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Students of the Foránea No.1 José Vasconcelos high school during the first day of anti-addiction talks/workshops.  

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- Addiction prevention workshops will be given in public and private high schools in the municipality to raise awareness among adolescents in Chapala.

«Many things can give meaning to your life, but drugs will never be one of them,» was said during the launch of the program on March 14, at the José Vasconcelos Secondary School Number 1 in the municipality. The age of first substance use dropped from 18 to 10 years of age in the last 12 years.

The work team of the Municipal Commission Against Addictions, formed by counselors Luis Manuel Ramirez, Jaime Humberto Cortes Rios, Juan Carlos Garcia, and six other integral supporters are dedicated to informing the students of the municipality about the hazards of drug use. 

During the workshop they discuss that addictions not only depend on synthetic or natural drugs or medicines. Today’s children tend to become dependent on technology and the internet as well.

The first phase of the program took place from March 14 to 24. Seven hundred and thirty-three students divided into 21 groups, about half in the morning shift and the rest in the afternoon from the José Vasconcelos high school were trained through talks and workshops informed Luis Ramírez, in charge of the coordination.

The next stage will be to instruct the adolescents of Technical High School 83 to learn to say «NO» and to know how to choose their friends well, thus preventing them from falling into the temptation of bad habits, said Ramirez. 

The program, coordinated by the State Council for Prevention Against Addictions and the Ministry of Health, is executed by the Municipal Commission Against Addictions and its main objective is to raise awareness among young people when it comes to making decisions in their daily lives.

Translated by Nita Rudy

The new entrance to Jardín de Niños Aurelia Flores will be a corridor located between the CETAC high school and the future offices of the Secretaría de Cultura. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).-  During his visit to Ajijic on March 25, the Governor of Jalisco, Enrique Alfaro Ramírez, said that it will take approximately one month to provide an entrance to the Aurelia Flores Kindergarten, which was  blocked by the remodeling of the Auditorio de la Ribera. 

This new entrance consists of a corridor between the Ajijic campus of the Center for Technological Studies in Continental Waters (CETAC) and the building where the offices of the Ministry of Culture will be located. Previously, the entrance to the kindergarten was through the same access as the auditorium.

«I asked them to speed up the work so that the children would not be at risk, because it is under construction. We have already started to free the passage, only the floor needs to be done. I hope that in a month it will be ready and working properly,» said  Governor Alfaro Ramirez.

The director of the parents’ committee, Lucia Padilla, advised that they have not been informed about the conclusion of the work being done for this new access to the preschool, in addition they had hoped that the entrance would be a little bigger.

«We wanted to ask for a slightly larger entrance, at least two meters, but we could not talk to the architect and the entrance was left at approximately one meter and 40 centimeters. We have not been told when the work will be finished, or anything else,» she commented.

Previously, several parents complained that, since the construction of the auditorium was in progress, the access through the main door of the auditorium was closed for the safety of the children. The problem has existed since the beginning of on-site classes in August 2021. The parents pointed out that the provisional entrance, which was through the Cruz Azul sports field, was uncomfortable for them and the children, especially in rainy weather and that the work did not seem to be progressing on an entrance exclusively for the students of the school.

In addition, the parents pointed out the poor condition of the classrooms, bathrooms and open spaces of the kindergarten after the pandemic.

Translated by Christalle Dalsted

Municipal and state authorities during the handover of the building on the corner of Niños Heroes and Zaragoza streets. Photo: Municipality of Chapala.

Jazmín Stengel.- The former Chapala Police headquarters at the corner of Niños Héroes and Zaragoza streets will now be occupied by the Jalisco Regional Police and the Mobility Department, thanks to the signing of an agreement between municipal authorities and the state. Chapala will continue to pay rent on the building.

Signing of the agreement between municipal and Jalisco authorities for the handover of the former Chapala Police Station. Photo: Municipality of Chapala.

The agreement established last March 25 between Chapala Mayor Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel and Regional Police Commissioner Abraham Isaac Chávez Velázquez, will allow the State Police to relocate from a small building in La Cristianía Park.

The move gives the State Police better facilities from which to continue working in coordination with the Municipal Police. This helps guarantee the safety of the population just days before the start of the Holy Week and Easter vacation period.  

Chapala has rented the building since 1998. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

Jalisco Secretary of Public Security Juan Bosco Pacheco Medrano said the building is a tool that dignifies police work and helps the State Police coordinate with the municipality to provide peace of mind to both residents and tourists.

“I am pleased to inform you that we have delivered dignified facilities on loan for elements of the State Security Secretariat to have their base of operations,” the mayor said through social media. “The safety and tranquility of the families of Chapala and its visitors is a priority for this government.”

The Regional Police had occupied a small building in La Cristianía Park. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

Chapala has rented the building since 1998. It was the Municipal Police headquarters until June 2020, when they moved to their new location at the corner of Los Maestros and Isla del Presidio streets. The State Highway Police, with whom the State Police will share the building, began working out of the building a few months ago.

Translated by Mike Rogers

Public and civil servants wore purple shirts to support the Unite Orange Campaign. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- The United Nations’ «Orange Unite Campaign» was instituted in 2008 to promote the prevention of violence against women, and takes place on the 25th of each month. Although it has been a little more than 13 years since the campaign opposing violence against women was instituted, this is the first year it has been celebrated in Chapala.

In Chapala, officials and civilians wore purple tee shirts instead of the customary orange, as citizens associate the color with the feminist movement, explained Alicia Medeles Córdova. Córdova is the director of the Women’s Institute of Chapala, who made the proposal after the March 8 International Women’s Day marches and other demonstrations against gender violence in the municipality. The public security officers of the municipality also wore an orange ribbon as a symbol of solidarity with the movement. 

Officers from the Municipal Police Station wearing the orange ribbon as a symbol of support for the eradication of violence against women. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

In addition to promoting the prevention of violence against women in her locality and delegations, Córdova offers counseling and follow-up to those who have been victims of violence, harassment and other types of aggression. She invites the affected population to lose their fear of speaking out and to begin the legal process to defend their human rights.

«The objective is to make a call to the citizenship and that we raise awareness,» clarified Cordova, since the purpose of this campaign at the international level is the same: «a day to act, generate awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.» 

Translated by MaryAnne Marble

ARIES (March 21 – April 20) 

The Sun and Moon in your sign are powerful talismans that attract luck into your life and make you feel empowered to achieve everything you set your mind to. The contacts that you establish these days will favor you and you can meet people who will be a very positive impulse for you. You will have a charisma that will make you very attractive.

TAURUS (April 21 – May 20) 

The Moon invites you to reflect on those fears that you may sometimes feel and that do not let you show yourself as you are. What you need is to seek new horizons that help you to get excited, even if you have suffered some disappointment. Act with courage and forget about what could not be. It is time to make some change in your life. However small it may be, it will be positive for you.

GEMINIS (May 21 – June 21) 

Your plans may not take the course you had envisioned, but perhaps it is not the time to carry them out and you should wait for better times. Be prudent and meditate well on what you are going to do. The Moon helps you to regain the friendship of someone important to you and from whom you are far away. You have a lot of potential, so trust in yourself and do not be afraid to face the changes, which will be for the better.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) 

The Moon boosts your success and makes you stand out above everyone else. You will awaken confidence and security in those around you and with your powerful intuition, you will know how to be in the right place and surround yourself with the people who suit you best. In love, you need stability and to stop thinking about things that do not benefit you. 

LEO (July 23 – August 23) 

The Moon offers you very favorable prospects, especially at work, where you can receive good news. Travel will also be fortunate, and in some of your travels you could meet someone who acquires a great prominence in your life. You will have clear what you should and should not do and the decisions you make will be right. You will enjoy your social life very much.

VIRGO (August 24 – September 23) 

The Moon transmits a very regenerative energy that pushes you to change. Your confidence in yourself and your knowledge that you do things right will lead you to act wisely. It is time to put your cards on the table and make important decisions. Dare to express out loud what you feel and do not let yourself be held back by doubts. Remember to worry a little more about exercising the soul. Give yourself moments of peace. 

LIBRA (September 24 – October 22)

Meaningless confrontations can threaten your relationships and keep you away from happiness, but the energy you will receive from the stars is very harmonious and will help you to smooth tensions. It could even bring you some interesting project that will make you see life with more joy. Venus, very well aspected, helps you to recover your smile in love.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 22)

You may feel pressured with responsibilities and worries, but the energy of the Moon can bring you a change of direction that will greatly favor your life. You will feel the need to make changes in your daily routine that will allow you to live with more tranquility. In love, do not rush or make decisions on the fly because things may not go as expected.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 – December 21) 

Under the influence of the Moon, you can defy life because luck will not turn its back on you. Love is also very favored, and you have ahead of you very positive days to consolidate your sentimental situation, strengthen ties or start a relationship that makes you happy. Try to distinguish what is valuable from what is not and do not create needs that are not real.

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19) 

Something may not go as you expect, but don’t fall into the mistake of wanting to take on more than you can and accept the help of those close to you. The change of Moon especially favors the family, which will support you even with some emotional help. Leave aside your more rational side and bet on your most groundbreaking and idealistic projects.

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 19)

With Mars and Venus in your sign, you have an unstoppable force and a power of seduction that will make you the protagonist wherever you are. The New Moon favors communication and travel, so if you do any, it will go very well and you will have many emotions as well as joys. Be kinder and support those who have always helped you. 

PISCES (February 20 – March 20)

There may arise inconveniences in professional or economic issues that you thought were already solved, but the Moon helps you to solve them and can bring you opportunities that allow you to access a more comfortable and advantageous position. You will have the protection of the Moon in your sign. Be alert to the signs that life is sending you and let your intuition guide you.

Translated by Sandy Britton

CUOP celebrated the birthday of Octavio Paz with biographies and reading of poems by the writer who gave his name to the educational institution.

Editor. With sports and cultural activities, the students of the Octavio Paz University Campus (CUOP) commemorated the 108th birthday of the Mexican poet and writer who gave his name to the campus located in Ajijic.

Elizabeth Gutiérrez, Rector of CUOP, thanked and congratulated all the participants in the event.

The event, held on March 31, began with the honoring of the national flag under the custody of the elementary school escort. Following this, aspects of the poet’s life were narrated by high school students, while the writer himself was brought to life by the elementary age students.  

In addition, the youngest students of CUOP, nursery and preschool students, released balloons symbolizing the eternity of his work.

The high school participated with the interpretation of the poem «Otoño» (Autumn), which was presented in Spanish and English. 

During the tribute, the Mexican writer was brought to life thanks to the presentations of elementary school students.

Students taking part in the curriculum of the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) read aloud the story «El Ramo Azul,» which concluded with an oral tour of phrases of the poet’s work. The ceremony continued with the presentation of awards to students who participated in the LIMATEJ mathematics tournament, organized by the Ministry of Education of Jalisco (SEJ), as well as to the students who won first and second place. 

The youngest students of CUOP, nursery and preschool students, carried out a balloon release.

Awards were given to the teachers’ team that won the volleyball tournament a few days prior to the celebration, and uniforms were given to the men’s and women’s high school volleyball teams. The high school students won third place in volleyball at the municipal level. 

To conclude the event, Mrs. Elizabeth Gutiérrez, Rector of CUOP, thanked and congratulated all the participants in the event, inviting them to continue their hard work and reaping good results in both academics and sports. 

Translated by Rebecca Zittle

Masons working on the roof of the Chapel of the Rosary. Photo: Facebook Capilla de Rosario.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- This week the first restoration project was started in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary of Ajijic, located next to the main square, thanks to pressure from Sumando Voluntades para la reparación de la Capilla del Rosario. 

The  restoration has been promoted by the group «Sumando Voluntades para la reparación de la Capilla del Rosario» (Summoning Volunteers for the repair of the Chapel of the Rosary), with the approval of the work by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

The architect of the project, Josué Ramos, said that the repairs will begin on the roof of the building where the brick will be removed from the surface to begin to fill the cracks that exist in the vaulted ceiling. Later the brick will be replaced and waterproofed. 

Facade of the church also known as the «little chapel» of Ajijic. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«The INAH suggested us to use traditional materials of this type of construction, such as soap and alum to make the waterproofing,» commented the architect. The building’s foundation will also be restructured. 

The group «Sumando Voluntades para la reparación de la Capilla del Rosario,» was formed in 2018, to solve the structural damage due to the aging of the little chapel, whose  restoration  must be supervised by INAH because the building is considered a historical monument, dating from the early eighteenth century.

In spite of the setbacks that the group had due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the death of some members, it has held several events such as church fairs, art auctions and the Rosary Race to raise funds to begin the restoration.

Josué Ramos invited the members of the group as well as local residents to the meeting to be held on Monday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at La Capillita, to establish the board of directors of Sumando Voluntades. 

Translated by Kerry Watson

Pro Mexico Civil Association of San Juan Cosalá with products for sale at a previous fundraising event. Credit: Courtesy of Pro México Civil Association of San Juan Cosalá 

Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosalá).– Next Friday, April 29th, the Pro México Civil Association of San Juan Cosalá will hold a charity event to raise funds for its training and workshops.  The event starts at 4:30 pm and will be held at the Racquet Club’s Club House, located at Raúl Ramírez #37. The event includes a Mexican dinner, snacks, drinks and music, as well as a historical talk about San Juan Cosalá given by Gabriel Chávez Rameño. 

Tickets are $400.00 per person. For more information contact: María Blanco, Coordinator of Community Development at 33-3590-6442.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

Dirt, sticks and stones left by the October mudslides were finally removed from the bike path by city hall personnel during the Governor’s visit to supervise public works.

Staff.– Let him come more often! Governor of Jalisco, Enrique Alfaro Ramírez, visited the lakeside area on Friday, March 25th to supervise the local government. His visit not only mobilized extra security, but many municipal employees gave their best effort to make the streets and roads look impeccable. The streets of the Chapala and Jocotepec municipalities looked especially well-maintained. In one day municipal employees performed all the maintenance that had not been done since the administration took over in October.The administration made a clear effort to paint a very rosy picture of the lakeside area for the governor. In Chapala there were no garbage piles to obstruct the governor’s inquisitive eye. The intersection at the junction of the Ajijic highway and bypass had traffic personnel, which is rare even on the busiest weekends. Chapala’s boardwalk, in addition to not having a single piece of garbage, had its green areas watered, and the walkways were washed very early in the morning.

In San Juan Cosalá, Alfaro cycled along the bike path with the presidents of Chapala, (Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel) and Jocotepec (José Miguel Gómez López). For this occasion, the bike path was finally cleared of sticks, stones, and dirt left by the October landslides.

State workers even replaced the entrance sign welcoming visitors to Jocotepec (from the border with Chapala). Faded road signs were re-painted. If only the governor would come more often so that street maintenance and public services would work this way  all the time.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

The Morelia highway, which is slated for improvements, has been  generally used as a garbage dump. However, with the visit of Governor Enrique Alfaro, the authorities «got their act together» trying to hide the garbage that has been accumulating.

Until a week ago, bags of garbage could be seen piled up on the side of the road at the access to the Morelia highway. According to witnesses, the company GIRRSA, which has a contract granted by the Government of Jocotepec to collect garbage, is responsible for filling the banks of the beltway with garbage. In addition to the municipality, citizens have been dumping their garbage here as well. 

In 2019, Governor Alfaro toured the area of the beltway, finding garbage and even giving a «slap on the wrist» to Jocotepec President Gómez López.

 «Today in the afternoon our governor, Enrique Alfaro, was passing through Jocotepec; it is a shame that he sent me these images of the beltway full of garbage. Remember that our municipality is #LoHaceSuGente (The People Do It) and it is not fair that because of some people we have  such a bad image,» the Jocotepec president wrote at the time. 

Translated by Christalle Dalsted