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What’s it all about? It’s a day — or to be more specific a night — when dark and wicked things creep from their lairs/tombs/caves/covens/coffins/haunted houses and … well, stalk the earth. Where does the name Halloween come from? Where does “Dia de los Muertos come from? The word Halloween is a contraction of All-Hallow-Even, or All-Hallows-Eve, since October 31 is the evening before the Christian festival of All Hallows’ Day (“Hallows” comes from the Middle English word “halwen” meaning holy.) This feast, more commonly known as All Saints Day, was first celebrated on November 1 by Pope Gregory III (731-741), although it was not until a century later, under Pope Gregory IV (827-844), that the day became standardized throughout the Christian world. continue

A powerful earthquake struck offshore in Mexico’s Gulf of California today, Thursday 21st October 2010. The epicenter was 85 miles (140 kilometers) northeast of La Paz in Baja California Sur, authorities reported some panic, but no damage or injuries. Alfonso Gomez, assistant director of civil protection in La Paz, told The Associated Press by telephone that some schools and public buildings were evacuated, and city offices received calls from alarmed residents. The region was hit by three moderately powerful earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 5.5 to 5.8 Tuesday night and early Wednesday, but they caused no known damage. The editor of this report experienced the quake in Fidepaz continue

About 3,200 Mexican federal police have been fired since May for failing to do their work or being linked to corruption, Federal Police Commissioner Facundo Rosas said Monday. Of those, 465 have been charged with crimes. In addition, Rosas said at a news conference, another 1,020 officers face disciplinary proceedings for failing confidence exams. The probe started in mid-May, said Marco Tulio Lopez of the federal police internal affairs department.
“Investigations of our department began many months ago and this is the result,” federal police spokesman Ramon Salinas told CNN. Among the officers who were fired, Rosas said, were officials in Ciudad Juarez who were publicly accused by fellow officers of corruption continue

While La Paz was first inhabited by Neolithic hunter-gatherers at least 10,000 years ago who left traces of their existence in the form of rock paintings near the city and throughout the Baja peninsula is the “official” founding recorded on May 3, 1535. Hernán Cortés arrived in the bay by La Paz and named it Santa Cruz. He attempted to start a colony but abandoned his efforts after several years due to logistical problems. Almost 60 years later, in 1596 Sebastian Vizcaino arrived, giving the area its modern name, La Paz. From April 27 through May 5 take different festivities place to commemorate the foundation of the city featuring diverse artistic and cultural events. continue

Pacific nations gear for tsunami after Chile quake. Nations around the Pacific Ocean are on full alert for a possible tsunami following the devastating earthquake that hit Chile on Saturday morning.
Tsunami warnings have been sounded in an area affecting about a quarter of the globe. Waves will spread from the epicentre of the 8.8 quake in central Chile and may strike land bordering the Pacific in the next 24 hours. People in the Galapagos and on Easter Island have already taken refuge. Large waves are already reported to have struck Chile’s Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Three people there are missing, local media say. Two aid ships are reported to be on their way. Nations affected by the Pacific “Rim of Fire” have all sounded alerts continue

How do you get people to do somethings important but not preaching to them?? Check out “Embrace Life”! A small online video production made for the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership. became big worldwide!! It got BIG worldwide and made people talking, watching…. absolutely moving, great concept and simple yet brilliant making, this online ad to enforce the use of seat belt while driving is one of the most popular things published lately. And sure enough the cause applies as much to La Paz as everywhere else!! How often do I catch myself to drive “quick” around the corner to Walmart or just the tienda down the road without wearing it…. continue