During his month-long tour of the United States, which culminated in Washington D.C. last week, Mexican poet, journalist and activist Javier Sicilia sought to draw attention to a problem often overlooked in the war on drugs: that of arms trafficking.

While most Americans know the story or at least the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” comparatively few Mexicans know who was behind their national anthem.

Fresh on arrival for a three-year tour of duty in Guadalajara, United States Consul General Susan K. Abeyta has already embarked on a busy agenda of public appearances, including a visit to the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Tuesday, September 11 for an introduction to expatriate residents and commemoration of the 2001 terrorist attacks on American soil.

National pride and playful spirits will boil up over the coming week as the Lake Chapala area shifts gears for a series of traditional Fiestas Patrias events, culminating with the September 16 commemoration of Independence Day. Here’s an abbreivated day-by-day list of holiday highlights.

After two weeks of speculation and investigation, it is still unclear why Mexican federal police officers opened fire on two alleged CIA agents inside a U.S. embassy vehicle in the state of Morelos last month.

Of the 86 motorcycle clubs in Guadalajara, one is unique on several counts. First, its meetings are in Spanglish; second, its ten members aim to preach the Gospel; third, they have no officers. “We have one president and his name is Jesus,” said Paul Fisher, the club pastor.