Home at last
Chuy, the pet crocodile, rescued from a home in Tlaquepaque February 8, has been absorbed into the Guadalajara Zoo’s reptile house. Zoo officials say he appears to be in good general health, if overweight from his lifestyle confined to a patio. So far, he seems to be adjusting to his new habitat. The zoo has plans to breed Chuy with Luisa, a female of the same species, when he is healthy. As Crocodylus acutus, or American crocodiles, they are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) threat scale.
Flashmob
The latest flashmob to materialize in the city center was organized this week by the lesbian/gay community. The “Beso masivo a favor del matrimonio gay” (Massive kiss in favor of gay marriage) took place outside the Jalisco State Palace, home to Governor Emilio Gonzalez, a staunch opponent of same-sex unions.
Tennis tourney
The second Jalisco Open de Tenis will take place from March 12 to 18 at the Panamericano Telcel Tennis Center in the Parque Metropolitano. With a total of 100,000 dollars in prize money up for grabs, 32 singles and 16 doubles players will compete in the men-only event, including three top-100 ATP ranked players. Tickets start at 25 pesos, already on sale at the venue. Call 3125-4595 for information.
National Theatre Live
The National Theatre of London will simulcast their production of the new Nicholas Wright play, “Travelling Light,” from the British capital to the Teatro Diana on Tuesday, February 28. Antony Sher stars in this reminiscence on the start of a career that would ultimately lead from Eastern Europe to the film studios of Hollywood’s adolescence. The play has received praise from The London Times and The Guardian. 8:30 p.m. curtain. 130 pesos. 20-peso discount for students, teachers and seniors.
Madonnari Fest
The First Madonnari Festival takes place this weekend at the Guadalajara Zoo. More than 50 spaces are ready to receive chalk and pastel art from more than 70 street artists competing for 35,000 pesos in prizes. The colorful scenes, mostly depicting animals, will remain for 15 days. As an incentive to attend, all children will be admitted for free at the zoo on Saturday, February 25 and Sunday, February 26.
Olympics bound
Mexico claimed two more spots in the upcoming London Summer Olympic Games when divers Paola Espinosa and 14-year-old Tapatia Alejandra Orozco took eighth place in the 10-meter synchronized diving competition at the International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Cup this week. Espinosa has represented Mexico in two previous Olympics, earning a bronze medal for this same event in Beijing in 2008.
Espinosa has called her work with her young, Guadalajara-born partner harmonious from the outset.
Norteño treat
The Frutas y Flores restaurant in the Hotel Presidente Intercontinental on Lopez Mateos and Moctezuma is host to a Monterrey food festival going on from now until March 2. Every day from 2 to 11 p.m. the restaurant is serving dishes from the north of Mexico, courtesy of visiting chef Jesus Gutierrez. Cabrito (baby goat), burritos, machaca and many other northern delights are on the menu. Burritos 110 pesos, Cabrito 295 pesos. Call 3678-1234 for reservations.