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Mexico: member of gang in US agent slaying caught

Mexican marines have captured a regional boss for the Zetas drug gang that is accused of slaying a U.S. immigration agent, the navy announced Monday.

Navy spokesman Jose Luis Vergara said that suspect Sergio Antonio Mora oversaw Zeta activities in the northern state of San Luis Potosi, where gunmen killed the U.S. agent and wounded another.

Vergara did not say if Mora was involved in the Feb. 15 attack that killed Jaime Zapata and wounded Victor Avila, both agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement…..go to original article

North Texas link to gun that killed ICE agent in Mexico

A single gun has been linked to the fatal shooting of a U.S. federal agent in Mexico — and American investigators have now tied that weapon to Lancaster, Texas.

The Department of Justice isn't releasing any information on this case, but News 8 has learned that a high-powered 7.62mm gun purchased in North Texas is connected to the ambush that killed Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent Jamie Zapata and wounded his partner….go to original article

Suspects identified in shooting death of Colo. man in Mexico lake

Authorities say they have identified four people who are suspects in the murder of a Colorado man who was shot while jet skiing on a lake on the Mexican border with his wife last September, according to a report by KGBT…go to original article

Mexico condemns repression in Libya

The wave of repression unleashed by Col. Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya 'constitutes crimes against humanity', Mexican foreign relations secretary Patricia Espinosa said here….go to original article

Mexico opens bidding on first 'integrated' oil contracts, 2 1/2 years after law approved

Mexico's state-owned oil company has announced the first of a new sort of oil exploration and production contract that allows greater private involvement in the tightly controlled sector. Petroleos Mexicanos is offering six fields in three areas that produced oil in the 1960s, but have been largely ignored since then….go to original article

Mexican tycoon to open museum of over 60,000 artworks

Mexican tycoon and art lover Carlos Slim is Tuesday set to host a glitzy opening for a museum to house more than 60,000 artworks in Mexico City. The Soumaya Museum, named after Slim's late wife, is part of an 800-million-dollar urban development, called Plaza Carso and including housing and a five-star hotel, in a previously rundown district of the Mexican capital….go to original article

US tracks measles exposure at four major airports

U.S. authorities are tracking travellers who may have been exposed to measles from one contagious passenger who passed through four major American airports, health officials said on Monday.

The 27-year-old New Mexico woman, who was not immunized against measles, arrived from Europe and was in airports in Virginia, Maryland, Colorado and New Mexico from February 20 to February 22, officials said…go to original article

Mexico tomato crop devastated by cold snap

Mexico's No. 1 tomato producing state says up to 70 percent of its tomato crop was wiped out by a cold snap this month, pushing up local prices for produce on both sides of the U.S-Mexico border.The coldest temperatures in two decades battered crops in the northwestern state of Sinaloa which usually produces around 12 million crates of tomatoes each year, 75 percent of which are exported to the United States.

Mexico, US face tough talks after US agent killing

Mexican President Felipe Calderon travels to Washington this week to try to patch up relations strained by the killing of a US federal agent in Mexico and leaked US criticism of Mexico's drug war. Calderon is due to meet with US President Barack Obama, House Speaker John Boehner and members of the US business community in the March 2-3 visit announced last week…go to original article

Mexico Remains a Preferred Travel Destination for Canadians

Mexico: Botox for prison warden, not drug 'queen'

Prosecutors say that doses of the cosmetic treatment Botox allegedly allowed illegally into a Mexico City prison were not used on jailed drug cartel suspect Sandra Avila Beltran, better known as the "Queen of the Pacific."

Mexico City chief prosecutor Miguel Mancera says the prison's former warden has acknowledged using Botox….go to original article

Quicker Route to Mexico Proposed

A quicker way to cross the border from Nogales Arizona is under discussion. Members of the Nogales Port Authority said if traffic can move quickly from Mexico to the U.S it should do the same when crossing from Arizona into Mexico….go to original article

Report: Thousands Of Migrants Kidnapped In Mexico

In Mexico, a man who tried to journey illegally into the United States to seek work vows that he will never again leave his home

His trip turned into a nightmare when he was kidnapped along the route, as happens to thousands of migrants crossing through Mexico each year….go to original article

Golf star Lorena Ochoa swings strong in face of Mexico drug war

Lorena Ochoa teed off in her first PGA Tour event since retiring nearly a year ago, her star power lending a needed boost to sports events in violence-wracked Mexico.

Nearly a year after retiring as the most celebrated golfer in Mexican history, Lorena Ochoa teed off Wednesday in her first Mayakoba Golf Classic, her star power lending a needed boost to sports events in violence-wracked Mexico….go to original article

Mexico criticizes advance of proposed Arizona law

Mexico says a proposed Arizona law targeting illegal immigrants is an unfortunate step toward violating the rights of Mexicans in the United States.

Julian Ventura, undersecretary for North America, says in a statement Thursday the bill approved this week by a state senate committee would harm relations between Mexico and the U.S. border state….go to original article

Alta. teens touched by cancer Mexico-bound

Davis Weisner, 15, wants to help out in the construction of three houses for low-income Mexican families in any way he can. Weisner has had cancer since he was 10 and isn't likely to recover. A 15-year-old Calgary boy with cancer wants to go to Mexico to help build houses for the poor. Even though Davis Weisner is weak and sick, he said he could still lend a hand. The Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta is helping him do just that, as he and 14 other Alberta teens who have been touched by cancer head to Ensenada, Mexico….go to original article

Expansion begins at largest U.S.-Mexico border crossing

A $600 million expansion that would more than double capacity at the world's busiest border crossing broke ground south of San Diego on Thursday, aiming to boost security and cut lengthy delays at the California-Mexico border….go to original article

Live English Theatre Returns to Jaltemba Bay

 The Penita Players present an evening of comedy theatre for three performances.

 March 9, Pina Colada Restaurant in Guayabitos, on the highway west lateral just south of the second entrance.  Dinner is at 6:00pm followed by the show at about 7:30pm.   Latecomers will be seated at the first appropriate opportunity. Cover charge/donation 25 pesos for show, proceeds to Rotary Club's kindergarden construction project

 March 10, Restaurant Xaltemba Galeria in La Penita, just off the northwest corner of the main plaza. Doors open for dinner at 5:00pm; last sitting is at 7:30pm; the show will start at 8:30pm.  Cover charge/donation 25 pesos for show, proceeds to Los Amigos de la Penita Education committee.

 March 11, La Penita RV Park in La Penita, about 1 km north of the Avenida on the highway. Pizza dinner (by reservation for non-park residents) at 6:00pm,   Show starts at 7:00pm, 25 peso cover charge/donation goes to Jaltemba Foundation.

This hour-long comedy show will fill your already well-filled bellies with laughter. Our six performers have prepared nine scenes on topics running the gamut of real-life experiences, ranging from dating disasters to technical difficulties. 

The Penita Players began entertaining in Jaltemba in 2004 at Kathy's Restaurant, then in 2009 at Backstreet Restaurant, and are tickled to re-emerge with our largest and zaniest ensemble ever.    Join us for a fun-filled evening of  entertainment.  Don't delay; phone your  restaurant to book your seats now!

The Most Delicious Fundraiser in Town

Photos by Christina

Thank you to the anonymous kind person who once again donated an air conditioner for one of the school classrooms, all the Mom's in Los Ayala who worked hard baking, everyone who baked or bought a dessert to donate to the event; Casa Cooking http://casacookingclasses.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

for the Tres Leche Cake (the cake with the flowers), and all the volunteers who made this event possible. And an extra special Congratulations to  Linda and Orlando for making this event a success!

Letters to the Editor

This is an FYI for all those people, who like us, travel with their tennis rackets in the carry-on luggage.  We were very surprised when we arrived at the PV airport that they will not allow tennis rackets (or ceramics or glass items) in a piece of carry-on luggage.  This meant we had to quickly re-pack ours and hope that it arrived in tact.  This was a first for us as we have traveled with our tennis rackets in carry-on for as long as we can remember and this rule only seems to apply when departing from Mexico.  Thought this may be worth a mention in Jaltemba Sol.

As an aside, be very thankful to be in the warmth of RdeG - us Vancouver Islanders were hammered the other day with 10 - 15 inches of snow and today we have a temperature of minus 9 Celsius with the wind chill (a term not normally used in this part of the country).

Enjoy

Mel Reid

Mateja's on the Beach Customer Appreciation party was explosive thanks to Bobby Butler's pyrotechnics.

Mateja shows her appreciation to some of her most valued customers including Jodie, dot, Jack Kathy and Tracy.  Check back later to day to view more pictures of this fun event that attracted over 200 customers.  Click here to view more photographs by Bill Bell of this fun event

Next Meeting of Los Amigos de La Peñita

The next meeting of Los Amigos de La Peñita will be on Monday, February 28, 2011  at Restaurante La Palapa de Guty, Circuito Libertad #4. There will be a social gathering at 6:30 with the formal meeting starting at 7:00.

Key agenda items will be:

End of year budget items

Report from scholarship committee

Status of JEDI activities

Community report

Education Committee Activities

Report on Recycling program

Tianguis report 

An Information Session on Micro-Financing

The Challenge - which contestant makes the best Tequila drink - was decided unanimously by three international judges last Saturday evening. Pochteca won hands down with a tasty brew of tequila and fruit juices.

The Challenge - based in the principals and criteria from our very own local Margarita Challenge - is a major fundraising event for a technical school in Tequila which teaches, amongst other things, how to make the world famous alcoholic drink -Tequila. The judges rate performance, presentation, taste amongst other categories.

Three contestants sponsored by Tequila distilleries, vied for the coveted first place. Last year, Margarita Challenge Champions, the Patty Hueso / Hinde and Jaime's Restaurant won first place. The Champions did not return this year, however their outstanding fire and ice performance set a high standard for this year's event.

Pochteca made an outstanding performance with a Charro Lasso act, Mariachis, Aztec dancers and of course, a dancing horse. While all three contestants drinks were delicious, Pochteca's performance pushed them into the lead position.

Photography by Bill Bell

Gift of Mosaic Glass

Eva created this beautiful mosaic glass tabletop for her daughter Petra.

EVA GRAEBER has been attending Jo's creative stain glass workshops for quite some time and recommends them wholeheartedly;

Read more here

We would like to thank the following people:

The Margarita Challenge Executive

Ron and Sue, Ralph and Shirley, Shirley Middleton, Deb and Dale, Dot and Bill, Bill, Sheila, Rick and Geri

To the judges Bill, Dot, Romy and Louise

To the helpers at the event

Bill and Gina, Dot and Bill, Ron and Sue, Ralph and Shirley, Deb and Dale, Sheila, Yvonne, Tannis, Anna, Mavis, Yvonne, Rick, Geri, Mitch All the Pina Coloda Staff

Thanks to the Press for all the great pictures and stories.

Thanks to the DJ’s (John and Mimi) the Tequila company Pochteca for the free samples and the tequila for prizes to the Engraver (Salvador) for the engraving.

Thanks to all the people who donated silent auction items the people that bid on them and the margaritas and all the people that donated money Bold development 5000 Canadian dollars Mary Williams 100 American dollars, Ron and Sue Elms 100 American dollars, Gordon Cantmell and Colleen Auld 1000 pesos, Stu Barr 50 Canadian dollars

Marion and Clayton 1000 pesos Chaco 100 pesos from his t shirt sales.

Thanks to the contestants that make this happen Hindie and Jamie’s Patti, Xaviar and Rachael Latitude 21  Delma, Dana, and helpers Pochteca Aldo and Jorge

I hope I got everyone if I missed someone I apologize in all what a Great event hope to see you all next year

Jim and Bonnie and Esteban and Mina

Darling of the Sea: Pacific Dolphins

           © Tara A. Spears

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the experience of seeing wild dolphins in their natural habitat.  As a life-time boater and fishing enthusiast, Ihave always treasured every encounter with these sleek and charming sea mammals. Everyone may be familiar with the specie from watching movies and viewing dolphins in aquariums or catching a show at Sea World, but being eye to eye with wild dolphins from a boat is breathtaking. They have such presence and entertaining behaviors that a picture cannot convey!  The Dolphin is the largest and most diverse family of cetaceans. It contains 26 recognized species and six toothed whales. Most forms of this family have functional teeth in both jaws, a melon shaped head with a distinct beak, smooth sloping foreheads, a single notch in the middle of their flukes and a dorsal fin. Of the 26 species of dolphin, 13 tend to have long, well-defined beaks and streamlined, torpedo shaped bodies. These intelligent animals are powerful swimmers, and live in family groups called pods that contain from 10 to a thousand of individuals.

Click here to read the entire Tara Spears story

Thanking All Fashion Show Guests and Volunteers                                 © Tara A. Spears
The Women to Women 2011 Fashion Show is a wrap, and now it’s time to bask in the afterglow. Thank you to the 300 guests that attended the event- and had a good time in spite of a few snags in the production. The original outfits were inspiring, the food delicious, and wasn’t it fun to have a day out with your friends? The Fashion Show committee deeply appreciates the generosity for all of those who participated in the raffles, auction, and scholarship pledge drive: your financial support will have a long lasting impact on the future of this rural Mexican community. And you all looked so beautiful in your outfits! All proceeds from the Fashion Show will support the Cancer de Mama Clinic and provide scholarships for local students who would otherwise not be able to attend university- what a tremendous outcome from a day of enjoying friends, food, and fashion. The Women to Women Fund first-ever scholarship pledge drive was a huge success, providing money solely for additional scholarships.
. go to page 2 for complete Article

Hugs Make the Difference

At Cancer de Mama Clinic          2011

 © Tara A. Spears

The sky was a gloomy gray and the temperature dipped to a record low on the Jaltemba Bay coast the first week-end in February, but the mood at the Cancer de Mama Clinic was upbeat, underscored with hope and compassion as the volunteers in cheerful pink shared smiles and hugs with the hundreds of women from throughout Nayarit. Many of the women traveled for hours by bus to receive assistance at the annual breast cancer clinic.  The statistics are impressive: 342 women clients were given 380 medical prosthesis; 341 prosthetic bras; 191 prosthetic tab bras; 739 regular bras, and 73 wigs for chemo patients.  The clinic welcomes the clients with cheerful banners and comforting smiles from the volunteers hoping to ease the women’s fears, at least for a few hours.  By having to deal with a long term illness such as breast cancer, many of the women lose the support of their family and friends and are having to cope by themselves. “We at the clinic become their family,” said Judy Krajnc, co-chair of the Cancer de Mama Clinic group. The Cancer de Mama Clinic’s success can be measured by the friendships, smiles, and hugs of all the participants. ...Go to Page 4 for complete article

Walking for Cancer de Mama Donors Mystery Donors

Annette Richard & Linda Hamel & Mar de Cortez Hotel

We would really like to thank the "Mystery Donors" who gave and dashed at the walk for Malena and Cancer de Mama walk.

The Recycling Committee of Los Amigos is pleased to announce that we have now started to collect cardboard for recycling.  The driver (Tavo) picks up at various business, bungalows and hotels and will now collect cardboard if left beside the existing baskets on the streets.  The route is Mondays for Guayabitos and Los Ayala and Wednesdays for La Peñita and La Colonia.  Please put out the cardboard only on delivery days and break down boxes if at all possible.

Thank You

Guayabitos' own mad hatters!