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The Sol, providing news and information to the Jaltemba communities since 2003

The Sol, the English Language source of News for the Riviera Nayarit Mexico, including La Peñita de Jaltemba, Rincon de Guayabitos, Lo de Marcos. Los Ayala, Lo de Marcos, and San Poncho

 Learn Spanish Today  See up to date postings on your Favorite Mexican Holiday spot Become a Friend on the Riviera Nayarit Click Here

News This Week

National Guard deployment on U.S.-Mexico border has unclear results

President Obama’s decision last year to send 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border may have been smart politics, but a growing number of skeptics say the deployment is an expensive and inefficient mission that has made little difference in homeland security.

Critics of the deployment include budget hawks, who say it is a waste of money, and residents here along the border, who say they are tired of seeing armed troops in their back yard….go to original article

Mexico says US TV producer's extradition pending

Mexico says it has been notified of a U.S. court ruling to extradite an American reality show producer charged with murdering his wife during a 2010 Mexican vacation, but says the date for the hand-over is still pending.

Mexico's Attorney General's Office said Friday an agreement has been reached on the extradition of Bruce Beresford-Redman, but "the date for his delivery is still pending."…go to original article

Mexico gangster crackdown nails dozens, but still falls short

So many gangsters, so little time.

Though President Felipe Calderon's five-year campaign has nailed dozens of crime bosses, many of Mexico's kingpins remain at large. Despite 50,000 dead and tens of thousands of arrests the resilient gangs seem as capable of havoc as ever.

Calderon leaves office in 11 months. The crackdown he couches as crucial to Mexico most certainly will be left unfinished. Most of the leading candidates to succeed him promise strategy changes, but their proposals remain vague….go to original article

In Mexico, getting into Guinness can seem like a broken record

Hardly a month goes by without someone here breaking a world record, or claiming to. The world's biggest cup of hot chocolate. Most people kissing at once. Longest carpet of flowers. Biggest group haircut.

Recently, people were flocking to the parking lot of a stadium in Mexico City to see what promoters called the World's Biggest Nativity Scene: a faux Bethlehem covering five acres and populated with 1,000 life-size figures….go to original article

Smart travelers can still play it safe in Mexico

Shortly before Arnoldo Pedroza was scheduled to lead a tour south of Mexico City, the local guide started to worry that recent disturbances would sabotage his trip. He followed news updates anxiously, hoping that the area would cool off and officials wouldn’t ban visitors. You’re thinking drug cartels, vendettas and gunfire? Wrong. Pedroza was worried about spraying lava, not flying bullets….go to original article

Pet tiger escapes, causes scare in Mexico

A pet tiger kept by an attorney in Mexico escaped from its home and spurred a massive deployment of policemen and firefighters in a northern Mexican town, authorities said.

The 50-kg female Royal Bengal tiger named Deborah was roaming the streets of Saltillo in Coahuila state….go to original article

Mexico Seeks to Extradite Americans Linked to 'Operation Fast And Furious'
Mexico's attorney general moved into a political hot seat by asking the U.S. government to extradite six American citizens suspected of smuggling guns during Operation Fast and Furious.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) "gun-walking" operation involved allowing about 2,000 guns purchased illegally at American gun shops to be smuggled across the border.

The sales in 2009 and 2010 included assault rifles….go to original article

Learning From Mexico's Coalition Debate
A group of 46 high-profile Mexican politicians and academics from across the ideological spectrum shook this country recently with a daring proposal to end Mexico's political gridlock: forcing whomever is elected president in 2012 to form a coalition government.

The proposal, which made front page headlines in Mexico's biggest newspapers, was signed by several presidential hopefuls from all three major parties -- including Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, of the center-left Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD), Sen. Manlio Fabio Beltrones, of the nationalist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and Santiago Creel, of the center-right ruling National Action Party (PAN) -- as well as by writer Carlos Fuentes and several prominent academics….go to original article

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News Last Week

Mexico's Mayan region launches apocalypse countdown

Seize the day. Less than 52 weeks are left before Dec. 21, 2012, when some believe the Maya predicted the end of the world. Unlike enthusiasts of other doomsday theories who suggest putting together survival kits, southeastern Mexico, the heart of Maya territory, plans a yearlong celebration.

Mexico's tourism agency expects to draw 52 million visitors by next year only to the regions of Chiapas, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Campeche. All of Mexico usually lures about 22 million foreigners in a year. ..go to original article

Mexico violence separates families on Christmas

Drug violence ravaging Mexico is keeping some South Texas residents from visiting family this Christmas, forcing lonely and heartbroken immigrants to seek solace at local churches rushing to offer ceremonies and services that are tradition across the border.

"I'm very sad, very sad," Silvia Rodriguez told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. "Because with all my heart, I want to go to Mexico."

Drug cartels, battling over territory and profits, have torn apart regions of Mexico, and while millions of U.S. citizens visit every year, the U.S. Department of State has cautioned against travelling to some parts of Mexico, especially border areas where carjackings and highway robberies have become more commonplace. …..go to original article

WestJet issues passport warning for Mexico-bound Canadians

WestJet is warning Canadians travelling to Mexico they should make sure their passports are in "perfect condition" before visiting the popular winter destination.

"Mexican customs and immigration officials may deny entry to guests who arrive with passports that are damaged in some way — including rips or tears, missing corners or water damage to the cover and inside pages," the airline said in a recent travel advisory to Canadians heading south.

Passport Canada noted on its website individuals with damaged passports could face delays at checkpoints or be prohibited from boarding. It stressed authority lies with the border service of the country in question….go to original article

West Deer native 'hero' for providing wheelchairs to Mexico's poor

A teenage girl disabled by polio changed Richard St. Denis' life -- and he, in turn, has changed the lives of others.

St. Denis, formerly of West Deer, became one of CNN's "Top 10 Heroes of 2011" for his work providing impoverished, disabled people in Mexico with wheelchairs. CNN will rebroadcast the awards show at 5 p.m. today and Christmas Day.

The young girl to whom he brought a wheelchair in 1997 while visiting a friend in Mexico later inspired him to create the World Access Project. Her joy and the independence it brought her made St. Denis resolve to continue transporting and distributing used or unwanted wheelchairs from the United States to Mexico.,,,go to original article

Holidays bring delays at crossings into Mexico

Delays at border crossings into Mexico are on the rise as immigrants rush to get back to their homes for Christmas.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials tell the Yuma Sun that pedestrian and vehicle lines are forming at the Port of Entry at San Luis and at other border crossings. The lines into Mexico typically form at this time of year as immigrants try to get back to their hometowns to visit family….go to original article

World's largest Nativity scene unveiled in Mexico

The world's largest Nativity scene was unveiled at Mexico City's Aztec Stadium on Dec. 7.

The enormous crèche, which holds two Guinness world records and consists of more than 1,000 pieces, will be open to the public through Jan. 15.

Spread over nearly five acres, the display includes 57 scenes from the Christmas story and includes a wall where visitors can post their wishes for the Christmas season. It took workers nearly 70 days to set up the 700 tons of material needed to create the display, with the help of architects, engineers, designers and historians. …go to original article

Playing it safe in Mexico

Smart travelers can still play it safe in Mexico. Mark these in your vacation planners as safe: Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula, and on the Pacific side, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

I never thought I would ever say that I don't mind going to a dentist, but then I found Abraham Lopez Sanchez...great work, great prices and painless....327 274 1183
in La Penita Oceano Pacific no 14 just north of the Pacifico Bus Station on the Lateral...The editor, Bill Bell

More great pics from New Years eve and day by Larry Baron

Click here to view more great pictures

Look Who we ran into in Tonala!

Dee and Wayne

Early morning fog of La Penita Valley New Years Day

 

New Reports of ATM Skimming at Local Bank Here is What the FBI says to watch out for

Taking a Trip to the ATM?
Beware of 'Skimmers'

Last fall, two brothers from Bulgaria were charged in U.S. federal court in New York with using stolen bank account information to defraud two banks of more than $1 million.

Their scheme involved installing surreptitious surveillance equipment on New York City ATMs that allowed them to record customers’ account information and PINs, create their own bank cards, and steal from customer accounts.

Skimming typically involves the use of a hidden cameras (top) to record customers’ PINs, and phony keypads (right) placed over real keypads to record keystrokes.

To continue reading this story click here

Click here to view the entire story and see more pictures

Luis Castro Galan surveys Jaltemba Bay for safety infractions

New Capitan of the Port says safety comes first

by Bill Bell

Luis Castro Galan has only been the Capitan of the Port for the area of Compostela for six months but already he has had a positive impact on navigational safety in the area.

Based out of Chacala Nayarit, Castro has started to enforce many of the Mexican laws on boat safety  that have been ignored in the past in this area, including laws on boat permits, boats speeding in swim areas, lifejackets, kayaks in open seas, etc.

"I want people to follow the laws of Mexico when it comes to navigation and safety," Castro told the Jaltemba Sol.

Click here to read more

Rotarians

CLINICA CANCER DE MAMA'S EXEMPLARY COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IS HONORED BY JALTEMBA BAY LA PEÑITA'S ROTARY CLUB

Jaltemba Bay La Peñita Rotary Club has voted unanimously to honor the Clinica Cancer de Mama organization for "Service Beyond Self" at their 3rd Annual Rotary Dinner Dance on January 21st.  Under the organization's leadership over 100 volunteers provide free prosthesis, fund medical expenses, help with after surgery counseling, physical therapy and provide wigs, scarves and hats for Mexican women during a three day workshop, benefiting over 400 women from all over the State of Nayarit.  Interest in becoming a volunteer?  Contact Judy Krajnc at judykrajnc@hotmail.

LARGE ROTARY GRANT FUNDS THE LOS AMIGOS RECYCLING PROGRAM WITH PRESENT AND FUTURE BENEFITS GALORE!
The Los Amigos Club, with money raised by the local Jaltemba Bay La Penita Rotary Club, California Rotary clubs and Rotary International, has rolled out its recycling publicity campaign along with the 500 collection bins that will begin to appear on the streets of La Peñita and Guayabitos.  Look for a mascot symbol, brochures, student literature, banners, TV announcements and more.  Come, bring your friends to assemble bins at Toni Dicken's home on Saturday mornings at 10:00.  Thoughts or questions?  Contact Ken Synder at stuartbeach@seanet.com.

LEARNING FOR LIFE SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS ATTEND SECOND WORKSHOP conducted at the Marina Chacala Beach Club.  Led by Debbie Walton and Eddie Dominquez:  Sponsored by Rotary International, Jaltemba Bay La Penita Rotary and Kalispell Montana Rotary.  Assisted by mentors and volunteers.  Eighty scholarship students from Los Amigos and Cambiando Vidas participated in the hugely successful second of a three part series all day leadership workshops. A picture is worth a thousand words.  Watch the future leaders of tomorrow in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgTrj296Or4&feature=email.

DONATIONS COMBINED WITH ROTARIANS AND VOLUNTEERS MAKE SCHOOLS BECOME A REALITY! 
Johan Skana presented an accounting of the latest school projects at the last Jaltemba Bay La Peñita Rotary Club meeting.  He stated that $98,500 pesos has been received from the Canadian Ladysmith club for the bathrooms at Las Lardilleras kinder.  That project is completed except for the fencing.  That is US$7,500 of which 5,000 is for the bathrooms and another 2,500 is for the fencing of the property.  He also stated that another US$5,000 is expected this week from the Oak Bay club on Vancouver Island for the bathrooms at La Joya kinder.  Interested, contact Johan at johan.skana@gmail.com.

The Whiz behind Tecno Com Wi Fi:    Erick Gallegos Gonzalez

                       © Tara A. Spears

If you’re a seasonal resident, having wireless internet service is a great alternative to the land-line provider, TELMEX, for several reasons. First, there is no yearly contract that locks in a minimum of 12 payments whether or not you use the service. Second, Tecno Com is a lower monthly cost because Telmex only sells internet as part of a package that mandates installation of a telephone line-with a charge- plus the fee for the internet.  Telmex has a significant installation charge for the equipment, which is rented. With Tecno Com wi-fi you only pay for the months that you use the service; the receiver is purchased by you and is therefore transferable to another location. Lastly, and most important to me, is the prompt and reliable service Tecno Com provides.  When I first moved to Mexico, I was on a waiting list for Telmex internet-it took 4 ½ months before the service was installed.  With Erick, he is able to bring the equipment and set me up the next day.  I have had excellent service in the more than three years that I have had Tecno Com internet service.

 

Although Erick is young,  this sharp 27 year old is well on his way to becoming a   successful entrenpeneur. After completing university with degrees in accounting and computer science, he joined a computer company in Tepic. He began his wireless internet service out of his home until two years ago when he opened the La Penita office of Tecno Com. This expansion enabled him to hire a fulltime computer repair technition as well as offer our area much needed computer supplies, assessories, and hardware. The coastal humidity and salt air is hell on computer components, so when I need replacement gear now, Tecno Com is so convenient and reasonably priced. 

Click here to read the entire story 

 

 

  

 

Pedro Guzman will cut your hair for 50 pesos.  He is located in La Penita at n031 Americo Vespucio

 The Los Amigos Plastics Recycling Program – Taking the Next Step

The Plastics Recycling Program that Los Amigos first put in place in 2008 continues to gain momentum. What began as purely a school-based program covering only La Peñita has now been expanded to the community at large and the coverage area has been expanded to include Guayabitos and Los Ayala.  Recycling baskets, with a Los Amigo logo, have been placed in locations throughout the Jaltemba Bay area and a weekly door to door plastics pickup has been established.   We are now collecting an average of 4,000 kilos of plastics each month.

Los Amigos recently received a grant of $13,167 USD from Rotary International to further expand the program.  So where will the money go?

The lion’s share (almost $9,000) will go to making more recycling baskets – Los Amigos has committed to making an additional 550 baskets.  While a small number of these will go to further expand the program in Guayabitos and Los Ayala and to replace damaged baskets, almost three-quarters will go the hotels and bungalows.  We will mount an extensive campaign to encourage the guests in these facilities to recycle – collecting more plastics from the hotels and bungalows is crucial to our goal of generating a sufficient volume from our sales of recycled plastics to cover our ongoing expenses. 

Click here to read the entire story on recycling