en inglés

Gloria Rios, an American-born actress and singer, is often credited with introducing rock & roll music into México, performing in 1944 from Texas and recording in 1955 with various orchestras. She settled in with Mario Patrón and his Estrellas del Ritmo band, performing and recording covers of songs by Bill Halley and Elvis Presley.

She also recorded «La Mecedora» in 1956, which was said to be the first original song of Mexican rock & roll, although many rock historians also say that first rock and roll record ever recorded in México was “La Cama de Piedra” by Pablo Beltrán Ruíz in 1956 followed two months later by later Luis Marquez’s “Let’s Bop”.

These were not rock bands as we know them today – they were orchestras that played jazz, swing, and the “new music” with a high tempo 4/4 beat – songs like Rios’ “Jazzeaondo”, a fast tempo be-bop jazz tune.

The swing/jazz/rock orchestras quickly gave way to bands like Los Lunáticos in 1956 , Los Teen Tops and Las Mary Jets – an all-female Mexican Rock band formed in 1959, predating the first American female rock band Goldie & the Gingerbreads in 1964.

But unlike in the US where rock became the dominant – and highly profitable – music form until displaced by rap and hip hop, rock was repressed in México. The repression impulse was always there in a conservative society, but the 1971 two-day “Mexican Woodstock” Festival Rock y Ruedas de Avándaro, with nudity, drugs , sex and anti-government songs (imagine that?!) led to the government restricting rock music publishing and airplay.

But rock and roll cannot be held down for long, even by the Mexican government, so by the 1980’s “Los Urbanos” bands with a Bob Dylan-like folkloric style known as música rupestre, and Mexican British Invasion bands like Mana were dragging the country back into the rock revolution, centered in Monterrey.

Monterrock , a stadium-scale, anthem- style rock that sways the masses. Monterrey bands like Kinky, The Warning, Panda and many others took over Mexican arenas and stages everywhere and soon moved to Latin America and the US, and generated a second rock revolution throughout Mexico.

All of that is the foundation for the rock scene in México today which is huge, vibrant, experimental, and thrilling to watch grow and evolve. Modern Mexican rock bands like Hello Seahorse, Zoe, and Insite are popular worldwide. On the cutting edge are Mexican post-rock bands like the Guadalajara-based The Wohl Band, blending dream rock, British shoe-gaze and alt-rock into new forms. And there are the nascent upcoming bands we see here in Lakeside like Mary Island and Alfonsina.

With that rich history of Mexican rock, I am very interested in seeing the portrayal of the 60’s music at the DIF-fund raiser this Friday at the Hotel Real Chapala. Will the songs be covers of Gloria Rios, Los Lunáticos, Los Teen Tops and Las Mary Jets, or will they be straight Bill Halley and the Comets, The Drifters, and Isley Brothers. Whichever, it will be music made to dance and a lot of fun.

ARIES (March 21 – April 20) 

The Sun enters your sign and you start the spring in a good way, looking forward to new challenges and different projects. Let your inner leader emerge to connect with people who can open new paths in your life. Trust in yourself and in your ability, the road will be much easier this way. Good time for money matters.

TAURUS (April 21 – May 20) 

You have too many pending things that you do not end up solving and overwhelm you a little, but the Moon will help you solve problems and move on to new issues. You may not see something you wanted fulfilled, but you will be able to discover why some plans do not go as you expected. Don’t let the past condition you and turn the page as soon as possible.

GEMINIS (May 21 – June 21) 

Be cautious because the atmosphere may be a bit tense and you need calm, so avoid conflicts and watch your words. Problems can weaken you, but they also help you to clear the clouds that were obscuring your path. Take the opportunity to organize your life and regain control. Someone you are very fond of may make you an interesting proposal.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22) 

You may feel worried and demanding, it will be hard for you to open up to those around you, but you have to make an effort to let them know how you feel because they can help you more than you can imagine. The Moon can bring changes so that you start the spring free of burdens that condition you and do not let you take the reins of your life.

LEO (July 23 – August 23) 

A thousand thoughts haunt your mind and obligations can overflow, but you have to organize yourself to take advantage of the opportunities that this spring can bring you. Follow your intuition so as not to make mistakes. From these days you will feel a very positive energy and you can live situations that break the monotony. Perhaps something unexpected will happen that will excite you.

VIRGO (August 24 – September 23) 

You may be suffering from a small emotional slump. You need tranquility and to get it you have to solve some pending issue that does not allow you to relax. From the hand of your friends or your family may come into your life pleasant novelties and spring can bring something that excites you. You will prefer the tranquility of home to meetings and outings.

LIBRA (September 24 – October 22)

With the Moon in your sign, new airs are flowing for you and it’s a good time to approach your life differently. You may achieve some success that will make you happy, but don’t boast too much so as not to arouse envy. The Moon helps you to free yourself from responsibilities that, in some way, are imposed on you by others and are not beneficial to you.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 22)

The Moon transits through your sign and what you start these days can be very favorable for you. The lunar energy opens your eyes to new opportunities that destiny will give you. You will be in good spirits and you will live with so much passion that your personality will be overwhelming. Perhaps you will take up again some passion that you have not ended.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 – December 21) 

With the arrival of spring, the astral energy is very favorable for you and it’s time to pursue your dreams. The Moon in your sign encourages you to courageously accept any challenge that comes your way, as well as to consolidate a personal project you have recently initiated. Your intuitions will be very accurate and more in matters of love.

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19) 

The Moon in your sign can lower your energies, but it also helps you to close a stage of your life and open a new one, burying all the ghosts of the past. Face the changes that come with confidence because they will be positive for you. Force yourself to have more moments of disconnection and relaxation, because you need them.

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 19)

You start the spring with the planets Venus, Mars and Saturn in your sign and you will have a power of seduction that will make people notice you and make you stand out above everyone else. Your professional and economic affairs will go well and you may have new income. Take care of your relationships because some of your interests may depend on them.

PISCES (February 20 – March 20)

The Sun leaves your sign, but you still have Mercury and Jupiter, and luck will remain on your side. You will understand wonderfully with those around you and it is a good time to reach agreements on conflicting points that keep you away from someone you love. Good time to activate your relationship or to enjoy experiences that give a plus to your life.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- The Real de Jocotepec soccer team defeated the Pumas of Jocotepec with an overall score of 3-2, becoming champion of the Municipal Soccer League in the youth category. The final match was played on March 20 at the municipal soccer field. 

Patricia Santos Quevedo, executive vocal of the 17th Executive District Board of the National Electoral Institute (INE). Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- Jocotopec will oversee the recall referendum known as “Consulta de Revocación de Mandato” (Referendum for revocation of mandate) to which the President of the Republic, Andrés Manuel López Obrado (AMLO), will be subjected on April 10. 

On March 23, at around 11:00 a.m., members of the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) delivered to the personnel of the 17th Executive District Board of the National Electoral Institute (INE) the 278,286 ballots for the democratic exercise.

The question which citizens will be asked to answer is  «Do you agree that Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, President of the United Mexican States, should have his mandate revoked due to loss of confidence, or continue in the Presidency of the Republic until the end of his term?»

At least 170 polling places will be installed in District 17, consisting of 15 municipalities, including Chapala and Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos.  There will be a special polling place for people outside their electoral area, which will be in the municipal seat of Jocotepec. 

The polling places will be supervised by five officials: a president, a secretary, a teller, and two alternates, for a total of 855 participants in the district.  They will be instructed by 31 trainers and four field operational electoral supervisors.

On March 23rd SEDENA delivered more than 270 thousand ballots to the 17th Executive District Board of the INE. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

Patricia Santos Quevedo, spokesperson for the 17th Executive District Board of INE, said that they are working so that no person of the 272,259 that make up the nominal list will be left without casting their vote.

«This amount is what we are managing, counting and sealing here at INE to guarantee that all citizens have their ballot to cast their vote» commented Santos Quevedo.

In contrast, she said that it was not possible to install the same  number of polling places for the 2021 electoral exercise, when 459 were installed. This referendum has a national budget of one billion 567.4 million pesos (about US$28 million), compared to the nearly 4 billion pesos (about US$200 million) of the last elections. 

Patrica Santos emphasized that INE has made every effort to provide citizens with the necessary tools and she urged citizens to participate this coming April 10 to exercise their vote for or against AMLO. 

As of March 28, the «locate your polling place» platform will be available at www.iepcjalisco.org, where citizens will be able to find their poll location. 

Translated by Nita Rudy

In the center, the three winners of the tournament. From left to right: Juan Márquez, first place, José Luis Reyes, second place and Wesley García, third place. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajjic).- Sixty fishermen competed in the first fishing tournament  in San Antonio Tlayacapan in front of dozens of spectators on March 20. 

The event began around eight o’clock in the morning, as  the competitors lined the shores of the boardwalk, casting their lines until two o’clock in the afternoon when the awards ceremony was held. The tournament was multi-species;  all fish caught were counted in the sum of the total length of all fish landed. 

Participants and organizers of the first fishing tournament in San Antonio Tlayacapan. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

First place went to Juan Márquez, who was the only one who  met  the quota of five fish and received 2,400 pesos. José Luis Reyes came in second place with a prize of 1,800 pesos; while third place went to Wesley García, who also won the category of the shortest fish, or «la cortona», and received fishing equipment and a fishing rod. Román Becerra won the ward for the the longest fish, or «largona».

The tournament was organized by the delegation of San Antonio, and the Municipal Sports Council (COMUDE), in coordination with Pescafina GDL (establishment selling fishing tackle) and Chapalico Bass. 

Participants lined the shore of the malecon from eight in the morning until two in the afternoon. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«It was a quiet tournament, the fishing was a little slow, but it was a pleasant and entertaining experience for the participants, and the people supporting them,» added Miguel, a participant from San Juan Tecomatlán.

Oscar Paredes, from Pescafina GDL, said that this is the first tournament of many that will be held in the town. He also added that, in the next tournaments, he will improve the approach and planning in the lake, so that the fishing takes place without incidents and obstacles such as trammel nets will be removed. 

Finally, he thanked the municipal police, civil protection, and authorities who helped organize the event, for maintaining order and safety for participants and attendees.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

The project proposes removing paving stone and replacing with concrete on Francisco I. Madero Avenue. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- Chapala President  Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel announced that the paving stones  along Francisco I. Madero Avenue will be replaced with concrete  by the Government of Jalisco in coordination with the Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Works of the State (SIOP). 

 The 80  million peso project  includes the replacement of the paving stone with cement, the restoration of sidewalks and curbs (machuelos), as well as a subsidy  to the merchants to  upgrade their image along the Avene.

Laguna surveyed local citizens about their response to the project.  Of twenty-two people interviewed in a survey in neighborhoods in the western part of the municipality, half said they were unaware of the plans to remodel Chapala’s main avenue, Francisco I. Madero.  

While eight of the people informed about the issue were against it, three others approved of the project.

«As long as they do something, they can do it however they want» or «it would be fine,» were the most heard answers during the tour that Semanario Laguna made along the street. 

Two of merchants who heard about it disagreed because concrete absorbs heat, is impermeable and its deterioration is more noticeable.

«The paving stone absorbs water, while concrete does not.  The paving stone can be repaired in sections,» argued the owner of a veterinarian’s shop on the avenue, who also has a background in engineering. 

City workers repairing Francisco I. Madero Avenue. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

A young pharmacist and environmentalist said that these types of materials «affect climate change.”

Others felt that it is an «unnecessary investment» because the paving stone can be lifted in parts, which makes it easier to repair, while the concrete is compacted in one piece, making the deterioration more visible and more expensive to restore, explained a woman interviewed in front of Chapala’s main square.

The project «looks nice, but the joke is that it lasts,» said a vendor near the central plaza. Her neighbor saw the need to give priority to the street repair around downtown, which «looks like you’re riding a donkey” when you drive down the road.

The poor drainage conditions and the slipperiness of the sidewalk tiles also caused a lot of talk. During the rainy season the drains overflow into the commercial businesses in the area. 

The sidewalk tiles become slippery when wet, which has already caused several pedestrian accidents, according to neighbors.

«They only fix the showy stuff,» argued Carmen’s husband, accustomed to the fact that public consultations on projects of this type are non-existent in the municipality. To which his wife added: «Hold on! The government always gets its way.»

Translated by Nita Rudy

Ajijic’s virtual library, located in the delegation’s Parque de la Amistad. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Despite being in operation, Ajijic’s virtual library, located in the Parque de la Amistad on the boardwalk, is underutilized, which is why Ajijic’s delegate, Maximiano Macías Arceo, will seek to improve its facilities to increase the number of users. 

Macías Arceo commented that both the building and the computer equipment, despite having been in service since 2015, are in good condition and work well. The printer does not work, and this has been reported to the systems department of the municipality for review. 

«We will try to give it a higher priority, since it is used by young people who attend to do their homework. There are very few cyber cafes in town, and this space makes it easier for them to do their activities, in addition to the fact that it is free,» he added.

The virtual library is open from 9am to 3pm, and on some occasions, it is open later in the afternoon. The computers have internet to conduct research on the web and submit work to student platforms.

The five delegations and the municipal seat of Chapala each have libraries, of which four were inaugurated in 2015, in the administration of then president Joaquín Huerta Barrios. 

The investment was over 23 million pesos (about US$115,000) and the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) awarded the federal project to three municipalities in Jalisco: Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Zapopan and Chapala.

Each module has 21 desktop computers with a 23.6-inch touch screen, Windows 8 operating system and Internet service.

Translated by Sandy Britton

Grupo Pasión de Cristo performing work for the verbena and the play’s performance. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofia Medeles (Ajijic).- Organizers of the group Pasión de Cristo say they are relatively on schedule with preparations for the Verbena Jamaica del Pasado and the play, but they need young people to play the role of soldiers. 

Although dress rehearsals have not yet begun, they are calling on men to be in the performance. To participate, just sign up at Carretera Oriente #27, Monday through Friday, starting at 7:30pm.

Translated by Mike Rogers

View of the lake from the Ajijic beach, in front of the boardwalk. Photo: D. Arturo Ortega.

According to the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), the dams in Jalisco are at better levels than last year. The Calderón Dam is at 70 percent of its capacity and Lake Chapala is at 67 percent.

During the 2021 storm, the lake gained 1.90 meters, while the dams captured more than 80 percent of their total volume. However, the levels of the state’s bodies of water began to decline on December 18.

An acute drought in Jalisco for the coming months has been predicted, based on studies by researchers from the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO), the Atlas de Vulnerabilidad Hídrica en México ante el Cambio Climático, CONAGUA, and the Monitor de Sequía Nacional.

Lake Chapala is at 67 percent of its capacity according to CONAGUA. Image of the shore of the beach in Ajijic. Photo: D. Arturo Ortega. 

These studies determined that, as of March 3, 2021, areas considered abnormally dry increased from 24 percent to 46.6 percent in the current year; and at least 91 municipalities in Jalisco began the dry season in  a moderate drought.

However, compared to last year, the dam basins’ recovery has improved. The Calderón dam, currently at 70 percent capacity, was at 16 percent compared to last year. The Vaqueros dam in the north of the state went from 26 to 77 percent of its capacity.

This led Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez to share a positive message on social networks as part of World Water Day commemoration on March 22. «Despite the difficulties we have gone through, our dams and Lake Chapala are at much better levels now than last year. But we cannot slack off; if we want water for the future, we must raise awareness and how to use it wisely as a way of life.» 

Translated by MaryAnne Marble

One of the private neighborhoods on Pino Suaréz street in the municipal capital. While it is illuminated, it is not enough, according to the neighbors. Photo: Jazmín Stengel 

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- Although the municipal capital of Chapala has enough streetlights, the inhabitants feel insecure because many of them aren’t working or aren’t well placed, as evidenced by a tour of the San Miguel, Puerta del Horno and Plaza de Toros neighborhoods.

During the tour we interviewed more than 10 pedestrians and neighbors of the area, who said they felt unsafe despite the functioning street lights, explaining that «the lamps do not illuminate where it is most needed.”

The beginning of Privado Aguascalientes with all its lights on. Photo: Jazmín Stengel

On Privada Aguas Calientes and Prolongación Pino Suaréz, two street lights were repaired more than a year ago and have not broken down again, commented one of the neighbors, who pointed out that a well-lit street is safer for both pedestrians and residents.

A little further on, on the third bridge of Pino Suarez Street, the street lights were repaired a few months ago but have not been maintained.  

Guayabos Street, one of the darkest streets in the municipality. The neighbors say they have never had electricity here. Photo: Jazmín Stengel

The residents of Guayabos Street, from the intersection with Pino Suarez and Plutarco Elias Calles, stated that they have never had any lighting. 

In view of this problem, the coordinator of Municipal Public Services, Jose Antonio Urzua Gracían, stated that he is working full time to solve the lack of lighting in the municipality, despite being left with serious deficits in vehicles and tools since the change of administration. 

An analysis made by Antonio Urzua pointed out that in the municipality there are about 6,000 streetlamps, but only 15 to 20 percent were functional when the administration started. «We received a dark municipality, with a great number of complaints,” he said. Six months later they have managed to solve 60 to 70 percent of the problems in the towns of the Chapala municipality.  

Jóse Antonio Urzua Gracían, coordinator of Municipal Public Services in the municipality of Chapala, during the interview with Laguna. Photo: Jazmín Stengel

So far, 600 new streetlights have been purchased and 400 more have been repaired by recycling the most useful parts to others, so that only $1,200,000 pesos (about US$60,000) have been spent on repairs, in addition to 400,000 pesos (about US$20,000) on replacing wiring, which is often stolen.

The recycling strategy is useful for saving money, and also to adapt to the lamps already in place. Not all of them are the newer LED technology, and many break down and cannot be repaired due to lack of compatibility with the available parts, or because their life span has been exhausted.

Translated by Sandy Britton