In this monthly series, we republish a few of the headlines from our December editions 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.
1973
Chapala knitters mark 15 years
Over 10,000 knitted articles in 15 years is the amazing contribution of an informal group of Mexican and foreign Lakeside women to the poor children of the Lake Chapala area. The group known simply as “The Knitters” will met at the home of Gertrude Ratay December 4 for its annual report and tea, long a tradition for the women.
“I had no idea when five of us began knitting that we would last so long and make so many sweaters,” said Ratay .
Of the original group, only Ratay and Marie Bieselt are still active. The primary goals of the group when they began were to try and give the poorest children a sweater and a Christmas party; to better understanding between the foreign and Mexican women of the area by working together on the project; and give newly arrived English-speaking women in the area a chance to get acquainted. More than 12,000 children have attended 28 piñata parties in those 15 years.
1983
Gov’t cuts dollars to Xmas travelers
Banco de Mexico, Mexico’s central bank, announced just a few days before Christmas that travelers leaving Mexico for the holidays could only buy a maximum of $US250. Bank officials said that, even though in many cases the bank is taking in more dollars than it is selling daily, the decision has been made to reduce U.S. currency sales to individuals from $US500 to 250.
Travel agents report the decision has caused a significant number of cancellations in both flight and hotel reservations, as travelers decide not to travel outside Mexico, because of a lack of dollars.
1993
Downtown Santa’s secret revealed
Among the many downtown Guadalajara Santas posing in front of for stores or trying to entice parents to have their kids photographed with them, one was altruistically giving away candy to children as they passed. When one little girl persisted in asking Santa questions and tugging on his coat after “he” turned away, the response wasn’t manly enough and a nearby teen exclaimed, “Es una mujer!” The altruistic Father (mother) Christmas stoically kept her poise and continued to distribute candy to passing children. Soon those who had discovered her secret dispersed and her anonymity was safe again.
2003
Guanajuato fights for water
Absurd though it may sound after such an abundant rainy season, farmers in the state of Guanajuato are fighting to stop the transfer of some 205 million cubic meters of water from dams in their state to Lake Chapala.
It was decided in late November by the National Water Commission (CAN) that the water would be sent to Lake Chapala.
The volume represents half of the excess water held in dams along the 500-mile-long Lerma River Basin. Most of the dams — and most of the high-water consumption farmland in the basin — is in the state of Guanajuato.
Guanajuato Governor Carlos Romero Hicks has said he is opposed to the CNA-coordinated Basin Commission in protest. The commission heavily influences the CNA’s water distribution accords.
The 2003 rainy season left many Lerma River dams at well above official capacity and filled Lake Chapala to its highest level in a decade. The lake’s recovery was the third highest in recorded history.
2013
Santana comes home
with a few friends
Carlos Santana is not only a household name in Jalisco, but also with the many expats who attended the sold-out performance at the VFG Arena on Saturday, December 14.
Now aged 66, Santana, who originally hails from Autlan, Jalisco, roughly 100 miles west of Guadalajara, brought a slew of guest performers, mostly of Latino origins, to his high energy concert, proving he has no problem sharing the spotlight with younger artists.
Most concert goers would have expected an opening complementary act of 30 minutes followed by a blackout, then a single signature guitar note of Santana. Instead, revealing his roots, a 13-piece mariachi band caught the crowd by surprise, introducing the festive spirit that would burn throughout the night.
That was at 8:15 p.m. At 8:26 p.m., with this simple announcement, “damas y caballeros, Carlos Santana,” the relaxed, smiling musician walked on the stage carrying his tiger-striped electric guitar. Clad in his popular white pants, white Panamanian-style hat, and custom floral type linen shirt, he immediately joined with the mariachis for a traditional Mexican tune.
By the end of that song, his band were in position to perform for a solid two hours 40 minutes behind the musical icon and his many talented guests: Gloria Estefan, Fher Olvera of Mana, Juanes, Samuel Rosa of Skank, Romeo Santos, Lila Downs, Diego Torres, Nina Pastori, Soledad and Chocquiltown.