Ajijic

The mayor of Chapala (right) accompanied with the Jalisco Secretary of Tourism.

Editor.- Chapala Mayor Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel announced the projects to improve the Pueblo Mágico aspects of Ajijic and  the tourist areas of Chapala in his  presentation of the Model of Magic Towns of Jalisco.

Aguirre Curiel shared details of the project  and the funds to improve infrastructure and tourism on social media.

 «This project consists of four thrusts  that will allow our Pueblo Mágico, Ajijic, to better receive visitors and show off its beauty: Analysis and  improvement of mobility in the town; Establishing a Tourist Agent; Analysis and improvement of  its visual presentation; and waste management».

The mayor emphasized that the objective is to improve the quality of life of the people who live in Ajijic and the people who visit it, so he considered this an important policy «for Ajijic and for Chapala this news means a lot, because it strengthens the economic and touristic growth of our municipality, without losing the traditions and culture that identify us».

During the press conference held at Casa Jalisco on April 11, a first investment of 20 million pesos was announced for the start-up of the Magical Towns Model in the nine towns of the state that have this distinction.

Finally, Alejandro Aguirre, recognized the influence of Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez in the designation of Ajijic a Pueblo Mágico, highlighting its traditions and excellent climate as some of its main attractions, without forgetting the influence of the retired residents of the Expat community.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

By: Patrick O’Heffernan

I am so looking forward to this weekend’s celebration  of the Passion of Christ.  Although my wife and I bought our house in Ajijic over 5 years ago, we actually did not move in until almost 3 years ago. The preceding years we visited, managed a ranch, and stayed in various homes around Lakeside.  We were never here during Semana Santa and Easter, so this will be my first. I experienced Christmas in Baja when I was in my 20’s, but I understand the two holidays and the attendant celebrations are nothing alike.  

I am going to find out, for sure. The route of the Passion of Christ goes right by my house.  My neighbors and I will be in a mirador that overlooks the pathway up to the Stations of the Cross in the tépalo, and the return procession will go down our street. Dale Hoyt Palfrey of the Guadalajara Reporter published an excellent photo essay of the Passion, from past years from the trial and flogging all the way up the mountain to the crucifixion;  going through her photos made me realize the scale of the event.

I am not a Catholic, although my mother insisted I go to the local Catholic grammar school (supposedly “better” than the public school), so I am familiar with the story. But the focus was always on Easter, with Good Friday and Palm Sunday distant seconds. We did the stations of the Cross on Good Friday in the church attached to the school, but that was it.  The idea of the entire story being reenacted with full costumes, supporting casts and a crucifixion is a mind-boggling reminder of the power of religion.

In  retrospect, it shouldn’t be. In Indonesia I watched the procession of the Hindu festival Thaipusam where thousands of devotees followed long lines of entranced men and women who pierced their cheeks with spears and put hooks through their skin attached to ropes dragging weights behind them  So, following an actor playing Christ carrying a cross up the trail through the hills is not surprising, but the scale of the event here in Lakeside is impressive.

I was always taught to respect people’s practice of their religion, as long as it did not harm anyone (apparently the people  in Thaipusam  felt no pain while in a trance and healed very quickly).  I understand that the Passion may involve hardship and maybe pain for some of the actors, but that is their passion and it is to be respected, as is the whole celebration and the devotion of the people in it and following it, Expats and Mexicans.

Which makes me think a little about Santa Semana and tourism.  I was out on the streets today in downtown Ajijic and they were very crowded. People were shopping, cruising the sidewalks with takeaway margaritas and beers, enjoying themselves, as they should be. 

But various government officials in Lakeside’s municipalities have predicted as many as 2 million visitors will arrive in Chapala and 180,000 in Jocotepec.  Seems high to me – that would be 25% of the population of Guadalajara arriving and spreading out through the towns of Chapala. In Jocotepec, that would be an increase in population greater than all of Lakeside. But that is what they said, so we reported it. And we will report on the actual numbers, if they are calculated.

While numbers like that may be good for business – assuming everyone can actually get here and find a place to park and a restaurant table – I worry that the sheer numbers of people on holiday may not encourage respect for the Passion. If you are here on a holiday weekend, you are having fun, and there is probably no way you are going to be one of the 2,000 people following the procession up to the crucifixion, so you might be tempted to ignore the solemn event taking place.  But, like I said, this will be my first Good Friday celebration in Ajijic and I may be pleasantly surprised by the respect of the crowds.  I hope so.

Chain-link fence located near the pumping plant being removed for the second time. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera activists removed a chain-link fence  for the second time they claim had been placed in federal territory of Lake Chapala. 

The  action  took place last Friday, April 8, in the area that had been allegedly illegally fenced near the re-pumping plant of the Municipal Potable Water and Sewage System (SIMAPA), to the east of the town. 

On this occasion, not only was the fence removed, but it was cut up, and  the activists used hammers to destroy the bases where the posts are placed, so that the fence could not be put up again, as happened last time. Although the land owners tried to intimidate them by taking video, the activists were not deterred.

In addition to removing the fence, the bases where the pipes are placed were also cut and covered to prevent it from being put up again. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

At the end of the meeting, there was talk of returning to the beach in the area known as «Tío Domingo», where in August and September last year, at least seven fences were removed. Of all these, five have been rebuilt, and two of the lands allegedly illegally occupied have been planted with crops to justify their takeover by the adjacent landowners. Two of the alleged illegal fences have been rebuilt twice.

Also, two more disputed fences were recently removed to the east of Ajijic, at the end of Donato Guerra Street; in one of these, the owners chose to remove the entire fence and, in the other, they raised it again, however, it was removed again. 

The meetings of the group to act against this type of invasion will be announced through social networks. Members of the «anti-rejas» movement say that the participation of the Ajijitecos and other  interested parties is important, since it is an issue of interest for all the residents of the area around the lake.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Trucks in the Bajío area, west of Ajijic. File 2021.

Editor. White-collar criminals have set their sights on Chapala to seize land in federal zones, using false deeds and corrupt notaries who use their positions  to issue forged documents with which they try to take over public spaces.  

The Government of Chapala, the Association of Notaries Public of the State of Jalisco and the State Government have called on the population to oppose bad practices of public notaries, after investigating that, in complicity with private individuals, they have falsified documents to take possession of land in federal zones.

The municipal authorities, in coordination with the state authorities, have undertaken a strategy to stop illegal acts by notaries and individuals who try to take possession of land in Chapala. The Dirección General de Delitos Patrimoniales y Financieros de la Fiscalía de Jalisco, has opened investigations into irregularities committed in the municipality. 

Part of a deed, which Jaime Natera López, President of the College of Notaries of Jalisco, qualified as false as it was signed by a notary who was suspended and out of his jurisdiction.

The Notary Association of Jalisco asked for regulations to insure that  those who want to acquire a property, do so based on the law, and  condemning people they labeled as «loafers», who want to take possession of land illegally. The Association vowed it would  not protect any person who tries to do illegal acts. 

«We are not going to overrule  anyone, but we must consider the Registrar who  participates in the appraisals and the public registry of property. I am totally convinced that some of these (fake) deeds can  give legal certainty,» said Jaime Natera Lopez, President of the College of Notaries of Jalisco in a media interview.     

For the last ten years the problem of invasions in the hills and beach areas of Lake Chapala has been growing at an accelerated rate, without any authority trying to put a stop to the invasions.  in many cases illegal the takeovers of property have been facilitated by corruption by private individuals and notaries public.    

Among  the public notaries that are endorsed as legitimate in Lakeside  are: Jorge Chávez, Sergio Macías, Juan Carlos López, Sergio Macías (father), Luis Enrique Ramos, Juan José Rodríguez, Adriana Villaseñor, as well as notaries public from La Barca, Ocotlán, Ayotlán, Tototlán and Atotonilco, on the condition that they are present. The  misuse of  notarial procedure is punishable with two to six years of imprisonment. 

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Transformer that caught fire last Saturday, April 2, located on Ocampo Street, almost at the intersection with Francisco Villa. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- An electrical transformer of the Comisión Federal de la Electricidad (CFE) caught fire last Saturday, April 2 and as of the closing of this edition, was still unattended. 

The damaged transformer is located on Ocampo Street, almost at the intersection with Francisco Villa, one block from the neighborhood of Las Seis Esquinas.  Citizens reported that it had been leaking a liquid for several days. 

In a story that circulated through social networks, a complaint was made after the fire and it would be attended on Monday, April 4. This publication stated that the liquid was very harmful and put neighbors or passers-by at risk.

The damage to the device did not affect the electricity or water service of the residents near the area.  The neighbors fear for their safety because an explosion could occur due to overheating and the lack of liquid.

Liquid spilling from the transformer. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«On Saturday there was a firefighting unit that apparently contacted CFE. A while later, CFE sent a person with a forklift truck, but he only looked at the transformer and left. He did not even take five minutes to attend to the problem,» the interviewee said.

«Now that the smoke produced by the fire is polluting, just like the oil that is spilling. It should be reported to ecology so that they can put pressure on the CFE with an official letter,” the complainant added. 

Ajijic acting delegate Maximiano Macias Arceo commented that the problem was reported to him on Saturday.  He said that neither he nor the personnel of the delegation or the municipality could regulate the device, since it is federal property of the CFE and only they could fix it.

«We made the report to the commission (CFE), we cannot intervene, neither we nor the  public lighting department, since it is a federal matter. We have made the report again, because the oil in the transformer is toxic and we will follow the situation until it is repaired,» concluded Macías Arceo.

Translated by Nita Rudy

Publicity image of the event. Photo: Noris Binet.

Sofia Medeles (Ajijic).- To commemorate Earth Day, a group of activists organized conferences, talks and free activities to raise environmental awareness among citizens. 

The events will take place from April 22 to 24, in the Ajijic Cultural Center and in the terrace on the main square.

This first-of-its-kind event will have three days of different activities for different ages, including conferences, musical shows and a children’s art contest. One of the organizers, Noris Binet, shared that this event aims to raise awareness, educate and inform people about the environment. 

«It is important for the community to know about this first special event dedicated to the people who have worked for the protection of the area’s environment. We hope that the event will be held every year in the future, and that it will unite the people of the Lakeside area to be aware of the need to defend the lake and the mountains,» Binet commented.

Program of the three days of activities in the delegation. Photo: Noris Binet.

Ajijic acting delegate Maximiliano Macias Arceo added that he thinks it is an interesting and good project to raise awareness and care about environmental issues in the area.

This event will be attended by the researcher Manuel Villagómez Rodríguez, the man who stopped the construction work on the mountain by the highway which left a scar on the hillside known as «the zigzag on the hill” and an activist for the protection of the lake, as well as Luis Valdivia Ornelas, who conducted a study on the landslide of the mountains of Ajijic due to urbanization in these, among a vast group of activists.

The event’s organizing committee is formed by Douglas Reid, Sihara Casillas Gaeta and Noris Binet.

Translated by Kerry Watson

Malla ciclónica siendo quitada por segunda ocasión, misma que se encontraba cerca del cárcamo de rebombeo. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles.- El grupo Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera quitó por segunda ocasión una malla ciclónica que había sido recolocada en territorio federal del Lago de Chapala. 

La reunión fue el pasado viernes 8 de abril en la invasión cerca del cárcamo de rebombeo del Sistema Municipal de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado (SIMAPA), al oriente de la población. 

Además de retirar la malla, también se cortaron y taparon las bases donde se colocan los tubos, para evitar que se ponga nuevamente. Foto: Sofía Medeles.

En esta ocasión no solo se retiró la malla, sino que se trozó, y con martillo, cerraron las bases donde se colocan los postes, para que no volviera a ponerse en pie la cerca, como ocurrió la vez pasada. Aunque trataron de intimidarlos tomando video, los asistentes no cedieron a esta acción.

Al final de la reunión, se habló de volver a la playa de la zona conocida como “Tío Domingo”, en donde en el periodo de agosto a septiembre del pasado 2021, se retiraron al menos siete cercados. De todas estas, solamente dos han mantenido los espacios libres de la invasión, las restantes, además de volver a colocar el cercado en dos ocasiones, sembraron para justificar su invasión, uno de ellos con agave.

También, en fechas recientes se retiraron dos más al oriente de Ajijic, después de la calle Donato Guerra; en una de éstas, los dueños optaron por quitar toda la malla y, en la otra, la volvieron a levantar, no obstante, se volvió a retirar. 

Las reuniones del grupo para actuar en contra de este tipo de invasiones se estarán anunciando por medio de redes sociales. Integrantes del movimiento “anti-rejas» consideraron que es importante la participación de los ajijitecos e interesados, ya que es un tema de interés para todos los habitantes de alrededor del lago.

The Palm Sunday route in 2019 went through village streets. Photo: La Tradición de Ajijic.

Sofía Medeles(Ajijic).- There will be changes to this year’s Holy Week celebrations, including the living representations of the Passion of Christ prior to the Viacrucis, or Way of the Cross.

Jesus will ride a donkey on Palm Sunday as usual, beginning at 6 p.m. at Six Corners. But the route will end in Ajijic’s main square rather than at the parish of San Andrés Apóstol as in the past. The blessing of palms will take place at all Sunday Mass times. 

Celebrations of Maundy Thursday (commemoration of the Last Supper) and Good Friday will be at 7 p.m. on April 14 and 15. A Holy Saturday service will be at 8 p.m. All liturgical services, unlike previous years, will be held inside the church and not in the atrium.

Translated by Mike Rogers

Attendees of the first garbage collection program. Photo: Alejandro Aguirre Curiel

Sofia Medeles (Ajijic).- A new clean-up program started in Ajijic on April 2nd. Dozens of young people, children and municipal authorities participated in the cleaning of several streets in the downtown area. 

On this occasion, students from the Centro de Estudios Técnicos en Aguas Continentales (CETAC) were invited to support the program. The person in charge of the program, Maximiano Macias Arceo, said that at least 12 children joined in the cleanup.  Also present were the municipal president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel; the councilwoman of the delegation, Denisse Michelle Ibarra; the municipal trustee, Gamaliel Soto Pérez; and other workers of the delegation.

Young people during the garbage collection in the streets of Ajijic. Photo: Maximiano Macias Arceo

The students who attended were provided with refreshments donated by several people, including Ajijic councilwoman Denisse Michelle Ibarra, trustee Gamaliel Soto Pérez and a member of the group Unidos por Ajijic (United for Ajijic).  Stickers for trash cans and waste containers were also provided. 

Although Macías Arceo was pleased that the work session had gone well, he said that both he and the participants were saddened that again there was garbage in the streets after the cleaning brigade.  

«During the tour, some people said that they remembered the work of Juanita, ‘La Japonesa,’ (a devoted member of CASA, of the Lake Chapala Garden Club, the Lakeside Garden Guild, the LCS, and of other civic-minded organizations who taught and worked with local children to beautify Lakeside) and hoped that we can achieve similar results. We want to revive that culture of cleanliness and control of garbage in the streets», he added. 

Children receiving snacks donated by public officials. Photo: Maximiano Macias Arceo

Macías Arceo said both donations and volunteers are welcome for future work sessions. The dates will be announced several days in advance  on the Facebook page «Delegación Ajijic 2021-2024»  and in local media. «The next date will be after Easter vacation. We will invite more schools to cooperate, whether public or private, because we want everyone to become aware and participate in cleaning the streets,» stated Macías Arceo.

Translated by Elisabeth Shields

The Los Bichos team won the championship over their similar team Los Bomboneros with a score of 3 to 1.

Editor. – With a score of 3 to 1 over their rival Los Bomboneros, the Bichos team was the winner during the final match, being crowned champions of the interim soccer tournament that was held for four weeks at the Terranova Institute. 

Students and teachers from high school and middle school at the Terranova Institute kicked off the Terranova 2022 Inter-School Tournament with six teams participating, from Tuesday, February 22 to Thursday, April 7.

Right from the start, the Bichos team won over the Cuervos, 5-0, demonstrating their desire to win from the very beginning of the tournament. 

The prize for the winners will be an all-expenses-paid trip to the movies, as well as recognition for the participation of the students who made up the six participating teams.

The next tournament will be held after the Holy Week and Easter holidays.

Translated by Kerry Watson