Tenacatita Bay Bugle

A visit to Tenacatita Beach, with armed guards watching us

2011-11-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - A quick visit to Tenacatita Beach, our first since the land was illegally seized by Jose Villalobos more than a year ago, can best be described as surreal.

First, we had to pass through a caged area, in which they searched our truck and asked lots of questions about why we were coming in. Then as we drove in, a guard with a rifle watched us from a balcony of the house built by a woman named Irene. Adm. Fox had her IPad taking pictures but put it down - we had strict orders, only photos of the beach.

At the beach, it was worse. A snarly guard told us exactly where to park and then made it clear that photos were to be of the water, not even the beach in either direction,

And how did I determine the guard with the automatic weapon was snarly? Instead of the polite 'senor' he hollered at me repeatedly using 'usted'. Senor of course means Mister, usted translates as You.

These guys would be very at home in the Oakland, California police department.

In La Manzanilla, the people - including one person whose restaurant was seized - seem convinced that the beach will reopen, sans guards, in December.

Vamos a ver, amigos.

When we return in January, we will make a more concerted assault to get photos, perhaps even hire a boat to shoot video and photos from the bay - if the guards are still strutting about like stormtroopers.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Supreme Court rules against Rodenas - says give land back

2011-10-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The following was published in the Guadalajara Reporter. Much of the information has also been passed along by Dobie Dolphin of Rebalsito.

===============================================================
A district judge who rubber-stamped the eviction of restaurant and businesses owners on Tenacatita beach last year was not qualified to issue the order, the Jalisco Supreme Court has ruled. The September 21 decision gives hope to dozens of families living in nearby El Rebalsito, who may soon be able to return to the beachfront land where they have worked for more than three decades.

The three Novena Sala (Ninth Salon) magistrates ruled that Guadalajara real estate firm Rodenas Inmobiliaria must now make reparations for all damages occurred when state police – acting on the order of the 2nd district court judge in Autlan – forcibly took over the zone in the early morning of August 4, 2010. The eviction resulted from Rodenas’ decades-old dispute over land ownership rights with the local Resbalse de Apazulco ejido.

Over many years, restaurant and hotel infrastructure has been built in the area to cater to locals and tourists. The business owners even paid the annual fees giving them the privilege of using parts of the federally-owned beach for commercial purposes.

The zone was eventually titled to individual ejido members in 2006 under a federal land regularization program. Some lots had already been sold to foreigners and registered in the name of a Mexican citizen (prestanombre). But once the lots were titled, the foreigners were able to own the land through a fideicomiso (bank trust).

Rodenas director José María Andrés Villalobos – who says he purchased the land from the wife of a former Jalisco governor in 1991 – claims these titles have no validity and that the ejiditarios have been squatting his property for decades. In previous interviews Villalobos has indicated that he wants to build a luxury tourist development beside the undeveloped beach, one of the prettiest in the state.

A key element of last month’s Jalisco Supreme Court decision was that the Autlan judge was not authorized by law to issue the eviction order that resulted from a previous Mexican Supreme Court ruling determining Rodenas to be the legal owners of the disputed beachfront land.

“He’s not a federal judge and he exceeded his responsibilities,” explained Everardo Rojas Contreras, El Rebalse de Apazulco ejido’s legal representative, at a press conference this week.

In addition, said Rojas, instead of taking possession of the 42 hectares in dispute, Rodenas has assumed control of more than 140 hectares.

As expected, Rodenas filed its own appeal (amparo) three days after its unfavorable September 21 ruling. But Rojas is confident this maneuver will come to nothing and expects magistrates to make their review of the case at the end of October and issue a “final decision” sometime in early December.

“Rodenas will have to open access to the beach immediately and repair the damages that they caused,” Rojas said. “We are in no hurry. It’s been a year since the eviction and we have total confidence in the justice system.”

Only when residents are allowed back into the zone can the full amount of damages be ascertained, Rojas said.

According to several sources, since securing the zone Rodenas personnel have demolished much, but not all, of the existing infrastructure in the Tenacatita beachfront area. This includes the palapa seafood restaurants that served tourists and locals for more than 40 years, as well hotels and everything in them, such as beds, refrigerators, freezers and televisions.

If the new ruling stands, Rodenas will be liable for all missing and destroyed items, including boats, motors, electrical equipment, and even a horse, Rojas said.

Armed state police officers – many of them “auxiliaries” employed by a security firm also owned by Villalobos – have been guarding the land ever since the August 2010 eviction. They have allowed some tourists limited access to the beach, although by law all Mexican beaches must have open public access.

In addition, Rojas said the case raises important questions over a state’s limits on legislative procedure. For this reason, he said, he intends to start legal proceedings against Jalisco Governor Emilio Gonzalez and Police Chief Carlos Najera, whom he said have both supported Rodenas’ illegal case against the ejiditarios.

Speaking at the press conference, Rojas admitted that Rodenas owner Villalobos – a former head of the local Chamber of Commerce and president of Expo Guadalajara – is powerful and well connected but added that, “while he’s tough, I’m tougher.”

According to a 2006 profile in El Informador’s “Gente Bien” social supplement, Villalobos trained as a lawyer, and after a spell working in the Infonavit public housing department, ventured into the real estate sector. He mentioned that his business was badly affected by the 1995 economic crisis, so he moved into the security service arena, specializing in tracing stolen vehicles by satellite.

His successful security company is now certified to act as Policia Auxiliar Estatal (State Auxiliary Police), whose primary clients are the Jalisco State Government. In the profile, Villalobos talked of how “for the good of the country,” businessmen should strive to work “hand-in-hand” with the working-class.

Villalobos charging fee for admission to Tenacatita Beach

2011-04-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

Villalobos

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - An article in El Occidental (LINK: El Occidental) says that Jose Villalobos - the wealthy Guadalajara developer who violently seized the Tenacatita Beach area and evicted nearly 800 persons August 4, 2010 with a force of 130 armed men - is now defying an order by PROFEPA to open to the beach to the public.

And in the same story, it is reported that he is charging for people to enter (100 pesos per car and 20 pesos per person). In addition, there apparently are toilet facilities now available - if people are willing to pay.

Admission is only granted after an interrogation by the state police guarding the acreage seized by Villalobos.

First, interrogation, then pay a fee

Since Villalobos has not allowed free public access, the story says a notario will be dispatched to witness that the beach is still closed to document what is going on. Further legal action - filed by the state government, might follow.

Villalobos claims he owned 42 hectares of Tenacatita, including the beach on the bayside and much of the Pacific Beach side, too. When he seized the land, however, he took more than twice that and is denying access to all the people who formerly lived there - or who say they have a claim of ownership of land in the area.

Many non-Mexican citizens hold federal titles to the lands now controlled by armed guards and police under the direction of Villalobos. Lawsuits against Villalobos are working their way through the court system in Guadalajara.

Since Villalobos seized the land, most of the structures that had been in place - palapas, restaurants, bathroom facilities and tiendas - were all bulldozed

Destroying buildings on Tenacatita Beach

Oregon benefit for Tenacatita nets more than $1,600 USD

2011-04-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

DEADWOOD, Oregon, USA - A fundraiser held here for the 800 people evicted at gunpoint from Tenacatita by wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos August 4, 2010 raised more than $1,600. And the party that night went on past 2 a.m.

The event had about 100 people attend, with locally grown organic beef donated by Allen and Kristi Guse, said Felisa Rogers, one of the event organizers. There were $5 taco dinners with an additional $250 worth of food was donated by Kamari Moeller and Tom and Becky Gannon. Karen Moeller made and donated the desserts.

'Coco Open' attire

"People made a sliding scale donation of $5 or more to see The Crow Quill Night Owls, an excellent band that plays old-timey jazz and jug band music," Felisa said. "The band played three sets and was very popular with the crowd (lots of dancing)."

Anyone familiar with the 30-year-old tradition called the 'coco open,' held annually on the Tenacatita Beach would have been right at home. Some people dressed in lingerie or golf attire to honor this ancient Tenacatita cultural tradition.

"We had a pinata for the kids and a costume competition with me and our neighbor Michelle Holman as MCs," she said.

Felisa also gave a slide show about the situation. LINK: Tenacatita presentation

Gary Thomas of Mendocino brought Tenacatita t-shirts. A number of people from Seattle and Portland attended the event, including many former visitors to Tenacatita.

"The raffle was a particular success--we sold hundreds of $1 tickets. Prizes included a massage by Angela Adamski LMT and a custom made bikini by Shady Lady designs," Felisa said. "One of the prizes was cash. Half of the pot was intended for the winner and the other half for the Tenacatita Fund. Greg Hertzbach won the prize, and donated his winnings back to the fund."

Here is a video of the band playing at the fundraiser:

Here are some additional photos from the event, sent to the Tenacatita Bay Bugle by Felisa Rogers:

SEMARNAT tells Rodenas and Villalobos - open the beach

2011-04-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - A report out of Tenacatita says that for the first time, a part of the federal government of Mexico is trying to lay down the law and get Jose Villalobos to open the Tenacatita Beach to the public.

Villalobos

Villalobos seized the beach by force August 4, evicting families and landowners, claiming that the area was his.
He says he owns 42 hectares in the area but seized close to 80 hectares, including land along the Pacific Beach owned by Mexicans, Americans and other non-nationals.

SEMARNAT delivered an 8-page document to Villalobos, according to Dobie, who lives in Rebalsito and who has been instrumental in trying to get their land back.
Much of the land seized by Villalobos - with the help of the state police - is federally titled.
The SEMARNAT document says that if Rodenas wants to keep the concession to the beach he has to "abstain from doing anything to impede free access to the beach."
The terms of the concession say it is prohibited for Villalobos to put up any fences or impede free pedestrian access to the federal zone.
A violation of that will be cause for revocation of the concession.

Tenacatita Beach access point

Dobie said that Villalobos had five days to open the beach. Because he hasn't, a notary has come to the beach as a witness that access is still being denied.
"This is a big step forward," she said. "It is the first time a federal agency (or any agency for that matter) has actually taken official, legal action."

Members of the fishing cooperative have filed a demanda against Rodenas and Villalobos for violation of their constitutional rights and loss of income. Dobie accompanied some of the members of the cooperative to Guadlajara recently the help with the filing.
"The lawyers are feeling very positive," she said.

The August 2010 eviction process

Tenacatita 'agreement' in the works; guards won't let Semarnat in

2011-03-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

Villalobos

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Another attempt at forming an agreement between the ejido of Tenacatita and the government over access to Tenacatita Beach is in process - possibly to try to get some public access for thousands of Mexican vacationers during Semana Santa.

Diputado David Hernandez - who is featured in the video below using his truck to tear down the gates put up by Jose Villalobos - was supposed to present a proposed agreement to the ejido a few days ago, but it wasn't ready to be discussed, according to Dobie, who lives in Rebalsito.

Villalobos seized the Tenacatita Beach (and some portions of the oceanfront) August 4, 2010 with a force of 200 police. Nearly 800 people were evicted forcibly from the land. Some were arrested in the process and much rough treatment by police was reported.

Since then, virtually all of the buildings and palapas along the bayside and ocean have been bulldozed. Guards at the single road access point allow only limited - and arbitrary - access to the empty beach. Anyone attempting to enter the beach has to surrender identification and cannot take alcohol.

Photos are also forbidden. About 20 guards are currently patrolling the beach area.

Villalobos claims that he owns 42 hectares of land along the beach and ocean and that the persons evicted were all squatters. In addition to the evicted Mexican property owners - many of whom hold federal titles to their land - Americans, Canadians and Germans were also evicted from their ocean side properties. Numerous lawsuits are in process against Villalobos in Guadalajara.

At the last ejido meeting, a letter was read from SEMARNAT (the environmental agency). Representatives of Semarnat went to the Tenacatita gates, where the armed guards bar entrance to the beach. SEMARNAT was there to serve Villalobos with legal papers indicating he was being fined for cutting mangroves illegally.

The guards would not let SEMARNAT staff in to serve him, or representatives of his company, Rodenas with the legal documents

Dobie also said that a reporter from a magazine called PODER was in town, interviewing people.

The reporter also interviewed Villalobos for two hours in Guadalajara. Her story is expected to come out in a future PODER edition.

PODER's target audience is executives of business firms whose salaries are in excess of $250,000 (USD).

LINK TO PODER:
PODER magazine

Fundraiser for displaced Tenacatita residents April 9 - in Oregon

2011-03-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

DEADWOOD, Oregon, USA - A fundraiser for the people of Tenacatita - many of whom were forced from their homes at gunpoint August 4, 2010 - is set for Saturday, April 9 here in the northwest.

The fundraiser is going to be held at the Deadwood Community Center and will have a dinner, entertainment and a raffle.

Rogers

Felisa Rogers, managing editor of The People's Guide to Mexico, (LINK TO GUIDE) says that the event is expected to draw people from as far as California and Seattle.

"We are having a dinner (taco bar) and show (with an excellent band, The Crow Quill Night Owls) on April 9. We'll also have a raffle of donated items, t-shirts for sale, and a costume competition," she said.

Rogers has written about the Tenacatita situation on her blog, Winterpalace, also. LINK: Winterpalace by Felisa Rogers.

Here is the flier circulating to promote the event:

The land in Tenacatita was taken over August 4, 2010 by wealthy Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos who has announced he has plans to build a luxury hotel and golf course on his claimed 42 hectares along the bay and oceanfront.

He claims he purchased the land 20 years ago and that the people who were evicted were squatters.

Many of the people who were evicted have filed lawsuits in Mexican courts to regain their lands.

Many of these same people - including Americans, Canadians, Germans as well as Mexicans - hold federal titles signed by former Mexican President Vincente Fox or incumbent President Felipe Calderon.

As the court cases slowly wind their way through the system. many of the people who have filed the lawsuits fear that when Felipe Calderon leaves office at the end of his term, he might be replaced by Emilio Gonzalez Marquez, currently the governor of Jalisco.

Marquez has steadfastly refused to intervene - even though Jalisco state police were involved in the evictions and are themselves the subject of many claims of brutality by the people forced out of their homes.

Marquez is closely linked to Villalobos also because Villalobos (the former president of the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce) is heading up the Pan-American Games efforts in Guadalajara. The games begin in October.

The governor (left) with Villalobos

Fundraising, legal battle(s) continue over Tenacatita takeover

2011-03-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Efforts to raise money - to help the people evicted from Tenacatita August 4, 2010 - are continuing. As many as 800 people, including many families, were evicted by armed men operating under the direction of developer Jose Villalobos of Guadalajara who has said in numerous printed accounts that he plans to build a luxury hotel and golf course on 42 hectares of land there.

In addition to the funding raising, numerous court cases in Guadalajara are continuing also.


Gate on state highway, barring access to beach

A motion by Villalobos to deny any court hearings on his armed seizure of the Tenacatita Beach (and oceanfront) was turned back in the last few weeks. Guadalajara courts are likely to begin hearing arguments for 'amparos,' in each case.

Because Mexican law does not allow for a class action lawsuit, each of the people whose property was seized have had to file individual lawsuits.

And each suit will need to proceed on its own merits. Witnesses for the property owners have been alerted that they may be testifying.

Adding to the slowness of the process is that legal documents are traveling from La Huerta to lawyers in Guadalajara via the Mexican snail mail system.

Villalobos claims that he bought the land more than 20 years ago and that the people evicted were squatters on his land. Many of those alleged squatters hold federal titles signed by former Mexican President Vincente Fox or current President, Felipe Calderon. And among that group are numerous Americans, Canadians and Europeans who purchased the titled land and in some cases, had built homes.

Jose Villalobos

In one case, a Canadian couple built a small RV park.

Virtually all of those buildings - as well as the restaurants and palapas that dotted the Tenacatita Beach - have been bulldozed by Villalobos. Guards patrol the beach, challenging people who arrive by boat.

A gate was constructed across the state highway to deny access to the beach. Some people have reported that they are allowed through, but only after surrending identification and leaving their cameras.

While the court cases continue, efforts to raise funds to help the Mexican families displaced continue. Many of the people are living in nearby Rebalsito.

Shirts for sale at the La Manzanilla cup sailboat race

The La Manzanilla message board has carried numerous messages about how to help the displaced people. This one from Dobie of Rebalsito tells where to donate: LINK: Donating to Tenacatita

At the same time, t-shirts are being sold to raise money - as well as awareness about the seizure of the titled land and eviction of the residents.

The shirts are usually available for sale in the morning Friday market in the jardin in La Manzanilla.

Hidden video posted showing guard blocking Tenacatita Beach access

2011-01-01T16:47:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - A video - made with a concealed camera - was posted New Year's Eve of a confrontation that took place this fall between Jalisco State Police and someone who had landed on the disputed beach in Tenacatita.

The Tenacatita bayside beach - and lots along the Tenacatita oceanfront (some owned by non-Mexicans) were seized August 4 by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos, a wealthy Guadalajara developer who claims he bought the land nearly 20 years ago. The armed men came in without warning August 4 and forcibly evicted as many as 800 people from the area.

Beachfront restaurants and facilities have been destroyed on the bay beach, as have many homes and buildings on the oceanfront.

A group of people from nearby Rebalsito and La Manzanilla did go to the beach Dec. 27 to draw attention to the situation. They were allowed access for that day, though police were nearby.

The video, which is in Spanish, does have subtitles and written commentary for none Spanish speakers.

The video is a YouTube video, and the link first appeared on the La Manzanilla message board: La Manz message board

Tenacatita one-day 'picnic' goes off without incident

2010-12-28T06:09:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - A one-day picnic on the Tenacatita Beach Monday went off without any serious hitches, according to Rebalsito resident Dobie, writing on the La Manzanilla message board.

"It was a great day. Wonderful to watch boatloads of people go by, waving their Mexican flags," she wrote.

Here is a link to the full message: Tenacatita Beach picnic report

The picnic was put together to draw attention to the seizure of the Tenacatita Beach August 4 by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos, a Guadalajara developer who claims he owns about 42 hectares of land on Tenacatita Bay and on the oceanfront side, too.

Nearly 800 residents were evicted that day and lands owned by Mexicans and non-Mexicans were seized and have been under armed guard since. The beach restaurants were razed and homes destroyed.

A number of lawsuits have been filed against Villalobos in federal courts from people trying to regain their land. Much of the property is federally titled, though Villalobos claims the titles are invalid.

A number of beachfront homes and a small RV park owned by non-Mexicans have been destroyed also, according to reports.

Monday's 'picnic' was the first time that the guards let a large group of people through since August 4. Previous attempts at gaining access to the beach have been met with force by the guards.

For this organized picnic, participants came via boats from La Manzanilla and via the formerly public road, which now has a gate across it.

According to Dobie's report, people coming through via road had to leave their identifications with the guards at the gate. People who arrived via boat were not asked for anything, she said.

Though Monday's event went off without any problems, it remains unclear if public access to the Tenacatita beach has been restored, or if this was a one-time reaction by Villalobos and his security forces designed to avoid a public confrontation. Since seizing the beach in August, Villalobos has told public officials that the beach is open to the public and that the guards are there only to maintain order.

The photo below, from Informador.com.mx, shows what people who arrived by car had to face.

Beach access, but first...

Tenacatita Day of Camping Monday will be a boat-in event

2010-12-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The La Manzanilla message board reported today that the 'day of camping' picnic on Tenacatita Beach, Monday, Dec. 27, will begin with a panga ride across Tenacatita Bay from La Manzanilla to the disputed beach area of Tenacatita.

A post, by Dobie of Rebalsito, (who has been helping organize the people evicted by Jose Villalobos August 4), says that people should gather by a 10 a.m. Monday at Restaurant Cato on the La Manzanilla beach. From there, boats will traverse the bay, with a landing on the beach at Tenacatita. About 150 people are expected to be taken there by water.

Here is a link to her full message: Beach landing for Tenacatita Event

Fence and gate blocking access to Tenacatita

The news that the 'picnic' is taking place comes after several days of individuals reportedly saying in La Manzanilla that Tenacatita Beach was open to the public - or about to be opened with full public access.

As of late Thursday, the gates - and guards - were still in place, barring the public from the formerly popular resort area.

The entire area was seized by armed forces under the direction of Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos who claims ownership of the area - despite the federal titles issued for the land, held by many Mexican and non-Mexican citizens.

Jose Villalobos

In his August 4 takeover, nearly 800 people were evicted from their homes and businesses at gunpoint. Several persons were arrested and numerous persons injured in the assault.

Since then, numerous protests have taken place, Jalisco government officials have expressed outrage over the takeover, and lawsuits have been filed against Rodenas claiming - among other things - that his gunpoint takeover of the bay and oceanfront land was unconstitutional.

Villalobos reportedly has plans to build a luxury hotel in the area - and possibly a golf course.

Planning underway for Tenacatita 'day of camping' Monday, Dec. 27

2010-12-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

REBALSITO, Jalisco, Mexico - The organizers of the 'day of camping' on the Tenacatita Beach are getting together this week to work on the details of how the event will unfold Monday, Dec. 27.

The preliminary plans are for people to gather in Rebalsito and make their way to the beach via a back entrance, which will require crossing some waterways.

Once on the easterly section of the beach - which is not in dispute - the plan is to have people walk west along the shore until they reach the area of Tenacatita Beach formerly occupied by restaurants, hotels, and various businesses.

Should the road suddenly be opened by Dec. 27, the group will march down the state highway to the beach.

Here is a link to Cyberpueblo, which has been following this issue: Cyberpueblo Invitation to Day of Camping


Guadalajara Developer Jose Villalobos

The event is in part to draw attention to the ongoing occupation - and destruction - of Tenacatita Beach by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos.

Villalobos seized the bayside of Tenacatita Beach and much of the oceanfront area the morning August 4. Police and security forces brutally evicted the residents - Mexicans and non-Mexicans. As many as 800 persons were forced out a gunpoint.

Villalobos claims he holds a valid court order giving him title to the land and is planning to build a luxury hotel and resort - complete with a golf course, according to published reports.

Police blocking the state highway in August

The evictees, however, are fighting the eviction in court and have staged numerous protests, including marches in Guadalajara. So far, the governor of the state of Jalisco has refused to intervene and is the subject of heavy criticism from members of the government. Guadalajara Reporter story on the governor.

Several times since August 4, groups of people have tried to gain access to the beach only to be rebuffed - sometimes violently. LINK: News media, crowd sprayed with chemicals

Persons walking along the ocean beach are stopped by armed guards too. The guards are using the second story of a home formerly occupied by a non-Mexican citizen, as a lookout tower.

It's official - Tenacatita protest (day of camping) set for December 27

2010-12-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The people of Rebalsito and their supporters have made it official that Monday, Dec. 27 will be a day of protest - at the seized Tenacatita Beach.

Juan Frost of Cyberpueblo.com (Cyberpuebo link) sent an email invitation to hundreds of persons who have been supporting the repatriation of Tenacatita Beach and the Tenacatita oceanfront lots seized by armed forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos Aug. 4.

Juan Frost wrote:
"I am writing to invite you to a peaceful picnic at Tenacatita (fully supported by Rebalsito's town leaders) this December 27 at 9 AM starting from the town of Rebalsito. We will be entering Tenacatita through a back way and will be ferrying the public across a narrow stretch of the lagoon in undisputed territory and then march up the beach for a final gathering up by the restaurants. If the beach is open by then we will march up the road. People wishing to arrive by sea can join us. Foreigners who are a little apprehensive can show support by being in the bay with their boats."

In that armed takeover, nearly 800 persons were forcibly evicted from their homes and businesses, given virtually no time to pick up their possessions.

When they were allowed to return several days later, the people reported that homes and businesses had been looted by the State Police and/or security forces and that there was little to reclaim.

Protest march earlier this year

The peaceful protest is slated to begin at 9 a.m. in Rebalsito and will involve using boats to cross an undisputed portion of the mangroves to an area of the beach that is also not in dispute.

From there, persons in the demonstration are expected to march onto the disputed area - but only on the beach close to the water that is guaranteed to be accessible to all Mexican citizens by the Mexican constitution.

In the past week, several persons who have walked down the ocean beach - right at the tide line - have been turned back by armed guards and told they were trespassing on private land.

Protest organizers hope to get some attention from Mexican, American and Canadian media. But with the exception of one story published in a number of Canadian newspapers (Vancouver Sun story), non-Mexican media have largely ignored the story.

A 'day of camping' proposed for the seized area of Tenacatita Beach

2010-12-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - The La Manzanilla message board today posted a message posted on Cyberpueblo, declaring that a 'day of camping' on the Tenacatita beach is being planned for after Christmas. Cyberpueblo

The date mentioned was December 27, but has not been confirmed. The post suggests that the people participating would take boats across and attempt to land on the beach. If successful, the poster suggests that there would be a fiesta held.

The event would appear to be a peaceful protest against the August 4 seizure of the Tenacatita Beach by police and armed security guards under the direction of Jose Villalobos, a Guadalajara developer, who claims he has legal title to 42 hectares of land along Tenacatita Bay and the ocean.

Villalobos

In May, his armed force evicted nearly 800 persons at gunpoint and seized property owned by Mexicans, Americans, Canadians and Germans.

Numerous court cases are ongoing.

In the past few weeks, it seemed that Villalobos' company - Rodenas - was going to open the beach to the public and possibly allow restaurants to open.

The Cyberpueblo posting indicates that is not the case.

Here is a link to the La Manzanilla message board posting: Cyberpueblo posting and translation

Tenacatita news too optimistic again - beach remains closed

2010-12-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Tenacatita Beach remains closed and will likely remain so unless developer Jose Villalobos signs a document allowing limited access.

The following was posted by Rebalsito resident Dobie, who has been active in assisting the people evicted August 4 by security forces.

=======

FROM THE LA MANZANILLA MESSAGE BOARD:

     Sorry to report that the gate is still there. Yes, the beach is open if they feel like letting you in, and you show your I.D. (so they can write your name down) and you don't take a camera or a cell phone, and they'll watch you the whole time, and there are no services, and, and, and....
      In yesterday's Jornada article it says that Villalobos "could" sign the agreement this week, (which would open the beach, but with many conditions) and then he would have 5 days to get his guys out of there, or at least only on his supposed 42.5 hectares. But the conditions include days use only, no camping, no one can build palapas or open restaurants, only vendedores ambulantes (with permits, of course). Doesn't sound much like free access to me. Most people here think it's unacceptable; others feel like it's a first step.
      It's clear that it's not just governor Emilio that's backing Villalobos, but higher-ups in the federal government too.
      I find it hard to believe that they'll take the gate down, especially if they want everyone out by 6 PM. How are they going to keep people from coming back?
      But I do believe in miracles, and at this point that's what I think it'll take.

============

State Police evicting residents

Area residents - and the persons evicted - had hoped that the beach would be reopened in time for the Christmas holidays.

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the Guadalajara-based developer who is said to be living on the Tenacatita Beach.

State police - allegedly enforcing a court order - seized the area August 4, evicting as many as 800 persons and seizing beachfront lots owned by Mexican and non-Mexican residents.

La Manz message board post says Tenacatita beach fence is down

2010-12-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - The saga of whether Tenacatita Beach is open again to the public is like a ping-pong ball.

Yes, No, Yes, No, Maybe?

The La Manzanilla message board today contained a plea for more information, after several individuals reported that the fence is indeed down and the beach open.

Also included in the posting was information that a former restaurant owner had plans to move back to the beach, with the cooking facilities on one side of the road, beachside palapas on the other.

Here is a link to the posting: Another posting on Tenacatita Beach

Report says this fence is gone

Rumors were too optimistic, but Tenacatita Beach still may open

2010-12-13T14:22:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The reported rumors that Jose Villalobos was about to withdraw from the lands he seized along Tenacatita Bay and the ocean might have been just that, rumors.

But in a story in today's La Jornada, it appears there might be a chance that Villalobos is willing to sign an agreement that will result in the highway being opened.

Here is a link to the google translation of the story: La Jornada writes about Tenacatita takeover

A force of armed men took over the area August 4, routing nearly 800 residents from their homes and businesses, claiming that Villalobos had won a court case giving him sole ownership of 42 hectares through his corporation.

Since that time, numerous lawsuits have been filed and demonstrations by local residents have been held at the gates blocking the state-financed highway into the beach area. Demonstrators and members of the press were repelled this fall by security guards and/or police - by being sprayed with chemicals.

Here is a video of that incident:

Rumors flying that Jose Villalobos ordered out of Tenacatita

2010-12-12T20:04:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - The ongoing occupation of the Tenacatita area was featured on the La Manzanilla message board today.

The Tenacatita area was seized August 4 by police under the direction of Guadalajara developer Jose Villalobos who claims that he has a valid court order ceding him ownership of the property.

Eviction of residents in August

Besides evicting nearly 800 Mexican citizens along the bay side of Tenacatita, he also seized oceanfront land owned by Americans, Canadians and Mexicans.

Since seizing the land, he had bulldozed most of the beachfront palapas and several buildings.

His occupying security forces have denied access to the public, and is several instances have repelled people by force to keep them from entering the area.

Numerous lawsuits have been filed against him, citing the unconstitutionality of the seizure, as well as criticizing incidents of brutality on the part of the police who evicted residents.

Here is the posting from the La Manz board:

Some residents of La Manzanilla just came into my office and told me the following story.
They went to Tenacatita today, got through the gate by giving the guard their ID, really easy.
On the way out of town they stopped at a restaurant. The man there told them
that Villalobos had to be out of Tenacatita in 3 day's. That he was going to be ordered
to pay restitution for the damage he caused but that he would probably claim bankruptcy.
They said that the Feds? had deemed his deed to the property to be invalid.
Seems the people are ecstatic about the news.
Can anyone verify any of this?

Palapa Joe's in La Manzanilla set to host 'open mic' night Saturday

2010-12-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - Palapa Joe's restaurant in La Manzanilla will be having an open mic night Saturday (Dec. 4) beginning at 7:30 p.m. - mas o menos.

According to La Manzanilla's Lois Lane, this is the fifth year that the restaurant/bar will be hosting musicians, jokesters, poetry readings - and just about anything else for anyone willing to stand up and perform.

The Saturday event will be taking place in the remodeled restaurant, which added outside seating - and lots of seating at the new bar.

Here is a link to a blog about one of the open mic nights last year: Captain's Blog - Grab your ukuleles

The series has been growing in popularity year to year, with Palapa Joe's owner, Willie Mason, frequently contributing his music along with the group, the La Manzanilla Lounge Lizards.

Above is La Manzanilla resident Bernardo, crooning a tune last year.

Below are some additional photos from last year's open mic night in January.

The Celtic trio got the crowd tapping its feet

Gabriela de la Vega
reads her poetry -
in Spanish and English

Guadalajara meeting raises hopes Tenacatita to be open by Christmas

2010-11-29T18:12:00.000-08:00

GUADALJARA, Jalisco, Mexico - A group of 75 people from Rebalsito, as well as 100 or so other interested parties - took part in the meeting held last week over the closure of Tenacatita Beach.

Residents being evicted in August

(See Pressure on to open Tenacatita, Nov. 23).

The entire area was seized Aug. 4 by state police working for developer Jose Villalobos, who claims ownership and is planning to build a resort. He has already torn down nearly all of the structures on the beach and is reported to be living one of the hillside houses overlooking Tenacatita Bay.

Between 700 to 800 people were evicted in the incident. Properties belong to Mexicans - and many non-Mexicans - were seized in the armed takeover.

After that recent meeting, the website Tenacatita on the Costa Alegre posted a report by Dobie (from Rebalsito) that the government of La Huerta will soon be granted the concession to the Tenacatita Beach. Currently there is no public access. Anyone attempting enter is challenged by the armed security forces of Villalobos and usually turned back. A few gringos have been allowed in, but only after being searched - and having their cameras and identification held by the guards at the double gate on the state highway.

The diputados involved in the Guadalajara meeting assured the crowd that the beach will be reopened so that the former restaurant owners and merchants can make some money during the busy holidays serving tourists.

Here is the last paragraph of Dobie's posting:


Tenacatita house, reportedly occupied by Jose Villalobos

"There were two very welcome pieces of news. One is that the government of La Huerta is going to get the concession to the beach (and the ocean beach), and soon. The other is that the diputados assured us that the beach will be open in time for Christmas vacation so that people can come and camp and enjoy the beach, and everyone here can get back to work, however they can - setting up tarps, umbrellas, whatever... You can imagine how happy everyone was to hear that news! It's changed the whole vibe of the town. Everyone feels more hopeful." - Dobie

Here is a link to her entire post: LINK: Dobie's report on the Guadalajara meeting

Legal actions continue in fight against Tenacatita Beach takeover

2010-11-28T13:36:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - While the Rodenas bulldozers continue to tear down structures (the latest victim reportedly the small white house on the Pacific Ocean, very close to the rocks) evicted Mexican residents of the Tenacatita beach area are still working with attorneys to get their land back.

Police evicting residents in August, 2010

     Among the discussions ongoing are conversations about whether to proceed with legal action in the state of Jalisco's courts, or go directly to the federal government to seek legal relief and regain the land.
     The gringos who bought property along the oceanside of Tenacatita - whose property was also seized by Rodenas and state police August 4 - are awaiting action on their court claims, too.
   The state highway into the Tenacatita Beach area remains closed, gated and guarded, despite repeated efforts by various government officials and private parties to get it reopened.

Bulldozer at work

A march and demonstration to get the road opened ended with the protesters - and members of the news media - getting sprayed with chemicals by state police guarding the property claimed by Jose Villalobos and the Rodenas company.
LINK to demonstration story: Police repel Tenacatita demonstrators

And here is a link to story written by someone who attempted to reach the beach about a week ago: LINK Need a tank to get to Tenacatita

Mexican government advises traveling in convoys - and in the daylight

2010-11-24T08:12:00.000-08:00

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - Today's Los Angeles Times carried a story about warning issued by the Mexican government, telling Mexicans returning from the U.S. - and any one traveling in Mexico - to be extra cautious on the highways and travel in convoys.


Mexican Marines search a vehicle in the city of Puebla

Convoys? Yes, convoys.

The story said the government is offering armed escorts for such groups, including the military. In cases where people say they don't want an escort, the government says it can monitor travelers to ensure they get to their destinations safely.

Today's Los Angeles Times story comes just days after the U.S. Consultate General issued a stern warning about driving through Tepic, north of Puerto Vallarta. LINK: Trouble in Tepic

The photo on the right ran in today's LA Times. Here is a link to the story: Convoy, daylight travel in Mexico urged

Pressure on to open Tenacatita beach road before December

2010-11-23T10:34:00.000-08:00

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco, Mexico - The La Manzanilla message board posted the report below from Informador.Com.Mx that a meeting was just held of top level Mexican officials, pushing for a reopening of the Tenacatita Beach road, closed since August. 4.

Tenacatita Beach last spring, before seizure

Since the closure, police and/or security forces under the direction of Jose Villalobos of the Rodenas Corp. have barred entry to the public and have had several confrontations with local residents who were evicted from their homes and businesses.

A video of one recent confrontation is here: LINK: Protestors tear down fence, get sprayed with chemicals

The evictees - along with a number of non-Mexican citizens who own property along the ocean beach there - have filed lawsuits in federal court in Guadalajara to regain their lands.

If the road suddenly is opened, it is unclear what people would find when they arrived. According to published reports, virtually all the restaurants - and other facilities like restrooms - have been leveled. Several palapas, with concrete floors have been erected, the same reports say.

Below is a Google translation of what was published.

Here is the direct link to the Informador posting: LINK Informador story (in Spanish)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FROM INFORMADOR.COM.MX:
GUADALAJARA, JALISCO (23/NOV/2010) .- Federal Deputies PRI, PAN and the PT, as well as representatives of national and state commissions and Human Rights Department of the Interior (Interior Ministry) met yesterday at the Plaza de Armas to give their views on the conflict over land on the beach at Tenacatita. Rep. David Hernandez lamented the absence of representatives of the Executive.
In sum, the deputies asked the head of the Executive, Emilio González Márquez, order the release of the beach and the road before the holidays start decembrinas, with the aim of reviving tourism in the area.
"We intend to make an agreement to open the beach and the road for people to take advantage of this period and thus reactivate the economy a bit."
U.S. Rep. Salvador Caro noted that from August 4 (when the conflict) estimated economic losses to traders for 50 million pesos. For the deputy, the State Government's attitude is a clarion call for "peaceful civil resistance. Jalisco is a state with a serious problem of governance, there are other disputes over territories that the state has failed to solve. The currency of the Government are deaf, we do not hear, not see us .... "
Another absentee was the representative of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), who sent an official letter in which he explains that he was unable to attend the event by scheduling problems, but reiterated its position that the beach must be free. Other guests that attended were representatives of the company Rodenas, who won a land dispute in the area.
He drew attention to the position of Deputy National Action Party, Luis Meillón Johnston, who admitted that he has talked about it with the governor. "I take the colors of my party, I do not intend to quarrel with the Government or the Director of State Public Security. If this does not solve is politicized. "
"The road may be closed"
The representative of the Human Rights Commission, Alfonso Hernández Barrón, announced the progress of the investigation into the confrontation between police and demonstrators supporting the area. CEDHJ said that immediately calls to withdraw the security forces who blocked the road and the beach at Tenacatita.
"The road may be closed because it was done with public funds. This path must be open, affects a number of fundamental and human rights. "
He recalled that injunctions have been issued for the authorities to avoid trouble among the people. Also felt that they should give psychological support "because there is anguish, despair and suffering, which can cause irreversible damage."
He added that this is one of the most serious issues facing the Government of Jalisco, along with the dissatisfaction of residents to build the dam in the Zapotillo Temacauplín.

No shortage of Thanksgiving dinners in La Manzanilla

2010-11-21T20:30:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - A few years ago, getting a reasonable approximation of a traditional American Thanksgiving turkey dinner was a real challenge in La Manzanilla.

Not anymore, apparently.

At least three restaurants in La Manzanilla, including Palapa Joe's and Lora Loka's will be having the real deal.

Also, the La Manzanilla message board lists Kenny's as having a Thanksgiving Day dinner, too.

Everyone suggests that people get reservations, however - a very un-Mexican notion, but required in this case.

For more details, check the La Manzanilla Message board: Turkey dinner ahead!

In 2008, this blog was posted about having a nice Thanksgiving dinner in La Manzanilla: Dinner at Lora Loka's

Arroyo Seco RV park open; Revolution Day parade in La Manzanilla

2010-11-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - The RV park in Arroyo Seco - Isidro's Las Brisas - is officially open and like all good businesses, has a website with photos and contact information.

Link to Las Brisas: Las Brisas RV park in Arroyo Seco

Here's the text from the website:

Isidro's Las Brisas RV Park is on the large beach (Playa Grande) in Arroyo Seco, Jalisco Mexico. This park is only about 10 miles from Tenacatita Beach which is now closed. This park has sewer hook ups, water and electrical. Each lot is separately metered and you also pay your own electrical. There are two toilets and two showers for your use. There are also two palapas you can sit under or hang your hammock from. The ocean is just across the road. This site has about 12 acres of palm trees and it is a very peaceful and tranquil site. Please call 210-399-6997 (US number) or 315-355-5224 (Mexico number) if you have any questions or want to make reservations.

The area is likely of special interest this season, with Tenacatita's beach and campgrounds blocked off by the police protecting Jose Villalobos. At the same time, a new restaurant has opened on the beach, operated by Luis, who has run the Las Brisas restaurant for a number of years.

The new restaurant is open most days and the menu is similar to last year's: lots of seafood, all of it good.

Visit La Manzanilla posts Revolution Day Parade video

In La Manzanilla today, the parade to celebrate Revolution Day wasn't too revolutionary. La Manzanilla's Lois Lane called it 'the parade that wasn't' because it started earlier than expected.

Earlier? In Mexico. What the #%@&*$^%??????....

But there is video proof that the parade did take place - a video taken for Visit La Manzanilla (LINK: Visit La Manazanilla) that shows smiling children walking down the streets.

Here it is the video from YouTube:

Driving through Tepic? Consulate warns to be extra careful

2010-11-19T16:01:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - Today's message board in La Manzanilla had a posting of a notice from the U.S Consulate General in Guadalajara, warning U.S. citizens to be extra vigilant when traveling in certain areas of western Mexico.

Here is a link to the full posting: Warning on message board

Site of shooting in October

The part of the warning that seemed the most relevant was for the city of Tepic, the site of a drug-related shooting in late October at a car wash.

The warning says to "avoid all unnecessary travel to the city of Tepic, Nayarit. Exercise extreme caution on the non-toll portion of the Route 15 bypass around Tepic."

Tepic is north of Puerto Vallarta. Here is a link to a story about what happened Oct. 27: Tepic shooting

Given that this is the month when many people are heading south along the highway from the U.S. border to La Manzanilla - passing right through Tepic or around it on the highway bypass - the warning couldn't be much more timely.

National Public Radio had a story earlier this week about how the guns being used by the drug cartels are believed to be coming into Mexico from the U.S.: NPR story on guns in Mexico

News video of people tearing down gate to Tenacatita Beach

2010-11-18T13:54:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - In doing some YouTube research, this video (and many others) popped up of the recent incident in which a group of people tore down a part of the fence blocking the highway to the beaches at Tenacatita.

The video shows how explosive the situation is - even the television camera operator got doused with some kind of spray by the police guarding the property being held by Jose Villalobos, property he seized with the police August 4, evicting the residents.

The spray obviously hurt people's eyes - a lot. The TV reporter remarks on it in detail.

Recent reports from gringos who have been allowed into the area (without cameras) are that Villalobos has bulldozed all of the restaurants but is building some new palapas with concrete floors.

The video commentary of the confrontation is in Spanish, but the pictures tell the story:

Arroyo Seco may take seasonal campers with Tenacatita closed off

2010-11-16T09:11:00.000-08:00

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - For several years, the Cuevas family of Arroyo Seco has been building an RV park on the beach at Arroyo Seco, never quite getting it finished, though the spaces are laid out and there is a nice picnic area overlooking the lagoon to the east.

It's still unfinished, as of this writing, but already some campers who normally would go to the Tenacatita beach area - now in total lockdown thanks to Jose Villalobos and his company - are looking for another space near the water for the winter and spring.

Jim Monaco (of Monaco Realty in Arroyo Seco and Melaque) has made some arrangements for some campers on the Arroyo Seco beach already on some other properties with ocean access.

Anyone interested in trying to find space along that stretch of beach should contact him at his Melaque office. The telephone number there is 315-355-5224.

Playa Grande in Arroyo Seco: Campers welcome, but facilities in short supply

Looking for photos and links about the land-grab at Tenacatita

2010-11-15T21:16:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The research has been slow on getting all the news of what has happened at Tenacatita since the August 4 armed takeover of the area.

But there has been a great deal of effort on the part of many good people to help the people who were evicted.

And a lot of effort to show that there is no access to the beach - at least not access most reasonable people would consider, well, reasonable access.

Of course, if you consider going through the portal below reasonable, that might be different.

New look for the 'Tenacatita Bay Bugle' this season

2010-11-14T13:42:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - After several seasons of playing around with this website, it seemed that this year might be the year to make it more useful to the community. The page has been redesigned and in the next few weeks some links will be added making cruising the area electronically a little easier.

It might have been reading about the sewers overflowing in La Manzanilla, (or maybe the crocodiles wandering the streets after dark), but certainly all of the largely terrible news out of Tenacatita and Rebalsito suggests another central repository of information, updated frequently, might be useful.

How frequently will depend on a lot of factors.

The message board in La Manzanilla run by Daniel is hands-down the best resource in the area for keeping up daily on the news. Tomzap also has some good information, though it is complicated sometimes to find the latest stuff.

Perhaps this site can add to those efforts.

And who knows, maybe the ghost of Charles Foster Kane will rise out of the sand on the beach near where the Fiesta Mexicana restaurant was to point a finger at the Rodenas company and say 'shame on you.'

This quote from the film, Citizen Kane, seems apropos at this moment:

"It's also my pleasure to see to it that decent, hard-working people in this community aren't robbed blind by a pack of money-mad pirates, just because they haven't had anybody to look after their interests..."

Here's a link to an interesting clip from Citizen Kane:
How to Run a Newspaper

Hard to believe, but all those restaurants are gone - and so is access to the beach

Surfing competition set for Arroyo Seco for Saturday and Sunday

2010-04-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - The La Manzanilla message board carried some information in the last 10 days about a surfing competition to be held Saturday and Sunday here. No signs have been posted, or any local notice given. But at least two local surfers believe it is going to happen - so that counts as confirmation.

Surf's up Saturday - but bring a lawn chair and some shade.

The two Arroyo Seco beaches, Playa Grande and Playa Chica, have seen plenty of surfing action this season. During Semana Santa, sometimes there would be as many as 30 surfers in the water.

The competition is supposed to start at 9 a.m. according to reports, though which beach the surfistas will head to depends on wind, tide and swell.

I'm betting either end of Playa Grande will be the site.

The waves have been quite large for the past week - maybe too large to even surf.

But last season a visitor - originally from South Africa - caught a perfect wave at Playa Chica and was caught on the video below.

The season is shaping up to be a busy one

2009-11-27T16:30:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - The days are ticking off quickly before Adm. Fox and I return to Costa Alegre in December where there has been plenty of news this summer, even though some of it has been below the radar.

The water shortage - maybe even a real drought - has been chatted about to some degree (and reported in the Guadalajara Reporter by local writer and bon vivant Jane Gorby.) It looks like La Manzanilla residents are in for a long, very dry, winter. Two years ago the water started getting a little salty towards the end of our stay, blamed by officials on salt water intrusion into one of the main La Manz well.s

At the same time, the village always seems to find ways around its problems, salty or not.

Fishing off the Tenacatita Beach

Going over the menu for first night La Manzanilla

2009-11-11T19:29:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - Time is growing short, and already I am thinking about the first evening when Adm. Fox and I will arrive back in La Manzanilla, in December.

There will, of course, be the requisite walk along the beach to see sunset over the ocean, preceded by a sojourn about town with stops to see various amigos and check to see what is new - and what's gone.

And, of course, the most likely destination for dinner will be Palapa Joes restaurant.

LINK: Palapa Joes

Palapa Joes patrons watching the Obama inauguration last year

That first night back in town should also be a reunion with our amiga Laura from Canada (who will be teaching English in Arroyo Seco this spring) and friends from Hector, New York, Tina and Eric Hazlitt.

Laura arrives the same day as we do - Eric and Tina will be arrive a few days earlier and will likely have already discovered all the great places to eat, drink, and play.

What would be the ideal menu for me at Palapa Joes?

No need to ask.

Meatloaf supreme

Going through the photos from last season in Mexico

2009-11-02T21:33:00.000-08:00

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - In preparation for our return to Mexico in December, the Admiral and I are going through our photos, sorting and deleting to make room for the next batch, sure to fill up the hard drives of the computers.

We ran across the scenes below.

You can almost smell the salt and feel the heat off the sand.

How many days until we leave?

At Playa Chica, the good surf beach

Surf's up at Playa Chica

Playa Grande - more houses, but safer swimming

Countdown grows short before return to Tenacatita Bay

2009-10-31T17:01:00.000-07:00

SACRAMENTO, Calif., USA - The days are getting shorter here and the time really short before Adm. Fox and I will return to La Manzanilla and Arroyo Seco to resume real life.

Real life: Swimming, surfing, hiking on the beach, drinking Cuba Libres at Palapa Joes, breakfasts at Cafe Risa, riding the quad and motorcycle in Arroyo Seco, playing music for the Arroyo Seco kids and, and, and...

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The Bugle just learned that Cafe Risa is reopening for the season Sunday, Nov. 1. But will they deliver to Sacramento?)

Somewhere in all the things noted above, there might even be some news posted on this site this season. Too early to say for sure.

It all depends on those Cuba Libres. Too strong, no news. Too weak, no news. In-between, maybe news. Like Fox News (not!), we strive to be fair and balanced. And balancing can be damn tricky when Cuba Libres are involved.

One new development out on the Tenacatita ocean shore this season will be the opening of a small RV parking area on property owned by amigos Doug and Lynn from Canada.

They are already on their way down from the Great White North and will be doing landscaping in the next month or so.

Their mini-RV park is located on the ocean, about a quarter mile from the Aquarium and the all those great seafood joints on the bay.

Oh, add rollo de mar at Fiesta Mexicana to that list of real things above.

In the meantime, here is a photo of a sailboat that washed up on shore last May on the La Manzanilla Beach.

The Tencatita Bay Bugle photography spot news team was there to record it, fair and barely balancing at the time.

Boat washing up on shore at La Manzanilla

Sailboat's last cruise

Getting ready for another season of fiestas and rodeos

2008-11-11T21:45:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - As the countdown continues until we head back to Mexico, the calendar also is getting filled up with various dates of the fiestas, rodeos, religious holidays, state holidays and a whole series of other days that seem geared toward, well, fun.

Last year, living in La Manzanilla, it seemed like there was something going on all the time. Sometimes 24 hours a day.

And if the fiesta in La Manzanilla that weekend (or entire week) wasn't enough fun, well, all you had to do was drive a half-hour to nearby Rebalsito or Melaque or Barra de Navidad or Cihuatlan or ? and a party was happening.

The photos below are from the rodeo in La Manzanilla last winter.

What a happening that was.

Admiral takes pix of the rodeo parade

Horses in the parade

Making parade music

More photos from Arroyo Seco, Tenacatita and La Manzanilla

2008-11-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - In going through files this week, a treasure trove of photos has surfaced.

One shows some surfer-dudes getting ready to hit the water in Arroyo Seco. That photo is truly historic as it was taken only a few days after we decided to buy the downtown Arroyo Seco lot for a combination conference center, safari camp and cantina. And the surfer dudes - who were hungry, thirsty and looking for lodging - validated our idea of what we wanted to build (and are building) in the village.

More on how it's developing will be posted in future blogs, or in the Captain's Blog. (The link is on the right of this posting.)

Another photo is of some swimmers at the beach at Boca de Iguanas, getting ready to brave an undertow that is supposed to be fierce.

The third shot was taken while a team of professional photographers was taking wedding photos on the beach at Tenacatita.

Talk about bringing back memories...

Surfer dudes with the Admiral Fox and son Dylan Fox (cowboy hat)

Watch out for that famous Boca undertow!

Taking wedding photos at Tenacatita Beach

When in La Manzanilla, check out the Cafe Risa

2008-10-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - Amiga Tia Richardson is getting rave reviews for the recently reopened Cafe Risa, formerly El Girasol.

Tia bought the restaurant earlier this year, did some interesting renovations during the monsoon season and is open for business again.

On the La Manzanilla message board, she's getting lots of positive feedback.

Message board comments about Cafe Risa

When she bought the restaurant last year, I was concerned about the menu and staff. Would the menu be the same? Would the staff stay?

Apparently the answer to those questions is yes and yes, though I haven't talked directly to Tia since she reopened. She's too busy!

When I am on the ground in La Manzanilla in November, the TBB will publish a full review of the restaurant (with the menu) so readers can peruse what they might like long before they make it to town.

I'm hungry already.

A handful of La Manzanilla photo updates

2008-10-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - As I posted today that the TBB will be updating later this fall on a regular basis, I realized that I should post some of the photos that have come in during the months since I updated this site last.

Here's a handful:

Even small dogs love Willie's magaritas

Not the smartest move to make

Rusty sets the fish free

Admiral Fox, a horse and a cowboy

Water breaches the land by the Jardin

Long dormant, The Bugle will reawaken this fall

2008-10-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

ARROYO SECO, Jalisco, Mexico - After a long hiatus, the Tenacatita Bay Bugle will be back in business publishing later this fall when a merger with the Arroyo Seco Sentinel takes place.

Watch this space for more news on that merger.

In the meantime, if a log looks like it is swimming through the water, move away from it.

Crocodiles, bugs and sting rays, Oh my!

2007-03-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Setting up a general interest publication is tricky, especially in moving to a new community in which you have only vacationed, never lived for a length of time.

In all the cities (ok, towns) where I worked as a newspaper editor and writer, it always took awhile to figure out who was who and what was what and what constituted a real story.

But at Tenacatita and in nearby neighbor La Manzanilla (the big city), some stories come to mind even before we get there.

Take the cocodrilos lounging in the mangroves at the north end of the village, for example.

Every once in awhile these things get loose and have to be returned to the swamp refuge they call home. How many German tourists have had a close encounter with a 20-foot croc? Have any of these things ever decided to take a midnight stroll up the main avenida, perhaps headed to Palapa Joe's for a late-night snack of a French tourist. (Germans would be too hard to digest after midnight.)

A small croc found wandering

Or bugs?

The no-see-ums on the beaches can be ferocious at sundown. And ferocious is the right word. I always come home from a vacation covered with welts because I forget to use the powerful bug sprays they sell in Mexico. Pouring tequila on the stings helps, followed by some taken orally.

And the sting rays?

On patrol for swimmers

Well, I know that they frequent the shallow water at the anchorage where most of the yachts anchor because I once waded out in the middle of school with my amigo Sanders Lamont. Never had a sting ray sting me. Never want one to. But if a tourist gets whacked, well, that's news.

In the meantime, I've been looking at designs for world headquarters for the TBB, some simple, some more elaborate.

One proposed design for the Tenacatita Bay Bugle headquarters

Two weeks until touchdown at Admiralty Beach

2007-03-07T21:34:00.000-08:00

LA MANZANILLA, Jalisco, Mexico - It's only two weeks until the Admiral and I will visit the TBB offices on a swing through Jalisco with a one-night stop over in Puerto Vallarta at son Dustin's casita.

We expect to meet with Joe Santana & Company of Santana Realty to work out the details about the construction site where we will be building the Bugle's world headquarters and boogie-boarding enterprise.

With any luck, we will also be looking at the site for the soon-to-be established Tenacatita Bay Yacht Club, Admiral Fox to be founding Commodore.

I've been a commodore once and will prefer to be the guy who keeps the beer cooler full and the peanut dishes clean after that experience.

It could be that we will be able to get the right kind of vehicle to take full ride all the way up Admiralty Beach to see how construction is going on up there. Perhaps someone is building a competing publication already.

Regardless, it will be great to be back in the land of warm weather, cold beer and people who don't live on their email and computers.

Like me, right now.

North end of Admiralty Beach

Joe Santana leads a beach tour in January

First posting for the Tenacatita Bay Bugle

2007-03-04T20:22:00.000-08:00

TENACATITA, Jalisco, Mexico - Today marks the first blog of the Tenacatita Bay Bugle, a publication belonging to - and to be published by - journalists Michael Fitzgerald & Sylvia Fox who are in the process of trying to move from the U.S. to the Admiralty Beach area of Tenacatita.

For persons not familiar with that part of the Costa Alegre, the pueblo of Tenacatita is at the northwest corner of Tenacatita Bay, at the end of a long crescent-shaped beach.

World headquarters for the Bugle is only two short blocks from downtown with an oceanfront view of the Pacific.

Bugle's temporary headquarters

Of course, this is just the temporary facility - grand plans are already being drafted that would make Charles Foster Kane envious.

More on when the Bugle's new building will be built and regular publishing dates will follow in coming weeks and months.

In the mean, listen for the Bugle and here's a couple of other photos from the area:

View from the publisher's office window

Tenacatita downtown, facing the bay