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The Almost Weekly Newspaper for the Jaltemba Coast
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Another incredible Sunset on Jaltemba Bay - photo by Bill Bell Taco Bell's fare baffles Mexicans It sounds like a fast-food grudge match: Taco Bell is taking on the homeland of its namesake by reopening for the first time in 15 years in Mexico… Locals left behind by Mexico beach boom Playa del Carmen, Mexico - Rosalio Mezo dips his feet in the Caribbean Sea and points from one end of Xpu-Ha Bay to the next. There used to be nothing along this inlet, he says, save a few fishermen's homes and the jungle. Now a 200-room hotel stands to his right; a 700-room resort to his left. … Inflation fears grow as Calderon delays gas hike President Felipe Calderon has postponed a gasoline hike until January 2008 to allay fears that the measure will provoke an inflationary spiral. He also froze electricity and liquid gas prices until the new year…
Supreme Court case pits Bush against Texas over death penalty for Mexican SUPREME COURT (AP) - The Supreme Court this week takes up a Texas execution case that's become a confusing test of presidential power. It pits President Bush against the state he used to govern. The case involves a Mexican who was given the death penalty for the brutal killings of 2 Texas girls in 1993…
U.S. officials vow help on third Tijuana crossing WASHINGTON – State Department officials have told San Diego leaders they will try to accelerate the “presidential permit” necessary to build a third border crossing into Tijuana, with approval perhaps before next summer, San Diego officials said this week…
Diving haven exists in Mexico UNDERWATER CAVERNS IN MEXICO ARE PRIME FOR TRANQUIL DIVING… Mexico planning more nuclear plants in future –CFE Mexico needs to expand its fledgling nuclear energy industry to meet rising demand but it will be 10 years before a new plant could be up and running, a Federal Electricity Commission official said on Friday…
Falling Mexican fertility rate may cut immigration SAN DIEGO – The United States is going to need an infusion of immigrants in the coming decades to keep its economy humming and Mexico will probably be providing fewer of those workers because of its falling fertility rate, a demographer told UCSD's Center for Comparative Immigration Studies last week. ….
Calderón focuses on climate change PUEBLA, Mexico – Global warming isn't a popular topic in Mexican political circles, but Al Gore traveled to Mexico on Thursday night for the second time in two months because he has found a receptive audience in President Felipe Calderón…
Republic Airlines has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Mexican Directorate General of Civil Aviation The AOC gives Republic Airlines the authority to operate EMB 170/175s on several routes to Mexico, including: Denver to Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Mazatlán and Zihuatanejo; Sacramento and San Jose, California to Los Cabos; and Albuquerque, New Mexico to Puerto Vallarta…
Hinde and Jaimes Opens Today Hinde and Jaimes will open today at 1 pm with botanas and great music. Singer Roberto Curiel will be on hand to entertain you with his soulful Mexican sounds all afternoon and into the evening. Everyone is invited.
Tequila Willy's Opens Friday New hours. Big Screen TV. Details to follow.
Bob Howell Passes One of the areas best loved individuals, Bob Howell died October 5th 2007. Bob and his partner and lover Vickie Flores are well known for their efforts to help and feed the poor. Born April 10, 1929 Bakersfield California / Died October 5th, 2007 Rincon De Guayabitos (His Paradise.) He Served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. Served in Korea and Vietnam Bob had a number of businesses. John Deere Dealership Cross Country Trucking Business Car Dealership Real Estate Broker He loved Mexico, its people, history and culture. He especially loved Rincon De Guayabitos as it reminded him of Subic Bay in the Philippine Islands. Island and all. He loved to travel and was an avid sailor. He loved to back pack and fish in the Sierra Nevadas. He loved his horses, cows and burros which was a common bond between him and his kids. He also loved to cook concoctions, can pickles, can jams, make wine, roast coffee and share his margaritas and was known to brew beer before mirco-brews were popular. He is survived by: Vicky Flores, soul mate and partner, 5 Children, Son’s David and Jimmy from San Diego. Daughters Karen and Debbie from San Diego. And Daughter Jan from South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. He leaves behind 8 grandchildren all from California.
Message from The Howell & Flores Families sent by David Howell The Family of Bob Howell and Vicky Flores would like to extend our deepest thanks for all the kind words and thoughts on the Jaltemba Bay Board, Jamies Board and also all the personal emails that have come in. Dad loved the community and especially all the friends and supporters that donated so much to poor. Without all of you none of this would have been possible. The Christmas Fund Raiser, Horseshoe Tournament, Margarita Challenge all took of you good hearted volunteers to make it successful. The daily deliveries of food, medicine, clothing and school supplies would not have been possible without all of you. Dad loved to roast his coffee daily and make his world famous margaritas. I don’t know that they were actually that good. I think it was the stories that accompanied the beverages, especially the afternoon happy hour. He also cherished his daily walks on the beach, visiting with not only the gringos but also with the locals. He never made any money on the Back Road Jeep Tours or the Bed and Breakfast. For him it was a hobby. He enjoyed giving those tours and giving history lessons along the way and yes, occasional exaggerated stories of the back country. It was always a treat when he and his friend Jamie got together. Your stomach would hurt from the stand up comedy routine they put on. He loved Mexico and especially the people and culture. Dad was just a regular guy. He really didn’t enjoy all the recognition that he and Vicky got for their work. He looked at it as though he was just the messenger….The biggest tribute that he could have, would be to see the community continue this effort and give something back to the poor.. He so enjoy the smile on kids faces when they received clothing, toys and most importantly school supplies. Dad felt the need to help the poorest of the poor and give them an opportunity to get an education. Not only did we lose a father, but I lost my best friend. The community lost a great man, but I know his spirit in Paradise will live on…through all of you and the great community you have all established.
Once a Marine - a salute to Bob Howell - By Bill Bell (This interview took place two weeks ago. It was the Jaltemba Sol's intent to print it this Thursday. Bob Howell passed away October 5th.)
Today is one of those days as I write about a man who is facing death as only a retired United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant could, with stoicism, bravery and a glint of laughter in his eyes.
There is no better phrase than “Once a Marine always a Marine,” to describe Robert Howell, a man who served his country in both the Vietnam and Korean wars. And although his 20 year military record may have shaped his earlier life, for those of us who know him on the Jaltemba Coast of Nayarit State in Mexico, it is his love of the Mexican countryside and the poor people he met while exploring the remote villages of the rugged Sierra Madre that has endured him most to the people; both Mexican and Gringos of his adopted community.
Howell has been fighting off the effects of a terminal cancer for the past year and through the care of his loving partner Vickie Flores has managed to beat the prognosis of the doctors, enjoying every extra day that he has gained. Visits from his two sons, three daughters and the many friends and admirers have kept him busy through the past months.
I met up with him two weeks ago in the casita of the Bed and Breakfast home that he built in Rincon de Guayabitos. Alert but obviously suffering from the effects of his disease, Howell talked of his life, his love of his children, Mexican culture and his travels through the mountain villages in the area. “I moved down here 12 years ago from California and built a bed and breakfast where I started taking guests on tours through the back country,” Howell said.
Vickie, Bob, Santa and as always...lots of kids
His well known local charity of providing clothes and food for the needy of those same villages started innocently enough for him. “When we took those guests, I saw little children with torn t-shirts and tattered clothing and saw my closet full of clothes. I cleaned out the closet and gave them away the next time I went through,” Howell said.
Those few acts of kindness grew to where guests would bring down clothing and food. Money from community driven fundraising events like the Horseshoe Tournament, Margarita Challenge and many others provided thousands of dollars for the poor. Clothing, flour, sugar, school supplies and much more is given directly to those who need it the most became an annual event.
“To me taking the clothing has been the most satisfaction, “Howell said, adding “Knowing that every penny goes into the hands of those who need it most.”
Does he have any regrets about leaving behind several successful businesses in California? “Yes, I regret I didn’t do it ten years earlier,” he said with a wide grin.
Although he rails against those who want to make Mexico a Little America, he is blunt about what he dislikes about our little area. “The education sucks for the children of the area who want to get ahead.” “We have very few teachers from the area and what they pay the teachers isn’t enough for them to pay for their bus fare home,” Howell said.
“Learn some Spanish, rent in a Mexican area and then see how they like it. If they do, then Mexico will be the right to place for them to live.”
Howell counts many people as his friends, but he saves his fondest thoughts for a fellow American expat and retired Marine, Jaime Horton. “He is my best friend. A great friend.”
Jaime Horton and Bob Howell
David, Bob and Jimmy Howell
One of his sons, Dave Howell recounts several stories about his dad, but the one he remembers most is when he took the children sailing.
“He would always joke when the sea got rough and he would yell out “We‘re all doomed!”” Dave said. “He would always try and scare us.”
But Bob Howell can’t scare us. We know that the good works that he and Vickie have done will continue and mature . We know that those poor kids will grow up and remember that kindness. We know that our communities will continue to make this unique corner of the planet one of the most loving and generous. We’re not doomed Bob. We’re just catching our breath and saluting a Marine that’s been a great role model for our town. Onward and upward.More information on Bob and Vickies Good Works
Local Tribute to Bob Howell This Wednesday 3 pm A tribute and celebration of life for Bob Howell will be held this Wednesday October 17 at Mateja's Bar and Grill on the beach in Guayabitos. In attendance will be Vickie Flores and son David Howell and two of Bob's daughters, Karen Hanna and Jan Shapiro, will fly down to Guayabitos for the tribute. David Howell writes that Mateja's was one of his father's favorite spots. "Dad always liked to walk the beach and sneak in and have a glass of wine on the way back at Mateja’s." The tribute will be held at 3 pm. Please RSVP to editor@jaltembasol.com so the family may plan accordingly.
Dear Friends and Colleagues: Earlier this week the Mexican Congress took a major step in putting an end to modern slavery by passing legislation against human trafficking on October 2. This legislation will give Mexican courts and police the tools to prosecute and punish those who would enslave or sexually exploit other human beings through deception or force. According to U.S. government estimates, approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year and about 80 percent of them are female. Up to half are minors. Trafficking is a global problem that tears apart families and communities and tramples on human dignity. By recognizing trafficking in persons as a crime, Mexico is pushing this issue into the forefront and addressing these heinous offenses head-on. The United States stands ready to cooperate with Mexico and other like-minded countries in taking steps to put an end to these practices, in our own lands and abroad. To read the Mexico section of the 2007 Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report click here On September 27 and 28, the first Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change convened in Washington, D.C. Senior representatives of seventeen major economies and the United Nations attended this meeting, hosted by Secretary Rice. During this monumental gathering, participants, including President Bush, made national statements that outlined diverse points of view but also uniformly revealed the high priority everyone places on addressing energy security and climate change challenges. Over this two day meeting, participants also identified significant opportunities for progress in key sectors, such as clean energy technologies, and spoke about a range of considerations for the long term goal of greenhouse gas reduction. Of great importance was the agreement to reconvene after the December 2007 United Nations climate meetings in Bali, Indonesia. The government of Mexico played an important role by sending a high-level delegation from the Secretariats of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources, and Energy to this meeting, and has already begun implementing a National Strategy on Climate Change. The work that the U.S. and Mexico as well as other nations committed ourselves to at these meetings in Washington could be our most important and challenging task yet. As difficult as this task may be, the richness of the natural beauty found in both Mexico and the U.S. merits our mutual cooperation and commitment so that we can preserve our environmental treasures for generations to come. To read my op-ed titled Addressing the Generational Challenge of Global Climate Change, click here On September 21, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a U.S. government agency, announced the approval of $250 million directed towards a construction financing project to build more than 15,000 low and moderate-income homes in Mexico. This initiative will assist smaller Mexican mortgage lenders to gain access to capital markets for additional housing development funding. This is OPIC’s largest housing project in Latin America to date. The U.S. hopes that these OPIC resources will help to further President Felipe Calderon’s goal of constructing one million new homes per year during his administration. To find out more about this OPIC funding, click here As always, I appreciate the opportunity to share with you information about the important bilateral relationship between Mexico and the United States. May God bless both our great nations. Sincerely,
Antonio O. Garza, Jr. Friday Night at the Gardens
Monday Night at Los Compadres
Bonfire on the Hill at Hinde and Jaimes
Gut Check on the Beach
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I write a column every two weeks for the Sunday newspaper back home in British Columbia and though writing comes easy to me, there are some days that it is painful. 
