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

EXTRA!

Let the Games Begin!

El Famoso Horseshoe Tourney

Hundreds Walking for Malena and Cancer de Mama

See story below

Patty Does it AGAIN!

Mexican gangs using catapults to hurl pot into U.S.

Allpoint - Surcharge-free ATM - Network Enters Mexico

The World Bank (WB) Board of Executive Directors approved a US$751.9 million loan to support the implementation of public policies aimed at strengthening Mexico’s business climate in order to foster economic growth and job creation….go to original article

Mexican bottlers Embotelladores Arca, Grupo Continental to mergeStocks in major Latin American markets fell Tuesday, reflecting caution by investors as they weighed disappointing economic news and uncertainty about political developments in the U.S….go to original article

Feds charge 34 in gun buys for Mexico drug cartel

Federal authorities announced charges today against 34 Arizonans accused of buying about 700 guns in gun stores in the state on behalf of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel.

The arrests and seizures are proof that Arizona has become an iron highway for guns headed south of the border, according to federal authorities, who say they don't know how many weapons are being smuggled into Mexico every day….go to original article

Mexico City: Mexico's production of tequila, the country's best-known alcoholic beverage, rose 3.37 percent in 2010 compared with the previous year to 257.4 million liters, the Tequila Regulatory Council, or CRT, said Thursday….go to original article

More than a month after the disclosure of cables in which American diplomats questioned progress in Mexico’s drug war, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came here on Monday to deliver a message of solidarity with President Felipe Calderón and to rebut public doubts about persistent violence. …go to original article

- Mexican officials say they have nabbed the alleged top hit man for an Acapulco drug gang suspected in the slayings of 22 people earlier this month….go to original article

Puerto Vallarta will host Mexico's 4th Space Agency Policy Forum this January 28-29 at the Puerto Vallarta Convention Center. The Governor of Jalisco offered MX$100-million to fund one of the Agency's new sites; other states are in contention…..go to original article

Cozumel, Mexico saw more than 2.9 million cruise passengers in 2010, which is the highest number in the last seven years, according to the state Tourism Department . This figure is the best record in the last seven years which surpassed the 2004 statistics, a period in which they were registered with 2.8 million visitors to the island.  Cozumel lost a great deal of tourists after Hurricane Wilma in 2005….go to original article

San Pancho Bridge nears completion

¡Olé! - Fiesta 2011 Provided It All – Fun, Food, Friends and Lots of Support for A Great Cause!
Traditional Mariachi music from Mariachi “Estrella Dos Mil”, a flock of balloons – and trays of margaritas - greeted the roughly 200 people who attended Los Amigos de La Peñita's Fiesta 2011 on Sunday, January 30 at Thomas Bartlett's internationally acclaimed estate.

In keeping with the ¡Olé! theme, guests were treated to a wide variety of Mexican tapas from a number of local restaurants: El Rodeo, El Pollito, Guty’s Palapa Restaurant, La Casita, Salvador’s, Vista Guayabitos, Tonita III and Xaltemba Restaurant and Galeria. They also snacked on cheeses from Petra’s Deli and pate from Bob Tripp. Don Pedro supplied the liquor for the open bar at cost and the beer coolers and beer came from Mateja’s. Coca Cola supplied a shade tent that was greatly appreciated as guests awaited the grand opening.

Mistress of Ceremonies Susan Cobb did a great job moving the event along and Auctioneer David Stevens kept the crowd engaged in a live auction that featured a number of great items. In addition to the live and silent auctions, guests were treated to a performance of flamenco and belly dancing by a group from Estudio de Danza Adriana Gauna and a performance by the always popular Perez Brothers. Both groups generously donated their time and talent. There was also a performance by a young Mariachi Group - Mariachi Juvenil “Campo Estrella. The new Chinese auction was a big success.

One of the highlights for the event organizers was when Los Amigos decided to give patrons an opportunity, for $3,000 pesos, to provide a one year scholarship to a student at CONALEP or La Prepatoria. An astonishing 19 people stepped forward to meet the challenge.

The fundraiser exceeded our expectations. Although final figures are still being calculated, it is expected that the event will generate net proceeds of somewhere in the order of $400,000 pesos.

We would like to thank our host, Thomas Bartlett for providing the inviting and welcoming ambience of his Hacienda La Peñita. Thanks are also due to the following special sponsors who stepped forward with generous donations to ensure that all of the monies raised at the event will go to support the work of Los Amigos:
Marco Antonio Meza Echevarria, NP # 34, Casita de la Peñita, Acero Marlboro, Bold Development, Dr. Raul Renteria Ruvalcaba, Jaltemba Jalapeño, Ken Snyder and Mary Alice Ranta, Paul and Jorlynn Saunders
- as well as a number of Special Sponsors whose chose to remain anonymous.

Our thanks also go out to all of the individuals and businesses who donated items to the live and silent auctions. To see a list of these donors, please go to:
http://www.losamigosdelapenita.com/en/fiesta11-ackknow.htm
We encourage you to support these merchants who are helping to make a difference in the community

We also owe a debt of gratitude to the businesses that served as ticket outlets:
Beach Dog Grooming and Salon, El Panorama, Fitness Pad, Hidden Paradise Real Estate, La Casita de La Peñita, Petra’s Deli, Xaltemba Restaurant and Galeria and Magical Los Ayala.

A number of media outlets have been invaluable in helping to promote not only Fiesta La Peñita but the other activities that Los Amigos has been involved in over the winter. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jaltemba Jalapeño, Jaltemba Bay Folk, Jaltemba Sol, Jaltemba Times, Jaltemba Bay Life, Magical Los Ayala and El Serape for helping us get the word out.

The Planning Committee that held it all together consisted of Ken Snyder, Nora Dixon, Helma Stewart, Maxine Zurbrigg, Robi Smallwood, Sarah Walker, and Dave Easby.

But the event would not have been possible without the Los Amigos members and other volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the event was a success, doing everything from selling tickets to monitoring the auction tables to blowing up the dozens of helium balloons and hanging the sombreros that gave the property such a festive feel. We owe a hearty thank you to the following people:
Agneta Dyck, Allyson Williams, Anne Easby, Arlene Havard, Arturo Vasquez Alvarez, Barb Steers, Bob Gibbs, Bob Tripp. Bruce Hilton, Carlos Flores, Cathy Stevens, Celia Antonia Santigo Alcantar, Cesar Samuel Santiago Diaz, Christina Stobbs, Daniel Salvador Juárez Castillo, Diana Magdalena Zepeda González, Elaine Vandenburg, Erica Santiago Joachin, Estrella Galindo, Gabriel Lara, Guillermo Daniel García Bravo, Jeanie Mintzmeyer, Joel Davalos, Johan Nielsen, John Flammang, John Zurbrigg, José Alberto Azarcón. Joyce Vanderstaat, Kate Baron, Laura Gonzalez, Lupita Cuevas de Geddes, Maricruz Ruizs, Miguel Lomeli Payan, Monserrat, Natalie West, Neida Agilar, Nelson Gothie, Pablo Doran Garibaldy, Patrick Watson, Peter Martin, Ralph Reichert, Rigoberto Lázaro Natalio, Robert Stobbs, Sandra Aline Cazares, Sandra Janeth Marentes Pérez, Sergio Harrison, Sheila Collins, Sherri Nordin, Sofia Garcia, Sue Richardson, Susan Connors, Tammy Lott, Thania Iridiane Jiménez Salas, Val Egan, Vern Porter, Victor Rodriguez, Zobeida Barrera Lozano.

And last, but certainly not least, we want to offer our heartfelt thanks to those of you who attended or made donations and showed your support for Los Amigos.

For more photos, please go to:
http://www.losamigosdelapenita.com/en/fiesta11-photos.htm

Muchas, muchas gracias a todas!

Ken Snyder, International President
Zobeida Barrera Lozano, National President
 

ROTARIANS JOIN PARENTS IN THE BUILDING A FUTURE FOR THE STUDENTS OF ZACAULPAN PREPA HIGH SCHOOL!

The Nayarit Coast is undergoing a dramatic economic transition.  Education is the vehicle for both youth and adults who want to participate and benefit in the transition.  Bahia de Jaltemba La Penita Rotary Club’s goal is to improve schools.  The La Penita

Club is uniting with the Berkeley and Middletown California Rotary Clubs in the renovation of the Zacualpan La Prepa high school.  Berkeley Rotary has a long experience in the area, having built educational facilities throughout the village of Chacala.  Rotarian Pate Thomson says, “The Berkeley Rotary Club looks for projects with a future’.  He adds, “The goal of improving a physical structure is to help it become organic and self-sustaining, with people in it”.  The Zacualpan Prepa high school project is the perfect fit.  Working together on a project:` Rotarians, local craftsmen, volunteers from the community, visitors and businesses are the catalyst, the jump start.  Upon completion of the project, the parents, teachers and students will organize and carry the project forward, shaping the process to their needs, reaping the benefits.

Jaltemba Bay La Penita Rotary Club is kicking off Phase II of the project this week.   Twelve cooperating Rotary Clubs from California have conducted many fundraisers to raise over $80,000.00USD.  The money will be used to build a new computer lab, a new training kitchen, install a new roof and improve a number of classrooms.  While Berkeley and Middletown Rotary Clubs have raised the majority of the money, ten other California clubs are cooperating as well.  Those clubs are El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo, South Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa West, St. Helena and Clearlake.  The twelve clubs are bringing more than forty club members, who will work along-side locals, sharing both the sweat of their labor and finding more commonality than differences.  Phase II follows Phase I done in last October by Kansas City Rotary Clubs:  Shawnee and Sunshine.  Rotary clubs are joining hands across the border to give the children of coast of Nayarit a future!

LOS ROTARIOS ESTAN CONSTRUIENDO UN FUTURO PARA LOS ALUMNOS DE LA ESCUELA PREPA DE ZACAULPAN!

La costa de Nayarit está pasando por una transición económica dramática. La educación es el vehículo para jóvenes y adultos que quieran participar y beneficiarse de la transición.  Objetivo de la Bahía de La Peñita de Jaltemba Rotary Club es mejorar las escuelas. El Club de La Peñita se une con la de Berkeley de California y Middletown Clubes de Rotary en la renovación de la escuela La Prepa Zacualpan. Berkeley Rotary tiene una larga experiencia en el área, después de haber construido las instalaciones educativas en todo el poblado de Chacala. Rotario Pate Thomson dice: "El Club Rotario de Berkeley busca proyectos con un futuro». Y añade: "El objetivo de la mejora de una estructura física es ayudar a que se convierta en orgánica y autosuficiente, con la gente en él". El proyecto Zacualpan Prepa escuela secundaria es el ajuste perfecto. Trabajando juntos en un proyecto: "Los rotarios, los artesanos locales, los voluntarios de la comunidad, visitantes y empresas son el catalizador, el comienzo del salto. Una vez finalizado el proyecto, los padres, profesores y estudiantes se organizan y llevan adelante el proyecto, la conformación del proceso a sus necesidades, obteniendo los beneficios.

Bahía de La Peñita de Jaltemba Rotary Club está dando inicio a la Fase II del proyecto esta semana. Doce cooperación clubes Rotarios de California han llevado a cabo eventos para recaudar fondos a muchos a recaudar más de $ 80,000.00 USD. El dinero será utilizado para construir un nuevo laboratorio de computación, una cocina nueva formación, instalar un nuevo tejado y mejorar una serie de aulas. Mientras Berkeley y Clubes de Rotary Middletown han planteado la mayoría del dinero, los clubes de otros diez de California están cooperando así. Los clubes son El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo, Ukiah Sur, Fort Bragg, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa Oeste, Santa Helena y Clearlake. Los doce clubes están trayendo más de cuarenta miembros del club, que trabajarán a lo largo del lado de los locales, compartiendo el sudor de su trabajo y encontrar más en común que diferencias. Fase II sigue la fase I realizado en octubre pasado por la ciudad de Kansas clubes rotarios: Shawnee y Sunshine. Los clubes rotarios se unen las manos a través de la frontera para dar a los niños de la costa de Nayarit un futuro!

ANNOUCEMENT:  In ADDITION to the 3 Series on Thursdays (2-4) we are adding a Special Group of Classes to be taught by John Spry.  They will be on Tuesdays starting March 1st - March 15th from 3-5.  Please check out the link below to see more details!  These will sell out fast so if you are interested please contact me asap!
Cooking Class with Debra Triplett

 - go here to register

Classified

Have a Truck? Cut Costs Northbound!

North Bound Trailer Towing Required

Require a 24ft 5^th Wheel Trailer to be towed out of Mexico or as far North as you are going. Final destination is Alberta Canada. Can be towed using ½ ton truck or larger. Leaving after march 31 and before April 15^th.Cost to be negotiated.

robergca@yahoo.com

Phone 322 168 1192

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Capomo: Good Cheer from the Gods
 

Leslie Korn - PVNN

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Jose Lorenzo Garcia and I set off midmorning to collect Capomo (Brosimum Alicastrum) Moraceae seeds. We walked for about thirty minutes, before we reached an area of Jose's land, called Habita, high in the dry forest of Cabo Corrientes.

There we found a tall Capomo tree at the foot of a steep bank covered with a variety of veining flora. Around the base of the tree and beyond we collected the Capomo nut or seed, which is the size of a round grape, some with green skin dotted with tiny bubbling dots and others a smooth brown having been denuded by the bats the night before.

The bats love the fruit, so they eat the thin-skinned fruit off the seed and then drop it for us to collect. Thoughtful of them... thus we don't have to climb the 120 feet up the tree to collect the fruit.

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Chacala Cruise
On Los Ayala's Gran Fiesta!
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

     Cruise the coast from Los Ayala t