Viernes, 3/2/2017: Ecuador makes U.S. money laundering list, Remigio Crespo Museum, Judge blocks Obebrecht payment

Hola, Todos –

Pagina cultural –

Special page dedicated to the Museo Remigio Crespo Toral – The newly restored museum will have its grand opening in marzo. From street level at Calle Larga, you see 2 levels, but there are another 3 that step down to the Tomebamba.  The museum does have an elevator.  (My guess is it’s wheelchair accessible from the 3 de noviembre side.)  There will be a cafeteria on the lowest level.  The house dates back 90 years (1917) (I know – your guess is as good as mine since I can’t find anything else that supports either age.)  The city bought it to house the museum in 1967.  The museum’s 70th anniversary is today when Mayor Luis Morena Mora created the museum.  (Now you know who the street was named after. And those other Morena Moras, Alfonso and Miguel – brothers?)

Otras cosas – 

Titular – CNE: abierto plazo para impugnar (CNE: open time to challenge) – The 48 hour window for candidates to challenge the election results is open.  The run-off election campaign will be from 10-30/3. Prisoners in the CRS at Turi will vote on 30/3, and the vote at home will be on 31/3.

Odebrecht – A judge blocked over $40 million in pending payments to Odebrecht from the Refinería del Pacífico and the Water Company to guarantee a possible indemnification to the country while the case of bribing public officials is being investigated.  (And here’s your civics lesson for the day on criminal investigations.)  The Attorney General’s office officially opened the investigation on 22/12/2016, one day after the US announced the alleged bribery.  Odebrecht’s offices were raided and documents and equipment seized, employees were questioned, and the AG collaborated with teams from Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, México, Panamá, Perú, Portugal, República Dominicana y Venezuela.  (Who’s missing?  Oh, the countries without oil – interesting that corruption seems to follow oil.  I take that back.  It follows money.)

Money laundering list – The US released a list of the main locations for money laundering which added Cuba, Ecuador & Perú.  Also on the list are Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. They join countries who were on the list last year: Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Colombia, Costa Rica, República Dominicana, Guatemala, México, Panamá, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.  (I guess in S.A., only Chile is honest. The Guayanas are probably too poor.)  With respect to Ecuador, the report did say that it was vulnerable since it has a dollarized economy and is between two larger neighbors who produce drugs.  (I wonder how much the decreased poverty rate in Ecuador has to do with it not being a drug producing country.  (Other than the occasional pot on a terrace.))

Animal mistreatment – You can report animal mistreatment to the Comisión de Gestión Ambiental (CGA – Environmental Management Commission) on Simón Bolívar between Luis Cordero and Pres. Borrero, or you can call 413 4900 (07 413 4900 from a cell phone).  You must give your name, cedula number, the names of the alleged mistreater, a description of the mistreatment and an exact address.  Your info will be kept confidential.

Festival agenda – The Permanent Festival Committee opened registrations to the citizenry, organized groups, and institutions to register their events by el próximo viernes, 10/3.

Amenidades –

Movies – as usual, go to www.multicines.com.ec for show times and locations. Everything is in 2D.  The following movies open this week.
Logan – Esp. y Sub.
La reencarnación – Esp. y Sub.

The following movies are continuing.
La razon de estar contigo – Esp.
Lego Batman – Esp.
Rock Dog – Esp.
La Gran Muralla – Esp.
La la land – Sub.
Cincuenta sombras más oscuras – Esp.
La cura Siniestra – Esp.

Discuentos y compras –

El Maíz Restaurante and Restaurante Rancho Chileno – special Lent menu – every Friday – humitas, fanesca and arroz con leche.

Circo (Circus) del Terror – sábado, 11/3 at 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00 – domingo, 12/3 at 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00 – teatro Pumapungo – buy your tickets at the theater with 15% off for purchases until 9/3 – call 096 862 2932 for more info.

Aldanny Boutique, Wo/Man/Kids – 50-60% off everything, bring the ad and get another 5% off – Bolivar 11-63 y Tarqui.

And that´s all for today so Hasta Domingo –

Jeanne