Noticia de la Reunion/Meeting Notice

Please plan to attend the next meeting on Tuesday, December 9, at 10 a.m. in the home of Jerry & Shirley Vinyard (Flamingos #51). The Vinyards have an adequate supply of chairs and will provide coffee and water. Members are encouraged to bring goodies to share.

Favor de asistir la próxima reunión de la asociación, el martes, 9 de diciembre, a las 10 de la mañana en la casa de Jerry y Shirley Vinyard (Flamingos #51). La familia Vinyard tiene bastante asientos para todos y proveerán café y agua. Los miembros pueden llevar botanos para compartir.

There will be an art exhibit and sale for the Guayabitos Artists Collective Sunday, December 14, from 10-4 at the home of Roger and Bobbi Atwood, #44 Los Flamingos. Just in time for Christmas!

Habrá una venta y exhíbito de arte pintado por las artistas del Guayabitos Artists Collective, domingo, 14 de diciembre, entre las horas de 10 y 4, en la casa de los Atwood, 44 Los Flamingos. Una oportunidad antes de la Navidad!

Raul from Oaxaca is once again selling his beautiful rugs in Guayabitos. You can find him Thursday at the tianguis, and beginning Friday he'll be near the bridge leading into Guayabitos. He will be there over the weekend. Come see his new rugs with rich colors that will last a lifetime.

Raul con sus tapetes artísticos de Oaxaca está otra vez en Guayabitos. El jueves se puede encontrarlo en el tianguis, y empezando el viernes y todo el fin de semana, va a estar cerca de la entrada a Guayabitos. Ven a ver sus tapetes nuevos con colores ricos que se queda por siempre.

Meeting Notice/Noticia de la Reunión

Meeting Notice/Noticia de la Reunión
Please plan to attend the next meeting on Tuesday, November 11, at 10 a.m. in the home of Jerry & Shirley Vinyard (Flamingos #51). The Vinyards have an adequate supply of chairs and will provide coffee and water. Members are encouraged to bring goodies to share.

Favor de asistir la próxima reunión de la asociación, el martes, 11 de noviembre, a las 10 de la mañana en la casa de Jerry y Shirley Vinyard (Flamingos #51). La familia Vinyard tiene bastante asientos para todos y proveerán café y agua. Los miembros pueden llevar botanos para compartir.

Our special guests will be members of the Tourist Police, specifically the commandant. He and his English-speaking colleague will discuss the rash of break-ins that has occurred, and measures we can all take to stop them. He has asked that association members write out any specific questions they would like answered and get them to him in advance, so he can have the necessary information at hand. You can email these questions to me using the email address listed above.

Miembros de la Policía Turística van a estar con nosotros en esta reunión, especificamente el comandante. Quieren hablar con nosotros acerca de las entradas ilegales que han ocurrido aquí en La Zona, y las medidas que podemos usar para protejernos. El comandante ha pedido que los socios escriban preguntas sobre este asunto y que las manden a él para que tenga informes adecuados. Uds. pueden mandar estas preguntas a mí usando la dirección arriba.

Mas sobre las alarmas -- More about alarms

Here are further comments and information I've received. If you click on the image of the brochures, they'll get large enough to read.

The brochure I have attached is from May so I don't know if these prices are still good. At this time, with a two year contract, they offered one month free monitoring. Their location is on the opposite side of the building that Hamaca Maya is, within the Internet Cafe. I will also check with the computer guys below me to see if they offer security services as well. If so, it will be a good comparison. Goodluck. Jeanie U.S. tel: 303-794-3382Mex. tel: 327-274-0626 www.mexicobum.blogspot.com

I recently obtained this type of service. Cost is 30 bucks a month. Alarm company will call 2 numbers and police, fire and ambulance if alarm is activated. My installer did a very nice job and speaks english. He worked for ADT in Canada -- Del Moss

Local alarm guy per Mary & Bev who watch houses here---Abel 045-322-135-7190.

Since many years ago, I am subscribed to the Company "Blindahgë", here in Tepic, and too the house in Guayabitos. They have an alarm central that detects in seconds if your domestic alarm was broke-out or if a thief entered in the house, and they call to your phone to ask if you are in home, or if you informed them you left, give another phone ( the person who have a key of your house), and in seconds they call the Police, or the Judicial to go over there.- Even they detect if the electric power or telephone line was cut. I suggest, to talk with them for a study about the zone. Lourdes.

I will be in Guayabitos on the 27th Oct will talk about the problem. I think that an alarm of some description is a good idea Thanks Brendan

Thank you for remind us about being thankful to God or like you say whatever person you call in you prayers. It is not news the breakings in the Zona and alarms, cameras, police, or whatever systems are not going to stop vandalisms.... so lets focus on being grateful for our health and friends, maybe by the time I'm writing this my place is being robed, but the way police works over there what can they do?
We will be arriving November 8 and Siro can not wait to start our pool.
Take care all of you, Lots of hugs Siro and Susana

I am in complete agreement that prayer, or staying focused on the positive, is the most productive response to something like the recent burglaries. If we get caught up in fear and worry, we send out a negative energy that returns to us, often in the shape of exactly the events that we fear. Like someone said to me recently, "Worry is like praying for something you DON'T want."My prayers are for a quick resolution to this recent rash of break-ins and a peaceful community for all. See you in a couple of weeks. Love, Agneta Dyck

No cancer but still had another growth removed, they do not understand they want one more visit to take a moving picture when I am talking to see what is causing the problem. That is on the 22 Oct. so should see you guys about 26 Oct. -- Peace, Dan

Thief in the Act

I received this from Elizabeth Larsen this morning attached to the following message. I don't have time to translate into Spanish this morning. I apologize! But I think it's important to get information out ASAP. I am also including responses I've received from homeowners in response to Danny's suggestion re cameras. For further comments, please post them in this blog. DO NOT SEND THEM DIRECTLY TO ME. I am still trying to catch up with loads of email after being off-line for almost two weeks. Also had an email from Sue Moss yesterday. Evidently they, too, have been hit.

Hola Susan,
We caught our thief in the act at 2:00 am Saturday Oct.4th. as we were awakened by some loud noises and got up to check it out. He was breaking in through the stained-glass window above our stairs on the first floor, I got a picture of him with Ingemann's tape in his belt, as he scrambled to escape. The police finally came, Miguel was in charge and very reassuring that they are going to pick him up as one of them said he know him when we showed them the picture. We know he got our tile cutter, but at this time we don't think he had time to get away with much as he was in a hurry to get away. We have to write a report later today.
Our maid Gloribell (who is an honest born-again christian) told us a couple of months ago, that this man lives close to her place and that he is a convicted felon who has spent 12 years in the Guadalajara penitentiary for breaking and entering, theft and other crimes. .... I have attached a picture of the thief in the act and hope he is the one who has caused all the head aches around here, so we can live in peace and harmony again.
Do I sound suspicious or traumatized right now? Well we are. -- Elisabeth and Ingemann

PRIOR COMMENTS IN RESPONSE TO DANNY'S SUGGESTION RE CAMERAS AND MY COMMENTS ABOUT ALARMS:

Danny is right and the only way to solve it is have no alarms. -- Ginger Payne

Susan, I think we should have a list of available persons here with keys and how to get ahold of them. Each person with an alarm should have a contact number that is here and a name. Police can not do anything if they can not enter. Lacy

From Danny
Check out Costco.com for this Surveillance camera. It couldn't be easier of simpler.

I don't have an answer as our alarm was relatively inexpensive, had a weak alarm, and needed a phone to alert up to 3 otherpersons. I turned it off for two other reasons - firstly that it was too complicated for the maid or gardener to reset, and the other is the reason you bring up. I was wondering if it would be expensive if we all hired one security person who would at least respond to an alarm (with a dog withreally big teeth), was could quickly contact police, and was on good termswith them.I was going through the email survey I got from that Mexican Touristquestionnaire with a view of expressing my anger at being broken into 3 timeis the last year. They stole a lot last time, and made a vulgar mess ofthings. There, that being vented, I hope you are enjoying each day without torrential rain, and look forward to seeing you soon. -- Dennis and Gail Gafuik

Hi Susan, If ours is one of them, talk to Esther. She is in control. Rog

I'm hoping our house is O.K. But we are all for your idea of a security guard. (Thought we were quite well looked after with the local police touring the area. But it doesn't sound like this is the case. Guess we'll be talking about it at the next meeting. See everyone in the next month. -- Lena and Keith

Noticias/News

Larry met the new commandant for the tourist police this morning. His name is Miguel Chava, and he speaks perfect English. He spent 30 years in Orange County, California, before returning to Mexico. He’s spent the last four years stationed in San Blas, and he’s delighted to have been transferred to Guayabitos. He gave Larry his cell phone number and told us to pass it along to all the residents of La Zona. Make a note of it, and don’t hesitate to call him when you need help. 322-127-1175.

Remember, if you’re calling from a land line, dial 045 before the rest of the number.

By the way, I just bought a Mexican cell phone. 200 pesos and I got the phone and 100 pesos worth of call time. Local calls are 5 pesos a minute, but text messages are a peso apiece. When I run low, I just drop by the Telcel office near Bancomer on the highway and buy 100 pesos worth of time. No plan involved. Hooray!

Mi esposo se conoció al nuevo comandante de la Policia Turística esta mañana. Se lla Miguel Chava, y habla perfectamente el inglés. Vivía treinta años en el Condado de Orange, California, antes de regresar a México. Hace cuatro años que ha estado en San Blas, y está bien contento haber llamado a Guayabitos. Le dió a Larry su número de teléfono celular, y le dijo que lo de a los residentes de La Zona Residencial. Favor de apuntarlo, y lo llamen cuando se necesita ayuda: 322-127-1175.

Los otros informes arriba son para gente que no pueden leer advertencias ni instrucciones en español. Si viven aquí, ya saben todo. J

Last meeting for season/La ultima reunion hasta octubre

Please plan to attend the next meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at 10 a.m. at Danny and Nancy Milski's house, the first house on the right on Calle Golondrinas.

Favor de asistir la próxima reunión de la asociación, el martes, 15 de abril, a las 10 de la mañana en la casa de Danny y Nancy Milski. Su casa es la primera a la derecha en la Calle Golondrinas.

Meeting Notice/Noticia de la Reunión

Please plan to attend the next meeting on Tuesday, March 11, at 10 a.m. in the home of Jerry & Shirley Vinyard (Flamingos #51). The Vinyards have an adequate supply of chairs and will provide coffee and water. Members are encouraged to bring goodies to share.

Favor de asistir la próxima reunión de la asociación, el martes, 11 de marzo, a las 10 de la mañana en la casa de Jerry y Shirley Vinyard (Flamingos #51). La familia Vinyard tiene bastante asientos para todos y proveerán café y agua. Los miembros pueden llevar botanos para compartir.

Las Artistas de Guayabitos/Guayabitos Artists

No se olviden de la exhibición esta noche, 6-9, en Xaltemba Restaurante y Galería. Vengan para ver la obra del grupo Guayabitos Artists' Collective. Para más informes:
www.xaltemba.com
http://guayabitosartists.googlepages.com/guayabitosartists


Don't forget the exhibition tonight, 6-9, at the Xaltemba Restaurant and Gallery. Come see the work of your neighbors in the Guayabitos Artists' Collective. For more information go to:
www.xaltemba.com
http://guayabitosartists.googlepages.com/guayabitosartists

Another Neighbor of Ours - Otro Vecino Nuestro

He doesn't have a street address and he's not on the email list, and maybe he's not even a he. But this croc's our neighbor. Friday he was behind the Milski's house. Thanks to Rick Helberg for taking the photo and sharing it.

No tiene dirección oficial y él no está en la lista por correo electrónico, y se puede que no sea "él" sino "ella." Pero este cocodrilo es nuestro vecino. El viernes pasado estuvo atrás de la casa de los Milski. Grácias a Rick Helberg por sacar el photo para compartir las noticias.

Notice of Meeting/Notificación de Reunión

Please plan to attend the next meeting on Tuesday, February 12, at 10 a.m. in the home of Jerry & Shirley Vinyard (Flamingos #51). The Vinyards have an adequate supply of chairs and will provide coffee and water. Members are encouraged to bring goodies to share.

Favor de asistir la próxima reunión de la asociación, el martes, 12 de febrero, a las 10 de la mañana en la casa de Jerry y Shirley Vinyard (Flamingos #51). La familia Vinyard tiene bastante asientos para todos y proveerán café y agua. Los miembros pueden llevar botanos para compartir.

You may have received an email or two from Cristobal Herrera and been confused. This email requires no action on your part. Please disregard it for now, and all will be explained at the meeting February 12.

Puede que hayan recibido unos correos electrónicos de Cristobal Herrera que les volvieran estar confundidos. Estos correos no requieren cualquier acción de parte de Uds. Favor de pasarlos por alto, y todo será explicado en la reunión del 12 de febrero.

Una palabra de gracias -- A word of thanks

The Somos Vecinos en Guayabitos committee would like to give all of our friends and neighbors a big THANK YOU for the great turn-out for our first fund raiser. Your response and support was just overwhelming. We netted over $32,000 pesos and the profit margin was so high because of all the donations that were made ahead of time in both cash and supplies. We would like to give a special thanks to the Johnstones, the Gersteins, Veronica Raya, the McElroys, and Tina Krause's guests from Sitka, the Torgosons. Also from the community, thanks to Mateja and Hala for your support.

Nosotros miembros del comité Somos Vecinos en Guayabitos estamos muy agradecidos a nuestros amigos y vecinos por el gran apoyo de nuestro primer evento. Uds. respondieron con una caridad abrumadora. Ganamos más de $32,000 MN, y esto fue posible a causa de tantas donaciones de suministros y de efectivo que recibimos. Queremos dar un "GRACIAS" muy especial a las familias Johnstone, Gerstein, McElroy, Veronica Raya, y los huespedes de la familia Krause -- los Torgoson. Además, en la comunidad, Mateja y Hala merecen un gran agradecimiento por su apoyo muy generoso.

A few little things -- Unas cositas

Nancy Milski asks that anyone who brought a serving dish to the New Year's Eve party, please come pick it up.

Nancy Milski pide que las personas que llevaron platos a la fiesta del Año Nuevo, vengan por recogerlos.

You can still buy tickets to the Fashion Show on January 29. Ask Nancy, Mona Cavalli, or Ginger. Tickets are 250 pesos for a good meal, a good show and a good cause -- helping women and children.

Todavía se puede comprar boletos para el Desfile de Modas, 29 de enero. Pídalos de Nancy Milski, de Mona Cavalli, o de Ginger. El precio es 250 pesos para disfrutar comida buena y un show fantástico, todo en apoyo de una causa que ayuda a las mujeres y a los enfantes.

For English speakers: JJ's Blog is up and going once more. There is a permanent link to it on the sidebar to the right. It is very helpful for giving your guests a flavor of life in Guayabitos.

Para los que hablan español: Radio Guayabitos ofrece noticias de nuestra area y un sabor de la vecindad de la Bahía Jaltemba. Al lado derecho de este blog, hay un lazo electrónico permanente, o se puede hacer "clic" en este lugar.

New Year's Photos

I've added a link over on the side bar. It's called "Susan's Photos." You can find pictures from the Milski's party there.

He puesto un lazo electrónico al lado de este blog. Se llama "Susan's Photos." Allí, se puede encontrar fotos de la fiesta del Año Nuevo en la casa Milski.

To Help the Huichols -- Para Ayudar a los Huicholes

Los niños Huicholes son tímidos. Su vida se mejora con vitaminas. Tu puedes ayudar.

Huichol children are shy. Their lives are better with vitamins. You can help.



Do you have guests coming from the States? Would they be willing to pack along a few vitamins for the Huichols? Penelope and Tim Eicher, who have been members of this association, send the following message along with pictures:

¿Tienen huespedes visitando de los E.U.? ¿Serían dispuestos a llevar unas vitaminas para los Huicholes? Penelope y Tim Eicher, quienes han sido miembros de esta asociación, nos mandan el siguiente mensaje y unos photos:



"...Heart Walk Foundation, a tax-exempt non-profit assists traditional native people. The project in the Huichol community of San Andres in Nayarit provides prenatal vitamins as well as other assistance. If you and your guests can bring some vitamins in your luggage, Heart Walk Foundation will ship them to your home or business with a deep bow of gratitude. Contact Penelope at penelope@heartwalkfoundation.org or U.S. telephone 435-619-0797. For more information and to see projects in Peru: http://www.heartwalkfoundation.org/."

"...Heart Walk Foundation, una organización que no ofrece ganancias y es exento de impuestos, ayuda la gente indígena en varios partes de la América Latina. El proyecto en la comunidad de San Andres, Nayarit, provee vitaminas prenatales así como otros formas de ayuda. Si usted o sus huespedes pudieran incluir algunas vitaminas en su equipaje, Heart Walk Foundation las mandarán a su casa con un sentimiento de gratitud profunda. Favor de contactar a Penelope en su email: penelope@heartwalkfoundation.org o teléfono 435-619-0797 (en los E. U.) Para tener mas informes y para ver proyectos en Peru: http://www.heartwalkfoundation.org/. "



Tim habla de los problemas que trata del agua fresca.

Tim talks with a councilman about clean water problems.



Penelope y unas chicas Huicholes.

Penelope and young Huichol girls.

Hey Neighbor! -- Oye, Vecino!

Somos Vecinos en Guayabitos/We Be Neighbors in Guayabitos is the name of an unofficial group within the official Home Owners Association. They want to raise awareness of what it takes to make a "good neighborhood," and while they're at it, raise a few dollars as well.

They're having a fundraiser Tuesday evening, January 15, from 5 - 9 at Roger and Bobbi Attwood's house, 44 Los Flamingos. There will be dinner, live music, dancing and door prizes. Tickets are 250 pesos per person, and you can buy them from any of the following neighbors: Vinyards, Burnetts, Brakkes, Finzers,Krauses, Karen Ryan, or the Attwoods. Space is limited, so get yours early.

The money will be used on repair and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, and to keep the canal clean and healthy. The specific projects will be discussed and voted on at the association meetings.

Somos Vecinos en Guayabitos/We Be Neighbors in Guayabitos es el nombre de un grupo no oficial dentro de la asociación oficial de los habitantes de la zona residencial. Este grupo tiene el propósito de elevar la conciencia colectiva de lo que se necesita para tener una vecindad que se puede llamar "buena." Y también quieren procurar dinero.

Con este propósito, les invitan a todos participar en un evento para aumentar los fondos para proyectos en nuestra vecindad. Será el martes, 15 de enero, en la casa de Roger y Bobbi Attwood, #44 Los Flamingos. Desde los 5 hasta los 9 de la tarde va a ser comida, música, baile, y premios. Se puede comprar boletos ($250 pesos/persona) de cualquier de los siguientes vecinos: Vinyards, Burnetts, Brakkes, Finzers,Krauses, Karen Ryan, or the Attwoods.

La moneda se va a usar en el manteniemiento y reparación de las calles y el canal. Proyectos specíficos estará decididos en las reuniones mensuales de la asociación oficial.

Now, I'd like to say a little about the name of the group, since it was your editor's suggestion. On second glance, there may be something lost in translation. In English we have one word for neighbor. We use it to describe the people living next door or down the street. But we also use it in that biblical Good Samaritan kind of way. And even for those not particularly Bible-literate, most North American English speakers have heard of Mr. Rogers and his plaintive query at the end of his opening song: "Will you be my neighbor?" It's a word loaded with meaning in a local and cosmic sense.

'T ain't so in Spanish. The word vecino means people who live near you. It's a physical thing, definitely next door or down the street. The English word neighbor (or neighbour if you've got a King James Version) that you find in that parable in Luke, is translated prójimo, and it means "fellow being." Location doesn't have anything to do with it -- or race or tribe or religion, which of course was the whole point of the parable.

So do we want to say effectively in Spanish, We Be Fellowbeings in Guayabitos? Sounds REALLY exclusive, but frankly, just plain old "Somos Prójimos" sounds like people with a religious mission. Oh well. Maybe just the opportunity to explain the difference may serve the original purpose. Here goes, ahem, in Spanish......

Quiero decir algo acerca del nombre del grupo, así que su redactora ayudé en escogerlo. Quizás habría un poquito problema de interpretación con ello. En inglés, la palabra "neighbor" (ne bor) significa dos cosas -- por los cuales la gente de habla español tienen dos palabras: vecino y prójimo. Por eso, en inglés, el nombre del grupo "We Be Neighbors" significa más que simplemente un grupo de gente que viven cercanos. Más, representa una responsibilidad cada una a la otra, que incluye gente más allá que solamente la gente aquí en la zona. Ser "buen vecino" representa una responsibilidad hacia el ambiente total.

Este nombre no está escrito en piedra. Si habrá otro nombre más descriptivo en español, estaríamos muy agradecidos saberlo.