18+ KILOMETERS OF BAD ROAD
It has been established in the Mexican Constitution that citizens have the free right to travel within the national territory, but apparently not according to the brain trust at Capufe (Caminos y Puentes Federales). Approximately 5 thousand Pesos a month are paid every month by hundreds of families living in fraccionamientos such as Real del Mar, Baja Malibu, Punta Bandera, San Marino, San Antonio del Mar, La Joya, and Hacienda del Mar to travel the only road to Playas. Additional campos in the region have the same dilemma.
Jorge Altamirano, the President of the Real del Mar Asociación de Vecinos urged Federal officials from Capufe, Banobras and la Secretaría de Hacienda yesterday to eliminate the toll booth which requires local residents to pay for the 18 kilometer trip to Playas de Tijuana.
sábado, febrero 20, 2010
viernes, febrero 19, 2010
SAN YSIDRO PORT OF ENTRY EXPANSION:
San Ysidro construction project expected to last until 2015
Posted By william.yelles On January 25, 2010 @ 12:20 pm URL: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-01-25/mexico/san-ysidro-construction-project-expected-to-last-until-2015
Retweet: http://twitter.com/PAT_KB6OXXXE2
San Ysidro construction project expected to last until 2015
Posted By william.yelles On January 25, 2010 @ 12:20 pm URL: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2010-01-25/mexico/san-ysidro-construction-project-expected-to-last-until-2015
Retweet: http://twitter.com/PAT_KB6OXXXE2
TWO NOTICES FROM SUSIE AND ANDY
This beautiful Basset Hound was found on HWY 1D near Rosarito and rescued by Andy and Suzi to prevent him from being hit by a vehicle, and is staying with them until a good home can be found.
He is good with people and children.
Use contact information in above poster.
miércoles, febrero 17, 2010
The San Diego Planning Commission Hearing
Here is web page that shows chronological history of the the Tower Ordinance issue in San Diego - URL: http://sddxc.org/tower/
Please forward to any ham or interested party you know within driving distance of San Diego.
Their presence at the February 25 meeting is critical.
The San Diego Planning Commission is holding hearings about a proposed ordinance that will effectively ban Amateur radio antennas in San Diego.
If passed, the proposed ordinance will force individual radio and electronics experimenters to spend upwards of $10,000 or more to obtain a tower permit, restrict heights to 30’ and essentially make the possibility of medium/long range radio frequency communications unlikely. Time after time, this unique capability has been demonstrably essential during the stages of any significant disaster event which damages hard-wired communications and/or computer systems.
Any agency which is assigned the responsibilty of planning needs to have a grasp of what is is to plan, or prepare, for unforeseen circumstances or events. The San Diego Planning commission has yet to face this reality, and I fear the individuals who staff the commission have demonstrated a disregard for the impact their proposal will create.
The Amateur Radio Relay League and the San Diego DX (long-distance radio) Club have hired lawyers and professional lobbyists to fight this disastrous ordinance but they need all the help they can get to protect Public Safety.
Also, the way the ordinance is written, if an operator already has a tower in place and decides to modify the antennas, which hams regularly do, he will in violation of the ordinance and can be made to apply for a costly permit!
You might say, "I don't live in city of San Diego, or, I do not have an Amateur radio license, so why should I care?"
If this ordinance passes, it will set a legal precedent, and other California cities could model new ordinances based on the San Diego ordinance. The Amateur Radio Service is active in assisting neighborhood, city, county, state, and federal, and international agencies expedite emergency communications requirements as specified by Congressional mandate. The proposed ILLEGAL ordinance changes would ultimately create a deleterious effect on the ability of individuals and communities to evacuate or respond to situations which pose an emergency/threat in real time.
Let's not let this issue get to go into court as that will then cost hams and taxpayers a bundle of money to fight the city of San Diego even though the proposed antenna and permit rules are arguably illegitimate and counterproductive.
(Remember - in the U.S. legal system - you are innocent until proven broke! Here in Mexico, you are guilty until proven broke. The difference between the two systems is that the U.S. system takes longer to drain the money out of your wallet. The Mexican "system" sometimes extorts your money before you have a chance to go to court.)
Even though the city of San Diego IS BROKE, they intend to continue to waste future taxpayer funds!
It is perplexing as to why the individuals who have proposed this fiasco have not found the time in their lives to accomplish useful work.
Of course, there are measures that can be taken to prevent the obstruction of ocean views, and similar issues which are rightly everyone's concern.
Council Chambers, 12th Floor, City Administration Building, 202 C Street, San Diego, CA
Like we did in 1994, if enough support shows up at the meeting we stand a good chance to stop this disastrous ordinance.
Here is web page that shows chronological history of the the Tower Ordinance issue in San Diego - URL: http://sddxc.org/tower/
Please forward to any ham or interested party you know within driving distance of San Diego.
Their presence at the February 25 meeting is critical.
The San Diego Planning Commission is holding hearings about a proposed ordinance that will effectively ban Amateur radio antennas in San Diego.
If passed, the proposed ordinance will force individual radio and electronics experimenters to spend upwards of $10,000 or more to obtain a tower permit, restrict heights to 30’ and essentially make the possibility of medium/long range radio frequency communications unlikely. Time after time, this unique capability has been demonstrably essential during the stages of any significant disaster event which damages hard-wired communications and/or computer systems.
Any agency which is assigned the responsibilty of planning needs to have a grasp of what is is to plan, or prepare, for unforeseen circumstances or events. The San Diego Planning commission has yet to face this reality, and I fear the individuals who staff the commission have demonstrated a disregard for the impact their proposal will create.
The Amateur Radio Relay League and the San Diego DX (long-distance radio) Club have hired lawyers and professional lobbyists to fight this disastrous ordinance but they need all the help they can get to protect Public Safety.
Also, the way the ordinance is written, if an operator already has a tower in place and decides to modify the antennas, which hams regularly do, he will in violation of the ordinance and can be made to apply for a costly permit!
You might say, "I don't live in city of San Diego, or, I do not have an Amateur radio license, so why should I care?"
If this ordinance passes, it will set a legal precedent, and other California cities could model new ordinances based on the San Diego ordinance. The Amateur Radio Service is active in assisting neighborhood, city, county, state, and federal, and international agencies expedite emergency communications requirements as specified by Congressional mandate. The proposed ILLEGAL ordinance changes would ultimately create a deleterious effect on the ability of individuals and communities to evacuate or respond to situations which pose an emergency/threat in real time.
Let's not let this issue get to go into court as that will then cost hams and taxpayers a bundle of money to fight the city of San Diego even though the proposed antenna and permit rules are arguably illegitimate and counterproductive.
(Remember - in the U.S. legal system - you are innocent until proven broke! Here in Mexico, you are guilty until proven broke. The difference between the two systems is that the U.S. system takes longer to drain the money out of your wallet. The Mexican "system" sometimes extorts your money before you have a chance to go to court.)
Even though the city of San Diego IS BROKE, they intend to continue to waste future taxpayer funds!
It is perplexing as to why the individuals who have proposed this fiasco have not found the time in their lives to accomplish useful work.
Of course, there are measures that can be taken to prevent the obstruction of ocean views, and similar issues which are rightly everyone's concern.
STOP SAN DIEGO’S ILL-ADVISED BAN ON THE FCC AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE - ATTEND THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING
Thursday Feb 25, 2010 9:00AM
Council Chambers, 12th Floor, City Administration Building, 202 C Street, San Diego, CA
Like we did in 1994, if enough support shows up at the meeting we stand a good chance to stop this disastrous ordinance.
domingo, febrero 14, 2010
UPDATE: TIJUANA POLICE KEEP THE PEACE AT BAJA MALIBU (BILINGÜE):
February 3, 2010.- TJ police cleared a brawl at the Baja Malibu bar, on Calle Miraflores in Baja Malibu, this morning as they arrested seven individuals and found a loaded .38 Special pistol on the floor. Among those detained were Sergio César Martínez Ramírez, age 37, who had been severely beaten on the face, and Christopher Eric Larsen, 37, the owner of Plan B, a nearby restaurant bar.
Other detainees included: Marco Antonio Larraguivel Castro, 35, Ashley Alicia Shepard, 25, Alejandro Fernández López, 40, Gabriel Sánchez Arreola, 37, and Ricardo Eutimio Altamirano Vázquez, 32. Sr. Altamirano Vázquez is the propietor of the Baja Malibu bar.
UPDATE: Ashley Sheppard, a U.S. citizen, was detained for possession of illegal drugs and now faces deportation proceedings by the Mexican government. Sergio Martínez Ramírez has posted a $1,500 bail.
-----------------------------------
Riña en bar terminó con varios detenidos
Socorro CASTILLO / EL MEXICANO miércoles, 03 de febrero de 2010 TIJUANA.-
Una riña en un bar, un hombre lesionado y un arma de fuego, fueron suficientes motivos para movilizar a la policía, que arrestó a siete personas, incluyendo mujeres y personas de origen estadounidense.
Se trata de Sergio César Martínez Ramírez, de 37 años, Marco Antonio Larraguivel Castro, de 35, Ashley Alicia Shepard, de 25, Christopher Eric Larsen, de 37, Alejandro Fernández López, de 40, Gabriel Sánchez Arreola, de 37 y Ricardo Eutimio Altamirano Vázquez, de 32 años de edad.
Todos ellos estaban discutiendo en el interior del bar Baja Malibú, ubicado en la calle Miraflores de la colonia Baja Malibú.
Al ingresar los oficiales, encontraron con varios hematomas en el rostro a Sergio César Martínez Ramírez, de 37 años, así como un arma de fuego tipo revólver que estaba en el piso, de calibre .38 Especial, abastecida con 4 cartuchos útiles.
February 3, 2010.- TJ police cleared a brawl at the Baja Malibu bar, on Calle Miraflores in Baja Malibu, this morning as they arrested seven individuals and found a loaded .38 Special pistol on the floor. Among those detained were Sergio César Martínez Ramírez, age 37, who had been severely beaten on the face, and Christopher Eric Larsen, 37, the owner of Plan B, a nearby restaurant bar.
Other detainees included: Marco Antonio Larraguivel Castro, 35, Ashley Alicia Shepard, 25, Alejandro Fernández López, 40, Gabriel Sánchez Arreola, 37, and Ricardo Eutimio Altamirano Vázquez, 32. Sr. Altamirano Vázquez is the propietor of the Baja Malibu bar.
UPDATE: Ashley Sheppard, a U.S. citizen, was detained for possession of illegal drugs and now faces deportation proceedings by the Mexican government. Sergio Martínez Ramírez has posted a $1,500 bail.
-----------------------------------
Riña en bar terminó con varios detenidos
Socorro CASTILLO / EL MEXICANO miércoles, 03 de febrero de 2010 TIJUANA.-
Una riña en un bar, un hombre lesionado y un arma de fuego, fueron suficientes motivos para movilizar a la policía, que arrestó a siete personas, incluyendo mujeres y personas de origen estadounidense.
Se trata de Sergio César Martínez Ramírez, de 37 años, Marco Antonio Larraguivel Castro, de 35, Ashley Alicia Shepard, de 25, Christopher Eric Larsen, de 37, Alejandro Fernández López, de 40, Gabriel Sánchez Arreola, de 37 y Ricardo Eutimio Altamirano Vázquez, de 32 años de edad.
Todos ellos estaban discutiendo en el interior del bar Baja Malibú, ubicado en la calle Miraflores de la colonia Baja Malibú.
Al ingresar los oficiales, encontraron con varios hematomas en el rostro a Sergio César Martínez Ramírez, de 37 años, así como un arma de fuego tipo revólver que estaba en el piso, de calibre .38 Especial, abastecida con 4 cartuchos útiles.
jueves, febrero 11, 2010
THE ROSARITO SPANISH STUDY GROUP IS MOVING
The Study Group is desirous of migrating as many students as possible from the Las Mañanitas site.
We are looking for an accessible meeting facility in the Rosarito area that is free from noise, perhaps at a homeowner's association, which would avail itself to the group.
Is such a meeting area available near you? If any of you are agreeable to discuss this with Susana or me, we will be at the regularly scheduled noon study group sessions on Mondays and Fridays at Las Mañanitas.
Saludos,
Pat
The Study Group is desirous of migrating as many students as possible from the Las Mañanitas site.
We are looking for an accessible meeting facility in the Rosarito area that is free from noise, perhaps at a homeowner's association, which would avail itself to the group.
Is such a meeting area available near you? If any of you are agreeable to discuss this with Susana or me, we will be at the regularly scheduled noon study group sessions on Mondays and Fridays at Las Mañanitas.
Saludos,
Pat
jueves, enero 28, 2010
RF and DIN Connector Sources for Hams
From: Dennis, N6KI
On Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:47:01 -0500, Roger (K8RI) wrote:
>I've only dealt with Davis, The Wireman, and the
>RFConnection for cable in the last year of two and they were all not
>only easy to deal with, but helpful as well.
My experience with RF Connection has been poor. The salesman (Joel) didn't have a clue about the coax he was trying to sell to a DXpedition
I've been helping acquire cable (although he had a blustery line of BS about it). Several years ago, I bought several dozen DIN connectors from them to stock my parts bin. They were absolute JUNK -- dielectric melted when I tried to solder to them (even with a heat controlled iron) and the metal plating didn't take solder, even with flux. When I called to complain, the response was "that's all we sell, because hams are cheap." The only good experience was with some egg insulators, which were very good quality.
I'm generally pleased with several purchases from The Wireman (Press Jones), and he seems to know what he's selling. No experience with Davis, but online conversations exhibit a very low level of BS, which is a good sign. :)
73,
Jim K9YC
From: Dennis, N6KI
On Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:47:01 -0500, Roger (K8RI) wrote:
>I've only dealt with Davis, The Wireman, and the
>RFConnection for cable in the last year of two and they were all not
>only easy to deal with, but helpful as well.
My experience with RF Connection has been poor. The salesman (Joel) didn't have a clue about the coax he was trying to sell to a DXpedition
I've been helping acquire cable (although he had a blustery line of BS about it). Several years ago, I bought several dozen DIN connectors from them to stock my parts bin. They were absolute JUNK -- dielectric melted when I tried to solder to them (even with a heat controlled iron) and the metal plating didn't take solder, even with flux. When I called to complain, the response was "that's all we sell, because hams are cheap." The only good experience was with some egg insulators, which were very good quality.
I'm generally pleased with several purchases from The Wireman (Press Jones), and he seems to know what he's selling. No experience with Davis, but online conversations exhibit a very low level of BS, which is a good sign. :)
73,
Jim K9YC
sábado, enero 23, 2010
ARMED CARJACKING IN ROSARITO
Date: Friday, 22 January 2010
From: Herman Stiphout
Hi,
"Many of you have already heard what happened to me during lunchtime today.
For those not yet in the know, herewith a short recap:
Marijke and I went into town for our Spanish lesson, which is held at Las Mañanitas restaurant at 12:00 Noon. I drove into the parking lot and let Marijke get out so that she did not have to walk through the mud.
As I locked the car, two guys in an old Toyota drove up and blocked my way. One got out and started shouting at me that he wanted my keys.
I did not immediately get what he meant but that changed in a flash when he pulled out a gun and pushed it into my stomach. I handed over my keys, and then he shouted that he wanted my wallet. He got more and more agitated, especially when I told him that I do not carry a wallet.
I told him to search me if he did not believe me, which he did, and emptied my pockets.
He then got into our car and both drove off at high speed.
The whole thing was over in less that a minute, at least that is the feeling that I had.
There were some people at the other side of the street who witnessed what happened, but they just stood and watched.
Apart from the car and what was in it, they got away with about 1,500.00 Pesos and $25 US, as well as my driver's license.
The restaurant people were very good in calling the police, who arrived in about 10 minutes. They were very friendly and efficient; they took us to the police station for a statement, then drove us home to get some papers. Subsequently we went to the DA's office to make another statement and then they drove us home again, after explaining in detail what the next steps were. Both spoke English fluently, so communication was not a problem.
I do not have everyone's e-mail address, so please feel free to forward to other friends on our behalf; I am not really in a state of mind at the moment to try and find everyone's address.
I also want to thank everybody who has already offered help with transport and other things. I think that we will probably need some of that in the next few days and will contact you then.
Also, a big thank you for the calls of support that we have had; this is appreciated very much and shows the spirit of the community.
Regards,
Herman & Marijke"
(The Toyota was a dark grey, old model sedan)
Pat
Date: Friday, 22 January 2010
From: Herman Stiphout
Hi,
"Many of you have already heard what happened to me during lunchtime today.
For those not yet in the know, herewith a short recap:
Marijke and I went into town for our Spanish lesson, which is held at Las Mañanitas restaurant at 12:00 Noon. I drove into the parking lot and let Marijke get out so that she did not have to walk through the mud.
As I locked the car, two guys in an old Toyota drove up and blocked my way. One got out and started shouting at me that he wanted my keys.
I did not immediately get what he meant but that changed in a flash when he pulled out a gun and pushed it into my stomach. I handed over my keys, and then he shouted that he wanted my wallet. He got more and more agitated, especially when I told him that I do not carry a wallet.
I told him to search me if he did not believe me, which he did, and emptied my pockets.
He then got into our car and both drove off at high speed.
The whole thing was over in less that a minute, at least that is the feeling that I had.
There were some people at the other side of the street who witnessed what happened, but they just stood and watched.
Apart from the car and what was in it, they got away with about 1,500.00 Pesos and $25 US, as well as my driver's license.
The restaurant people were very good in calling the police, who arrived in about 10 minutes. They were very friendly and efficient; they took us to the police station for a statement, then drove us home to get some papers. Subsequently we went to the DA's office to make another statement and then they drove us home again, after explaining in detail what the next steps were. Both spoke English fluently, so communication was not a problem.
I do not have everyone's e-mail address, so please feel free to forward to other friends on our behalf; I am not really in a state of mind at the moment to try and find everyone's address.
I also want to thank everybody who has already offered help with transport and other things. I think that we will probably need some of that in the next few days and will contact you then.
Also, a big thank you for the calls of support that we have had; this is appreciated very much and shows the spirit of the community.
Regards,
Herman & Marijke"
(The Toyota was a dark grey, old model sedan)
Pat
jueves, enero 14, 2010
A "boatload" of homicides in Baja California - scroll down for English version
"Podrían ser hasta 600 las víctimas de ‘El Teo’
MÉXICO, D.F.(Agencias)
A Eduardo Teodoro García Simental, conocido como ‘El Teo’, se le atribuyen hasta 600 homicidios por la lucha de las drogas en Baja California y el País, reveló Genaro García Luna.
Entrevistado en un noticiero de radio, el secretario de Seguridad Pública Federal, mencionó que el jefe del grupo de los Arellano Félix pudo haber operado la mayoría de las ejecuciones que cimbraron al Estado.
“Estamos checando ahorita con el Gobierno del Estado, porque hay referencias en torno a más homicidios y decapitaciones.
“Puede ser que tenga por lo menos el doble, de lo que está ahí acreditado en términos de ejecuciones (para llegar a los 600); así un estimado de bote pronto porque hay una gran cantidad de homicidios en el Estado y la referencia es que él tenía a cargo esos grupos de sicarios,” explicó.
El funcionario confirmó que fueron cinco meses de trabajo de inteligencia policial, coordinado entre fuerzas federales, estatales e información compartida por autoridades estadounidenses, para atrapar a El Teo.
“Logramos ubicar primero la posición operativa que tenía en Tijuana y después ubicar dónde estaba su descanso. Teníamos mayor alcance operacional y de control si estaba fuera de su Centro de Operación Especifico (Tijuana).
“Tiene una cobertura de operación importante ahí; en ese sentido, se dio un seguimiento muy puntual de sus movimientos, de todo lo que tenia de operaciones, para tener ventaja operativa para agarrarlo en el momento oportuno”, explicó.
García Luna confirmó que hubo personal infiltrado que ayudó a ubicar a El Teo."
http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Nacional/12012010/423823.aspx
El Teo puede enfrentar cargos en EU
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There could be up to 600 victims of "El Teo"
MEXICO, D.F. (Agencies)
They may attribute as many as 600 homicides in the drug fight within Baja California and the country to Eduardo Teodoro Garcia Simental, known as "El Teo", said Genaro Garcia Luna.
Interviewed on a radio news broadcast, the Federal Public Security Secretary said the head of the Arellano Felix group may have initiated most of the executions that occured throughout the state.
"We are checking right now with the State Government because there are references about more killings and beheadings."
"It may have at least doubled what is even credited in terms of executions (to reach 600) soon; (there is) such an estimated "jackpot" (or "boat load") because there are a lot of murders in the state and the evidence is that he was in charge of these groups of killers." he said.
The official confirmed that it took five months of police intelligence work, coordinated between federal and state forces, and information shared by U.S. authorities to catch El Teo.
"We first managed to locate the operating position he had in Tijuana and then locate where his hideout was. We had better operational reach and control if he was was out of his specific operations center (Tijuana).
"(We had) a major operation coverage there in this sense, there was a very timely monitoring of their movements, of all operations he had in order to take operational advantage to grab him at the right time," he said.
Garcia Luna confirmed that human intelligence helped specifically locate El Teo.
El Teo may face charges in the United States.
Extensive background details appeared in "El Sol de Tijuana" newspaper - Releva "El Chiquilín" a "El Teo"
URL: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldetijuana/notas/n1475838.htm
And http://narcotijuana.info/2010/01/12/capturan-a-el-teo-en-la-paz/#more-5078
El Teo recently paid a SIEDO (La Subprocuraduría de Investigación Especializada en Delincuencia Organizada) official in Rosarito a huge amount of money to be set free after he was captured, viz., " Más recientemente, a fines del año pasado en Rosarito, se afirma que se le capturó en un operativo de elementos federales, al parecer de la SIEDO, pero que 'negoció' su liberación y mediante el pago de una fuerte cantidad de dinero."
(Por “El Torito” llegan al Teo, at URL: http://afntijuana.info/blog/?p=25360)
Commentary:
I remember an earlier article in "Zeta" newspaper which described a stand-off between a Mexican Army unit who was chasing El Teo, and a group of Baja California highway police who had apparently been bought out by him (along with elements of the C4 communications office). A shin-kicking contest ensued and a very angry army commander apparently thought it would be more prudent at that moment in time to retire from the confrontation, rather than pursue the hotly contested exchange and wind up in a shoot-out with State police.
I guess there is game-playing going on between various agencies in the State and Federal governments to see which one of them can shake down the most money from the criminal gangs.
The Soñorenses and other gangs from the mainland are now rushing to fill the void left by el Teo's departure. The Federal government has sent 2000 more troops to Juárez because the lid has been blown off in that town. This is going to be very ugly.
IMHO Legalizing drug use will not stop this rampage of insanity unless the tooth fairy intervenes.
"Podrían ser hasta 600 las víctimas de ‘El Teo’
MÉXICO, D.F.(Agencias)
A Eduardo Teodoro García Simental, conocido como ‘El Teo’, se le atribuyen hasta 600 homicidios por la lucha de las drogas en Baja California y el País, reveló Genaro García Luna.
Entrevistado en un noticiero de radio, el secretario de Seguridad Pública Federal, mencionó que el jefe del grupo de los Arellano Félix pudo haber operado la mayoría de las ejecuciones que cimbraron al Estado.
“Estamos checando ahorita con el Gobierno del Estado, porque hay referencias en torno a más homicidios y decapitaciones.
“Puede ser que tenga por lo menos el doble, de lo que está ahí acreditado en términos de ejecuciones (para llegar a los 600); así un estimado de bote pronto porque hay una gran cantidad de homicidios en el Estado y la referencia es que él tenía a cargo esos grupos de sicarios,” explicó.
El funcionario confirmó que fueron cinco meses de trabajo de inteligencia policial, coordinado entre fuerzas federales, estatales e información compartida por autoridades estadounidenses, para atrapar a El Teo.
“Logramos ubicar primero la posición operativa que tenía en Tijuana y después ubicar dónde estaba su descanso. Teníamos mayor alcance operacional y de control si estaba fuera de su Centro de Operación Especifico (Tijuana).
“Tiene una cobertura de operación importante ahí; en ese sentido, se dio un seguimiento muy puntual de sus movimientos, de todo lo que tenia de operaciones, para tener ventaja operativa para agarrarlo en el momento oportuno”, explicó.
García Luna confirmó que hubo personal infiltrado que ayudó a ubicar a El Teo."
http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Nacional/12012010/423823.aspx
El Teo puede enfrentar cargos en EU
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There could be up to 600 victims of "El Teo"
MEXICO, D.F. (Agencies)
They may attribute as many as 600 homicides in the drug fight within Baja California and the country to Eduardo Teodoro Garcia Simental, known as "El Teo", said Genaro Garcia Luna.
Interviewed on a radio news broadcast, the Federal Public Security Secretary said the head of the Arellano Felix group may have initiated most of the executions that occured throughout the state.
"We are checking right now with the State Government because there are references about more killings and beheadings."
"It may have at least doubled what is even credited in terms of executions (to reach 600) soon; (there is) such an estimated "jackpot" (or "boat load") because there are a lot of murders in the state and the evidence is that he was in charge of these groups of killers." he said.
The official confirmed that it took five months of police intelligence work, coordinated between federal and state forces, and information shared by U.S. authorities to catch El Teo.
"We first managed to locate the operating position he had in Tijuana and then locate where his hideout was. We had better operational reach and control if he was was out of his specific operations center (Tijuana).
"(We had) a major operation coverage there in this sense, there was a very timely monitoring of their movements, of all operations he had in order to take operational advantage to grab him at the right time," he said.
Garcia Luna confirmed that human intelligence helped specifically locate El Teo.
El Teo may face charges in the United States.
Extensive background details appeared in "El Sol de Tijuana" newspaper - Releva "El Chiquilín" a "El Teo"
URL: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldetijuana/notas/n1475838.htm
And http://narcotijuana.info/2010/01/12/capturan-a-el-teo-en-la-paz/#more-5078
El Teo recently paid a SIEDO (La Subprocuraduría de Investigación Especializada en Delincuencia Organizada) official in Rosarito a huge amount of money to be set free after he was captured, viz., " Más recientemente, a fines del año pasado en Rosarito, se afirma que se le capturó en un operativo de elementos federales, al parecer de la SIEDO, pero que 'negoció' su liberación y mediante el pago de una fuerte cantidad de dinero."
(Por “El Torito” llegan al Teo, at URL: http://afntijuana.info/blog/?p=25360)
Commentary:
I remember an earlier article in "Zeta" newspaper which described a stand-off between a Mexican Army unit who was chasing El Teo, and a group of Baja California highway police who had apparently been bought out by him (along with elements of the C4 communications office). A shin-kicking contest ensued and a very angry army commander apparently thought it would be more prudent at that moment in time to retire from the confrontation, rather than pursue the hotly contested exchange and wind up in a shoot-out with State police.
I guess there is game-playing going on between various agencies in the State and Federal governments to see which one of them can shake down the most money from the criminal gangs.
The Soñorenses and other gangs from the mainland are now rushing to fill the void left by el Teo's departure. The Federal government has sent 2000 more troops to Juárez because the lid has been blown off in that town. This is going to be very ugly.
IMHO Legalizing drug use will not stop this rampage of insanity unless the tooth fairy intervenes.
lunes, enero 11, 2010
Rosarito Spanish Study Group (Session I Classwork & Assignments on Monday, January 11, 2010)
From: Arlene Sieman
Basically, hand in Lesson 10 as a test. Make pages first. I did mine in the book and handed those copies in so I have my work done in the book.
All she did today was drill us on sentences - asking questions. We did do Lesson 11 last week so you can review that and do it if you haven't done it.
For homework do 5 sentences with action, using all yo, tu, el/ella/usted, nosotros and ellos/ellas/usteds.
Do 5 sentences in past tense, using yo, etc.
Do 5 sentences using 2 verbs, i.e. yo voy a caminar en la playa, etc, with tu, el, etc.
Do 5 sentences with perception, i.e., me gusta, te, le, nos, les using the 7 perception verbs.
I think you know how to do all this. (it is) Just a lot of work if you haven't done it.
[Thanks, Arelene, for helping all of us keep current! Pat]
From: Arlene Sieman
Basically, hand in Lesson 10 as a test. Make pages first. I did mine in the book and handed those copies in so I have my work done in the book.
All she did today was drill us on sentences - asking questions. We did do Lesson 11 last week so you can review that and do it if you haven't done it.
For homework do 5 sentences with action, using all yo, tu, el/ella/usted, nosotros and ellos/ellas/usteds.
Do 5 sentences in past tense, using yo, etc.
Do 5 sentences using 2 verbs, i.e. yo voy a caminar en la playa, etc, with tu, el, etc.
Do 5 sentences with perception, i.e., me gusta, te, le, nos, les using the 7 perception verbs.
I think you know how to do all this. (it is) Just a lot of work if you haven't done it.
[Thanks, Arelene, for helping all of us keep current! Pat]
domingo, enero 10, 2010
Humor:
TEACHER ARRESTED IN NEW YORK
A public school teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide-rule and a calculator.
At a morning press conference, the Attorney General Eric Holder said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction. 'Al-Gebra is a problem for us', the Attorney General said. 'They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values.' They use secret code names like 'X' and 'Y' and refer to themselves as 'unknowns', but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country.
As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle'. When asked to comment on the arrest, President Obama said, 'If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes.”
White House aides told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the President. It is believed that the Nobel Prize for Physics will follow--
Further investigations have uncovered the extent of a diabolical plan - evidence now points that the plot has existed for several hundred years as Arab mathmilitants covertly began introducing the 0 to 9 numerical system gradually replacing the Roman numerals.
Although the decimal system is pervasive, a major struggle is now taking place between the Decimal disciples and the Booleans. Booleans maintain that only two inputs are required to generate a single output, and have created the binary code, with which they are using to take control the planet.
Fundamentalist groups, such as the Arithmeticians, still insist on memorizing multiplication tables.
Divisionists, on the other hand, claim that in today's reality of lower expectations we need to prepare to accept fractions of past totals as pushed by Additionists battling Subtractionists who claim less is better and the true path to salvation.
TEACHER ARRESTED IN NEW YORK
A public school teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide-rule and a calculator.
At a morning press conference, the Attorney General Eric Holder said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction. 'Al-Gebra is a problem for us', the Attorney General said. 'They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values.' They use secret code names like 'X' and 'Y' and refer to themselves as 'unknowns', but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country.
As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle'. When asked to comment on the arrest, President Obama said, 'If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes.”
White House aides told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the President. It is believed that the Nobel Prize for Physics will follow--
Further investigations have uncovered the extent of a diabolical plan - evidence now points that the plot has existed for several hundred years as Arab mathmilitants covertly began introducing the 0 to 9 numerical system gradually replacing the Roman numerals.
Although the decimal system is pervasive, a major struggle is now taking place between the Decimal disciples and the Booleans. Booleans maintain that only two inputs are required to generate a single output, and have created the binary code, with which they are using to take control the planet.
Fundamentalist groups, such as the Arithmeticians, still insist on memorizing multiplication tables.
Divisionists, on the other hand, claim that in today's reality of lower expectations we need to prepare to accept fractions of past totals as pushed by Additionists battling Subtractionists who claim less is better and the true path to salvation.
sábado, enero 02, 2010
"I seldom go to Baja anymore. Too many problems there for an old duffer like me."
Probably the simplest way to visit would be to take the Mexicoach to the Rosarito Beach Hotel. That way you do not have to make the white-knuckle trip driving through the construction sites which will apparently keep everything snarled up until April.
It is the off-season now and the weather can be a tad chilly but comfortable. You can score some real lodging or rental deals anywhere around here.
Rosarito is probably The best-kept secret in Mexico as far as the general security issue is concerned. You can have an enjoyable stay in a really nice resort area in a cost-effective way.
Of course, if one goes out of his or her way to find the drug scene or a sleazy bar, one will find what he seeks and experience the usual negative results.
Probably the simplest way to visit would be to take the Mexicoach to the Rosarito Beach Hotel. That way you do not have to make the white-knuckle trip driving through the construction sites which will apparently keep everything snarled up until April.
It is the off-season now and the weather can be a tad chilly but comfortable. You can score some real lodging or rental deals anywhere around here.
Rosarito is probably The best-kept secret in Mexico as far as the general security issue is concerned. You can have an enjoyable stay in a really nice resort area in a cost-effective way.
Of course, if one goes out of his or her way to find the drug scene or a sleazy bar, one will find what he seeks and experience the usual negative results.
jueves, diciembre 24, 2009
TRAFFIC SNARL-UP AT PLAYAS DE TIJUANA EXIT
Updated December 25, 2009:
Others have said they had to go into Playas and make a U-turn to access the Rosarito exit ramp from Playas.
Another suggestion was to take the southbound HWY 2 rather than exit from the border road to Playas. HWY 2 southbound will take you to the careterra libre near la Gloria, which leads to Rosarito. There is apparently construction activity on the careterra libre southbound lane from TJ to Rosarito as well; however I was told that the best way to get from Rosarito to TJ is to take the northbound careterra libre.
I was told the project will last at least a month. Expect a two-hour delay during evening commute times. Apparently, there is less traffic in the late morning or early afternoon.
I would appriciate any info regarding traffic conditions on HWY 1D, the border road (Bulevardo International) Corredor 2000 Tijuana-Rosarito, or the Tijuana-Rosarito careterra libre, as I have received several inquiries.
Those who are without personal transportation can cross the border on Mexicoach from San Ysidro and vice-versa. Their website is at URL: www.mexicoach.com. I was told there there was a problem at the San Ysidro Trolley stop because the bus did not show up there the other day.
FYI, I cut and pasted the following information from the Mexicoach website:
§ San Ysidro Trolley Stop
Take the Blue Line trolley south to its last stop. Mexicoach may pick you up on the other side of the roundabout under the “Downtown Tijuana” sign.
§ Border Station Parking
Drive down the I-805 or I-5 south and take the last U.S. Exit (Camino de La Plaza). You will see the Border Station Parking Lot to your right. At the entrance of the parking lot you will find the Mexicoach waiting area:
4570 Camino de la Plaza
San Ysidro California USA 92173
(619) 428-9517
(619) 662-3905
§ Old Town
The VIC is in the heart of Old Town, just in front of the water shooting cowboys. 2415 San Diego Ave. San Diego, CA 92110
Tijuana
§ Tijuana Tourist Terminal
The Mexicoach terminal is located on Avenida Revolución between 6th and 7th street:
Terminal Turística Tijuana Av. Revolución 1025 Between 6th & 7th Streets
Zona Centro, Tijuana, BC, C.P. 22000
Phone: 011+52(664) 685 1470
Rosarito
§ Rosarito Beach Hotel
Mexicoach stops inside Rosarito Beach Hotel located on Rosarito’s main street (Boulevard Benito Juárez).
Here is the Mexicoach schedule (Thanks to Laura!):
From SAN YSIDRO (USA)
To Tijuana
ONE WAY - $4.00 dlls
ROUND TRIP - $6.00 dlls
Rosarito*
ONE WAY - $13.00 dlls
ROUND TRIP - $20.00 dlls
From/To Rosarito, Tijuana
ONE WAY - $7.00 dlls
ROUND TRIP - $14.00 dlls
*Transfer in Tijuana Tourist Terminal
Departure Times:
San Ysidro - Tijuana
8:00 am a 8:00 pm, Monday-Sunday
Departure from San Ysidro to Tijuana are "every hour".
Tijuana – San Ysidro
5:30 am to 8:00 pm, Monday-Friday
6:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday
7:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday
Departures from Tijuana to San Ysidro are "every hour".
Tijuana – Rosarito, 12:00 (Noon) & 4:00 pm, Monday - Sunday
Rosarito -Tijuana, 10:00 am & 2:00 pm, Monday - Sunday
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It appears that timing is everything as far as traveling into Rosarito is concerned. The sooner, the better. If you make the trip in the late afternoon or in the evening, you will be faced with traffic lines.
domingo, diciembre 13, 2009
Rosarito Spanish Study Group schedule confirmation
Sessions 3 & 4 of the Rosarito Spanish Study Group will be held on January 1, as per the regular schedule at the Mongolian Grill: Session 3 - 12 noon - 1:30 PM, Session 4 - 2:00 - 3:30 PM.
"We will be open on New Years Day and will be serving Pho Ga Soup . . .Lee"
The sessions went very well on Friday, December 11, as mother nature provided a brief respite from the rain.
Session 3 - Intermediate & Advanced
Several people attended and Ursula Polgar brought of list of Spanish terms and phrases which she constructed from her reading of magazines. It was quite extensive and I hope to obtain a copy from her to post on the blog site so that we all can have a look at it. If anyone has a similar list they would like to discuss, please bring it to this session on Fridays.
I suggest it would be a good thing to record something like this and put it on a CD which would provide additional practice for those who want to develop their orthoepy and verbal abilities.
Session 4 - Introductory group
This group is for those whose understanding of written and spoken Spanish is at a rudimentary level; also it is an excellent review of basic skills. Pages 1-18 were reviewed. Those who attend this session are reminded that they need to bring $12 for the purchase of the study guide, writing materials, and an all-important SPANISH DICTIONARY. It does not matter what kind of dictionary your bring, but it is a "given" that significant progress in Spanish literacy will be slow without one.
The Mongolian grill will be closed December 20-26. At this point in time, there are no plans to hold any sessions during Christmas Week.
"Las Posadas" are an enactment of looking for lodging by St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary, the Pilgrims going to Bethlehem for the Census according to the Scriptures: "Los Peregrinos, San José y la Virgen María." Each family in a neighborhood, will schedule a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th, on Nochebuena. If you are fortunate enough to receive an invitation to a Posada celebration, by all means attend it. This holiday activity is unique to Mexico, and you will gain a valuable insight to its language and culture if you participate.
Saludos y Feliz Navidad,
Pat
Sessions 3 & 4 of the Rosarito Spanish Study Group will be held on January 1, as per the regular schedule at the Mongolian Grill: Session 3 - 12 noon - 1:30 PM, Session 4 - 2:00 - 3:30 PM.
"We will be open on New Years Day and will be serving Pho Ga Soup . . .Lee"
The sessions went very well on Friday, December 11, as mother nature provided a brief respite from the rain.
Session 3 - Intermediate & Advanced
Several people attended and Ursula Polgar brought of list of Spanish terms and phrases which she constructed from her reading of magazines. It was quite extensive and I hope to obtain a copy from her to post on the blog site so that we all can have a look at it. If anyone has a similar list they would like to discuss, please bring it to this session on Fridays.
I suggest it would be a good thing to record something like this and put it on a CD which would provide additional practice for those who want to develop their orthoepy and verbal abilities.
Session 4 - Introductory group
This group is for those whose understanding of written and spoken Spanish is at a rudimentary level; also it is an excellent review of basic skills. Pages 1-18 were reviewed. Those who attend this session are reminded that they need to bring $12 for the purchase of the study guide, writing materials, and an all-important SPANISH DICTIONARY. It does not matter what kind of dictionary your bring, but it is a "given" that significant progress in Spanish literacy will be slow without one.
The Mongolian grill will be closed December 20-26. At this point in time, there are no plans to hold any sessions during Christmas Week.
"Las Posadas" are an enactment of looking for lodging by St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary, the Pilgrims going to Bethlehem for the Census according to the Scriptures: "Los Peregrinos, San José y la Virgen María." Each family in a neighborhood, will schedule a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th, on Nochebuena. If you are fortunate enough to receive an invitation to a Posada celebration, by all means attend it. This holiday activity is unique to Mexico, and you will gain a valuable insight to its language and culture if you participate.
Saludos y Feliz Navidad,
Pat
domingo, noviembre 22, 2009
Rosarito Spanish Study Group class notes for November 20, 2009
At the November 20 study session, we encountered the several verbs that require the use of the Indirect Object Pronouns once more.
We covered this on October 26. Since this idiomatic construction does not exist in English, it understandably comes up in the sessions frequently, so while risking redundancy, I include this brief review:
At the October 26 session, we discussed the translation of the English word "to like", or "to be pleasing:"
Gustarle
Gustarle is in a group of Spanish verbs called "Indirect Object Pronoun Verbs," and are also referred to as intransitive verbs.
These verbs must be conjugated with an indirect object pronoun. This grammatical construction does not exist in English; it is an idiom (modismo).
The following table shows conjugations for reflexive verbs, which use the indirect object pronoun in the singular and plural:
GUSTAR - to like
This idiomatic construction can employ the indirect object pronoun as the subject of a sentence. In addition, these verbs can also be joined with the infinitive form of a verb which follows:
We like to read - Nos gusta leer.
When constructing these idiomatic expressions, the indirect object precedes the verb. As Arelene Sieman pointed out, the distinctive set of so-called "Indirect Object Pronoun" verbs can only be conjugated in the third person singular or plural, depending on the grammatical number of the subject. In a later class, Profesora Schinkel also emphasized this point.
The following verbs require an indirect object pronoun (the le represents the pronoun in the infinitive). These verbs are intransitive and many of them connote a condition or emotion, or how a person feels about something/somebody, rather than an implemented transitive action:
convenirle to suit, be good for
encantarle to love something
entusiasmarle to be excited about something
faltarle to be missing something, to not have
fascinarle to fascinate, to be fascinated by
gustarle to like
hacerle falta to need something
importarle to care about something, to mind
interesarle to be interested in
quedarle to have something left, or remain
sobrarle to have more than enough of something
tocarle to be one's turn
For example:
I care about school. The word “School” is singular, so the verb, importar, will be in the third person singular, and we end up with: Me importa la escuela (literally: School is important to me).
Note that when using the English construction, the subject of this sentence is "I." However, when the sentence is translated into Spanish, the subject of the sentence becomes "School/Escuela" and the English subject pronoun "I" is transformed into the Spanish indirect object pronoun "me." The English speaker has to consciously implement this idiomatic exchange of the parts of a sentence. (which may create a certain momentary sense of befuddlement!)
In the sentence "I like books," the subject in Spanish is plural (books) so the verb will be conjugated in the third person plural: Me gustan los libros (literally: Books are pleasing to me).
Using this Spanish construction places the subject at the end of the sentence. Often at this point, a puzzled English speaker may then begin to belatedly question the sanity of the Spanish language!
Susana will be gone on the 24th of November and return the 8th of December.
Happy Thanksgiving!
At the November 20 study session, we encountered the several verbs that require the use of the Indirect Object Pronouns once more.
We covered this on October 26. Since this idiomatic construction does not exist in English, it understandably comes up in the sessions frequently, so while risking redundancy, I include this brief review:
At the October 26 session, we discussed the translation of the English word "to like", or "to be pleasing:"
Gustarle
Gustarle is in a group of Spanish verbs called "Indirect Object Pronoun Verbs," and are also referred to as intransitive verbs.
These verbs must be conjugated with an indirect object pronoun. This grammatical construction does not exist in English; it is an idiom (modismo).
The following table shows conjugations for reflexive verbs, which use the indirect object pronoun in the singular and plural:
GUSTAR - to like
| SINGULAR | PLURAL |
| me gusta el libro te gusta el libro le gusta el libro nos gusta el libro les gusta el libro | me gustan los libros te gustan los libros le gustan los libros nos gustan los libros les gustan los libros |
This idiomatic construction can employ the indirect object pronoun as the subject of a sentence. In addition, these verbs can also be joined with the infinitive form of a verb which follows:
We like to read - Nos gusta leer.
When constructing these idiomatic expressions, the indirect object precedes the verb. As Arelene Sieman pointed out, the distinctive set of so-called "Indirect Object Pronoun" verbs can only be conjugated in the third person singular or plural, depending on the grammatical number of the subject. In a later class, Profesora Schinkel also emphasized this point.
The following verbs require an indirect object pronoun (the le represents the pronoun in the infinitive). These verbs are intransitive and many of them connote a condition or emotion, or how a person feels about something/somebody, rather than an implemented transitive action:
convenirle to suit, be good for
encantarle to love something
entusiasmarle to be excited about something
faltarle to be missing something, to not have
fascinarle to fascinate, to be fascinated by
gustarle to like
hacerle falta to need something
importarle to care about something, to mind
interesarle to be interested in
quedarle to have something left, or remain
sobrarle to have more than enough of something
tocarle to be one's turn
For example:
I care about school. The word “School” is singular, so the verb, importar, will be in the third person singular, and we end up with: Me importa la escuela (literally: School is important to me).
Note that when using the English construction, the subject of this sentence is "I." However, when the sentence is translated into Spanish, the subject of the sentence becomes "School/Escuela" and the English subject pronoun "I" is transformed into the Spanish indirect object pronoun "me." The English speaker has to consciously implement this idiomatic exchange of the parts of a sentence. (which may create a certain momentary sense of befuddlement!)
In the sentence "I like books," the subject in Spanish is plural (books) so the verb will be conjugated in the third person plural: Me gustan los libros (literally: Books are pleasing to me).
Using this Spanish construction places the subject at the end of the sentence. Often at this point, a puzzled English speaker may then begin to belatedly question the sanity of the Spanish language!
Susana will be gone on the 24th of November and return the 8th of December.
Happy Thanksgiving!
miércoles, noviembre 18, 2009
ROSARITO SPANISH STUDY GROUP CLASS NOTES, NOVEMBER 16, 2009 - With incidental revisions and map of proposed future Study Group site
The first session covered Lesson 8 (pg. 48) Exercises I through VII. (The top of pg. 51)
We discussed various ways to translate the English word "hot":
TENGO CALENTURA - I have a fever.
CALIENTE - (adjective) the modified word is already hot, or has been heated up.
LA SOPA ESTÁ CALIENTE. The soup is hot
Caution needs to be used when describing people using the word CALIENTE. It can be construed in an awkward light, such as the English phrase "in heat." The connotation of all the meanings encompassed in this Spanish word do not completely correspond in English. For example, it is not in good taste to refer to a woman as CALIENTE. (You may think a woman or man is "hot," but you cannot say so in polite company as a general rule). An English speaker can innocently trick himself or herself into sounding crude or boorish if not aware of this subtlety.
Use words like CHULA, GUAPO, BONITA, etc.
JUAN TIENE CALOR CASI SIEMPRE. Juan is always warm. Meaning his skin or body temperature, not his looks.
PICANTE means spicy or "hot" tasting food.
HACE CALOR - It (the weather) is hot.
Use the subjunctive when making a polite request. Examples - at the gas station:
POR FAVOR LLENE MI TANQUE. (or) POR FAVOR LLENE USTED MI TANQUE. Fill it up please.
Study the vocabulary lists on page 51 of the study guide..
**************************************
La profesora will be chairing study sessions this Friday and next week. She will not be in town on November 24th through December 7th. All study sessions will remain active, and there will be no teaching fees collected during her absence. I will facilitate all of la Profesora's Study group sessions until she returns.
Five students in Monday's second session were injured in an automobile accident. La Profesora has suggested that the remaining students contact her to reschedule their sessions. If we can find five more students who will sign up for the second (beginner) session, she probably will not have to cancel it.
The Spanish Study group will move to a new location soon. Diego's lease is up and Dennis has accepted a position in the manufacturing industry at a plant located in Ohio.
At this point in time, the exact closing date is not finalized; however we have negotiated the approval for our group to meet at The Mongolian Grill when Diego's shuts down.
The owners of the Mongolian Grill, Chris and Lee Romero, have provided the following comments regarding our group's use of their establishment:
"One correction to Patrick's email is that we aren't going to require that you purchase lunch in order to have the classes at our restaurant, but hope that you will. We have several lunch items under $5 including Teriyaki Bowls, Korean Tacos, Calif. Sushi rolls, and large Asian Chicken Salads. (Many people get our salads to go and order the dressing on the side, so they can enjoy them over 2 days.) Once you try our top selling meal, the Mongolian BBQ (under $7) we hope that you will become addicted to this healthy way of eating.
The only thing we ask is that you don't bring in outside food or beverages. In case you are thirsty or would like a snack, we have bottled water, jamaica, jazmine green iced tea, sodas, coffee, egg rolls, and gelato available.
I also wanted to give you more information on the direction [sic] to TMG. We are only 2 miles south of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, which is about 5-10 minutes from Diego's. We are 1.5 miles north of Fox Studios, in front of the La Jolla condo towers (4 towers) and in the same commerical center as the Tropicana Night club. It is easy to get to, but sometimes traffic is so fast you may drive right past."
The official name of the four "La Jolla condo towers" that Chris refers to is La Jolla del Mar. It is not to be confused with the La Jolla condo in downtown Rosarito which is located west of the Tamale Inn.
This "cover charge" scenario is a universally accepted business practice for eating establishments that host group activities in Mexico, United States, and Canada. The understanding we reached with the manager of the Mongolian grill stipulates that Study Group participants will adhere to this convention.
The staff at both Diego's and the Mongolian Grill appreciate tips.
A couple of folks have indicated they want to form a study group in their homes. Perhaps this a venue that would be appealing to some. If you want info regarding this idea, let me know; or talk to those you feel would be inclined to study in this situation at our regular meetings on Mondays or Fridays.
The first session covered Lesson 8 (pg. 48) Exercises I through VII. (The top of pg. 51)
We discussed various ways to translate the English word "hot":
TENGO CALENTURA - I have a fever.
CALIENTE - (adjective) the modified word is already hot, or has been heated up.
LA SOPA ESTÁ CALIENTE. The soup is hot
Caution needs to be used when describing people using the word CALIENTE. It can be construed in an awkward light, such as the English phrase "in heat." The connotation of all the meanings encompassed in this Spanish word do not completely correspond in English. For example, it is not in good taste to refer to a woman as CALIENTE. (You may think a woman or man is "hot," but you cannot say so in polite company as a general rule). An English speaker can innocently trick himself or herself into sounding crude or boorish if not aware of this subtlety.
Use words like CHULA, GUAPO, BONITA, etc.
JUAN TIENE CALOR CASI SIEMPRE. Juan is always warm. Meaning his skin or body temperature, not his looks.
PICANTE means spicy or "hot" tasting food.
HACE CALOR - It (the weather) is hot.
Use the subjunctive when making a polite request. Examples - at the gas station:
POR FAVOR LLENE MI TANQUE. (or) POR FAVOR LLENE USTED MI TANQUE. Fill it up please.
Study the vocabulary lists on page 51 of the study guide..
**************************************
La profesora will be chairing study sessions this Friday and next week. She will not be in town on November 24th through December 7th. All study sessions will remain active, and there will be no teaching fees collected during her absence. I will facilitate all of la Profesora's Study group sessions until she returns.
Five students in Monday's second session were injured in an automobile accident. La Profesora has suggested that the remaining students contact her to reschedule their sessions. If we can find five more students who will sign up for the second (beginner) session, she probably will not have to cancel it.
The Spanish Study group will move to a new location soon. Diego's lease is up and Dennis has accepted a position in the manufacturing industry at a plant located in Ohio.
At this point in time, the exact closing date is not finalized; however we have negotiated the approval for our group to meet at The Mongolian Grill when Diego's shuts down.
The owners of the Mongolian Grill, Chris and Lee Romero, have provided the following comments regarding our group's use of their establishment:
"One correction to Patrick's email is that we aren't going to require that you purchase lunch in order to have the classes at our restaurant, but hope that you will. We have several lunch items under $5 including Teriyaki Bowls, Korean Tacos, Calif. Sushi rolls, and large Asian Chicken Salads. (Many people get our salads to go and order the dressing on the side, so they can enjoy them over 2 days.) Once you try our top selling meal, the Mongolian BBQ (under $7) we hope that you will become addicted to this healthy way of eating.
The only thing we ask is that you don't bring in outside food or beverages. In case you are thirsty or would like a snack, we have bottled water, jamaica, jazmine green iced tea, sodas, coffee, egg rolls, and gelato available.
I also wanted to give you more information on the direction [sic] to TMG. We are only 2 miles south of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, which is about 5-10 minutes from Diego's. We are 1.5 miles north of Fox Studios, in front of the La Jolla condo towers (4 towers) and in the same commerical center as the Tropicana Night club. It is easy to get to, but sometimes traffic is so fast you may drive right past."
MAP OF TMG LOCATION
The official name of the four "La Jolla condo towers" that Chris refers to is La Jolla del Mar. It is not to be confused with the La Jolla condo in downtown Rosarito which is located west of the Tamale Inn.
This "cover charge" scenario is a universally accepted business practice for eating establishments that host group activities in Mexico, United States, and Canada. The understanding we reached with the manager of the Mongolian grill stipulates that Study Group participants will adhere to this convention.
The staff at both Diego's and the Mongolian Grill appreciate tips.
A couple of folks have indicated they want to form a study group in their homes. Perhaps this a venue that would be appealing to some. If you want info regarding this idea, let me know; or talk to those you feel would be inclined to study in this situation at our regular meetings on Mondays or Fridays.
jueves, noviembre 05, 2009
Spanish Study Group Session 1 Class Notes - Indirect Object Pronoun Verbs and Reflexive Verbs
Class Notes for:
lunes, octubre 26, 2009 10:52:05 PM (revised)
and lunes, noviembre 2, 2009
________________________________________
At the October 26 session, we discussed the translation of the English word "to like", or "to be pleasing:"
Gustarle
Gustarle is in a group of Spanish verbs called "Indirect Object Pronoun Verbs:"
These verbs must be conjugated with an indirect object pronoun. This grammatical construction does not exist in English; it is an idiom (modismo).
The following table shows conjugations for indirect object pronoun verbs in the singular and plural:
GUSTAR - to like
SINGULAR PLURAL
me gusta el libro. me gustan los libros.
te gusta el libro. te gustan los libros.
le gusta el libro. le gustan los libros.
nos gusta el libro. nos gustan los libros.
os gusta el libro. os gustan los libros.
les gusta el libro. les gustan los libros.
This idiomatic construction may use the indirect object pronoun as the subject of a sentence. In addition, these verbs can also be joined with the infinitive form of a verb which follows:
We like to read - Nos gusta leer.
When constructing these idiomatic expressions, the indirect object precedes the verb. As Arelene Sieman pointed out, the verb can only be conjugated in the third person singular or plural, depending on the grammatical number of the subject. In a later class, Profesora Schinkel also emphasized this point.
The following verbs require an indirect object pronoun (the le represents the pronoun in the infinitive):
convenirle to suit, be good for
encantarle to love something
entusiasmarle to be excited about something
faltarle to be missing something, to not have
fascinarle to fascinate, to be fascinated by
gustarle to like
hacerle falta to need something
importarle to care about something, to mind
interesarle to be interested in
quedarle to have something left, or remain
sobrarle to have more than enough of something
tocarle to be one's turn
For example:
I care about school. “School” is singular, so the verb, importar, will be in the third person singular, and we end up with Me importa la escuela (literally: School is important to me).
In the sentence "I like books," the subject is plural, so the verb will be conjugated in the third person plural: Me gustan los libros (literally: Books are pleasing to me).
Note:
Le can refer to him, her, it, or you. Uds. and les can refer to you or them (plural) respectively. So to clarify, you can add a + personal pronoun at the beginning of the sentence. (Remember that the preposition a must be used whenever a verb is followed by a person):
He likes art - A él le gusta el arte.
Ana has 100 pesos left - A Ana le quedan 100 pesos.
They are excited about traveling - A ellos les entusiasma viajar.
Another sense of the verb gustar is to indicate attraction, or liking, a person or persons.
For example: If you wanted to say "I like her." You could express this by saying: Me gusta ella.
Reflexive Verbs
A verb is reflexive when the subject and the object are the same:
I wash myself.
subject: I
verb: wash
object: myself
Since the subject and object are the same, the verb is reflexive.
I wash the car.
subject: I
verb: wash
object: car
Since the subject and object are different, the verb is not reflexive.
Another example of how a verb can be either reflexive or non-reflexive:
I scratch myself.
subject: I
verb: scratch
object: myself
Since the subject and object are the same, the verb is reflexive.
I scratch the dog.
subject: I
verb: scratch
object: dog
Since the subject and object are different, the verb is not reflexive.
When a verb is reflexive, the infinitive ends in "se."
lavar ......................... to wash (non-reflexive)
lavarse ..................... to wash oneself (reflexive)
rascar ....................... to scratch (non-reflexive)
rascarse .................... to scratch oneself (reflexive)
There is one reflexive verb you have been using since you began studying Spanish.
llamarse - to call, or name, oneself:
¿Cómo se llama usted? ...................................... What do you call yourself?
Me llamo Juan ................................................... I call myself Juan.
NOTE: This is another example of a Spanish idiomatic expression, or "modismo." Which does not have an English correlation. A more "natural" English translation would be "What is your name?" and "My name is Juan."
When you learned to conjugate regular verbs, you needed to learn a set of pronouns
called "subject pronouns."
lavar
yo lavo
tú lavas
él, ella, usted lava
nosotros/as lavamos
vosotros/as laváis
ellos, ellas, ustedes lavan
To learn to conjugate reflexive verbs, you need to learn a different set of pronouns called "reflexive pronouns." These pronouns are positioned before the verb, while the ending "se" is dropped and the verb is conjugated normally.
lavarse
yo me lavo ......................................................... I wash (myself)
tú te lavas .......................................................... you wash (yourself) (informal)
él se lava ............................................................ he washes (himself)
ella se lava ......................................................... she washes (herself)
usted se lava ...................................................... you wash (yourself) (formal)
nosotros nos lavamos ........................................ we wash (ourselves)
nosotras nos lavamos ........................................ we wash (ourselves) (feminine)
vosotros os laváis ............................................... you-all wash (yourselves) (informal)
vosotras os laváis ............................................... you-all wash (yourselves) (informal, feminine)
ustedes se lavan ................................................. you-all wash (yourselves)(formal)
ellos se lavan ..................................................... they wash (themselves)
ellas se lavan ...................................................... they wash (themselves) (feminine)
The reflexive pronouns are not subject pronouns; rather they are object pronouns:
me ........................... (myself)
te ............................. (yourself)
se ............................. (himself, herself, yourself)
nos .......................... (ourselves)
os ............................ (yourselves)
se ............................. (themselves, yourselves)
The purpose of the reflexive object pronouns is to show that the action of the verb
remains with the subject:
Juan se lava la cara ............................................. Juan washes his face. (reflexive)
Juan lava su carro. (non-reflexive) ....................... Juan washes his car.
NOTE:
*When referring to body parts, use the definite article, thus "la cara" not "su cara."
*The use of the plural familiar verb form is not generally accepted in Mexico
__________________________________
Sources:
e Learn Spanish Language at URL:
http://www.elearnspanishlanguage.com/grammar/verbs/indirectobjectverbs.html
1997–2005 Spanish Learning Resources at URL: http://www.studyspanish.com/lessons/reflexive1.htm
Class Notes for:
lunes, octubre 26, 2009 10:52:05 PM (revised)
and lunes, noviembre 2, 2009
________________________________________
At the October 26 session, we discussed the translation of the English word "to like", or "to be pleasing:"
Gustarle
Gustarle is in a group of Spanish verbs called "Indirect Object Pronoun Verbs:"
These verbs must be conjugated with an indirect object pronoun. This grammatical construction does not exist in English; it is an idiom (modismo).
The following table shows conjugations for indirect object pronoun verbs in the singular and plural:
GUSTAR - to like
SINGULAR PLURAL
me gusta el libro. me gustan los libros.
te gusta el libro. te gustan los libros.
le gusta el libro. le gustan los libros.
nos gusta el libro. nos gustan los libros.
os gusta el libro. os gustan los libros.
les gusta el libro. les gustan los libros.
This idiomatic construction may use the indirect object pronoun as the subject of a sentence. In addition, these verbs can also be joined with the infinitive form of a verb which follows:
We like to read - Nos gusta leer.
When constructing these idiomatic expressions, the indirect object precedes the verb. As Arelene Sieman pointed out, the verb can only be conjugated in the third person singular or plural, depending on the grammatical number of the subject. In a later class, Profesora Schinkel also emphasized this point.
The following verbs require an indirect object pronoun (the le represents the pronoun in the infinitive):
convenirle to suit, be good for
encantarle to love something
entusiasmarle to be excited about something
faltarle to be missing something, to not have
fascinarle to fascinate, to be fascinated by
gustarle to like
hacerle falta to need something
importarle to care about something, to mind
interesarle to be interested in
quedarle to have something left, or remain
sobrarle to have more than enough of something
tocarle to be one's turn
For example:
I care about school. “School” is singular, so the verb, importar, will be in the third person singular, and we end up with Me importa la escuela (literally: School is important to me).
In the sentence "I like books," the subject is plural, so the verb will be conjugated in the third person plural: Me gustan los libros (literally: Books are pleasing to me).
Note:
Le can refer to him, her, it, or you. Uds. and les can refer to you or them (plural) respectively. So to clarify, you can add a + personal pronoun at the beginning of the sentence. (Remember that the preposition a must be used whenever a verb is followed by a person):
He likes art - A él le gusta el arte.
Ana has 100 pesos left - A Ana le quedan 100 pesos.
They are excited about traveling - A ellos les entusiasma viajar.
Another sense of the verb gustar is to indicate attraction, or liking, a person or persons.
For example: If you wanted to say "I like her." You could express this by saying: Me gusta ella.
Reflexive Verbs
A verb is reflexive when the subject and the object are the same:
I wash myself.
subject: I
verb: wash
object: myself
Since the subject and object are the same, the verb is reflexive.
I wash the car.
subject: I
verb: wash
object: car
Since the subject and object are different, the verb is not reflexive.
Another example of how a verb can be either reflexive or non-reflexive:
I scratch myself.
subject: I
verb: scratch
object: myself
Since the subject and object are the same, the verb is reflexive.
I scratch the dog.
subject: I
verb: scratch
object: dog
Since the subject and object are different, the verb is not reflexive.
When a verb is reflexive, the infinitive ends in "se."
lavar ......................... to wash (non-reflexive)
lavarse ..................... to wash oneself (reflexive)
rascar ....................... to scratch (non-reflexive)
rascarse .................... to scratch oneself (reflexive)
There is one reflexive verb you have been using since you began studying Spanish.
llamarse - to call, or name, oneself:
¿Cómo se llama usted? ...................................... What do you call yourself?
Me llamo Juan ................................................... I call myself Juan.
NOTE: This is another example of a Spanish idiomatic expression, or "modismo." Which does not have an English correlation. A more "natural" English translation would be "What is your name?" and "My name is Juan."
When you learned to conjugate regular verbs, you needed to learn a set of pronouns
called "subject pronouns."
lavar
yo lavo
tú lavas
él, ella, usted lava
nosotros/as lavamos
vosotros/as laváis
ellos, ellas, ustedes lavan
To learn to conjugate reflexive verbs, you need to learn a different set of pronouns called "reflexive pronouns." These pronouns are positioned before the verb, while the ending "se" is dropped and the verb is conjugated normally.
lavarse
yo me lavo ......................................................... I wash (myself)
tú te lavas .......................................................... you wash (yourself) (informal)
él se lava ............................................................ he washes (himself)
ella se lava ......................................................... she washes (herself)
usted se lava ...................................................... you wash (yourself) (formal)
nosotros nos lavamos ........................................ we wash (ourselves)
nosotras nos lavamos ........................................ we wash (ourselves) (feminine)
vosotros os laváis ............................................... you-all wash (yourselves) (informal)
vosotras os laváis ............................................... you-all wash (yourselves) (informal, feminine)
ustedes se lavan ................................................. you-all wash (yourselves)(formal)
ellos se lavan ..................................................... they wash (themselves)
ellas se lavan ...................................................... they wash (themselves) (feminine)
The reflexive pronouns are not subject pronouns; rather they are object pronouns:
me ........................... (myself)
te ............................. (yourself)
se ............................. (himself, herself, yourself)
nos .......................... (ourselves)
os ............................ (yourselves)
se ............................. (themselves, yourselves)
The purpose of the reflexive object pronouns is to show that the action of the verb
remains with the subject:
Juan se lava la cara ............................................. Juan washes his face. (reflexive)
Juan lava su carro. (non-reflexive) ....................... Juan washes his car.
NOTE:
*When referring to body parts, use the definite article, thus "la cara" not "su cara."
*The use of the plural familiar verb form is not generally accepted in Mexico
__________________________________
Sources:
e Learn Spanish Language at URL:
http://www.elearnspanishlanguage.com/grammar/verbs/indirectobjectverbs.html
1997–2005 Spanish Learning Resources at URL: http://www.studyspanish.com/lessons/reflexive1.htm
viernes, septiembre 04, 2009
Road construction in Tijuana update:
I was told today that road construction in this area will continue for "at least 4 months."
Although I have experienced delays on the road to Playas from Zona Rio, I have managed to inch my way through eventually.
USE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE DRIVING WESTBOUND FROM TJ CITY WHEN APPROACHING THE PLAYAS EXIT.
The left westbound lane dead-ends into a concrete road barrier. If you are not alert, you will smack into the end of the barrier, which is not marked or flagged in any way, or veer into the oncoming traffic lane heading in the opposite direction. The third option (after muttering OH $#+T!) is to merge into the right-hand west-bound lane just as you approach the exit to Playas. Fortunately, I managed to accomplish the latter maneuver today on my way back from el Mirador today. I have no idea how anyone could possibly see this at night, or when the sun is shining in their eyes.
Please forward this to any hapless souls who may be using that road, as any traffic cones/warning lights indicating this situation may, or may not, be positioned appropriately.
They apparently contracted with the tooth fairy to do this project, because I know of no sane person who would route traffic in this manner.
I was told today that road construction in this area will continue for "at least 4 months."
Although I have experienced delays on the road to Playas from Zona Rio, I have managed to inch my way through eventually.
USE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE DRIVING WESTBOUND FROM TJ CITY WHEN APPROACHING THE PLAYAS EXIT.
The left westbound lane dead-ends into a concrete road barrier. If you are not alert, you will smack into the end of the barrier, which is not marked or flagged in any way, or veer into the oncoming traffic lane heading in the opposite direction. The third option (after muttering OH $#+T!) is to merge into the right-hand west-bound lane just as you approach the exit to Playas. Fortunately, I managed to accomplish the latter maneuver today on my way back from el Mirador today. I have no idea how anyone could possibly see this at night, or when the sun is shining in their eyes.
Please forward this to any hapless souls who may be using that road, as any traffic cones/warning lights indicating this situation may, or may not, be positioned appropriately.
They apparently contracted with the tooth fairy to do this project, because I know of no sane person who would route traffic in this manner.
sábado, agosto 29, 2009
TOWER CONSTRUCTION
Good Chapters on Lightning and Grounding,
Great Primer for anyone going to work on towers or to be sure the guy you hire to work on your tower system does it right !
Dennis, N6KI
URL: http://www.championradio.com/publications.html
Good Chapters on Lightning and Grounding,
Great Primer for anyone going to work on towers or to be sure the guy you hire to work on your tower system does it right !
Dennis, N6KI
URL: http://www.championradio.com/publications.html
domingo, agosto 16, 2009
RADIO OPERATOR HEAVEN, WITH A COLLINS ROOM
By Dennis Vernacchia, N6KI
By Dennis Vernacchia, N6KI
George Ulm, W9EVT was born in the Free City of Danzig in 1930. In the mid-1930s he moved to Chicago with his family. After W.W.II, he produced some of the first convention exhibits for the Radio Parts Show in the Windy City. His business later expanded to world’s fairs and conventions such as the CES in Las Vegas and Chicago. George is a Korean Conflict veteran, taught electronics in the Navy Air Corps, developed and put on air the first two meter amateur repeaters in the late 1950s.
So...you think .....I am addicted to Ham Radio ?
Well this is what WA6MHZ will find when he gets to heaven !
So...you think .....I am addicted to Ham Radio ?
Well this is what WA6MHZ will find when he gets to heaven !
George has lived in Mexico, Europe, Africa and Australia with ham calls associated with each part of the world. In the early 1960s he purchased an apple and cherry farm on Washington Island, WI. At retirement he decided to raise antennas on the property instead of fruit. He lives there year round with his wife, Susan, his dog, Ivan and a very talkative African Gray Parrot, B.B.
Web Page: http://www.greengate-wibb.com/?page_id=5
Web Page: http://www.greengate-wibb.com/?page_id=5
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