In this monthly series, we republish a few of the headlines from our September editions 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years ago.
1964
LCS Children’s Art to Show in Metro Area
The Lake Chapala Society teamed up with the Instituto Cultural Mexicano-Norteamericano to sponsor an exhibition and sale of more than 50 paintings created by Mexican children receiving instruction from the LCS Biblioteca. Proceeds from the event went toward purchasing more supplies for the library.
1974
U.S. TV Shows Axed
Television programs considered too violent for viewing will be taken off the air by the end of September, according to the Secretaría de Gobernación. Among the 37 shows to be cut are Mannix, The Untouchables, Kung Fu, Combat!, The World of Jason King, Ironside, Area 12 and The Fugitive.
The federal agency expressed concern that parents were ignoring the program classification system, allowing children to watch shows deemed violent.
1984
Traffic Cloverleaf Begun for Chapala Highway Interchange
Construction has started on a new 12-lane cloverleaf traffic crossing, connecting the Chapala and Tonalá-Zapotlanejo highways at the eastern end of the city. The project will link Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas, Avenida González Gallo, the Chapala highway, and the Tonalá highway near the Álamo traffic circle, the entrance to Tlaquepaque. The project is budgeted at 20 billion pesos (approximately $US107 million in 1984), and the first stage—connecting the Chapala highway to Avenida González Gallo—is expected to be completed by the summer of 1986.
1994
High-Class Thieves Strike Man for the Fifth Time
If you see gentlemen dining in tuxedos with Wedgewood china, Royal Danish silverware, and tipping generously with Canadian dollars, call the cops or Russell McFarland. McFarland, who recently moved from Lakeside to Guadalajara, has been robbed again.
This is the fifth time McFarland has been targeted by selective thieves. The first two robberies were for money; the third involved his complete set of Wedgewood china; the fourth, his clothes—including tuxedos. This time, the thieves bypassed his television and VCR, going straight for his Georgian silver, international sterling, and gold jewelry, which he believes has since been melted down.
McFarland says the police took four hours to respond and are searching for the culprits. His advice after these costly and heartbreaking experiences: don’t blame Mexico, as it could happen anywhere; replace wooden front doors with metal ones; and always insure your belongings.
2004
Republicans Open First Chapter at Lakeside
An enthusiastic group of expatriate Republicans gathered for an organizational breakfast at Hotel Real de Chapala on August 27.
Following the success of their local press conference with George Prescott Bush, nephew of the U.S. president, more than 60 Republicans attended to elect officers and establish their presence in the first-ever chapter of Republicans Abroad Lakeside.
The group approved the name “Republicans Abroad Lakeside” as the best and most descriptive title for the new organization. A website, www.republicansabroadlakechapala.org, will be launched soon. Chairman Norm Pifer advised that absentee ballot applications, available from the Lake Chapala Society or RA Lakeside board members, should be mailed by September 15.
2014
Guadalajara Bans Animal Circus Acts
Protesters, dressed as clowns and performing juggling and acrobatic tricks, marched from the La Normal traffic circle to Guadalajara City Hall and the State Congress building. Two fiberglass elephants on flatbed trucks caught the attention of the colorful procession.
In response to mounting public pressure from civic groups, Guadalajara finally followed Zapopan’s lead, whose council banned circus animals the previous year. From now on, traveling circuses in Guadalajara will need to prove that their shows do not include animals.
Representatives from NGOs such as Igualdad Animal and Adopta Guadalajara attended the council vote and applauded as the result was announced.
The new regulation allows civil associations and municipal officials to conduct spot checks on circuses to ensure compliance. Violators may face fines of up to 60,000 pesos and have their animals confiscated.
Armando Gaona, a spokesman for local circuses such as Ayala, Las Fuentes Gasca, Unión, Gaona, and Osorio, acknowledged that animal abuses have occurred in isolated cases and have been punished. However, he argued that it is unfair to punish all circuses for the actions of a few.