Covid19 test.
Patrick O’Heffernan Ajijic JAL. After Lakeside had breathed a sigh of relief when new Covid Cases dropped to 0 on some days, confirmed cases have started to climb and some estimates are that as many as 200 infections have occurred in Jocotepec, Chapala, and Ixlahuacán de los Membrillos in two days, but are not in the confirmed case data because of undercounting and unreported cases.
According to the Chapala Health Talk Facebook Group, quoting government and press sources, there are a total of 8 new confirmed cases in Lakeside comprising 4 in Chapala, 4 in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos and 0 in Jocotepec. (Dr. Miguel Ibarra Garavito, SSJ Health Area Coordinator told Laguna of one new case in Jocotepec, bringing the confirmed total to 9 as of July 26.)
This rise in infections strongly indicates the entry of the Delta variant into Lakeside, a real possibility, according to Ibarra Garavito, who said that there are Covid cases in Jocotepec that originated with people who recently travelled to Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, places that have the variant, but he does not yet have data to document this.
Confirmed cases are those of positive tests of people who reported for health care with symptoms of Covid; estimates are based on models used by the Health Ministry. Models are also used to estimate the number of active virus carriers (AVC), i.e., currently contagious persons. The AVC estimates for Lakeside have more than tripled to 3.4 AVCs per 1000 residents over the last two weeks (2.3 last week and 1.0 the week earlier) according to Chapala Health Talk.
UC Davis Health reports that Delta variant symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19 but physicians are seeing people getting sicker quicker, especially for younger people. Research shows it grows more rapidly in the respiratory tract and can present symptoms similar to the common cold, especially in vaccinated people. People with cold symptoms should get a PCR test within 3 days of the onset of symptoms (keep track of the date).
Free PCR testing is available if you think you have had contact with a person with Covid. Call: 333 823-3220 and follow the instructions given by the staff of the Secretaria de Salud, Jalisco.
Vaccines are now available for 18+in clinics in Lakeside. Follow health ministry sites, Chapala Health Talk, or the Lake Chapala Covid-19 Facebook Group.
This story was compiled from government and news sources and information posted on Chapala Health Talk Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChapalaHealthTalk/which utilizes English and Spanish sources and notes that there may be errors in translation and reporting and rapid changes in reported data..
.
The altar of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary is empty. The sculpture, which dates from the XVIII century, is kept in the temple of the parish of San Andrés Apóstol.
Sofía Medeles / Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan (Ajijic, Jal.)- The Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, is always so present but so forgotten by most Ajijitecos, even as they walk past it at least once a week. Today it is closed, opening its doors only for the meetings of «Sumando Voluntades,» volunteers who came together to raise funds to repair the structural cracks that have closed the Chapel.
A look at the empty altar brings melancholy memories of visits that were made long ago when the so-called «Queen of Ajijic», the little virgin of the Rosary, was present. But today, the walls bear witness to how the group gets excited every time they get a little closer to their fundraising goal.
After the death of Armando, the group’s founder, his companions continue with the work of his last years, especially Josué Ramos, the architect who now leads and manages the project. Ramos is excited to be moving forward, but is always mindful that repairing the Chapel is not going to be easy, and even less so with the inspection requirements of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
As Josué walks the perimeter of the precinct, explaining step by step what is going on, he points out the damage. The foundation was laid on less than solid ground, rainwater leaked directly into the base of a construction dating from the 1700s «little more, little less» made of mud or dirt,, the inclination of the building towards the side of the street that puts a strain on it that could tear it apart.
Josué tells Laguna that, «Everyone has their ideas about what is under there, but there are definitely roots inside the foundation and perhaps even ants’ nests».
He is confident that the methodology for repairing the Chapel is known, and he explains how to excavate the foundation and inject concrete and braza stone in small sections so as not to compromise the structure. He quickly points out, however, that «…hopefully there will be no problems when it comes to repairing the right side, since there are houses over there».
Mrs. Josefina Gutiérrez «Pina» intervenes, saying she is proud of the work already done which you can’t see. The group has already spent 100 thousand pesos between emergency work with PVC pipes to change the direction of the water, payment of fees to workers, architects, and waterproofing. She proudly points out that, «This year the water did not get in».
Meanwhile, not so far from her home, the Virgin of the Rosary is sheltered in the parish of St. Andrew the Apostle, waiting to return to her place, where she witnessed so many happy and sad moments.
At least 700 thousand pesos must be raised for the required repairs that must follow the protocols of a historical monument . Donations can be made to the account number: BBVA 4152 3137 0415 7622 in the name of Honorata Gómez.
The versions of the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Drone used for rescue are adapted with special equipment, which increases its price. The model is also on the market, according to company data.
The Chapala Fire Department and Civil Protection of Chapala received a luxury donation. The head of the Liaison with the Foreign Community, Héctor España, who was accompanied by the municipal president of Chapala, Moisés Anaya, delivered a rescue drone with specialized equipment, in a ceremony held on the morning of July 29, in the esplanade of the Chapala fire department’s central base.
The drone has specialized equipment that allows it to locate someone underwater or in the mountains, whether during the day, at night or during a fire, explained the foreigner James Miller, who will be in charge of teaching the use of the drone to the riverine firefighters.
The interviewee also said he had been a volunteer firefighter for much of his life in the United States and had been certified as a drone pilot professionally a few years ago, so he feels honored to train firefighters in Chapala. «I won’t always be able to do this and those who stay will have to keep doing it, it’s a pleasure to be able to instruct them,» he said.
Likewise, the firefighting team will be trained so they can use the drone correctly, in addition, a rescue demonstration will be held in Lake Chapala, to demonstrate the capacity of the new acquisition of the fire department, it was explained at the ceremony of delivery of the apparatus.
It is thanks to the coordination of the Foreign Community Liaison, Hector España, in coordination with Harry Bublin, who worked collectively for three months to raise almost 100,000 pesos needed for the acquisition of the equipment.
The DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Drone had a cost of 98 thousand pesos due to the specializations that have been added to the equipment: in addition to the 4K resolution camera it has an infrared light, two night lights, horn and microphone, as well as an intelligent controller, a controller with an anti-glare screen, three batteries with charger, spare propellers and a backpack for easy transport. A basic vertical rescue kit was also received as a gift from the brand.
This drone model is popular among rescue forces in other countries, as it can fly up to seven kilometers from its control point, soaring up to more than one and a half kilometers; each battery has a duration of approximately 30 minutes, with three batteries it has a time of up to 1 hour and a half of continuous flight, according to the specifications of the brand.
«Civil Protection and Firefighters of Chapala has one of the best and most practical equipment currently used to save lives in extreme situations,» said Héctor España, to the director of Civil Protection of Chapala, Eduardo Aceves.
Cruz performed two shows on a Sunday afternoon , July 25.
Patrick O’Heffernan, Ajijic JAL. Freddie Mercury impersonator Roy Gómez Cruz put on a bang-up show for a full house at the Lake Chapala Society that took the audience on an energetic, visual, and emotional journey through the songs and life events that made Freddie Mercury.
Cruz performed two shows on a Sunday afternoon , July 25, on the LCS lawn that included high energy music, dancers, videos, and the singer strolling through the audience and serenading tables. The crowd loved it and from all appearances, so did Cruz.
The concert was part of the Lake Chapala Society’s Concert on the Lawn series and been previewed by a surprise appearance by Cruz in June so there was a lot anticipation and Cruz delivered the two shows in spades – he gave the audience everything they wanted – familiar songs, great music, jokes, recreations of Mercury’s classic videos including a vacuuming housewife, and flirting. As he sang.
Cruz plays Mercury in a running show in Puerto Vallarta even though Freddie Mercury and the band Queen are not as popular in Mexico as in other parts of the world, mainly because of a disastrous tour in 1981 marred by visa snafus, stampeding crowds, terrible organization, and eventually the audience throwing shoes at the band when Mercury threw water at them – a routine part of his act. No water was thrown at the LCS audience.
The Concert on the Lawn is an ongoing series at LCS which brings outstanding artists to Lakeside to generate income for the Society and entertain people in Lakeside. The next concert is the Crooners Tribute starring Marc Lopez on August 22. Tickets available online or at LCS.
Facade of the Ajijic cemetery, which has run out of space and will be expanded to the Teopantita property, 500 meters to the west.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.) -The inhabitants of the Ajijic delegation will now have a new plot of land in which they can bury their deceased.
In the last town council session of July 15, the councilors unanimously approved the allocation of a plot of land located 500 meters from the Ajijic cemetery (towards La Canacinta), to be used as an extension of the cemetery. The existing cemetery is almost full and the expansion is sorely needed.
The five thousand-square meter plot known as Teopantita was donated by the builders of the La Pueblita community of Casas de Retiro in west Ajijic.
The Council specifically approved the acquisition at its 50th session. The property was originally donated for open space by attorney Luis Valdez Anguiano of Guadalajara in public deed 132, but the Council’s action incorporated it into the public domain to meet an urgent need for additional cemetery space. The declaration of the land as public domain now allows its use for a municipal public cemetery.
«This is a very strong commitment for Ajijic, and today we want to declare that this land is solely and exclusively for the placement of a cemetery. Today we simply incorporate it to the municipality, because it was deeded but not yet incorporated, to give the people of Ajijic a place to bury their deceased nearby, only 500 meters to the west of the current cemetery,» said the municipal president, Moisés Alejandro Anaya Aguilar.
Ajijic Councilwoman Cristina Gómez Padilla said that this is great news for the town, since the cemetery expansion was needed and demanded by the residents.
«Ajijic’s cemetery is overexploited, and there is no more space, so this is a great help filling an urgent need. Such good news for the people; the town will be grateful » She said.
During the session, the PAN councilwoman Lilia Alvarado, questioned the origin and legality of the land. It was acquired in 2018 through an exchange with Ajijic Realtors under the former municipal president and current councilman, Javier Degollado. After explaining the origin of the donation, Javier Degollado asked that the next administration (also PAN ) preserve the purpose of the property, and to develop it with its respective perimeter wall, bathrooms, entrance area, chapel, green areas, among other changes.
Ajijic Delegate Juan Ramón Flores pointed out that the land was managed so that it could be used for the expansion, a highly desired priority in Ajijic.
Translated BY Patrick O’Heffernan
Los Amigos Big Band members.
Patrick O’Heffernan Ajijic JAL. Los Amigos, Lakeside’s only continuously operating Big Bands, has announced a concert designed for local families to be held at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia in Chapala, July 27 to raise funds for its Mexican musicians and to buy band equipment.
Founded in 2019 by saxophone and flute player Christine Philipson, Los Amigos Big Band is made up of about 80% Mexican players and performs at various venues in Lakeside, providing audiences with a taste of big band jazz. Unfortunately it saw its opportunities to play disappear as venues were closed by Covid restrictions, depriving its Mexican members of income. As venues have opened up the Big Band has been able to book spaces large enough to accommodate its 16 + members and the audience to support them.
The Concert for Families tickets have been priced at a low $100 pesos and children under 16 are free to make it available to large local families. The funds will be used to buy music stands and other equipment for the band and to pay the Mexican musicians who are struggling to recover from their Covid debit. The Expat musicians in Los Amigos all volunteer their time and talent.
The Centro Cultural Presidencia Antigua, with a capacity of 216 people (currently reduced to 140 to provide social distancing) , a large stage, and comfortable seats is a perfect venue for the Los Amigos Big Band concert. Dedicated as a cultural center in 2015 when the Chapala municipal government moved to its current building, its downtown Chapala location is convenient for local families and within walking distance from the Chapala bus station..
Los Amigos recommends tickets be purchased in advance by calling 33-3029-7723 or emailing LosAmigosBigBand@gmail.com, or at the door if available.
Foto: Cortesía.
Patrick O’Heffernan.- I am often asked, as I am sure many of you are, how am I enjoying my retirement. My answer is that I write my two weekly music columns and music reviews syndicated to entertainment magazines in the US and the UK, and I am the English Page Editor of a major newspaper in Lakeside.
That answer is often followed by two more questions: why are you still working at 76 when you could be enjoying your well-earned retirement, and how did you land a job with The Guadalajara Reporter?
I always answer the second question first, saying I don’t work for The Guadalajara Reporter (TGR), I volunteer with the Semanario Laguna, the largest local news source in Lakeside and it’s only weekly bilingual newspaper, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week. After the blank look on my interrogator’s face shifts to understanding, the next question is usually, “well, do you read the competition?” I then have to explain that the Laguna and TGR do not compete (well, maybe a little bit in ad sales), we cover different stories or the same stories from different angles for mostly different audiences.
Laguna has covered the hyperlocal stories important to the Mexican population for the past decade while most local newspapers in Mexico were failing after one year. And over the past 10 years Laguna has grown from a small struggling publication to the largest source of news and information in Lakeside with a staff of 14 and coverage from Jocotepec to Chapala and often beyond. Over 400,000 people visit our website every month and more to our Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and Instagram sites. Definitely cause for celebration on our anniversary this week.
Hopefully, part of what I do with the English Pages has contributed to that success. I write two or three stories in English that I think will appeal to both communities, and my Editor choses three or four “notas en Español” for me to translate into English so my Expat readers – you – will get a flavor of the news that the Mexican community thinks is important. Sometimes my English stories are translated into Español for our Mexican readers. The result is that Laguna’s and TGR’s coverage is complementary, not competitive. We sometimes even share resources, like photos, or tips on printing prices.
And yes, I read the TGR every week; I am a fan of Dale Hoyt Palfrey, whose bread-and-butter coverage and writing is as good as that of the reporters I have known from the LA Times and New York Times, and I appreciate the succinct overage of events by the other writers on the TGR team
But Laguna is my home. I volunteer with Laguna because it is part of Laguna’s mission to use news and information to help knit the Mexican the Expat communities more tightly together – something I believe in. Lakeside has Mexico’s largest concentration of Expats and it is a magical place in the way they integrate with the Mexican community. We want to sustain and grow that magic.
We do this in many ways. The English Page is one of them. Another is our sponsorship of events and fundraisers in Lakeside. Laguna sponsors many of the LCS Concerts on the Lawn, we sponsored the concert kicking off the Capital Campaign for Cruz Roja, and we sponsored the Casa Domenech’s 5th Anniversary Concert. We also brought international R&B and boogie -woogie artist Dona Oxford to the Quatro Sentido in San Antonio Tlayacapan for a concert to support Mexican musicians, and we brought Mexica-American pop/jazz/mariachi star Nancy Sanchez to Ajijic for jam sessions with local musicos.
As Lakeside’s leading local publication, it is our responsibility to be part of the community and support its organizations, Mexican and Expat, as well as deliver consistent, high quality independent journalism.
Which brings me to Todos English, a project we are launching with LCS to translate all of our “notas en Español into English for publication on our digital sites. The goal is to give the Expats the same news and information that the Mexican community reads, without a language barrier. We hope that common information will expand common understanding.
Soon we will be recruiting volunteers from both the Mexican and the Expat community for the Todos English project, and train them in the mechanics of online news delivery, and in news writing for an Expat audience (Mexican news writing is different than in the US and Canada). In the meantime we have expanded our bilingual digital presence with the #CharquitInfomativo program of short news clips and links and photos published in Spanish and English all day long on WhatsApp and our Facebook page.
Which brings me to the answer to question #1 – why don’t you retire and do what you love instead of working. I am doing what I love – reporting, reviewing, and writing. And I love learning and working with the youthful Laguna team. They challenge me, they teach me, they let me teach them, they give me purpose. They are my Mexican family, and in Mexico, you retire with your family.
New emissions testing station in Guadalajara.
The new Responsible Verification smog check program began on March 3, 2020 to improve the air quality of Guadalajara, but applied only to fleets and not been enforced for private vehicles. That changed last week with the publication of new regulations requiring inspections for private cars. But according to a “Nota Aclaratoria” posted this week on the Responsible Verification site, for the time being the program has been shrunk to Guadalajara vehicles only. How this will work in practice is unclear.
The Jalisco government recently announced that private autos must be smog-inspected and must carry a smog certificate. Previously the rules had been enforced only for state and municipal cars, diesel, and high use vehicles like taxis. The Responsible Verification website of the Media Ambiente Y Desarrollo Territorial lists dates by which cars with specific license numbers must be inspected.
The regulations apply to all vehicles that spend more than 20 consecutive days driving within the state per every 4 months, but the “Nota Aclaratoria” apparently suspends this temporarily .
The rule applied to out of state cars and trucks as well as for those with Jalisco plates. For vehicles driven in the state for less than 20 consecutive days within a 4 month period, a free online permit can be obtained to place in the car’s window.
Once the program begins, vehicles without the smog sticker or the temporary permit maybe fined by Transit Police. A successful smog test will result in an annual sticker showing proof of compliance. The smog sticker will cost $500 mx, plus the cost of any engine tune-up or repairs if needed. Currently inspections will begin on Oct 1, 2021, but with the “Nota Aclaratoria” that date may not firm. When the private car tests begin they will be using an “internationally certified technology that …. is shielded against corruption.”
According to the PV-based website Pat’s Plates which helps Expats with car and car license issues in Mexico, the enforcement rollout will be very slow so it doesn’t apply to PV or other cities or towns for now.
In a phone interview with Laguna, Patrick Pickett, Administrator of the Pat’s Plates Facebook page, said, when asked what outside drivers should do in Guadalajara if they are stopped, “Plead ignorance if you are stopped. There have been smog laws on the books for years, but very little enforcement. So we will have to wait and see how this plays out. And remember that only state police will be enforcing it, although cities may be able to later .“
When asked if it is a good idea for Lakeside drivers to get appointments for inspection anyway, he replied that, “since there are only 4 inspection stations, we will have to wait to see if outside drivers can even get an appointment.” He also mentioned that the situation may be like Mexico city where you can get an online permit for a few days or a week before you drive into the city.
The government has promised that eventually there will be over 90 inspection stations in the State and that private garages and repair shops will be able to test cars. Some shops outside of the Guadalajara areas have been listed in the press, but they are not available for online appointment through the government website.
Until the policy and the practice becomes clearn, Lakeside drivers who intent to go to Guadalajara should monitor the Verificación Responsible website at https://verificacionresponsable.jalisco.gob.mx/ and Pat’s Plates at https://www.facebook.com/patsplatespv
Members of the Ajijic Magical Town Committee.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.)- Seven months after the naming of Ajijic as a Pueblo Mágico, the 11 members of the Pueblo Magico Ajijic Committee were finally named, representing the tourism, artistic and academic sectors. Five governmental representatives -who have neither voice nor vote- were appointed from the municipal and state authorities.
The Committee elected 38 year old Alejandro Sahagún, a resident of the municipality of Chapala for 19 years but whose «El original Tony’s» restaurant is in San Antonio Tlayacapan rather than in Ajijic. When asked how a San Antonio Tlayacapan business owner was appointed to the Ajijic Committee and now its President, he replied, that the restaurant is, «Very close, right next to Ajijic.»
The other members of the Ajijic Magical Town Committee are: Alejandro Hernández as private initiative representative (established merchants); José Manuel González as hotel representative; Steve Irving Balfour as Expat representative; Rafael Escamilla Ramos as social activism representative; León Felipe Muñoz as academic representative; Antonio López Vega as artists representative; Juan Manuel Macias as opinion leader; Mauricio Vázquez representing commerce; Citlalli Tonantzin Morales as artisan representative, and Ana Karla Terriquez as environmental activism representative.
The municipal and state representatives include the current municipal president of Chapala, Moisés Alejandro Anaya Aguilar, Pilar Posada as the local state representative, Mónica Venegas and Willehaldo Saavedra as state representatives, and a special guest representative, Mauricio Servín Carreón.
The committee was presented to the public July 5 in a meeting at the Centro Cultural de Ajijic (CCA), where the president of the group was elected and its functions were formally initiated. According to the Jalisco Ministry of Tourism (SECTURJAL), this committee is valid for two years, with the authority to ratify or elect a new one. Vacancies can be filled from the remaining applicants or from those who petition the Committee to join. No schedule of meetings was announced and the committee itself decides when to hold its meetings.
General Director of Regional Tourism Development Willehaldo Saavedra González said that the work plan of the committee should already be ready, and work begun, since there is not much time until the evaluation to decide if Ajijic can keep the Pueblo Magico designation.
The Committee President told Laguna that there is no budget yet, but the Committee proposes to make agreements with the municipality for projects and will evaluate country projects for the contribution to the Pueblo Mágico designation.
Chapala President Moises Anaya has announced a Festival Pueblo Magic Ajijic in August which will kick off a week of events highlighting Ajijic’s unique festivals, plus a walking tour for visitors to see the town’s murals and street art. The Council will apply for 1.26 million pesos in funds from Jalisco’s Department of Tourism for 20 new works of street art as well as other improvements. The Committee will develop tourism strategies taking into account general economic development beyond the tourism sector.
Committee President Alejandro Sahagún , who is also Vice President of the Chapala Restaurant Union (RUA), a representative of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry of Jalisco (CANIRAC) and on the board of the Chamber of Commerce in Chapala, told Laguna that he and the committee will work to ensure that the town keeps its designation and improves the living conditions of the town through sustainable tourism geared to its changing needs.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
Cruz Roja Chapala.
Arturo Ortega (Chapala, Jal). – Cruz Roja reports that they are treating 60% more motorcycle accidents this year than in 2020 and that the majority of the victims are men, the victims are getting younger, and the number of women arriving at the emergency room from motorcycle injuries is growing.
A report requested by Semanario Laguna from the Cruz Roja Chapala Nursing Coordination staff showed that, while last year 98 people were treated for motorcycle mishaps, in the first six months of this 2021 there have been 84 motorcycle accident victims in the Chapala emergency room.
The Nursing Coordination Office, headed by María Guadalupe Ávalos Alcántar, projects an increase of more than 50 percent over last year, a prediction that seems tragically on the mark as the first half of 2021is only 14 motorcycle injuries from equaling the total number of those in 2020.
A total of 69 men and 29 women were injured or killed in motorcycle accidents in 2020, while as of June 2021 55 men and 29 women have been brought to the ER from motorcycle accident scenes, the overwhelming majority of them adolescents and young adults. The Cruz Roja Chapala report detailed the age ranges of the patients as from 15 to 25 years old in the case of men and between 20 and 25 in the case of women – a drop in average age of one year for men and five years for women. Females are now seen in the ER from as young as 14 years old and recently a 17-year old girl was killed when her motor scooter crashed and she was not wearing a helmet.
The Nursing Coordinator reported an increase in all injuries related to motorcycle accidents such as contusions, lacerations, fractures in lower and upper extremities, and even craniocerebral trauma, the severity of which depends on the speed at which the accidents occur and the use of protective equipment, especially helmets.
Cruz Roja of Chapala estimated in their report that if the same trend continues, the year could close with 160 victims, which would mean an increase of 60 percent over last year. It also noted that the increase in accidents has raised the costs of the ER and ambulances and the stress on the EMT and nursing staff. Cruz Roja Chapala runs on donations and provides emergency care to accident victims at no cost
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
© 2016. Todos los derechos reservados. Semanario de la Ribera de Chapala