Email: tropicalmanorhouse@gmail.com

Tel: 327-274-3516

Election fever fires up U.S. retirees in Mexico

AJIJIC, Mexico (Reuters) - In a cobblestone Mexican town a world away from Washington, election fever is tearing American retirees away from quilt-making and bridge games as they scramble to mail home presidential ballots…..More

Poorer tourists could still bring riches to Latin America

As stock markets sink and fears grow of a global recession, Latin America is banking on gains as well as losses from tourists tightening their purse strings. …..More

Children from Mexico to get facial surgery

Mayra Gomez had to remind herself all day Sunday that she wasn't dreaming. She really was in a frosty place called Michigan, with colorful trees, friendly people and a chance at life-changing surgery for her son, Jose Cetina, nearly 3, born with a cleft lip and palate. …..More

Mexico City mayor aims high

Mayor Marcelo Ebrard could have a shot at the presidency if he solves the capital's deep problems. Marcelo Ebrard has turned this balmy city into an ice skaters' wonderland. He's conjured sandy beaches far from the sea. He's made hordes of annoying hawkers vanish from the historic main plaza. …..More

Mexico weighs a change of focus on drugs

Mexico has absorbed shocking drug-related slayings in recent weeks, including a popular mayor gunned down and criminals throwing grenades into a packed Independence Day celebration…..More

Mexico's central bank interest rate remains unchanged

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico's central bank is leaving its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 8.25 percent in a continued bid to fight both inflation and slowing growth. …..More

U.S. drug czar John Walters reassures, sounds alarm on Mexico drug violence

In Mexico City, he tells officials that aid to fight drug gangs is coming and voices concern about violence spilling over the border. Meanwhile, more than 20 die in the latest toll in Mexico's drug war…..More

Mexico Says U.S. Journalist Was Killed by a Protester

Bradley Will, a journalist from New York City, was shot and killed at close range by an antigovernment protester during civil unrest in the state of Oaxaca two years ago, the Mexican authorities said Friday, a conclusion that was challenged by Mr. Will’s family and human rights groups. …..More

South Texas deputies authorized to fire into Mexico

Authorities in South Texas said today that they won't be intimidated by increasingly violent drug smugglers, announcing a larger Border Patrol presence and that more heavily armed deputies will be authorized to return fire across the Mexican border. …..More

The ultimate field trip

You flunked biology. You can't tell a fossil from a fern. But as Zoe Cormier reports, if you don't mind a few chores you can still spend your next vacation contributing to science - and having one big adventure. Digging in the dirt, a hot sun overhead, Charlie Bigger felt elated. …..More

Former dancer makes folklórico dresses

When professional folklórico dancer Nina Pimentel couldn’t find a suitable seamstress to make her dance attire, she decided to take matters into her own hands. …..More

Dollar's gain is good news for travelers

If you're plannning a trip to Canada, Mexico, Europe or just about anywhere else soon, the financial crisis has an upside: Your dollars will buy more than they have in a long while. …..More

Rice to visit Mexico next week

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will vist Mexico next week for talks with her Mexican counterpart about organized crime as well as economic and other issues, her spokesman said Friday. …..More

  2nd generation:   Julio                                                                   sister Dulce Magda

Restaurant Dynasty ...Tonitas in Guayabitos

By Tara Spears

            This family’s saga is straight out of Great Expectations, Dicken’s classic novel of overcoming adversity. It has taken over 40 years of aspirations, drive, and dedication to the community to achieve the present level of quality of Tonitas restaurants.  “Receiving the Modernisa award for being the #1 restaurant in Guaybitos for the third year is an honor,” Antonia Gonzalez Santiago explains in English, “but we put our hearts into the restaurants because our goal has always been to please the customers with exceptional food, friendly service, and clean kitchens.”   What a fascinating tale of tenacity and hard work interweaves the family history!

To read the entire story on  Tonitas  click here

Friday Night Kareoke at Hinde and Jaimes

The SEASON is warming up at Hinde and Jaimes with Friday night fun and those to-die-for Chili Rellenos.

If you haven´t already, go down and say hi to the Horton-Mesa family

Scorpions Revisited: Alternative Control Methods                  

      By Tara Spears                         

In response to Riviera Nayarit readers asking for more information regarding this particular spider, which is plentiful in our area, there are several specific non-toxic ways to control scorpions in your home.  (To read the original spider article, click the ‘Archive’ button to the left in each Jaltemba Sol issue, then, click on September 12, 2008 issue, page 3.)   The most effective method of minimizing contact with these shy but venomous stinging spiders is to prevent them from getting into the house in the first place. Likely outdoor places, during the day,  that scorpions like to hide in are burrows or debris, under wood, stones, or tree bark, and under floors of buildings in crawl spaces. Indoors, scorpions may be found in cracks and crevices of woodwork, behind baseboards, in closets and attics, and inside walls. Scorpions gain entry into buildings through poorly sealed doors and windows, cracks in foundations, attic vents that are not properly screened, and through plumbing and other openings. Keep your drains covered in the shower or sink; make sure that your windows and doors have tight fitting screens and are caulked. Remove wood or rock piles near the home; control the food source for these carnivores by eliminating other insects that they feed on, such as crickets and roaches.  Illustrating the scorpions preference for cool, dark places, recently I rearranged a couple of flower pots on the patio, that hadn’t been moved for five months, only to find a 4 inch scorpion enjoying the shade under one pot.  To all the returning part-time residents, be vigilant as you are settling in after months of absence- scorpions may have claimed the closets, dark corners of cabinets, or even the space between the seats of that stack of stored plastic chairs.  

            There are several effective organic means of controlling scorpions.  Diatomaceous earth is a product that has been used for at least 50 years to control insects in dry environments, This powder is not harmful to humans or animals yet it works by killing the arachnids through dehydration.  Another good method is using glue traps that can be purchased at local ferreterias (hardware stores). Environmentally friendly sprays, such as orange oil or its extract, called d-limonene, are good for getting rid of scorpions. Piperonyl Butoxide, (Butóxido Piperonyl in Spanish,) is another natural vegetable extract first discovered in Sassafras and pepper plants, that is a frequent compound in safe, non-toxic insecticides. Lastly, readily available citronella is excellent when mixed 20 drops citronella to 8 oz water. (Approximately 2.5 ml. citronella to 240 ml. water.)  Since scorpions have live births of 25-35 young at one time, it takes consistent, frequent  applications to eradicate or control scorpion populations.

If you, or a pet, are the victim of a scorpion sting, wash the area with soap and water. Apply a cool compress on the area of the scorpion sting to ease pain and minimize spread of toxins. Ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other suitable covering) may be applied to the sting location for 10 minutes. Remove compress for 10 minutes, repeating as necessary, and seek medical attention.

Using one or a combination of these healthy alternatives to strong pesticides will address the scorpion problem effectively.

Contact Tara:  terri_sprs@yahoo.com