Martes, 26/7/2016: Fire on the mountain, Billion dollar bond issue, Bienal, Zika virus

Hola, Todos –

Change of plans – I will take a break from these translations from Sat, 30/7 through either Wed. 10/8 or Thu, 11/8 to work on another volunteer project with an uncertain completion date.

Pagina cultural –

Upcoming Agenda events –

Arte – The Festival Internacional de Artes Callejeras (International Street Art Festival) will open Wed. at 15:00 in the Unidad de Cultura (Culture Unit) at the U. of Cuenca with a theater and music performance.

Taller – Sol Okarina will run a workshop, “Quien canta, sus males espanta” (Those who sing, their worries go away) Thur. from 15-18:00 in the Sono Estudio Guitarrístico (Borerro y Pres. Córdova).  Cost:  $25.00.

Concierto – The Orquesta Sinfónica de Cuenca (OSC) with director Jorge Oviedo and guest flautist James Strauss will play this Fri. at 20:00 in the teatro Pumapungo.

Today’s (Tue.) Agenda events –
 
Recital – 13 students at the Academia de Música Saula played Tues. in the CCE.

Charla – A talk about letters between Simón Bolívar and Manuela Sáenz was Tues. in the Quinta Bolívar.  (So, can anyone tell me who Manuela Sáenz was?)

Cine francés – Tuesday’s movie at the Alianza Francesa was “Los Conquistadores”.  (If you’re interested in French films, they show one every Tuesday.  Google them.)

Articles about –

The Sociedad de Obreros de La Salle – The Society of Workers of La Salle is housed in a building at Sucre y Mariano Cueva. The Dept of Architecture at the U. of Cuenca has developed a project to restore this historic property, especially the chapel.

Bienal –  Dan Cameron, northamerican curator for the Bienal de Cuenca is on a visit of the exhibit spaces for the art show this coming Oct.  There are 12 official sites as well as additional sites that need to be matched to the art being shown – size, light, etc.

Libro – “Monólogo de un desgajado”, a book of essays by author and journalist Rodrigo Aguilar Orejuela was presented Tues. in the Biblioteca de la Casa de la Cultura.

Otras cosas – 

Titular – Un día como hoy, ‘Jeff’ llenó de gloria al país (A day like today, ‘Jeff’ filled the country with glory) – 20 years ago today, Jefferson Pérez (he for whom the Coliseo is named – how’s that for some fancy grammar?  And I’m not even sure if it’s correct.) won Ecuador’s only gold medal.  See Tuesday’s article in CHL for more details about Cuenca’s home town hero.

Fire – As of yesterday afternoon, a fire had burned at least 20 hectares in the Parque Nacional Cajas. The area that was burned was in a remote, environmentally sensitive part of the national park.

Bonds – The Ministry of Finance reported that it has placed $1,000 millions in bonds in the international markets to finance this year’s budget.  The bonds will pay 10.75% and come due in March, 2022.  (And before you start screaming about fiscal irresponsibility, remember you’re not trying to dig out of a $3 billion hole in earthquake damage.)

Zika – The Ministry of Health reported a total of 1,330 people infected by the virus, 108 of them pregnant.  Manabí has the most cases with 1,107 followed by Esmeraldas with 139.  (If you’re headed to the coast, don’t forget insect repellant.)

Bus lanes – EMOV EP is running a compaign called “Es mejor prevenir” (It’s better to prevent).  Part of the campaign is asking drivers to stay out of bus lanes (the ones with “solo bus” painted on the pavement).  You can be fined $73.20 for invading a bus lane.  (The scary part is making a right turn from the left lane.)

Reconstruction – Cuencanan technicians are helping in the reconstruction of historic buildings in the canton of Jama, Manabí.  The Municipality of Montecristi is also asking for help with two properties, one of which is the Basília Menor de la Virgen de Monserrat which contains an image of the Virgin and is a pilgrimmage site.

Coopera – 416 ex-members have been paid since last Fri. This last round of payments totaled $1,315,936.90 with 126 members who have still have not received payment. They can go to the Coopera offices.

Amenidades –

Your sliver of life article today is about – José Alvarado is trying to get into the Guinness Book of Records for a Latin American road trip in a stretch limo.  He started on 19/4 in Connecticut and has driven 100,000 km. in 17 countries so far.  Garmin Ecuador is supporting his dream as well as certifying his route.

And that´s all for today so Hasta Mañana –

Jeanne