Comunidad

The walkway on Colón Street starts at the corner of Parroquia Street and ends at the Malecón. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- The walkway at Colón and Morelos streets, in the downtown area of Ajijic, was received with good comments by Ajijitecos, and will be set up  on weekends and holidays, authorities told Laguna.

The space set aside for pedestrians is only on the east side of the road, where cones have been placed  to indicate that there is no parking on that side, thus allowing tourists and locals to walk easily in the pathway created by the cones.

The person in charge of Ajijic’s office, Maximiliano «Max» Macías, explained that, both a survey in social networks and in person revealed a  positive response to the project, with a  small percentage  of negative opinion.

«I think it’s good, because this way the sidewalks are not so crowded, and there are no problems when passing people. And, since there are no people walking down the street, the flow of cars in that area is faster; it’s a very good idea». Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«For example, an American  commented that since there is nowhere to park, there are visitors who park at his door inconveniencing him. We are taking into account all opinions and not trying not to mpact anyone just to attract more tourism», said Max.

Ajijitecos interviewed by Laguna, confirmed what he said. Aurora, a young neighbor of Ajijic said, «I think it’s good, because this way the sidewalks are not so crowded, and there are no problems when passing people. And, since there are no people walking down the street, the flow of cars in that area is faster; it’s a very good idea». 

However, there was no lack of opposition comments which focused on the lack of parking on the main road.  

«This project is very unfortunate, because they removed parking spaces without offering an alternative solution. It is a good idea that they encourage people to walk, but what if someone with a disability wants to go to the Malecon? they would have to park far away, and there is nothing to do if they are late and need to be closer. Let’s hope they solve the problem soon,» shared a resident of Ajijic.

Finally, Max added that together with the municipal president, Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, they are looking for another parking lot, although  it may be difficult, since everything is very crowded. One solution could be to ask the merchants to leave the parking lots on the boardwalk free, he said. Finally, he asked the community of Ajijic to use the vehicle less, and try to move more on foot.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

The Queen Live Band will perform onstage at LCS at 3:30. Photo: Semanario Laguna. 

Patrick O’Heffernan, Ajijic.  Roy Gomez Cruz will return to the Concerts in the Park at LCS once again in the person of Freddie Mercury in two December 1 concerts that include a full Queen Live Band performance and a live and visual presentation of the “I Want It All :The Freddie Mercury Story”.

The Queen Live Band will perform onstage at LCS at 3:30. The band that dazzles audiences in the Palm Cabaret Club in Puerto Vallarta will bring its excitement to the LCS Park stage with favorites like We Will Rock You, We are Champions, Radio Ga Ga and Another One Bites the Dust.

At 6 pm Gomez returns in Mercury persona with   “I Want It All: The Freddie Mercury Story”, a high energy, visual and emotional journey through the songs and life events of the legendary Freddie Mercury. Gomez, who has a Master’s Degree  and is currently a PhD Candidate in Performance Studies at Northwestern University, immerses himself in the role of Freddie Mercury and amazes audiences with his detailed, authentic portrayal of the rocker. Palm Cabaret Entertainment Director Mark Rome, formally of the Spotlight in Ajijic, says, “I have never seen audiences embrace and enjoy a performance like this before,” of Gomez’s “I Want It All: The Freddie Mercury Story.

Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946 and died in 1991) was a British singer, songwriter, record producer, and lead vocalist of the rock band Queen who is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music. Known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range, Mercury defined  and redefined the conventions of a rock front man.

Advanced ticket purchase recommended. Tickets can be purchased at LCS office or online at https://lakechapalasociety.com. General Admission tickets (seats arranged in rows): $350 MXN.

VIP table tickets: $500 MXN

Zona donde se limpió a borde de carretera.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- El pasado lunes, personal de la delegación de Ajijic inició labores de limpieza en una zona de la carretera y formó una estrategia para seguir limpiando, así como realizar un plan para que se evite tirar basura en puntos y horarios donde el camión de la basura no pasa.

La zona que se limpió fue desde la carretera, entre los cruces con Revolución y Encarnación Rosas, por todo el borde de carretera, así como la limpieza de las jardineras, ubicadas a un costado de la vía principal.

“La gente nos compartió sus denuncias, de que en esa zona es normal que saquen basura desde antes, por el momento, para combatir esas acciones se mandaron a hacer letreros con el número de la delegación para hacer denuncias, quien deje su basura y sea sorprendido se sancionará”, aseveró el Encargado de Despacho Maximiliano “Max” Macías.

El entrevistado compartió que como parte de su estrategia para mantener limpio el pueblo, se retirarán tambos de basura en lugares como la llamada Placita de las Banderas. “Una de las cosas que se hará, es eliminar botes. Por ejemplo, en la Plaza de las Banderas donde hay dos tambos, hay algunas personas que sacan la basura de casa todo el día y todos los días, cuando se quiten (los tambos) en estos lugares, también se pondrá un cartel donde exhorte a la gente a sólo sacar la basura en su horario y días correspondientes; de no ser así, serán sancionados”.

En cuanto a las calles del pueblo, afirmó que él junto con los trabajadores de la delegación, están creando un organigrama de zonas del pueblo, y se encargaran de limpiar al menos un día entre semana, de ser posible los sábados –en conjunto con voluntarios, por ejemplo, los alumnos de CETAC-, colocando también letreros en puntos donde se suele colocar basura.

Asimismo, para mantener las jardineras de la carretera limpias, su idea es colaborar con parques y jardines para que apoyen a embellecer el área e invitar a comercios para que adopten algún árbol o planta de los cajetes, para poner su granito de arena y apoyar cuidándolas y dándoles mantenimiento.

Finalmente, comentó que la limpieza del pueblo depende de todos, y que si bien, su labor sería iniciar y poner el ejemplo, también depende de los ajijitecos ayudar; por ejemplo, limpiando las fachadas de sus casas o apoyando a sacar la basura en el horario y días correspondientes a sus domicilios. El Encargado de Despacho puso a disposición el teléfono de la delegación (376 766 1760) para hacer los reportes correspondientes.

Templo de San Andrés Apóstol. Foto: Archivo.

D. Arturo Ortega. – Luego de la falta de respuesta por parte de la Mesa de Salud Jalisco para conceder la realización de reuniones para realización de celebraciones, el Ayuntamiento de Chapala anunció que sí se llevarán a cabo las fiestas patronales a realizarse en próximas fechas, pero con ciertas restricciones.

“El límite de horario será las 12:00 de la noche, aforo restringido a un máximo de personas (no especificado) y la instalación de filtros sanitarios, con responsabilidad para los gremios y grupos que organizan las festividades”, serán parte de las restricciones y responsabilidades.

Lo anterior se realizó por parte de las Autoridades Municipales, en atención a las diversas peticiones de los habitantes, grupos organizados y gremios, ha determinado que se conceden permisos para llevar a cabo eventos.

Entre las fiestas más esperadas en el municipio se encuentran las fiestas de San Andrés Apóstol, Santo Patrono del Pueblo Mágico de Ajijic que se celebrarán a través de un novenario que concluye el 30 de noviembre.

despensa DIF.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- La promotora de DIF Ajijic, Mónica Dolores Padilla, invitó a las personas de la delegación a inscribirse en los diferentes padrones de despensas con los que se cuentan. Las despensas son de distintos tipos: para adultos mayores, discapacitados, familias en situación de carencia, mujeres en gestación o lactantes, y para niños de 12 a 24 meses y de 3 a 5 años.

Lo que se necesita para inscribirse, es acudir a DIF Ajijic, ubicado en la Floresta, calle Camino Real #100, en un horario de las 9 a.m. a las 3 p.m., y presentar los siguientes documentos:

Programa de Ayuda Alimentaria Directa (mujeres en embarazo, farmacodependientes rehabilitados, adultos mayores, discapacitados, hijos de padres en pobreza extrema, menor de 18 desnutridos, etcétera) requieren encuesta ENHINA y carta compromiso que se facilitaran al realizar el trámite; copia del acta de nacimiento; copia de CURP; copia de identificación oficial (INE, pasaporte, etcétera); comprobante de domicilio y constancia médica emitida por la Secretaría de Salud (SSJ) que justifique la vulnerabilidad del solicitante. En caso de ser alcohólico o farmacodependiente, contar con constancia en papel membretado con sellos y firmas legibles.

Por otro lado, los apoyos a madres lactantes, niños menores y mujeres en gestación, deberán realizar la encuesta EFIIA –que se hará en DIF al solicitar el apoyo-; y tienen que presentar: copia de CURP del beneficiario (a), madre y padre del menor o responsables del beneficiario, carta compromiso de conocimiento de derechos y obligaciones del apoyo a recibir, constancia de peso y talla o certificado médico del menor de edad, comprobante de domicilio, cartilla de seguimiento médico (en caso de ser madre gestante) y CURP de los bebés de las madres lactantes.

La Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, en Ajijic, está a poco de iniciar el proyecto de restauración -evento del kilómetro del peso-.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- El proyecto de la restauración de la Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, ubicada en Ajijic, está muy cerca de iniciar, y es que, después de cuatro eventos para recaudar fondos, el grupo Sumando Voluntades ya se encuentra listo para dar el siguiente paso.

Su último evento, del pasado 31 de octubre -día de la Virgen del Rosario-, fue la carrera del Rosario en su séptima edición donde corrieron 180 corredores, además de la kermesse ese mismo día, que, en total reunieron 40 mil pesos, sumando un total aproximado de 350 mil pesos que el grupo tiene como fondo para empezar a trabajar.

El último evento fue la carrera del Rosario, en la cual, simultáneamente se realizó una kermesse.

El arquitecto que lleva el proyecto, Josué Ramos, comentó que ya se presentó el proyecto de restauración ante el Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH), el cual necesita algunas modificaciones para echarse a andar, no obstante, el capital reunido ya es el suficiente para iniciar.

“Nos pidieron que se volviera a hacer el proyecto estructural ya con las especificaciones brindadas por el arquitecto del INAH; a lo que el arquitecto dijo que quizás y no se tiene que gastar todo el capital en la primera etapa, ya que aseguró que eran cosas bastantes simples de inicio”, aseveró Josué.

La kermesse junto con la carrera logró reunir un aproximado de 40 mil pesos.

Además, agregó que por el momento, tienen algunos eventos en mente, aunque les falta planearlos bien o precisar la fecha de estos, pero a corto plazo, piensan parar un poco para enfocarse en el levantamiento arquitectónico y en la reestructuración necesaria.

“Seguiremos reuniendo fondos, pero más a futuro. Por el momento, estamos pensando en la venta de un póster en blanco y negro con la Virgen del Rosario y la Capillita de fondo, el cual, empezaríamos a vender en las fiestas patronales y cuando se tenga oportunidad”, finalizó el arquitecto Josué.

The preschool, elementary and high school students prepared a catwalk in which they wore their Catrinas, Catrines and skeleton costumes.

Instituto Terranova Writing Workshop. – The Terranova Institute celebrated the Day of the Dead like never before with the creation of an altar of the dead, a costume parade, folkloric dance numbers, and an aerial dance, among other activities.  Nine art and sports workshops allowed all students to participate and watch the events.

The preschool, elementary and high school students prepared a catwalk in which they wore their Catrinas, Catrines and skeleton costumes. Chess students performed a game with living pieces.

Students of the music workshop enlivened the festival with  songs,  while the students of the Acrobatics workshop performed a surprising display of their rope skills.  No less surprising was the aerial dance workshop.

Teachers and students made a six-level altar featuring a colorful sawdust mat, floral offerings, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, different dishes, and the typical papel picado, as well as photographs of loved ones.   

Translated by Elisabeth Shields.

For the second year in a row, the large altar on top of the Quiosco de San Juan Cosalá was set on fire. Photo: Courtesy.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía: For the second consecutive year,  the Day of the Dead monumental altar on the Kiosk of San Juan Cosalá was set on fire, although this year, unlike last year, the blaze was caused intentionally, according to Luis Guzmán coordinator of the November 1 «Paseo de las Ánimas» event.

Although the identity of the culprits is known, their names have not yet been officially released, said one of the participants of the «Paseo de las Ánimas» who preferred to remain anonymous. Furthermore, according to Luis Guzmán, the organizers were unaware of the fire that broke out in the early hours of November 2nd until the following morning. 

«This is not only an offense to me and  my team, but to the entire community, since it was the residents  themselves who helped to decorate and make the festival a reality,» Guzmán explained, dismayed by the situation.

According to Guzmán ‘s version, all possible precautions were taken and he and his team checked everything before leaving because of  their experience of the accidental fire at the last festival caused by a candle that set fire to the altar.

«I personally extinguished all the candles, I made sure that nothing was left burning and regarding the wires, we did not leave a single one, precisely wanting to avoid any kind of short circuit, we checked everything; this, sadly, was intentional,» said Luis, via telephone to Semanario Laguna.

Thus the work of the residents of San Juan Cosalá, which took approximately two weeks to cover the entire Quisco de flores de Cempasuchil, was reduced to ashes in a single night. 

According to an  anonymous source, the people who caused the fire are already known by the people of San Juan Cosalá themselves.  Since the complaint was made unofficially, the suspects  are presumed to be public servants whose motive for setting fire to the offering is also unknown.

A meeting will be held at the offices of the delegation between the organizers of the festivity, who are seeking to reveal the culprits so that the events do not happen again. The meeting is scheduled for on Friday, November 5, around 7:00 p.m.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan.

On November 1 and 2, the cemetery was open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm  with a Covid checkpoint at the entry.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)– Unlike last year when the municipal cemetery only allowed people to enter to clean the tombstones, this year people were able to decorate the graves of their relatives who have passed away and spend some time together. 

The doors of the cemetery were kept open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on November 1 and 2, and strict Covid checkpoints were maintained at the entrance.  Visitors were required to wear masks and many did,   and sanitizing gel was provided. In addition, Civil Protection personnel were  on hand to assist. 

«It is a beautiful tradition that year after year we try not to lose, besides being a moment of uniting with our living and our dead. I met many people  that I know here and we were happy that this year the cemetery was more accessible and we could stay longer. And we found a  very clean cemetery», said one of the Ajijic residents  who was at the cemetery.

Inside the cemetery, people were busy cleaning and decorating the tombs, as well as sitting and socializing among families. Every grave, even the oldest and most forgotten, had at least one flower. Outside the cemetery flowers and food were on sale. 

The person in charge of the office, Maximiliano «Max» Macías Arceo, said that elements of civil protection and public security were patrolling the cemetery. He also said that there were no mishaps and that people followed the  requirements  and respected the hours of service.  

 «The cemetery was not closed as such, because the gate to the stream is missing, but at the time (of closing) people were invited to leave and there were no problems. There were no altercations or mishaps», said Maximiliano «Max» Macías.

Also, on November 2, the cemetery closed one hour later by order of the Chapala City Hall, so that the families had the opportunity to leave their graves ready and clean of the garbage they may have generated during that afternoon.

Translated by Amy Esperanto.

Altar accompanied by the iconic Frida Khalo. Photo: Héctor Ruíz.

Héctor Ruíz Mejía – Despite municipal authorities nearly closing the festival «Al fin, para morir nacimos» («In the end, we were born to die»), the event for the Day of the Dead was held in Jocotepec, moving some local residents  to tears.

According to Carlos Cuevas, ex former director of Casa de la Cultura José Vaca Flores, who was one of the organizers of the event, the new director of the highway system, Aguirre (who had not even been sworn in yet), tried to close the event, arguing that the appropriate permits had not been requested.

Cuevas explained that the road personnel argued that they lacked the Civil Protection review and that according to him, «it was in their power to cancel the permit if they wished.» However, Civil Protection rose to the call to provide support to the event so the event could proceed.

Sample of one of the altars on Morelos Poniente street. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

The first edition of the festival took place last Sunday, October 31 on Morelos Poniente Street, where in addition to enjoying typical music and spectacular performances by students from the School of Performing Arts of the University of Guadalajara (UdeG), dozens of people witnessed the stories on the 11 altars that the community itself erected along the street.  

One of the altars was made by the Ibarra Campos family to honor their father, Goyo. He was described as a cheerful man, a cab driver, who enjoyed life, as well as atole and chicken.  These stories brought the audience into the stories themselves of those who lived before them.

Sample of one of the altars on Morelos Poniente street. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

«Because we are not only united in death, but also in life,» Carlos said, adding  that everyone contributed a little or a lot, like the ladies of the neighborhood, who for two weeks set up the two portals covered with marigold flowers located at both ends of the street.

«It was incredible to see how all the people came together to make the event, from people who supported with 20 pesos, to those who anonymously supported with up to ten thousand pesos,» explained Carlos. 

Sample of one of the altars on Morelos Poniente street. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

«The truth is I didn’t know what to expect, I was in the plaza and I started to hear that they were coming here, so I came to see what was going on and I really had a good time», commented Ramón. He said that he couldn’t stop laughing from the Chiapas death jokes in one of the plays. 

The first edition of the festival in commemoration of the Day of the Dead was packed with  a large turnout which exceeded all the expectations of the organizers and the community which longed to celebrate this date after a year of inactivity.

Translated by Kerry Watson.