitada por la comunidad extranjera de manera colectiva”, compartió Noris Binet, una de las organizadoras. No obstante, el Lago de Chapala ya es considerado sitio Ramsar, es decir un humedal de suma importancia en el planeta. 

Ceremonia de clausura con las Guardianas del Lago, y la abuela Elvia, junto con la ofrenda al lago. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

Por su parte, Sihara Casillas Gaeta, otra de las organizadoras, comentó que este tipo de eventos ayuda a conocer el tipo de terrenos en las que la población vive, en este caso cuerpos acuíferos, y hacer un recuento de cómo la corrupción ha contribuido al deterioro de depósitos naturales de agua, lo cual ayuda a estar más al pendiente.

Jane Custer, quien fue la encargada de hacer las traducciones en el evento, compartió que le dio mucho gusto ver a la comunidad mexicana y extranjera de Ajijic, juntos en un lugar, además de adquiriendo conocimiento para proteger el Lago y el medio ambiente.

Noris manifestó que, en los próximos años, cree que el evento podría mejorar en cuanto a la participación local, involucrando desde los vecinos hasta miembros de comunidades indígenas, hablando de sus problemáticas relacionadas con temas medioambientales. Sus planes en puerta son hacer un documento oficial donde se recapitulen los puntos más importantes del evento que será presentado ante las autoridades gubernamentales, así como la creación de un observatorio ciudadano y académico para la supervisión y denuncias en materia de destrucción del medio ambiente.