Every Day is Magic: Ada Limón
In her 2015 collection, Bright Dead Things, a National Book Award finalist for poetry, Ada Limón writes of moving to Kentucky: “Confession: I did not want to live here.” It’s perhaps not a surprising sentiment coming from a coastally oriented person who was raised in Northern California, attended college in Seattle, and then spent over a decade in New York City.
But Limón and her husband, Lucas, have been in Lexington for seven years now and the effects of settling into this place are noticeable in her new book, The Carrying (Milkweed, Aug.). It’s a phenomenally lively and attentive collection replete with the trappings of living a little closer to nature. While Bright Dead Things is marked by a preponderance of light, such as images of fireflies and neon signs, The Carrying features numerous appearances by various trees, birds, and beetles. Limón also demonstrates a greater willingness to be explicit in naming colors, particularly green. “It’s crazy green, the whole book,” she says. “Lexington is the greenest place I’ve ever lived.” Similarly, where in Bright Dead Things, Limón tells a lot of stories and anecdotes, in The Carrying she is very present in her thoughts and experiences.
As it turns out, these shifts in focus have another, altogether unexpected source. While putting Bright Dead Things together, Limón was diagnosed with chronic vestibular neuronitis, which can cause bouts of vertigo. “If I’m really having vertigo, it’s pretty intense and I really have to focus,”
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Borderlands Mexico: Experts push infrastructure to boost cross-border trade
“…U.S. trade with the world totaled $5.1 trillion in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Mexico did almost $800 billion in trade with the United States last year, once again becoming the nation’s top trade partner.
“I think you’re seeing growth all across the U.S.-Mexico border … and Laredo [Texas] is where the rubber meets the road,” said Jordan Dewart, president of Redwood Mexico. “I think that’s where the infrastructure is headed. That’s where the main investment deals on highways to access the border are going. If you go to Laredo right now, the amount of new warehousing construction, new trucking facilities construction, is just staggering. There are miles and miles of construction. If you drive up I-35, you can see the dust clouds from 50 miles away from all construction. So I think everyone will benefit.”…”
The Americans retiring to Mexico for a more affordable life: ‘We are immigrants’
“Yes, he and his wife, Renee Varnadore, are living abroad. But they left the United States in search of a quality of life that’s no longer in reach for them stateside. Now, the clear blue waters of Rosarito Beach are quickly becoming home.
Their condo is just the right size for two. It’s intimate but not without its luxuries, like a huge bathtub with jacuzzi jets. Then there’s their balcony, overlooking a world of ocean that bleeds into the horizon. It’s a view reserved for millionaires and billionaires in the US, but not here…”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/11/americans-retire-mexico-affordability-peace
SWJ El Centro Book Review – Frontera: a journey across the US-Mexico Border
“The borderlands between Mexico and the US are among the most studied border regions in the world. The border represents an intersection of several studies on security, culture, environment, and economics. This book can encompass and touch on a myriad of complex issues affecting the Mexican-American border by taking a deep dive into both sides of the border. The authors use a variety of perspectives and experts to thread together an intricate picture of the current and future state of the border. Sergio Chapa and Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera are the authors of this book. Sergio Chapa is an oil and natural gas industry expert and journalist in Houston, Texas. Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera is a professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University. Sergio Chapa and Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera’s book explores the natural and ethnographic landscapes of both sides of the US-Mexico borderlands. The authors provide insight into the region’s cultural life, political context, and security situation…”
Takenos, Argentine Fintech, Sets Sights on Mexico with 80,000 User Goal
“Takenos, the fintech startup providing financial solutions for workers receiving money from abroad, has announced its expansion into the Mexican market with ambitions to acquire at least 80,000 users there by year-end.
Founders Lucas Posada, Joaquín Herrera, and Simón Bouche, the latter recently relocating to Mexico City, spearhead this move, aiming to capitalize on the transborder transfer hub between Mexico and the U.S…
Trump promises 100% tariff on China-backed cars crossing Mexican border
“…Trump made the claim during a weekend rally in Dayton, Ohio, where he also challenged Chinese President Xi Jinping. “Those big car manufacturing plants you are building in Mexico right now, and you think you are going to get that—not hire Americans, and you’re going to sell the car to us?” he asked. “No, we are going to put a 100% tariff on every car that comes across the lot.”…”
https://www.cbtnews.com/trump-promises-100-tariff-on-china-backed-cars-crossing-mexican-border/
Mexico Nearshoring Boom to Require Massive Energy Investment, Experts Say
“Mexico will need to attract more than $41 billion in investment to generate an estimated 37 GW of additional electricity capacity required to meet the increased energy demand anticipated by nearshoring, Abraham Zamora, president of the Mexican Energy Association (AME), said during a recent presentation in Monterrey…”
Latin America Roundup: Brazil, Mexico lay out regulatory priorities
“…Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection Against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) also recently made public its priorities and work agenda for 2024, some of which parallel those laid out by ANVISA.
In a document released on 30 January, COFEPRIS described efforts to promote regulatory certainty, improve confidence in its processes, and expand digitalization as a strategy to speed approvals.
COFEPRIS said 2024 would see the launch of its biosimilars unit and pharmaceutical development committee, both of which share the goal of expanding Mexican manufacturing. The agency also promised to refine rules for conducting clinical research “with the aim of achieving competitive service times.”…”
Thunderbird at ASU announces regional Center of Excellence in Mexico
“November 29, 2023
In a move that signaled a significant step forward in its commitment to fostering innovation and global, digital leadership in Latin America, the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, in partnership with Cintana Education and the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG), has announced a new regional Center of Excellence in Mexico…”
Policy Concerns or No, Mexico Natural Gas Imports to Keep Growing, Experts Say
“Mexico’s pipeline imports of U.S. natural gas should continue rising over the coming years even in the most conservative demand scenarios, experts agreed at the US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum
Mexican and Cuban experts to discuss diversification of the sugar agroindustry
“HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 3 (ACN) Experts and specialists of the Associations of Sugar Technicians of Cuba and Mexico (ATAC-ATAM) are meeting today in Havana for their 7th meeting on the flexibility and diversification of the sugar agribusiness in their countries and also in Brazil.
The deliberations will be held at the National Sugar Training Center, starting from the consideration of aspects common to their respective managements, especially for a space for analysis, reflection and exchange of experiences, ATAC reported exclusively to the Cuban News Agency.
Mainly, it added, to contribute to the reorientation and development of the productive chains of co-products and derivatives, in an efficient and effective way in the current conditions, taking into account the requirements of sugarcane agriculture that supports it…”
San Antonio event discusses the barriers preventing Latinos from buying homes
“SAN ANTONIO — City of San Antonio leaders are working with federal partners to address housing barriers, particularly as it pertains to the Latino community.
According to research by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, only half of Hispanic households are homeowners in the U.S. On Thursday, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) hosted the housing forum to discuss the factors why…”
Hispanic unemployment dips to 4.6% in September
“Cid Wilson, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility CEO, joins ‘Closing Bell Overtime’ to talk Hispanic employment rates in the U.S. jobs report.”
First-generation students discuss experiences, resources at UCLA
“There’s just a lot of fear of reaching out or asking a ‘dumb question,’” said Williams, who studies at the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies and taught a university studies class geared toward first-generation students. “It’s just that lack of confidence because you haven’t had these experiences or know anyone that’s had these experiences.”
First-generation students can also feel a lack of belonging compared to other students depending on their socioeconomic background.
According to the Brookings Institution, about 51% of students from low-income families go to college compared to about 89% of students from well-off families…”
https://dailybruin.com/2023/09/21/first-generation-students-discuss-experiences-resources-at-ucla
American Imports of Mexico-Manufactured Goods on the Rise: Study
“U.S. supply chains responded to the global volatility from the past two years by transforming supply chain networks to improve resilience against future disruption, according to a new report released by Penske Logistics, Kearney and Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)…”
Turning to Mexico in gaining market share
“…Naysayers and skeptics immediately emerged, he recalled. “Unfortunately, there are still misconceptions – Mexico is a third world country; Mexico is too dangerous; Mexico is violent,” he said, mimicking some of the more prominent critiques of his launch. “People thought I was crazy, insane, lunatic,” he said. Skeptics were misinformed about Mexico, Guzzo said, viewing it as a violent country although violence is largely limited to certain regions. He suggested the US has its fair share of violence: “I live in LA,” he added. “I know all about violence.”
His own views on doing business in Mexico have evolved, he noted. “When I started to look into Mexico, I took an investment approach rather than a mortgage approach,” he said, noting he manages a group of more than 30 loan officers although he personally is not licensed to originate loans. “Then I took the mortgage approach and was looking at the numbers.”…”
While Leisure Continues To Dominate, Experts Foresee Dramatic Rebound for Mexico’s Business Hotels
“…MEXICO CITY — While hoteliers in Mexico remain optimistic about the outsize demand seen at Mexican resorts, there is increasing hope that the county’s business travel sector is poised for a dramatic rebound as more North American companies look to move Asia-based manufacturing back to North America…”
U.S. demands formal talks with Mexico over GMO corn dispute
“CHICAGO/WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) – The United States requested formal trade consultations with Mexico on Monday over U.S. objections to its southern neighbor’s plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn and other agricultural biotechnology products.
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office announced the request for technical talks after months of informal discussions with Mexican officials over their plans to ban GMO corn for human consumption failed to satisfy U.S. trade officials…”
Tesla to build new factory in Mexico
“Tesla is planning to build a new factory in Mexico, joining other carmakers bulking up their presence south of the US border.Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the plant for the electric car firm would be in Monterrey, which is about a three-hour drive from Texas…”
The importance and potential role of services in North American supply chains
“Imagine you are a manufacturing firm in the United States considering locating a stage of your manufacturing process in Mexico. What is the full set of activities you would need to provide or procure to ensure that the operation in Mexico successfully integrates with your operations in the U.S.?…”
https://www.brookings.edu/essay/usmca-forward-2023-chapter-4-services/
What’s behind the Mexican wave of optimism?
“Mexico’s economy was relatively robust in 2022, while its equity market comfortably outperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
In many ways the backdrop for 2023 looks considerably less favourable, yet there is optimism regarding Mexico’s outlook. Amid increased geopolitical concerns and a fundamental shift in global supply chains, Mexico stands to be a potential winner…”
