Gregorio Simaj García was re-elected alcalde of Santa Cruz la Laguna in spite of having formal criminal charges filed against him alleging embezzlement, extortion, fraud and abuse of authority. Read more in this article in El Perioidico:
http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20110905/pais/200461/
Transparency and Government Contracts
In the name of transparency, all Guatemalan government agencies including municipalities must record and file their contracts online. The website is GuateCompras - Sistema de Contratactiones y Adquisiciones del Estado de Guatemala: http://www.guatecompras.gt/
Anyone with internet access can search what contracts have been filed in one's geographic area, i.e. Solola, Santa Cruz la Laguna, even a sector like Paxanax: Buscar (Ingrese el TEXTO). This is an important feature that allows citizens to keep tabs on projects real and imagined.
Atitlan Blues & Jazz Cruise
On November 19th, 2011, from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. the Festival Atitlan folks will be presenting a special Blues and Jazz event. 150 lucky people will be picked up from the dock in Panajachel and will cruise over to the Posada de Santiago (in Santiago Atitlan). They will listen to the Ragtime piano of Nelson Lunding and the electric blues sound of the Marco Trio Electric, and get the opportunity to savor some of the Posadas excellent Barbecue. Then, it's off to the Turicentro Tiosh Abaj for The Blues Rocket, a New Orleans style band, and a sampling of their gourmet Guatemalan food. The evening will finish at the Hotel Bambu with Mambo Balam, an instrumental group, the Imox Jazz Quartet and some fine Mediterranean fare. Finally the boat will take all satisfied cruisers back to Panajachel. This event has a very limited amount of tickets, so get yours now!
http://www.festivalatitlan.com/cruise/cruiseeng.html
Solar Lights: Light from Water
This is an interesting idea that is circulating on the internet. How to make solar "lights" out of plastic bottles, water and chlorine for use in dark places during the day. Perhaps people would like to experiment with this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FiplFylMOc&feature=player_embedded