General News

The Chinese market for Mexican raspberries and blackberries has opened and is expected to lead to skyrocketing profits and significant growth in the sector. The first batch was sent from Jalisco this month after a deal was signed in November 2014.

According to forecasts by the Ministry of Rural Development (Seder), the Chinese deal could triple the current 20,000 Jalisco berry jobs and lead to a rapid expansion in the acreage devoted to the sector.

“Entering China is a great opportunity to increase our acreage to 6,000 hectares in the coming years and then to 10,000 hectares.” said Seder Commercial Director Rene Lopez Ruelas. “There are many benefits, these berries are replacing some consumer habits; for example, they are being sold in theatres in the United States instead of popcorn and they are replacing bananas at breakfast, because they have less calories, taste great, and provide energy to live day by day.” 

Jalisco and Michoacan are leaders in the production of strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry. Last year, Mexico produced a total of 538,000 tons of berries with a value of US$9 billion.

Hundreds of pilgrims will walk the streets of Jocotepec Sunday, January 17, in a stunning display of devotion to the town’s spiritual patron, EL Señor del Monte.  The huge procession marking the close of the two-week celebration sets off from the parish church at 4 p.m.

Tarahumara Project co-founder Libby Townsend has firmed up two fundraisers to help the traditional indigenous Tarahumara of the Copper Canyon in northern Mexico.

The first will be a colossal yard sale Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Project headquarters, (Townsend’s home) at Pescadores 2, in Riberas del Pilar. Turn toward the lake just East of Mom’s Deli, where the new building is, just past Maskaras Clinic. Turn left, go two blocks and turn right. 

If looking for that one thing that you never knew you had to have isn’t your thing, the second event is for you. February 8, from noon to 5 p.m., The Tarahumara Project  hosts a blanket and warm clothing drive at La Bodega Restaurant in Ajijic. Anyone donating cash or goods will be entered in a raffle for a prize. Tarahumara handcrafts will be on sale, a 50/50 raffle, live entertainment will be offered and Javier and Martha, owners of La Bodega, will donate the proceeds from a special meal.

Townsend recently spoke with staff at the free Tarahumara Hospital.  Record numbers of Tarahumara are seeking help, or medical attention. According to the staff, patient numbers are up 50% over the same period last year, which is really putting a strain on resources. There has been a huge increase in cases of respiratory ailments: lung infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. The increase is probably due to exceptionally cold temperatures, it has been below freezing at night since November, with many nights of temperatures in the single digits (F). Living in a shallow cave, or under a rock outcropping with nothing between them and the cold except a pile of rocks, it’s no wonder so many get sick and die. While there hasn’t been a lot of snow yet in Creel, it has snowed a number of times this winter in the Sierra near the hospital. The Tarahumara used to migrate to the more temperate areas of the canyons in the winter, but most of that land has been sold off by the government to ranchers and “growers” who won’t allow these special people to live there, or in many cases even cross their property.

Please help these people who keep nothing for themselves if another can use it or needs it. For them it is a sin to keep more than what is needed for immediate use. We all have so much we don’t need, that someone else can use, and put to good use.

For more information or to donate contact Libby Townsend at 766-3338, or 766-1167.

There were fewer homicides, kidnappings and bank robberies in Jalisco in 2014, although reports of extortion increased. 

Flicks are shown at 7 p.m. 40 peso price includes popcorn. Bar opens at 6:30 p.m.

January 26: “On The Waterfront” (1954), Elia Kazan Director, Marlon Brando, Lee J. Cobb.

February 2: “Around The World in 80 Days” (1956), Michael Todd Director, David Niven, Cantinflas, Robert Newton, Shirley McClain.

February 9: “Bridge on the River Kwai” (1957), David Lean Director, Alec Guinness, William Holden.

February 16: “West Side Story” (1961), Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins Directors, Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer.

February 23: “The French Connection” (1971), William Friedkin Director, Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider.

March 2: “The Sting” (1973), George Roy Hill Director, Paul Newman, Robert Redford.

March 9: “Chariots of Fire” (1981), Hugh Hudson Director, Ben Cross, Ian Charleson.

March 16: “Out of Africa” (1985), Sydney Pollack Director, Meryl Streep, Robert Redford.

The Colima Volcano registered signs of increased activity this week, with lava emissions, and exhalations reaching 700 meters in height. Jalisco Civil Protection officials, however, said the activity does not pose to a threat to the nearby population. An official took this photo Tuesday during a flyover to check on the volcano. Lava can be seen clearly pouring from the crater’s left side. The volcano is one of the most active in the Americas, although its last major eruption was in 1913.

The Consulate General of the U.S. in Guadalajara has announced important new changes to the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU). 

The Feast of the Three Kings will be celebrated all over Mexico next week, but nowhere with greater devotion and religious fervor than in Cajititlán de los Reyes.