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A sad day in Pinal Villa

Yesterday morning my neighbor came over to tell me Domingo, our local store owner, had been shot and killed in front of his store Sunday night.   He was well respected in the community and I've known him and family for the 5 years I've lived here.   As the only store and doing a good business, extortion is suspected but who knows.   It's just very sad.

His body was expected last night after being with the Coroner in El Grullo and people were waiting at the wake in his back yard.   Lorena and I took over flowers and will attend the Mass at the church this morning. The following article came out on the Canal 235 web site.

Murder in Pinal Villa!

In a neighborhood called Pinal Villa Domingo Hernandez Salazar was killed by a group of strangers. This adds to the high impact crimes in the town of Cihuatlán.

The victim was attacked outside his home and store marked with number 87 Calle Francisco Villa, in Colonia Pinal Villa located between Jaluco and San Patricio-Melaque.

Unexpectedly, several unknown assailants approached the home where he operates a grocery store and triggered a weapon that killed the unfortunate subject 53, who was identified by his wife.

The assassination led to the mobilization of police forces, however, there is no news about the arrest of the perpetrators of this crime.

The Attorney General of the State of Jalisco and performs the necessary research on this case. (December 4, 2013 / 10:30)

Wake for Domingo

Garage Sale on the Plaza

This Thursday - Novenmber 28th at 9AM - On the Melaque Plaza near the church.

Muchas cosas para su familia

Yacht Elisa Mia sinks off the coast

No real news yet on where or when except that someone reported a yacht had hit a rock somewhere off Bahia de Navidad. Our local busybody found a picture of it submerged but didn't bother to mention where she found it. I found a picture of the Elisa Mia moored in a Puerta Vallarta marina a little over a year ago. A very good idea not to relax when anywhere near shore around here. Some very big rocks/mountains just below the surface.

Vallarta Marina

I assume it went all the way down

Update on the Elisa Mia -- Somehow they re-floated it and brought it into the harbor in Barra.  Any more than that I haven't heard

Melaque and Barra from the air

Someone on the local forum posted a picture of a flight coming into Manzanillo airport suggesting it might be full of vacationers from up north. The plane wasn't much more than a dot. That reminded me that I had these fotos from my flight down in 2004 when I was still a working stiff. I doubt much has changed except that Barra has a lot less sand now.

That was an interesting arrival as the airport was fogged in and this big loop over Melaque was our third and finally successful try at landing.

Melaque

Barra de Navidad

Dia de Muertos, Melaque

Dia de Muertos, Melaque, Mexico

A video by Jack Brock

The festivities and displays by local schools starts today and will be featured on the town plaza through the 2nd of November.   Today is Halloween but not really connected to Dia de los Muetos.   Tomorrow is Dia del los Ninos and the 2nd is Dia de los Muertos.

Centro de Salud to open this Thursday

Construction of the new Melaque Centro de Salud has been going on for at least 2 years and looks to be finishing this week.   Rumor is that the inauguration will take place this Thursday with a visit from the Governor. 

Pinal Villa's yearly fiesta

Pinal Villa on the outskirts of Melaque has a yearly Peregrinacion or Pilgrimage party.   Families and organizations from neighboring communities organize the dancing and parade to the Church in Pinal Villa.   Fireworks follow the parade, dogs run and hide and children smile.   The last night, Monday the 7th of October, there will be a castillo or tower of fireworks.

The Peregrinacion, which is the interesting part, starts from the community of the group at about 6PM to arrive here at 7. General activities are from 5AM to 7PM+. Jaluco was here last night.

Schedule
Sunday - Jaluco
Monday - Barra de Navidad
Tuesday - Villa Obregon
Wednesday - Ranchito
Thursday - Melaque
Friday - Bario de la Prepa
Saturday - Lazaro Cardenas
Sunday - Young people
Monday - Floats, cars, dancers and castillo

And the road grader hasn't been out so the road is crappy

Jaluco dancers arriving

Being blessed by the father in front of the church

After Manuel

Thursday we decided to check out the mouth of the canal and see the condition of the beach on the west end of Melaque. Definitely signs the canal was at full capacity with some serious erosion near the two bridges. The beach didn't look too bad but the whole bay is brown from the Barra lagoon and the canal runoff. They have also fenced off the vehicle access to the beach on that end to keep the crazy tourist away.

Fenced beach access

Canal mouth

Looking down the beach

Tail end of Tropical Storm Manuel

We thought we had escaped the fury of Tropical Storm Manuel Sunday with almost no wind and very little rain. That was until about 10-11 last night when the heavy rain started. It rained all night and is still raining heavily off and on. The secondary school is closed and Protección Civil is warning people of possible flooding. Manuel is now Invest-91 well north of here. Below are a few photos by Dr. Roberto Pimienta Woo of the Canal on the west end this morning.

Invest-91 -- Once Manuel

Canal photo

Canal photo

Another of Melaque Centro

A Sunday on the beach

Well actually at Las Hamacas Hotel which was cool because there was a light rain all day and the kids could play in the pool.   We choose the hotel thinking the beach would be covered with lirio from the lagoon opening.   Water looked muddy but the beach was clean.

A neighbor knows the manager of the Las Hamacas so we were welcome.   The women made a big bowl of shrimp ceviche and a large bowl of sashimi salad while the guys watched the kids in the pool and drank lots of beer.   When the food came we moved out to the beach side of the hotel across from Senior Froy's.   Some people in Froy's saw a crocodile out in the bay but it was too far away for my camera.   Weather was overcast and nice and cool.   Great day!

Back stepping to how we were going to get to the beach.   Saturday we had somewhere between 6 to 10 inches of rain and the road leaving Pinal was a mess.  My car is just too low and tired so we all jumped into Juan's pickup, 4 in front and about 8 in the back.   The first foto is actually an extension of the lagoon when we have that much rain.  The second is the main road getting close to the highway.   Easy enough for a 3/4 ton that sits up high.   Mine, no.

Pinal lagoon

Pinal road flooded

Melaque beach

Senor Froy's

Migration office to open in San Patricio, Melaque

There will be an opening of a module of the National Migration Institute (INM) which manages Cihuatlán municipality and was confirmed by the President Jesús Huerta Aguilar. 

He explained that he recently held a meeting with staff from the federal delegation of Colima State Migration , agreed to open a module in San Patricio-Melaque, in order to cater to foreigners, residents and tourists who come to this point of the South Coast of Jalisco. 

According to the Mayor of Cihuatlan, the module will start work on 9 September, in the municipal delegation of San Patricio-Melaque. "We can provide general guidance regarding paperwork requirements ... preventing them from coming to Colima." 

Miguel Salazar, federal officer of the INM, confirmed the module opening in the municipality of Cihuatlán, and will receive cases of tourists and residents of foreign origin, in relation to their immigration status and stay in this country. 

For decades Cihuatlán township has become a second home to hundreds of people from Canada, the United States and Central America, including European and Asian.

Gestionan módulo de Migración para Cihuatlán

Summer beach crowds - Melaque

It's school vacation in Mexico and the heavy weather seems to have passed for awhile. I haven't been to the beach to enjoy it for months and usually  enjoy just cooling off in my pool. Two neighbor women and kids wanted to go to the beach yesterday so off we went to our normal hangout, Sirenitas.   Husbands stayed home to play Sunday futbol.

Not sure why I was surprised at the number of people but I was. Water was warm, kids had their usual fun and a little good food. Marcos was floating outside the waves talking to a couple of gringos that were down for a few weeks so we passed some time together. Good to get away from the house and our little community. They want to spend a day at Tenacatita but I'm still unhappy with what happened there. Will have to think about it plus my neighbors want to go as well and don't have room for all.

Highway 80 to become 4 lanes?

South Coast  Mayors and the Tourist Associations Call for 4-Lane Road To Costalegre

COSTALEGRE. 06/JUNIO/2013. 

They believe that if Highway 80 were 4 lanes to Costalegre it would be a huge help to the tourist market.

The real trigger for tourist life would Costalegre termination of federal highway 80, in the stretch to the Costalegre, to four lanes, and that is why the mayors of the south coast region, and the association of hotels, motels and Costalegre developers are requesting the work.

"We are asking the Governor to get back to the continuation of Highway 80, so people can come to us from Guadalajara to the Costalegre, on a road with less risk and more quickly, 80 percent of our tourism we have in the Costalegre, comes from Guadalajara ".

Piden Carretera De 4 Carriles Para Costalegre

Alternative to pay your bills

Looking for a bill paying alternative at times? Banamex full of people and Telegrafo on the plaza has a line around the corner. Don't want to pay 7 pesos at OXXO and they are busy at times also.

A new option for me is Banco Azteca or Elektra on the corner of Ramon Corona and Gordiano Guzman. That is a half block from Centro de Salud and Dentista Woo. They do get a lineup in the early evening (6-8) but I've never seen one during the day. There is no charge and the only drawback is I can't pay Telcel

Melaque Banco Azteca

Ejido land regularized in Jaluco

The directive Ejido El Jaluco invites owners of lots located in this community to apply for regularization, in order to ensure security of land tenure. 

Julian Lopez Jimenez ejido president explained that he is working on integrating a batch regularization package in order to obtain land titles. 

Applicants must have property (ies) in the ejido community and submitted to the offices with the award documents, voter registration card, birth certificate and receipt the last payment of the property. 

For more information contact the offices of the ejido, the phone number (315) 35 56050.

Regularizan predios en Ejido El Jaluco

Melaque Secondaria progress

Wow .... they have gone from starting the foundation to a poured 2nd floor roof on the largest building in just a month. This is well funded professional construction. Ready by next school year not likely but certainly impressive. Four buildings started total; 2 large and 2 smaller. I hear when ready the old school will be torn down for a play/soccer field.

Vivero Arcoiris

Vivero Arcoiris is just towards Barra from the Jaluco junction and is probably the least expensive and has the best selection around. Also small bags of minerals for fruit or flowers for 10 pesos. Have a nice selection of fern and shade plants but my Iphone didn't like the shade that day. Nice family. Arcoiris means rainbow if you didn't know and can see on their sign.

Centro de Salud and a new Muebleria

The Melaque Centro de Salud is moving along once again. Looks like the structure is finsihed and just painting and finishing touches left to go. Doors, windows and fixtures are not cheap so there may be more financial delays.

According to neighbors the last picture is of a new Muebleria that I get the feeling will be upscale. Pretty strange building style. It's located a few doors off the plaza behind OXXO.  The new Secondaria is also moving along with second floor construction almost ready to begin. No bricks, solid cement walls with a very strong foundation.

Centro de Salud

Centro de Salud

Muebleria

A foto video from Jack Brock

A very nice video of about 200 fotos of the Melaque and Barra area

Quinceañera on the beach in Melaque

We were at Sirenitas Saturday and this is the setup they had next door. The music system they were testing could not be ignored so I went over to see what was up. I took a video but the "music" overpowered my IPhone speakers so not worth posting. Not the largest Quinceañera I've seen but was as fancy as any.

I warned people on our local message board that they might be in for a very loud night but reports were that it was not all that bad

New Secondaria construction

Stopped by to check out the new school construction and they are sinking pilings for the foundation. The holes are 6 meters deep with a large 'tube' of re-bar down the middle later to be filled with cement. The old play field was over a meter higher than the old school but they have added another meter of crushed rock on top of that to avoid any chance of flooding. Much more work to go but they haven't stopped for the last month. Hope the money hold out.

My Melaque Garden

Spring is here it seems as the Primavera (spring) trees are in bloom as well as my garden. The Aloe or Aloe Vera sprouted flowers in less than a week after living here for a little over a year. Not sure but think a neighbor gave me that one.

The Pineapple is getting bigger and that is from the top of one I bought at the local store. It's also about a year old. The bananas started a flower almost two months ago, the fruit came quickly after and now seems to have slowed. I did have to prop up this "tree" as it was starting to droop.

There are about 10 tomato plants that came up as volunteers in my compost pile and the first is almost 4 feet tall with lots of fruit (still green). Most of the others are being attacked by little white flies probably laying eggs. Two plants are almost dead and all have curly and brown leaves. I finally gave them a soap/water spray and the flies seem to have gone away. We'll see. I had no problems with my cherry tomatoes that produced tons for almost two months.

Figured out my Mint or Yerba Buena preferred the shade over direct sun and is doing much better. My radishes only produced leaves. The chives and carrots never did anything. The Mexican corn looks good and the gringo corn didn't like it here. The ever bearing lime trees without spines are not ever bearing as I've had none for about two months ... but lots of flowers and babies on them now. Thinking about fertilizer for the limes. Always something new in the garden.

Aloe plant

Pineapple

Bananas

Sick tomatoes

Secondary School Fundraiser

Construction has already started on the new site directly behind the old school but with a meter or two higher elevation. The main problem with the old school was flooding, but it's also getting tired and is too small for the current population. The construction has Federal, State and Municipal funding but your contribution will help San Patricio/Melaque fulfill it's portion of the project. 100 pesos for dinner and entertainment and it helps the school. March 5th at 5PM.

Churros on the Plaza

The family that makes these is on the corner of the Melaque Plaza every night next to the Herradura grocery. We usually stop once a week around 7:30 after picking up Euriel at school. Try to get them right out of the fryer so they are hot. If they sit long they start to get tough and chewy. Neighbors won't keep them for breakfast but they would probably be good dipped in coffee.

Just about like donuts with a mixture of flour, water and salt. They are squeezed from a "churrera" into hot vegetable oil for about 4-5 minutes. Removed, cut up and rolled in sugar and cinnamon (canela). Make a great evening snack but I usually only have one

Extruded from the churrera

Removed from the oil

Cut and rolled in sugar and cinnamon

Peace in the Valley

At least for now. The police hauled away a "cel" from the group Caballeros Templarios or Knights Templar who are mainly centered in Michoacan.   The week long rampage was enough to close the local schools for two days and keep many people off the streets in the evening.   Not pleasant to see people worried about their kids and themselves.   The latest is that they will setup a reten or road-block (check point) on the Colima side of the bridge in Cihuatlan with coordination of both Jalisco and Colima states.   Let's just hope these people found it difficult enough here that they won't be back.

Not a another Narco Blog

This is not a another Narco Blog but there is definitely something going on in the Municipio of Cihuatlan.   A week ago an ex-Cihuatlan Police was shot and killed, 4-5 days ago a taxi driver was wounded, a Manzanillo paper reports mid-day shoot out between gangs last Saturday .... and last night 2 Cihuatlan motorcycle Police were shot, one died and the other is in hospital.

What brought this closer to home for me was one of my neighbors was found dead in Aguacate along with his girl friend.   His death had all the marking of the lessons Narcos give to people who encroach on their territory.   He had no regular means of support and about a month ago he came home with a $5000 pickup truck.   Everybody wondered but that was his business ... and the business that ended his life.

These things come and go.  The Cihuatlan government is calling for Federal help and spending money on more vehicles and weapons.   In the mean time it a very sad thing to watch.

Accident highway 80

This when we were coming back from Cuzalapa yesterday about 10 kilometers uphill from Lazaro Cardenas.   The guys with me thought this was a single car accident with the large rock you see by the car.   I thought maybe two because there were a lot of people back by the guy with a red shirt looking over the edge.   Maybe someone avoiding the rock met oncoming traffic?   People drive so fast in general but especially that highway.  Please be careful and slow down.

I was scammed at the bank

Posted by Paul on February 8, 2013, 10:05 am (La Manzanilla board)

Just for your information, be careful on who is around you when you go to the bank. I was yesterday outside Melaque Banamex, my checkbook wallet was at the backseat of the jeep, doors closed but unlocked, I was at the drivers side and a good looking woman around her 40's dropped some coins by my side, I helped her to get them, she also did 't, making conversation and distracting me while other person was opening the doors and getting my money. They took 20,000 pesos I withdrew to pay workers and materials. They took it all.

Be careful.

White skinned woman, big boobs , black long hair, maybe size 9, she had a "pocha" accent, so she might speak good english.

"Pocho" is how we call mexicans who were born or have been living for many years in the US.

Notario suggests "federal forces" to Cihuatlán

Thursday, February 7th of Public 2013

Notario suggests "federal forces" to Cihuatlán

The Notary Public Narciso P. Enriquez Lomeli has recognized the municipal authorities are overwhelmed by crime, and should request the "federal forces" to ensure security and social peace in the town of Cihuatlán.

He said that authorities of Cihuatlán should recognize that crime has increased, and take the experience of other cities and areas of the country to bring the action of "federal forces" as the Army, the Navy or the Federal Police where the criminal acts have significantly decreased and public spaces have been recovered.

The past president Jesús Huerta Aguilar and some councilors gathered at a meeting May 5th, the Notary Public then reflected: "What do we hope to reach? The problem of insecurity in Cihuatlán is serious ... we need a short term solution. "

Enriquez Lomeli offered free support to form a civil partnership engaged support with donations and other actions to improve public safety.

El Blog de Pedro Silva Vidrio