Living at Lake Chapala in Mexico

Last night we published the following link that contains some amazing photos from the Raquet Club. I'm repeating it here to be sure you all get to see these shots. These photos were taken Thursday in the Racquet Club by Steven Miller at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shmiller/

We have a series of very good photos to share as well and will load them into the next blog later this evening.

We've just received another good photo site. These are at http://www.shrall.com/SJC/

Flo Michaloski: Emergency Blood Needed
Flo has been an active member of the DAR and the Little Theater and has many friends here. She is in Hospital Jardenes de Guadalupe on Manual Clothier #699 Phone: 01 (33) 3620-1002 (Room 217) She will undergo emergency surgery for cancer today. Thus the Hospital is requesting that she provide donations of blood....any type of blood.

If you are under 65 and can go to the Hospital to donate blood, please consider helping Flo at this critical time. For more information, contact B.J . Wallace at (376) 766-1221.

"Was speaking to Dick and Eleanor Stromberg in Ajijic this morning. They have recently moved out to the Raquet Club and were updating me on the current situation.

"They said that as of last night electricity had been restored to the area (they did not say if it was the whole area or not--it was to parts of the area). They had nothing but praise for police, army, Telmex and CFE personnel as well as rescue teams who have been working around the clock since Wednesday.

"The Strombergs said that there is a single lane, mud road that has allowed people to get in and out.

"I also heard from someone this morning who had friends in the Raquet Club that those people walked out to the carretera yesterday and were picked up. Now safely with their friends in Ajijic.

Update from Ron Russell: What is needed in the Raquet Club is more backhoes. Especially for Ille Nastase to clear mud and rocks. CFE and Civil Protection are there again today.

Good news! According to Racquet Club Residents, most of the Racquet Club now has electrical, service. Some have phone service reconnected and some have computer services, etc.

Electric: There are several homes higher up on the mountain that are still without power, but the CFE workers are in the process of fixing these problems, setting new poles, etc.

Water: They do not have water, but I am told that isn't a major problem as most of the homes have large aljibes. Water may take longer as the well is at the bottom of the hill. A intermediate pumping station was located at the club facility and appears to have been washed away. In addition many of the water pipes in the street have been washed away or destroyed or at the very least uncovered.

Phone: Some homes never lost phone service, some have been restored, others know it will take a while to have service restored.

Gas: Propane Gas delivery is unlikely as trucks can't make it through the streets.

Drinking water: Drinking water is being delivered to main intersections on large pallets.
Most residents can get in and out via a single lane mud road, and most can get to that exit. Most most roads within the Racquet Club can be used, with a four wheel drive or pickup with high clearance. I am told most homes are okay and that three homes had major damage. Other reports from Racquet Club residents indicate 10-15 homres that either had major damage or are destroyed.

The major damage is to the two main north-south roads, that are covered with large boulders and the arroyos which have washed out. As Ron Russell as requested, they do need backhoes. He has tried shoveling and it is hopeless.

Streets like Illie Nastase are blocked with eight inches and more of mud. Reports tell us that there are a number of bulldozers, back hoes, front end loaders and trucks working in the RC.

Also, a resident of the Racquet club has suggested a fund be started to purchase mattresses for the residents of San Juan Cosalá. Jayme is going to start taking information on those who would be interested in contributing to such a fund through the email helpsanjuancosala@gmail.com There will be more information coming as to where to donate.

Dixie Nicholson who made it down today from the top of the mountain today in a four wheel drive vehicle is compiling a fund, hoping to purchase several hundred cots by mid week for intermediate relief. She told us it seems very strange to be where things are clean and orderly and not in chaos.

Residents had nothing but praise for the police, army, Telmex, and DFE personnel as well as rescue teams.

According from a late report from Peter Palmer (Pedro from Pedro's) the army and Federales have been recalled and are no longer on duty at the scene. The Civil Defense, Department of health, local government workers are still on the job.

Thanks to Dick and Eleanor Stromberg, Pat and John Elliott, Ron Russell, Dixie Nicholson all of the Racquet Club. Also, thanks to Jayme Littlejohn, Georgina Russell, Peter Palmer , and Richard Belair.

The list of needed supplies has been updated late this afternoon by volunteers at the collection center. Note below. Below is a list of needed supplies needed, the organizations collecting, contacts, and how you can help!

**Underwear and soxs for all sexes and all sizes is an urgent need today.
**Ultrapasturized milk in boxes

**Boxes of juice

**quart bottles of cooking oil

**diapers

Ready to eat food items--things like tuna, canned meats, canned fruits, canned re-fried beans, loaves of bread, sandwich meat, mayo (the fresh cooked foods are mostly for workers -- the real need is for canned and packed food)
bottled water
blankets
baby bottles with disposable liners and nipples
toothbrushes and paste
soap
disposable wipes
items that can help with sanitation to prevent disease

Lake Chapala Society
*LCS is also taking names of those who have space available to house residents who have lost their homes; or their homes are so damaged that they uninhabitable --- ask for Charlie Smith.

The municipal building in Jocotepec is housing some 200 people and if you are on the West side of San Juan Cosalá this is a good place to drop of any supplies.

A drop off location for supplies has been set up in Ajijic at the corner of Colon and Hidalgo (diagonally across from the bank--at Delegación de Ajijic. )

*Cruz Roja will accept your supplies, however, they will be diverted to DIF in Chapala. They will deliver supplies directly to San Juan Cosalá. You can deliver your supplies directly to DIF. DIF is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. -- 4:00 p.m. at:
Degallado #327
Chapala
765-2849 or 765-3349
( FYI:The Ajijic Plaza drop off is also DIF.)

*Animal Shelter
If you wish to donate dog or cat food, please take it to the Animal Shelter in Riberas. They will be sure the food is taken to San Juan Cosalá.

See yesterday's posts for additional information about making cash, credit card or Pay Pal donations to the Cruz Roja or the Lake Chapala society to be used for relief aid.